BACKGROUND: Turning in place is a challenging motor task and is used as a brief assessment test of lower limb function and dynamic balance. This review aims to examine how research of instrumented analysis of turning in place is implemented. In addition to reporting the studied population, we covered acquisition systems, turn detection methods, quantitative parameters, and how these parameters are computed. METHODS: Following the development of a rigorous search strategy, the Web of Science and Scopus were systematically searched for studies involving the use of turning-in-place. From the selected articles, the study population, types of instruments used, turn detection method, and how the turning-in-place characteristics were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-one papers met the inclusion criteria. The subject groups involved in the reviewed studies included young, middle-aged, and older adults, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease patients. Inertial measurement units (16 studies) and motion camera systems (5 studies) were employed for gathering measurement data, force platforms were rarely used (2 studies). Two studies used commercial software for turn detection, six studies referenced previously published algorithms, two studies developed a custom detector, and eight studies did not provide any details about the turn detection method. The most frequently used parameters were mean angular velocity (14 cases, 7 studies), turn duration (13 cases, 13 studies), peak angular velocity (8 cases, 8 studies), jerkiness (6 cases, 5 studies) and freezing-of-gait ratios (5 cases, 5 studies). Angular velocities were derived from sensors placed on the lower back (7 cases, 4 studies), trunk (4 cases, 2 studies), and shank (2 cases, 1 study). The rest (9 cases, 8 studies) did not report sensor placement. Calculation of the freezing-of-gait ratio was based on the acceleration of the lower limbs in all cases. Jerkiness computation employed acceleration in the medio-lateral (4 cases) and antero-posterior (1 case) direction. One study did not reported any details about jerkiness computation. CONCLUSION: This review identified the capabilities of turning-in-place assessment in identifying movement differences between the various subject groups. The results, based on data acquired by inertial measurement units across studies, are comparable. A more in-depth analysis of tests developed for gait, which has been adopted in turning-in-place, is needed to examine their validity and accuracy.
Bone regeneration after injury or after surgical bone removal due to disease is a serious medical challenge. A variety of materials are being tested to replace a missing bone or tooth. Regeneration requires cells capable of proliferation and differentiation in bone tissue. Although there are many possible human cell types available for use as a model for each phase of this process, no cell type is ideal for each phase. Osteosarcoma cells are preferred for initial adhesion assays due to their easy cultivation and fast proliferation, but they are not suitable for subsequent differentiation testing due to their cancer origin and genetic differences from normal bone tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells are more suitable for biocompatibility testing, because they mimic natural conditions in healthy bone, but they proliferate more slowly, soon undergo senescence, and some subpopulations may exhibit weak osteodifferentiation. Primary human osteoblasts provide relevant results in evaluating the effect of biomaterials on cellular activity; however, their resources are limited for the same reasons, like for mesenchymal stem cells. This review article provides an overview of cell models for biocompatibility testing of materials used in bone tissue research.
- MeSH
- biokompatibilní materiály farmakologie MeSH
- buněčná diferenciace MeSH
- kosti a kostní tkáň * MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- osteoblasty MeSH
- osteogeneze MeSH
- proliferace buněk MeSH
- tkáňové inženýrství * metody MeSH
- tkáňové podpůrné struktury MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
BACKGROUND: The role of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has long been debated. Numerous studies documented its benefits, whereas several more recent studies did not prove superiority of HFOV over protective conventional mechanical ventilation (CV). One of the accepted explanations is that CV and HFOV act differently, including gas exchange. METHODS: To investigate a different level of coupling or decoupling between oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination during CV and HFOV, we conducted a prospective crossover animal study in 11 healthy pigs. In each animal, we found a normocapnic tidal volume (VT) after the lung recruitment maneuver. Then, VT was repeatedly changed over a wide range while keeping constant the levels of PEEP during CV and mean airway pressure during HFOV. Arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were recorded. The same procedure was repeated for CV and HFOV in random order. RESULTS: Changes in PaCO2 intentionally induced by adjustment of VT affected oxygenation more significantly during HFOV than during CV. Increasing VT above its normocapnic value during HFOV caused a significant improvement in oxygenation, whereas improvement in oxygenation during CV hyperventilation was limited. Any decrease in VT during HFOV caused a rapid worsening of oxygenation compared to CV. CONCLUSION: A change in PaCO2 induced by the manipulation of tidal volume inevitably brings with it a change in oxygenation, while this effect on oxygenation is significantly greater in HFOV compared to CV.
