The parking dilemma for solar-powered vehicles.

Parking a solar electric car in the sunshine will help charge its battery, increasing its driving range. On the other hand, it will also raise its indoor temperature, leading to the need to switch on the air conditioning to make it comfortable when driving, increasing the driving load and reducing the vehicle range. Thus, one may wonder if the solar-extended range is somehow reduced or even eliminated by the increasing demand due to air conditioning. To address this "parking dilemma", we have characterized the thermal properties of a passenger car for typical summer conditions in a moderate latitude temperate location (Lisbon, Portugal) to be able to explore the vehicle's thermal performance when parked in the sun. Results show that effective solar charging depends critically on the onboard installed PV capacity. For the specific conditions tested and a 0.5 kWp PV system, the critical parking time below which the parking session does not contribute to net charging is around 2 h. For systems with more than 0.8 kWp installed capacity, parking in the sun always provides a positive impact on the vehicle's driving range.

Análise do impacto de programa de atendimento a pacientes asmáticos, 15 anos após sua implementação, em município no leste mineiro / Analysis of the impact of the asthma care program, 15 years after its implementation, in a municipality in the East of Minas Gerais

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de hospitalização por asma, 15 anos após início de programa de atendimento a pacientes asmáticos, "Respirar", no período de 1998 a 2017, no município de Ipatinga/MG. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal, quantitativo, retrospectivo. As prevalências de hospitalização por asma foram realizadas a partir de dados do IBGE, com estimativas populacionais das faixas etárias pediátricas, e pelos dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde, entre os anos 1998 a 2017, em Ipatinga. A análise estatística foi executada pelo programa Open Epi 2.3, e para as comparações, o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: A comparação entre as taxas de hospitalização por asma, entre 1998 a 2003 e 2004 a 2009, mostrou diminuição de hospitalização por asma estatiscamente significativa, nas faixas etárias: abaixo de 1 ano de idade, de 1 a 4 anos de idade e de 5 a 9 anos de idade, mas a comparação entre os períodos de 2010 a 2013 e 2014 a 2017, após quinze anos de programa, verificou redução significativa das taxas de prevalência de hospitalização por asma em todas as faixas etárias (p<0,001). Conclusão: Este trabalho ressalta que o aspecto organizacional de programa de atendimento ao paciente asmático na rede pública necessita de tempo para consolidar as práticas e normatizações, a fim de que sejam observadas as repercussões nos índices de saúde relacionados à doença, como no caso do município estudado: este mostrou redução estatisticamente significativa das taxas de prevalência de hospitalização por asma após 15 anos de programa.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of hospitalization for asthma, 15 years, before the beginning of the program of care for asthmatic patients, "Respirar", from 1998 to 2017, in the city of Ipatinga, MG. Methods: Longitudinal, quantitative, retrospective study. The prevalence of hospitalization for asthma was carried out, using data from the IBGE with population estimates for the pediatric age groups and the data from the Hospital Information System, between the years 1998 to 2017, in Ipatinga, MG. Statistical analysis was performed using the Open Epi 2.3 program and comparisons using the chi-square test. Results: The comparison between the rates of hospitalization for asthma between 1998 to 2003 and 2004 to 2009 showed a statistically significant decrease in hospitalization for asthma, age groups: below 1 year old, from 1 to 4 years old and from 5 to 9 years old, but the comparison between the periods from 2010 to 2013 and 2014 to 2017, after fifteen years of program, with its consolidation in all basic health units, a reduction was observed significant prevalence rates of hospitalization for asthma, in all age groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: This work emphasizes that organizational aspect of the program of care for asthmatic patient in the public network needs time to consolidate the practices and regulations so that the repercussions on the health indexes related to the disease are observed, as in the case of the studied municipality that showed a reduction statistically significant prevalence rates of hospitalization for asthma after 15 years of program.

