Clinical predictors of improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in U.S. veterans with heart failure.

Background: Our understanding of the factors associated with improvement of LVEF and a heart failure with improved EF (HFimpEF) phenotype remains incomplete.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using a national database of patients followed in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system with serial assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography. We identified US veterans with a new diagnosis of heart failure with: (i) LVEF of <40 % in the 12 months prior to diagnosis, and (ii) follow-up LVEF assessment at least 6 months after their diagnosis.

Urea-Based Low-Molecular-Weight Pseudopeptidic Organogelators for the Encapsulation and Slow Release of ()-Limonene.

Low-molecular-weight compounds containing alkylurea fragments attached to the amino end of different miminalistic pseudopeptidic structures have been shown to be excellent organogelators in a variety of organic solvents and liquid organic compounds of different nature. The formation of gels in this work is defined through rheological measurements for those cases where ' > ''. Both the topology and the symmetry of the corresponding urea compounds play a role in defining their organogelator behavior.

Effects of Expiratory Muscle Training and Air Stacking on Peak Cough Flow in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of air stacking (AS) and an expiratory muscle training (EMT) program to increase voluntary and reflex peak cough flow (PCF) in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants were allocated to the control (n = 11), EMT (n = 11), or EMT + AS group (n = 11). All groups performed EMT (5 sets of 5 repetitions), 6 times a week for 2 months.

The Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Phonatory Measures in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: In individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), respiratory muscle weakness and rigidity, bradykinesia of abdominal muscles and stiffness of the chest wall, affect the respiratory component of voice intensity due to reduced pulmonary capacity and airflow needed to vibrate the vocal folds. It may be possible to improve voice production by strengthening respiratory muscles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on voice production outcomes in individuals with PD.

Association Between Subglottic Pressure and Pulmonary Function in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: In individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), pulmonary complication such as weakness and rigidity of respiratory muscles and reduced cough airflow may be associated with reduced voice production due to limited pulmonary capacity and reduced airflow needed to vibrate the vocal folds. It is not clear, however, which pulmonary function parameter is determinant in the association with peak subglottic pressure (SGP). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the association between peak SGP and pulmonary function parameters in individuals with PD.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Chilean version of the Modern Singing Handicap Index: MSHI.

Purpose: Perform the cross-cultural equivalence of the Chilean version of the Modern Singing Handicap Index - MSHI, through its cultural and linguistic adaptation.

Methods: A translation of the MSHI for the Chilean Spanish and the back translation for the Italian was made, and discrepancies were found; a committee of four language pathologist had to resolve any discrepancies and, when found, a consensus must be reached resulting in the final version of the Índice de Desventaja Vocal para Canto Popular - IDVCP-Ch, with the same structure than the original of 30 items and four answers options. The IDVCP-Ch was applied to 25 popular singers.

Umbilical cord blood bilirubins, gestational age, and maternal race predict neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Objective: No validated biomarker at birth exists to predict which newborns will develop severe hyperbilirubinemia. This study's primary aim was to build and validate a prediction model for severe hyperbilirubinemia using umbilical cord blood bilirubins (CBB) and risk factors at birth in neonates at risk for maternal-fetal blood group incompatibility. This study's secondary aim was to compare the accuracy of CBB to the direct antigen titer.

The effects of respiratory muscle training on peak cough flow in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: To compare the effects of an inspiratory versus and expiratory muscle-training program on voluntary and reflex peak cough flow in patients with Parkinson disease.

Design: A randomized controlled study.

Setting: Home-based training program.

Prospective Observational Study on acute Appendicitis Worldwide (POSAW).

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical disease, and appendectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases. A correct diagnosis is key for decreasing the negative appendectomy rate. The management can become difficult in case of complicated appendicitis.

Sedentary behavior among Spanish children and adolescents: findings from the ANIBES study.

Background: An increase of sedentary behaviors far from the Mediterranean lifestyle is happening in spite of the impact on health. The aims of this study were to describe sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents.

Methods: A representative sample of 424 Spanish children and adolescents (38% females) involved in the ANIBES study was analyzed regarding their sedentary behaviors, together with the availability of televisions, computers, and consoles by means of the HELENA sedentary behavior questionnaire.

Physical Activity Patterns of the Spanish Population Are Mostly Determined by Sex and Age: Findings in the ANIBES Study.

Background: Representative data for the Spanish population regarding physical activity (PA) behaviors are scarce and seldom comparable due to methodological inconsistencies.

Aim: Our objectives were to describe the PA behavior by means of the standardized self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and to know the proportion of the Spanish population meeting and not meeting international PA recommendations.

Material And Methods: PA was assessed using the IPAQ in a representative sample of 2285 individuals (males, 50.

The ANIBES Study on Energy Balance in Spain: design, protocol and methodology.

Energy Balance (EB) is an important topic to understand how an imbalance in its main determinants (energy intake and consumption) may lead to inappropriate weight gain, considered to be "dynamic" and not "static". There are no studies to evaluate EB in Spain, and new technologies reveal themselves as key tools to solve common problems to precisely quantify energy consumption and expenditure at population level. The overall purpose of the ANIBES ("Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance") Study was to carry out an accurate updating of food and beverage intake, dietary habits/behaviour and anthropometric data of the Spanish population (9-75 years, n=2009), as well as the energy expenditure and physical activity patterns.