Quality of Publicly Available Physical Activity Apps: Review and Content Analysis

BACKGROUND: Within the new digital health landscape, the rise of health apps creates novel prospects for health promotion. The market is saturated with apps that aim to increase physical activity (PA). Despite the wide distribution and popularity of PA apps, there are limited data on their effectiveness, user experience, and safety of personal data. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review and content analysis was to evaluate the quality of the most popular PA apps on the market using health care quality indicators. METHODS: The top-ranked 400 free and paid apps from iTunes and Google Play stores were screened. Apps were included if the primary behavior targeted was PA, targeted users were adults, and the apps had stand-alone functionality. The apps were downloaded on mobile phones and assessed by 2 reviewers against the following quality assessment criteria: (1) users' data privacy and security, (2) presence of behavior change techniques (BCTs) and quality of the development and evaluation processes, and (3) user ratings and usability. RESULTS: Out of 400 apps, 156 met the inclusion criteria, of which 65 apps were randomly selected to be downloaded and assessed. Almost 30% apps (19/65) did not have privacy policy. Every app contained at least one BCT, with an average number of 7 and a maximum of 13 BCTs. All but one app had commercial affiliation, 12 consulted an expert, and none reported involving users in the app development. Only 12 of 65 apps had a peer-reviewed study connected to the app. User ratings were high, with only a quarter of the ratings falling below 4 stars. The median usability score was excellent-86.3 out of 100. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the popularity of PA apps available on the commercial market, there were substantial shortcomings in the areas of data safety and likelihood of effectiveness of the apps assessed. The limited quality of the apps may represent a missed opportunity for PA promotion

The effect of sustained eye rotation upon eye length in healthy myopic adults

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine whether ocular movement can affect the shape of the globe and lead to measurable change in axial and peripheral eye length. METHODS: Ten subjects aged 18-30 years (6 M/4 F) participated with informed consent. The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was ≤-1.00 DS with cylindrical refraction &lt;-1.25 DC. One drop of tropicamide hydrochloride 1% was instilled 20 min before measurement to induce mydriasis and mild cycloplegia. Using IOLMaster, eye length was measured centrally and temporally (25° off-axis) in four different positions. Subjects then rotated their eyes 25° in the temporal direction to fixate on a target for 10 min. After that, the same measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Before rotation, the group mean peripheral eye length was significantly shorter than the central eye length (P &lt; 0.05). There was no significant variation in central or peripheral eye length due to off-axis fixation, either after the initial eye rotation or after fixation for 10 min at the off-axis point. The difference between central and peripheral eye lengths was maintained after 10 min of temporal fixation (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: Peripheral eye length was shorter than central eye length showing the prolate shape associated with myopia. The action of the extraocular muscles on the globe has no significant effect upon the retinal shape assessed by off-axis eye length measurement in myopic subjects.</p

Synthesis and structure-activity analysis of new phosphonium salts with potent activity against African trypanosomes

A series of 73 bisphosphonium salts and 10 monophosphonium salt derivatives were synthesized and tested in vitro against several wild type and resistant lines of Trypanosoma brucei (T. b. rhodesiense STIB900, T. b. brucei strain 427, TbAT1-KO, and TbB48). More than half of the compounds tested showed a submicromolar EC 50 against these parasites. The compounds did not display any cross-resistance to existing diamidine therapies, such as pentamidine. In most cases, the compounds displayed a good selectivity index versus human cell lines. None of the known T. b. brucei drug transporters were required for trypanocidal activity, although some of the bisphosphonium compounds inhibited the low affinity pentamidine transporter. It was found that phosphonium drugs act slowly to clear a trypanosome population but that only a short exposure time is needed for irreversible damage to the cells. A comparative molecular field analysis model (CoMFA) was generated to gain insights into the SAR of this class of compounds, identifying key features for trypanocidal activity. © 2012 American Chemical Society.Peer Reviewe

Synthesis, antimicrobial evaluation and docking studies of new pyrazolone derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize new antimicrobial azo-pyrazolone derivatives III &amp; IV and evaluate their antimicrobial activities using a combination of in vitro and molecular docking studies.Methods: Azopyrazolone compounds were prepared from the reaction of substituted aniline diazonium with ethyl acetoacetate to give azoxobutyric acid derivatives (II) which were then reacted with phenyl hydrazine or hydrazine hydrate. The pyrazolone derivatives (IV) were acetylated with glacial acetic acid to yield new acetylated pyrazolones (V). An agar dilution method was used to demonstrate the  antimicrobial activities of the pyrazolone derivatives and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values calculated. Molecular docking studies were employed to further evaluate the most active compounds (on the basis of the MICs obtained).Results: The new pyrazolone derivatives showed varying antimicrobial activities (from negligible to strong) against a number of microorganisms. Derivatives IIIb and Vb showed potent activities against Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. However, the new compounds did not show antifungal activity. Molecular docking results for compounds IIIb and Vb wereconsistent with their antimicrobial activities and proved that the compounds inhibited glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase.Conclusion: The new dichloropyrazolone compounds IIIa and Vb possess potent antimicrobial activities. These compounds have promising potential for use as new antibacterial agents or as templates for the design of new antimicrobial drugs.Keywords: Azo-pyrazolone, Dichloropyrazolone, Antimicrobial, Molecular dockin

State of research quality and knowledge transfer and translation and capacity strengthening strategies for sound health policy decision-making in Palestine