- MeSH
- dechový objem MeSH
- plíce MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- výměna plynů v plicích * MeSH
- vysokofrekvenční ventilace * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Collagen-based scaffolds provide a promising option for the treatment of bone defects. One of the key parameters of such scaffolds consists of porosity, including pore size. However, to date, no agreement has been found with respect to the methodology for pore size evaluation. Since the determination of the exact pore size value is not possible, the comparison of the various methods applied is complicated. Hence, this study focuses on the comparison of two widely-used methods for the characterization of porosity-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). METHODS: 7 types of collagen-based composite scaffold models were prepared by means of lyophilization and collagen cross-linking. Micro-CT analysis was performed in 3D and in 2D (pore size parameters were: major diameter, mean thickness, biggest inner circle diameter and area-equivalent circle diameter). Afterwards, pore sizes were analyzed in the same specimens by an image analysis of SEM microphotographs. The results were statistically evaluated. The comparison of the various approaches to the evaluation of pore size was based on coefficients of variance and the semi-quantitative assessment of selected qualities (e.g. the potential for direct 3D analysis, whole specimen analysis, non-destructivity). RESULTS: The pore size values differed significantly with respect to the parameters applied. Median values of pore size values were ranging from 20 to 490 µm. The SEM values were approximately 3 times higher than micro-CT 3D values for each specimen. The Mean thickness was the most advantageous micro-CT 2D approach. Coefficient of variance revealed no differences among pore size parameters (except major diameter). The semi-quantitative comparison approach presented pore size parameters in descending order with regard to the advantages thereof as follows: (1) micro-CT 3D, (2) mean thickness and SEM, (3) biggest inner circle diameter, major diameter and area equivalent circle diameter. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that micro-CT 3D evaluation provides the most beneficial overall approach. Micro-CT 2D analysis (mean thickness) is advantageous in terms of its time efficacy. SEM is still considered as gold standard for its widespread use and high resolution. However, exact comparison of pore size analysis in scaffold materials remains a challenge.
BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a well established imaging technique with different applications in preclinical research and clinical practice. The main potential for its application lies in the possibility of noninvasively performing "optical biopsy". Nevertheless, functional OCT imaging is also developing, in which perfusion imaging is an important approach in tissue function study. In spite of its great potential in preclinical research, advanced perfusion imaging using OCT has not been studied. Perfusion analysis is based on administration of a contrast agent (nanoparticles in the case of OCT) into the bloodstream, where during time it specifically changes the image contrast. Through analysing the concentration-intensity curves we are then able to find out further information about the examined tissue. METHODS: We have designed and manufactured a tissue mimicking phantom that provides the possibility of measuring dilution curves in OCT sequence with flow rates 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 μL/min. The methodology comprised of using bolus of 50 μL of gold nanorods as a contrast agent (with flow rate 5000 μL/min) and continuous imaging by an OCT system. After data acquisition, dilution curves were extracted from OCT intensity images and were subjected to a deconvolution method using an input-output system description. The aim of this was to obtain impulse response characteristics for our model phantom within the tissue mimicking environment. Four mathematical tissue models were used and compared: exponential, gamma, lagged and LDRW. RESULTS: We have shown that every model has a linearly dependent parameter on flow ([Formula: see text] values from 0.4914 to 0.9996). We have also shown that using different models can lead to a better understanding of the examined model or tissue. The lagged model surpassed other models in terms of the minimisation criterion and [Formula: see text] value. CONCLUSIONS: We used a tissue mimicking phantom in our study and showed that OCT can be used for advanced perfusion analysis using mathematical model and deconvolution approach. The lagged model with three parameters is the most appropriate model. Nevertheless, further research have to be performed, particularly with real tissue.
