Adenosine receptors participate in anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced changes on risk assessment/anxiety-like behaviors in male and female rats.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and caffeine can induce several behavioral alterations in humans and rodents. Administration of nandrolone decanoate is known to affect defensive responses to aversive stimuli, generally decreasing inhibitory control and increasing aggressivity but whether caffeine intake influences behavioral changes induced by AAS is unknown. The present study aimed to investigate behavioral effects of caffeine (a non-selective antagonist of adenosine receptors) alone or combined with nandrolone decanoate (one of the most commonly AAS abused) in female and male Lister Hooded rats. Our results indicated that chronic administration of nandrolone decanoate (10 mg/kg, i.m., once a week for 8 weeks) decreased risk assessment/anxiety-like behaviors (in the elevated plus maze test), regardless of sex. These effects were prevented by combined caffeine intake (0.1 g/L, p.o., ad libitum). Overall, the present study heralds a key role for caffeine intake in the modulation of nandrolone decanoate-induced behavioral changes in rats, suggesting adenosine receptors as candidate targets to manage impact of AAS on brain function and behavior.

Chronic wound assessment: Cultural and linguistic adaptation for European Portuguese of RESVECH-2 scale.

INTRODUCTION: In order to assess and to follow up the evolution of chronic wounds, it is advisable to apply measurement scales. This procedure allows clinicians to verify the appropriateness of their activities and whether the healing process is evolving as expected. AIM: To conduct a cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of Portuguese version of RESVECH 2.0. METHODS: A quantitative and correlational study was designed and, to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of RESVECH 2.0, we followed the classic sequential approach for linguistic equivalence to European Portuguese. The study occurred at a Portuguese oncology hospital and the sample encompassed 281 patients with multiple chronic wounds. RESULTS: RESVECH 2.0 is a practical measurement instrument, easy to use, and well accepted by nurses to know all kinds of wounds' etiologies. The reliability test revealed an acceptable internal consistency and high proportion of agreement between two raters assessing the same patient. Construct validity was considered average/good and the principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation obtained six factors corresponding to 59.5% of explained variance. When comparing the domains from RESVECH 2.0 with those from BWAT we found statistically significant correlations. CONCLUSION: The adapted version of RESVECH 2.0 scale presents a good internal consistency and is valid for the Portuguese language and culture, being useful and effective in clinical practice.

Drying Microalgae Using an Industrial Solar Dryer: A Biomass Quality Assessment.

Microalgae are considered a promising resource of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and other functional biomolecules for food and feed markets. Competitive drying solutions are required to meet future demands for high-quality algal biomass while ensuring proper preservation at reduced costs. Since often used drying methods, such as freeze or spray drying, are energy and time consuming, more sustainable processes remain to be developed. This study tested an indirect and hybrid solar dryer as an alternative to conventional freeze drying of industrially produced Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica wet paste. The effects of the drying method on biomass quality parameters, including biochemical profiles, functional properties, and microbial safety, were assessed. No significant differences were found between the applied drying technologies for total proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acid profiles. On the other hand, some pigments showed significant differences, displaying up to 44.5% higher contents in freeze-dried samples. Minor differences were also registered in the mineral profiles (<10%). Analyses of microbial safety and functional properties of the solar-dried biomass appear adequate for food and feed products. In conclusion, industrial solar drying is a sustainable technology with a high potential to preserve high-quality microalgal biomass for various markets at expected lower costs.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity inElementary School Students of Vitória, ES / Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em escolares do ensino fundamental de Vitória/ES

