Effects of strength and aerobic-based training on functional fitness, mood and the relationship between fatness and mood in older adults.

AIM: Physical independence and positive mood states contribute to successful aging. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of aerobic and strength-based training programs on functional fitness and mood in older adults, and to assess the relationship between adiposity and mood states. METHODS: Seventy eight participants (age 65 to 95 year old) were randomly assigned to a control group, aerobic training (AT), or strength training group (ST). Functional fitness was assessed using dimensions of the Senior Fitness Test battery relating to lower and upper body strength and flexibility, velocity, agility and dynamic balance, and aerobic endurance. Mood states (depression, tension, fatigue, vigour, anger, and confusion) were determined using the POMS-SF questionnaire. Participants were evaluated at the baseline and at the end of a 16-week exercise programme. RESULTS: Both the ST and AT groups improved their functional fitness following the 16 week training. Body Mass Index (BMI) was positively associated with tension (r=0.30; P<0.01), fatigue (r=0.31; P<0.01) and confusion (r=0.24; P<0.05). At 16-week evaluation, control group reported increased levels of confusion, and the ST group reported increases in vigour (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Results support the idea that strength-based training can be as effective as aerobic-based training in improving physical skills that contribute to functional mobility in later years. Positive associations between increased BMI and mood disturbance were also found. Physical training also contributed to some improvements in mood.

Effects of aerobic conditioning on salivary IgA and plasma IgA, IgG and IgM in older men and women.

As people age, they experience a decline in immune responses. Unusually heavy acute or chronic exercise could increase the risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) whereas regular moderate physical activity may reduce URTI symptomatology. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an aerobic exercise program would promote chronic adaptations in plasma IgA, IgG and IgM, and salivary IgA (Sal-IgA) in both elderly women and men. Forty-three independently living men and women, aged between 65 and 96 years, were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercising or a control group. Each participant underwent three evaluations (pre, post at 16 weeks and follow-up at 32 weeks). The aerobic exercise group increased resting plasma IgA concentration from 1.08 g. L (-1)+/-0.50 g. L (-1) to 2.29 g. L (-1)+/-0.93 g. L (-1), whereas salivary IgA concentration was unchanged. The control group maintained the plasma IgA values but experienced a decrease in Sal-IgA. The IgG and IgM plasma concentrations increased in both groups, however, only the exercise group maintained higher values in the final follow-up evaluation. Regular aerobic exercise may be effective in promoting IgA immunity and protecting against the deterioration in Sal-IgA values observed in the control group. No gender differences in the immunoglobulin responses to aerobic training were observed.

Physical excercise and thrombotic risk in the elderly.

UNLABELLED: Aging increases certain thrombotic risk factors, such as fibrinogen, factor VII, PAI-1 and plasma viscosity, contributing to cardiovascular diseases being the principal cause of death in developed countries. Physical exercise can counteract this tendency by influencing such factors. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of regular physical exercise on fibrinogen, factor VII, PAI-1 and plasma viscosity in an elderly group. METHODS: Sixty-three old people of both sexes, aged between 65 and 94, participated in this study, and were randomly distributed between a test group (n = 31) and a control group (n = 32). The test group followed a program of physical exercise for eight months, with an intensity of 60% to 80% of heart rate reserve, composed of three weekly sessions, on alternate days, of 60 minutes each. The control group maintained their normal activity. Before the beginning of the program and eight months afterwards, blood samples were collected to assess fibrinogen, factor VII, PAI-1 and plasma viscosity. RESULTS: In the test group, fibrinogen, factor VII and plasma viscosity decreased significantly while PAI-1 showed no significant change. The control group did not present alterations in any of the parameters assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical exercise decreases thrombotic risk and may help to reduce cardiovascular events in the elderly.

Alcohol determination using an acoustic wave sensor.

An acoustic wave methodology was developed to quantify alcohols in aqueous solutions. The frequency at minimum impedance of a bare quartz crystal in contact with ethanol solutions was found to be a suitable parameter to quantify ethanol. Ethanol in several Portuguese white wines was analyzed both by the proposed methodology and by the usual areometric method with no statistically significant differences (alpha = 0.05) in precision or accuracy of the results.

