Search

AbstractThis study aims to present the adaptation, evidence of content validity and results of a pilot study of the Cognitive Screening Test - Online (TRIACOG-Online) in a clinical sample of patients after stroke. The process comprised four stages: 1) Adaptation of the instructions, stimulus and responses; 2) Seven experts analyzed the equivalence between the previous printed version and the online version; 3) A pilot study was carried out with seven adults who had experienced a stroke in order to check the comprehension and feasibility of the items; and 4) The development of the final version of TRIACOG-Online. Expert validity testing of the questionnaire yielded a content validity index (CVI) of 100% for correspondence and construct in 13 items, and a CVI of 87.71% in four items. In the pilot study, problems related to the internet led to the decision to use a single section form. No difficulties were observed in carrying out the tasks and understanding the instructions. Participants reported being able to adequately visualize the stimuli and remain motivated to complete the tasks presented. It was shown that TRIACOG-Online evaluated the same constructs as the pencil-and-paper version, can be used in remote neuropsychological assessments and face-to-face settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a disease related to people's behavior and can be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyles. The objective was to carry out a theoretical reflection on a guide script for conversations about cancer as educational activity in elementary school. Methods: Qualitative study of reflection that described a guide script for addressing debates about cancer in schools. The guide includes circle conversations involving children and school members. Results: The script has five steps for talking about: (i) cell; (ii) cancer risk factors; (iii) genetics and cancer; (iv) cancer stages; (v) multifactorial origin and role of the school in promoting knowledge for disease prevention. Conclusions: The script puts the issue of cancer in discussion on the school's agenda. Not talking about this with children means depriving them of knowledge, leaving them at the mercy of poorly conceived ideas and unable to make timely and assertive choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents evidence of validity and reliability of the results obtained with the Cognitive Screening (TRIACOG) to evaluate post-stroke adults. The TRIACOG assesses orientation memory, language, arithmetic, praxis, information processing speed, and executive functions. A total of 126 post-stroke adults (M = 63.50; SD = 13.28 years old) and 126 neurologically healthy adults (M = 61.97; SD = 11.48 years old) participated in the study. Performance on the TRIACOG was positively correlated with scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), schooling, and reading and writing habits, and negatively correlated with the NIHSS and Rankin scales. Post-stroke adults scored lower and took longer to complete the instrument than neurologically healthy adults. Inter-rater agreement was achieved in scoring the TRIACOG. The TRIACOG presents evidence of validity based on its relationships to other variables (criterion and convergent) and on response processes, in addition to presenting reliability evidence established by inter-rater agreement. We expect that the TRIACOG will be employed by health workers in hospital settings, health units, and medical offices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive deficits are common among post-stroke patients. Cognitive impairments of this sort are mediated by age and education. In Brazil, the only specific cognitive screening tool designed for post-stroke patients is the Cognitive Screening Test (Triagem Cognitiva -- TRIACOG). The goal of this study was to investigate validity evidence related to external variables for the TRIACOG. Our sample included 153 adults and elderly people (M = 60.08, SD = 9.61) from Porto Alegre and metropolitan area, comprising 87 post-stroke patients and 66 healthy individuals. Three-way ANOVAs were used to assess main effects and interactions between the variables group (clinical/control), age and education. An influence of group and age on scores in the TRIACOG was found. We emphasize the relevance of these results to the selection of cut-off points for the tasks and cognitive functions assessed by the instrument, considering education and age, so as to allow more accurate identification of deficits in post-stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis, worldwide protozoan disease, is usually benign, except when acute disease occurs in pregnant women, resulting in fetal infection with deaths or high morbidity after birth. Treatment blocks fetal infection or damage after infection, imposing a quick and effective diagnosis. Maternal infection is mostly asymptomatic thus regular serology are the main tool for detect seroconversion and acute infection in prenatal care. Screening test for specific anti T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA must be quick, cheaper and available for the prenatal care. Fluorescent solid phase assays appears as a good alternative as they allow one well detection of IgG and IgM aside to allow high throughput in 384 wells. Here, we standardize and analyze a single well anti-T. gondii IgG, IgM and IgA immunosorbent fluorescent assay in a large sample of a public hospital. We