Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone in previously untreated advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of neoplasm-related death in the United States. Several studies analyzed the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with different chemotherapy regimens consisting on drugs such as 5-FU, capecitabine, irinotecan and oxaliplatin. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab versus chemotherapy alone in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival. Data extracted from the studies were combined by using hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR) with their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). RESULTS: The final analysis included 9 trials comprising 3,914 patients. Patients who received the combined treatment (chemotherapy + bevacizumab) had higher response rates (RR = 0.89; 95 % CI: 0.82 to 0.96; p = 0.003) with heterogeneity, higher progression-free survival (HR = 0.69; 95 % CI: 0.63 to 0.75; p < 0.00001) and also higher overall survival rates (HR = 0.87; 95 % CI: 0.80 to 0.95; p = 0.002) with moderate heterogeneity. Regarding adverse events and severe toxicities (grade ≥ 3), the group receiving the combined therapy had higher rates of hypertension (RR = 3.56 95 % CI: 2.58 to 4.92; p < 0.00001), proteinuria (RR = 1.89; 95 % CI: 1.26 to 2.84; p = 0.002), gastrointestinal perforation (RR = 3.63; 95 % CI: 1.31 to 10.09; p = 0.01), any thromboembolic events (RR = 1.44; 95 % CI: 1.20 to 1.73; p = 0.0001), and bleeding (RR = 1.81; 95 % CI: 1.22 to 2.67; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The combination of chemotherapy with bevacizumab increased the response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with mCRC without prior chemotherapy. The results of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparatively higher in those subgroups of patients receiving bolus 5-FU or capecitabine-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, when compared to patients treated with infusional %-FU plus bevacizumab (no difference in PFS and OS). Regarding the type of cytotoxic scheme, regimens containing irinotecan and fluoropyrimidine monotherapy showed superior efficacy results when combined to bevacizumab.

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and Docetaxel Compared with ADT Alone for Metastatic Hormone-Naive Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and second most common cause of cancer mortality in older men in the United States (USA) and Western Europe. Androgen-deprivation therapy alone (ADT) remains the first line of treatment in most cases, for metastatic disease. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared the efficacy and adverse events profile of a chemohormonal therapy (ADT ± docetaxel) for metastatic hormone-naive prostate cancer (mHNPC). METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Data extracted from the studies were combined by using the hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The final analysis included 3 trials comprising 2,264 patients (mHNPC). Patients who received the chemohormonal therapy had a longer clinical progression-free survival interval (HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.75; p<0.00001), and no heterogeneity (Chi2 = 0.64; df = 1 [p = 0.42]; I2 = 0%). The biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) also was higher in patients treated with ADT plus docetaxel (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.69; p<0.00001), also with no heterogeneity noted (Chi2 = 0.48; df = 2 [p = 0.79]; I2 = 0%). Finally, the combination of ADT with docetaxel showed a superior overall survival (OS) compared with ADT alone (HR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.84; p<0.0001), with moderate heterogeneity (Chi2 = 3.84; df = 2 [p = 0.15]; I2 = 48%). A random-effects model analysis was performed, and the results remained favorable to the use of ADT plus docetaxel (HR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.89; p = 0.002). In the final combined analysis of the high-volume disease patients, the use of the combination therapy also favored an increased overall survival (HR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.83; p = 0.0003). Regarding adverse events and severe toxicity (grade ≥3), the group receiving the combined therapy had higher rates of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and fatigue. CONCLUSION: The combination of ADT with docetaxel improved the clinical progression-free survival, bPFS and OS of patients with mHNPC. A superior OS was seen especially for patients with metastatic and high-volume disease. This contemporary combination therapy may now be offered as a first-line treatment for selected patients.

