DPOC na população sob vigilância pela rede Médicos Sentinela de 2007 a 2009

Objetivos: Quantificar as consultas relacionadas com DPOC dos utentes inscritos em Médicos Sentinela (MS) entre 2007 e 2009, avaliar os principais motivos de consulta relacionadas com DPOC e estimar a incidência da doença nessa população e caraterizar a terapêutica utilizada na DPOC pelos MS. Tipo de estudo: Coorte dinâmica. Local: Multicêntrico. População: Utentes com idade igual ou superior a 45 anos inscritos nas listas dos MS de 2007 a 2009. Métodos: Análise das consultas relacionadas com DPOC durante o período referido quanto à frequência e motivos de consulta e ao tratamento farmacológico instituído. Cálculo da taxa de incidência e extrapolação para a população portuguesa. Utilização dos testes qui-quadrado (comparação de proporções) e t-student (comparação de médias). Resultados: No conjunto dos três anos, a população sob observação na Rede Sentinela foi de 106.953 indivíduos. Foram notificadas 2.916 consultas relacionadas com DPOC (62,5% no sexo masculino), e 173 novos casos com idade igual ou superior a 45 anos (59,5% no sexo masculino), com média de idades de 66,9 anos, sem diferença significativa relativamente à idade entre os sexos. Calculou-se uma taxa de incidência média anual de 161,8/100.000 (IC 95%: 139,4-87,7/100.000), superior no sexo masculino. Os principais motivos de consulta notificados foram: renovação de medicação (61,9%), consultas de seguimento (22,9%) e exacerbação de sintomas (15,6%). Foi prescrita medicação em 87,3% das consultas, com predomínio de fármacos broncodi-latadores de uso inalatório: anticolinérgicos (25,1%) e adrenérgicos (20,3%). Conclusões: A frequência de consultas e taxa de incidência foram maiores no sexo masculino, estando o valor obtido desta última aquém do esperado, presumivelmente pelo subdiagnóstico da doença e pela exclusão dos doentes que não frequentam as consultas dos CSP. O padrão de prescrição foi concordante com as recomendações da Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Avaliação do uso do território por ungulados domésticos no Parque Natural do Douro Internacional – estudo de caso resultante dum processo de implementação de medidas compensatórias

No âmbito da implementação das medidas compensatórias dos processos de pós‐avaliação de impacte ambiental das linhas elétricas Lagoaça – Aldeadávila 1 (400 KV), Pocinho – Aldeadávila 1/2 (220 KV) e processo de Avaliação de Impacte da Linha Armamar‐ Lagoaça (400 KV), da REN S.A, estão previstas diversas intervenções no Parque Natural do Douro Internacional (PNDI), entre as quais se destaca a promoção do pastoreio extensivo. A promoção do pastoreio extensivo é uma medida interessante na melhoria do habitat da gralha‐de‐bico‐vermelho (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), devido ao incremento de dejetos e ao seu papel na conservação da estrutura da vegetação. Os dejetos produzidos pelos herbívoros atraem diversos invertebrados que constituem uma importante fonte alimentar para a gralha. Neste trabalho, foram monitorizados mensalmente (setembro de 2011 a agosto de 2012) os percursos de pastoreio de três rebanhos de ovinos nas freguesias de Bruçó (Mogadouro) e Fornos (Freixo de Espada à Cinta) na região do PNDI, com GPS. As diversas atividades realizadas pelos animais ao longo do percurso, assim como os tipos de vegetação percorridos, foram identificados. O objetivo do presente estudo é conhecer os territórios de pastoreio dos rebanhos existentes nas áreas alvo de compensação e relacionar as mesmas com a abundância da gralha‐de‐bicovermelho, de modo a poder avaliar a efetividade das medidas compensatórias sobre a espécie gralha‐de‐bico‐vermelho.RE

COPD in the population under surveillance by the portuguese sentinel practice network

