Sensor node acceleration signatures and electromyography in synchronisation and sequencing analysis in sports: a rowing perspective

Following a review of the key determinants of successful rowing, a wireless body sensor network was developed to monitor boat and body segment acceleration and surface electromyography in major muscles recruited during the rowing stroke cycle. Its design was optimised to yield maximum information about the rowing stroke cycle from fewest sensors and minimise the power consumption of the nodes. The system was validated against the Qualisys motion capture and high-speed camera system with most Pearson correlation coefficients in excess of r = 0.8. On-land ergometer experimentation allowed muscle recruitment over the stroke cycle to be studied, with data from multiple experiments combined using correlation of the acceleration signatures of back and thigh nodes (r = 0.95). It was demonstrated that it was possible to identify one of the common rowing errors of ‘shooting-the-slide’ from the data collected, and that a marked decrease in correlation of good-to-bad technique over the drive phase of the stroke (0.95 reducing to 0.34 in the experiment undertaken) could be used to indicate the presence of this error. Extension of the wireless body sensor network to encompass boat and two oarsmen was demonstrated, allowing correlation of their rowing signatures to be studied, indicating their cohesion as a crew

Data fusion of relative movement in fast, repetitive-action sports using body wireless area networks

Rowing is an intensive, all-body sport, where bad technique can lead to injury. Crew cohesion, particularly timing, is vital to the performance of the boat. The coaching process, and injury prevention, could be enhanced if data relating to the movement of the oarsmen could be collected, without hindrance to the oarsmen, during on-water training. Literature until recently has concentrated upon boat-centric measurement. Advances in wireless technology have made feasible the collection of data from multiple physically separate sites, including on-body. After analysis of candidate radio standards, a Zigbee wireless Body Sensor Network (BSN) was designed and developed to synchronously collect data from several sensors across the wireless BSN. By synchronising sensor nodes via scheduled synchronising messages from the central coordinating node, synchronisation within 0.79msec ±0.39ms was achieved. Minimisation of the on-time of the sensor node radios currently extends the battery life by a factor of 5. Acceleration and muscle activity data collected using the wireless BSN was compared to data synchronously collected using proven motion analysis techniques to validate the system. Synchronous muscle activity data was collected via the wireless BSN from several muscles during both land-based and on-water rowing and the results compared. The system was proven to facilitate the identification of bad rowing technique, as well as differences in muscle recruitment between land- and water-based rowing. Data collection from a rowing crew was also demonstrated, and their muscle activity and inter-crew timing analysed. With an additional sensor node upon the boat, it is possible to correlate acceleration and muscle activity from the oarsman with acceleration of the boat itself. A novel, power-optimised wireless sensor network has been designed and demonstrated to facilitate on-water rowing monitoring that can be extended beyond single oarsman measurements to analyse the interaction and cohesion of a crew and their impact upon boat performance

Health psychology training in the UK: an example from the first professional Doctorate in Health Psychology in Scotland

This short report briefly outlines the development and structure of a three-year stage 1 and 2 combined Health Psychology training route available in Scotland. It then goes on to showcase two short case studies from Trainee Health Psychologists (hereafter referred to as trainees) who have graduated from the programme to highlight the variety of approaches and contexts within which trainees work. We hope to have demonstrated how introducing a new route for health psychology training can offer opportunities for trainees to broaden their skill base and to learn with and from other applied psychology trainees

Development of a telehealth monitoring service after colorectal surgery: a feasibility study

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of a text-messaging system to remotely monitor and support patients after discharge following elective colorectal surgery, within an enhanced recovery protocol. METHODS: Florence (FLO) is a National Health Service telehealth solution utilised for monitoring chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, using text-messaging. New algorithms were designed to monitor the well-being, basic physiological observations and any patient-reported symptoms, and provide support messages to patients undergoing colorectal surgery within an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol for 30 d after discharge. All interactions with FLO and physiological readings were recorded and patients were invited to provide feedback. RESULTS: Over a four-week period, 16 out of 17 patients used the FLO telehealth service at home. These patients did not receive telephone follow-up at three days, as per our standard protocol, unless they reported being unwell or did not make use of the technology. Three patients were readmitted within 30 d, and two of these were identified as being unwell by FLO prior to readmission. No adverse events attributable to the use of the technology were encountered. CONCLUSION:The utilisation of telehealth in the early follow-up of patients who have undergone major colorectal surgery after discharge is feasible. The use of this technology may assist in the early recognition and management of complications after discharge

