COVID-19 in medium-sized municipalities in the 14 health macro-regions of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The present study focused on the scenario of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, from March 2020 to March 2021. We evaluated the evolution of COVID-19 prevalence and death in one municipality from each of the 14 health macro-regions of MG state. Socio-demographic characteristics and variables related to the municipalities were analyzed. The raw dataset used in this study was freely sourced from the website Brasil.io. From the raw dataset, two time series were extracted: the cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 and cumulative death counts, and they were compared to the state data using a nowcasting approach. In order to make time series comparisons possible, all data was normalized per 100,000 inhabitants. When analyzing in light of colored wave code interventions initiated in August 2020 in MG, for the majority of the municipalities, there was an absence of clear influence on prevalence and deaths. The national holidays in the first semester of 2020 had a small impact on the COVID-19 prevalence of the municipalities, but the holidays in the second semester of 2020 and beginning of 2021 caused important impacts on COVID-19 prevalence. The low number of ICU beds in some municipalities contributed to the higher number of deaths. The analysis showed here is expected to contribute to the improvement of decision making of the MG government, as it opened a huge possibility to have the total macro-regions and state data analyzed.

Effect of a multifaceted quality improvement intervention on the prescription of evidence based treatment in patients at high cardiovascular risk in Brazil The BRIDGE Cardiovascular Prevention Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

RESULTS Of the 1619 included patients,1029 (63.6%) weremale,1327(82.0%) had coronary artery disease (843[52.1%] with prioracutemyo cardial infarction),355(21.9%)had priorischemicstroke ortransientischemicattack,and197 (12.2%) had peripheral vascular disease,andthemean( SD) age was 65.6 (10.5) years. Among randomized clusters, 30 (75%) were cardiology sites, 6 (15%) were primary careunits,and 26 (65%) were teaching institutions.Amonge ligible patients,thosein intervention clusters were more like ly to receive aprescription of evidence-based therapies thant hose in control clusters (73.5%[515of701] vs58.7% [493of840];oddsratio,2.30;95%CI,1.14-4.65). There were no differences between the intervention and control group swithregard storisk factor control(ie,hyperlipidemia,hypertension,ordiabetes).Ratesofeducationforsmokingcessationwere higher among current smokers in the intervention group thanin the control group (51.9%[364of701] vs18.2%[153of840];oddsratio,11.24;95%CI,2.20-57.43).Therateofcardiovascularmortality,acute myocardial infarction,andstrokewas2.6%for patients from intervention cluster sand 3.4%forthose in the control group (hazardratio, 0.76;95%CI,0.43-1.34). (AU)

INITIAL EXPERIENCE OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION IN BRAZIL TO TREAT EARLY GASTRIC AND ESOPHAGHEAL CANCER: a multi-institutional analysis

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and clinicopathological characteristics of early gastric and esophageal cancers treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at five centers in Brazil. Methods Five centers in Brazil reported their initial experience with ESD. The cases reported had already been collected by each center before pooled analysis. Results Were resected 62 gastric lesions; 52(83,8%) of the gastric lesions were well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 31(50%) from the antrum, 24 (38.7%) type IIa. 51 (82.2%) lesions had en-block resection with three showing lateral margin compromise. Concerning invasion, 25 (40.3%) tumors were M1. Mean tumor diameter was 18.9 mm (range, 0.6-5.0 cm) and mean procedure duration was 119.45 minutes. Gastric perforation occurred in three (4.8%) patients. Mean follow-up duration was 11.3 months, with two local recurrences and one death from pneumonia Seven months after treatment. Of the 16 esophageal lesions resected, 14 (87.4%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 10 (62.5%) were located proximally and 8 (50.0%) type IIa. Mean tumor diameter was 23.8 mm (range, 6-60 mm). Thirteen (81.2%) lesions had en-block resection with five cases of lateral margin compromise. Eight (50.0%) lesions were M1. Mean procedure duration was 78 minutes (range, 20-150 min). Complications included pneumomediastinum in two (12.5%) patients and stenosis in one (6.2%). Mean duration of follow-up was 8.6 months, with no local recurrence despite the presence of lateral margin compromise. Conclusion Different centers in Brazil feasibly perform ESD with a high success rate. .

Objectivo Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade da técnica de dissecção endoscópica da submucosa (DES) no tratamento do câncer precoce do estômago e do esôfago, assim como as características clinicopatológicas dos pacientes tratados em diferentes centros no Brasil. Métodos Cinco centros no Brasil relataram sua experiência inicial com a técnica de DES. Os casos relatados vinham sendo coletados em cada serviço antes da análise agrupada dos dados. Resultados Foram ressecadas 62 lesões gástricas, sedo 52 (83,8%) adenocarcinoma bem diferenciado, 31 (50%) localizadas no antro e 24 (38.7%) do tipo macroscópico IIa. Foram ressecadas em monobloco 51 (82.2%) lesões, com 3 apresentando margem lateral comprometida. Quanto ao grau de invasão, 25 (40.3%) eram restritas ao epitélio da mucosa (M1). O diâmetro médio das lesões foi de 18.9 (6-50) mm, o tempo médio dos procedimentos foi de 119.45 minutos. A incidência de perfuração gástrica foi de 4,8% (três casos). O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 11.3 meses, com duas recorrências locais e uma morte por pneumonia 7 meses após o tratamento. Das 16 lesões esofágicas ressecadas, 14 (87.4%) eram carcinoma epidermóide, 10 (62.5%) localizados na porção proximal, 8 (50.0%) do tipo macroscópico IIa. O diâmetro médio das lesões foi de 23.8 (6-60) mm. Foram ressecadas em monobloco 13 (81.2%) lesões, sendo que 5 apresentaram margem lateral comprometida e 8 (50.0%) com invasão restrita a camada epitelial (M1). A duração média dos procedimentos foi de 78 (20-150) minutos. Dois (12.5%) pacientes tiveram pequeno pneumomediastino e um (6.2%) evoluiu com estenose esofágica. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 8.6 meses, ...

Hemangioma reticular do membro inferior associado a anomalias estruturais congénitas: abordagem terapêutica / Reticular hemangioma of the lower extremity associated with congenital structural anomalies: therapeutic approach

O hemangioma reticular é uma variante do hemangioma infantil descrita recentemente, que apresenta uma predilecção pela extremidade inferior epelo períneo. Associa-se, frequentemente, a ulceração recalcitrante, anomalias ano-génito-urinárias e sacrais e, raramente, a sobrecarga cardíaca.Uma recém-nascida prematura apresentava uma mancha com aspecto reticular ao nível do membro inferior esquerdo, nádegas e períneo, dilatações venosas proeminentes na superfície lateral do membro envolvido, genitália externa dismórfica e ânus imperfurado. A ressonância magnética mostrouimperfuração anal, fístula rectovestibular, hipoplasia coccígea, cavidade siringomiélica medular e envolvimento hemangiomatoso retroperitoneal. As características clínicas e imagiológicas eram consistentes com o diagnóstico de hemangioma reticular com anomalias ventro-caudais. Os autores descrevema abordagem terapêutica adoptada nesta doente e a eficácia do encerramento assistido por vácuo de uma úlcera extensa e refractária aos cuidados de penso convencionais (AU)

Reticular hemangioma is a recently described variant of infantile hemangioma that has a predilection for the lower extremity and perineum. It is often associated with recalcitrant ulceration, ano-genito-urinary-sacral anomalies, and rarely with cardiac overload. A premature newborn female presented with patchy, network-like cutaneous staining of the left lower limb, buttocks and perineum, prominent lateral venous dilations of the involved limb,dysmorphic external genitalia and imperforate anus. MRI revealed imperforate anus, rectovestibular fistula, coccygeal hypoplasia, medullary syringomyelic cavity and retroperitoneal hemangiomatous involvement. The clinical and imaging features were those of reticular hemangioma and ventral-caudal anomalies. The authors describe the therapeutic approach of this patient and the efficacy of vacuum-assisted closure of a large intractable ulceration (AU)

Dados atuais de prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular entre populações de áreas urbana e rural do estudo PURE no Brasil / Actuals data of cardiovascular risk factors prevalence between populations of urbam and rural areas from PURE study in Brazil