Targeted therapy in triple-negative metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of targeted therapy to conventional chemotherapy (CT) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: Several databases were searched, including Medline, Embase, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). We performed a meta-analysis of the published data. The results are expressed as hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio, with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: The final analysis included twelve trials comprising 2,054 patients with TNBC, which compared conventional CT alone against CT combined with targeted therapy (bevacizumab [Bev], sorafenib [Sor], cetuximab, lapatinib, and iniparib). PFS was superior in previously untreated patients with TNBC who received Bev plus CT compared to CT alone (fixed effect, HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.75; P<0.00001). Also, PFS was higher in one study that tested Bev plus CT combination in previously treated patients (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.33-0.74; P=0.0006). Sor plus CT was also tested as first-line and second-line treatments. The pooled data of PFS favored the combination CT plus Sor (fixed effect, HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.98; P=0.04). Comparisons of iniparib plus CT also had a better PFS than CT alone (fixed effect, HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.90; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Targeted therapy, when associated with conventional CT, demonstrated gains in the PFS of patients with TNBC.

Intermittent versus continuous androgen deprivation for locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in older men in the United States (USA) and Western Europe. Androgen deprivation (AD) constitutes, in most cases, the first-line of treatment for these cases. The negative impact of CAD in quality of life, secondary to the adverse events of sustained hormone deprivation, plus the costs of this therapy, motivated the intermittent treatment approach. The objective of this study is to to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy and adverse events profile of intermittent versus continuous androgen deprivation for locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), time to progression (TTP) and adverse events. We performed a meta-analysis (MA) of the published data. The results were expressed as Hazard Ratio (HR) or Risk Ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CI 95%). RESULTS: The final analysis included 13 trials comprising 6,419 patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. TTP was similar in patients who received intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) or continuous androgen deprivation (CAD) (fixed effect: HR = 1.04; CI 95% = 0.96 to 1.14; p = 0.3). OS and CSS were also similar in patients treated with IAD or CAD (OS: fixed effect: HR = 1.02; CI 95% = 0.95 to 1.09; p = 0.56 and CSS: fixed effect: HR = 1.06; CI 95% = 0.96 to 1.18; p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Overall survival was similar between IAD and CAD in patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Data on CSS are weak and the benefits of IAD on this outcome remain uncertain. Impact in QoL was similar for both groups, however, sexual activity scores were higher and the incidence of hot flushes was lower in patients treated with IAD.

Lapatinib plus chemotherapy or endocrine therapy (CET) versus CET alone in the treatment of HER-2-overexpressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of lapatinib plus chemotherapy or endocrine therapy (CET) versus CET alone in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing (HER-2+) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival. The side effects of each treatment were analyzed. The data extracted from the studies were combined by using the hazard ratio or risk ratio with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 113 references were identified and screened. The final analysis included four trials comprising 1,073 patients with HER-2+. The overall response rate was higher in patients who received the combination of CET plus lapatinib (risk ratio 0.78; 95% CI 0.71-0.85; P < 0.00001) but with significant heterogeneity (χ(2) = 15.61, df = 3; P = 0.001; I(2) = 81%). This result remained favorable to the use of lapatinib when a random-effects model analysis was performed (risk ratio 0.76; 95% CI 0.62-0.94; P = 0.01). Progression-free survival was also higher in patients who received CET plus lapatinib (hazard ratio 0.57; 95% CI 0.49-0.66; P < 0.00001) with no heterogeneity detected on this analysis (χ(2) = 3.05; df = 3; P = 0.38; I(2) = 1%). Overall survival was significantly longer in patients who received CET plus lapatinib (hazard ratio 0.80; 95% CI 0.69-0.92; P = 0.002) without heterogeneity on this analysis (χ(2) = 1.26; df = 3; P = 0.74; I(2) = 0%). Regarding adverse events and severe toxicities (grade ≥3), the group receiving CET plus lapatinib had higher rates of neutropenia (risk ratio 2.08; 95% CI 1.64-2.62; P < 0.00001), diarrhea (risk ratio 4.82; 95% CI 3.14-7.41; P < 0.00001), and rash (risk ratio 8.03; 95% CI 2.46-26.23; P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: The combination of CET plus lapatinib increased the overall response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival in patients with HER-2+ locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Supratentorial primary neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) inside the third ventricle in adult: an rare case report / Tumor neuroectodérmico primário (PNET) supratentorial no terceiro ventrículo em adulto: um raro relato de caso

