Streptococcal tonsillitis as a cause of urticaria: Tonsillitis and urticaria

BackgroundThe primary role of infections in chronic urticaria (CU) is controversial. We hypothesised that streptococcal tonsillitis (ST) could be a primary cause of CU or acute recurrent urticaria (ARU).MethodsRetrospective study of 14 outpatients observed between January 2000 and December 2009, with CU/ARU and clinical and/or laboratorial suspicion of an aetiopathogenic link with ST. Clinical history, objective examination and laboratorial study were looked for. Three groups were defined: spontaneous resolution of urticaria, resolution after tonsillectomy, and still symptomatic.ResultsIn these patients, a causal relationship between ST and urticaria is supported by: markers of streptococcal infection, the perception of a clinical relationship between tonsillitis and urticaria, the decrease of urticaria severity with early antibiotherapy to tonsillitis and urticaria resolution after tonsillectomy.ConclusionsOur study encourages the investigation of tonsillitis in these otherwise idiopathic patients, especially until young adulthood and even in the absence of any symptoms.     

Influence of a preventive training program on lower limb kinematics and vertical jump height of male volleyball athletes

ObjectiveTo examine the influence of a preventative training program (PTP) on sagittal plane kinematics during different landing tasks and vertical jump height (VJH) in males.DesignSix weeks prospective exercise intervention.ParticipantsFifteen male volleyball athletes (13 ± 0.7 years, 1.70 ± 0.12 m, 60 ± 12 kg).InterventionsPTP consisting of plyometric, balance and core stability exercises three times per week for six weeks. Bilateral vertical jumps with double leg (DL) and single leg (SL) landings were performed to measure the effects of training.Main outcome measurementsKinematics of the knee and hip before and after training and VJH attained during both tasks after training. The hypothesis was that the PTP would produce improvements in VJH, but would not generate great changes in biomechanical behavior.ResultsThe only change identified for the SL was the longest duration of landing, which represents the time spent from initial ground contact to maximum knee flexion, after training, while increased angular displacement of the knee was observed during DL. The training did not significantly alter the VJH in either the SL (difference: 2.7 cm) or the DL conditions (difference: 3.5 cm).ConclusionsDespite the PTP’s effectiveness in inducing some changes in kinematics, the changes were specific for each task, which highlights the importance of the specificity and individuality in selecting prevention injury exercises. Despite the absence of significant increases in the VJH, the absolute differences after training showed increases corroborating with the findings of statistically powerful studies that compared the results with control groups. The results suggest that short-term PTPs in low risk young male volleyball athletes may enhance performance and induce changes in some kinematic parameters.     

Healthcare and discourse: exploration of interprofessional learning within a Brazilian context

ABSTRACT

This paper reports a qualitative study on the contribution of a Program of Education through Work (PET) in Healthcare, based at a Brazilian State University, to interprofessional education. Data were collected from ten undergraduate students of Nursing, Medicine, and Phonoaudiology (speech therapy), who were part of PET at the University. Data were analyzed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject technique. Central ideas were gathered into three categories: (1) teamwork and interprofessionality; (2) PET influences on SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System); (3) teaching-service-community integration. The study found evidence that PET enabled the students with opportunities to be involved in an education that supported the SUS principles and guidelines and to engage with interprofessional learning where there were exchanges of different professional experiences. The PET also supported the development of critical thinking for professional performance, as well as an integrated teaching experience that could support community development.