Early spermatogenesis changes in traumatic complete spinal cord-injured adult patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on the spermatogenesis of patients studied in the early subacute stage and ensuing months. SETTING: National hospital for SCI patients. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study was conducted on 28 male patients with complete SCI who were evaluated in the early subacute phase (~1 month), and 3 and 6 months after the injury. At each time point, fine needle aspiration biopsy samples were taken from the testes for cytological assessment, and serum levels of relevant hormones were measured. At the end of the study period, ejaculation was attempted for standard semen analyses. RESULTS: Cytological patterns indicative of defective spermatogenesis were found in 61%, 52% and 20% of the patients at 1, 3 and 6 months after SCI, respectively, suggesting an improvement over time. Serum hormone analyses showed a steady elevation of estradiol levels above the reference range, and increasing levels of testosterone, inhibin B and prolactin throughout the study period. Prolactin levels were above the reference range at all time points. Only 2 out of the 10 patients who were able to ejaculate at 6 months post injury showed normal sperm parameters. CONCLUSION: A majority of the patients showed impaired spermatogenesis soon after the injury, which in most cases recovered over time. That was accompanied by parallel increases in serum levels of inhibin B, testosterone and prolactin, possibly driving or reflecting the spermatogenesis recovery. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these changes.

El modelo de promoción de la salud de Nola Pender. Una reflexión en torno a su comprensión / The model of health promotion proposed by Nola Pender. A reflection on your understanding

La comprensión de las teorías y modelos de enfermería llevan consigo un amplio recorrido de discusión que contribuye al crecimiento de la disciplina. El Modelo de Promoción de la Salud propuesto por Nola Pender, es ampliamente utilizado por los profesionales de enfermería, ya que permite comprender comportamientos huma - nos relacionados con la salud, y a su vez, orienta hacia la generación de conductas saludables. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar un análisis de los artículos originales publicados en torno a este modelo, durante el período 2000­2010, identificando los aspectos más relevantes expresados en dichas publicaciones, así como las formas en que éste es interpretado y utilizado en la práctica. Las investigaciones realizadas a partir de este modelo, en el periodo mencionado, predominan en Brasil, Estados Unidos de América y México. Los grupos de personas en las que más se hacen, son adolescentes y adultos, las temáticas más mencionadas son: Actividad física, estilos de vida saludable, enfermedades crónicas y obesidad, la gran mayoría de los investigadores, utiliza la totalidad de conceptos expresados en el modelo para la interpretación del fenómeno estudiado. Los profesionales que más investigan en torno a este modelo, son de los campos de enfermería y sociología. Se ha notado un incremento de las investigaciones alrededor del Modelo de Promoción de la Salud en la última década, reflejo del interés de estos expertos por comprender las conductas promotoras de la salud, así como de las motivaciones que llevan a realizarlas.

Comprehension of theories and Nursing Models comprise a wide range of discussions contributing to the growth of discipline. The model of health promotion proposed by Nola Pender is widely used by Nursing professionals; as it leads to the understanding of human behavior related to health; it also leads to the development of healthy behavior. The aim of this work is to perform an analysis of the original articles published regarding this model, carried out between 2000 and 2010 in America identifying the most relevant issues stated under such publications, and the ways it is interpreted in real practice. Research performed from this model in the above stated period of time, is mostly used in Brazil, the United States and Mexico. The groups of people widely involved are youngsters, adults and elders, most used topics are: physical activity, healthy life styles, chronicle diseases and the application of the model instruments, most of the researches use the whole of the concepts expressed in the model for the interpretation of the surveyed phenomenon. Nurses and Sociologists are the professionals performing most of the research of this model. An increase of HMP (Health Model Promotion) research has been detected in the last decade, evidencing the interest of these experts to understand the Promotional Health Behaviors, as well as the motivational aspects that lead them to perform them.

Comparative biomechanical gait analysis of patients with central cord syndrome walking with one crutch and two crutches.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory people with central cord syndrome often require assistive devices. The selection of a suitable assistive device should be based on an objective assessment. Our objective in this study was to determine whether there was any difference in using two crutches over one crutch, considering that these patients have bilateral upper-limb involvement. METHODS: Kinematic gait analysis was conducted in 12 patients with central cord syndrome of more than one year of evolution and functional capacity for walking with one crutch or without crutches. Patients were asked to walk with one crutch and with two crutches at a freely chosen walking speed through a 10-m walkway. Three-dimensional kinematic equipment based on active markers was used to analyze temporospatial and articular parameters (maximum, minimum, and range of motion, ROM, throughout the cycle) FINDINGS: During two-crutch versus one-crutch walking, speed was lower (P=0041), stride time and step time were longer (P=0.004 and P=0.005) and there were fewer strides/minute and steps/minute (P=0.005 and P=0.006). The duration of the single support stance was longer during two-crutch walking (P=0.008). With respect to the articular parameters, both ankle ROMs (dorsi-plantar flexion P=0.003 and pronation-supination P=0.004) were greater with one-crutch walking than with two-crutch walking. INTERPRETATION: In patients with central cord syndrome capable of walking with one crutch or without crutches, walking with two crutches decreases speed, increases stride time and step time and improves stability by increasing single support, and diminishes ankle plantar flexion during swing phase.

Comparative study of pressure distribution at the user-cushion interface with different cushions in a population with spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have offered comparative information on the mechanical characteristics of different wheelchair seat cushions. The objective of the present study was to compare the benefits of the wheelchair seat cushions most frequently used in a population of patients with spinal cord injury in terms of pressure distribution and contact surface at the user-cushion interface. METHODS: Each one of 48 patients with spinal cord injury was seated in his or her own wheelchair on the four models of cushions analyzed (low-profile air, high-profile air, dual-compartment air, and gel and firm foam), which were presented in randomized order. The pressure distribution readings and support surface area of the user-cushion interface were obtained with a matrix of piezocapacitive sensors. FINDINGS: The dual-compartment air cushion yielded lower readings for all pressure parameters analyzed (P(max), P(mean), P(sd), and P(isch)) than the other three cushion models (P<0.05). The best surface parameter results (S(tot), S>60 and %S>60) also were obtained with the dual-compartment air cushion (P<0.05). INTERPRETATION: In the sample analyzed, the dual-compartment air cushion was the cushion with the best pressure distribution and largest contact surface of the user-cushion interface compared to the other three cushions studied.

Efficacy, safety and predictive factors of therapeutic success with sildenafil for erectile dysfunction in patients with different spinal cord injuries.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, open, prospective, before-after study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of sildenafil therapy for erectile dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury, and the association between the response to sildenafil and factors such as causes and levels of spinal cord injury, grade of ASIA deficit, time since injury, orgasmic perception, and degree of baseline erection. SETTING: Homes of outpatients of 16 spinal cord injury units in Spain. METHOD: One hundred and seventy patients with erectile dysfunction secondary to spinal cord injury, from whom baseline data were collected on their sexual function, and who started treatment with sildenafil 50 mg. An efficacy assessment was made by the patient and his partner, and the score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was recorded. RESULTS: It was reported by 88.2% of the patients and 85.3% of their partners that treatment with sildenafil had improved their erections, regardless of the baseline characteristics of the spinal cord injury and erectile function. In responders, this improvement was confirmed by an increase from 12.5 to 24.8 points (P<0.001) of the Erectile Function Domain of IIEF. A significant improvement was also seen in patients' satisfaction with sexual activity and general satisfaction derived from sexual life. Preservation of orgasmic perception and a baseline degree of erection of 3 or 4 (P=0.006) were predictors of therapeutic success. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury, regardless of the cause, neurological level, ASIA grade, and time since injury. SPONSORSHIP: Spanish Society of Paraplegia.