The PNET of CNS are considered malignant undifferentiated tumors, and it represents about 2,8% of all tumors found on infants and teenagers, more rarely found on adults. In the present article will report the case of a patient, male, 23 years-old, with nodular lesion inside the third ventricle, admitted on emergency room with acute intense headache, drowsiness, vomiting and visual clouding, started three days before. Although there have been advances in diagnosis and treatment of PNET in children, few publications were found on the efficiency of available treatment options on adults. In our patient the lesion was completely removed by a anterosuperior interhemispheric transcallosal craniotomy, and subsequently diagnosed as PNET by anatomopathological. Postoperative hydrocephaly was installed and reverted with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, with clinical and neurological status improvement. The patient died 18 months after diagnosis, due to respiratory hospitalar infection...

Os PNET do SNC são considerados tumores malignos indiferenciados e representam cerca de 2,8% de todos os tumores encontrados em crianças e adolescentes, sendo mais raramente encontrados em adultos. Neste presente artigo, relatamos o caso de um paciente, do sexo masculino, com 23 anos de idade, com lesão nodular dentro do terceiro ventrículo, que foi admitido na emergência com cefaleia intensa e aguda, sonolência, vômitos e turvação visual, iniciados três dias antes da admissão. Embora tenha havido avanços no diagnóstico e tratamento de PNET em crianças, poucas publicações foram encontradas sobre a eficiência de opções de tratamento disponíveis em adultos. No nosso paciente a lesão foi completamente removida por uma craniotomia ântero-transcalosa inter-hemisférica; posteriormente, ele foi diagnosticado como PNET por meio do exame anatomopatológico. A hidrocefalia instalada no pós-operatório foi revertida com uma derivação ventrículo-peritoneal, com melhora do quadro clínico e neurológico. O paciente morreu 18 meses após o diagnóstico, em decorrência de uma infecção hospitalar respiratória...

Implante transcateter de bioprótese valvular pulmonar: revisão sistemática da literatura / Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation: systematic literature review

A correção cirúrgica de algumas cardiopatias congênitas complexas envolve a reconstrução da via de saída do ventrículo direito com a interposição de homoenxertos, biopróteses, enxertos de jugular bovina ou outros condutos valvulados entre o ventrículo direito e o tronco da artéria pulmonar. Apesar de essas cirurgias poderem ser realizadas com baixa mortalidade, a vida útil das válvulas ou dos condutos implantados é normalmente pequena (< 10 anos), seja por degeneração e/ou calcificação. Graus variáveis de estenose pulmonar na maioria das vezes associada a insuficiência pulmonar são consequências da degeneração dos condutos. Em 2000, Bonhoeffer et al. foram os primeiros a relatar o implante transcateter de bioprótese valvular pulmonar (ITVP) com um dispositivo que posteriormente foi denominado de válvula Melody® (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Estados Unidos). A técnica foi inicialmente desenvolvida para limitar a necessidade de múltiplos procedimentos cirúrgicos, substituindo, em última análise, uma nova troca cirúrgica valvular. Estudos subsequentes na Europa e Estados Unidos atestaram para a segurança e eficácia dessa técnica em um número maior de pacientes. Como a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) concedeu a aprovação para o uso clínico da válvula biológica pulmonar transcateter Melody® em fevereiro de 2013, consideramos necessária e oportuna a avaliação judiciosa da utilização dessa nova tecnologia antes que ela fosse aplicada em larga escala em nosso país. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre o ITVP em pacientes com disfunções de homoenxertos, condutos valvulados e biopróteses implantados cirurgicamente na via de saída do ventrículo direito.

