Study Of Functional Status Research Articles

Modern biophysical view of electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life of living biological systems as a promising basis for the development of complex medicine: the role of biophotons

The results of a theoretical study of the role of biophotons in electromagnetic process of realizing the phenomenon of life are presented in the article. This article is a continuation of the theoretical study of the team of authors, which was published in the Journal of Complexity in Health Sciences, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 2022, p. 22-34 and Vol. 5, Issue 2, 2022, p. 45-57. The aim of the theoretical study was to generalize the available scientific physical and biological knowledge of modern science about the role of biophotons in the electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life at the cellular level in order to deepen the fundamental knowledge of Complex Medicine. This study is a fragment of research work on “Development of algorithms and technologies for implementing a Healthy Lifestyle in patients with Noncommunicable Diseases based on the study of functional status” (state registration number 0121U108237: UDC 613 616-056-06: 616.1/9-03). General scientific methods and theoretical methods were used in this theoretical study. Based on the results of this fragment of the theoretical study, twelve conclusions were formulated. The formulated conclusions conceptualize such basic questions as: all living cells at the nanoscale consist of electromagnetic fields and generate electromagnetic fields, cell signaling and all cellular processes are due to electromagnetic interactions, ultra-weak photon emission is a universal optical phenomenon for all cells and plays an important role in communication and in cell life throughout the body.

Modern biophysical view of electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life of living biological systems as a promising basis for the development of complex medicine: the role of water

The results of a theoretical study of the role of water in electromagnetic generation and in the process of realizing the phenomenon of life are presented in the article. This article is a continuation of the theoretical study of the team of authors, which was published in the Journal of Complexity in Health Sciences, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 2022, p. 22-34. The aim of the theoretical study was to generalize the available scientific physical and biological knowledge of modern science about the role of water in the electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life at the cellular level in order to deepen the fundamental knowledge of Complex Medicine. This study is a fragment of research work on “Development of algorithms and technologies for implementing a Healthy Lifestyle in patients with Noncommunicable Diseases based on the study of functional status” (state registration number 0121U108237: UDC 613 616-056-06: 616.1/9-03). General scientific methods and theoretical methods were used in this theoretical study. The main conclusions of the theoretical study were made as follows: 1) Тhe “30/11 helix” is the main most typical fragmentary element of water self-organization into fractal structures and it forms energy-intensive fractal crystalline filamentous water structures in living biological systems, supported by energy constantly coming from biopolymers, and forming large constantly growing hierarchical structures that unite all the water of a living organism in a dynamic balance of opposite processes of destruction and growth of its energy-intensive crystalline structures; 2) Water has a key role in the process of transmission and perception of the coherent energy of a soliton through self-organizing fractal energy-intensive paramagnetic crystalline structures in living biological systems; 3) The phenomenon of biological life at the micro level is characterized by the presence of a state of water binding/organization into energy-intensive crystalline structures due to the constant supply of coherent energy from biopolymers and stops when this energy flow disappears, which corresponds to the onset of the phenomenon of biological death and is manifested by the degradation of energy-intensive fractal crystalline self-organization of water to an unbound water state. solution devoid of so-called biological anomalies.

Modern biophysical view of electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life of living biological systems as a promising basis for the development of complex medicine: the role of cell membranes

The results of a theoretical study of the role of cell membranes in electromagnetic generation and in the process of realizing the phenomenon of life are presented in the article. The aim of the theoretical study was to summarize the existing scientific physical and biological knowledge of modern science about the electromagnetic processes of the phenomenon of life at the cellular level in order to deepen the fundamental knowledge of complex medicine. This study is a fragment of research work on “The development of algorithms and technologies for implementing a Healthy Lifestyle in patients with Noncommunicable Diseases based on the study of functional status” (state registration number 0121U108237: UDC 613 616-056-06: 616.1/9-03). General scientific methods and theoretical methods were used in this theoretical study. The main conclusions of the theoretical study were made as follows: 1) Cell membranes can be considered one of the main morphological structures of electromagnetic generation at the cellular level. 2) Cell viability is ensured by electromagnetic generation and electromagnetic generation of cells can be considered as a separate important function of membranes in addition to those already defined, as it provides signaling. 3) The end result of electromagnetic generation of cell membranes and all molecules of the cell is its own electromagnetic fields, which have a millimeter wavelength range with a frequency of 1010-1011 Hz and they are a quantum mechanical result of electromagnetic generations, perform the information-energy function in intercellular interaction in vivo.

