COVID-19 and telemedicine: A netnography approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has consolidated some trends that already existed in our society. Perhaps one of the most visible is the transformation of society towards greater digitisation. Digitalisation has gained weight in all aspects of our lives, and from the point of view of the health system we find an example in the slow historical adoption of telemedicine, which contrasts sharply with the massive conversion to this technology as a tool for social distancing. In this sense, the homebound population is the one most affected by the pandemic and the one that could benefit the most from the use of telemedicine. Using a netnography approach and based on the stimulus-organism-response paradigm, this study proposes to analyse the evolution of perception about telemedicine using the opinions expressed on Twitter. The primary technical tasks of the study incorporate the analysis of topics and the review of emotions and positive image perception using natural language processing. Specifically, tweets about telemedicine generated by the Spanish community are analysed in this work. The findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected emotions and topics of interest related to telemedicine. This has changed the image that it had and the behaviour of the Twitter community in Spain. In conclusion, the study results suggest that changes in health systems affect people's emotions and behaviours.

Explaining the Consumption Technology Acceptance in the Elderly Post-Pandemic: Effort Expectancy Does Not Matter.

Consumer technology has been enormously boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of the primary consumers being the elderly. In this scenario, it is necessary to consider the impact of technologies on different older generational cohorts to understand the future of a data-driven digital society fully. This research aims to explain the acceptance of social networking sites, a particular consumer technology, in the post-pandemic elderly population. Data were obtained from 1555 older adults in Chile based on a consumer technology acceptance model. The respondents were grouped according to their technological predisposition and their generation into three groups. Applying a multigroup analysis based on structural equation modelling reveals significant differences in the explanatory variables of the intention and use of this technology between the groups. And more remarkably, the effort expectancy is not statistically significant as a variable to explain this acceptance globally in either of the three groups. There are two principal contributions of this study. First, it shows why adults adopt consumer technology after the pandemic. Second, it validates a classification of elderly adults who use consumption technologies that are useful in understanding the heterogeneity of this phenomenon.

Adoption of social networking sites among older adults: The role of the technology readiness and the generation to identifying segments.

Older adults can take advantage of social networking sites (SNS). However, SNS are not without the access gap among elders. Assuming that the data are homogenous within the same population may not be precise in social science research. What is known about the heterogeneous nature of older people? Considering this issue and the lack of research to help reflect the heterogeneity of elderly users of technologies, this study aims to identify segments in the use of SNS by the elderly. Data were collected from older Chilean adults. Cluster analysis suggested different profiles of adult users regarding the Technology Readiness Index. We used a hybrid multigroup partial least squares-structural equation model, including the Pathmox algorithm, to identify segments in the structural model. Based on the technology readiness profiles and the generation, we identified three segments with different determinant effects to explain the intention to use SNS: independent elder, technological-apathetic elder, and technological-eager elder. The contributions from this study are triple. First, this study helps to better understand how the elderly adopt information technology. Second, this study complements the existing corpus of research on using the technology readiness index in the elderly population. Third, we used an innovative method to segment users in the acceptance technology model.

Acceptance of Social Networking Sites by Older People before and after COVID-19 Confinement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Chile, Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).

This study aims to examine the capacity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explain the intention to use social networking sites by older people in two time periods, before and after confinement due to the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the evolution of effects (paths) over time of TPB's determinants. Based on interviews from samples of 384 and 383 elderly Chilean adults collected before and after confinement, the evolution of the effects (paths) was analysed using the TPB model applying the PLS-SEM technique. The intention to use social networks and its association with three factors were evaluated: attitude toward the behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived control over the behaviour. The model explains the intention to use social networks by 27% before confinement, increasing its magnitude to 50% after confinement. After the period of confinement, their attitudes become more significant, their perceptions of control become less important, and social pressures remain permanent in predicting the behaviour. In conclusion, better access and greater use of social networks by older people during the lockdown period increased the predictive strength of the attitude towards these technologies.

Segmentation of Older Adults in the Acceptance of Social Networking Sites Using Machine Learning.

This study analyzes the most important predictors of acceptance of social network sites in a sample of Chilean elder people (over 60). We employ a novelty procedure to explore this phenomenon. This procedure performs apriori segmentation based on gender and generation. It then applies the deep learning technique to identify the predictors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, altruism, telepresence, social identity, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, perceived physical condition, social norms, habit, and trust) by segments. The predictor variables were taken from the literature on the use of social network sites, and an empirical study was carried out by quota sampling with a sample size of 395 older people. The results show different predictors of social network sites considering all the samples, baby boomer (born between 1947 and 1966) males and females, silent (born between 1927 and 1946) males and females. The high heterogeneity among older people is confirmed; this means that dealing with older adults as a uniform set of users of social network sites is a mistake. This study demonstrates that the four segments behave differently, and many diverse variables influence the acceptance of social network sites.

Corrigendum: Segmentation of Older Adults in the Acceptance of Social Networking Sites Using Machine Learning.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705715.].

Retinal Artery Contraction After Phenylephrine as a Cardiovascular Risk Biomarker.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We investigated the in vivo changes of artery diameter (AD) and vein diameter (VD) after topical phenylephrine 2.5% instillation, and its relationship with the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Healthy control patients were included. All of the participants underwent enhanced depth imaging by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before and 30 minutes after phenylephrine instillation, using eye-tracking and follow-up software. Changes in AD and VD were assessed. RESULTS: The study included 45 eyes of 45 patients (14 males and 31 females). The mean age was 58.6 ± 15.1 years (26-88 years). Mean SCORE risk estimation value was 2.0 (0-14). No significant correlation was found between pre-phenylephrine AD or VD with age (p=0.237 and p=0.821, respectively), SCORE (p=0.545 and p=0.723, respectively). AD significant thinned after phenylephrine (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes could be depicted in VD (p=0.474). Changes in AD after phenylephrine were significantly related with SCORE risk estimation (p=0.035). Discordantly, changes in VD after phenylephrine were not significantly related with SCORE (p=0.505). CONCLUSION: As a significant thinning of AD occurred following phenylephrine instillation, and as the magnitude of this thinning is related with SCORE, it is useful to test the retinal artery contraction to infer the cardiovascular health status.

Social Network Communications in Chilean Older Adults.

The growth of older adults in new regions poses challenges for public health. We know that these seniors live increasingly alone, and this impairs their health and general wellbeing. Studies suggest that social networking sites (SNS) can reduce isolation, improve social participation, and increase autonomy. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the characteristics of older adult users of SNS in these new territories. Without this information, it is not possible to improve the adoption of SNS in this population. Based on decision trees, this study analyzes how the elderly users of various SNS in Chile are like. For this purpose, a segmentation of the different groups of elderly users of social networks was constructed, and the most discriminating variables concerning the use of these applications were classified. The results highlight the existence of considerable differences between the various social networks analyzed in their use and characterization. Educational level is the most discriminating variable, and gender influences the types of SNS use. In general, it is observed that the higher the educational level, the more the different social networking sites are used.

Peripapillary and macular choroidal thickness before and after phenylephrine instillation.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of topical phenylephrine 2.5% instillation on choroidal thickness (CT), peripapillary choroidal thickness (pCT) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). METHODS: Healthy control patients underwent enhanced depth imaging (EDI) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and 30 min after phenylephrine instillation, using eye-tracking and follow-up software. Changes in 14 different locations of CT, 2 locations of pCT and RNFL were assessed. RESULTS: The study included 119 eyes of 62 patients (19 males and 43 females), with a mean age of 59.8 ± 15.3 years (range: 26-88 years). Within 30 min after instillation, the mean subfoveal CT both in vertical and horizontal scan were significantly thinned (p = 0.005 and p = 0.018, respectively). In total, 1500, 1000 and 500 µm temporal CT measurements showed also a significant thinning (p = 0.021, p = 0.037 and p = 0.020, respectively), as well as 500 µm both superior (p = 0.045) and inferior (p = 0.009). 1500, 1000 and 500 µm nasal CT, and 1500 and 1000 µm CT superior and inferior measurements showed no significant thinning after phenylephrine instillation. pCT was significantly thinned after phenylephrine in both superior (p = 0.016) and inferior (p = 0.050) measurements. RNFL analysis did not significantly change after phenylephrine instillation (p = 0.209). CONCLUSIONS: A significant thinning of CT and pCT occurred following phenylephrine instillation. Future studies analysing CT and pCT should detail if this mydriatic agent was used or not.

Gender and Acceptance of E-Learning: A Multi-Group Analysis Based on a Structural Equation Model among College Students in Chile and Spain.

The scope of this study was to evaluate whether the adoption of e-learning in two universities, and in particular, the relationship between the perception of external control and perceived ease of use, is different because of gender differences. The study was carried out with participating students in two different universities, one in Chile and one in Spain. The Technology Acceptance Model was used as a theoretical framework for the study. A multi-group analysis method in partial least squares was employed to relate differences between groups. The four main conclusions of the study are: (1) a version of the Technology Acceptance Model has been successfully used to explain the process of adoption of e-learning at an undergraduate level of study; (2) the finding of a strong and significant relationship between perception of external control and perception of ease of use of the e-learning platform; (3) a significant relationship between perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use and between results demonstrability and perceived usefulness is found; (4) the study indicates a few statistically significant differences between males and females when adopting an e-learning platform, according to the tested model.

Evaluación de la dinámica cardíaca durante 16 horas mediante una ley matemática exponencial

Marco teórico. Con base en la teoría de los sistemas dinámicos, fue establecida una ley matemática exponencial que al ser aplicada a los sistemas cardíacos caóticos, permitió cuantificar estados de normalidad y enfermedad, siendo también posible encontrar el número total de dinámicas cardíacas a partir de esta comprensión matemática del fenómeno. En este estudio se evaluó la aplicabilidad clínica y utilidad diagnóstica de la ley exponencial en 300 registros electrocardiográficos continuos y estudios Holter, en 16 horas. Material y métodos. A partir de 300 registros electrocardiográficos continuos y estudios Holter, dentro de los cuales 50 presentaban diagnóstico convencional de normalidad y los restantes 250 algún tipo de patología, se construyeron los mapas de retardo para cada dinámica cardíaca. Seguidamente, se calculó la dimensión fractal y los espacios de ocupación de los atractores. Se realizó la evaluación matemática en 16 y 21 horas, mediante la ley exponencial, y se llevó a cabo la validación estadística. Resultados. Se obtuvo que los valores para la rejilla Kp entre 203 y 346 correspondían a normalidad, mientras que valores entre 35 y 197 correspondían a enfermedad, en 16 horas. El valor encontrado para el coeficiente Kappa fue de 1, la sensibilidad y especificidad fueron de 100%. Conclusiones. Se logró establecer que la metodología matemática permite realizar diagnósticos certeros en 16 horas, comprobándose su aplicabilidad en 300 registros electrocardiográficos.

Background. Based on the theory of dynamic systems, an exponential mathematical law was established that, when applied to chaotic cardiac systems, allowed to quantify states of normality and disease, being also possible to find the total number of cardiac dynamics from This mathematical understanding of the phenomenon, in this study, evaluated the clinical applicability and diagnostic utility of the exponential law in 300 continuous electrocardiographic records and Holter tests, in 16 hours. Methods. With 300 continuous electrocardiographic registers and Holter tests, of which 50 presented conventional diagnosis of normality and the remaining 250 some type of pathology, the delay maps were constructed for each cardiac dynamics. Next, the fractal dimension and the spaces of occupation of the attractors were calculated. It was made the mathematical evaluation in 16 and 21 hours, using the exponential law and the statistical validation was performed. Results. It was obtained that the values for the grid Kp between 203 and 346 corresponded to normality, whereas values between 35 and 197 corresponded to disease, in 16 hours. The value found for the Kappa coefficient was 1; the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Conclusion. It was possible to establish that the mathematical methodology allows to make accurate diagnoses in 16 hours, being proved its applicability in 300 electrocardiographic registers.

Introdução. Com base na teoria de sistemas dinâmicos, foi criada uma lei matemática exponencial que quando aplicada a sistemas cardíacos caóticos permitidos estados Quantificar de normalidade e doença, também é possível encontrar o número total de dinâmica cardíaca de Essa compreensão matemática do fenômeno, neste estudo, avaliou a aplicabilidade clínica e a utilidade diagnóstica da lei exponencial em 300 registros eletrocardiográficos contínuos e estudos Holter, em 16 horas. Material e métodos. A partir de 300 registros eletrocardiográficos contínuos e estudos Holter, dentre os quais 50 apresentaram diagnóstico normal de normalidade e os demais 250 algum tipo de patologia, os mapas de atraso para cada dinâmica cardíaca foram construídos. Em seguida, calculou-se a dimensão fractal e os espaços de ocupação dos atratores. A avaliação matemática foi realizada às 16 e 21 horas, por meio da lei exponencial, e a validação estatística foi realizada. Resultados. Obteve-se que os valores da malha do Kp entre 203 e 346 correspondiam à normalidade, enquanto os valores entre 35 e 197 correspondiam à doença, em 16 horas. O valor encontrado para o coeficiente Kappa foi de 1, a sensibilidade e especificidade foram de 100%. Conclusões. Estabeleceu-se que a metodologia matemática permite realizar diagnósticos precisos em 16 horas, verificando sua aplicabilidade em 300 registros eletrocardiográficos.

