scholarly journals Quantitative Modeling of Spasticity for Clinical Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 5046
Author(s):  
Yesung Cha ◽  
Arash Arami
Keyword(s):  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Quantitative Modeling ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Mechanical Modeling ◽  
Threshold Control ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Modeling Techniques

Spasticity, a common symptom in patients with upper motor neuron lesions, reduces the ability of a person to freely move their limbs by generating unwanted reflexes. Spasticity can interfere with rehabilitation programs and cause pain, muscle atrophy and musculoskeletal deformities. Despite its prevalence, it is not commonly understood. Widely used clinical scores are neither accurate nor reliable for spasticity assessment and follow up of treatments. Advancement of wearable sensors, signal processing and robotic platforms have enabled new developments and modeling approaches to better quantify spasticity. In this paper, we review quantitative modeling techniques that have been used for evaluating spasticity. These models generate objective measures to assess spasticity and use different approaches, such as purely mechanical modeling, musculoskeletal and neurological modeling, and threshold control-based modeling. We compare their advantages and limitations and discuss the recommendations for future studies. Finally, we discuss the focus on treatment and rehabilitation and the need for further investigation in those directions.

scholarly journals Effect of Intestinal Levodopa-Carbidopa Infusion on Pharyngeal Dysphagia: Results from a Retrospective Pilot Study in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bendix Labeit ◽  
Inga Claus ◽  
Paul Muhle ◽  
Sonja Suntrup-Krueger ◽  
Rainer Dziewas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Yahr Stage ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Pharyngeal Dysphagia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Larger Sample

Background. Pharyngeal dysphagia is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) leading to severe complications. PD-related pharyngeal dysphagia (PDrPD) may significantly improve in up to half of patients following acute oral levodopa challenge. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) on PDrPD. Methods. Forty-five PD patients under LCIG treatment were available for retrospective analysis. In all patients with PDrPD who underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in the clinical “on-state” both before and after implementation of LCIG treatment, FEES videos were systematically reassessed. PDrPD was characterized using a PD-specific FEES score evaluating premature bolus spillage, penetration/aspiration, and pharyngeal residue. Further, the duration of white-out was assessed, as a parameter for pharyngeal bradykinesia. Results. Eleven patients with PDrPD (mean age 74.6 ± 4.4 years; mean Hoehn and Yahr stage 3.8 ± 0.6) received FEES both before and after the onset of LCIG treatment. The mean swallowing score improved from 14.9 ± 7.3 to 13.0 ± 6.9 after implementation of LCIG; however, this difference was not significant (p=0.312). Premature bolus spillage decreased significantly (p=0.002) from 5.4 ± 1.1 to 3.6 ± 1.0, and white-out duration decreased significantly (p=0.002) from 984 ± 228 ms to 699 ± 131 ms after implementation of LCIG. Conclusions. LCIG may affect PDrPD and reduce premature bolus spillage and pharyngeal bradykinesia. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to follow-up on these pilot results and identify which factors predict a good response of PDrPD to LCIG treatment.

Vision and Reading Deficits in Post-Concussion Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

2015 ◽  
pp. 206-213
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Reading Deficits ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Convergence Insufficiency ◽  
Return To Learn ◽  
Vision Deficits ◽  
Accommodative Facility

The prevalence of vision deficits in the pediatric/young adult concussion population in the private optometric practice setting remains unknown. Thus, a retrospective chart review in this area was conducted in the practice of the first author. Twenty-five consecutive patients with a medical diagnosis of concussion received a comprehensive vision and ocular health examination, which also included an objectively-based Visagraph reading assessment and clinical vergence/accommodative facility testing. Three primary categories of oculomotor-based deficits were found: convergence insufficiency (56%), accommodative insufficiency (76%), and oculomotor-based reading dysfunctions (68-82%). The most common symptom was headaches (84%), with 25% of the symptoms related to reading. 68% (15/22) were categorized as reading at least 2 grade levels below their current school grade level for reading eye movements based on the Visagraph findings. These overall findings are consistent with the general oculomotor-based/reading findings in the concussion/mTBI literature. The present results have important practical ramifications regarding the importance of preconcussion baseline oculomotor and Visagraph testing, as well as post-concussion follow-up testing, to help assess a student’s ability to return-to-learn (RTL).

