Evaluation of the accuracy of a UWB tracker for in-home positioning for older adults.

The population of older adults is rapidly growing. In-home monitoring systems have been used to support aging-in-place. Ambient sensors or wearable localizers can be used but may be too low resolution, while camera systems are invasive to privacy. Ultra-wideband (UWB) localization offers precise positioning by placing anchors throughout the house and wearing a tag that is tracked by the anchors. In this study, the accuracy of UWB for indoor tracking was evaluated in a motion capture gait lab and in a mock condo in the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. First, the configuration of UWB was tested, changing factors related to sampling time, anchor placement and line-of-sight. Comparing these factors to the configurations recommended by the manufacturer guidelines, accuracies remained within 14 cm. We then performed static and dynamic accuracy tests, with dynamic testing comprised of rolling and walking motions. In the motion capture lab, we found localization accuracies of 7.0 ± 11.1 cm while in the mock condo, we found accuracies of 27.3 ± 12.9 cm. Dynamic testing with rolling motions had an average of 19.1 ± 1.6 cm while walking was 20.5 ± 4.2 cm. The mean accuracy of UWB is within the 30 cm target for indoor localization.

Dentin surface modification by MDP to improve dentin bonding stability: Topological enhancement and mineralization of collagen structure in hybrid layers.

Decades of research have been conducted on 10-Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) through numerous studies. The mechanisms by which its residual calcium salts benefit dentin bonding remain undetermined. The objective of the research was to investigate the role and process of remaining calcium salts in the priming procedure and their capacity for remineralization. The investigation focused on the variations in topological structure, mechanical properties, and chemical interactions between the main agent and the dentin surface. Two adhesive modes including prime-and-rinse(P&R) and prime-and-nonrinse (P&NR) utilized to evaluate the bonding performance and remineralization ability. The findings indicated that both P&R and P&NR methods could eliminate the smear-layer, uncover dentinal-tubules, and generate a textured/rough surface on the dentin. Collagen fibrils exhibited a greater presence of inorganic minerals in the P&NR mode. Compared to control group, both P&R and P&NR groups improved immediate and aging bond strength significantly (P < 0.05). AFM and 3D-STORM revealed MDP and its residual calcium salts distributed in collagen fibrils and expanded collagen matrix. In the P&NR group, TEM revealed that the dentin collagen matrix experienced some remineralization, and there was also mineralization within the collagen fibrils embedded in the bonding interface. Thus, MDP priming improved dentin bonding stability. Residual calcium salts of P&NR process can enhance topological structure of the collagen matrix and induce intrafibrillar mineralization.

Efficacy and Safety of Polyphenols for Osteoarthritis Treatment: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative disorder associated with joint pain and loss of joint function. It is reported that polyphenols could yield articular benefits in patients with OA through the inhabitation of key inflammatory pathways. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of polyphenol products for OA treatment. METHODS: This study included searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to November 6, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing polyphenols versus NSAIDs or placebo for human OA were included. Standardized mean differences (SMD) or risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for all relevant outcomes. Meta-analyses were conducted by using random effect models, and heterogeneity was assessed by using the I2 statistic. FINDINGS: A total of 18 RCTs (N = 1724) were eligible for analysis. Polyphenol products showed a significant advantage over placebo on pain relief (SMD, -1.11; 95% CI, -1.35 to -0.87) and functional improvement (SMD, -1.14; 95% CI, -1.38 to -0.90). No differences in safety outcomes were detected between polyphenols and placebo. There were no differences in efficacy outcomes between polyphenols and NSAIDs, although patients receiving polyphenols had a lower but nonsignificant risk of experiencing gastrointestinal dysfunction compared with those treated with NSAIDs. Polyphenols and NSAIDs in combination yielded more significant benefits in efficacy than NSAIDs alone. IMPLICATIONS: The results of our study suggest that polyphenols may be a promising alternative for OA by relieving symptoms while reducing safety risks. However, the generalizability of our results may be limited by the quality and sample size of the available research, as well as the heterogeneity between RCTs. High-quality clinical trials are needed to make meaningful clinical practice recommendations.

cFos-ANAB: A cFos-based Web Tool for Exploring Activated Neurons and Associated Behaviors.

cFos is one of the most widely-studied genes in the field of neuroscience. Currently, there is no systematic database focusing on cFos in neuroscience. We developed a curated database-cFos-ANAB-a cFos-based web tool for exploring activated neurons and associated behaviors in rats and mice, comprising 398 brain nuclei and sub-nuclei, and five associated behaviors: pain, fear, feeding, aggression, and sexual behavior. Direct relationships among behaviors and nuclei (even cell types) under specific stimulating conditions were constructed based on cFos expression profiles extracted from original publications. Moreover, overlapping nuclei and sub-nuclei with potentially complex functions among different associated behaviors were emphasized, leading to results serving as important clues to the development of valid hypotheses for exploring as yet unknown circuits. Using the analysis function of cFos-ANAB, multi-layered pictures of networks and their relationships can quickly be explored depending on users' purposes. These features provide a useful tool and good reference for early exploration in neuroscience. The cFos-ANAB database is available at www.cfos-db.net .

The influence of sample size and gender composition on the meta-analysis conclusion of platelet-rich plasma treatment for osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The magnitude of the therapeutic effects of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on osteoarthritis (OA) is still under debate. The goal of this study that was a systematic review of randomised controlled trials â€‹of PRP injections for the treatment of OA was to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of PRP. METHODS: Electronic databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, EBSCO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform â€‹were searched from inception to June 2018 for RCTs that compared PRP injections to controls in patients with OA. A random-effects approach was used to compile data and subgroups according to trial size (large trials versus small trials), patient profile (age and gender), and PRP preparation method was performed. RESULTS: Thirty trials met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. All results had unexplained statistical heterogeneity. Patients treated with PRP compared with control showed statistically relevant pain relief and function improvement at short term (standardised mean difference [SMD] â€‹= â€‹-0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.98 to -0.27, P â€‹= â€‹0.0006, SMD â€‹= â€‹-0.74, 95% CI: -1.11 to 0.36, P â€‹= â€‹0.0001, respectively), medium term (SMD â€‹= â€‹-0.53, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.23, P â€‹= â€‹0.0006, SMD â€‹= â€‹-0.50, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.25, P â€‹= â€‹0.0006), and long term (SMD â€‹= â€‹-0.69, 95% CI: -1.08 to -0.30, P â€‹= â€‹0.0006, SMD â€‹= â€‹-0.68, 95% CI: -0.1.09 to -0.27, P â€‹= â€‹0.001, respectively). A subgroup analysis of the data from large trials and from trials composed of less than 50% female patients revealed that therapeutic effects of the treatment are insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: According to the currently available data, PRP injections are beneficial for pain relief and function improvement in patients with OA. This meta-analysis, however, demonstrated that the efficacy of PRP is related to sample size and gender composition. Thus, more randomised controlled trials of high quality and larger patient size, also including gender aspects, are required to understand this phenomenon. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The translation potential of this meta-analysis is that provided another perspective to analyse the treatment effect of PRP for OA. In future research, phenotypes subpopulation and gender difference of OA patient should be considered for PRP treatment.