RESUMO Introdução: A epilepsia afeta cerca de 50 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e aproximadamente 30% desses pacientes apresentam epilepsia refratária, com possíveis consequências na qualidade de vida, morbidade e mortalidade prematura. Objetivo: O objetivo do tratamento com fármacos antiepilépticos (FAEs) é permitir que os pacientes permaneçam sem crises epilépticas com boa tolerabilidade. O levetiracetam (LEV) é um FAE de amplo espectro, com mecanismo de ação único, diferente dos demais e que demonstra ser eficaz e seguro no tratamento de adultos e crianças. Métodos: Estudo de fase III, multicêntrico, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo avalia a eficácia e a segurança do LEV em crianças e adultos (4-65 anos) como tratamento adjuvante para crises de início focal em 114 pacientes já tratados com até três FAEs. A análise de eficácia primária foi baseada na proporção de pacientes que apresentaram redução ≥50% no número médio de crises epilépticas focais semanais, durante 16 semanas. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber placebo ou LEV, titulado a cada duas semanas de 20 mg/kg/dia ou 1.000 mg/dia até 60 mg/kg/dia ou 3.000 mg/dia. Resultados: LEV foi significativamente superior ao placebo (p=0,0031), com 38,7% dos participantes no grupo LEV e 14,3% no grupo controle que apresentaram redução das crises focais. LEV apresenta bom perfil de segurança com eventos adversos semelhantes ao placebo. Conclusão: Corroborando com os resultados da literatura, o levetiracetam mostra-se eficaz e seguro para crianças e adultos com epilepsia focal refratária.

ABSTRACT Background: Epilepsy affects about 50 million people worldwide and around 30% of these patients have refractory epilepsy, with potential consequences regarding quality of life, morbidity and premature mortality. Objective: The aim of treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs) is to allow patients to remain without seizures, with good tolerability. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum ASM with a unique mechanism of action that differs it from other ASMs. It has been shown to be effective and safe for treating adults and children with epilepsy. Methods: This was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in children and adults (4-65 years) as an adjuvant treatment for focal-onset seizures. It was conducted among 114 patients undergoing treatment with up to three ASMs. The primary efficacy analysis was based on the proportion of patients who achieved a reduction of ≥ 50% in the mean number of focal seizures per week, over a 16-week treatment period. The patients were randomized to receive placebo or levetiracetam, titrated every two weeks from 20 mg/kg/day or 1,000 mg/day up to 60 mg/kg/day or 3,000 mg/day. Results: Levetiracetam was significantly superior to placebo (p = 0.0031); 38.7% of the participants in the levetiracetam group and 14.3% in the control group shows reductions in focal seizures. Levetiracetam was seen to have a favorable safety profile and an adverse event rate similar to that of placebo. Conclusion: Corroborating the results in the literature, levetiracetam was shown to be effective and safe for children and adults with refractory focal-onset epilepsy.

Resumo Objetivos: Avaliar a influência do tratamento de superfície e de sistemas adesivos na resistência adesiva e tipo de falha de brackets metálicos cimentados a superfícies de polimetilmetacrilato. Métodos: 90 brackets metálicos (n=15) foram cimentados a discos de polimetilmetacrilato SR Ivocron envelhecidos, usando 3 condições de superfície (sem tratamento; jato de óxido de alumínio de 50 μm; broca de tungsténio), utilizando 2 combinações de adesivos (monómero de metilmetacrilato + Transbond XT Primer; Scotchbond Universal Adhesive) seguido do compósito Transbond XT. Brackets cimentados a 15 incisivos mandibulares humanos com Transbond XT foram usados como controlo. A resistência adesiva ao cisalhamento foi avaliada com Instron, após termociclagem e armazenamento em água destilada (37ºC, 7 dias). O tipo de falha foi classificado pelo índice de adesivo residual, utilizando um estereomicroscópio. Os dados foram analisados com uma análise de variância e testes post-hoc (p<0,05). Resultados: Verificaram-se diferenças significativas na adesão ao polimetilmetacrilato entre os tratamentos da superfície (p<0,001), sendo o jateamento com óxido de alumínio superior à abrasão com broca de tungsténio. O sistema adesivo não influenciou significativamente a resistência adesiva nem o tipo de falha (p=0,8415). Os grupos experimentais obtiveram valores de adesão inferiores aos do controlo (p=0,1566). Conclusões: O tratamento mecânico da superfície influenciou significativamente a adesão de brackets ao polimetilmetacrilato. O jato de óxido de alumínio foi o tratamento mecânico mais eficaz. A união acrílico-adesivo foi o elo mais fraco da interface adesiva. A adesão ao polimetilmetacrilato foi inferior à adesão ao esmalte, independentemente do tratamento de superfície e do adesivo.