scholarly journals An empirical example of analysis using a two-stage modeling approach: within-subject association of outdoor context and physical activity predicts future daily physical activity levels

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsiang Yang ◽  
Jaclyn P Maher ◽  
Aditya Ponnada ◽  
Eldin Dzubur ◽  
Rachel Nordgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Modeling Approach ◽  
Source Program ◽  
Modeling Strategy ◽  
Stage Modeling

Abstract People differ from each other to the extent to which momentary factors, such as context, mood, and cognitions, influence momentary health behaviors. However, statistical models to date are limited in their ability to test whether the association between two momentary variables (i.e., subject-level slopes) predicts a subject-level outcome. This study demonstrates a novel two-stage statistical modeling strategy that is capable of testing whether subject-level slopes between two momentary variables predict subject-level outcomes. An empirical case study application is presented to examine whether there are differences in momentary moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels between the outdoor and indoor context in adults and whether these momentary differences predict mean daily MVPA levels 6 months later. One hundred and eight adults from a multiwave longitudinal study provided 4 days of ecological momentary assessment (during baseline) and accelerometry data (both at baseline and 6 month follow-up). Multilevel data were analyzed using an open-source program (MixWILD) to test whether momentary strength between outdoor context and MVPA during baseline was associated with average daily MVPA levels measured 6 months later. During baseline, momentary MVPA levels were higher in outdoor contexts as compared to indoor contexts (b = 0.07, p < .001). Participants who had more momentary MVPA when outdoors (vs. indoors) during baseline (i.e., a greater subject-level slope) had higher daily MVPA at the 6 month follow-up (b = 0.09, p < .05). This empirical example shows that the subject-level momentary association between specific context (i.e., outdoors) and health behavior (i.e., physical activity) may contribute to overall engagement in that behavior in the future. The demonstrated two-stage modeling approach has extensive applications in behavioral medicine to analyze intensive longitudinal data collected from wearable sensors and mobile devices.

scholarly journals Treatment of Angiosarcoma with Pazopanib and Paclitaxel: Results of the EVA (Evaluation of Votrient® in Angiosarcoma) Phase II Trial of the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-06)

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1223
Author(s):  
Daniel Pink ◽  
Dimosthenis Andreou ◽  
Sebastian Bauer ◽  
Thomas Brodowicz ◽  
Bernd Kasper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Median Overall Survival ◽  
Phase Ii Trial ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Entire Cohort

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel combined with pazopanib in advanced angiosarcoma (AS). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at six months (PFSR6). Planned accrual was 44 patients in order to detect a PFSR6 of >55%, with an interim futility analysis of the first 14 patients. The study did not meet its predetermined interim target of 6/14 patients progression-free at 6 months. At the time of this finding, 26 patients had been enrolled between July 2014 and April 2016, resulting in an overrunning of 12 patients. After a median follow-up of 9.5 (IQR 7.7–15.4) months, PFSR6 amounted to 46%. Two patients had a complete and seven patients a partial response. Patients with superficial AS had a significantly higher PFSR6 (61% vs. 13%, p = 0.0247) and PFS (11.3 vs. 2.7 months, p < 0.0001) compared to patients with visceral AS. The median overall survival in the entire cohort was 21.6 months. A total of 10 drug-related serious adverse effects were reported in 5 patients, including a fatal hepatic failure. Although our study did not meet its primary endpoint, the median PFS of 11.6 months in patients with superficial AS appears to be promising. Taking recent reports into consideration, future studies should evaluate the safety and efficacy of VEGFR and immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without paclitaxel in a randomized, multiarm setting.

scholarly journals Inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis: contribution of bacterial production of long-chain fatty acids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Felton ◽  
Aszia Burrell ◽  
Hollis Chaney ◽  
Iman Sami ◽  
Anastassios C. Koumbourlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Bacterial Production ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Achromobacter Xylosoxidans ◽  
List Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Long Chain

