VO2 prediction based on physiologic and mechanical exercise measurements

The Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) is a diagnostic test that evaluates the functional capacity of an individual through the integrated response of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems. VO2 max is the parameter that access functional capacity, although it’s difficult to achieve given the effort that implies. In recent years, an increase in computing capabilities combined with the available storage of large amounts of information has led to a heightened interest in machine learning (ML). We aimed in this study to enable CPET with ML models that allow predicting oxygen consumption in healthy individuals. The study methodology is based on the cleaning and exploratory analysis of a public database with about 992 CPETs performed on healthy individuals and athletes. To predict each value of VO2 (~569,000 instances), five ML algorithms were used (Random Forests, kNN, Neural Networks, Linear Regression, and SVM) with heart rate, respiratory rate, time from the beginning of the exam and treadmill speed, using a 20-fold cross-validation. The best result came from the Random Forest model, with a R2 of 0.88 and a RMSE of 334.34 ml.min-1. Furthermore, using the same methodology but different features, we tried to predict the VO2max with the 724 adult participants with a maximal test (RER≥1.05) but weaker results were obtained (the best model was the Linear Regression, with a R2 of 0.50 and a RMSE of 498.06 ml.min-1). Still, this model showed a better correlation with the real VO2max than the Wasserman equation (R=0.71 vs R=0.59). It is possible to predict with accuracy breath-by-breath VO2, based on easy-to-obtain physiological and mechanical measurements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rice Compounds with Impact on Diabetes Control

2020.09555BD UIDB/04551/2020 CEEC/04567/CBIOS/2020 PTDC/BIA-MOL/31104/2017 UIDB/04567/2020 UIDP/04567/2020Rice is one of the most cultivated and consumed cereals worldwide. It is composed of starch, which is an important source of diet energy, hypoallergenic proteins, and other bioactive compounds with known nutritional functionalities. Noteworthy is that the rice bran (outer layer of rice grains), a side-stream product of the rice milling process, has a higher content of bioactive compounds than white rice (polished rice grains). Bran functional ingredients such as γ-oryzanol, phytic acid, ferulic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, tocopherols, and tocotrienols (vitamin E) have been linked to several health benefits. In this study, we reviewed the effects of rice glycemic index, macronutrients, and bioactive compounds on the pathological mechanisms associated with diabetes, identifying the rice compounds potentially exerting protective activities towards disease control. The effects of starch, proteins, and bran bioactive compounds for diabetic control were reviewed and provide important insights about the nutritional quality of rice-based foods.publishersversionpublishe

Croup and COVID‐19

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Perceived Needs Questionnaire for Dementia Informal Caregivers (PNQ-DIC): Development and initial validation

Despite the recognition of the value of informal caregiving, the recognition of its burden, and the recognition of the prevalence of unmet needs, little consensus exist about what are the unmet needs of dementia informal caregivers and they should be measured within this context1 . The assessment/recognition of (unmet) needs in informal caregiving in the context of dementia should be a priority given its potential role on the design and development ofservices, policies, and psychosocial interventions capable of alleviating caregivers’ burden. While many instruments exist to assess informal caregivers needs (see for a review2 ), none of them was developed and validated to account for the specific needs of informal dementia caregiving. In this study, we present the process used to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a novel and rapid self-report instrument for both research and clinical use designed to measure the needs of informal dementia caregivers - the PNQ-IDC

Assessment of gamma oryzanol variability, an attractive rice bran bioactive compound

Gamma-oryzanol is a compound present on rice bran, which has been studied for its bioactive properties, including its cytotoxic activity. The gamma-oryzanol biosynthesis occurs on the lipidic membrane of the plant and can be influenced by edaphoclimatic grown conditions. Two Portuguese rice varieties (Ceres and Macarico) from 6 growing environments were analysed in order to explore the influence of the growing conditions on the gamma-oryzanol content, its constituents, and cytotoxic effect against 4 human tumour cell lines (NCI-H460, HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7). The overall variability of gamma-oryzanol concentration was from 1.56 g/Kg to 3.19 g/Kg, Ceres reveals higher values than Macarico; those concentrations also varied with the growing environment. The environment was also determinant for the individual concentration of the 3 gamma-oryzanol compounds (cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate, and campesteryl ferulate). A cytotoxic effect was observed for all the tested tumour cell lines and also varied with the growing environment.This study was financially supported by FEDER (Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional, Portugal) under the Program PT2020, Project POCI-01-0247- FEDER-017931 - ArrozBig - Development of rice products with low glycemic index; which also supported C. Pereira research grant. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO ID/AGR/00690/2019 and R. Calhelha contract and to FCT, Portugal for the PhD grant of A. Castanho (SFRH/BD/120929/2016).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

End-users’ perspectives of an eHealth platform to promote physical activity in COPD: a qualitative study

