ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the standardized laparoscopic simulation training program in pyeloplasty, following its implementation and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, a tertiary referral center in south Brazil, in which 151 patients underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty performed by residents between 2006-2021. They were divided into three groups: before and after adoption of a standardized laparoscopic simulation training program and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main outcome was a combined negative outcome of conversion to open surgery, major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo III or higher) or unsuccessful procedure, defined as need for redo pyeloplasty. Results: There was a significant reduction in the combined negative outcome (21.1% vs 6.3%), surgical time (mean 200.0 min vs 177.4 min) and length of stay (median 5 days vs 3 days) after the adoption of simulation training program. These results were maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic (combined negative outcome of 6.3%, mean surgical time of 160.1 min and median length of stay of 3 days) despite a reduction in 55.4% of the surgical volume. Conclusion: A structured laparoscopic simulation program can improve outcomes of laparoscopic pyeloplasty during the learning curve.

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the uroflowmetry data in a large population of asymptomatic Brazilian men submitted to a health check up program and their correlation to IPSS and prostate size. Materials and Methods Asymptomatic men underwent a health check-up program between January and December 2012. The inclusion criteria were men between 40 and 70 years, IPSS ≤ 7, without bladder, prostate, urethral surgery, neurological diseases, urinary tract infection, PSA < 4.0 ng/dL and urinary volume higher than 150 mL. Urological assessment consisted of clinical history, IPSS, digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA), urinalysis, ultrasonography and uroflowmetry. Results A total of 1041 asymptomatic men were included in this study. The average age was 49 years and average maximum flow rate was 17.4 mL/s. In spite of IPSS and prostate size increase with aging, they had a weak correlation with Qmax cutoffs (10 mL/s and 15 mL/s). A total of 85 men (8.3%) had more than 60 years, and even in this group, Qmax was higher than 15 mL/s. Out of 1041 men, 117 had IPSS less than 8 and Qmax less than 10 mL/s. Conclusions In asymptomatic men there is a weak correlation between IPSS, prostate size and uroflowmetric data. The establishment of different normal cutoffs seems to be complicated and uroflowmetry data should be interpreted with caution in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Dilation of urinary tract occurs without the presence of obstruction. Diagnostic methods that depend on renal function may elicit mistaken diagnosis. Whitaker (1973) proposed the evaluation of urinary tract pressure submitted to constant flow. Other investigators proposed perfusion of renal pelvis under controlled pressure, making the method more physiological and reproducible. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the results of the anterograde pressure measurement (APM) of the urinary tract of children with persistent hydronephrosis after surgery suspected to present persistent obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Along 12 years, 26 renal units with persistent hydronephrosis after surgery (12 PUJ and 14 VUJ) were submitted to evaluation of the renal tract pressure in order to decide the form of treatment. Previous radionuclide scans with DTPA, intravenous pyelographies and ultrasounds were considered undetermined in relation to obstruction in 10 occasions and obstructive in 16. APM was performed under radioscopy through renal pelvis puncture or previous stoma. Saline with methylene blue + iodine contrast was infused under constant pressure of 40 cm H2O to fill the urinary system. The ureteral opening pressure was measured following the opening of the system and stabilization of the water column. RESULTS: Among the 10 cases with undetermined previous diagnosis, APM was considered non-obstructive in two and those were treated clinically and eight were considered obstructive and were submitted to surgery. Among the 16 cases previously classified as obstructive, nine confirmed obstruction and were submitted to surgery. Seven cases were considered non-obstructive, and were treated clinically, with stable DMSA and hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: APM avoided unnecessary surgery in one third of the cases and was important to treatment decision in 100%. We believe that this simple test is an excellent diagnostic tool when selectively applied mainly in the presence of functional deficit.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes and costs of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery using a hand-made sling (Marlex®) versus a commerciallyavailable suburethral polypropylene sling (Advantage®). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine women with SUI due to bladder neck hypermobility and/or sphincter incompetence diagnosed by clinical examination and urodynamic studies were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 19) consisted of patients from an academic center (Department of Urology, University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhao, and group 2 (n = 20) patients from private practice. The hand-made polypropylene suburethral sling was used in group 1 and the commercial sling in group 2. The patients were evaluated 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 43 min. in group 1 and 51 min. in group 2. No postoperative voiding difficulties were observed in group 1 (100%), as well as, in 94.7% of patients of group 2. A bladder catheter was not required in any of the patients of the two groups at the end of the study. The level of satisfaction was 100% in group 1, whereas, one patient of group 2 considered the surgery to be unsuccessful. Urodynamic studies showed low amplitude uninhibited contraction in 11.1% of patients of group 1 and 10.5% of group 2. No complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: The hand-made polypropylene mesh (Marlex®) can be used for sling procedures, saving costs and yielding results similar to that obtained with commercial sling systems.