Abstrac Objectives: To evaluate the influence of the surface treatment and adhesive system on the shear bond strength and the failure mode of orthodontic brackets bonded to polymethylmethacrylate surfaces. Methods: Ninety metal brackets (n=15) were bonded to aged discs of polymethylmethacrylate SR Ivocron subjected to three surface conditions (no treatment; sandblasting with 50-μm aluminum oxide; roughening with a tungsten bur), using two combinations of adhesives (methylmethacrylate monomer + Transbond XT Primer; Scotchbond Universal Adhesive) followed by the composite Transbond XT. In the control group, metal brackets were bonded with Transbond XT to 15 human mandibular incisors. The specimens were thermocycled, stored in distilled water (37oC, 7 days), and tested in shear, using an Instron universal machine. Failure mode was classified according to the adhesive remnant index using a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed with an analysis of variance and posthoc tests (p<0.05). Results: Significant differences were found between the bracket bond strength to polymethylmethacrylate with different surface treatments (p<0.001). Sandblasting with aluminum oxide was superior to tungsten bur roughening. The adhesive system did not significantly influence the shear bond strength nor the failure mode (p=0.8415). All experimental groups showed lower bond strengths than the control group (p=0.1566). Conclusions: Mechanical surface treatment significantly influenced the bracket’s bond strength to polymethylmethacrylate. Sandblasting with aluminum oxide was the most effective mechanical treatment. The weakest adhesive link was found at the acrylic-adhesive interface. Orthodontic bonding to polymethylmethacrylate was weaker than bonding to enamel, regardless of the surface treatment and the adhesive used.

SUMMARY Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism due to aldosterone synthase (AS) deficiency is a rare condition typically presenting as salt-wasting syndrome in the neonatal period. A one-month-old Portuguese boy born to non-consanguineous parents was examined for feeding difficulties and poor weight gain. A laboratory workup revealed severe hyponatremia, hyperkaliaemia and high plasma renin with unappropriated normal plasma aldosterone levels, raising the suspicion of AS deficiency. Genetic analysis showed double homozygous of two different mutations in the CYP11B2 gene: p.Glu198Asp in exon 3 and p.Val386Ala in exon 7. The patient maintains regular follow-up visits in endocrinology clinics and has demonstrated a favourable clinical and laboratory response to mineralocorticoid therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first Portuguese case of AS deficiency reported with confirmed genetic analysis.

Resumo A Hidroxicloroquina é amplamente utilizada por reumatologistas para o tratamento de várias condições, como os lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e artrite reumatoide, pelo seu baixo custo e relativa segurança. Porém, esta droga pode causar danos à retina. Até o presente momento, não há protocolo brasileiro para o screening de alterações retinianas devido ao uso desta medicação. Foi realizada revisão de prontuário e análise de imagens de tomografia de coerência óptica de pacientes atendidos no período de Março de 2015 a Novembro de 2016 no ambulatório de Hidroxicloroquina do Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Abstract Hydroxychloroquine is widely used by rheumatologists for the treatment of various diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis because of its safety and low cost. However, it can cause retinal abnormalities. Until today, there is no Brazilian protocol for screening for retinal changes in these patients. We reviewed the medical records and optical coherence tomography of all patients who had attended at Hychloroquine Ambulatory of HFSE, in the period from March/ 2015 until November/2016.

