Abstract INTRODUCTION The diagnosis and classification of megaesophagus can be challenging in patients with Chagas disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the agreement between upper endoscopies and esophagographies for the diagnosis and classification of megaesophagus in Chagas disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 50 patients with Chagas disease with upper digestive symptoms was undertaken. Esophagography and upper endoscopy exams were performed to compare diagnoses. Statistical analysis included sensitivity and specificity used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of upper endoscopies, and measures of agreement: linearly weighted Kappa (κw) and Cohen`s classical Kappa (κ) coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (46%) were diagnosed with megaesophagus by esophagography. The upper endoscopy sensitivity and specificity for megaesophagus diagnosis were 100% and 33.3%, respectively. Regarding megaesophagus classifications, there was a substantial agreement between the two exams (κw = 0.622; 95% CI: 0.498 to 0.746). Within megaesophagus groups, agreement for group I was slight (κ = 0.096; 95% CI: 0.000 to 0.403); for group II, substantial (κ = 0.703; 95% CI: 0.456 to 0.950); and for groups III and IV, inconclusive (κ = 0.457; 95% CI: 0.000 to 0.967; κ = 0.540; 95% CI: 0.035 to 1.000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Upper endoscopy has a high sensitivity, but a low specificity to diagnose megaesophagus. Agreement between the two exams varies depending on the megaesophagus grade. Thus, upper endoscopy can be used in the diagnostic workup of a possible Chagas disease megaesophagus, but all identified cases should undergo esophagography.

In this study, polymeric nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles were prepared by radical mass polymerization in the presence of filler. Nanoparticles of SiC with and without surface treatment with organosilane were obtained .The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TGA) and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG SEM) with an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detector. The produced nanocomposites showed well-dispersed SiC incorporation in the PMMA matrix. The results pointed that the surface treatment on SiC fillers was successful on enhancing the interaction between the organic matrix and the inorganic filler.

Descriptive research with the aim of characterizing the profile of chemical dependants assisted in the rehabilitation unit of a psychiatric hospital. Thirty chemical dependants joined the research. Data were collected from an interview. The prevalent age group was from 26 to 33 years old, 50% of them were unemployed; 77% lost their jobs at least once caused by the drug abuse; 80% had an episode of separation related with drug use; 11 participants had a metal problem diagnosed before the hospitalization, and among these, 9 tried to commit suicide.; 71% began the drug use by taking alcohol and by the age of 12 to 19 years old; 71% had their first contact with drugs among family members and in 30% of the cases it was through friends. The abuse of these substances affects people in productive age, young adults which begun the use among family sets, and affected their work performance and family relationship.

Investigación descriptiva. Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil de los dependientes químicos atendidos en la unidad de rehabilitación de un hospital psiquiátrico. Participaron 30 dependientes químicos. Los datos fueron colectados por medio de entrevista. El grupo etario prevalente fue entre 26 y 33 años, 50% empleados; 77% perdió el empleo por lo menos una vez por abuso de drogas; el 80% tuvo episodios de separación relacionada con el uso de drogas; 11 participantes fueron diagnosticados con trastorno mental antes de la internación y de estos, 9 intentaron el suicidio; 71% inició el uso de drogas por el alcohol con mayor predominancia en el rango de edad de 12 hasta 19 años; 71% tuvo contacto con la droga en el ambiente familiar y en 30% de los casos fue a través de amigos. El abuso de esas sustancias afecta personas en edad productiva, adultos jóvenes, cuyo inicio ocurrió en el círculo familiar y afectó el desempeño en el trabajo y la relación familiar del usuario.

Pesquisa descritiva. Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil dos dependentes químicos atendidos na unidade de reabilitação de um hospital psiquiátrico.Participaram 30 dependentes químicos. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevista. A faixa etária prevalente foi entre 26 e 33 anos: 50% estavam empregados; 77% perderam o emprego pelo menos uma vez pelo abuso de drogas; 80% tiveram episódios de separação relacionada com o uso de drogas; 11 participantes tinham diagnóstico de transtorno mental antes do internamento e, destes, 9 tentaram suicídio; 71% iniciaram o uso de drogas pelo álcool com maior prevalência na faixa etária dos 12 a 19 anos; 71% tiveram contato com a droga no meio familiar e 30% dos casos, por meio de amigos. O abuso dessas substâncias afeta pessoas em idade produtiva, adultos jovens, e prejudica o desempenho no trabalho e na relação familiar.

Pesquisa descritiva. Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil dos dependentes químicos atendidos na unidade de reabilitação de um hospital psiquiátrico.Participaram 30 dependentes químicos. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevista. A faixa etária prevalente foi entre 26 e 33 anos: 50% estavam empregados; 77% perderam o emprego pelo menos uma vez pelo abuso de drogas; 80% tiveram episódios de separação relacionada com o uso de drogas; 11 participantes tinham diagnóstico de transtorno mental antes do internamento e, destes, 9 tentaram suicídio; 71% iniciaram o uso de drogas pelo álcool com maior prevalência na faixa etária dos 12 a 19 anos; 71% tiveram contato com a droga no meio familiar e 30% dos casos, por meio de amigos. O abuso dessas substâncias afeta pessoas em idade produtiva, adultos jovens, e prejudica o desempenho no trabalho e na relação familiar.

Descriptive research with the aim of characterizing the profile of chemical dependants assisted in the rehabilitation unit of a psychiatric hospital. Thirty chemical dependants joined the research. Data were collected from an interview. The prevalent age group was from 26 to 33 years old, 50% of them were unemployed; 77% lost their jobs at least once caused by the drug abuse; 80% had an episode of separation related with drug use; 11 participants had a metal problem diagnosed before the hospitalization, and among these, 9 tried to commit suicide.; 71% began the drug use by taking alcohol and by the age of 12 to 19 years old; 71% had their first contact with drugs among family members and in 30% of the cases it was through friends. The abuse of these substances affects people in productive age, young adults which begun the use among family sets, and affected their work performance and family relationship.

Investigación descriptiva. Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil de los dependientes químicos atendidos en la unidad de rehabilitación de un hospital psiquiátrico. Participaron 30 dependientes químicos. Los datos fueron colectados por medio de entrevista. El grupo etario prevalente fue entre 26 y 33 años, 50% empleados; 77% perdió el empleo por lo menos una vez por abuso de drogas; el 80% tuvo episodios de separación relacionada con el uso de drogas; 11 participantes fueron diagnosticados con trastorno mental antes de la internación y de estos, 9 intentaron el suicidio; 71% inició el uso de drogas por el alcohol con mayor predominancia en el rango de edad de 12 hasta 19 años; 71% tuvo contacto con la droga en el ambiente familiar y en 30% de los casos fue a través de amigos. El abuso de esas sustancias afecta personas en edad productiva, adultos jóvenes, cuyo inicio ocurrió en el círculo familiar y afectó el desempeño en el trabajo y la relación familiar del usuario.