Wearable inertial sensors for human movement analysis

Introduction: The present review aims to provide an overview of the most common uses of wearable inertial sensors in the field of clinical human movement analysis.Areas covered: Six main areas of application are analysed: gait analysis, stabilometry, instrumented clinical tests, upper body mobility assessment, daily-life activity monitoring and tremor assessment. Each area is analyzed both from a methodological and applicative point of view. The focus on the methodological approaches is meant to provide an idea of the computational complexity behind a variable/parameter/index of interest so that the reader is aware of the reliability of the approach. The focus on the application is meant to provide a practical guide for advising clinicians on how inertial sensors can help them in their clinical practice.Expert commentary: Less expensive and more easy to use than other systems used in human movement analysis, wearable sensors have evolved to the point that they can be considered ready for being part of routine clinical routine

Poster Session III, July 15th 2010 — Abstracts Inertial sensors in sports: application to vertical jumps

Abstract Countermovement jump (CMJ) height is typically estimated by applying the equation of free-fall to the motion of the centre of mass (CM) during the flight phase. In field setting, this is generally done using optical cells/contact mats. The reliability of the estimate is strongly affected by the subject's expertise in executing the jump. Wearable inertial measurement units (IMU), containing 3D accelerometers and gyroscopes, can provide similar information regardless to execution constraints. However, the interpretation of signals still requires the development of computational techniques and of models embodying the specific motor task. This study aims to verify whether IMU can be used to assess CMJ performance. Twenty-eight college students (67±13 kg, 1.73±0.09 m) performed 5 CMJ, with a 3-min rest in between. A wireless IMU (Sensorize, Italy) was placed using an elastic belt around the trunk at L5 level. Sensor accelerations, influenced by trunk bending, were expressed in a global reference system using the gyroscopes. Flight time (T) was identified when the vertical acceleration (az) was lower than gravity. Subsequent numerical integration of az provided velocity and height of the centre of mass at take-off. These quantities and the ballistic law of motion were used to estimate jump height (H). A stereophotogrammetric system (Vicon MX, UK) and a force plate (Bertec, USA) were used to obtain reference values for H (Hr) and T (Tr). ANOVA for repeated measurements ( p 0.05 ) and Pearson's correlation coefficient evaluated statistical differences between H and Hr and T and Tr, respectively. Intra-individual reliability was assessed by means of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). IMU and reference values were highly correlated (H: r = 0.9 ; T: r = 0.9 ) and presented no statistical difference for both H and T. Relevant differences were 2±8% and 4±3% for H and T, respectively. High intra-subject IMU reliability was found (ICCJ=0.834, ICCT=0.868). This study showed how the combination of a 3D accelerometer and gyroscope can lead to an accurate and repeatable estimate of jump height. CMJ height estimate does not suffer from any assumption about the performed task and it is not affected by the subject's expertise (reliable for elderly and young populations). Furthermore, since the IMU is worn by the athlete, vertical jumps can be performed on any surfaces such as grass, sand, springboards, etc

SPATIO-TEMPORAL PARAMETERS AND INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY OF SPRINT RUNNING USING A WEARABLE INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT

INTRODUCTION: Wearable inertial measurement units (IMU) provide movement-related data without any space limitation or cumbersome setup. They can be proficiently used to perform an in-field biomechanical analysis of sprint running providing information useful for performance optimisation and injury prevention. Mechanical key quantities characterizing sprint running performance are instantaneous velocity and displacement of the athlete (Cavagna et al., 1971). However, the process of determining velocity and position by numerical integration of acceleration is jeopardized by the noise characterizing the signal of micro-machined accelerometers (Thong et al., 2002). The aim of this study was to compensate these errors by reducing the integration interval, taking advantage of a priori known laws of motion, and by cyclically determining the initial conditions of the integration process, in order to yield reliable spatio-temporal parameters during sprint running. METHODS: A male subject (26 yrs, 73 kg, 1.73 m) performed 7 in-lab sprints, starting from a standing position. Due to limited lab volume (12*9*4 m) only the first 3 steps were considered. 3D linear acceleration and orientation of a wearable IMU positioned on the upper back trunk (MTx, Xsens; m=30g) were collected and the following parameters were estimated over each cycle: 1) stance time (ST); 2) centre of mass progression displacement (d); 3) variation of vertical and progression velocity (Δvv, Δvp). Reference data were obtained as follows: ST from a contact-sensitive mat (stance 1) and two force platforms (Bertec) (stance 2-3); Δv and d from stereophotogrammetry (Vicon MX, Plug-in-Gait protocol). The average of the absolute percentage difference (eabs%=|(reference-inertial)*100/reference|), referred to as error (e%), was calculated for each parameter. RESULTS: Reference and sensor estimates and percentage error are reported in Table 1. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The obtained Δv percentage errors are consistent with respect to the literature (Vetter et al., 2008). Even though these errors still increase at each stance phase, the methodology is sensitive to the variations of velocity determined by the reference measurement system. As regards ST and d, no similar previous study has been reported. However since the methodology relies on the identification of foot contact timings for reducing the integration interval, small errors in the determination of these parameters, are encouraging. Future developments concern in-field sprint running experimental sessions

