Comparison of home-based rehabilitation and a centre-based exercise in terms of functional capacity, muscle oxygenation and quality of life in people with peripheral arterial disease: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is increasingly prevalent, and supervised physical exercise programmes are recommended as the first-line treatment. However, these programmes are underused. Alternative delivery models may be able to expand treatment coverage. The objective of this study was to compare a home-based exercise programme (HBEP) and a centre-based exercise (CBE) in terms of their effects on functional capacity, peripheral muscle oxygenation and quality of life in individuals with PAD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This single-blind, parallel randomised clinical trial will consist of two groups: HBEP and CBE. A qualitative analysis will be carried out to investigate acceptability and satisfaction. The primary outcome will be functional capacity, assessed by the incremental shuttle walk test. Secondary outcomes will include functional capacity, assessed by a treadmill walking test; peripheral muscle oxygenation and quality of life; and self-reported functional impairment, risk factors, morbidity, level of physical activity, adherence, acceptability and satisfaction. The intervention protocols will consist of 12 weeks of intermittent walking until claudication symptoms, three times a week. Participants randomly assigned to the CBE group will participate in supervised face-to-face sessions. The HBEP group will perform exercises at home with remote supervision, monitored by a pedometer and heart rate monitor, and subjective perception of effort during each session will be recorded by participants in a training diary; follow-up will be conducted by telephone calls. Statistical analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Participants allocated to the HBEP group will be interviewed about their experience of remote treatment using a qualitative approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses. This research has the potential to improve the care of people with PAD because if home-based rehabilitation demonstrates effectiveness, it could be considered an alternative or support resource to the usual centre-based treatment models, expanding access, coverage and participation in vascular physiotherapy TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-97vy9n7 on 14 April 2022.

Catalytic and structural factors behind advancements of co-management in protected areas: Contributions for its evaluation.

Over the past few decades, the literature has pointed out pathways to success in co-management processes based on key conditions. Rather than offering prescriptive conclusions for successful co-management in protected areas, in this article, we highlight the importance of the "process" and certain elements that contribute to advancements of formal and informal co-management. We analyzed the trajectory of two protected areas for sustainable use in coastal Brazil - Extractive Reserves of Prainha do Canto Verde and São João da Ponta. Advancements of co-management were understood as processes of shared environmental and territorial governance, with levels of community participation and/or social control. Advancements were observed in both formal co-management arenas, such as deliberative boards for protected area management, and informal spheres, such as the implementation of projects and other actions involving traditional populations and partners. Drawing on Grounded Theory, the advancements were explained based on two categories of inter-related factors: (i) catalytic factors - crises, threats and other factors of social mobilization, emancipatory partnerships, and political identity, and (ii) structural factors, based on resources of community power and citizenship. Beyond diagnoses or rankings of success, the explanatory dimension of these phenomena highlights their inherent complexity.

Rational and design of a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of furosemide withdrawal in stable chronic outpatients with heart failure: The ReBIC-1 trial.

AIMS: Furosemide is commonly prescribed for symptom relief in heart failure (HF) patients. Although few data support the continuous use of loop diuretics in apparently euvolemic HF patients with mild symptoms, there is concern about safety of diuretic withdrawal in these patients. The ReBIC-1 trial was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of withdrawing furosemide in stable, euvolemic, chronic HF outpatients. This multicenter initiative is part of the Brazilian Research Network in Heart Failure (ReBIC) created to develop clinical studies in HF and composed predominantly by university tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: The ReBIC-1 trial is currently enrolling HF patients in NYHA functional class I-II, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45%, without a HF-related hospital admission within the last 6 months, receiving a stable dose of furosemide (40 or 80 mg per day) for at least 6 months. Eligible patients will be randomized to maintain or withdraw furosemide in a double-blinded protocol. The trial has two co-primary outcomes: (1) dyspnea assessment using a visual-analogue scale evaluated at 4 time points and (2) the proportion of patients maintained without diuretics during the follow-up period. Total sample size was calculated to be 220 patients. Enrolled patients will be followed up to 90 days after randomization, and diuretic will be restarted if clinical deterioration or signs of congestion are detected. Pre-defined sub-group analysis based on NT-proBNP levels at baseline is planned. PERSPECTIVE: Evidence-based strategies aiming to simplify HF pharmacotherapy are needed in clinical practice. The ReBIC-1 trial will determine the safety of withdrawing furosemide in stable chronic HF patients.

Positive tuberculin test and risk of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tuberculosis clinic settled in an upright building, in Minas Gerais, Brazil / Reactividad a tuberculina en trabajadores de la salud de un centro de referencia de tuberculosis

Background: Occupational Tuberculosis (TB) can lead to work absenteeism and a negative professional impact. Knowing the reactivity of the tuberculin test and the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals is essential for the revision and reinforcement of control measures against TB transmission. Aim: To assess the reactivity of tuberculin test and risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals working in an upright building, in which a TB Reference Clinic is placed. Subjects and Methods: A tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) was done to 251 staff members of a TB clinic that did not have a previous history or suspicion of TB and that did not have a previous TST done. Among subjects with absence of reaction, repeated tests were carried out to assess booster reaction. Results: Fifty one percent of studied subjects (129) had a positive tuberculin test. The booster phenomenon was evidenced in 35.7% (68/190). The seroconversion among non-reactive subjects, subjected to a new TST after one year, was 5.1%. The infection risk was 1.4. Conclusions: This study indicates an important occupational risk of infection in healthcare settings exposed to high TB incidence, and should be used to better allocate resources for infection control.

Antecedentes: La tuberculosis ocupacional causa ausentismo laboral. Conocer la reactividad tuberculínica de los trabajadores de la salud ayuda a mejorar las medidas de control para evitar la infección laboral con M. tuberculosis. Objetivo: Estudiar la reactividad tuberculínica de un grupo de trabajadores de la salud de un centro de referencia de tuberculosis que está ubicado en una edificación vertical. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una prueba de tuberculina a 251 empleados de una clínica de tuberculosis, que no tenían antecedentes o sospecha de tuberculosis y quienes no habían sido sometidos previamente a la prueba. Aquellos sujetos que no respondieron a tuberculina fueron sometidos a una nueva prueba para evaluar la reacción de refuerzo. Resultados: El 51% de los sujetos estudiados tuvieron una reacción tuber-culínica positiva. El fenómeno de refuerzo se observó en 69 de 190 sujetos (35,7%). La tasa de seroconversión en aquellos sujetos con una tuberculina negativa en que se repitió la prueba la cabo de un año, fue de 5,1%. Conclusiones: En este grupo de trabajadores de la salud expuestos a M. tuberculosis, hay una alta tasa de reactividad negativa a tuberculina.

Positive tuberculin test and risk of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tuberculosis clinic settled in an upright building, in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Occupational Tuberculosis (TB) can lead to work absenteeism and a negative professional impact. Knowing the reactivity of the tuberculin test and the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals is essential for the revision and reinforcement of control measures against TB transmission. AIM: To assess the reactivity of tuberculin test and risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals working in an upright building, in which a TB Reference Clinic is placed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) was done to 251 staff members of a TB clinic that did not have a previous history or suspicion of TB and that did not have a previous TST done. Among subjects with absence of reaction, repeated tests were carried out to assess booster reaction. RESULTS: Fifty one percent of studied subjects (129) had a positive tuberculin test. The booster phenomenon was evidenced in 35.7% (68/190). The seroconversion among non-reactive subjects, subjected to a new TST after one year, was 5.1%. The infection risk was 1.4. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates an important occupational risk of infection in healthcare settings exposed to high TB incidence, and should be used to better allocate resources for infection control.