Porto Alegre Brazil Research Articles

Pregnancy in Patients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency at Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) decreases reproductive capability. The biggest challenge in monitoring pregnant women with renal disease is to keep the intrauterine environment favorable to the fetus. One of the common prognosis in this kind of pregnancy involves premature birth, restricted growth and mental retardation. Also, the risk of developing complications is higher for the mother. This study focuses on evaluating CRI patients' clinical conditions during pregnancy, checking fetal development and birth and verifying the prevalence of CRI in pregnant women attended at Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre–Brazil (HCPA). This is a retrospective study with both a control and an case group of pregnant women with CRI who delivered their babies at HCPA from 1989 to 1999. The case group is composed of pregnant women with CRI, while the control group was paired according to maternal and gestational ages and to the time of the delivery, which should be the same both in the experimental and in the control group. Among the criteria usually used to identify CRI, we chose the creatinine level higher than 1.5 mg/dL. Significance was established in 0.05%. Our results demonstrate that the prevalence of CRI was 6/10,000 births. Average maternal age was 28. Sixty five per cent of the patients, in both the groups, underwent prenatal monitoring, 40% presented preeclampsia, 48% presented urinary infection. Among the CRI complications, 48% of the cases presented anemia and 56% presented systemic hypertension. Average hematocrit was 24% while hemoglobin was 6.7 g/dL, which leads us to the conclusion that patients presented anemia during pregnancy. Average creatinine was 4.61 mg/dL. It is relevant that 64% of the CRI cases migrated to a substitutive renal therapy method. As for the fetus evolution in the case group, we confirmed the findings of previous studies, such as larger number of premature births (newborns younger than 36 weeks in 60% of the cases), larger number of cesarean section (56%), lower weight at birth (1980 gr. in average), lower APGAR scores in the first and fifth minute (4.13 and 5.08, respectively) in comparison to the control group (7.52 and 8.63, respectively). We can state that babies born from CRI patients present underdevelopment. Also, mothers with CRI develop more complications during pregnancy.

Retinal arteriolar narrowing and risk of coronary heart disease.

JAMA Retinal Arteriolar Narrowing and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Middle-aged Persons Tien Yin Wong, MD, MPH; Ronald Klein, MD, MPH; A. Richey Sharrett, MD, DrPH; Maria I. Schmidt, MD; James S. Pankow, PhD; David J. Couper, PhD; Barbara E. K. Klein, MD, MPH; Larry D. Hubbard, MAT; Bruce B. Duncan, MD, PhD; for the ARIC Investigators Context Microvascular processes have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but prospective clinical data regarding this hypothesis are unavailable. Objective To examine the relation of retinal arteriolar narrowing, a marker of microvascular damage from aging, hypertension, and inflammation, to incident diabetes in healthy middle-aged persons. Design, Setting, and Participants The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, an ongoing population-based, prospective cohort study in 4 US communities that began in 1987-1989. Included in this analysis were 7993 persons aged 49 to 73 years without diabetes, of whom retinal photographs were taken during the third examination (1993-1995). Main Outcome Measures Incident diabetes (defined as fasting glucose levels of ≥126 mg/d L[7.0 mmol/L], casual levels of ≥200 mg/d L [11.1 mmol/L], diabetic medications use, or physician diagnosis of diabetes at the fourth examination) by quartile of retinal arteriole-venule ratio (AVR). Results After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 291 persons (3.6%) had incident diabetes. The incidence of diabetes was higher in persons with lower AVR at baseline (2.4%, 3.1%, 4.0%, and 5.2%, from highest to lowest AVR quartile; P for trend P for trend = .002). This association persisted with different diagnostic criteria (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.10-3.36; P for trend = .01, using a fasting glucose level of ≥141 mg/d L [7.8 mmol/L] as a cutoff), and was seen even in people at lower risk of diabetes, including those without a family history of diabetes, without impaired fasting glucose, and with lower measures of adiposity. Conclusions Retinal arteriolar narrowing is independently associated with risk of diabetes, supporting a microvascular role in the development of clinical diabetes. Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin-Madison(Drs Wong, R. Klein, B. Klein, and Mr Hubbard); Singapore National Eye Center and Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore, (Dr Wong); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Md (Dr Sharrett); Social Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil (Drs Schmidt and Duncan); Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Dr Pankow); and Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Dr Couper). A complete listing of the ARIC Investigators was published previously( Am J Epidemiol . 1989;129:687-702). Corresponding Author and Reprints: Tien Yin Wong, MD, MPH, Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260 (e-mail:ophwty@nus.edu.sg).