Post-graduate medical education in public health: The case of Italy and a call for action

Public health technical expertise is of crucial importance to inform decision makers\u2019 action in the field of health and its broader determinants. Improving education and training of public health professionals for both practice and research is the starting point to strengthen the role of public health so that current health challenges can be efficiently tackled. At the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) Deans\u2019 & Directors\u2019 2017 Annual Retreat, we presented the structure and management of public health training system in Italy, and we reported recent data on Italian public health specialists\u2019 educational experience, employment opportunities and job satisfaction. Public health training in Italy is implemented in the context of the post-graduate medical education residency programme in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, delivered by 34 University-based Schools of Public Health. We report relatively high employment rates across the county and wide spectrum of career opportunities for young public health specialists. However, job security is low and training expectations only partially met. We call upon other Schools of Public Health to scale up the survey within the broad ASPHER community in a shared and coordinated action of systematically collecting useful data that can inform the development of public health education and training models, their implementation and fruitful interaction with population health, health systems and services

Uridine and pyruvate protect T cells’ proliferative capacity from mitochondrial toxic antibiotics: a clinical pilot study

Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein or nucleic acid synthesis and function can exert an off-target action on mitochondria (mitotoxic antibiotics), making actively dividing mammalian cells dependent on uridine and pyruvate supplementation. Based on this rationale, we carried out, for the first time, a randomized pilot study in 55 patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria or positive sperm culture, each treated with a single mitotoxic antibiotic with or without oral supplementation of uridine + pyruvate (Uripyr, Mitobiotix, Italy). The in vivo and ex vivo data show a a 3.4-fold higher value in the differential (before and after the antibiotic treatment) lymphocytes count and a 3.7-fold increase in the percentage of dividing T cells, respectively, in the Uripyr vs the control group. Our findings lay the groundwork to enhance the synergy between antibiotics and the immune system in order to optimize the administration protocols and widen the application potentials of antibiotic therapies as well as to re-evaluate old “forgotten” molecules to fight bacterial infections in the antibiotics resistance era

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may exploit human transcription factors involved in retinoic acid and interferon-mediated response: a hypothesis supported by an in silico analysis

The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in acute respiratory disease, is a worldwide emergency. Because recently it has been found that SARS-CoV is dependent on host transcription factors (TF) to express the viral genes, efforts are required to understand the molecular interplay between virus and host response. By bioinformatic analysis, we investigated human TF that can bind the SARS-CoV-2 sequence and can be involved in viral transcription. In particular, we analysed the key role of TF involved in interferon (IFN) response. We found that several TF could be induced by the IFN antiviral response, specifically some induced by IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) and by unphosphorylated ISGF3, which were found to promote the transcription of several viral open reading frame. Moreover, we found 22 TF binding sites present only in the sequence of virus infecting humans but not bat coronavirus RaTG13. The 22 TF are involved in IFN, retinoic acid signalling and regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II, thus facilitating its own replication cycle. This mechanism, by competition, may steal the human TF involved in these processes, explaining SARS-CoV-2's disruption of IFN-I signalling in host cells and the mechanism of the SARS retinoic acid depletion syndrome leading to the cytokine storm. We identified three TF binding sites present exclusively in the Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant that may explain the higher severity of the respiratory syndrome. These data shed light on SARS-CoV-2 dependence from the host transcription machinery associated with IFN response and strengthen our knowledge of the virus's transcription and replicative activity, thus paving the way for new targets for drug design and therapeutic approaches

OP0223 DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY VALIDATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DISEASE ACTIVITY AND DAMAGE SCORES IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM THE UPSTREAM (ULTRASOUND IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS TREATMENT) STUDY

