-
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering Dec 2016Standing balanced reach is a fundamental task involved in many activities of daily living that has not been well analyzed quantitatively to assess and characterize the...
Standing balanced reach is a fundamental task involved in many activities of daily living that has not been well analyzed quantitatively to assess and characterize the multisegmental nature of the body's movements. We developed a dynamic balanced reach test (BRT) to analyze performance in this activity; in which a standing subject is required to maintain balance while reaching and pointing to a target disk moving across a large projection screen according to a sum-of-sines function. This tracking and balance task is made progressively more difficult by increasing the disk's overall excursion amplitude. Using kinematic and ground reaction force data from 32 young healthy subjects, we investigated how the motions of the tracking finger and whole-body center of mass (CoM) varied in response to the motion of the disk across five overall disk excursion amplitudes. Group representative performance statistics for the cohort revealed a monotonically increasing root mean squared (RMS) tracking error (RMSE) and RMS deviation (RMSD) between whole-body CoM (projected onto the ground plane) and the center of the base of support (BoS) with increasing amplitude (p < 0.03). Tracking and CoM response delays remained constant, however, at 0.5 s and 1.0 s, respectively. We also performed detailed spectral analyses of group-representative response data for each of the five overall excursion amplitudes. We derived empirical and analytical transfer functions between the motion of the disk and that of the tracking finger and CoM, computed tracking and CoM responses to a step input, and RMSE and RMSD as functions of disk frequency. We found that for frequencies less than 1.0 Hz, RMSE generally decreased, while RMSE normalized to disk motion amplitude generally increased. RMSD, on the other hand, decreased monotonically. These findings quantitatively characterize the amplitude- and frequency-dependent nature of young healthy tracking and balance in this task. The BRT is not subject to floor or ceiling effects, overcoming an important deficiency associated with most research and clinical instruments used to assess balance. This makes a comprehensive quantification of young healthy balance performance possible. The results of such analyses could be used in work space design and in fall-prevention instructional materials, for both the home and work place. Young healthy performance represents "exemplar" performance and can also be used as a reference against which to compare the performance of aging and other clinical populations at risk for falling.
Topics: Adult; Arm; Computer Simulation; Female; Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Movement; Postural Balance; Posture; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 27551977
DOI: 10.1115/1.4034506 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2019Modern mass spectrometry is one of the most frequently used methods of quantitative proteomics, enabling determination of the amount of peptides in a sample. Although... (Review)
Review
Modern mass spectrometry is one of the most frequently used methods of quantitative proteomics, enabling determination of the amount of peptides in a sample. Although mass spectrometry is not inherently a quantitative method due to differences in the ionization efficiency of various analytes, the application of isotope-coded labeling allows relative quantification of proteins and proteins. Over the past decade, a new method for derivatization of tryptic peptides using isobaric labels has been proposed. The labels consist of reporter and balanced groups. They have the same molecular weights and chemical properties, but differ in the distribution of stable heavy isotopes. These tags are designed in such a way that during high energy collision induced dissociation (CID) by tandem mass spectrometry, the isobaric tag is fragmented in the specific linker region, yielding reporter ions with different masses. The mass shifts among the reporter groups are compensated by the balancing groups so that the overall mass is the same for all forms of the reagent. Samples of peptides are labeled with the isobaric mass tags in parallel and combined for analysis. Quantification of individual peptides is achieved by comparing the intensity of reporter ions in the tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra. Isobaric markers have found a wide range of potential applications in proteomics. However, the currently available isobaric labeling reagents have some drawbacks, such as high cost of production, insufficient selectivity of the derivatization, and relatively limited enhancement of sensitivity of the analysis. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to the development of new isobaric markers with increased usability. The search for new isobaric markers is focused on developing a more selective method of introducing a tag into a peptide molecule, increasing the multiplexicity of markers, lowering the cost of synthesis, and increasing the sensitivity of measurement by using ionization tags containing quaternary ammonium salts. Here, the trends in the design of new isobaric labeling reagents for quantitative proteomics isobaric derivatization strategies in proteomics are reviewed, with a particular emphasis on isobaric ionization tags. The presented review focused on different types of isobaric reagents used in quantitative proteomics, their chemistry, and advantages offer by their application.