construct conjugates for each immunoglobulin with specific fluorophores, which allows concomitant detection in a microplate fluorimeter, with stability and reproducibility, allowing cheaper 384 wells use. Tested in our 600 mother samples from a large public hospital, they presented the same reactivity as standard routine tests, but with adequate IgM and IgA screening, as adequately standardized in house ELISA, while the design of most commercial assays give false positive results. The few TFISA positive IgG, IgM and IgA samples also had low avidity IgG, confirming recent infection. TFISA will help a screening toxoplasmosis in pregnancy program in large cities, with , allowing testing large numbers of samples at low cost and must be considered for other serological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the performance of 4th and 6th grade students in the Task of Spelling Words and Pseudowords (TEPP). It was analyzed validity evidence based on the relationship with criteria (correlation with age, and comparison of groups by year of schooling and gender), as well as convergent validity through correlations among TEPP with the Balanced Dictation instrument and the Child Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument NEUPSILIN-Inf. In addition, it is presented normative data for students of 4th and 6th grades of Elementary School. It included 181 students from public schools, being 55.8% girls, with aged between 9 and 12 years old. Higher scores were identified for older and more educated students; in addition higher scores were found for girls in some TEPP measures, reinforcing the criterion validity of the instrument. The TEPP instrument has been related to spelling, attention, memory, executive functions, language and arithmetic skills, showing evidence of convergent validity. The normative data of TEPP are presented, considering the two school years of the participants, contributing to the professionals who use this instrument in clinical practice and also in the educational setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is estimated that the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) increases annually due to planned obsolescence, technological changes and changes in people's lifestyles. The aim of the present study is to identify risks and opportunities related to WEEE from an environmental, social and economic point of view, considering the intensified use of technology, the generation and the need to treat this waste. The study consisted of a bibliographic research followed by three case studies with waste disposal companies. Therefore, a table was drawn up outlining the risks and opportunities of WEEE, considering different points of view. From the environmental point of view, there is a risk of increasing the consumption of this equipment to increase the illegal and incorrect disposal, but the extraction of non-renewable raw materials can be reduced by implementing reverse logistics. From the economic perspective, the costs involved in the reverse logistics of WEEE are not clearly known; however, there is an expanding market for WEEE management. From the social point of view, the risk is the increase of informal and insecure work, which can be minimized through investments from public and private powers, thus generating formal jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop a short version of an instrument to detect cognitive impairment in stroke patients, investigate which cognitive dimensions best discriminate between stroke patients and healthy adults and to graphically analyze the relationships among the neuropsychological variables and groups. This pilot study included 94 adults (49 post-stroke and 45 neurologically healthy) who answered the Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Battery NEUPSILIN for patients with expressive aphasia (NEUPSILIN-Af) to assess orientation, perception, memory, praxis, executive functions, oral language, and academic achievement (written language and arithmetic). The IRT Rasch model for dichotomous data indicated the exclusion of items that could not be used to discriminate performances. ROC curves indicated that only the orientation, oral language, academic achievement, and executive function dimensions could be used to differentiate between the clinical and healthy groups. Graphical analysis indicated that independently of the relation among variables, orientation and executive functions tasks are essentials in the neuropsychological assessments. This study contributes to the development of specific and sensitive neuropsychological instruments to assess stroke patients and to better understand the common deficits present in this clinical population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugarcane silage (SCS) has often been characterized by large dry matter (DM) losses associated with reduction in soluble nutrients and increase in indigestible fiber. Objective: To evaluate the effect of including discarded fruits on the losses and nutritional value in SCS. Methods: A completely randomized design was used with five treatments and five replications. Silages were added with 15% (as-fed basis) papaya (Carica papaya) (SP), acerola (Malpighia glabra) (SA), banana (Musa sp.) (SB) or tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (ST). The control treatment was composed only of SCS. Twenty-five (25-L) plastic buckets were used to make the experimental silos, which were opened on the 90th day after their closure. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Results: Gas losses and total DM losses were lower and DM recovery was higher in SB and SA than in the control (p<0.05). The SB had lower content of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber compared to SP, SA, ST and the control group (p<0.05). There was no effect of treatment for ethanol content (p>0.05). However, there was treatment effect for lactic and acetic acids, ammonia nitrogen contents, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and mold counts (p<0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of 15% banana or acerola in SCS decreases losses and increases DM recovery. Furthermore, the inclusion of 15% banana improves the nutritional value of SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of age and schooling and their interactions on the performance of adults in the NEUPSILIN Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument, which evaluates time and space orientation, attention, perception, memory, language, calculation, motor functions, and executive functions. The sample was composed of 627 healthy adults (19 to 90 years), who were divided into three groups according to education range (1 to 4, 5 to 8 and 9 or more years of study) and into four groups by age range (19-39, 40-59, 60-75 and 76-90 years). We identified age and schooling effects in attention, perception, memory (working, verbal episodic, semantic, visual and prospective memory), oral and written language, motor functions, and executive functions. Interactions between age and schooling were observed in attention, verbal memory, and oral and written language tasks. The results highlighted that aging and schooling impact cognitive functions heterogeneously, and that Brazilian neuropsychological tests should always consider the influence of these variables to produce their normative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations confirm the left hemisphere (LH) is dominant for motor planning. However, more studies on the participation of cortical and subcortical regions of LH in the apraxias are necessary. This multiple cases study analyzed the performance of five patients with ischemic cerebrovascular lesion in LH in three types of apraxias. The participants, aged 43-73 years, were divided into two groups with regard to their lesion site, cortical or subcortical. Tasks of the Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Neupsilin were used. Scores of each case were compared to the average performance of their normative group. Only patients with cortical lesions showed deficits of ideomotor apraxia. In the tasks of constructive apraxias, the error types distinguished the two groups. The qualitative method contributed to understand the mechanisms involved in the apraxias and to plan programs of neuropsychological rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of a literature review, this study presents validity evidence for two Primary Metaphor Comprehension Tasks, one verbal and the other non-verbal. Both tasks are part of a more comprehensive figurative language comprehension task (dubbed COMFIGURA), which was elaborated under the Cognitive Linguistics framework, following notions from the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, and considered guidelines from Psychometrics. We searched and identified empirical studies conducted with three versions of the tasks that were published in the following scientific databases: LUME UFRGS, EBSCOhost, Periódicos CAPES, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. Six papers were found, analyzed, and systematized in terms of task version, results found, and observed validity evidence type. Overall, robust content, criterion and response process validity evidence was found for both the verbal and the non-verbal primary metaphor comprehension tasks (in all versions). With this, we sought to contribute to the framework of instruments available to clinicians and researchers, as well as to advance conceptual and primary metaphor theories, by analyzing the use of these tasks in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents by freshwater stingrays are common in northern Brazil, there is no specific therapy for high morbidity and local tissue destruction. The irradiation of venoms and toxins by ionizing radiation has been used to produce appropriate immunogens for the production of antisera. We planned to study the efficacy of stinging mucus irradiation in the production of antisera, with serum neutralization assays of edematogenic activity and quantification of cytokines performed in animal models of immunization with native and irradiated mucus of Paratrygon aiereba , a large freshwater stingray. Antiserum potency and its cross-reactivity with mucus from other freshwater stingrays were detected by ELISA. Immunization models demonstrated the ability to stimulate a strong humoral response with elevated levels of serum IgG detectable by ELISA, and both native and irradiated mucus were immunogenic and capable of recognizing mucus proteins from other freshwater neotropical stingrays. Mucus P. aiereba causes cellular and humoral adaptive immune responses in cells of immunized mice producing antibodies and cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17. Rabbit antisera immunized with mucus from P. aiereba irradiated at 2 kGy showed a significant reduction of mucus-induced