A estocagem do sêmen por um longo período, permitindo o seu posterior uso representa uma importante ferramenta para criadores que desejam resguardar o potencial genético de seus reprodutores. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da água de coco, gema de ovo e glicerol sobre o resfriamento e a criopreservação de sêmen canino. A fração espermática do ejaculado de 12 cães foi avaliada macro e microscopicamente e, em seguida, dividida em quatro alíquotas, submetidas à congelação em quatro diluidores, sendo todos à base água de coco e diferindo quanto à presença ou não da gema de ovo e glicerol. Durante o resfriamento, não se observou diferença entre os grupos, entretanto, após o congelamento e descongelamento, o diluidor adicionado de gema de ovo e glicerol (ACGG) foi superior aos demais quanto à motilidade, vigor e morfologia espermática. Nesse grupo, os valores de motilidade (%), vigor (0-5) e alterações morfológicas totais (%) após a descongelação foram 56,7 ± 16,1, 3,4 ± 0,5 e 23,8 ± 8,4, respectivamente. Diante dos resultados, concluiu-se que a adição de gema de ovo e glicerol ao diluidor foi necessária para a preservação da qualidade espermática após criopreservação de sêmen canino.

The long-term storage of frozen semen represents a tool for breeders that want to preserve the genetic potential of their sires. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of coconut water, egg yolk and glycerol on canine semen cooling and freezing. The sperm rich fraction of 12 dogs was submitted to macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. This fraction was divided into four aliquots and frozen with coconut water extender regarding the presence of egg yolk and glycerol. After cooling, there was no difference among groups. However, after thawing, coconut water plus egg yolk and glycerol (ACGG) was superior than others concerning to sperm motility, vigor and morphological abnormalities. In this group, motility (%), vigor (0-5) and abnormalities (%) were 56.7 ± 16.1, 3.4 ± 0.5 e 23.8 ± 8.4, respectivelly. In conclusion, it is necessary to add egg yolk and glycerol to the coconut water extender to improve the cryopreservation of canine semen.

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a eficiência do diluidor à base de água de coco acrescido de ácido 3-indol acético (AIA) e gema de ovo na conservação do sêmen canino a 37ºC. Coletou-se o sêmen de seis cães adultos por manipulação digital, fracionando-o em três alíquotas. Procedeu-se a diluição do sêmen com o diluidor à base de água de coco (grupo A), com este acrescido de 4% de AIA (grupo B) e, com o mesmo acrescido de 20% de gema de ovo e 4%AIA (grupo C). Avaliou-se a motilidade, o vigor e a percentagem de alterações morfológicas espermáticas imediatamente após a coleta e periodicamente durante 180 minutos (T0, T5, T15, T30, T60, T90, T120, T180), avaliando-se também a taxa de degradação média de motilidade espermática (TDM). Os diluidores foram comparados pelo teste de Whitney-Mann (P<0,05). Não foram verificadas diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos até T60. A motilidade no uso do grupo A foi superior à dos demais grupos a partir de T90, ficando em torno de 95%.A TDM foi significativamente menor no diluente A (7,5%) em relação aos demais diluentes. Dessa forma, o diluente à base de água de coco mostrou-se adequado para a preservação do sêmen canino a 37ºC por 180 minutos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the canine semen diluted with coconut water extender, added of 3-indol acetic acid (IAA) and egg yolk at 37ºC. Sperm of six stud dogs was collected by digital manipulation and divided in three equal aliquots. Dilution was performed by the addiction of coconut water (extender 1), coconut water plus 4% of IAA (extender 2) and coconut water plus 4% of IAA and 20% of egg yolk (extender 3). Sperm motility, vigor and morphology immediately after dilution and periodically until 180 minutes, as well as media degradation motility rate (DMR), were evaluated. Extenders were compared by Whitney-Mann test (P<0.05). Statistical differences were not shown between the extenders up to 60 minutes. After 90 minutes, sperm motility on the extender A was superior to the other extenders (95%). The DMR on the extender A (7.5%) was significantly inferior to the other extenders. Thus, coconut water extender is adequate for the preservation of canine semen at 37ºC for 180 minutes.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar os diluidores à base de água de coco e à base de Tris na congelação do sêmen canino, utilizando-se diferentes concentrações de gema de ovo e glicerol. Cães Pastores Alemães (n=5) tiveram seu sêmen coletado por manipulação digital. Sua fração espermática foi avaliada quanto aos parâmetros macro e microscópicos e misturada para a formação de um pool de esperma que foi diluído em água de coco ou Tris, acrescidos de gema de ovo (10 ou 20%) e glicerol (4, 6 ou 8%). Em seguida, congelado pelo método de NUNES et al. (1997), sendo descongelado a 37ºC após uma semana. Observou-se uma superioridade do diluidor à base de Tris na conservação dos parâmetros vigor (2,3 ± 0,8), alterações espermáticas totais (14,8 ± 5,1%) e secundárias (14,4 ± 5,5%) no par onde os diluidores foram acrescidos de 20% de gema de ovo e 6% de glicerol. Nos demais protocolos, não se evidenciaram diferenças significativas entre os dois diluidores, em nenhum dos parâmetros observados. Esses resultados sugerem uma superioridade do diluidor à base de Tris em relação ao diluidor à base de água de coco na congelação do sêmen canino, no uso dos mesmos acrescidos de 20% de gema de ovo e 6% de glicerol.

