Reliability of urban microclimate simulations: spatio-temporal validation through intra-urban canyon transects for outdoor thermal comfort analysis.

Mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity in cities through adaptative strategies has become an urgent need, as UHI are also exacerbated by climate change impacts imputable to anthropogenic actions. This study addresses the need for reliable simulation models to analyze outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in future or alternative scenarios. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the validation of CFD urban microclimate simulations by employing intra-urban canyon transects as an alternative or a complementary approach to fixed stations. To accomplish this, we developed a cost-effective monitoring unit to carry out transects on a pre-defined route (1), devised the area of interest (2), elaborated a simulation model in ENVI-met (3), and proposed different validation methods for comparative analyses (4). Results indicate that temporal validated simulation tended to underestimate thermal indices in the morning and night and overestimate them in the afternoon, while spatio-temporal validation under a human-centric comfort approach via wearable sensing notably improved accuracy. Moderate to very strong agreement between simulation and measurement data in summer (Willmot's d ~ 0.70, d ~ 0.81) and very strong agreement in winter (d ~ 0.79, d ~ 0.96), with low error magnitudes in summer (RMSE ~ 0.91℃ and 9.59%, MBE ~ 0.23℃ and 9.10%) have been found. In winter, such figures were RMSE ~ 0.71℃ and 3.51%, MBE ~ 0.00℃ and 0.98%, for the spatio-temporal validated model. This research contributes to enhancing the reliability of relatively affordable CFD urban microclimate simulations, supporting its scale up for policymakers in implementing effective strategies for OTC.

Instruments to Assess the Comfort of Hospitalized Elderly People: A Scoping Review.

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to map the instruments for assessing the comfort of hospitalized older adults in the scientific literature, identifying those instruments validated and transculturally adapted to the realities of Brazil. Methods: This was a scoping review of 14 articles and a website retrieved from the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct/Elsevier, and gray literature (Oasisbr, Catalog of Theses and Dissertations [CAPES], OATD, BDBTD, and The Comfort Line). Results: Seventeen instruments for assessing the comfort of hospitalized older adults were mapped; however, none were specifically designed for this population, as they were originally intended for adults or individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions. Among these, three have been validated and transculturally adapted to the Brazilian context. Conclusions: This study reveals the need for a specific instrument tailored for hospitalized older adults without neuropsychiatric conditions.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Carolinas Comfort Scale to Brazilian Portuguese for inguinal hernia.

PURPOSE: Inguinal hernias are highly prevalent worldwide and its surgical repair is one of the most common procedures in general surgery. The broad use of mesh has decreased the recurrence rates of inguinal hernia to acceptable levels, thus centering the attention on Quality of Life as a pivotal postoperative outcome. Carolinas Comfort Scale is a well-studied questionnaire designed to identify Quality of Life changes following hernia repair with mesh techniques. The aim of this study is to validate the CCS in Brazilian Portuguese for inguinal hernias. METHODS: The original CCS was translated into Brazilian Portuguese according to cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. We conducted a cross-sectional study in individuals aged 18 and above who had undergone inguinal laparo-endoscopic hernia repair for at least 6 months prior, between January 2019 and August 2022, at a Brazilian tertiary hospital. Participants answered an online survey containing the Brazilian CCS and the generic Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) Short-Form Health 36 (SF-36). Participants answered the same questionnaires in the follow-up after at least three weeks, with an additional question about satisfaction with surgery results. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 115 patients, of whom 78 (67%) responded to the follow-up questionnaire after 3 to 10 weeks. CCS showed excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's α of 0.94. Intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.60 to 0.82 in the test-retest analysis. Compared to SF-36, a strong correlation was observed in the physical functioning dimension, and a moderate correlation was found in role-physical and bodily pain (Pearson's Coefficient Correlation = 0.502, 0.338 and 0.332 respectively), for construct analysis. The mean CCS score was significantly lower (p < 0.001) among satisfied patients compared to the unsatisfied ones. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of CCS is a valid and reliable method to assess long-term quality of life after inguinal laparo-endoscopic hernia repair.