Use of home visits in pediatric severe asthma: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of home visits in a group of children and adolescents with severe asthma by using the inhalation technique score and adherence rates to drug treatment. METHOD: A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving patients aged between three and 17 years under regular follow-up treatment at a pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in southeastern Brazil. A group of patients received only outpatient consultations and the other group received home visits from nurses in addition to outpatient consultations. The differences between groups were analyzed through the outcomes of inhalation technique scores and treatment adherence rate. RESULTS: Participation of 29 patients. In the intervention group, there was a statistically significant increase in inhalation technique scores (p<0.05) and elimination of critical errors between the first and the second evaluation, and results were maintained in the third evaluation. In the control group, there were no significant changes in inhalation technique scores. Rates of adherence to drug treatment in both groups did not rise. CONCLUSION: Home visits were effective for improving inhalation technique scores in patients with severe asthma. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-8GZWZP.

Use of home visits in pediatric severe asthma: randomized controlled trial* / El empleo de la visita domiciliaria en el asma severa pediátrica: estudio experimental randomizado controlado / O uso da visita domiciliar na asma grave pediátrica: estudo experimental randomizado controlado*

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of home visits in a group of children and adolescents with severe asthma by using the inhalation technique score and adherence rates to drug treatment. Method: A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving patients aged between three and 17 years under regular follow-up treatment at a pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in southeastern Brazil. A group of patients received only outpatient consultations and the other group received home visits from nurses in addition to outpatient consultations. The differences between groups were analyzed through the outcomes of inhalation technique scores and treatment adherence rate. Results: Participation of 29 patients. In the intervention group, there was a statistically significant increase in inhalation technique scores (p<0.05) and elimination of critical errors between the first and the second evaluation, and results were maintained in the third evaluation. In the control group, there were no significant changes in inhalation technique scores. Rates of adherence to drug treatment in both groups did not rise. Conclusion: Home visits were effective for improving inhalation technique scores in patients with severe asthma. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-8GZWZP.

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la visita domiciliaria en un grupo de niños y adolescentes con asma severa, utilizando el score de la técnica inhalatoria y las tasas de adhesión al tratamiento medicamentoso. Método: Estudio experimental randomizado controlado, con duración de 12 meses, que incluyó a pacientes con edades entre tres y 17 años, acompañados regularmente en un ambulatorio de neumología pediátrica de un hospital universitario de la región Sureste de Brasil. Un grupo de pacientes recibió solo consultas ambulatorias y el otro grupo, además de las consultas ambulatorias, recibió visitas de la enfermera en el hogar. Fueron analizadas las diferencias entre los grupos en los resultados: scores de la técnica inhalatoria y tasa de adhesión al tratamiento. Resultados: Participaron 29 pacientes. En el grupo intervención, hubo aumento estadísticamente significativo de los scores de la técnica inhalatoria (p<0,05) y eliminación de errores críticos de la primera a la segunda evaluación, resultados que se mantuvieron en la tercera. No hubo modificaciones significativas en la técnica inhalatoria del grupo de control. Las tasas de adhesión al tratamiento medicamentoso en ambos grupos no se elevaron. Conclusión: La visita domiciliaria fue eficaz en mejorar los scores de técnica inhalatoria en pacientes con asma severa. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos: RBR-8GZWZP

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da visita domiciliar, em um grupo de crianças e adolescentes com asma grave, utilizando o escore da técnica inalatória e as taxas de adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso. Método: Estudo experimental randomizado controlado, com duração de 12 meses, envolvendo pacientes, com idades entre três e 17 anos, acompanhados regularmente em um ambulatório de pneumologia pediátrica de um hospital universitário da região Sudeste do Brasil. Um grupo de pacientes recebeu apenas consultas ambulatoriais e o outro grupo, além das consultas ambulatoriais, recebeu visitas da enfermeira no domicílio. Foram analisadas as diferenças entre os grupos nos desfechos: escores da técnica inalatória e taxa de adesão ao tratamento. Resultados: Participaram 29 pacientes. No grupo-intervenção, houve aumento estatisticamente significante dos escores da técnica inalatória (p<0,05) e eliminação de erros críticos da primeira para a segunda avaliação, resultados que foram mantidos na terceira. Não houve alterações significativas na técnica inalatória do grupo-controle. As taxas de adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso em ambos os grupos não se elevaram. Conclusão: A visita domiciliar foi eficaz em melhorar os escores de técnica inalatória em pacientes com asma grave. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos: RBR-8GZWZP.

