What Drives Fitness Apps Usage? An Empirical Evaluation

Part 3: Creating Value through ApplicationsInternational audienceThe increased health problems associated with lack of physical activity is of great concern around the world. Mobile phone based fitness applications appear to be a cost effective promising solution for this problem. The aim of this study is to develop a research model that can broaden understanding of the factors that influence the user acceptance of mobile fitness apps. Drawing from Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), we conceptualize the antecedents and moderating factors of fitness app use. We validate our model using field survey. Implications for research and practice are discussed

Upper limits from five years of blazar observations with the VERITAS Cherenkov telescopes

Between the beginning of its full-scale scientific operations in 2007 and 2012, the VERITAS Cherenkov telescope array observed more than 130 blazars; of these, 26 were detected as very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) γ-ray sources. In this work, we present the analysis results of a sample of 114 undetected objects. The observations constitute a total live-time of ~570 hr. The sample includes several unidentified Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) sources (located at high Galactic latitude) as well as all the sources from the second Fermi-LAT catalog that are contained within the field of view of the VERITAS observations. We have also performed optical spectroscopy measurements in order to estimate the redshift of some of these blazars that do not have spectroscopic distance estimates. We present new optical spectra from the Kast instrument on the Shane telescope at the Lick observatory for 18 blazars included in this work, which allowed for the successful measurement or constraint on the redshift of four of them. For each of the blazars included in our sample, we provide the flux upper limit in the VERITAS energy band. We also study the properties of the significance distributions and we present the result of a stacked analysis of the data set, which shows a 4σ excess

Autoantibodies against the chemokine receptor 3 predict cardiovascular risk

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity contribute to cardiovascular (CV) disease. Recently, autoantibodies (aAbs) against the CXC-motif-chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3), a G protein-coupled receptor with a key role in atherosclerosis, have been identified. The role of anti-CXCR3 aAbs for CV risk and disease is unclear. METHODS: Anti-CXCR3 aAbs were quantified by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 5000 participants (availability: 97.1%) of the population-based Gutenberg Health Study with extensive clinical phenotyping. Regression analyses were carried out to identify determinants of anti-CXCR3 aAbs and relevance for clinical outcome (i.e. all-cause mortality, cardiac death, heart failure, and major adverse cardiac events comprising incident coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiac death). Last, immunization with CXCR3 and passive transfer of aAbs were performed in ApoE(-/-) mice for preclinical validation. RESULTS: The analysis sample included 4195 individuals (48% female, mean age 55.5 ± 11 years) after exclusion of individuals with autoimmune disease, immunomodulatory medication, acute infection, and history of cancer. Independent of age, sex, renal function, and traditional CV risk factors, increasing concentrations of anti-CXCR3 aAbs translated into higher intima-media thickness, left ventricular mass, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Adjusted for age and sex, anti-CXCR3 aAbs above the 75th percentile predicted all-cause death [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) 1.25 (1.02, 1.52), P = .029], driven by excess cardiac mortality [HR 2.51 (1.21, 5.22), P = .014]. A trend towards a higher risk for major adverse cardiac events [HR 1.42 (1.0, 2.0), P = .05] along with increased risk of incident heart failure [HR per standard deviation increase of anti-CXCR3 aAbs: 1.26 (1.02, 1.56), P = .03] may contribute to this observation. Targeted proteomics revealed a molecular signature of anti-CXCR3 aAbs reflecting immune cell activation and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions associated with an ongoing T helper cell 1 response. Finally, ApoE(-/-) mice immunized against CXCR3 displayed increased anti-CXCR3 aAbs and exhibited a higher burden of atherosclerosis compared to non-immunized controls, correlating with concentrations of anti-CXCR3 aAbs in the passive transfer model. CONCLUSIONS: In individuals free of autoimmune disease, anti-CXCR3 aAbs were abundant, related to CV end-organ damage, and predicted all-cause death as well as cardiac morbidity and mortality in conjunction with the acceleration of experimental atherosclerosis

Smoking and mental illness: A bibliometric analysis of research output over time

Introduction: The prevalence of smoking among persons with a mental illness has remained unchanged, being 2–3 times higher than the general population in high-income countries. Assessment of the volume and characteristics of research output over time can assist in identifying research priorities to promote progress within a field. The aim of this study was to undertake such an assessment in the field of smoking and mental illness. Methods: A descriptive repeat cross-sectional study was conducted of peer-reviewed publications in Medline and PsycINFO for the periods 1993–1995, 2003–2005, and 2013–2015. Publications were classified as data- or non-data-based; data-based publications were further categorized by study type, population, setting, and for intervention-focused publications by level of evidence and research translation phase. Results: Included were 547 articles published in 1993–1995 (n = 65), 2003–2005 (n = 153), and 2013–2015 (n = 329). The number and proportion of data-based publications significantly increased over time, although their focus remained predominantly descriptive (≥83%); less than 14% of publications in any period had an intervention focus. The proportion of publications reporting on study populations with multiple diagnostic categories and recruiting from nonmental health settings, significantly increased from 1993–1995 to 2003–2005, however then plateaued by 2013–2015. The level of evidence provided by intervention-focused publications was suggested to increase over time, however there was no evident variation in translation phase. Conclusions: Research has increased over time to characterize smoking among those with a mental illness; however more is needed to inform the development and implementation of effective cessation interventions for this group

Effectiveness of Nurse Based Motivational Interviewing for smoking cessation in high risk cardiovascular outpatients: a randomized trial.