edematogenic activity in mice. Our data suggest that the use of antisera against freshwater stingray mucus show the possibility of specific therapy for these accidents. • Native and irradiated mucus from Paratrygon aiereba were immunogenic. • Mucus stimulate a strong humoral response with elevated levels of IgG. • Antiserum is capable of recognizing mucus proteins from other freshwater stingrays. • Rabbit antisera immunized with mucus irradiated reduced of edematogenic activity. • Native and irradiated mucus induces the production of cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence for construct validity of the Visual Retention Test of Benton (BVRT) in patients after stroke was investigated. Participants were 42 adults and elderly, 21 with stroke (11 with Left Hemisphere Injury - LHE, 10 with Right Hemisphere Injury - LHD), and 21 neurologically healthy controls, paired to patients by sex, age and years of study. BVRT and tasks of visual perception, working memory, visual memory and constructive praxis were applied. The clinical groups (LHE and LHD) presented inferior performance in the Administration C (Copy) of the BVRT. In the case series analysis, three cases with LHD and three cases with LHE demonstrated dissociations between Administration A (Memory) and Administration C (Copy) of the test. The results showed that some post-stroke patients, even in the chronic phase, may present visuoconstructive skills deficits and lighter visual memory deficits. Therefore, evidence of validity for BVRT was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preliminary psychometric properties of the Brief Neuropsycholinguistic Assessment Instrument NEUPSILIN-L were analyzed in patients with and without expressive aphasia. This study included 94 adults: 11 with brain damage in the right hemisphere (RHD), 38 with brain damage in the left hemisphere (LHD), and 45 neurologically healthy. The group with LHD presented lower scores than the other groups, mainly in the language tasks, as well as the sample with aphasia. Clinical groups performed better on the NEUPSILIN-L in tasks with motor response options, about oral responses. The NEUPSILIN-L items had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.931 and McDonald omega of 0.950. The results of the groups in the NEUPSILIN-L showed that the instrument presents evidence of validity based on the relationship with criteria and high internal consistency. Future studies intend to expand the evidence of validity of the instrument and provide normative data for the Brazilian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preliminaries psychometric properties of the Brief Neuropsycholinguistic Assessment Instrument [NEUPSILIN-L] were analyzed in patients with and without expressive aphasia. This study included 94 adults: 11 with brain damage in the right hemisphere (RHD), 38 with brain damage in the left hemisphere (LHD) and 45 neurologically healthy. The group with LHD presented lower scores than the other groups, mainly in the language tasks, as well as the sample with aphasia. Clinical groups performed better on the NEUPSILIN-L in tasks with motor response options, in relation to oral responses. The NEUPSILIN-L items had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.931 and McDonald omega of 0.950. The results of the groups in the NEUPSILIN-L showed that the instrument presents evidence of validity based on the relationship with criteria and high internal consistency. Future studies intend to expand the evidence of validity of the instrument and provide normative data for the Brazilian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared Memory Knowledge and Memory Self-Efficacy (Metamemory), assessed by the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire (MIA), in adults aged from 28 to 59 years, allocated in two educational level groups: up to complete Secondary Education (n = 20) and complete Undergraduates (n = 20). Moreover, we have examined the association between Metamemory and socioeconomic status (SES), and frequency of reading (RH) and writing (WH) habits in the total sample. Results showed that Undergraduate adults perceived themselves with more control over memory and more memory knowledge and usage of strategies compared to the other group. In general, adults with higher SES, RH and WH reported more memory Strategies and more Control over mnemonic abilities. These educational and socioeconomic indicators may be associated with a refined cognitive functioning. We discuss the role of educational profile and intellectual activities in healthy and economically active adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several countries currently provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to children in the school environment as part of a global initiative. This type of training is not part of the Brazilian school curriculum. However, it is necessary due to the often-fatal outcome of cardiorespiratory arrest.