TRAF1/C5 but not PTPRC variants are potential predictors of rheumatoid arthritis response to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

BACKGROUND The aim of our work was to replicate, in a Southern European population, the association reported in Northern populations between PTPRC locus and response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We also looked at associations between five RA risk alleles and treatment response. METHODS We evaluated associations between anti-TNF treatment responses assessed by DAS28 change and by EULAR response at six months in 383 Portuguese patients. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. In a second step to confirm our findings, we pooled our population with 265 Spanish patients. RESULTS No association was found between PTPRC rs10919563 allele and anti-TNF treatment response, neither in Portuguese modeling for several clinical variables nor in the overall population combining Portuguese and Spanish patients. The minor allele for RA susceptibility, rs3761847 SNP in TRAF1/C5 region, was associated with a poor response in linear and logistic univariate and multivariate regression analyses. No association was observed with the other allellic variants. Results were confirmed in the pooled analysis. CONCLUSION This study did not replicate the association between PTPRC and the response to anti-TNF treatment in our Southern European population. We found that TRAF1/C5 risk RA variants potentially influence anti-TNF treatment response.

Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) experimentally infected with B19V and hepatitis A virus: no evidence of the co-infection as a cause of acute liver failure

This study was conducted to analyse the course and the outcome of the liver disease in the co-infected animals in order to evaluate a possible synergic effect of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) co-infection. Nine adult cynomolgus monkeys were inoculated with serum obtained from a fatal case of B19V infection and/or a faecal suspension of acute HAV. The presence of specific antibodies to HAV and B19V, liver enzyme levels, viraemia, haematological changes, and necroinflammatory liver lesions were used for monitoring the infections. Seroconversion was confirmed in all infected groups. A similar pattern of B19V infection to human disease was observed, which was characterised by high and persistent viraemia in association with reticulocytopenia and mild to moderate anaemia during the period of investigation (59 days). Additionally, the intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in pro-erythroblast cell from an infected cynomolgus and B19V Ag in hepatocytes. The erythroid hypoplasia and decrease in lymphocyte counts were more evident in the co-infected group. The present results demonstrated, for the first time, the susceptibility of cynomolgus to B19V infection, but it did not show a worsening of liver histopathology in the co-infected group.

Acupuncture and rehabilitation of the painful shoulder: study protocol of an ongoing multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial [ISRCTN28687220]

BACKGROUND Although the painful shoulder is one of the most common dysfunctions of the locomotor apparatus, and is frequently treated both at primary healthcare centres and by specialists, little evidence has been reported to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatments most commonly applied. According to the bibliography reviewed, physiotherapy, which is the most common action taken to alleviate this problem, has not yet been proven to be effective, because of the small size of sample groups and the lack of methodological rigor in the papers published on the subject. No reviews have been made to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating this complaint, but in recent years controlled randomised studies have been made and these demonstrate an increasing use of acupuncture to treat pathologies of the soft tissues of the shoulder. In this study, we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applied jointly with acupuncture, compared with physiotherapy applied with a TENS-placebo, in the treatment of painful shoulder caused by subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis). METHODS/DESIGN Randomised controlled multicentre study with blind evaluation by an independent observer and blind, independent analysis. A study will be made of 465 patients referred to the rehabilitation services at participating healthcare centres, belonging to the regional public health systems of Andalusia and Murcia, these patients presenting symptoms of painful shoulder and a diagnosis of subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis). The patients will be randomised into two groups: 1) experimental (acupuncture + physiotherapy); 2) control (TENS-placebo + physiotherapy); the administration of rescue medication will also be allowed. The treatment period will have a duration of three weeks. The main result variable will be the change produced on Constant's Shoulder Function Assessment (SFA) Scale; as secondary variables, we will record the changes in diurnal pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS), nocturnal pain intensity on the VAS, doses of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken during the study period, credibility scale for the treatment, degree of improvement perceived by the patient and degree of improvement perceived by the evaluator. A follow up examination will be made at 3, 6 and 12 months after the study period has ended. Two types of population will be considered for analysis: per protocol and per intention to treat. DISCUSSION The discussion will take into account the limitations of the study, together with considerations such as the choice of a simple, safe method to treat this shoulder complaint, the choice of the control group, and the blinding of the patients, evaluators and those responsible for carrying out the final analysis.

