Adaptive Integration of the Compressed Algorithm of CS and NPC for the ECG Signal Compressed Algorithm in VLSI Implementation.

Compressed sensing (CS) is a promising approach to the compression and reconstruction of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. It has been shown that following reconstruction, most of the changes between the original and reconstructed signals are distributed in the Q, R, and S waves (QRS) region. Furthermore, any increase in the compression ratio tends to increase the magnitude of the change. This paper presents a novel approach integrating the near-precise compressed (NPC) and CS algorithms. The simulation results presented notable improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and compression ratio (CR). The efficacy of this approach was verified by fabricating a highly efficient low-cost chip using the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 0.18-µm Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The proposed core has an operating frequency of 60 MHz and gate counts of 2.69 K.

Beneficial effects of fructo-oligosaccharides supplementation on fecal bifidobacteria and index of peroxidation status in constipated nursing-home residents--a placebo-controlled, diet-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) supplementation on fecal bifidobacteria, lipid peroxidation index, indices of nutritional status, and whether effects of FOS were sustained after its withdrawal in constipated nursing-home residents. The associations of fecal bifidobacteria and blood measurements were also examined. METHODS: Six men and four women participated in a double-blind, diet-controlled study that consisted of a 4-wk placebo (3 mL of fructose syrup) period, a 4-wk FOS (10 g/d) period, and a 4-wk post-FOS period. Stools were collected during the last week of each period to determine the microflora and fecal weight. Fasting blood was collected at the end of each period and analyzed for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and biochemical indices. RESULTS: Fecal counts (log counts/gram of dry feces) and daily fecal output of bifidobacteria significantly increased with FOS compared with placebo. The effect on bifidobacteria output was sustained in the post-FOS period. Plasma TBARS concentration was reduced by 16% and 21% in the FOS and post-FOS periods, respectively, compared with that in the placebo period. The plasma cholesterol level was significantly lowered by 7% in the FOS and post-FOS periods compared with that in the placebo period. The increases in fecal bifidobacteria output during the FOS period (log colony-forming units per day) were associated with decreases in plasma TBARS and plasma cholesterol, respectively. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of FOS increases the daily output of bifidobacteria and decreases plasma TBARS and cholesterol concentrations in constipated nursing-home elderly residents and these effects remained at the end the post-FOS period.

Long-term supplementation of isomalto-oligosaccharides improved colonic microflora profile, bowel function, and blood cholesterol levels in constipated elderly people--a placebo-controlled, diet-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to determine the long-term (8 wk) effects of isomalto-oligosaccharide (IO) supplementation on fecal microflora, bowel function, and biochemical indicators of nutritional status in constipated elderly subjects. We also assessed whether the effect of IO was sustained after its withdrawal. METHODS: Thirteen (five male) constipated subjects (age 82.5 ± 1.9 y) participated in this diet-controlled study that consisted of a 4-wk placebo period, two 4-wk IO (10 g/d) -supplementation periods (IO1 and IO2), and a 4-wk post period. Fasting blood was collected on the last day of each period. Stools were collected during the last week of each period. The bowel function was monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: The fecal bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and bacteroides counts (log counts/g wet feces) significantly increased and clostridia count decreased at the end of the IO1 period. The effects were more pronounced in the IO2 period and then returned to the levels of the IO1 period at the end of the post period. Daily fecal excretion of acetate and propionate increased along with IO supplementation. The frequency of spontaneous defecation increased in the IO2 period, and wet fecal mass increased by 24% in both the IO1 and the IO2 periods. The effects of IO on bowel function diminished in the post period. Plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower with 4- or 8-wk IO supplementation as compared with the placebo and post period, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IO supplementation into a low-fiber diet improved colonic microflora profile and bowel movement in a time-dependent fashion in constipated elderly subjects. These beneficial effects decreased after discontinuation of the supplements.