Topics: Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Isotope Labeling; Isotopes; Peptides; Proteomics; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 30781343
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24040701 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2016The present paper aims at reviewing and commenting on the analytical methods applied to antioxidant and antioxidant capacity assessment in plant-derived products.... (Review)
Review
The present paper aims at reviewing and commenting on the analytical methods applied to antioxidant and antioxidant capacity assessment in plant-derived products. Aspects related to oxidative stress, reactive oxidative species' influence on key biomolecules, and antioxidant benefits and modalities of action are discussed. Also, the oxidant-antioxidant balance is critically discussed. The conventional and nonconventional extraction procedures applied prior to analysis are also presented, as the extraction step is of pivotal importance for isolation and concentration of the compound(s) of interest before analysis. Then, the chromatographic, spectrometric, and electrochemical methods for antioxidant and antioxidant capacity determination in plant-derived products are detailed with respect to their principles, characteristics, and specific applications. Peculiarities related to the matrix characteristics and other factors influencing the method's performances are discussed. Health benefits of plants and derived products are described, as indicated in the original source. Finally, critical and conclusive aspects are given when it comes to the choice of a particular extraction procedure and detection method, which should consider the nature of the sample, prevalent antioxidant/antioxidant class, and the mechanism underlying each technique. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed for each method.
Topics: Analytic Sample Preparation Methods; Antioxidants; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Plants
PubMed: 28044094
DOI: 10.1155/2016/9130976 -
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 2020With an ageing population physicians are more and more faced with complex medical and moral situations. Medical professional guidelines are often of limited use in these... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With an ageing population physicians are more and more faced with complex medical and moral situations. Medical professional guidelines are often of limited use in these cases. To assist the decision making process, several ethical frameworks have been proposed. Ethical frameworks are analytical tools that are designed to assist physicians and other involved healthcare workers in complex moral decision-making situations. Most frameworks are step-by-step plans that can be followed chronologically during moral case deliberations. Some of these step-by-step plans provide specific moral guidance as to what would constitute a morally acceptable conclusion, while others do not.
OBJECTIVE
In this narrative review we will present and discuss the ethical frameworks used for medically complex situations in older people that have been proposed in literature.
METHODS
Three electronic databases (embase.com. Medline Ovid and PsychINFO Ovid) were searched from inception to January 24, 2020, with the help of expert librarians.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included in the review, containing seventeen different frameworks. Twenty studies described step-by-step-frameworks, with the number of steps varying from three to twelve. In four studies suggestions were made as how to balance conflicting moral values.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS
Ethical frameworks are meant to assist healthcare professionals who are faced with morally complex decisions in older patients. In our view, these frameworks should contain a step-by-step plan, moral values and an approach to balancing moral values.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Clinical Decision-Making; Decision Making; Health Personnel; Humans; Morals; Physicians
PubMed: 32629372
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104160 -
PloS One 2021Research has indicated strong relationships between learners' affect and their learning. Emotions relate closely to students' well-being, learning quality, productivity,...
Research has indicated strong relationships between learners' affect and their learning. Emotions relate closely to students' well-being, learning quality, productivity, and interaction. Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has been widely recognized to be effective in enhancing learning experiences and increasing student motivation. The field of emotions in DGBL has become an active research field with accumulated literature available, which calls for a comprehensive understanding of the up-to-date literature concerning emotions in virtual DGBL among students at all educational levels. Based on 393 research articles collected from the Web of Science, this study, for the first time, explores the current advances and topics in this field. Specifically, thematic evolution analysis is conducted to explore the evolution of topics that are categorized into four different groups (i.e., games, emotions, applications, and analytical technologies) in the corpus. Social network analysis explores the co-occurrences between topics to identify their relationships. Interesting results are obtained. For example, with the integration of diverse applications (e.g., mobiles) and analytical technologies (e.g., learning analytics and affective computing), increasing types of affective states, socio-emotional factors, and digital games are investigated. Additionally, implications for future research include 1) children's anxiety/attitude and engagement in collaborative gameplay, 2) individual personalities and characteristics for personalized support, 3) emotion dynamics, 4) multimodal data use, 5) game customization, 6) balance between learners' skill levels and game challenge as well as rewards and learning anxiety.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Emotions; Humans; Learning; Research; Social Network Analysis; Video Games
PubMed: 34320029
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255184 -
Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review Apr 2017Mark Josephson dedicated his career to the prevention of premature sudden cardiac death (SCD). Toward that goal, he was an early adopter of the implantable cardioverter...
Mark Josephson dedicated his career to the prevention of premature sudden cardiac death (SCD). Toward that goal, he was an early adopter of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and indefatigable advocate for better ICD technology,[1] both as a clinical tool and as living laboratory to study SCD in ambulatory patients. With characteristic intellectual integrity and analytical rigour, he sought an honest and balanced appraisal of the life-saving benefits and serious complications of this unique therapy.
