On the Estimation of Hospital Beds Occupancy After Hip Surgery

For hospitals, the variability on demand (number of daily urgent admissions) and the variability in the Length of Stay (LoS) (bed occupancy) may affect the quality of service provided to patients and the effectiveness of the overall service. This paper studies the LoS of 238 patients who performed hip surgery in the orthopedic service of a Portuguese hospital in 2014. It uses variables available in electronic databases, such as Age, Gender, ASA classification; Surgical Apgar Score, Type of hip surgery; Weekday of the surgery; Starting hour of the surgery and Duration of surgery to predict LoS and provides a model that correctly indicate if a patient stays more than 7 days in 72.1% of the cases.- This work has been supported by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

When the Conception of Symmetry Deceives Us: A Case Report on the Perioperative Diagnosis of Subclavian Artery Stenosis

Subclavian artery stenosis is a relatively uncommon manifestation of peripheral artery disease with significant morbidity. We describe a case of left subclavian artery stenosis that became apparent in the intraoperative setting, in a patient who presented for emergency surgery after a fall and subsequent left femoral neck fracture. Initial non-invasive blood pressure readings on the left upper extremity were in the normal range but after placement of the arterial line on the right upper extremity, the discrepancy was evident pointing towards a structural abnormality as the causative factor. CT angiography was found to confirm the diagnosis of left subclavian artery stenosis of an atherosclerotic nature. A thorough physical examination can point to the presence of subclavian stenosis through pulse amplitude and blood pressure asymmetries. This study highlights the importance of obtaining blood pressure readings ideally on all four limbs to avoid misinterpretation of blood pressure values that could ultimately lead to the use of unnecessary and inadequate interventions and possible complications in the perioperative setting.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Régime alimentaire de Dasyatis pastinaca et Myliobatis aquila (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes) des Açores, Atlantique NE

This paper describes and discusses the feeding ecology of two stingray species that occur in the Azores: Dasyatis pastinaca and Myliobatis aquila. Both are common coastal species associated with sandy, muddy and rocky bottoms, from surface waters to depths of over 200 m. The diet described here is based on the stomach content analysis from 33 specimens (23 D. pastinaca, 10 M. aquila) collected by spearfishing between June and October 2010 at three different locations along the coast of Terceira Island, Azores. Food habits of D. pastinaca consist mainly of Decapod crustaceans (with a relevance for Pachygrapsus marmoratus) followed by other groups with high representativeness: Polychaeta and Mysidacea. The diet of M. aquila consists mainly of Calliostoma lusitanicum and Stramonita haemastoma. Both species from our sample proved to be generalist predators with different feeding habits. The diet of D. pastinaca is characterized by Crustacea (81% IRI) and that of M. aquila characterized by Mollusca (82% IRI).RÉSUMÉ: Cet article décrit et analyse l’écologie alimentaire de deux raies des Açores : Dasyatis pastinaca et Myliobatis aquila. Ce sont deux espèces côtières communes associées à des fonds sableux, vaseux et rocheux, se trouvant depuis les petits fonds jusqu’à plus de 200 m de profondeur. Le régime décrit ici est basé sur l’analyse du contenu stomacal de 33 spécimens (23 D. pastinaca, 10 M. aquila) récoltées en chasse sous-marine entre juin et octobre 2010 à trois endroits différents le long de la côte de l’île Terceira, aux Açores. Le régime alimentaire de D. pastinaca se compose principalement de crustacés décapodes (avec une préférence pour Pachygrapsus marmoratus), suivis par d’autres groupes fortement représentés: polychètes et mysidacés. Le régime de M. aquila se compose principalement de Calliostoma lusitanicum et Stramonita haemastoma. Les deux espèces sont des prédateurs généralistes avec des habitudes alimentaires différentes. Le régime alimentaire de D. pastinaca est caractérisé par les crustacés (81% IRI) et celui de M. aquila par les mollusques (82% IRI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implications for the use of acid preservatives in 24-hour urine for measurements of high demand biochemical analytes in clinical laboratories

