Functional Capacity of Patients with Venous Thromboembolic Disease Six to Twelve Months after Treatment

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the leading causes of hospital-related disability-adjusted life years lost. We aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of functional capacity impairment six to twelve months after an acute VTE event. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January and April 2021 in two referral hospitals of Yaoundé, including consenting adult patients admitted to these hospitals six to twelve months ago for VTE. We excluded dead patients and those with any comorbidity or symptoms limiting physical activity. The functional outcome was assessed with the six-minute walk test. Functional capacity impairment was defined as walking distance lower than the expected value. Results: We included 27 cases in this study with a mean age of 53.2 ± 14.4 years. The prevalence of functional capacity impairment was 29.6% (95% CI: 14.8 - 48.1). Factors associated with poor functional outcome were obesity (OR: 59.5;95% CI: 4.6 - 767.2;p - 207.4;p = 0.017), massive PE (OR: 30;95% CI: 2.5 - 354;p = 0.004), and poor adherence to treatment (OR: 30.3;95% CI: 2.5 - 333.3;p = 0.004). Conclusion: Functional capacity impairment is common in the medium-term after VTE and factors associated with this poor outcome are obesity, the severity of the VTE, and poor adherence to treatment.

Quality of life and functional capacity in patients after cardiac surgery intensive care unit

Coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis are prevalent cardiovascular diseases worldwide,leading to morbidity and mortality.Coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)have therapeutic benefits,including improved postoperative quality of life(QoL)and enhanced patient functional capacity which are key indicators of cardiac surgery outcome.In this article,we review the latest studies of QoL outcomes and functional capacity in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.Many standardized instruments are used to evaluate QoL and functional conditions.Preoperative health status,age,length of intensive care unit stay,operative risk,type of procedure,and other pre-,intra-,and postoperative factors affect postoperative QoL.Elderly patients experience impaired physical status soon after cardiac surgery,but it improves in the following period.CABG and SAVR are associated with increases of physical and mental health and functional capacity in the immediate postoperative and the long long-term.Cardiac rehabilitation improves patient functional capacity,QoL,and frailty following cardiac surgery.

The quantified analysis of China's GM cotton yield capacity by C-D function and stochastic frontier model

Using a modified C D function and stochastic frontier model, the paper analyzed China's cotton yield capacity and found that the yield and technical efficiency of China's cotton planting system can be increased by the use of genetically modified (GM) varieties.

Six Minute Walk Test to assess functional capacity in chronic liver disease patients

AIM: To examine the utility of Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). METHODS: Two hundred and fifty subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 (mean 47) years performed 6MWT and the Six Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) was measured. RESULTS: The subjects were categorized into four groups. Group A (n = 45) healthy subjects (control); group B (n = 49) chronic hepatitis B patients; group C (n = 54) chronic hepatitis C patients; group D (n = 98) liver cirrhosis patients. The four groups differed in terms of 6MWDs (P < 0.001). The longest distance walked was 421 ± 47 m by group A, then group B (390 ± 53 m), group C (357 ± 72 m) and group D (306 ± 111 m). The 6MWD correlated with age (r = -0.482, P < 0.01), hemoglobin (r = +0.373, P < 0.001) and albumin (r = +0.311, P < 0.001) levels. The Child-Pugh classification was negatively correlated with the 6MWD in cirrhosis (group D) patients (r = -0.328, P < 0.01). At the end of a 12 mo follow-up period, 15 of the 98 cirrhosis patients had died from disease complications. The 6MWD for the surviving cirrhotic patients was longer than for non-survivors (317 ± 101 vs 245 ± 145 m, P = 0.021; 95% CI 11-132). The 6MWD was found to be an independent predictor of survival (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: 6MWT is a useful tool for assessing physical function in CLD patients. We suggest that 6MWD may serve as a prognostic indicator in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Muscle capacity and physical function in older women:What are the impacts of resistance training?

The number of older adults （individuals ≥65 years）, particularly women, in our society is increasing and understanding the impact of exercise on muscle capacity （e.g., strength and power） and subsequently physical function is of utmost importance to prevent disability and maintain independence. Muscle capacity declines with age and this change negatively impacts physical function in older women. Exercise, specifically resistance training, is recommended to counteract these declines; however, the synergistic relationships between exercise, muscle capacity, and physical function are poorly understood. This review will summarize the literature regarding age-related changes in the aforementioned variables and review the research on the impact of resistance training interventions on muscle capacity and physical function in older women. Recommendations for future research in this area will be discussed.