Although numerous studies have analyzed overweight and obesity among schoolchildren from various Brazilianregions, the data relative to the state of Espírito Santo (ES) remains scarce. Considering the information presented, thepurpose of present study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among elementary school studentsfrom Vitória, ES. This was a cross-sectional study including 572 school children between 7 to 14 years old enrolled inmunicipal elementary schools in Vitória, ES, totalling 310 girls and 262 boys, who were randomly selected by stratifiedcluster sampling. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was calculated based on the children’s anthropometricprofile according to percentage of body fat by measuring skinfold thickness and body mass index (BMI). Based onBMI, the prevalence of overweight was high in both sexes, with 20.6% among the boys and 20.9% among the girls.The prevalence of obesity did not differ between boys and girls, with 6.5% and 7.7%, respectively. The results of theskin-fold thickness of skin show that 31.3% of children attending municipal schools in Vitória/ES were classified asoverweight. In summary, the current study found a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, reaffirming that theoverweight reaches a significant proportion of children and adolescents who attend public elementary schools in the city of Vitória, ES(AU)

Embora numerosos estudos tenham analisado o sobrepeso e a obesidade entre escolares de várias regiões brasileiras, dadosrelativos ao estado do Espírito Santo (ES) ainda são escassos. Considerando as informações destacadas acima, o objetivodo presente estudo foi investigar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em crianças do ensino fundamental de Vitória/ES. Estudo transversal com 572 escolares de 7 a 14 anos matriculados em escolas municipais do ensino fundamentalde Vitória/ES, totalizando 310 meninas e 262 meninos, selecionados aleatoriamente por amostra de estratificada porconglomerados. A prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade foi calculada com base no perfil antropométrico das criançasde acordo com a porcentagem de gordura corporal, medindo-se a espessura das dobras cutâneas e o índice de massacorporal (IMC). Com base no IMC, a prevalência de excesso de peso foi alta em ambos os sexos, com 20,6% entre osmeninos e 20,9% entre as meninas. Os resultados da espessura da prega cutânea demonstram que 31,3% das criançasque frequentavam escolas municipais em Vitória/ES foram classificadas com excesso de peso. Em conclusão, o presenteestudo encontrou alta prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade, reafirmando que o excesso de peso atinge uma proporçãosignificativa das crianças e adolescentes que frequentam escolas municipais em Vitória / ES(AU)

Avaliação Temporal dos Procedimentos de Revascularização Coronariana pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil: Um Panorama de 20 Anos / Temporal Evaluation of Coronary Revascularization Procedures Performed through the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil: a 20-year overview

Fundamento: As taxas de mortalidade relacionadas à doença aterosclerótica coronariana (DAC) vêm reduzindo nas últimas décadas devido, em parte, aos avanços nas técnicas de revascularização. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar um visão dos últimos 20 anos do tratamento da DAC pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil. Métodos:Os dados foram obtidos através dos sistemas TABNET e SIGTAP do SUS e através do IBGE. Os procedimentos foram agrupados nas categorias de revascularização percutânea, cirúrgica e percutânea primária. Foram analisados o número de autorizações de internação hospitalar (AIH), duração média de permanência hospitalar, mortalidade hospitalar, valor do repasse total por procedimento e valores médios da AIH e dos serviços profissional e hospitalar. Resultados:Entre 1995 e 2015, houve aumento no número de revascularizações cirúrgicas (de 13.198 a 22.559) e percutâneas (de 10.522 a 66.345). De modo semelhante, o número de angioplastias primárias apresentaram aumento entre 2004 e 2015 (de 1.901 a 8.524). Houve uma queda no tempo médio de permanência hospitalar (de 14,4 a 12,8 dias) e da mortalidade hospitalar (de 7,6% a 5,9%) nas revascularizações cirúrgicas e queda da permanência hospitalar (de 5,3 dias a 3,7 dias) mas manutenção da taxa de mortalidade (2,2%) nas revascularizações percutâneas. Nas angioplastias primárias, o tempo médio de permanência hospitalar variou de 5,3 a 5,6 dias e a taxa de mortalidade variou de 7,94% a 7,43% entre 2004 e 2015, respectivamente. O valor médio do repasse total para as revascularização cirúrgicas variou de R$ 4.327,57 para R$ 12.839,13 e para as revascularizações percutâneas de R$ 2.615,81 a R$ 6.187,87 entre 1995 e 2015, respectivamente. Os valores equivalentes para as angioplastias primárias foram de R$ 5.415,58 em 2004 a R$ 6.581,51 em 2015. Conclusões: O número de procedimentos de revascularização aumentou no Brasil nos últimos 20 anos, juntamente com uma melhora nas taxas de mortalidade e redução no tempo de permanência hospitalar. Observou-se importante defasagem de valores financeiros em relação à inflação acumulada neste período

