The Brazilian Nursing Association in the creation,implementation and development of nursing boards

The Brazilian Association of Nursing (ABEn) was founded in 1926. The association has been the source for the creation of new professional organizations and the motivator of the development of the nursing profession in the country. The creation, implantation and development of the nursing boards are important achievements of ABEn. Twenty-eight years of struggle to approve the law number 5.905 of 12 July 1973, which created the nursing boards. Implantation of the Federal Board of Nursing (COFEn) and CORENS done under the leadership of ABEn. ABEn's participation in the development of the federal and regional boards of nursing. Current situation of the relationship between ABEn, syndicates, and nursing boards.     

A simple method for the analysis of root canal preparation

The purpose of this article is to present a simple and easy method for in vitro analysis of root canal instrumentation that permits one to observe and measure the diameter of a root before and after instrumentation, using the teeth themselves as control.     

Pediatric Escola Paulista de Medicina Range of Motion Scale: a reduced joint count scale for general use in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Different instruments are available to measure functional status in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA); however, none is based on the evaluation of joint range of motion (ROM). We designed and evaluated a ROM scale to be used as a complementary instrument in daily practice with JRA as well as in trials. METHODS: The 10 joint movements of the Pediatric Escola Paulista de Medicina Range of Motion scale (Pediatric EPM-ROM) were derived from 25 initial movements. The selection was based on 2 criteria: (1) consensus among 3 pediatric rheumatologists, one physical therapist, and one occupational therapist; and (2) choice of movements that presented the highest scores in a pilot study involving patients with JRA. The score for each joint ranges from 0 (full movement) to 3 (severe limitation) and the cutoff degrees of motion are, in general, based on the lack of ability to perform some activities of daily living. The test-retest reliability was assessed by administering the scale twice by the same observer, 4 to 10 days apart, always in the morning. The interobserver reliability was evaluated on the same day by 2 independent observers. Cross sectional construct validity was also assessed by correlating the values of some clinical variables with the scores of the Pediatric EPM-ROM scale. RESULTS: The instrument was applied to 34 patients with JRA, 11 systemic, 11 polyarticular, and 12 pauciarticular. The mean EPM-ROM score was 0.57 (SD 0.54, min 0, max 2.05). The test-retest and interobserver correlation coefficients were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients comparing scores of the Pediatric EPM-ROM scale and other variables were satisfactory: Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, r=0.55 (p<0.001); American College of Rheumatology global functional class, r=0.56 (p<0.001); and number of limited joints, r=0.65 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that the Pediatric EPM-ROM scale is a valid instrument to measure joint ROM in JRA.     

Stressors in ICU: perception of the patient, relatives and health care team

Objective: To compare the evaluation of the stressors present in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the point of view of the patient, relatives and the multiprofessional team and to identify differences and similarities with regard to the perception of stressors in order to optimize patient care. Design: Cross-sectional analytical survey. Setting: General ICU of a private hospital. Patients and participants: From April 1^st to June 30^th, 1996, 50 ICU patients during the first week of their ICU stay, 50 of their respective relatives and 50 members of the professional team directly involved in the care of these patients. Measurements and results: The Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale (ICUESS) was administered to all patients. The relatives and health care professionals were asked to complete the ICUESS on the basis of their perception of the patient's stressors. Being in pain, having tubes in the nose or mouth, being restrained by tubes and being unable to sleep were considered by the patients, relatives and health care professionals as the main stressors. The professional team evaluated the intensity of the stressors higher than either the family or the patient. No statistical significance was detected between the intensity of the stressors as evaluated by the patient and the intensity evaluated by relatives and by the professional team. Conclusions: Being in pain, being unable to sleep and having tubes in the nose and/or mouth were pointed out as the major stressors by the three groups. There was no statistically significant correlation between the total stress scores of the patients and their relatives (r = 0.193), between the patients and the team (r = –0.002), or between the total scores of the team and the relatives (r = –0.185). The results suggest that the views of the relatives and the professional team concerning the stressors have some similar points compared to the evaluation made by the patient himself, although the intensity of the evaluation for each group corresponds to its own perception. Received: 3 March 1999 Accepted: 19 October 1999     

EVALUATION OF THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF ROOT CANAL SEALERS USING SUBCUTANEOUS IMPLANTS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo the biocompatibility of Endométhasone, Pulp Canal Sealer EWT and AH-Plus root canal sealers after implantation in rat connective tissue. Twenty-four Wistar-Furth rats were used. Polyethylene tubes were filled with the sealers and implanted into specific dorsal subdermal tissue sites of the rats. Implants were removed after 3, 7 and 30 days, fixed and processed for glycol methacrylate-embedding technique to be examined microscopically. On the 3rd day, there was a mild inflammatory reaction to Pulp Canal Sealer EWT implants, but a severe response to the other sealers with presence of acute inflammatory cells. On the 7th day, tissue organization was more evident with attenuation of the inflammatory reaction, especially for the AH-Plus implants. On the 30th day, connective tissue with few inflammatory cells was observed in contact with all sealer implants. In this time interval, the tissue in contact with Pulp Canal Sealer EWT implants was more organized, while the tissue close to Endométhasone and AH-Plus implants showed a mild persistent inflammatory reaction and had similar results to each other. In conclusion, the sealers had a similar pattern of irritation, which was more severe in the beginning and milder with time, in such a way that all sealers showed a persistent mild reaction. Pulp Canal Sealer EWT yielded better tissue organization than Endométhasone and AH-Plus, which, in turn, showed similar results to each other.     

