Evaluating dried salted cod amino acid signature for nutritional quality assessment and discriminant analysis.

Aim: Thus, the aim of this study was to answer three scientific questions: (1) Are the protein content and amino acid profile of dried salted cod influenced by species (Gadus morhua and Gadus macrocephalus)? (2) Are the protein content and amino acid profile of dried salted cod influenced by the geographical area of capture (Iceland and Norway)? and (3) Does the amino acid profile have the potential to be used as a discriminator of species and geographical areas of capture? Methods: A total of 45 dried salted cods (2-3 kg of dry weight; n = 15 samples/origin) were used in this study. The Atlantic cod was fished in the Atlantic northeast (FAO 27 area) within the Exclusive Economic zones (EEZ) of Norway (n = 15) and Iceland (n = 15), while the Pacific cod was caught in the Pacific northeast (FAO 67 area) within the Alaska EEZ (n = 15). Total protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, in accordance with the AOAC procedures. The amino acid profile was analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection (at excitation and emission wavelengths of 338 and 425 nm, respectively). Results: The Atlantic cod presented higher contents of total protein (33.90 versus 33.10 g/100 g of cod edible portion; p = 0.017) and total amino acid contents (32.52 versus 32.04 g/100 g of cod edible portion; p = 0.015) but displayed lower percentage of indispensable amino acids (32.16 versus 32.83 g/100 g of protein; p < 0.001) than Pacific cod. Among the Atlantic cod harvesting locations, the Norwegian cod displayed higher total amino acid contents (96.91 versus 96.81 g/100 g of protein; p = 0.012) and higher percentage of indispensable amino acids (35.38 versus 28.94 g/100 g of protein; p = 0.042) than the Icelandic counterpart. A correct classification of 100% was obtained for the Pacific and Icelandic cod varieties, but the classification accuracy in the Norwegian cod was of just 86.67%, since 2 samples out of 15 were incorrectly classified as Icelandic. Conclusion: The comparison of cod species showed that the Atlantic cod had a significantly lower EAAI than the Pacific cod (p < 0.001; 88.23 versus 88.61). On the other hand, the comparison of the two origins in the Atlantic cod, showed that Norwegian cod displayed a significantly higher EAAI than the Icelandic cod (99.15 versus 77.32). The assessment of the EAAI allows the classification of the protein's nutritional quality, allowing us to classify both cod species as a good protein source to human diet. However, within the Atlantic cod, the Norwegian cod's protein is classified as high quality, while the Icelandic cod attain the classification of useful quality. Regarding the amino acid profile discriminatory potential to classify cod samples. The results show that the AA profile has 100% accuracy in the separation of cod species, but was not globally efficient in the differentiation of the Norwegian from the Icelandic cod.

Feasibility and preliminary effects of a peer-led motivationally-embellished workplace walking intervention: A pilot cluster randomized trial (the START trial).

Walking interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity amongst physically inactive employees. However, despite their promising potential regarding sustainability and scalability, peer-led workplace walking interventions have not been tested. We evaluated a peer-led workplace group walking intervention designed to engage physically inactive employees. A 16-week pilot cluster randomized controlled trial consisted of enhanced (5 worksites; n = 50 participants) and minimal treatment (3 worksites; n = 47) conditions. All participants were provided with a Fitbit Zip and information on health benefits of walking. Enhanced treatment participants had access to a mobile phone app incorporating behavior change techniques, were trained on principles of autonomous motivation, and had a peer leader trained in a motivationally supportive communication style. Feasibility assessments included recruitment and drop-out rates, assessment completion rates, training acceptability (walkers and peer leaders), and intervention acceptability (walkers only). Outcomes assessed included movement-related behaviors (assessed via activPAL devices), cardio-metabolic risk factors, motivation to walk, and well-being, and these measures were taken at baseline and post-intervention. The results supported intervention feasibility. Preliminary efficacy evidence was mixed. Markers of cardio-metabolic risk improved in the enhanced treatment only. Autonomous motivation increased in both conditions. There were no changes in step counts, standing, and sitting time, or well-being. Further fine tuning is needed before a definitive RCT. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000807257.

Workload of official contests, net cost of transport, and metabolic power of Mangalarga Marchador horses of marcha batida or picada gaits.