The aim of the present research was to compare the efficiency of coconut water and Tris extenders on canine semen freezing. The semen from 5 German Shepherd dogs was collected by digital manipulation. The spermatic fraction of different dogs was evaluated about its macro and microscopic parameters and mixed in a pool. It was extended in coconut water or Tris, added of egg yolk (10 or 20%) and glycerol (4, 6 or 8%). Then, it was frozen by the method of NUNES et al. (1997) and thawed at 37ºC after one week. A Tris extender superiority was shown at the conservation of vigor (2.3 ± 0.8), total (14.8 ± 5.1%) and secondary (14.4 ± 5.5%) spermatic defects in the protocols with 20% of egg yolk and 6% of glycerol. In all other protocols, there were no significant differences for the observed parameters. These results suggest a superiority of Tris extender over the coconut water extender on canine semen freeze, in the use of them added of 20% of egg yolk and 6% of glycerol.

Um dos mais importantes fatores que levam à hemorragia digestiva por hipertensão portal é o calibre das varizes esôfago-gástricas. Visamos, no presente trabalho, avaliar endoscopicamente as variações de calibre antes e após diferentes cirurgias de hipertensão portal, realizadas em 73 pacientes com esquistossomose hépato-esplênica, no contexto de um estudo controlado e aleatorizado, sendo 24 deles submetidos a Anastomose Espleno-Renal (AER), 24 a Descompressão Portal Seletiva (DPS) e 25 a Desconexão Azigo-Portal com Esplenectomia (DAPE). As avaliações endoscópicas foram realizadas antes e até 10 anos após as cirurgias. O calibre das varizes foi classificado, segundo Palmer como de grau 1- até 3mm, grau 2 de 3 a 6 mm e grau 3 quando maiores do que 6mm de diâmetro, analizadas em quatro localizações anatômicas a saber: terços inferior, médio e superior do esôfago e estômago proximal. A somatória do número de pontos na gradação pré-operatória menos a somatória dos pontos na gradação evolutiva forneceu um número correspondente ao diferencial, que permitiu a comparação estatística entre os diferentes grupos cirúrgicos. Na avaliação qualitativa, bons resultados, correspondendo ao desaparecimento ou diminuição do calibre da varizes, foram encontrados mais freqüentemente após a AER do que DPS ou DAPE - respectivamente 95,8%, 83,3% e 72%. A análise estatística dos diferenciais de gradação demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante favorecendo a AER em relação à DAPE, não havendo diferenças entre AER e DPS. Em conclusão, as cirurgias de anastomose ("shunt") foram mais eficientes do que a desvascularização, em termos de diminuir o calibre de varizes esôfago-gástricas.

The size of gastroesophageal varices is one of the most important factors leading to hemorrhage related to portal hypertension. An endoscopic evaluation of the size of gastroesophageal varices before and after different operations for portal hypertension was performed in 73 patients with schistosomiasis, as part of a randomized trial: proximal splenorenal shunt (PSS n=24), distal splenorenal shunt (DSS n=24), and esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy (EGDS n=25). The endoscopic evaluation was performed before and up to 10 years after the operations. Variceal size was graded according to Palmer's classification: grade 1 -- up to 3 mm, grade 2 -- from 3 to 6 mm, grade 3 -- greater than 6 mm, and were analyzed in four anatomical locations: inferior, middle or superior third of the esophagus, and proximal stomach. The total number of points in the pre-operative grading minus the number of points in the post-operative grading gave a differential grading, allowing statistical comparison among the surgical groups. Good results, in terms of disappearance or decrease of variceal size, were observed more frequently after PSS than after DSS or EGDS - 95.8%, 83.3%, and 72%, respectively. When differential grading was analyzed, a statistically significant difference was observed between PSS and EGDS, but not between proximal and distal splenorenal shunts. In conclusion, shunt surgeries were more efficient than devascularization in diminishing variceal size.

