bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial development and testing of a novel foam-based pressure sensor for wearable sensing
Authors: Dunne Lucy E , Brady Sarah , Smyth Barry , Diamond Dermot 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackgroundThis paper provides an overview of initial research conducted in the development of pressure-sensitive foam and its application in wearable sensing. The foam sensor is composed of polypyrrole-coated polyurethane foam, which exhibits a piezo-resistive reaction when exposed to electrical current. The use of this polymer-coated foam is attractive for wearable sensing due to the sensor's retention of desirable mechanical properties similar to those exhibited by textile structures.MethodsThe development of the foam sensor is described, as well as the development of a prototype sensing garment with sensors in several areas on the torso to measure breathing, shoulder movement, neck movement, and scapula pressure. Sensor properties were characterized, and data from pilot tests was examined visually.ResultsThe foam exhibits a positive linear conductance response to increased pressure. Torso tests show that it responds in a predictable and measurable manner to breathing, shoulder movement, neck movement, and scapula pressure.ConclusionThe polypyrrole foam shows considerable promise as a sensor for medical, wearable, and ubiquitous computing applications. Further investigation of the foam's consistency of response, durability over time, and specificity of response is necessary.
Design considerations for a wearable monitor to measure finger posture
Authors: Simone Lisa K , Kamper Derek G 
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Background
Objective measures of hand function as individuals participate in home and community activities are needed in order to better plan and evaluate rehabilitation treatments. Traditional measures collected in the clinical setting are often not reflective of actual functional performance. Recent advances in technology, however, enable the development of a lightweight, comfortable data collection monitor to measure hand kinematics.

Methods
This paper presents the design analysis of a wearable sensor glove with a specific focus on the sensors selected to measure bend. The most important requirement for the glove is easy donning and removal for individuals with significantly reduced range of motion in the hands and fingers. Additional requirements include comfort and durability, cost effectiveness, and measurement repeatability. These requirements eliminate existing measurement gloves from consideration. Glove construction is introduced, and the sensor selection and glove evaluation process are presented.

Results
Evaluation of commercial bend sensors shows that although most are not appropriate for repeatable measurements of finger flexion, one has been successfully identified. A case study for sensor glove repeatability using the final glove configuration and sensors does show a high degree of repeatability in both the gripped and flat hand positions (average coefficient of variability = 2.96% and 0.10%, respectively).

Conclusion
Measuring functional outcomes in a portable manner can provide a wealth of information important to clinicians for the evaluation and treatment of movement disorders in the hand and fingers. This device is an important step in that direction as both a research and an evaluation method.
A wireless body area network of intelligent motion sensors for computer assisted physical rehabilitation
Authors: Jovanov Emil , Milenkovic Aleksandar , Otto Chris , de Groen Piet C 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackgroundRecent technological advances in integrated circuits, wireless communications, and physiological sensing allow miniature, lightweight, ultra-low power, intelligent monitoring devices. A number of these devices can be integrated into a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN), a new enabling technology for health monitoring.MethodsUsing off-the-shelf wireless sensors we designed a prototype WBAN which features a standard ZigBee compliant radio and a common set of physiological, kinetic, and environmental sensors.ResultsWe introduce a multi-tier telemedicine system and describe how we optimized our prototype WBAN implementation for computer-assisted physical rehabilitation applications and ambulatory monitoring. The system performs real-time analysis of sensors' data, provides guidance and feedback to the user, and can generate warnings based on the user's state, level of activity, and environmental conditions. In addition, all recorded information can be transferred to medical servers via the Internet and seamlessly integrated into the user's electronic medical record and research databases.ConclusionWBANs promise inexpensive, unobtrusive, and unsupervised ambulatory monitoring during normal daily activities for prolonged periods of time. To make this technology ubiquitous and affordable, a number of challenging issues should be resolved, such as system design, configuration and customization, seamless integration, standardization, further utilization of common off-the-shelf components, security and privacy, and social issues.
Wearable Conductive Fiber Sensors for Multi-Axis Human Joint Angle Measurements
Authors: Gibbs Peter T , Asada HHarry 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
The practice of continuous, long-term monitoring of human joint motion is one that finds many applications, especially in the medical and rehabilitation fields. There is a lack of acceptable devices available to perform such measurements in the field in a reliable and non-intrusive way over a long period of time. The purpose of this study was therefore to develop such a wearable joint monitoring sensor capable of continuous, day-to-day monitoring.

Methods
A novel technique of incorporating conductive fibers into flexible, skin-tight fabrics surrounding a joint is developed. Resistance changes across these conductive fibers are measured, and directly related to specific single or multi-axis joint angles through the use of a non-linear predictor after an initial, one-time calibration. Because these sensors are intended for multiple uses, an automated registration algorithm has been devised using a sensitivity template matched to an array of sensors spanning the joints of interest. In this way, a sensor array can be taken off and put back on an individual for multiple uses, with the sensors automatically calibrating themselves each time.

Results
The wearable sensors designed are comfortable, and acceptable for long-term wear in everyday settings. Results have shown the feasibility of this type of sensor, with accurate measurements of joint motion for both a single-axis knee joint and a double axis hip joint when compared to a standard goniometer used to measure joint angles. Self-registration of the sensors was found to be possible with only a few simple motions by the patient.

Conclusion
After preliminary experiments involving a pants sensing garment for lower body monitoring, it has been seen that this methodology is effective for monitoring joint motion of the hip and knee. This design therefore produces a robust, comfortable, truly wearable joint monitoring device.
Soilborne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) 19K protein belongs to a class of cysteine rich proteins that suppress RNA silencing
Authors: Te Jeannie , Melcher Ulrich , Howard Amanda , Verchot-Lubicz Jeanmarie 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAmino acid sequence analyses indicate that the Soilborne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) 19K protein is a cysteine-rich protein (CRP) and shares sequence homology with CRPs derived from furo-, hordei-, peclu- and tobraviruses. Since the hordei- and pecluvirus CRPs were shown to be pathogenesis factors and/or suppressors of RNA silencing, experiments were conducted to determine if the SBWMV 19K CRP has similar activities. The SBWMV 19K CRP was introduced into the Potato virus X (PVX) viral vector and inoculated to tobacco plants. The SBWMV 19K CRP aggravated PVX-induced symptoms and restored green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression to GFP silenced tissues. These observations indicate that the SBWMV 19K CRP is a pathogenicity determinant and a suppressor of RNA silencing.
The mechanism of low-concentration sodium nitroprusside-mediated protection of chondrocyte death
Authors: Kim Hyun A , Lee Ki Byoung , Bae Sang-cheol 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSodium nitroprusside (SNP), a widely used nitric oxide donor, has recently been shown to mediate chondrocyte apoptosis by generating reactive oxygen species, whereas more potent nitric oxide donors do not induce chondrocyte apoptosis. The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of a low concentration of SNP upon the cytotoxicity of chondrocytes to higher concentrations of SNP, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Human osteoarthritis chondrocytes were cultured as monolayers, and first-passage cells were used for the experiments. Chondrocyte death induced by 1 mM SNP was completely inhibited by pretreating with 0.1 mM SNP. This protective effect of SNP was replicated by the guanosine-3',5'κ-cyclic monophosphate analog, DBcGMP. Protection from chondrocyte death conferred by 0.1 mM SNP was mediated by heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), as was revealed by the increased expression of HO-1 in 0.1 mM SNP pretreated chondrocytes and by the reversal of this protective effect by the HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin. SNP-mediated chondrocyte protection correlated with the downregulation of both extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 and p38 kinase activation. SNP at 0.1 mM induced significant NF-κB activation as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and the inhibition of NF-κB by MG132 or Bay 11-7082 nullified 0.1 mM SNP-mediated chondrocyte protection. The upregulation of p53 and the downregulation of Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 by 1 mM SNP were reversed by 0.1 mM SNP pretreatment at the protein level by western blotting. Our study shows that priming with 0.1 mM SNP confers complete protection against cell death induced by 1 mM SNP in human articular chondrocytes. This protective effect was found to be correlated with the upregulation of both HO-1 and NF-κB and with the concomitant downregulation of both extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 and p38 activation.
Synovial microparticles from arthritic patients modulate chemokine and cytokine release by synoviocytes
Authors: Berckmans René J , Nieuwland Rienk , Kraan Maarten C , Schaap Marianne CL , Pots Desirée , Smeets Tom JM , Sturk Augueste , Tak Paul P 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSynovial fluid from patients with various arthritides contains procoagulant, cell-derived microparticles. Here we studied whether synovial microparticles modulate the release of chemokines and cytokines by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Microparticles, isolated from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and arthritis control (AC) patients (n = 8 and n = 3, respectively), were identified and quantified by flow cytometry. Simultaneously, arthroscopically guided synovial biopsies were taken from the same knee joint as the synovial fluid. FLS were isolated, cultured, and incubated for 24 hours in the absence or presence of autologous microparticles. Subsequently, cell-free culture supernatants were collected and concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were determined. Results were consistent with previous observations: synovial fluid from all RA as well as AC patients contained microparticles of monocytic and granulocytic origin. Incubation with autologous microparticles increased the levels of MCP-1, IL-8 and RANTES in 6 of 11 cultures of FLS, and IL-6, ICAM-1 and VEGF in 10 cultures. Total numbers of microparticles were correlated with the IL-8 (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001) and MCP-1 concentrations (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001), as did the numbers of granulocyte-derived microparticles (r = 0.89, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.93, P < 0.0001, respectively). In contrast, GM-CSF levels were decreased. These results demonstrate that microparticles might modulate the release of chemokines and cytokines by FLS and might therefore have a function in synovial inflammation and angiogenesis.
Quantitative ultrasound can assess the regeneration process of tissue-engineered cartilage using a complex between adherent bone marrow cells and a three-dimensional scaffold
Authors: Hattori Koji , Takakura Yoshinori , Ohgushi Hajime , Habata Takashi , Uematsu Kota , Yamauchi Jun , Yamashita Kenji , Fukuchi Takashi , Sato Masao , Ikeuchi Ken 
Published: March 2005

AbstractArticular cartilage (hyaline cartilage) defects resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative joint disease do not repair themselves spontaneously. Therefore, such defects may require novel regenerative strategies to restore biologically and biomechanically functional tissue. Recently, tissue engineering using a complex of cells and scaffold has emerged as a new approach for repairing cartilage defects and restoring cartilage function. With the advent of this new technology, accurate methods for evaluating articular cartilage have become important. In particular, in vivo evaluation is essential for determining the best treatment. However, without a biopsy, which causes damage, articular cartilage cannot be accurately evaluated in a clinical context. We have developed a novel system for evaluating articular cartilage, in which the acoustic properties of the cartilage are measured by introducing an ultrasonic probe during arthroscopy of the knee joint. The purpose of the current study was to determine the efficacy of this ultrasound system for evaluating tissue-engineered cartilage in an experimental model involving implantation of a cell/scaffold complex into rabbit knee joint defects. Ultrasonic echoes from the articular cartilage were converted into a wavelet map by wavelet transformation. On the wavelet map, the percentage maximum magnitude (the maximum magnitude of the measurement area of the operated knee divided by that of the intact cartilage of the opposite, nonoperated knee; %MM) was used as a quantitative index of cartilage regeneration. Using this index, the tissue-engineered cartilage was examined to elucidate the relations between ultrasonic analysis and biochemical and histological analyses. The %MM increased over the time course of the implant and all the hyaline-like cartilage samples from the histological findings had a high %MM. Correlations were observed between the %MM and the semiquantitative histologic grading scale scores from the histological findings. In the biochemical findings, the chondroitin sulfate content increased over the time course of the implant, whereas the hydroxyproline content remained constant. The chondroitin sulfate content showed a similarity to the results of the %MM values. Ultrasonic measurements were found to predict the regeneration process of the tissue-engineered cartilage as a minimally invasive method. Therefore, ultrasonic evaluation using a wavelet map can support the evaluation of tissue-engineered cartilage using cell/scaffold complexes.
Systemic lupus erythematosus induced by anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy: a French national survey
Authors: De Bandt Michel , Sibilia Jean , Le Loët Xavier , Prouzeau Sebastian , Fautrel Bruno , Marcelli Christian , Boucquillard Eric , Siame Jean Louis , Mariette Xavier ,   the Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe development of drug-induced lupus remains a matter of concern in patients treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. The incidence of such adverse effects is unknown. We undertook a retrospective national study to analyse such patients.Between June and October 2003, 866 rheumatology and internal medicine practitioners from all French hospital centres prescribing anti-TNF in rheumatic diseases registered on the website of the 'Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation' were contacted by email to obtain the files of patients with TNF-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Twenty-two cases were collected, revealing two aspects of these manifestations. Ten patients (six patients receiving infliximab, four patients receiving etanercept) only had anti-DNA antibodies and skin manifestations one could classify as 'limited skin lupus' or 'toxidermia' in a context of autoimmunity, whereas 12 patients (nine patients receiving infliximab, three patients receiving etanercept) had more complete drug-induced lupus with systemic manifestations and at least four American Congress of Rheumatology criteria. One patient had central nervous system manifestations. No patients had lupus nephritis. The signs of lupus occurred within a mean of 9 months (range 3–16 months) in patients treated with infliximab and within a mean of 4 months (range 2–5 months) in patients treated with etanercept. In all cases after diagnosis was determined, anti-TNF was stopped and specific treatment introduced in eight patients: two patients received intravenous methylprednisolone, four patients received oral steroids (15–35 mg/day), and two patients received topical steroids. Lupus manifestations abated within a few weeks (median 8 weeks, standard deviation 3–16) in all patients except one with longer-lasting evolution (6 months). At that time, cautious estimations (unpublished data from Schering Plough Inc. and Wyeth Inc.) indicated that about 7700 patients had been exposed to infliximab and 3000 to etanercept for inflammatory arthritides in France. It thus appears that no drug was more implicated than the other in lupus syndromes, whose incidence was 15/7700 = 0.19% with infliximab and 7/3800 = 0.18% with etanercept.Clinicians should be aware that lupus syndromes with systemic manifestations may occur in patients under anti-TNF alpha treatment.
Effects of Natural Health Products on Blood Pressure
Authors: Richard Cynthia L , Jurgens Tannis M 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific literature to identify reports of the effects of natural health products (NHPs) on blood pressure. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (MEDLINE [1965–May 2004] via PubMed, the Cochrane Library [1995–May 2004], International Pharmaceutical Abstracts [1970–May 2004], Iowa Drug Information Services [1965–May 2004]) were searched using the key words medicine, herbal plants, medicinal plant preparations, phytotherapy, angiosperms/therapeutic use, gymnosperms/therapeutic use, ethnopharmacology, pharmacognosy, blood pressure, hypertension, hypotension, and diuretic. Searches were not limited by date, language, or publication type. Review articles and texts, as well as reference lists of relevant articles, were used to identify additional reports. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Articles (English-language after 1980) were assigned to the following categories: human study, case report, animal study, in vitro study, or theoretical prediction based on chemical constituents. Discussions of mechanisms of action were noted. DATA SYNTHESIS: A comprehensive search of the scientific literature identified NHPs capable of affecting blood pressure. Case reports and clearly defined mechanisms of action provided strong evidence for the ability of ephedra and licorice to increase blood pressure. Coenzyme Q10 was reported to decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure, although the mechanism is unclear. The clinical significance of the blood pressure effects of other NHPs is unclear due to lack of conclusive in vivo data, as well as substantial variability in the chemical content of preparations of NHPs. CONCLUSIONS: Among published information, there is little definitive evidence with regard to the impact of NHPs on blood pressure. Additionally, effects may vary in a given patient with the formulation and standardization of a particular product. Until research better characterizes the effect of NHPs on blood pressure, patients should be encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider before starting or stopping any herbal product.