Thin versus thick democracy in education: Porto alegre and the creation of alternatives to neo-liberalism

In this article, the authors describe the ways in which a set of policies has had what seem to be extensive and long lasting effects precisely because these policies are coherently linked to larger dynamics of social transformation and to a coherent strategy that aims to change the mechanisms of the state and the rules of participation in the formation of state policies. They describe and analyze the policies of the 'Popular Administration' in Porto Alegre, Brasil but, more specifically, they focus on the 'Citizen School' and on proposals that are explicitly designed to radically change both the municipal schools and the relationship between communities, the state, and education. This set of polices and the accompanying processes of implementation are constitutive parts of a clear and explicit project aimed at constructing not only a better school for the excluded, but also a larger project of radical and thick democracy. The reforms being built in Porto Alegre are still in formation, but the authors argue that they have crucial implications for how we might think about the politics of education policy and its role in social transformation.

Hemoglobin Porto Alegre forms a tetramer of tetramers superstructure.

The effects of the mutation beta9(A6)Ser --> Cys on the interactions between the human hemoglobin molecules were investigated, and comparisons were made with other variants having an additional cysteine residue. In hemoglobin Porto Alegre (PA), the beta9 mutation induces polymerization by forming interchain disulfide bonds via the extra cysteine. The hemolysate from a heterozygote was separated by gel filtration into a tetrameric fraction and a higher-molecular-weight oligomeric fraction (30%). Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) under denaturing conditions showed that the tetrameric fraction contained only normal alpha- and beta-chains, whereas the oligomeric fraction contained only normal alpha-chain and disulfide-linked beta(PA) dimer. Under native conditions, ESI-MS of the oligomeric fraction revealed a principal complex of mass 258,400 Da corresponding to a tetramer of tetramers, and 10% of minor components. Transmission electron microscopy corroborated this structure by showing four spheres of 140 A diameter surrounding a central cavity. Equilibrium experiments on the oligomer at different concentrations, using gel filtration and dimer exchange experiments with metHbA-CN, showed that the tetramer of tetramers dissociates into smaller species, probably by breaking the dimer-dimer allosteric interface. None of the other variants investigated formed such a large oligomer.

Oxigenoterapia domiciliar em crianças: relato de sete anos de experiência

Objetivo: Descrever os resultados de uma experiência de sete anos com uso de oxigenoterapia domiciliar em crianças com hipoxemia decorrente de doença pulmonar crônica. Pacientes e métodos: É um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo realizado no Hospital de Crianças Santo Antonio, de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, na região Sul do Brasil. No geral, avaliaram-se as características das crianças com oxigenoterapia domiciliar acompanhadas durante o período de janeiro de 1993 a janeiro de 2000. Resultados: Dos 40 pacientes estudados, 29 (72,5%) eram meninos. A idade de início do oxigênio no domicílio variou de dois meses a 13 anos e seis meses, sendo que 18 (45%) eram menores de um ano (média: 24,8 meses; mediana: 13 meses). As enfermidades mais prevalentes foram: bronquiolite obliterante, 31 (77,5%); pneumopatia obstrutiva crônica secundária à aspiração, três; hipogamaglobulinemia, dois; pneumopatia supurativa crônica, dois; proteinose alveolar e tuberculose, um caso cada. O tempo da última internação antes de iniciar oxigênio domiciliar variou de nove a 240 dias (média: 64 dias; mediana 50 dias). A maioria dos pacientes recebeu oxigênio por aparelho concentrador, 30 (75%), e os demais, por cilindro. O tempo de uso variou de 27 a 1.620 dias, mediana de 392,5 dias. Ocorreram cinco óbitos por complicações da doença de base e um por retirada acidental da traqueostomia. Dos 19 pacientes em que o oxigênio foi suspenso, o diagnóstico era bronquiolite obliterante em 15, pneumonia aspirativa em dois e tuberculose e proteinose alveolar um caso cada. Conclusão: Apesar da necessidade de oxigênio por períodos prolongados, a evolução foi satisfatória na maioria das crianças. Oxigênio domiciliar para crianças oxigenodependentes é uma alternativa de tratamento que permite antecipar a alta hospitalar e o retorno ao ambiente familiar.

Permanent formation of physical education teachers in the municipality of porto alegre: an ethnografhic approach

Neste trabalho apresentamos as interpretações construídas a partir de uma investigação etnográfica sobre formação permanente do professorado de Educação Física, realizada no interior da Rede Municipal de Ensino de Porto Alegre. Os elementos presentes na discussão se originam de interpretações desenvolvidas durante a investigação, a partir dos significados mais relevantes para os próprios professores investigados. Os aspectos destacados tratam da concepção dos professores acerca de formação permanente e as possíveis mudanças que a sua participação em diferentes ações de formação permanente possam vir a provocar, na sua prática docente. As reflexões se desenvolvem tendo como referência de fundo importante elementos teóricos fundamentados em autores que vêm se dedicando à temática de formação de professores

Organ donation in porto alegre, southern Brazil: attitudes and practices of physicians working in intensive care units

Organ donation in porto alegre, southern Brazil: attitudes and practices of physicians working in intensive care units

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL (HIGH SCHOOL) AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF PORTO ALEGRE, SOUTH BRAZIL

Article A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL (HIGH SCHOOL) AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF PORTO ALEGRE, SOUTH BRAZIL was published on October 1, 1998 in the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (volume 10, issue 4).

