Experience of a reference center on ventriculo-gallbladder shunt as an alternative treatment for peritoneal failure in children.

PURPOSE: Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is the gold standard for non-obstructive hydrocephalus. Despite advances in material, infection prevention, and valve technologies, failure can still occur. The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive study based on the experience of a reference center in pediatric neurosurgery in Rio de Janeiro with the use of the ventriculo-gallbladder shunt as an alternative to peritoneal failure. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2023 of patients diagnosed with cerebrospinal fluid shunt dysfunction due to peritoneal failure and submitted to ventriculo-gallbladder shunt as an alternative in a reference center of Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2023, 18 peritoneal failures were diagnosed. Among them, 10 patients (55.5%) were selected for ventriculo-gallbladder shunt (VGS). Different causes were responsible for the hydrocephalus in these patients. VGS was placed at a mean age of 35.4 months. Four patients had temporary complications: 2 self-limited diarrheas in the first month and 2 shunt infections. After the resolution of the infection, a new VGS was placed successfully. The average follow-up was 18.8 months (follow-up 9-68 months) without further issues. CONCLUSION: VGS is a viable option for patients facing peritoneal failure. This paper provides valuable insights into the surgical technique and outcomes associated with this alternative.

Low numbers of large microplastics on environmentally-protected Antarctic beaches reveals no widespread contamination: insights into beach sedimentary dynamics.

Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants of marine ecosystems around the world and Antarctica is no exception. Microplastics can be influenced by sedimentary dynamics mainly on coastal areas where they are more abundant in Antarctica. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in beach environments from two Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, aiming to identify relationships between microplastic numbers and sedimentological parameters on beach sediments. Low numbers of microplastics were found (> 0.5 mm; fibers excluded) - one particle per sample in 4 of 15 samples analyzed - and there is no evidence of widespread contamination. Sedimentological parameters reveal differences between sampled environments, but low numbers of microplastics impaired statistical comparison. All sediment samples are coarse, denoting highenergy depositional environments that are likely little susceptible to microplastic accumulation. Microplastic contamination in the Antarctic coastal ecosystem is heterogeneous, and their detailed characterization assisted by a systematization of methods can improve the understanding of microplastics distribution patterns in the cold coastal ecosystem.

Different intrauterine environments and children motor development in the first 6 months of life: a prospective longitudinal cohort.

This prospective cohort longitudinal study examines the risk factors associated with different intrauterine environments and the influence of different intrauterine environments on children's motor development at 3- and 6-months of life. Participants were 346 mother/newborn dyads enrolled in the first 24 to 48 h after delivery in public hospitals. Four groups with no concurrent condition composed the sample: mothers with a clinical diagnosis of diabetes, mothers with newborns small for gestational age due to idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), mothers who smoked tobacco during gestation, and a control group composed of mothers without clinical condition. Children were assessed at three- and six-months regarding motor development, weight, length, head circumference, and parents completed a socioeconomic questionnaire. The IUGR children had lower supine, sitting, and overall gross motor scores at 6 months than the other children's groups. Anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics negatively influenced gross motor development. IUGR and anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics negatively impact motor development. Intrauterine environment impact child neurodevelopment.