Background: Evaluate the level of interference of biochemists dosages in the 24-hour urine using or not the 6 mol/l HCl acid in different concentrations and conditions and its implications in the most demanded analytes in clinical laboratory.Methods: Twenty-two volunteers collected three 24-hour urine in 3 conditions: with 5 ml/l and 20 ml/l of 6 mol/l HCl in the container, and without acid preservative. the samples collected without preservative were separated in aliquots and added 5 ml/l of 6 mol/l HCl after 24 h. Analytes, uric acid creatinine, urea, chlorides, glucose, magnesium, sodium, potassium, microalbumin, proteins, amylase, aldosterone, calcium, cortisol, phosphorus, citric acid, oxalate, and metanephrines, were determined.Results: Uric acid, glucose, microalbumin, protein, amylase and aldosterone showed that %CV ranging from 16 to 57% in the presence of acid preservative. Analytes that need acid preservative cortisol, citric acid and oxalate showed %CV ranging from 6 to 27% with r=0.66, r=0.77, r=0.70 respectively provided 5 ml/l after delivery and r=0.31, r=0.70 and r=0.48 without preservative acid when compared with the gold standard (with 20 ml/l of 6 mol/l HCl).Conclusions: Glucose, microalbumin, protein, amylase and aldosterone urinary did not show good performance in the presence of acid preservative. Analytes that need acid preservative showed variation acceptable in condition 5 ml/l of 6 mol/l HCl added after 24 h. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Associacao Fundo de Pesquisa a Psicobiologia (AFIP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, UNIFESP, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilAssoc Fundo Incent Psicofarmacol, AFIP Med Diagnost, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, UNIFESP, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Biotic and Abiotic factors in the distribution of resident fish species : a case study from two islets and an adjacent shoreline in Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal

XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015.With this poster we aim to disclose the ecological characteristics of the resident ichthyofauna in three distinct SE- NW aligned sites off the S coast of Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. We collected both direct and indirect data about those species near the shoreline – Serretinha, in a close by islet complex – Cabras and over an offshore rocky outcrop – Fradinhos. [...]

Antimicrobial activity of propolis nanoparticles against some common meat contamination bacteria

Raw meat is a highly perishable product that requires a great amount of care, from its handling to the conservation conditions at low temperatures. The reduction of microbial proliferation in meat is necessary to achieve an increase of shelf life, food safety, while maintaining product features. For this reason, a technology based on natural antimicrobial agent may offer a potential alternative to protect and control the proliferation of microorganisms on food products. Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected from the leaf buds of different tree species by honeybees and known for its biological properties (antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant) (Koo et. al, 2000). The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of propolis nanoparticles in comparison with ethanol-propolis extract against some common meat contamination bacteria. The ethanol-propolis extract was obtained from green propolis resin, in absolute ethanol under agitation during 15 days. To obtain the propolis nanoparticles, ethanol-propolis extract at 13.75% (w/v) was mixed with polyvinyl-alcohol solution at 0.1% (w/v). Antimicrobial activity of propolis nanoparticles and ethanol-propolis extract was tested against 8 microorganisms typically present in meat. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of both solutions were evaluated by agar-well diffusion method; all strains were susceptible and MIC values ranged from 0.57 to 2.29% (w/v) for propolis nanoparticles and from 0.68 to 6.88% (w/v) for ethanol-propolis extract. The MIC of propolis nanoparticles for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella thompson, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter helveticus, Lactobacillus bucheneri and Leuconostoc mesenteroideswas 1.15%, 0.57%, 2.29%, 1.72%, 1.72%, 2.29%, 2.29%, 1.72%, respectively, and the MIC for ethanol-propolis extract to the same species was 3.44%, 0.68%, 3.44%, 3.44%, 3.44%, 6.88%, 6.88%, 3.44%, respectively. The shown antimicrobial activity of propolis nanoparticles is of potential interest for food applications (e.g. in edible coatings formulation). Therefore, results obtained in this study, set the bases for future studies, using films as support for propolis nanoparticles, for application in meat products. References Koo, H.; Gomes, B.P.F.A.; Rosalen, P. L.; Ambrosano, G.M.B.; Park, Y. K.; Cury, J. A. (2000) In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and Arnica montana against oral pathogens. Archives of Oral Biology 45: 141-14

Hybrid sol-gel matrices doped with colorimetric/fluorimetric imidazole derivatives

Organic–inorganic hybrids (OIH) are materials that can be easily synthesized by the sol–gel method and combine the advantages of organic and inorganic moieties within a single polymeric matrix. Imidazole derivatives are versatile organic compounds that can change their optical properties with the variation of pH due to the protonation or deprotonation of the nitrogen atoms. This work reports the preparation of different OIHs doped with different contents of two imidazole compounds (3a,b). The obtained materials were characterized structurally by FTIR, and the dielectric properties were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The optical properties were studied by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The FTIR analysis showed that the presence of the imidazole does not change the structural properties of the matrices. The normalized resistance values obtained for the doped matrices ranged between 8.57 and 9.32 Ω cm2, all being higher than the undoped matrix. The σ ranged between 9.49 and 10.28 S cm−1, being all higher than the pure OIH samples. Compound 3a showed a maximum absorption peak at 390 nm, which is present in the OIH spectra, proving the presence of the compound. In the case of compound 3b, a maximum absorption wavelength at 412 nm was found, and the compound peak was not clear, which may indicate that an interaction between the compound and the matrix occurred. A synergetic effect between the intrinsic emission of the matrix and the fluorescence of 3a is found on the OIH-doped matrices.This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and FEDER (European Fund for Regional Development)-COMPETE-QRENEU through the Chemistry Research Centre of the University of Minho (Ref. CQ/UM (UID/QUI/00686/2019 and UID/QUI/00686/2020), project “SolSensors—Development of Advanced Fiber Optic Sensors for Monitoring the Durability of Concrete Structures”, reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031220, and a PhD grant to R.P.C.L. Sousa (SFRH/BD/145639/2019). The NMR spectrometer Bruker Avance III 400 is part of the National NMR Network (PTNMR) and partially supported by Infrastructure Project No 022161 (co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE 2020, POCI and PORL and FCT through PIDDAC)

The influence of gait cadence on the ground reaction forces and plantar pressures during load carriage of young adults

Biomechanical gait parameters ground reaction forces (GRFs) and plantar pressures during load carriage of young adults were compared at a low gait cadence and a high gait cadence. Differences between load carriage and normal walking during both gait cadences were also assessed. A force plate and an in-shoe plantar pressure system were used to assess 60 adults while they were walking either normally (unloaded condition) or wearing a backpack (loaded condition) at low (70 steps per minute) and high gait cadences (120 steps per minute). GRF and plantar pressure peaks were scaled to body weight (or body weight plus backpack weight). With medium to high effect sizes we found greater anterior-posterior and vertical GRFs and greater plantar pressure peaks in the rearfoot, forefoot and hallux when the participants walked carrying a backpack at high gait cadences compared to walking at low gait cadences. Differences between loaded and unloaded conditions in both gait cadences were also observed.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Apple and Pear Model for Optimal Production and Fruit Grade in a Changing Environment

Apple and pear crops are very important to the rural economy of Portugal. Despite significant improvements in productivity and quality, due to the introduction of new management techniques, model-based decision support may further increase the revenue of the growers. Available simulation models of orchard growth and production are scarce and are often highly empirical. This study presents a mechanistic model for the simulation of productivity and fruit grade of apple and pear orchards under potential and water-limited conditions. The effects of temperature extremes and rain on fruit set are addressed. The model was validated on apple and pear datasets derived from extensive experiments conducted in Central and Southern Portugal. Model performance is high and depicts the effect of crop load on productivity and fruit-size grade and the distribution of both crops. A simulation example shows the relationship between productivity and average fruit size for a hypothetical six-year-olc apple orchard. The model herewith presented is a tool that can be used to estimate optimal crop load for maximum revenue and productivity, fruit size distribution, water use, and other variables relevant for pome fruit productioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish: optimisation and validation of microwave-assisted extraction

An accurate and sensitive method for determination of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (16 PAHs considered by USEPA as priority pollutants, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene) in fish samples was validated. Analysis was performed by microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography with photodiode array and fluorescence detection. Response surface methodology was used to find the optimal extraction parameters. Validation of the overall methodology was performed by spiking assays at four levels and using SRM 2977. Quantification limits ranging from 0.15–27.16 ng/g wet weight were obtained. The established method was applied in edible tissues of three commonly consumed and commercially valuable fish species (sardine, chub mackerel and horse mackerel) originated from Atlantic Ocean. Variable levels of naphthalene (1.03–2.95 ng/g wet weight), fluorene (0.34–1.09 ng/g wet weight) and phenanthrene (0.34–3.54 ng/g wet weight) were detected in the analysed samples. None of the samples contained detectable amounts of benzo[a]pyrene, the marker used for evaluating the occurrence and carcinogenic effects of PAHs in food