O objetivo do artigo é analisar o comportamento da indústria extrativa e de transformação nas regiões de Minas Gerais, utilizando os indicadores de emprego, remunerações, produto industrial e produtividade, complementado por um indicador de competitividade relativa. Este índice é obtido mediante a relação entre as séries de salário real e de produtividade do trabalho da região estudada frente a uma região de referência. Inicialmente, compara-se o comportamento da indústria no estado em relação ao Brasil, para se determinar o seu comportamento relativo. Em seguida, a mesma análise é feita para as regiões mineiras, tomando-se o total do estado como referência. Para a análise utilizou-se a base de dados da Pesquisa Industrial Anual para o período 1996 e 2006. Para as regiões do estado foram usadas as informações do estrato certo da pesquisa, o que permitiu o cruzamento das informações de emprego e de geração de renda.

This article analyses manufacturing and mining industry performance in Minas Gerais state regions. Performance is measured using selected variables including employment numbers, remuneration, industrial product and productivity, complemented by an indicator of relative competitiveness. This indicator is the relation betweenthe series of real wages and labor productivity in a given region compared to a reference area. Brazil and Minas Gerais industrial performances are contrasted to identify the State's economic position. Then the same analysis is conducted for all regions of the State compared to the State as a whole. The information comes from the Annual Survey of Industry microdata files managed by the Brazilian Statistics Institute, IBGE, 1996 to 2006.

Para uma melhor compreensão da importância da gestão do conhecimento para as empresas, é necessário que se retorne à teoria da firma. As firmas se organizam em estruturas que visam diminuir os custos de obter e trocar informações. Esse artigo discute os impactos das tecnologias de informação (TICs) sobre as firmas. As TICs, por facilitarem a troca de informações entre empresas, afetam os seus limites, abrindo novos campos para a gestão do conhecimento.

For a better understanding of the importance of knowledge management for enterprises, it is necessary to consider the theory of the firm. To accomplish their functions, the firms organize themselves in structures that aim at diminishing the costs of obtaining and exchanging information. This paper discusses the role of information technologies in facilitating information and knowledge exchange among firms, as they enlarge firms possibilities of cooperation and affect their limits, creating new opportunities to knowledge management.

Apresenta a metodologia e os resultados preliminares da análise da co-autoria na área de ciência da informação no Brasil, através do uso da técnica conhecida como análise de rede social - ARS - , como parte do projeto RedeCI. Os resultados indicam a concentração de artigos com autoria única e de autores transientes. O número de autores com apenas uma contribuição é significativo e o resultado segue a Lei de Lotka. Os diferentes índices de centralidade na rede têm baixo índice de correlação entre si. Futuros desenvolvimentos permitirão uma boa compreensão dos colégios invisíveis existentes na área da ciência da informação.

This paper presents the methodology and some preliminary results of a coauthorship network, obtained through the use of a technique knows like social network analysis - SNA - , in Brazilian Information Science as part of an ambitious project called RedeCI. The numbers of authors per paper are relatively reduced and the numbers of papers with a single author are relevant. The number of authors with a single publication shows results consistent with the literature about scientific productivity, measured by number of papers authored, following Lotka's law. The centrality measures estimated using the social network analysis - SNA - are poorly correlated.

Este artigo apresenta a Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS) como um método a ser aplicado em estudos na ciência da informação (CI), inclusive para a compreensão da estruturação da pesquisa nessa área do conhecimento. Esta é, normalmente, apresentada como uma área do conhecimento interdisciplinar, e as diferentes linhas de pesquisa existentes nos Programas de Pós-Graduação, no Brasil, recebem influências de diferentes áreas do conhecimento. A aplicação da ARS no estudo da rede de co-autoria dos professores do PPGCI/UFMG permite tanto a apresentação do método, quanto a obtenção de resultados empíricos para alimentar a discussão sobre a CI. As redes de colaboração entre os professores refletem, em tese, a participação em programas de pesquisa da área. A colaboração entre professores das diferentes linhas se relaciona com a integração das diferentes interdisciplinaridades que elas apresentam. O artigo expõe, inicialmente, uma discussão sobre a interdisciplinaridade na CI; em seguida dá uma visão geral da ARS e apresenta estudos da área, destacando-se a análise de redes de co-autoria. Finalmente, descreve-se a metodologia da pesquisa e os principais resultados obtidos da ARS. A conclusão destaca os resultados e reforça a importância da ARS como método para a CI, o qual pode ser explorado com sucesso, inclusive em pesquisas sobre redes de co-autoria e interdisciplinaridade.

