Bluetooth based Face-to-Face Proximity Estimation on Smart Mobile

The availability of “always-on” communications has tremendous implications for a way individuals move socially. Above all, sociologists have an interest within the question if such pervasive access will increase or decreases face-to-face interactions. In contrast to triangulation that seeks to exactly outline position, the question of face-to-face interaction reduces to at least one of proximity, i.e., square measure the people inside a particular distance? What is more, the matter of proximity estimation is sophisticated by the very fact that the measuring should be quite precise (1-1.5 m) and might cover a large kind of environments. Existing approaches like GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation square measure insufficient to fulfill the wants of accuracy and adaptability. In distinction, Bluetooth, that is often obtainable on most smartphones, provides a compelling different for proximity estimation. During this paper, we have a tendency to demonstrate through experimental studies the effectiveness of Bluetooth for this precise purpose

Age at Onset Influences Progression of Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms during the Early Stage of Parkinson’s Disease: A Monocentric Retrospective Study

The interactions between the age at onset with other pathogenic mechanisms and the interplays between the disease progression and the aging processes in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain undefined, particularly during the first years of illness. Here, we retrospectively investigated the clinical presentation and evolution of the motor and non-motor symptoms and treatment-related complications during the first 5 years of illness in subjects categorized according to age at onset. A total of 131 subjects were divided into “Early-Onset-PD” (EOPD; onset ≤49 years), “Middle-Onset-PD” (MOPD; onset 50–69 years) and “Late-Onset-PD” (LOPD; onset ≥70 years). The T0 visit was set at the time of the clinical diagnosis; the T1 visit was 5 years (±5 months) later. At T0, there were no significant differences in the motor features among the groups. At T1, the LOPD patients displayed a significantly higher frequency of gait disturbances and a higher frequency of postural instability. Moreover, at T1, the LOPD subjects reported a significantly higher frequency of non-motor symptoms; in particular, cardiovascular, cognitive and neuropsychiatric domains. The presented results showed a significantly different progression of motor and non-motor symptoms in the early course of PD according to the age at onset. These findings contribute to the definition of the role of age at onset on disease progression and may be useful for the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of PD

Dependency of NELF-E-SLUG-KAT2B epigenetic axis in breast cancer carcinogenesis.

Cancer cells undergo transcriptional reprogramming to drive tumor progression and metastasis. Using cancer cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids, we demonstrate that loss of the negative elongation factor (NELF) complex inhibits breast cancer development through downregulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness-associated genes. Quantitative multiplexed Rapid Immunoprecipitation Mass spectrometry of Endogenous proteins (qPLEX-RIME) further reveals a significant rewiring of NELF-E-associated chromatin partners as a function of EMT and a co-option of NELF-E with the key EMT transcription factor SLUG. Accordingly, loss of NELF-E leads to impaired SLUG binding on chromatin. Through integrative transcriptomic and genomic analyses, we identify the histone acetyltransferase, KAT2B, as a key functional target of NELF-E-SLUG. Genetic and pharmacological inactivation of KAT2B ameliorate the expression of EMT markers, phenocopying NELF ablation. Elevated expression of NELF-E and KAT2B is associated with poorer prognosis in breast cancer patients, highlighting the clinical relevance of our findings. Taken together, we uncover a crucial role of the NELF-E-SLUG-KAT2B epigenetic axis in breast cancer carcinogenesis

Causes of genome instability: the effect of low dose chemical exposures in modern society.

Genome instability is a prerequisite for the development of cancer. It occurs when genome maintenance systems fail to safeguard the genome's integrity, whether as a consequence of inherited defects or induced via exposure to environmental agents (chemicals, biological agents and radiation). Thus, genome instability can be defined as an enhanced tendency for the genome to acquire mutations; ranging from changes to the nucleotide sequence to chromosomal gain, rearrangements or loss. This review raises the hypothesis that in addition to known human carcinogens, exposure to low dose of other chemicals present in our modern society could contribute to carcinogenesis by indirectly affecting genome stability. The selected chemicals with their mechanisms of action proposed to indirectly contribute to genome instability are: heavy metals (DNA repair, epigenetic modification, DNA damage signaling, telomere length), acrylamide (DNA repair, chromosome segregation), bisphenol A (epigenetic modification, DNA damage signaling, mitochondrial function, chromosome segregation), benomyl (chromosome segregation), quinones (epigenetic modification) and nano-sized particles (epigenetic pathways, mitochondrial function, chromosome segregation, telomere length). The purpose of this review is to describe the crucial aspects of genome instability, to outline the ways in which environmental chemicals can affect this cancer hallmark and to identify candidate chemicals for further study. The overall aim is to make scientists aware of the increasing need to unravel the underlying mechanisms via which chemicals at low doses can induce genome instability and thus promote carcinogenesis

