Background/Objectives: As musculoskeletal injuries in gastroenterologists related to the performance of endoscopic procedures are on the rise, solutions and new approaches are needed to prevent these undesired outcomes. In our study, we evaluated an approach to ergonomic challenges in the form of a belt-like endoscope holder designed to redistribute the weight of the endoscope across the whole body of the practitioner. The aim of the study was to determine how the use of this holder affected the body posture of practitioners during endoscopy. Methods: We designed a special endoscopic model that emulates basic endoscopic movement and maneuvers. With the use of the MoCap camera system, we recorded experienced endoscopists exercising a standardized set of tasks with and without the holder. Results: Following video and statistical analyses, the most significant differences were observed in the position of the left arm which pointed to a more relaxed arm position. Conclusions: The ergonomic benefits of the belt holder in this model merit testing in the clinical setting to evaluate its effectiveness and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in GI endoscopy.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
AIMS: To investigate the therapeutic potential of visual stimulation (VS) and BDNF in murine experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). MAIN METHODS: Mice were immunized by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein in Freund's complete adjuvant and intravenous injection of pertussis toxin, and were then exposed to high-contrast VS 12 h/day (days 1-14 post-immunization). EAU severity was assessed by examining clinical score, visual acuity, inflammatory markers, and immune cells in the retina. The transcriptome of activated retinal cells was determined by RNA-seq using RNA immunoprecipitated in complex with phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6. The retinal levels of protein products of relevant upregulated genes were quantified. The effect of BDNF on EAU was tested in unstimulated mice by its daily topical ocular administration (days 8-14 post-immunization). KEY FINDINGS: VS attenuated EAU development and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and numbers of immune cells in the retina (n = 10-20 eyes/group for each analysis). In activated retinal cells of control mice (n = 30 eyes/group), VS upregulated genes encoding immunomodulatory neuropeptides, of which BDNF and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) also showed increased mRNA and protein levels in the retina of VS-treated EAU mice (n = 6-10 eyes/group for each analysis). In unstimulated EAU mice, BDNF treatment mimicked the protective effects of VS by modulating the inflammatory and stem cell properties of Müller cells (n = 5 eyes/group for each analysis). SIGNIFICANCE: VS effectively suppresses EAU, at least through enhancing retinal levels of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective factors, VIP and BDNF. Our findings also suggest BDNF as a promising therapeutic agent for uveitis treatment.
- MeSH
- autoimunitní nemoci * imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- cytokiny metabolismus MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- mozkový neurotrofický faktor * metabolismus MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši MeSH
- retina metabolismus účinky léků MeSH
- retinitida * farmakoterapie prevence a kontrola imunologie MeSH
- uveitida * metabolismus farmakoterapie imunologie MeSH
- vazoaktivní intestinální peptid farmakologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
INTRODUCTION: A reliable electrocardiographic predictor of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is lacking so far. Previous experimental/simulation study suggested a terminal T-wave inversion (TTWI) in ischemia-related ECG leads corresponding to anterior infarct localization as an independent predictor of reperfusion VF (rVF). This T-wave characteristic has never been tested as a rVF predictor in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to test if terminal T-wave inversion (TTWI) at admission ECG (before reperfusion) can serve as a predictor of ventricular fibrillation during reperfusion (rVF) in patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Study population included consecutive patients with anterior infarct localization admitted for primary PCI (n = 181, age 65 [57; 76] years, 66% male). Of those, 14 patients had rVF (rVF group, age 59 [47; 76] years, 64% male) and patients without rVF comprised the No-rVF group (n = 167, age 65 [57; 76] years, 66% male). Association of TTWI with rVF was analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for relevant clinical and electrocardiographic covariates. The prevalence of TTWI in rVF group was 62% comparing to 23% in the No-rVF group, p = 0.005. TTWI was associated with increased risk of rVF (OR 5.51; 95% CI 1.70-17.89; p = 0.004) and remained a significant predictor after adjustment for age, gender, history of MI prior to index admission, VF before reperfusion, Tpeak-Tend, maximal ST elevation, and QRS duration (OR 23.49; 95% CI 3.14-175.91; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The terminal T-wave inversion in anterior leads before PCI independently predicted rVF in patients with anterior MI thus confirming the previous experimental/simulation findings.
- MeSH
- elektrokardiografie metody MeSH
- fibrilace komor etiologie MeSH
- infarkt myokardu přední stěny * MeSH
- infarkt myokardu s elevacemi ST úseků * komplikace diagnóza MeSH
- koronární angioplastika * MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- reperfuze škodlivé účinky MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- tachykardie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The gateway reflex is a mechanism by which neural inputs regulate chemokine expression at endothelial cell barriers, thereby establishing gateways for the invasion of autoreactive T cells into barrier-protected tissues. In this study, we hypothesized that rod photoreceptor dysfunction causes remodeling of retinal neural activity, which influences the blood-retinal barrier and the development of retinal inflammation. We evaluated this hypothesis using Gnat1rd17 mice, a model of night blindness with late-onset rod-cone dystrophy, and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Retinal remodeling and its effect on EAU development were investigated by transcriptome profiling, target identification, and functional validation. We showed that Gnat1rd17 mice primarily underwent alterations in their retinal dopaminergic system, triggering the development of an exacerbated EAU, which was counteracted by dopamine replacement with L-DOPA administered either systemically or locally. Remarkably, dopamine acted on retinal endothelial cells to inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 activity and the expression of downstream target genes such as chemokines involved in T cell recruitment. These results suggest that rod-mediated dopamine release functions in a gateway reflex manner in the homeostatic control of immune cell entry into the retina, and the loss of retinal dopaminergic activity in conditions associated with rod dysfunction increases the susceptibility to autoimmune uveitis.
- MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- dopamin metabolismus MeSH
- endoteliální buňky metabolismus patologie MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši MeSH
- NF-kappa B metabolismus MeSH
- retina metabolismus patologie MeSH
- transkripční faktor STAT3 metabolismus MeSH
- uveitida metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In this paper, we describe a technical design of wearable multi-sensor systems for physiological data measurement and wide medical applications, significantly impacted in telehealth. The monitors are composed of three analog front-end (AFE) devices, which assist with interfacing digital electronics to the noise-, time-sensitive physiological sensors for measuring ECG (heart-rate monitor), RR (respiration-rate monitor), SRL (skin resistivity monitor). These three types of sensors can be used separately or together and allow to determine a number of parameters for the assessment of mental and physical condition. The system is designed based on requirements for demanding environments even outside the realm of medical applications, and in accordance with Health and Safety at Work directives (89/391/CE and Seveso-II 96/82/EC) for occupational hygiene, medical, rehabilitation, sports and fitness applications.
- MeSH
- automatizované zpracování dat metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- biomedicínské technologie metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- biomedicínský výzkum MeSH
- dechová frekvence MeSH
- duševní zdraví MeSH
- elektrokardiografie metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nositelná elektronika * klasifikace MeSH
- srdeční frekvence MeSH
- telemedicína metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- tělesná výkonnost MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Knife attacks have become a global problem in recent years, especially in countries where access to firearms is limited. However, the current situation is that the method of selection and characteristics of protective equipment about the physical attributes of stabbing attacks is not systematically determined. Attacks with stab weapons can be divided according to the weapon's grip, the angle of the attack, and its execution into six different attacks (e.g., underarm action stab, overarm action stab, etc.). Our work presents a survey of methods for capturing and then evaluating the physical parameters of point attacks in specific motion capture and analysis programs. In this work, kinematic analysis was used to analyze motion during a stabbing attack and to obtain data on the kinetic energy of the stab. The measurements were performed with the MoCap system - Vicon Nexus 2.70. The results of the study show that the average value for the straight stab and the underarm stab is almost the same (66.5–67.1 J), while the overarm stab reaches a much higher value (92.8 J). The study aims to determine the kinetic energy of types of attacks, for standards state the level of protection based on energy levels. The results could provide new insights into the current state of protective equipment and energy values in national/international standards.
- MeSH
- biomechanika MeSH
- biomedicínský výzkum MeSH
- bodné rány * patologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- kinetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- počítačové zpracování signálu přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- snímání pohybu * metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- střelné zbraně MeSH
- zbraně klasifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Due to the fact that driving vehicles can be complicated or impracticable, a computer simulator is usually used for training and professional studies. The advantage of this approach is high safety, repeatability, easier feasibility and, of course, lower price. In this work we describe the extension of the car simulator developed by the Faculty of Transport CTU in Prague with specific scenarios for evaluating the cognitive abilities of probands, software for their management and evaluation of data from simulator software and other measured physiological variables such as ECG and arm movement. From the data it is then possible to evaluate the mental and physical condition of the proband and the progress of training. Preliminary results suggest the possibility of using Poincaré analysis for the purpose of assessing cognitive load during potential collision situations. It uses distance assessment from other objects involved in traffic situations.
In this paper, we follow up on research dealing with body tracking and motor rehabilitation. We describe the current situation in telerehabilitation in the home environment. Existing solutions do not allow wide adoption due to hardware requirements and complicated setup. We come with the possibility of telerehabilitation using only laptop or mobile web camera. Together with physiotherapists, we have compiled a set of complex motor exercises to show that the system can be practically used.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikropočítače MeSH
- telerehabilitace * MeSH
- terapie cvičením MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
A lower-extremity exoskeleton can facilitate the lower limbs' rehabilitation by providing additional structural support and strength. This article discusses the design and implementation of a functional prototype of lower extremity brace actuation and its wireless communication control system. The design provides supportive torque and increases the range of motion after complications reducing muscular strength. The control system prototype facilitates elevating a leg, gradually followed by standing and slow walking. The main control modalities are based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The prototype's functionality was tested by time-angle graphs. The final prototype demonstrates the potential application of the ANN in the control system of exoskeletons for joint impairment therapy.
- MeSH
- chůze MeSH
- dolní končetina MeSH
- exoskeleton * MeSH
- neuronové sítě MeSH
- točivý moment MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Measuring the center of pressure (CoP) for a subject positioned on a force plate is one of the most commonly used tools to investigate balance. Several studies have proven a significant degradation of the body's stability after the age of 60. The conclusions, however, are based on a limited number of indicators and without systematic nonlinear analysis methods being used to evaluate the progression of CoP parameter values. Neither the change in CoP movement in subjects over 60 years of age nor the considerations of their body mass index (BMI) has been systematically evaluated by nonlinear methods so far. This study is based on one of the frequent methods for nonlinear evaluation - the Recurrent Quantification analysis. This article discusses the applicability of this method with regards to the evaluation of changes in postural stability of subjects over 60 years of age. Postural stability changes were evaluated using CoP motion and tested by the nonlinear method. For this research purpose, a group of 103 elderly women were selected and divided into age-respective groups of 60-69 years and 70-79 years old. Each age group was further divided into a subgroup of normal and overweight subjects according to their BMI. The following recurrent analysis parameters were employed in the evaluation of CoP motion in medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions: determinism (DET), laminarity (LAM) and trapping time (TT). The results of the Wilcoxon test revealed a statistically significant difference between the values in parameters for the different age groups of overweight subjects almost in all the cases. Conversely, statistically significant differences between age groups rarely occurred in a subgroup of subjects with a normal BMI.
- MeSH
- index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nadváha MeSH
- pohyb MeSH
- postura těla * MeSH
- posturální rovnováha * MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