Tremendous Improvement of the Functional Capacity in Patient with Chronic Heart Failure after 12-Weeks of Exercise Training Program

Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with preserved, or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A cardiac rehabilitation program generally includes physical exercise, diet counseling, educational classes on lifestyle changes, and disease management as well as psychosocial support for patients and their families. Exercise training is a core component of the comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program and is strongly recommended in combination with pharmacological treatment to patients with CHF, due to cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and autonomic cardiac response. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation affects positively functional capacity, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in CHF patients. The physical inactivity rate in Arabian Peninsula countries is extremely high, and exercise training of habitually physically inactive individuals should result in marked improvements of physical capacity. We present a case that demonstrates such a significant improvement in the physical capacity of a patient with CHF and a review of literature.

Relationship between Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity for Older People

Functional capacity is the condition of an individual living independently and the lack of it for preparing and eating food, which is a factor that can result in malnutrition and deserves the attention of professionals and his family members. Then, the aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and functional capacity for older adults using anthropometric measures and questionnaires for activities of daily and instrumental living. It was an epidemiological cross-sectional study using a representative sample of older adults selected from a previous study about quality of life in a Botucatu city, Sao Paulo. Brazil. The sample size was calculated considering 95% of reliability and 5% of error margin, resulting from a total of 365 individuals of both sexes but only 361 of them completed the protocol. Data included sociodemographic and morbidities questionnaires, activities of daily and instrumental living (ADL and IADL) and an-thropometric variables. 62.6% of the older were women, 44.68% were hypertensive, 28.81% were diabetic and 15.51% had hypercholesterolemia. 94.24% and 92.42% of the older were fully independent for ADL and IADL, respectively. Associations between ADL with marital status and schooling were found as well as with IADL. Also, it was found association with IADL and heart disease. Regarding anthropometry most of measures when compared men and women were significant. No significant association was found between nutritional status and ADL. A logistic regression model was fitted considering ADL as a response variable showed BMI as a protection factor and WC as a risk factor for dependence. For IADL, heart disease was a risk factor for dependence. In conclusion, low weight and increased waist circumference have influence in a functional capacity of older adults according to the activities daily living (ADL) and heart disease for IADL.

Factors Related to Functional Capacity and Quality of Life for Elderly People in a Middle-Sized City of São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction: It is a fact that the elderly population has been increasing all around the world and also in Brazil. This has been a challenge for governments and managers in the development of public policies to promote healthy and quality aging. And one of the conditions for healthy aging is to assess the functional capacity and quality of life of elderly people. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors that influence the loss of functional capacity and the worsening of the quality of life of a representative sample of elderly people from a medium-sized city in the inner of São Paulo State, Brazil. Methodology: Questionnaires about activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Flanagan quality of life scale (FQOLS), sociodemographic and morbidities aspects were applied to the elderly people. In order to assess associated factors to functional capacity and quality of life, chi-square tests and logistic regression models were fitted including variables: gender, age group, marital status, income, education level, body mass index, abdominal circumference and some morbidities reported by the elderly people. The level of significance adopted for the statistical tests was 5%. Results: Elderly with age over 75 years old and not married had more risk to be dependent on ADL, while elderly with more than 75 years old, not married, income below one minimal wage, cardiovascular disease and be diabetic had more risk to be dependent by IADL. Already, people with excess of weight had smallest risk to be dependent by IADL, paradoxically. The elderly not married and with an income below a minimum wage had the worst quality of life. Conclusions: Population aging in Brazil is an evident factor, so it is hoped that this study will contribute to the greatest diligence on the issues of the elderly and related social problems.

Functional Capacity and Anemia in the Community Elderly

Anemia in the elderly population has been associated to clinical manifestations such as functional dependence, low cognitive performance, increased mortality and geriatric syndromes (dementia, delirium, depression and falls). Recent investigations have shown an association between low hemoglobin levels, reduction in muscular strength and physical fitness. The objective of this review was to identify, in the scientific literature, evidence of an association between anemia and functional capacity among older persons. PubMed and Bireme were used as references source. The most relevant evidence pointing towards this association was identified in the epidemiological studies Women’s Health and Aging Studies I and II (WHAS I and II). Functional capacity was evaluated by the walking, balance and sitting back and getting out of the chair tests. Elderly women with either 13 or 14 g/dl have a better performance compared to women with 12 g/dl of hemoglobin, respectively. This study also reported an increase in the mortality risk among women (65 years old and plus) living in community with less than 13.4 g/dl of hemoglobin. Participants were followed for 11 years. WHAS I and II investigators suggested a new criterion, already adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), to define anemia among elderly women. Conclusion: anemia is common among the elderly and may have an involvement in the impairment of their functional capacity. However, in spite of the importance of these findings, it should be emphasized that an etiologic association (anemia as a cause of functional impairment) has yet to be demonstrated.