Este estudo visa avaliar a operação de Cox no tratamento da fibrilação atrial (FA) de etiologia reumática em pacientes (pts) portadores de valvopatia mitral. No período de julho 1991 a junho 1994, 55 pts valvopatas mitrais reumáticos (35 dupla lesão e 19 estenose) e FA associada foram operados. A média de idades era de 51,5 anos (16 a 74 a), 47 femininos. Todos se encontravam no pré-operatório em ICC CF III ou IV. Segundo o tipo de operação, foram identificados dois grupos: G I - 20 pts submetidos a operação da valva mitral e operação de Cox para tratamento da FA e G II - 35 pts operados apenas da valva mitral. Eco pré-operatório mostrou diâmetro de átrio esquerdo semelhante em G I e G II (5,35 e 5,57 mm; p = 0,779). Em 24 pts a valva mitral foi substituída por bioprótese de pericárdio bovino e preservada em 31. Observaram-se 3 óbitos hospitalares, sendo 1 no G I. Detectou-se FA na UTI em 82,4% dos pts do G II, mantida em 76,5% em período de evolução de 37,7 meses; no G I, 21,1% dos pts apresentaram FA na UTI, mantida em 5,3% em período de evolução de 37,4 meses (p = 0,0001). Seis (20,6%) pts do G II apresentaram no pós-operatório episódios de embolia sistêmica (em FA) e um paciente apresentou episódio de embolia pulmonar, contra nenhum episódio detectado nos pacientes do G I (p = 0,041). Em conclusão, a operação de Cox mostrou-se eficaz no controle tardio da FA e prevenção de embolia, com baixa morbimortalidade, devendo ser considerada como opção nos portadores de FA associada à valvopatia mitral.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the Maze Procedure in the treatment of rheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with mitral valve disease (MVD). Between July 91 and June 94, 55 patients with rheumatic MVD (35 double dysfunction and 19 stenosis) and associated AF were operated on. The mean age was 51 yrs and 47 were female. All pts were in FC (NYHA) III or IV pre operatively. The patients were divided in 2 groups, according to the type of operation: GI - 20 patients submitted to MVD treatment and Maze Procedure and GII - 35 patients submitted only to MVD treatment. Pre-operative Echo showed left atrial diameter in G I and GII of 5,35 mm and 5.57 mm (p = 0.779). Mitral valve was replaced by biological prosthesis in 24 patients and conserved in 31 patients. Three hospital deaths were observed, with one in GI. After CPB, 37.1% of patients in GII remained in AF, and all patients in GI recovered regular rhythm (p < 0.0001). In the ICU, AF was detected in 82.4% in GII and maintained in 76.4% in a mean follow-up time of 38.5 months. In GI, AF was observed in 21.1% of pts in ICU and maintained in 5.2% in 41 months of follow-up (p = 0.0001). None of the pts in GI and 20.6% of pts in GII presented thromboembolic episode, 1 to 63 months after operation (p = 0.041). Four late deaths were observed (2 in each group), being 2 due to progression of valvular disease, 1 after a pulmonary infection episode and 1 with no cardiac cause. Maze Procedure was effective in treating AF in rheumatic MVD, maintaining the results in a late follow-up, preventing postoperative thromboembolic episodes and with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