Risk factors for mortality in 1528 Brazilian childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify associations between mortality in cSLE patients and their characteristics: clinical and laboratory features, disease activity and damage scores, and treatment; to evaluate risk factors associated with mortality in cSLE; and to determine the most frequent causes of death in this group of patients. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort using data from 1,528 cSLE patients followed in 27 pediatric rheumatology tertiary centers in Brazil. Patients' medical records were reviewed according to a standardized protocol, in which information regarding demographic and clinical features, disease activity and damage scores, and treatment were collected and compared between deceased cSLE patients and survivors. Univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression model were used to calculate risk factors for mortality, whereas survival rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: A total of 63/1,528 (4.1%) patients deceased, 53/63 were female (84.1%), median age at death was 11.9 (9.4-13.1) years and median time interval between cSLE diagnosis and death was 3.2 (0.5-5.3) years. Sepsis was the main cause of death in 27/63 (42.8%) patients, followed by opportunistic infections in 7/63 (11.1%), and alveolar hemorrhage in 6/63 (9.5%) patients. The regression models resulted in neuropsychiatric lupus (NP-SLE) (HR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.48-4.42) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR = 4.33, 95% CI = 2.33-4.72), as risk factors significantly associated with mortality. Overall patient survival after cSLE diagnosis at 5, 10, and 15 years were 97%, 95.4%, and 93.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the recent mortality rate in cSLE in Brazil is low, but still of concern. NP-SLE and CKD were the main risk factors for mortality, indicating that the magnitude of these manifestations was significantly high.

Chronic kidney disease in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent manifestation of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) with a potential risk for kidney failure and poor outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate stages III, IV, and V of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and investigate risk factors for CKD in cSLE patients. METHODS: We performed a nationwide observational cohort study in 27 pediatric rheumatology centers, including medical charts of 1528 cSLE patients. Data were collected at cSLE diagnosis, during follow-up, and at last visit or death, between September 2016 and May 2019. RESULTS: Of 1077 patients with LN, 59 (5.4%) presented with CKD, 36/59 (61%) needed dialysis, and 7/59 (11.8%) were submitted for kidney transplantation. After Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons (p < 0.0013), determinants associated with CKD were higher age at last visit, urinary biomarker abnormalities, neuropsychiatric involvement, higher scores of disease activity at last visit and damage index, and more frequent use of methylprednisolone, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. In the regression model analysis, arterial hypertension (HR = 15.42, 95% CI = 6.12-38.83, p ≤ 0.001) and biopsy-proven proliferative nephritis (HR = 2.83, 95%CI = 1.70-4.72, p ≤ 0.001) increased the risk of CKD, while children using antimalarials had 71.0% lower CKD risk ((1.00-0.29) × 100%) than children not using them. The Kaplan-Meier comparison showed lower survival in cSLE patients with biopsy-proven proliferative nephritis (p = 0.02) and CKD (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A small number of patients manifested CKD; however, frequencies of dialysis and kidney transplantation were relevant. This study reveals that patients with cSLE with hypertension, proliferative nephritis, and absence of use of antimalarials exhibited higher hazard rates of progression to CKD. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

The influence of perception of care and maternal protection on breastfeeding practices on the infants' third month of life / Influência da percepção do cuidado e da proteção materna sobre as práticas de aleitamento materno em lactentes no terceiro mês de vida

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the influence of perception of care and maternal protection on breastfeeding practices on the infants' third month of life. Methods: longitudinal study with mother-infant pairs distributed in five groupsof gestational clinical conditions. The recruitment occurred in the period 2011 to 2016 at three hospitals in the public health systems in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The Parental Bonding Instrument and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale were assessed. Exclusive and prolonged breastfeeding were analyzed by questionnaires. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test, Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post-hoc test, or Pearson's chi-squared test. The significance was set at 5%. Results: 209 mother-infant pairs were investigated. Among those who did not practice breastfeeding, a lower perception of care, a higher perception of maternal protection, and a higher score of postpartum depression were observed (p=0.022, p=0.038, and p<0.001, respectively), when compared to peers who practiced. The control group had a significantly higher perception of care when compared to thediabetes mellitus group (p=0.006), and the perception of maternal protection and postpartum depression had no differences between the intrauterine groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: the perception of care and maternalprotection and the postpartum depressive symptomatology influenced breastfeeding at three months. It is possible to assume a transgenerational effect on breastfeeding, suggesting the existence of a complex model related to mental health in a sample of women who had different backgrounds of gestational clinical conditions