The use of probiotics as a supplementary therapy in the treatment of patients with asthma: a pilot study and implications.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the use of probiotics as an additional therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents with asthma in Belo Horizonte, MG-Brazil. METHODS: A pilot longitudinal, experimental and nonrandomized study with 30 patients from six to 17 years old from Belo Horizonte. In the baseline appointment, all patients received beclomethasone, and one group also received a probiotic containing Lactobacillus reuteri (n=14). The patients were reassessed after at least 60 days with the Asthma Control Test, spirometry and self-report of the symptoms they experienced associated with asthma. RESULTS: A predominance of male patients (56.7%) and a mean age of 10.6 years were observed. The groups using probiotics did not differ in terms of sex, age or atopy. In the longitudinal evaluation, an increase in the Asthma Control Test scores and a reduction in the number of symptoms were observed in the probiotic group. There was an increase in the peak expiratory flow among those who used probiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study supports the hypothesis that the administration of probiotics as a supplementary therapy for the treatment of children and adolescents with asthma improves the clinical condition of the patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of probiotics in asthma treatment.

ZnO decorated laser-induced graphene produced by direct laser scribing.

A scalable laser scribing approach to produce zinc oxide (ZnO) decorated laser-induced graphene (LIG) in a unique laser-processing step was developed by irradiating a polyimide sheet covered with a Zn/ZnO precursor with a CO2 laser (10.6 µm) under ambient conditions. The laser scribing parameters revealed a strong impact on the surface morphology of the formed LIG, on ZnO microparticles' formation and distribution, as well as on the physical properties of the fashioned composites. The ZnO microparticles were seen to be randomly distributed along the LIG surface, with the amount and dimensions depending on the used laser processing conditions. Besides the synthesis conditions, the use of different precursors also resulted in distinct ZnO growth's yields and morphologies. Raman spectroscopy revealed the existence of both wurtzite-ZnO and sp2 carbon in the majority of the produced samples. Broad emission bands in the visible range and the typical ZnO near band edge (NBE) emission were detected by photoluminescence studies. The spectral shape of the luminescence signal was seen to be extremely sensitive to the employed processing parameters and precursors, highlighting their influence on the composites' optical defect distribution. The sample produced from the ZnO-based precursor evidenced the highest luminescence signal, with a dominant NBE recombination. Electrochemical measurements pointed to the existence of charge transfer processes between LIG and the ZnO particles.

The use of probiotics as a supplementary therapy in the treatment of patients with asthma: a pilot study and implications

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the use of probiotics as an additional therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents with asthma in Belo Horizonte, MG-Brazil. METHODS: A pilot longitudinal, experimental and nonrandomized study with 30 patients from six to 17 years old from Belo Horizonte. In the baseline appointment, all patients received beclomethasone, and one group also received a probiotic containing Lactobacillus reuteri (n=14). The patients were reassessed after at least 60 days with the Asthma Control Test, spirometry and self-report of the symptoms they experienced associated with asthma. RESULTS: A predominance of male patients (56.7%) and a mean age of 10.6 years were observed. The groups using probiotics did not differ in terms of sex, age or atopy. In the longitudinal evaluation, an increase in the Asthma Control Test scores and a reduction in the number of symptoms were observed in the probiotic group. There was an increase in the peak expiratory flow among those who used probiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study supports the hypothesis that the administration of probiotics as a supplementary therapy for the treatment of children and adolescents with asthma improves the clinical condition of the patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of probiotics in asthma treatment.

Facile Microwave-assisted Synthesis Manganese Doped Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles.

