Biologista-chefe do Serviço de Cirurgia Torácica do Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP e membro do NCCC.

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This article aims to discuss aspects concerning Healthrelated to quality of life concepts. This paper presents some piece of information regarding the quality of life instruments.Descriptors: Quality of life. Treatment outcome. Prognosis. Sickness impact profile.

Introduction: Dengue has affected Rio de Janeiro City since the 1980s. The sequential Zika and chikungunya virus introductions during 2015 aggravated the health scenario, with 97,241 cases of arboviral diseases reported in 2015-2016, some with neurological disorders. Methods: Arbovirus-related neurologic cases were descriptively analyzed, including neurological syndromes and laboratory results. Results: In total, 112 cases with non-congenital neurologic manifestations (Guillain-Barré syndrome, 64.3%; meningoencephalitis, 24.1%; acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis, 8%) were arbovirus-related; 43.7% were laboratoryconfirmed, of which 57.1% were chikungunya-positive. Conclusions: Emerging arbovirus infections brought opportunities to study atypical, severe manifestations. Surveillance responses optimized case identification and better clinical approaches.

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Purpose: To analyze the instructions for authors of Brazilian scientific journals in the surgery field, in order to describe the present situation, as well to make recommendations for editors and authors. Methods: Instruction for authors of 20 journals were analyzed and classified following Vancouver requirements. Instructions were taken from SciELO, from the journals' homepage, or from the last printed issue available in BIREME's collection. Results were descriptively analyzed, considering the frequency of each variable. Results: 75% of the journals recommended ICMJE Uniform Requirements, although not always the newest version was indicated; 90% of the journals mentioned ethical research principles, 80% the peer-review process and 70% the conflict of interests and the author rights transfer agreement. Foreign languages frequently accepted were English (80%) and Spanish (30%). All journals publish original papers, followed by reviews (90%), case reports (80%), letters to the editor (70%), and clinical updates or continuing education (55%). The nomenclature for the sections varied among journals. Conclusion: Even though publishing freedom and independence of each publisher must be respected, there are internationally accepted criteria that must be observed. The current trends, towards the prioritization of open access electronic journals, will lead to important changes in the process of publishing scientific journals.

Although Brazil has a reasonable number of general thoracic surgeons, inequalities in their distribution through the country arise as one of the most concerning problems of the speciality. The results of this study show that leadership actions and consistent government policies are required to improve work conditions and provide efficient workforce planning.