Evaluation of the Functional Capacity of a Group of Patients Aged over 65 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study at the YaoundéCentral Hospital

Background: The functional capacity of elderly patients decreases with age due to a combination of age-related decline in physiologic functions and chronic diseases. A severe decrease leads to an inability to carry out activities of daily living leading to a loss of autonomy and increased dependence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional capacity of the elderly followed at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Methods: We carried out a non-probabilistic consecutive sampling of elderly patients that consulted in Yaoundé Central Hospital during a five-month’ period. Data was taken concerning their chronic conditions, use of medication, and presence of depressive symptoms (evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire). The presence of any cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cardiac ultrasonography and electrocardiograms were done to evaluate the cardiac morphology and physiology. Their functional capacity was assessed with the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the six-minute walk test. A self-paced step test was equally done to estimate the maximum oxygen consumption during aerobic exercise. We carried out aunivariate, and then multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with an altered functional status. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software 23.0. The threshold of significance was set at 0.05. Results: 66 participants were included (35 women) with a median age of 70 (IQR: 67 - 75) years. Among them, 39.4% were found to have an altered functional capacity, about 87.8% had at least one chronic condition and 47% had two or more. The most prevalent chronic condition was hypertension (71.2%) followed by heart failure (24.2%) and osteoarthritis (12.1%). Mild depressive symptoms were present in 1.5% of our study population. The factors associated with an altered functional capacity include age ≥ 75 years (OR = 2.9 p heart failure (OR: 3.2, p ), osteoarthritis (OR: 5.1, p ), and poor gait and balance (OR: 3.7, p ). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of altered functional capacity among elderly patients consulting at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Heart failure, osteoarthritis, and an increased risk of falls are associated with an altered functional capacity.

Relationship between Changes in Functional Capacity and Anthropometric, Clinical and Psychological Indicators in Cardiac Patients Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multifaceted treatment that can increase the survival and quality of life of cardiac patients by increasing their functional capacity (FC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the FC changes of cardiac patients after the CR program in different subgroups in terms of anthropometric, clinical, and psychological indices. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study that has been derived from the results of a Cohort study at the Rehabilitation Research Center of the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Isfahan (Iran), from 2006 to 2017. In this study, the dependent variable is functional capacity changes based on Mets obtained in exercise testing at the beginning and end of the CR program. Independent variables included age, sex, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and Body mass index, type of intervention, depression, and EF. Results: The sample size is 1250 cardiovascular patients, of which 917 (73.5%) are male and 331 (26.5%) are female. Functional capacity after the CR program significantly increased in all age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, depression, EF, and type of operation performed (angioplasty or open-heart surgery) subgroups, (p < 0.001). Using multiple linear regression analysis, a significant relationship was found between Mets changes and only the variables of gender, depression, and EF. Conclusion: The results of this study show the importance of rehabilitation programs in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in different subgroups and factors such as gender, level of primary depression, and EF less than 35 are the most important factors affecting functional capacity increase after CR program in heart patients.

Functional Capacity and Psychosocial Correlates of Exercise in Nigerian Patients with Hypertension

Objectives: Psychosocial factors are important determinants of cardiovascular health outcomes in rehabilitation. However, the relationship between exercise performance and individual factors remained poorly understood. This study investigated the relationship between functional capacity and psychosocial correlates of exercise in Nigerian patients with hypertension. Study Design and Setting: This quasi-experimental study recruited 120 patients with hypertension (≥140/90 ≤ 179/109 mmHg) from the Cardiac Care Unit of a Nigerian university teaching using purposive sampling technique. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walk test and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was estimated. Participants also underwent a 30-minute self-paced walking exercise. Thereafter, psychosocial correlates of exercise including exercise self-efficacy (ESE), social support (SoS), perceived exercise barrier (PEB) and socio-economic status (SES) were assessed using validated questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05 of significance. Results: A majority of the participants demonstrated high ESE (75.0%), moderate SoS (60.9%) and low PEB (71.7%). More than half (58.4%) of the participants were in the middle SES. Male and female participants were comparable in ESE scores (p = 0.554), SoS (p = 0.362) and six-minute walk distance (6-MWD) (p = 0.194) except in body mass index (p < 0.05). The mean 6-MWD and VO2 max were 350.6 ± 54.7 m and 9.74 ± 1.5 ml/kg/min respectively. There were significant correlations between functional capacity and each of ESE (r = 0.184;p = 0.026) and SoS (r = 0.374;p = 0.021). Conclusions: Psychosocial correlates of exercise including self-efficacy and social support were significantly associated with functional capacity among Nigerian patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Effect of Health Education Program on Self-Efficacy and Functional Capacity of Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Khartoum State-Sudan, 2015-2019

