Dissimilar use of an external heat source for thermoregulation by shrews from different geographic regions.

Ambient temperature has a substantial influence on the thermoregulation costs of small mammals due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Shrews are among the smallest of mammals and have adopted different behavioral and physiological strategies to deal with cold temperatures. In this study, we assessed the use of an external heat source in the thermoregulatory strategy of two Crocidurinae species, Crocidura russula and C. suaveolens, and one Soricinae species, Sorex araneus. Crocidura russula inhabits western Europe and is better adapted to a Mediterranean climate; C. suaveolens inhabits central Europe; and S. araneus inhabits northern Europe and is better adapted to a Palearctic climate. We predicted that C. russula (most southern species) would spend larger amounts of time using an external heat source because it is the most cold-sensitive species, while S. araneus (most northern species) would spend less time using an external heat source or not respond to it. Shrews were experimentally tested in captivity inside a terrarium where they had access to a heat rock, which could be turned off (cold) or on (heated), depending on treatment. Our results confirmed our initial prediction: C. russula was the species that spent significantly more time on the heated rock, followed by C. suaveolens. Only a quarter of S. araneus individuals spent large amounts of time on the heat rock, which suggests this thermoregulation strategy is not generally adopted by this species, but may be rather associated with some individual personalities. We also analyzed the influence of the heat rock on rewarming from heterothermy, but heterothermy was not different between rock treatments. Overall, our results show that shrew species use external heat sources for thermoregulation according to their sensitivity to cold.

Bio-Based Nanoparticles as a Carrier of ß-Carotene: Production, Characterisation and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion.

ß-carotene loaded bio-based nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by the solvent-displacement method using two polymers: zein and ethylcellulose. The production of NPs was optimised through an experimental design and characterised in terms of average size and polydispersity index. The processing conditions that allowed to obtain NPs (<100 nm) were used for ß-carotene encapsulation. Then ß-carotene loaded NPs were characterised in terms of zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed for further morphological and chemical characterisation. In the end, a static in vitro digestion following the INFOGEST protocol was performed and the bioaccessibility of ß-carotene encapsulated in both NPs was determined. Results show that the best conditions for a size-controlled production with a narrow size distribution are lower polymer concentrations and higher antisolvent concentrations. The encapsulation of ß-carotene in ethylcellulose NPs resulted in nanoparticles with a mean average size of 60 ± 9 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 74 ± 2%. ß-carotene loaded zein-based NPs resulted in a mean size of 83 ± 8 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 93 ± 4%. Results obtained from the in vitro digestion showed that ß-carotene bioaccessibility when encapsulated in zein NPs is 37 ± 1%, which is higher than the value of 8.3 ± 0.1% obtained for the ethylcellulose NPs.

The Challenge Of Covid19 In The Management Of Vascular Access For Hemodialysis In An Universitary Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease prevalence has been increasing worldwide, with an increasing need to deliver an effective treatment. During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic healthcare systems around the world were under stress. Therefore, the aim of this study is to report a single center experience with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation while also evaluating the impact of COVID-19. METHODS: Procedures for AVF creation in a tertiary hospital between March 2017 and December 2020 were included in this study and their case records were retrospectively analyzed and data retrieved. RESULTS: A total of 582 procedures were performed and a total of 568 accesses were created (506 being made pre-COVID onset and 62 post-COVID onset). The period between the referral to the vascular surgery consultation was significantly longer for the COVID group [18 (23) days vs 28 (44) days; p<0,001] while the period between the consultation to the surgery was significantly shorter [76 (77) days vs 40 (57) days; p<0,001]. This resulted in significantly less time between referral to surgery in the COVID group [103 (77) days vs 88 (55) days; p=0,008]. CONCLUSION: The ability of hospitals to adapt their resources was paramount to mitigate COVID impact. In the institution where the study took place, the time from referral to consultation was increased significantly during the first months of COVID but the time from consultation to surgery was significantly reduced. Overall, these results show that there was a successful effort to expedite the creation of a vascular access.

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL: A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal.

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications.

Effectiveness of Mobile App-Based Psychological Interventions for College Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Serious mental health disorders are increasing among college students and university counseling services are often overburdened. Mobile applications for mental health have been growing exponentially in the last decade and they are emerging in university settings as a promising tool to promote and intervene in college students' mental health. Additionally, considering the recent covid-19 pandemic, mHealth interventions, due to its nature and possibilities, may play an important role in these institutions. Our main objectives are to explore mhealth interventions in universities, regarding its conceptual framework, acceptability and efficacy outcomes and understand its impact and contributions to address treatment delivery and psychological difficulties resulting from covid-19 pandemic. The literature search was conducted in scientific databases, namely, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Scopus. A search in app stores was not conducted, thus regarding commercially available apps, only those found in our database search were included in our review. We selected studies with mobile applications addressing psychological interventions for college students. A total of 2,158 participants were included in the 8 selected studies and most interventions were delivered through mobile apps only and based in cognitive behavioral therapy. Results suggested that college students accept and adhere to these interventions and preliminary evidence of efficacy was demonstrated in different disorders, such as stress, anxiety, depression and risky behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco abuse and sexual knowledge. We conclude that universities, particularly college counseling services, may benefit from mhealth interventions, not only to address college students' mental health but to decrease some of its difficulties related to lack of human resources. Specifically in covid-19 pandemic context, these interventions may contribute significantly by promoting and delivering psychological interventions at a safe distance.

Patterns and Drivers of Rodent Abundance across a South African Multi-Use Landscape.

South Africa's decentralized approach to conservation entails that wildlife outside formally protected areas inhabit complex multi-use landscapes, where private wildlife business (ecotourism and/or hunting) co-exist in a human-dominated landscape matrix. Under decentralized conservation, wildlife is perceived to benefit from increased amount of available habitat, however it is crucial to understand how distinct management priorities and associated landscape modifications impact noncharismatic taxa, such as small mammals. We conducted extensive ink-tracking-tunnel surveys to estimate heterogeneity in rodent distribution and investigate the effect of different environmental factors on abundance patterns of two size-based rodent groups (small- and medium-sized species), across three adjacent management contexts in NE KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a private ecotourism game reserve, mixed farms and traditional communal areas (consisting of small clusters of houses interspersed with grazing areas and seminatural vegetation). Our hypotheses were formulated regarding the (1) area typology, (2) vegetation structure, (3) ungulate pressure and (4) human disturbance. Using a boosted-regression-tree approach, we found considerable differences between rodent groups' abundance and distribution, and the underlying environmental factors. The mean relative abundance of medium-sized species did not differ across the three management contexts, but small species mean relative abundance was higher in the game reserves, confirming an influence of the area typology on their abundance. Variation in rodent relative abundance was negatively correlated with human disturbance and ungulate presence. Rodent abundance seems to be influenced by environmental gradients that are directly linked to varying management priorities across land uses, meaning that these communities might not benefit uniformly by the increased amount of habitat promoted by the commercial wildlife industry.

Conceptual and operational definitions for the indicators of the nursing outcome classification: Symptom control in patients with heart failure in palliative care. / Definiciones conceptuales y operacionales de los indicadores del resultado Control de síntomas para pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca en cuidados paliativos.

OBJECTIVE: To validate conceptual and operational definitions of Symptom control (1608) indicators for patients with cardiac diseases in palliative care. METHOD: Definitions were established through a literature review and were validated by consensus among expert nurses. Two rounds of the Delphi method and a meeting with experts were carried out in order to validate the definitions for the indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator. RESULTS: Conceptual and operational definitions for Symptom control (1608) indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator were validated. CONCLUSIONS: All conceptual and operational definitions of 11 indicators of the nursing outcome Symptom control (1608) were validated by experts. Content and clinical validation studies remain necessary to verify the capacity of the indicators to measure the effectiveness of nursing interventions in clinical practice and research.

Content validation of the symptom control outcome for heart failure patients in palliative care.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the content validity of the Symptom Control nursing outcome for heart failure patients in palliative care and to analyze the influence of experts' experience in the judgment of the relevance of indicators. METHODS: A methodological study conducted in São Paulo in 2018, with an adaptation of Fehring's validation model. The relevance of the 11 outcome indicators was assessed by 19 experts by means of an electronically submitted survey. The influence of the experts' experience on judgment was analyzed by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and by Kendall's Tau correlation. RESULTS: The indicators were considered pertinent; with 54.5% classified as critical. There was no association between the weighted means of the indicators and the experts' experience. CONCLUSIONS: The indicators analyzed are relevant for the evaluation of the Symptom Control outcome in this group of patients. The experts' judgment was not influenced by their area of clinical experience or by their experience with the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

Care for families after suicide loss: nursing academic experience.

