scholarly journals Improving efficiency of clinical studies by a novel, total digital approach: The Red Heart Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Schenck-Gustafsson ◽  
Carina Carnlöf ◽  
Mats Jensen-Urstad ◽  
Per Insulander
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Heart Study ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time ◽  
Monitor Device

BACKGROUND In general, most clinical studies in patients and healthy volunteers take a longer time to finalize than original planned because of the long recruitment periods. Especially signing the informed consent is time-consuming OBJECTIVE The objectives were to explore if inclusion of a large number of participants could be done quickly by using a total digital approach both for information and signing of informed consent and if a totally web-based inclusion would result in a geographically more uniform distribution of participants METHODS In the Red Heart Study, women with palpitations were intensively studied during two months by means of a handheld ECG monitor device (Coala Heart Monitor), It connects to a smartphone or tablet so the participants can get an immediate response of the results. Recruitment, study information and signing the informed consent were total digital. The informed consent was signed digitally with the help of Swedish eAuthentication (Bank ID). RESULTS Between March and May 2018, 2 424 persons announced interest to participate in the study. On June 19th, 2018, presumptive participants were invited to log in to the website to answer baseline questionnaires and sign informed consent. The recruitment was completed on the 13th of July-after 25 days with 1 089 women included. About 100°000 thumb ECG and 100°000 chest ECG recordings were performed. The mean age of the women was 56±11 years (range 21-88 years). Thirty-five participants were 75 years or older. No participant had any difficulties with this the full digital approach. The participants were evenly distributed between living in the countryside (n=525) and in the cities (n=438). CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-time researchers have used eAuthentication at online signing of informed consent. Fully digitalized inclusion recruitment of 1 089 participants was done in 45 days. This novel approach also resulted in a more evenly geographically distribution of participants CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN22495299

scholarly journals Development of an Embedded Myokinetic Prosthetic Hand Controller

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (14) ◽  
pp. 3137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Clemente ◽  
Valerio Ianniciello ◽  
Marta Gherardini ◽  
Christian Cipriani
Keyword(s):  
Embedded System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Magnetic Field Sensors ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Magnetic Markers ◽  
First Time

The quest for an intuitive and physiologically appropriate human machine interface for the control of dexterous prostheses is far from being completed. In the last decade, much effort has been dedicated to explore innovative control strategies based on the electrical signals generated by the muscles during contraction. In contrast, a novel approach, dubbed myokinetic interface, derives the control signals from the localization of multiple magnetic markers (MMs) directly implanted into the residual muscles of the amputee. Building on this idea, here we present an embedded system based on 32 magnetic field sensors and a real time computation platform. We demonstrate that the platform can simultaneously localize in real-time up to five MMs in an anatomically relevant workspace. The system proved highly linear (R2 = 0.99) and precise (1% repeatability), yet exhibiting short computation times (4 ms) and limited cross talk errors (10% the mean stroke of the magnets). Compared to a previous PC implementation, the system exhibited similar precision and accuracy, while being ~75% faster. These results proved for the first time the viability of using an embedded system for magnet localization. They also suggest that, by using an adequate number of sensors, it is possible to increase the number of simultaneously tracked MMs while introducing delays that are not perceivable by the human operator. This could allow to control more degrees of freedom than those controllable with current technologies.

RESULTS OF INTRALESIONAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR CHALAZION TREATMENT

2011 ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
Viet Hien Vo ◽  
Thi Em Do
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽  
Lower Eyelid ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Interventional Trial ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

The study use intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection proceduce for chalazion treatment.1. Objectives: To evaluate results of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment. 2. Method: This noncomparative prospective interventional trial included 72 chalazions of 61 patients. 3. Results: 61 patients (72 chalazions) with 19 males (31.1%) và 42 females (68.9%), the mean age was 24 ± 9,78 years. 31.1% patients was the first time chalazion and 68.9% patients was more than one times chalazion including 78.6% patients was recurrent at the first position and 21.4% patients occur at new position. 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions was treated before and 56 (77.8%) chalazions wasn’t done that. 72 chalazions with 49 chalazions (68.1%) are local in upper eyelid and 23 chalazions (31.9%) are local in lower eyelid. The mean of chalazion diameter is 6.99 ± 3.03mm. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is injected to treat 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions are injected through the route of skin and 56 (77.8%) chalazions are injected through the route of conjunctiva. After 2 weeks follow-up, the success rate was 93.1% and 6.9% failed. 4. Conclusion: intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment is really effective. Key words: chalazion, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide.

