Wireless sensor networks for indoor air quality monitoring

The purpose of this study is to build an indoor air quality monitoring system based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) technology. The main functions of the system include (1) remote parameter adjustment and firmware update mechanism for the sensors to enhance the flexibility and convenience of the system, (2) sensor nodes are designed by referring to the IEEE 1451.4 standard. This way, sensor nodes can automatically adjust and be plug and play, and (3) calibration method to strength the measurement value's sensitivity and accuracy. The experimental results show that transmission speed improves 30% than Trickle, transmission volume reduced to 42% of the original volume, updating task in 5*5 network topology can be executed 1.79 times and power consumption reduced to 30%. When baseline drifts, we can use the firmware update mechanism to adjust the reference value. The way can reduce error percentage from 15% to 7%.     

Effect of exergaming versus combined exercise on cognitive function and brain activation in frail older adults: A randomised controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive impairment is prevalent among frail older adults. Traditional exercise and exergaming positively affect cognition in healthy older people. However, few studies have investigated the effects of exergaming on cognition and brain activation in frail older adults.ObjectiveThis study compared the effect of Kinect based exergaming (EXER) and combined physical exercise (CPE) training on cognitive function and brain activation in frail older adults in Taiwan. We hypothesised that EXER would be superior to CPE in this population.MethodsWe randomised 46 community-dwelling frail older adults to the EXER or CPE group for 36 sessions (three 60-min training sessions per week) over 12 weeks. Outcome measures for cognitive function included global cognition measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, executive function measured by the Executive Interview 25, verbal memory measured by the Chinese version of the California Verbal Learning Test, attention measured by the Stroop Colour and Word Test and Trail Making Test (part B), and working memory measured by spatial n-back tests. Prefrontal cortex activation during the global cognition test was documented with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).ResultsBoth groups improved significantly in global cognition (P < 0.05), executive function (P < 0.05), and attention (P < 0.05) after the 12-week intervention. The group × time interaction indicated that EXER training significantly enhanced global cognition more than CPE training (F(1,44) = 5.277, P = 0.026). Moreover, only the EXER group showed significant improvements in verbal (P < 0.05) and working (P < 0.05) memory after the intervention. The fNIRS hemodynamics data revealed decreased activation in prefrontal cortices of both groups (P < 0.05) during the post-training cognitive assessment, thereby suggesting greater neural efficiency; however, we found no significant group difference.ConclusionIn frail older adults, exergaming and CPE could improve cognitive function, most likely by increasing neural efficiency. Moreover, exergaming may be superior to CPE, particularly in improving global cognition.     

Retrograde Inversion Stripping as a Complication of the Clarivein? Mechanochemical Venous Ablation Procedure

The endovenous revolution has accelerated the development of new techniques and devices for the treatment of varicose veins. The ClariVein^® mechanochemical ablation device offers tumescentless treatment with a rotating ablation tip that can theoretically become stuck in tissue. We present the first report of retrograde stripping of the small saphenous vein without anaesthesia following attempted use of the ClariVein^® device, without adverse sequelae.     

Non-invasive evaluation of therapeutic response in keloid scar using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

The pathogenesis and ideal treatment of keloid are still largely unknown, and it is essential to develop an objective assessment of keloid severity to evaluate the therapeutic response. We previously reported that our diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system could assist clinicians in understanding the functional and structural condition of keloid scars. The purpose of this study was to understand clinical applicability of our DRS system on evaluating the scar severity and therapeutic response of keloid. We analyzed 228 spectral data from 71 subjects with keloid scars. The scars were classified into mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (8-11) according to the Vancouver scar scale. We found that as the severity of the scar increased, collagen concentration and water content increased, and the reduced scattering coefficient at 800 nm and oxygen saturation (SaO₂) decreased. Using the DRS system, we found that collagen bundles aligned in a specific direction in keloid scars, but not in normal scars. Water content and SaO₂ may be utilized as reliable parameters for evaluating the therapeutic response of keloid. In conclusion, the results obtained here suggest that the DRS has potential as an objective technique with which to evaluate keloid scar severity. In addition, it may be useful as a tool with which to track longitudinal response of scars in response to various therapeutic interventions.OCIS codes: (170.5280) Photon migration, (170.4580) Optical diagnostics for medicine, (170.6510) Spectroscopy, tissue diagnostics, (290.1990) Diffusion     

Types of collagen synthesized by normal rat liver hepatocytes in primary culture

Collagen formation is an important function of liver parenchymal cells that may be relevant to the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. The types of collagen synthesized by cultured normal rat liver hepatocytes were examined. Cells isolated from adult rats by enzymatic dispersion of the liver were established in primary monolayer culture. Cells were then incubated with radiolabeled proline for 20 hr in the presence of ascorbate and the lathrogen beta-aminopropionitrile. Collagen secreted into the cell media was assessed separately from that in the cell layer. The greater proportion of newly synthesized collagen was associated with the cell layer. Collagen types were identified by ion exchange chromatography and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Types I, III, IV, and V collagen were present in both media and cell layer. Types III and V were the predominant types found. Very little Type I collagen was synthesized by these cultured normal hepatocytes. The percentages of Types I, III, IV, and V collagens, combining media and cell layer, were 6, 38, 19, and 36, respectively.     

Antihyperlipidemic activity of Allium chinense bulbs

Allium chinense is a medicinal plant and nutritional food commonly used in Eastern Asia. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity (scavenging of α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl free radical, total phenol content, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity) and constituents of various extracts from A. chinense. Moreover, we also studied the in vivo hypolipidemic effects of extracts on high-fat-diet Wistar rats. Ethanol extracts from A. chinense showed notable antioxidant activity, and its high-dose essential-oil extract both significantly reduced serum and hepatic total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels and increased serum high-density lipoprotein levels in high-fat-diet Wistar rats compared with those observed following treatment with the control drug probucol. Additionally, visceral fat in high-fat-diet Wistar rats was reduced. Furthermore, groups with high doses of essential-oil and residue extracts showed protective effects associated with histopathological liver alteration. These results suggested that A. chinense is a valuable plant worthy of further investigation as a potential dietary supplement or botanical drug.     

Rankings versus reality in pancreatic cancer surgery: a real-world comparison

Background

Patients are increasingly confronted with systems for rating hospitals. However, the correlations between publicized ratings and actual outcomes after pancreatectomy are unknown.

Methods

The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database was queried to identify pancreatic cancer resections carried out during 2005–2009. Hospitals performing fewer than 10 pancreatic resections in the 5-year period were excluded. Primary outcomes included mortality, complications, median length of stay (LoS) and a composite outcomes score (COS) combining primary outcomes. Ranks were determined and compared for: (i) volume, and (ii) ratings identified from consumer-directed hospital ratings including the US News & World Report (USN), Consumer Reports, Healthgrades and Hospital Compare. An inter-rater reliability analysis was performed and correlation coefficients (r) between outcomes and ratings, and between rating systems were calculated.

Results

Eleven hospitals in which a total of 804 pancreatectomies were conducted were identified. Surgical volume correlated with overall outcome, but was not the strongest indicator. The highest correlation referred to that between USN rank and overall outcome. Mortality was most strongly correlated with Healthgrades ratings (r = 0.50); however, Healthgrades ratings demonstrated poorer correlations with all other outcomes. Consumer Reports ratings showed inverse correlations.

Conclusions

The plethora of publicly available hospital ratings systems demonstrates heterogeneity. Volume remains a good but imperfect indicator of surgical outcomes. Further systematic investigation into which measures predict quality outcomes in pancreatic cancer surgery will benefit both patients and providers.