INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico em pacientes com neoplasias de cabeça e pescoço envolve a abordagem de uma região de anatomia complexa. São procedimentos cirúrgicos prolongados e com grandes riscos de complicações pós-operatórias. Dentre os tipos de complicações, as de origem respiratória estão entre as mais descritas na literatura. A fisioterapia respiratória pré-operatória, além de identificar pacientes com função pulmonar comprometida, pode otimizar e tratar as disfunções respiratórias apresentadas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a viabilidade e os resultados da aplicação de duas abordagens de fisioterapia respiratória pré-operatória em pacientes candidatos à cirurgia de grande porte em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, com presença de traqueostomia e esvaziamento cervical, bem como correlacionar aspectos nutricionais, cirúrgicos e do período pós-operatório com o desfecho das complicações respiratórias observadas no período pós-operatório. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes selecionados realizaram avaliação respiratória, por meio da espirometria e manuvacuometria, e avaliação nutricional. Os pacientes foram submetidos a fisioterapia pré-operatória, fases: 1) Estímulos para drive respiratório efetivo e umidificação das vias aéreas nos dois primeiros dias; 2) treinamento muscular respiratório com carga linear pressórica (Grupo A), ou casos em que foram realizados as fases 1 e 2 do Grupo (A); acrescido da fase 3) fortalecimento muscular de quadríceps (Grupo B). Um terceiro grupo, denominado observação, foi composto por pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de grande porte, porém não preencheram os critérios de inclusão (Grupo C). Durante o período pós operatório, os pacientes receberam a terapia padrão da instituição. Dados como tempo cirúrgico, internamento em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e enfermaria, e uso de ventilação mecânica no período pós-operatório foram coletados. Os pacientes foram monitorados por 30 dias quando ao surgimento de complicações respiratórias. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos para análise 10 pacientes no Grupo (A), 10 no Grupo (B) e 12 no Grupo (C). Em relação a resposta à fisioterapia no Grupo (A), houve aumento de todas as médias dos valores de espirometria de CVF, VEF1, FEF25/75, VVM e PFE, e pequena queda dos valores de PImáx e PEmáx, mas os dados não foram considerados significativos (p > 0,05). Em relação à resposta a fisioterapia no Grupo (B), houve aumento das médias dos valores de CVF, VEF1 e VVM, e pequena queda dos valores de FEF25/75, PFE e dos valores de PImáx e PEmáx, mas os dados também não foram considerados significativos (p > 0,05). Dos 32 pacientes da amostra, somente 3 desenvolveram complicações respiratórias no período pós-operatório, totalizando uma taxa de complicação de 9,4%, sendo um paciente de cada um dos Grupos (A), (B) e (C). Todos os pacientes da amostra final (N=20) conseguiram realizar a série completa proposta neste trabalho. Em nenhum dos pacientes dos Grupos (A) e (B) foram observados efeitos adversos, como quadro álgico ou fadiga, ao término da realização da fisioterapia. CONCLUSÃO: As duas abordagens de fisioterapia pré-operatória utilizadas no estudo foram viáveis e seguras, no entanto o tamanho da amostra é pequeno. Conclusões definitivas podem ser obtidas em um estudo prospectivo randomizado / INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment in patients with neoplasms of the head and neck involves an approach of a region of complex anatomy, the surgical procedures are lengthy and there is a great risk of postoperative complications. Among the types of complications, those of respiratory origin are among the most reported in the literature. Preoperative respiratory therapy can optimize and treat respiratory dysfunctions. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and results of the application of two approaches to preoperative respiratory physiotherapy for candidates to major surgery for head and neck cancer. The impact of presence tracheostomy and neck dissection, as well impact of nutritional aspects were analysed a risk for respiratory complications in the postoperative period. METHODS: Selected patients performed respiratory assessment, through the application of spirometry, manuvacuometry and nutrition. The patients were underwent preoperative physiotherapy phases: 1) Stimuli for effective respiratory drive and humidification airways in the first two days; 2) respiratory muscle training with linear load pressure, (Group A), patients were underwent phases 1 and 2 in Group (A) plus phase 3) strengthening of the quadriceps muscle (Group B), a third group was composed of patients who underwent major surgery, but did not fill the inclusion criteria (Group C). During the postoperative period, patients received the standard therapy of the institution. Data as surgical time, and hospitalization in the intensive care unit and ward, and mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period were collected. Patients were monitored for 30 days to detect respiratory complications. RESULTS: There were 10 patients for analysis Group (A), 10 Group (B) and 12 in Group (C). Regarding the response to physical therapy to Group A, an increase of all the mean values of spirometry for FVC, FEV1, FEF25 / 75, MVV e PEF, and small decreases in MIP and MEP but was not considered significant (p > 0.05). Regarding the response to physical therapy in Group (B), an increase of mean values of FVC, FEV1 and MVV, and small decreases in FEF25 / 75, PFE and MIP and MEP, but the data were not considered significant (p > 0,05). Of the 32 patients in the sample, only 3 developed respiratory complications in the postoperative period, a total complication rate of 9.4%, one patient of each Group (A), (B) and (C). All patients in the final sample (N = 20) were able to perform the full range proposed in this paper. In none of the patients in Groups (A) and (B) was observed adverse effects such as fatigue or pain status at the end of the preoperative physical therapy.CONCLUSION: The two approaches used in this study was safe and feasible. However, the sample size was small and definitive conclusions as only be taken by a randomized prospective study

