Discursos de médicos de família brasileiros e italianos sobre autonomia na perspectiva bioética

Este artigo analisa discursos de médicos de família brasileiros e italianos sobre o potencial de impulsão à autonomia de sujeitos-usuários competentes cognitivamente nas decisões do cuidado, em ações de atenção primária à saúde, na perspectiva bioética. Pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, realizada em 2007, em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil, e na província de Roma, região Lazio, Itália, com 15 médicos de família brasileiros, 15 médicos de família italianos e um diretor sanitário do Serviço Sanitário Nacional (SSN), Itália. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de coleta entrevistas semiestruturadas e diário de campo. O tratamento e a sistematização do conteúdo das mensagens geraram duas categorias analíticas: "racionalidade biomédica versus racionalidade emancipatória" e "da condição histórica de menoridade ao desejo de ser autônomo". Em ambos os países, depoimentos revelaram: a) fragilidade na materialização da autonomia diante do imperativo biomédico contemporâneo de prevenir riscos probabilísticos; e b) movimentos emancipatórios geradores de estratégias concretas e simbólicas para o enfrentamento da desconstrução da prática médica, historicamente produzida através do lastro obediência. Discursos brasileiros apontaram os protocolos produtivistas, impostos por gestões, como instrumento de preservação de menoridades. Médicos de família italianos sinalizaram um maior reconhecimento de sujeitos-cidadão de direitos na condução do cuidado. A pesquisa revelou a necessidade de a APS brasileira dialogar com teorias das ciências humanas e investir em mecanismos de impulsão ao exercício ético para rever o sentido que vem ocupando a adoção da bipolítica de prevenção ao risco na continência da saúde concreta do tempo presente

Notes on the history of the radiological study of Egyptian mummies : from X-rays to new imaging techniques

A few centuries after the practice of mummification was finally abolished in the seventh century A.D., mummies began to capture the collective imagination, exerting a mysterious fascination that continues to this day. From the beginning, the radiological study of Egyptian mummies permitted the collection not only of medical data but also of anthropological and archaeological evidence. The first radiological study of an Egyptian mummy was performed by Flinders Petrie shortly after the discovery of X-rays in 1895, and since then, radiology has never stopped investigating these special patients. By the end of the 1970s, computed tomography (CT) scanning permitted more in-depth studies to be carried out without requiring the mummies to be removed from their cartonnage. CT images can be used to obtain a three-dimensional reconstruction of the mummy that provides important new information, in part thanks to the virtual endoscopy technique known as "fly through". Moreover, starting from CT data and using sophisticated graphics software, one can reconstruct an image of the face of the mummified individual at the time of his or her death. The history of imaging, from its origins until now, from the simplest to the most sophisticated technique, allows us to appreciate why these studies have been, and still are, fundamental in the study of Egyptian mummies

The history of the hypophysis : the pioneering studies of Edoardo Gemelli

Research into the embryological development of organs has been of relevant interest for contemporary medicine since the 19th century. In particular, some organs, such as the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, were deemed not to have a specific function. They were thus considered as rudimental organs, a mere residue of evolution. Edoardo Gemelli was an Italian doctor and friar, who was among the first to study this topic, under the supervision of Professor Camillo Golgi in Italy from 1903 to 1908. He gave a detailed description of the embryological development of the pituitary gland in mammals, also unveiling the functional role of the gland in water balance and growth. He addressed and tried to correctly embody the relevance of Darwin's theory of evolution, which was spreading following its publication in 1859. His findings, herein reported, are thus of both scientific and anthropological relevance for their contribution to the understanding of the morphofunctional nature of the hypophysis and of the theory of evolution, respectively

Studio radiografico delle mummie antico egiziane dalla prima 'lastra' all'immagine 3D

Si illustra lo studio radiografico delle mummie antico egiziane. Giudicato meritevole di segnalazione e di premio per il contenuto scientifico espresso

Salivary gland stones: US evaluation in shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) in the selection and monitoring of patients with sialolithiasis to be treated with extracorporeal electromagnetic shock wave lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US was performed in 80 symptomatic outpatients who were to undergo shock wave lithotripsy because they were not candidates for endoral extraction of calculi. The location and diameter of stones and the condition of the affected gland and duct were determined. RESULTS: Swollen and sclerotic glands and dilated ducts were the most frequently observed characteristics. After lithotripsy, stone clearance or a residual fragment of less than 2 mm in diameter was seen at US in 37 of 56 patients with submandibular gland calculi and in all 24 patients with parotid gland calculi. Favorable outcome after lithotripsy was associated with smaller (less than 7 mm) stone diameter (P < .001) and, in the case of submandibular gland stones, with intraductal location (P < .05). A return to a normal parenchymal echotexture was seen in all patients in whom the stone was completely eliminated; a limited reduction in swelling was observed in patients with residual fragments. CONCLUSION: US is useful in the selection of candidates for extracorporeal electromagnetic shock wave lithotripsy and in monitoring the progress of treatment

Radiological evaluation of ancient Egyptian mummies in Italian museums

Paleopathology and paleoradiology both provide a wealth of relevant data about the health status of ancient populations and give insights concerning the body conservation techniques adopted (mummification). Many mummified human remains from ancient Egypt are stored in Italy. During the first half of the 19th century, the work of Italian art collectors, antique dealers and merchants but, above all, Consuls, gave rise to a wide collection and import of ancient human remains. These remains enriched private and public collections and, consequently, Italian museums. The majority of the findings, which are the object of our study, comes from the vast collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. The first of these mummies was already in Florence in the XVI century at the "Fonderia" of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and was sent to the Specola in 1775. The important group grew thanks mainly to the collection of Egyptian antiquities belonging to Giuseppe Nizzoli (Chancellor of the Austrian Consulate in Egypt) bought by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Leopoldo II in 1824 and the Jean-François Champollion and Ippolito Rosellini (from Pisa, the father of Italian Egyptology) discoveries and acquisitions in 1828-29 coming from the famous Franco-Tuscan Expedition to Egypt. This was further enriched by the archaeological findings of the two expeditions to Egypt done by Ernesto Schiaparelli (1884-85 and 1892-93), director of the Egyptian Museum of Florence from 1880 to 1894. Since the year 2000 the University of Pisa carried out a project, whose aim was to catalogue and examine these findings from a radiological point of view in order to support the paleopathological evaluation. Thirty-three complete mummies and thirteen body parts were surveyed and then submitted to complete radiological examination. CT was possible in a case, two other mummies were investigated through endoscopy and in one case histology was also carried out. Sex and age at death were determined for each specimen; embalming techniques, pathological conditions and post-mortem events were observed. X-rays also provide interesting egyptological data and paleopathological information. Following the example of studies performed on collections of Egyptian mummies in other countries, this work tries to reduce many gaps in the knowledge of Egyptian mummified human material preserved in Italy