Background:The UPSTREAM (NCT03330769) is a 24-month multi-center prospective cohort study that primarily aims to evaluate the additional value of musculoskeletal ultrasound (msk-US) over clinical examination in predicting 6-month minimal disease activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). (1)Objectives:To develop and preliminarily validate an activity msk-US score and a damage msk-US score for PsA using the UPSTREAM database.Methods:Patients classified with PsA according to CASPAR criteria and starting a new course of therapy for clinically active peripheral joint disease were eligible. The information regarding objectives, study design, clinical and US assessment has already been published (1). The msk-US examination was performed in 42 joints, 36 tendons, 12 entheses and 2 bursae defined through a web-based exercise (2). The sonographic elementary lesions were allocated to disease activity [i.e. synovitis (sy), tenosynovitis (ts), peritendinitis (pt), bursitis (bs) all evaluated both in Grey Scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD) and active enthesitis (en)] and to damage (i.e. joint erosion, bone proliferation, tendon tear, enthesophyte, calcification and irregular enthesis bone profile). Hands and feet X-ray were assessed using the modified Sharp-Van der Heijde (mSVH) score. A principal component (PC) analysis (PCA) was performed for each score and the number of PCs was defined by means of parallel analysis using baseline data. Each PC was normalized (n) taking into account the proportion between the observed value (e.g. sy-GS count) and the maximum expected value (e.g. 42 for sy-GS). Spearman' correlation was used to investigate the construct and discrimination validity of the new scores.Results:Between February 2017 and May 2020, 312 PsA patients (155 men), with a mean (SD) age of 52.8 13.4, were enrolled from 19 centers; 22 expert sonographers were involved with substantial agreement for US lesions evaluated (k ≥0.7). The median [IQR] disease duration was 1.3 [0.1-6.1] years and the median [IQR] tender joint and swollen joint counts were 6 [3-13] and 2 [1-5], respectively. The weight derived from PCA for each sonographic lesions and the final equation for calculating the scores are reported in Figure 1 (1A activity and 1B damage). The final msk-US activity score [n(ts-GS + ts-PD)*2.87] + [n(bs-GS + bs-PD)*1.76] + [n(pt-GS + pt-PD)*1.43] + [n(active en)*1.00] + [n(sy-GS)*0.83] + [n(sy-PD)*0.45] has the best construct and discrimination validities according to a significant correlation with all clinical variables usually related to clinical activity (Table 1). The msk-US damage score correlated with mSVH score, HAQ and other clinical variables (Table 1).Table 1.VariablesMsk-US activity scoreMsk-US damage scoreSpearman correlationP-valueSpearman correlationP-valueESR0.1960.0020.0750.235CRP0.209<0.0010.0680.254TJC0.338<0.0010.286<0.001SJC0.338<0.0010.0720.221Dactylitis count0.284<0.001-0.0610.306LEI0.1940.0010.214<0.001Physician GA0.150.0120.0160.793Patient GA activity0.1380.018-0.0730.221Patient GA pain0.1990.001-0.0270.648HAQ0.238<0.0010.1460.014BASDAI0.237<0.0010.1750.003PSAID-90.70.0040.1480.013DAPSA0.392<0.0010.228<0.001Sharp van Der Heijde score0.1150.20.2660.003Figure 1.Conclusion:These newly developed and preliminary validated msk-US activity and damage scores could be used in patients with PsA in the context of observational and controlled trials.References:[1]Canzoni M et al. BMJ Open. 2018;8:e021942.[2]Zabotti A et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77:1537–1538.Acknowledgements:Alberto Batticciotto; Oscar Massimiliano Epis; Luisa Arcarese; Luca Navarini; Marta Caprioli; Mirco Magnani; Roberta Ramonda; Marco Amedeo CimminoDisclosure of Interests:Alen Zabotti: None declared, Matteo Piga: None declared, Anna Zanetti: None declared, Marco Canzoni: None declared, nicola boffini: None declared, valentina picerno: None declared, Giovanni Zanframundo: None declared, Ettore Silvagni: None declared, Ivan Giovannini: None declared, BERND RAFFEINER: None declared, Palma Scolieri: None declared, Paola Mancini: None declared, Simone Parisi: None declared, Alessandra Bortoluzzi Grant/research support from: GSK, Garifallia Sakellariou Consultant of: Consultant for Abbvie and Novartis, Orazio De Lucia: None declared, Ilaria Tinazzi: None declared, Fabiana Figus: None declared, Luca Idolazzi Speakers bureau: Received grants as speaker for Eli Lilly, UCB, Celgene, MSD, Abbvie, Novartis, Paid instructor for: Paid instructor for UCB during Product specialist Meeting, Mariagrazia Lorenzin: None declared, Sara Zandonella Callegher: None declared, Alberto Cauli: None declared, Greta Carrara: None declared, Carlo Alberto Scirè: None declared, Annamaria Iagnocco: None declare