Hyperamylasemia POS endoscopic retrograde chlangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with and without juxtapapillary diveticulum (JPD): [formula omitted], C. A. Marroni, A. A. Mattos - Digestive Endoscopy Service of Santa Casa Hospital - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil

Hyperamylasemia POS endoscopic retrograde chlangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with and without juxtapapillary diveticulum (JPD): [formula omitted], C. A. Marroni, A. A. Mattos - Digestive Endoscopy Service of Santa Casa Hospital - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil

Characteristics of serum defense proteins (DP) in patients with chronic hepatopathy: A. A. Mattos, C. T. Both, J. F. C. Almeida, C. A. Marroni - Gastroenterology Service of Santa Casa Hospital - Porto Alegre-RS - Brazil

Characteristics of serum defense proteins (DP) in patients with chronic hepatopathy: A. A. Mattos, C. T. Both, J. F. C. Almeida, C. A. Marroni - Gastroenterology Service of Santa Casa Hospital - Porto Alegre-RS - Brazil

CARACTERÍSTICAS DO MAMÃO FORMOSA COMERCIALIZADO EM PORTO ALEGRE DE OUTUBRO/91 A JUNHO/92

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar as principais características físicas e químicas do mamão formosa comercializado em Porto Alegre de outubro de 1991 a junho de 1992. Os mamões analisados apresentaram grande variabilidade de tipos e cor da casca, mas com predomínio da cor laranja da polpa. Os frutos com maior peso foram obtidos em outubro, dezembro e abril; o peso da placenta mais sementes foi superior em janeiro; o maior rendimento de polpa mais casca foi determinado em outubro, março e maio; o maior diâmetro dos frutos foi obtido em dezembro, enquanto os mamões mais firmes foram analisados em novembro; o maior teor de sólidos solúveis totais foi observado nos frutos amostrados em março, abril, maio e junho, a menor acidez foi obtida em abril e o maior pH ocorreu em outubro. O comprimento e a espessura da polpa dos frutos foram semelhantes nos meses estudados.

Effect of intraseptal injection of fasciculin upon memory of two aversive tasks in rats: J. A. Qillfeldt, 1B. Bolioli, 2C. Dalmaz, 1C. Huang, 1M. B. Ferreira, 1M. E. Pereira, 1F. Schneider, 1C. A. Netto, 1 and I. Izquierdo1 ( 1Center of Memory, Dept. of Biochemistry and Dept. of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, UFRGS, Porto Alegre RS, Brasil; and 2Neurochemistry

Effect of intraseptal injection of fasciculin upon memory of two aversive tasks in rats: J. A. Qillfeldt, 1B. Bolioli, 2C. Dalmaz, 1C. Huang, 1M. B. Ferreira, 1M. E. Pereira, 1F. Schneider, 1C. A. Netto, 1 and I. Izquierdo1 ( 1Center of Memory, Dept. of Biochemistry and Dept. of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, UFRGS, Porto Alegre RS, Brasil; and 2Neurochemistry

The Decline of Breast Feeding in Brazil

Data is provided on the present situation regarding the practice of breast feeding in the Far South of Brazil. The survey was performed at the South Area of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. 90% of the patients are from families of very low income. For children up to age 3 years visiting outpatient departments of the Santa Casa Hospital at Pelotas RS Brazil and of the Santo Antonio Childrens Hospital at Porto Alegre RS Brazil a special survey was conducted. It included data on childrens age sex place of residence real type of feeding time that the baby lies in a separate nursery and time of hospitalization in the maternity unit. The survey included 1100 mothers of normal full term infants mostly from peri-urban communities. 66% of mothers breast fed their infants 24 hours after birth with a range of 12-72 hours. Practically all mothers had a lying-in period of 48-72 hours. The high rates of early termination of breast feeding reported in the survey have multiple causes--cultural psychological economical and commercial. This marked decline of breast feeding has serious consequences to infant and childrens health in developing countries. Diarrheal disease and protein-calorie malnutrition in the 1st year of life are probably related to this early age of weaning. There is an urgent need to realistically approach the decline of breast feeding in the developing world working toward national improvement programs on breast feeding.

Marital distances and inbreeding in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Marital distances and inbreeding in Porto Alegre, Brazil.