Phylogenetic analyses of chikungunya virus among travelers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014-2015

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that emerged in Brazil by late 2014. In the country, two CHIKV foci characterized by the East/Central/South Africa and Asian genotypes, were established in North and Northeast regions. We characterized, by phylogenetic analyses of full and partial genomes, CHIKV from Rio de Janeiro state (2014-2015). These CHIKV strains belong to the Asian genotype, which is the determinant of the current Northern Brazilian focus, even though the genome sequence presents particular single nucleotide variations. This study provides the first genetic characterisation of CHIKV in Rio de Janeiro and highlights the potential impact of human mobility in the spread of an arthropod-borne virus.

Primary dengue haemorrhagic fever in patients from northeast of Brazil is associated with high levels of interferon-β during acute phase

Dengue is an acute febrile disease caused by the mosquito-borne dengue virus (DENV) that according to clinical manifestations can be classified as asymptomatic, mild or severe dengue. Severe dengue cases have been associated with an unbalanced immune response characterised by an over secretion of inflammatory cytokines. In the present study we measured type I interferon (IFN-I) transcript and circulating levels in primary and secondary DENV infected patients. We observed that dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients express IFN-I differently. While DF and DHF patients express interferon-α similarly (52,71 ± 7,40 and 49,05 ± 7,70, respectively), IFN- β were associated with primary DHF patients. On the other hand, secondary DHF patients were not able to secrete large amounts of IFN- β which in turn may have influenced the high-level of viraemia. Our results suggest that, in patients from our cohort, infection by DENV serotype 3 elicits an innate response characterised by higher levels of IFN- β in the DHF patients with primary infection, which could contribute to control infection evidenced by the low-level of viraemia in these patients. The present findings may contribute to shed light in the role of innate immune response in dengue pathogenesis.

Gestão estratégica de pessoas e inovação: estudos de caso no contexto hospitalar

Neste trabalho, procurou-se analisar as relações entre variáveis do contexto organizacional e de gestão de pessoas e as inovações. Os principais objetivos foram analisar e comparar os aspectos organizacionais e de gestão de pessoas que têm contribuído para a implementação de inovações. Foram conduzidos três estudos de caso em instituições hospitalares, duas localizadas no Brasil e uma nos Estados Unidos. Os resultados da pesquisa indicaram que a adoção de determinadas variáveis do contexto organizacional e de gestão de pessoas poderá estimular a inovação. Além disso, foi possível concluir que essas mesmas variáveis, quando alinhadas aos objetivos organizacionais de inovação, poderão facilitar a superação de obstáculos inerentes ao setor da saúde e que impedem a implementação bem-sucedida de inovações.

Pesquisa em enfermagem e o positivismo

Discute-se os fundamentos do positivismo; as influências mais marcantes para a formulação da filosofia comtiana; como as idéias de Comte, tanto como doutrina, quanto como método, passam a dominar o pensamento da sociedade, ultrapassando o século XIX e alcançando o século XX; e como a doutrina e o método empírico positivista influenciaram a Enfermagem em sua noção acerca da ciência e de homem/ ambiente/doença.

Processo ensino-aprendizagem da técnica de palpação e mensuração uterina: influência da prática

O presente estudo relacionado ao processo ensino-aprendizagem da técnica de palpação e mensuração uterina, teve como objetivos, analisar a influência da prática em relação à habilidade e analisar o conhecimento adquirido da técnica dos estudantes de Graduação em Enfermagem. Aplicando o "modelo padrão" elaborado para este estudo, os estudantes foram avaliados em 2 etapas; os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir pela importância da prática no processo ensino-aprendizagem de uma habilidade perceptivo-motora, verificada através da melhora do desempenho dos estudantes em relação à habilidade e ao conhecimento adquirido.

Social Determinants of Child Health in Colombia: Can Community Education Moderate the Effect of Family Characteristics?