Synthesis of a silymarin-gold nanoparticle conjugate and analysis of its liver-protecting activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Staroverov ◽  
Sergey Kozlov ◽  
Alexander Fomin ◽  
Konstantib Gabalov ◽  
Alexey Volkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Carbon Tetrachloride ◽  
Glutathione Depletion ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Experimental Hepatitis ◽  
Acute Liver Disease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
First Time

Background: The liver disease problem prompts investigators to search for new methods of liver treatment. Introduction: Silymarin (Sil) protects the liver by reducing the concentration of free radicals and the extent of damage to the cell membranes. A particularly interesting method to increase the bioavailability of Sil is to use synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as reagents. The study considered whether it was possible to use the silymarin-AuNP conjugate as a potential liver-protecting drug. Method: AuNPs were conjugated to Sil and examine the liver-protecting activity of the conjugate. Experimental hepatitis and hepatocyte cytolysis after carbon tetrachloride actionwere used as a model system, and the experiments were conducted on laboratory animals. Result: For the first time, silymarin was conjugated to colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electron microscopy showed that the resultant preparations were monodisperse and that the mean conjugate diameter was 18–30 nm ± 0.5 nm (mean diameter of the native nanoparticles, 15 ± 0.5 nm). In experimental hepatitis in mice, conjugate administration interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes in response to carbon tetrachloride was conducive to an increase in energy metabolism, and stimulated the monocyte–macrophage function of the liver. The results were confirmed by the high respiratory activity of the hepatocytes in cell culture. Conclusion: We conclude that the silymarin-AuNP conjugate holds promise as a liver-protecting agent in acute liver disease caused by carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

scholarly journals Multispecies for multifunctions: combining four complementary species enhances multifunctionality of sown grassland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Suter ◽  
Olivier Huguenin-Elie ◽  
Andreas Lüscher
Keyword(s):  
Forage Quality ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Mixture Effects ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Forage ◽  
Diversity Effects ◽  
Species Mixtures

AbstractAssessing the overall performance of ecosystems requires a quantitative evaluation of multifunctionality. We investigated plant species diversity effects on individual functions and overall multifunctionality in a grassland experiment with sown monocultures and mixtures comprising four key grass and legume species. Nitrogen fertilisation rates were 50, 150, and 450 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N50, N150, N450). Ten functions were measured representing forage production, N cycling, and forage quality, all being related to either productivity or environmental footprint. Multifunctionality was analysed by a novel approach using the mean log response ratio across functions. Over three experimental years, mixture effects benefited all forage production and N cycling functions, while sustaining high forage quality. Thus, mixture effects did not provoke any trade-off among the analysed functions. High N fertilisation rates generally diminished mixture benefits. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures was considerably enhanced, and mixture overall performance was up to 1.9 (N50), 1.8 (N150), and 1.6 times (N450) higher than in averaged monocultures. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures at N50 was at least as high as in grass monocultures at N450. Sown grass–legume mixtures combining few complementary species at low to moderate N fertilisation sustain high multifunctionality and are a ‘ready-to-use’ option for the sustainable intensification of agriculture.

scholarly journals Differential Expression of Serum Exosome microRNAs and Cytokines in Influenza A and B Patients Collected in the 2016 and 2017 Influenza Seasons

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Sreekumar Othumpangat ◽  
William G. Lindsley ◽  
Donald H. Beezhold ◽  
Michael L. Kashon ◽  
Carmen N. Burrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Airway Epithelial Cells ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Novel Approach

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have remarkable stability and are key regulators of mRNA transcripts for several essential proteins required for the survival of cells and replication of the virus. Exosomes are thought to play an essential role in intercellular communications by transporting proteins and miRNAs, making them ideal in the search for biomarkers. Evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in the regulation of influenza virus replication in many cell types. During the 2016 and 2017 influenza season, we collected blood samples from 54 patients infected with influenza and from 30 healthy volunteers to identify the potential role of circulating serum miRNAs and cytokines in influenza infection. Data comparing the exosomal miRNAs in patients with influenza B to healthy volunteers showed 76 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (p < 0.05). In contrast, 26 miRNAs were differentially expressed between patients with influenza A (p < 0.05) and the controls. Of these miRNAs, 11 were commonly expressed in both the influenza A and B patients. Interferon (IFN)-inducing protein 10 (IP-10), which is involved in IFN synthesis during influenza infection, showed the highest level of expression in both influenza A and B patients. Influenza A patients showed increased expression of IFNα, GM-CSF, interleukin (IL)-13, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, while influenza B induced increased levels of EGF, G-CSF, IL-1α, MIP-1α, and TNF-β. In addition, hsa-miR-326, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-885, hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-133a-3p, and hsa-miR-150-5p showed high correlations to IL-6, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) with both strains of influenza. Next-generation sequencing studies of H1N1-infected human lung small airway epithelial cells also showed similar pattern of expression of miR-375-5p, miR-143-3p, 199a-3p, and miR-199a-5p compared to influenza A patients. In summary, this study provides insights into the miRNA profiling in both influenza A and B virus in circulation and a novel approach to identify the early infections through a combination of cytokines and miRNA expression.