No / PURPOSE: A computer-based interactive binocular treatment system (I-BiT) for amblyopia has been developed, which utilises commercially available 3D 'shutter glasses'. The purpose of this pilot study was to report the effect of treatment on visual acuity (VA) in children with amblyopia. METHODS: Thirty minutes of I-BiT treatment was given once weekly for 6 weeks. Treatment sessions consisted of playing a computer game and watching a DVD through the I-BiT system. VA was assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, at the end of treatment, and at 4 weeks post treatment. Standard summary statistics and an exploratory one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. RESULTS: Ten patients were enrolled with strabismic, anisometropic, or mixed amblyopia. The mean age was 5.4 years. Nine patients (90%) completed the full course of I-BiT treatment with a mean improvement of 0.18 (SD=0.143). Six out of nine patients (67%) who completed the treatment showed a clinically significant improvement of 0.125 LogMAR units or more at follow-up. The exploratory one-way ANOVA showed an overall effect over time (F=7.95, P=0.01). No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: This small, uncontrolled study has shown VA gains with 3 hours of I-BiT treatment. Although it is recognised that this pilot study had significant limitations-it was unblinded, uncontrolled, and too small to permit formal statistical analysis-these results suggest that further investigation of I-BiT treatment is worthwhile.

Yes / Yes / For most people, home is the preferred place of care and death. Despite the development of specialist palliative care and primary care models of community based service delivery, people who are dying, and their families/carers, can experience isolation, feel excluded from social circles and distanced from their communities. Loneliness and social isolation can have a detrimental impact on both health and quality of life. Internationally, models of social and practical support at the end of life are gaining momentum as a result of the Compassionate Communities movement. These models have not yet been subjected to rigorous evaluation. The aims of the study described in this protocol are: (1) to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of The Good Neighbour Partnership (GNP), a new volunteer-led model of social and practical care/support for community dwelling adults in Ireland who are living with advanced life-limiting illness; and (2) to pilot the method for a Phase III Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). DESIGN: The INSPIRE study will be conducted within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for the Evaluation of Complex Interventions (Phases 0-2) and includes an exploratory two-arm delayed intervention randomised controlled trial. Eighty patients and/or their carers will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: (I) Intervention: GNP in addition to standard care or (II) Control: Standard Care. Recipients of the GNP will be asked for their views on participating in both the study and the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data will be gathered from both groups over eight weeks through face-to-face interviews which will be conducted before, during and after the intervention. The primary outcome is the effect of the intervention on social and practical need. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, loneliness, social support, social capital, unscheduled health service utilisation, caregiver burden, adverse impacts, and satisfaction with intervention. Volunteers engaged in the GNP will also be assessed in terms of their death anxiety, death self efficacy, self-reported knowledge and confidence with eleven skills considered necessary to be effective GNP volunteers. DISCUSSION: The INSPIRE study addresses an important knowledge gap, providing evidence on the efficacy, utility and acceptability of a unique model of social and practical support for people living at home, with advanced life-limiting illness. The findings will be important in informing the development (and evaluation) of similar service models and policy elsewhere both nationally and internationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN18400594 18(th) February 2015.

No / To evaluate the effectiveness of a telehealth system, using digital pen-and-paper technology and a modified smartphone, to remotely monitor and support the effectiveness of wound management in nursing home residents. METHOD: A randomised controlled pilot study was conducted in selected nursing homes in Bradford, which were randomised to either the control or evaluation group. All patients with a wound of any aetiology or severity, resident in the selected nursing homes were considered eligible to participate in the study. Residents in the control homes who had, or developed, a wound during the study period, continued to receive unsupported care directed by the nursing home staff (defined as 'standard care'), while those in the evaluation homes received standard care supported by input from the remote experts. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with a wound were identified in the 16 participating Bradford nursing homes. Analysis of individual patient management pathways suggested that the system provided improved patient outcomes and that it may offer cost savings by improving dressing product selection, decreasing inappropriate onward referral and speeding healing. Despite initial anxiety related to the technology most nursing-home staff found the system of value and many were keen to see the trial continue to form part of routine patient management. CONCLUSION: The current study supports the potential value of telemedicine in wound care and indicates the value that such a system may have to nursing-home staff and patients. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This study was funded by a Regional Innovation Fund grant from the Yorkshire and Humberside Strategic Health Authority. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare with respect to the article or its contents.

