Effect of Training Load Intensification on the Sleep Pattern of Young Soccer Players.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine how intensifying training loads over a week affects the sleep patterns of young soccer players on the nights immediately following the intensified training sessions. Methods: Quasi-experimental study. Fifteen young athletes participants of a team engaged in national level competition, underwent two weeks of training with varying load magnitudes-Week 1: low accumulated training load and Week 2: intensified training loads [40% increase in external training load(ETL)]. To characterize the intensification of the workload, the methods PlayerLoad and RPE-Session were employed to measure ETL and internal training load(ITL), respectively. Total sleep time(TST), total time in bed(TTB), sleep efficiency(SE), sleep latency(SL), and wake after sleep onset(WASO) were obtained using actigraphy and daily sleep log. The variables were compared among the days of week (e.g. Monday of week 1 with Monday of week 2, and so forth). Results: Acute training intensification in week 2 led to significant increases in ETL and ITL on Monday and on Wednesday(p < .05), and ETL(p < .05) on Friday on the second week. Improvements in sleep were observed (Tuesday-TST:+80 min, WASO:-29.3 min, SL:-8 min, SE:+9%; Thursday-TST:+86 min, SL:-4 min, SE:+4%; Saturday-TST:+40 min, SL:+1 min) compared to the same day of the previous week. Correlations between ETL and ITL(r = 0.637), ITL and TST(r = 0.572), ITL and SE(r = 0.548) were found. Conclusion: Intensification of training loads results in alterations in sleep variables, notably an elevated TST and SE in the days subsequent to the acute load increment.

Effects of 34 Weeks of Military Service on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Military Cadets of Angola.

Military personnel need physical fitness to effectively carry out operational military activities within their specific field of operation. This research investigates the effects of a 34-week training program on Angolan cadets' body composition, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Seventy-four volunteer recruits, aged 18 to 26 years, were monitored during their eight-month military service, following an exercise program protocol comprising 12 weeks of strength training followed by 24 weeks of endurance training. Anthropometric variables, including body mass, body mass index, and fat mass, were assessed, along with cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), sprint performance, countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw, push-ups, and curl-ups. The physical training protocol encompassed running sessions, strength exercises, agility drills, and flexibility exercises. The initial assessment revealed gender differences in various parameters such as body mass, body fat percentage, VO2max, sprinting, countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw, and push-ups. Following the training program, changes were observed in all variables (effect size between 0.48 and 2.33, p < 0.01) for the participants. Significant interactions (sex × time) were found in body mass (F = 5.18, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.06), body fat percentage (F = 5.31, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.14), and medicine ball throw (F = 10.84, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.13). Specifically, males exhibited a greater reduction in body mass (females: 2.70%, males: 3.47%, p < 0.05) and a substantial improvement in ball throwing performance (females: 7.74%, males: 11.47%, p < 0.01), while females experienced a greater reduction in fat mass (females: 5.34%, males: 3.15%, p < 0.01). The physical training regimen effectively influenced body composition, particularly in enhancing strength performance among males. The integration of exercise programs with military service led to a notable reduction in fat tissue and an increase in lean tissue. Hence, the development of tailored training protocols is imperative to enhance the physical capacity and overall health of military recruits, considering sex-specific characteristics and physical attributes.

Prediction of compost organic matter via color sensor.

Composted materials serve as an effective soil nutrient amendment. Organic matter in compost plays an important role in quantifying composted materials overall quality and nutrient content. Measuring organic matter content traditionally takes considerable time, resources, and various laboratory equipment (e.g., oven, muffle furnace, crucibles, precision balance). Much like the quantitative color indices (e.g., sRGB R, sRGB G, sRGB B, CIEL*a* b*) derived from the low-cost NixPro2 color sensor have proven adept at predicting soil organic matter in-situ, the NixPro2 color sensor has the potential to be effective for predicting organic matter in composted materials without the need for traditional laboratory methods. In this study, a total of 200 compost samples (13 different compost types) were measured for organic matter content via traditional loss-on-ignition (LOI) and via the NixPro2 color sensor. The NixPro2 color sensor showed promising results with an LOI-prediction model utilizing the CIEL*a* b* color model through the application of the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) algorithm yielding an excellent prediction accuracy (validation R2 = 0.87, validation RMSE = 4.66 %). Moreover, the PCA scoreplot differentiated the three lowest organic matter compost types from the remaining 10 compost types. These results have valuable practical significance for the compost industry by predicting compost organic matter in real time without the need for laborious, time-consuming methods.

Navigating the Groove: A Unique Case of Groove Pancreatitis.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is an uncommon form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) that affects the area between the duodenum, the head of the pancreas, and the common bile duct (CBD), which is known as the pancreaticoduodenal groove. Our case is based on a 68-year-old male with a past medical history of alcohol use disorder and a 50-pack-year smoking history who presented with nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showed gastric outlet obstruction due to a 6.0 cm mass in the pancreatic groove and the second portion of the duodenum, with dilation of the pancreatic, intrahepatic, and extrahepatic biliary ducts. In order to rule out malignancy and evaluate the acute symptoms, the patient underwent an open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pathologic findings and negative tumor markers confirmed GP. This case highlights a rare form of CP that symptomatically and radiographically mimics malignancy, but is benign.

Upper and lower limb bone mass accrual in adolescent footballers across a short period of training and competition

Abstract Objectives: To analyze bone mineral content (BMC) and area bone mineral density (aBMD) accrual in adolescent male footballers who started their first football season. Methods: 17 athletes (14.8 ± 0.4 years) were monitored across 15 weeks of football training. Participants were evaluated for somatic maturation (HPHV), BMC, and aBMD at three time points: before (M1) and after (M2) a preparatory phase, and at the end of the competitive phase (M3). BMC and aBMD were measured using DXA scans. Participants were divided into groups according to maturation status (circa-PHV and post-PHV), and the amount of accumulated training load (median split). Results: A significant effect (12.1 g/week, standard error (SE) = 2.6 g/week) was observed for lower limbs BMC across the three time points. There were no significant effects of time for upper limbs BMC. There was a significant effect of time for total body aBMD (0.007, SE = 0.003 g/cm2/week) across the three time points. Adolescents at post-PHV had a significant 245.6 g (SE = 56.1 g) higher BMC compared to adolescents at circa-PHV. No significant effects were observed for the accumulated training load. Conclusion: Systematic football training, even during the growth spurt, has a positive impact on adolescent bone markers despite the accumulated training load and maturation.

Long-Term Refractive Outcomes and Visual Quality of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Implantation in High Myopic Patients: A Multimodal Evaluation.

Purpose: To perform a multimodal assessment of refractive outcomes and quality of vision (QoV) in patients with high myopia submitted to multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: Retrospective study that included consecutive eyes with high myopia (axial length [AL] >26.00mm) submitted to multifocal IOL implantation between January 2014 and February 2020. Minimum follow-up time was 3 years. QoV was evaluated with the Objective Scatter Index (OSI) and the Modular Transfer Function (MTF) by HD Analyzer®. Two QoV questionnaires were applied to patients in which both eyes were included: the McAlinden and the Catquest-9 SF. Results: We included 50 eyes (28 patients). The mean follow-up time was 5.4±1.0 years. Comparing to month 1 after surgery, at the last follow-up visit, there was a decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity (0.14±0.13 vs 0.08±0.09 LogMAR, p=0.024), a negative increase in the spherical equivalent (-0.31±0.60 vs -0.02±0.20, p=0.006) and no changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (p>0.999). An uncorrected near visual acuity of at least J2 was achieved in 89% of eyes one month after surgery and in 91% of eyes at the last follow-up visit (p=0.829). At the last follow-up, the mean OSI was 5.1±1.8 and the mean MTF was 17.5±10.6. Some degree of near vision difficulty was reported by 91% of patients, and 74% of patients reported photic phenomena (halos, glare, starbursts). However, most patients reported that these symptoms caused none to little bothersome. At the last follow-up, 87% of patients were at least fairly satisfied with the surgery. Conclusion: Even after a mean follow-up time of 5 years, patients maintained good uncorrected visual acuity. Even though most patients experienced some degree of near vision difficulty and visual symptoms, globally, our patients were satisfied with their current vision, and the experienced symptoms did not have a significant impact on their daily lives.

Influence of Fractional Inspired Oxygen Tension on Lung Perfusion Distribution, Regional Ventilation, and Lung Volume during Mechanical Ventilation of Supine Healthy Swine.

BACKGROUND: Lower fractional inspired oxygen tension (Fio2) during general anesthesia can reduce lung atelectasis. The objectives are to evaluate the effect of two Fio2 (0.4 and 1) during low positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation over lung perfusion distribution, volume, and regional ventilation. These variables were evaluated at two PEEP levels and unilateral lung atelectasis. METHODS: In this exploratory study, 10 healthy female piglets (32.3 ± 3.4 kg) underwent mechanical ventilation in two atelectasis models: (1) bilateral gravitational atelectasis (n = 6), induced by changes in PEEP and Fio2 in three combinations: high PEEP with low Fio2 (Fio2 = 0.4), zero PEEP (PEEP0) with low Fio2 (Fio2 = 0.4), and PEEP0 with high Fio2 (Fio2 = 1); and (2) unilateral atelectasis (n = 6), induced by left bronchial occlusion, with the left lung aerated (Fio2 = 0.21) and low aerated (Fio2 = 1; n = 5 for this step). Measurements were conducted after 10 min in each step, encompassing assessment of respiratory mechanics, oxygenation, and hemodynamics; lung ventilation and perfusion by electrical impedance tomography; and lung aeration and perfusion by computed tomography. RESULTS: During bilateral gravitational atelectasis, PEEP reduction increased atelectasis in dorsal regions, decreased respiratory compliance, and distributed lung ventilation to ventral regions with a parallel shift of perfusion to the same areas. With PEEP0, there were no differences between low and high Fio2 in respiratory compliance (23.9 ± 6.5 ml/cm H2O vs. 21.9 ± 5.0; P = 0.441), regional ventilation, and regional perfusion, despite higher lung collapse (18.6 ± 7.6% vs. 32.7 ± 14.5%; P = 0.045) with high Fio2. During unilateral lung atelectasis, the deaerated lung had a lower shunt (19.3 ± 3.6% vs. 25.3 ± 5.5%; P = 0.045) and lower computed tomography perfusion to the left lung (8.8 ± 1.8% vs. 23.8 ± 7.1%; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: PEEP0 with low Fio2, compared with high Fio2, did not produce significant changes in respiratory system compliance, regional lung ventilation, and perfusion despite significantly lower lung collapse. After left bronchial occlusion, the shrinkage of the parenchyma with Fio2 = 1 enhanced hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, reducing intrapulmonary shunt and perfusion of the nonventilated areas.

Intraocular lens power calculation: angle κ and ocular biomechanics.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of ocular biomechanics on the prediction error of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. SETTING: Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. METHODS: This study included 67 subjects. Before cataract surgery subjects underwent biometry with IOLMaster 700 and biomechanical analysis with Corvis Scheimpflug technology. The targeted spherical equivalent was calculated with SRK-T and Barrett Universal II. Associations between prediction error (PE), absolute prediction error (AE), and biometric and biomechanical parameters were performed with stepwise multivariate linear correlation analysis. RESULTS: Using the SRKT formula, there was association between PE and Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI, B = -0.531, P = .011) and between AE and the horizontal offset between the center of the pupil and the visual axis (angle κ, B = -0.274, P = .007). Considering the Barret Universal II formula, PE was independently associated with anterior chamber depth ( B = -0.279, P = .021) and CBI ( B = -0.520, P = .013) and AE was associated with angle κ ( B = -0.370, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: A large angle κ may reduce the predictability of IOL power calculation. Ocular biomechanics likely influence the refractive outcomes after IOL implantation. This study showed that eyes with softer corneal biomechanics had more myopic PE. This may relate to anteriorization of the effective lens position. Dynamic measurements may be the way to progress into future formulas.

Predicting post-discharge complications in cardiothoracic surgery: A clinical decision support system to optimize remote patient monitoring resources.