OBJECTIVE: To understand how the nursing academics experience the process of taking care of bereaved families after a suicide loss, to identify the meanings of the experience and to build a theoretical model. METHOD: Qualitative study that used symbolic interactionism and grounded theory. Open interviews were held with 16 nursing academics. Data were analyzed according to the constant comparative method. RESULTS: The phenomenon seeking his/her own restoration to help the bereaved family to move on is represented by the theoretical model composed by the categories: facing the tragedy in the family, evaluating the caring scenario, mobilizing his/her internal resources, performing the care and reflecting on the repercussions of the experience. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The process represents efforts undertaken by students in the pursuit of the family's restoration to provide the best care toward them, through embracement, listening, sensitivity and flexibility, so it creates opportunities for the family to strengthen and plan their future.

Epidemiological study of the prevalence of low back pain in spine surgeons in brazil / Estudo epidemiológico da prevalência de lombalgia em cirurgiões de coluna no brasil / Estudio epidemiológico de prevalencia de lumbalgia en cirujanos de columna en brasil

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Low back pain is defined as pain, muscle spasm, or stiffness between the L1 and L5 vertebrae, below the lower margin of the twelfth rib and above the upper gluteal fold, and may or may not be associated with pain radiating to the lower limbs. Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain in spine surgeons. Method: A non-randomized quantitative cross-sectional clinical study was carried out in a sample of 95 spine surgeons in Brazil, with the application of the Oswestry and visual analog pain scales, in addition to a structured questionnaire for the characterization of the participants. Results: Among the studied population, 69.5% were orthopedists, 30.5% were neurosurgeons, and the mean age of the sample was 46 years (±10.6), with neurosurgeons being older than orthopedists. Regarding BMI, the majority (77.8%) were overweight or obese, and seventy-six percent performed physical activity. The prevalence of low back pain was 58.9%. No relevant differences were found in the time spent weekly in surgeries between those who had low back pain and those who did not (p = 0.364). Mean pain intensity was 2.0 (SD = 2.2), statistically (p = 0.025) higher in orthopedists (2.3) when compared to neurosurgeons (1.3). Regarding the ODI score, 98.2% of the surgeons had a minimal disability (0-20%) for daily activities. Conclusion: The prevalence of low back pain in spine surgeons is high and is associated with mild inability to perform daily activities. Level Of Evidence IV; Non-Randomized Quantitative Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

RESUMO: Introdução: A lombalgia é definida como dor, espasmo muscular ou rigidez entre as vértebras L1 e L5, abaixo da margem inferior da décima segunda costela e acima da prega glútea superior, e pode ou não estar associada à dor que se irradia para os membros inferiores. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de lombalgia em cirurgiões de coluna. Método: Foi realizado um estudo clínico transversal quantitativo não randomizado em uma amostra de 95 cirurgiões de coluna do Brasil, com aplicação das escalas Oswestry e visual analógica da dor, além de questionário estruturado para a caracterização dos participantes da pesquisa. Resultados: Dentre a população estudada, 69,5% eram ortopedistas e 30,5% eram neurocirurgiões e a idade média da amostra foi de 46 anos (±10,6), sendo que os neurocirurgiões eram mais velhos que os ortopedistas. Em relação ao IMC a maioria (77,8%) estavam com sobrepeso e obesidade e setenta e seis porcento realizavam atividade física. A prevalência de lombalgia foi de 58,9%. Não foram encontradas diferenças relevantes no tempo gasto semanalmente em cirurgias, entre quem tinha ou não lombalgia (p = 0,364). A intensidade média da dor foi de 2,0 (DP = 2,2), sendo estatisticamente (p = 0,025) maiores em ortopedistas (2,3) quando comparados aos neurocirurgiões (1,3). Em relação ao escore do ODI, 98,2% dos cirurgiões apresentaram incapacidade mínima (0-20%) para as atividades diárias. Conclusão: A prevalência de lombalgia em cirurgiões de coluna é grande e está associada com incapacidade leve para atividades cotidianas. Nível de Evidência IV; Estudo Clínico Transversal Quantitativo não Randomizado.

