Paulo Ricardo Bittencourt Guimarães

Biology of Chirocentrodon bleekerianus (Poey, 1867) (Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae) in a continental shelf region of southern Brazil

This study provides information on the biology of C. bleekerianus from Parana State coast, Brazil, assembling data about its abundance, size structure, diet and reproduction. Monthly collections were accomplished in 1999 and 2000 in the internal continental shelf, with trawl net. The catch-per-unit-effort did not vary significantly among the seasons. In the summer, the individuals were larger, followed by autumn, spring and winter. C. bleekerianus was predominantly planktivorous and the most frequent items in its diet were copepods followed by diatomaceous algae. Seasonal variation in the frequency values of the gonad maturation stages, gonadossomatic index and gonadal condition factor indicated that the reproductive period encompassed spring and summer. The mean total length at first maturity of females was estimated to be 76 mm.

Influence of apical patency and cleaning of the apical foramen on periapical extrusion in retreatment.

This study evaluated the influence of apical patency, root filling removal technique and cleaning of the apical foramen, concerning the amount of debris extruded during root canal retreatment. Forty mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) and GIIPT (n=10), which were named according to leaving (I) or not (II) apical patency during canal preparation and filling removal technique (manual - M or ProTaper system - PT). After filling material removal, each specimen of each group had the apical foramen cleaned by sizes 15, 20 and 25 instruments, generating 12 subgroups: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 and GIIPT25. Extruded filling debris was collected by a Milipore filtration system, an HV-durapore, 0.45 µm pore filter with a 25 mm diameter. The filters were weighed before and after the collection on an analytical scale (10-5 g), and the difference was calculated. The mean weight of extruded filling debris was analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman ANOVA tests (α=0.05). The mean values found in the groups (in mg) were: GIM (0.95 ± 0.94), GIIM (0.47 ± 0.62), GIPT (0.30 ± 0.31) and GIIPT (0.32 ± 0.44). There was no statistically significant difference among any of the groups or subgroups (p>0.05). ProTaper provided the smallest amount of extruded filling material, regardless of presence or absence of apical patency, followed by manual technique, without and with apical patency. Additional amounts of debris were collected during cleaning of the apical foramen, regardless of the instrument, presence/absence of patency or root filling removal technique.

Quality of life domains affected in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the quality of life of women suffering from breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in public and private health care systems. METHOD It is an observational, prospective study with 64 women suffering from breast cancer. Data was collected with two instruments: Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and Breast Cancer Module BR23. By applying Mann Whitney and Friedmans statistical tests, p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The significant results in public health care systems were: physical functions, pain symptom, body image, systemic effects and outlook for the future. In private health care systems, the results were sexual, social functions and body image. Womens quality of life was harmed by chemotherapy in both institutions. CONCLUSION The quality of life of women has been harmed as a result of the chemotherapy treatment in both institutions, but in different domains, indicating the type of nursing care that should be provided according to the characteristics of each group.

Os domínios afetados na qualidade de vida de mulheres com neoplasia mamária

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the quality of life of women suffering from breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in public and private health care systems. METHOD It is an observational, prospective study with 64 women suffering from breast cancer. Data was collected with two instruments: Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and Breast Cancer Module BR23. By applying Mann Whitney and Friedmans statistical tests, p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The significant results in public health care systems were: physical functions, pain symptom, body image, systemic effects and outlook for the future. In private health care systems, the results were sexual, social functions and body image. Womens quality of life was harmed by chemotherapy in both institutions. CONCLUSION The quality of life of women has been harmed as a result of the chemotherapy treatment in both institutions, but in different domains, indicating the type of nursing care that should be provided according to the characteristics of each group.

Análise da prevalência de entidades coloproctológicas nos pacientes idosos do serviço de coloproctologia de um hospital universitário

INTRODUCTION: It is expected that in 2020, elderly people will reach 13% of the Brazilian population. This involves epidemiologic and medical concerns. There is few data in the literature regarding colorectal and anal diseases in this population. OBJECTIVE: to compare data about colorectal and anal conditions in elderly people (older than 60 years) with younger patients, including associated diseases, surgical procedures and complications. METHOD: The charts of the patients of the outpatient colorectal unit were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided in two groups: older than 60 years (group I) and younger than 60 years (controls, group II). RESULTS: 1126 patients were included in this study. 19,36% were older than 60 years. The average number of complaints in the group I was 1,21. Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and positive fecal occult blood test were more frequent in the elderly. Anorectal complaints were more prevalent in the control group. The more prevalent conditions in group I, with statistical significance, were: diverticular disease, colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. In group I, 58,36% had associated diseases. There was no statistical significance between the groups regarding surgical procedures and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic diseases were more prevalent in the elderly group. They had more associated diseases compared with younger patients. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding surgical treatment and complications.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and quality of life during the first year of treatment