La felicidad en relación con factores sociodemográficos / Happiness in relation to sociodemographic factors

Resumen El estudio se ha orientado desde el enfoque cuantitativo, el objetivo fue determinar si existe dependencia entre las variables sociodemográficas como grado de instrucción, religión, estado civil, carga familiar, género y rango de edad con la variable felicidad, la población considerada para el estudio fue la del último censo nacional peruano conformado por 179096 ciudadanos cuyas edades oscilan entre los 18 y 60 años; el muestreo probabilístico fue de tipo estratificado y cuenta con un nivel de confianza del 97 %. Se obtuvo una muestra de 1035 sujetos, se ha aplicado la escala de la felicidad de Lima (EFL); arrojando un indicador de 0.893 según el alfa de Cronbach con un coeficiente de alta confiabilidad. Se ha considerado las normas éticas y el consentimiento informado para esta investigación. A través de la prueba Chi cuadrada se pudo conocer la dependencia de las variables y se ha logrado obtener como resultado que el 40% de la población se encuentra en un nivel de baja felicidad; del mismo modo, se determinó la relación de dependencia entre las variables religión, estado civil, ausencia de dependencia con respecto a la carga familiar, género, rango de edad y grado de instrucción. La rigurosidad del estudio permite la extrapolación con poblaciones con las que se realizaron estudios similares.

Abstract The study has been oriented from the quantitative approach, the objective was to determine if there is dependence between sociodemographic variables such as educational level, religion, marital status, family burden, gender and age range with the happiness variable, the population considered for the study was that of the last Peruvian national census made up of 179096 citizens whose ages range between 18 and 60 years; the probability sampling was stratified and has a confidence level of 97%. A sample of 1035 subjects was obtained, the Lima Happiness Scale (EFL) was applied, yielding an indicator of 0.893 according to Cronbach's alpha with a high reliability coefficient. Ethical standards and informed consent were considered for this research. The Chi-square test was used to determine the dependence of the variables and the result was that 40% of the population is at a low level of happiness; likewise, the relationship of dependence between the variables religion, marital status, absence of dependence with respect to family burden, gender, age range and degree of education was determined. The rigor of the study allows extrapolation with populations with which similar studies were carried out.

Mechanical Properties and Durability of Composite Cement Pastes Containing Phase-Change Materials and Nanosilica.

Escalating global surface temperatures are highlighting the urgent need for energy-saving solutions. Phase-change materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing thermal comfort in the construction sector. This study assessed the impact of incorporating PCMs ranging from 1% to 10% by mass into composite Portland cement partially replaced by fly ash (FA) and nanosilica particles (NS). Mechanical and electrochemical techniques were utilized to evaluate composite cements. The results indicate that the presence of PCMs delayed cement hydration, acting as a filler without chemically interacting within the composite. The combination of FA and PCMs reduced compressive strength at early ages, while thermal conductivity decreased after 90 days due to the melting point and the latent heat of PCMs. Samples with FA and NS showed a significant reduction in the CO2 penetration, attributed to their pozzolanic and microfiller effects, as well as reduced water absorption due to the non-absorptive nature of PCMs. Nitrogen physisorption confirmed structural changes in the cement matrix. Additionally, electrical resistivity and thermal behavior assessments revealed that PCM-containing samples could reduce temperatures by an average of 4 °C. This suggested that PCMs could be a viable alternative for materials with thermal insulation capacity, thereby contributing to energy efficiency in the construction sector.

