Follicular dynamics in Serrana goats

Twenty-two Serrana goats were studied through two successive estrous cycles in order to characterize their follicular dynamics during the breeding season. The ovaries of the goats were scanned daily by realtime ultrasonography and all follicles ≥3mm were measured and classified. The data were classified by the number of follicular waves per goat to test the hypothesis that temporal and morphological differences between the last follicular wave of an ovary, irrespective of ovulation, will affect the selection of the next ovulatory wave. The mean interovulatory interval was 20.7±1.0 days (mean±S.D.). Three to five waves per estrous cycle were observed and 61.3% (19/31) of cycles had fourwaves. In estrous cycles with fourwaves, the day of onset of the first, second, third and fourth wave was 1.4±1.0, 6.9±1.4, 11.6±1.8 and 16.8±1.6, respectively. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between the day of onset of the first and second waves for estrous cycles with three, four or five waves. However, the day of onset of the third and fourth waves occurred later when the number of waves per estrous cycle increased (P < 0.001). The duration of the interwave interval (time between the day of onset of two consecutive waves) was longer when the second wave was ovulatory. The length of the growth phase (2.4±0.9 days) and size (5.9±0.7 mm) of the dominant follicle in the second wave were lower (P < 0.01) than for the first wave (3.3±1.2 days and 6.6±0.9 mm, respectively) and the fifth wave (4.1±1.2 days and 7.5±1.0 mm, respectively). Within pairs of ovaries, the onset of the last wave occurred later (P < 0.05) and was less variable in ovulatory ovaries (day 16.8±1.4, n = 20) than in anovulatory ovaries (day 15.1±3.7, n = 20). The length of the growing phase was longer (P < 0.001) in the last waves of ovulatory ovaries (3.1±0.9 days) than in the last waves of anovulatory ovaries (1.7±0.8 days). These results support the hypothesis that the day of onset of the ovulatory wave is related to or, at least, conditioned by the luteolysis and the decrease in plasma progesterone. In summary, the estrous cycle of Serrana goats is characterized by sequential follicular wave growth with a great variability in their onset and duration, with the exception of the ovulatory wave. The temporal and morphological differences observed in the last wave of estrous cycle provide strong evidence for the role of progesterone in their regulation

Portuguese validation of the children's eating attitudes test

BACKGROUND: The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) is the most widely used instrument for evaluating eating disorders in adults and adolescents in a variety of cultures and samples. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT). METHOD: Nine hundred and fifty-six Portuguese secondary students (565 girls and 391 boys) answered the ChEAT. The test-retest reliability was obtained with data from 206 participants from the total sample who re-answered the questionnaire after 4-6 weeks. Psychometric analyses were carried out for the total sample and separately for girls and boys. RESULTS: Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. Principal components factorial analysis yielded four factors in the total sample, accounting for 42.35% of the total variance. Factor structure was similar in the total sample and in both genders. Factors were labelled: F1 "Fear of Getting Fat", F2 "Restrictive and Purgative Behaviours", F3 "Food Preoccupation" and F4 "Social Pressure to Eat". The concurrent validity, explored using the Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDRS) was high. DISCUSSION: The Portuguese version of the ChEAT is a valid and useful instrument for the evaluation of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviours among Portuguese adolescents

Portuguese validation of the children's eating attitudes test

CONTEXTO: O Teste de Atitudes Alimentares é o instrumento mais utilizado para avaliar distúrbios alimentares em adultos e adolescentes em uma variedade de culturas e amostras. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Escala de Atitudes Alimentares para Crianças (ChEAT). MÉ;TODO: Novecentos e cinquenta e seis alunos do ensino secundário (565 moças e 391 moços) responderam ao ChEAT. O cálculo da fidelidade teste-reteste foi feito por meio das respostas de 206 participantes da amostra total que voltaram a responder ao questionário após quatro a seis semanas. As análises psicométricas foram realizadas para o total da amostra e para ambos os sexos separadamente. RESULTADOS: A consistência interna e a fidelidade teste-reteste foram satisfatórias. A análise fatorial em componentes na amostra total resultou em quatro fatores que explicam 42,35% da variância total. A composição dos fatores foi semelhante na amostra total e em ambos os sexos. Os fatores denominaram-se: F1 "Medo de Engordar"; F2 "Comportamentos Restritivos e Purgativos"; F3 "Preocupação com a Comida" e F4 "Pressão Social para Comer". A validade concorrente foi explorada com a Escala de Silhuetas Corporais (CDFRS) e foi elevada. CONCLUSÃO: A versão portuguesa do ChEAT é um instrumento útil e válido para a avaliação de atitudes e comportamentos alimentares em adolescentes portugueses.BACKGROUND: The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) is the most widely used instrument for evaluating eating disorders in adults and adolescents in a variety of cultures and samples. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT). METHOD: Nine hundred and fifty-six Portuguese secondary students (565 girls and 391 boys) answered the ChEAT. The test-retest reliability was obtained with data from 206 participants from the total sample who re-answered the questionnaire after 4-6 weeks. Psychometric analyses were carried out for the total sample and separately for girls and boys. RESULTS: Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. Principal components factorial analysis yielded four factors in the total sample, accounting for 42.35% of the total variance. Factor structure was similar in the total sample and in both genders. Factors were labelled: F1 "Fear of Getting Fat", F2 "Restrictive and Purgative Behaviours", F3 "Food Preoccupation" and F4 "Social Pressure to Eat". The concurrent validity, explored using the Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDRS) was high. DISCUSSION: The Portuguese version of the ChEAT is a valid and useful instrument for the evaluation of abnormal eating attitudes and behaviours among Portuguese adolescents