OBJETIVO: Identificar disfunções cardíacas precoces em pacientes assintomáticos com cardiomiopatia chagásica. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 38 indivíduos masculinos, sendo o grupo controle constituído de 20 indivíduos sedentários normais e o grupo Chagas de 18 pacientes assintomáticos, portadores da doença de Chagas, com eletrocardiograma alterado e fração de encurtamento (DD) normal ao ecocardiograma. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos à avaliação da capacidade funcional máxima, com medidas do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), índice de pulso de oxigênio (PO2max), ventilação máxima (VE max), freqüência cardíaca máxima (FC max), e limiar anaeróbio do VO2max (LA-VO2). A função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo foi avaliada pelo ecocardiograma convencional (ondas E e A além da relação E/A). RESULTADOS: Não ocorreram diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos em relação ao DD (p=0,212) e a idade média (p=0,060). Houve diferença significativa (p<0,001) em relação aos parâmetros VO2max, PO2max, VE max, FC max, LA-VO2, onda E e relação E/A. Não houve significância (p=0,520) em relação a onda A. CONCLUSÃO: O comprometimento na função ventricular pode contribuir para as diferenças acima mencionadas, como conseqüência de disfunção sistólica e diastólica.

PURPOSE: To identify early cardiac dysfunctions in asymptomatic patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy. METHODS: We studied 38 male individuals: control group consisting of 20 sedentary normal individuals and Chagas' group, of 18 asymptomatic patients with Chagas' disease, with suggestive electrocardiographic alterations and normal fractional shortening (FS) on echocardiogram. Both groups were submitted to evaluation of the maximal functional capacity, with measurements of maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), O2-pulse rate (PO2max), maximal ventilation (VEmax), maximal heart rate (HRmax), and anaerobic threshold of the VO2max(VO2-AT). Left ventricular diastolic function was evaluated by conventional echocardiography (E wave, A wave and E/A ratio). RESULTS: No significant differences occurred between the two groups with regard to FS (p=0.212) and age means (p=0.060). The 2 groups were significantly different (p<0.001) regarding the parameters VO2max, PO2max, VEmax, HRmax and VO2-AT, E wave and E/A ratio. There was no difference (p=0.520) in A wave. CONCLUSION: Impaired ventricular function may account for the above mentioned differences, a consequence of both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar tecnicamente a monitorização ambulatorial de pressão arterial (MAPA) em adolescentes normais. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco adolescentes eutróficos, entre 10-18 anos de idade, sendo 27 do sexo feminino. RESULTADOS: Verificaram-se, em média, 90% de medidas bem sucedidas: incômodo relacionado ao funcionamento do monitor em 30% dos casos; valores médios de descenso sistólico, diastólico e de diminuição de freqüência cardíaca, no sono noturno, respectivamente iguais a 13%, 23% e 24%; carga pressórica na vigília, no sexo masculino, de 25,4±27,7% e 11,8±14,6% e, no feminino, de 17,5±18,7% e 11,8±11,4% para pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), respectivamente; carga pressórica no sono, no sexo masculino, de 15,4±22,9% e 2,8±4,9% e, no feminino, de 10,5±18,2% e 1,8±2,7% para PAS e PAD; medidas diastólicas mais elevadas nas duas primeiras horas de monitorização; diferenças entre sono noturno e vespertino quanto aos parâmetros cardiovasculares estudados. CONCLUSÃO: A MAPA mostrou-se bem tolerada pela população adolescente. Os registros obtidos apresentaram-se tecnicamente adequados para análise.

PURPOSE: To evaluate technical aspects of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in normal adolescents. METHODS: Forty five normal adolescents (27 female), 10-18 years old. RESULTS: ABPM recordings showed a mean of 90% successful readings; 30% of the patients complained of sleep disruption related to the functioning of the ABPM monitor; the mean systolic, diastolic and heart rate fall during sleep was 13%, 23% and 24% respectively; the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure load, while awake, was in male adolescents 25.4±27.7% and 11.8±14.6%, and in female adolescents, 17.5±18.7% and 11.8±11.4%, respectively; the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure load, while asleep, was in male adolescents 15.4±22.9% and 2.8±4.9% and, in female adolescents, 10.5±18.2% and 1.8±2.7%, respectively; the mean diastolic values of the first two hours of recording were higher than the ones obtained during the rest of the hours of recording while awake; different mean systolic, diastolic and heart rate values were found during the afternoon and nocturnal sleep periods. CONCLUSION: ABPM was well accepted by the adolescent population, with good technical results.