Validation of the carolinas comfort scale (CCS) in Brazil: a hernia-specific quality of life questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral hernia surgery (VHS) has the intent to promote a better quality of life (QoL). VHS results were evaluated by recurrence incidence in the past, however the concept of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures has changed this scenario. SF-36 is a generic questionnaire with some limitations on the hernioplasty postoperative evaluation. Disease-specific surveys such Hernia-Related Quality of Life Survey (HerQLes) and Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) were developed to improve specificity. The aim of this study was to validate a Brazilian version of the CCS as a QoL questionnaire for patients undergoing VHS in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consists of a retrospective cohort that reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent ventral hernia surgery for incisional hernias in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre between January 2019 to December 2020. Participants answered both the HerQles questionnaire and the CCS, then we compared the patients' scores between scales. In-personal evaluations or surveys applied by telemedicine were performed. Intraclass correlation coefficient was utilized to assess the consistency of the agreement between the HerQLes and CCS scales. RESULTS: A sample of 80 patients were evaluated. Most were male (70%), mean age 61.11 years and BMI 28.4. The most common comorbidity was systemic arterial hypertension, one third were smokers and 77.5% of cases were ASA 2. The average HerQLes score was 30.40 and the CCS was 15.46 (SD: 21.81), with an intraclass coefficient of 0.68. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CCS is a good and robust tool for assessing ventral hernia. Tools to measure QoL are increasingly used in the literature, as QoL seems to be important data to assess surgical success, since it shows the perception of the patient about the results of their surgery. Further studies with larger sample sizes should be performed to confirm our findings.

Comprehensive assessment for hygrothermal comfort with heat and mass fluxes through a clothing layer during cooling seasons.

A comprehensive analysis is carried out for achieving hygrothermal comfort by using bidirectional heat and mass fluxes between the human skin and its surroundings during cooling seasons, considering the main characteristics of climate, metabolic rate, and clothing fabrics. As hygrothermal comfort is mainly seen as one-direction heat and mass flux from the close surroundings to the human body, without the emitted heat and mass by the human skin, the purpose of the analysis is to find out proper features of the respective clothing fabric according to the inlet boundary conditions, i.e. heat and mass flux from the human body, and the outlet boundary features, i.e. heat and mass flux due to the climate conditions. Thereby, a novel mathematical modelling is developed for heat and mass transfer, respectively. Then, the software Wolfram Mathematica is applied for the numerical solutions of the model. After the model is validated, a sensitivity analysis is carried out. Thereby, it is found that the sensible heat removal by convection, dependent on both airflow and humidity rates, has a great influence on the hygrothermal comfort. Furthermore, solar reflectivity for shortwave radiation, along with longwave radiation from the skin, have influence on the hygrothermal comfort when both ventilation and sweating are set as minimum. Therefore, if the conditions of temperature and relative humidity are proper, both high conductivity and air permeability clothes are recommended. Nevertheless, regarding the reflectivity, it depends on the presence of shortwave radiation, sweating, ventilation, and longwave radiation to consider light-toned or dark colors.

Efficacy of articaine anesthesia with needle-free/Comfort-in method and conventional needle injection in dental patients with irreversible pulpitis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the anesthetic efficacy of articaine with the needle-free/Comfort-in™ method compared to the conventional needle method. To assess pain during anesthesia application, onset of anesthesia and patient`s self-reported quality of life-related to oral health after the dental emergency appointment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This parallel, randomized clinical trial was conducted by a single operator/dentist in the state of Maranhao, northeast of Brazil. Included participants were adult dental patients with one molar (maxillary) or premolar (maxillary or mandibular) tooth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The primary outcome was the anesthetic efficacy, measured using a combination of electrical and cold pulp tests (cold + EPT) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes were pain during anesthesia application, onset of anesthesia, and patient`s quality-of-life (measured with the OHIP-14). RESULTS: 62 patients were randomized in the anesthesia needle-free group and Comfort-in group (34.26 ± 10.786 × 33.29 ± 8.399 years old, respectively). The group of patients in the Comfort-in group had 71.0% success. Patients from the Comfort-in group reported statistically lower pain during the anesthesia application than patients from the conventional group (2.13 ± 2.172 × 6.03 ± 3.146 NRS scores, respectively) as well as immediately after the anesthetic procedure. Patients self-reported negative impact in quality of life was similar between groups before (p > 0.05) and after (p > 0.05) the dental emergency. CONCLUSIONS: Comfort-in™ had similar efficacy to the conventional needle method. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This trial showed that it is possible to anesthetize patients with tooth pulpits without using needles to provide comfort mainly to anxious patients.

A systematic review of Personal Comfort Systems from a post-phenomenological view.

