Degree Of Inactivity Research Articles

The Impact of a Wearable Activity Tracker and Structured Feedback Program on Physical Activity in Hemodialysis Patients: The Step4Life Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

People with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have very low physical activity, and the degree of inactivity is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a 12-week intervention coupling a wearable activity tracker (FitBit) and structured feedback coaching versus wearable activity tracker alone on changes in physical activity in hemodialysis patients. Randomized controlled trial. 55 participants with ESKD receiving hemodialysis who were able to walk with or without assistive devices recruited from a single academic hemodialysis unit between January 2019 and April2020. All participants wore a Fitbit Charge 2 tracker for a minimum of 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to a wearable activity tracker plus a structured feedback intervention versus the wearable activity tracker alone. The structured feedback group was counseled weekly on steps achieved after randomization. The outcome was step count, and the main parameter of interest was the absolute change in daily step count, averaged per week, from baseline to completion of 12 weeks intervention. In the intention-to-treat analysis, mixed-effect linear regression analysis was used to evaluate change in daily step count from baseline to 12-weeks in both arms. Out of 55 participants, 46 participants completed the 12-week intervention (23 per arm). The mean age was 62 (± 14 SD) years; 44% were Black, and 36% were Hispanic. At baseline, step count (structured feedback intervention: 3,704 [1,594] vs wearable activity tracker alone: 3,808 [1,890]) and other participant characteristics were balanced between the arms. We observed a larger change in daily step count in the structured feedback arm at 12 weeks relative to use of the wearable activity tracker alone arm (Δ 920 [±580 SD] versus Δ 281 [±186 SD] steps; between-group difference Δ 639 [±538 SD] steps; P<0.05). Single-center study and small sample size. This pilot randomized controlled trial demonstrated that structured feedback coupled with a wearable activity tracker led to a greater daily step count that was sustained over 12 weeks relative to a wearable activity tracker alone. Future studies are required to determine longer-term sustainability of the intervention and potential health benefits in hemodialysis patients. Grants from industry (Satellite Healthcare) and government (National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT05241171.

Behavioral and histological features of zebrafish following sedation with eugenol or propofol

The use of anesthesia during short or lengthy procedures is scientifically and ethically required when dealing with fish. In this setting, the present study investigated whether a 3 h exposure to eugenol (4 and 8 mg/L) or propofol (0.2 and 0.4 mg/L) at sedative levels, followed by a 1 h wash-out time, would interfere with behavioral and histological characteristics of zebrafish. Anxiety-like phenotypes were assessed in the novel tank test using an automated tracking software, and histological features of the gills were determined through light microscopy. In the eugenol trial, zebrafish showed behavioral signs of complete recovery from sedation, but the novel environment diving response was amplified at both concentrations tested, thus pointing to the production of an anxiogenic phenotype. Furthermore, transitory alterations were implemented to increase the functional surface area of the gill and decrease lamellar epithelium thickness in order to improve gas exchange in the individuals bathed in 8 mg/L eugenol. Differently, the zebrafish submitted to 0.2 and 0.4 mg/L propofol presented an anti-anxiety response, since they dwelled much longer in the upper half of the tank; together with other behavioral endpoints which indicated a certain degree of inactivity, it seems that these fish were still under the effect of the drug, despite the 1 h wash-out, and thus neurological function had not been fully restored. Moreover, both concentrations of propofol induced shrinkage of the gill structure, which may have contributed towards an incomplete recovery; hence the behavioral pattern displayed in the novelty-based tank paradigm. This work reports contrasting behavioral and histological effects produced by eugenol and propofol upon zebrafish, thus demonstrating that standardization is a challenge with psychoactive drugs. Therefore, it is paramount to refine anesthetic protocols for this highly qualified test organism in order to maximize welfare and reduce experimental variability.

Bilateral Hidden Isokinetic Quadriceps Performance before and after MPFL Reconstruction in Pediatric Patients.

We perform prospective study to evaluate the isokinetic performance of quadriceps before and 1 year after medial patella-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with the adductor magnus tendon in the case of recurrent patellar dislocation. The present study is the first to describe the isokinetic function of the quadriceps of the involved and uninvolved extremity, in such a wide range. The MPFL is a crucial passive stabilizer of patella and, along with the conditions of the anatomical shape of the femoral-patellar joint and the function of quadriceps, influences the overall patellar stability. However, only a few studies have examined indirectly or directly the function of quadriceps. A total of 27 patients (average age at surgery was 15.8 years) with recurrent monolateral patellar dislocation were treated with MPFL reconstruction using the adductor magnus tendon. In the study group, healthy and operated quadriceps were evaluated for the following parameters at the velocities of 60 and 180 deg/s before surgery and in the follow-up examination: peak torque, peak torque to body weight, time to peak torque, peak torque angle, torque in 30 degree of the knee flexion (TQ 30 degree), and the torque in the first 180 milliseconds (TQ 180). Preoperative patellar instability and its normalization after MPFL reconstruction have no impact on the isokinetic quadriceps index value which depends on the time and degree of inactivity as well as implementation of appropriate physiotherapy. The increase in the quadriceps muscle strength of a healthy limb is responsible for the persistence of muscle isokinetic imbalance after MPFL reconstruction in pediatric patients. This is a level 2b study.

Effect of integrated family support versus day care only on behavior and mood of patients with dementia.

This study tests the hypothesis that integrated family support, in which patients and caregivers are both supported by one professional staff, is more effective in influencing behavior problems and mood of the dementia patient than nonintegrated support, such as psychogeriatric day care only. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design with matched groups was applied. Psychogeriatric day-care centers of four community centers and three nursing homes. Fifty-six dementia patients living at home and their caregivers. The patients in the experimental group (n = 33) participated together with their caregivers in an integrated family support program, whereas the patients in the control group (n = 23) received psychogeriatric day care only. Behavior problems and mood were observed using standardized behavior observation scales. After 7 months the experimental support program, compared to the regular psychogeriatric day care, showed a large positive effect on the total number of behavior problems (effect size .75), and also specifically on the degree of inactivity (effect size .66) and nonsocial behavior (effect size .61). No effect on mood was found. In influencing the total amount of behavior problems, as well as the degree of inactivity and nonsocial behavior, the integrated family support program proved to be more effective than psychogeriatric day care. Because behavior problems are an important determinant for admission of persons with dementia into a nursing home, integrated family support may contribute to the delay of institutionalization.

High bone turnover in the elderly

Objectives: To document lifestyle-associated variations in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in advanced age. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. Subjects: Three hundred twelve ambulatory and 193 institutionalized men and women, aged 54 to 99yrs. Outcome Measurements: Biochemical markers of bone resorption (urinary deoxypyridinolin and N-telopeptides), serum vitamin D metabolites, and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentrations were assessed. Mean values of all parameters were correlated with a six-grade activity score. Physical activity score reflected the degree of weight bearing, ranging from walking independently to primarily bed-bound. Ambulatory subjects were measured in summertime and institutionalized subjects in wintertime to accentuate seasonality of vitamin D hormone levels. Results: Excretion of bone resorption markers was significantly higher in the institutionalized and physically inactive patients compared with those who were ambulatory and physically active ( p = .0001). Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D of <12ng/mL) was present in 86% of institutionalized and 15% of ambulatory subjects, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D serum concentrations were lower in institutionalized than in ambulatory subjects ( p = .0001). Mean serum concentrations for iPTH were similar for both the institutionalized and ambulatory groups. When subjects were arranged according to activity score, mean excretion of urinary bone resorption markers increased with degree of inactivity. Conclusion: Despite the difference in vitamin D metabolites, iPTH serum concentrations did not differ significantly between the institutionalized and ambulatory groups. However, institutionalized and physically inactive participants had markedly elevated excretion of urinary bone resorption markers compared with ambulatory and physically active subjects. These results suggest that high bone turnover in the elderly may be caused by physical inactivity related to low mechanical loading rather than secondary hyperparathyroidism.

University library functions in West Africa

Academic libraries, particularly in the developed world, are functionally active, providing improved reader and house-keeping services due to developments in computer and telecommunications technology. But, a survey conducted in 27 English-speaking West African university libraries showed there to be a degree of inactivity among the libraries as judged by the level of priority attached to their legitimate functions. The libraries also showed a marked preference for functions which are not considered complex in their execution. Results from five university libraries selected from other English-speaking zones of Africa were used to corroborate or compare those from the West African sub-region. The results showed that these other libraries are also more or less functionally inert.

Correlation of the latency shift and brain stem potentials in basocochlear hearing loss and the time course of the click stimulus-induced evoked wave in the cochlea

Frequency-specific information on high tone loss in the inner ear can, and if so only indirectly, be obtained from changes in latency of the click-evoked brain stem potential (ABR). The relationship between latency increases of the Jewett-wave-V in basocochlear hearing loss and the time course of the travelling wave on the basilar membrane will be presented. The latency increases of basocochlear hearing loss at 2 kHz, 1 kHz and 500 Hz correspond to both the computer-simulated time course of the travelling wave and to those of the derived responses. From a pathophysiological standpoint, receptor cells in basocochlear hearing loss are not functional, beginning at the oval window, so that, dependent on the degree of inactivity, a delay corresponding to that of the time course of the travelling wave passes until active hair cells are reached and action potentials released that produce, when summed up a potential of delayed latency.

Naltrexone antagonizes the biobehavioral adaptation to cold water stress in rats

The reported studies on the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of stress have been mostly concerned with the involvement of opioid or non-opioid substances in stress-induced analgesia (SIA). To further investigate the processes involved in SIA tolerance, rats were exposed to forced intermittent cold water swim (ICWS, 18 exposures, 3/min, 10 sec each) on 16 consecutive days. On days 15 and 16, they were injected prior to swim with saline and naltrexone (10 mg/kg), respectively. During swim, three types of readily identifiable behaviors were observed. They may be characterized by immobility and horizontal floating (Type I), intensive activity and escape attemps (Type II), and passivity and “behavioral despair” (Type III). In the acute condition, only Type II and Type III appear in sequence. In the chronic condition, the sequence of behaviors is: Type I, Type II, and Type III. Thirty minutes after swim, analgesia, core temperature, and degree of inactivity were measured. With chronic exposure, tolerance developed to the analgesia, core hypothermia and hypoactivity induced by the ICWS. Type I behavior appeared on day 3 or 4 persisted throughout the chronic treatment. Type II behavior did not adapt. Naltrexone (10 mg/kg) antagonized the adaptive aspect of all those variables where adaptation or tolerance were found (analgesia, hypoactivity, core hypothermia, and Type I behavior) but had no effect on Type II behavior where no adaptation was observed. It is suggested that the endorphins have a functional role in the behavioral and physiological adaptation to aversive stressful environmental situations.

STUDIES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SPERMATOZOA

STUDIES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SPERMATOZOA