This paper discusses the Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a method to be broadly applied in Information Science (IS) research. Information science is normally considered as an interdisciplinary field. In this regard, research lines that comprise the research work in post-graduate programs in Brazil are influenced by different fields of knowledge. The co-authorship analysis of professors networks in the post-graduate program in information science at the University of Minas Gerais (PPGCI/UFMG) carried out by using SNA had a twofold output. The first one was to present the method itself. The second, to obtain empirical results that can be used to implement the discussion about the discipline. Collaborative networks between professors from different research lines is related to the integration of interdisciplinary characteristics found in the disciplines themselves. The article briefly presents the interdisciplinary nature of IS and gives an overview of the theoretical basis of SNA. Moreover, it presents studies about subject-matters related to IS, particularly the co-authorship network analysis. Finally, the methodological approach of this research and the main results are presented. In conclusion, the authors stress the benefits brought about by the use of SNA as a methodological tool. It can actually be fruitfully explored to support researches in both co-authorship networks and debates about Information Science and its interdisciplinary nature.

Os estudos sobre produção e uso de informações cobrem campo bastante amplo, com enfoques variados, e não estão livres de controvérsias. Essas pesquisas refletem as dificuldades inerentes ao fato de esta ser uma área do conhecimento com características interdisciplinares marcantes. Muitos estudos sobre a necessidade de informações poderiam ser agrupados em dois tipos: aqueles que destacam o papel da oferta - os sistemas de informação - e os que enfatizam o papel do usuário. O sistema estatístico deveria ser analisado como um terceiro grupo, pois é um exemplo em que produtores e usuários possuem as mesmas competências técnicas. Essa característica garantiu relativo estado de equilíbrio entre oferta e demanda de informações que moldaram o sistema estatístico no Brasil, até ser afetado por novas demandas devido às mudanças da sociedade da informação. Essas pressões, amplificadas pelas novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs), trazem novo desafio para a área de produção de informações estatísticas.

Studies about information production and use cover an extensive field, using different approaches, and their results are far from consensual. This diversity reflects the marked interdisciplinary nature of the information science. Information and research needs could be roughly grouped into those related to the supply side - the information systems - and those focusing the user. The statistical system should be viewed as a third group, where the distinguishing mark is the technical skill shared by producers and users. This characteristic was the basis for the relative balance between supply and demand. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the increasing demand for information in a knowledge-based economy bring new challenges for the producers of statistical information.

O acesso à informação é um elemento-chave para o desenvolvimento econômico e social de comunidades e grupos sociais. A capacidade de obter informações, além dos contornos restritos da própria comunidade, é parte do capital relacional dos indivíduos e grupos. As transformações dependem das redes existentes entre os indivíduos do grupo e atores localizados em outros espaços sociais, ou seja, do capital social da comunidade. Por ser tratado como capital, da mesma forma que o capital humano ou financeiro, investimentos para sua ampliação devem permitir retornos ou benefícios, servindo de base para o desenvolvimento, o que tem sido amplamente pesquisado. O uso da metodologia de análise de redes sociais vem se difundindo rapidamente, nos últimos anos, trazendo contribuições significativas para a compreensão do papel do capital social no desenvolvimento. A construção de redes sociais e a conseqüente aquisição de capital social estão condicionadas por fatores culturais, políticos e sociais. O próprio conceito de capital social é multidimensional, o que significa incorporar vários níveis e unidades de análise. A combinação da metodologia de análise de redes com uma base teórica sólida amplia os espaços de pesquisa, em um espectro que vai das pesquisas sobre o acesso às informações básicas sobre saúde pública em comunidades urbanas ao comércio internacional, passando pela análise do desenvolvimento regional, através do estudo dos arranjos produtivos locais.

Access to information plays a key role in economic and social development of communities and groups. The ability of gathering information beyond the frontiers of the community is part of the relational capital of individuals and social groups. It means that any transformation depends on existing networks between individuals of the community and others belonging to other social groups - the social capital of the community. It means that, like any other capital (human, financial), investment in social capital also has a return or benefit. The analytical framework of social networks brings forth significant understanding about the role of social capital in a development process. Social networks and social capital depend on cultural, political and social factors. Social capital is a multidimensional concept, which takes into account many units and analytical levels. The combination of social network analysis and a strong conceptual framework may broaden the research field, ranging from access to basic information on public health in urban communities to international trade and to regional development, using the studies of local industrial networks (clusters).