Coronary heart disease is among the most prevalent and costly of all global health problems. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been increasingly used since the 1960s. Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, including Sudan. Self-efficacy and functional capacity is a critical factor for quality of life in patients who has undergone CABG as well as for their caregivers from their families. Aim of the Study: To explore the effects of an educational program on self-efficacy and functional capacity of patients after CABG. 1) There will be no significant difference between the intervention group and control group concerning knowledge regarding Self-efficacy and functional capacity post CABG surgery. 2) The application of our educational program for the patients will enhance the patients with CABG surgery and improve knowledge about Self-efficacy and functional capacity post CABG surgery. 3) There are some socio demographic factors that affect the response to the educational program. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental, interventional and hospital-based study, including pre-test, a post-test and follow-up test, with a control group, conducted during the period from September 2014 to June 2019. Patients were recruited consecutively to the cases and control group using convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 76 patients;41 as cases and 35 as control group. The sample included those who had undergone CABG in Khartoum State. Relevant data were collected using a checklist to monitor the effect of a health education program on self-efficacy and functional capacity of the patients. Result: The results showed marked improvement in patients’ self-efficacy and functional capacity between pretest and posttest for the study group;p-value = (0.001) in the health status of cases in comparison to the control group. The indices were observed to be higher for patients who received a nursing educational program throughout the study period;p-value = (0.002).

An Assessment of Cardiovascular Functional Capacity of a Group of Chronic Heart Failure Patients Using the 6-Minute Walk Test in a Cameroonian Urban Setting

Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular functional capacity of a group of patients suffering from heart failure using the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the cardiology unit of Douala’s general hospital for 4 months. We included all eligible patients aged 18 years or more who had stable chronic heart failure and gave informed consent. Those who had an acute coronary syndrome (≤1 month), tachycardia (HR ≥ 120 bpm), high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg) and reduced mobility due to orthopaedic reasons were excluded. A 6 MWT was done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The 6 MWT result was considered poor for - 450 m and good for >450 m. Results: We recruited a total of 81 patients (61.7% women) with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.6 years. The most frequent risk factor for heart failure was high blood pressure (77.8%), alcohol consumption(69.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (53.1%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was mostly preserved (42.0%) or mildly altered (46.9). The 6 MWT results were poor in 55.6% of cases, average in 19.8% of cases and good in only 24.7% of cases. More than half (59.3%) of the participants perceived the effort as being difficult. The cardiovascular functional capacity was significantly associated with age, heart failure stage and physical activity (p Conclusion: Most patients suffering from chronic stable heart failure in the general hospital of Douala have poor cardiovascular functional capacity.

The correlation of deceleration capacity of rate with the cardiac function and micro-inflammatory state in patients with both primary hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective:To study the correlation of deceleration capacity of rate with the cardiac function and micro-inflammatory state in patients with both primary hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: A total of 60 patients with both primary hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated in our hospital between May 2012 and February 2016 were collected as the observation group, and 50 patients with primary hypertension who were treated in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. According to the median of deceleration capacity of rate (DC), the observation group of patients were further divided into high DC group and low DC group (n=30). The 24 h dynamic electrocardiogram of the included patients were obtained to calculate the DC value;color Doppler diasonograph was used to measure the echocardiogram of the two groups, and obtain the left cardiac function indexes and strain rate indexes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of serum pro-inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors.Results: The DC value of observation group was lower than that of control group;left cardiac function indexes IVSTd, LVIDd and LVIDs levels of low DC group and high DC group were higher than those of control group, strain rate indexes SRs, SRe and Sra levels were lower than those of control group, and serum pro-inflammatory factors CRP, IL-6, IL-18 and PCT contents were higher than those of control group while anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and IL-13 contents were lower than those of control group;IVSTd, LVIDd and LVIDs levels of low DC group were higher than those of high DC group, SRs, SRe and Sra levels were lower than those of high DC group, and serum CRP, IL-6, IL-18 and PCT contents were higher than those of high DC group while IL-10 and IL-13 contents were lower than those of high DC group.Conclusion:DC value is lower in patients with both primary hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and can intuitively reflect the cardiac function and systemic micro-inflammatory state.