Climate change and habitat fragmentation drive the occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, at the northeastern limit of its distribution.

Lyme borreliosis is rapidly emerging in Canada, and climate change is likely a key driver of the northern spread of the disease in North America. We used field and modeling approaches to predict the risk of occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease in North America. We combined climatic and landscape variables to model the current and future (2050) potential distribution of the black-legged tick and the white-footed mouse at the northeastern range limit of Lyme disease and estimated a risk index for B. burgdorferi from these distributions. The risk index was mostly constrained by the distribution of the white-footed mouse, driven by winter climatic conditions. The next factor contributing to the risk index was the distribution of the black-legged tick, estimated from the temperature. Landscape variables such as forest habitat and connectivity contributed little to the risk index. We predict a further northern expansion of B. burgdorferi of approximately 250-500 km by 2050 - a rate of 3.5-11 km per year - and identify areas of rapid rise in the risk of occurrence of B. burgdorferi. Our results will improve understanding of the spread of Lyme disease and inform management strategies at the most northern limit of its distribution.

Abscesos primarios del pulmón / Primary lung abscess

Se presenta la experiencia recogida en el tratamiento de 23 pacientes con abscesos primarios del pulmón, asistidos entre los años 1965 y 1987. Se los analiza desde el punto de vista clínico, bacteriológico y terapéutico. Recibieron tratamiento médico 15 enfermos y médico-quirúrgico 8. Se efectuaron 7 neumonostomías y 2 lobectomías. La neumonostomía fue la operación de elección para aquellos pacientes que presentaban severo compromiso del estado general debido al cuadro toxinfeccioso; este procedimiento permitió la curación o al menos una mejoría ostensible. La lobectomía se indicó en la az crónica, constituyéndose en la resección de elección. La mortalidad en la presente serie fue de 4 casos, no imputables al absceso pulmonar

Carcinoide bronquial / Bronchial carcinoid

Se presentan 32 pacientes portadores de tumores carcinoides bronquiales que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Se hace mención a su histogénesis, morfología, características clínicas y biológicas. Se pone énfasis en la importancia de la broncoscopia para su diagnóstico. No se observó el sindrome carcinoide. Se efectuaron 4 broncotomias, 2 enucleaciones, 14 lobectomias, 2 bilobectomias, 8 neumonectomias, 1 resección segmentaria y 1 toracotomia para explorar. Si bien es un tumor de baja malignidad puede dar metástasis. Tres pacientes presentaban metástasis regionales y 2 a distancia; la tendencia biológica agresiva para esta serie fue del 16.1%. Un paciente falleció por progresión de la enfermedad

Tuberculosis peritoneal / Peritoneal tuberculosis

Se presentan 8 casos de tuberculosis enteroperitoneal tratados en un hospital general de agudos entre 1982 y 1984. En 5 casos de tuberculosis peritoneal se llegó al diagnóstico por laparotomía: 3 por cuadro agudo simulando otra patología y 2 por coexistencia de otra enfermedad sintomática. El relator comenta a su vez la experiencia de un hospital especializado (61 casos entre 1972 y 1986). Se destaca el subdiagnóstico en la etapa eguda

Neumotórax espontáneo: nuestra experiencia / Spontaneous pneumothorax: our experience

Se presenta 149 casos de neumotórax espontáneo tratados entre enero de 1979 y diciembre de 1985. En 14 pacientes (con neumotórax espontáneo leve se realizó únicamente tratamiento médico recurriéndose al drenaje en los 135 restantes; 20 pacientes requirieron avenamiento. En 32 pacientes se realizaron toracotomías por la no resolución del neumotórax (1 cada 5 pacientes); se efectuó la sutura de la efracción pleuroparenquimatosa o la resección de bullas respetando en todos los casos al máximo el tejido pulmonar. Se utilizó la sutura convencional o mecánica, se efectuaron 4 pleurectomías parietales parciales y la abrasión pleural en todos los casos. El tratamiento médico fue efectivo en el 85%. El 75% de los casos drenados curó con 1 ó 2 avenamientos y de los toracotomizados curó el 100%