This study aimed to characterize the maximum heart rate (HR) and the intensity of official marcha contests (OMC) and to compare the cost of transport (COT) and metabolic power (Pmet) of Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horses of marcha batida (MB) and marcha picada (MP) gaits. Twenty-two MM horses participated in this study. The experiment was conducted in 3 phases: 1) maximum effort test (MET), 2) OMC, and 3) standardized marcha test (SMT). To characterize the HR, 19 horses (14 MB and 5 MP) underwent a MET. Of those, 13 (9 MB and 4 MP) were monitored during the OMC, which consisted of 4 stages: marcha, walk, functional trial, and rest. The average heart rate (HR) in each stage of the OMC was related to the HR to determine their relative intensity. The SMT was performed with 14 horses (9 MB and 5 MP), of which 11 had already participated in the previous stages. The COT and Pmet were calculated from the HR values obtained during the SMT. Blood samples were collected to analyze plasma lactate concentration ([Lac]). One-way ANOVA or 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey's test ( < 0.05) were used to analyze the results. The average HR was 211 ± 11 and 214 ± 11 beats/min (bpm) for the MB and MP groups, respectively, with no difference ( = 0.7066) between them. The [Lac] increased as a result of the MET ( < 0.05), with no difference between groups ( > 0.05). This indicated that horses of both groups had the same physical fitness levels. The OMC stages defined in our study differed ( < 0.05) regarding the relative intensity of the HR, except for the walk and standing stages, which were similar ( = 0.0875). The MP group presented greater COT ( = 0.0247) and Pmet ( = 0.0193). It can be concluded that the mean HR of MM horses (MB and MP) is 212 ± 11 bpm. The OMC of the MM breed can be characterized as an effort of intermittent and submaximal intensity. In addition, the locomotion of the MB horses is probably more energetically efficient than that of MP horses.

Systolic cardiac function assessment by feature tracking echocardiography in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate endomyocardial and epimyocardial left ventricular circumferential and longitudinal peak systolic strain and strain rate in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease using two-dimensional feature tracking imaging echocardiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epimyocardial and endomyocardial global and regional myocardial peak systolic strain and strain rate using two-dimensional feature tracking imaging were evaluated in healthy dogs and those in stages B1, B2 and C of myxomatous mitral valve disease. Strain and strain rate in circumferential and longitudinal aspect were evaluated in 48 small- and medium-sized dogs. RESULTS: Global endomyocardial circumferential strain and global epimyocardial circumferential strain systolic peak were lower in stage C than in stage B2 (P = 0 · 04 and P = 0 · 02) and similar to healthy dogs. Endomyocardial circumferential strain rate in septal and inferior segments were lower in stage C compared to B2 (P = 0 · 0007 and P = 0 · 0056), but not different from healthy dogs. There were no statistical differences in the epimyocardial circumferential strain rate, longitudinal strain and strain rate between healthy and affected dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Two-dimensional feature tracking imaging determination of myocardial deformation in epimyocardial and endomyocardial layers allows detection of increased compensatory circumferential left ventricular myocardial systolic performance due to volume overload and absence of this response as disease advances to congestive heart failure.

Quality of life assessment in two consecutive years of patients in a waiting list for lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Patients on a waiting list for lung transplantation (LT) have physical and emotional setbacks due to limiting symptoms such as dyspnea and cough. Time on a waiting list may worsen the conditions of these patients and affect their quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate QoL components in patients in 2 consecutive years who were waiting for transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied patients who remained on a waiting list for transplantation in the first 2 years after inclusion on the list. Evaluation was performed using the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) Questionnaire and the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included (38.5 ± 15 years), 33 women (59%) and 23 men (41%). Of these, 18 had bronchiectasis, 14 had cystic fibrosis, 9 had lung fibrosis, 8 had lung emphysema, and 7 had other diseases. The domains with greater involvement in the first and second year were Functional Capacity and Physical Aspects. In the second year there was a significant worsening in Physical Aspects (2.5-0 points; P = .032). The domains related to the emotional component did not have significant changes. CONCLUSION: The progression of the disease and progressive worsening of symptoms of patients on a transplantation waiting list led to less physical exercise, worsening the effects of inactivity. After 1 year on a waiting list for LT, patients had a significant loss of functionality, which had an impact on QoL.

