Abstract With the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, questions about transmissibility, vaccine efficacy, and impact on mortality are important to support decision-making in public health measures. Modifications related to transmissibility combined with the fact that much of the population has already been partially exposed to infection and/or vaccination, have stimulated recommendations to reduce the isolation period for COVID-19. However, these new guidelines have raised questions about their effectiveness in reducing contamination and minimizing impact in work environments. Therefore, a collaborative task force was developed to review the subject in a non-systematic manner, answering questions about SARS-CoV-2 variants, COVID-19 vaccines, isolation/quarantine periods, testing to end the isolation period, and the use of masks as mitigation procedures. Overall, COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness and death but are less effective in preventing infection in the case of the Omicron variant. Any strategy that is adopted to reduce the isolation period should take into consideration the epidemiological situation of the geographical region, individual clinical characteristics, and mask for source control. The use of tests for isolation withdrawal should be evaluated with caution, due to results depending on various conditions and may not be reliable.

Resumo OBJETIVO Conhecer a percepção do usuário no autocuidado de úlcera em membros inferiores. MÉTODO Estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, realizado com 10 usuários atendidos no Programa de Assistência Complementar de um Ambulatório de Feridas de Canoas (RS). A coleta dos dados deu-se entre outubro a novembro de 2016, por meio de informações contidas nos prontuários dos usuários e de entrevista semiestruturada. RESULTADOS A discussão dos resultados deu-se mediante a Análise Temática de Conteúdo, constituindo três categorias temáticas: autocuidado e o convívio com a úlcera, déficit de autocuidado e apoio ao usuário com úlcera e autocuidado e a rede de atenção no cuidado da úlcera, fundamentadas na Teoria de Enfermagem de Déficit de Autocuidado. CONCLUSÕES O autocuidado resulta do diálogo entre usuário/enfermeiro/profissionais da saúde e do vínculo por eles estabelecido para um cuidado compartilhado, sendo o apoio de familiares e da rede de serviços um facilitador ou limitador do cuidado.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To know the perception of users on self-care of ulcers in the lower limbs. METHOD This is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted with 10 users registered in the complementary programme of a wound care clinic in Canoas, RS, Brazil. Data were collected using information from the medical records of the users and semi-structured interviews conducted between October and November 2016. RESULTS The results were discussed according to thematic content analysis with three thematic categories: self-care and living with the ulcer, self-care deficit and supporting users with ulcer, and self-care and the ulcer care network, based on the Nursing Self-Care Deficit Theory. CONCLUSIONS Self-care is the result of dialogue between the user/nurse/health workers and the link they establish when they share care. The support of family members and the service can facilitate or limit care.

Resumen OBJETIVO Conocer la percepción del usuario en el autocuidado de úlcera en miembros inferiores. MÉTODO Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo con 10 pacientes del Programa de Asistencia Complementaria de un Ambulatorio de Heridas de Canoas (RS). Los datos fueron recolectados entre octubre y noviembre de 2016, en los registros médicos y por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas. RESULTADOS La discusión de los resultados se dio mediante el Análisis Temático de Contenido, constituyendo tres categorías: autocuidado y la convivencia con la úlcera, déficit de autocuidado y apoyo al usuario con úlcera y autocuidado y la red de atención en el cuidado de la úlcera, fundamentadas en la Teoría de Enfermería de Déficit de Autocuidado. CONCLUSIONES: El autocuidado resulta del diálogo entre usuario/enfermero/profesionales de la salud y del vínculo por ellos establecido para un cuidado compartido, siendo el apoyo de familiares y de la red de servicios un facilitador o limitador del cuidado.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To know the perception of users on self-care of ulcers in the lower limbs. METHOD This is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted with 10 users registered in the complementary programme of a wound care clinic in Canoas, RS, Brazil. Data were collected using information from the medical records of the users and semi-structured interviews conducted between October and November 2016. RESULTS The results were discussed according to thematic content analysis with three thematic categories: self-care and living with the ulcer, self-care deficit and supporting users with ulcer, and self-care and the ulcer care network, based on the Nursing Self-Care Deficit Theory. CONCLUSIONS Self-care is the result of dialogue between the user/nurse/health workers and the link they establish when they share care. The support of family members and the service can facilitate or limit care.

Resumen OBJETIVO Conocer la percepción del usuario en el autocuidado de úlcera en miembros inferiores. MÉTODO Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo con 10 pacientes del Programa de Asistencia Complementaria de un Ambulatorio de Heridas de Canoas (RS). Los datos fueron recolectados entre octubre y noviembre de 2016, en los registros médicos y por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas. RESULTADOS La discusión de los resultados se dio mediante el Análisis Temático de Contenido, constituyendo tres categorías: autocuidado y la convivencia con la úlcera, déficit de autocuidado y apoyo al usuario con úlcera y autocuidado y la red de atención en el cuidado de la úlcera, fundamentadas en la Teoría de Enfermería de Déficit de Autocuidado. CONCLUSIONES: El autocuidado resulta del diálogo entre usuario/enfermero/profesionales de la salud y del vínculo por ellos establecido para un cuidado compartido, siendo el apoyo de familiares y de la red de servicios un facilitador o limitador del cuidado.

Resumo OBJETIVO Conhecer a percepção do usuário no autocuidado de úlcera em membros inferiores. MÉTODO Estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, realizado com 10 usuários atendidos no Programa de Assistência Complementar de um Ambulatório de Feridas de Canoas (RS). A coleta dos dados deu-se entre outubro a novembro de 2016, por meio de informações contidas nos prontuários dos usuários e de entrevista semiestruturada. RESULTADOS A discussão dos resultados deu-se mediante a Análise Temática de Conteúdo, constituindo três categorias temáticas: autocuidado e o convívio com a úlcera, déficit de autocuidado e apoio ao usuário com úlcera e autocuidado e a rede de atenção no cuidado da úlcera, fundamentadas na Teoria de Enfermagem de Déficit de Autocuidado. CONCLUSÕES O autocuidado resulta do diálogo entre usuário/enfermeiro/profissionais da saúde e do vínculo por eles estabelecido para um cuidado compartilhado, sendo o apoio de familiares e da rede de serviços um facilitador ou limitador do cuidado.