Neumotórax espontáneos atípicos / Atipic spontaneous neumothorax

Consideramos neumotórax espontáneos atípicos a aquéllos que difieren de la mayoría por aspectos diversos. Tres de esas situaciones están constituídas por el neumotórax espontáneo bilateral simultáneo, el neumotórax espontáneo contralateral postneumonectomía y el hemoneumotórax espontáneo grave; se caracterizan por el riesgo real o potencial de descompensación funcional respiratoria y cardiovascular de los pacientes y el peligro de muerte. Por ello es necesario un rápido diagnóstico y un manejo táctico terapéutico oportuno, temprano y eficaz. Se analizan 1384 neumotórax espontáneos seleccionados de los tratados entre 1960 y 1994; 38 de estos casos los consideramos neumotórax atípicos: 19 neumotórax bilaterales simultáneos; 3 neumotórax contralaterales postneumonectomía y 16 hemoneumotórax espontáneos graves. De los neumotórax bilaterales simultáneos, 17 fueron hombres y 2 mujeres, con una edad media de 37 años (rango 18 a 56 años); 8 casos debutaron con neumotórax bilateral simultáneo y 11 habían tenido episodios previos de neumotórax unilateral. Todos se trataron quirúrgicamente y evolucionaron bien, salvo uno que falleció por la enfermedad de base. Se observaron tres casos de neumotórax espontáneo contralateral post-neumonectomía: 2 postneumonectomía derecha por cáncer (uno 5 años y otro 20 años después de la resección) y 1 postneumonectomía izquierda por tuberculosis (18 años después de la neumonectomía). Un caso se trató con reposo y 2 con avenamiento pleural, falleciendo uno de éstos. Los hemoneumotórax espontáneos graves fueron 16: 14 hombres y 2 mujeres, con una edad media de 31 años (rango de 19 a 44 años): 6 se trataron con toracotomía inicial por descompensación hemodinámica y 10 mediante toracotomía secundaria por persistencia de hemorragia por el tubo de drenaje. Todos evolucionaron bien. En el neumotórax bilateral simultáneo se debe efectuar eventual resección de bullas y algún procedimiento de pleurodesis, al menos en un lado para evitar su recidiva, ya sea a través de toracotomía amplia, toracotomía oligotraumática o mini-invasiva, o videocirugía. En el neumotórax contralateral postneumonectomía es conveniente el tratamiento mediante avenamiento pleural con anestesia local y anestesista preparado para intubación rápida de ser necesario. En el hemoneumotórax espontáneo severo, si el cuadro hemorrágico es grave de entrada es indicación de toracotomía amplia o videocirugía iniciales, para rápida hemostasia. Si persiste hemorragia por el avenamiento pleural, la toracotomía o videocirugía estarán indicadas secundariamente

Tumores conjuntivos-vasculares del mediastino / Conjuntivo-vascular mediastinal tumors

Se trataron, entre 1970 y 1993, 31 tumores conjuntivovasculares, sobre un total de 284 tumores del mediastino: 19 eran hombres con una edad promedio de 38 años; 21 (67,7 por ciento) fueron benignos (10 lipomas; 5 fibromas; 1 mixoma; 1 condroma; 2 linfangiomas quísticos y 2 mesoteliomas benignos) y 10 (32,3 por ciento) malignos (1 liposarcoma; 2 lipomixosarcomas; 3 fibrosarcomas; 1 sarcoma de Ewing; 1 hemangiopericitoma maligno y 2 reticulosarcomas). Salvo 1 fibrosarcoma y los 2 reticulosarcomas, todos los otros se trataron quirúrgicamente. De los benignos falleció un lipoma gigante por inexpansibilidad pulmonar postoperatoria. Los malignos fallecieron todos a largo plazo, con mejor "confort" postoperatorio en algunos. El diagnóstico es difícil, a veces, en especial en lo referente a su eventual naturaleza maligna. En algunas localizaciones se plantea diagnóstico diferencial con otras patologías mediastinales: hernias de Morgagni en los previscerales inferiores, neurogénicos en los mediastinales posteriores, otras formaciones quísticas en los linfangiomas quísticos. En los linfangiomas quísticos podría indicarse tratamiento por videotoracoscopia. En los restantes, inclusive malignos, está indicada la exéresis quirúrgica, por la ineficacia de otros tratamientos. En tumores muy grandes puede plantearse la resección en dos tiempos para facilitar la readaptación pulmonar. En tumores muy grandes e invasivos conviene efectuar resección parcial pero más segura