Avaliação do impacto de laboratórios de análises clínicas de hospitais de urgência e emergência do município de Belém-PA na saúde / Health impact assessment of clinical analysis laboratories in Urgency and Emergency hospitals in Belém (PA, Brazil)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto de laboratórios de análises clínicas de hospitais de urgência e emergência do município de Belém-PA na saúde. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa, no qual os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas diretas por meio de um questionário contendo perguntas abertas e fechadas, seguindo uma ordem de questionamentos divididos em diferentes avaliações de impacto na saúde. Os resultados revelaram que os laboratórios de análises clínicas dos hospitais de urgência e emergência apresentam os serviços bem estruturados, com profissionais próprios qualificados e treinados periodicamente. Para a rotina laboratorial há documentos para guiar na operacionalização dos serviços, manuais de qualidade e credenciamento a programas e/ou empresas de certificação ou acreditação de qualidade. Os laboratórios realizam auditorias internas, apresentam dispositivo de medição quanto a ensaios e equipamentos calibrados, com manutenções periódicas e possuem responsáveis técnicos e diretores de laboratório. Quanto à citação do número de exames laboratoriais, o LAC A e o LAC D apresentam todos os exames hematológicos questionados, no entanto, o LAC B e LAC C apresentam 85,71% (n =12) dos exames questionados. Quando questionados em relação às dosagens bioquímicas, o LAC A e LAC D mostraram-se mais abrangentes por realizarem todos os exames bioquímicos propostos. Diante dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que os laboratórios de urgência e/ou emergência existentes no município de Belém-PA oferecem ampla variedade de serviços, bem como apresentam preocupação com a garantia da qualidade da prestação de seus serviços...

This study is an assessment of the health impact of 4 clinical analysis laboratories (LAC A, B, C and D) in Urgency and Emergency hospitals in Belém (PA). In a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, we collected data through interviews conducted with a questionnaire containing open and closed questions, which were organized into various levels of health impact assessment. The results revealed that the clinical analysis laboratories of urgency and emergency hospitals have well-structured services, with qualified professionals who received periodic in service training. For routine lab work, there are well documented operational guidelines, quality manuals and programs and/or companies offering quality certification and accreditation. The laboratories make internal audits and possess measuring devices for assays and periodically calibrated equipment; they have responsible technicians and laboratory directors. In response to questions on the number of laboratory tests, LAC A and LAC D exhibited all the hematological tests cited, while LAC B and C showed 85.71% (n = 12) of the tests. Regarding the biochemical dosages, LAC A and LAC D proved to be more inclusive, covering all the recommended biochemical tests. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the clinical laboratories in urgency and/or emergency hospitals in Belém offer a wide variety of services, as well as showing concern for quality assurance in the provision of these services...

Avaliação da utilização de medicamentos na prática clínica em um hospital público / Assessment of drugs prescribed to medical in-patients in a public hospital

Através desta pesquisa, objetivou-se estudar o consumo dos medicamentos em pacientes hospitalizados na clínica médica de um hospital público na cidade de Campina Grande (PB). O estudo caracterizou-se como descritivo e exploratório, de caráter transversal, com abordagens quali-quantitativas, e foi constituído por uma amostra de 107 pacientes que iniciaram internação na clínica médica no período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2008. Os 107 pacientes apresentavam 270 diagnósticos ativos, sendo as doenças do aparelho circulatório as de maior ocorrência. Dos pacientes, 65,4% eram idosos e 3,33% dos medicamentos prescritos foram considerados impróprios para eles. Os pacientes que apresentaram possíveis 107 RAMs totalizaram 43%, com média de 2,32 por paciente; as que afetaram o sistema gastrintestinal dos pacientes foram as identificadas com maior frequência. Houve 42 interações distintas, envolvendo 26 tipos de fármacos. Dessa forma, os resultados podem ser úteis no estímulo ao desenvolvimento de mecanismos de avaliação de processos que visem reduzir esses riscos, aumentando a chance de resultados terapêuticos positivos e benefícios para os pacientes.

We studied the consumption of drugs by in-patients in the medical ward of a public hospital in the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. This paper describes a descriptive / exploratory cross-sectional quali-quantitative study of a sample of 107 patients who were admitted to the general medical ward, from August 2007 to July 2008. The 107 patients were diagnosed with 270 active complaints, mainly diseases of the circulatory system. Most of the patients (65.4%) were elderly and 3.33% of drugs prescribed for them are considered unfit for use in the elderly. Many patients (43%) presented 107 possible Adverse Drug Reactions, with an average of 2.32 per patient, those affecting the gastrointestinal system of the patients being identified most frequently. There were 42 different drug interactions, involving 26 types of drug. We hope these results may be useful in stimulating the development of means to assess drug treatment in hospital, so as to reduce these risks and increase the chance of positive outcomes and therapeutic benefits for the patients.

