Objective: To analyze pulmonary functional changes and pain in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing a left internal thoracic artery graft, comparing pleural drain insertion through the intercostal space and the subxyphoid approach.Methods: Twenty-eight patients (mean age 57.4 ± ± ± ± ± 8.4 years) were divided into two groups, according to the pleural drain site. Group LI (n=15) had the pleural drain inserted through the sixth left intercostal space at the mid-axillary line and in the MI group (n=13) the drain was placed through the subxyphoid region. All the patients underwent pre-and postoperative evaluations of pulmonary function tests as well as arterial blood gas analysis. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume over one second (FEV 1 ) were recorded in the preoperative period, and on the first, third and fifth postoperative days. The pain sensation was evaluated using a standard score from 0 to 10. Results:In both groups, falls in the FVC and FEV 1 were noted, up to the fifth postoperative day (P<0.001). However the decrease was higher in the LI group, when compared to the MI group (p<0.05). Also arterial blood gas analysis showed a decline of the partial oxygen pressure in both groups on the first postoperative day, but more significantly in the LI group (p=0.021). The pain sensation was higher in the LI group (p=0.002).Conclusion: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery, disregarding the pleural drain site, leads to a significant decrease of postoperative pulmonary function. However, the subxyphoid technique of drain insertion has shown a better preservation of the lung function when compared to the intercostal drain site.Descriptors: Coronary artery bypass surgery. Pleural drain. Pulmonary function. 48GUIZILINI, S ET AL -Effects of the pleural drain site on the pulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2004; 19(1): 47-54 Rev

Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions to treat malnutrition in older persons: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The SENATOR project ONTOP series and MaNuEL Knowledge Hub project,

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Knowledge of population dynamics of threatened species in the wild is key to effective conservation actions. However, at present, there are many examples of endangered animals for which their current situation is unknown, and not just in remote areas and less developed countries. We have explored this topic by studying the paradigmatic case of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), an endangered small carnivore whose status has been subjectively established on the basis of non-systematic approaches and opportunistic records. Little is known about its demographic situation, prompting the need for information to improve conservation measures. However, the secretive behaviour of felines along with its low density in natural conditions have prevented the gathering of sufficient data. We developed a field sampling strategy for one of the largest populations (Andalusia, South Spain, 87,268 km 2), based on a logistically viable systematic non-intrusive survey by camera-trapping. This study offers the first large-scale estimation for any European wildcat population, based on analytical approaches applied on Species Distribution Models. A hierarchical approach based on a Maxent model for distribution estimation was used, along with Generalised Linear Models for density estimation from explicit spatial capture-recapture data. Our results show that the distribution range is smaller and more highly fragmented than previously assumed. The overall estimated density was very low (0.069 ±0.0019 wildcats/km 2) and the protected areas network seems to be insufficient to cover a significant part of the population or a viable nucleus in demographic terms. Indeed, the most important areas remain unprotected. Our main recommendations are to improve the protected area network and/or vigilance programs in hunting estates, in addition to studying and improving connectivity between the main population patches.