Personal Comfort Systems (PCS) are equipments that heat and/or cool occupants without affecting surrounding environments, ranging from commonly used devices to innovative technologies, and that tend to be controlled by people. These systems aim to address energy consumption and occupant satisfaction issues related to centralised air-conditioning. Although there are systematic studies on these systems, there is a lack of documentation regarding mediation characteristics between people and the built environment. This article presents a systematic review of PCS using a search of academic literature and patents, classifying PCS based on thermal categories and device typologies while introducing post-phenomenological mediation categories. The results show that most PCS fall into the thermal categories of 'Heating' and 'Cooling and ventilation'. The review also presents a view of the PCS territory based on mediation attributes and technological complexity. Finally, the PCS' characteristics are discussed based on the post-phenomenological concepts of Embodiment, Hermeneutic, and Background providing insights for future research opportunities and PCS development.

Practitioner summary: This study presents a systematic review of Personal Comfort Systems (PCS) found in patents and academic databases, integrating post-phenomenological concepts into PCS discussion. It visualises the PCS territory using a matrix based on mediation relations and technological complexity, providing insights into PCS development and research opportunities.

The thermal comfort of pedestrians in a humid subtropical climate according to different thermal perception ratings.

This study aims to evaluate agreement among subjective thermal comfort, thermal sensation, thermal perception, and thermal tolerance indices, according to pedestrians in downtown Santa Maria, southern Brazil, which has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Between August 2015 and July 2016 (three periods), 1728 questionnaires were applied. Evaluation of the dependence of statistical variables was based on gender and age, at three periods of time: August 2015 (864 respondents), January 2016 (432 respondents), and July 2016 (432 respondents). Statistical evaluation was based on Pearson's chi-square test using RStudio software, and a significance level (α) of 5% for thermal comfort, thermal sensation, thermal preference, and thermal tolerance was used. Results indicated that age and gender affect the relationship between the variables. Thermal comfort and thermal tolerance presented the best correlation and coherence, regardless of age or gender. This study contributes to knowledge on the local microclimate and can contribute to urban planning to implement strategies that improve pedestrians' thermal comfort.

Effects of evaporative cooling systems on the performance of lactating sows in a tropical climate.

This study evaluated litter performance, behavioral and physiological parameters, and milk characteristics of sows submitted to different thermal environments. Fifty sows were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: an evaporative cooling system (ECS) and a conventional system (CS). Sow and its litter were characterized as an experimental unit. The animals were weighed at equalization and weaning. Feed intake, milk production, and bromatological characteristics of milk were measured; the sows respiratory rate, rectal, and surface temperature were monitored. Litter uniformity was determined at equalization and weaning. Behaviors of the sows and litters were monitored for 24 h on the 7th and 15th day of lactation. Temperature and relative humidity inside the maternity was 25.00 to 28.00 °C and 26.00 to 32.55 °C and 30.00 to 70.00% and 70.00 to 88.00%, respectively, considering ECS and CS. Nutritional quality of the milk remained stable during lactation in both systems evaluated. ECS improved the average weight of the piglets, weaning weight, and daily milk production by 0.038, 0.699, and 2.31 kg/day, respectively. Sows housed in the ECS had a reduction in physiological parameters and, increase in inactive alert behavior (1.79 percentage points) and breastfeeding behavior. Piglets showed a decrease of 2.43% in the range of feedings at night and 0.15% during the day. ECS provided better comfort to the sows at the expense of the CS and, consequently, better litter performance.

Are there differences in the adaptive profile of hair sheep and their crosses with wool breeds?

