Research committee of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing: objectives and performance (1989-2003)

This paper translates the fourteen-year history of the Research Committee of the College of Nursing at Ribeir?o Preto-USP. It shows the tasks, competencies and activities accomplished by their members, emphasizing the Institutional Scientific Initiation Program by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and the University of S?o Paulo, the International Scientific Initiation Symposium by the University of S?o Paulo, the research groups and the research grant resource modalities under the Committee's responsibility or monitoring, highlighting its growing importance in the College of Nursing at Ribeir?o Preto-USP.     

Rate and predictors of new genital warts claims and genital warts-related healthcare utilization among privately insured patients in the United States

BACKGROUND: Little non-clinic-based data are available on incident genital warts rates and related healthcare use. GOAL:: The goal of this study was to describe the incidence and predictors of genital warts and associated healthcare utilization patterns among a group of privately insured patients in the United States. STUDY: Health claims were evaluated prospectively from 5,914,107 privately insured individuals. RESULTS: The rate of new genital warts claims per 100,000 person-years at risk, age-standardized to the 2001 U.S. privately insured population, increased from 117.8 in 1998 to 205.0 in 2001. The highest rates were among 20- to 29-year-olds. The majority of claims came from dermatology and obstetrics/gynecology. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of genital warts, as measured by the rate of new claims, appears to be rising. Age associations with the rate of new genital warts claims differed by gender; these associations may be influenced by changes in health-seeking behavior, potentially driven by health awareness.     

Effect of collagen removal on microleakage of resin composite restorations

This study evaluated the effects of collagen removal on the microleakage of two single-bottle adhesive systems. Forty human third molars were selected and each received two root preparations. The roots were randomly assigned for restoration using Prime & Bond 2.1 (Dentsply Ltda, Petrópolis, RJ 90915, Brazil) or Single Bond (3M Dental Products, St Paul, MN 55144, USA). One root in each tooth was treated with 36% H3PO4 for 15 seconds and the other received an additional treatment with 10% NaOCl for 60 seconds to remove the collagen layer before adhesive was applied. All preparations were restored with Z100 restorative resin (3M Dental Products). The specimens were submitted to 5,000 thermal cycles (5-55 degrees C) and stored in 37 degrees C distilled water for one year. The specimens were then coated with a varnish except for 1 mm of tooth structure surrounding the restoration and immersed in 2% buffered methylene blue for four hours. After rinsing, the restorations were sectioned and two independent observers scored the microleakage at the interface between the restorative material and the tooth using an optical microscope at x45 magnification. The scores were submitted to Fisher's Exact Test and the results showed that collagen removal significantly reduced microleakage for Prime & Bond 2.1 and had no effect on microleakage for Single Bond.     

Evaluation of informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil: criteria and basis for the production and improvement of health education materials

Based on categories related to structure, content, language, and illustrations, the present study provides an evaluation of the quality of educational materials on leishmaniasis available to health services in Brazil. The 18 publications evaluated consisted of four handbooks, four guided studies, four booklets, and six leaflets. Of the total publications assessed, nine were produced by the Brazilian National Health Foundation (FUNASA), five by State and Municipal Health Departments jointly with FUNASA, and one by the Pan-American Health Organization. The evaluations were also performed by three professionals: a physician specialized in leishmaniasis, a parasitologist, and an information/communications expert. The publications failed to specify key items such as target public, objective, and bibliography. The illustrations, especially in the booklets and leaflets, failed to clarify the text, portrayed biased concepts, and omitted credits and scale. According to this study, informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil present major limitations which jeopardize the quality of information they contain.     

Slow junctional rhythm during catheter ablation of right posteroseptal accessory pathway causing transient atrioventricular block

A male patient with palpitations and syncope during an episode of atrial fibrillation was evaluated. After DC cardioversion, the ECG showed a pattern of pre-excitation compatible with right posteroseptal bypass tract. The patient was submitted to RF. During energy application a slow junctional rhythm without AV block was noted. Twenty-four hours after the procedure AV block was observed. The AV conduction was resumed spontaneously 48 hours later with unremarkable outcome up to 1 year. We postulated that the edema caused by RF application damaged the compact AV node, causing transient AV block. The AV node lesion has been manifested by a fast junctional rhythm, but in this case we observed that even a slow junctional rhythm could do it.     

Leptospirosis in Portugal: epidemiology from 1991 to 1997

The term leptospirosis describes a group of diseases caused by members of the order Spirochaetales, mainly the species Leptospira interrogans. Infection can be asymptomatic but disease of differing severity and clinical features (often suggestive of menin     

Outcome in congenital stridor (laryngomalacia)

Twenty-one children who had been diagnosed as having laryngomalacia by direct laryngoscopy in infancy were reviewed 7 to 12 years later. The natural history of the disease is documented. A wide variation in the time of onset and duration of the stridor was found and there was a high incidence of feeding difficulties. A previously reported association with mental retardation or cerebral palsy is not confirmed. 4 out of the 21 children had early speech problems.     

Menkes's syndrome. Report of a patient treated from 21 days of age with parenteral copper

In an infant with Menkes's steely-hair syndrome, early treatment (from 21 days of age) with parenteral copper failed to halt the disease. In addition to urinary tract abnormalities, panlobular emphysema was present a finding not previously noted in the syndrome.