Objectives: To determine the number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related consultations among patients registered in the Portuguese Sentinel Practice Network (PSPN) between 2007 and 2009, to calculate the reasons for visits related to COPD, to estimate the incidence of COPD, and to characterize COPD-related therapy. Study design: Dynamic cohort. Setting: Muticentric. Participants: Patients = 45 years old from the lists of general practitioners in the PSPN between 2007 and 2009. Methods: A study of COPD-related consultations over a three-year period, reporting the frequency, the reasons for consultation and treatments was conducted. The estimated incidence rate of COPD was calculated and extrapolated to the Portuguese population. The chi-square test to compare proportions and the t-student test for comparison of means were used. Results: During the study period, the population under observation was 106,953 individuals and 2,916 consultations related to COPD were reported. Of these, 62.5% were for males. New cases of COPD were reported in 173 persons = 45 years old, of which 59.5% were males, with a median age of 66.9 years,. No significant age difference was found between genders. We calculated an annual incidence rate of 161.8/100,000 (95% CI: 139.4-187.7), higher in men. The reasons for consulting were renewal of prescriptions (61.9%), follow-up appointments (22.9%) and exacerbation of symptoms (15.6%). Medication was prescribed in 87.3% of consultations, mainly for inhaled bronchodilators, including anti-cholinergic drugs (25.1%) and ß adrenergic agonists (20.3%). Conclusions: There were more COPD-related visits and a higher incidence rate of COPD for men, though the value observed was lower than expected. This was probably due to under-diagnosis or to the fact that patients who do not attend Primary Health Care clinics were excluded. The prescription pattern found was consistent with the recommendations of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Objetivos: Quantificar as consultas relacionadas com DPOC dos utentes inscritos em Médicos Sentinela (MS) entre 2007 e 2009, avaliar os principais motivos de consulta relacionadas com DPOC e estimar a incidência da doença nessa população e caraterizar a terapêutica utilizada na DPOC pelos MS. Tipo de estudo: Coorte dinâmica. Local: Multicêntrico. População: Utentes com idade igual ou superior a 45 anos inscritos nas listas dos MS de 2007 a 2009. Métodos: Análise das consultas relacionadas com DPOC durante o período referido quanto à frequência e motivos de consulta e ao tratamento farmacológico instituído. Cálculo da taxa de incidência e extrapolação para a população portuguesa. Utilização dos testes qui-quadrado (comparação de proporções) e t-student (comparação de médias). Resultados: No conjunto dos três anos, a população sob observação na Rede Sentinela foi de 106.953 indivíduos. Foram notificadas 2.916 consultas relacionadas com DPOC (62,5% no sexo masculino), e 173 novos casos com idade igual ou superior a 45 anos (59,5% no sexo masculino), com média de idades de 66,9 anos, sem diferença significativa relativamente à idade entre os sexos. Calculou-se uma taxa de incidência média anual de 161,8/100.000 (IC 95%: 139,4-187,7/100.000), superior no sexo masculino. Os principais motivos de consulta notificados foram: renovação de medicação (61,9%), consultas de seguimento (22,9%) e exacerbação de sintomas (15,6%). Foi prescrita medicação em 87,3% das consultas, com predomínio de fármacos broncodilatadores de uso inalatório: anticolinérgicos (25,1%) e ß-adrenérgicos (20,3%). Conclusões: A frequência de consultas e taxa de incidência foram maiores no sexo masculino, estando o valor obtido desta última aquém do esperado, presumivelmente pelo subdiagnóstico da doença e pela exclusão dos doentes que não frequentam as consultas dos CSP. O padrão de prescrição foi concordante com as recomendações da Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Objectives: To determine the number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related consultations among patients registered in the Portuguese Sentinel Practice Network (PSPN) between 2007 and 2009, to calculate the reasons for visits related to COPD, to estimate the incidence of COPD, and to characterize COPD-related therapy. Study design: Dynamic cohort. Setting: Muticentric. Participants: Patients ≥ 45 years old from the lists of general practitioners in the PSPN between 2007 and 2009. Methods: A study of COPD-related consultations over a three-year period, reporting the frequency, the reasons for consultation and treatments was conducted. The estimated incidence rate of COPD was calculated and extrapolated to the Portuguese population. The chi-square test to compare proportions and the t-student test for comparison of means were used. Results: During the study period,the population under observation was 106,953 individuals and 2,916 consultations related to COPD were reported. Of these, 62.5% were for males. New cases of COPD were reported in 173 persons ≥ 45 years old, of which 59.5% were males, with a median age of 66.9 years,. No significant age difference was found between genders.We calculated an annual incidence rate of 161.8/100,000 (95% CI: 139.4-187.7), higher in men. The reasons for consulting were renewal of prescriptions (61.9%), follow-up appointments (22.9%) and exacerbation of symptoms (15.6%). Medication was prescribed in 87.3% of consultations, mainly for inhaled bronchodilators, including anti-cholinergic drugs (25.1%) and β adrenergic agonists (20.3%). Conclusions: There were more COPD-related visits and a higher incidence rate of COPD for men, though the value observed was lower than expected. This was probably due to under-diagnosis or to the fact that patients who do not attend Primary Health Care clinics were excluded.The prescription pattern found was consistent with the recommendations of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Does Cover Crop Management Affect Arthropods in the Subsequent Corn and Soybean Crops in the United States? A Systematic Review

