Abstract Objective: To compare the Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) obtained by the ventilometer and from mechanical ventilation parameters. Methods: Randomized crossover trial, including 33 intubated patients, on mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours, undergoing spontaneous breathing test. Patients were submitted to the measurement of RSBI by four methods: disconnected from the ventilator through the ventilometer; in Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) mode at a pressure of 7 cm H2O; in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mode at a pressure of 5 cmH2O with flow trigger; in CPAP mode at a pressure of 5 cmH2O with pressure trigger. Results: No significant difference was detected between the RSBI obtained by the ventilometer and in the CPAP mode with flow and pressure triggers, however, in the PSV mode, the values were lower than in the other measurements (p < 0.001). By selecting patients from the sample with higher RSBI (≥ 80 cycles.min−1.L−1), the value of the index obtained by the ventilometer was higher than that obtained in the three options of ventilation methods. Conclusion: The RSBI obtained in the CPAP mode at a pressure of 5 cmH2O, in both triggers types, did not differ from that measured by the ventilometer; it is, therefore, an alternative when obtaining it from mechanical ventilation parameters is necessary. However, in the presence of borderline values, the RSBI measured by ventilometer is recommended, as in this method the values are significantly higher than in the three ventilation modalities investigated.

Objective: Positron emission tomography (PET) allows in vivo evaluation of molecular targets in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between normal cognition and Alzheimer-type dementia. In vivo fibrillar amyloid-beta can be detected in PET using [11C]-labeled Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PiB). In contrast, [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18F-FDG) is a neurodegeneration biomarker used to evaluate cerebral glucose metabolism, indicating neuronal injury and synaptic dysfunction. In addition, early cerebral uptake of amyloid-PET tracers can determine regional cerebral blood flow. The present study compared early-phase 11C-PiB and 18F-FDG in older adults without cognitive impairment, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: We selected 90 older adults, clinically classified as healthy controls, with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, or with probable Alzheimer’s disease, who underwent an 18F-FDG PET, early-phase 11C-PiB PET and magnetic resonance imaging. All participants were also classified as amyloid-positive or -negative in late-phase 11C-PiB. The data were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping. Results: We found that the probable Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment group had lower early-phase 11C-PiB uptake in limbic structures than 18F-FDG uptake. The images showed significant interactions between amyloid-beta status (negative or positive). However, early-phase 11C-PiB appears to provide different information from 18F-FDG about neurodegeneration. Conclusions: Our study suggests that early-phase 11C-PiB uptake correlates with 18F-FDG, irrespective of the particular amyloid-beta status. In addition, we observed distinct regional distribution patterns between both biomarkers, reinforcing the need for more robust studies to investigate the real clinical value of early-phase amyloid-PET imaging.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a assistência prestada aos indivíduos com coinfecção Tuberculose-HIV em unidades prisionais do estado de São Paulo, segundo Coordenadoria Regional. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado entre 2016 e 2018. Aplicou-se um questionário estruturado a 112 diretores ou profissionais de saúde de 168 unidades prisionais. Os dados foram analisados por distribuição de frequência e análise de correspondência múltipla. Resultados: 92,9% dos participantes referiram busca ativa de sintomáticos respiratórios, 89,3% oferta de tratamento diretamente observado para todos os casos de tuberculose, 95,5% teste anti-HIV para todos os detentos, 92,9% acompanhamento do HIV em serviços especializados e 59,8% antirretrovirais para os casos de coinfecção. Identificou-se associação entre as Coordenadorias Noroeste e Central e deficiência de recursos humanos e baixa realização de ações para o diagnóstico e acompanhamento dos casos. Conclusões: Apesar da realização das ações previstas para o cuidado aos coinfectados na maioria das unidades, alguns locais necessitam apoio para garantir o acesso a estas ações.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the care provided to individuals with Tuberculosis (TB)-HIV coinfection in prison units in the state of São Paulo, according to the regional coordination of prisons. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2018. A structured questionnaire was applied to 112 directors or health professionals from 168 prison units. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution and multiple correspondence analysis. Results: 92.9% of participants reported active search for respiratory symptoms, 89.3% offer the directly observed treatment (DOT) for all TB cases, 95.5% anti-HIV testing for all inmates, 92.9% offer HIV follow-up in specialized care services and 59.8% antiretroviral drugs for cases of coinfection. An association was identified between the Northwest and Central regional coordinations and deficient human resources and low performance of actions for the diagnosis and follow-up of cases. Conclusions: although most prison units perform planned actions for the care of coinfected persons, some places need support to guarantee access to these actions.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la atención brindada a las personas con coinfección Tuberculosis (TB)-VIH en unidades penitenciarias del estado de São Paulo, según la coordinación regional. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado entre 2016 y 2018. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado a 112 directores o profesionales de la salud de 168 unidades penitenciarias. Los datos se analizaron mediante distribución de frecuencias y análisis de correspondencia múltiple. Resultados: el 92,9% de los participantes refirió búsqueda activa de síntomas respiratorios, el 89,3% ofrece el tratamiento de observación directa (DOT) para todos los casos de TB, el 95,5% prueba anti-VIH para todos los internos, el 92,9% ofrece seguimiento del VIH en servicios de atención especializada y 59,8% de fármacos antirretrovirales para casos de coinfección. Se identificó asociación entre las agencias de coordinación Noroeste y Centro y el deficiente recurso humano y el bajo desempeño de las acciones de diagnóstico y seguimiento de casos. Conclusiones: si bien la mayoría de las unidades penitenciarias realizan acciones planificadas para la atención de personas coinfectadas, algunos lugares necesitan apoyo para garantizar el acceso a estas acciones.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the care provided to individuals with Tuberculosis (TB)-HIV coinfection in prison units in the state of São Paulo, according to the regional coordination of prisons. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2018. A structured questionnaire was applied to 112 directors or health professionals from 168 prison units. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution and multiple correspondence analysis. Results: 92.9% of participants reported active search for respiratory symptoms, 89.3% offer the directly observed treatment (DOT) for all TB cases, 95.5% anti-HIV testing for all inmates, 92.9% offer HIV follow-up in specialized care services and 59.8% antiretroviral drugs for cases of coinfection. An association was identified between the Northwest and Central regional coordinations and deficient human resources and low performance of actions for the diagnosis and follow-up of cases. Conclusions: although most prison units perform planned actions for the care of coinfected persons, some places need support to guarantee access to these actions.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la atención brindada a las personas con coinfección Tuberculosis (TB)-VIH en unidades penitenciarias del estado de São Paulo, según la coordinación regional. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado entre 2016 y 2018. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado a 112 directores o profesionales de la salud de 168 unidades penitenciarias. Los datos se analizaron mediante distribución de frecuencias y análisis de correspondencia múltiple. Resultados: el 92,9% de los participantes refirió búsqueda activa de síntomas respiratorios, el 89,3% ofrece el tratamiento de observación directa (DOT) para todos los casos de TB, el 95,5% prueba anti-VIH para todos los internos, el 92,9% ofrece seguimiento del VIH en servicios de atención especializada y 59,8% de fármacos antirretrovirales para casos de coinfección. Se identificó asociación entre las agencias de coordinación Noroeste y Centro y el deficiente recurso humano y el bajo desempeño de las acciones de diagnóstico y seguimiento de casos. Conclusiones: si bien la mayoría de las unidades penitenciarias realizan acciones planificadas para la atención de personas coinfectadas, algunos lugares necesitan apoyo para garantizar el acceso a estas acciones.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a assistência prestada aos indivíduos com coinfecção Tuberculose-HIV em unidades prisionais do estado de São Paulo, segundo Coordenadoria Regional. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado entre 2016 e 2018. Aplicou-se um questionário estruturado a 112 diretores ou profissionais de saúde de 168 unidades prisionais. Os dados foram analisados por distribuição de frequência e análise de correspondência múltipla. Resultados: 92,9% dos participantes referiram busca ativa de sintomáticos respiratórios, 89,3% oferta de tratamento diretamente observado para todos os casos de tuberculose, 95,5% teste anti-HIV para todos os detentos, 92,9% acompanhamento do HIV em serviços especializados e 59,8% antirretrovirais para os casos de coinfecção. Identificou-se associação entre as Coordenadorias Noroeste e Central e deficiência de recursos humanos e baixa realização de ações para o diagnóstico e acompanhamento dos casos. Conclusões: Apesar da realização das ações previstas para o cuidado aos coinfectados na maioria das unidades, alguns locais necessitam apoio para garantir o acesso a estas ações.

Objective: To compare results of positron emission tomography (PET) with carbon-11-labeled Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PIB) obtained with cerebellar or global brain uptake for voxel intensity normalization, describe the cortical sites with highest tracer uptake in subjects with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and explore possible group differences in 11C-PIB binding to white matter. Methods: 11C-PIB PET scans were acquired from subjects with AD (n=17) and healthy elderly controls (n=19). Voxel-based analysis was performed with statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Results: Cerebellar normalization showed higher 11C-PIB uptake in the AD group relative to controls throughout the cerebral cortex, involving the lateral temporal, orbitofrontal, and superior parietal cortices. With global uptake normalization, greatest cortical binding was detected in the orbitofrontal cortex; decreased 11C-PIB uptake in white matter was found in the posterior hippocampal region, corpus callosum, pons, and internal capsule. Conclusion: The present case-control voxelwise 11C-PIB PET comparison highlighted the regional distribution of amyloid deposition in the cerebral cortex of mildly demented AD patients. Tracer uptake was highest in the orbitofrontal cortex. Decreased 11C-PIB uptake in white-matter regions in this patient population may be a marker of white-matter damage in AD.

