Measurement properties of the incremental step test for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The new incremental step test (IST) is a field test that was developed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on the characteristics of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT); however, its measurement properties still need to be determined. We aimed, first, to assess the construct validity (through the comparison with the ISWT), within-day reliability and measurement error of the IST in people with COPD; and, second, to identify whether the participants have a learning effect in the IST. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, conducted according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments guidelines. SETTING: A family health unit in Portugal, April 2022 to June 2023. PARTICIPANTS AND ANALYSIS: 63 participants (67.5±10.5 years) attended two sessions to perform two IST and two ISWT, separately. Spearman's correlations were used to compare the best performances between the IST and the ISWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was used for reliability, and the SE of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% CI (MDC95) and Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used for measurement error. The learning effect was explored with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The IST was significant and strongly correlated with the ISWT (0.72<ρ<0.74, p<0.001), presented an ICC2,1 of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.97), SEM=11.7 (18.9%), MDC95=32.4 (52.2%) and the LoA were -33.61 to 31.48 for the number of steps. No difference was observed between the number of steps of the two attempts of the IST (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The IST can be suggested as a valid and reliable test to assess exercise capacity in people with COPD, with no learning effect when two IST are performed on the same day. The measurement error of the IST is considered indeterminate. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04715659.

Long-Term Electrode-Skin Impedance Variation for Electromyographic Measurements.

This study aims to observe the evolution of the electrode-skin interface impedance of surface EMG electrodes over the time taken to determine the time of stabilization. Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. Electrode-skin impedance was evaluated in the rectus abdominal muscle every five minutes, over a total period of 50 min. A reduction of 13.23% in the impedance values was observed in minute 10 (p = 0.007), and a reduction of 9.02% was observed in minute 15 (p = 0.029). No statistically significant differences were observed in the other instants evaluated. The findings obtained in the present study demonstrate a decrease in electrode-skin impedance from minute 5 to minute 15, followed by a stabilization period with a low percentage of variation till minute 50.

Laboratory Studies about Microplastic Aging and Its Effects on the Adsorption of Chlorpyrifos.

The constant change in microplastics (MP) due to exposure to environmental conditions leads to physical and chemical changes that enhance their ability to transport other pollutants, increasing the concern about their widespread presence in the environment. This work aimed to simulate the aging process of six MP (polyamide 6, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate, polypropylene) in freshwater and seawater ecosystems at laboratory scale and evaluate its effects through optical microscope observation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Through a combined experimental study of aged MP, the degradation by UV interaction was evidenced by the appearance of new infrared bands in the FTIR spectra assigned to ketones and hydroxyl groups. While Raman analysis and microscope images reveal the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and roughness in the MP surfaces. Variations in the temperature of the maximum weight loss of the MP were observed in the TGA analysis. The adsorption of chlorpyrifos (CPF), a common pesticide widely used in agriculture, by the pristine and aged MP was also studied. The highest affinity for CPF was observed for pristine LDPE and the lowest for PP. The batch adsorption studies revealed an increase in adsorption capacity as a consequence of the aging process for both MP. These results proved that the weathering effects caused changes in the behavior of MP, namely in the interaction with other pollutants.

Effects of Abdominal Microcurrent in the Consumption and Proportion of Energy Substrates during Aerobic Exercise: A Pilot Study.

Microcurrent therapy can increase lipolytic activity. However, it is unknown if the increased availability of lipids can influence the selection of energy substrates during a single session of aerobic exercise. We aimed to analyze the effect of microcurrent application to the abdominal region in the consumption of lipids and carbohydrates, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during a single session of moderate aerobic exercise in young adults. A pilot study was conducted in which participants were allocated to intervention (IG) or placebo (PG) groups. In both groups, 40 min of microcurrent application with two frequencies (25 and 10 Hz) followed by 50 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (45−55% of heart rate reserve) on a cycloergometer were performed. The microcurrent application was performed without intensity in the PG. A portable gas analyzer (K4b2) was used during exercise in both groups. Thirty-eight participants (20.6 ± 1.8 years; 18 in IG and 20 in PG) were enrolled. There were no significant differences in the consumption of substrates or RER between the groups during exercise (p > 0.05). Microcurrent application seems to be insufficient to influence the consumption of energy substrates and RER during a single session of aerobic exercise in young adults.

