Virtual reality usage intention in an intradialysis exercise program: Predictive analysis through a structural equation model

In recent years several exercise programs have begun to use technology, the most used has been virtual reality (VR). Technology-based programs must first be accepted by the population, since, if they do not see the need, the probability of rejection is high. Therefore, it is necessary to first evaluate the intention to use technology to ensure the effectiveness of the intervention. The study aimed to determine the predictive capacity of variables associated with theories of human behavior, on the intention to use VR in an intradialysis exercise program. A sample of 324 hemodialysis patients (F = 140; M = 184) from Chile, filled out a questionnaire. Before this, information was provided regarding VR and the exercise program. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze results through SmartPLS. Results showed that the dependent variable had a good amount of variance explained by the model. The latent variables that strongly influenced the intention to use were perceived enjoyment, perceived utility, and social influence. It can be predicted that users will intend to use VR to perform intradialysis exercises if they consider that it´s entertaining, useful, and validated by their peers.</p

Volatile profile of Spanish Cistus plants as sources of antimicrobials for industrial applications

Cistus is a plant genus traditionally used in folk medicine as remedy for several microbial disorders and infections. The abundance of Cistus spp. in the Iberian Peninsula together with their ability to renew after wildfire contribute to their profitability as suppliers of functional ingredients. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive characterization of the volatile profile of different Cistus plants grown in Spain:Cistus ladanifer L., Cistus albidus L., Cistus salviifolius L., and Cistus clusii Dunal (the latter has not been studied before). A system combining headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS) was implemented; thereby, the volatile compounds were extracted and analyzed in a fast, reliable and environment-friendly way. A total of 111 volatile compounds were identified, 28 of which were reported in Cistus for the first time. The most abundant components of the samples (mono and sesquiterpenes) have been previously reported as potent antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this work reveals the potential use of the Cistus spp. studied as natural sources of antimicrobial compounds for industrial production of cosmeceuticals, among other applications

Quality of life related to age and economic income in diabetic older adults. Chillan, Chile, 2019

Background: suffering from diabetes can influence the perception of the individual himself and change his daily routine, thus affecting his quality of life; Based on this, the deepening of the subject is of great importance.Objective: to determine the relationship between quality of life, age and income in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in 33 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling, in the Las Mariposas community (Chillán, Chile), in 2019. The Diabetes 39 instrument was applied for quality of life analysis. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Spearman's Rho statistical tests were used.Results: the female sex was the predominant, as well as married people. Age had a mean value of 71.45 years. In the economic income, 66.7% of the participants reported the impossibility of paying the expenses of the month. Among the life’s quality dimensions analyzed, the most affected were: diabetes severity (mean 55.05), energy/mobility (mean 44.1), and quality of life (mean 43.9). Age and income did not show a significant correlation with any of the dimensions studied.Conclusions: the older adults’ quality of life with type 2 diabetes mellitus is affected, without a significant relationship with age and economic income.</p

Long-term outcomes among a nationwide cohort of patients using an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator : UMBRELLA study final results

Altres ajuts: Medtronic Iberica.BACKGROUND: Large-scale studies describing modern populations using an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are lacking. We aimed to analyze the incidence of arrhythmia, device interventions, and mortality in a broad spectrum of real-world ICD patients with different heart disorders. METHODS AND RESULTS: The UMBRELLA study is a prospective, multicenter, nationwide study of contemporary patients using an ICD followed up by remote monitoring, with a blinded review of arrhythmic episodes. From November 2005 to November 2017, 4296 patients were followed up. After 46.6±27.3 months, 16 067 episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 1344 patients (31.3%). Appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 27.3% of study population. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29-1.78), dilated cardiomyopathy (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.07-1.53), and valvular heart disease (HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.43-2.62) exhibited a higher risk of appropriate ICD therapies, whereas patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.96) and Brugada syndrome (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.45) showed a lower risk. All-cause death was 13.4% at follow-up. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 2.58-5.90), dilated cardiomyopathy (HR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.18-5.10), and valvular heart disease (HR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.25-6.99) had the worst prognoses. Delayed high-rate detection was enabled in 39.7% of patients, and single-zone programming occurred in 52.6% of primary prevention patients. Both parameters correlated with lower risk of first appropriate ICD therapy, with no excess risk of mortality. The rate of inappropriate shocks at follow-up was low (6%) and did not differ among type of ICD but was lower in SmartShock-capable devices. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of the cause, contemporary ICD patients with heart failure-related disorders had a similar risk of ICD life-saving interventions and death. Current ICD programming recommendations still need to be implemented

Long-Term Outcomes Among a Nationwide Cohort of Patients Using an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: UMBRELLA Study Final Results.

Background Large-scale studies describing modern populations using an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are lacking. We aimed to analyze the incidence of arrhythmia, device interventions, and mortality in a broad spectrum of real-world ICD patients with different heart disorders. Methods and Results The UMBRELLA study is a prospective, multicenter, nationwide study of contemporary patients using an ICD followed up by remote monitoring, with a blinded review of arrhythmic episodes. From November 2005 to November 2017, 4296 patients were followed up. After 46.6±27.3 months, 16 067 episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 1344 patients (31.3%). Appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 27.3% of study population. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29-1.78), dilated cardiomyopathy (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.07-1.53), and valvular heart disease (HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.43-2.62) exhibited a higher risk of appropriate ICD therapies, whereas patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.96) and Brugada syndrome (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.45) showed a lower risk. All-cause death was 13.4% at follow-up. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 2.58-5.90), dilated cardiomyopathy (HR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.18-5.10), and valvular heart disease (HR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.25-6.99) had the worst prognoses. Delayed high-rate detection was enabled in 39.7% of patients, and single-zone programming occurred in 52.6% of primary prevention patients. Both parameters correlated with lower risk of first appropriate ICD therapy, with no excess risk of mortality. The rate of inappropriate shocks at follow-up was low (6%) and did not differ among type of ICD but was lower in SmartShock-capable devices. Conclusions Irrespective of the cause, contemporary ICD patients with heart failure-related disorders had a similar risk of ICD life-saving interventions and death. Current ICD programming recommendations still need to be implemented. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NTC01561144