Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): Its interception at the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro and relevance as a quarentine pest (A1)

Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is considered a severe pest for wood and wood products in regions where it is established. In Brazil, so far, there are no records of its establishment. Therefore, this work reports the interception of this Bostrichidae in the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, on pallet wood from India. It also defends the maintenance of this insect as an absent quarantine pest (A1), by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. It also conducts a discussion that addresses the efficiency of wood treatments, usually used to prevent the spread of quarantine pests in environments where there is international transit of wood, demonstrating that they may not be efficient in this regard, especially for insect species that have the capacity to lay eggs on dry wood. In this context, it also suggests population monitoring, combined with inspections, as an aid measure for the early detection of this pest in an environment where there is international transit of wood.

A importância da qualidade da água reagente no laboratório clínico / The importance of water quality in clinical laboratory reagent

A água é um reagente utilizado na maioria dos testes laboratoriais e por isso deve seguir um padrão de controle de qualidade rigoroso. O fornecimento urbano de água apresenta moléculas orgânicas, íons inorgânicos, partículas, coloides, gases, bactérias e seus produtos, que podem alterar os resultados dos exames laboratoriais e causar eventuais erros e falhas mecânicas em equipamentos analíticos. Para remover essas impurezas, é necessário recorrer a uma combinação de tecnologias de purificação. Há várias organizações que especificam normas sobre a água reagente, a fim de minimizar sua interferência nos ensaios laboratoriais. A maioria dos laboratórios utiliza as normas estabelecidas pelo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) que classifica a água em: clinical laboratory reagent water (CLRW), special reagent water (SRW) e instrumental feed water (IFW). O monitoramento da qualidade é realizado pela determinação de resistividade, condutividade, carbono orgânico total (TOC), controle microbiológico e endotoxinas. Os parâmetros são avaliados de acordo com a periodicidade estabelecida pela norma utilizada. Neste artigo, discutem-se a importância da água utilizada nos procedimentos laboratoriais, o controle da qualidade e as interferências nos ensaios laboratoriais.

Water is a reagent used in most laboratory tests and, therefore, must follow stringent quality control standards. The urban water supply has organic molecules, inorganic ions, particles, colloids, gases, bacteria and their products, which may alter laboratory test results and cause occasional errors and mechanical failures in diagnostic equipment. To remove these impurities, it is necessary to use a combination of purification technologies. There are several organizations that specify reagent water standards to minimize its interference in laboratory assays. Most laboratories set standards established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), which classifies the type of water as follows: clinical laboratory reagent water (CLRW), special reagent water (SRW) and instrumental feed water (IFW). The quality monitoring is performed by means of assessing the resistivity, conductivity, total organic carbon (TOC), microbial control and endotoxins. The parameters are evaluated in accordance with the frequency determined by the standard used. In this article we discuss the importance of water employed in laboratory procedures, its quality control and its interference in laboratory assays.

Criação e implantação do centro de simulação realística do centro de aprimoramento profissional de enfermagem: relato de experiência / Creation and deployment of the realistic simulation center at the center for nursing professional development: an experience report

Este estudo tem como objetivo relatar a experiência do processo de criação e implantação do Centro de Simulação Realística do Centro de Aprimoramento Profissional de Enfermagem. O Conselho Regional de Enfermagem tendo como meta solidificar a qualidade da assistência de enfermagem inaugurou em agosto de 2009 o Centro de Aprimoramento Profissional de Enfermagem que oferece conhecimento proficiente utilizando os mais atuais e eficientes conceitos e estratégia de aprendizado. Dentre os recursos oferecidos conta com um Centro de Simulação Realística que investe na capacitação e aprimoramento profissional pautado no ensino-aprendizado para aquisição de competências técnicas e relacionais. O Centro de Simulação tem possibilitado que os profissionais de enfermagem tenham um espaço para aprimoramento e aprendizado através de situações de aprendizagem de complexidade crescente privilegiando a competência profissional.

Gabapentin in the treatment of severe sweating experienced by advanced cancer patients.

Nine patients with advanced cancer suffering from idiopathic severe sweating were treated with gabapentin (600-1,800 mg/day). All patients responded to the treatment; five patients experienced transient drowsiness. Gabapentin seems to be a safe and effective treatment for idiopathic sweating in advanced cancer patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm or refute these results.

The Supportive Care Task Force at the University of L'Aquila: 2-years experience.

The Supportive Care Task Force (SCTF) was established within the Medical Oncology Department at the University of L'Aquila in May 2002. The missions of the SCTF were to allow systematic evaluation and treatment of symptoms, to warrant continuity of care in all phases of disease and to provide medical oncology residents with training in the treatment of symptoms. A medical oncologist, two senior residents in medical oncology and a registered nurse comprised the SCTF. A psychiatrist, two neurologists, a dietician, and two physiotherapists served as consultants or on a part-time basis. Four beds in two-bedded rooms inside the Medical Oncology Department were reserved to SCTF. A close integration with the physicians of the Medical Oncology Department was realised. The only criterion to admission was the presence of uncontrolled symptoms. Patients were evaluated and monitored with the visual analogue scale for pain and with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). The Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP Score) was employed to assess the prognosis. Non-clinical needs were evaluated with the Need Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ). Protocols for the treatment of common symptoms were available in written form for consultation by physicians, residents and nurses. From 1 May 2002 to 31 May 2004, we observed 208 patients: 111 women and 97 men. The median age was 64.7 (range 28-90) years. Fifty-four patients (25.9%) were admitted more than once, for a total of 285 admissions. One hundred ninety-nine admissions (69.5%) were for supportive care while 86 admissions (30.5%) were for supportive care and active treatment. The most frequent symptoms were asthenia and anorexia. We registered excellent results regarding the treatment of pain, nausea and dyspnea while psychological symptoms, anorexia and asthenia proved more difficult to treat. Two hundred twenty patients were discharged: 142 (49.8%) home; 76 (26.7%) to the Home Care Service and two (0.7%) to others units of the hospital. Sixty-five (22.8%) died in our unit.

Qualidade em ambientes com ar condicionado (I) / Quality ambient at air conditioned (I)

Este estudo visou a descriçäo, análise e avaliaçäo dos agravos à saúde em trabalhadores expostos sob condiçöes específicas por prolongado período à ambientes pelo sistema de Ar Condicionado. A identificaçäo desse agravos foi feita através de entrevista dirigida , realizada com 61 trabalhadores expostos por mais de 12 dias consecutivos, na Plataforma de Garoupa . Foi feito um estudo microbiológico ,levantamento dos agentes químicos e um monitoramento físico ambiental do campo de estudo . Constatamos uma significativa incidência de sintomas relacionados com o trato respirátorio e alteraçöes dermatológicas nos trabalhadores pesquisados. Os estudos microbiólogicos, e o monitoramento ambiental, associados à incidência de agravos à saúde dos trabalhadores estudados, revelam que a qualidade do ar ambiental apresentava-se comprometida pelos fatores de riscos detectados, com influência direta sobre o organismo dos trabalhadores expostos por longo tempo, tendo como consequência, o absenteísmo e a queda do rendimento laboral .Esse estudo foi motivado pelos levantamentos feitos no períodos de 01 de janeiro à 31 de de julho de 1992