Effects of cigarette smoke inhalation and coffee consumption on bone formation and osseous integration of hydroxyapatite implant.

The present study aims to assess the effects of cigarette smoke inhalation and/or coffee consumption on bone formation and osseous integration of a dense hydroxyapatite (DHA) implant in rats. For this study, 20 male rats were divided into four groups (n = 5): CT (control) group, CE (coffee) group, CI (cigarette) group and CC (coffee + cigarette) group. During 16 weeks, animals in the CI group were exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation equivalent to 6 cigarettes per day; specimens in the CE group drank coffee as liquid diet; and rats in the CC group were submitted to both substances. In the 6th week a 5 mm slit in the parietal bone and a 4 mm slit in the tibia were performed on the left side: the former was left open while the latter received a DHA implant. As soon as surgeries were finished, the animals returned to their original protocols and after 10 weeks of exposure they were euthanised (ethically sacrificed) and the mentioned bones collected for histological processing. Data showed that exposure to cigarette smoke inhalation and coffee consumption did not interfere in weight gain and that solid and liquid diet consumption was satisfactory. Rats in the CC group showed a decrease in bone neoformation around the tibial DHA implant (31.8 ± 2.8) as well as in bone formation in the parietal slit (28.6 ± 2.2). On their own, cigarette smoke inhalation or coffee consumption also led to diminished bone neoformation around the implant and delayed the bone repair process in relation to the CT group. However, reduction in the bone repair process was accentuated with exposure to both cigarette smoke inhalation and coffee consumption in this study.

[Heart involvement in systemic amyloidosis. In vivo diagnosis]. / Comprometimento cardíaco na amiloidose sistêmica. Diagnóstico in vivo.

This is the case of a 42 year-old male with systemic amyloidosis, probably primary, and heart involvement. Physiopathological and clinical aspects are described as well as the rarity of the diagnosis in vivo. The limited aspects of therapy are also described.

Comprometimento cardíaco na amiloidose sistêmica. Diagnóstico in vivo / Heart disease and systemic amyloidosis. In vivo diagnosis

Descrevemos o caso de um paciente masculino de 42 anos, com amiloidose sistêmica, provavelmente primária, comprometendo o coraçäo. Ressaltam-se os aspectos fisiopatológicos, clínicos e a relativa raridade do diagnoóstico in vivo. Discutem-se, ainda que limitados, os aspectos terapêuticos relacionados aos problemas cardíacos.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the left atrium]. / Leiomiossarcoma atrial esquerdo.

A 48-year-old man submitted to surgical excision of a left atrium leiomyosarcoma. The patient had a node close to the right suprarenal gland. The tumor was a casual echocardiographic finding as part of the cardiologic investigation, since the patient had shortness breath. Leiomyosarcomas of the heart are uncommon, and often the diagnosis is performed during postmortem examinations. Methods of diagnosis, specially the echocardiogram, were emphasised. Treatment and prognostic aspects on basis in a wide review of the literature were also emphasised.

[Hospital infection at a private hospital in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil]. / Infecção hospitalar em hospital privado de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo.

The aim of this work is to prospectively evaluate the incidence of infection, from June 1986 to June 1987, in 640 patients submitted to surgical treatment at the São Francisco Hospital, in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The overall incidence of infection was 10.31%. The incidence of wound abscess was 6.25%, and urinary infection 5.75%. In the surgical procedures considered as clean, the infection rate was 8.62%, in the clean-contaminated 14.81%, in the contaminated 8.33%, and in the dirty 16.94%. The antimicrobian drugs contributed to increase the infection rate. The hospital infection rate for the patients at infirmaries was 10.88%, and for the patients at private rooms 4.92%. The mortality rate due to hospital infection was 12.12%. The authors stress that a constant attention with the hospital infection is needed to verify the infection rate to be able to make a control program of the asepsis, antisepsis and sterilization methods, as well as to improve the operative techniques and the patient's management during the pre, per and postoperative period.