Exercise intervention and sexual function in advanced prostate cancer: a randomised controlled trial.

ObjectivesTreatments for prostate cancer such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), surgery and radiation therapy can adversely affect sexual, urinary and bowel function. Preliminary research has demonstrated the efficacy of exercise to preserve sexual function in men with localised prostate cancer receiving ADT, though this has yet to be investigated in a metastatic setting. We examined the effects of a 12-week exercise programme comprising resistance, aerobic and flexibility training on sexual health and function in men with advanced prostate cancer.MethodsPatients with prostate cancer (70.0±8.4 year; body mass index 28.7±4.0 kg/m2) with bone metastases (rib/thoracic spine, 66.7%; lumbar spine, 43.9%; pelvis, 75.4%; femur, 40.4%; humerus, 24.6%; other sites, 70.2%) were randomly assigned to supervised exercise 3 days/week (n=28) or usual care (n=29). Sexual health and function were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and the EORTC-PR25 at baseline and 12 weeks.ResultsPatients attended 89% of planned sessions and there were no adverse events. After adjusting for baseline values, there was no significant difference between groups for any measure of sexual function and activity (p>0.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference between groups for urinary and bowel function assessed by the EORTC-PR25 (p>0.05).ConclusionsA short-term programme of supervised exercise does not appear to enhance indices of sexual health and function in men with advanced prostate cancer. Limitations of the intervention included the conservative modular exercise programme, which deliberately avoided loading bone metastatic sites.Trial registration numberACTRN12611001158954

A phase III clinical trial of exercise modalities on treatment side-effects in men receiving therapy for prostate cancer

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is accompanied by a number of adverse side effects including reduced bone mass and increased risk for fracture, reduced lean mass and muscle strength, mood disturbance and increased fat mass compromising physical functioning, independence, and quality of life. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of long term exercise on reversing musculoskeletal-related side effects, and cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in men receiving androgen deprivation for their prostate cancer. Specifically, we aim to investigate the effects of a 12-month exercise program designed to load the musculoskeletal system and reduce cardiovascular and diabetes disease progression on the following primary endpoints: 1) bone mineral density; 2) cardiorespiratory function and maximal oxygen capacity; 3) body composition (lean mass and fat mass); 4) blood pressure and cardiovascular function; 5) lipids and glycemic control; and 6) quality of life and psychological distress

Comparative descriptions of eggs from three species of Rhodnius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

The authors describe and compare the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of eggs from the three most recent described species of the genus Rhodnius Stål, 1859, which have not previously been studied. These species are Rhodnius colombiensis (Mejia, Galvão & Jurberg 1999), Rhodnius milesi (Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão & Jurberg 2001) and Rhodnius stali (Lent, Jurberg & Galvão 1993). The results revealed that there are similarities in the exochorial architecture of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; these include the predominance of hexagonal cells that are common to all Rhodnius species and variable degrees of lateral flattening, which is common not only to species of this genus, but also to the Rhodniini tribe. Differences in overall colour, the presence of a collar in R. milesi, a longitudinal bevel in R. stali and the precise length of R. colombiensis can be useful distinguishing features. As a result of this study, the key for egg identification proposed by Barata in 1981 can be updated.European Community - Chagas Disease Intervention ActivitiesCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Systematic review: a resource that allows for the incorporation of evidence into nursing practice

A revisão sistemática é um recurso importante da prática baseada em evidências, que consiste em uma forma de síntese dos resultados de pesquisas relacionados com um problema específico. O presente artigo tem como objetivo oferecer subsídios que proporcionem reflexões para a construção e/ou aplicação de revisões sistemáticas no cenário da enfermagem. Fundamentados na literatura, apresentamos as fases que compõem uma revisão sistemática e aspectos relevantes a serem considerados para a utilização desse recurso.La revisión sistemática es un recurso importante de la práctica basada en evidencias, que consiste en una forma de síntesis de los resultados de las investigaciones relacionadas con un determinado problema. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo ofrecer elementos que permitan reflexionar sobre la construcción y/o aplicación de revisiones sistemáticas en el ámbito de la enfermería. Basados en la literatura, presentamos las etapas que componen una revisión sistemática y los aspectos relevantes que deben ser considerados para la utilización de este recurso.Systematic review is an important resource in evidence-based practice, which consists in a form of synthesizing the research results related to a specific problem. This article aimed to offer subsidies for reflections with a view to the construction and/or application of systematic reviews in the nursing environment. Based on the literature, authors presented the phases comprising a systematic review and the relevant aspects that must be considered for using this resource

Surgical Positioning: Evidence for Nursing Care

The goal of surgical positioning is to promote access to the surgical site. It should be carried out correctly to ensure patient safety and prevent complications. This integrative literature review aimed to search for and evaluate available evidences in literature about nursing care related to surgical positioning of adult patients in the intraoperative period. Pubmed, Cinahl and Lilacs databases were used for the selection of the articles. The sample consisted of 20 articles. The synthesis of the available evidence showed that included studies focused on three main topics: risk factors for developing complications, complications due to surgical positioning and nursing care related to surgical positioning. Among the gaps in the research theme, the need to conduct studies on effective devices for each type of surgical position is highlighted.El posicionamiento quirúrgico tiene como principal finalidad promover el acceso al sitio quirúrgico y debe ser realizado de forma correcta para garantizar la seguridad del paciente y prevenir complicaciones. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo buscar y evaluar las evidencias disponibles en la literatura sobre los cuidados de enfermería, relacionados al posicionamiento quirúrgico del paciente adulto en el período intraoperatorio. El método de investigación adoptado fue la revisión integradora de la literatura. Para la selección de los artículos, se utilizaron las bases de datos PubMed, Cinahl y Lilacs. La muestra se constituyó de 20 artículos. En la síntesis de las evidencias se constató que los artículos incluidos enfocaron tres tópicos principales, que son: los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones, las complicaciones provenientes del posicionamiento quirúrgico y los cuidados de enfermería relacionados al posicionamiento quirúrgico. Entre los vacíos del tema investigado, se destaca la necesidad de conducir estudios sobre dispositivos eficaces para cada tipo de posición quirúrgica.O posicionamento cirúrgico tem como principal finalidade promover o acesso ao sítio cirúrgico e deve ser realizado de forma correta para garantir a segurança do paciente e prevenir complicações. O presente estudo teve como objetivo buscar e avaliar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre os cuidados de enfermagem, relacionados ao posicionamento cirúrgico do paciente adulto no período intraoperatório. O método de pesquisa adotado foi a revisão integrativa da literatura. Para a seleção dos artigos, utilizaram-se as bases de dados PubMed, Cinahl e Lilacs. A amostra constitui-se de 20 artigos. Na síntese das evidências constatou-se que os artigos incluídos enfocaram três tópicos principais, a saber: os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicações; as complicações decorrentes do posicionamento cirúrgico e os cuidados de enfermagem relacionados ao posicionamento cirúrgico. Dentre as lacunas do tema investigado, destaca-se a necessidade de condução de estudos sobre dispositivos eficazes para cada tipo de posição cirúrgica