Brazilian scientific output exhibited a 4-fold increase in the last two decades because of the stability of the investment in research and development activities and of changes in the policies of the main funding agencies. Most of this production is concentrated in public universities and research institutes located in the richest part of the country. Among all areas of knowledge, the most productive are Health and Biological Sciences. During the 1998-2002 period these areas presented heterogeneous growth ranging from 4.5% (Pharmacology) to 191% (Psychiatry), with a median growth rate of 47.2%. In order to identify and rank the 20 most prolific institutions in these areas, searches were made in three databases (DataCAPES, ISI and MEDLINE) which permitted the identification of 109,507 original articles produced by the 592 Graduate Programs in Health and Biological Sciences offered by 118 public universities and research institutes. The 20 most productive centers, ranked according to the total number of ISI-indexed articles published during the 1998-2003 period, produced 78.7% of the papers in these areas and are strongly concentrated in the Southern part of the country, mainly in São Paulo State.

Although asthma has been commonly associated with sensitivity to cockroaches, a clear causal relationship between asthma, allergy to cockroaches and exposure levels has not been extensively investigated. The objective of the present study was to determine whether asthma occurs more frequently in children living in homes with high cockroach infestation. The intensity of household infestation was assessed by the number of dead insects after professional pesticide application. Children living in these houses in the metropolitan area of Recife, PE, were diagnosed as having asthma by means of a questionnaire based on the ISAAC study. All children had physician-diagnosed asthma and at least one acute exacerbation in the past year. Children of both sexes aged 4 to 12 years who had been living in the households for more than 2 years participated in this transverse study and had a good socioeconomic status. In the 172 houses studied, 79 children were considered to have been exposed to cockroaches and 93 not to have been exposed. Children living in residences with more than 5 dead cockroaches after pesticide application were considered to be at high infestation exposure. Asthma was diagnosed by the questionnaire in 31.6% (25/79) of the exposed group and in 11.8% (11/93) of the non-exposed group (P = 0.001), with a prevalence ratio of 3.45 (95%CI, 1.48-8.20). The present results indicate that exposure to cockroaches was significantly associated with asthma among the children studied and can be considered a risk factor for the disease. Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana were the species found in 96% of the infested houses.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia e a segurança do LASIK (ceratotomia lamelar pediculada) hipermetrópico utilizando-se o sistema Ladar Vision de excimer laser. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, 28 olhos de 17 pacientes com hipermetropia de +1,00 a +3,00 D (grupo 1) e 29 olhos de 18 pacientes com hipermetropia de + 3,25 a + 6,00 D (grupo 2), submetidos à cirurgia de LASIK, com o Sistema Ladar Vision de excimer laser. Acuidade visual sem correção, melhor acuidade visual corrigida e refração sob cicloplegia foram avaliadas em um, três e seis meses de pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: No grupo 1, o equivalente esférico médio pré-operatório, sob cicloplegia, era de + 2,14 ± 0,64 D, passando para + 0,44 ± 0,38 D no sexto mês de pós-operatório. No grupo 2, o equivalente esférico médio pré-operatório era de +4,26 ± 0,75 D, diminuindo para +1,14 ± 0,63 D no sexto mês de pós-operatório. 3,4% dos olhos do grupo 2 perderam três linhas de visão no primeiro mês de pós-operatório. No grupo 1, não houve perda de duas ou mais linhas de visão. CONCLUSÕES: O LASIK hipermetrópico com o sistema Ladar Vision mostrou-se procedimento eficaz e seguro. Pacientes do grupo 2 parecem estar sob maior risco de perda de linhas de melhor acuidade visual corrigida no pós-operatório.

PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis using the Ladar Vision excimer laser system. METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes of 17 patients with hyperopia from +1.00 to +3.00 D (group 1), and 29 eyes of 18 patients with hyperopia from +3.25 to +6.00 D (group 2) that had LASIK for hyperopia with the Ladar Vision, were retrospectively analyzed. Uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and cycloplegic refraction were evaluated 1 , 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: In group 1, the mean preoperative cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) was +2.14 ± 0.64 D and 6-month postoperative SE was +0.44 ± 0.38 D. In group 2, the mean preoperative SE was +4.26 ± 0.75 D and the 6-month postoperative SE was +1.14 ± 0.63 D. 3.4% of the eyes in group 2 and none of the eyes in group 1 lost 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity in the first postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK with the Ladar Vision excimer laser system is an effective and safe procedure to correct hyperopia. Patients in group 2 appear to be at greater risk for loss of lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o poder dióptrico da porção central da córnea normal. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva da topografia por varredura de fenda de luz e disco de Plácido em 30 olhos normais. RESULTADOS: Os poderes médios ceratométrico, anterior, da espessura e total; ópticos ceratométrico e total; axiais ceratométrico e total; tangencial total, equivalente e a soma do poder médio de ambas superfícies foram semelhantes (p>0,8361) nas quatro áreas centrais analisadas (0,04, 1, 3 e 5 mm de diâmetro). O poder médio posterior diminuiu de -6,62 D até -6,35 D (p=0,0030). A espessura média aumentou de 524 µm até 554 µm (p=0,0231), representando 0,13 D do poder total da córnea. Os poderes óptico (p<0,0167), axial (p<0,0099) e médio (p<0,0030) ceratométricos foram aproximadamente 1,50 D mais positivos que os respectivos poderes totais. O poder médio total foi igual ao poder equivalente (p>0,4907) e à soma do poder de ambas superfícies (p>0,3868). O poder médio anterior foi ao redor de 7,5 vezes maior que o poder médio posterior. CONCLUSÕES: O poder real da córnea calculado usando ambas superfícies, sua espessura e os índices de refração fisiológicos é menor que o poder convencionalmente aceito e determinado pela medição da curvatura da superfície anterior e o índice de refração ceratométrico da córnea (F<K). O poder da superfície posterior e a paquimetria variam conforme o tamanho da área central estudada. O poder da superfície anterior e o poder total se mantêm os mesmos. Os componentes do poder total da córnea e a paquimetria parecem ser independentes entre si.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dioptric power of the normal central cornea. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of combined slit-scanning and Placido-ring topography in 30 normal eyes. RESULTS: Keratometric-mean, anterior-mean, thickness-mean, and total-mean powers; keratometric-optical and total-optical, keratometric-axial and total-axial, and total-tangential powers; equivalent power and the addition of anterior and posterior mean powers, were similar (p>0.8361) in the four analyzed central areas with 0.04, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mm diameter. The posterior-mean power decreased (p=0.0030) from -6.62 D to -6.35 D. The average thickness increased (p=0.0231) from 524 µm to 554 µm, representing 0.13 D of total-mean corneal power. Keratometric-optical (p<0.0167), keratometric-axial (p<0.0099), and keratometric-mean powers (p<0.0030) were approximately 1.5 D more positive than the respective total powers. Total-mean power was equal to equivalent power (p>0.4907), and to the addition of anterior-mean and posterior-mean powers (p>0.3868). Anterior-mean power was about 7.5 greater than posterior-mean power. CONCLUSIONS: The real power of the cornea calculated using both surfaces, its thickness, and the physiologic refraction indices is smaller (less positive) than the power usually accepted and determined by the anterior corneal surface radius and the keratometric index of refraction (F<K). Anterior-mean/posterior-mean power ratio is not ten-to-one as conventionally assumed. Power of posterior surface and thickness vary according to the size of the analyzed area. However, power of anterior surface and total power of the cornea remain the same. Components of total corneal power and pachymetry seem to be independent of each other.

RESUMO Objetivos: Desenhar, construir e testar um ceratômetro cirúrgico simples e de baixo custo. Métodos: Para a montagem do aparelho foram utilizados os princípios descritos por Plácido da Costa. Um anel circular iluminado foi construído e acoplado a um microscópio cirúrgico. O sistema de "zoom " do microscópio era acionado pelo observador, que deveria aumentar ou diminuir o tamanho da imagem do anel, produzida pela superficie de teste, até a coincidência com uma retícula circular, presente na lente ocular do microscopio. Uma escala graduada foi montada para a obtenção de valores numéricos. A localização dos meridianos também foi realizada. Resultados: O aparelho apresenta uma precisão de 0,29 a 0,62 D, na medida do astigmatismo. A precisão na medida da localização do astigmatismo é de aproximadamente 1O graus de inclinação, em astigmatismos maiores do que 1,60 D e de aproximadamente 6 graus em astigmatismos maiores do que 1,96 D. Conclusão: O aparelho tem precisão pouco inferior aos ceratômetros convencionais (0,10 a 0,25 D) na determinação do valor do astigmatismo. A precisão na orientação do meridiano mais plano/curvo é igual ou superior aos aparelhos convencionais (precisão de 10 graus). Além disso, seu baixo custo e alta simplicidade de uso, devem torná-lo muito útil em nosso meio.

SUMMARY Objective: The presente study aims to draw, build and test a simple and low cost surgical keratometer. Methods: The principle described by Plácido da Costa was used to construct the prototype. A circular ring of light was built and attached to a surgical microscope. The zoom system present in the microscope provided a bigger or smaller image of the ring to the observer. lts size would then be compared to a circular reticle located inside the ocular lens of the microscope.Numeric values were achieved by a graduated scale. The flattest and steepest meridians were also located. Results: A precision between 0.29 and 0.62D h as been achieved in the evaluation of astigmatism. The meridian orientation showed a precision of about 10 degrees of inclination in astigmatisms greater than 1.60 D, and 6 degrees in astigmatisms greater than 1.96 D. Conclusion: This dévice showed a slightly inferior precision in astigmatism measurement, when compared to conventional surgical keratometers (0.10 to 0.25 D). Equal to high precision was observed when evaluating meridian location (conventional precision = 10 degrees). Itshould also be mentioned that its low cost and easy use may render it a very useful device.