OBJECTIVES: To clinically and epidemiologically characterize a population diagnosed with and treated for septic arthritis of the knee, to evaluate the treatment results and to analyze the differences between patients with positive and negative culture results, patients with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates and patients with S. aureus- and non-S. aureus-related infections. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with septic knee arthritis were included in this study. The clinical and epidemiological data were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed to compare patients with and without an isolated causative agent, patients with Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens and patients with S. aureus-related and non S. aureus-related infections. RESULTS: Causative agents were isolated in 81 patients. Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 65 patients and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 16 patients. The most commonly isolated bacterium was S. aureus. Comparing cases with an isolated pathogen to cases without an isolated pathogen, no differences between the studied variables were found except for the longer hospital stays of patients in whom an etiological agent was identified. When comparing Gram-positive bacteria with Gram-negative bacteria, patients with Gram-positive-related infections exhibited higher leukocyte counts. Patients with S. aureus-related infections were more frequently associated with healthcare-related environmental encounters. CONCLUSION: S. aureus is the most common pathogen of septic knee arthritis. Major differences were not observed between infections with isolated and non-isolated pathogens and between infections with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. S. aureus infections were more likely to be associated with a prior healthcare environment exposure.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência e o perfil microbiológico das ISC relacionadas a procedimentos de fixação de fraturas num hospital acadêmico ortopédico terciário em São Paulo, Brasil, e comparar as diferenças observadas entre os pacientes com fraturas fechadas e expostas. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo. Foram incluídos na análise os dados relativos a todos os pacientes que passaram por procedimento cirúrgico para fixação de fraturas fechadas ou expostas de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2012 e que mantiveram seguimento por pelo menos um ano. Foi verificada a presença de associação entre o tipo de fratura, a incidência de ISC e as incidências de infecções polimicrobianas e por bacilos Gram-negativos. O perfil microbiológico foi estabelecido por meio da elaboração de antibiogramas cumulativos. RESULTADOS: A incidência geral de infecção de 6%. Essa incidência foi maior no grupo de pacientes com fraturas expostas (14,7%) do que naqueles com fraturas fechadas (4,2%), com diferença estatisticamente significante. O número de pacientes com infecções polimicrobianas e com infecções relacionadas a BGN também foi significativamente maior no grupo de casos relacionados a fraturas expostas. Staphylococcus aureus e espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (CoNS) foram os principais agentes isolados nos dois grupos. A incidência de MRSA (S. aureus resistente a meticilina) dentre todos os isolados de S. aureus foi de 72%. A. baumannii foi o principal BGN isolado entre os pacientes com fraturas expostas e P. aeruginosa entre os pacientes com fraturas fechadas. Em ambos os casos, observaram-se baixos índices de sensibilidade a carbapenêmicos. CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de ISC relacionada à fixação interna de fraturas foi significantemente maior nos pacientes com fraturas expostas, o que indica que esse tipo de fratura pode ser um fator de risco para a ocorrência desse tipo de infecção. Dentre os isolados bacterianos, predominaram no geral S. aureus (com elevada prevalência de MRSA) e S. coagulase-negativo. Dentre os BGN, houve predomínio de A. baumanni também entre os isolados de pacientes com fraturas expostas e P. aeruginosa entre os isolados daqueles com fraturas fechadas.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and microbiological profile of surgical site infections (SSIs) associated with internal fixation of fractures and to compare differences in the SSIs observed among patients with closed and open fractures. METHODS: Retrospective study. Analyzed data included information from all patients who underwent surgery for fixation of closed or open fractures from January 2005 to December 2012 and remained outpatients for at least one year following surgery. Incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was compared between patients with closed and open infection, as well as polymicrobial infection and infection related to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Cumulative antibiograms were performed to describe microbiological profiles. RESULTS: Overall incidence of SSI was 6%. This incidence was significantly higher among patients with open fractures (14.7%) than among patients with closed fractures (4.2%). The proportions of patients with polymicrobial infections and infections due to GNB were also significantly higher among patients with open fractures. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) species were the primary infectious agents isolated from both groups. The overall incidence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) was 72%. A. baumannii was the predominant GNB isolate recovered from patients with open fractures and P. aeruginosa was the most frequent isolate recovered from patients with closed fractures, both exhibited low rates of susceptibility to carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of SSIs related to the internal fixation of fractures was significantly higher among patients with open fractures, indicating that an open fracture can be a risk factor for infection. Among the bacterial isolates, S. aureus (with a high prevalence of MRSA) and CoNS species were most prevalent. A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa isolates underscored the low rate of susceptibility to carbapenems that was observed in the present study.

Abstract Treatment of orthopedic infections usually requires prolonged antimicrobial therapy, ranging from 14 days up to 6 months. Nowadays, rising levels of antimicrobial resistance demands parenteral therapy for many patients. Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a modality that allows treatment out of hospital in these situations. In Brazil, where a public universal healthcare system allows full coverage for all citizens, implantation and dissemination of OPAT programs would be beneficial for patients and for the system, because it would allow a better allocation of health resources. The Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (IOT) started, in July 2013, a partnership with municipal health authorities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in order to initiate an OPAT program in which patients discharged from that hospital would be able to continue antimicrobial therapy at primary care facilities. When necessary, patients could also receive their therapy at the day-hospital located at IOT. Primary care nursing and physician staff were trained about antimicrobial infusion and peripherally inserted central catheter manipulation. An OPAT specific antimicrobial protocol was designed and a special reference and counter-reference organized. As a result, 450 primary healthcare professionals were trained. In the first year of this program, 116 patients were discharged for OPAT. Chronic and acute osteomyelitis were most frequent diagnosis. Teicoplanin, ertapenem and tigecycline were the most used drugs. Duration of treatment varied from 10 to 180 days (average 101, median 42). Total sum of days in OPAT regimen was 11,698. Only 3 patients presented adverse effects. Partnership between services of different levels of complexity allowed implantation of a safe and effective public healthcare OPAT program for treatment of orthopedic infections. This program can serve as a model for developing similar strategies in other regions of Brazil and Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the risk factors for joint infection by oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using clinical and epidemiological data. METHODS: All septic arthritis cases of the knee and hip diagnosed and treated in our institution from 2006 to 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Only patients with cultures identified as microbial agents were included in the study. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients were analyzed, seeking the differences between populations affected by MRSA and oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). RESULTS: S. aureus was isolated in thirty-five patients (46.0%) in our total sample, 25 in the knee and 10 in the hip. Of these 35 patients, 22 presented with MSSA and 13 presented with MRSA. Provenance from a health service-related environment, as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the only variable associated with oxacillin-resistant strains of this bacterium (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Provenance from a health service-related environment was associated with a higher incidence of MRSA-related septic arthritis, suggesting that this agent should be considered in the initial choice of antibiotic treatment. Previous surgeries of the knee or affected limb and the absence of leukocytes might also be related to infection with this agent.

O objetivo deste artigo consiste em analisar contribuições dos Pontos de Cultura para a Educação Popular em Saúde, a partir da visão dos seus coordenadores. Procedeu-se a uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter descritivo-exploratório, entrevistando oito coordenadores desses pontos. Os dados sugerem que os Pontos de Cultura se constituem espaços de valorização do diálogo, onde é possível potencializar momentos de fala e escuta, bem como de respeito pelos saberes, experiências e emoções. Aludem que, a partir de tal iniciativa, é possível potencializar o envolvimento popular em ações voltadas à promoção da saúde fortalecendo, assim, a participação coletiva e os laços de solidariedade na comunidade. Revelam, ainda, que eles funcionam como espaço de criação cultural e protagonismo social, os quais possibilitam o estreitamento dos laços entre cultura e saúde e valorizam as características subjetivas dos sujeitos.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the contribution of Culture Points to popular health education, based on the view of their coordinators. The authors conducted a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, in which eight coordinators were interviewed. The data suggest that the Culture Points are spaces for dialogue enhancement where it is possible to potentialize moments of speaking and listening, as well as moments of respect for knowledge, experiences and emotions. Based on this initiative, it was mentioned that it is possible to empower popular involvement in actions targeted at health promotion, thus strengthening collective participation and solidarity ties in the community. In addition, the Culture Points act as spaces of cultural creation and social leadership, which enable closer links between culture and health, and value the subjective characteristics of the subjects.

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en analizar contribuciones de los Puntos de Cultura para la educación popular en salud, a partir de la visión de sus coordinadores. Se procedió a una encuesta cualitativa y se entrevistaron ocho coordinadores de estos puntos. Los datos sugieren que los Puntos de Cultura constituyen espacios de valorización del diálogo, en donde es posible potencializar momentos en los que se habla y en los que se escucha, así como de respeto por los saberes, experiencias y emociones. A partir de esa iniciativa, es posible potenciar el envolvimiento popular en acciones enfocadas en la promoción de la salud, fortaleciendo la participación colectiva y los lazos de solidaridad en la comunidad. También revelan que funcionan como un espacio de creación cultural y protagonismo social, que posibilitan estrechar los lazos entre cultura y salud y valorizan las características subjetivas de los sujetos.

Objetivo Determinar a eficácia da eletroestimulação vaginal combinada com treinamento muscular do assoalho pélvico para o tratamento da incontinência urinária de esforço.Métodos Um total de 48 mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço foi randomizado em 2 grupos, sendo 24 submetidas a eletroestimulação vaginal isolada e 24 a eletroestimulação vaginal e treinamento muscular do assoalho pélvico. Foram avaliados anamnese, exame físico, diário miccional, força perineal e urodinâmica. Compararam-se a adesão ao tratamento, a melhora da força muscular perineal e dos sintomas urinários, e o grau de satisfação imediatamente, 12 e 96 meses após o tratamento.Resultados O grau de satisfação das pacientes no grupo da eletroestimulação isolada e do segundo grupo, imediatamente, com 12 e com 96 meses foi, respectivamente, 88,2% versus 88,9% 64,7% versus 61,1% e 42,9% versus 28,6% (p>0,05).Conclusão A eletroestimulação vaginal associada ao treinamento muscular do assoalho pélvico não foi mais eficaz do que a eletroestimulação isolada.

Objective To determine the efficacy of stress urinary incontinence treatments adding pelvic floor muscle training to vaginal electrical stimulation.Methods Forty-eight women with stress urinary incontinence were randomized into 2 groups: 24 underwent isolated vaginal electrical stimulation, and 24 vaginal electrical stimulation plus pelvic floor muscle training. History, physical examination, voiding diary, perineum strength test, and urodynamic study were assessed. Comparisons were made for adherence to treatment, muscle strength improvement, urinary symptoms, and degree of satisfaction immediately, 12 and 96 months after treatment.Results Patients’ degree of satisfaction on vaginal electrical stimulation, and on vaginal electrical stimulation plus pelvic floor muscle training immediately, 12 and 96 months post treatment, were, respectively: 88.2%versus 88.9% 64.7% versus 61.1% and 42.9% versus 28.6% (p>0.05).Conclusion Vaginal electrical stimulation associated to pelvic floor muscle training did not show better results than vaginal electrical stimulation alone.

Background:Septic arthritis is an infrequent disease although very important due to the possibility of disastrous outcomes if treatment is not adequately established. Adequate information concerning the epidemiology of septic arthritis is still lacking due to the uncommon nature of the disease as well as the struggle to establish a correct case-definition.Objective:To epidemiologically characterize the population seen at Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo with a diagnosis of septic arthritis between 2006 and 2011.Methods:Sixty-one patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the knee between 2006 and 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' clinical and epidemiological characteristics, the microorganisms that caused the infection and the patients' treatment and evolution were analyzed.Results:Septic arthritis of the knee was more common among men, with distribution across a variety of age ranges. Most diagnoses were made through positive synovial fluid cultures. The most prevalent clinical comorbidities were systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and the most commonly reported joint disease was osteoarthritis. Staphylococcus aureus was the prevailing pathogen. Fever was present in 36% of the cases. All patients presented elevation in inflammatory tests. Gram staining was positive in only 50.8% of the synovial fluid samples analyzed. Six patients presented complications and unfavorable evolution of their condition.Conclusion:S. aureus is still the most common pathogen in acute knee infections in our environment. Gram staining, absence of fever and normal leukocyte count cannot be used to rule out septic arthritis.

O objetivo deste artigo consiste em analisar contribuições dos Pontos de Cultura para a Educação Popular em Saúde, a partir da visão dos seus coordenadores. Procedeu-se a uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter descritivo-exploratório, entrevistando oito coordenadores desses pontos. Os dados sugerem que os Pontos de Cultura se constituem espaços de valorização do diálogo, onde é possível potencializar momentos de fala e escuta, bem como de respeito pelos saberes, experiências e emoções. Aludem que, a partir de tal iniciativa, é possível potencializar o envolvimento popular em ações voltadas à promoção da saúde fortalecendo, assim, a participação coletiva e os laços de solidariedade na comunidade. Revelam, ainda, que eles funcionam como espaço de criação cultural e protagonismo social, os quais possibilitam o estreitamento dos laços entre cultura e saúde e valorizam as características subjetivas dos sujeitos.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the contribution of Culture Points to popular health education, based on the view of their coordinators. The authors conducted a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, in which eight coordinators were interviewed. The data suggest that the Culture Points are spaces for dialogue enhancement where it is possible to potentialize moments of speaking and listening, as well as moments of respect for knowledge, experiences and emotions. Based on this initiative, it was mentioned that it is possible to empower popular involvement in actions targeted at health promotion, thus strengthening collective participation and solidarity ties in the community. In addition, the Culture Points act as spaces of cultural creation and social leadership, which enable closer links between culture and health, and value the subjective characteristics of the subjects.

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en analizar contribuciones de los Puntos de Cultura para la educación popular en salud, a partir de la visión de sus coordinadores. Se procedió a una encuesta cualitativa y se entrevistaron ocho coordinadores de estos puntos. Los datos sugieren que los Puntos de Cultura constituyen espacios de valorización del diálogo, en donde es posible potencializar momentos en los que se habla y en los que se escucha, así como de respeto por los saberes, experiencias y emociones. A partir de esa iniciativa, es posible potenciar el envolvimiento popular en acciones enfocadas en la promoción de la salud, fortaleciendo la participación colectiva y los lazos de solidaridad en la comunidad. También revelan que funcionan como un espacio de creación cultural y protagonismo social, que posibilitan estrechar los lazos entre cultura y salud y valorizan las características subjetivas de los sujetos.

OBJETIVO: Políticas de fomento à pesquisa em saúde foram estabelecidas na última década, avançando a produção científica nacional. Tal movimento não foi acompanhado do aperfeiçoamento do arcabouço legal-institucional, dificultando o desenvolvimento dos projetos de pesquisa. Isso inclusive no que tange às atividades de importação de equipamentos. O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar o processo de importação de equipamentos para o Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil).MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo de caso, com dados coletados em documentos internos do ELSA-Brasil em cinco Centros de Investigação e respectivas fundações de apoio. Foram analisados documentos de importação de: velocidade de onda de pulso, bioimagem e retinografia. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas entrevistas não estruturadas com pesquisadores e informantes chave nas fundações. Os dados foram tratados e organizados em três etapas: administrativa-operacional, cambial e fiscal. Foram calculados os intervalos de duração dessas etapas de modo comparativo entre os centros.RESULTADOS: A necessidade de padronização dos equipamentos em estudo multicêntrico exigiu atuação conjunta de instituições executoras e fundações. Dos equipamentos analisados, a primeira etapa, a administrativa-operacional, teve duração variada (mínimo 8 e máximo de 101, com média de 55 dias), sendo mais demorada quando incluía pareceres jurídicos. A segunda etapa, a cambial, mais longa que a primeira, não apresentou entraves ao processo (mínimo 11 e máximo 381, média de 196 dias). A terceira etapa, a fiscal, foi a mais longa (mínimo 43 e máximo 388 dias, média de 215,5 dias), devido à liberação dos equipamentos sem registro no País. Outros fatores que representaram entraves: inexperiência dos centros de investigação e das instituições em trabalhar em rede; inadequação da legislação nacional às especificidades da pesquisa científica; e falta de profissionais especializados em gestão de projeto científico.CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram morosidade no processo de importação de equipamentos para pesquisa no Brasil, devido, especialmente, a entraves de ordem legal, burocrática e gerencial.

OBJECTIVE: Policies that promote research in health were established in the last decade, developing the Brazilian scientific production. This development has not been accompanied by an improvement in the legal-institutional framework, thus hindering the development of research projects, including equipment importation activities. The present study aimed to analyze the equipment importation process for the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).METHODS: A case study was performed with data collected from internal ELSA-Brasil documents in five Investigation Centers and their respective supporting foundations. The following importation documents were analyzed: pulse wave velocity, bioimaging and retinography. Additionally, non-structured interviews with researchers and key informers were conducted in the foundations. Data were treated and organized into three stages: administrative-operational, exchange rate, and fiscal. Lengths of duration of these stages were calculated comparatively among centers.RESULTS: The need to standardize equipment in a multicenter study required a joint action of implementing institutions and foundations. Of all pieces of equipment analyzed, the first stage was administrative-operational, with a varying duration (minimum of eight, maximum of 101, and mean of 55 days) which was longer when legal opinions were included. The second stage was the exchange rate, which was longer than the former and did not pose any obstacles to the process (minimum of 11, maximum of 381, and mean of 196 days). The third stage was fiscal, which was the longest one (minimum of 43, maximum of 388, and mean of 215.5 days), due to the release of equipment without registration into the country. There were other factors that posed obstacles: inexperience of investigation centers and institutions in networking; inadequacy of the national legislation on scientific research particularities; and the lack of specialized professionals in scientific project management.CONCLUSIONS: The results show the slowness of the equipment importation process in Brazil, especially due to legal, bureaucratic and managerial obstacles.

OBJETIVO: Políticas de fomento à pesquisa em saúde foram estabelecidas na última década, avançando a produção científica nacional. Tal movimento não foi acompanhado do aperfeiçoamento do arcabouço legal-institucional, dificultando o desenvolvimento dos projetos de pesquisa. Isso inclusive no que tange às atividades de importação de equipamentos. O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar o processo de importação de equipamentos para o Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo de caso, com dados coletados em documentos internos do ELSA-Brasil em cinco Centros de Investigação e respectivas fundações de apoio. Foram analisados documentos de importação de: velocidade de onda de pulso, bioimagem e retinografia. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas entrevistas não estruturadas com pesquisadores e informantes chave nas fundações. Os dados foram tratados e organizados em três etapas: administrativa-operacional, cambial e fiscal. Foram calculados os intervalos de duração dessas etapas de modo comparativo entre os centros. RESULTADOS: A necessidade de padronização dos equipamentos em estudo multicêntrico exigiu atuação conjunta de instituições executoras e fundações. Dos equipamentos analisados, a primeira etapa, a administrativa-operacional, teve duração variada (mínimo 8 e máximo de 101, com média de 55 dias), sendo mais demorada quando incluía pareceres jurídicos. A segunda etapa, a cambial, mais longa que a primeira, não apresentou entraves ao processo (mínimo 11 e máximo 381, média de 196 dias). A terceira etapa, a fiscal, foi a mais longa (mínimo 43 e máximo 388 dias, média de 215,5 dias), devido à liberação dos equipamentos sem registro no País. Outros fatores que representaram entraves: inexperiência dos centros de investigação e das instituições em trabalhar em rede; inadequação da legislação nacional às especificidades da pesquisa científica; e falta de profissionais especializados em gestão de projeto científico. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram morosidade no processo de importação de equipamentos para pesquisa no Brasil, devido, especialmente, a entraves de ordem legal, burocrática e gerencial.

OBJECTIVE: Policies that promote research in health were established in the last decade, developing the Brazilian scientific production. This development has not been accompanied by an improvement in the legal-institutional framework, thus hindering the development of research projects, including equipment importation activities. The present study aimed to analyze the equipment importation process for the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: A case study was performed with data collected from internal ELSA-Brasil documents in five Investigation Centers and their respective supporting foundations. The following importation documents were analyzed: pulse wave velocity, bioimaging and retinography. Additionally, non-structured interviews with researchers and key informers were conducted in the foundations. Data were treated and organized into three stages: administrative-operational, exchange rate, and fiscal. Lengths of duration of these stages were calculated comparatively among centers. RESULTS: The need to standardize equipment in a multicenter study required a joint action of implementing institutions and foundations. Of all pieces of equipment analyzed, the first stage was administrative-operational, with a varying duration (minimum of eight, maximum of 101, and mean of 55 days) which was longer when legal opinions were included. The second stage was the exchange rate, which was longer than the former and did not pose any obstacles to the process (minimum of 11, maximum of 381, and mean of 196 days). The third stage was fiscal, which was the longest one (minimum of 43, maximum of 388, and mean of 215.5 days), due to the release of equipment without registration into the country. There were other factors that posed obstacles: inexperience of investigation centers and institutions in networking; inadequacy of the national legislation on scientific research particularities; and the lack of specialized professionals in scientific project management. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the slowness of the equipment importation process in Brazil, especially due to legal, bureaucratic and managerial obstacles.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os resultados funcionais iniciais e o índice de complicações precoces das artroplastias totais do quadril cerâmica-cerâmica em pacientes que convivem com o HIV e apresentam osteonecrose da cabeça femoral. MÉTODO: Doze pacientes HIV+ com diagnóstico de osteonecrose da cabeça do fêmur incongruente foram avaliados através de critérios clínicos, laboratoriais, pela escala funcional WOMAC antes e após o tratamento com substituição articular. RESULTADOS: Observamos que 83,3% dos indivíduos faziam uso de inibidores de protease, 75% apresentavam dislipidemia e 66,6% síndrome lipodistrófica, a melhora na evolução no escore WOMAC foi estatisticamente significativa para seis e 12 meses de pós-operatório em comparação com o escore pré-operatório e não observamos complicações secundárias a esse procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: A artroplastia total do quadril com implante de cerâmica-cerâmica para o tratamento da necrose avascular do quadril nessa parcela da população é opção cirúrgica adequada, apresenta melhora funcional inicial significativa e baixo índice de complicação precoce.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the initial functional results and early complication rate of ceramic-ceramic total hip replacements among patients living with HIV who presented osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHOD: Twelve HIV-positive patients with a diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the incongruent femoral head were evaluated using clinical and laboratory criteria and the WOMAC functional scale before and after treatment with joint replacement. RESULTS: We observed that 83.3% of the subjects were taking protease inhibitors, 75% had dyslipidemia and 66.6% had lipodystrophy syndrome. The improvement over the evolution of the WOMAC score was statistically significant at six and twelve months after the operation, in comparison with the preoperative score. We did not observe complications secondary to this procedure. CONCLUSION: Total hip arthroplasty with a ceramic-ceramic implant for treating avascular necrosis of the hip is an appropriate surgical option for this portion of the population. It provides a significant initial functional improvement and a low early complication rate.

