Toward Accurate Clinical Spasticity Assessment: Validation of Movement Speed and Joint Angle Assessments Using Smartphones and Camera Tracking

ObjectiveTo investigate whether a three-dimensional (3-D) camera (Microsoft Kinect) and a smartphone can be used to accurately quantify the joint angular velocity and range of motion (ROM) compared to a criterion-standard 3-D motion analysis system during a lower limb spasticity assessment.DesignObservational, criterion-standard comparison study.SettingLarge rehabilitation center.ParticipantsA convenience sample of 35 controls, 35 patients with a neurologic condition, and 34 rehabilitation professionals (physiotherapists and rehabilitation doctors) participated (N=104).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Modified Tardieu Scale was used to assess spasticity of the quadriceps, hamstrings, soleus, and gastrocnemius. Data for each trial were collected concurrently using the criterion-standard Optitrack 3-D motion analysis (3DMA) system, Microsoft Kinect, and a smartphone. Each healthy control participant was assessed by 1 health professional and each patient with a neurological condition was assessed by 3 health professionals. Spearman correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient with 95% confidence intervals were used to report the strength of the relationships investigated.ResultsThe smartphone and Microsoft Kinect demonstrated excellent concurrent validity with the 3DMA system. Overall, 74.8% of the relationships investigated demonstrated a very strong (≥0.80) correlation across all of the testing parameters. The Microsoft Kinect was superior to the smartphone for measuring joint start and end angle, the smartphone was superior for measuring joint angular velocity, and the 2 systems were comparable for measuring total joint ROM.ConclusionsThese findings provide preliminary evidence that user-friendly, low-cost technologies can be used to facilitate accurate measurements of joint angular velocity and angles during a lower limb spasticity assessment in a clinical setting.     

Effects of Kinesio Taping on postural balance in patients with low back pain,a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: to identify postural balance changes in subjects with low back pain after the application of Kinesio Taping, which is then compared to a no treatment control group, using baropodometric evaluation. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 50 individuals (both sexes) with chronic low back pain. They were then randomized into two groups: an experimental group - EG (treated with Kinesio Taping in the lumbar region) and a control group - CG (no intervention). Both groups underwent a baropodometric evaluation (mean plantar pressure, peak plantar pressure, plantar surface, mass distribution on right foot and left foot, mass distribution on forefoot and rear foot and base width) at four different moments: pre-intervention, 10 minutes, 48 hours, and 10 days after the intervention on the EG. The level of statistical significance was established at 5%. Results: Significant changes were observed in the EG compared to the CG. In the EG, peak pressure reduced on both right and left foot after Kinesio Taping application; the right base width was reduced, and the mass distribution between the forefoot and the rear foot normalized towards the ideal 50% distribution. These changes happened 48 hours after the Kinesio Taping application, with effects lasting up to 10 days. Conclusion: The use of Kinesio Taping in the lumbar region of subjects with chronic low back pain improved postural balance. This is proved by changes in peak plantar pressure, plantar surface, and mass distribution 48 h after Kinesio Taping application, with effects lasting up to 10 days.     

高层次科技人才创新能力评价及预测模式研究

高层次人才的引进可以迅速增强高校科研实力,缩短培养时间,但引进成本高昂,因此,必须加强高层次科研人才引进时的科学评价.本文阐述了评价高层次科研人才的主要指标,结合高层次科研人才的年龄、科研年龄等提出了科研业绩与人才未来科研贡献预测的定量评价模型,并对评价模型进行了运用说明.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱（ICP）检测电生理导管可沥滤物的试验方法研究

本文采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法检测电生理导管中四种可沥滤物：硫酸钡,颜料黄53,颜料棕24和二氧化钛的含量。经方法验证,该方法校准曲线线性良好,线性范围达4~6个数量级;检出限极低,小于0.1μg/mL;回收率达到95%~103%;实验室内检测变异系数小于3%。该方法可同步测量多种超低痕量金属元素,大大减少了样品预处理和样品使用量,具有实用性和经济性,值得推广使用。     

如何加强医技科室的质量管理

医技科室的质量管理是医院全面质量管理的重要组成部分.结合工作经验,从抓好科室基础管理、加强与临床沟通、建立应急演练与培训长效机制、完善院科两级质量管理体系等方面,总结了医技科室的质量管理工作思路.     

