Acceptability and feasibility of wearing activity monitors in community-dwelling older adults with dementia

Objectives Measuring physical activity is complicated particularly in people with dementia, where activity levels are low and subjective measures are susceptible to inaccurate recall. Activity monitors are increasingly being used within research; however, it is unclear how people with dementia view wearing such devices and what aspects of the device effect wear time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of people with dementia wearing activity monitors. Methods Twenty‐six, community‐dwelling, people with mild dementia were asked to wear an activity monitor (GENEactiv Original) over a 1‐month period. Perceptions of the device were measured using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) 2.0, alongside qualitative interviews. Device diary and activity monitor data were used to assess compliance. Results Participants tended to find wearing the activity monitors acceptable, with only three participants (12%) withdrawing prior to the study end date. Participants were generally satisfied with wearing the devices as measured by the QUEST (Mdn = 4.4, IQR = 1.1). Four themes were identified that influenced perceptions of wearing the device: external influences, design, routine, and perceived benefits. Discussion Asking people with dementia to wear a wrist‐worn activity monitor for prolonged periods appears to be both feasible and acceptable. Researchers need to consider the needs and preferences of the sample population prior to selecting activity monitors

Determination of free amino acids in plants by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

A robust and sensitive method for identification (quantification and confirmation) of 19 free amino acids in the plant matrix, Stellaria media, based on liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS), with a triple quadrupole analyser, has been developed. Regarding MS optimization, flow injection analysis (FIA) was used in scan and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The collision energies optimized varied from −12 to −39 eV. The acquisition of three MS/MS transitions for most of the compounds allowed the accurate confirmation of these analytes, which was supported by the accomplishment of ion intensity ratios and retention time as compared with the corresponding standards. The use of a Phenomenex EZ:faast™ Free (Physiological) Amino Acid kit speeds up the sample preparation immeasurably. Nineteen amino acids were separated within 18 minutes on a reverse-phase column under a gradient stepwise programme using 10 mM ammonium formate both in water and methanol. The detection limit (LOD) for free amino acids varied from 0.4 to 9.1 pmol mL−1, except for asparagine amounting to 3000 pmol mL−1. The quantification precision (RSD) of free amino acids for intra- and interday assays was 0.05–19% and 0.2–19%, respectively, but for most of the compounds, it did not exceed 5%. The optimized and validated method was subsequently utilized for free amino acid identification in weed collected from field locations in Poland.National Science Centre: UMO-2013/09/N/NZ9/0196

Care that Matters: Quality Measurement and Health Care

Barry Saver and colleagues caution against the use of process and performance metrics as health care quality measures in the United States

European Practice Assessment of Cardiovascular risk management (EPA Cardio): protocol of an international observational study in primary care

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