Objectives: Over the last 2 decades, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a global strategy and initiatives to establish a Health Research System (HRS) focusing on Health Research Quality and Standardization (HRQS), Health Research Knowledge Transfer and Dissemination (HRKTD), and Health Research Translation and Utilization into Health Care Decisions and Policies (HRTUDP). Despite the increase in health research productivity over the past several decades, HRS Capacity (HRSC) in Palestine and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has rarely been objectively evaluated. This study aims at eliciting the perceptions of HRS performers in Palestine in order to understand the status of HRSC, identify gaps, and generate policies and solutions capable of strengthening HRSC in Palestine. Methods: Key informants from three sectors, namely government, academia, and local and international organizations, were selected purposively based on different sampling methods: criterion, critical case, snowball, and homogeneous sampling. Fifty-two in-depth interviews with key informants and a total of fifty-two individuals, participating in six focus groups, were conducted by the principal investigator in Palestine. Data were analyzed by using MAXQDA 12. Results: The overall pattern of the Palestinian HRSC is relatively weak. The key findings revealed that while HR productivity in Palestine is improving, HRQS is at an average level and quality guidelines are not followed due to paucity of understanding, policies, and resources. HRKTD is a central challenge with both a dearth of conceptualization of translational science and inadequate implementation. The factors related to inadequate HRKTD include lack of awareness on the part of the researchers, inadequate regulatory frameworks and mechanisms for both communication and collaboration between and among researchers and policy-makers and clinicians, and lack of availability of, and credibility in, systematized and reliable HR data. Despite the limited knowledge translation, in general, HRTUDP is not considered an essential decision-making methodology mainly due to the lack of interface between knowledge producers (researchers) and users (policymakers), understanding level, HR credibility and availability of applied research, and governance, resources, and political fluctuations. Recommendations to strengthen HRS in Palestine include: a consolidated research regulatory framework and an effective capacity strengthening strategy overseen by Palestinian authorities; the promotion of HRQS and concepts and practices of translational science; and, most importantly, the use of findings for evidence-based policies and practice. Conclusion: Strengthening HRSC is both an imperative step and an opportunity to improve the Palestinian health system and ensure it is based on research evidence and knowledge. Building a successful HRS characterized by capacities of high-quality research and well-disseminated and translated knowledge is a prerequisite to effective health systems and services. This can be achieved by political commitment to support such strengthening, a consolidated leadership and governance structure, and a strong operational capacity strengthening strategy

Heart diseases diagnosis using HMM

The bare ear and the stethoscope were until recently of great help in classifying most heart diseases especially those related to valve problems. The newly developed electronic stethoscope and phonocardiography represent useful tools for recording heart sound signals. In this paper a diagnostic technique for heart diseases using heart sounds is suggested. Wavelet decomposition and mel cepstrum are used for feature extraction. Classification of the different heart diseases is then done using hidden Markov models (HMM). Three different techniques have been used and compared. The obtained recognition rates (RR) were 97.3%, 98.2%, and 99.1%

Health technology assessment in high, middle, and low-income countries: new systematic and interdisciplinary approach for sound informed-policy making: research protocole

Technological innovation has a significant role in improving health systems (HSs) and achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared resolutions on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and other global organizations emphasized on HTA systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HTA is a modern multidisciplinary decision-making framework linking knowledge and policymaking by assessing the medical, social, economic, organizational, and ethical effects, and/or impacts within health and social systems. The research significance lies in the growing need for HTA at these moments than ever as it is seen as an essential development approach to tackle the current global challenges and pandemics, particularly in developing countries. The research aims to comprehensively evaluate and understand HTA systems concerning the level of knowledge about HTA, current HTA structure, practices, application, capacity, gaps, and solutions. The project starts in January 2021 and ends in January 2022 and will be carried out in seven countries: Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Tanzania. A mixed-methods, quantitative and qualitative, along with a literature review will be applied. In each country, ten HTA-associated institutions will complete an adapted electronic survey, developed by the WHO, and ten key-informants selected purposively from the government, academia, NGOs, and private sectors to participate in ten individual indepth interviews. One government representative from each country will participate in one expanded inter-country workshop. Excel, IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and MAXQDA software programs will be used for data management and analysis. The research will form cutting-edge evidence not only for the seven countries, but also for the global, regional, and national endeavors with regards to opening a room for HTA best application and optimization. It will reveal lessons learned, determine gaps, and build a wellenabled and institutionalized HTA for better UHC, health systems, and multi-sectoral development

Stereo-Encephalographic Presurgical Evaluation of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Evolving Science

Drug-resistant epilepsy is present in nearly 30% of patients. Resection of the epileptogenic zone has been found to be the most effective in achieving seizure freedom. The study of temporal lobe epilepsy for surgical treatment is extensive and complex. It involves a multidisciplinary team in decision-making with initial non-invasive studies (Phase I), providing 70% of the required information to elaborate a hypothesis and treatment plans. Select cases present more complexity involving bilateral clinical or electrographic manifestations, have contradicting information, or may involve deeper structures as a part of the epileptogenic zone. These cases are discussed by a multidisciplinary team of experts with a hypothesis for invasive methods of study. Subdural electrodes were once the mainstay of invasive presurgical evaluation and in later years most Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers have shifted to intracranial recordings. The intracranial recording follows original concepts since its development by Bancaud and Talairach, but great advances have been made in the field. Stereo-electroencephalography is a growing field of study, treatment, and establishment of seizure pattern complexities. In this comprehensive review, we explore the indications, usefulness, discoveries in interictal and ictal findings, pitfalls, and advances in the science of presurgical stereo-encephalography for temporal lobe epilepsy