No período de janeiro de 1983 a março de 1988, 1.512 pacientes foram submetidos a substituição valvar, no Instituto do Coração, sendo 28 (1,85%) deles por endocardite em prótese valvular. Dezessete doentes eram do sexo masculino e a idade variou de 18 a 67 anbs, com média e desvio padrão de 36,7 ± 12,9. A avaliação da classe funcional (CF.) revelou 11 pacientes em CF. IV, 12 em C. F. III e 5 em CF . II. Oito (28,5%) pacientes foram operados em condições de emergência. Um paciente era portador e válvula mecânica e 27, de válvula biológica. As hemoculturas foram positivas em 14 (50%) pacientes; o agente mais encontrado foi o Streptococcus viridans em 5 casos. O ecocardiograma realizado no pré-operatório em 27 pacientes mostrou correlação com os achados cirúrgicos em 26 (96,2%). Na cirurgia, 17 doentes apresentavam vegetação na prótese e 11, abscesso no anel. Na retroca, foram utilizadas biopróteses em 27 (96,4%) pacientes. A mortalidade imediata foi de 28,5% (8 doentes), ocorrendo 1 óbito tardio. A análise da associação óbito e tempo de aparecimento da endocardite, condição cirúrgica e resultado da cultura foi feita pelo teste de Qui-Quadrado (χ2). Podemos concluir que as condições clínicas pré-operatórias interferem, decisivamente, no resultado cirúrgico; a cirurgia de emergência tem resultados piores, devido às condições mais críticas dos doentes; as endocardites mais precoces são mais graves; a manipulação de focos infecciosos em pacientes com prótese valvular deve ser cuidadosa e precedida de antibioticoterapia e, nos doentes sobreviventes à operação, a evolução a longo prazo apresenta melhora significativa da classe funcional.

From January/1983 to March/1988, 1512 patients were submitted to valve replacement in the Instituto do Coração, Of these, 28 (1.8%) presented endocarditis in a valvular prosthesis. Seventeen patients were males, their ages varying from 18 to 67 years, with an average and standard deviation of 36.7 ± 12.9. The evolution of the functional class (F. C.) revealed 11 patients in (F. C.) IV, 12 in F. C. III and 5 in F. C. II (NYHA). Eight (28.5%) patients were operated on under emergency conditions. One patient had a mechanical valve and 27 had biological valves. The blood cultures were positive in 14 (50%) patients, the agent most commonly found being Streptococcus viridans (5 cases). Preoperative echocardiogram in 27 patients showed good correlation with the surgical findings in 26 (96.2%). At surgery, 17 patients presented vegetations in the prosthesis and 11 had an abscess in the valvular ring. Bioprosthesis were used as valvular replacement in 27 patients (96,4%). Immediate mortality was 28,5% (8 patients), one death occurring later. An analysis of the association between death, time from onset of the endocarditis, surgical conditions and result of the cultures was carried out by the Chi-Squared (χ2) test. We conclude that the clinical preoperative conditions influence decisively the surgical results. Surgery under emergency conditions has the poorest results because of the patient's more critical condition: the more premature cases of endocarditis are also the more severe. Manipulation of infectious foci in patients with a valvular prosthesis should be careful and preceded by antibiotic administration. The longterm evolution of the surviving patients demonstrated significant functional class improvement.