Contextual effects on child health have been investigated extensively in previous research. However, few studies have considered the interplay between community characteristics and individual-level variables. This study examines the influence of community education and family socioeconomic characteristics on child health (as measured by height and weight-for-age Z-scores), as well as their interactions. We adapted the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) framework to the context of child health. Using data from the 2010 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), weighted multilevel models are fitted since the data are not self-weighting. The results show a positive impact of the level of education of other women in the community on child health, even after controlling for individual and family socioeconomic characteristics. Different pathways through which community education can substitute for the effect of family characteristics on child nutrition are found. The interaction terms highlight the importance of community education as a moderator of the impact of the mother’s own education and autonomy, on child health. In addition, the results reveal differences between height and weight-for-age indicators in their responsiveness to individual and contextual factors. Our findings suggest that community intervention programmes may have differential effects on child health. Therefore, their identification can contribute to a better targeting of child care policies.

Natureza e gravidade das lesões em vítimas de acidente de trânsito de veículo a motor

Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo que teve por objetivo caracterizar a natureza e gravidade da lesão de pacientes hospitalizados, vítimas de acidente de trânsito de veículo a motor através da Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Foram analisadas 220 vítimas internadas em uma Instituição referência para trauma em São Paulo, Brasil. Do total de pacientes, 111 eram pedestres, 83 ocupantes de auto e 26 ocupantes de moto. As lesões mais frequentes localizaram se em membros/cintura pélvica e cabeça/pescoço para toda população do estudo com gravidade de lesão AIS £ 3. Faleceram 45 vítimas, sendo dois terços de pedestres.

Tentativas inovadoras na prática de ensino e assistência na área de saúde mental - I

RESUMO No atual contexto de transformações no campo da assistência à saúde mental no Brasil, a Universidade tem a responsabilidade de redirecionar a qualificação profissional da força de trabalho em saúde. Este artigo versa sobre a experiência de um Programa de Integração Docente-Assistencial envolvendo a Secretaria de Estado de Saúde e a Universidade de São Paulo. Particulariza a experiência de estudantes de enfermagem cursando a disciplina de enfermagem psiquiátrica. A análise da avaliação dos alunos do programa teórico-prático desenvolvido na unidade, ancorado nos pressupostos da Reabilitação Psicossocial indica, ao mesmo tempo, que o modelo de atenção interfere diretamente na qualificação das práticas e, simultaneamente, desenvolve nos alunos atitudes e conhecimentos que os qualificam para desempenhar de forma coerente suas funções.

Formas de lazer utilizadas por enfermeiras

O presente estudo, de caráter exploratório, tem como objetivos levantar as atividades de lazer desenvolvidas por uma amostra de trinta enfermeiros, bem como sua periodicidade, durante os períodos de folga. Para coleta dos dados utilizou-se um questionário , sendo catalogadas dezesseis atividades, das mais diversas. Os resultados mais significativos mostraram tendência da população estudada à inatividade física, pouco contato com a natureza e certo isolamento social. O trabalho recomenda medidas para estimular e facilitar o lazer à categoria.

Processo de enfermagem: fatores que dificultam e os que facilitam o ensino

Trata-se de um estudo que teve como objetivo, identificar como é oferecido o ensino do processo de enfermagem nas Escolas de Graduação em Enfermagem do Estado de São Paulo. A população foi composta de 247 docentes. Na metodologia de estudo foi elaborado um questionário, que foi enviado aos 899 docentes das 32 instituições públicas e privadas de Graduação em Enfermagem do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados permitiram constatar que os fatores que dificultam o ensino do processo de enfermagem foram numericamente maiores que os que facilitam. Entretanto, o ensino do processo de enfermagem, apesar das dificuldades apresentadas, tem sido oferecido pelos docentes das escolas públicas e privadas do Estado de São Paulo.

Capacidades motoras envolvidas na habilidade psicomotora da técnica de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar: subsídios para o processo ensino-aprendizagem

Trata-se de uma estudo bibliográfico sobre a identificação das capacidades motoras envolvidas na habilidade psicomotora da técnica de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) cuja finalidade é obter subsídios para o planejamento do processo ensino-aprendizagem desta habilidade. Verificou-se que as capacidades motoras envolvidas na habilidade psicomotora da técnica de RCP são predominantemente cognitivas e motoras, envolvendo 9 capacidades perceptivo-motoras e 8 capacidades de proficiência física. A técnica de RCP é uma habilidade psicomotora classificada como aberta, seriada e categorizada como uma habilidade fina e global e o processo de ensino-aprendizagem da técnica de RCP tem alto grau de complexidade.