The magnetic structure of DyFeO3revisited: Fe spin reorientation and Dy incommensurate magnetic order.

High resolution and high intensity neutron powder diffraction is used to study the ground state magnetic order and the spin reorientation transition in the orthoferrite DyFeO3. The transition from the high temperaturek= 0 Γ4(GxAyFz) to the low temperature Γ1(AxGyCz) type order of the Fe-sublattice is found atTSR= 73 K and does not show any thermal hysteresis. BelowTN2= 4 K the Dy-sublattice orders in an incommensurate magnetic structure withk= [0, 0, 0.028] while the Fe-sublattice keeps its commensurate Γ1type order. DyFeO3is the first orthoferriteRFeO3to possess an incommensurate magnetic order of the rare earth sublattice under zero field conditions; an important piece of information neglected in the recent discussion of its multiferroic properties.

Validity and reliability of a new incremental step test for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Incremental step tests (IST) can be used to assess exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The development of a new step test based on the characteristics of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is an important study to explore. We aimed to develop a new IST based on the ISWT in people with COPD, and assess its validity (construct validity) and reliability, according to Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in participants recruited from hospitals/clinics. During the recruitment, the participants who presented a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) report in the previous month were also identified and the respective data was collected. Subsequently, participants attended two sessions at their homes. IST was conducted on the first visit, along with the 1 min sit-to-stand (1MSTS) test. IST was repeated on a second visit, performed 5-7 days after the first one. Spearman's correlations were used for construct validity, by comparing the IST with the 6MWT and the 1MSTS. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), SE of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change at 95% CI (MDC95) were used for reliability. The learning effect was explored with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: 50 participants (70.8±7.5 years) were enrolled. IST was significant and moderate correlated with the 6MWT (ρ=0.50, p=0.020), and with the 1MSTS (ρ=0.46, p=0.001). IST presented an ICC2,1=0.96, SEM=10.1 (16.6%) and MDC95=27.9 (45.8%) for the number of steps. There was a statistically significant difference between the two attempts of the IST (p=0.030). CONCLUSION: Despite the significant and moderate correlations with the 6MWT and 1MSTS, the inability to full compliance with the COSMIN recommendations does not yet allow the IST to be considered valid in people with COPD. On the other hand, the IST is a reliable test based on its high ICC, but a learning effect and an 'indeterminate' measurement error were shown. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04715659.

Reference Equation of a New Incremental Step Test to Assess Exercise Capacity in the Portuguese Adult Population.

Step tests are important in community- and home-based rehabilitation programs to assess patients' exercise capacity. A new incremental step test was developed for this purpose, but its clinical interpretability is currently limited. This study aimed to establish a reference equation for this new incremental step test (IST) for the Portuguese adult population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on people without disabilities. Sociodemographic (age and sex), anthropometric (weight, height, and body mass index), smoking status, and physical activity (using the brief physical activity assessment tool) data were collected. Participants performed two repetitions of the IST and the best test was used to establish the reference equation with a forward stepwise multiple regression. An analysis comparing the results from the reference equation with the actual values was conducted with the Wilcoxon test. A total of 155 adult volunteers were recruited (60.6% female, 47.8 ± 19.7 years), and the reference equation was as follows: steps in IST = 475.52 - (4.68 × age years) + (30.5 × sex), where male = 1 and female = 0, and r2 = 60%. No significant differences were observed between the values performed and those obtained by the equation (p = 0.984). The established equation demonstrated that age and sex were the determinant variables for the variability of the results.

Environmental diagnosis with Raman Spectroscopy applied to diatoms.

