Fast FFT-based bioheat transfer equation computation

This paper describes a modeling method of the tissue temperature evolution over time in hyper or hypothermia. The tissue temperature evolution over time is classically described by Pennes’ bioheat transfer equation which is generally solved by a finite difference method. In this paper we will present a method where the bioheat transfer equation can be algebraically solved after a Fourier transformation over the space coordinates. As an example, we implemented this method for the simulation of a percutaneous high intensity ultrasound hepatocellular carcinoma curative treatment and compared it with the finite difference method and experimental data.     

GaitaBase: Web-based repository system for gait analysis

The need to share gait analysis data to improve clinical decision support has been recognised since the early 1990s. GaitaBase has been established to provide a web-accessible repository system of gait analysis data to improve the sharing of data across local and international clinical and research community. It is used by several clinical and research groups across the world providing cross-group access permissions to retrieve and analyse the data. The system is useful for bench-marking and quality assurance, clinical consultation, and collaborative research. It has the capacity to increase the population sample size and improve the quality of ‘normative’ gait data. In addition the accumulated stored data may facilitate clinicians in comparing their own gait data with others, and give a valuable insight into how effective specific interventions have been for others.     

Prediction of protein functions based on function-function correlation relations

A protein function pair approach, based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) data, is proposed to predict protein functions. Randomization tests are performed on the PPI dataset, which resulted in a protein function correlation scoring value which is used to rank the relative importance of a function pair. It has been found that certain classes of protein functions tend to be correlated together. Scoring values of these correlation pairs allow us to predict the functionality of a protein given that it interacts with proteins having well-defined function annotations.The jackknife test is used to validate the function pair method. The protein function pair approach achieves a prediction sensitivity comparable to an approach using more sophisticated method. The main advantages of this approach are as follows: (i) a set of function-function correlation relations are derived and intuitive biological interpretation can be achieved, and (ii) its simplicity, only two parameters are needed.     

Dietary Quality and Associated Factors among Factory Workers in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil

The workplace is a manageable community-based setting for ensuring proper nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate dietary quality and associated factors among adult workers at a cosmetics factory in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. This factory was actively participating in the Brazilian Workers' Meal Program, which was created to ensure workers' nutritional health. In this cross-sectional study, data on 202 adult workers were assessed using questionnaires (sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics) administered during August and September 2006. Dietary intake, measured by 24-hour dietary recall, was used to calculate the modified Healthy Eating Index (HEI). A repeated administration of the 24-hour dietary recall was applied in a random subsample to calculate the modified HEI adjusted for the within-person variation in intake. Mean adjusted modified HEI scores were analyzed using multiple linear regression adjusted for energy. The mean adjusted modified HEI score was 72.3±8.0. The lowest adjusted modified HEI components scores were “milk and dairy products” (4.4±3.2) and “sodium” (3.7±3.1). Two percent of workers had “poor diet” (adjusted modified HEI score <51 points) and the majority (87%) had “diet that needs modification” (adjusted modified HEI score between 51 and 80), despite their participation in the meal program. Adjusted modified HEI scores were considerably higher for men (74.7±7.0) than for women (66.9±8.2) and for normal body mass index (calculated as kg/m²) (73.3±7.8) than for overweight/obese (70.9±8.1). Based on these results, the vast majority of workers were found to have diets that needed improvement. Individuals with higher-quality diets were more likely to have lower body mass index and to be male.     

Mediation Analyses: Applications in Nutrition Research and Reading the Literature

Mediation analysis is a newer statistical tool that is becoming more prominent in nutrition research. Its use provides insight into the relationship among variables in a potential causal chain. For intervention studies, it can define the influence of different programmatic components and, in doing so, allows investigators to identify and refine a program's critical aspects. We present an overview of mediation analysis, compare mediators with other variables (confounders, moderators, and covariates), and illustrate how mediation analysis permits interpretation of the change process. A framework is outlined for the critical appraisal of articles purporting to use mediation analysis. The framework's utility is demonstrated by searching the nutrition literature and identifying articles citing mediation cross referenced with the terms “nutrition,” “diet,” “food,” and “obesity.” Seventy-two articles were identified that involved human subjects and behavior outcomes, and almost half mentioned mediation without tests to define its presence. Tabulation of the 40 articles appropriately assessing mediation demonstrates an increase in these techniques' appearance and the breadth of nutrition topics addressed. Mediation analysis is an important new statistical tool. Familiarity with its methodology and a framework for assessing articles will allow readers to critically appraise the literature and make informed independent evaluations of works using these techniques.