Assessment of basal and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated gonadotropins by immunochemiluminometric and immunofluorometric assays in normal children.

CONTEXT: Recently, new methodologies have been applied to commercial immunofluorometric (IFMA) and immunochemiluminometric (ICMA) LH and FSH assays. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to use ICMA to establish basal and GnRH-stimulated LH and FSH reference values in normal subjects of different ages and sexual development, compared with IFMA. DESIGN AND METHODS: We established basal and GnRH-stimulated LH and FSH levels of 315 prepubertal and pubertal children (170 males and 145 females) divided into five groups according to Tanner stage. Of these, 106 subjects (59 males and 47 females) were submitted to GnRH test. The prepubertal upper limit of normal for basal LH, determined by the 95th percentiles of the prepubertal population, were 0.2 IU/liter (ICMA) and 0.6 IU/liter (IFMA) in both genders. RESULTS: No overlap of basal LH levels determined by ICMA was observed between prepubertal and pubertal males, but basal LH determined by IFMA overlapped in 11.8% of subjects. In girls, both methods yielded overlapping values (10.4%, ICMA; and 84.6%, IFMA). The LH peak after GnRH stimulation that defined puberty was 4.1 IU/liter (ICMA) and 3.3 IU/liter (IFMA) in boys and 3.3 IU/liter (ICMA) and 4.2 IU/liter (IFMA) in girls. After GnRH stimulation, values determined by the two methods overlapped in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ICMA is more sensitive and precise than IFMA, permitting differentiation of pubertal and prepubertal stage in boys under basal conditions. However, in girls the overlap of basal values was marked, indicating the need for the GnRH test to establish maturity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Well-being changes in response to 30 years of regional integration in Maya populations from Yucatan, Mexico.

Infant mortality rate (IMR), overall frequency of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), sexual dimorphism in LEH, age of onset of LEH, and age at menarche were used as indicators to test the hypothesis that the origin and development of the tourist industry and increased state participation on Maya subsistence agriculturists in the early 1970s had improved the well-being of the Maya. Two historical moments where inferred from the data. The first was derived from cheap and effective immunization and sanitation campaigns that reduced IMR from 143.4/1,000 live births in the early 1960s to 97.4 in the early 1970s. State participation broke the undernutrition-disease cycle enough to reduce LEH frequencies significantly (from 71.9% in individuals born before 1971 to 51.5% in those born in 1971 or after, chi(2) = 55.72; 1 df; alpha = 0.00001) and to eliminate the sex difference in LEH expression (from a 14.8% LEH difference between men and women before 1971 [Male/Female Odds Radio = 0.45, alpha significant at 0.05] to a nonsignificant 2% difference). Improvement in overall living conditions reflected in a "modern stage" infant mortality regime and an almost disappearance of LEHs, resulted from gradual improvements in living conditions that did not become apparent until the 1980s. Trends in the age at menarche are not statistically significant, probably due to methodological limitations. However, if overall living conditions continue to improve or stay as they are today, accelerations in maturation should become noticeable.

Mid-arm circumference and mid-arm/head circumference ratios: standard curves for anthropometric assessment of neonatal nutritional status.

Two hundred four neonates, 25 to 42 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA), were measured on day 2 or 3 of life for upper mid-arm circumference (MAC) and head circumference. Regression analysis was used to construct standard curves for MAC versus EGA and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio (MAC/HC) versus EGA. Correlation coefficients were 0.93 for MAC versus EGA, and 0.84 for MAC/HC versus EGA. MAC, MAC/HC, and head circumference were also highly correlated with birth weight. These measurements may more accurately assess intrauterine growth and body proportionality at birth than weight, length, and head circumference.

Long-term assessment of growth, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal function in survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis.

The long-term effect of necrotizing enterocolitis on growth, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal function was assessed in premature infants at the age of 1 year. Of the 22 of 40 infants who developed NEC, 18 were given medical treatment and four required surgical treatment consisting of intestinal resection of less than one fourth of the small bowel. Eighteen infants who did not develop NEC served as controls. At 1 year follow-up, NEC survivors and controls had normal and comparable anthropometric measurements, biochemical values (serum iron, albumin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein, liver function studies) and gastrointestinal tract function (vitamin E absorption, fasting serum bile acids concentration, lactose breath test). This study demonstrates that, in the absence of short bowel syndrome, there is no detectable long-term effect on growth, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal tract function in premature infants who had NEC in the newborn period.