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a influência da percepção do cuidado e da proteção materna sobre as práticas de aleitamento materno em lactentes no terceiro mês de vida. Métodos: estudo longitudinal, com pares mães-lactentes distribuídos em cinco grupos de diferentes condições clínicas gestacionais. O recrutamento ocorreu no período de 2011 a 2016 em três hospitais da rede pública de saúde de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Foram utilizados o Parental Bonding Instrument e o Edinburgh Postpartun Depression Scale. O aleitamento materno exclusivo e continuado foi analisado por questionários. Na análise de dados foram utilizados os testes de ANOVA com post-hoc de Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis com post-hoc de Dunn e Qui-quadrado. Resultados: foram investigados 209 pares mães-lactentes. Entre aqueles que não praticaram o aleitamento materno foi observadouma menor percepção de cuidado materno, uma maior percepção de proteção materna e ummaior escore de depressão pós-parto (p=0,022, p=0,038 e p<0,001, respectivamente) quandocomparados aos pares mães-lactentes que praticaram. O grupo controle teve significativamente maior percepção do cuidado materno quando comparado ao grupo com diabetes mellitus (p=0,006) enquanto a percepção de proteção materna e a depressão pós-parto não apresentaram diferenças entre os cinco grupos intrauterinos (p>0,05). Conclusões: a percepção de cuidado e proteção materna e asintomatologia depressiva pós-parto influenciaram o aleitamento materno aos três meses. É possível assumir um efeito transgeracional no aleitamento materno, sugerindo a existência de um modelo complexo relacionado à saúde mental numa amostra de mulheres que tinham diferentes antecedentes de condições clínicas gestacionais.

Diagnóstico Psicodinâmico Operacionalizado (OPD-2) em pacientes com comportamento suicida prévio / Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) in patients with previous suicidal behavior

OBJETIVO: avaliar o funcionamento psicodinâmico de pacientes pós-tentativa de suicídio através do Diagnóstico Psicodinâmico Operacionalizado (OPD-2) e de outros instrumentos complementares. MÉTODOS: estudo de caso utilizando métodos mistos de análise (quali-quantitativa). Os pacientes foram avaliados em follow up 3 anos após a primeira entrevista (que ocorreu logo após a tentativa de suicídio), e dois deles concordaram em participar do follow up. RESULTADOS: observou-se nível moderado de funcionamento global nos pacientes. Os conflitos psíquicos com maior prevalência foram o de 'autoestima' e 'necessidade de ser cuidado' versus 'autossuficiência'. Em suas relações, mostraram-se dependentes, impulsivos e exigentes, o que ocasiona sensação constante de abandono. Nessa perspectiva, o medo de ser abandonado faz com que se distanciem e se isolem. Os fatores protetivos de tendências suicidas foram a qualidade da rede de apoio (MOS), a maior interação social, a maior estabilidade do self, o nível de defesas maduras e o tratamento em saúde mental posterior à alta hospitalar. CONCLUSÃO: o OPD-2 demonstrou-se um instrumento apropriado para uma ampla compreensão psicológica de pessoas que tiveram tentativas de suicídio.(AU)

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the psychodynamic functioning of patients after suicide attempts through the Operationalization Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) and other complementary instruments. METHODS: case study using mixed methods of analysis (quali-quantitative). Patients were evaluated in follow up 3 years after the first interview (which occurred shortly after the suicide attempt), and two of them has agreed in participating of the follow up. RESULTS: a moderate level of overall functioning was observed in the patients. The most prevalent psychic conflicts were 'self-esteem' and 'need to be cared for' versus 'self-sufficiency'. In their relationships, they have shown up to be dependent, impulsive and demanding, which causes a constant feeling of abandonment. In this perspective, the fear of being abandoned causes them to distance themselves and be isolated. The protective factors of suicidal tendencies were the quality of the support network (MOS), the greater social interaction, the greater stability of the self, the level of mature defenses and the mental health treatment after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: OPD-2 proved to be an appropriate instrument for a broad psychological comprehension of people who had suicide attempts.(AU)