RESUMO BACKGROUND: O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) pode ser a última fase da doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA). Modelos experimentais são cruciais para elucidação da patogênese do CHC secundário a DHGNA. A tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computadorizada (PET/TC) com 2-desoxi-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glicose (18F-FDG) desempenha um importante papel na avaliação do desenvolvimento e progressão do CHC. OBJETIVO: Padronizar a metodologia de imagem por PET/TC com 18F-FDG como uma ferramenta de avaliação do modelo experimental de CHC secundário a DHGNA. MÉTODOS: Dez ratos Sprague-Dawley machos foram alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica deficiente em colina associada a dietilnitrosamina (DEN) na água de beber por 16 semanas e depois receberam 1 mL de solução salina (0,9%) por gavagem diariamente por três semanas. Nas 16ª e 19ª semanas, foi realizada a ultrassonografia abdominal. As imagens do PET/TC com 18F-FDG foram obtidas antes do início do experimento (semana 0) e no final (semana 19). Análises histológica e imunohistoquímica também foram realizadas. RESULTADOS: Os resultados da ultrassonografia demonstraram um grupo homogêneo na 16ª semana com uma média de 4,6±2,74 nódulos por animal. Na 19ª semana, os achados do PET/CT demonstraram uma média de 8,5±3,7 nódulos por animal. Os valores médios de SUVmed e SUVmáx foram 2,186±0,1698 e 3,8±1,74, respectivamente. A média do número de nódulos na análise histológica foi de 5,5±1,5. De todos os nódulos, 4,6% foram classificados como bem diferenciados e 81,8% foram classificados como CHC pouco diferenciado. CONCLUSÃO: O PET/TC com 18F-FDG foi capaz de avaliar o desenvolvimento do CHC secundário a DHGNA de forma não invasiva. A partir da padronização do PET/CT neste modelo, faz-se possível a utilização desta ferramenta em futuros estudos para monitorar, in vivo e de forma não invasiva, a progressão do CHC.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be the last step of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) evolution. Experimental models are crucial to elucidate the pathogenesis of HCC secondary to NAFLD. The 2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) plays an important role in evaluating HCC development and progression. OBJECTIVE: To standardize the imaging method of PET/CT with 18F-FDG as an evaluation tool of the experimental model of HCC secondary to NAFLD. METHODS: Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with choline-deficient high-fat diet and diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in the drinking water for 16 weeks and then received 1 mL of saline solution (0.9%) daily by gavage for three weeks. At the 16th and 19th weeks, abdominal ultrasonography (USG) was performed. 18F-FDG PET/CT images were obtained before the beginning of experiment (week 0) and at the end (week 19). Histological and immunohistochemically analysis were also performed. RESULTS: The USG results showed a homogeneous group at the 16th week with an average of 4.6±2.74 nodules per animal. At the 19th week, PET/CT findings demonstrated an average of 8.5±3.7 nodules per animal. The mean values of SUVmed and SUVmax were 2.186±0.1698 and 3.8±1.74, respectively. The average number of nodules per animal in the histological analysis was 5.5±1.5. From all nodules, 4.6% were classified as well-differentiated HCC and 81.8% were classified as poorly-differentiated HCC. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET/CT was able to evaluate the development of HCC in an experimental model of NAFLD non-invasively. From the standardization of PET/CT in this model, it is possible to use this tool in future studies to monitor, in vivo and non-invasively, the progression of HCC.

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer os custos dos controles de qualidade para os radiofármacos marcados com [99mTc]tecnécio nos serviços de medicina nuclear do Brasil, em atenção às resoluções RDC nº 38/2008 e RDC nº 63/2009 editadas pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram apurados preços de materiais de consumo, equipamentos e de mão-de-obra para a realização dos controles de qualidade. Os valores foram convertidos para unidades de volume, tempo e outras unidades cabíveis para a determinação do preço unitário. RESULTADOS: O investimento para aquisição de materiais de consumo e equipamentos foi estimado ser de R$ 35.500,00. O custo final para o controle de cada kit variou entre R$ 6,44 e R$ 7,80, dependendo do produto a ser analisado e do profissional selecionado para execução do procedimento. Esses valores podem representar de 0,5% a 10% do valor recebido pelas instituições pela realização dos exames. Na prática, o custo efetivo pode ser menor, uma vez que o produto de um kit pode ser utilizado em diversos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Em face do ganho de qualidade e segurança dos pacientes, concluímos que os custos da implantação do programa de controle de qualidade podem ser absorvidos no planejamento financeiro dos serviços de medicina nuclear.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the costs for quality control of [99mTc]technetium radiopharmaceuticals in Brazilian nuclear medicine centers, in compliance with Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (National Health Surveillance Agency) resolutions RDC No. 38/2008 and No. 63/2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prices for consumables, equipment and labor involved in quality control procedures were calculated and the values were converted into units of volume, time or other appropriate units for use in mathematical formulas for determining unit prices. RESULTS: Estimated investment for acquisition of consumables and equipment was R$ 35,500.00. The final unit cost for quality control of a [99mTc]technetium radiopharmaceutical kit ranged from R$ 6.44 to R$ 7.80 per kit, depending on the product under analysis, on the methodology applied and on the qualification of the professional involved in the process. Such values may correspond to 0.5% to 10% of the amount received by the institution per diagnostic procedure. In practice the effective cost might be lower, considering that a single labeled kit can be fractionated into several doses. CONCLUSION: Considering the gains in quality and patients' safety, the authors conclude that costs for implementing a quality control program for radiopharmaceuticals can be absorbed in the financial planning of nuclear medicine centers.