The feasibility of a multidomain dementia risk reduction randomised controlled trial for people experiencing cognitive decline: the Body, Brain, Life for Cognitive Decline (BBL-CD).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of a proof-of-concept multidomain dementia risk reduction intervention. METHOD: An 8-week, parallel-group RCT, focused on increasing adherence to lifestyle domains of Mediterranean diet (MeDi), Physical Activity (PA), and Cognitive Engagement (CE). Feasibility was evaluated against the Bowen Feasibility Framework objectives of: Acceptability of the intervention, compliance with the protocol, and efficacy of the intervention to change behaviour in the three domains of interest. RESULTS: High acceptability of the intervention was demonstrated through a participant retention rate of 80.7% (Intervention: 84.2%; Control: 77.4%). Compliance to the protocol was strong with 100% of participants completing all educational modules and all MeDi and PA components, with 20% compliance for CE. Linear mixed models demonstrated efficacy to change behaviour through significant effects of adherence to MeDi (χ2 = 16.75, df = 3, p < .001) and CE (χ2 = 9.83, df = 3, p =.020), but not PA (χ2 = 4.48, df = 3, p =.211). CONCLUSION: Overall the intervention was shown to be feasible. Recommendations for future trials in this area are: The implementation of practical, one-on-one sessions as they are more effective than passive education at eliciting behaviour change; use of booster sessions to increase likelihood of lifestyle changes being sustained; and collection of qualitative data to identify barriers to change.

Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years.

We tested the hypothesis that overweight/obese men aged 50-70 years will have a greater salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase and heart rate (HR) responses to psychological stress compared with age matched lean men. Lean (BMI=20-25 kg/m(2); n=19) and overweight/obese (BMI=27-35 kg/m(2); n=17) men (50-70 years) were subjected to a well-characterised psychological stress (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) at 1500 h. Concentrations of cortisol and alpha amylase were measured in saliva samples collected every 7-15 min from 1400 to 1700 h. HR was recorded using electrocardiogram. Body weight, BMI, percentage body fat, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly higher (P<0.05) in overweight/obese men compared with lean men. Both groups responded to the TSST with a substantial elevation in salivary cortisol (372%), salivary alpha amylase (123%) and HR (22%). These responses did not differ significantly between the groups (time×treatment interaction for salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase and HR; P=0.187, P=0.288, P=0.550, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups for pretreatment values, peak height, difference between pretreatment values and peak height (reactivity) or area under the curve for salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase or HR (P>0.05 for all). The results showed that, for men with a moderate level of overweight/obesity who were otherwise healthy, the response of salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase and HR to acute psychological stress was not impaired.

Heterotopic ossification after central nervous system trauma: A current review.

Neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) is a disorder of aberrant bone formation affecting one in five patients sustaining a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury. Ectopic bone forms around joints in characteristic patterns, causing pain and limiting movement especially around the hip and elbow. Clinical sequelae of neurogenic heterotopic ossification include urinary tract infection, pressure injuries, pneumonia and poor hygiene, making early diagnosis and treatment clinically compelling. However, diagnosis remains difficult with more investigation needed. Our pathophysiological understanding stems from mechanisms of basic bone formation enhanced by evidence of systemic influences from circulating humor factors and perhaps neurological ones. This increasing understanding guides our implementation of current prophylaxis and treatment including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, radiation therapy and surgery and, importantly, should direct future, more effective ones.

Depression, nutritional risk and eating behaviour in older caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between depression, nutritional risk and dietary intake in a population of older caregivers. DESIGN: Mailed questionnaire with sub group participating in a home-based interview. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Seventy-six community dwelling caregivers aged 50 y or over from Victoria, Australia. MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaires provided information on weight, height, hours of care, depressive symptoms, nutritional risk and appetite. The home-based interview assessed dietary intake and shopping, cooking and meal consumption habits. RESULTS: The sample had a mean +/- SD age of 70.3 +/- 12.8 y, BMI of 27.2 +/- 4.8 kg/m2 and the time spent caring was 101.8 +/- 68.1 h/wk. Overall, 32% of caregivers had depressive symptoms, 21% were at risk of malnutrition and 21% reported their appetite was fair/bad/very bad. Caregivers with depressive symptoms (32%) compared to those with no depressive symptoms (53%) had a poorer appetite (p < 0.05). Of the 20 caregivers who participated in the home interview, 25% reported they ate their meals alone. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of community dwelling older caregivers had depressive symptoms, were at risk of malnutrition and had poor appetites, although the majority were overweight or obese.

Incisión transuretral de la próstata: una alternativa de tratamiento de la hiperplasia prostática obstructiva / Trans-urethral incisión of the prostate: an alternative for treatment of obstructive prostatic hyperplasia

La hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) es un problema común en el varón senil. La HPB es el crecimiento prostático estromal-glandular en varones con un efecto testicular hormonal asociado con la edad y que produce obstrución urinaria conocida como prostatismo. 50 por ciento de varones con evidencia histológica de HPB evolucionarán a una obstrucción clínica y 25 por ciento tendrá que recibir algún tipo de tratamiento para sus síntomas. Este estudio valoró hombres con prostatismo asociado a HPB con un bajo volumen de zona transicional (ZT), y la utilidad de la incisión transuretral de próstata (ITUP), al compararse con varones en vigilancia y otros que recibieron tratamiento con bloqueadores alfa. Material y métodos. Doce hombres fueron sometidos a ITUP después de evaluación con la puntuación de la AUA, índice de calidad de vida y tasa de flujo máximo y se compararon los resultados con 10 pacientes que recibieron bloqueadores alfa y otro grupo de 10 pacientes que se vigilaron en un tiempo de 24 semanas, cada grupo con una ZT prostática de 15 cc o menor. Resultados. Los pacientes sometidos a ITUP obtuvieron los beneficios de esta modalidad incrementando la tasa de flujo máximo 4.93 ml/s, los pacientes con bloqueadores alfa incrementaron 4.36 ml/s, y los pacientes vigilados sólo incrementaron 1.8 ml/s, la puntuación de la AUA disminuyó 10.4 puntos en los pacientes sometidos a ITUP, en los pacientes con bloqueadores alfa disminuyó 3.8 puntos y en los pacientes vigilados se incrementó 1.5, el índice de calidad de vida disminuyó 2.5 puntos en los pacientes sometidos a ITUP, 1.6 en los que recibieron bloqueadores alfa y 0.2 en los pacientes vigilados. Conclusiones. La ITUP es una excelente alternativa de tratamiento de la BPB con bajo volumen de ZT (< de 15 cc), con buenos resultados a mediano plazo valorando lo anterior con la puntuación de síntomas de la AUA, índice de calidad de vida y tasa de flujo máximo