- MeSH
- 3D tisk MeSH
- design vybavení MeSH
- fantomy radiodiagnostické * MeSH
- kontrastní látky chemie MeSH
- kovové nanočástice chemie MeSH
- nanotrubičky chemie MeSH
- optická koherentní tomografie metody MeSH
- počítačové zpracování obrazu MeSH
- teoretické modely * MeSH
- tkáňové podpůrné struktury chemie MeSH
- zlato chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: The paper presents a method of linear time-varying filtering, with extremely low computational costs, for the suppression of baseline drift in electrocardiographic (ECG) signals. An ECG signal is not periodic as the length of its heart cycles vary. In order to optimally suppress baseline drift by the use of a linear filter, we need a high-pass filter with time-varying cut-off frequency controlled by instant heart rate. METHODS: Realization of the high-pass (HP) filter is based on a narrow-band low-pass (LP) filter of which output is subtracted from the delayed input. The base of an LP filter is an extremely low computational cost Lynn's filter with rectangular impulse response. The optimal cut-off frequency of an HP filter for baseline wander suppression is identical to an instantaneous heart rate. Instantaneous length of heart cycles (e.g. RR intervals) are interpolated between QRS complexes to smoothly control cut-off frequency of the HP filter that has been used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We proved that a 0.5 dB decrease in transfer function, at a time-varying cut-off frequency of HP filter controlled by an instant heart rate, is acceptable when related to maximum error due to filtering. Presented in the article are the algorithms that enable the realization of time-variable filters with very low computational costs. We propose fast linear HP filters for the suppression of baseline wander with time-varying cut-off frequencies controlled by instant heart rate. The filters fulfil accepted professional standards and increase the efficiency of the noise suppression.
- MeSH
- algoritmy * MeSH
- artefakty * MeSH
- diagnóza počítačová metody MeSH
- elektrokardiografie metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lineární modely MeSH
- počítačová simulace MeSH
- počítačové zpracování signálu * MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- srdeční frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- určení tepové frekvence metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in ophthalmology for viewing the morphology of the retina, which is important for disease detection and assessing therapeutic effect. The diagnosis of retinal diseases is based primarily on the subjective analysis of OCT images by trained ophthalmologists. This paper describes an OCT images automatic analysis method for computer-aided disease diagnosis and it is a critical part of the eye fundus diagnosis. METHODS: This study analyzed 300 OCT images acquired by Optovue Avanti RTVue XR (Optovue Corp., Fremont, CA). Firstly, the normal retinal reference model based on retinal boundaries was presented. Subsequently, two kinds of quantitative methods based on geometric features and morphological features were proposed. This paper put forward a retinal abnormal grading decision-making method which was used in actual analysis and evaluation of multiple OCT images. RESULTS: This paper showed detailed analysis process by four retinal OCT images with different abnormal degrees. The final grading results verified that the analysis method can distinguish abnormal severity and lesion regions. This paper presented the simulation of the 150 test images, where the results of analysis of retinal status showed that the sensitivity was 0.94 and specificity was 0.92.The proposed method can speed up diagnostic process and objectively evaluate the retinal status. CONCLUSIONS: This paper aims on studies of retinal status automatic analysis method based on feature extraction and quantitative grading in OCT images. The proposed method can obtain the parameters and the features that are associated with retinal morphology. Quantitative analysis and evaluation of these features are combined with reference model which can realize the target image abnormal judgment and provide a reference for disease diagnosis.
- MeSH
- diagnóza počítačová MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fundus oculi MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- optická koherentní tomografie * MeSH
- počítačové zpracování obrazu * MeSH
- poměr signál - šum MeSH
- retina diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- rozhodování MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: One of the main challenges in modern science is the amount of data produced by the experimental work; it is difficult to store, organize and share the scientific data and to extract the wealth of knowledge. Experimental method descriptions in scientific publications are often incomplete, which complicates experimental reproducibility. The proposed system was created in order to address these issues. It provides a solution for management of the experimental data and metadata to support the reproducibility. IMPLEMENTATION: The system is implemented as a repository for experiment descriptions and experimental data. It has three main entry points: desktop application for protocol design and data processing, web interface dedicated for protocol and data management, and web-based interface for mobile devices suitable for the field experiments. The functionality of desktop client can be extended using the custom plug-ins for data extraction and data processing. The system provides several methods to support experimental reproducibility: standardized terminology support, data and metadata at a single location, standardized protocol design or protocol evolution. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The system was tested in the framework of international infrastructure project AQUAEXCEL with five pilot installations at different institutes. The general testing in Tissue culture certified laboratory, Institute of complex systems and IFREMER verified the usability under different research infrastructures. The specific testing focused on the data processing modules and plug-ins demonstrated the modularity of the system for the specific conditions. The BioWes system represents experimental data as black box and therefore can handle any data type so as to provide broad usability for a variety of experiments and provide the data management infrastructure to improve the reproducibility and data sharing. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed system provides the tools for standard data management operations and extends the support by the standardization possibilities, protocol evolution with visualization features and modularity based on the data processing modules and device communication plug-ins. The software can be used at different organization levels: from a single researcher (to improve data organization) to research consortium through the central protocols management repository. Support from the protocol design until being shared with the standardization features helps to improve the reproducibility of research work. The platform provides support from experimental protocol design to cooperation using simple sharing.