RESUMEN: Introducción: La lumbalgia se define como dolor, espasmo muscular o rigidez entre las vértebras L1 y L5, por debajo del margen inferior de la duodécima costilla y por encima del pliegue glúteo superior, y puede o no asociarse a dolor irradiado a las extremidades inferiores. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de dolor lumbar en cirujanos de columna. Método: Se realizó un estudio clínico transversal cuantitativo no aleatorizado en una muestra de 95 cirujanos de columna en Brasil, con la aplicación de las escalas de dolor de Oswestry y analógica visual, además de un cuestionario estructurado para la caracterización de los participantes. Resultados: Entre la población estudiada, el 69,5% eran ortopedistas y el 30,5% neurocirujanos y la edad media de la muestra fue de 46 años (±10,6), siendo los neurocirujanos mayores que los ortopedistas. En cuanto al IMC, la mayoría (77,8%) presentaba sobrepeso u obesidad y el setenta y seis por ciento realizaba actividad física. La prevalencia de dolor lumbar fue del 58,9%. No se encontraron diferencias relevantes en el tiempo dedicado semanalmente a las cirugías, entre los que tenían lumbalgia y los que no (p = 0,364). La intensidad media del dolor fue de 2,0 (DP = 2,2), siendo estadísticamente (p = 0,025) mayor en traumatólogos (2,3) que en neurocirujanos (1,3). En cuanto a la puntuación ODI, el 98,2% de los cirujanos tenían incapacidad mínima (0-20%) para las actividades diarias. Conclusión: La prevalencia de lumbalgia en cirujanos de columna es alta y se asocia a incapacidad leve para realizar las actividades cotidianas. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Estudio Clínico Transversal Cuantitativo no Aleatorizado.

Care for families after suicide loss: nursing academic experience / Cuidado a las familias después de la pérdida por suicidio: experiencia de los académicos de enfermería / Cuidado a famílias após perda por suicídio: experiência de acadêmicos de enfermagem

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand how the nursing academics experience the process of taking care of bereaved families after a suicide loss, to identify the meanings of the experience and to build a theoretical model. Method: Qualitative study that used symbolic interactionism and grounded theory. Open interviews were held with 16 nursing academics. Data were analyzed according to the constant comparative method. Results: The phenomenon seeking his/her own restoration to help the bereaved family to move on is represented by the theoretical model composed by the categories: facing the tragedy in the family, evaluating the caring scenario, mobilizing his/her internal resources, performing the care and reflecting on the repercussions of the experience. Final considerations: The process represents efforts undertaken by students in the pursuit of the family's restoration to provide the best care toward them, through embracement, listening, sensitivity and flexibility, so it creates opportunities for the family to strengthen and plan their future.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender cómo los académicos de enfermería vivencian el proceso de cuidar de familias enlutadas después de una pérdida por suicidio, identificar los significados de la experiencia y construir un modelo teórico. Método: Estudio cualitativo que utilizó interaccionismo simbólico y teoría fundamentada en los datos. Se realizaron entrevistas abiertas con 16 académicos de enfermería. Los datos se analizaron según el método comparativo constante. Resultados: El fenómeno buscando su propia restauración para ayudar a la familia enlutada a seguir adelante, es representado por el modelo teórico compuesto por las categorías: enfrentándose con la tragedia en la familia, evaluando el escenario de la asistencia, movilizando sus recursos internos, conduciendo el cuidado y reflexionando sobre las repercusiones de la experiencia. Consideraciones finales: El proceso representa esfuerzos emprendidos por los estudiantes en la búsqueda de su restauración para ofrecer el mejor cuidado a la familia, por medio de acogida, escucha, sensibilidad y flexibilidad, de modo que se fortalezca para planificar su futuro.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender como os acadêmicos de enfermagem vivenciam o processo de cuidar de famílias enlutadas após uma perda por suicídio, identificar os significados da experiência e construir um modelo teórico. Método: Estudo qualitativo que utilizou interacionismo simbólico e teoria fundamentada nos dados. Foram realizadas entrevistas abertas com 16 acadêmicos de enfermagem. Os dados foram analisados conforme o método comparativo constante. Resultados: O fenômeno buscando sua própria restauração para ajudar a família enlutada a seguir em frente é representado pelo modelo teórico composto pelas categorias: deparando-se com a tragédia na família, avaliando o cenário da assistência, mobilizando seus recursos internos, conduzindo o cuidado e refletindo sobre as repercussões da experiência. Considerações finais: O processo representa esforços empreendidos pelos estudantes na busca de sua restauração para oferecer o melhor cuidado à família, por meio de acolhimento, escuta, sensibilidade e flexibilidade, de modo a oportunizar que ela se fortaleça para planejar seu futuro.

