Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: Background: Independence in daily activities is defined as the ability to perform functions related to daily living, i.e. the capacity of living independently in the community with little or no help from others. Objective: We focused on non-attenders as a subgroup of patients whose health status is not well known to family practice teams. Our goal was to estimate the prevalence of dependence and its severity level in the daily activities of patients, and to determine the factors that are associated with the occurrence of dependence. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Settings and participants: Data was obtained in family medicine settings. Participants in the study were adults living in the community (aged 18 or over) who had not visited their chosen family physician in the last 5 years (non-attenders) and who were able to participate in the study. Through the electronic system, we identified 2,025 non-attenders. Community nurses collected data in the participants' homes. The outcome measure was dependence in daily activities, assessed through eight items: personal hygiene; eating and drinking; mobility; dressing and undressing; urination and defecation; continence; avoiding hazards in the environment; and communication. Results: The final sample consisted of 1,999 patients (98.7% response rate). The mean age was 59.9 (range 20 to 99). Dependence in daily activities was determined in 466 or 23.3% (95% CI: [21.5, 25.2]) of the patients. Older patients (over 60 years), with at least one chronic disease, increased risk of falling, moderate feelings of loneliness and a lower self-assessment of health were statistically significantly more likely to be dependent in their daily activities, according to our multivariate model. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of family practice non-attenders were found to be dependent in daily activities, though at a low level. We identified several factors associated with this dependence. This could help to identify people at risk of being dependent in daily activities in the general adult population, and enable specific interventions that would improve their health status.
Keywords: family medicine, ability to perform functions, daily activities
Published in DKUM: 17.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (910,89 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Exposure to mass media in today’s world is metaphorically starting to equal the process of breathing air; scrolling through social media has become a part of everyday routine, and students use their smartphones for lengthy durations and for a variety of chores that stem from responsibilities as well as from their hobbies. The aim of this master's thesis is to offer an insight into the possibility of integrating TikTok and English language education, as perceived by Slovene students in the third triennium of primary school. We employed a questionnaire to explore the opinions of students (grades 7 – 9) in the Podravje region. The results revealed that students are loyal users of the app, on which they encounter English content to a greater extent and share a good understanding of the language. They recognize TikTok’s potential for improving different language skills (predominantly speaking), and are familiar with English teaching channels on the app. The results portray a moderate preference for using TikTok in the ELT classroom, mostly due to inexperience and linking social media solely to leisure time. Teachers should at least consider incorporating TikTok in accordance with their students’ needs and preferences or share advice on finding valuable resources on the platform.
Keywords: ICT, social media, English language learning, extramural activities, language skills
Published in DKUM: 04.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 41
Full text (2,48 MB)

Abstract: Background Sarcopenia is a common skeletal muscle syndrome that is common in older adults but can be mitigated by adequate and regular physical activity. The development and severity of sarcopenia is favored by several factors, the most influential of which are a sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity. The aim of this observational longitudinal cohort study was to evaluate changes in sarcopenia parameters, based on the EWGSOP2 definition in a population of active older adults after eight years. It was hypothesized that selected active older adults would perform better on sarcopenia tests than the average population. Methods The 52 active older adults (22 men and 30 women, mean age: 68.4±5.6 years at the time of their first evaluation) participated in the study at two time points eight-years apart. Three sarcopenia parameters were assessed at both time points: Muscle strength (handgrip test), skeletal muscle mass index, and physical performance (gait speed), these parameters were used to diagnose sarcop0enia according to the EWGSOP2 definition. Additional motor tests were also performed at follow-up measurements to assess participants’ overall fitness. Participants self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior using General Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up measurements. Results In the first measurements we did not detect signs of