Comparison of emergent versus elective laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for patients with or without nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with common bile duct stones

Background

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has already been established for the treatment of patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) in elective situations. However, the effect of emergent LCBDE on those patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emergent LCBDE on patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with CBDS admitted from January 2009 to December 2012 were included for this retrospective study. LCBDE of transductal approach for CBDS was performed to all patients. Thirty-seven patients underwent emergent LCBDE for nonsevere acute cholangitis and 35 patients underwent elective LCBDE. Duration of the procedure, complications, retained stone of bile duct, hospital stay, and total charges were compared between the two groups. In addition, the characteristics of patients underwent emergent LCBDE were also compared before and after surgery.

Results

There was no significant difference with regard to the diameter of common bile duct and number of CBDS from imaging and/or operative findings between the two groups. There was no conversion to open common bile duct exploration, no major bile duct injuries, and no mortality in both the group of patients. There was no significant difference in patients with or without acute or chronic cholecystitis, duration of surgery, overall hospital stay (16.41 ± 1.03 versus 14.54 ± 0.94, P > 0.05), and total charges (18,603 ± 1774.64 versus 14,951 ± 1257.09 Yuan in renminbi, P > 0.05) between the two groups. Four cases with retained stones were found in patients with emergent LCBDE and two in elective LCBDE patients. There were four cases of biliary leak in patients with emergent LCBDE and three cases in elective LCBDE group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The biliary leak was cured postoperatively after drainage. Control of septic symptoms was achieved in all patients after emergent LCBDE.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that emergent LCBDE is as safe and effective as elective LCBDE for the treatment of patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.     

Circadian fluctuations in three types of sensory modules in healthy subjects

This study was designed to observe and compare the circadian fluctuations in tactile sense, joint reposition sense and two-point discrimination in healthy subjects. Twenty-one healthy adult subjects received perceptual ability tests through these three different sensory modules at approximately 9：00, 13：00 and 18：00 in a day. The distribution of ranking for perceptual ability was significantly different among the three different time points in each individual, with highest perceptual ability in the evening compared with noon and morning, in terms of tactile sense and two-point discrimination. These findings suggest that the perceptual ability of healthy subjects fluctuates according to the time points in a day.     

Registro Español de Desfibrilador Automático Implantable. X Informe Oficial de la Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2013)

Introduction and objectivesTo present the findings of the Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Registry for 2013 compiled by the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.MethodsProspective data were voluntarily recorded on a data collection form and sent to the Spanish Society of Cardiology by each implantation team.ResultsOverall, 4772 device implantations were reported, representing 85% of the estimated total number of implantations. The reported implantation rate was 102 per million population and the estimated total implantation rate was 120 per million. The proportion of first implantations was 68.8%. Data were received from 154 hospitals (4 fewer than in 2012). Most implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients were men (83.3%). The mean age was 62.5 (13.4) years. Most patients had severe or moderate-to-severe ventricular dysfunction and were in New York Heart Association functional class II. The most frequent underlying cardiac condition was ischemic heart disease, followed by dilated cardiomyopathy. Indications for primary prevention accounted for 53.0% of first implantations, consolidating the decrease first observed in 2012. Overall, 79.8% of devices were implanted by cardiac electrophysiologists.ConclusionsThe 2013 Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Registry includes information on 85% of the devices implanted in Spain. The total number of implantations increased compared with the previous 2 years. The percentage of implantations for primary prevention indications decreased compared with the previous year.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en