Freshwater quality has been changing due to the ever greater use of water resources and the contamination load resulting from human activities. Management of these systems, thus, requires constant diagnose of water quality with fast and efficient methodologies. The conventional methods adopted are, however, time-consuming, often very expensive, and require specialised expertise. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a simple, fast and label-free technique that can be applied to environmental diagnosis using diatoms. Here, we developed a diagnostic method based on Raman spectroscopy applied to freshwater diatoms. For this, Raman spectra were recorded from diatoms of three lakes of a natural city park. The data acquired was analysed by chemometrics methods to describe the data (Partial Least Squares Regression), infer relationships in the dataset (Cluster Analysis) and produce classification models (Artificial Neural Network). The classification models developed diagnosed the lakes with excellent accuracy (89%) without requiring taxonomic information about the diatom species recorded. This study provides a proof-of-concept for the application of diatom Raman spectroscopy to diagnosing water quality, laying an important foundation for future environmental studies aiming at assessing freshwater systems, to be replicated at larger scales and to varied geographic settings.

Enhance Access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation with a Structured and Personalized Home-Based Program-reabilitAR: Protocol for Real-World Setting.

Home-based models represent one of the solutions to respond to the poor accessibility of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services in patients with chronic respiratory disease (CRD). The main goal of this protocol is to present the implementation of the first nationwide home-based PR program-reabilitAR-in Portugal and the strategies to assess its benefits in patients with CRD. The program consists of 2 phases: a 12-week intensive phase and a 40-week maintenance phase (total: 52 weeks, 1 year). The intervention in both phases is composed of presential home visits and phone-call follow ups, including exercise training and the self-management educational program Living Well with COPD. Dyspnea, impact of the disease, emotional status, and level of dyspnea during activities of daily living are used as patient-reported outcomes measures. A one-minute sit-to-stand test is used as a functional outcome, and the number of steps as a measure of physical activity. To ensure safety, fall risk and the cognitive function are assessed. Data are collected at baseline, at 12 weeks, at 26 weeks and at 52 weeks. This is the first nationwide protocol on enhancing access to PR, providing appropriate responses to CRD patients' needs through a structured and personalized home-based program in Portugal.

Effects of a Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in GOLD B Group: A Pilot Study.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) B group can be included in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) settings outside the hospitals. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) program and assess its impact on patients with COPD in the GOLD B group. A real-world, pre-post intervention study was conducted with 12 weeks of HBPR (presential home visits and phone calls) using the self-management program Living Well with COPD. The 1-min sit-to-stand test (1MSTS), modified Medical Research Council Questionnaire (mMRC), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) were used to assess the impact. Pre-post differences and correlations between changes in outcomes were calculated. In 30 patients (71.6 years, FEV1 (%) 52.8), significant improvements (p < 0.05) were observed on 1MSTS (Pre 17.2, Post 21.2), mMRC (Pre 2.0, Post 1.0), CAT (Pre 16.3, Post 9.9), HADS (Pre 14.4, Post 9.6), and LCADL (Pre 21.0, Post 15.8), with no adverse events reported. When significant, correlations between changes in outcomes were moderate or strong (0.48 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.66). HBPR can be feasible and safe, and it shows the potential to significantly improve outcomes of patients with COPD in the GOLD B group.

Adapted Chester Step Test Can Have Maximal Response Characteristics for the Assessment of Exercise Capacity in Young Women.

Chester step test (CST) estimates the exercise capacity through a submaximal response, which can limit its application in the prescription of exercise. This study aimed to assess whether an adaptation of the CST (with a progressive profile) can have maximal response characteristics in young women and compare it to the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). Another aim was to determine its within-day test-retest reliability. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 25 women (20.3 ± 1.5 years) who performed the field tests twice on two different days (48 h apart). The maximal effort attainment was assessed by the heart rate (HR), perception of exertion (Borg scale), and blood lactate concentration. For the performance variables, Pearson's correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) were used. In the best test, mean values of maximal response were observed in the adapted CST (94.0 ± 6.5% of age-predicted HRmax, 11.3 ± 4.5 mmol/dl of blood lactate, and 18.4 ± 1.5 of Borg rating). The correlations between the adapted CST and the ISWT were weak to moderate (0.38 ≤ r ≤ 0.55; p < 0.05). Fair to good reliability was found for the adapted CST (ICC2,1 = 0.48-0.61). The adapted CST showed mean values of maximal response, weak to moderate association with the ISWT, and low within-day test-retest reliability in young women.

Raman spectroscopy applied to diatoms (microalgae, Bacillariophyta): Prospective use in the environmental diagnosis of freshwater ecosystems.