Surgical repair of some complex congenital heart diseases involves reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract using homografts, bioprostheses, bovine jugular grafts or other valved conduits between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery. Although these surgical procedures may be performed with low mortality rates, the life span of these implanted valves or conduits is usually short (< 10 years) due to either degeneration and/or calcification. Variable degrees of pulmonary stenosis, often associated with pulmonary insufficiency, are consequences of conduit degeneration. In 2000, Bonhoeffer et al. were the first to report the transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) of a bioprosthetic pulmonary valve later named Melody® valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA). The technique was initially developed to limit the need for multiple surgical procedures, and, ultimately, to work as a surrogate of a new surgical valve replacement. Subsequent clinical studies in Europe and the United States confirmed the safety and efficacy of this technique in a larger number of patients. Since the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária - Anvisa) granted approval for clinical use of the Melody® transcatheter pulmonary biological valve in February 2103, we deemed that a judicious assessment of this new technology was timely and necessary before the widespread use in our country. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic literature review on the use of TPVI in patients with dysfunctional homografts, valved conduits and bioprostheses implanted surgically in the right ventricular outflow tract.

Hypofractionated external-beam radiation therapy (HEBRT) versus conventional external-beam radiation (CEBRT) in patients with localized prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy and side effect profile of hypofractionated versus conventional external-beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: Several databases were searched, including Medline, EmBase, LiLACS, and Central. The endpoints were freedom from biochemical failure and side effects. We performed a meta-analysis of the published data. The results are expressed as the hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR), with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The final analysis included nine trials comprising 2702 patients. Freedom from biochemical failure was reported in only three studies and was similar in patients who received hypofractionated or conventional radiotherapy (fixed effect, HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.88-1.20; P = 0.75), with heterogeneity [χ(2) = 15.32, df = 2 (P = 0.0005); I2 = 87%]. The incidence of acute adverse gastrointestinal events was higher in the hypofractionated group (fixed effect, RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.45-2.81; P < 0.0001). We also found moderate heterogeneity on this analysis [χ(2) = 7.47, df = 5 (P = 0.19); I2 = 33%]. Acute genitourinary toxicity was similar among the groups (fixed effect, RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.95-1.49; P = 0.13), with moderate heterogeneity [χ(2) = 5.83, df = 4 (P = 0.21); I2 = 31%]. The incidence of all late adverse events was the same in both groups (fixed effect, gastrointestinal toxicity, RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.79-1.72, P = 0.44; and acute genitourinary toxicity, RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.80-1.68, P = 0.44). CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated radiotherapy in localized prostate cancer was not superior to conventional radiotherapy and showed higher acute gastrointestinal toxicity in this meta-analysis. Because the number of published studies is still small, future assessments should be conducted to clarify better the true role of hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer.

Immunotherapy with Sipuleucel-T (APC8015) in patients with metastatic castration-refractory prostate cancer (mCRPC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of Sipuleucel-T versus placebo for asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-refractory prostate cancer (mCRPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP) and side effects. We performed a meta-analysis (MA) of the published data. The results are expressed as Hazard Ratio (HR) or Risk Ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI 95%). RESULTS: The final analysis included 3 trials comprising 737 patients. The TTP was similar in patients who received Sipuleucel-T or placebo (fixed effect: HR = 0.89; CI 95% = 0.75 to 1.05; p = 0.16), with no heterogeneity detected on this analysis (Chi2 = 2.14, df = 2 (P = 0.34); I2 = 6%). The results showed a higher overall survival in patients treated with Sipuleucel-T (fixed effect: HR = 0.74; CI 95% = 0.61 to 0.89; p = 0.001; NNT = 3). We found no heterogeneity on this analysis either (Chi2 = 1.46, df = 2 (P = 0.48); I2 = 0%). The incidence of adverse events (grade > 3) was the same in both groups. CONCLUSION: Sipuleucel-T prolongs overall survival in patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic mCRPC.