Introduction: The mortality rates associated with coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) have been declining over the past decades driven, in part, by advances in revascularization techniques. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the past 20 years in the treatment of CAD delivered by the Brazilian Unified Health Care System (SUS). Methods:The data were obtained from SUS's TABNET and SIGTAP systems and IBGE. The procedures were grouped into the categories percutaneous, surgical, and primary percutaneous revascularizations. The analysis included the number of hospital admission authorizations (AIH), mean length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, mean total amount paid by procedure, and mean values paid per AIH and for professional and hospital services. Results: Between 1995 and 2015, there were increases in the number of surgical revascularizations (from 13,198 to 22,559) and percutaneous revascularizations (from 10,522 to 66,345). Similarly, the number of primary angioplasties increased between 2004 and 2015 (from 1,901 to 8,524). There was a decrease in the mean length of hospital stay (from 14.4 to 12.8 days) and hospital mortality (from 7.6% to 5.9%) for surgical revascularizations, and decrease in mean length of hospital stay (from 5.3 days to 3.7 days) but maintenance of the mortality rates (2.2%) for percutaneous revascularizations. In primary angioplasties, the mean length of hospital stay varied from 5.3 to 5.6 days and the mortality rate varied from 7.94% to 7.43% between 2004 and 2015, respectively. The mean total amount paid for surgical revascularization varied from R$ 4,327.57 to $12,839.13 and for percutaneous revascularizations from R$ 2,615.81 to $6,187.87 between 1995 and 2015, respectively. Corresponding values for primary angioplasties were R$ 5,415.58 in 2004 to R$ 6,581.51 in 2015. Conclusions: The number of revascularization procedures increased in Brazil over the past 20 years, with an improvement in mortality rates and decrease in length of hospital stay. There was a substantial lag in economic values relative to the inflation accumulated during the period

Non-technical skills assessment for prelicensure nursing students: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: In nursing, non-technical skills are recognized as playing an important role to increase patient safety and successful clinical outcomes (Pearson and McLafferty, 2011). Non-technical skills are cognitive and social resource skills that complement technical skills and contribute to safe and efficient task performance (Flin et al., 2008). In order to effectively provide non-technical skills training, it is essential to have an instrument to measure these skills. METHODOLOGY: An online search was conducted. Articles were selected if they referred to and/or described instruments assessing non-technical skills for nurses and/or prelicensure nursing students in educational, clinical and/or simulated settings with validation evidence (inclusion criteria). RESULTS: Of the 53 articles located, 26 met the inclusion criteria. Those referred to and/or described 16 instruments with validation evidence developed to assess non-technical skills in multidisciplinary teams including nurses. CONCLUSION: Although articles have shown 16 valid and reliable instruments, to our knowledge, no instrument has been published or developed and validated for the assessment of non-technical skills of only nurses in general, relevant for use in high-fidelity simulation-based training for prelicensure nursing students. Therefore, there is a need for the development of such an instrument.