Health-related quality of life in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in the different geographical regions of Brazil : data from the Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group

Background: In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) management, enhancing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is as important as good metabolic control and prevention of secondary complications. This study aims to evaluate possible regional differences in HRQoL, demographic features and clinical characteristics of patients with T1DM in Brazil, a country of continental proportions, as well as investigate which variables could influence the HRQoL of these individuals and contribute to these regional disparities. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study performed by the Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group (BrazDiab1SG), by analyzing EuroQol scores from 3005 participants with T1DM, in 28 public clinics, among all geographical regions of Brazil. Data on demography, economic status, chronic complications, glycemic control and lipid profile were also collected. Results: We have found that the North-Northeast region presents a higher index in the assessment of the overall health status (EQ-VAS) compared to the Southeast (74.6 ± 30 and 70.4 ± 19, respectively; p < 0.05). In addition, North- Northeast presented a lower frequency of self-reported anxiety-depression compared to all regions of the country (North-Northeast: 1.53 ± 0.6; Southeast: 1.65 ± 0.7; South: 1.72 ± 0.7; Midwest: 1.67 ± 0.7; p < 0.05). These findings could not be entirely explained by the HbA1c levels or the other variables examined. Conclusions: Our study points to the existence of additional factors not yet evaluated that could be determinant in the HRQoL of people with T1DM and contribute to these regional disparities

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Produção de lã em Trás-os-Montes

Este trabalho, que se enquadra no Projecto de “Melhoramento da Produção Ovina”, da Componente de Investigação Agrícola Aplicada, do Projecto de Desenvolvimento Rural Integrado de Trás-os-Montes, tem como principal objectivo estudar algumas das propriedades têxteis da lá produzida nesta região do País. Depois de se chamar a atenção sobre o desconhecimento generalizado da produção lanar no Nordeste Transmontano, bem como da sua contribuição para a produção nacional nos últimos tempos, procede-se a uma referência especial relativa aos factores tecnológicos da produção lanar, que são desconhecidos da grande maioria dos produtores transmontanos. O seu conteúdo inclui, ainda, uma descrição sumária da localização e principais características têxteis (referidas na bibliografia mais recente) das raças estudadas e que são a Churra Galega Bragançana, a Churra da Terra Quente e a Churra Mondegueira. Os animais estudados encontravam-se localizados em Milhão (raça Churra Galega Bragançana), Valpereiro (raça Churra da Terra Quente) e Foz Côa (raça Churra Mondegueira), divididos em dois rebanhos (em 1987, os dois rebanhos de Valpereiro foram fundidos num só) – o Testemunha e o Melhorado. No rebanho Testemunha manteve-se o sistema de exploração tradicional (com excepção da aplicação de medidas profiláticas), enquanto no Melhorado se aplicaram as medidas preconizadas no Projecto e que são a utilização de pastagens semeadas com cercas, bebedouros, medidas profiláticas e administração de blocos de sais minerais. No presente trabalho, estuda-se para além da produção lanar média e de algumas características têxteis da lã produzida (ao nível do lombo e da espádua), tais como o comprimento, o ondulado e o diâmetro, por rebanho e por raça, a possível correlação entre estes três últimos parâmetros. Estuda-se também e sempre que possível, a acção de alguns factores, nomeadamente, a idade do animal e o facto de se tratar ou não da primeira tosquia, sobre todos os parâmetros atrás referidos