Desenho de um sistema de recolha de estatísticas para o Boccia

Comunicação apresentada na 2ª Conferência Nacional em Interacção Pessoa-Máquina, Braga (Portugal), 16-18 de Outubro 2006.Neste artigo apresenta-se o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação para o registo em tempo real de estatísticas de jogo para o Boccia, um desporto praticado essencialmente por pessoas com necessidades especiais. O recurso a técnicas de desenvolvimento de sistemas interactivos como a análise de tarefas, a prototipagem e a continua avaliação das propostas de desenho, quer através do recurso a regras e princípios de usabilidade, quer através do feedback dos utilizadores revelou-se extremamente importante na concepção do sistema. Com este artigo os autores pretendem partilhar a sua experiência na aplicação destas técnicas assim como na utilização de plataformas computacionais móveis no desenvolvimento destes sistemas interactivos

Qualidade Higio-sanitária e Química do leite e queijo da cabra Serpentina

Actualmente, cresce o número de consumidores preocupado com a segurança alimentar, exigindo, como é seu direito, alimentos inócuos e salubres. Muito valorizados pelos apreciadores, os produtos tradicionais integram o património cultural das regiões que os produzem. Fabricados por processos artesanais, a sua qualidade pode ser comprometida, quer pela enorme variabilidade encontrada no produto, quer por deficiências higio-sanitárias ocorridas durante o fabrico. No entanto, qualquer tentativa de intervenção neste âmbito não deve comprometer as suas características próprias. Inseridos no estudo do queijo fabricado com leite de cabra Serpentina caracterizaram-se o leite destinado ao fabrico deste produto e o queijo fresco, produto bastante apreciado pelas suas características organolépticas, mas frequentemente repudiado pelos consumidores receosos dos derivados de leite de cabra. Seguiu-se o processo de fabrico do queijo em duas queijarias e avaliaram-se as composições química e microbiológica do leite e do queijo fresco, durante os períodos de Primavera e de Inverno, realizando, em cada período, três amostragens quinzenais. No leite crú (LC) e no leite tratado termicamente (LTT) dosearam-se sólidos totais, gordura, proteína, caseína e pH e no queijo fresco (QF), resíduo seco, gordura, proteína, fracções azotadas e pH. Os parâmetros microbiológicos quantificados foram mesófilos viáveis totais (MVT) e coliformes (COLIF) e pesquisaram-se Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus coagulase positivo e Listeria monocytogenes, em LC, LTT e QF, excepto MVT nestes últimos. Considerando os dois períodos de fabrico e ambas as queijarias, o LC apresentou os seguintes valores médios: sólidos totais: 14,100,15g/100g; gordura: 4,810,14g/100g; proteína: 3,890,04g/100g; caseína: 2,550,14g/100g; pH: 6,480,049. A composição química do LTT não foi significativamente diferente da do LC. As populações médias no LC foram: MVT: 5,610,53logufc/ml; COLIF: 3,980,26logufc/ml. No LTT, estes parâmetros foram negativos. O QF apresentou teor de humidade: 61,910,42g/100g; gordura: 45,440,44g/100gMS, humidade isenta de gordura: 74,940,47g/100g, proteína: 40,770,29g/100gMS e pH: 6,550,02. Os valores de COLIF foram 6,610,64logufc/g. Em nenhum produto foram detectados Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus coagulase positivo ou Listeria monocytogenes. De acordo com a legislação em vigor, os valores encontrados no leite indicam que se trata de uma matéria-prima de boa qualidade microbiológica, apta a ser transformada em queijo. Os valores de COLIF no QF são elevados, podendo indicar a existência de algumas deficiências durante o fabrico. Contudo, estes valores podem ser reduzidos com a aplicação de regras estritas de higiene, garantindo a qualidade e assegurando a genuinidade deste produto artesanal

Short-Term Effects of Complex Training on Agility with the Ball, Speed, Efficiency of Crossing and Shooting in Youth Soccer Players

Complex training (CXT) is the result of a combination of strength and plyometric exercises in the sam

What is the role of apelin regarding cardiovascular risk and progression of renal disease in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy?

Aims. To evaluate the association of different apelin levels with cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization, renal function, and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate CKD. Methods. An observational, prospective study involving 150 patients divided into groups according to baseline apelin levels: 1 = 329 pg/mL. Baseline characteristics were analyzed and compared. Multivariate Cox regression was used to find out predictors of cardiovascular mortality, and multivariate logistic regression was used to find out predictors of hospitalization and disease progression. Simple linear regressions and Pearson correlations were used to investigate correlations between apelin and renal disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Patients' survival at 83 months in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 39%, 40%, and 71.2%, respectively (P = 0.046). Apelin, age, and eGFR were independent predictors of mortality, and apelin, creatinine, eGFR, resistin, and visfatin were independent predictors of hospitalization. Apelin levels were negatively correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and positively correlated with eGFR. Patients with lower apelin levels were more likely to start a depurative technique. Conclusions. Apelin levels might have a significant clinical use as a marker/predictor of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization or even as a therapeutic agent for CKD patients with cardiovascular disease

Cystic Fibrosis, Atopy, Asthma and ABPA

The role of atopy on cystic fibrosis (CF) progression remains unclear but evidence suggests that it may influence the appearance of co-morbid conditions such as CF asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Recognising asthma in patients with CF is not always easy but the identification of atopic markers favours the diagnosis. Physicians should be aware of this fact in order to achieve a better control of respiratory symptoms in patients with CF. Bronchial mucosa inflammation and abnormal mucus predispose to mould colonisation. These patients are at higher risk of allergic sensitisation, especially when atopic susceptibility is present. In the particular case of A. fumigatus, allergic sensitisation precedes ABPA development, which occurs in up to 10% of CF patients. Progression of lung function deterioration is most strikingly pronounced in patients with ABPA. Therefore, sensitisation with A. fumigatus should be regularly tested in patients with CF, especially those at higher risk. Recombinant allergens constitute an important advance in differentiating Aspergillus sensitisation from ABPA itself

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat