Naturopathic Management of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Infections: A Modified Delphi Study.

Objective: Both the United Nations and the World Health Organization have identified antimicrobial resistance as a significant threat to global health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified five pediatric respiratory conditions as requiring particular scrutiny in terms of antibiotic stewardship. This study sought to identify strategies used by experienced naturopathic practitioners to treat acute respiratory infections in children. The authors theorize that naturopathic strategies safely fill the gap between watchful waiting and antibiotic prescription, thus reducing the use of antibiotics. Methods: Naturopathic practitioners in Canada, the United States, and Australia with a minimum of 5 years of experience in clinical naturopathic care of children were recruited for a modified Delphi study. A 14-person panel of practitioners was selected to complete a series of four iterative surveys assessing agreement to statements in five domains of knowledge/attitudes, assessment/diagnosis, management, monitoring, and education. Items were deemed to have reached consensus if they reached a predetermined threshold of 70% agreement, or failed to reach a threshold of 40% agreement. Items between these boundaries were modified and retested until either consensus was reached or the four surveys had been completed. Results: Results yielded a large degree of agreement on core naturopathic approaches to the management of acute pediatric respiratory infections, especially lifestyle strategies, including adequate rest and dietary recommendations. The use of vitamins C and D was strongly supported, as were herbs, particularly echinacea and elderberry. Some hydrotherapy and topical applications specific to the individual focus on infection also reached consensus. Results suggested that most respondents, even if they have the authority to prescribe antibiotics, rarely deem it necessary to do so. Conclusion: Findings of this study provide (1) clarity on the role of naturopathic doctors in the management of pediatric health concerns and the stewardship of antibiotics; and (2) initial guidance to less experienced naturopathic practitioners. The findings also identify key priorities for research into the safety and effectiveness of naturopathic interventions to reduce the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics.

Additive Manufacturing of Earth-Based Materials: A Literature Review on Mortar Composition, Extrusion, and Processing Earth.

Increasing concerns about global warming and its impact on the environment reinforce the need for new materials and technologies. Additive manufacturing has become more relevant due to its potential to build sustainable and more energy-efficient constructions. However, the materials employed within the technology are not yet fully sustainable. Researchers employing clay as the main binder have found that, besides protecting the environment, it benefits passive control of indoor temperature and relative humidity and contributes to comfort. The mortar design as well as the necessary technological adaptations for the 3D printing of earth mortars are addressed. From a material perspective, this paper reviewed and analyzed the recent developments in additive manufacturing of clay-based mortars, highlighting the main gaps and providing recommendations for future developments in this field.

Teto terapêutico e a adequação do tratamento no Serviço de Urgência: estudo retrospectivo / Ceilings of treatment and treatment adequacy in the Emergency department: retropective study

Introdução: no Serviço de Urgência vive-se um antagonismo constante pela sua natureza direcionada para a patologia aguda e a prestação de cuidados paliativos de qualidade. O nosso estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se a definição de teto terapêutico leva a diferenças na adequação da marcha diagnóstica e terapêutica instituída. Material e métodos: análise retrospetiva descritiva monocêntrica dos doentes que morreram nos primeiros seis meses de 2018 no serviço de urgência do Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora. Resultados: compararam-se os três grupos de doentes o que não foi definido qualquer teto terapêutico, com o grupo em que iniciaram medidas paliativas e o grupo em que se tomou a Decisão de Não Reanimar. Verificou-se que não existem diferenças significativa entre as idades, o local de residência e as comorbilidades e, com exceção da demência (p= 0,006), existe sim uma diferença no grau de dependência nas atividades da vida diária (p<0,001). Verificou-se que não existem diferenças entre número ou tipo de exames complementares de diagnóstico, mas há algumas diferenças na terapêutica instituída já que no grupo dos doentes em cuidados paliativos a terapêutica com morfina (p<0,001), butilescopolamina (p=0,001) e paracetamol (p=0,004) foi mais frequente. A ventilação invasiva só ocorreu no grupo de doentes sem definição de teto terapêutico (p<0,001), enquanto a oxigénioterapia foi mais frequente nos grupos em Decisão de Não Reanimar ou em cuidados paliativos (p<0,001). Discussão e conclusão: os médicos do serviço de urgência reconhecem que os seus doentes estão em final de vida, adequando parcialmente a terapêutica com vista ao controlo de sintomas, dor e secreções.

