Incidence of falls in long-stay hospitals: risk factors and strategies for prevention.

INTRODUCTION: Falls are a major health problem in elderly institutionalised patients, due to the associated high morbidity and mortality rates and the impact on future quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the incidence and patient profile for falls, and to identify potential causes and effects. We also assess the efficacy of intervention in selected patients in preventing further falls. METHODS: We performed a prospective study at a long-term care centre for 12 months. Data were collected via fall reports. The falls committee drafted a monthly data collection form. RESULTS: A total of 155 falls were recorded in 80 patients, with 40% presenting more than one fall. Patients aged over 70 years accounted for 84.5% of falls; 42.7% of patients are able to walk independently; 55.5% of falls occurred in the bedroom; 74.8% of patients had been prescribed sedatives or psychoactive, or antihypertensive drugs; 27.7% of falls were due to loss of balance and 22.5% were due to patients performing an activity for which they did not have the capacity. Fractures occurred in 1.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged over 70 years, walking independently, receiving sedatives or psychoactive or antihypertensive drugs, and with history of falls were at greatest risk. The majority of falls occurred in the bedroom. Physiotherapy interventions were highly effective in cases selected by the falls committee.

Incidence of falls in long-stay hospitals: risk factors and strategies for prevention. / Incidencia de caídas en el hospital de larga-media estancia. Factores de riesgo y estrategias para la prevención.

INTRODUCTION: Falls are a major health problem in elderly institutionalised patients, due to the associated high morbidity and mortality rates and the impact on future quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the incidence and patient profile for falls, and to identify potential causes and effects. We also assess the efficacy of intervention in selected patients in preventing further falls. METHODS: We performed a prospective study at a long-term care centre for 12 months. Data were collected via fall reports. The falls committee drafted a monthly data collection form. RESULTS: A total of 155 falls were recorded in 80 patients, with 40% presenting more than one fall. Patients aged over 70 years accounted for 84.5% of falls; 42.7% of patients are able to walk independently; 74.8% of patients had been prescribed sedatives or psychoactive, or antihypertensive drugs; 55.5% of falls occurred in the bedroom; 27.7% of falls were due to loss of balance and 22.5% were due to patients performing an activity for which they did not have the capacity. Fractures occurred in 1.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged over 70 years, walking independently, receiving sedatives or psychoactive or antihypertensive drugs, and with history of falls were at greatest risk. The majority of falls occurred in the bedroom. Physiotherapy interventions were highly effective in cases selected by the falls committee.

Plant proteases for bioactive peptides release: A review.

Proteins are a potential source of health-promoting biomolecules with medical, nutraceutical, and food applications. Nowadays, bioactive peptides production, its isolation, characterization, and strategies for its delivery to target sites are a matter of intensive research. In vitro and in vivo studies regarding the bioactivity of peptides has generated strong evidence of their health benefits. Dairy proteins are considered the richest source of bioactive peptides, however proteins from animal and vegetable origin also have been shown to be important sources. Enzymatic hydrolysis has been the process most commonly used for bioactive peptide production. Most commercial enzymatic preparations frequently used are from animal (e.g., trypsin and pepsin) and microbial (e.g., Alcalase® and Neutrase®) sources. Although the use of plant proteases is still relatively limited to papain and bromelain from papaya and pineapple, respectively, the application of new plant proteases is increasing. This review presents the latest knowledge in the use and diversity of plant proteases for bioactive peptides release from food proteins including both available commercial plant proteases as well as new potential plant sources. Furthermore, the properties of peptides released by plant proteases and health benefits associated in the control of disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cancer are reviewed.

Effect of transglutaminase-induced cross-linking on gelation of myofibrillar/soy protein mixtures.

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase)-catalyzed interaction and gelation of mixed myofibrillar (MPI)/soy (SPI) protein isolates were investigated at varying ionic strengths and MPI:SPI ratios, with or without SPI being preheated (80 °C). MTGase treatments in deionized water converted myosin heavy chain and actin into lower molecular-weight polypeptides, which gradually diminished as the ionic strength increased up to 0.6 M NaCl. A reduced intensity in the electrophoretic bands of soy proteins (7S and 11S except the basic subunits) was observed in all treatments, suggesting cross-linking with MPI. The enzyme treatment slightly increased the thermal transition (denaturation) temperatures of MPI/SPI but greatly enhanced (P<0.05) the elasticity of the mixed protein gels when compared with untreated samples, independent of incubation time.