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life of adult patients with hematological cancer comparing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation modalities during the first year of treatment. Method: this is an observational and longitudinal research with 55 participants. Data collection was performed in six steps: before transplantation, pancytopenia, before hospital discharge, after 100, 180 and 360 days, in a reference hospital in Brazil for this treatment. The international instruments Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 and Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - Bone Marrow Transplantation were validated and translated into Portuguese (Brazil). Results: the mean age of participants was 36 years, 65% (n = 36) had leukemia diagnosis and 71% (n = 39) had undergone allogenic transplantation. In the Quality of Life Questionnarie - Core30 instrument, the pain symptom was significant between the first and second stages, and loss of appetite between the third and fourth stages, both in the allogenic group. In the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - Bone Marrow Transplantation, the functional well-being domain was significant between the third and fourth stages, also in the allogenic group. Conclusions: although the aggressiveness of treatment affects quality of life, patients consider it satisfactory after the first year. There are few significant differences between autologous and allogenic patients, and both groups have recovered in the course of the process.

Adaptabilidade de Objetos de Aprendizagem usando Calibragem e Sequenciamento Adaptativo de Exercícios

The work approaches theoretical and implementation issues of a framework for creating and executing Learning Objects (LOs) where problem-solving tasks are ordered according to the matching of two parameters, both calculated automatically: (1) student skill level and (2) problem solution difficulty. They are formally defined as algebraic expressions. The definition of skill level is achieved through a rating-based measure that resembles the ones of game mastery scales, while the solution difficulty is based on mistakes and successes of learners to deal with the problem. An empirical study based on existing students data demonstrated the suitability of the formulas. Besides, the motivational aspects of learning are considered in depth. In this sense, it is importante to propose activitites accordign to the student’s level of expertise, which is achieved through presenting students with exercises that are compatible with the difficulty degree of their cognitive skills. Also, the results of an experiment conducted with four highschool classes using the framework for the domain of logarithmic properties are presented.

Boas práticas para a coleta de sangue de cordão umbilical e placentário

Objetivos: identificar fatores relacionados a qualidade das amostras do sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario e definir boas praticas para sua coleta em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario. Metodo: pesquisa descritiva, abordagem quantitativa, realizada em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario, desenvolvida em duas etapas: 1) verificacao dos fatores obstetricos, neonatais e operacionais, obtidos por coleta em instrumento proprio e observacao nao participante; 2) definicao das boas praticas, por meio do agrupamento de nao-conformidades observadas antes, durante e apos a coleta do sangue. Os dados foram analisados por meio da estatistica descritiva, utilizando-se dos softwares Statistica(r) e R(r). Resultados: houve correlacao da influencia dos fatores obstetricos e neonatais em menor escala quando comparados aos fatores operacionais, resultando na necessidade de readequar a pratica profissional do enfermeiro e da equipe obstetrica envolvida no processo da coleta desse tipo de sangue. A partir das nao-conformidades foram definidas boas praticas para o enfermeiro antes, durante e apos a coleta. Conclusao: as boas praticas definidas neste estudo sao importante ferramenta gerencial para o trabalho do enfermeiro na obtencao de amostras de sangue com alta qualidade celular.Abstract Objective: to identify the factors related to the quality of umbilical cord and placental blood specimens, and define best practices for their collection in a government bank of umbilical cord and placental blood. Method: this was a descriptive study, quantitative approach, performed at a government umbilical cord and placental blood bank, in two steps: 1) verification of the obstetric, neonatal and operational factors, using a specific tool for gathering data as non-participant observers; 2) definition of best practices by grouping non-conformities observed before, during and after blood collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the following statistical software: Statistica(r) and R(r). Results: while there was a correlation with obstetrical and neonatal factors, there was a larger correlation with operational factors, resulting in the need to adjust the professional practices of the nursing staff and obstetrical team involved in collecting this type of blood. Based on these non-conformities we defined best practices for nurses before, during and after blood collection. Conclusion: the best practices defined in this study are an important management tool for the work of nurses in obtaining blood specimens of high cell quality.

