Lower body kinematics estimation from wearable sensors for walking and running: A deep learning approach.

BACKGROUND: Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are promising tools for collecting human movement data. Model-based filtering approaches (e.g. Extended Kalman Filter) have been proposed to estimate joint angles from IMUs data but little is known about the potential of data-driven approaches. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can deep learning models accurately predict lower limb joint angles from IMU data during gait? METHODS: Lower-limb kinematic data were simultaneously measured with a marker-based motion capture system and running leggings with 5 integrated IMUs measuring acceleration and angular velocity at the pelvis, thighs and tibias. Data acquisition was performed on 27 participants (26.5 (3.9) years, 1.75 (0.07) m, 68.3 (10.0) kg) while walking at 4 and 6 km/h and running at 8, 10, 12 and 14 km/h on a treadmill. The model input consists of raw IMU data, while the output estimates the joint angles of the lower body. The model was trained with a nested k-fold cross-validation and tested considering a user-independent approach. Mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) were computed between the ground truth and predicted joint angles. RESULTS: MAE for the DOFs ranged from 2.2(0.9) to 5.1(2.7)° with an average of 3.6(2.1)°. r ranged from 0.67(0.23) to 0.99(0.01) with moderate correlation (0.4≤r<0.7) was found for the hip right rotation and lumbar extension, strong correlation (0.7≤r<0.9) was found for the hip left rotation and ankle right/left inversion while all other DOFs showed very strong correlation (r≥0.9). SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed model can reliably predict joint kinematics for walking, running and gait transitions without specific knowledge about the body characteristics of the wearer, or the position and orientation of the IMU relative to the attached segment. These results have been validated with treadmill gait, and have not yet been confirmed for gait in other settings.

A Case of Antiphospholipid Syndrome Following Gastric Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by arterial, venous, and small-vessel thrombosis, pregnancy-related morbidity and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies such as anticardiolipin antibody, and/or anti-beta2-glycoprotein I. In the recent years, APS was observed in patients with solid tumors and the renal cancer, lung carcinoma and breast tumors were the most common tumors linked with APS. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old female presented with pain and pitting edema of left lower extremity that had begun 6 months prior to hospitalization. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the popliteal vein diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography and the patient was treated with heparin followed by warfarin. Following subdural hematoma, anticoagulant therapy was stopped, and the patient underwent craniotomy. One month later, the patient returned with pain and DVT diagnosed in its right leg. Laboratory tests showed high levels of lupus anticoagulant, IgM and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies. Following a high alkaline phosphatase, diffuse bone marrow involvement was found by whole body bone scan. Looking to find primary tumor, a large infilterable lesion in gastric was seen by endoscopic images, and biopsy histopathology showed a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. The patient refused chemotherapy and died 6 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS APS is associated with gastric signet ring cell adenocarcinoma.

Association of helicobacter pylori infection with severity of coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: There are few literatures evaluating the association between cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) positive strains of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was designed to investigate this association. METHODS: Medical and drug history of 112 consecutive patients who were candidate for coronary angiography were taken. Fasting blood samples were obtained to measure C-reactive protein (CRP), anti Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G (anti-HP IgG), anti-CagA antibody (Ab) and interlukine-6 (IL6). According to angiography reports, participants were divided into patients with mild (n = 69) and with sever CHD (n = 36). To measure the association between CagA positive strains of HP with the severity of CHD, multivariate logistic regression tests were used by adjusting age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia (DLP), and/or hypertension (HTN), CRP status and IL-6 level. RESULTS: The analysis was concluded on 105 subjects. HP infection and CagA Ab were not significantly higher compared to the patients with severe and mild CHD (P = 0.28 and P = 0.68, respectively). Colonization of CagA positive HP did not significantly associate with severity of CHD (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.33-3. 39). CONCLUSION: Colonization of CagA positive HP was not an independent risk factor for severe coronary heart disease.

Is helicobacter pylori infection a risk factor for coronary heart disease?

BACKGROUND: There is still controversy about association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with coronary heart disease (CHD). This study designed to evaluate this association in a sample of Iranians Population. METHODS: Medical and drug history as well as fasting blood samples of 112 consecutive patients who were candidate for coronary angiography were taken on catheterization day. Fasting blood samples were used to measure C-reactive protein (CRP), anti H. pylori immunoglobulin G (anti H. pylori IgG) and interlukine-6 (IL6). According to angiography reports, participants were divided into patients with (n = 62) or without CHD (n = 43). To compare the association between H. pylori infection with CHD, multivariate logistic regression tests were used by adjusting sex and age, age and sex plus history of diabetes mellitus (DM), Dyslipidemia (DLP), and/or hypertension (HTN), CRP status and IL-6 level. RESULTS: Sixty two patients with CHD and 43 participants without CHD were enrolled in the present study. The mean ages of patients with and without CHD were 62.4 261 9.5 and 59.0 261 10.5 years respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for history of DM and/or DLP and/or HTN plus CRP status and IL-6 level showed significant association of H. pylori infection with CHD (OR 3.18, 95%CI 1.08-9.40). CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection is one of the probable risk factors for CHD independent of history of DM, DLP, HTN, CRP status and IL-6 level.