Contains fulltext : 95850.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of Nurse Based Motivational Interviewing (NBMI) on top of a routine patient based Lifestyle Inventory with Feedback (LIFE) in a cardiovascular outpatient secondary prevention setting. METHODS: All current smokers (n=112), identified in 619 successive patients with cardiovascular disease, were randomized for either care as usual (LIFE), or LIFE plus NBMI (intervention group). Cumulative time investment was recorded. RESULTS: After 3 months of follow-up, the abstinence rate in the control group was 7%, and another 15% diminished the number of cigarettes, whereas 26% of intervention patients quit smoking (p<0.017) and another 31% diminished smoking. On average, each completed motivational interviewing session took 63.5 min. Per quitter, time investment was 3.8 h and NNT appeared 5.9. CONCLUSION: NBMI strategy on top of routinely administrated lifestyle self evaluation with professional feedback, significantly increases smoking cessation in an outpatient secondary prevention setting. Although cost effectiveness needs to be addressed, time investment per quitter in this approach appears low.1 september 201

Lower levels of vWF are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease

Objective The current study was undertaken to prospectively explore whether having low levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen and vWF activity reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and death. Methods VWF antigen and vWF activity were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an immunological-based assay, respectively, in a subsample of 4857 individuals aged between 35 and 74 years old, enrolled between April 2007 and October 2008 in the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. VWF antigen and activity below the 20th percentile was set as a measure of "low vWF." Adjusted robust Poisson regression models were used to analyze the relation between low vWF and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequent adjusted cox regression models as well as cumulative incidence plots were calculated to explore the relation between all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and low vWF. Results VWF activity levels <20th percentile (i.e., <76.2%) were associated with a decreased relative risk for CVD (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.95), despite adjusting for age and sex. After adjusting for levels of F-VIII, the association persisted (RR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36-0.99). The cumulative incidence plots demonstrated that vWF antigen <20th percentile significantly correlated with decreased cardiovascular mortality. VWF antigen<20th percentile (i.e., <83%) was significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, despite adjusting for clinical factors (RR: 61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.91). Conclusion The study demonstrated that having low vWF activity levels were associated with a lower risk for CVD. Additionally, it revealed a decreased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in individuals with low levels of vWF antigen, shining new light on vWF as a potential target for novel therapies

Lower levels of vWF are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVE: The current study was undertaken to prospectively explore whether having low levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen and vWF activity reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and death. METHODS: VWF antigen and vWF activity were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and an immunological‐based assay, respectively, in a subsample of 4857 individuals aged between 35 and 74 years old, enrolled between April 2007 and October 2008 in the population‐based Gutenberg Health Study. VWF antigen and activity below the 20th percentile was set as a measure of “low vWF.” Adjusted robust Poisson regression models were used to analyze the relation between low vWF and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequent adjusted cox regression models as well as cumulative incidence plots were calculated to explore the relation between all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality and low vWF. RESULTS: VWF activity levels <20th percentile (i.e., <76.2%) were associated with a decreased relative risk for CVD (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.95), despite adjusting for age and sex. After adjusting for levels of F‐VIII, the association persisted (RR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36–0.99). The cumulative incidence plots demonstrated that vWF antigen <20th percentile significantly correlated with decreased cardiovascular mortality. VWF antigen<20th percentile (i.e., <83%) was significantly associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality, despite adjusting for clinical factors (RR: 61, 95% CI: 0.41–0.91). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that having low vWF activity levels were associated with a lower risk for CVD. Additionally, it revealed a decreased risk of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in individuals with low levels of vWF antigen, shining new light on vWF as a potential target for novel therapies

Cost saving analysis of specialized, eHealth-based management of patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy: Results from the thrombEVAL study

To evaluate the cost-saving of a specialized, eHealth-based management service (CS) in comparison to regular medical care (RMC) for the management of patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. Costs of hospitalization were derived via diagnosis-related groups which comprise diagnoses (ICD-10) and operation and procedure classification system (OPS), which resulted in OAC-related (i.e. bleeding/ thromboembolic events) and non-OAC-related costs for both cohorts. Cost for anticoagulation management comprised INR-testing, personnel, and technical support. In total, 705 patients were managed by CS and 1490 patients received RMC. The number of hospital stays was significantly lower in the CS cohort compared to RMC (CS: 23.4/100 py; RMC: 68.7/100 py); with the most pronounced difference in OAC-related admissions (CS: 2.8/100 py; RMC: 13.3/100 py). Total costs for anticoagulation management amounted to 101 EUR/py in RMC and 311 EUR/py in CS, whereas hospitalization costs were 3261 [IQR 2857-3689] EUR/py in RMC and 683 [504-874] EUR/py in CS. This resulted in an overall cost saving 2368 EUR/py favoring the CS. The lower frequency of adverse events in anticoagulated patients managed by the telemedicine-based CS compared to RMC translated into a substantial cost-saving, despite higher costs for the specialized management of patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, unique identifier NCT01809015, March 8, 2013