OBJETIVO: evaluar el funcionamiento psicodinámico de pacientes tras intentos de suicidio a través del Diagnóstico Psicodinámico Operacionalizado (OPD-2) y otros instrumentos complementarios. MÉTODOS: estudio de caso utilizando métodos mixtos de análisis (cuali-cuantitativo). Los pacientes fueron evaluados en el seguimiento 3 años después de la primera entrevista (que ocurrió poco después del intento de suicidio), y dos de ellos han aceptado participar del seguimiento. RESULTADOS: se observó un nivel moderado de funcionamiento general en los pacientes. Los conflictos psíquicos más prevalentes fueron la "autoestima" y la "necesidad de ser atendido" versus la "autosuficiencia". En sus relaciones se han mostrado dependientes, impulsivos y exigentes, lo que provoca un constante sentimiento de abandono. En esta perspectiva, el miedo al abandono hace que se distancien y se aíslen. Los factores protectores de las tendencias suicidas fueron la calidad de la red de apoyo (MOS), la mayor interacción social, la mayor estabilidad del yo, el nivel de defensas maduras y el tratamiento de salud mental tras el alta hospitalaria. CONCLUSIÓN: OPD-2 resultó ser un instrumento apropiado para una amplia comprensión psicológica de las personas que tuvieron intentos de suicidio.(AU)

Infant processed food consumption and their interaction to breastfeeding and growth in children up to six months old.

BACKGROUND: Evidences suggest that early processed food (PF) consumption may cause harm to infant health. During the first 6 months of life, it is not known whether the timing and quantity of this food group can impact breastfeeding and growth. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between time of introduction and quantity of infant PF consumption with duration of breastfeeding and infant growth at 6 months of age. METHODS: Data were longitudinally collected in six interviews, from birth to 6 months, in a sample of Brazilian newborns with adverse intrauterine environments. PF consumption was calculated by gravity score of processed foods (GSPF) in relation to feeding supply quality and time. For the analysis, the scores were divided into tertiles, making scores severities: Null, Mild, Moderate, and Severe. The interaction between GSPF and breastfeeding (exclusive and non-exclusive) and growth parameters (analyzed in Z-scores, by weight for height, weight for age, and body mass index for age) was tested. RESULTS: A total of 236 infants were included in the study. Greater GSPF were associated with better rates of breastfeeding practices and higher growth indicators scores in the sixth month of infants. These findings were confirmed after adjustment for family income, maternal age, pre-gestational body mass index, and growth z scores at birth. CONCLUSION: The harms of eating PF in relation to breastfeeding and infant growth are more evident the greater and earlier they are consumed. Future studies should explore interventions to reduce and delay the consumption of these foods to prevent adverse health outcomes in later life.

Association of physical activity levels and the prevalence of COVID-19-associated hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES: We compared physical activity levels before the outbreak and quarantine measures with COVID-19-associated hospitalization prevalence in surviving patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we investigated the association of physical activity levels with symptoms of the disease, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional. METHODS: Between June 2020 and August 2020, we invited Brazilian survivors and fully recovered patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to respond to an online questionnaire. We shared the electronic link to the questionnaire on the internet. We collected data about clinical outcomes (symptoms, medications, hospitalization, and length of hospital stay) and cofactors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, preexisting diseases, socioeconomic and educational, and physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short version). RESULTS: Out of 938 patients, 91 (9.7%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. In a univariate analysis, sex, age, and BMI were all associated with hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Men had a higher prevalence of hospitalization (66.6%, p = 0.013). Patients older than 65 years, obese, and with preexisting disease had a higher prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. In a multivariate regression model, performance of at least 150 min/wk (moderate) and/or 75 min/wk (vigorous) physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence of hospitalizations after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and preexisting diseases (PR = 0.657; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient physical activity levels were associated with a lower prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Performing at least 150 min a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 min a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity was associated with 34.3% reduction in prevalence.

