Individual, spatial and inter-sex variation in somatic growth: A study of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), a long-distance freshwater Neotropical migratory fish

Growth is a fundamental biological process, driven by multiple endogenous (intra-individual) and exogenous (environmental) factors that maintain individual fitness and population stability. The current study aims to assess whether individual, spatial (headwaters and floodplains) and inter-sex variation occurs in the growth of Piaractus mesopotamicus in the Cuiabá River basin. Samples were collected monthly from July 2006 to July 2007, at two areas in the Cuiabá River basin (headwaters and floodplain). Three growth models (individuals; individuals and sex factors; individuals and areas factors) were developed and compared the fish growth parameters using Akaike information criterion (AIC). The best fit to the length-at-age data was obtained by a model that considered individual variation and sex. The theoretical maximum average length (L∞) was 64.99 cm for females, and 63.23 cm for males. Females showed a growth rate (k) of 0.230 yr-1and males of 0.196 yr-1. Thus, could be concluded that individual variability and sex were the main sources of variation in P. mesopotamicus somatic growth parameters. © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia. All rights reserved

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Knowledge and attitudes of nursing professors and students concerning the interface between spirituality, religiosity and health Comparación de conocimientos y actitudes de los profesores y estudiantes de enfermería frente a las relaciones entre espiritualidad, religión y salud Conhecimentos e atitudes de docentes e alunos em enfermagem na interface espiritualidade, religiosidade e saúde

This study compares the knowledge and attitudes of nursing professors and students concerning the interface between spirituality, religiosity and health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 nursing professors and 118 students. The results reveal that more than 95% of the participants had some religious affiliation, 96% believed that spirituality considerably influences patients&#39; health, and 77% wished to address this subject. However, only 36% felt prepared for it and most believed that the university did not provide the necessary information. No statistical differences were found between the religious practices of nursing professors and students, though a marked difference was found in their clinical practices and opinions concerning spirituality and its inclusion in the program&#39;s curriculum. The most common barriers to addressing such a subject were: fear of imposing one&#39;s own beliefs, lack of time, and fear of offending patients.<br>El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar conocimientos y actitudes de los profesores y estudiantes de enfermería frente al enlace entre Espiritualidad, Religiosidad y Salud. Se trata de un estudio transversal, con 30 profesores y 118 estudiantes de enfermería. Como resultados se obtuvo que más de 95% de los participantes poseían algún tipo de afiliación religiosa, 96% creían que la espiritualidad influenciaba mucho en la salud del paciente y 77% sentían deseos de abordar el asunto. Entretanto, solamente 36% se juzgaban preparados y la mayoría creía que la universidad no proporcionaba todas las informaciones necesarias sobre el tema. No hubo diferencias estadísticas entre la religiosidad de profesores y estudiantes de enfermería, sin embargo hubo una clara diferencia entre sus prácticas clínicas y opiniones al respecto de la espiritualidad y de su implementación en el currículo. Las principales barreras para abordar el asunto fueron: miedo de imponer las propias creencias, falta de tiempo y miedo de ofender a los pacientes.<br>Objetivou-se com o presente estudo comparar conhecimentos e atitudes dos docentes e discentes de Enfermagem frente à interface espiritualidade, religiosidade e saúde. Para isso, realizou-se estudo transversal, com 30 docentes e 118 discentes de Enfermagem. Como resultados, mais de 95% dos participantes possuíam algum tipo de filiação religiosa, 96% acreditavam que a espiritualidade influenciava muito na saúde do paciente, e 77% sentiam vontade de abordar o assunto. Entretanto, somente 36% julgavam-se preparados, e a maioria acreditava que a universidade não proporcionava todas as informações necessárias sobre o tema. Não houve diferenças estatísticas entre a religiosidade de docentes e discentes de Enfermagem, porém, houve marcante diferença entre suas práticas clínicas e opiniões a respeito da espiritualidade e de sua implementação no currículo. As principais barreiras ao abordar o assunto foram: medo de impor as próprias crenças, falta de tempo e medo de ofender os pacientes