PubMed: 28507741
DOI: 10.15420/aer.2017.6.1:PP8 -
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Apr 2020A wide range of analytic and data sharing options are available in nonexperimental multidatabase studies designed to assess the real-world benefits and risks of medical... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
A wide range of analytic and data sharing options are available in nonexperimental multidatabase studies designed to assess the real-world benefits and risks of medical products. Researchers often consider six scientific domains when choosing among these options-study design, exposure type, outcome type, covariate summarization technique, covariate adjustment method, and data sharing approach. This article reviews available analytic and data sharing options and discusses key scientific and practical considerations when choosing among these options in multidatabase studies of comparative effectiveness and safety of medical products. The scientific considerations must be balanced against what the data-contributing sites are able or willing to share. While pooling of person-level data sets remains the most familiar and analytically flexible approach, newer analytic and data sharing approaches that share less granular summary-level information may be equally valid and preferred in some multidatabase studies, especially when sharing of person-level data is challenging or infeasible.
Topics: Data Collection; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Databases, Factual; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Information Dissemination; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31869442
DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1754 -
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical... 2008Methods of analysis for products of modern biotechnology are required for national and international trade in seeds, grain and food in order to meet the labeling or... (Review)
Review
Methods of analysis for products of modern biotechnology are required for national and international trade in seeds, grain and food in order to meet the labeling or import/export requirements of different nations and trading blocks. Although many methods were developed by the originators of transgenic events, governments, universities, and testing laboratories, trade is less complicated if there exists a set of international consensus-derived analytical standards. In any analytical situation, multiple methods may exist for testing for the same analyte. These methods may be supported by regional preferences and regulatory requirements. However, tests need to be sensitive enough to determine low levels of these traits in commodity grain for regulatory purposes and also to indicate purity of seeds containing these traits. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and its European counterpart have worked to produce a suite of standards through open, balanced and consensus-driven processes. Presently, these standards are approaching the time for their first review. In fact, ISO 21572, the "protein standard" has already been circulated for systematic review. In order to expedite the review and revision of the nucleic acid standards an ISO Technical Specification (ISO/TS 21098) was drafted to set the criteria for the inclusion of precision data from collaborative studies into the annexes of these standards.
Topics: Commerce; Food, Genetically Modified; Humans; International Cooperation; Legislation, Food; Quality Control
PubMed: 18296344
DOI: No ID Found -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022Although lung cancer survival status and survival length predictions have primarily been studied individually, a scheme that leverages both fields in an interpretable...
Although lung cancer survival status and survival length predictions have primarily been studied individually, a scheme that leverages both fields in an interpretable way for physicians remains elusive. We propose a two-phase data analytic framework that is capable of classifying survival status for 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 2.5-, and 3-year time-points (phase I) and predicting the number of survival months within 3 years (phase II) using recent Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 2010 to 2017. In this study, we employ three analytical models (general linear model, extreme gradient boosting, and artificial neural networks), five data balancing techniques (synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), relocating safe level SMOTE, borderline SMOTE, adaptive synthetic sampling, and majority weighted minority oversampling technique), two feature selection methods (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest), and the one-hot encoding approach. By implementing a comprehensive data preparation phase, we demonstrate that a computationally efficient and interpretable method such as GLM performs comparably to more complex models. Moreover, we quantify the effects of individual features in phase I and II by exploiting GLM coefficients. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to (a) implement a comprehensive data processing approach to develop performant, computationally efficient, and interpretable methods in comparison to black-box models, (b) visualize top factors impacting survival odds by utilizing the change in odds ratio, and (c) comprehensively explore short-term lung cancer survival using a two-phase approach.
Topics: Humans; Linear Models; Lung Neoplasms; Neural Networks, Computer
PubMed: 36146145
DOI: 10.3390/s22186783 -
Journal of Medical Ethics Mar 1988Obstetricians face difficult decisions when the interests of fetus and mother conflict. An example is the problem of choosing the delivery method when labour begins... (Review)
Review
Obstetricians face difficult decisions when the interests of fetus and mother conflict. An example is the problem of choosing the delivery method when labour begins prematurely and the fetus is breech. Vaginal delivery involves risks for the breech fetus of brain damage or death caused by umbilical cord compression and head entrapment. Caesarean section might avoid these dangers but involves risks for the mother, including infection, haemorrhage and even death in a small percentage of cases. If a caesarean section is performed the infant might die anyway, due to complications of prematurity. Thus, decisions about delivery method involve balancing the risks to mother and fetus. Uncertainty about the frequency of fetal injuries in vaginal breech deliveries adds to the difficulty of these decisions.
Topics: Beginning of Human Life; Birth Weight; Breech Presentation; Cesarean Section; Decision Making; Ethics, Medical; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Life; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Moral Obligations; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Patient Advocacy; Personhood; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Trial of Labor
PubMed: 3280800
DOI: 10.1136/jme.14.1.18