We had the opportunity to study 6 cases of the congenital form of toxoplasmosis, found in a series of 1200 necropsies of fetuses and newborn babies, realized at 3 different hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Among the 6 cases, 4 were premature babies liveborn at the 6th-8th gestational month and 2 were stillborn (1 premature and 1 at term). In all those cases, the diagnosis was based in the detection of the parasite in tissues and in one case it was even isolated the Toxoplasma from the necrotic material found in the cranial cavity. This strain of Toxoplasma, pathogenic to pigeons, to guinea pigs and to mice, is preserved by successive transfers in mice. Some facts observed in those cases present an interest not only strictly anatomic but also have certain value for the better acknowlegment of the disease. First, we want to call the attention to the presence of a sudden high fever, during or just before pregnancy in the 4 cases in which the maternal anamnesis was perfectly studied; this fever that was preceded by a normal beginning of pregnancy, had relatively rapid remission, but in 2 cases was immediately followed by uterine bleeding and premature delivery, although the puerperium had been apparently normal. It is known that are normal the subsequent children of the mothers that delivered a baby with toxoplasmosis and that several women have normal babies before the toxoplasmotic one. We believe that the fever observed in our cases could be indicative of the beginning of maternal infection and those are the reasons why we emphasize the need of careful anamnesis, specially in the cases actually diagnosed as inapparent infection. Another fact to notice is that in 5 of our cases the event premature delivery happened always between the 6th and the 8th months of pregnancy, and the only term fetus was delivered in advanced stage of maceration. The above mentioned facts could agree with the opinion of FRENKEL (1949), when he declared that "primary infection of the pregnant mother appears more likely to be the commoner mode of fetal toxoplasmic infection", but they would disagree with WEINMAN (1952) who believes that the transmission of Toxoplasma to the fetus is more frequent through a pregnant woman with chronic disease and who says "that infection contracted during pregnancy may and probably does happen from time to time"...Still in connection with the transmission of toxoplasmosis, we want to note the verification of inflammatory lesions in the placental villi and in the umbilical cord in 3 of the 4 cases in which such organs were examined at the microscope. In the case n. 1, we found several pseudocysts of Toxoplasma in the placenta, and the fibroblasts of Wharton's jelly were particularly rich in isolated forms and in colonies of Toxoplasma; the easy multiplication of the parasite in that tissue calls the attention and even suggests its utilisation for Toxoplasma's cultivation. The confirmation of Toxoplasma in human placenta was made only recently by CRISTEN et al. (1951) and by NEGHME et al. (1952), in Chile; it is not frequent in the literature, what gives some value to our present verification. Another observation was that provided by the case n. 6. This baby, a premature one of the 6th month, was 14 days old and-died with signs of respiratory disease, the causa mortis have been pneumonia. At the necropsy, we found no gross change that suggested toxoplasmosis, except the presence of some small necrotic focuses in the cerebral nervous substance around the ventricles. As a matter of fact, there was no enlargement of spleen or liver and neither leptomeningitis nor hydrocephalus. Such focuses were attributed to possible anoxia and in fact they are extremely similar to anoxial softenings, even when they are examined at the microscope; its structure composed of a central necrotic zone, surrounded by proliferated neuroglia and by a variable deposit of calcium salts, closely simulated the anoxial softenings, when the microscopical examination is based in the common histological preparations (hematoxilin-eosin, etc.). But when we examine preparations by the Giemsa or by the periodic acid-Schiff methods, we will note the presence of Toxoplasma, with its typical aspect or a little changed by degeneration. When we describe this observation, we wish to evidence the need of the search of Toxoplasma and closed parasites, in the cases of supposed pure anoxial softenings of nervous substance, in children. The frequency with which the congenital toxoplasmosis was anatomically verified should be emphasized, although the disease had not been clinically suspected, and it should be borne in mind that the second case of toxoplasmosis reported in the world was observed in Brazil by MAGARINOS TORRES; this case was the first to be described of the generalized congenital form of the infection, i. e. with myocardial lesions and parasites in skeletal muscles and skin.

Two rare anomalies of the face are presented, cheiloschisis inferior (a white brazilian boy, two years old) and cheilognatoschisis inferior (a colored Brazilian boy, two years old).

Heterotranplantability of myxoma of rabbits was formely demonstrated when grafts from subcutaneous tissue in skin were used (MARGARINOS TÔRRES & RITA CARDOSOS, 1949). Better results are reported in this paper when grafts from the spleen of infected rabbits were employed. While grafts from normal spleen are almost completely absorbed in sixteen days, those from infected rabbits give origin to full-grown and vascularised tissue in which typical myxoma cells are predominant elements. Progressive growth of heterotransplantated myxoma cells is another similarity between infectious myxoma and malignant tumors. Formation of clear areas of circular contour (interference of a diffusible substance?) associated to myxomatous degeneration is very conspicuous. Peculiar changes of the ground substance, reticular and collagenous fibers (globular swelling, rosary and bulb formation) apparently related to myxomatous degeneration are described. An unexpected finding was the presence of typical intranuclear inclusion bodies in five among forty-eight grafts examined in the sixth day.