In the December 2007 Issue of Clinics

Abstract

EDITORIALIn this issue, we wish to highlight a contribution by Tannuri et al, who developed an experimental model of hepatectomy (70% removal) and liver regeneration in newborn and weaning rats, in contrast to the usual model using adult animals. Both newborn and weaning rats showed a complete recovery of liver mass within 7 days, but in the newborns this was accompanied by diffuse steatosis. They conclude that suckling and weaning rat models of partial hepatectomy are feasible and can be used for studies of liver regeneration in early life. They show interesting differences between newborn and adult liver regeneration.Clapauch et al report on a simple doppler ultrasound test, to assess acute estradiol vascular effects on healthy and unhealthy postmenopausal women. Carotid vascular resistance (vasoconstriction) increased in unhealthy, while brachial diastolic flow (vasodilation) increased in healthy women with similar estradiol levels. This led authors to conclude that the acute estradiol test, coupled with Doppler ultrasound, seemed able to differentiate, in a simple, non-invasive manner, women with normal and abnormal endothelial function.Vega et al describe the profile of cases of maternal death resulting from disorders in pregnancy of arterial hypertension in the city of São Paulo (1995Paulo ( -1999. They identified 609 cases of obstetric maternal death and conclude that complications of arterial hypertension are responsible for these high rates of pregnancy-related deaths. Quality prenatal care and appropriate monitoring of the hypertensive pregnant patient during and after delivery are stressed as important measures for a better control of this condition and are essential to reduce disorders in pregnancy.Souza et al determined the frequency of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in patients with Behçet's Disease and analyzed whether these antibodies exert any influence on clinical presentation and/or activity of the disease. They conclude that IgG-AECA might be a marker of more severe lesions in patients with Behçet's Disease based on the higher frequency of previous central nervous system manifestations in patients who presently display circulating anti-endothelial cell antibodies.Moreira et al analyzed the performance of Brazilian medical residents and specialist trainees in radiology and diagnostic imaging in the In-Training Examination for Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging applied by the Brazilian College of Radiology. They conclude that residents' performance was better than the trainees' in the majority of the subspecialties, and suggest that the exam provides a system for evaluating future specialists, identify the centers that need to revise the teaching method, as well as search for regional differences in radiological training.Crippa et al describe results of 8 cases of rectourethral fistula treated by York-Mason technique for recto-urethral fistulas and conclude that the performance of routine colostomy and cystostomy is unnecessary because the surgical correction of such fistulae using the t...