scholarly journals Robust Step Detection from Different Waist-Worn Sensor Positions: Implications for Clinical Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-58
Author(s):  
Matthias  Tietsch ◽  
Amir Muaremi ◽  
Ieuan Clay ◽  
Felix Kluge ◽  
Holger Hoefling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Human Gait ◽  
Robust Solution ◽  
Step Detection ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Analyzing human gait with inertial sensors provides valuable insights into a wide range of health impairments, including many musculoskeletal and neurological diseases. A representative and reliable assessment of gait requires continuous monitoring over long periods and ideally takes place in the subjects’ habitual environment (real-world). An inconsistent sensor wearing position can affect gait characterization and influence clinical study results, thus clinical study protocols are typically highly proscriptive, instructing all participants to wear the sensor in a uniform manner. This restrictive approach improves data quality but reduces overall adherence. In this work, we analyze the impact of altering the sensor wearing position around the waist on sensor signal and step detection. We demonstrate that an asymmetrically worn sensor leads to additional odd-harmonic frequency components in the frequency spectrum. We propose a robust solution for step detection based on autocorrelation to overcome sensor position variation (sensitivity = 0.99, precision = 0.99). The proposed solution reduces the impact of inconsistent sensor positioning on gait characterization in clinical studies, thus providing more flexibility to protocol implementation and more freedom to participants to wear the sensor in the position most comfortable to them. This work is a first step towards truly position-agnostic gait assessment in clinical settings.

Epilepsy and Stroke Emerging From Climate Change-Related Neurotoxicity

2019 ◽  
pp. 322-347
Author(s):  
Hind Benammi ◽  
Omar El Hiba ◽  
Abdelmohcine Aimrane ◽  
Nadia Zouhairi ◽  
Hicham Chatoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

Climate change has an important impact on the environment. As it degrades the quality of water, soil, and area, it also spreads the distribution of many toxic elements, specifically heavy metals and pesticides. The impact of climate change on contamination with heavy metals and pesticides has been well investigated and discussed. The influence of these elements on human health is obviously exacerbated following their extended distribution. Moreover, a wide range of health problems have been associated to such intoxication, among which impairment and dysfunction of the nervous system are prominent. In this chapter, the authors will shed light on two most common neurological diseases such as epilepsy and stroke affecting people worldwide arising from food and water contaminations, mainly with heavy metals and pesticides.

scholarly journals Evaluating Whole Grain Intervention Study Designs and Reporting Practices Using Evidence Mapping Methodology

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleigh Sawicki ◽  
Kara Livingston ◽  
Alastair Ross ◽  
Paul Jacques ◽  
Katie Koecher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Whole Grains ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Evidence Mapping ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Wide Range

Consumption of whole grains have been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases in many observational studies; yet, results of intervention studies are mixed. We aimed to use evidence mapping to capture the methodological and reporting variability in whole grain intervention studies that may contribute to this inconsistency. We conducted a reproducible search in OVID Medline for whole grain human intervention studies (published 1946 to February 2018). After screening based on a priori criteria, we identified 202 publications describing a total of 213 unique trials. Over half (55%) were acute trials, lasting ≤1 day, 30% were moderate duration studies (up to 6 weeks) and 15% were of longer duration (more than 6 weeks). The majority of acute trials (75%) examined measures of glycaemia and/or insulinemia, while most of the longer trials included measures of cardiometabolic health (71%), appetite/satiety (57%) and weight/adiposity (56%). Among the moderate and long duration trials, there was a wide range of how whole grains were described but only 10 publications referenced an established definition. Only 55% of trials reported the actual amount of whole grains (in grams or servings), while 36% reported the amount of food/product and 9% did not report a dose at all. Of the interventions that provided a mixture of whole grains, less than half (46%) reported the distribution of the different grain types. Reporting of subject compliance also varied and only 22% used independent biomarkers of whole grain intake. This evidence map highlights the need to standardize both study protocols and reporting practices to support effective synthesis of study results and provide a stronger foundation to better inform nutrition scientists and public health policy.

scholarly journals HIS-based support of follow-up documentation – concept and implementation for clinical studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Fritz ◽  
K. Rahbar ◽  
L. Stegger ◽  
M. Schäfers ◽  
M. Dugas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Computer Tomography ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Clinical Information System ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Additional Patient ◽  
Clinical Workflow ◽  
Study Protocols

Summary Objective: Follow-up data must be collected according to the protocol of each clinical study, i.e. at certain time points. Missing follow-up information is a critical problem and may impede or bias the analysis of study data and result in delays. Moreover, additional patient recruitment may be necessary due to incomplete follow-up data. Current electronic data capture (EDC) systems in clinical studies are usually separated from hospital information systems (HIS) and therefore can provide limited functionality to support clinical workflow. In two case studies, we assessed the feasibility of HIS-based support of follow-up documentation. Methods: We have developed a data model and a HIS-based workflow to provide follow-up forms according to clinical study protocols. If a follow-up form was due, a database procedure created a follow-up event which was translated by a communication server into an HL7 message and transferred to the import interface of the clinical information system (CIS). This procedure generated the required follow-up form and enqueued a link to it in a work list of the relating study nurses and study physicians, respectively. Results: A HIS-based follow-up system automatically generated follow-up forms as defined by a clinical study protocol. These forms were scheduled into work lists of study nurses and study physicians. This system was integrated into the clinical workflow of two clinical studies. In a study from nuclear medicine, each scenario from the test concept according to the protocol of the single photon emission computer tomography/computer tomography (SPECT/CT) study was simulated and each scenario passed the test. For a study in psychiatry, 128 follow-up forms were automatically generated within 27 weeks, on average five forms per week (maximum 12, minimum 1 form per week). Conclusion: HIS-based support of follow-up documentation in clinical studies is technically feasible and can support compliance with study protocols.

