SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the inter-reliability of the Braden scale and its subscales for different patients assisted in the intensive care unit. We hypothesized that the Braden scale has low reliability in different populations. METHODS: This reliability study involved the Braden scale in intensive care unit of a hospital. A total of 200 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit in four different groups: neurological patients, sepsis, elderly, and adults affected by trauma. The Braden scale is a tool composed of six subscales for patient assessment: sensory perception, humidity, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction. The total score was also calculated. The Braden scale was applied by two different nurses with an interval of 20–30 min between applications. RESULTS: For all populations, kappa values considered unsuitable were observed for most categories of the Braden scale, ranging from 0.06–0.25. Only for the total Braden scale score was moderate reliability identified in all groups evaluated, with intraclass correlation coefficient values ranging from 0.48–0.75. CONCLUSIONS: Braden scale is not a reliable tool to be used in the intensive care unit, and we do not recommend the use of this scale to assess the risk of developing pressure injury.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire for use in Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: This is a Questionnaire validity study conducted at a private university. The Brazilian version of the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire was developed by means of the processes of translation, back-translation, committee review, and pretesting. Test-retest reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient and kappa coefficient. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. For construct validity, the total score of the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire was correlated with the Diabetes Knowledge Scale and the Diabetes Mellitus Risk Questionnaire. Ceiling and floor effects were also evaluated in the present study. RESULTS: For construct validity and floor and ceiling effect measurements, a total sample of 100 participants was used. For reliability, a subsample of 34 participants out of the total sample was used. We identified adequate values for reliability (kappa between 0.46–1.00 and ICC 0.96) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.80). There were significant correlations between the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire and the Diabetes Mellitus Risk Questionnaire (rs=0.370, p<0.001), but not the Diabetes Knowledge Scale (rs= −0.162). No ceiling or floor effects were found. CONCLUSION: We concluded that in accordance with the best international recommendations, the Brazilian version of the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the association among obstructive sleep apnea, functional capacity, and metabolic control. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving individuals of both sexes with clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 2 who were above 18 years of age. The assessment consisted of a volunteer identification form, a 2-minute step test, and the Stop-Bang questionnaire. In order to assess metabolic control, HbA1c and fasting glucose data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 100 individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2, of whom 61% were women, were included in this study. According to the Stop-Bang instrument, 26, 57, and 17% of patients had low, intermediate, and high risk of developing OSA, respectively. There was no association between the 2-minute step test and metabolic variables and diabetes mellitus type 2 chronicity with Stop-Bang. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there is no association among obstructive sleep apnea measured by means of Stop-Bang instrument, functional capacity measured by means of 2-minute step test, and metabolic variables in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) is a questionnaire that was developed by Finnish researchers to track the risk of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the FINDRISC for use in Brazilian Portuguese. DESIGN AND SETTING: Questionnaire validity study conducted at a private university. METHODS: The Brazilian version of the FINDRISC was developed through the processes of translation, back-translation, committee review and pre-testing. Test-retest reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), kappa coefficient, standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. For construct validity, the total score of the FINDRISC was correlated with the Diabetes Knowledge Scale (DKN-A) and Diabetes Mellitus Risk Questionnaire (QRDM). Ceiling and floor effects were also evaluated in the present study. RESULTS: For construct validity and floor and ceiling effect measurements, a total sample of 107 participants was used. For reliability, a subsample of 51 participants out of the total sample was used. We identified adequate values for reliability (kappa ≥ 0.79 and ICC = 0.98) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84). Regarding the error inherent in the FINDRISC, we found SEM = 8.02% and MDC = 22.44%. There were significant correlations between the FINDRISC and the QRDM (r = 0.686) and DKN-A (r = -0.216). No ceiling or floor effects were found. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the FINDRISC has adequate psychometric properties that are in accordance with the best international recommendations.

Abstract The pericarp of passion fruit can be processed to be used as a new ingredient in the food industry, or as source of pectin. Pericarp samples were taken with a 5 mm cylindrical metal probe to measure the apparent density. Pericarp fractions of eighty fruits at three maturation stages were dried and their flours were quantified and evaluated by instrumental color. The pectin was extracted and its degree of esterification (DE) was quantified. The yield of flour of epicarp and mesocarp reached 3.4% and 4.6% (dry basis) at different maturation stages of passion fruit, respectively. The content of pectin was higher in mesocarp flour, also, its DE increased deeply with the fruit maturation. The mesocarp with the lower density can be separated from the epicarp in a water flow system, which allows the production of clearer flour with the highest content of pectin and the highest DE in ripe fruits.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar tratamentos térmicos e químicos com Ca2+, no controle da atividade da poligalacturonase e de seus efeitos no rendimento de extração e no grau de esterificação da pectina do albedo da casca de maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis). Utilizaram-se cascas de frutos com coloração verde-clara, as quais foram lavadas, sanitizadas, trituradas e deixadas em repouso em água, para suspensão do albedo. O albedo foi recolhido e submetido à temperatura de 90oC a 30, 60 e 120 min, ou a concentrações de cálcio de 0,01 e 1% durante 1 hora de agitação de 400 rpm, em temperatura ambiente. Realizou-se, também, o tratamento térmico do extrato enzimático bruto obtido do albedo a 65, 75 e 85°C. O tratamento térmico do albedo a 90°C não inativou a poligalacturonase após 120 min. A inativação da enzima extraída do albedo ocorreu após incubação a 65, 75 e 85°C por 30, 20 e 10 min, respectivamente. O tratamento com íons de cálcio a 1% promoveu o bloqueio enzimático e a redução no conteúdo de ácidos urônicos livres (AUL) da pectina. O tratamento do albedo de maracujá com solução de 1% de Ca2+ por 1 hora inibe a atividade da poligalacturonase e reduz o conteúdo de AUL.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of thermal and chemical treatments with Ca2+, in order to control the activity of polygalacturonase and its effects on extraction yield and degree of pectin esterification from albedo of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) rind. Rinds of fruit with light-green peel were washed, sanitized, grind, and left to stand in water for albedo suspension. Albedo was collected and subjected to a temperature of 90oC for 30, 60, and 120 min, or to calcium levels of 0.01 and 1% during 1 hour of stirring, at 400 rpm, at ambient temperature. Thermal treatment of the crude enzymatic extract obtained from the albedo at 65, 75, and 85oC was also performed. The thermal treatment of the albedo at 90oC did not inactivate polygalacturonase after 120 min. The inactivation of the enzyme extracted from the albedo occurred after incubation at 65, 75, and 85oC for 30, 20, and 10 min, respectively. The treatment with calcium ion solution at 1% promoted enzymatic inactivation and a decrease in the content of free carboxylic acids (FCA) of pectin. The treatment of passion fruit albedo with calcium Ca2+ solution at 1% for 1 hour inhibits the polygalacturonase activity and decreases the content of FCA.

A mobilização das proteínas de sementes de Pisum arvense L. durante a germinação na ausência de luz foi estudada. As sementes foram completamente exauridas de suas reservas após 22 dias de germinação e as plântulas cresceram até o 18° dia de germinação. Experimentos de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida em presença de SDS indicaram que as principais bandas protéicas, correspondendo às proteínas de reserva de alta massa molecular, foram detectadas apenas até o 7° dia após a germinação. Entretanto, as bandas protéicas correspondentes às lectinas da semente puderam ser detectadas ao longo de todo o processo germinativo, sugerindo que essas proteínas são fortemente resistentes à ação das proteases da semente e devem, de alguma forma, ser importantes para o estabelecimento das plântulas. A atividade hemaglutinante nos cotilédones foi detectada até o 22° dia de germinação, indicando que as lectinas também permaneceram ativas quando os cotilédones estavam bastante exauridos de suas reservas.

ABSTRACT - The mobilization of seed proteins from Pisum arvense L. during germination in the absence of light was studied. The seeds were found to be completely consumed 22 days after germination and seedlings ceased growth after the 18th day. SDS-PAGE indicated that the main protein bands correspond to high molecular mass storage proteins which undergo proteolysis in the initial stages of germination and are not detected after the 7th day of germination. However, the corresponding lectin profiles were detected during the entire germination process, suggesting that these proteins are strongly resistant to seed proteolytic enzymes and should be important for seedling establishment. Furthermore, haemagglutinating activity in cotyledons was detected until 22 days after germination, indicating that the lectins remain active even in senescent cotyledons.