(1,2) Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schoolchildren in different age groups. Methods: This study was approved by the institution Research Ethics Committee. Parents and participants signed a consent form prior to training. The study was carried out in three (public and private) schools and using a quasi-experimental intervention design and two age groups: 7 to 11 years and 12 to 17 years (Group I and Group II respectively). The 90-minute training module consisted of short practice videos watched while listening to a song dedicated to "hands-only CPR." Students were then individually evaluated for skills and knowledge using Skill Reporter Software Laerdal Medical while performing one minute of chest compressions on a manikin and a dedicated game. Results: A total of 102 schoolchildren (54 females and 48 males) (Table 1) were trained and evaluated. Demographic variables and chest compression quality were analyzed. Chest compression quality was rated according to international guidelines 2020 (rate, depth, recoil). Physical characteristics of participants differed significantly (p<0.05). Chest compression depth during CPR differed significantly (median 66mm; p=0.01) in Group II. Conclusion: Schoolchildren were able to perform hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation effectively. Future efforts are warranted to implement and expand cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in low-income regions in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective - To compare the influence of the obstetrical condition on neonatal respiratory performance, to estimate surfactant synthesis through lecithin and sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) in amniotic fluid of pregnant bitches and correlate the L/S with the respiratory condition during the first hour of life. Design - Prospective randomized study. Setting - University veterinary teaching hospital and private referral centers. Animals - In accordance to the condition at birth, puppies from 25 healthy bitches aged 2-6 years were allocated into: Eutocia Group - EUT (n=19 neonates and 14 bitches); Dystocia Group - DYS (n=8 neonates and 5 bitches) and Elective Cesarean Section Group - CS (n = 12 neonates and 11 bitches). Interventions - Amniotic fluid was drawn from amniotic sac and lecithin (L) and sphingomyelin (S) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography to obtain the L/S ratio. Neonatal physical examination was performed at 1, 5, and 60 minutes after delivery, and included the assessment of respiratory rate (RR) and respiration effort (RE). Measurements and Main Results - CS group had significantly lower amniotic L/S ratio when compared to EUT and DYS. There were no significant differences between vaginal groups (EUT versus DYS) in respect to L/S ratios. RE of eutocic neonates improved promptly, while RE of DYS and CS groups improved only 1 hour following birth. Moreover, amniotic L/S ratio positively correlated with RR after 60 minutes. Conclusions - We identified a possible influence of the delivery method on the final surfactant maturation process. Thus, neonates born by elective CS prior to the onset of expulsive uterine contractions should have their respiratory parameters carefully monitored. Additionally, we propose that assessment of respiratory parameters 1 hour following birth can serve as a practical means to indirectly estimate pulmonary maturation (ie, surfactant synthesis) in puppies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficiency in the animal production is related to its ability to transform the feed in products. • Residual feed intake (RFI) is an tool for selecting more efficient production animals. • For sheep there are few studies on feed efficiency from the perspective of RFI. • RFI in sheep changes the population and species of protozoa. • RFI in sheep does not modify the use of starch in the total digestive tract. This study aimed to evaluate the digestibility of starch, ruminal protozoa count and blood parameters of sheep with high or low residual feed intake (RFI) fed different levels of concentrate in the diet. Sixty male Dorper lambs with a mean initial body weight of 17.8 kg ± 2.43 were confined for 40 days for the determination of RFI, receiving a complete diet in a 70:30 forage: concentrate ratio, on a dry matter basis. RFI was estimated considering the differences in observed and predicted values of dry matter intake, based on average daily gain and metabolic body weight. Sixteen animals with the highest values of RFI (high RFI) and 15 animals with the lowest values of RFI (low RFI) were selected. The experimental design was a randomized block design (2 × 3), with two groups of animals (high and low RFI) and 3 treatments with diets containing different levels of concentrate (30, 45 and 60 %). The lambs remained under this confinement regime for 60 days. The different levels of concentrate promoted differences (P < 0.05) between hemoglobin and hematocrit counts. There was an interaction between RFI and diet for hemoglobin and hematocrit counts (P < 0.05). Animals with high RFI presented larger volume of urine excreted in relation to animals with low RFI (P = 0.006), with mean values of 1.59 l/day and 1.09 L/day, respectively. Diets containing 30 % concentrate resulted in lower starch intake (P < 0.0001) and lower digestibility of starch in the total digestive tract (P < 0.0001). Animals with low RFI had lower counts of protozoa in the ruminal fluid (P = 0.04). Diets containing 60 % concentrate in their composition provided lower counts of total protozoa (P = 0.0003) in the ruminal fluid. This diet also promoted a smaller population of protozoa of the genus Dasytricha (P = 0.04) for high RFI animals. Blood parameters and utilization of starch in the total digestive tract are not affected, while ruminal fauna is affected by RFI in lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]