Efficacy of bevacizumab (Bev) plus chemotherapy (CT) compared to CT alone in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of chemotherapy (CT) plus Bevacizumab (Bev) versus CT alone in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and side effects. We performed a meta-analysis (MA) of the published data, using a fixed effects model and an additional random effects model, when applicable. The results of the MA are expressed as hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). We analyzed the use of Bev in the doses of 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg. RESULTS: The final analysis included 4 trials, comprising 2200 patients. The response rate was higher in patients who received the combination of CT plus Bev 7.5 mg/kg (RR=0.58; CI95%=0.46-0.74; p<0.00001) and Bev 15 mg/kg (RR=0.53; CI95%=0.45-0.63; p<0.00001) with moderate heterogeneity at dose of 15 mg/kg (Chi(2)=4.30, df=3 (P=0.23); I(2)=30%). The PFS length was longer in patients who received CT plus Bev 7.5 mg/kg (HR=0.78, CI95%=0.68-0.90; p=0.0005) and Bev 15 mg/kg (HR=0.72, CI95%=0.65-0.80; p<0.00001) with moderate heterogeneity (Bev 7.5 mg/kg: Chi(2)=1.43, df=1 (P=0.23); I(2)=30% and Bev 15 mg/kg: Chi(2)=7.43, df=3 (P=0.06); I(2)=60%). Differences in these end points remained in favor of CT plus Bev when made the analysis by random-effects model. Overall survival was longer in patients who received CT plus Bev 15 mg/kg (HR=0.89, CI95%=0.80-1.00; p=0.04), with moderate heterogeneity (Chi(2)=5.09, df=3 (P=0.17); I(2)=41%). The random-effects model analysis for this endpoint did not confirmed the difference seen in the fixed effects model analysis (HR=0.90, CI95%=0.76-1.07; p=0.23). Severe haematologic toxicities (grade>3), neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were more common among the patients that received Bev. CONCLUSION: The combination of CT plus Bev increased the response rate and progression-free survival of patients with NSCLC. With respect to overall survival the benefits of Bev remains uncertain.

Efficacy of palonosetron (PAL) compared to other serotonin inhibitors (5-HT3R) in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving moderately or highly emetogenic (MoHE) treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing a single intravenous dose of palonosetron (PAL) 0.25 mg with other 5-HT(3)R in patients receiving moderately or highly emetogenic (MoHE) chemotherapy. METHODS: Several databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. The primary endpoints were the incidence of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting. The side effects of each treatment were analyzed. A subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the use of corticosteroids. The results are expressed as risk ratio (RR) and the correspondent 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Five studies were included, with 2057 patients. PAL was compared with ondansetron, granisetron, and dolasetron. Patients in PAL group had less nausea, both acute (RR = 0.86; CI 95% = 0.76 to 0.96; p = 0.007) and delayed (RR = 0.82; CI95% = 0.75 to 0.89; p < 0.00001). They also had less acute vomiting (RR = 0.76; CI 95% = 0.66 to 0.88; p = 0.0002) and delayed vomiting (RR = 0.76; CI95% = 0.68 to 0.85; p < 0.00001). There were no statistical differences in side effects like headache (RR = 0.84; CI 95% = 0.61 to 1.17; p = 0.30), dizziness (RR = 0.40; CI 95% = 0.13 to 1.27; p = 0.12), constipation (RR = 1.29; CI 95% = 0.77 to 2.17; p = 0.33) or diarrhea (RR = 0.67; CI 95% = 0.24 to 1.85; p = 0.44). Patients receiving PAL presented less nausea and vomiting regardless of the use of corticoids. We found no statistical heterogeneity in the global analysis. CONCLUSION: PAL was more effective than the other 5-HT(3)R in preventing acute and delayed CINV in patients receiving MoHE treatments, regardless of the use of concomitant corticosteroids.

Alterações oculares macroscópicas de fetos de ratos hipervitaminóticos A / Macroscopic ocular alterations of fetuses of hipervitaminotic A rats

