O Rastreio Universal da Audição Neonatal tem sido um objectivo que várias gerações de audiologistas, otorrinolaringologistas e pediatras tem tentado ao longo dos anos. Os autores fazem uma revisão dos principais métodos utilizados para a avaliação da audição dos recém-nascidos, bem como das dificuldades encontradas e limitações da sua utilização. Desde o inicio da década de noventa vêm a ser implementados verdadeiros métodos de detecção precoce e universal da surdez infantil, utilizando métodos fisiológicos tais como os potenciais evocados auditivos e as otoemissões acústicas (c1ássicos e automáticos). São descritos os artigos mais importantes que fundamentam a necessidade de diagnóstico e intervenção precoces na surdez sensorioneural, com vista a melhorar a aquisição e desenvolvimento da fala e da competência linguística, o que permite uma melhor integração da criança, independentemente do seu grau de surdez. São também enunciadas as directivas do "European Consensus Development on Neonatal Hearing Screening" e do "Joint Comitee on Infant Hearing".

A deficiência auditiva infantil tem uma incidência superior a todas as doenças congénitas para as quais já existe rastreio sistemático e condiciona o normal desenvolvimento das capacidades linguísticas. O rasteio universal dos recém-nascidos e a intervenção precoce (antes dos seis meses de idade) são actualmente recomendados como boa prática clínica. Ao longo da infância pode surgir deficiência auditiva de variados graus provocada por doenças, traumatismos, ou por expressão tardia de hipoacúsia de causa genética. Há por isso necessidade de reconhecer estas situações, estabelecendo programas de rastreios adequados. O rastreio em idade pré-escolar visa detectar os casos de hipoacúsia que possam interferir com o desempenho escolar e não tenham sido previamente diagnosticadas.

Com o aparecimento de técnicas de rastreio da audição sensíveis, especificas e de fácil execução, é possível implementar rastreios de audição que abranjam todos os recém-nascidos. O objectivo destes programas e a detecção precoce de todas as crianças com hipoacusia significativa até aos três meses de idade, com vista a iniciar a reabilitação antes dos seis meses. Neste artigo de revisão apontam-se os passos mais importantes da organização e implementação de um Rastreio Universal da Audição Neonatal (RUAN), em três fases, descrevendo-se as opções possíveis de técnicas, equipamento e pessoal a utilizar.

In this study, the stability of Helicobacter pylori DNA in human feces and the effect of a diet lacking in plant material, the suspected source of PCR inhibitors in human feces, were investigated. in addition, a method to remove these inhibitors was developed. Stools inoculated with H, pylori were used as a model. For this purpose, a H. pylori suspension (10(8) CFU/ml) was used to spike stool samples obtained from four healthy adults known to be H. pylori negative. The evaluation of the stability of H, pylori DNA in frees showed that DNA was degraded after 3 days of contact with fecal material at 37 degreesC. A 2-day diet completely free of plant material was sufficient to eliminate PCR inhibitors from human feces. However, inhibitors were detected 48 h after a normal diet was resumed. A new technique consisting of agarose blocks containing embedded DNA as a template for PCR amplification was used for removal of inhibitors, following DNA extraction by a modified QIAamp tissue method (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). When this method was applied to inhibiting stool samples known to have an inhibitory effect and spiked with H. pylori (5.10(8) CFU/g), a positive PCR was obtained showing that inhibitors present in the original DNA samples were completely removed. The agarose embedded DNA block method is highly efficient and provides clean, high quality template DNA for PCR purposes avoiding icing and fastidious conventional extraction methods, in conclusion, this study confirms that H, pylori DNA degrades with time in stools. A diet free of plant material or a special DNA preparation can be used to remove inhibitors and to allow the detection of H. pylori. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the clinical, pathological, and outcome characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) from a population of the North of Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study of 128 OSCC diagnosed between the years of 2000 and 2010 in the Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Through of the review of the clinical records we studied several clinical, pathological, and outcome variables. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 128 patients with OSCC, 83 (64.8%) were male and 45 (35.2%) were female, (mean age of 62.13±15.57 years). The most affected location was the tongue (n=52; 40.6%). The most common cause of reference was a non-healing ulcer (n=35; 28.9%) followed by oral pain (n=27; 22.3%). Sixty (60.6%) patients were tobacco consumers and 55 (57.3%) alcohol consumers. The cumulative 3-years OS rate was 58.6% and DFS was 55.4%. In multivariable analysis for OS, we found an adverse independent prognostic value for advanced tumour size (p<0.001) and for the presence of perineural permeation (p=0.012). For DFS, advanced stage tumours presented adverse independent prognostic value (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: OSCC occurred most frequently in males, in older patients, and in patients with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. TNM and tumour stage additionally to the perineural permeation were the most important prognostic factor for the survival of these patients, contributing to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy.

RESUMO A deficiência auditiva infantil tem uma incidência superior a todas as doenças congénitas para as quais já existe rastreio sistemático e condiciona o normal desenvolvimento das capacidades linguísticas. O rasteio universal dos recém-nascidos e a intervenção precoce (antes dos seis meses de idade) são actualmente recomendados como boa prática clínica. Ao longo da infância pode surgir deficiência auditiva de variados graus provocada por doenças, traumatismos, ou por expressão tardia de hipoacúsia de causa genética. Há por isso necessidade de reconhecer estas situações, estabelecendo programas de rastreios adequados. O rastreio em idade pré-escolar visa detectar os casos de hipoacúsia que possam interferir com o desempenho escolar e não tenham sido previamente diagnosticadas. ABSTRACT Pediatric hearing loss is the most frequent congenital disease detectable by systematic screening and may interfere with normal acquisition of linguistic skills. Universal newborn hearing screening and early intervention (before six months of age) is considered a good clinical practice, according to present standards. During childhood, new cases of hearing loss of different degrees of severity can occur: after some diseases, trauma, or as late manifestation of genetic hearing loss. Professionals should recognize this situations and appropriate screening programs should be designed. The goal of pre-school screening programs is the detection of undiagnosed cases of hearing loss, which may difficult normal academic performance.

Epilepsia. 1999 Oct;40(10):1464-5. Letters to the Editor about Relationship between cysticercosis and epilepsy. Monteiro L, Lopes J, Martins da Silva A. Comment on: Epilepsia. 1998 Oct;39(10):1025-40. PMID: 10528946 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The aim of our study was to explore the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), and its relation with the proliferative tumor status of OSCC. We examined EMMPRIN and Ki-67 proteins expression by immunohistochemistry in 74 cases with OSCC. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine their clinicopathological and prognostic significance in OSCC. EMMPRIN membrane expression was observed in all cases, with both membrane and cytoplasmic tumor expression in 61 cases (82.4%). EMMPRIN overexpression was observed in 56 cases (75.7%). Moderately or poorly differentiated tumors showed EMMPRIN overexpression more frequently than well-differentiated tumors (P = 0.002). Overexpression of EMMPRIN was correlated with high Ki-67 expression (P = 0.004). In the multivariate analysis, EMMPRIN overexpression reveals an adverse independent prognostic value for cancer-specific survival (CSS) (P = 0.034). Our results reveal that EMMPRIN protein is overexpressed in more than two-thirds of OSCC cases, especially in high proliferative and less differentiated tumors. The independent value of EMMPRIN overexpression in CSS suggests that this protein could be used as an important biological prognostic marker for patients with OSCC. Moreover, the high expression of EMMPRIN makes it a possible therapeutic target in OSCC patients.