Hormonal appetite control is altered by shift work: a preliminary study

Shift work has been associated with a higher propensity for developing nutritional problems and obesity. However, the possible changes in leptin and ghrelin (2 hormones that contribute importantly to the central regulation of food intake) concentrations in this population are poorly described. The objective of the study was to evaluate the daily concentrations of leptin, nonacylated ghrelin, and acylated ghrelin and the appetite ratings in men working different shift schedules. Daily concentrations of nonacylated ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, and leptin and appetite were measured in 3 groups of subjects: workers on fixed night shifts (n = 9), fixed early morning shifts (n = 6), and fixed day shifts (n = 7). Appetite was evaluated by a validated questionnaire. Blood samples were collected every 4 hours over the course of 24 hours for a total of 6 samples. When comparing the 3 groups, leptin concentrations at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm for those workers on the day shift were significantly lower than for those on the early morning shift; and concentrations at noon for those workers on the day shift were significantly lower than for those on the night shift. Nonacylated and acylated ghrelin concentrations were significantly lower for those workers on the early morning shift than for those on the day shift. In general, appetite was the lowest in those working the early morning shift. Shift workers on the early morning shift have lower appetites and concentrations of leptin and nonacylated and acylated ghrelin than the workers on other shifts. Further studies are required to better understand the detailed needs of these individuals.     

Association between oral health status and nutritional status in south Brazilian independent-living older people

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that older people with partial tooth loss and edentulism change their diet and lack specific nutrients, but few studies have assessed whether poor oral status is associated with risk of malnutrition and malnutrition in independent-living older people. We evaluated if poor oral status was associated with risk of malnutrition and malnutrition in this population. METHODS: A random sample of 471 south Brazilians > or =60 y of age was evaluated. Measurements included a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic, behavioral, general, and oral health data; nutritional status assessment, according to the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA); and oral status assessment, by means of oral examinations assessing the number of teeth and use of dental prostheses. Correlates of risk of malnutrition/malnutrition according to the MNA were assessed by means of multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants who reported dissatisfaction with their gingival health and edentulous persons wearing only one denture were more likely to be at risk of malnutrition, according to the screening MNA. Dissatisfaction with gingival health was a risk indicator, whereas having one to eight natural teeth was protective against the risk of malnutrition/malnutrition according to the full MNA. CONCLUSION: In the present study, older people with a compromised oral status had higher odds for risk of malnutrition. The maintenance of a few teeth had a crucial role in increasing the chance of maintaining an adequate nutritional status in the studied population. In cases where edentulism was present, complete dental prosthetic use was associated with better nutritional status.     

A randomised comparison of microwave endometrial ablation with transcervical resection of the endometrium: follow up at a minimum of 10 years

Objective  To compare outcomes and further operations at a minimum of 10 years following microwave endometrial ablation (MEA^TM) or transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE).
Design  Follow up of a randomised controlled trial using postal questionnaires and operative databank review.
Setting  Gynaecology department of a large UK teaching hospital.
Main outcome measures  Women's satisfaction with treatment, menstrual symptoms, changes in health-related quality of life, and additional treatments received.
Results  One-hundred and eighty-nine of the original 263 women returned questionnaires (72%) after a minimum of 10 years post-treatment. Those totally or generally satisfied with treatment numbered 77/129 (60%) in the microwave arm and 70/134 (52%) in the resection arm, the difference is not statistically significant. Bleeding and pain scores were highly significantly reduced and similar following both MEA^TM and TCRE, achieving amenorrhoea rates of 83 and 88% respectively. The hysterectomy rate after 10 years was significantly different with 22 (17%) in the MEA^TM and 38 (28%) in the TCRE arm (95% CI: −0.21, −0.13).
Conclusions  Both techniques achieve significant and comparable improvements in menstrual symptoms, health-related quality of life and high rates of satisfaction. With the known operative advantages, lower costs and fewer hysterectomies, it is clear that MEA™ is a more effective and efficient treatment for heavy menstrual loss than TCRE.     