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects >70,000 people worldwide, yet the microbiologic trigger for pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to identify changes in bacterial metabolic pathways associated with clinical status. Methods Respiratory samples were collected at hospital admission for PEx, end of intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment, and follow-up from 27 hospitalized children with CF. Bacterial DNA was extracted and shotgun DNA sequencing was performed. MetaPhlAn2 and HUMAnN2 were used to evaluate bacterial taxonomic and pathway relative abundance, while DESeq2 was used to evaluate differential abundance based on clinical status. Results The mean age of study participants was 10 years; 85% received combination IV antibiotic therapy (beta-lactam plus a second agent). Long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) biosynthesis pathways were upregulated in follow-up samples compared to end of treatment: gondoate (p = 0.012), oleate (p = 0.048), palmitoleate (p = 0.043), and pathways of fatty acid elongation (p = 0.012). Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Escherichia sp. were also more prevalent in follow-up compared to PEx (p < 0.001). Conclusions LCFAs may be associated with persistent infection of opportunistic pathogens. Future studies should more closely investigate the role of LCFA production by lung bacteria in the transition from baseline wellness to PEx in persons with CF. Impact Increased levels of LCFAs are found after IV antibiotic treatment in persons with CF. LCFAs have previously been associated with increased lung inflammation in asthma. This is the first report of LCFAs in the airway of persons with CF. This research provides support that bacterial production of LCFAs may be a contributor to inflammation in persons with CF. Future studies should evaluate LCFAs as predictors of future PExs.

scholarly journals Regression of cephalic index following endoscopic repair of sagittal synostosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Pickersgill ◽  
Gary B. Skolnick ◽  
Sybill D. Naidoo ◽  
Matthew D. Smyth ◽  
Kamlesh B. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Cephalic Index ◽  
Sagittal Synostosis ◽  
Endoscopic Repair ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Helmet Therapy ◽  
Significant Regression ◽  
Strip Craniectomy

OBJECTIVEMetrics used to quantify preoperative severity and postoperative outcomes for patients with sagittal synostosis include cephalic index (CI), the well-known standard, and the recently described adjusted cephalic index (aCI), which accounts for altered euryon location. This study tracks the time course of these measures following endoscopic repair with orthotic helmet therapy. The authors hypothesize that CI and aCI show significant regression following endoscope-assisted repair.METHODSCT scans or 3D photographs of patients with nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis treated before 6 months of age by endoscope-assisted strip craniectomy and postoperative helmet therapy (n = 41) were reviewed retrospectively at three time points (preoperatively, 0–2 months after helmeting, and > 24 months postoperatively). The CI and aCI were measured at each time point.RESULTSMean CI and aCI increased from 71.8 to 78.2 and 62.7 to 72.4, respectively, during helmet treatment (p < 0.001). At final follow-up, mean CI and aCI had regressed significantly from 78.2 to 76.5 and 72.4 to 69.7, respectively (p < 0.001). The CI regressed in 33 of 41 cases (80%) and aCI in 39 of 41 cases (95%). The authors observed a mean loss of 31% of improvement in aCI achieved through treatment. A strong, positive correlation existed between CI and aCI (R = 0.88).CONCLUSIONSRegression following endoscope-assisted strip craniectomy with postoperative helmet therapy commonly occurs in patients with sagittal synostosis. Future studies are required to determine whether duration of helmet therapy or modifications in helmet design affect regression.

Foot-to-Shoe Mismatch and Rates of Referral in Special Olympics Athletes

2012 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Jenkins ◽  
Kimbal Cooper ◽  
Rachel O’Connor ◽  
Liane Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Power Analysis ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Foot Structure ◽  
Ultimate Outcome ◽  
And Performance

Background: Improperly fitted shoes are frequently seen in athletes participating in Special Olympics competitions. This foot-to-shoe mismatch may result in deformities as well as discomfort and reduced performance or injuries in competitions. A primary purpose for providing medical screenings is to identify conditions unknown and to promptly refer to an appropriate provider for evaluation and care. This study attempts to determine the prevalence of improperly fitted shoes and the rate of referral for Special Olympics athletes screened at Fit Feet venues. Methods: To evaluate the foot-to-shoe mismatch and rate of referral, 4,094 Fit Feet screenings of Special Olympics athletes participating in US competitions in 2005 to 2009 were analyzed. The participants were 58.5% male and 41.5% female, with a median age of 25.6 years. A power analysis and the χ2 test were used. The athletes voluntarily underwent a foot screening that followed the standardized Special Olympics Fit Feet protocol. The Brannock Device for measuring feet was used to assess proper fit. Results: A proper fit was found in 58.56% of the athletes, with 28.60% wearing shoes too big and 12.84% wearing shoes too small. Unrelated to shoe fit, 20% of the athletes required referrals for professional follow-up based on abnormal clinical findings. Conclusions: There is a significant (41.44%) mismatch of foot to shoe in Special Olympics athletes. The most common mismatch is a shoe too big, with a much smaller number of athletes having shoes too small. Awareness of this foot-to-shoe incompatibility may be useful for the development of shoes better designed for athletes with a foot structure not consistent with conventional shoes. Because 20% of the athletes required a referral for professional follow-up, Fit Feet examinations are important for identifying athletes with conditions that can be more readily evaluated and treated, thus improving the athletes’ comfort and performance. Beyond knowing the rate of referral, future studies can determine the conditions or findings that necessitate a referral and the ultimate outcome of that referral. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 102(3): 187–197, 2012)