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the physiological performance of different genetic groups of sheep, by physiological variables and serum hormone levels, in a hot weather environment. Thirty sheep from five genetic groups were used: Santa Inês (SI), ½ Dorper + ½ Santa Inês (DO), ½ Ilê de France + ½ Santa Inês (IF), ½ Suffolk + ½ Santa Inês (SK), and ½ Texel + ½ Santa Inês (TX). The readings and records of physiological parameters (respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), auricular cavity temperature (ACT), and surface temperature (ST)) were carried out at 7:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm, in 12 non-consecutive days. The collections of blood samples for hormone analysis (triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and cortisol (CORT)) is in four consecutive days. The environmental conditions of the experimental period caused a thermal discomfort in the sheep, but not a state of thermal stress. The thermolysis mechanisms, sensitive (ST and ACT) and latent (RR) processes, were enough to maintain their homeostasis (RT). The results showed that crossbred breeds presented a higher metabolism and were more efficient at dissipating heat through thermolysis than the SI breed. The crossbred breeds were efficient at dissipating heat through the elevation of body surface temperature and respiratory rate, mainly SK and TX, i.e., crossbred breeds, despite the wool cover, used thermoregulatory mechanisms that promoted lower variation of RT. The analysis of variance showed significant effects (P < 0.05) to the time factor in the responses of T4 and T3, and to the breed factor in the responses of CORT, T4, and T3. We did not observe interaction between the factors to any of the hormonal variables. Therefore, we can state that the effect of time was independent of breed and vice versa. Thyroid hormones presented lower blood concentration in the mornings (4.03 ± 0.82, T4; 65.08 ± 10.6, T3), increasing their concentration in the afternoon (4.60 ± 1.03, T4; 70.16 ± 14.17, T3). The thyroid hormones presented a normal circadian rhythm, with the exception of SK. Air temperature (AT) showed greater correlation with physiological variables than enthalpy (H) did, in the experimental conditions. However, H showed correlation with T4 and T3. The adaptive profile of the genetic groups under study are different, but the IF genetic group showed better performance under environmental conditions.

Ortodontia fixa imperceptível sem bráquete ­ relato de caso / Imperceptible fixed orthodontics without brackets - case report

Com o passar dos anos, os pacientes foram ficando cada vez mais exigentes quando o assunto é tratamento ortodôntico, com isso várias técnicas estão sendo desenvolvidas e ganhando popularidade. Visto que no começo dessa idealização, nos tratamentos eram desenvolvidas técnicas mais discretas para correção apenas de recidivas e aos poucos foi visto que poderia se tratar não apenas casos de recidivas, mas sim realizar tratamentos mais complexos como descrito por Mussilli 2008 e posteriormente sendo aprimorada com a técnica 3DBOT. Essa técnica utiliza software de planejamento 3D, facilitando o plano de tratamento do paciente. A utilização dos alinhadores ortodônticos, associados à técnica, tem como fator colaborativo na finalização e refinamento dos casos clínicos, buscando assim, uma melhor estabilidade ao final do tratamento. O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar um relato de caso clínico com tratamento sem bráquete tendo como benefício a estética e o conforto para o paciente (AU)

Over the years, patients have become increasingly demanding when it comes to orthodontic treatment, which is why various techniques have been developed and are gaining popularity. At the beginning of this idealization, more discreet techniques were developed to correct only relapses. Gradually, it became clear that not only relapse cases could be treated, but more complex treatments could be carried out, as described by Mussilli in 2008 and later improved with the 3DBOT technique. This technique uses 3D planning software to facilitate the patient's treatment plan. The use of orthodontic aligners, associated with the technique, is a collaborative factor in finalizing and refining clinical cases, thus seeking better stability at the end of treatment. The aim of this article is to present a clinical case report of treatment without brackets, with the benefit of aesthetics and patient comfort.(AU)

Cost-effectiveness of preemptive pharmacological management of undesired effects in third molar extraction / Custo-efetividade do manejo farmacológico preemptivo de efeitos indesejados na exodontia de terceiros molares