Undoped and manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles were produced by a fast, one-step and two-component microwave-assisted synthesis method. The solid phase retains around 78% of the initial Mn concentration, as revealed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission analysis. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed zinc blende structure and in the transmission electron microscopy images, nanoparticles with triangular prism and cube shapes were observed, respectively with an average particle size around 7 nm and 13 nm. Dried powders of zinc sulfide nanoparticles, doped with 0.1 mol% and 0.7 mol% of Mn ions, show highest brilliance of luminescence under UV light. Increasing dopant levels resulted in a diminishing emission that vanishes above 4% of dopant concentration. The synthesis of ZnS was monitored and two main events were detected, one at 145 °C corresponding to the sol-gel phase formation and another after ~3 min at 300 °C where the precipitation of the zinc sulfide nanoparticles occurs.

CuI p-type thin films for highly transparent thermoelectric p-n modules.

Developments in thermoelectric (TE) transparent p-type materials are scarce and do not follow the trend of the corresponding n-type materials - a limitation of the current transparent thermoelectric devices. P-type thermoelectric thin films of CuI have been developed by three different methods in order to maximise optical transparency (>70% in the visible range), electrical (σ = 1.1 × 104 Sm-1) and thermoelectric properties (ZT = 0.22 at 300 K). These have been applied in the first planar fully transparent p-n type TE modules where gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) thin films were used as the n-type element and indium thin oxide (ITO) thin films as electrodes. A thorough study of power output in single elements and p-n modules electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel is inclosed. This configuration allows for a whole range of highly transparent thermoelectric applications.

Espirometria em pré-escolares asmáticos: avaliação da taxa de sucesso / Spirometry in preschools with asthma: evaluate the success rate

Introdução: a asma pode iniciar-se na idade pré-escolar e sua morbidade é elevada. Atualmente, o diagnóstico é centrado apenas no exame clínico, mas a espirometria é um método objetivo realizado rotineiramente em países desenvolvidos. No Brasil, ela é subutilizada e há poucos trabalhos acerca desse tema na literatura nacional. Objetivos: avaliar a taxa de sucesso da espirometria em pré-escolares asmáticos. Metodologia: foirealizado estudo transversal no Laboratório de Função Pulmonar do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais entre o período de 2009 e 2013. Foram coletados dados de 238 espirometrias de pré-escolares e destas foram triadas 64 crianças de três aseis anos, com diagnóstico médico de asma, excluindo-se, assim, os testes de pacientes com outros diagnósticos. As espirometrias foram realizadas com base nos critérios de reprodutibilidade e aceitabilidade preconizados pela American Thoracic Society (ATS). Os critérios de aceitabilidade foram: ausência de artefatos nas curvas, início satisfatórioda inspiração, inspiração máxima antes do início do teste, evidência de esforço máximo, expiração sem hesitação e término adequado (platô no último segundo da curva expiratória forçada). Em todas as curvas o volume de retroextrapolação foi inferior a 5% da CVF. As curvas foram altamente reprodutíveis, com volumes pulmonares não variandomais de 5%. O paciente realizou quantas tentativas fossem necessárias. A taxa de sucesso foi calculada pelo número de espirometrias aceitáveis e reprodutíveis sobre o número de espirometrias não aceitáveis. Resultados: foram avaliadas 64 crianças com diagnóstico de asma, 33 de sexo masculino e 31 de sexo feminino. A taxa de sucesso da espirometriafoi de 64% (IC 95%, 51,0-75,4). A taxa de sucesso estratificada por idade foi de 60 e 56%, respectivamente, para as idades de três e quatro anos; e 85 e 82%, respectivamente, para as idades de cinco e seis anos. Discussão: a taxa de sucesso do estudo foi elevada e aumentou com a idade, o que reforça que a espirometria é um método não invasivo quepoderia ser normatizado nos laboratórios de função pulmonar e contribuiria para o adequado diagnóstico e manejo terapêutico da asma em pré-escolares. Conclusão: a maioria das crianças conseguiu realizar a espirometria. Deve-se ter em vista que foi a primeira vezque as crianças realizaram o teste da espirometria, o que revela a viabilidade de aumentar essa taxa adaptando o laboratório às condições preconizadas pela ATS.

