Análise Rasch do Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool - Versão Brasileira

OBJETIVOS: Los objetivos del estudio fueron validar la versión brasileña del Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool. MÉTODO: evaluación del elementos del instrumento a través del análisis Rasch. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron datos de 952 auxiliares de enfermería y 627 enfermeras (edad promedia 44,1 años, DE = 9,5, hombres 13,0%). Cada una de las 4 subescalas (Elección, Conciencia, Libertad y Compromiso) mostraron unidimensionalidad. Las 7 categorías iniciales de respuesta debieron colapsarse a 3. Todos los ítems de las sub-escalas mostraron buen ajuste, exceptuando el ítem liderado/líder cuyos valores infit y oufit fueron mayores de 1,4. Este ítem también mostró el DIF para rol del respondiente. La fiabilidad de los ítems fue de 0,99 para las cuatro escalas y para las personas osciló entre 0.80 y 0.84. No fueron identificados ítems en los extremos de dificultad. CONCLUSIÓN: El PKPCT no debe ser tratado como un instrumento unidimensional. Se deberían crear ítems en los extremos de dificultad de la escala, además de investigar el funcionamiento diferencial de algunos ítems.OBJECTIVES: the objective of this study was to evaluate the items contained in the Brazilian version of the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT). METHOD: investigation of the psychometric properties of the mentioned questionnaire through Rasch analysis. RESULTS: the data from 952 nursing assistants and 627 baccalaureate nurses were analyzed (average age 44.1 (SD=9.5); 13.0% men). The subscales Choices, Awareness, Freedom and Involvement were tested separately and presented unidimensionality; the categories of the responses given to the items were compiled from 7 to 3 levels and the items fit the model well, except for the following/leading item, in which the infit and outfit values were above 1.4; this item has also presented Differential Item Functioning (DIF) according to the participant's role. The reliability of the items was of 0.99 and the reliability of the participants ranged from 0.80 to 0.84 in the subscales. Items with extremely high levels of difficulty were not identified. CONCLUSIONS: the PKPCT should not be viewed as unidimensional, items with extremely high levels of difficulty in the scale need to be created and the differential functioning of some items has to be further investigated.OBJETIVOS: o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os itens da versão brasileira do Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT). MÉTODO: investigação das propriedades psicométricas do instrumento por meio da análise Rasch. RESULTADOS: foram analisados dados de 952 auxiliares de enfermagem e 627 enfermeiros (idade média 44,1 (DP=9,5) anos; 13,0% homens). As subescalas escolhas, consciência, liberdade e envolvimento foram testadas separadamente e apresentaram unidimensionalidade; as categorias de resposta dos itens foram colapsadas de 7 para 3 níveis, os itens se ajustaram bem ao modelo, com exceção do item de liderado/de líder, cujos valores de infit e outfit ficaram acima de 1,4; esse item também apresentou DIF (differential item functioning) para função do respondente. A confiabilidade dos itens foi de 0,99 e a confiabilidade das pessoas variou de 0,80 a 0,84 nas subescalas. Não foram identificados itens nos extremos de dificuldade. CONCLUSÕES: o PKPCT não deve ser tratado como unidimensional, é necessário que sejam criados itens nos extremos de dificuldade da escala e investigado o funcionamento diferencial de alguns itens

Sleeping difficulties reported by patients with heart failure

The study aimed to describe the reports of heart failure patients on the factors that cause difficulties to sleep and the association of these factors with the quality of sleep. This cross-sectional study involved a non-probabilistic sample of 400 patients (mean age 57.8 years, 64.8% were men, average education of 6.1 years, 82.5% in functional class II or III) with heart failure. The main factors associated with sleeping difficulty were: nocturia, interrupted sleep at night and breathing difficulty. Sleeping difficulties in heart failure patients are diverse and there is an association between these difficulties and quality of sleep. Most of these disorders warrant professional nursing interventions.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2009/08245-7

Attitudes of nursing staff related to the nursing process

Os objetivos do estudo foram descrever a disposição sobre o Processo de Enfermagem (PE) e a percepção de poder clínico dos profissionais de enfermagem; analisar associações entre atitudes relacionadas ao PE e variáveis selecionadas. Participaram 1.605 auxiliares de enfermagem e enfermeiros (86,9% mulheres, idade média 44,12 anos; DP=9,55). O escore médio no instrumento Posições sobre o Processo de Enfermagem (PPE) foi 112,37 (DP=22,28) e no Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool - versão brasileira (PKPCT) foi 281,12 (DP= 38,72). Os escores nos instrumentos foram mais altos para enfermeiros quando comparados aos auxiliares. Houve correlação positiva moderada entre escores do PPE e PKPCT. Para os auxiliares houve associação entre os escores no PPE, sexo e pós-graduação; e entre percepção de poder e sexo. Para os enfermeiros houve associação entre PKPCT e cargo de chefia. Mais estudos devem ser desenvolvidos com vistas a identificar variáveis potencialmente associadas ao uso do Processo de Enfermagem na prática clínica.Los objetivos del estudio fueron describir la disposición sobre el Proceso de Enfermería (PE) y la potencia clínica percibida del personal de enfermeira, y analizar las asociaciones entre las actitudes hacia el PE y variables seleccionadas. Participaron del studio 1605 auxiliares de enfermería y enfermeros (86,9% mujeres, edad media 44.12 años, DP = 9,55). La puntuación en el instrumento de la disposición sobre el Proceso de Enfermería (DPE) fue 112,37 (DP = 22,28) y en el Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool-version Brasileña (PKPCT) fue 281,12 (DP = 38,72). Las puntuaciones en los instrumentos fueron más altas para los enfermeros en comparación con los auxiliares de enfermería. Hubo correlación positiva moderada entre las puntuaciones del DPE y PKPCT. Para los auxiliares de enfermería se encontró asociaciones entre las puntuaciones en el DPE y sexo, y postgrado, y entre el poder percibido y sexo. Para los enfermeros se encontró asociación entre PKPCT y cargo de gestión. Más estudios se desarrolló con el fin de identificar las variables potencialmente asociadas con el uso de proceso de enfermería en la práctica clínica.The aims of the study were to describe nurses' positions on nursing process and their perception of power; and to analyse associations between positions on nursing process, power perception and selected variables. One thousand six hundred and five nurses (86.9% female, mean age=44.12 years, SD=9.55) participated in the study. Mean score on the Positions on Nursing Process (PNP) tool was 112.37 (SD=22.28); and on the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool - Brazilian Version (PKPCT) was 281.12 (SD=38.72). Baccalaureate nurses had statistically higher scores on PNP and PKPCT than auxiliary nurses. There was positive and moderate correlation between PNP and PKPCT scores. Auxiliary nurses' scores on PNP were associated with sex and post-graduation; auxiliary nurses' scores on PKPCT were associated with sex. For baccalaureate nurses there was association between PKPCT and administrative position. More studies should be developed in order to identify variables potentially associated with the use of nursing process in clinical practice

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry study of body composition in patients with lipodystrophy

Inst Estadual Diabet & Endocrinol, Metab Unit, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Endocrinol & Metab, São Paulo, BrazilDENSSO, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Endocrinol & Metab, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Purification of a lectin with antibacterial activity from Bothrops leucurus snake venom

A novel lectin was isolated from Bothrops leucurus snake venom using a combination of affinity and gel filtration chromatographies. the lectin (BIL) agglutinated glutaraldehyde-treated rabbit and human erythrocytes with preference for rabbit erythrocytes. Galactose, raffinose, lactose, fetal bovine serum and casein inhibited lectin-induced rabbit erythrocyte agglutination. BIL, with a molecular mass of 30 kDa and composed of two subunits of 15 kDa, showed dependence on calcium. BIL is an acidic protein with highest activity over the pH range of 4.0-7.0 and stable under heating to 70 degrees C. Fluorescence emission spectra showed tryptophan residues partially buried within the lectin structure. the percentages of secondary structure revealed by circular dichroism were 1% alpha-helix, 44% beta-sheet, 24% beta-turn and 31% unordered. BIL showed effective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 31.25, 62.25 and 125 mu g/mL, respectively. in conclusion, B. leucurus snake venom contains a galactoside-binding lectin with antibacterial activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bioquim, BR-50670420 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Dept Zool, BR-40170210 Salvador, BA, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Zool, BR-50670420 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Estadual Oeste Parana, Ctr Engn & Ciencias Exatas, BR-85903000 Toledo, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Erratum to: The study of cardiovascular risk in adolescents – ERICA: rationale, design and sample characteristics of a national survey examining cardiovascular risk factor profile in Brazilian adolescents

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Local hydrological conditions influence tree diversity and composition across the Amazon basin

Tree diversity and composition in Amazonia are known to be strongly determined by the water supplied by precipitation. Nevertheless, within the same climatic regime, water availability is modulated by local topography and soil characteristics (hereafter referred to as local hydrological conditions), varying from saturated and poorly drained to well-drained and potentially dry areas. While these conditions may be expected to influence species distribution, the impacts of local hydrological conditions on tree diversity and composition remain poorly understood at the whole Amazon basin scale. Using a dataset of 443 1-ha non-flooded forest plots distributed across the basin, we investigate how local hydrological conditions influence 1) tree alpha diversity, 2) the community-weighted wood density mean (CWM-wd) – a proxy for hydraulic resistance and 3) tree species composition. We find that the effect of local hydrological conditions on tree diversity depends on climate, being more evident in wetter forests, where diversity increases towards locations with well-drained soils. CWM-wd increased towards better drained soils in Southern and Western Amazonia. Tree species composition changed along local soil hydrological gradients in Central-Eastern, Western and Southern Amazonia, and those changes were correlated with changes in the mean wood density of plots. Our results suggest that local hydrological gradients filter species, influencing the diversity and composition of Amazonian forests. Overall, this study shows that the effect of local hydrological conditions is pervasive, extending over wide Amazonian regions, and reinforces the importance of accounting for local topography and hydrology to better understand the likely response and resilience of forests to increased frequency of extreme climate events and rising temperatures