Cover crops (CC) support populations of pest and beneficial arthropods. The status of these arthropods in the subsequent cash crop depends on several factors such as CC species, management, biomass production, and weather conditions. A systematic review was performed to identify how CC management influences pest and beneficial arthropods and to identify knowledge gaps for the future research efforts. Eight studies included in this review indicated that CC increase beneficial arthropods or some beneficial arthropods compared with the CC managed fields. A minority of the studies indicated an increase in pest presence when using CC. Cover crop species, termination time and methods, and CC management had variable responses on arthropod activity-density. The variable responses, differences on study designs, and complexity of CC management influence arthropod activity in a CC-corn [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)]/soybean [Glycine max L. (Fabaceae)] system, limiting our ability to draw a broad and effective conclusion about the CC management impact on arthropods. Local research studies are needed to identify the impact of CC biomass quality and quantity, CC biomass thresholds for pest and beneficial arthropods, and cash crop yield impact of CC management-arthropod-related studies. Studies using the standard farming practices of each U.S. region and using standard measurements are needed to guide farmers that use cover crops. This systematic review aims to provide a better understanding of how the complexity of management in cover crop-corn/soybean management affects arthropod activity-density and to identify potential gaps in research and address future research needs

Vapor–liquid equilibrium of binary mixtures containing isopropyl acetate and alkanols at 101.32 kPa

Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibria of binary mixtures of isopropyl acetate plus an alkanol (1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, or 2-butanol) were measured at 101.32 kPa, using a dynamic recirculating still. An azeotropic behavior was observed only in the mixtures of isopropyl acetate + 2-propanol and isopropyl acetate + 1-propanol. The application of four thermodynamic consistency tests (the Herington test, the Van Ness test, the infinite dilution test, and the pure component test) showed the high quality of the experimental data. Finally, both NRTL and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models were successfully applied in the correlation of the measured data, with the average absolute deviations in vapor phase composition and temperature of 0.01 and 0.16 K, respectively

Synthesis of butyl acrylate in a fixed-bed adsorptive reactor over Amberlyst 15

The butyl acrylate synthesis from the esterification reaction of acrylic acid with 1-butanol in a fixed-bed adsorptive reactor packed with Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin was evaluated. Adsorption experiments were carried out with non-reactive pairs at two temperatures (323 and 363 K). The experimental results were used to obtain multicomponent adsorption equilibrium isotherms of Langmuir type. Reactive adsorption experiments using different feed molar ratios and flow rates were performed, at 363 K, and used to validate a mathematical model developed to describe the dynamic behavior of the fixed-bed adsorptive reactor for the butyl acrylate synthesis. Due to the simultaneous reaction and separation steps, it was possible to obtain a butyl acrylate maximum concentration 38% higher than the equilibrium concentration (for an equimolar reactants ratio solution as feed at a flow rate of 0.9 mL min 21 and 363 K) showing that sorption-enhanced reaction technologies are very promising for butyl acrylate synthesis. (C) 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineer

Gestational age and fetal growth assessment among obstetricians

We aimed to characterize gestational age assessment and fetal growth evaluation among obstetricians. Objective: We aimed to characterize gestational age assessment and fetal growth evaluation among obstetricians. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study. We applied a questionnaire to obstetrics specialists and residents, during a national congress on obstetrics. Results: Almost all 179 respondents correct gestational age in the first trimester by ultrasound, but 63% only if there is a difference of 2–9 days. Ultrasound at 11–13 weeks was considered more accurate than at 8–10 weeks by 81%, with a higher proportion of specialists choosing correctly the last answer (p = 0.05). One-third of the respondents did not correctly point the error associated with the ultrasound estimation of fetal weight (EFW). Of the 88% who use a growth table, only 32% were able to identify it by publication/author. Ninety-eight percent identify fetal growth restriction risk (FGR) with centiles (10th in 76%) and 73% of doctors diagnose FGR without other pathological findings (10th in 49%). 44% finds that a low EFW centile maintenance (4th to 3rd) is more worrisome than the crossing of two quartiles (75th to 24th). Conclusions: The role of ultrasound in gestational age assessment and use of EFW use for FGR classification was disparate among participants. EFW and respective centiles may be over relied uponThe authors state no conflicts of interest. The authors would like to thank Federacao das Sociedades Portuguesas de Obstetricia e Ginecologia for financial support