Cardiac surgery patients are highly prone to severe complications post-discharge. Close follow-up through remote patient monitoring can help detect adverse outcomes earlier or prevent them, closing the gap between hospital and home care. However, equipment is limited due to economic and human resource constraints. This issue raises the need for efficient risk estimation to provide clinicians with insights into the potential benefit of remote monitoring for each patient. Standard models, such as the EuroSCORE, predict the mortality risk before the surgery. While these are used and validated in real settings, the models lack information collected during or following the surgery, determinant to predict adverse outcomes occurring further in the future. This paper proposes a Clinical Decision Support System based on Machine Learning to estimate the risk of severe complications within 90 days following cardiothoracic surgery discharge, an innovative objective underexplored in the literature. Health records from a cardiothoracic surgery department regarding 5 045 patients (60.8% male) collected throughout ten years were used to train predictive models. Clinicians' insights contributed to improving data preparation and extending traditional pipeline optimization techniques, addressing medical Artificial Intelligence requirements. Two separate test sets were used to evaluate the generalizability, one derived from a patient-grouped 70/30 split and another including all surgeries from the last available year. The achieved Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve on these test sets was 69.5% and 65.3%, respectively. Also, additional testing was implemented to simulate a real-world use case considering the weekly distribution of remote patient monitoring resources post-discharge. Compared to the random resource allocation, the selection of patients with respect to the outputs of the proposed model was proven beneficial, as it led to a higher number of high-risk patients receiving remote monitoring equipment.

Upper and lower limb bone mass accrual in adolescent footballers across a short period of training and competition.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze bone mineral content (BMC) and area bone mineral density (aBMD) accrual in adolescent male footballers who started their first football season. METHODS: 17 athletes (14.8 ± 0.4 years) were monitored across 15 weeks of football training. Participants were evaluated for somatic maturation (HPHV), BMC, and aBMD at three time points: before (M1) and after (M2) a preparatory phase, and at the end of the competitive phase (M3). BMC and aBMD were measured using DXA scans. Participants were divided into groups according to maturation status (circa-PHV and post-PHV), and the amount of accumulated training load (median split). RESULTS: A significant effect (12.1 g/week, standard error (SE) = 2.6 g/week) was observed for lower limbs BMC across the three time points. There were no significant effects of time for upper limbs BMC. There was a significant effect of time for total body aBMD (0.007, SE = 0.003 g/cm2/week) across the three time points. Adolescents at post-PHV had a significant 245.6 g (SE = 56.1 g) higher BMC compared to adolescents at circa-PHV. No significant effects were observed for the accumulated training load. CONCLUSION: Systematic football training, even during the growth spurt, has a positive impact on adolescent bone markers despite the accumulated training load and maturation.

Nexo causal entre trabalho e saúde/doença e o problema das perícias / Causal nexus between work and health/illness and the issue of expert testimonies

Resumo A esfera das perícias comumente reduz a questão do estabelecimento do nexo de causalidade entre trabalho e saúde/doença apenas ao binômio trabalho/vida pessoal. Partindo dos pressupostos dos campos Saúde do Trabalhador (ST) e Saúde Mental Relacionada ao Trabalho (SMRT), este ensaio visa problematizar o resultado da questão, que reside na existência de dificuldades enfrentadas por trabalhadores na obtenção do nexo causal entre seus agravos/adoecimentos, cuja causalidade mais complexa se explica a partir de várias mediações pouco consideradas nos atos periciais circunscritos apenas às anamneses clínicas de cunho biomédicas pautadas nos pressupostos da Medicina do Trabalho, Higiene e Saúde Ocupacional. As formas de superação à ideia de causa-efeito passam pelo entendimento de que o processo de adoecimento é social e histórico e de que é preciso buscar mediações entre trabalho e adoecimento para elucidar sintomatologias singulares a partir da experiência do desgaste coletivo. Tal averiguação deve, ao mesmo tempo, problematizar os próprios processos de trabalho dos atores sociais envolvidos nas investigações periciais e partir das prioridades definidas pelos próprios trabalhadores que atuam como sujeitos da análise da nocividade do trabalho para a saúde.