Avaliou-se a ocorrência de Leishmania infantum em cães do município de Palmas-TO, comparando dados diagnósticos obtidos pela Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) e pelo diagnóstico parasitológico. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue e de aspirado de linfonodo de 63 cães machos e fêmeas, várias idades e raças, domiciliares ou não de agosto de 2009 a junho de 2010. As lâminas contendo esfregaço dos aspirados de linfonodos foram coradas pelo corante Giemsa. Na PCR, a sequência alvo de 145 pb do fragmento LT1, situado no minicírculo do kDNA do grupo Leishmania donovani, foi detectada através dos oligonucleotídeos iniciadores RV1 e RV2. O teste χ² (Qui-quadrado), demonstrou haver relação significativa entre a sintomatologia e a positividade dos cães para Leishmaniose Visceral (LV). O exame parasitológico mostrou uma concordância de 66,7% com a PCR em sangue e 84,1% com a PCR de aspirado de linfonodo. Além destas análises, houve a avaliação dos diagnósticos em paralelo e em série, onde as concordâncias com o exame parasitológico foram de 76,2% e 74,6%, respectivamente. Os resultados permitem sugerir a utilização da PCR de linfonodos na avaliação de grandes populações (inquéritos), e o exame parasitológico para a avaliação clínica inicial em consultórios veterinários.

This study evaluated occurrences of Leishmania infantum in dogs in the municipality of Palmas, Tocantins, comparing diagnostic data obtained using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and parasitological diagnosis. Blood samples and lymph node aspirates were collected from 63 dogs of males and females and various ages and races, with or without owners, between August 2009 and June 2010. Slides containing smears of lymph node aspirates were stained with Giemsa stained. In PCR, the 145 bp target sequence of the LT1 fragment, located in the Leishmania donovani kDNA minicircle was detected using the RV1 and RV2 oligonucleotide primers. The chi-square test revealed that there was a significant relationship between the symptoms and dogs that were positive for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The parasitological investigation showed concordance of 66.7% with PCR on blood and 84.1% with PCR on lymph node aspirate. In addition to these tests, evaluations of the diagnoses in parallel and in series were conducted, which showed concordances with the parasitological test of 76.2% and 74.6%, respectively. The results make it possible to suggest that PCR on lymph nodes should be used in evaluating large populations (surveys) and that the parasitological test should be used for initial clinical evaluations in veterinary consultation offices.