BACKGROUND: Analysis of fast temporal changes on retinas has become an important part of diagnostic video-ophthalmology. It enables investigation of the hemodynamic processes in retinal tissue, e.g. blood-vessel diameter changes as a result of blood-pressure variation, spontaneous venous pulsation influenced by intracranial-intraocular pressure difference, blood-volume changes as a result of changes in light reflection from retinal tissue, and blood flow using laser speckle contrast imaging. For such applications, image registration of the recorded sequence must be performed. METHODS: Here we use a new non-mydriatic video-ophthalmoscope for simple and fast acquisition of low SNR retinal sequences. We introduce a novel, two-step approach for fast image registration. The phase correlation in the first stage removes large eye movements. Lucas-Kanade tracking in the second stage removes small eye movements. We propose robust adaptive selection of the tracking points, which is the most important part of tracking-based approaches. We also describe a method for quantitative evaluation of the registration results, based on vascular tree intensity profiles. RESULTS: The achieved registration error evaluated on 23 sequences (5840 frames) is 0.78 ± 0.67 pixels inside the optic disc and 1.39 ± 0.63 pixels outside the optic disc. We compared the results with the commonly used approaches based on Lucas-Kanade tracking and scale-invariant feature transform, which achieved worse results. CONCLUSION: The proposed method can efficiently correct particular frames of retinal sequences for shift and rotation. The registration results for each frame (shift in X and Y direction and eye rotation) can also be used for eye-movement evaluation during single-spot fixation tasks.
- MeSH
- algoritmy MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- oftalmoskopy * MeSH
- počítačové zpracování obrazu metody MeSH
- pohyby očí MeSH
- poměr signál - šum MeSH
- retina * fyziologie MeSH
- retinální cévy cytologie MeSH
- videozáznam MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Using of active cardiac medical devices increases steadily. In Europe, there were 183 implants of ICD and 944 implants of PM, 119 of biventricular ICD and 41 of biventricular PM, all per million inhabitants in 2014. Healthcare environments, including radiotherapy treatment rooms, are considered challenging for these implantable devices. Exposure to radiation may cause the device to experience premature elective replacement indicator, decreased pacing amplitude or pacing inhibition, inappropriate shocks or inhibition of tachyarrhythmia therapy and loss of device function. These impacts may be temporary or permanent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of linear accelerator ionizing radiation dose of 10 Gy on the activity of the biventricular cardioverter-defibrillator in different position in radiation beam. METHODS: Two identical wireless communication devices with all three leads were used for the measurement. Both systems were soused into solution saline and exposed in different position in the beam of linear accelerator per 10 Gy fractions. In comparison of usually used maximum recommended dose of 2 Gy, the radiation doses used in test were five times higher. Using the simultaneous monitoring wireless communication between device and its programmer allowed watching of the devices activities, noise occurrence or drop of biventricular pacing on the programmer screen, observed by local television loop camera. RESULTS: At any device position in radiation beam, there were no influences of the device activity at dose of 10 Gy neither a significant increase of a solution saline temperature in any of the measured positions of CRT-D systems in linear accelerator. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicated, that the recommendation dose for treating the patients with implantable devices are too conservative and the risk of device failure is not so high. The systems can easily withstand the dose fractions of tens Gy, which would allow current single-dose-procedure treatment in radiation therapy. Even though the process of the random alteration of device memory and electrical components by scatter particles not allowed to specify a safe dose during ionizing radiation, this study showed that the safe limit are above the today used dose fractions.