Introduction: The asthma can emerge at the preschool age and it has a high morbidity. For the time being, it?s diagnosis is centered around the clinical exam. However, the spirometry is an objective method performed as a routine in developed countries to asses that diagnosis. In Brazil, this test is underexploited and there are only a few papers about this subject atthe national literature. Objectives: Evaluate the success rate of the spirometry in preschools with asthma. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pulmonary Function Laboratory of theClinics Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the period between 2009 and 2013. Data of 238 spirometries were collected and 64 children from 3 to 6 years with medical diagnosis of asma were sorted, excluding, then, the tests of the patients with other pulmonarydiseases. The spirometries were performed based on thecriteria of reproducibility and acceptability recommendedby the American Thoracic Society (ATS). The acceptabilitycriteria were: absence of artefacts at the curves, satisfactorybeginning of inspiration, maximum inspiration prior to the beginning of the test, evidence of maximum effort, expiration without hesitation and adequate finishing (presence of plateau at the last second of the forced expiratory curve). At all the curves, the volume of retro-extrapolationwas lesser than 5% the VFC. The curves were highly reproducible,with pulmonary volumes not variating more than 5%. The patient performed the test as many times as it was needed. The success rate was calculated by the number of acceptable and reproducible spirometries divided bythe number of non-acceptable spirometries. Results: 64 children with the diagnosis of asthma were evalued, 33 males and 31 females. The success rate was 64% (CI 95%, 51,0 ? 75,4). The success rate stratified by age was 60% and 56%, respectively, to the ages of 3 and 4 years old;and 85% e 82%, respectively, to the ages of 5 and 6 years old. Discussion: The study?s success rate was elevated and has increased with age, with reinforces that the spirometry is a non-invasive method that could be normatized at the pulmonary function laboratories, and would contribute to the adequate diagnosis and therapeutic management ofasthma in preschool children. Conclusion: The majority of the children was able to perform the spirometry. It has to be taken into consideration that is the first time those children managed to perform the spirometry test, which indicates feasibility to enhancing that rate by adapting the laboratory to the conditions endorsed by ATS.

On copper diffusion in silicon measured by glow discharge mass spectrometry.

Copper contamination occurs frequently in silicon for photovoltaic applications due to its very fast diffusion coupled with a low solid solubility, especially at room temperature. The combination of these properties exerts a challenge on the direct analysis of Cu bulk concentration in Si by sputtering techniques like glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS). This work aims at addressing the challenges in quantitative analysis of fast diffusing elements in Si matrix by GDMS. N-type, monocrystalline (Czochralski) silicon samples were intentionally contaminated with Cu after solidification and consequently annealed at 900 °C to ensure a homogeneous distribution of Cu in the bulk. The samples were quenched after annealing to control the extent of the diffusion to the surface prior to the GDMS analyses, which were carried out at different time intervals from within few minutes after cooling onward. The Cu profiles were measured by high-resolution GDMS operating in a continuous direct current mode, where the integration step length was set to ∼0.5 µm over a total sputtered depth of 8-30 µm. The temperature of the samples during the GDMS analyses was also measured in order to evaluate the diffusion. The Cu contamination of n-type Si samples was observed to be highly material dependent. The practical impact of Cu out-diffusion on the calculation of the relative sensitivity factor (RSF) of Cu in Si is discussed.

Abordagem do derrame pleural parapneumônico em um hospital universitário: onde estamos e para onde devemos ir / Parapneumonic pleural effusion approach in an university hospital: where we are and where we should go