Introduction: the Emergency Department is in a constant state of antagonism due to its nature towards the acute pathology, and quality of palliative care. Our study aims to assess whether the definition of a therapeutic ceiling leads to differences in the adequacy of the diagnostic methods and therapy instituted. Material and methods: retrospective descriptive monocentric analysis of patients who died the first 6 months of 2018 in the emergency department of Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora. Results: the three groups of patients were compared, one without any therapeutic ceiling defined, with the group in which they started palliative measures and the group in which the Decision to Not Resuscitate was made. There were no significant differences between ages, place of residence and comorbidities except for dementia (p=0.006), but there is a difference in the degree of dependence on activities of daily living (p<0.001). It was found that there are no differences between the number or type of complementary diagnostic tests, but there are some differences in the therapy instituted since in the group of patients in palliative care, therapy with morphine (p<0.001), butylscopolamine (p=0.001) and paracetamol (p=0.004) was more frequent. Invasive ventilation only occurred in the group of patients without therapeutic ceiling (p<0.001), while oxygen therapy was more frequent in Decision to Not Resuscitate or in palliative care groups (p<0.001). Discussion and conclusion: the doctors of the emergency department recognize that their patients are at the end of their lives, partially adapting the therapy to control symptoms, pain and secretions.

Discrepancia entre SpO2 y SaO2: diagnóstico de cuatro generaciones / From SpO2 and SaO2 discrepancy to diagnosing four generations

Pulse oximetry measures the peripheral oxy-haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) which is a surrogate marker for arterial oxy-haemoglobin saturation (SaO2). SaO2 estimation is subjected to both oximeter proper functioning, patient characteristicsand haemoglobin disturbances. A 82-year-old man goes to the emergency with cough, dyspnoea and fever. He has haemolytic anaemia. His kids also have anaemia. Examination showed fine crackles in pulmonary auscultation of the lower two thirds of the right lung and splenomegaly. SpO2 was 80% (FiO2 21%). Arterial blood gas analysis: pH 7.514; PaCO2 23.4 mmHg; PaO2 43.2 mmHg; Hb 13.0 g/dL. Chest X-ray suggested an infectious process. He was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia. During hospitalization we verify discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2; haemolytic anaemia. The patient had a respiratory improvement and was discharged to external consult, dying months later. To clarify the discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2 results; confirm the hereditary nature and identify the haemolytic anaemia, we conducted a retrospective familiar study based on the patient’s clinical processes. Three children were identified with anaemia. Two of the children have known their anaemia for 35 years - studied in the context of respiratory infections with haemolytic crisis due to Lepore haemoglobinopathy and β thalassemia, respectively. The patient previously diagnosed with Lepore haemoglobinopathy, currently undergoing hospital anaemia study, was diagnosed with Köln Hb. The discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2 in association with a familiar haemolytic anaemia resulted in the diagnosis of autosomal dominant Köln haemoglobinopathy. The advances in the means of diagnosis enabled the probable diagnosis of 19 family members distributed over 4 generations. (AU)

A new dysferlin gene mutation in a Portuguese family with Miyoshi myopathy.