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The extraction of third molars can lead to undesired effects such as pain, trismus, and edema, necessitating preemptive therapy to alleviate these effects. For this purpose, an economic evaluation was conducted to analyze the cost-effectiveness of preemptive drugs used in the extraction of third molars. METHODS: Costs were obtained from a market survey. Effectiveness measures were limitation of interincisal distance and postoperative pain, obtained from randomized clinical trials in the literature. For both models, a Monte Carlo simulation generated a hypothetical cohort of a thousand individuals, considering a 5% variation in estimates. The evaluated therapies were dexamethasone 8 mg (DX8); methylprednisolone 40 mg (MP); diclofenac 50 mg associated with tramadol 50 mg (DCTR); and dexamethasone 4mg associated with tramadol 50 mg (DXTR). RESULTS: MP and DCTR therapies were dominated in all scenarios. For the reduction of postoperative pain, DXTR treatment showed the best cost-benefit, with a net monetary benefit (NMB) gain of 31.10% compared to the lowest-cost treatment (DX, R$ 1.76). Considering the reduction in limitation of interincisal distance, DXTR medication presented higher cost-benefit compared to DX8 (NMB gain = 18.25%), being a preferred option alongside DX8. CONCLUSION: In the extraction of third molars, preemptive administration of dexamethasone 4mg associated with tramadol 50mg is the preferred cost-effective option to reduce postoperative pain and limitation of interincisal distance after 48 hours.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A exodontia de terceiros molares pode acarretar efeitos indesejados, como dor, trismo e edema, sendo necessário ofertar uma terapia preemptiva para amenizá-los. Para tal, realizou-se uma avaliação econômica para analisar o custo-efetividade de fármacos preemptivos utilizados na exodontia de terceiros molares. MÉTODOS: Os custos foram obtidos a partir de uma pesquisa de mercado. As medidas de efetividade foram: limitação da distância interincisal e dor pós-operatória, sendo obtidas em ensaios clínicos randomizados da literatura. Para os dois modelos, uma simulação de Monte Carlo gerou uma coorte hipotética de mil indivíduos, considerando uma variação de 5% das estimativas. As terapias avaliadas foram: dexametasona 8 mg (DX8); metilprednisolona 40 mg (MP); diclofenaco 50 mg associado a tramadol 50 mg (DCTR); e dexametasona 4 mg associada a tramadol 50 mg (DXTR). RESULTADOS: As terapias com MP e DCTR foram dominadas em todos os cenários. Para redução da dor pós-operatória, o tratamento com DXTR apresentou o melhor custo-benefício, com ganho de benefício monetário líquido (NMB) de 31,10% comparado ao tratamento de menor custo (DX, R$ 1,76). Considerando a redução da limitação da distância interincisal, o fármaco DXTR apresentou maior custo-benefício em relação à DX8 (ganho de NMB = 18,25%), sendo uma opção de escolha junto a DX8. CONCLUSÃO: Na exodontia de terceiros molares, a administração preemptiva de dexametasona 4 mg associada com tramadol 50 mg é a opção de escolha, do ponto de vista de custo-efetividade, para reduzir a dor pós-operatória e limitação da distância interincisal após 48 horas.

Calidad de vida en personas sometidas a hemodiálisis en el municipio de Socorro (Santander, Colombia) / Quality of life in people undergoing hemodialysis in the municipality of Socorro (Santander, Colombia)

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es consecuencia de diversas enfermedades, y una de sus principales formas de manejo es la hemodiálisis; este procedimiento puede generar en las personas efectos a nivel fisiológico, mental y social; es por esto muy necesario establecer la afectación de su calidad de vida para implementar cuidados de enfermería enfocados a realizar un manejo integral de los pacientes. Objetivo Determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis en el municipio del Socorro (Santander, Colombia). Materiales y métodos: Investigación de tipo cuantitativa de diseño transversal, contó con aval ético y autorización de la unidad renal del Socorro; para la cual se utilizó el cuestionario de salud Kidney Disease Quality of Life - Short Form KDQOL-SF36. Resultado: Esta investigación incluyó a pacientes de ambos sexos, y el dominio más afectado entre los participantes fue el dolor, y el mejor conservado fue el emocional. Conclusiones: Para el logro de unos cuidados de enfermería efectivos y de calidad, se deben valorar y gestionar cada una de las áreas que influyen en el desarrollo del ser humano incluyendo física, mental y emocional.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is a consequence of various chronic-degenerative diseases and one of its main forms of management is hemodialysis, this procedure can generate great effects on people at a physiological, mental and social level, which is why it is very necessary to establish the affectation of their quality of life to implement nursing care focused on comprehensive management of patients. Objective: To determine the quality of life related to health in patients undergoing hemodialysis in the municipality of Socorro (Santander, Colombia). Materials and methods: quantitative research with a cross-sectional design, ethically endorsed and authorized by the Socorro renal unit, for which the Kidney Disease Quality of Life - Short Form KDQOL-SF36 health questionnaire was used. Result: The research included patients of both sexes: 62.5 % men and 37.5 % women and the most affected domain among the participants was sleep and the best preserved was the emotional domain. Conclusions: To achieve effective nursing care, each of the areas that influence the development of the human being must be assessed and managed.

