Organizing pneumonia revisited: insights and uncertainties from a series of 67 patients.

Background: Organizing pneumonia (OP) is classified as an acute/subacute pneumonia according to the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement (2013 update). Although its clinical presentation, radiologic and histologic features are well established, data on the relevance of potential causes, corticosteroid doses and length, or management of relapses are based on heterogeneous series of patients. Objectives: The aims of this study were to describe clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of OP, explore potential causes, discuss strategies for managing relapses, and analyze prognostic factors. We also discuss our findings in relation to relevant data in the literature. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of all patients diagnosed with OP at a tertiary referral center in northern Portugal between 2008 and 2015. Results: Sixty-seven patients were diagnosed with OP over the 7-year study period. Dyspnea and cough were the most common presenting symptoms and approximately 30% of patients were hospitalized at the time of diagnosis. Approximately half of the patients were receiving drugs described as potential causes of OP. Microorganisms were isolated in approximately one-third of patients. Other potential causes identified were hematologic disorders, neoplasms, connective tissue diseases, myelodysplastic syndromes, immunodeficiencies, radiotherapy, and bird exposure. Cryptogenic OP was diagnosed in just 16 patients (23.8%). Corticosteroids were the most common treatment and 11 patients (16.4%) experienced relapse. Conclusions: The findings for this series of patients confirm the extreme variability of the contexts in which OP can occur and suggest that rather than a distinct, homogeneous clinicopathologic entity, OP is a non-specific reaction whose outcomes are dependent on the cause. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2018; 35: 129-138).

Efficiency of small mammal trapping in an Atlantic Forest fragmented landscape: the effects of trap type and position, seasonality and habitat.

Trapping methods can strongly influence the sampling of mammal communities. This study compared the efficiency of the capture of small mammals in Sherman traps in two positions (at ground level and in trees) and pitfall traps in a fragmented landscape. Trapping sessions were carried out between October 2008 and October 2009 at two fragments (8 and 17 ha), an agroforest corridor between them, and the adjacent pasture. A total effort of 4622 trap-nights resulted in 155 captures of 137 individuals from six species. Pitfalls had greater success (4.03%), followed by Shermans on the ground (2.98%) and on trees (2.37%; χ2 = 6.50, p = 0.04). Five species were caught in Sherman ground traps, four in pitfalls and just two on trees. There was no difference among trap types for marsupials (χ2 = 4.75; p = 0.09), while for rodents, pitfalls were more efficient than Shermans on the ground (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.02). As a result, the efficiency of each trap type differed among habitats, due to differences in their species composition. Pitfalls were more efficient in the rainy season (Fisher's exact test, p <0.0001) while Shermans on trees were more efficient in the dry season (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.009). There was no difference between seasons for Shermans on the ground (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.76). Considering the results found, we recommend that future studies of forest mammal communities, particularly those designed to test the effects of forest fragmentation, include combinations of different trap types.

Effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and expression of COX-2 in the corpus luteum of female rats.

Although thyroid dysfunction occurs frequently in humans and some animal species, the mechanisms by which hypo- and hyperthyroidism affect the corpus luteum have not been thoroughly elucidated. This study evaluated the levels of proliferative activity, angiogenesis, apoptosis and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the corpus luteum of female rats with thyroid dysfunction. These processes may be important in understanding the reproductive changes caused by thyroid dysfunction. A total of 18 adult female rats were divided into three groups (control, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid) with six animals per group. Three months after treatment to induce thyroid dysfunction, the rats were euthanized in the dioestrus phase. The ovaries were collected and immunohistochemically analysed for expression of the cell proliferation marker CDC-47, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor Flk-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. Hypothyroidism reduced the intensity and area of COX-2 expression in the corpus luteum (p < 0.05), while hyperthyroidism did not alter COX-2 expression in the dioestrus phase. Hypothyroidism significantly reduced the expression of CDC-47 in endothelial cells and pericytes in the corpus luteum, whereas hyperthyroidism did not induce a detectable change in CDC-47 expression (p > 0.05). Hypothyroidism reduced the level of apoptosis in luteal cells (p < 0.05) and increased VEGF expression in the corpus luteum. In contrast, hyperthyroidism increased the level of apoptosis in the corpus luteum (p < 0.05). In conclusion, thyroid dysfunction differentially affects the levels of proliferative activity, angiogenesis and apoptosis and COX-2 expression in the corpus luteum of female rats.

Mammary carcinosarcoma in cat: a case report / Carcinossarcoma mamário em gata: relato de Caso

A case of mammary carcinosarcoma is reported in a 13-year-old, mixed breed female cat, which was not spayed and had not received contraceptives. The patient presented extensive and coalescent nodules in all mammary glands. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of mammary carcinosarcoma was confirmed.

Descreve-se um caso de carcinossarcoma mamário em uma gata, sem raça definida, de 13 anos de idade. A gata não era castrada e não recebeu anticoncepcionais. A paciente apresentou extensivos e coalescentes nódulos em todas as glândulas mamárias. Com base nos achados histológicos e imunoistoquímicos, firmou-se o diagnóstico de carcinossarcoma da glândula mamária.

Cytochemical detection of calcium in a case of calcinosis circumscripta in a dog.