Introduction: eHealth platforms can be used as a tool to promote physical activity (PA) in patients with COPD. When developing such platforms, a bottom-up approach is needed to ensure that patients’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCP) needs and expectations are addressed. Aim: To assess patients’ and HCP’ perspectives on the ideal eHealth platform (web application - app - for HCP + mobile app for patients) for PA promotion in patients with COPD. Methods: One focus group with 5 patients (68±8 yrs, FEV1 44±21pp) and 6 individual interviews with HCP (physicians and physiotherapist, 39±10 yrs) were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were recorded and transcripts were analysed using the Grounded Theory approach. Results: Participants considered an eHealth platform to promote patients' PA valuable. Both groups suggested that PA should be individualised according to patients’ characteristics. The main features for a mobile app included: shared goal setting, PA progress graphs, motivational messages and goal badges, notifications, a bi-directional communication system to support patients and information on breathing exercises. Both groups highlighted the importance of measuring steps, PA duration, SpO2, and dyspnoea on exertion. For the web app, the HCP highlighted the importance of a notification system to signal PA changes or non-compliance (e.g., colour scheme), as well as tabs for PA goal setting and monitoring. HCP recommended this platform for patients with stable or mild disease and/or those attending pulmonary rehabilitation. Conclusion: Findings provide guidance to the design of future eHealth platforms for PA promotion in COPD.publishe

HDAC-6 inhibition ameliorates the early neuropathology in a mouse model of Krabbe disease

IntroductionIn Krabbe disease (KD), mutations in β-galactosylceramidase (GALC), a lysosomal enzyme responsible for the catabolism of galactolipids, leads to the accumulation of its substrates galactocerebroside and psychosine. This neurologic condition is characterized by a severe and progressive demyelination together with neuron-autonomous defects and degeneration. Twitcher mice mimic the infantile form of KD, which is the most common form of the human disease. The Twitcher CNS and PNS present demyelination, axonal loss and neuronal defects including decreased levels of acetylated tubulin, decreased microtubule stability and impaired axonal transport.MethodsWe tested whether inhibiting the α-tubulin deacetylase HDAC6 with a specific inhibitor, ACY-738, was able to counteract the early neuropathology and neuronal defects of Twitcher mice.ResultsOur data show that delivery of ACY-738 corrects the low levels of acetylated tubulin in the Twitcher nervous system. Furthermore, it reverts the loss myelinated axons in the sciatic nerve and in the optic nerve when administered from birth to postnatal day 9, suggesting that the drug holds neuroprotective properties. The extended delivery of ACY-738 to Twitcher mice delayed axonal degeneration in the CNS and ameliorated the general presentation of the disease. ACY-738 was effective in rescuing neuronal defects of Twitcher neurons, stabilizing microtubule dynamics and increasing the axonal transport of mitochondria.DiscussionOverall, our results support that ACY-738 has a neuroprotective effect in KD and should be considered as an add-on therapy combined with strategies targeting metabolic correction

Are indoor and outdoor opportunities for physical activity related to active behaviours in patients with copd?

Introduction: Persistent respiratory symptoms at rest and during exertion (e.g., dyspnea, fatigue) play a role on the low physical activity (PA) levels found in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but other factors may also be involved. Environmental factors have been shown to impact PA levels in other patient populations, but evidence regarding people with COPD is still scarce. Investigations have been focused mostly on outdoor factors, such as air pollution or population density, disregarding the patients’ perception of their surroundings, both indoor and outdoor milieus. Objectives: This study explored the relationship between self-reported indoor and outdoor physical environmental opportunities for PA and actual PA levels in patients with COPD. Methods: Patients with COPD completed the Physical Activity Neighbourhood Environment Survey (PANES; total score 0-6, higher scores indicating a more supportive PA environment; 11 subscales: Residential Density, Land Use Mix, Access to Transportation, Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Infrastructure for Bicycles, Recreation Facilities, Street Connectivity, Security – Crimes, Security – Traffic, Security – Pedestrians, Aesthetics) and questions regarding their indoor and outdoor home environment (car ownership; having a dog, corridor, elevator, stairs and/or exercise equipment). An accelerometer was used for 7 days to assess daily PA: steps (steps/day); time in moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA; min/day); total PA (TPA; light PA+MVPA; min/day). Mann-Whitney-U and Spearman’s correlations (r) tests were conducted. Results: Ninety-four patients [78 males (83%), 67 ± 8 years, 48 ± 19 FEV1% predicted] participated in this study. PANES total score (n = 75) was 3 [1;4] (median [Q1;Q3]). Forty-three patients had a dog (13 walked it regularly); 63 had stairs, 12 had an elevator, 71 had a corridor, 45 had exercise equipment (stationary bicycle, n = 21) and 84 owned a car. Participants performed 4,428 [2,761;6,886] steps/ day, 19 [9;41] min/day of MVPA and 144 [103;208] min/day of TPA. Patients walking the dog presented a significantly higher daily step count (4,895 [2,644;7,780] vs. 4,422 [2,850;6,775] steps/day, p = 0.01) and time in TPA (154 [100;256] vs. 144 [103;177] min/day, p =.03) than those not walking the dog. No other significant differences were observed in the indoor and outdoor home environment (p > 0.05). No significant correlations were found between any of the PANES subscales and the different PA outcomes (-0.210 ≤ r ≤ 0.181, p > 0.05). Conclusions: A minimal influence of neighbourhood environmental factors on PA levels of patients with COPD was found in this observational study. Findings support previous research, as walking the dog impacted patients’ daily step counts. Longitudinal research is needed to more definitely evaluate potential environmental opportunities to promote PA in people with COPD.publishe