Pressure injury prevention in an intensive care unit: implementing the best practices.

Objective: to implement the best evidence in preventing pressure injuries in patients in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in the city of São Paulo/Brazil.

Method: a quasi-experimental study whose intervention was implementing evidence based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, which includes auditing and feedback. Ten audit criteria were used, which were verified in patient records and training records of the teaching and quality service.

Screening and detection of delirium in an adult critical care setting: a best practice implementation project.

Aim: To assess compliance with evidence-based practice regarding screening and detection of delirium in adult patients at the ICU from a university hospital.

Methods: The compliance rates were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback tool. This strategy was designed in three phases: (1) establishing a team and conducting a baseline audit based on criteria informed by the evidence; (2) reflecting on the results of the baseline audit and designing and implementing strategies to address noncompliance found in the baseline audit informed by the JBI Getting Research into Practice framework; and (3) conducting a follow-up audit to assess the outcomes of the interventions implemented to improve practice and identify future practice issues to be addressed in subsequent audits.

How stress mediators can cumulatively contribute to Alzheimer's disease An allostatic load approach.

Allostatic load is defined as the frequent activation of the neuroendocrine, immunological, metabolic and cardiovascular systems, which makes individuals more susceptible to stress-related health problems. According to this model, physiological dysregulations start to emerge decades before diseases manifest. Consequently, stress research has shifted its attention to anticipating the degree of this dysregulation to better understand the impact of stress hormones and other biomarkers on disease progression.

Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive performance in aging.

Background: Atherosclerosis in cerebral blood vessels, especially those which compose the Circle of Willis, can lead to reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to different cortical structures, affecting cognitive function.

Objective: To analyze whether cardiovascular risk factors negatively influence cognitive performance in adults and elderly.

Methods: One hundred twenty-nine participants of both sexes, aged over 50 years, without cognitive or functional impairment were included.

Lead exposure is related to hypercortisolemic profiles and allostatic load in Brazilian older adults.

Lead levels (Pb) have been linked to both hyper- and hypo-reactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) axis to acute stress in animals and humans. Similarly, allostatic load (AL), the 'wear and tear' of chronic stress, is associated with inadequate HPA axis activity. We examined whether Pb levels would be associated with altered diurnal cortisol profile, as a primary mediator of AL, during aging.