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Abstract This study compares the physicochemical characteristics of breast meat (Pectoralis major) from conventional chicken and free-range chicken production systems. Analyses of pH, instrumental color measurement, weight loss from cooking (WLC), and water retention capacity (WRC) were carried out. Average pH values were slightly higher for conventional chicken samples. WLC did not show a significant difference between conventional and free-range chicken samples. The WRC was better and higher for the free-range chicken samples than the conventional ones. The mean values for luminosity (L*) were within the normal range, with slightly higher values for conventional chicken. In chromatids a* and b*, there was a tendency towards a more reddish color for free-range chicken samples. The differences found for types of production can be explained mainly by the difference in age at slaughter, the degree of physical activity, animal feeding, among other characteristics that differentiate an animal raised by the extensive system from the intensive system.

Introduction Difficult patients are not something new and we can find innumerous definitions for this concept. However, they form a very heterogenous group and we need a less abstract definition focused more on the clinical reality and the difficulties experienced by patients and mental health professionals. Objectives Our goal was to find a more precise and clinical definition of the difficult patient based on quantitative measures using a statistical analysis of a series of hospitalizations. Methods A cluster analysis of our hospital’s in-patient treatment from the last 5 years was made concerning the duration of the stay and the number of previous hospitalizations. Results A sample of 8576 inpatient treatment episodes was used. 52.4% were male and 47.6% female patients between the age of 15 and 103 years old. The length of the treatment varied from 0 to 1007 days and the number of previous hospitalizations from 0 to 109; excluding the outliers the means were, respectively, 21 days and 2 previous hospitalizations. The cluster analysis excluded 85 episodes and it found the presence of 3 clusters, being the number 1 the wider one (n=5861 episodes) and the other quite similar. The Cluster 1 was characterized by a smaller length of hospital stay and number of hospitalizations; the Cluster 2 was defined by the episodes with the highest number of previous hospitalizations (`x =8.77) and the Cluster C by the longest hospital stays (`x =58.09 days). With a Kruskal-Wallis test we found both variables statistically different between all clusters (p

The net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of two seagrass meadows within one of the largest seagrass ecosystems in the world, Florida Bay, was assessed using direct measurements over consecutive diel cycles during a short study in the fall of 2018. We report significant differences between NEP determined by dissolved inorganic carbon (NEPDIC) and by dissolved oxygen (NEPDO), likely driven by differences in air–water gas exchange and contrasting responses to variations in light intensity. We also acknowledge the impact of advective exchange on metabolic calculations of NEP and net ecosystem calcification (NEC) using the “open-water” approach and attempt to quantify this effect. In this first direct determination of NEPDIC in seagrass, we found that both seagrass ecosystems were net heterotrophic, on average, despite large differences in seagrass net above-ground primary productivity. NEC was also negative, indicating that both sites were net dissolving carbonate minerals. We suggest that a combination of carbonate dissolution and respiration in sediments exceeded seagrass primary production and calcification, supporting our negative NEP and NEC measurements. However, given the limited spatial (two sites) and temporal (8 d) extent of this study, our results may not be representative of Florida Bay as a whole and may be season-specific. The results of this study highlight the need for better temporal resolution, accurate carbonate chemistry accounting, and an improved understanding of physical mixing processes in future seagrass metabolism studies.

Introduction Antipsychotics are frequently used for managing psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of dementia. However, it’s an off-label resource which remains controversial due to significant safety concerns in the elderly population, namely increasing cardiovascular adverse effects. Objectives To access antipsychotic safety and potential risks when used in dementia. Methods A non-systematic review was carefully conducted on PubMed using the following keywords: “dementia”, “antipsychotics” and “safety.” We selected clinical trials, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials published in the last 10 years. Results A total of 43 articles was obtained, of which 22 were excluded because they didn’t meet our inclusion criteria. Regarding atypical antipsychotics, one study found an incidence of severe events in 23,7% of patients and a OR=2.5 for cerebrovascular side effects. Quetiapine was suspended midway given it had a higher incidence of adverse effects compared to others. There weren’t any significant statistic differences concerning serious events between classes of antipsychotics(p

