This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine alone and 0.12% chlorhexidine in combination with toothbrushing to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. The Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Scopus, LIVIVO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OpenThesis, and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations databases were used. Only randomized controlled trials without restrictions on the year or language of publication were included. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias […]

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has catastrophically threatened public health worldwide and presented great challenges for clinicians. To date, no specific drugs are available against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising cell therapy owing to their potent modulatory effects on reducing and healing inflammation-induced lung and other tissue injuries. The present pilot study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and safety of MSCs isolated from healthy cord tissues in the […]

Among the multiple uncertainties surrounding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, a research letter published in The Lancet implicated drugs that antagonize the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in an unfavorable prognosis of COVID-19. This report prompted investigations to identify mechanisms by which blocking angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) could lead to serious consequences in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The possible association between RAAS inhibitors use and unfavorable prognosis in this disease may have been biased by the presence of […]

OBJECTIVES: With the declining numbers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, social distancing measures have gradually been lifted. However, the risk of a surge in the number of cases cannot be overlooked. Even with the adoption of nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as restrictions on mass gatherings, wearing of masks, and complete or partial closure of schools, other public health measures may help control the epidemic. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the contact […]

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the vocal self-perception of Brazilian teachers and their communication needs, vocal signs and symptoms, and voice-related lifestyles during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and, based on this information, to develop guidance materials intended for dissemination to these teachers and the general community. METHODS: An online questionnaire designed for this survey was distributed via the researchers’ networks and was available for completion by any teacher, except those who were not working at the time. There were […]

INTRODUCTION The Sars-CoV-2 pandemic which has plagued the planet and in particular, Brazil, has killed more than 200,000 people so far. It has placed the discussion about some procedures to be adopted on the agenda, such as those for when a patient is approaching the end of their life, bedridden in an ICU bed, isolated in an infirmary, and is on their deathbed but remains alive with their anxieties, uncertainties, and feelings of abandonment. During the first week of January […]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the two tomographic classifications for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CORADS) and Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Statement on Reporting Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Findings Related to COVID-19 (RSNA), in the Brazilian population and to assess the agreement between reviewers with different experience levels. METHODS: Chest CT images of patients with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-positive COVID-19 were categorized according to the CORADS and RSNA classifications by radiologists with […]

OBJECTIVES: Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), all health services worldwide underwent profound changes, leading to the suspension of many elective surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of elective colorectal surgery during the pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study. Patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic between March 10 and September 9, 2020, were included. Patient data on sex, age, diagnosis, types of procedures, hospital stay, mortality, and […]

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) showed increased morbidity and mortality rates and worse prognosis in individuals with underlying chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. There is also evidence of possible links among COVID-19, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Emerging evidence suggests a pro-inflammatory milieu and hypercoagulable state in patients with this infection. Despite anticoagulation, a large proportion of patients requiring intensive care may develop life-threatening thrombotic complications. Indeed, the levels of some […]

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to social distancing and isolation measures worldwide (,). Quarantine began on July 20, 2020 in São Paulo State, Brazil (). Institutional guidelines of the Hospital das Clínicas of FMUSP (HCFMUSP) released on March 18, 2020 recommended postponing medical and multidisciplinary appointments, outpatient procedures, and elective surgeries. As a result, the regular follow-up of a considerably large group of adolescents living with pre-existing chronic conditions was provisionally scheduled at longer intervals or even paused. […]

To the Editor, There is sufficient evidence to confirm that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a proinflammatory and prothrombogenic virus with a highly mutagenic profile. SARS-CoV-2 can produce active infection of variable duration in various organs and systems (lung, digestive system, central nervous system, skin) (), although the pathophysiological mechanism by which disseminated microthrombosis occurs is unclear. […]

OBJECTIVES: Strategic planning for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) care has dominated the agenda of medical services, which have been further restricted by the need for minimizing viral transmission. Risk is particularly relevant in relation to endoscopy procedures. This study aimed to describe a contingency plan for a tertiary academic cancer center, define a strategy to prioritize and postpone examinations, and evaluate the infection rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the endoscopy unit of the Cancer Institute of the State of São […]

COVID-19 and tourism activity: protocols for domestic reopening According to UNWTO data (), the pandemic led to a reduction of approximately 57% in international arrivals in March and a consequent total halt in the following two months, with a reduction of 850 million to 1.1 billion international travels. It may represent a loss of $ 910 billion to US $ 1.2 trillion in export revenues in addition to the closure of direct tourism jobs with a dismissal of 100 to […]

TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED AT THE HOSPITAL Among their various statements, the WHO1 proposed the adoption of certain preventive measures against the virus, such as social distancing and staying at home (shelter-in-place). Consequently, traditional medical consultations were deemed risk factors. Technological resources that allowed for remote medical practice were used to solve this problem. Keesara et al. () commented that digital technologies have existed for decades, but that they did not exhibit extensive infiltration in the market due to heavy regulations, high […]

BACKGROUND Since December 2019, with the first descriptions of cases of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus in Wuhan, China, the virus causing this infection has spread globally (). One of the main characteristics of this new virus is its high transmissibility (). Since February 2020, when the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case was reported in Brazil, a series of changes have been incorporated for the treatment of cancer patients with COVID-19. In particular, for patients with esophageal cancer, […]