Abstract Expert testimonies commonly reduce the establishment of causal links between work and health/illness solely to the dichotomy of work/personal life. Based on the assumptions from the fields of Workers Health and Work-Related Mental Health, this essay problematizes the results of this issue, namely the difficulties faced by workers in establishing the causal link between their ailments/illnesses, whose more complex causality is explained through several mediations that are often overlooked by the limited expert acts restricted only to clinical anamneses based on Occupational Medicine, Hygiene, and Occupational Health. Overcoming the idea of cause and effect involves understanding that the process of falling ill is social and historical, and requires exploring the mediations between work and illness to elucidate singular symptomatology based on the collective wear and tear experience. Such an investigation should simultaneously problematize the very work processes of the social actors involved in the expert investigations, starting from the priorities defined by the workers themselves who act as subjects in the analysis of work-related harm to health.

Avaliação do perfil do egresso e da residência médica em ortopedia e traumatologia do HCFMRP-USP / Evaluation of the graduate profile and of the medical residency in orthopedics and traumatology at HCFMRP-USP

Resumo Introdução: Bons programas de residência médica (PRM) devem investir na estruturação e no desenvolvimento contínuo dos serviços de assistência no contexto da rede de saúde, na organização da estrutura de apoio às atividades didáticas e assistenciais, e na remuneração e capacitação contínua de preceptores e coordenadores. Objetivo: Este estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo buscou caracterizar o perfil dos egressos do Programa de Residência Médica em Ortopedia e Traumatologia (PRMOT) do HCFMRP-USP e coletar dados sobre as características do programa que orientem ações de aperfeiçoamento na metodologia de ensino. Método: Participaram do estudo egressos do PRMOT ou que concluíram os programas de complementação especializada e residência médica em cirurgia da mão entre 1964 e 2020. Resultado: Foi encaminhado um questionário a 302 indivíduos (73,6% do total de egressos), obtendo 214 respostas (70,8% dos indivíduos contatados ou 52,2% do total de egressos). Indivíduos do sexo masculino correspondem a 92,5% dos egressos, e 71,9% residem no estado de São Paulo. As duas subespecialidades mais cursadas foram cirurgia do joelho e da mão. A pós-graduação stricto sensu fez parte da formação acadêmica de 40,6% dos egressos, dos quais 60,7% trabalharam com ensino médico. Dos egressos, 71% atuam na subespecialidade escolhida. Na avaliação do ensino do PRMOT e do grau de satisfação profissional, os aspectos que se destacaram positivamente foram: capacitação para atendimento em níveis terciário e secundário, número de atendimentos, variabilidade dos casos e preparo para o mercado de trabalho. Os aspectos que se destacaram negativamente foram: remuneração mensal, carga horária de aulas teóricas e realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos. Conclusão: O estudo conseguiu traçar o perfil do egresso e determinar os pontos fortes e as oportunidades de melhoria do PRMOT do HCFMRP-USP.