O estudo PURE representa um dos maiores estudos de corte, envolvendo 150.000 indivíduos de áreas urbanas e rurais de 15 países. A má adaptação à urbanização, representada por variações no estilo de vida, fatores psicossociais e renda são determinantes independentes de fatores de risco cardiovascular

Assesment of placement of the esophageal self-expandable metallic stent in esophageal cancer in patients with or without citorreduction therapy / Avaliação do emprego de prótese metálica auto-expansível no câncer avançado do esôfago em pacientes com ou sem terapia citorredutora

BACKGROUND: Placement of self-expanding metallic esophageal stent in patients with advanced esophageal cancer offers excellent palliation of dysphagia and tracheo-esophageal fistulas. However, the safety of stent in patients undergoing radio and/or chemotherapy is controversial, in terms of the greater risk of complications in cases where these two treatments are used in conjunction. AIM: To assess the use of stent in patients with advanced cancer of the mid-thoracic esophagus, by comparing patients undergoing cytoreductive therapy with patients who have not undergone this treatment, in relation to improvement in the dysphagia, rate of complications, period of effectiveness and survival time. METHODS: Fifty seven patients were evaluated retrospectively (16 women and 41 men, with an average age 62 years) with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the mid-thoracic esophagus who underwent placement of the Ultraflex™ self-expandable metallic coated stent, at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit of São Paulo University Medical School between October 1988 and October 2004. Out of the 57 patients, 24 patients received adjuvant cytoreductive therapy, and 33 patients were only treated with the stent placement. RESULTS: After stent placement, there was improvement in dysphagia in both groups; there were no differences in the rate of complications, such as migration, pain, fistula, obstruction and compression of the airways; the period of effectiveness was significantly higher in the group submitted to cytoreductive therapy (average 123 days compared to 63 days), as was the survival time (average of 210 days, compared with 120 days). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in dysphagia was statistically significant in both groups, irrespective of whether the patient had undergone adjuvant cytoreductive therapy; there were no differences in the rate of complications between the two groups and both the period of effectiveness of the stent treatment and the survival time were higher in the group with adjuvant cytoreductive therapy.

RACIONAL: A colocação de stent esofágico metálico e auto-expansível em pacientes com câncer esofágico avançado oferece boa paliação para disfagia e fístulas traqueoesofágicas. No entanto, a segurança do stent em pacientes submetidos à rádio e/ou quimioterapia é controversa, podendo gerar maior risco de complicações em casos onde estes dois tratamentos são utilizados em conjunto. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso de stent em pacientes com câncer médio-torácico de esôfago avançado, comparando os pacientes submetidos à terapia citoredutora aos que não foram submetidos a este tratamento, com relação a melhora da disfagia, índice de complicações, período de efetividade e tempo de sobrevivência. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadaos retrospectivamente 57 pacientes (16 mulheres e 41 homens, com idade média de 62 anos) com carcinoma de células escamosas avançado na região esofágica médio-torácica. Estes foram submetidos à colocação do stent metálico auto-expansível Ultraflex™, na Unidade de Endoscopia Gastrointestinal do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo durante outubro de 1988 a outubro de 2004. De um total de 57 pacientes, 24 receberam terapia citoredutora adjuvante e 33 somente o tratamento através da colocação de stent. RESLTADOS: Após a colocação do stent, houve melhora com relação a displasia em ambos os grupos; não houve diferenças com relação ao índice de complicações, como enxaquecas, dores, fístulas, obstrução e compressão das vias aéreas; o período de efetividade foi significativamente maior no grupo submetido à terapia citoredutora (média de 123 dias comparados à 63 dias), assim como no tempo de sobrevivência (média de 210 dias comparados a 120). CONCLUSÃO: Melhora estatisticamente significante foi encontrada em ambos os grupos com relação à displasia, independentemente se o paciente foi submetido ou não à terapia citoredutora adjuvante; não houve diferenças quanto ao índice de complicações entre os dois grupos e tanto o período de efetividade do tratamento com stent como o tempo de sobrevivência foram maiores no grupo com terapia citoredutora adjuvante.