Providing informal home care for pressure ulcer patients: how it affects carers' quality of life and burden.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of life of informal caregivers of patients with pressure ulcer; to assess their levels of burden; to analyse the variables influencing both their quality of life and burden. BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers of pressure ulcer patients, besides coping with the natural dependency of these patients, deal with the specificity of caring these types of wounds. This situation has an impact on not only the quality of life and burden felt by informal caregivers but also on individual and familiar dynamics. DESIGN: Descriptive and correlational study. METHODS: This study focused on 145 informal caregivers providing home care. Measurement instruments were: SF-36v2 and the Burden Interview Scale. Descriptive analysis of the quantitative variables was carried out according to measures of central tendency, and the qualitative variables were described using absolute and relative frequencies. The relationships or associations between variables were explored through correlational analysis and, whenever the data allowed, multivariate techniques were used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Informal caregivers showed low levels of quality of life and, most of them, significant burden. Quality of life decreased with overload, with the increasing number of pressure ulcer and with less experience of informal caregivers, with lack of financial remuneration, with unemployment, with patient positioning and with the direct care of the wound. The burden increased with the number of pressure ulcer in each patient and with the lack of financial remuneration. CONCLUSION: These informal caregivers have low quality of life and are overburdened. Both situations are positively and negatively influenced by factors related to the pressure ulcer and to the patients' sociodemographic data. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study allow more effective monitoring by health professionals of levels of burden and quality of life encountered in pressure ulcer informal caregivers, as well as direct interventions to inhibit the factors inducing burden and enhance those that improve quality of life.

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals in a water supply system and related human health risk assessment.

A monitoring study of 31 pharmaceuticals along Lisbon's drinking water supply system was implemented, which comprised the analysis of 250 samples including raw water (surface water and groundwater), and drinking water. Of the 31 pharmaceutical compounds, only sixteen were quantified in the analyzed samples, with levels ranging from 0.005 to 46 ng/L in raw water samples and 0.09-46 ng/L in drinking water samples. The human health risk assessment performed showed that appreciable risks to the consumer's health arising from exposure to trace levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking water are extremely unlikely, as RQs values were all below 0.001. Also, pharmaceuticals were selected as indicators to be used as a tool to control the quality of raw water and the treatment efficiency in the drinking water treatment plants.

[Economic cost of treating pressure ulcers: a theoretical approach]. / Custo econômico do tratamento das úlceras por pressão: uma abordagem teórica.

The present study consisted of a theoretical approach to the problem posed by the economic costs associated with pressure ulcers (PUs). The initial aim was to assess the target problem from a conceptual perspective and then to report the results of prevalence studies that formed the basis for investigations of the disease's economic impact. The purpose of the present article is to discuss the economic costs associated with PUs from both the global point of view (appraising their financial repercussion) and the individual point of view (addressing the intangible costs). Regarding the economic impact of the costs associated with PUs, the total cost of treatment per healthcare setting was estimated relative to the Autonomous Community of Azores. The total cost of all the PU categories was EUR 7,086,415 in the homecare setting, EUR 1,723,509 in the hospital setting, and EUR 1,002,562 in older people's homes. Therefore, the estimated total treatment cost of all the PU categories was approximately EUR 9,812,486 in Azores. However, the emotional impact of this disease imposes high costs on patients and their relatives as a function of the resultant suffering. Indeed, PUs impose high costs not only related to the treatment but also related to the intangible costs of the suffering caused to patients and their caregivers.

Custo econômico do tratamento das úlceras por pressão: uma abordagem teórica / Costo economico del tratamiento de las ulceras por presion: una aproximacion teorica / Economic cost of treating pressure ulcers: a theoretical approach

O presente artigo consiste numa abordagem teórica sobre a problemática dos custos económicos das úlceras por pressão. Parte-se do conhecimento do problema, numa perspetiva conceptual, para, de seguida, apresentar resultados de estudos de prevalência, a partir dos quais foram delineados estudos de impacto económico. O objectivo deste artigo é o de reflectir sobre os custos económicos associados às úlceras por pressão, quer numa perspetiva global, considerando a repercussão financeira, quer numa vertente personalista, atendendo aos custos intangíveis. Relativamente ao impacto económico das úlceras por pressão, foi efectuada uma estimativa ao nível da Região Autónoma dos Açores do custo total do tratamento por ambiente de cuidados. Nos cuidados domiciliários o custo com o tratamento de todas as categorias é calculado em 7.086.415 euros; nos cuidados hospitalares, em 1.723.509 euros, e nos cuidados prestados em lares de idosos, em 1.002.562 euros. Nos Açores, a estimativa do custo total do tratamento das úlceras por pressão, considerando todas as suas categorias, ronda os 9.812.486 euros. Quanto ao impacto emocional associado, este tem elevados custos para pessoa e para os familiares, nomeadamente pelo sofrimento gerado. De facto, as úlceras por pressão acarretam elevados custos económicos associados ao tratamento, bem como custos intangíveis pelo sofrimento vivenciado por pessoas e cuidadores.