Diatom species are good pollution bioindicators due to their large distribution, fast response to changes in environmental parameters and different tolerance ranges. These organisms are used in ecological water assessment all over the world using autoecological indices. Such assessments commonly rely on the taxonomic identification of diatom species-specific shape and frustule ornaments, from which cell counts, species richness and diversity indices can be estimated. Taxonomic identification is, however, time-consuming and requires years of expertise. Additionally, though the diatom autoecological indices are region-specific, they are often applied indiscriminately across regions. Raman spectroscopy is a simpler, fast and label-free technique that can be applied to environmental diagnosis with diatoms. However, this approach has been poorly explored. This work reviews Raman spectroscopy studies involving the structure, location and conformation of diatom cell components and their variation under different conditions. A critical appreciation of the pros and cons of its application to environmental diagnosis is also given. This knowledge provides a strong foundation for the development of environmental protocols using Raman spectroscopy in diatoms. Our work aims at stimulating further research on the application of Raman spectroscopy as a tool to assess physiological changes and water quality under a changing climate.

Effect of shock wave therapy associated with aerobic exercise on cellulite: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cellulite is a multifactor and controversial condition. Several methods have been explored to reduce it, not always with favorable results. Shock Wave Therapy has been shown to be effective, but the results of its association with an Aerobic Exercise Program are unknown. AIMS: To verify whether Shock Wave Therapy in association with an Aerobic Exercise Program reduces the degree of severity of Cellulite in the gluteal region and in the ⅓ of the proximal posterior of the thigh. METHODS: Forty-five healthy women, aged from 18 to 32, randomly assigned, considering the severity degree in the Cellulite Severity Scale and the level of physical activity, in three groups: two experimental and one control group. The control group performed the evaluations. The experimental group 1 performed an Aerobic Exercise Program, and the experimental group 2 associated this program with a Radial Shock Wave Therapy protocol. The experimental groups completed six interventions within 3 weeks. In addition, the degree of severity in the Cellulite Severity Scale, height, body composition, skin temperature, and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness were assessed. One-way ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis were used to obtain the results, with level of significance of 0.05. RESULTS: Forty-two women completed the study. There was a significant reduction in the severity of Cellulite between experimental group 2 and group 1 (P = 0.032), and from group 2 to the control group (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The association of Shock Wave Therapy and Aerobic Exercise was shown to be effective in reducing the severity of cellulite.

Effect of one session of aerobic exercise associated with abdominal laser therapy in lipolytic activity, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: Increased abdominal fat and sedentary lifestyles contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. The combination of exercise and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) appears to be an innovative method to increase the lipolytic rate of abdominal adipocytes, in order to reduce abdominal fat. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of one session of aerobic exercise associated with abdominal laser therapy in lipolytic activity, profile lipid, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein-CRP). METHODS: Experimental randomized controlled study in 36 participants of female sex divided into three groups: placebo group (PG) (n = 12), experimental group 1 (EG1) (n = 11), and experimental group 2 (EG2) (n = 13). The EG1 and EG2 performed the laser therapy protocol followed by 50 minutes of aerobic exercise on cycle ergometer, of 45%-55% of reserve heart rate; however, in EG2 the laser therapy was applied without power. The PG only performed the laser therapy protocol without power. The anthropometric measures were evaluated, and all participants were subject to blood samples at the beginning and at the end of the intervention for measure glycerol, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL), and CRP. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the groups in the quantitative variables and Fisher's test to compare the groups in the qualitative variables. To compare the variables between moments (M0 and M1), we used the t test for paired samples. RESULTS: In the group that performed physical exercise and lipolytic laser and in the group that performs only physical exercise, there was a significant increase in glycerol mobilization between M0 and M1 (P < .001). The same did not occur in the placebo group. Regarding the CRP levels and lipidic profile, no significant differences were observed between moments in the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that one session of aerobic exercise associated with LLLT and one session of aerobic exercise appears to be able to increase the lipolytic activity. However, it appears that LLLT does not provide increased value to the aerobic physical exercise by itself in lipolysis process.