Objetivo: A ingesta excessiva de vitamina A durante a gestação pode causar malformações características em diversos órgãos fetais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo observar macroscopicamente os efeitos específicos da hipervitaminose A nos olhos de ratos cujas mães receberam 120.000UI de vitamina A no décimo dia de gestação.Métodos e resultados: Foram utilizadas 10 ratas (Rattus norvergicus), provenientes do Biotério da Unifenas. Após acasalamento das ratas com os machos e constatado o primeiro dia de prenhez, foram divididas em dois grupos: GI - animais que receberam, pela via intraperitoneal, solução salina a 0,9 (controle), e GII - animais que receberam, pela via intraperitoneal, 120.000UI de vitamina A sob a forma de palmitato em solução coloidal hidromissível (tratado). No 20º dia de prenhez, as ratas foram anestesiadas e realizada a cirurgia cesariana. Os fetos foram expostos e posteriormente coletados. Foram separados, de forma aleatória, 80 fetos. Destes, 40 pertenciam ao grupo tratado e 40 ao controle. Os fetos foram observados, sob lupa (120x), quanto a possíveis alterações oculares. Na análise dos fetos foi observado, no grupo tratado, exoftalmia bilateral em 62,5 (25) dos casos; aplasia palpebral em 55 (22), sendo 4,5 (1) unilateral e 95,4 (21) bilateral; microftalmia em 25 (10), da qual 10 (1) foi unilateral e 90 (9) bilateral. Neste estudo fetos com anoftalmia não foram encontrados.Conclusões: Concluiu-se que a vitamina A, na dose utilizada e nas amostras estudadas, causou malformações nos olhos dos fetos de ratos, perceptíveis ao exame macroscópico.

Contribuição do perfil do aluno de graduação em odontologia para a redefinição dos recursos usados pelo professor no processo ensino-aprendizagem / Dental student profile definition and its impact on teaching resources in the teaching-learning process

O papel da universidade, hoje, é preparar um profissional crítico e reflexivo, aplicando técnicas pedagógicas que facilitem sua inserção no mercado de trabalho como profissional ético e responsável. Essa nova direção do processo de ensino-aprendizagem requer redefinições de metodologias estabelecidas e um ambiente de aprendizagem novo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi delinear o perfil do estudante de odontologia, para servir como uma ferramenta de ajuda à seleção de estratégias pedagógicas que possam melhorar a qualidade do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Um questionário foi aplicado a 636 alunos do primeiro ao quanto ano de odontologia. Os resultados demonstraram preferência por aulas expositivas, discussão de casos clínicos e testes com questões objetivas e subjetivas. Foram também identificados o pouco uso da biblioteca e a grande importância atribuida a utilização de computadores. Estes resultados são importantes para a redefinição de estratégeias que melhorem o processo de ensino-aprendizagem

Doenças cardiovasculares: causas e prevençäo / Cardiovascular diseases: etiology and prevention

A literatura mostra que as doenças cardiovasculares säo umas das principais causas de óbito na sociedade moderna. O principal processo patológico que conduz à doença do coraçäo e dos vasos sangüíneos é a aterosclerose (AS). A forma mais prevalente da AS começa a desenvolver-se na adolescência e progride lentamente ao longo das décadas, obstruindo gradualmente a luz arterial e terminando por manisfestar-se clinicamente como acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), angina de peito, infarto do miocárdio ou como morte súbita. O presente trabalho visou analisar a prevalência dos fatores de risco capazes de predispor ao desenvolvimento de tais doenças em estudantes do primeiro grau escolar. Foram examinados 154 adolescentes entre 10 e 14 anos completos, no ano de 1999. Os fatores de risco foram agrupados em três categorias: I) fatores näo modificáveis (sexo e história familiar de doenças cardiovasculares); II) fatores potencialmente modificáveis (tabagismo, hipertensäo arterial, diabetes); III) fatores com menor implicaçäo prognóstica, como excesso de peso através do índice de massa corporal (IMC>25) e sedentarismo (indivíduos que näo praticam exercício físico). Os dados coletados foram transformados em percentuais, analisados e agrupados em suas respectivas categorias. A análise dos mesmos permitiu observar inúmeros fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, tais como alto índice de indivíduos com história familiar e sedentarismo, bem como fatores que concorrem para a mesma em menor índice. Diante do pouco conhecimento que esta faixa etária apresenta sobre tais riscos, torna-se importante orientar esses indivíduos à mudanças de hábitos que possam contribuir para reduçäo dessas doenças cardiovasculares na idade adulta.