Portable Heart Rate Monitor

We at Heart Guard Technologies propose to design a portable heart rate monitor, which is capable  of measuring the number of heart beats per minute and displaying the heart rate information in a  clear and simple way to avoid any confusion in chaotic situations.  This device is composed of a  small ear clip, which is similar to those used in hospitals and exercise equipments.  In order to  increase noise immunity, infrared light is used to for pulse rate measurements.  Furthermore, the  completion cost of this project will be kept low, since the use of pulse sensing equipment used for  exercise means is widespread.  &nbsp

The theory of planned behaviour predicts self-reports of walking, but does not predict step count

Objectives This paper compares multiple measures of walking in two studies, and the second study compares how well Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs perform in predicting these different measures. Methods In Study 1, 41 participants wore a New Lifestyles NL-2000 pedometer for 1 week. Subsequently, participants completed a questionnaire containing measures of the TPB constructs and two self-report measures of walking, followed by two interview measures of walking. For Study 2, 200 RAF trainee aircraftsmen wore pedometers for 2 weeks. At the end of each week, participants completed the questionnaire and interview measures of walking. Results Both studies found no significant association between questionnaire measures of walking and pedometer measures. In Study 1, the interview measures produced significant, large correlations with the pedometer measure, but these relationships were markedly weaker in the second study. TPB variables were found to explain 22% of variance in intention to walk in Study 1 and 45% of the variance in Study 2. In Study 2, prediction of subsequent measures of behaviour was found to be weak, except when using a single-item measure of walking. Conclusions Recall of walking is poor, and accurate measurement by self-report is problematic. Although the TPB predicts intentions to walk well, it does not predict actual amount of walking, as assessed by pedometer. Possible reasons for these findings include the unique nature of walking as an activity primarily used to facilitate higher order goals. The use of single-item measures may exaggerate the effectiveness of the TPB model for walking, and possibly other forms of physical activity.</p

Results of a phase I/II multi-center investigation of udenafil in adolescents after fontan palliation

BACKGROUND: The Fontan operation results in a circulation that is dependent on low pulmonary vascular resistance to maintain an adequate cardiac output. Medical therapies that lower pulmonary vascular resistance may augment cardiac output and improve long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This phase I/II clinical trial conducted by the Pediatric Heart Network was designed to evaluate short-term safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary efficacy of udenafil in adolescents following Fontan. METHODS: A 5-day dose-escalation trial was conducted in five study cohorts of six subjects each (37.5, 87.5, and 125 mg daily, 37.5 and 87.5 mg by mouth twice daily). A control cohort with 6 subjects underwent exercise testing only. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded, PK samples were collected on study days six through eight, and clinical testing was performed at baseline and day five. RESULTS: The trial enrolled 36 subjects; mean age 15.8 years (58% male). There were no significant differences in subject characteristics between cohorts. No drug-related serious AEs were reported during the study period; 24 subjects had AEs possibly or probably related to study drug. Headache was the most common AE, occurring in 20 of 30 subjects. The 87.5 mg bid cohort was well tolerated, achieved the highest maximal concentration (506 ng/mL) and the highest average concentration over the dosing interval (279 ng/mL), and was associated with a suggestion of improvement in myocardial performance. Exercise performance did not improve in any of the dosing cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Udenafil was well-tolerated at all dosing levels. The 87.5 mg bid cohort achieved the highest plasma drug level and was associated with a suggestion of improvement in myocardial performance. These data suggest that the 87.5 mg bid regimen may be the most appropriate for a Phase III clinical trial

Acute benefits of the microbial-derived isoflavone metabolite equol on arterial stiffness in men prospectively recruited according to equol producer phenotype: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

There is much speculation with regard to the potential cardioprotective benefits of equol, a microbial-derived metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein, which is produced in the large intestine after soy intake in 30% of Western populations. Although cross-sectional and retrospective data support favorable associations between the equol producer (EP) phenotype and cardiometabolic health, few studies have prospectively recruited EPs to confirm this association. The aim was to determine whether the acute vascular benefits of isoflavones differ according to EP phenotype and subsequently investigate the effect of providing commercially produced S-(–)equol to non-EPs. We prospectively recruited male EPs and non-EPs (n = 14/ group) at moderate cardiovascular risk into a double-blind, placebocontrolled crossover study to examine the acute effects of soy isoflavones (80-mg aglycone equivalents) on arterial stiffness [carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV)], blood pressure, endothelial function (measured by using the EndoPAT 2000; Itamar Medical), and nitric oxide at baseline (0 h) and 6 and 24 h after intake. In a separate assessment, non-EPs consumed 40 mg S-(–)equol with identical vascular measurements performed 2 h after intake. After soy intake, cfPWV significantly improved in EPs at 24 h (cfPWV change from 0 h: isoflavone, 20.2 6 0.2 m/s; placebo, 0.6 6 0.2 m/s; P , 0.01), which was significantly associated with plasma equol concentrations (R = 20.36, P = 0.01). No vascular effects were observed in EPs at 6 h or in non-EPs at any time point. Similarly, no benefit of commercially produced S-(–)equol was observed in non-EPs despite mean plasma equol concentrations reaching 3.2 mmol/L. Acute soy intake improved cfPWV in EPs, equating to an 11–12% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease if sustained. However, a single dose of commercially produced equol had no cardiovascular benefits in non-EPs. These data suggest that the EP phenotype is critical in unlocking the vascular benefits of equol in men, and long-term trials should focus on confirming the implications of EP phenotype on cardiovascular health. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01530893. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.125690