Measurement properties of step tests for exercise capacity in COPD: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of evidence of the measurement properties (validity, reliability, and responsiveness) and interpretability of the step tests available for assessing the exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DATA SOURCES: The data sources Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, PEDro, CENTRAL of Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched up to June 26, 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Studies of any design that reported results for any measurement property of the step tests for assessing the exercise capacity in COPD patients were selected. One reviewer extracted the data, and two reviewers independently rated the level of evidence by using the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurements Instruments recommendations. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies were included in the data synthesis. Chester Step Test, Modified Incremental Step Test, two-, three-, four-, and six-Minute Step Test, Paced Step Test, and six-Minute Stepper Test were identified. A step test protocol was also found. The level of evidence of their results for the measurement properties was mostly determined as "low" to "very low." The best level of evidence found was for the six-minute stepper test: "high" on construct validity (r = 0.56-0.71); and "moderate" on criterion validity (r = 0.36-0.69), and responsiveness (r = 0.26-0.34). CONCLUSION: The general level of evidence of the measurement properties of the step tests is "low" to "very low" for assessing exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can limit their application in clinical practice. The six-minute Stepper Test is currently the most appropriate step test available.

Discrimination of Benign and Malignant Lesions in Canine Mammary Tissue Samples Using Raman Spectroscopy: A Pilot Study.

Breast cancer is a health problem that affects individual life quality and the family system. It is the most frequent type of cancer in women, but men are also affected. As an integrative approach, comparative oncology offers an opportunity to learn more about natural cancers in different species. Methods based on Raman spectroscopy have shown significant potential in the study of the human breast through the fingerprinting of biological tissue, which provides valuable information that can be used to identify, characterize and discriminate structures in breast tissue, in both healthy and carcinogenic environments. One of the most important applications of Raman spectroscopy in medical diagnosis is the characterization of microcalcifications, which are highly important diagnostic indicators of breast tissue diseases. Raman spectroscopy has been used to analyze the chemical composition of microcalcifications. These occur in benign and malignant lesions in the human breast, and Raman helps to discriminate microcalcifications as type I and type II according to their composition. This paper demonstrates the recent progress in understanding how this vibrational technique can discriminate through the fingerprint regions of lesions in unstained histology sections from canine mammary glands.

Effect of an aerobic exercise session combined with abdominal radiofrequency on lipolytic activity in women: Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal adiposity is a cardiovascular risk factor; it is assumed that the combination of radiofrequency and physical exercise may decrease this excess of adipose tissue. PURPOSE: To understand whether an aerobic physical exercise session associated with abdominal radiofrequency increases the level of lipolytic activity. METHODOLOGY: The study analyzes the effect of a combined aerobic exercise session with radiofrequency. Participants were 30 healthy female volunteers, aged 18-28 years, randomly assigned to an experimental group and placebo group. They were characterized by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The groups performed an abdominal radiofrequency session followed by moderate aerobic exercise, assessing glycerol concentration and lipid profile values before and after the intervention. In the experimental group, a percentage of potency was used that allowed to maintain the temperature between 40º C and 42º C to the epidermis. In the placebo group, the power of the radiofrequency was 0 Watt. To compare results, Student's t test was used for a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in glycerol concentrations between groups (P > 0.05). There were no changes in the lipid profile of both groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The association of exercise with radiofrequency did not present an increased effect on lipolytic activity when compared to the isolated exercise. The application of this technique is a safe intervention.

Effect of four sessions of aerobic exercise with abdominal radiofrequency in adipose tissue in healthy women: Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal adiposity is a cardiovascular risk factor; it is assumed that the combination of radiofrequency and physical exercise may decrease this excess of adipose tissue. PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of four intervention sessions on abdominal adipose tissue. METHODOLOGY: The study analyzes the effect of four sessions of aerobic exercise combined with radiofrequency. Participants were 28 healthy female volunteers, aged 18-28 years, randomly assigned to an experimental group and a placebo group. They were characterized by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The groups performed four sessions of abdominal radiofrequency followed by moderate aerobic exercise, assessing body mass, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, waist/height ratio, subcutaneous adipose thickness, and horizontal abdominal adipose fold at the first and fourth sessions. In the experimental group, a percentage of potency was used that allowed to maintain the temperature between 40°C and 42°C to the epidermis. In the placebo group, the power of the radiofrequency was 0 W. To compare results, Student's t test was used for a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in waist circumference, abdominal subcutaneous adipose thickness, and horizontal abdominal fold in the experimental group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined exercise intervention with radiofrequency has been shown to be effective in reducing abdominal adiposity.