Small erosion of adjustable gastric band: endoscopic removal through incision in gastric wall

The erosion of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) can cause pain that is not controlled by analgesics. In such cases, early endoscopic removal may be indicated, but only when gastric penetration is greater than 50%. We report the case of a patient with severe shoulder pain due to a small area of LAGB erosion, which was treated with early endoscopic removal through an incision in the gastric wall. The pain worsened after eating and gastroscopy revealed slight gastric erosion of the band under the cardia. The gastric wall covering the LAGB was incised using an endoscopic needle knife. In a second upper endoscopy performed 7 days later at the endoscopy suite, endoscopic scissors were used to cut the thread and part of the band lock. The open band was then removed orally. This novel endoscopic incision in the gastric wall hastened band erosion and avoided abdominal reoperation.     

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for nonobese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes: a long-term evaluation

BackgroundThere is growing evidence that the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on type 2 diabetes (T2D) occurs regardless of the amount of weight loss. Taking this background into consideration, it is plausible to study this procedure in individuals with lower body mass index (BMI) under clinical treatment failure for uncontrolled T2D.ObjectivesTo elucidate the long-term impact of RYGB on T2D regression in a non-obese population.SettingHospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.MethodsTwelve patients with BMI 25 to 30 kg/m² and inadequately controlled T2D underwent RYGB and were followed up for 6 years. Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, BMI, and the use of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents were assessed. Each variable was analyzed in 3 distinct moments: preoperative evaluation, 2-year postoperative follow-up (2-PO), and 6-year postoperative follow-up (6-PO).ResultsThere were no cases of early or late mortality. Mean BMI at preoperative evaluation, 2-PO, and 6-PO were 28.1 ± 1.2; 23.2 ± 2.4; and 24.7 ± 3.1, respectively. The lowest BMI at 6-PO was 19.1 kg/m². Complete remission of T2D was achieved in 16.7%, partial remission in another 16.7%, glycemic control in 25%, and glycemic improvement in 25% of the sample at 6-PO; 16.7% did not present positive glycemic outcomes. Only 1 patient needed to resume insulin administration between 2-PO and 6-PO.ConclusionsRYGB was found to be safe and effective in treating uncontrolled T2D in non-obese patients, providing improvements in the glycemic patterns in 83.4% of our sample.     

Lung function in the absence of respiratory symptoms in overweight children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE:

To describe lung function findings in overweight children and adolescents without respiratory disease.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional study involving male and female overweight children and adolescents in the 8-18 year age bracket, without respiratory disease. All of the participants underwent anthropometric assessment, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, spirometry, and lung volume measurements. Individuals with respiratory disease were excluded, as were those who were smokers, those with abnormal chest X-rays, and those with an SpO₂ = 92%. Waist circumference was measured in centimeters. The body mass index-for-age Z score for boys and girls was used in order to classify the individuals as overweight, obese, or severely obese. Lung function variables were expressed in percentage of the predicted value and were correlated with the anthropometric indices.

RESULTS:

We included 59 individuals (30 males and 29 females). The mean age was 11.7 ± 2.7 years. Lung function was normal in 21 individuals (35.6%). Of the 38 remaining individuals, 19 (32.2%), 15 (25.4%), and 4 (6.7%) presented with obstructive, restrictive, and mixed ventilatory disorder, respectively. The bronchodilator response was positive in 15 individuals (25.4%), and TLC measurements revealed that all of the individuals with reduced VC had restrictive ventilatory disorder. There were significant negative correlations between the anthropometric indices and the Tiffeneau index in the individuals with mixed ventilatory disorder.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lung function was abnormal in approximately 65% of the individuals evaluated here, all of whom were overweight. Obstructive ventilatory disorder and positive bronchodilator response predominated.     

A preliminary in vitro study of the incidence and position of the root canal isthmus in maxillary and mandibular first molars

AIM: To investigate in vitro the incidence and position of the root canal isthmus in extracted mesiobuccal roots of maxillary and mesial roots of mandibular first molars. METHODOLOGY: Fifty maxillary and 50 mandibular molars were included in the study. The mesiobuccal roots of maxillary molars and the mesial roots of mandibular molars were sectioned from their crowns in the furcation region and embedded in clear resin. Transverse serial 1-mm-thick sections from the apical 6 mm were prepared. The apical side of each section was stained with India ink and observed through a light microscope. The sample images were saved to disk using a digital camera and the root canals in terms of the number present and the incidence and classification of isthmuses. RESULTS: In the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molars, 70% had one canal, whereas 29.5% had two canals. In the mesial root of mandibular molars, 41% had one canal, whereas 59% had two canals. In some sections, more than two canals were found close to the apical foramen. The isthmus incidence was greatest 3-5 mm from the apex. In teeth having two canals, a complete or partial isthmus was frequently observed in the sections between 3 and 4 mm from the apex. Of the isthmuses present, 22% were complete and 37% partial in mandibular molars and 17.3% were complete and 11.7% partial in maxillary molars. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of isthmus in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molars and in the mesial root of the mandibular first molars was high, particularly in sections 3-5 mm from the apex. Cleaning the isthmus is a major challenge during root canal treatment.