Distribution of available soil water capacity in China

The available soil water capacity (ASWC) is important for studying crop production, agro-ecological zoning, irrigation planning, and land cover changes. Laboratory determined data of ASWC are often not available for most of soil profiles and the nationwide ASWC largely remains lacking in relevant soil data in China. This work was to estimate ASWC based on physical and chemical properties and analyze the spatial distribution of ASWC in China. The pedo-transfer functions (PTFs), derived from 220 survey data of ASWC, and the empirical data of ASWC based on soil texture were applied to quantify the ASWC. GIS technology was used to develop a spatial file of ASWC in China and the spatial distribution of ASWC was also analyzed. The results showed the value of ASWC ranges from 15 × 10-2 cm3·cm-3 to 22 × 10-2 cm3·cm-3 for most soil types, and few soil types are lower than 15 × 10-2 cm3·cm-3 or higher than 22 × 10-2 cm3·cm-3. The ASWC is different according to the complex soil types and their distribution. It is higher in the east than that in the west, and the values reduce from south to north except the northeastern part of China. The "high" values of ASWC appear in southeast, northeastern mountain regions and Northeast China Plain. The relatively "high" values of ASWC appear in Sichuan basin, Huang-Huai-Hai plain and the east of Inner Mongolia. The relatively "low" values are distributed in the west and the Loess Plateau of China. The "very low" value regions are the northern Tibetan Plateau and the desertified areas in northern China. In some regions, the ASWC changes according to the complex topography and different types of soils. Though there remains precision limitation, the spatial data of ASWC derived from this study are improved on current data files of soil water retention properties for Chinese soils. This study presents basic data and analysis methods for estimation and evaluation of ASWC in China.

Field Capacity in Black Soil Region, Northeast China

In this work, 23 black soil profiles were surveyed and 113 soil samples were collected to determine the field capacity (FC) of the black soil in Northeast China. The effectiveness of three methods measuring FC, the Wilcox method (WM), the undisturbed soil pressure plate method (PUM) and the air-dried sieved soil pressure plate method (PDM) were compared to select a suitable laboratory measurement method. Results show that the FC values measured by PDM are greater than those measured by PUM, and the values measured by PUM are greater than those measured by WM. PUM is more suitable for the determination of FC in the study area. One regression equation between PUM and PDM has been established through which undisturbed soil can be replaced by air-dried sieved soil, which is easier to get, to measure FC. FCs vary from 23.50% to 37.00%, with an average of 31.65%, which differ greatly among the 23 black soil profiles. FC is found to be significantly positively correlated with the silt content, clay content and bulk density of the soil, but significantly negatively correlated with the sand content. An empirical pedotransfer function is established to estimate the FC using available soil physical and chemical properties.

Ultimate Lateral Capacity of Rigid Pile in c–φ Soil

To date no analytical solution of the pile ultimate lateral capacity for the general c–φ soil has been obtained. In the present study, a new dimensionless embedded ratio was proposed and the analytical solutions of ultimate lateral capacity and rotation center of rigid pile in c–φ soils were obtained. The results showed that both the dimensionless ultimate lateral capacity and dimensionless rotation center were the univariate functions of the embedded ratio. Also,the ultimate lateral capacity in the c–φ soil was the combination of the ultimate lateral capacity（f;） in the clay, and the ultimate lateral capacity（f;） in the sand. Therefore, the Broms chart for clay, solution for clay（φ=0） put forward by Poulos and Davis, solution for sand（c=0） obtained by Petrasovits and Awad, and Kondner’s ultimate bending moment were all proven to be the special cases of the general solution in the present study. A comparison of the field and laboratory tests in 93 cases showed that the average ratios of the theoretical values to the experimental value ranged from 0.85 to 1.15. Also, the theoretical values displayed a good agreement with the test values.

THE EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM AND CAPACITY FOR JUMP MARKOV PROCESSES

Let X=(Omega,F,F-t,X(t),theta(t),P-x) be a jump Markov process with q-pair q(x)-q(x, A). In this paper, the equilibrium principle is established and equilibrium functions, energy, capacity and related problems is investigated in terms of the q-pair q(x)-q(x, A).