Effectiveness of Golimumab as Second Anti-TNFα Drug in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthritis in Italy: GO-BEYOND, a Prospective Real-World Observational Study

In this prospective observational study, data were collected from 34 rheumatology clinics in Italy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who started golimumab (GLM) as a second anti-TNFα drug. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of GLM after 6 months. Changes in quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L were also assessed. A total of 194 patients aged 53.2 ± 12 years started GLM as a second anti-TNF drug: 39 (20.1%) with RA, 91 (46.9%) with PsA and 64 (32.9%) with axSpA. After 6 months of GLM treatment, 68% of RA patients achieved low disease activity (LDA; DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2), 31.9% of PsA patients achieved minimal disease activity and 32.5% of axSpA patients achieved LDA (ASDAS-CRP &lt; 2.1). Good/moderate EULAR response was achieved in 61.9% and 73.8% of patients with RA and PsA, respectively, and 16% of axSpA patients achieved a 50% improvement in BASDAI. Across all indications, improvements in disease activity measures and EQ-5D-5L domains were observed over 6 months. The main reasons for GLM interruption were lack/loss of efficacy (7.2%) or adverse events (2%). This study confirms the effectiveness of GLM as a second-line anti-TNF for the treatment of RA, PsA and axSpA in a real-world setting in Italy

Relationship between the prevalence of subclinical tenosynovitis and treatment in patients with RA in clinical remission: STARTER study

Objective: This study is a sub-analysis from the patient cohort of the STARTER (Sonographic Tenosynovitis Assessment in RheumaToid arthritis patiEnts in Remission) study. The aim was to evaluate differences in ultrasound-detected joint and/or tendon involvement between patients receiving therapies based on a combination of conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) and biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) and those who were treated with either csDMARDs or bDMARDs in monotherapy. Material and methods: Four hundred and twenty-seven consecutive patients with a diagnosis of RA were recruited between October 2013 and June 2014. They were divided into three subgroups based on their therapy at baseline: patients with bDMARD in monotherapy, patients with csDMARD in monotherapy and patients in combination therapy (csDMARD + bDMARD). At baseline, 6 months and 12 months, a clinical examination (28 joint count) and an ultrasound evaluation were performed in each patient. A score of grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) synovitis and tenosynovitis was calculated based on the OMERACT scoring systems. Results: Two hundred and fifty-six patients completed the observation period: 48 patients from the bDMARD group (18.75%), 152 patients from the csDMARD group (59.38%) and 56 patients from csDMARD + bDMARD group (21.88%). The analysis showed that GS tenosynovitis and PD tenosynovitis are better controlled in combination therapy than they are ith csDMARD alone (P=0.025 and P=0.047, respectively); for PD synovitis, there was a better response in those who were treated with the combination therapy when compared with the patients receiving csDMARD (P=0.01) or bDMARD (P=0.02) alone. Conclusions: The analysis showed a lower prevalence of subclinical inflammatory manifestations detected with ultrasound imaging in those patients treated with the combination therapy than in those in monotherapy

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C in type 2 diabetes: evidence for a positive association

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a growing body of literature on the relationship of Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there are certain gaps in literature and the data is inconclusive. This study was, therefore, carried out to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in diabetic patients and to elucidate the presence of any possible relationship between HCV and T2DM in this region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serologic testing for anti-HCV antibody was done on a sample of 3000 individuals with T2DM visiting Diabetes Clinic of Nishtar Medical College Hospital, Multan and 10,000 volunteer blood donors visiting blood bank of the same hospital during the study period using Accurate rapid immunochromatographic kits which was later confirmed by using Chemelex S.A third generation ELISA kit for positive cases. Data about various variables was collected from diabetic patients using a structured questionnaire after taking informed consent.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence rate of 13.7% for HCV infection was recorded among subjects having T2DM with seropositivity rate of 4.9% among the control group of volunteer blood donors without diabetes. The patients with T2DM were more likely to have HCV infection as compared to the control group (OR = 3.03, 95%CI = 2.64-3.48, p = 0.001). Diabetic patients with age above 55 years had higher prevalence rate as compared to younger individuals. Male patients had significantly high seropositivity as compared to female patients (15.3% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.02). Those with duration of diabetes 11 years and above and the ones with good glycemic control had higher seroprevalence rates of 18.2% and 18.7% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among subjects when the distribution of HCV was studied on the basis of marital status, locality, or family history of diabetes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results show that there is a strong association between HCV and T2DM in the region as evident from significantly higher prevalence of HCV infection in diabetics as compared to the control group in the present study.</p