AbstractIntroduction The foot is key to sport [1] and is part of a set of mechanisms responsible for absorbing impacts, maintaining balance and distribution of forces. Therefore, special attention to the distribution of plantar pressure is necessary [2]. Baropodometry consists of the quantification of anteroposterior and lateral oscillations of the sole of the foot, while the individual remains under a pressure platform [3]. The goal of this investigation is to verify if there is an association between students' sports practice and their distribution of plantar pressure and to analyse whether there are differences regarding plantar pressure distribution between students who practice and those who do not practice a specific modality (volleyball, swimming or soccer).Material and methods The current research is a cross-sectional study carried out in a non- probabilistic sample comprising 499 students from Amares, Portugal aged 10–18 years (average age: 13.79 ± 2.50), 238 (47.7%) being males and 261 (52.3%) females. An informed consent was given to all participants and a questionnaire was used to ascertain whether individuals practiced physical exercise and, if so, what type of exercise they practiced. Finally, an evaluation of the plantar pressure distribution of the study participants was made using the Namrol® Podoprint® baropodometry platform. All data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, which were performed using the Mann–Witney (U) test for association. Significance levels (denoted as α or alpha) of 0.05 and 0.01 have been considered for the presence of statistically significant association between the considered variables.Results There was no statistically significant association between sport practice and the presence of pressure changes in the plantar area of the students analysed. Regarding the students who practice volleyball, we found statistically significant differences in the right/left pressure distribution, with a predominance of pressure in the right foot (U = 12327.000; Z= − 1.968; p-value = .049).Discussion and conclusion This study verified that there is no statistically significant association between the practice of sport and the presence of changes in the plantar zone when comparing students who practice sports and those who do not. It was verified that the volleyball practitioners presented a predominance of plantar pressure in the right foot, in contrast with the non-practitioners, which showed an equal distribution of plantar pressure. In this sense, future studies comprising a larger sample of participants of different sports, namely volleyball, may help identify which technical movements may be contributing to these baropodometric imbalances. In addition, these studies are important to help develop strategies that counterbalance these differences in foot pressure of children, minimising the future appearance of postural changes and related problems.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. Although most cases are diagnosed in childhood, diagnosis in adults is apparently increasing. Objective: Evaluate the adult population with CF, comparing patients who were diagnosed before and after 18 years of age. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients followed in three main medical centres in Portugal in 2012. Comparison of two groups: G1 â patients diagnosed at

Coastal upwelling systems account for approximately half of global ocean primary production and contribute disproportionately to biologically driven carbon sequestration. Diatoms, silica-precipitating microalgae, constitute the dominant phytoplankton in these productive regions, and their abundance and assemblage composition in the sedimentary record is considered one of the best proxies for primary production. The study of the sedimentary diatom abundance (SDA) and total organic carbon content (TOC) in the five most important coastal upwelling systems of the modern ocean (Iberia–Canary, Benguela, Peru–Humboldt, California, and Somalia–Oman) reveals a global-scale positive relationship between diatom production and organic carbon burial. The analysis of SDA in conjunction with environmental variables of coastal upwelling systems such as upwelling strength, satellite-derived net primary production, and surface water nutrient concentrations shows different relations between SDA and primary production on the regional scale. On the global scale, SDA appears modulated by the capacity of diatoms to take up silicic acid, which ultimately sets an upper limit to global export production in these ocean regions.

Introduction: The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in Portugal is estimated at 1:8000 live births, although there is a lack of accurate statistics. The average life expectancy has been steadily increasing and CF is no longer an exclusively pediatric disease. Objectives: Characterize the Portuguese adult population with the diagnosis of CF. Methods: Retrospective study based on clinical data of adult CF follow-up patients in the three specialized centers in Portugal where all of CF patients are seen, during 2012. Results: In 2012, there were 89 follow-up patients, 48 (54%) female and 15 (17%) lung transplanted. The average age was 31.3 ± 9 years. The median age at diagnosis was 13 years and 34 (38%) were diagnosed in adulthood. The most frequent mutation was F508del (54.9%). Of the 89 patients, 49 patients (56%) had pancreatic insufficiency, 7 (9%) were diabetic and 42 patients (47.7%) had a body mass index (BMI)