Abstract 9793: Walking Performance, Quality of Life, and Hemodynamic Characteristics in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease and End-Stage Kidney Disease (PAD-ESKD)

Background: Patients with peripheral artery disease and end-stage kidney disease (PAD-ESKD) have poor outcomes that may be related to the presence of medial arterial calcification. These patients have been excluded from prior studies of medical interventions; thus, there is a need to better understand baseline functional capacity to aid design of interventional studies. Methods: Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) who met the following inclusion criteria: age ≥55 OR ≥45 with diabetes, PAD as defined by ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.90 and/or toe-brachial index (TBI) <0.70, and described symptoms with walking were enrolled at 7 US sites in a cross-sectional study of functional status. Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, recent revascularization, or a non-PAD condition limiting walking were excluded. We measured walking with the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), repeated after a 1-week interval, and the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). We assessed claudication symptoms with the San Diego Claudication Questionnaire (SDCQ). Results: Of 67 patients who were screened, 36 (54%) met eligibility criteria, and 30 have completed the ongoing study: 43% women, mean (SD) age 69 (8) years, and mean (range) time since initiation of HD 53 (1-219) months. All patients had abnormal TBI with mean 0.46 (0.15). Consistent with the presence of medial arterial calcification, 10 patients (33%) had ABI ≥1.2 in one or both legs. Ten patients (33%) had intermittent claudication (IC). Overall mean (SD) 6MWD was 357 (261) meters (range 60-975). Test-retest reliability of 6MWD was good with an intraclass correlation of 0.97. The 6MWD was <350 meters in 19 patients (63%). Mean (SD) WIQ overall score was 32 (26), range 0-92, out of a possible 100 max. Patients who reported IC, as well as those who did not, had walking impairment as assessed by 6MWD and WIQ. Conclusion: We demonstrate the high prevalence of impaired walking ability in patients with PAD-ESKD, a previously poorly characterized population. The PAD-ESKD population has high clinical need, supporting a planned randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of SNF472, a novel investigational inhibitor of vascular calcification.

LIVER FUNCTION CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS TAKING NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS OVER A LONG PERIOD: RESULTS OF A 10-YEAR PROGRESS PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: to assess liver function changes in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) taking NSAIDs regularly over a long period. Patients and methods. The data obtained during a 10-year PROGRESS prospective single-center cohort study of functional status, activity, and comorbidity (including gastrointestinal tract diseases) in patients with SpA were analyzed. The data of 363 SpA patients receiving NSAIDs regularly over a long period and followed up for 10 years were also explored. The changes that had occurred over a decade in the liver enzyme levels, the number of discontinued NSAID treatments because of a persistent increase in liver enzyme levels, and the number of prescriptions of hepatoprotective agents were analyzed. Results. For 10 years, 18 patients with SpA discontinued their NSAID intake due to elevated liver enzyme levels (≥3 times greater than the reference value); during that time, the same increase in enzyme levels was observed in 2 healthy individuals (χ2 =1.39; p=0.2). In the patients with SpA as compared to the healthy individuals, the relative risk of abnormal liver function was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.009–1.405); odds ratio was 2.9 (95% CI, 0.65–12.95). There was no increased risk for discontinuation of some NSAIDs, including nimesulide (χ2 =0.03, p=0.85), the frequency of using hepatoprotective drugs was proved to be highest for diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, nimesulide, and ketoprofen. Conclusion. The regular long-term (as long as 10 years) use of NSAIDs to treat SpA is associated with treatment discontinuation because of elevated enzyme levels in every 10 patients. The maximum rate of discontinuation of NSAIDs due to a persistent increase in liver enzyme levels is observed 6–8 years after their regular use, so long-term NSAID therapy requires continuous monitoring of hepatic safety. The longterm intake of nimesulide, as compared with other NSAIDs, is shown to be unassociated with the higher rate of its discontinuation because of worse liver function. Hepatoprotectors are less frequently prescribed to patients taking nimesulide than to those receiving diclofenac sodium or ibuprofen and more frequently to patients using meloxicam. In most cases, prescribing hepatoprotective agents to patients receiving NSAIDs does not require discontinuation of anti-inflammatory therapy.

