The physical activity patterns of cardiac rehabilitation program participants

PURPOSE: This investigation aimed to examine the physical activity patterns of cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) participants. METHODS: The investigation enrolled 53 male and 24 female CRP participants between 46 and 88 years of age. By means of a uniaxial accelerometer (Life-Corder), the amount of physical activity (in kilocalories) and the time spent in physical activity at light (<3 metabolic equivalents [METs]), moderate (3 to 6 METs), and vigorous (>6 METs) intensity were evaluated. In addition to these variables, the MET levels for the CRP and non-CRP periods were calculated. RESULTS: The weekly amount of physical activity energy expenditure averaged 1597 +/- 846 kcal/week, and the time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity averaged, respectively, 375.5 +/- 124.5 minutes, 125.2 +/- 109.4 minutes, and 5.7 +/- 12.8 minutes per week. These levels were significantly lower on non-CRP days than on CRP days: 177 +/- 113 versus 299 +/- 161 kcal/day and, respectively, 49.3 +/- 19.3 versus 59.7 +/- 19.8 minutes, 10.5 +/- 14.6 versus 26.4 +/- 20.4 minutes, and 0.4 +/- 1.7 versus 1.4 +/- 3.0 minutes per day. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the amount of physical activity was generally adequate on CRP days, but failed to reach target levels on non-CRP days. Thus CRP participants, when it is medically appropriate, should be encouraged to incorporate lifestyle physical activity, additional exercise, or both on non-CRP days to supplement their caloric expenditure from CRP exercise sessions.     

Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score Calculation Using the Deep Learning-Based Brain Hemisphere Comparison Algorithm

ObjectivesThe Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) is a promising tool for the evaluation of stroke expansion to determine suitability for reperfusion therapy. The aim of this study was to validate deep learning-based ASPECTS calculation software that utilizes a three-dimensional fully convolutional network-based brain hemisphere comparison algorithm (3D-BHCA).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively collected head non-contrast computed tomography (CT) data from 71 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 80 non-stroke patients. The results for ASPECTS on CT assessed by 5 stroke neurologists and by the 3D-BHCA model were compared with the ground truth by means of region-based and score-based analyses.ResultsIn total, 151 patients and 3020 (151 × 20) ASPECTS regions were investigated. Median time from onset to CT was 195 min in the stroke patients. In region-based analysis, the sensitivity (0.80), specificity (0.97), and accuracy (0.96) of the 3D-BHCA model were superior to those of stroke neurologists. The sensitivity (0.98), specificity (0.92), and accuracy (0.97) of dichotomized ASPECTS > 5 analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.90) in total score-based analysis of the 3D-BHCA model were superior to those of stroke neurologists overall. When patients with stroke were stratified by onset-to-CT time, the 3D-BHCA model exhibited the highest performance to calculate ASPECTS, even in the earliest time period.ConclusionsThe automated ASPECTS calculation software we developed using a deep learning-based algorithm was superior or equal to stroke neurologists in performing ASPECTS calculation in patients with acute stroke and non-stroke patients.     

Construction of an infectious cDNA clone of radish mosaic virus, a crucifer-infecting comovirus

Radish mosaic virus (RaMV) is a crucifer-infecting comovirus that has been detected worldwide. Here, we report the successful construction of a full-length infectious cDNA clone of RaMV. The full-length cDNA clones corresponding to RNA1 and RNA2 of a Japanese isolate of RaMV were cloned into the pBlueScript plasmid or the binary vector pCAMBIA1301 downstream of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Mechanical inoculation or agroinoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana with these vectors resulted in systemic RaMV infections causing symptoms similar to those caused by the wild-type parental virus. The presence of progeny virus was verified by western blot analysis and electron microscopy.     

Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism with ATP1A3 mutation and left lower limb paroxysmal dystonia

BackgroundRapid-onset dystonia–parkinsonism (RDP) is a disease characterized by an abrupt onset of dystonia accompanied by signs of parkinsonism and prominent bulbar symptoms.Case reportWe describe a case of a female patient, born after normal delivery, but diagnosed with mild intellectual disability at age 7. She presented with an abrupt onset of upper limb dystonia and bradykinesia without tremor in parkinsonism, as well as dysarthria and dysphagia caused by prominent bulbar symptoms, at age 9. She had normal findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and blood examination but was diagnosed with a psychogenic disorder. At age 10, she developed left lower limb paroxysmal stiffness with pain, and at 14, she was hospitalized due to lasting paroxysmal symptoms. Whole-exome sequencing was performed for this index case and her parents, and a de novo missense variant c.829G > A, p.Glu277Lys in ATP1A3 was identified.DiscussionThis RDP case highlights a rare clinical feature of paroxysmal dystonia that affects the lower left limb and develops after the abrupt onset of permanent dystonia. Currently, there are only three reported RDP cases associated with the same missense mutation, and we summarized the clinical features of all cases including ours, such as onset of age, time for stable, RDP score, relapse and exacerbation. Various symptoms owing to ATP1A3 mutation could develop as ATP1A3-related neurological disorders beyond classical phenotypes such as alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) or RDP. Although RDP is extremely rare during childhood, it is important to understand its clinical characteristics in children.     

Clinical potential of hemodynamic ramp test by simultaneous echocardiography and right heart catheterization for aortic insufficiency in a patient with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device

Journal of Artificial Organs - Aortic insufficiency (AI) is an important adverse event in patients with continuous-flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. AI is often progressive,...     

Usefulness of albumin–globulin ratio as a clinical prognostic factor in patients with thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - Albumin–globulin ratio (AGR), which is calculated by dividing serum albumin by serum globulin, is considered as a cancer-related inflammation biomarker. Although...     

Relationship between shear elastic modulus and passive force of the human rectus femoris at multiple sites: a Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver study

Journal of Medical Ultrasonics - Estimation of muscle passive force from elasticity using shear wave elastography (SWE) has been reported. However, the relationship between the elasticity and...