Extended Cooperation in Clinical Studies through Exchange of CDISC Metadata between Different Study Software Solutions

2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (04) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wiegelmann ◽  
P. Verplancke ◽  
C. Ohmann ◽  
W. Kuchinke
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Study ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Exchange Format ◽  
Test Study ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Optical Appearance

Summary Objectives: Our objectives were to analyze the possibility of an exchange of an entire clinical study between two different and independent study software solutions. The question addressed was whether a software-independent transfer of study metadata can be performed without programming efforts and with software routinely used for clinical research. Methods: Study metadata was transferred with ODM standard (CDISC). Study software systems employed were MACRO (InferMed) and XTrial (XClinical). For the Proof of Concept, a test study was created with MACRO and exported as ODM. For modification and validation of the ODM export file XML-Spy (Altova) and ODM-Checker (XML4Pharma) were used. Results: Through exchange of a complete clinical study between two different study software solutions, a Proof of Concept of the technical feasibility of a system-independent metadata exchange was conducted successfully. The interchange of study metadata between two different systems at different centers was performed with minimal expenditure. A small number of mistakes had to be corrected in order to generate a syntactically correct ODM file and a “vendor extension” had to be inserted. After these modifications, XTrial exhibited the study, including all data fields, correctly. However, the optical appearance of both CRFs (case report forms) was different. Conclusions: ODM can be used as an exchange format for clinical studies between different study software. Thus, new forms of cooperation through exchange of metadata seem possible, for example the joint creation of electronic study protocols or CRFs at different research centers. Although the ODM standard represents a clinical study completely, it contains no information about the representation of data fields in CRFs.

scholarly journals Whole-Body EMS Superimposed Walking and Nordic Walking on a Treadmill—Determination of Exercise Intensity to Conventional Exercise

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Verch ◽  
Josephine Stoll ◽  
Miralem Hadzic ◽  
Andrew Quarmby ◽  
Heinz Völler
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Treadmill Test ◽  
Nordic Walking ◽  
Factorial Anova ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Factor Combination ◽  
The Impact

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is an increasingly popular training method and has become the focus of research in recent years. New EMS devices offer a wide range of mobile applications for whole-body EMS (WB-EMS) training, e.g., the intensification of dynamic low-intensity endurance exercises through WB-EMS. The present study aimed to determine the differences in exercise intensity between WB-EMS-superimposed and conventional walking (EMS-CW), and CON and WB-EMS-superimposed Nordic walking (WB-EMS-NW) during a treadmill test. Eleven participants (52.0 ± years; 85.9 ± 7.4 kg, 182 ± 6 cm, BMI 25.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2) performed a 10 min treadmill test at a given velocity (6.5 km/h) in four different test situations, walking (W) and Nordic walking (NW) in both conventional and WB-EMS superimposed. Oxygen uptake in absolute (VO2) and relative to body weight (rel. VO2), lactate, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after the test. WB-EMS intensity was adjusted individually according to the feedback of the participant. The descriptive statistics were given in mean ± SD. For the statistical analyses, one-factorial ANOVA for repeated measures and two-factorial ANOVA [factors include EMS, W/NW, and factor combination (EMS*W/NW)] were performed (α = 0.05). Significant effects were found for EMS and W/NW factors for the outcome variables VO2 (EMS: p = 0.006, r = 0.736; W/NW: p < 0.001, r = 0.870), relative VO2 (EMS: p < 0.001, r = 0.850; W/NW: p < 0.001, r = 0.937), and lactate (EMS: p = 0.003, r = 0.771; w/NW: p = 0.003, r = 0.764) and both the factors produced higher results. However, the difference in VO2 and relative VO2 is within the range of biological variability of ± 12%. The factor combination EMS*W/NW is statistically non-significant for all three variables. WB-EMS resulted in the higher RPE values (p = 0.035, r = 0.613), RPE differences for W/NW and EMS*W/NW were not significant. The current study results indicate that WB-EMS influences the parameters of exercise intensity. The impact on exercise intensity and the clinical relevance of WB-EMS-superimposed walking (WB-EMS-W) exercise is questionable because of the marginal differences in the outcome variables.

scholarly journals Potential Therapeutic Effects of Natural Plant Compounds in Kidney Disease