[Association of gamma glutamyltransferase, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk]. / Associação da gama glutamil transferase com a síndrome metabólica e o risco cardiovascular.

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been used as a marker of alcohol induced liver disease. Recent epidemiology and pathology studies have suggested its independent role in the pathogenesis and clinical evolution of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) promoting atherosclerosis through an oxidative process leading, within the atherosclerotic plaque, to LDL oxidation, metalloproteinase activation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Besides it is known that GGT levels rise even in the normal range, with obesity and hepatic steatosis occurs, it is thought, which originates insulin resistance (IR). Being sure that IR is important in the development of type 2 diabetes and CVD, both very prevalent in Portugal, the authors considered as relevant to study the association of GGT with markers of multiple metabolic derangements: insulin-resistance (hyperinsulinemia, hyperglicemia, IR-HOMA = 3), obesity and dyslipidemia. So, a Portuguese sample population, consisted of 123 subjects (52 male and 71 female) was organized. As results were observed: elevation of GGT serum levels with the increasing risk of every marker and the same happened with metabolic syndrome and its components; compared with non obese the group of obese subjects exhibited elevated prevalence of risk factors, though in non obese subjects the percentages of insulin-resistance and dyslipidemias were high (hypercholesterolemia in both sexes, hypertriglyceridemia and low concentrations of HDL-c in men); association of serum GGT levels with every risk factor and metabolic syndrome. Though, as the association with the insulin-resistance state was particularly strong, it is thought that a high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was present in the studied population. As serum determination of GGT activity is a low-cost, highly sensitive, accurate and frequently used laboratory test and there is association of this enzyme with the most important risk factors of diabetes type 2 and CVD, its serum levels should be considered as a marker of insulin-resistance when NAFLD is supposed to be present or there is obesity.

Definiciones conceptuales y operacionales de los indicadores del resultado Control de síntomas para pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca en cuidados paliativos / Conceptual and operational definitions for the indicators of the nursing outcome classification: Symptom control in patients with heart failure in palliative care

OBJETIVO: Validar las definiciones conceptuales y operacionales de los indicadores de Control de síntomas (1608) para pacientes con enfermedades cardíacas en cuidados paliativos. MÉTODO: Las definiciones fueron establecidas por medio de revisión bibliográfica y fueron validadas por consenso entre enfermeros expertos. Se realizaron 2rondas de la metodología Delphi y un encuentro con expertos con el propósito de validar las definiciones de los indicadores y de la magnitud de respuesta para cada indicador. RESULTADOS: Las definiciones conceptuales y operacionales para los indicadores de Control de síntomas (1608) y para la magnitud de respuesta de cada indicador fueron validadas. CONCLUSIONES: Todas las definiciones conceptuales y operacionales de los 11 indicadores del resultado de enfermería Control de síntomas (1608) fueron validados por expertos. Se necesitan estudios de validación de contenido y clínica de este resultado de enfermería para verificar la capacidad de estos indicadores en medir la efectividad de las intervenciones de enfermería en la práctica clínica y pesquisa

OBJECTIVE: To validate conceptual and operational definitions of Symptom control (1608) indicators for patients with cardiac diseases in palliative care. METHOD: Definitions were established through a literature review and were validated by consensus among expert nurses. Two rounds of the Delphi method and a meeting with experts were carried out in order to validate the definitions for the indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator. RESULTS: Conceptual and operational definitions for Symptom control (1608) indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator were validated. CONCLUSIONS: All conceptual and operational definitions of 11 indicators of the nursing outcome Symptom control (1608) were validated by experts. Content and clinical validation studies remain necessary to verify the capacity of the indicators to measure the effectiveness of nursing interventions in clinical practice and research

RM de rodilla: variantes anatómicas y errores de interpretación / MRI of the knee: anatomic variations and diagnostic pitfalls

Se presenta un análisis retrospectivo de 116 casos de RM de rodilla que resultaron de difícil interpretación o que podían conducir a error diagnóstico, obtenidas entre septiembre de 1994 y diciembre de 1997, a fin de esclarecer algunas situaciones de imágenes confusas o que no responden a la descripción anatómica clásica