Abstract Introduction: Good Medical Residency Programs (PRM) must invest in the structuring and continuous development of care services in the health network setting; in the organization of the support structure for teaching and care activities and in the remuneration and continuous training of preceptors and coordinators. Objective: This study is an observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive investigation aimed at providing an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of individuals who have successfully completed the medical residency program in Orthopedics and Traumatology (MRPOT) at the Clinic Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. Additionally, the study seeks to gather comprehensive data regarding the features of the educational program in order to offer insights for potential enhancements. The study encompassed a total of 418 participants who completed their training between 1964 and 2020. Methods: This group includes physicians who not only graduated from the MRPOT but also those who completed supplementary specialized programs and medical residencies in hand surgery, all within the same department. Data were systematically collected through an electronic questionnaire. Results: Among the participants, 302 graduates (73.6% of the total cohort) were identified, and responses were obtained from 214 individuals, which corresponds to 70.8% of the reached contacts or 52.2% of the entire graduate pool. The predominant demographic of the sample is male, with 198 respondents (92.5%), most of whom reside in the state of São Paulo (154 individuals, 71.9%). A significant portion of the participants, 184 (86%), pursued further specialized training or embarked on additional medical residencies within the field. The most prevalent subspecialties within this group are Knee Surgery, accounting for 63 individuals (34.2%), and Hand Surgery, comprising 49 individuals (26.6%). Postgraduate education played a role in the academic training of 87 respondents (40.6%). Research activities primarily took place within public universities (81%) and were carried out by 79 graduates (36.9%). A substantial proportion, 130 individuals (60.7%), had prior experience in medical education, either as preceptors or professors for both undergraduate and medical residency levels. The majority of participants, 152 individuals (71%), currently practice within their respective subspecialties. However, a considerable number of graduates also engage in traumatology (34.1%) and general orthopedics (31.8%). The evaluation of the educational framework of the program and the level of professional satisfaction revealed notable aspects that received positive assessments from the respondents. These included the diversity and volume of cases, training tailored for tertiary and secondary care, and preparation for the professional sphere. On the other hand, concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of monthly remuneration, the scarcity of theoretical instruction, and the limited exposure to surgical training. These specific areas garnered lower scores both in the objective metrics and subjective feedback. Conclusion: This study effectively delineated the characteristics of MRPOT graduates and identified the program's key strengths. Simultaneously, it highlights areas that have drawn criticism and warrant attention.

Total Wrist Arthrodesis: A Preoperative Test to Predict Functional Outcomes.

Objective The study aims to demonstrate an evaluation method to predict the functional success of total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) and assist its indication. Methods A prospective study including ten patients submitted to (TWA) posttraumatic arthritis. Exclusion criteria were patients who lost postoperative follow-up or incomplete information in the medical record. The objective functional assessment (handgrip strength, three-point pinch, lateral pinch and pulp-pulp pinch) and the subjective functional assessment (DASH, PRWE, EVA) were evaluated in 3 different periods: (1) Before surgery without articular anesthesia, (2) Before surgery under articular anesthesia and (3) 12 weeks after the surgical procedure. Results There was an increase in handgrip strength in all three pinches measurements after pain relief, both after joint anesthesia and after the consolidation of the arthrodesis (p < 0.05). In the comparisons between the subjective evaluations (DASH, PRWE and VAS), the patients had better scores in the postoperative evaluation after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference when comparing the mean strength values found after anesthesia and after 12 weeks of TWA. Conclusion the outcomes could propose an assessment protocol for patients with indication for TWA, in which patients with good response to intra-articular anesthetic infiltration would benefit from the effects of the surgical procedure.

A globally synthesised and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow.

Species occurrence data are foundational for research, conservation, and science communication, but the limited availability and accessibility of reliable data represents a major obstacle, particularly for insects, which face mounting pressures. We present BeeBDC, a new R package, and a global bee occurrence dataset to address this issue. We combined >18.3 million bee occurrence records from multiple public repositories (GBIF, SCAN, iDigBio, USGS, ALA) and smaller datasets, then standardised, flagged, deduplicated, and cleaned the data using the reproducible BeeBDC R-workflow. Specifically, we harmonised species names (following established global taxonomy), country names, and collection dates and, we added record-level flags for a series of potential quality issues. These data are provided in two formats, "cleaned" and "flagged-but-uncleaned". The BeeBDC package with online documentation provides end users the ability to modify filtering parameters to address their research questions. By publishing reproducible R workflows and globally cleaned datasets, we can increase the accessibility and reliability of downstream analyses. This workflow can be implemented for other taxa to support research and conservation.

Metastatic Melanoma Invading the Minor Duodenal Papilla in a Patient With Pancreas Divisum Causing Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

Metastasis to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract should always be a consideration when melanoma, particularly metastatic disease, is diagnosed. While metastasis to the small intestine is common, given its rich blood supply, metastasis to the pancreatic ducts is extremely rare. In patients with pancreatic divisum, disease spread to the minor papilla can greatly increase the chance of developing pancreatitis due to the potential for increased pancreatic intraductal pressure. We present one unique case of metastatic melanoma to the minor duodenal papilla causing pancreatitis.