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6096
Author(s):  
Lorena Avila-Carrasco ◽  
Elda Araceli García-Mayorga ◽  
Daisy L. Díaz-Avila ◽  
Idalia Garza-Veloz ◽  
Margarita L Martinez-Fierro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Renal Damage ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Protective Agent ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plant Compounds

Background: The blockade of the progression or onset of pathological events is essential for the homeostasis of an organism. Some common pathological mechanisms involving a wide range of diseases are the uncontrolled inflammatory reactions that promote fibrosis, oxidative reactions, and other alterations. Natural plant compounds (NPCs) are bioactive elements obtained from natural sources that can regulate physiological processes. Inflammation is recognized as an important factor in the development and evolution of chronic renal damage. Consequently, any compound able to modulate inflammation or inflammation-related processes can be thought of as a renal protective agent and/or a potential treatment tool for controlling renal damage. The objective of this research was to review the beneficial effects of bioactive natural compounds on kidney damage to reveal their efficacy as demonstrated in clinical studies. Methods: This systematic review is based on relevant studies focused on the impact of NPCs with therapeutic potential for kidney disease treatment in humans. Results: Clinical studies have evaluated NPCs as a different way to treat or prevent renal damage and appear to show some benefits in improving OS, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity, therefore making them promising therapeutic tools to reduce or prevent the onset and progression of KD pathogenesis. Conclusions: This review shows the promising clinical properties of NPC in KD therapy. However, more robust clinical trials are needed to establish their safety and therapeutic effects in the area of renal damage.

scholarly journals European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network: Introduction of Hospital-Based Surveillance Network to Understand the True Disease Burden of Non-Polio Enterovirus and Parechovirus Infections in Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1827
Author(s):  
Heli Harvala ◽  
Kimberley S. M. Benschop ◽  
Natasa Berginc ◽  
Sofie Midgley ◽  
Katja Wolthers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Protocols ◽  
Wide Range

Background. Non-polio enteroviruses (EVs) and human parechoviruses (PeVs) cause a wide range of human infections. Limited data on their true disease burden exist as standardized European-wide surveillance is lacking. Aims. Our aim is to estimate the disease burden of EV and PeV infections in Europe via establishment of standardized surveillance for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and respiratory and neurological infections caused by these viruses. We will also assess the sensitivity of assays implemented in the network of participating laboratories so that all EV and PeV types are adequately detected. Plan. The European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN) has developed standardized protocols for a prospective, multi-center and cross-sectional hospital-based pilot study. Protocols include guidance for diagnosis, case definition, detection, characterization and reporting of EV and PeV infections associated with HFMD and respiratory and neurological diseases. Over 30 sites from 17 European countries have already registered to this one pilot study, likely to be commenced in 2022. Benefits. This surveillance will allow European-wide comparison of data on EV and PeV infection. These data will also be used to determine the burden of EV and PeV infections, which is needed to guide the further prevention measures and policies.

Epilepsy and Stroke Emerging From Climate Change-Related Neurotoxicity

2022 ◽  
pp. 1805-1830
Author(s):  
Hind Benammi ◽  
Omar El Hiba ◽  
Abdelmohcine Aimrane ◽  
Nadia Zouhairi ◽  
Hicham Chatoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shed Light

Climate change has an important impact on the environment. As it degrades the quality of water, soil, and area, it also spreads the distribution of many toxic elements, specifically heavy metals and pesticides. The impact of climate change on contamination with heavy metals and pesticides has been well investigated and discussed. The influence of these elements on human health is obviously exacerbated following their extended distribution. Moreover, a wide range of health problems have been associated to such intoxication, among which impairment and dysfunction of the nervous system are prominent. In this chapter, the authors will shed light on two most common neurological diseases such as epilepsy and stroke affecting people worldwide arising from food and water contaminations, mainly with heavy metals and pesticides.

Income Diversification and Bank Efficiency in Vietnam

2017 ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Sang Nguyen Minh
Keyword(s):  
Regression Model ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Commercial Banking ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Income Diversification ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

This study uses the DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) method to estimate the technical efficiency index of 34 Vietnamese commercial banks in the period 2007-2015, and then it analyzes the impact of income diversification on the operational efficiency of Vietnamese commercial banks through a censored regression model - the Tobit regression model. Research results indicate that income diversification has positive effects on the operational efficiency of Vietnamese commercial banks in the research period. Based on study results, in this research some recommendations forpolicy are given to enhance the operational efficiency of Vietnam’s commercial banking system.

THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP PRACTICES TO TEAM MEMBERS’ SATISFACTION

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chalimah .
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Leader Behavior ◽  
Team Leader ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

eamwork is becoming increasingly important to wide range of operations. It applies to all levels of the company. It is just as important for top executives as it is to middle management, supervisors and shop floor workers. Poor teamwork at any level or between levels can seriously damage organizational effectiveness. The focus of this paper was therefore to examine whether leadership practices consist of team leader behavior, conflict resolution style and openness in communication significantly influenced the team member’s satisfaction in hotel industry. Result indicates that team leader behavior and the conflict resolution style significantly influenced team member satisfaction. It was surprising that openness in communication did not affect significantly to the team members’ satisfaction.

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