Effects of physical therapy interventions on balance ability in people with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

Abstract. BACKGROUND: Balance deficits are common impairments in the individual’s post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). Balance deficits can restrict the activities of daily living and productive participation in social life. To date, there were no systematic reviews examined the impact of physical therapy intervention on balance post-TBI. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of physical therapy interventions on balance impairments in individuals with TBI. METHODS: We systematically searched in PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PEDro, MEDLINE, REHABDATA, and web of science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical control trials, and pilot studies that examined the effects of physical therapy interventions on balance deficits in individuals post-TBI. The methodological quality was estimated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: Eight studies published from 2003 to 2019 were included in this study. A total of 259 TBI participants post-TBI were included in this review, 71 (27.41%) of which were females. The methodological quality for selected studies ranged from low to high. There were no significant differences between experimental interventions; virtual reality (VR), vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), and control group interventions; other traditional physical therapy interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence about the effects of the physical therapy interventions in improving the balance ability post-TBI was limited. Further randomized controlled trials strongly warranted to understand the role of physical therapy in patients with TBI who complain from balance deficits

Re-awakening the carotid bodies after anaesthesia: managing hypnotic and neuromuscular blocking agents

Neuromuscular blocking drugs (NMB) are used in just under half of all general anaesthetics in the UK [1]. However, they have their own unintended effects, especially during early recovery from surgery. Wenow know that one of these is the risk of accidental awareness during general anaesthesia, which occurs almost exclusively in patients who are paralysed with NMBs [2]. Accidental awareness during recovery arises from too early re-awakening from hypnotic effects of anaesthesia coupled with delayed reversal of paralysis [2]. Postoperative respiratory effects of residual neuromuscular blockade are another well-known sideeffects, self-evident if the diaphragm or intercostal muscles are weak or if there is a degree of upper airway collapse [3]. Such clinically detectable paralysis after surgery is at worst evidenced by dyspnoea, agitation, obvious weakness and, if the vocal cords are also partially paralysed, difficulty speaking or coughing (and this last can lead to atelectasis or aspiration). Together these can create a dangerous and frightening situation for patients. Indeed, personal histories from the UK’s 5th National Audit Project (NAP5) report suggest that these respiratory symptoms can be interpreted by patients as a perception of having been accidentally awake ‘during anaesthesia’ [2

Practical Operating Theatre Management: Measuring and Improving Performance and Patient Experience

Practical Operating Theatre Management: Measuring and Improving Performance and Patient Experienc

Neck circumference is associated with general and central obesity in young Indian adults

Background: Obesity has been a major concern due to its increasing prevalence and associated metabolic complications. Body mass index (BMI) assesses general obesity, but it does not distinguish between muscle and fat accumulations, so using only BMI can lead to an erroneous result. Waist circumference (WC), a marker of central obesity, predicted mortality risk better than BMI. However, WC can be affected by abdominal distension, is time-consuming, and may not be culture-sensitive. Neck circumference (NC) is devoid of these disadvantages and is believed to be an index of upper body fat distribution. This study aimed to assess the association of neck circumference with general and central obesity and to identify the cut-off points for evaluating obesity in young adults using NC. Material and Methods: Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were measured to determine BMI and waist-hip ratio. NC was measured at the level of the mid-cervical spine and mid-anterior neck in a standing position with the arms hanging freely. For males with a laryngeal prominence, NC was measured just below the prominence. Results: In total, 357 (170 male and 187 female) young, healthy Indian adults aged 18–25 participated. Neck circumference (NC) is significantly associated with BMI and WC in both genders. We found the best cut-off for male and female participants to be ≥34 cm and ≥30.5 cm, with a sensitivity of 88.3% and 84.4% for assessing obesity. Conclusion: NC may be a better alternative to BMI and WC as a marker to assess obesity since it is more practical, simple, inexpensive, time-saving, and less invasive