Introdução: o derrame pleural em crianças com pneumonia bacteriana; ocorre em até 50 por cento das vezes. Objetivo: avaliar a abordagem do derrame pleural parapneumônico nos úlimos cinco anos no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG. Metodologia: análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de todos os pacientes submetidos à toracocentese, drenagem pleural ou videotoracoscopia no período de janeiro de 2002 a julho de 2007. Resultados: foram estudados 21 pacientes, 71,4 por cento do sexo masculino e idade média de 70,4 meses. Um terço dos pacientes foi encaminhado do interior do estado. A maioria (86 por cento) apresentava comorbidades. A duração da internação variou entre quatro e cinquenta dias, média de 16,4 dias. Os procedimentos realizados foram drenagem pleural direta (42,8 por cento), toracocentese seguida de drenagem (28,6 por cento) e apenas toracocentese (28,6 por cento). Nos dois primeiros grupos, não houve diferença significativa quanto ao tempo de internação. ideotoracoscopia foi realizada em quatro pacientes, em média 11,5 dias após o início da pneumonia. A penas dois de seis pacientes com sinais de organização à ultrasonografia foram submetidos à videotoracoscopia. O tempo médio de permanência com dreno de tórax foi de 8,8 dias. As médias da duraço da internação e da permanência do dreno foram significativamente mais baixas nos pacientes procedentes de Belo Horizonte(p=0,01). Não foram encontradas associações entre tipo de procedimento, tempo decorrido para realização destes e duração da internação. Conclusões: a duração da internação hospitalar dos pacientes aqui observados foi mais prolongada do que o relatado na literatura. Ressalta-se a importância de se reavaliar o papel da videotoracoscopia na redução da morbidade e duração da internação desses pacientes.

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its impact on the use of emergency care services in a group of children and adolescents with moderate to severe persistent asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and the factors associated with the use of emergency care services by children and adolescents with acute asthma submitted to inhaled corticosteroid therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 126 patients treated with beclomethasone dipropionate for 3 years. The factors associated with emergency care services in the third year of beclomethasone dipropionate treatment were assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis amounted to 74.6% (95%CI 65.9-81.7). The presence of allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.98, 95%CI 1.10-8.06) and asthma severity (OR = 2.09, 95%CI 1.05-4.44) were independent factors for emergency care services. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was high and that, combined with asthma severity, constituted the major risk factor for the necessity of emergency care services. Health professionals should attempt to make an early diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic patients.

Prevalência da rinite alérgica e seu impacto na utilização dos serviços de pronto-atendimento em um grupo de crianças e adolescentes com asma persistente moderada e grave / Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its impact on the use of emergency care services in a group of children and adolescents with moderate to severe persistent asthma

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a prevalência da rinite alérgica (RA) e os fatores associados à utilização de serviços de pronto-atendimento por asma aguda em crianças e adolescentes asmáticos tratados com corticóide inalatório. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, do qual participaram 126 pacientes que se encontravam em tratamento com o dipropionato de beclometasona por 3 anos. Através de modelos de regressão logística, foram avaliados os fatores associados à consulta de pronto-atendimento no terceiro ano de tratamento com dipropionato de beclometasona. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da rinite alérgica foi de 74,6 por cento (IC95 por cento 65,9-81,7). A presença de rinite alérgica (OR = 2,98, IC95 por cento 1,10-8,06) e a gravidade da asma (OR = 2,09, IC95 por cento 1,05-4,44) foram fatores independentes para consultas em pronto-atendimento. CONCLUSÃO: A rinite alérgica apresentou elevada prevalência no grupo estudado e, aliada à gravidade da asma, foi o principal fator de risco para as consultas de pronto-atendimento. Os serviços de saúde deveriam ficar atentos para o reconhecimento precoce da rinite alérgica nos pacientes com asma.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and the factors associated with the use of emergency care services by children and adolescents with acute asthma submitted to inhaled corticosteroid therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 126 patients treated with beclomethasone dipropionate for 3 years. The factors associated with emergency care services in the third year of beclomethasone dipropionate treatment were assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis amounted to 74.6 percent (95 percentCI 65.9-81.7). The presence of allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.98, 95 percentCI 1.10-8.06) and asthma severity (OR = 2.09, 95 percentCI 1.05-4.44) were independent factors for emergency care services. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was high and that, combined with asthma severity, constituted the major risk factor for the necessity of emergency care services. Health professionals should attempt to make an early diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic patients.

Fratura de Colles: resultados a curto prazo do tratamento conservador / Colles fracture term results of a conservative treatment

No período compreendido entre junho e outubro de 1990, 19 pacientes com fraturas de Colles foram submetidos a tratamento conservador. As fraturas foram reduzidas incruentamente e imobilizadas através de aparelho gessado axilopalmar por um período de seis semanas. Houve maior incidência no sexo feminino (84 por cento) e a faixa etária entre 60 e 79 anos foi a mais acometida (63 por cento). Na evoluçäo a curto prazo, obtivemos resultados funcionais bons ou excelentes em 15 pacientes (78 por cento).

