The growth of the urban population raises concern about municipal public managers in the sense of providing emergency medical services (EMS) that are aligned with the needs of prehospital emergency medical care demanded by the population. The literature review aims at presenting the response time of emergency medical services in several parts of the world and discussing some factors that interfere in the result of this indicator such as GDP (Gross Domestic Product) percentage spent on health and life expectancy of countries. The study will also show that in some of the consulted articles, authors suggest to EMS recommendations for decreasing the response time using simulations, heuristics and metaheuristics. Response time is a basic indicator of emergency medical services, in such a way that researchers use the descriptive statistics to evaluate this parameter. Europe and the USA outstand in the publication of studies that present this information. Some articles use stochastic and mathematical methods to suggest models that simulate scenarios of response time reduction and suggest such proposals to the local EMS. Countries in which the response time was identified have a high index of human development and life expectancy between 74.7 and 83.7 years.

Objective: This prospective study aimed at investigating predictive factors for compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Methods: From 2000 to 2002, 80 patients (53 females and 27 males) underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy to treat hyperhidrosis. Patient ages ranged from 12 to 56 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 42.51 ± 5.98 months. Patient satisfaction with the results was evaluated through the use of a rating scale. The procedure was performed bilaterally: at the T2 level for facial hyperhidrosis; at the T3-T4 level for axillary hyperhidrosis; and at the T3 level for palmar hyperhidrosis. Results: Post-operatively, 68 patients (85.0%) presented compensatory sweating, which was classified as mild in 23 (33.8%), moderate in 23 (33.8%) and severe in 22 (32.4%). Considering the final surgical results, 70 patients (87.5%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation, whereas 10 patients (12.5%) were dissatisfied. The level of patient satisfaction varied according to gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and extent of denervation. The compensatory sweating was more severe on the abdomen and back than on the legs. Conclusions: Although compensatory sweating, which is a common adverse effect of sympathectomy, occurred in the majority of cases, the level of patient satisfaction was high. The best candidates for thoracoscopic sympathectomy are young adult women with a BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m 2 .Keywords: Sympathectomy; Hyperhidrosis; Thoracoscopy; Postoperative complications; Thoracic surgery, video-assisted. ResumoObjetivo: Este estudo prospectivo visou investigar fatores preditivos para a hiperidrose compensatória após a simpatectomia toracoscópica. Métodos: De 2000 a 2002, 80 pacientes (53 mulheres e 27 homens), com idade entre 12 e 56 anos, foram submetidos à simpatectomia toracoscópica para o tratamento de hiperidrose e acompanhados em média por 42,51 ± 5,98 meses. A satisfação destes pacientes quanto aos resultados do procedimento foi aferida por meio de uma escala de avaliação. O procedimento foi executado bilateralmente: no nível de T2 para a hiperidrose facial; de T3 e T4 para a hiperidrose axilar; e de T3 para a hiperidrose palmar. Resultados: No período pós-operatório, 68 pacientes (85,0%) apresentaram hiperidrose compensatória, que foi classificada como leve em 23 (33,85%), moderada em 23 (33,8%) e grave em 22 (32,4%). Quanto aos resultados da cirurgia, na avaliação dos pacientes, 70 deles (87,5%) se consideraram satisfeitos, enquanto 10 pacientes (12,5%) disseram estar insatisfeitos. O grau de satisfação do paciente variou de acordo com o sexo, a idade, o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) e a extensão da operação. A hiperidrose compensatória foi mais intensa no abdome e dorso do que nas pernas. Conclusões: Embora a hiperidrose compensatória seja um efeito adverso frequente após a simpatectomia, o grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi elevado. Os melhores candidatos para simpatectomia toracoscópica são mulheres adultas jovens com IMC ≤ 24,9 kg/m 2 .

Oral mucositis (OM) is an important side effect of cancer treatment, characterized by ulcerative lesions in the mucosa of patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy, which has marked effects on patient quality of life and cancer therapy continuity. Considering that few protocols have demonstrated efficacy in preventing this side effect, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on OM induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in hamsters by studying signaling pathways. OM was induced in hamsters by 5-FU followed by mechanical trauma (MT) on day 4. On day 10, the animals were euthanized. The experimental groups included saline, MT, 5-FU, and DEX (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg). Macroscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses as well as immunofluorescence experiments were performed on the oral mucosa of the animals. The oral mucosal samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). DEX (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) reduced inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa of hamsters. In addition, DEX (1 mg/kg) reduced the cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). DEX (1 mg/kg) also reduced the immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, MIF, Smad 2/3, Smad 2/3 phosphorylated and NFκB p65 in the jugal mucosa. Finally, DEX (1 mg/kg) increased interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK-M), glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MKP1) gene expression and reduced NFκB p65 and serine threonine kinase (AKt) gene expression, relative to the 5-FU group. Thus, DEX improved OM induced by 5-FU in hamsters.

In addition to its antiinflammatory properties, the protective effects of simvastatin in infected open skin wounds is able to reduce infection and probably has antibacterial action. The potential to treat these wounds with statins to ameliorate inflammation and infection is promising.

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