Integrative literature review on treatment management in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The objective of this study is to identify which is the best nursing intervention strategy to promote treatment management in patients with Obstructive Chronic Pulmonary Disease in the hospital setting. An integrative literature review was performed for the years 2006 to 2009. The data analysis revealed that the studies used different elements and specific effectiveness indicators to evaluate the intervention strategies that were addressed. Based on current evidence, it is not possible to identify the best strategy. The present review points out the need to define more consensual outcome indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Hence, it is necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of nursing intervention strategies, turning to those indicators, to define the best evidenced-based intervention strategy.     

Citizen constitution and social representations: reflecting about health care models

This article presents a reflection on the meaning of the terms citizenship and health, addressing the Theory of Social Representations as a strategy for implementing and evaluating health care models in Brazil. First, a brief history about the concept of citizenship is presented; then the article addresses the principles of freedom and equality according to Kant; the third section of the article shows that health is as a right of the citizen and a duty of the state. Finally, the Theory of Social Representations is emphasized as a strategy to evaluate and implement the health services provided to citizens by the current health care models in Brazil.     

Penetrating keratoplasty for silicone oil keratopathy

Purpose : Penetrating keratoplasty for silicone oil keratopathy is associated with high risks and limited visual prognosis. This study examined the outcomes and factors influencing graft failure. Methods : A retrospective, non‐comparative, interventional case series of patients attending Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Results : A total of 24 penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 17 patients (13 men and four women) from 1991 to 2000. The mean age of patients undergoing surgery was 43.6 years (range 17–84 years, SD ± 21.0). Silicone oil was removed before or during the time of initial penetrating keratoplasty in nine patients (52.9%) and left in situ in eight patients (47.1%). Ten out of 24 grafts survived (41.7%). The median duration of graft survival was 21 months (range 2 weeks–98 months) with median duration of follow up 33 months (range 2–100 months). At final follow up, the number of patients with a clear graft who had oil removed before or during the time of penetrating keratoplasty was seven out of 10 (70.0%). Risk factors for graft failure included hypotony, multiple keratoplasty, corneal neovascularization, rejection episode, silicone oil left in situ and postoperative glaucoma. Conclusions : Management of these complex patients requires a combined approach from anterior segment and vitreoretinal subspecialties. The long‐term success of the graft can be improved if silicone oil is removed prior or during the time of penetrating keratoplasty.     

Zur Haftung des Krankenhauses beim Sturz eines Patienten aus dem Rollstuhl

Abstrakt 1. Es ist Sache des Krankenhaustr?gers, darzulegen und nachzuweisen, dass der Sturz aus einem Rollstuhl nicht auf einem pflichtwidrigen Verhalten der Pflegekr?fte beruht, weil es auch hinsichtlich der Frage der Geeignetheit eines solchen Ger?tes für die Unterbindung von selbst?ndigen Gehversuchen eines Patienten um Risiken aus dem Krankenhausbetrieb geht, die von dem Tr?ger der Klinik und dem dort t?tigen Personal voll beherrscht werden k?nnen. 2. Soweit der Krankenhaustr?ger auf Antrag des Pflegepersonals nicht kurzfristig in der Lage ist, eine Sitzwache zur Vermeidung einer akuten Gef?hrdung des Patienten zur Verfügung zu stellen, handelt es sich um ein Organisationsverschulden, für das er nach x 823 BGB haftet. 3. Der Gesch?digte genügt seiner Darlegungslast sowohl hinsichtlich der objektiven Pflichtverletzung als auch des Verschuldens, indem er vortr?gt, dass er im Gefahrenbereich des Sch?digers aus dem Rollstuhl gestürzt sei. Er muss nicht nachweisen, dass der Unfall auf einem Verschulden des Pflegepersonals oder einem Organisationsverschulden des Krankenhaustr?gers beruht. Vielmehr hat der Sch?diger sich insoweit zu entlasten. (Leits?tze der Bearbeiter)