Telomere length and epigenetic age acceleration in adolescents with anxiety disorders.

Evidence on the relationship between genetics and mental health are flourishing. However, few studies are evaluating early biomarkers that might link genes, environment, and psychopathology. We aimed to study telomere length (TL) and epigenetic age acceleration (AA) in a cohort of adolescents with and without anxiety disorders (N = 234). We evaluated a representative subsample of participants at baseline and after 5 years (n = 76) and categorized them according to their anxiety disorder diagnosis at both time points: (1) control group (no anxiety disorder, n = 18), (2) variable group (anxiety disorder in one evaluation, n = 38), and (3) persistent group (anxiety disorder at both time points, n = 20). We assessed relative mean TL by real-time quantitative PCR and DNA methylation by Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. We calculated AA using the Horvath age estimation algorithm and analyzed differences among groups using generalized linear mixed models. The persistent group of anxiety disorder did not change TL over time (p = 0.495). The variable group had higher baseline TL (p = 0.003) but no accelerated TL erosion in comparison to the non-anxiety control group (p = 0.053). Furthermore, there were no differences in AA among groups over time. Our findings suggest that adolescents with chronic anxiety did not change telomere length over time, which could be related to a delay in neuronal development in this period of life.

Anxiety Sensitivity and Panic Disorder: Evaluation of the Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a multidimensional construct associated with the etiology and maintenance of panic disorder (PD) symptoms. However, only a few studies have evaluated whether cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) can modify the condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CBGT on AS in patients with PD and to analyze AS and its dimensions as predictors of response to CBGT. In the present clinical trial, an intervention group (n = 37) attended 12 CBGT sessions, while a control group (n = 52) did not receive any intervention. The severity of symptoms and of AS were evaluated before and after CBGT in the intervention group and once in the control group. Significant improvement occurred in all specific PD symptoms and in general anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, AS scores reduced significantly after intervention. This study confirmed that AS is higher in patients with more severe PD. The effectiveness of CBGT for reducing the physical, cognitive, and social dimensions of AS was also observed, supporting the hypothesis of a positive impact of therapy.

Association between anger expression and attempted suicide at a general emergency hospital in the south of Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. For every person who commits suicide, twenty or more have attempted to take their own lives. The emotional state of anger is often associated with suicidal behavior. However, this association needs to be further clarified. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the profiles of traits and expressions of anger in inpatients admitted to a general emergency hospital after surviving a suicide attempt. METHODS: In this case-control study, a sample of 28 suicide survivors was matched for sex, age, and educational level with 56 controls. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 was used to measure anger traits and expression. RESULTS: Suicide survivors scored higher for anger traits and expression and lower for anger control than the control group. They also had lower levels of state anger and willingness to express anger verbally than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who attempted suicide and had high scores for anger expression (in and out) are inclined to have extreme difficulty in interpersonal relationships and rigidity towards change and are at higher risk of developing psychopathologies.

Diagenetic processes in Quaternary fossil bones from tropical limestone caves.

Quaternary fossils from limestone caves bear various diagenetic features due to the complex nature of sedimentary processes. However, few studies have addressed the problem of diagenetic changes in fossils from tropical-wet environments. We study Quaternary fossil bones from different sites of a tropical limestone cave in northeastern Brazil. These fossils show diverse diagenetic features. The approach encompassed the use of scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to understand the modification of the fossil bone structure, chemical composition, and mineral assemblage during the diagenesis processes. We describe a model for fossil diagenesis in tropical limestone caves that involves early and advanced diagenetic stages, which produce two routes with different endmembers. The diagenesis in the cave alters the crystallinity and ordering of hydroxyapatite. The recrystallization of hydroxyapatite appears to be strongly influenced by dripping water that is rich in calcium carbonate, which leads to crystal formation with higher crystallinity. In the absence of calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite diagenesis involves crystal growth but not necessarily dissolution of the original material, which enables remarkable preservation of the biological structure.

