Clinics
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Despite its rising popularity, reports on the use of preoperative imatinib mesylate (IM) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are limited. This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of preoperative IM in patients with primarily unresectable or metastatic/recurrent GIST. ⋯ IM as a preoperative therapy is feasible and safe for unresectable or metastatic/recurrent GIST that can effectively decrease tumor size, facilitating resection.
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Allergic rhinitis is a disease that affects the upper airways and causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa and it is mediated by IgE antibodies produced after sensitization to environmental allergens. Previous reports have indicated that this disease affects males more often than females. The objective of this study was to verify whether total IgE plasma levels vary between genders in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. ⋯ In conclusion, total IgE plasma levels are higher in young adult males than in females suffering from allergic rhinitis. Evaluating total IgE plasma levels can be useful to identify patients at risk of allergic rhinitis in areas with low industrial pollution.
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Orthotopic liver transplantation has improved survival in patients with end-stage liver disease; however, therapeutic strategies that achieve ideal immunosuppression and avoid early complications are lacking. To correlate the dose and level of Tacrolimus with early complications, e.g., rejection, infection and renal impairment, after liver transplantation. From November 2011 to May 2013, 44 adult liver transplant recipients were studied in this retrospective comparative study. ⋯ Blood Tacrolimus levels greater than 10 ng/ml were correlated with impaired renal function. Doses greater than 0.15 mg/kg/day were associated with the prevention of acute cellular rejection but predisposed patients to infectious disease.
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The purpose of our study was to report the results of the implementation of computed tomography colonography in a university hospital setting serving a Brazilian population at high risk of colorectal cancer. ⋯ It was possible to institute an efficient computed tomography colonography service at a university hospital that primarily assists patients from the public health system, with high accuracy, good acceptance and effective radiation doses. Our results seem to be comparable to other centers of excellence and fall within acceptable published guidelines, showing that a successful computed tomography colonography program can be reproduced in a South American population screened in a university hospital.
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To describe the profile of physicians working at the Prehospital Emergency Medical System (SAMU) in Brazil and to evaluate their quality of life. ⋯ The doctors in this sample were young and within a few years of graduation, and they had no specific training in prehospital emergencies. Deficiencies were mostly found in pediatrics and psychiatry, with specific deficiencies in the handling of essential equipment and in the skills necessary to adequately attend to prehospital emergencies. A disrespectful labor scenario was also found; the evaluation of quality of life showed a notable presence of pain on the SF-36 among physicians at SAMU and especially among doctors who had worked for a longer length of time at SAMU.