Three novel mutations in KIF21A highlight the importance of the third coiled-coil stalk domain in the etiology of CFEOM1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles types 1 and 3 (CFEOM1/CFEOM3) are autosomal dominant strabismus disorders that appear to result from maldevelopment of ocular nuclei and nerves. We previously reported that most individuals with CFEOM1 and rare individuals with CFEOM3 harbor heterozygous mutations in <it>KIF21A</it>. <it>KIF21A </it>encodes a kinesin motor involved in anterograde axonal transport, and the familial and <it>de novo </it>mutations reported to date predictably alter one of only a few KIF21A amino acids – three within the third coiled-coil region of the stalk and one in the distal motor domain, suggesting they result in altered KIF21A function. To further define the spectrum of <it>KIF21A </it>mutations in CFEOM we have now identified all CFEOM probands newly enrolled in our study and determined if they harbor mutations in <it>KIF21A</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixteen CFEOM1 and 29 CFEOM3 probands were studied. Three previously unreported <it>de novo </it>KIF21A mutations were identified in three CFEOM1 probands, all located in the same coiled-coil region of the stalk that contains all but one of the previously reported mutations. Eight additional CFEOM1 probands harbored three of the mutations previously reported in <it>KIF21A</it>; seven had one of the two most common mutations, while one harbored the mutation in the distal motor domain. No mutation was detected in 5 CFEOM1 or any CFEOM3 probands.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Analysis of sixteen CFEOM1 probands revealed three novel <it>KIF21A </it>mutations and confirmed three reported mutations, bringing the total number of reported <it>KIF21A </it>mutations in CFEOM1 to 11 mutations among 70 mutation positive probands. All three new mutations alter amino acids in heptad repeats within the third coiled-coil region of the KIF21A stalk, further highlighting the importance of alterations in this domain in the etiology of CFEOM1.</p

Induced pluripotent stem cell modelling of HLHS underlines the contribution of dysfunctional NOTCH signalling to impaired cardiogenesis

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is among the most severe forms of congenital heart disease. Although the consensus view is that reduced flow through the left heart during development is a key factor in the development of the condition, the molecular mechanisms leading to hypoplasia of left heart structures are unknown. We have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from five HLHS patients and two unaffected controls, differentiated these to cardiomyocytes and identified reproducible in vitro cellular and functional correlates of the HLHS phenotype. Our data indicate that HLHS-iPSC have a reduced ability to give rise to mesodermal, cardiac progenitors and mature cardiomyocytes and an enhanced ability to differentiate to smooth muscle cells. HLHS-iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes are characterised by a lower beating rate, disorganised sarcomeres and sarcoplasmic reticulum and a blunted response to isoprenaline. Whole exome sequencing of HLHS fibroblasts identified deleterious variants in NOTCH receptors and other genes involved in the NOTCH signalling pathway. Our data indicate that the expression of NOTCH receptors was significantly downregulated in HLHS-iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes alongside NOTCH target genes confirming downregulation of NOTCH signalling activity. Activation of NOTCH signalling via addition of Jagged peptide ligand during the differentiation of HLHS-iPSC restored their cardiomyocyte differentiation capacity and beating rate and suppressed the smooth muscle cell formation. Together, our data provide firm evidence for involvement of NOTCH signalling in HLHS pathogenesis, reveal novel genetic insights important for HLHS pathology and shed new insights into the role of this pathway during human cardiac developmen

Half a Century of Wilson & Jungner: Reflections on the Governance of Population Screening.

Background: In their landmark report on the "Principles and Practice of Screening for Disease" (1968), Wilson and Jungner noted that the practice of screening is just as important for securing beneficial outcomes and avoiding harms as the formulation of principles. Many jurisdictions have since established various kinds of "screening governance organizations" to provide oversight of screening practice. Yet to date there has been relatively little reflection on the nature and organization of screening governance itself, or on how different governance arrangements affect the way screening is implemented and perceived and the balance of benefits and harms it delivers. Methods: An international expert policy workshop convened by Sturdy, Miller and Hogarth. Results: While effective governance is essential to promote beneficial screening practices and avoid attendant harms, screening governance organizations face enduring challenges. These challenges are social and ethical as much as technical. Evidence-based adjudication of the benefits and harms of population screening must take account of factors that inform the production and interpretation of evidence, including the divergent professional, financial and personal commitments of stakeholders. Similarly, when planning and overseeing organized screening programs, screening governance organizations must persuade or compel multiple stakeholders to work together to a common end. Screening governance organizations in different jurisdictions vary widely in how they are constituted, how they relate to other interested organizations and actors, and what powers and authority they wield. Yet we know little about how these differences affect the way screening is implemented, and with what consequences. Conclusions: Systematic research into how screening governance is organized in different jurisdictions would facilitate policy learning to address enduring challenges. Even without such research, informal exchange and sharing of experiences between screening governance organizations can deliver invaluable insights into the social as well as the technical aspects of governance