The pharmacy workforce in public primary healthcare centers: promoting access and information on medicines

BACKGROUND: Only few studies have analyzed the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers, and a global recommendation calls for better understanding of the trends that shape workforce development and capacity. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution of the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers in the national health system [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)] in Brazil. METHODS: The study was conducted using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil. Secondary data referring to the socioeconomic indicators of each municipality were obtained from national public databases. Data stratification in geographic regions was considered, and data on workers in the management of the municipal pharmaceutical services and medicines dispensing centers were analyzed. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated by Poisson regression in the study investigating the factors associated with low and high-density pharmacists per 10,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: The results showed that most Brazilian municipalities have a rate of 1 or more pharmacist per 10,000 inhabitants in primary healthcare public facilities, with a higher concentration of pharmacists in small municipalities. Even in Brazilian municipalities with lower economic capacity, the conditions of access to medicines and pertinent information on medicines were directly related to the number of pharmacists available in these centers. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high number of pharmacists in the public health system. The higher density of pharmacists in primary healthcare public facilities correlated to increased access to medicines information and better municipal social development

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Translation and cultural adaptation of the DSM-5 Personality Inventory - Brief Form (PID-5-BF)

Abstract Introduction The Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 - Brief Form (PID-5-BF) - is an instrument for assessment of the five pathological personality traits from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) alternative model of personality disorders. Objectives To determine the psychometric properties of the version of the PID-5-BF translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods The process of translating and cross-culturally adapting the text was carried out by independent translators and the resulting version was administered to 176 patients in two hospitals in Rio Grande do Sul. The internal structure was tested by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Evidence of reliability was tested by examining the internal consistency of the scales and their convergent and concurrent validity with other methods of psychopathology. Results The five factors were replicated in the present sample with adequate indicators of fit of the data to the model. Appropriate reliability coefficients for the scales and evidence of validity were observed, indicating the clinical usefulness of the PID-5-BF in the Brazilian context. Conclusion The psychometric properties of PID-5-BF proved satisfactory in an initial sample of Brazilians.

The pharmacy workforce in public primary healthcare centers: promoting access and information on medicines.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies have analyzed the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers, and a global recommendation calls for better understanding of the trends that shape workforce development and capacity. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution of the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers in the national health system [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)] in Brazil. METHODS: The study was conducted using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil. Secondary data referring to the socioeconomic indicators of each municipality were obtained from national public databases. Data stratification in geographic regions was considered, and data on workers in the management of the municipal pharmaceutical services and medicines dispensing centers were analyzed. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated by Poisson regression in the study investigating the factors associated with low and high-density pharmacists per 10,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: The results showed that most Brazilian municipalities have a rate of 1 or more pharmacist per 10,000 inhabitants in primary healthcare public facilities, with a higher concentration of pharmacists in small municipalities. Even in Brazilian municipalities with lower economic capacity, the conditions of access to medicines and pertinent information on medicines were directly related to the number of pharmacists available in these centers. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high number of pharmacists in the public health system. The higher density of pharmacists in primary healthcare public facilities correlated to increased access to medicines information and better municipal social development.

