The increased severity of acute pancreatitis in the elderly is mainly related to intestinal barrier dysfunction

正To the Editor:Severeacutepancreatitisintheelderlyischaracterizedby significantmorbidityandmortalityrates,withahigherfinancial impact when compared to the same disease in younger patients [1]. There are some obvious differences between these two populations. The most glaring one is the presence of multiple co-     

A comparative study of lateral cephalograms and cone-beam computed tomographic images in upper airway assessment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of airway measurements from lateral cephalograms, cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) lateral reconstructions, and CBCT axial planes, as well as to correlate these findings with area measurements acquired with the latter imaging method. Landmarks were defined for the measurements of naso- and oropharynx of 30 patients (12 males and 18 females, mean age 17.5 years), for different planes, using linear antero-posterior measurements and the corresponding area. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in the linear measurements of the oropharynx between the two methods, although all measurements assessed corresponded to the respective areas. The linear measurements of the airway space obtained using the different techniques correlated positively with the respective area measurements, which demonstrate the reliability of the investigated techniques.     

Acoustic and psychoacoustic analysis of the noise produced by the police force firearms

Police officers are exposed to impact noise coming from firearms, which may cause irreversible injuries to the hearing system.AimTo evaluate the noise exposure in shooting stands during gunfire exercises, to analyze the acoustic impact of the noise produced by the firearms and to associate it with tonal audiometry results.Study designCross-sectional.Materials and methodsTo measure noise intensity we used a digital sound level meter, and the acoustic analysis was carried out by means of the oscillations and cochlear response curves provided by the Praat software. 30 police officers were selected (27 males and 3 females).ResultsThe peak level measured was 113.1 dB(C) from a .40 pistol and 116.8 dB(C) for a .38 revolver. The values obtained for oscillation and Praat was 17.9±0.3 Barks, corresponding to the rate of 4,120 and 4,580 Hz. Audiometry indicated greater hearing loss at 4,000Hz in 86.7% of the cases.ConclusionWith the acoustic analysis it was possible to show cause and effect between the main areas of energy excitation of the cochlea (Praat cochlear response curve) and the frequencies of low hearing acuity.     

Screening of autosomal gene deletions in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism using multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification: detection of a hemizygosis for the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1

Objective Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia (Kallmann syndrome) or with normal sense of smell is a heterogeneous genetic disorder caused by defects in the synthesis, secretion and action of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). Mutations involving autosomal genes have been identified in approximately 30% of all cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. However, most studies that screened patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism for gene mutations did not include gene dosage methodologies. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether patients without detected point mutation carried a heterozygous deletion of one or more exons. Measurements We used the multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay to evaluate the potential contribution of heterozygous deletions of FGFR1, GnRH1, GnRHR, GPR54 and NELF genes in the aetiology of GnRH deficiency. Patients We studied a mutation‐negative cohort of 135 patients, 80 with Kallmann syndrome and 55 with normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Results One large heterozygous deletion involving all FGFR1 exons was identified in a female patient with sporadic normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and mild dimorphisms as ogival palate and cavus foot. FGFR1 hemizygosity was confirmed by gene dosage with comparative multiplex and real‐time PCRs. Conclusions FGFR1 or other autosomal gene deletion is a possible but very rare event and does not account for a significant number of sporadic or inherited cases of isolated GnRH deficiency.     

High resolution chromoendoscopy in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps

BACKGROUND: Magnifying colonoscopy brought the possibility of precise histologic diagnosis of colorectal lesions through their surface appearance. Despite the high accuracy of magnifying colonoscopy it is a specialized and expensive equipment not available in most medical centers. Due to these reasons the use of conventional colonoscopy with chromoscopy has been raised because this produce can reproduce most of the information previously obtained by magnifying colonoscopy. AIM: To determine the role of high resolution colonoscopy and indigo carmine chromoscopy for differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal lesions through measurements of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. PATIENTS / METHODS: It was performed a prospective study. Seventy-four colorectal polyps were evaluated in 54 patients. A high resolution Olympus Exera CFQ 160L colonoscope was used. After the identification of the lesions, they were dyed with indigo carmine 0,2% and classified according to Kudo's classification by a single observer. After resection, the polyps were submitted to histopathological examination. RESULTS: The endoscopic findings were compared to histopathologic results. The accuracy of the method was 79,7%, sensibility of 88,8%, specificity of 55%, positive predictive value of 84,2% and a negative predictive value of 64,7%. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that we must be careful to apply high resolution colonoscopy and chromoscopy because adenomatous lesions can be misdiagnosed as non-neoplastic.     

Vineberg's procedure modified technique: flow analysis, immediate postoperative results and angiographic evaluation

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate angiographic results of patients subjected to a technique variation of Vineberg's procedure, as well as their morbidity and mortality in immediate postoperative period, and to analyze the flow of grafted left internal thoracic artery (LITA) at rest and under stress. METHODS: Between September 1999 and April 2002 eight patients were operated upon, with implant of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) in the intimal layer of the left ventricle (LV) muscle. After 6 months, they underwent angiographic and Doppler evaluation. According to Doppler study of LITA, the sample was divided in two groups: "Vineberg group," formed by eight patients; and "control group" consisting of 20 patients whose LITA directly revascularize the anterior interventricular artery (AIV). Angiography showed patency of all grafts in both groups. Blood flow and flow velocity in grafts were measured by Doppler echocardiography. T-test for paired and unpaired samples were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no deaths or complications in immediate postoperative period. Angiography showed 100% patency. The total flow (TF) of Vineberg group was 55% of the flow in the control group. In both groups, the TF increased with the stress. CONCLUSIONS: This Vineberg's technique modification can be successfully used in patients who cannot undergo traditional direct revascularization due to its low rates of morbidity and mortality and a high rate of patency, providing a significant blood flow both at rest and under stress.     

Flow analysis of left internal thoracic artery in myocardial revascularization surgery using y graft

In order to evaluate the left internal thoracic artery flow pattern, when the vessel is used as a graft to supply the left coronary artery system, we evaluated flow by Doppler measurement, both at rest and under dobutamine stress. There were 2 groups of 20 patients each: group A patients received only a left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery, and group B patients received a pedicled left internal thoracic artery graft associated with a vein graft, which together supplied the left anterior descending artery and another branch of the left coronary artery. Angiography showed patent grafts in all patients from both groups. The following characteristics were evaluated: systolic flow, diastolic flow, total flow, total flow under stress/total flow at rest ratio, systolic peak velocity, diastolic peak velocity, and systolic peak velocity/diastolic peak velocity ratio. In group A, the total flow was 45.5 +/- 21.6 mL/min at rest and 68.3 +/- 32.9 mL/min under stress. In group B, the total flow was 98.2 +/- 50.4 mL/min at rest and 175.7 +/- 79.2 mL/min under stress. Comparison between groups showed a total flow increase in group B of 115.8% (P=0.0002) at rest and 157.2% (P <0.0001) under stress. The other characteristics were also statistically significant, except systolic flow, total flow under stress/total flow at rest ratio, and systolic peak velocity. Our results showed that the left internal thoracic artery sufficiently supplies regional myocardium at rest and during exercise (stress), demonstrating its great adaptability in response to demand.     

Dental findings in GAPO syndrome: case report

This article reports the case of a young female adult with GAPO syndrome who presented as a peculiar dental finding unerupted primary and permanent dentitions, which resembled total anodontia on clinical examination. A cephalometric analysis was performed to investigate the alterations in facial bone development. This is the 9th GAPO syndrome case reported in a Brazilian patient.