Can 1 μg of Cosyntropin Be Used to Evaluate Adrenal Insufficiency in Critically Ill Patients?
Authors: Kozyra Elizabeth F , Wax Randy S , Burry Lisa D 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of cosyntropin 1 μg in assessing adrenal function in critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES: A computerized literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and the Cochrane Database (1966–August 2004) was undertaken for trials evaluating cosyntropin 1 μg using the following search terms: adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH), cosyntropin, adrenal insufficiency, cortisol, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, sepsis, septic shock, diagnosis, critically ill, intensive care, and critical care. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA SYNTHESIS: Identifying patients with sepsis with relative adrenal insufficiency (AI) using cosyntropin testing may identify those likely to benefit from corticosteroids. The results of 5 heterogeneous studies in non—intensive care unit (ICU) patients suggest that both 1 μg and 250 μg of cosyntropin stimulate similar cortisol responses and that testing using both doses correlates well with results from insulin tolerance testing. Some data from non-ICU patients suggest that the 1-μg test may be more sensitive to detect AI; 3 heterogeneous studies in ICU patients confirmed the improved sensitivity of the 1-μg test. CONCLUSIONS: Use of cosyntropin 1 μg should detect AI in all patients who would have been diagnosed using 250 μg. Unfortunately, all of the clinical trials evaluating the role of corticosteroids in septic shock that used the cosyntropin stimulation test administered 250 μg. Extrapolation of the existing guidelines to treat patients with septic shock testing positive for relative AI using the 1-μg test may provide effective therapy to appropriate patients not diagnosed by the 250-μg testing or may introduce additional adverse effects in patients who should not receive corticosteroids. Large-scale, head-to-head comparison data of steroid effectiveness after 1- and 250-μg ACTH stimulation tests are needed to expand upon these promising results.
Use of a Modified Dosing Weight for Heparin Therapy in a Morbidly Obese Patient
Authors: Schwiesow Sarah J , Wessell Andrea M , Steyer Terrence E 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of successful anticoagulation using a modified dosing weight (DW) for unfractionated heparin (UFH) therapy in a morbidly obese female. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old morbidly obese (182.4 kg, 155 cm) white female presented to the emergency department with tachycardia, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulation with UFH was initiated. A modified DW of 120 kg was obtained from the average of the actual body weight (ABW) and ideal body weight (~50 kg). We selected this modified DW to account for heparin's altered volume of distribution in an obese patient and avoid potentially supratherapeutic activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs) using ABW and subtherapeutic aPTTs using DW. Therapy was initiated with a bolus dose of 9600 units (80 units/kg x 120 kg) and continuous infusion rate of 2160 units/h (18 units/kg/h x 120 kg). This infusion rate was maintained throughout the course of heparin therapy and was successful in maintaining therapeutic aPTTs. DISCUSSION: Proper diagnosis and rapid initiation of therapy prevent mortality in patients with PE. Although weight-based heparin nomograms provide standardization through initial bolus and continuous infusion recommendations, many do not address dosing in morbidly obese patients. Several retrospective studies have evaluated actual, dosing, and ideal body weights for heparin therapy in obese patients; however, none has evaluated modified DW. In our patient, successful anticoagulation was objectively confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is necessary to determine the optimal DW for UFH in morbidly obese patients presenting with acute thrombosis.