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Abstract:  According to recent studies, chlorophyll has a potential antioxidant effect, which prevents non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant capacity of home-made juice made from a combination of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) and kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). The aim of this analysis was to elaborate artisanal juice with a high chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity, suitable for consumption and sensory acceptable, based on spinach, chard and kiwifruit. This was an empirical, simple descriptive, cross-sectional study. The chlorophyll content (Hansmann spectrophotometric method), the total antioxidant capacity (stable radical scavenging (DPPH)) and the fiber (AOAC 985.29) of the juice produced were analyzed. Acceptability was assessed through sensory evaluation using a descriptive test with a hedonic scale to evaluate quality, taking into account the features color, taste, odor and texture. Two samples were produced: one pasteurized and one unpasteurized, so as to determine which one had a higher chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity. A statistical Z-test with a confidence level of 95 % was used to determine whether the product is sensory acceptable, using Epidat software. The following results were obtained: regarding the unpasteurized juice, a chlorophyll content of 95.81 mg/L (+/- 3.4), antioxidant capacity of 84.56 (% inhibition) (+/- 2.13); concerning the pasteurized juice, 103.22 mg/L (+/- 1.59) of chlorophyll and 96.52 (% inhibition) (+/-0.74) of antioxidant capacity. The fiber content in the pasteurized juice was 1.4 g/ % fiber. According to sensory evaluation, 81 % of untrained judges accepted the product. It was possible to conclude that the beverage prepared, according to its proportions, presents favorable physicochemical and sensory characteristics. In this type of new beverages, the conjugation of the beneficial properties of the mixtures of spinach, chard and kiwifruit, with a higher percentage of absorption and bioavailability due to the absence of inhibitors is interesting, and it can be used as an adjuvant in the effective treatment of non-communicable diseases.Resumen:  Investigaciones actuales refieren que la clorofila tiene un potencial efecto antioxidante, previniendo enfermedades no transmisibles, el presente trabajo pretendió determinar la capacidad antioxidante de un jugo de elaboración artesanal a partir de la combinación de espinaca (Spinaciaoleracea), acelga (Beta vulgaris subespecie cicla) y kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa). Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo elaborar artesanalmente un jugo con alto contenido de clorofila y capacidad antioxidante apto para el consumo y organolépticamente aceptable a base de espinaca, acelga y  kiwi. Estudio empírico, descriptivo simple, corte transversal; se analizó el contenido de clorofila (método espectrofotométrico de Hansmann), capacidad antioxidante total (secuestro del radical estable (DPPH)) y fibra (AOAC 985.29) del jugo elaborado. La aceptabilidad se realizó por evaluación sensorial mediante prueba descriptiva con escala hedónica para valorar la calidad teniendo en cuenta los atributos color, sabor, olor y textura. Se elaboraron dos muestras: una pasteurizada y otra no para conocer cual presentaba mayor contenido de clorofila y capacidad antioxidante.  Se aplicó prueba estadística Z con un nivel de confianza del 95%, para determinar si el producto elaborado es organolépticamente aceptado; software Epidat.  Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: en el jugo no pasteurizado, contenido de clorofila de 95,81mg/L (+/- 3,4), capacidad antioxidante de 84,56(% de inhibición) (+/- 2,13); en el jugo pasteurizado, 103,22mg/L (+/- 1,59)  de clorofila y 96,52(% de inhibición) (+/-0,74) de  capacidad antioxidante. El contenido de fibra en el jugo pasteurizado fue de 1,4 g/% de fibra. Según valoración sensorial, el 81% de jueces no entrenados aceptaron el producto.  Se pudo concluir que la bebida elaborada, según sus proporciones, presenta características fisicoquímicas y sensoriales favorables, siendo interesante en este tipo de nuevas bebidas la conjugación de las propiedades benéficas de las mezclas de espinaca, acelga y kiwi, con mayor porcentaje de absorción y biodisponibilidad, por la ausencia de inhibidores, pudiendo emplearse como coadyuvante en el tratamiento eficaz de enfermedades no transmisibles.

Family network of children with special health needs: implications for Nursing

OBJECTIVE: to describe appropriate sources and resources for caregivers of children with special health needs in the community. METHOD: A qualitative study that used the creativity and sensitivity dynamics speaking map, part of the sensitive creative method, involving 11 caregivers of children with special health needs who are assisted in a university hospital located in the South of Brazil. RESULTS: the maps graphically represented through the genogram and ecomap showed that the caregiving women consistently and regularly use the resources of the internal and external family network; they eventually and irregularly access the community social network for physical and psychological support. CONCLUSION: the reclusive nature of care for these children inside the family circle contributes to their social invisibility. Based on this new information, it is recommended that Nursing participate in the care that is focused on these children's families, with particular attention to their socio-cultural conditions

Imitators of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is described by transient narrowing of the airways after exercise. It occurs in approximately 10% of the general population, while athletes may show a higher prevalence, especially in cold weather and ice rink athletes. Diagnosis of EIB is often made on the basis of self-reported symptoms without objective lung function tests, however, the presence of EIB can not be accurately determined on the basis of symptoms and may be under-, over-, or misdiagnosed. The goal of this review is to describe other clinical entities that mimic asthma or EIB symptoms and can be confused with EIB

Ginseng administration protects skeletal muscle from oxidative stress induced by acute exercise in rats

Enzymatic activity was analyzed in the soleus, gastrocnemius (red and white) and plantaris muscles of acutely exercised rats after long-term administration of Panax ginseng extract in order to evaluate the protective role of ginseng against skeletal muscle oxidation. Ginseng extract (3, 10, 100, or 500 mg/kg) was administered orally for three months to male Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 50 g before exercise and to non-exercised rats (N = 8/group). The results showed a membrane stabilizing capacity of the extract since mitochondrial function measured on the basis of citrate synthase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities was reduced, on average, by 20% (P < 0.05) after exercise but the activities remained unchanged in animals treated with a ginseng dose of 100 mg/kg. Glutathione status did not show significant changes after exercise or treatment. Lipid peroxidation, measured on the basis of malondialdehyde levels, was significantly higher in all muscles after exercise, and again was reduced by about 74% (P < 0.05) by the use of ginseng extract. The administration of ginseng extract was able to protect muscle from exercise-induced oxidative stress irrespective of fiber type

Protein disulphide isomerase-assisted functionalization of proteinaceous substrates

Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) is an enzyme that catalyzes thiol-disulphide exchange reactions among a broad spectrum of substrates, including proteins and low-molecular thiols and disulphides. As the first protein-folding catalyst reported, the study of PDI has mainly involved the correct folding of several cysteine-containing proteins. Its application on the functionalization of protein-based materials has not been extensively reported. Herein, we review the applications of PDI on the modification of proteinaceous substrates and discuss its future potential. The mechanism involved in PDI functionalization of fibrous protein substrates is discussed in detail. These approaches allow innovative applications in textile dyeing and finishing, medical textiles, controlled drug delivery systems and hair or skin care products.We thank to FCT 'Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia' (scholarship SFRH/BD/38363/2007) for providing Margarida Fernandes the grant for PhD studies

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta