A comparison between overweight cutoff points for detection of high blood pressure in adolescents

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a acurácia de três pontos de corte na determinação da pressão arterial elevada em adolescentes, dada a forte relação entre o excesso de peso e valores elevados de pressão arterial. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 1.021 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, selecionados de maneira aleatória nas escolas públicas e particulares de Londrina (PR). O peso corporal foi aferido por meio de balança digital, e a estatura, por um estadiômetro portátil com extensão máxima de 2 metros. A pressão arterial foi avaliada através de um aparelho automático. A capacidade do índice de massa corporal de detectar a pressão arterial elevada foi averiguada por meio da curva ROC e seus parâmetros (sensibilidade, especificidade e área sob a curva). RESULTADOS: Os pontos de corte da proposta nacional apresentaram maior acurácia (masculino: 0,636±0,038; feminino: 0,585±0,043) quando comparados aos pontos de corte das propostas internacional (masculino: 0,594±0,040; feminino: 0,570±0,044) e norte-americana (masculino: 0,612±0,039; feminino: 0,578±0,044). CONCLUSÃO: A proposta nacional foi a que apresentou melhor acurácia na indicação de valores elevados de pressão arterial.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of three different cutoff points for the detection of high blood pressure in adolescents, given the strong relationship between overweight and high blood pressure levels. METHODS: A total of 1,021 adolescents of both sexes were enrolled in the study, selected at random from public and private schools in Londrina, Brazil. Their body weight was measured using a digital balance, and their height with a portable stadiometer with a maximum extension of 2 meters. Arterial blood pressure was measured using an automatic apparatus. The capacity of body mass index to detect high blood pressure was gauged using ROC curves and their parameters (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve). RESULTS: The cutoff points proposed in a Brazilian standard exhibited greater accuracy (males: 0.636±0.038; females: 0.585±0.043) than the cutoff points proposed in an international (males: 0.594±0.040; females: 0.570±0.044) and a North-American standard (males: 0.612±0.039; females: 0.578±0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian proposal offered greatest accuracy for indicating high blood pressure levels

Effects of supplementation with corn distillers? dried grains on animal performance, nitrogen balance, and enteric CH4 emissions of young Nellore bulls fed a high-tropical forage diet.

The inclusion of corn-dried distillers? grains (DDG) could be an alternative supplement to increase animal performance, nitrogen efficiency usage (NEU), and decrease enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Our goal was to determine whether DDG could replace a traditional supplement (cottonseed meal) without affecting animal performance, N balance, and CH4 emissions. The experiment was conducted during the forage growing season (December to April), with 15 d adaptation, and a 112 d experimental period. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments: a mineral supplement (MS), cottonseed meal supplement (CS), 50% replacement of CS by DDG (50DDG), and 100% replacement of CS by DDG (100DDG). Cottonseed meal and DDG were used as protein supplement. A total of 12 paddocks, 3 per treatment,were used to measure forage mass:morphological and chemical composition of forage, forage allowance, and animal performance. Six animals per treatmentwere used to evaluateDMintake, digestibility, CH4 emissions, microbial protein production (MCP), and NEU of each treatment. Eighty-one Young Nellore bulls (48 testers, 12 per treatments and 33 adjusters) with initial BWof 255±5 kg (10?12 months old) were supplementedwith each supplement type at a level of 0.3% of BW. Pasture managementwas continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate (put-and-take). Enteric CH4 was measured using the gas tracer technique. TheMCPwas quantified using purine derivatives and the NEU mass balance. No differences were found in nutrient intake (P > 0.228). Individual animal performance and gain per area were higher in the treatments with concentrates compared with that of MS; however, there was no difference among treatments CS, 50DDG, and 100DDG. The ADGwas 0.83 for MS and 1.08 kg/animal/dwhen supplemented (P < 0.05). Gain per hectare was 709 kg/ha for MS and 915 kg/ha when supplemented with concentrates (P <0.05). There was no difference in CH4 production among treatments that average 180 g/animal/d; however, CH4 per kg of gain was reduced with CS. The CH4 conversion factor averaged 5.91%. There was no difference in the synthesis ofMCP and NEU. Corn DDG can replace 100% of cottonseedmeal as a protein source for supplementation of young Nellore bulls grazing in tropical pastures without affecting animal performance, NEU, MCP, and CH4 emissions.online first

Polystyrene cellulose fiber composites: effect of the processing conditions on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties

ABSTRACT The usage of natural fibers on the composites development has grown rapidly in the recent years due to the fibers plentiful availability, renewable source, low density and biodegradability. However, there are some drawbacks, for instance, the fiber dispersion on a polyolefin matrix. In this work, the influence of processing speed on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene (PS) filled with cellulose fiber composites was investigated. The composites were processed on a twin-screw co-rotating extruder, using screw speeds of 200 rpm, 400 rpm and 600 rpm. The dynamic mechanical properties and the mechanical properties were investigated as a function of fiber content. The composites processed on a screw speed of 400 rpm had presented an increase on flexural and impact strength, compared to the composites processed at 200 rpm. The flexural and storage modulus had increased when increasing the fiber content, as well as increasing the processing speed. The greater fiber dispersion obtained at a screw speed of 400 rpm hinders the agglomeration arrangement and distributes the fibers more equally on the matrix. The increase on processing speed probably generates a fiber size reduction, increasing the fiber superficial area and generating a greater contact with the matrix as well. Therefore, the efforts transference of matrix to fibers is improved, originating an increase on the evaluated properties

VALIDITY OF EQUATIONS FOR ESTIMATING (V) over dotO(2)PEAK FROM THE 20-M SHUTTLE RUN TEST IN ADOLESCENTS AGED 11-13 YEARS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Batista, MB, Cyrino, ES, Arruda, M, Dourado, AC, Coelho-E-Silva, MJ, Ohara, D, Romanzini, M, and Ronque, ERV. Validity of equations for estimating V.o(2)peak from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years. J Strength Cond Res 27(10): 2774-2781, 2013The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of 4 regression equations to estimate the peak oxygen consumption (V.o(2)peak) from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years. One hundred and fifteen adolescents, 61 boys (mean +/- SD: age = 12.3 +/- 0.9 years) and 54 girls (age = 12.1 +/- 0.7 years) performed the 20-m shuttle run test and an incremental progressive maximal test for direct V.o(2)peak analysis. Four linear regression equations were used to estimate the V.o(2)peak: Barnett et al. (equation 1), Leger et al. (equation 2), Mahar et al. (equation 3), and Matsuzaka et al. (equation 4). For boys, only the V.o(2)peak estimated by EQ3 did not differ from the value directly measured (p > 0.05). The EQ1, EQ2, and EQ4 underestimated the V.o(2)peak, whereas the EQ3 overestimated, particularly in girls (p < 0.05). Large limits of agreement were found between the reference method and the 4 equations, with higher estimated values by EQ2 for boys (8.36 +/- 15.24 mLkg(-1)min(-1)) and girls (2.45 +/- 12.63 mLkg(-1)min(-1)). The highest correlation values were observed by EQ4 for boys (r = 0.80), EQ1 for girls (r = 0.72), and EQ3 for total sample (r = 0.80). The equations analyzed were not precise for individual V.o(2)peak prediction; however, the EQ3 revealed better agreement, particularly for boys. Considering the data obtained in the boys and total sample, our results suggest that the EQ3 may provide the best predictive measure of V.o(2)peak from the 20-m shuttle run test in adolescents aged 11-13 years.271027742781Foundation for the Support of Scientific and Technological Development of Parana (FAADCT/Brazil)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Conceptions and Feelings of Nurses Working in Emergency Medical Services about their Professional Practice and Training Conceptos y sentimientos de enfermeros que actúan en la atención pre-hospitalaria sobre la práctica y la información profesional Concepções e sentimentos de enfermeiros que atuam no atendimento pré-hospitalar sobre a prática e a formação profissional

This descriptive study with qualitative approach aimed to identify the feelings that result from the practice and training of nurses working in mobile Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Nine nurses were interviewed in September 2007. Bardin's content analysis was used and six categories emerged: "Feelings aroused in the EMS", "Experiences in the daily routine", "nurses' activities in EMS", "Personal and professional preparedness", "Reflecting on the professional training" and "Nurses' perceptions of the EMS". The importance of this study lays in the need for personally, professionally and emotionally prepared nurses and also in the need to acknowledge and value the nursing practice in this service. The results revealed that nurses working in EMS feel secure, prepared and motivated to work and they also experience diverse feelings such as compassion, gratitude, anger, pity, sadness and anxiety. Acknowledgment and the possibility of restoring lives motivate them.<br>Este es estudio descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativo que tuvo como objetivo identificar los sentimientos resultantes de la actuación y formación de los enfermeros del servicio de atención pre-hospitalaria (APH) móvil de emergencia. Fueron entrevistados 9 enfermeros, en septiembre de 2007. Se utilizó la técnica de análisis de contenido de Bardin, que auxilió en la formación de seis categorías: "sentimientos despertados en el APH", "experiencias provenientes en el día a día del trabajo", "actividades del enfermero en el APH", "preparación personal y profesional", "reflexionando sobre la formación profesional", y, "percepción del enfermero sobre el APH". La importancia de este trabajo reside en la necesidad de contar con enfermeros con capacitación personal, profesional y emocional, también obtener el reconocimiento y valorización de la actuación de la enfermería en ese Servicio. Los resultados revelaron que los enfermeros del APH se sienten seguros, preparados y motivados para actuar, experimentan diversos sentimientos como compasión, gratitud, rabia, pena, tristeza, ansiedad, y consideran como incentivos el reconocimiento y la posibilidad de restaurar vidas.<br>Este é estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, e teve como objetivo identificar os sentimentos resultantes da atuação e formação dos enfermeiros do serviço de atendimento pré-hospitalar (APH) móvel de urgência. Foram entrevistados 9 enfermeiros, em setembro de 2007. Utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin, que auxiliou na formação de seis categorias: "sentimentos despertados no APH", "experiências decorrentes no dia a dia do trabalho", "atividades do enfermeiro no APH", "preparo pessoal e profissional", "refletindo sobre a formação profissional" e "percepção do enfermeiro sobre o APH". A importância deste trabalho reside na necessidade de enfermeiros com capacitação pessoal, profissional e emocional, também no reconhecimento e valorização da atuação da enfermagem nesse Serviço. Os resultados revelaram que os enfermeiros do APH se sentem seguros, preparados e motivados para atuar, experimentam diversos sentimentos como compaixão, gratidão, raiva, pena, tristeza, ansiedade, e consideram como motivador o reconhecimento e a possibilidade de restaurar vidas