Dysferlinopathies are autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies caused by mutations in the dysferlin gene (DYSF). A 33-year-old man was born to a non-consanguineous couple. At the age of 25 he stared to feel weakness of the distal lower limbs and also experienced episodes of rhabdomyolysis. Electromyography showed a myopathic pattern, and muscle biopsy revealed dystrophic changes with absence of dysferlin. Genetic analysis was positive for a mutation in the c3367_3368del DYSF gene (p.Lys1123GLUFS*2). After 8 years of disease evolution the symptomatology worsened. This is the first report of this mutation of the DYSF gene identified in a non-consanguineous Portuguese family, studied over 8 years. We believe the mutation is responsible for the Miyoshi myopathy. Disease progression cannot be predicted in either the patient or carrier family because there are no similar cases previously described in the literature.

Aortitis as a Harbinger of Esophageal Cancer.

Aortitis is a rare diagnosis that requires a high index of suspicion due to nonspecific symptoms and its multiplicity of etiologies. An 80-year-old man, independent in activities of daily living (ADLs), had three consecutive hospitalizations in three months for fever, general malaise, anorexia associated with arthritis of the hands and feet with the inability to walk. Inflammatory markers were increased without a focus of infection identified. Upper digestive endoscopy (UDE), colonoscopy, blood cultures, thoracoabdominal-pelvic CT and transthoracic (TT) echocardiogram were performed without changes, with discharge for consultation after demonstrating apyrexia. At the patient second hospitalization for fever and arthritis, a transesophageal echocardiogram was performed that showed the presence of multiple complex atherosclerotic plaques, with associated thrombi in all segments of the aorta with a suspicious mass of vegetation on the aorta. Thoracic-abdominopelvic CT demonstrated calcified atheromatosis of the entire aorta with para-aortic nodes; MRI showed aortic thickening; and autoimmunity study was negative. Aortitis was the working diagnosis of possible infectious etiology and anticoagulation and antibiotic therapy were started. Fever recurred and a third admission led to a working diagnosis of inflammatory, non-infectious aortitis. The patient responded well to empiric corticosteroids. The patient followed up in consultation, remained asymptomatic under a low dose of corticosteroids with negative temporal artery biopsy. In the sixth month, he repeated UDE due to dysphagia, which showed the presence of esophageal neoformation with the histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, maintaining on the CT as alterations in the aorta. This is an unusual case of aortitis associated with arthritis with improvement after corticosteroids, which interestingly occurred before the progression of esophageal cancer. In hindsight, we think this may have been a large vessel paraneoplastic vasculitis that preceded the detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Iatrogenic pneumothorax in a 4-week-old girl: new diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema.

A 4-week-old female patient presented with severe respiratory distress, hypoxia and apnoeic episodes on a background of a few-day history of coryza and cough. There was significantly reduced air entry on the left side and a displacement of the apex beat to the right of the chest. The examination findings with oxygen desaturations and a right-sided mediastinal shift on chest X-ray led to a diagnosis of tension pneumothorax following which a needle thoracentesis was undertaken. This appeared to worsen the patient's clinical condition; hence, a chest drain was inserted with unsatisfactory clinical improvement. In view of the presentation and lack of clinical improvement after chest drain insertion, the case was transferred to the paediatric respiratory team in a tertiary centre where the diagnosis was revised to congenital lobar emphysema based on chest computer tomography findings. She subsequently benefited from a left upper lobectomy and lingulectomy and was discharged home 4 days after surgery.

Organizing Pneumonia After Exposure to Sodium Hypochlorite: A Case Report.

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare inflammatory lung disease with a difficult diagnosis and sparse mentions in the literature. In most cases, the etiology is unknown but may be associated with infections, systemic disorders, exposure to industrial toxins and environmental pollutants, or even drug toxicity. This report describes a 77-year-old male who presented to the hospital with nonproductive cough, myalgias, fever, and progressive weight loss after prolonged exposure to sodium hypochlorite. The patient was treated with multiple courses of antibiotics with no pathogen isolation. Chest CT revealed condensation foci of all pulmonary lobes. His clinical history, laboratory results, and CT images led to the diagnosis of OP, which was confirmed with a transbronchial lung biopsy. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone with clinical improvement and discharge one week after the beginning of the corticosteroid treatment. OP diagnosis can be challenging and, if not considered, may lead to a delay in providing appropriate treatment to the patients, which can often lead to a prolonged hospital stay and poor outcomes.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine Practitioner's Management Of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections In Children - A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is one of the most prevalent types of infection among children and a common reason for hospital admission. Although parents frequently consult complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners to assist with the management of childhood ARTI, little is known about the treatments that CAM practitioners recommend and why. The aim of this research was to understand what CAM practitioners typically prescribe for the management of childhood ARTI and how practitioners formulate decisions regarding the management of this condition. METHOD: The research was guided by a qualitative descriptive framework. CAM practitioners across Greater Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) who had treated children aged 0-12 years with ARTI in the past 12 months were eligible to participate. Data were captured using semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Multiple strategies to improve trustworthiness were implemented (e.g., triangulation of data). Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four CAM practitioners from ten different disciplines participated in the interviews. Most participants were female (75%), and more than half (54%) were practicing naturopaths. The treatments most commonly recommended were lifestyle modification (95%), nutrition/diet-based treatments (91%), and vitamin/mineral supplementation (87%). Practitioners' decision-making process was underpinned by four key concepts namely: the approach to management, individualisation, do no harm, and collaborative practice. Individualisation and the safety of the child are cornerstones of treatment in the practitioner's decision-making process. CONCLUSION: This research sheds light on commonly used CAM interventions, many of which build on easily accessible and readily available treatments (such as soups) and are aligned with mainstream recommendations (such as rest). Practitioners' decision-making process too aligns well with mainstream health care where the focus is on safety and informed by a biopsychosocial-cultural approach.

Attachment icebergs: Maternal and child health nurses' evaluation of infant-caregiver attachment.

Secure attachment of infants to their caregiver is important when promoting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of infants. Maternal and child health (MCH) nurses are well positioned to observe the quality of interactions between infants and caregivers and to assess and intervene. However, as yet there are no approved methods to assess the emotional and mental health of infants in community settings. A qualitative descriptive study of 12 MCH nurses in Victoria, Australia, using semi-structured interviews, was thematically analysed. The data revealed that nurses used many skills to identify and manage attachment difficulties. Key among these were observations of interactions, collaboration with caregivers and reflective practice. Assessments and interventions are also influenced by nurses' emotions, attitudes and workplace factors. An unexpected finding was that attachment markers can be likened to an 'iceberg': warning indicators at the tip can be easily observed by the nurse, while the less obvious underlying factors need to be explored in order to support attachment and improve infant mental health outcomes. Education for nurses should include concepts of attachment and link behaviours with emotional wellbeing.

Histometric evaluation of dental alveolar repair in malnourished rats in the intrauterine or postnatal phase.

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional aggravations during pregnancy or during the early stages of postnatal development can impair bone development; thus, we aimed to assess the effects of food restriction on the dental alveolar bone repair process using histometric analysis. DESIGN: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (C) 12 pups were obtained from control mothers with food intake at ease; (GR) 12 pups from mothers subjected to 70% food restriction during pregnancy; (PNR) 50% of maternal food restriction during lactation and 50% of restriction for the 12 pups after weaning. At three months of age, the upper right incisor was extracted from the pups. After 14 or 28 days, the pups were sacrificed for evaluation of newly formed bone area (NB) and total bone area (TA) in the medial and apical thirds of the alveolus. RESULTS: In the apical third of the alveolus, the ratio of NB/TA was greater at 28 days for all groups and there was no damage to any of the groups. In the medial third, the ratio was higher at 28 days for the C and GR groups. The PNR group did not show an evolution of alveolar dental repair. Compared between the thirds, all groups exhibited a higher percentage of newly formed bone in the medial third area, at any time point after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of the total alveolar area covered by newly formed bone (NB/TA) revealed a late preference in the process of alveolar repair in the medial third, although only in the PNR group.