The Swarm mission consists of 3 satellites, each carrying an identical set of instruments. The scientific algorithms for processing are organized in 11 separate processing steps including automated product quality control. In total, the mission data consists of data products of several hundred distinct types from raw to level 2 product types and auxiliary data. The systematic production for Swarm within the ESA Archiving and Payload Data Facility (APDF) is performed up to level 2. The production up to L2 (CAT2-mature algorithm) is performed completely within the APDF. A separate systematic production chain from L1B to L2 (CAT1-evolving algorithm) is performed by an external facility (L2PS) with output files archived within the APDF as well. The APDF also performs re-processing exercises. Re-processing may start directly from the acquired data or from any other intermediate level resulting in the need for a refined product version and baseline management. Storage, dissemination and circulation functionality is configurable in the ESA generic multi-mission elements and does not require any software coding. The control of the production is more involved. While the interface towards the algorithmic entities is standardized due to the introduction of a generic IPF interface by ESA, the orchestration of the individual IPFs into the overall workflows is distinctly mission-specific and not as amenable to standardization. The ESA MMFI production management system provides extension points to integrate additional logical elements for the build-up of complex orchestrated workflows. These extension points have been used to inject the Swarm-specific production logic into the system. A noteworthy fact about the APDF is that the dissemination elements are hosted in a high bandwidth infrastructure procured as a managed service, thus affording users a considerable access bandwidth. This paper gives an overview of the Swarm APDF data flows. It describes the elements of the solution with particular focus on how the available generic multi-mission functionality of the ESA MMFI was utilized and where there was a need to implement missionspecific extensions and plug-ins. The paper concludes with some statistics on the system output during commissioning and early operational phases as well as some general considerations on the utilization of a framework like the ESA MMFI, discussing benefits and pitfalls of the approach.

Resumo: Introdução: As últimas guidelines para o tratamento da asma e rinite recomendam o controlo otimizado de ambas as doenças como objetivo primário da terapêutica. O questionário CARAT10 foi recentemente desenvolvido e validado em Portugal e permite a avaliação simultânea do controlo da rinite e da asma alérgicas (RAA). Não existem estudos previamente publicados sobre a utilização deste instrumento de avaliação. Objetivo: Avaliar o controlo da RAA usando o questionário CARAT10 em consulta hospitalar de Imunoalergologia. Métodos: Doentes com o diagnóstico médico de rinite com ou sem asma alérgica (testes cutâneos para aeroalergénios e/ou IgE específicas positivas) foram sequencialmente incluídos e preencheram o questionário CARAT10 na primeira consulta hospitalar de Imunoalergologia. Resultados: Foram incluídos 200 doentes, a maioria do sexo feminino (n = 142) com uma idade média de 33,6 ± 12,3 anos, 86 apresentavam RAA e 114 rinite alérgica isolada. No grupo de doentes com RAA, 86% obtiveram uma pontuação no CARATtotal â¤Â 24, significando mau controlo. As pontuações parciais do CARAT revelaram que 83% apresentavam rinite não controlada (CARATr â¤Â 8) e 74% asma não controlada (CARATaÂ

The effects of sleep disorders on the quality of life (QOL) have been documented in the literature. Excessive sleepiness and altered circadian rhythms may negatively affect ability to learn, employment, and interpersonal relations, and directly degrade QOL. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome of varying severity on QOL. The study was conducted on 1892 patients aged 18 years or older referred by a physician to the Sleep Institute, São Paulo, with complaints related to apnea (snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, hyperarousal, and fatigue). They were submitted to overnight polysomnography for the diagnosis of sleep disorders from August 2005 through April 2006. The patients completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and QOL SF-36 sleep questionnaires. They were classified as non-physically active and physically active and not-sleepy and sleepy and the results of polysomnography were analyzed on the basis of the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). The apneic subjects showed a reduction in QOL which was proportional to severity. There was a significant decrease in all domains (physical functioning, role physical problems, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, emotional problems, general mental health) for apneics with AHI >30, who generally were sleepy and did not participate in physical activities (P < 0.05). The present study provides evidence that the impact of sleep disorders on QOL in apneics is not limited to excessive daytime sleepiness and that physical activity can contribute to reducing the symptoms. Thus, exercise should be considered as an adjunct interventional strategy in the management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

In this article we consider the Euler-α system as a regularization of the incompressible Euler equations in a smooth, two-dimensional, bounded domain. For the limiting Euler system we consider the usual non-penetration boundary condition, while, for the Euler-α regularization, we use velocity vanishing at the boundary. We also assume that the initial velocities for the Euler-α system approximate, in a suitable sense, as the regularization parameter α→0, the initial velocity for the limiting Euler system. For small values of α, this situation leads to a boundary layer, which is the main concern of this work. Our main result is that, under appropriate regularity assumptions, and despite the presence of this boundary layer, the solutions of the Euler-α system converge, as α→0, to the corresponding solution of the Euler equations, in L2 in space, uniformly in time. We also present an example involving parallel flows, in order to illustrate the indifference to the boundary layer of the α→0 limit, which underlies our work.