El presente artículo consiste en una reflexión teórica sobre el problema de los costos económicos de las úlceras por presión. Se empieza por el conocimiento del problema, desde una perspectiva conceptual, y, a continuación, se presentan los resultados de estudios de prevalencia, a partir de los cuales se diseñaron estudios de impacto económico. El objetivo del artículo es reflexionar sobre los costos económicos asociados a las úlceras por presión tanto en una perspectiva global, considerando la repercusión financiera, como en una vertiente personalista, de acuerdo a los costos intangibles. En cuanto al impacto económico de las úlceras por presión, se realizó una estimación de la Región Autónoma de Açores del costo total del tratamiento por ámbito de atención. En la atención domiciliaria el costo con el tratamiento de todas las categorías se estima en € 7.086.415, en la atención hospitalaria, se estima € 1.723.509 y en la atención en los asilos se estima en €1.002.562. En Açores, el costo total estimado del tratamiento de las úlceras por presión en todas las categorías, es de alrededor de € 9.812.486. En cuanto al impacto emocional asociado, éste tiene elevados costos para la persona y para los familiares, principalmente, por el sufrimiento causado. De hecho, las úlceras por presión implican altos costos económicos asociados con el tratamiento, así como, costos intangibles generados por el sufrimiento experimentado por los individuos y los cuidadores.

The present study consisted of a theoretical approach to the problem posed by the economic costs associated with pressure ulcers (PUs). The initial aim was to assess the target problem from a conceptual perspective and then to report the results of prevalence studies that formed the basis for investigations of the disease’s economic impact. The purpose of the present article is to discuss the economic costs associated with PUs from both the global point of view (appraising their financial repercussion) and the individual point of view (addressing the intangible costs). Regarding the economic impact of the costs associated with PUs, the total cost of treatment per healthcare setting was estimated relative to the Autonomous Community of Azores. The total cost of all the PU categories was EUR 7,086,415 in the homecare setting, EUR 1,723,509 in the hospital setting, and EUR 1,002,562 in older people’s homes. Therefore, the estimated total treatment cost of all the PU categories was approximately EUR 9,812,486 in Azores. However, the emotional impact of this disease imposes high costs on patients and their relatives as a function of the resultant suffering. Indeed, PUs impose high costs not only related to the treatment but also related to the intangible costs of the suffering caused to patients and their caregivers.

Novas técnicas de avaliaçäo objetiva de carcaças suínas e suas relaçöes com a qualidade da carne suína / New techniques in the assessment of pig carcasses and their relationship with meat quality

Os sistemas de tipificaçäo eletrônica de carcaças suínas säo revisados nos aspectos inerentes ao princípio de funcionamento, precisäo dos resultados, facilidade de aplicaçäo, limitaçöes de uso, custos e relaçöes com a estimativa da qualidade da carne suína na linha de matança. Os equipamentos Destrom, FOM, HGP e SKGLL säo os mais precisos, seguidos pelos KSA, LSQ, Porkitron e SKG. A possibilidade de identificar mudanças na estrutura, cor e capacidade de retençäo de água do músculo suíno através da reflexäo, avaliada no momento da tipificaçäo, é discutida. Os equipamentos de segunda geraçäo estimam a percentagem de carne magra pela reflexäo interna, portanto, poderiam avaliar a qualidade de carne no mesmo dia do abate. Todavia, a estimativa da condiçäo PSE, 45 a 50 minutos "post-morten", obtida com tais equipamentos, näo é uma informaçäo confiável da qualidade final da carne (24 horas "post-mortem"), mas pode ser usada como informaçäo para melhorar as condiçöes do manejo pré-abate