Patient and general practitioner attitudes to taking medication to prevent cardiovascular disease after receiving detailed information on risks and benefits of treatment: a qualitative study

Abstract Background There are now effective drugs to prevent cardiovascular disease and guidelines recommend their use. Patients do not always choose to accept preventive medication at levels of risk reduction recommended in guidelines. The purpose of the study was to identify and explore the attitudes of patients and general practitioners towards preventative medication for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after they have received information about it; to identify implications for practice and prescribing. Methods Qualitative interviews with GPs and patients following presentation of in depth information about CVD risks and the absolute effects of medication. Setting: GP practices in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Results In both populations: wide variation on attitudes to preventative medication; concerns about unnecessary drug taking & side effects; preferring to consider lifestyle changes first. In patient population: whatever their attitudes to medication were, the vast majority explained that they would ultimately do what their GP recommended; there was some misunderstanding of the distinction between curative and preventative medication. A common theme was the degree of trust in their doctors' judgement and recommendations, which contrasted with scepticism of the role of pharmaceutical companies and academics. Scepticism in guidelines was also common among doctors although many nevertheless recommended treatment for their patients Conclusions A guideline approach to prescribing preventative medication could be against the interests and preferences of the patient. GPs must take extra care to explain what preventative medication is and why it is recommended, attempt to discern preferences and make recommendations balancing these potentially conflicting concerns.</p

Construct validity of a continuous metabolic syndrome score in children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The primary purpose of this study was to examine the construct validity of a continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS) in children. The secondary purpose was to identify a cutpoint value(s) for an adverse cMetS based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>378 children aged 7 to 9 years were assessed for the metabolic syndrome which was determined by age-modified cutpoints. High-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, the homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance, mean arterial pressure, and waist circumference were used to create a cMetS for each subject.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>About half of the subjects did not possess any risk factors while about 5% possessed the metabolic syndrome. There was a graded relationship between the cMetS and the number of adverse risk factors. The cMetS was lowest in the group with no adverse risk factors (-1.59 ± 1.76) and highest in those possessing the metabolic syndrome (≥3 risk factors) (7.05 ± 2.73). The cutoff level yielding the maximal sensitivity and specificity for predicting the presence of the metabolic syndrome was a cMetS of 3.72 (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 93.9%, and the area of the curve = 0.978 (0.957-0.990, 95% confidence intervals).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results demonstrate the construct validity for the cMetS in children. Since there are several drawbacks to identifying a single cut-point value for the cMetS based on this sample, we urge researchers to use the approach herein to validate and create a cMetS that is specific to their study population.</p

Vitamin and mineral supplementation for preventing dementia or delaying cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (review)

This review investigated whether people with mild cognitive impairment can reduce their risk of developing dementia, or can prevent their memory or other thinking skills from deteriorating further, by taking vitamin or mineral supplements

Genetic variants for head size share genes and pathways with cancer

The size of the human head is determined by growth in the first years of life, while the rest of the body typically grows until early adulthood1. Such complex developmental processes are regulated by various genes and growth pathways2. Rare genetic syndromes have revealed genes that affect head size3, but the genetic drivers of variation in head size within the general population remain largely unknown. To elucidate biological pathways underlying the growth of the human head, we performed the largest genome-wide association study on human head size to date (N = 79,107). We identified 67 genetic loci, 50 of which are novel, and found that these loci are preferentially associated with head size and mostly independent from height. In subsequent neuroimaging analyses, the majority of genetic variants demonstrated widespread effects on the brain, whereas the effects of 17 variants could be localized to one or two specific brain regions. Through hypothesis-free approaches, we find a strong overlap of head size variants with both cancer pathways and cancer genes. Gene set analyses showed enrichment for different types of cancer and the p53, Wnt and ErbB signalling pathway. Genes overlapping or close to lead variants – such as TP53, PTEN and APC – were enriched for genes involved in macrocephaly syndromes (up to 37-fold) and high-fidelity cancer genes (up to 9-fold), whereas this enrichment was not seen for human height variants. This indicates that genes regulating early brain and cranial growth are associated with a propensity to neoplasia later in life, irrespective of height. Our results warrant further investigations of the link between head size and cancer, as well as its clinical implications in the general population