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To determine whether body fat distribution, measured by waist circumference (WC) and waist/hip ratio (WHR), is a better predictor of mortality and morbidity after colorectal surgery than body mass index (BMI) or body surface area (BSA).Obesity measured by BMI is not a consistent risk factor for postoperative mortality and morbidity after abdominal surgery. Studies in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases have shown WC and WHR to be better outcome predictors than BMI.A prospective multicenter international study was conducted among patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The WHR, BMI, and BSA were derived from body weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences measured preoperatively. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative outcomes.A total of 1349 patients (754 men) from 38 centers in 11 countries were included. Increasing WHR significantly increased the risk of conversion [odds ratio (OR) = 15.7, relative risk (RR) = 4.1], intraoperative complications (OR = 11.0, RR = 3.2), postoperative surgical complications (OR = 7.7, RR = 2.0), medical complications (OR = 13.2, RR = 2.5), anastomotic leak (OR = 13.7, RR = 3.3), reoperations (OR = 13.3, RR = 2.9), and death (OR = 653.1, RR = 21.8). Both BMI (OR = 39.5, RR = 1.1) and BSA (OR = 4.9, RR = 3.1) were associated with an increased risk of abdominal wound complication. In multivariate analysis, the WHR predicted intraoperative complications, conversion, medical complications, and reinterventions, whereas BMI was a risk factor only for abdominal wall complications; BSA did not reach significance for any outcome.The WHR is predictive of adverse events after elective colorectal surgery. It should be used in routine clinical practice and in future risk-estimating systems.

An evaluation of the electrocardiographic profile of 50 clinically healthy Quarter Horses, with ages ranging from six months to 28 years old, 34 females and 16 males, was performed. Heart rate has not decreased with age, and duration of the QRS complex increased with the growth of the animal. The amplitude of the S and T1 waves were higher in male subjects than in female Quarter Horses. Avaliou-se o perfil eletrocardiográfico de 50 equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, clinicamente sadios, com idades variando de seis meses a 28 anos, sendo 34 fêmeas e 16 machos. A frequência cardíaca não diminuiu com a idade, e a duração do complexo QRS aumentou ao longo do crescimento do animal. A amplitude das ondas S e T1 foram maiores nos indivíduos machos do que nas fêmeas da raça Quarto de Milha.

The impact of a paper mill effluent on the macroinvertebrate communities of an Iberian stream located in Central Portugal was assessed. We used a modification of the BMWP' and BBI indices, diversity measurements (number of taxa and 1-Simpson index) and multivariate methods (cluster, MDS and CA analyses). All techniques indicated a strong impact in the vicinity of the effluent output with a slow recovery ca 4 - 7 km downstream. Multivariate analyses clearly segregated reference (upstream) sites from strongly and moderately impacted sites. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed also significant differences among groups of sites defined by MDS analysis (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between BBI and BMWP' indices and the first CA axis (pollution gradient) which suggests that both indices were suitable for water quality assessment in this stream and pollution type. However, we recommend the use of the BMWP' index due to the lesser needs in terms of taxonomic expertises. Se ha evaluado el impacto producido por el vertido de una fábrica de papel sobre las comunidades de macroinvertebrados de un arroyo Ibérico localizado en el Centro de Portugal. Se utilizó una modificación de los índices BMWP' y BBI, medidas de diversidad (número de taxones e índice 1-Simpson) y métodos multivariantes (cluster, MDS y análisis CA). Todas las técnicas indicaron un fuerte impacto en las inmediaciones del vertido con una lenta recuperación a lo largo de 4 - 7 km. río abajo. Los análisis multivariantes segregaron claramente las estaciones de referencia (cabecera) de aquellas fuertemente o moderadamente impactadas. El análisis de similitud (ANOSIM) mostró también diferencias significativas entre los grupos de estaciones definidos por el análisis MDS (P < 0.001). Hubo una correlación significativa (P < 0.001) entre los índices BBI y BMWP', y el primer eje CA (gradiente de contaminación), lo que sugiere que ambos índices fueron adecuados para evaluar la calidad del agua en este arroyo y para este tipo de contaminantes. No obstante, se recomienda el uso del índice BMWP' por sus menores exigencias en lo que respecta a los expertos en taxonomía.

Here we tested the application of a nodal analysis for the elaboration of biotic indices for particular stressing conditions. The work was carried out in an intermittent Mediterranean stream where superficial flow was absent during summer. The river was perturbed by an effluent with high pH, sulphates, nitrates and conductivity. "Summer" and "winter" samples were treated separately. We first identified groups of sites differing in taxonomical composition by cluster analysis. Then we tested whether groups of sites also differed in their abiotic characteristics. In the following step, groups of cooccurring taxa were also identified by cluster analysis. The indicator value of a taxa group was measured by fidelity measurements for site groups. Indicator taxa were incorporated in a water quality table. The biotic index in the water quality table clearly discriminated impacted from reference sites in the two following years and was correlated with the first axis of a correspondence analysis biplot which also discriminated impacted from clean sites. We suggest that nodal analysis can be a reliable technique for the identification of bioindicators and the elaboration of biotic indices. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V73-3SX5H1V-F/1/2ddcd6137e173976c270b458bbb4c99c