Afrouxamento asséptico em artroplastia total do quadril / Aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty

Os autores analisam a ocorrência de afrouxamento asséptico a longo prazo em 85 artroplastias totais do quadril realizadas em 73 pacientes no período de 1970 a 1984, no Hospital Univesitário Pedro Ernesto. Foram utilizadas 10 próteses de Müller e 75 de Charnley. O diagnóstico baseou-se em achados clínicos e radiológicos. O afrouxamento do componente acetabular ocorreu em seis casos (7,0 por cento) e o do femoral em 10 (11,8 por cento). Na época da revisäo, quatro pacientes haviam sido reoperados para correçäo do afrouxamento, sendo um acetabular e três femorais. Em dois pacientes, o afrouxamento femoral ocorreu precocemente, sendo justificado por erros de técnica. A prótese de Müller afrouxou em número proporcionalmente maior do que a de Charnley. O grupo dos pacientes com menos de 60 anos de idade apresentou incidência de afrouxamento superior aos dos pacientes mais idosos. O afrouxamento do componente femoral foi mais freqüente no sexo masculino e sua ocorrência pareceu ser precoce quando comparada a tal complicaçäo no componente acetabular

Osteopenia a longo prazo nas osteossínteses rígidas / Long term osteopenia in rigid osteosyntheses

Os autores estudam a osteopenia conseqüente a presença do material de síntese em 29 pacientes submetidos a osteossíntese com placas em fraturas diafisárias de ossos longos, totalizando 31 procedimentos, com evoluçäo pós-operatória mínima de um ano e nove meses. As alteraçöes da densidade óssea foram analisadas através do estudo radiológico comparativo entre o membro operado e seu contralateral, utilizando o densitômetro radiográfico. A reabsorçäo óssea mostrou-se progressiva nos ossos que suportam carga, com estabilizaçäo após sete anos de pós-operatório. Oss ossos do antebraço mantiveram nííveis densitométricos estáveis em todos os períodos evolutivos estudados. A densitometria radiográfica constituiu-se num método simples e prático de avaliaçäo

Fraturas da clavícula: reduçäo cirúrgica e fixaçäo interna / Fractures of the clavicula: surgical reduction and internal fixation

De 1978 a 1986, 17 pacientes com fratura de clavícula foram tratados no Serviço de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto por reduçäo cirúrgica e fixaçäo interna com pino intramedular (11 pacientes) e placa e parafusos (seis pacientes). A idade dos pacientes variou de 15 a 65 anos. Todas as fraturas consolidaram. Baseados nesta experiência e na revisäo da literatura, concluímos que as indicaçöes para reduçäo cirúrgica e fixaçäo interna deveriam ser: a) comprometimento neurovascular devido ao desvio posterior e compressäo pelos fragmentos ósseos do plexo braquial, dos vasos subclávios e da artéria carótida comum; b) fratura do 1/3 distal da clavícula com ruptura do ligamento coracoclavicular; c) angulaçäo grave ou cominuçäo da fratura no 1/3 médio da clavícula; d) incapacidade do paciente em tolerar imobilizaçäo prolongada (necessário no tratamento conservador) por causa de doença de Parkinson, doenças neuromusculares, politraumatizados, etc.; e) pseudoartrose sintomática após o tratamento por métodos conservadores

Esperotricose do rádio: apresentaçäo de um caso e revisäo da literatura / Sporotrichosis of the radium: report of a case and literature review

Relata-se um caso de esporotricose do rádio em um paciente de 27 anos, com dois anos de evoluçäo. Säo apresentados revisäo da literatura, história clínica, radiografias do caso e o tratamento efetuado. Justifica-se a publicaçäo, pela raridade da lesäo e o interesse em torno da mesma

Asma na infância

Esta webaula aborda os conceitos, diagnóstico, tratamento, classificação e controle da asma na infância.