Buenas prácticas para la recolección de sangre del cordón umbilical y de la placenta

Objetivos: identificar fatores relacionados a qualidade das amostras do sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario e definir boas praticas para sua coleta em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario. Metodo: pesquisa descritiva, abordagem quantitativa, realizada em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario, desenvolvida em duas etapas: 1) verificacao dos fatores obstetricos, neonatais e operacionais, obtidos por coleta em instrumento proprio e observacao nao participante; 2) definicao das boas praticas, por meio do agrupamento de nao-conformidades observadas antes, durante e apos a coleta do sangue. Os dados foram analisados por meio da estatistica descritiva, utilizando-se dos softwares Statistica(r) e R(r). Resultados: houve correlacao da influencia dos fatores obstetricos e neonatais em menor escala quando comparados aos fatores operacionais, resultando na necessidade de readequar a pratica profissional do enfermeiro e da equipe obstetrica envolvida no processo da coleta desse tipo de sangue. A partir das nao-conformidades foram definidas boas praticas para o enfermeiro antes, durante e apos a coleta. Conclusao: as boas praticas definidas neste estudo sao importante ferramenta gerencial para o trabalho do enfermeiro na obtencao de amostras de sangue com alta qualidade celular.Abstract Objective: to identify the factors related to the quality of umbilical cord and placental blood specimens, and define best practices for their collection in a government bank of umbilical cord and placental blood. Method: this was a descriptive study, quantitative approach, performed at a government umbilical cord and placental blood bank, in two steps: 1) verification of the obstetric, neonatal and operational factors, using a specific tool for gathering data as non-participant observers; 2) definition of best practices by grouping non-conformities observed before, during and after blood collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the following statistical software: Statistica(r) and R(r). Results: while there was a correlation with obstetrical and neonatal factors, there was a larger correlation with operational factors, resulting in the need to adjust the professional practices of the nursing staff and obstetrical team involved in collecting this type of blood. Based on these non-conformities we defined best practices for nurses before, during and after blood collection. Conclusion: the best practices defined in this study are an important management tool for the work of nurses in obtaining blood specimens of high cell quality.

Good practices in collecting umbilical cord and placental blood

Objetivos: identificar fatores relacionados a qualidade das amostras do sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario e definir boas praticas para sua coleta em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario. Metodo: pesquisa descritiva, abordagem quantitativa, realizada em um banco publico de sangue de cordao umbilical e placentario, desenvolvida em duas etapas: 1) verificacao dos fatores obstetricos, neonatais e operacionais, obtidos por coleta em instrumento proprio e observacao nao participante; 2) definicao das boas praticas, por meio do agrupamento de nao-conformidades observadas antes, durante e apos a coleta do sangue. Os dados foram analisados por meio da estatistica descritiva, utilizando-se dos softwares Statistica(r) e R(r). Resultados: houve correlacao da influencia dos fatores obstetricos e neonatais em menor escala quando comparados aos fatores operacionais, resultando na necessidade de readequar a pratica profissional do enfermeiro e da equipe obstetrica envolvida no processo da coleta desse tipo de sangue. A partir das nao-conformidades foram definidas boas praticas para o enfermeiro antes, durante e apos a coleta. Conclusao: as boas praticas definidas neste estudo sao importante ferramenta gerencial para o trabalho do enfermeiro na obtencao de amostras de sangue com alta qualidade celular.Abstract Objective: to identify the factors related to the quality of umbilical cord and placental blood specimens, and define best practices for their collection in a government bank of umbilical cord and placental blood. Method: this was a descriptive study, quantitative approach, performed at a government umbilical cord and placental blood bank, in two steps: 1) verification of the obstetric, neonatal and operational factors, using a specific tool for gathering data as non-participant observers; 2) definition of best practices by grouping non-conformities observed before, during and after blood collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the following statistical software: Statistica(r) and R(r). Results: while there was a correlation with obstetrical and neonatal factors, there was a larger correlation with operational factors, resulting in the need to adjust the professional practices of the nursing staff and obstetrical team involved in collecting this type of blood. Based on these non-conformities we defined best practices for nurses before, during and after blood collection. Conclusion: the best practices defined in this study are an important management tool for the work of nurses in obtaining blood specimens of high cell quality.