Total Wrist Arthrodesis: A Preoperative Test to Predict Functional Outcomes / Artrodese total do punho: Um teste pré-operatório para prever resultados funcionais

Abstract Objective The study aims to demonstrate an evaluation method to predict the functional success of total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) and assist its indication. Methods A prospective study including ten patients submitted to (TWA) posttraumatic arthritis. Exclusion criteria were patients who lost postoperative follow-up or incomplete information in the medical record. The objective functional assessment (handgrip strength, three-point pinch, lateral pinch and pulp-pulp pinch) and the subjective functional assessment (DASH, PRWE, EVA) were evaluated in 3 different periods: (1) Before surgery without articular anesthesia, (2) Before surgery under articular anesthesia and (3) 12 weeks after the surgical procedure. Results There was an increase in handgrip strength in all three pinches measurements after pain relief, both after joint anesthesia and after the consolidation of the arthrodesis (p < 0.05). In the comparisons between the subjective evaluations (DASH, PRWE and VAS), the patients had better scores in the postoperative evaluation after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference when comparing the mean strength values found after anesthesia and after 12 weeks of TWA. Conclusion the outcomes could propose an assessment protocol for patients with indication for TWA, in which patients with good response to intra-articular anesthetic infiltration would benefit from the effects of the surgical procedure.

Resumo Objetivo O estudo tem como objetivo demonstrar um método de avaliação para predizer o sucesso funcional da artrodese total do punho (ATP) e auxiliar na sua indicação. Métodos Um estudo prospectivo incluindo dez pacientes submetidos a ATP por artrite pós-traumática. Os critérios de exclusão foram pacientes que perderam o acompanhamento pós-operatório ou informações incompletas no prontuário. A avaliação funcional objetiva (força de preensão manual, pinça de três pontos, pinça lateral e pinça polpa-a-polpa) e a avaliação funcional subjetiva (DASH, PRWE, EVA) foram avaliadas em 3 momentos diferentes: (1) Antes da cirurgia sem anestesia articular, (2) Antes da cirurgia sob anestesia articular e (3) 12 semanas após o procedimento cirúrgico. Resultados Houve aumento da força de preensão palmar nas três medidas de pinça após o alívio da dor, tanto após a anestesia articular quanto após a consolidação da artrodese (p < 0,05). Nas comparações entre as avaliações subjetivas (DASH, PRWE e VAS), os pacientes tiveram melhores escores na avaliação pós-operatória após 12 semanas (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença estatística ao comparar os valores médios de força encontrados após a anestesia e após 12 semanas de ATP.

Towards direct and eco-friendly analysis of plants using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: A methodological approach.

The assessment of the nutritional status of plants is traditionally performed by wet-digestion methods using oven-dried and ground samples. This process requires sampling, takes time, and it is non-environmentally friendly. Agricultural and environmental science have been greatly benefited by in-field, ecofriendly methods, and real-time element measurements. This work employed the portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) to analyze intact and fresh leaves of crops aiming to assess the effect of water content and leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial) on pXRF results. Also, pXRF data were used to predict the real concentration of macro- and micronutrients. Eight crops (bean, castor plant, coffee, eucalyptus, guava tree, maize, mango, and soybean) with contrasting water contents were used. Intact leaf fragments (∼2 × 2 cm), fresh or oven-dried (60 °C) were obtained to be analyzed via pXRF on both adaxial and abaxial surface. Conventional wet-digestion method was also performed on powdered material to obtain the concentration of macro- and micronutrients via ICP-OES. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA) and random forest (RF) algorithm regression. RF was used to predict the real concentration of macro- and micronutrients based on pXRF measurements obtained directly on intact leaves. Water content had a significant effect on pXRF results. However, a positive correlation between the concentration of macro- and micronutrients obtained via pXRF directly on intact leaves and conventional analysis performed on powdered samples was obtained. PCA analysis allowed a clear differentiation of crops based on elemental composition. The concentrations of macro- and micronutrients were very accurately predicted via RF. Even elements not detected by pXRF (N and B) were satisfactory predicted. From this pilot study, it is possible to concluded that pXRF is feasible for in-field assessment of nutritional status of plants. Further studies are needed to obtain specific and robust calibrations for each crop.