A new method for monitoring the contamination of glycerol with diethylene glycol.

A quartz crystal microbalance has been used to check the purity of glycerol. The experimental procedure involves no derivatization or other preliminary step except determination of water content. The protocol consists of the direct reading of the frequency of a quartz crystal with one face in contact with an aqueous solution of the glycerol to be tested. The method is inexpensive, simple, rapid, and highly sensitive; diethylene glycol contamination at the 3.61% level could be detected.

Anatomical study of the renal veins observed during 342 living-donor nephrectomies.

The anatomical variations of renal veins observed during 342 nephrectomies in living donors are described, 311 cases on the left side and 31 on the right. The following anatomy of the renocava veins was observed: 1. On the left side the renal vein was always unique (311/311) and had two tributaries (suprarenal and gonadal veins) in 100 per cent and one or more renolumbar veins in 65.27 per cent, encircling the aorta in 1.07 per cent, was retroaortic in 1.4 per cent; and the inferior vena cava was double in 0.64 per cent; B- on the right side the renal vein was double in 29 per cent (9/31) and had only one tributary (gonadal vein) in one case, for 3.22 per cent (1/31); three or more renal veins in 9.7 per cent (3/31). We concluded that the left renal vein is always unique, presenting variations principally in its tributaries and trajectory. On the right side, the renal vein was double or triple in 38.79 per cent.

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula.

The development of the postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula (PNAVF) between the renal vessels stumps is rare. Here we present a case report of PNAVF, and review the diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The most common clinical features include a loud murmur over the previous nephrectomy scar, and heart failure resistant to common medical treatment. A 58-year-old white woman was admitted to the hospital for a complete evaluation of an unexplained congestive heart failure with no response to common medical treatment. She had had a right nephrectomy for pyonephrosis 13 years before. The diagnosis of PNAVF was suspected because over the right lumbar region a definite trill was palpated, and on auscultation a harsh, machinery-like murmur was heard. The diagnosis was confirmed by aortogram and selective renal arteriography. In May 1989, the right arteriovenous was excised through a right subcostal transperitoneal approach. The renal vessel stumps were individually ligated and sutured separately close to aorta and vena cava. The patient's postoperative course was entirely uneventful in the following seven years. We conclude that during nephrectomy, the renal vessels should be ligated separately, and the transfixation in mass of the stumps avoided to prevent arteriovenous fistula.

[Trying to save themselves: nurses' choices in difficult situations]. / Tentar preservar-se: a escolha da enfermeira em situações difíceis.

This study was originated in the interest to understand the nurse's autonomy. We accomplished individual interview with 8 nurses, which works in a hospital unit, and the focus of the interviews was their experiences in making choices in her settings. The analysis of the data, through fenomenologic analysis, results in the identification of 4 themes which explain the meanings that guidance the nurse's actions in work's situations, when she makes a choice. They are: "OBLIGATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS DEFINE THE INSTITUTIONAL ROLE OF THE NURSE", "IDENTIFY RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT HER ACTS", "TO FEEL WEAK FOR MAKE CHOICES", "TO TRY PRESERVE HERSELF". The internal autonomy was identified as a condition to the nurse's professional autonomy.

Determinaçao de valores referenciais de subpopulaçao linfocitaria em nossa populaçao normal / Establishing a reference range for lymphocytes subset value in our normal population

Foram processadas 62 amostras de sangue heparinizado, com a finalidade de se determinar valores de normalidade encontrados em nosso meio para a subpopulaçao linfocitaria T4 E T8, expressos em percentuais e em numeros absolutos. Estabeleceu-se tambem uma relaçao numerica entre T4/T8

[The hospitalization experience explained by the child himself]. / A experiência de hospitalização explicada pela própria criança.

This study, was accomplished with 20 school-age children hospitalized in pediatric units. The goals were: how children expressed their perception of the illness and the hospitalization; what sources were available to obtain knowledge about their experience of illness and hospitalization and what were their interest and concerns.