No / Increasing pressure on health care budgets highlights the need for clinicians to understand the true costs of wound care, in order to be able to defend services against indiscriminate cost cutting. Our aim was to develop and test a straightforward method of measuring treatment costs, which is feasible in routine practice. The method was tested in a prospective study of leg ulcer patients attending three specialist clinics in the UK. A set of ulcer-related health state descriptors were defined on the basis that they represented distinct and clinically relevant descriptions of wound condition ['healed', 'progressing'; 'static''deteriorating; 'severe' (ulcer with serious complications)]. A standardised data-collection instrument was used to record information for all patients attending the clinic during the study period regarding (i) the health state of the ulcer; (ii) treatment received during the clinic visit and (iii) treatment planned between clinic visits. Information on resource use was used to estimate weekly treatment costs by ulcer state. Information was collected at 827 independent weekly observations from the three study centres. Treatment costs increased markedly with ulcer severity: an ulcer which was 'deteriorating' or 'severe' cost between twice and six times as much per week as an ulcer which was progressing normally towards healing. Higher costs were driven primarily by more frequent clinic visits and by the costs of hospitalisation for ulcers with severe complications. This exercise has demonstrated that the proposed methodology is easy to apply, and produces information which is of value in monitoring healing and in potentially reducing treatment costs.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate climate change mitigation strategies in the forestry and energy sectors in the SADC with emphasis on the DRC and the RSA. This study is evaluative and cross-sectional. Its results were got through interviews of 56 key informants using the interview guide, and four focus group discussions in the DRC based on the focus group guide. The non-probability sample, mainly the purposive sample and the snowballing sampling were used. After the data analysis, the following results were found: In terms of the strategies for fighting drivers of deforestation both in the DRC and in RSA, it was revealed that the DRC focuses more on the REDD+ projects and NGO activities while the RSA protects its small existing natural forests through Acts, laws, advanced research and establishment of commercial plantations. The results which are related to the contribution of REDD programmes and NGOs to climate change mitigation in the RSA and the DRC have revealed that there are no REDD programmes in the RSA for carbon stock. In the DRC, the NOVACEL REDD+ pilot project has a carbon stock of 60 000 tons which continues to grow with 8 tons of CO2 /ha/year; 210 tons/ha/year on the left side of the Congo River, and on the right side 195 tons/ha/year is generated by the Isangi Geographically Integrated REDD+ pilot project. The WCS Mambasa Forestry REDD+ pilot project has 230 tons/ha/year, while 16 000 tons of CO2/year are stocked under the Luki REDD+ pilot project. The Eco-Makala and Equatorial REDD+ pilot projects have not yet estimated their carbon stocks. Regarding the involvement of the civil society in activities of climate change mitigation in the DRC, people are more involved in REDD’s alternative activities which are funded by the projects. However, in the RSA, people are used as labour in commercial plantations. The RSA derives its major energy from coal (94%) but the DRC has a high potential in hydropower that can generate up to 100 000 MGW. On the use of remote sensing, both the DRC and the RSA employ remote sensing but the RSA has a Spatial Agency while the DRC does not / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (Environmental Science)

Yes / With the aim of targeting high-risk hidden heterosexual young people for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) testing, an innovative web-based screening strategy using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) and home-based CT testing, was developed, piloted and evaluated. Two STI clinic nurses encouraged 37 CT positive heterosexual young people (aged 16-25 years), called index clients, to recruit peers from their social and sexual networks using the web-based screening strategy. Eligible peers (young, living in the study area) could request a home-based CT test and recruit other peers. Twelve (40%) index clients recruited 35 peers. Two of these peers recruited other peers (n = 7). In total, 35 recruited peers were eligible for participation; ten of them (29%) requested a test and eight tested. Seven tested for the first time and one (13%) was positive. Most peers were female friends (80%). Nurses were positive about using the strategy. The screening strategy is feasible for targeting the hidden social network. However, uptake among men and recruitment of sex-partners is low and RDS stopped early. Future studies are needed to explore the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and impact of strategies that target people at risk who are not effectively reached by regular health care.

yes / To determine whether jugular venous reflux (JVR) is associated with cerebral white matter changes (WMCs) in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we studied 12 AD patients 24 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and 17 elderly age- and gender-matched controls. Duplex ultrasonography and 1.5T MRI scanning was applied to quantify cerebral WMCs [T2 white matter (WM) lesion and dirty-appearing-white-matter (DAWM)]. Subjects with severe JVR had more frequently hypertension (p = 0.044), more severe WMC, including increased total (p = 0.047) and periventricular DAWM volumes (p = 0.008), and a trend for increased cerebrospinal fluid volumes (p = 0.067) compared with the other groups. A significantly decreased (65.8%) periventricular DAWM volume (p = 0.01) in the JVR-positive AD individuals compared with their JVR-negative counterparts was detected. There was a trend for increased periventricular and subcortical T2 WMC lesion volumes in the JVR-positive AD individuals compared with their JVR-negative counterparts (p = 0.073). This phenomenon was not observed in either the control or MCI groups. In multiple regression analysis, the increased periventricular WMC lesion volume and decreased DAWM volume resulted in 85.7% sensitivity and 80% specificity for distinguishing between JVR-positive and JVR-negative AD patients. These JVR-WMC association patterns were not seen in the control and MCI groups. Therefore, this pilot study suggests that there may be an association between JVR and WMCs in AD patients, implying that cerebral venous outflow impairment might play a role in the dynamics of WMCs formation in AD patients, particularly in the periventricular regions. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and validate our findings.