Never saw one – first-person null subjects in spoken English1

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSANNE WAGNER
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Person ◽  
Null Subjects ◽  
Language Variation And Change ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Verb Phrase ◽  
The One ◽  
Colloquial Speech

While null subjects are a well-researched phenomenon in pro-drop languages like Italian or Spanish, they have not received much attention in non-pro-drop languages such as English, where they are traditionally associated with particular (written) genres such as diaries or are discussed under a broader umbrella term such as situational ellipsis. However, examples such as the one in the title – while certainly not frequent – are commonly encountered in colloquial speech, with first-person singular tokens outnumbering any other person.This article investigates the linguistic and non-linguistic factors influencing the (non-) realisation of first-person singular subjects in a corpus of colloquial English. The variables found to contribute to the observed variation are drawn from a variety of linguistic domains and follow up on research conducted in such different fields as first language acquisition (FLA), cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics and language variation and change. Of particular interest is the finding regarding the link between null subjects and complexity of the verb phrase, which patterns in a clearly linear fashion: the more complex the verb phrase, the more likely is a null realisation. Not discussed in this form before, this finding, given its high significance and its robustness in light of alternative coding, may prove to be an important candidate for inclusion in future studies on (English) null subjects.

A Study of Molar Pregnancy at Low Resource Settings of Tertiary Care Hospital Sindh

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1547-1549
Author(s):  
Sabahat Fatima ◽  
A. G.ul Shaikh ◽  
Tahmina Mahar ◽  
Hameed-Ur-Rehman Bozdar ◽  
Sameena Memon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Molar Pregnancy ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Trophoblastic Disease

Aim: To determine the epidemiological factors/characteristics and clinical presentation of molar pregnancy Study design: Qualitative observational / retrospective study Place and duration: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-II, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2020. Methodology: Forty five diagnosed cases with molar pregnancy and aged between 18-40 years were enrolled. Patient’s details demographics age, body mass index, parity and socio economic status were recorded. The total birth records and gynecological admission for the study period were also collected from the gynaecology and labour room record books case and operational registration data were obtained, descriptive statistics examined . Results: Mean age of the patients was 31.15±7.41 years with mean body mass index 26.16±7.22 kg/m2. Mean gestational age of the patients were 25.62±9.19 weeks. Twenty seven (60%) patients were multiparous and 18 (40%) were primiparous. 30 (66.7%) were illiterate and 15(33.3%) cases were literate. There were 14(31.11%) patients belonged lower class, 18 (40%) patients belonged middle and 13(28.9%) had high socioeconomic status. Twenty nine (64.4%) were from rural area and 16 (35.6%) were from urban area. Five (11.1%) patients had previous history of gestational trophoblastic disease. Abnormal vaginal bleeding was the most common symptom found in 34(75.5%) cases followed by lower abdominal pain found in 30 (66.7%) patients, hyperemesis found in 14(31.1%) and dyspnea in 9 (20%). Thirty six (80%) patients received suction evacuation and 9 (20%) cases referred. Forty one (91.1%) patients were recovered but the rest 4 (8.9%) were lost during follow up. Conclusion: Low/middle socio-economic status, illiteracy and cases from rural areas had multiparous parity was highly effected by molar pregnancy disease and it can be controlled by early diagnose to take regular follow-up by using suction evacuation. Key words: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), Molar pregnancy, Primiparous, Multiparous

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