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus-related antiphospholipid syndrome: A multicenter study with 1519 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus-related antiphospholipid syndrome(cSLE-APS) in a large Brazilian population. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was carried-out in 27 Pediatric Rheumatology university centers, including 1519 cSLE patients. RESULTS: cSLE-APS was observed in 67/1519 (4%) and was diagnosed at disease onset in 39/67 (58%). The median disease duration was 4.9 (0-17) years. Thrombosis recurrences were evidenced in 18/67 (27%) cSLE-APS patients. The most frequent thrombosis sites in cSLE-APS patients were: venous thrombosis in 40/67 (60%), especially deep vein thrombosis in 29/40 (72%); arterial thrombosis in 35/67 (52%), particularly stroke; small vessels thrombosis in 9/67 (13%) and mixed thrombosis in 3/67 (4%). Pregnancy morbidity was observed in 1/67 (1%). Non-thrombotic manifestation associated to cSLE-APS occurred in 21/67 (31%), mainly livedo reticularis in 14/67 (21%), valvar thickening in 4/67 (6%) and valvar vegetations not related to infections in 2/67 (3%). None of them had catastrophic APS. Further analysis demonstrated that the median of SLICC/ACR-DI [1(0-5) vs. 0(0-7),p < 0.0001] was significantly higher in cSLE-APS patients compared to cSLE without APS. The frequencies of cerebrovascular disease (40% vs. 1%,p < 0.0001), polyneuropathy (9% vs. 1%,p < 0.0001), SLICC/ACR-DI ≥1 (57% vs. 27%, p < 0.0001) and intravenous cyclophosphamide use (59% vs. 37%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the former group. CONCLUSIONS: Our large multicenter study demonstrated that cSLE-APS was a rare condition, occurring during disease course with a high accrual damage. Central and peripheral neuropsychiatric involvements were distinctive features of this autoimmune thrombosis.

Brief antibullying intervention for adolescents in public schools.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the results of a brief antibullying intervention for adolescents in public schools. METHOD: This was a controlled experimental study whose subjects were 1,043 students in 5th through 9th grades from public schools in Porto Alegre/State of Rio Grande do Sul, conducted between April and November 2015. Adolescents and school teachers randomly assigned to the intervention group participated in two meetings focused on educative aspects of bullying. Outcome was assessed using the Bullying Questionnaire - victim and perpetrator version. Generalized Estimating Equations was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: Average age of subjects was 12.5 (SD=1.62) years. A total of 613 (58.7%) adolescents participated in interventions. They were compared to 430 (41.3%) participants in the control group. The study did not observe any significant difference in bullying scores after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the usefulness of clarifying precisely what bullying is in schools as part of an initial approach to an educative strategy on this topic.

Concurrent Use of Alcohol and Crack Cocaine is Associated with High Levels of Anger and Liability to Aggression.

Objective: To evaluate aggressiveness in individuals receiving treatment for alcohol and crack cocaine use, both alone and in combination with one another, in order to compare them to control subjects with no history of drug problems, using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Method: The sample consisted of 67 men aged 18-65 years, divided into four groups: alcohol (n = 13); crack cocaine (n = 25); crack cocaine + alcohol (n = 16) and controls (n = 13). Participants completed the following instruments: socioeconomic questionnaire, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Results: Individuals with alcohol dependence alone, or comorbid with crack cocaine dependence, showed elevated levels of aggression and anger, though these varied according to the drug of abuse. Concurrent users of alcohol and crack cocaine had the highest levels of aggression, followed by isolated alcohol users, suggesting an association between alcohol consumption and aggression. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that alcohol and aggression levels may be associated with violent behavior. Concurrent use of alcohol and crack cocaine was related to higher levels of aggression, which may be associated with more severe alterations in behavior and impulse control.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the DSM-5 Personality Inventory - Brief Form (PID-5-BF).

INTRODUCTION: The Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 - Brief Form (PID-5-BF) - is an instrument for assessment of the five pathological personality traits from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) alternative model of personality disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine the psychometric properties of the version of the PID-5-BF translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The process of translating and cross-culturally adapting the text was carried out by independent translators and the resulting version was administered to 176 patients in two hospitals in Rio Grande do Sul. The internal structure was tested by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Evidence of reliability was tested by examining the internal consistency of the scales and their convergent and concurrent validity with other methods of psychopathology. RESULTS: The five factors were replicated in the present sample with adequate indicators of fit of the data to the model. Appropriate reliability coefficients for the scales and evidence of validity were observed, indicating the clinical usefulness of the PID-5-BF in the Brazilian context. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of PID-5-BF proved satisfactory in an initial sample of Brazilians.