scholarly journals Urban temporary housing environments—from a systematic comparison towards an integrated typology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Stocker ◽  
Gerda Schneider ◽  
Julia Zeilinger ◽  
Gloria Rose ◽  
Doris Damyanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Housing Demand ◽  
Economic Aspects ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Systematic Comparison ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Environmental Events ◽  
First Time

AbstractHousing plays a central role in everyday life and the fulfillment of human needs. Temporary housing demand can occur due to migration, extreme environmental events or personal decisions, and is expected to increase in the upcoming years. This study aims to create a general understanding of temporary housing. We conducted an integrated comparison of 66 international temporary housing examples via tabulation (table work), in an interdisciplinary manner considering details regarding built structure, open spaces, area, infrastructure, organizational and socio-economic aspects. It is the first time that a systematic comparison via tabulation (based on the approach of Braun-Blanquet) is used to classify temporary housing environments. The process is described in detail. The application of the systematic comparison creates a detailed typology that allows extensions and further differentiations. The types that emerge from the tabulation have specific concepts regarding the structural-spatial organization, technical infrastructure, and organizational matters, among others. The typology was further examined in the context of previous groupings in published literature. This novel approach of analyzing and structuring temporary housing offers a comprehensive perspective that can work as a universal understanding and language for precise communication among different disciplines regarding temporary housing.

scholarly journals Neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the population mean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaigham Tahir ◽  
Hina Khan ◽  
Muhammad Aslam ◽  
Javid Shabbir ◽  
Yasar Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Mean Square Error ◽  
Auxiliary Information ◽  
Population Parameter ◽  
Uncertain Information ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Classical Statistics ◽  
Neutrosophic Statistics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Type Data ◽  
First Time

AbstractAll researches, under classical statistics, are based on determinate, crisp data to estimate the mean of the population when auxiliary information is available. Such estimates often are biased. The goal is to find the best estimates for the unknown value of the population mean with minimum mean square error (MSE). The neutrosophic statistics, generalization of classical statistics tackles vague, indeterminate, uncertain information. Thus, for the first time under neutrosophic statistics, to overcome the issues of estimation of the population mean of neutrosophic data, we have developed the neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the mean of the finite population utilizing auxiliary information. The neutrosophic observation is of the form $${Z}_{N}={Z}_{L}+{Z}_{U}{I}_{N}\, {\rm where}\, {I}_{N}\in \left[{I}_{L}, {I}_{U}\right], {Z}_{N}\in [{Z}_{l}, {Z}_{u}]$$ Z N = Z L + Z U I N where I N ∈ I L , I U , Z N ∈ [ Z l , Z u ] . The proposed estimators are very helpful to compute results when dealing with ambiguous, vague, and neutrosophic-type data. The results of these estimators are not single-valued but provide an interval form in which our population parameter may have more chance to lie. It increases the efficiency of the estimators, since we have an estimated interval that contains the unknown value of the population mean provided a minimum MSE. The efficiency of the proposed neutrosophic ratio-type estimators is also discussed using neutrosophic data of temperature and also by using simulation. A comparison is also conducted to illustrate the usefulness of Neutrosophic Ratio-type estimators over the classical estimators.

scholarly journals Random additions in urns of integers

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-346
Author(s):  
Mackenzie Simper
Keyword(s):  
Finite Group ◽  
Random Process ◽  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Discrete Time ◽  
Random Variable ◽  
Urn Model ◽  
Infinite Type ◽  
The Mean ◽  
A Finite Group ◽  
Proof Of Convergence

AbstractConsider an urn containing balls labeled with integer values. Define a discrete-time random process by drawing two balls, one at a time and with replacement, and noting the labels. Add a new ball labeled with the sum of the two drawn labels. This model was introduced by Siegmund and Yakir (2005) Ann. Prob.33, 2036 for labels taking values in a finite group, in which case the distribution defined by the urn converges to the uniform distribution on the group. For the urn of integers, the main result of this paper is an exponential limit law. The mean of the exponential is a random variable with distribution depending on the starting configuration. This is a novel urn model which combines multi-drawing and an infinite type of balls. The proof of convergence uses the contraction method for recursive distributional equations.