Incidence, risk factors and prognostic factors of acute renal failure in patients admitted to an intensive care unit

The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence, risk factors and outcome of patients who develop acute renal failure (ARF) in intensive care units. In this prospective observational study, 221 patients with a 48-h minimum stay, 18-year-old minimum age and absence of overt acute or chronic renal failure were included. Exclusion criteria were organ donors and renal transplantation patients. ARF was defined as a creatinine level above 1.5 mg/dL. Statistics were performed using Pearsons' chi2 test, Student t-test, and Wilcoxon test. Multivariate analysis was run using all variables with P < 0.1 in the univariate analysis. ARF developed in 19.0 percent of the patients, with 76.19 percent resulting in death. Main risk factors (univariate analysis) were: higher intra-operative hydration and bleeding, higher death risk by APACHE II score, logist organ dysfunction system on the first day, mechanical ventilation, shock due to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)/sepsis, noradrenaline use, and plasma creatinine and urea levels on admission. Heart rate on admission (OR = 1.023 (1.002-1.044)), male gender (OR = 4.275 (1.340-13642)), shock due to SIRS/sepsis (OR = 8.590 (2.710-27.229)), higher intra-operative hydration (OR = 1.002 (1.000-1004)), and plasma urea on admission (OR = 1.012 (0.980-1044)) remained significant (multivariate analysis). The mortality risk factors (univariate analysis) were shock due to SIRS/sepsis, mechanical ventilation, blood stream infection, potassium and bicarbonate levels. Only potassium levels remained significant (P = 0.037). In conclusion, ARF has a high incidence, morbidity and mortality when it occurs in intensive care unit. There is a very close association with hemodynamic status and multiple organ dysfunction.

Determination of rates of cerebral blood flow during the gestation period under 33 weeks colour doppler pulse study

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A comparative analysis of preprocessing techniques of cardiac event series for the study of heart rhythm variability using simulated signals

In the present study, using noise-free simulated signals, we performed a comparative examination of several preprocessing techniques that are used to transform the cardiac event series in a regularly sampled time series, appropriate for spectral analysis of heart rhythm variability (HRV). First, a group of noise-free simulated point event series, which represents a time series of heartbeats, was generated by an integral pulse frequency modulation model. In order to evaluate the performance of the preprocessing methods, the differences between the spectra of the preprocessed simulated signals and the true spectrum (spectrum of the model input modulating signals) were surveyed by visual analysis and by contrasting merit indices. It is desired that estimated spectra match the true spectrum as close as possible, showing a minimum of harmonic components and other artifacts. The merit indices proposed to quantify these mismatches were the leakage rate, defined as a measure of leakage components (located outside some narrow windows centered at frequencies of model input modulating signals) with respect to the whole spectral components, and the numbers of leakage components with amplitudes greater than 1 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the total spectral components. Our data, obtained from a noise-free simulation, indicate that the utilization of heart rate values instead of heart period values in the derivation of signals representative of heart rhythm results in more accurate spectra. Furthermore, our data support the efficiency of the widely used preprocessing technique based on the convolution of inverse interval function values with a rectangular window, and suggest the preprocessing technique based on a cubic polynomial interpolation of inverse interval function values and succeeding spectral analysis as another efficient and fast method for the analysis of HRV signals.

Endoscopic therapeutics in the malignant esophageal disease

O cancer epidermoide esofagico e uma das neoplasias mais comuns do aparelho digestivo. O abuso de alcool e tabaco, quase sempre presente, e a associacao com outras doencas, fazem da resseccao cirurgica opcao pouco atraente. Para os pacientes com invasao de estruturas vasculares ou respiratorias, a paliacao da disfagia pode ser obtida atraves de metodo rapido, seguro, eficaz e duradouro. No momento, nao existe esse metodo. Dentre as varias opcoes por via endoscopica, destacam-se a dilatacao, os metodos de destruicao tumoral e a passagem de proteses. A associacao deles, aplicada caso a caso, parece ser a abordagem mais racional. As proteses auto expansiveis reduziram as complicacoes precoces relacionadas a dilatacao do tumor, especialmente a perfusao. Por outro lado, migracao e oclusao destas proteses ainda ocorrem com alguma frequencia. Finalmente, a resseccao endoscopica de tumores precoces do esofago tem sido adotada em pacientes de alto risco cirurgico...