sarcopenia in any individual, but after 8 years, we detected signs of sarcopenia in 7 participants. After eight years, we detected decline in ; muscle strength (-10.2%; p<.001), muscle mass index (-5.4%; p<.001), and physical performance measured with gait speed (-28.6%; p<.001). Similarly, self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior declined, too (-25.0%; p=.030 and −48.5%; p<.001, respectively). Conclusions Despite expected lower scores on tests of sarcopenia parameters due to age-related decline, participants performed better on motor tests than reported in similar studies. Nevertheless, the prevalence of sarcopenia was consistent with most of the published literature. Trial registration The clinical trial protocol was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04899531
Keywords: elderly, physical activities, sedentary behavior, skeletal muscle disorder, sarcopenia
Published in DKUM: 25.03.2024; Views: 276; Downloads: 8
Full text (1,47 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Although Slovenia is becoming an aging society, very little is known about the abilities and needs of home-dwelling older people or their preferences regarding assistance. The aim of the study was to explore the need for assistance in daily activities among older Slovenian people living at home. Older adults aged between 65 and 97 years (N = 358) participated in the crosssectional survey study. A questionnaire that assessed independence in daily activities and assistance in the home environment was developed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a nonparametric test (Wilcoxon signed rank test), and the chi-square test. The results showed that older Slovenians were more independent in activities of daily living (ADLs) than instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Independence was the highest for using the toilet, feeding, and mobility transfers, and the lowest for bathing. With IADLs, assistance was most often required with shopping and housework; this assistance was usually provided by family members. The provider of assistance was generally compatible with older people’s preferences concerning assistance at home. We found no differences in care preferences between urban and rural settings. Assistance in the home environment was predominantly provided by unpaid helpers, which reflects recent developments in health and social services that put an emphasis on a person’s social network. Due to demographic changes and the decrease in the number of adult children, reliance on close relatives might soon become a challenge. These findings can help policy makers understand older people’s choices and preferences better when planning long-term care.
Keywords: older adults, activities of daily living, intergenerational support, long-term care, aging in place
Published in DKUM: 14.07.2023; Views: 518; Downloads: 33
Full text (157,18 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The purpose of this master's thesis was to determine the ability of certain organisms of the kingdom Fungi to produce a series of enzymes in their active form by solid-state fermentation. In this study, two types of fungi were used, Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum. For this purpose, different growth media, cultivation times (8 and 10 days), extraction procedures (shaking and homogenization) and extraction medium (distilled water, sodium citrate buffer and sodium phosphate buffer) were used. First, for P. ostreatus mushroom, the optimization of the extraction procedure and time for isolation of enzymes in their active form (α-amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase, laccase, and protease) was studied. It was observed that the highest total protein concentration in mycelium extract was obtained by 8 min of homogenization (0.8607 mg/mL, and distilled water). Using the shaking procedure, the highest enzyme activities were achieved for α-amylase (24 h, 8.0413 U/mL, and sodium citrate buffer) and protease (3 h, 0.0040 U/mL, and sodium citrate buffer). With the homogenization process, the highest activities were achieved for the enzymes glucoamylase (10 min, 6.7113 U/mL, and sodium citrate buffer) and laccase (8 min, 12.2500 U/mL, and sodium citate buffer). For the mushroom G. lucidum, the growth medium and the extraction procedure were optimized, using the same extraction medium (sodium citrate buffer). In this case, α-amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase, laccase, protease, catalase, peroxidase, superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and lipase were studied. It was observed that the highest total protein concentration was obtained with 4 min of homogenization (0.0338 mg/mL). Furthermore, using the homogenization process, the highest activities were achieved for α-amylase (4 min, 16.3459 U/mL) and SOD (4 min, 9.2615 U/mL). With the shaking procedure, the highest activities were achieved for cellulase (3 h, 1.6332 U/mL), lipase (3 h, 16.924 U/mL), glucoamylase (3 h, 14.6737 U/mL), peroxidase (3 h, 0.0156 U/mL), protease (3 h, 0.0080 U/mL) and laccase (24 h, 20.7083 U/mL).
Keywords: medicinal mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum, total proteins, enzymes activities.
Published in DKUM: 06.07.2022; Views: 1836; Downloads: 42
Full text (2,56 MB)