Does chair type influence outcome in the timed “up and go” test in older persons?

Objective  

To test the effects of the use of a collapsible, portable chair (chair B), as opposed to a ‘standard’ chair (chair A), on the outcome of the timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test.     

Exercise and global well-being in community-dwelling adults with fibromyalgia: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background  

Exercise has been recommended for improving global-well being in adults with fibromyalgia. However, no meta-analysis has determined the effects of exercise on global well-being using a single instrument and when analyzed separately according to intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The purpose of this study was to fill that gap.     

Surviving crack: a qualitative study of the strategies and tactics developed by Brazilian users to deal with the risks associated with the drug

Background  

Due to marginalization, trafficking violence, conflicts with the police and organic and social psychological problems associated with the drug, crack is one of the most devastating drugs currently in use. However, there is evidence that some users manage to stay alive and active while using crack cocaine for many years, despite the numerous adversities and risks involved with this behavior. In this context, the aim of the present study was to identify the strategies and tactics developed by crack users to deal with the risks associated with the culture of use by examining the survival strategies employed by long-term users.     

Identifying malaria vector breeding habitats with remote sensing data and terrain-based landscape indices in Zambia

Background  

Malaria, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in southern Zambia. In the Mapanza Chiefdom, where transmission is seasonal, Anopheles arabiensis is the dominant malaria vector. The ability to predict larval habitats can help focus control measures.     

Reframing climate change as a public health issue: an exploratory study of public reactions

Background  

Climate change is taking a toll on human health, and some leaders in the public health community have urged their colleagues to give voice to its health implications. Previous research has shown that Americans are only dimly aware of the health implications of climate change, yet the literature on issue framing suggests that providing a novel frame - such as human health - may be potentially useful in enhancing public engagement. We conducted an exploratory study in the United States of people's reactions to a public health-framed short essay on climate change.     

Physical Activity Participation by Parental Language Use in 4th, 8th,and 11th Grade Students in Texas,USA

Research on physical activity (PA) by level of acculturation in Hispanic children is limited and findings have been mixed. We examined PA participation by primary language used with parents in a representative sample of 4th, 8th, and 11th grade Texas public school students. Mixed-effects regression models were conducted using cross-sectional data from the 2004–2005 School Physical Activity and Nutrition Study (n = 22,049). Self-reported PA was compared among three language-ethnic groups: Spanish-Hispanic (SH) (referent); English-Hispanic (EH); and English-Other (EO). EH and/or EO girls were generally between 1.25 and 2.58 [OR] times more likely to participate in PA across grade levels, with the largest differences found for school sports in 8th grade girls. EH and EO 8th grade boys were 1.71 (CI: 1.40, 2.10) and 2.06 (CI: 1.68, 2.51) times, respectively, more likely to participate in school sports. Findings indicate important disparities in Spanish-speaking Hispanic children’s PA participation.     

Challenges in physician supply planning: the case of Belgium

Introduction  

Planning human resources for health (HRH) is a complex process for policy-makers and, as a result, many countries worldwide swing from surplus to shortage. In-depth case studies can help appraising the challenges encountered and the solutions implemented. This paper has two objectives: to identify the key challenges in HRH planning in Belgium and to formulate recommendations for an effective HRH planning, on the basis of the Belgian case study and lessons drawn from an international benchmarking.     

FOLFOX4与替加氟替代方案对晚期胃癌疗效的对比研究

目的:对比观察FOLFOX4方案与替加氟替代方案治疗晚期胃癌的疗效和不良反应.方法:经病理或细胞学确诊的晚期胃癌患者75例,按收治的时间顺序交叉分入FOLFOX4组(A组)或替加氟替代组(B组),两方案均至少连用3周期评价疗效.A组:OXA 85mg/m2,静滴2h,第1天;LV 200mg/m2,静滴2h,第1、2天;5-FU 400mg/m2,静推,然后600mg/m2,22h静脉维持,第1、2天;2周重复,14天为1个周期.B组:OXA 130mg/m2,静滴2h,第1天;LV 200mg/m2,静滴2h,第1-5天;FT-207 800mg/m2,静滴3h,第1-5天;3周重复,21天为1个周期.结果:研究对象共75例.A组39例,总有效率(CR + PR)41.0%,其中初治患者总有效率55.6%;复治患者的总有效率28.6%.B组36例, 总有效率38.9%,其中初治患者总有效率 50.0%;复治患者的总有效率30.0%.两组总有效率比较均无统计学差异.不良反应主要是白细胞减少、恶心呕吐、神经感觉毒性等,A组白细胞下降发生率和消化系统不良反应发生率均明显高于B组(P均＜0.05).两组均无化疗相关死亡.结论:FOLFOX4方案与替加氟替代方案均为治疗晚期胃癌有效的方案,FOLFOX4方案总有效率稍高,不良反应较替加氟替代方案重,但可耐受.建议晚期胃癌初治可选用FOLFOX4方案,而其中年龄偏大,体质欠佳的患者宜选替加氟替代方案.     

Efficacy of epoetin-beta 30,000 IU/week in correcting anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal tumours subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Objective  

The aim of the project was to assess the effectiveness and safety of weekly epoetin-beta (EB) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCTRT).