512 research outputs found
Repeatability of innervation zone identification in the external anal sphincter muscle
Knowledge of the distribution of the innervation zones (IZs) of the external anal sphincter (EAS) may be useful for preventing anal sphincter incompetence during vaginal delivery. A method proposed for the automatic estimation of the distribution of IZs of EAS from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) was evaluated for repeatability in continent volunteers. Methods: In 13 healthy female subjects (age: 35 11 years) surface EMG signals were acquired using an anal probe with three circumferential electrode arrays (of 16 contacts each) at different depths within the anal canal (15mm distance between the centers of adjacent arrays), during four independent experimental sessions. Three maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of 10 sec were performed for each session for a total of 12 contractions per subject. Repeatability of the estimation of the distribution of IZ was tested by evaluating the coefficient of multiple correlations (CMC) between the IZ distributions estimated from the signals recorded from each subject. Results: A high repeatability (CMC > 0.8) was found comparing IZ distributions estimated from signals recorded by each array within the same session. A slightly lower value was obtained considering signals recorded during different sessions (CMC > 0.7), but a higher value (CMC > 0.8) was obtained after aligning the estimated IZ distributions. The realignment compensates for the operator's error in repositioning the probe in the same position during different sessions. Conclusion: This result justifies clinical studies using high-density surface EMG in routine examinations, providing information about IZs of EAS and assessing the possibilities of preventing neuronal trauma during vaginal delivery
Probiotic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children
Treatment of functional bowel disorders of irritable bowel-type (IBS) in children remains a difficult task because of a lack of drugs with low adverse event profile. We here report the results of a treatment study in 203 children (66 boys and 137 girls) age 4 to 18 years (mean: 10.5±4.5 years) with typical IBS symptoms with abdominal pain and either predominant diarrhea (n=50), constipation (n=56), alternating stool frequency (n=28) or unspecific pain (n=69). The average duration of symptoms prior to therapy was 175 days. Most (95%) patients up to age 11 were treated with a daily dose of 10 drops of Symbioflor 2 (SF2) (SymbioPharm, Herborn) (cells and autolysate of 1.5–4.5x107 CFU of bacteria of Escherichia coli type), in the elder children 77% received this dosage, while the remaining received a higher dose up to 30 drops/day. Treatment lasted 43 days on average. Results: All patients tolerated the treatment well and without adverse events. The key IBS symptoms (abdominal pain, stool frequency) as well as the other symptoms (bloating, mucous and blood in stool, need for straining at stools, urge to defecate) improved significantly during treatment. Global assessment of therapy by parents and doctors was altogether positive. In summary these data confirm efficacy and tolerability of this probiotic compound in children and adolescents and supplement published data of probiotic IBS therapy in adults
Repeatability of innervation zone identification in the external anal sphincter muscle
Knowledge of the distribution of the innervation zones (IZs) of the external anal sphincter (EAS) may be
useful for preventing anal sphincter incompetence during vaginal delivery. A method proposed for the automatic
estimation of the distribution of IZs of EAS from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) was evaluated for
repeatability in continent volunteers. Methods: In 13 healthy female subjects (age: 35 11 years) surface EMG
signals were acquired using an anal probe with three circumferential electrode arrays (of 16 contacts each) at
different depths within the anal canal (15mm distance between the centers of adjacent arrays), during four
independent experimental sessions. Three maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of 10 sec were performed for
each session for a total of 12 contractions per subject. Repeatability of the estimation of the distribution of IZ was
tested by evaluating the coefficient of multiple correlations (CMC) between the IZ distributions estimated from the
signals recorded from each subject. Results: A high repeatability (CMC > 0.8) was found comparing IZ distributions
estimated from signals recorded by each array within the same session. A slightly lower value was obtained
considering signals recorded during different sessions (CMC > 0.7), but a higher value (CMC > 0.8) was obtained
after aligning the estimated IZ distributions. The realignment compensates for the operator’s error in repositioning
the probe in the same position during different sessions. Conclusion: This result justifies clinical studies using
high-density surface EMG in routine examinations, providing information about IZs of EAS and assessing the
possibilities of preventing neuronal trauma during vaginal delivery
AnFlo: Detecting anomalous sensitive information flows in Android apps
Smartphone apps usually have access to sensitive user data such as contacts,
geo-location, and account credentials and they might share such data to
external entities through the Internet or with other apps. Confidentiality of
user data could be breached if there are anomalies in the way sensitive data is
handled by an app which is vulnerable or malicious. Existing approaches that
detect anomalous sensitive data flows have limitations in terms of accuracy
because the definition of anomalous flows may differ for different apps with
different functionalities; it is normal for "Health" apps to share heart rate
information through the Internet but is anomalous for "Travel" apps.
In this paper, we propose a novel approach to detect anomalous sensitive data
flows in Android apps, with improved accuracy. To achieve this objective, we
first group trusted apps according to the topics inferred from their functional
descriptions. We then learn sensitive information flows with respect to each
group of trusted apps. For a given app under analysis, anomalies are identified
by comparing sensitive information flows in the app against those flows learned
from trusted apps grouped under the same topic. In the evaluation, information
flow is learned from 11,796 trusted apps. We then checked for anomalies in 596
new (benign) apps and identified 2 previously-unknown vulnerable apps related
to anomalous flows. We also analyzed 18 malware apps and found anomalies in 6
of them
Novel study designs to investigate the placebo response
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Investigating the size and mechanisms of the placebo response in clinical trials have relied on experimental procedures that simulate the double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design. However, as the conventional design is thought to elucidate drug rather than placebo actions, different methodological procedures are needed for the placebo response.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed the respective literature for trials designs that may be used to elucidate the size of the placebo response and the mechanisms associated with it.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In general, this can be done by either manipulation the information provided to the subjects, or by manipulation the timing of the drug applied. Two examples of each strategy are discussed: the "balanced placebo design" (BDP) and the "balanced cross-over design" (BCD) and their variants are based on false information, while the "hidden treatment" (HT) and the ""delayed response test" (DRT) are based on manipulating the time of drug action. Since most such approaches include deception or incomplete information of the subjects they are suitable for patient only with authorized deception.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both manipulating the information provided to subjects (BDP, DCD) or manipulating the timing of drug application (HT, DRT) allows overcoming some of the restrictions of conventional drug trials in the assessment of the placebo response, but they are feasible mostly in healthy subjects for ethical reasons.</p
Letter: faecal microbiota transplantation for irritable bowel syndrome
his article is linked to Lahtinen et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15810 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15875
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