Evaluation of Seniors Gait Training with Mechatronic Device

AbstractAuthors present some results from research work on human movement analysis and its use in clinical practice. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the new rehabilitation method for the prevention of falls in the elderly. The basis of new rehabilitation training is walking disturbed by perturbations embedded in shoes. Perturbations are generated with the original mechatronic device developed within project SMILING - Self Mobility Improvement of eLderly by counteractING falls, no. 215493 granted by the 7th framework program–ICT2007.7.1 „ICT and Ageing“. The SMILING system is a complete system for the training of gait [1]. SMILING shoe is a complex mechatronic system, which requires interaction through data obtained from the sensors of mechanical components, as well as data on user's activities. The SMILING shoes are able to change their configuration during the swing phase of gait to propose a different “ground” when the foot touches the floor. According to the basic idea, the SMILING system is not a medical device but a training device. This means that its use is envisaged also in non-protected environments such as fitness centers and/or private homes. The aim of the pilot study was to assess the impact of unconventional rehabilitation system SMILING on gait pattern. Seventeen patients participated in the study (elderly aged 65 and over) provided in Slovakia in cooperation with the Highly Specialized Geriatric Institute of St. Lukas Košice. Gait pattern has been defined through selected temporal-spatial parameters, obtained by measuring walking self-paced by opto-electrical system SMART in laboratory conditions. The results of the three measurements were compared by paired t-test for significance α=0,05. Data showed that after completing the second stage of training exercises walking speed and the length stride have increased and gait cycle was decreased. However, for approval of efficiency of the new rehabilitation method further clinical testing must be done

Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics to Elucidate Functions in Marine Organisms and Ecosystems

Marine systems are very diverse and recognized as being sources of a wide range of biomolecules. This review provides an overview of metabolite profiling based on mass spectrometry (MS) approaches in marine organisms and their environments, focusing on recent advances in the field. We also point out some of the technical challenges that need to be overcome in order to increase applications of metabolomics in marine systems, including extraction of chemical compounds from different matrices and data management. Metabolites being important links between genotype and phenotype, we describe added value provided by integration of data from metabolite profiling with other layers of omics, as well as their importance for the development of systems biology approaches in marine systems to study several biological processes, and to analyze interactions between organisms within communities. The growing importance of MS-based metabolomics in chemical ecology studies in marine ecosystems is also illustrated

Cost Analysis of Poor Quality Using a Software Simulation

The issues of quality, cost of poor quality and factors affecting quality are crucial to maintaining a competitiveness regarding to business activities. Use of software applications and computer simulation enables more effective quality management. Simulation tools offer incorporating the variability of more variables in experiments and evaluating their common impact on the final output. The article presents a case study focused on the possibility of using computer simulation Monte Carlo in the field of quality management. Two approaches for determining the cost of poor quality are introduced here. One from retrospective scope of view, where the cost of poor quality and production process are calculated based on historical data. The second approach uses the probabilistic characteristics of the input variables by means of simulation, and reflects as a perspective view of the costs of poor quality. Simulation output in the form of a tornado and sensitivity charts complement the risk analysis

Bioactive phenols in algae: The application of pressurized-liquid and solid-phase extraction techniques

Nová extrakční metoda založená na kombinaci extrakce kapalina-tuhá fáze (PLE-SPE) byla použita pro extrakci bioaktivních fenolických látek z in vitro kultur dvou sladkovodních řas (Anabaena doliolum and Spongiochloris spongiosa) a z potravních produktů z mořských řas Porphyra tenera (nori) a Undaria pinnatifida (wakame). Analýzy prokázaly, že ve sladkovodních řasách a produktech z mořských řas byly fenolické látky obsaženy v hodnotách mikrogramů na gram lyofylizovaného vzorku. Dále byl stanoven celkový obsah fenolických látek (Folin?Ciocalteu metoda) a antioxidační aktivita (TEAC metoda) PLE-SPE extraktů.A new extraction technique based on the off-line combination of pressurized-liquid with solid-phase extraction (PLE?SPE) is described. Themethodwas used for the extraction of bioactive phenolic acids (protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic, chlorogenic, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric, salicylic acid), cinnamic acid and hydroxybenzaldehydes (p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin) from in vitro culture of two freshwater algae (Anabaena doliolum and Spongiochloris spongiosa) and fromfood products of marine macroalgae Porphyra tenera (nori) andUndaria pinnatifida(wakame). For the identification and quantification of the compounds the molecular ions [M?H]? and specific fragments were analyzed by quadrupole mass spectrometry analyzer connected on-line with a reversed-phase HPLC system. Our analysis showed that the freshwater algae and marine algal products contained submicrogram or microgram level of above-mentioned phenols per gram of lyophilized sample. In addition, the total phenol content (Folin?Ciocalteu assay) and antioxidant activity (TEAC assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay) of the PLE?SPE extracts were determined and discussed