Blood biochemical, hormonal, and hematological responses of native sheep submitted to different environmental conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, hormonal, and hematological blood responses of native sheep subjected to five temperatures (20°, 24°, 28°, 32°, and 36 °C), using 24 sheep of the following breeds: Santa Inês (SI), Morada Nova (MN), Soinga (SO) and no defined racial pattern (NDRP), kept in collective pens inside the climatic chamber. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme (5 temperatures and 4 breeds) with 6 animals of each breed at each temperature. There was interaction for urea (P < .0001), glucose (P < .0001), cholesterol (P < .0001), and magnesium (P < .0001) as a function of breed and air temperature. Urea (P = .001), glucose (P < .0001), triglycerides (P = .033), cholesterol (P = .004), and magnesium (P < .0001) showed differences according to breed. It was observed that T4 (P < .0001) and cortisol (P < .0001) showed an interaction between breed and temperature, while T4 (P = .001) and cortisol (P = .001) an effect of breed. The highest magnesium concentration was observed in MN, and the lowest was in NDRP, SO, and SI, which are statistically similar, and SI and NDRP are statistically similar. The hormones showed a significant effect (P < .0001) for temperature, where cortisol increased, and thyroid hormones decreased with increasing temperature. Temperatures of 32° and 36 °C contribute to changes in blood, hormone, and hematological biochemical responses of native sheep.

Familiares em visita ampliada e social na terapia intensiva: existem diferenças no nível de conforto? / Family members undergoing extended and social visits in intensive care: are there differences in comfort level?

Analisar comparativamente o nível de conforto de familiares que participaram da visita ampliada e da visita social em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Método: Estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 57 familiares dos sujeitos internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, entre 2019 e 2020. O conforto foi avaliado pela Escala de Conforto para Familiares de Pessoas em Estado Crítico de Saúde. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente e a análise bivariada pelo teste de T Student. O nível de significância estatística foi de 5%. Resultados: Os familiares inclusos na visita ampliada dispõem de um nível de conforto (4,00 ±0,53) maior que os da visita social (3,57 ±0,51), com (p=0,004). Observa-se melhor comunicação entre a equipe e os familiares da visita ampliada e um maior conhecimento por parte desses sobre o quadro de saúde do enfermo. Conclusão: A visita ampliada tem proporcionado maior nível de conforto nos familiares quando comparadas com a visita social.(AU)

To comparatively analyze the comfort level of family members who participated in the extended visit and the social visit in the Intensive Care Unit. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 57 family members of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit between 2019 and 2020. Comfort was assessed using the Comfort Scale for Relatives of People in a Critical Health Condition. Data was analyzed descriptively and bivariate analysis using the Student's t-test. The level of statistical significance was 5%. Results: Family members included in the extended visit have a higher level of comfort (4.00 ±0.53) than those in the social visit (3.57 ±0.51), with (p=0.004). There was better communication between the team and the relatives during the extended visit and greater knowledge on the part of the latter about the patient's health condition. Conclusion: The extended visit has provided a greater level of comfort for family members when compared to the social visit.(AU)

Analizar comparativamente el nivel de confort de los familiares que participaron en la visita prolongada y la visita social en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 57 familiares de pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos entre 2019 y 2020. Se evaluó el confort mediante la Escala de Confort para Familiares de Personas en Estado Crítico de Salud. Los datos se analizaron de forma descriptiva y análisis bivariante mediante la prueba t de Student. El nivel de significación estadística fue del 5%. Resultados: Los familiares incluidos en la visita ampliada tienen un mayor nivel de confort (4,00 ±0,53) que los de la visita social (3,57 ±0,51), con (p=0,004). Hubo mejor comunicación entre el equipo y los familiares durante la visita ampliada y mayor conocimiento por parte de estos últimos sobre el estado de salud del paciente. Conclusiones: La visita ampliada ha proporcionado un mayor nivel de confort a los familiares en comparación con la visita social.(AU)

