Evaluation of the Frails' Fall Efficacy by Comparing Treatments (EFFECT) on reducing fall and fear of fall in moderately frail older adults: study protocol for a randomised control trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Falls are common in frail older adults and often result in injuries and hospitalisation. The Nintendo^®Wii™ is an easily available exercise modality in the community which has been shown to improve lower limb strength and balance. However, not much is known on the effectiveness of the Nintendo^®Wii™ to improve fall efficacy and reduce falls in a moderately frail older adult. Fall efficacy is the measure of fear of falling in performing various daily activities. Fear contributes to avoidance of activities and functional decline.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This randomised active-control trial is a comparison between the Nintendo WiiActive programme against standard gym-based rehabilitation of the older population. Eighty subjects aged above 60, fallers and non-fallers, will be recruited from the hospital outpatient clinic. The primary outcome measure is the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale and the secondary outcome measures are self-reported falls, quadriceps strength, walking agility, dynamic balance and quality of life assessments.</p> <p>Discussions</p> <p>The study is the first randomised control trial using the Nintendo Wii as a rehabilitation modality investigating a change in fall efficacy and self-reported falls. Longitudinally, the study will investigate if the interventions can successfully reduce falls and analyse the cost-effectiveness of the programme.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12610000576022.aspx">ACTRN12610000576022</a></p

Wound healing after radiation therapy: Review of the literature

Radiation therapy is an established modality in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. Compromised wound healing in irradiated tissues is a common and challenging clinical problem. The pathophysiology and underlying cellular mechanisms including the complex interaction of cytokines and growth factors are still not understood completely. In this review, the current state of research regarding the pathomechanisms of compromised wound healing in irradiated tissues is presented. Current and possible future treatment strategies are critically reviewed

Produção de Mudas de Ipê-amarelo (Tabebuia serratifolia) em Resposta a Fertilização Nitrogenada

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito de fontes de nitrogênio e respectivas doses sobre o crescimento e a qualidade de mudas de ipê-amarelo (Tabebuia serratifolia). As mudas foram produzidas em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo e as fontes de nitrogênio utilizadas foram nitrato de amônio, sulfato de amônio e nitrato de cálcio, aplicadas em cinco doses (0 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 225 mg e 300 mg dm–3) e parceladamente, aos 25, 50, 75 e 100 dias após a repicagem. Adotou-se esquema fatorial 3 × 5 no delineamento experimental, casualizado em blocos, com quatro repetições. Aos 125 dias após a repicagem, a adição do nitrogênio proporcionou efeito significativo na produção de mudas de ipê-amarelo, sendo que a fonte sulfato de amônio produziu as melhores médias para todas as características e índices avaliados. Recomenda-se, para a produção de mudas de ipê-amarelo, a utilização de sulfato de amônio na dose de 100 mg dm–3 de N.This work aimed to evaluate the effect of sources of nitrogen and respective levels on growth and quality of Yellow Cortez (Tabebuia serratifolia) seedlings. Seedlings were grown on a Oxisol and nitrogen sources were ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate, applied in five doses (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mg dm–3) and increments of 25, 50, 75 and 100 days after transplanting. The experimental design was randomized in blocks in factorial scheme (3 × 5) with four replications. At 125 days after transplanting, the addition of nitrogen provided significant effect on seedling production of Yellow Cortez (Tabebuia serratifolia), and the ammonium sulfate produced the best means for all traits and indexes evaluated. We recommend the use of ammonium sulfate at a dose of 100 mg dm–3 N for Yellow Cortez seedling