OTFS-A pathological menace leading to double trouble in women

Background: OTFS are a heterogenous group of tumors with varying stromal activity and produce hormones such as estrogen, androgen or progesterone. These tumors are of due importance as they have widespread clinical, biochemical or pathological effects on various tissues and organs and are commonly observed in female genital tract manifesting as hyperplasias or carcinomas. It is thus important to study OTFS and analyse the associated changes in the endometrium. Objectives: The aims of present study are: 1. Age distribution and clinical features of OTFS. 2. Histopathological spectra of OTFS. 3. Study of functional status of these tumors and associated endo-myometrial changes. Methods: Present study of 2 years (2014-2015) analysed 48 cases of OTFS and their corresponding endo-myometrial changes in hysterectomised patients, at department of pathology, Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, Karnataka. Specimens were examined, processed and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: Majority of cases were in reproductive age group (83.3%) compared to postmenopausal (16.7%) category. Most were asymptomatic and few (12%) were symptomatic with menorrhagia and postmenopausal bleeding. Histopathological categories included: surface epithelial tumors (44), dermoid cysts (2), metastatic EOPPC (1) and combined tumor (1). OTFS with active stroma (64.5%) was commonly observed among total cases and the associated endo-myometrial changes, most frequently observed was endometrial polyp (29%) followed by cystoglandular hyperplasia (25.8%), adenomatous polyp (19.4%), adenomatous hyperplasia (16.1%), adenomyosis (8.7%) and leiomyoma (6.5%). Conclusion: As OTFS with active stroma can have ill effects on endo-myometrium, an appropriate screening of the cases clinically and histopathologically would reduce morbidity and mortality, thus helping in better patient outcome. Keywords: Ovarian tumors with functioning stroma, Endocrine manifestations, Active stroma, Endo-myometrial changes

AN ATTEMPT TO CHARACTERIZE FACTORS THAT AFFECT PARTICIPATION IN MINIMAL‐RISK RESEARCH OF OLDER ADULTS: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PUBLISHED RESEARCH FINDINGS?

To the Editor: Older adults are less likely than younger adults to participate in research. It remains unclear, however, whether this difference is due to recruitment issues, consent processes, eligibility criteria, participant burden or other factors.1,2 Each of these issues may affect research design, sample representativeness and, ultimately, the ability to generalize research findings to an older adult population. In an effort to understand contemporary factors that may influence decisions to participate in minimal risk research, we systematically reviewed 59 clinical investigations published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society over a 6-month period (August 2006-January 2007). Our goals in conducting this literature review were: 1) to estimate the proportion of older adults that were invited, but refused to participate in minimal-risk research; 2) to determine what factors reportedly were associated with refusal to participate. Of the 59 articles considered, 29 met criteria for review (see Table 1); that is, the studies were conducted in the U.S., required consent/assent and were minimal risk. Retrospective and anonymous survey studies were excluded. Studies were most often excluded because they were conducted outside of the U.S. Two independent raters (RV and JM) completed a structured abstraction form to identify level of risk (minimal versus greater than minimal risk, based on current National Institutes of Health guidelines).3 We attempted to abstract rates of participant refusal and reasons for refusal from the articles as well. Refusals were coded separately from other non-participation factors, such as ineligibility, “failure to contact” or withdrawal after consent. Unfortunately, refusal information was seldom explicitly stated, resulting in a low inter-rater agreement (50%) between reviewers. That difficulty was resolved by using a 3-person consensus panel (RV, JM, JK) to re-evaluate all studies. About one-third of the articles reported refusal rates and none of the articles described actual reasons for refusal. When reported, the average refusal rate across studies was 29% (SD=17%). Seven articles referenced other published sources for more detailed methodological information, but only two of these secondary sources provided additional information on participant refusals. Participants and refusers were compared in 10% (n=3) of articles, and these studies found that a) African-Americans, and/or older potential participants were less likely to participate, or b) there were no apparent differences between consenters and non-consenters.2,4,5 To develop insight into how the research topic might impact participation, the 3-person panel categorized studies by type of outcome: 1) functional status (i.e., basic/instrumental activities of daily living, n=11); 2) health and healthcare related outcomes (i.e., specific diagnoses, healthcare utilization, dietary supplements, n=16); and 3) subjective/opinion studies (i.e., perceptions of care quality, patient opinions, n=2). When compared, there were no statistical differences in refusal rates across study types. However, studies of functional status tended to report refusal rates more often (55%) than studies of health and healthcare (19%). Functional status studies had higher actual refusal rates (34%) than health related studies (21%). Basic information on human subjects issues (e.g., informed consent, institutional review board approval) was also abstracted. Strikingly, we found that “informed consent” was mentioned in only 69% (n=20) of articles despite explicit instructions to authors6 to include this information in the Methods section of submitted papers.

Chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: a co-twin control study of functional status.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and the symptom of chronic fatigue may be accompanied by substantial functional disability. A volunteer sample of twins discordant for fatigue was identified from throughout the US. Fatigued twins were classified using three increasingly stringent definitions: (1) > or = 6 months of fatigue (119 pairs); (2) CFS-like illness based on self-report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CFS research definition criteria (74 pairs); and (3) CFS assessed by clinical examination (22 pairs). Twins with chronic fatigue were compared with their unaffected co-twins on the eight standard scales and two physical and mental component summary scales from the medical outcomes study short-form health survey (SF-36). Substantial impairment was observed for fatigued twins across all levels of fatigue, while scores in the healthy twins were similar to US population values. Mean scores among fatigued twins on the physical and mental component summary scales were below 97 and 77%, respectively, of the US population scores. Diminished functional status was found across increasingly stringent classifications of fatigue and was associated with a dramatic decrement in physical functioning. The symptom of fatigue has a pronounced impact on functional status, especially in the domain of physical functioning.

A study of functional status among elders at two academic nursing centers

A study of functional status among elders at two academic nursing centers

A study of functional status among elders at two academic nursing centers

Using the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) tool, this study examined quality of life related to functional status in 68 elderly clients at two community-based nurse-managed centers (NMCs) in California. Undergraduate and graduate nursing students administered the OARS to three cohort groups. Data from the tool were used to assess functional independence among these clients and organize and evaluate the quality of nursing care delivered at the centers. The study provides the basis for evidence-based nursing care that integrates research strategies and the nursing process.

Assessing functional status: correlation between performance on tasks conducted in a clinic setting and performance on the same task conducted at home. The Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project Team.

Many studies of functional status in elderly people use performance-based measures. There is an underlying assumption that these measures reflect, at least for some tasks, functional abilities in everyday tasks carried out at home. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between tasks carried out in the clinic and at home, and the role of visual impairment in performance at either setting. We compared the performance of 97 participants in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) project at the clinic and at home on eight different tasks: semitandem stand, functional reach, stair climb and descend, inserting a plug, looking up and dialing a telephone number, and reading. The correlations were good for all tasks, with coefficients ranging from .52 to .86. Those with visual impairment were slightly more likely to perform better at home compared to the clinic, although the differences were statistically significant only for the reading task. The most important predictor of performance on any task in the home was performance on the task at the clinic, even after adjusting for age, race, sex, education, and visual impairment. Educational level and visual impairment were consistent predictors of performance in the home for most tests. We conclude that performances on standardized tasks in the clinic setting do correlate with similar tasks performed in the home, although the relationship is complicated in the presence of visual impairment.

Health policy and musculoskeletal conditions.

This paper reviews two strains of research within rheumatology relevant to contemporary health policy debates. The first concerns studies of the effectiveness of medical care on outcomes among persons with musculoskeletal conditions; the second, studies of functional status and disability among such persons. The studies of the effectiveness of medical care, largely funded by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, are designed to assist in the development of practice guidelines concerning lower back pain, knee replacement, hip disease, and other conditions for use by physicians and other providers as well as third party payers. The studies of functional status and disability in arthritis, largely funded by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases as part of its Multipurpose Arthritis Center Program, are designed to provide measures of outcome for use in studies of medical effectiveness and to assess the societal impacts of musculoskeletal conditions.

The role of impairment of adrenal mineraloglucocorticoid function in the development of infertility in varicocele patients

The study was aimed at the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of the impairment of spermatogenesis in varicocele patients. The crucial role of tension increase in the venous plexus of the spermatic cord in spermatogenesis damage in the testis on the varicocele side and absence of any effect of haemodynamic abnormalities on spermatogenesis in the complementary testis has been determined. Retrograde blood flow through the central vein of the left adrenal gland in varicocele has been evidenced by X-ray examination. The role of this phenomenon in the changes of functional activity of the adrenal gland is discussed. Results of the study of functional status of adrenal glands revealed their tendency to provide hyperactivity in synthesis of mineraloglucocorticoids. Correlation between cortisol level in peripheral blood and percentage of abnormal sperm in ejaculate was shown. This fact supported the idea about the existence of a causal interrelationship between abnormalities in the functional status of adrenal glands and development of infertility in varicocele patients.

Unexplained Chest Pain in Patients with Normal Coronary Arteriograms: A Follow-up Study of Functional Status

Unexplained Chest Pain in Patients with Normal Coronary Arteriograms: A Follow-up Study of Functional Status