Effects of chronic stress on bladder morphology of rats and impact of comfort food diet as an ameliorating agent.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of chronic stress on bladder morphology and the impact of food preference (standard or comfort foods) on the bladder of stressed rats. METHODS: In total, 32 Wistar male rats (3 months old) were divided into four groups: control (C), stressed (S), control + comfort food (C + CF), and stressed + comfort food (S + CF). Groups C and C + CF were maintained under normal conditions, while groups S and S + CF were subjected to chronic stress by the restraint method. Groups C and S received standard rat chow, while groups C + CF and S + CF received comfort food (Froot Loops®) and standard chow. The stress stimuli were induced daily for 2 h over 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, all animals were killed, and the bladders were removed and used for histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: Body mass was similar among the groups. Stress did not promote differences regarding food intake, but animals receiving comfort food showed higher calories intake (in kcal/Kg) than animals receiving only standard chow. The C + CF and S + CF groups preferred comfort food over the standard chow; this preference was higher in the S + CF than in the C + CF group. The surface density of smooth muscle was reduced in stressed animals, while connective tissue and elastic system fiber content were increased in stressed groups. Further, epithelial height was increased in rats submitted to chronic stress. The surface density of elastic system fibers was decreased by the consumption of comfort food. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic stress induces morphological modifications on the bladder wall and epithelium. These modifications may be related to lower urinary tract symptoms. Additionally, chronic stress caused a higher preference for comfort food intake which did not ameliorate or aggravate the stress-induced bladder alterations.

Effects of monensin in supplements for beef cattle in tropical grazing systems during the rainy season.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of monensin in supplements for grazing heifers. In experiment I, treatments consisted of protein supplements (low intake - 0.5 kg/animal/day and high intake - 1.0 kg/animal/day) associated or not with monensin. Animal performance, nutrient intake, and digestibility were evaluated. Forty crossbred heifers with an initial body weight (BW) of 213.8 ± 4.5 kg were used. There was no difference in average daily gain between treatments (average of 0.588 kg/animal/day). There was no interaction between monensin and supplements for intake parameters and digestibility. Dry matter (DM) intake was equal between treatments (~ 2% of BW). However, there was a reduction in pasture intake with the high-intake supplement. In experiment II, treatments consisted of two types of supplements (protein or mineral) associated or not with monensin. The variables analyzed were productive performance, ingestive behavior, and thermal comfort, evaluated through the index of thermal stress for cows (ITSC). Forty crossbred heifers with a BW of 159.2 ± 1.3 kg were used. The type of supplement did not influence the performance of the animals. However, monensin promoted greater weight gain in the animals (110 g/animal/day). There was an interaction effect between supplementation and monensin addition on behavioral activities, except for idle time. The inclusion of monensin in the protein supplement reduced the grazing time. The ITSC value influenced the activities of ingestive behavior, and the increase of this index reduced the grazing time in all treatments. Forage quality influences the response to monensin use, and the addition of monensin in supplements for grazing cattle during the rainy season is recommended for forages with high CP content.

Experimental Analysis of Passenger Comfort with Variable Preloaded Rear Springs on a Low-Cylinder Motorcycle.

The present study contains an experimental analysis of the vibratory response in a low-cylinder engine motorcycle at varying suspension preloads. Three different speed bumps of varying heights were used to subject the motorcycle to different vibrations. The analysis was carried out in three domains: time, frequency, and time-frequency. A triaxial accelerometer was used to measure the vibrations at the seat of the vehicle. The results indicated that the suspension system became more differentiated as the height of the bumps increased. However, for lower bumps, the action of the three spring preloads studied was quite similar. Quantitatively, only the higher bump showed a significant difference between the set preloads. The spectral distribution revealed that the frequency of interest was below 20 Hz for all the studied cases, which is in the same range of human body natural frequencies. The findings of this research can be utilized to enhance the design of low-cost motorcycles, thereby improving the safety and comfort of their drivers and passengers. This study constitutes a significant step towards developing an affordable system capable of gathering sufficient data to support the creation of evidence-based public health policies and propose new transport industry standards based on field measurements.