The missing link: district nurses as social connection for older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The relationship between social connection and health is widely recognised. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the impact of district nursing care on social connection for people with a chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using a mixed-method approach, an exploration of the perceptions of older people living in the community with T2DM regarding their health and social connections was carried out. Findings revealed a strong relationship between the clients and the district nurse. The district nurse is an important aspect of clients' social connection. For some clients where their social connection is limited, the district nurse is a central element. When the district nurse is the major social connection, problems can arise for the client, especially when they are being discharged or changes are made to their care.

Group cohesion and nurse satisfaction: examination of a team-building approach.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a team-building intervention on group cohesion, nurse satisfaction, and turnover rates. BACKGROUND: Creating an environment that supports and retains nurses represents a formidable challenge for nursing leaders. Research related to strategies that positively impact the culture in which nurses practice, thus potentially improving nurse satisfaction and reducing turnover, is critically needed. METHODS: Registered nurses (RNs) employed on inpatient units in a 247-bed, private acute care Magnet teaching hospital participated in this quasi experimental preintervention and postintervention design. The RN-RN interaction subscale from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators Adapted Index of Work Satisfaction, the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators Adapted Index of Job Enjoyment, the Group Cohesion Scale, and a facilitator-developed measure were completed preimplementation and postimplementation of unit-tailored intervention strategies, which took place over a 12-month period. Turnover rates were collected 6 month preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: Improvement in group cohesion, RN-RN interaction, job enjoyment, and turnover was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Targeted, unit-based strategies can be an effective means of reducing turnover rates and improving group cohesion and nurse satisfaction.

Effects of intrauterine food restriction and long-term dietary supplementation with L-arginine on age-related changes in renal function and structure of rats.

We have previously demonstrated that restricting intrauterine food by 50% in 3-mo-old rats produced lower nephron numbers and early-onset hypertension, the latter being normalized by L-arginine administration. In 18-mo-old rats, such restriction increased glomerulosclerosis. In this study, we expanded our investigation, evaluating functional, morphologic, and immunohistochemical parameters in intrauterine-food-restricted 18-mo-old rats, either receiving L-arginine (RA18) or not (R18). Age-matched, non-food-restricted controls were assigned to similar groups with L-arginine (CA18) and without (C18). After weaning, L-arginine was given daily for 17 mo. No functional or morphologic changes were observed in C18 rats. The R18 rats developed early-onset hypertension, which persisted throughout the observation period, as well as significant proteinuria from 12 mo on. In RA18 rats, L-arginine decreased both blood pressure levels and proteinuria, and glomerular diameter was significantly smaller than in R18 rats (115.63 +/- 2.2 versus 134.8 +/- 1.0 mum, p < 0.05). However, in RA18 rats, glomerular filtration rate remained depressed. Although L-arginine prevented glomerulosclerosis (R18 = 14%, RA18 = 4%; p < 0.05), glomerular expression of fibronectin and desmin was still greater in RA18 rats than in controls. Our data show that, although L-arginine prevented hypertension and proteinuria, glomerular injury still occurred, suggesting that intrauterine food restriction may be one of the leading causes of impaired renal function in adult life.

Intrauterine undernutrition--renal and vascular origin of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: A large number of clinical and experimental studies supports the hypothesis that intrauterine undernutrition is an important determinant of hypertension, coronary heart disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes in the adult offspring. In this review, the renal and vascular repercussions of maternal undernutrition are emphasized, and the physiopatologic mechanisms discussed. The origin of hypertension is detailed based upon the findings of kidney functional parameters and endothelium function studies. A working model linking hypertension to intrauterine undernutrition is proposed.

L-Arginine effects on blood pressure and renal function of intrauterine restricted rats.