Differences in Scapular Orientation Between Standing and Sitting Postures at Rest and in 120° Scaption: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Scapular orientation may be influenced by static body posture (sitting and standing) and contribute to the development of shoulder pain. Therefore, a consistent body posture should be considered when assessing scapular orientation as well as enhancing optimal scapular positioning. Objective: To determine whether there are differences in scapular orientation between standing, neutral sitting, and habitual sitting, while adjusting for spinal posture. Design: A single group randomized repeated measures study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Twenty-eight participants with shoulder pain were recruited from the community. Methods: Scapular orientation between standing and seated positions was compared, with the arm by the side and at 120° of glenohumeral scaption. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles were used as covariates. Main Outcome Measurements: Scapular elevation, lateral translation, upward rotation, and posterior tilt. Results: Scapular orientation was marginally but significantly different between sitting postures for lateral translation (mean 0.5 cm; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.2-0.7 cm); P < .001), upward rotation (mean 3°; 95% CI 1.1-5.0°; P < .001), and posterior tilt (mean 2.3°; 95% CI 0.2-4.3°; P = .009) in the arm by side position. A small-but-significant difference between standing and neutral sitting was found for upward rotation (mean 1.8°; 95% CI 0-3.7°; P = .02), and between standing and habitual sitting for lateral translation (mean 0.6 cm; 95% CI 0-1.1 cm; P =.02) in the arm by side position. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that scapular orientation can be slightly affected by body posture, although the clinical relevance is uncertain. To enhance scapular upward rotation or posterior tilt, it may be preferable to place the patient in neutral sitting

The impact of cancer on subsequent chance of pregnancy: a population-based analysis

This study was funded by NHS Lothian Cancer and Leukaemia Endowments Fund. Part of this work was undertaken in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health which is funded by the MRC Centre grant MR/N022556/1 .STUDY QUESTION What is the impact of cancer in females aged ≤39 years on subsequent chance of pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER Cancer survivors achieved fewer pregnancies across all cancer types, and the chance of achieving a first pregnancy was also lower. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The diagnosis and treatment of cancer in young females may be associated with reduced fertility but the true pregnancy deficit in a population is unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We performed a retrospective cohort study relating first incident cancer diagnosed between 1981 and 2012 to subsequent pregnancy in all female patients in Scotland aged 39 years or less at cancer diagnosis (n = 23 201). Pregnancies were included up to end of 2014. Females from the exposed group not pregnant before cancer diagnosis (n = 10 271) were compared with general population controls matched for age, deprivation quintile and year of diagnosis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Scottish Cancer Registry records were linked to hospital discharge records to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for pregnancy, standardized for age and year of diagnosis. Linkage to death records was also performed. We also selected women from the exposed group who had not been pregnant prior to their cancer diagnosis who were compared with a matched control group from the general population. Additional analyses were performed for breast cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, cervical cancer and brain/CNS cancers. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Cancer survivors achieved fewer pregnancies: SIR 0.62 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.63). Reduced SIR was observed for all cancer types. The chance of achieving a first pregnancy was also lower, adjusted hazard ratio = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.61) for women >5 years after diagnosis, with marked reductions in women with breast, cervical and brain/CNS tumours, and leukaemia. The effect was reduced with more recent treatment period overall and in cervical cancer, breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma, but was unchanged for leukaemia or brain/CNS cancers. The proportion of pregnancies that ended in termination was lower after a cancer diagnosis, and the proportion ending in live birth was higher (78.7 vs 75.6%, CI of difference: 1.1, 5.0). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Details of treatments received were not available, so the impact of specific treatment regimens on fertility could not be assessed. Limited duration of follow-up was available for women diagnosed in the most recent time period. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This analysis provides population-based quantification by cancer type of the effect of cancer and its treatment on subsequent pregnancy across the reproductive age range, and how this has changed in recent decades. The demonstration of a reduced chance of pregnancy across all cancer types and the changing impact in some but not other common cancers highlights the need for appropriate fertility counselling of all females of reproductive age at diagnosis. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by NHS Lothian Cancer and Leukaemia Endowments Fund. Part of this work was undertaken in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health which is funded by the MRC Centre grant MR/N022556/1. RAA has participated in Advisory Boards and/or received speaker’s fees from Beckman Coulter, IBSA, Merck and Roche Diagnostics. He has received research support from Roche Diagnostics, Ansh labs and Ferring. The other authors have no conflicts to declare.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Evaluation of a Salt-Reduction Consumer Awareness Campaign Targeted at Parents Residing in the State of Victoria, Australia

From 2015 to 2020 a state-wide salt-reduction initiative was launched in Victoria, Australia, including an awareness campaign focused on parents with children <18 years of age. To evaluate the impact of the campaign on salt-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KABs) we have assessed trends in salt-related KAB pre- and post-delivery of the campaign in parents, as well as within the wider adult population. Cross-sectional surveys of adults aged 18–65 years were undertaken pre- (2015: n = 821 parents; n = 1527 general sample) and post-campaign (2019: n = 935 parents; n = 1747 general sample). KABs were assessed via an online survey. Data were analyzed with regression models and adjusted for covariates. Among parents, around one-quarter of salt-related KABs shifted in a positive direction, but changes were small: there was a 6% (95% CI 2, 11%) increase in the percentage who knew the main source of salt in the diet and reductions in the percentage who reported placing a salt shaker on the table (−8% (95%CI −12, −3)) and that their child added salt at the table (−5% (95% −9, −0.2)). Among the wider adult sample, even fewer shifts in KAB were observed, with some behaviors worsening at follow-up. These findings indicate that this consumer awareness campaign had minimum impact