Conhecimentos e comportamentos dos agricultores do concelho de Macedo de Cavaleiros sobre os pesticidas / Knowledge and behaviour of farmers in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros about pesticides

A utilização dos pesticidas agrícolas veio alterar profunda e rapidamente os métodos de trabalho, conduzindo ao aumento das produções. Todavia, tais fatores são, em si mesmos, potencialmente mais perigosos para a segurança e saúde dos agricultores e a sua rápida introdução no meio rural não tem sido suficientemente acompanhada por um conhecimento dos riscos associados à sua utilização. Estas características, determinam a necessidade de se motivarem os principais atores, os aplicadores de pesticidas, para a prevenção dos riscos e, também, para a necessidade de se identificarem para esta prevenção, técnicas adequadas à especificidade das tarefas (ACT, 2014). O nosso principal interesse foi avaliar o conhecimento e o comportamento dos agricultores do concelho de Macedo de Cavaleiros sobre os pesticidas. O estudo envolveu 398 residentes, com idade ≥ 18 anos, de ambos os sexos, com atividade agrícola formal e informal, no concelho de Macedo de Cavaleiros. Trata-se de um estudo observacional descritivo-correlacional, de corte transversal. A abordagem metodológica utilizada é eminentemente quantitativa, através de amostragem do tipo não probabilística, por conveniência. Para a recolha de dados foi desenvolvido e aplicado um formulário estruturado com respostas fechadas e abertas. Verificamos que, de uma forma geral, os agricultores mais jovens são quem se perfila com graus de reconhecimento significativamente superiores em relação às vias de exposição aos pesticidas e relacionam mais as doenças neurológicas ao uso de pesticidas (p<0,05). O agricultores com maior grau de escolaridade reconhecem melhor sintomas como, náuseas, tonturas e cefaleia, (p<0,05), doenças hepáticas, doenças neurológicas, desregulações hormonais associadas ao uso de pesticidas (p<0,001), reconhecem as vias de exposição aos pesticidas, com significancia estatística para o reconhecimento da via dérmica, seguem melhor as instruções dos rótulos aquando da preparação das caldas e com maior precaução, utilizam mais os equipamentos de proteção, apresentam maior preocupação face à eliminação dos pesticidas vazios. Face ao comportamento ambiental têm uma propensão muito menor em despejar as águas da lavagem dos equipamentos e outros recipientes utilizados em esgotos, fossas ou na proximidade de nascentes de água. Os agricultores com formação específica têm uma propensão muito menor em despejar as águas da lavagem dos equipamentos e outros recipientes utilizados em esgotos, fossas ou na proximidade de nascentes de água e não tem tanto o costume de queimar, enterrar ou deitar no caixote do lixo. Não foi encontrado significado estatístico entre a sociodemografia e a formação especifica do agricultor e o reaproveitamento dos recipientes vazios para outros fins. O mesmo acontece para os agricultores cuja atividade profissional principal não é a agricultura e para os que têm formação específica no manejo de pesticidas. Os agricultores estão informados que os pesticidas fazem mal à saúde e ao ambiente. Não obstante, cometem inconformidades nas práticas de utilização como: preparação de caldas, desleixo no uso de equipamento de proteção individual, a falta de leitura de rótulos, a eliminação incorreta dos recipientes de segurança, o mau uso dos pesticidas, aumentando o risco de exposição a estes produtos. Podemos concluir que a idade mais jovem, o maior grau de escolaridade e a frequência de formação específica de aplicação de pesticidas influem positivamente no reconhecimento de doenças associadas e de vias de exposição, assim como na segurança com que são preparados e aplicados os pesticidas, no uso dos equipamentos de proteção utilizados na preparação de pesticidas sólidos e líquidos, no cumprimento das instruções dos rótulos para preparação dos pesticidas, como na utilização das medidas de precaução aquando da preparação e na aplicação de pesticidas e no comportamento ambiental. Assim, é importante que se promova a formação dos agricultores para maior sensibilização, conjuntamente que as instituições tenham em conta estes fatores na tomada de decisão com vista a melhorar o conhecimento e os comportamentos dos agricultores, de forma sustentável, a fim de obtermos menor impacto tanto na saúde humana como ambiental.

The use of agricultural pesticides has profoundly and rapidly changed working methods, leading to increased yields. However, such factors are in themselves potentially more dangerous for farmers' safety and health and their rapid introduction into the countryside has not been sufficiently accompanied by an awareness of the risks associated with their use. These characteristics determine the need to motivate the main actors, pesticide applicators, for risk prevention, and also for the need to identify for this prevention, techniques appropriate to the specificity of the tasks (ACT, 2014). Our main interest was to evaluate the knowledge and behavior of farmers in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros about pesticides. The study involved 398 residents, aged ≥ 18 years, of both sexes, with formal and informal agricultural activity, in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. This is a descriptive-correlational observational cross-sectional study. The methodological approach used is eminently quantitative, through non-probabilistic sampling, for convenience. For data collection a structured form with closed and open answers was developed and applied. We found that, in general, younger farmers are profiled with significantly higher degrees of recognition in relation to pesticide exposure pathways and relate more neurological diseases to pesticide use (p <0.05). Farmers with higher education levels better recognize symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and headache, (p <0.05), liver disease, neurological disease, hormone disruption associated with pesticide use (p <0.001), recognize routes of exposure. Pesticides, which are statistically significant for the recognition of the dermal pathway, follow label instructions better when preparing syrups and with greater caution, use more protective equipment, are more concerned with the disposal of empty pesticides. Due to environmental behavior they have a much lower propensity to discharge the washing waters of equipment and other containers used in sewers, sumps or near water sources. Specially trained farmers are much less likely to dump the washing waters of equipment and other containers used in sewers, sumps, or near water sources, and are less likely to burn, bury, or throw into the dustbin. 16.5% of farmers store pesticides in the garage and 4.1% store containers indoors. No statistical significance was found between sociodemography and farmer specific training and the reuse of empty containers for other purposes. The same is true for farmers whose main professional activity is not agriculture and for those who have specific training in pesticide management. Farmers are aware that pesticides are harmful to health and the environment. Nevertheless, they commit non-compliance with usage practices such as: preparation of grout, carelessness in the use of personal protective equipment, lack of reading labels, incorrect disposal of safety containers, misuse of pesticides, increasing the risk of exposure. to these products. It can be concluded that younger age, higher education level and frequency of specific pesticide application training positively influence the recognition of associated diseases and exposure routes, as well as the safety with which pesticides are prepared and applied, use of protective equipment used in the preparation of solid and liquid pesticides, compliance with pesticide preparation label instructions, use of precautionary measures when preparing and applying pesticides and environmental behavior. It is therefore important to promote farmers 'training to raise awareness, together with institutions taking account of these factors in their decision-making in order to improve farmers' knowledge and behavior in a sustainable manner in order to achieve less impact of both human and environmental health.

Effects of radiofrequency on adipose tissue: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Equipment that acts in the reduction in adipose tissue are becoming widely investigated. One of the resources that begin to gain recognition is radiofrequency. PURPOSE: To verify the existence of scientific evidence and the methodological quality of the articles on the effects of radiofrequency in the reduction in adipose tissue. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review with meta-analysis on the effects of radiofrequency on adipose tissue. The research was carried out using several databases and including experimental studies only in humans. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the articles was done based on the PEDro Scale. RESULTS: Twelve articles related with adipose tissue and cellulitis were included. There was a great variability of protocols, and the methodological quality was generally low and the methods most used for the evaluation of results were anthropometry, photography, and histopathology. Clinical results suggest a positive effect of radiofrequency on the reduction in adipose tissue, proving an increase in adipocyte lipolysis. After statistical analysis, it was verified that the anthropometry presented questionable results. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of the studies point to the positive effects of radiofrequency on the reduction in adipose tissue; however, the low methodological make this topic still debatable, requiring more controlled studies.