We have previously demonstrated that 3-month-old rats submitted to 50% intrauterine food restriction showed a decreased number of nephrons with increased glomerular diameter, a fact that suggests compensatory hypertrophy. In the present study, we extended the investigation and performed serial blood pressure measurements and renal function evaluation in 8- and 12-week-old rats submitted to 50% intrauterine food restriction (groups R8 and R12) and in age-matched control rats (groups C8 and C12). After weaning, six to eight animals from each group received oral supplements of 2% L-arginine ( L-arg) solution for 4 or 8 weeks (groups CA8, CA12, RA8, RA12). Our findings showed that mean blood pressure (MBP), which was significantly increased from 8 weeks on in R rats, markedly decreased after L-arg supplementation. In control animals, no alterations in MBP were observed with L-arg. Proteinuria was within normal limits in all groups studied but L-arg caused a significant decrease in this parameter in both the RA8 and RA12 groups. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR, ml/min per kg) was significantly decreased in the C8 control group (3.75+/-0.12) and in both restricted groups R8 and R12, (2.47+/-0.13 and 3.76+/-0.16, respectively) compared with the C12 group (6.09+/-0.31; P<0.05 for all comparisons). L-Arg caused an increase in GFR only in the younger groups, C8 and R8. In a separate set of experiments, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was examined in mesenteric arteries. The R12 group showed a significant impairment of the response to ACh, which returned to normal values after L-arg supplementation. Urinary excretion of NO(x) (NO3- + NO2-) was significantly decreased in 8- and 12-week-old food-restricted rats relative to control rats. Our data indicate that, besides the known decrease in absolute nephron number, disturbances in the production/sensitivity to the L-arg-nitric oxide system may contribute to the early appearance of hypertension in the offspring of mothers submitted to significant food restriction.

Alterations of spermatogenesis in stoposide-treated rats: a stereological study

Etoposido es una droga anticancerosa que actúa conjuntamente con la topoisomerase II. Ratones de 30 días de edad recibieron la dosis de 2mg/kg de etoposido por vía intraperitoneal y durante 30 días seguidos. Los testículos de estos animales, una vez adultos, fueron analizados con microscopía de luz, de acuerdo con parámetros histomorfométricos y estereológicos. secciones testiculares con 3µm de espesor e infiltradas con paraplast fueron sometidas al método de ácido periódico-reactivo de Schiff y coloreadas por la hematoxilina de Harris. Se encontro una acentuación disminución en el recuento de células del tipo germinativo, siendo los espermatogonios diferenciados el tipo más afectado. Parámetros morfométricos y estereológicos testiculares presentaron una reducción altamente significativa en ratones adultos tratados con etoposido. También fueron investigados el nivel de testosterona en el suero y la capacidad reproductiva. Esta última disminuyó, y el porcentaje de mortalidad de las progenies fue del 100 por ciento. Entretanto, el nivel de testosterona en el suero no mostró alteraciones significativas en estos animales

Otite média tuberculosa: dificuldade diagnóstica / Middle ear tuberculosis: difficulty diagnostic

A Otite Média Crônica Tuberculosa tem sido relatada desde o século passado, porém ainda é nítida a dificuldade diagnóstica existente nos dias atuais. Relatamos um caso, no qual isso é facilmente detectado; apesar da suspeita diagnóstica de Otite Média Tuberculosa desde o início, a confirmação só foi obtida após várias biópsias. Ressaltamos, também, que apesar de termos realizado biópsias em sítios diferentes, como, pulmão e linfonodo, a única que se mostrou positiva para a tuberculose foi a biópsia de colón. Apesar da literatura informar que múltiplas perfurações timpânicas são um achado extremamente sugestivo de tuberculose, este não é um achado comum. Nestes casos, temos observado, ao invés de disacusia condutiva, disacusia sensorioneural profunda, e é este achado que nos tem sugerido a investigação de tuberculose em nosso meio. Após instituída a terapêutica específica de tuberculose, obtivemos a melhora e regressão do quadro em todos os órgãos (orelha, pulmão, linfonodo e colón), confirmando que, apesar das biópsias negativas de pulmão, linfonodo e também na orelha, a tuberculose encontrava-se em atividade nestes órgãos.