A 9-month-old intact female Serra-da-Estrela dog (giant Portuguese breed) was presented with a 2-month history of lingual lesions. Two hard, nodular, nonpainful lesions were observed on the lateral border of the tongue. Fine-needle aspiration yielded a chalky white material. Hemacolor-stained smears showed an amorphous granular basophilic background with crystal-like structures and granulomatous inflammation consisting of foamy macrophages and giant cells. Cytochemical staining with von Kossa and Alizarin red S confirmed the calcareous nature of the material. The cytologic diagnosis was lingual calcinosis circumscripta; this was later confirmed by histopathologic examination. To our knowledge, this case is the first to document the use of von Kossa and Alizarin red S on cytologic smears to obtain a definitive diagnosis of lingual calcinosis circumscripta.

Molecular cloning of toxins expressed by the venom gland of Lasiodora sp.

The present work describes the identification of toxins expressed by the venom gland of the spider Lasiodora sp. The toxins LTx1, LTx2 and LTx3 were identified by the screening of a cDNA library. These toxins showed significant similarity at the amino acid level with spider toxins from Lasiodora parahybana, Eurypelma californicum, Brachypelma smithii, Selenocosmia huwena.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory effect of 830nm laser light using C-reactive protein levels.

The anti-inflammatory effect of non-surgical lasers has been proposed previously, however it was not scientifically proven. One method to assess levels of inflammation is the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is increased with the course of inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 830 nm laser irradiation after the removal of impacted third molars using the CRP as the marker of inflammation. Twelve patients were irradiated with 4.8 J of laser light per session 24 and 48 h after surgery. A control group (N = 12) was treated with a sham laser. Blood samples were taken prior to, and 48 and 72 h after surgery. CRP values were more symmetric and better distributed for the irradiated group (0.320 mg/dl) than for the control (0.862.mg/dl) 48 h after surgery, however there was no statistically significant difference. After 72 h, both groups had statistically similar CRP levels (0.272 and 0.608 mg/dl), because of the normal tendency of decreasing CRP levels.

[Health care labor market in Brazil: nursing employment in the last 3 decades]. / Mercado de trabalho em saúde no Brasil: empregos para os enfermeiros nas três últimas décadas.

The present study shows the dynamics of employment for the nursing profession in Brazil from 1970 up to 1990. It outlines the main characteristics and trends of this labor market before and after the implantation of the Sistema Unico de Saúde-SUS (Federal Health Care System). The main source of information for this investigation was data published in the research Medical-Sanitary Assistance carried out by IBGE (Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute).

A review of the electromyographic criteria in sexual performance.

Given that the criteria for sexual performance including males considered normal is not clear in available literature, the authors sought a way to choose standards that would leave no doubts as far competence of performance and neurophysiological integrity in the control of sexual performance. The results found in more than 5,000 electromyographic evaluations on erectile dysfunction were equivalent to the results from a previous research, "The electromyographic gold standard to male sexual capacity", where normal males were evaluated according to the latency period, amplitude and morphology. To classify the results as "The gold standard", we used a selected and accurate method that excluded any doubts about the sexual performance. These men had the installation capacity, maintenance and control of their ejaculation, totally voluntary. The similarity between the clinical picture and the electromyographic events, suggests that the amplitude and the morphology, beyond the latency period, may indicate the quality of neurotransmission.

[Taste preference for sweets and caries prevalence in preschool children]. / Preferências por alimentos doces e cárie dentária em pré-escolares.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the preference for sweetness among preschool children and differences between less and more deprived groups. In addition, to assess whether sweet taste preference was associated with presence of caries. METHODS: The sample was composed by 572 preschool children aged between 4 and 6, distributed in three day nurseries of varied socioeconomic background. Cross-sectional study developed in two steps. Preference for sweetness was assessed using a modified version of the Sweet Preference Inventory. The solutions varied in sugar concentration from 0 to 1,17 molar (0 to 400 g / litre). The presence of caries was assessed using the defs index. The socioeconomic status of the sample was classified according to the origin of domicile. RESULTS: The variation in preference for sweetness in our sample was too small. Most children preferred the sweetest juice. This reduced the ability of this variable to explain variation in caries prevalence. Despite this limitation, our results showed that socioeconomic level influenced preference for sweetness, which in turn was associated with caries prevalence. CONCLUSION: The socioeconomic status influence the sweetness preference and this, in turn, is associated with the dental caries prevalence.

Low-level laser therapy is an important tool to treat disorders of the maxillofacial region.

OBJECTIVES: The authors report on the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of maxillofacial disorders. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Further to our previous studies, this paper reports the results of the use of LLLT on the treatment of several disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region. This paper presents LLLT as an effective method of treating such disorders. METHODS: Two hundred and five female and 36 male patients ages between 7 and 81 years old (average 38.9 years old), suffering from disorders of the maxillofacial region, were treated with 632.8, 670, and 830 nm diode lasers at the Laser Center of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil (UFPE). The disorders included temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, trigeminal neuralgia, muscular pain, aphatae, inflammation, and tooth hypersensitivity postoperatively and in small hemangiomas. Most treatment consisted of a series of 12 applications (twice a week) and in 15 cases a second series was applied. Patients were treated with an average dose of 1.8 J/cm2. RESULTS: One hundred fifty four out of 241 patients were asymptomatic at the end of the treatment, 50 improved considerably, and 37 were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that LLLT is an effective tool and is beneficial for the treatment of many disorders of the maxillofacial region.

[Nurses and the Mercosul regulations and control of professional practice]. / Enfermeiros e o Mercosul: regulamentação e controle do exercício profissional.

A study comparing the regulation and control of the professional practice of nurses in Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, delineating their particularities, differences and similarities in the perspective of the implementation of the Cone Sul Common Market, which presupposes the free circulation of workers in the workplaces of the member-countries of the Ascnsion Treaty.