scholarly journals P1398 Echocardiographic continuous monitoring of exercise stress test using probe fixation device

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Wdowiak-Okrojek ◽  
P Wejner-Mik ◽  
Z Bednarkiewicz ◽  
P Lipiec ◽  
J D Kasprzak
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Exercise Stress Test ◽  
Bicycle Ergometer ◽  
Exercise Stress ◽  
Fixation Device ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Stress echocardiography (SE) plays an important role among methods of noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic disease. Despite the advantages of physical exercise as the most physiologic stressor, it is difficult (bicycle ergometer) or impossible (treadmill) to obtain and maintain the acoustic window during the exercise. Recently, an innovative probe fixation device was introduced and a research plan was developed to assess the feasibility of external probe fixation during exercise echocardiography on a supine bicycle and upright treadmill exercise for the first time. Methods 37 subjects (36 men, mean age 39 ± 16 years, 21 healthy volunteers, 16 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) were included in this study. This preliminary testing stage included mostly men due to more problematic probe fixation in women. All subjects underwent a submaximal exercise stress test on a treadmill (17/37) or bicycle ergometer (11/37). Both sector and matrix probes were used. We assessed semi-quantitatively the quality of acquired apical views at each stage – the four-point grading system was used (0-no view, 1-suboptimal quality, 2-optimal quality, 3-very good quality), 2-3 sufficient for diagnosis. Results The mean time required for careful positioning of the probe and image optimization was 12 ± 3 min and shortened from 13,7 to 11,1 minutes (mean) in first vs second half of the cohort documenting learning curve. At baseline, 9 patients had at least one apical view of quality precluding reliable analysis. Those patients were excluded from further assessment. During stress, 17 patients maintained the optimal or very good quality of all apical views, whereas in 11 patients the quality significantly decreased during the stress test and required probe repositioning. The mean image quality score at baseline was 2,61 ± 0,48 and 2,25 ± 0,6 after exercise. Expectedly, good image quality was easier to obtain and maintain in the supine position (score 2,74 ± 0,44) points as compared with upright position (score 2,25 ± 0,57). Conclusion This preliminary, unique experience with external probe fixation device indicates that continuous acquisition and monitoring of echocardiographic images is feasible during physical exercise, and for the first time ever - also on the treadmill. This feasibility data stem from almost exclusively male patients and the estimated rate of sufficient image quality throughout the entire test is currently around 60%. We are hoping, that gaining more experience with the product could increase the success rate on exercise tests. Abstract P1398 Figure. Treadmill and ergometer stress test

scholarly journals Normalisation of the psychometric encephalopathy score within the Cameroonian population

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Pessidjo Djomatcho ◽  
Mathurin Pierre Kowo ◽  
Antonin Ndjitoyap Ndam ◽  
Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou ◽  
Gabin Ulrich Kenfack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
Tracing Test ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Connection Test

Abstract Background Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the presence of neuropsychological abnormalities detectable by psychometric tests. Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) is a gold standard test for the early diagnosis of MHE in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to standardize the PHES in a healthy Cameroonian population and to evaluate the prevalence of MHE among cirrhotic patients. Methods This was a prospective, multicentric study from 1 December 2018 to 31 July 2019 in two groups: healthy volunteers and cirrhotic patients without clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy. The results of the number connection test-A, number connection test-B, serial dotting test, line tracing test were expressed in seconds and those of the digit symbol test in points. Results A total of 102 healthy volunteers (54 men, 48 women) and 50 cirrhotic patients (29 men, 31 women) were included. The mean age was 38.1 ± 12.55 years in healthy volunteers and 49.3 ± 15.6 years in cirrhotic patients. The mean years of education level was 11.63 ± 4.20 years in healthy volunteers and 9.62 ± 3.9 years in cirrhotic patients. The PHES of the healthy volunteer group was − 0.08 ± 1.28 and the cut-off between normal and pathological values was set at − 3 points. PHES of the cirrhotic patients was − 7.66 ± 5.62 points and significantly lower than that of volunteers (p < 0.001). Prevalence of MHE was 74% among cirrhotic patients. Age and education level were associated with MHE. Conclusion PHES cut-off value in Cameroonians is − 3, with MHE prevalence of 74% among cirrhotic patients.

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