Comparaçäo entre a levofloxacina oral e a associaçäo de amoxicilina e clavulanato de potássio no tratamento da sinusite bacteriana aguda em adultos / A comparison of oral levofloxacin and amoxicillin clavulanate for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis in adults

Os autores apresentam um estudo multicêntrico, aberto, randomizado para comparar a eficácia e tolerabilidade da Levofloxacina oral à associação de Amoxicilina e Clavulanato de potássio no tratamento de sinusite bacteriana aguda em adultos. A Levofloxacina foi administrada na dose de 500 mg 1 vez ao dia, enquanto a associação Amoxicilina (500mg)/Clavulanato de potássio (125 mg) foi administrada 3 vezes ao dia, ambos tratamentos com duração de 14 dias. Foram avaliados os sintomas dor facial, rinorréia purulenta e obstrução nasal e também os sinais hiperemia, edema, secreção purulenta e dor a palpação dos seios paranasais. Os pacientes foram avaliados na admissão, com 3 a 6 dias de tratamento, 2 a 5 dias pós terapia e com 28 a 32 dias após o término da terapia. Foram classificados de acordo com a eficácia do tratamento em curados, melhorados, com falha terapêutica ou incapazes de serem avaliados. Foram também submetidos a questionários para verificação da aceitação da medicação. Ao fim do estudo, os autores classificaram a eficácia e a tolerabilidade como boas em ambos os grupos de medicamentos, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre os mesmos. Concluindo, a Levofloxacina oral mostrou-se tão eficaz e com boa tolerabilidade quanto a associação Amoxicilina/Clavulanato de potássio para o tratamento da sinusite bacteriana aguda em adultos.

Ventilaçäo com pressäo negativa: estudo experimental em gatos / Negative pressure ventilation: experimental study in cats

Os autores compararam, em 22 gatos adultos, os efeitos da ventilaçäo com pressäo negativa (VPN) e da ventilaçäo com pressäo positiva (VPP), sobre a pressäo arterial, temperatura corpórea e conteúdo de água pulmonar. A VPN foi realizada com aparelho Emerson Chest Respirator Pump e a VPP, manualmente, com um AMBU. Os gatos foram estudados em três grupos: a) grupo de dez animais submetidos à quatro horas de VPN, com valores de pressäo pleural progressivamente negativos; b) grupo de sete animais mantidos por 90 minutos em ventilaçäo espontânea e por 30 minutos com VPP, com nível de hiperventilaçäo semelhante à VPN; c) grupo de cinco animais, näo submetidos a nenhuma das duas modalidades de ventilaçäo e sacrificados imediatamente para determinaçäo do conteúdo normal de água pulmonar. Foram alcançados níveis significativamente elevados de ventilaçäo pulmonar (PaCo2;13mmHg) em ambos os grupos. Houve diminuiçäo da pressäo arterial média em ambos os grupos, mas ela foi mais acentuada no grupo VPN (69mmHg - p < 0,05), sendo os valores mais baixos associados aos níveis altos de hiperventilaçäo. A temperatura corpórea diminuiu em ambos os grupos, porém a diminuiçäo foi maior no grupo VPN. O conteúdo de água pulmonar elevou-se discretamente nos dois grupos, sem haver predominância nas regiöes dependentes. Concluímos que: 1) é possível ventilar com VNP animais com alta complascência dos sistema respiratório; 2) pode haver diminuiçäo da pressäo arterial quando elevados níveis de pressäo negativa säo aplicados; 3) a VPN pode determinar diminuiçäo da temperatura corpórea quando houver abertura no sistema que permita a entrada de ar; 4) a VPN näo foi responsável pelo aumento de conteúdo de água pulmonar nos animais estudados