Methods for Evaluating Tibial Accelerations and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters during Unsupervised Outdoor Movement.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a method of measuring spatiotemporal gait patterns, tibial accelerations, and heart rate that are matched with high resolution geographical terrain features using publicly available data. These methods were demonstrated using data from 218 Marines, who completed loaded outdoor ruck hikes between 5-20 km over varying terrain. Each participant was instrumented with two inertial measurement units (IMUs) and a GPS watch. Custom code synchronized accelerometer and positional data without a priori sensor synchronization, calibrated orientation of the IMUs in the tibial reference frame, detected and separated only periods of walking or running, and computed acceleration and spatiotemporal outcomes. GPS positional data were georeferenced with geographic information system (GIS) maps to extract terrain features such as slope, altitude, and surface conditions. This paper reveals the ease at which similar data can be gathered among relatively large groups of people with minimal setup and automated data processing. The methods described here can be adapted to other populations and similar ground-based activities such as skiing or trail running.

A mixed methods study examining the impact of primary health care financing transitions on facility functioning and service delivery in Kenya: a study protocol.

Background: Kenya has experienced several health financing changes that have implications for financing primary healthcare (PHC). These include transitions from funding by two key donors (the World Bank and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)) and the abolishment of conditional grants that were earmarked for financing primary healthcare facilities. This protocol lays out study plans to evaluate the impact and implementation experience of these financing changes on PHC facility functioning and service delivery in Kenya. Methods/design: A sequential mixed methods design will be applied to address our research objectives. Firstly, we will perform a document review to understand the evolution of policy changes understudy. Second, we will conduct an interrupted time series analysis across all 47 counties in Kenya to assess these financing changes' impact on health service utilization in all public primary healthcare facilities (level 2 and 3 facilities). Data for this analysis will be obtained from the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS). Third, we will carry out in-depth interviews with health financing stakeholders at the national, county, and health facility levels to examine their perceptions of the experiences with these changes in health financing. Discussion: This mixed methods study will contribute to evidence on the sustainability of financing primary healthcare in low and middle-income countries facing financing changes and donor transitions.

Evaluating the Impact of Primary Healthcare Financing Transitions on PHC Facilities in Kenya. In 2020, funding allocated for public primary healthcare (PHC) facilities was eliminated as conditional grants in Kenya. Through the support of the PHC-specific conditional grants, public PHC facilities would provide free healthcare services to patients. Additionally, the World Bank and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) are transitioning from providing funding support to PHC facilities in Kenya. DANIDA's PHC support grant will be terminated at a 25% yearly rate over four years, coinciding with the end of the World Bank Transforming Health Systems programme for Universal Health Care. Before obtaining the financing, these grants had county-specific requirements known as service performance objectives. These financing changes will likely impact the level of financing that PHC health facilities will access. Hence, the proposed study examines the impact of these financing changes on PHC facilities functioning and service delivery in Kenya, as well as the implementation experience of stakeholders in the health sector.

Using Pre-Clinical Studies to Explore the Potential Clinical Uses of Exosomes Secreted from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem cells.

Recent studies of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have indicated high potential clinical applications in many diseases. However, the limited source of MSCs impedes their clinical research and application. Most recently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become a promising source of MSCs. Exosome therapy based on iPSC-derived MSCs (iMSCs) is a novel technique with much of its therapeutic potential untapped. Compared to MSCs, iMSCs have proved superior in cell proliferation, immunomodulation, generation of exosomes capable of controlling the microenvironment, and bioactive paracrine factor secretion, while also theoretically eliminating the dependence on immunosuppression drugs. The therapeutic effects of iMSC-derived exosomes are explored in many diseases and are best studied in wound healing, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal pathology. It is pertinent clinicians have a strong understanding of stem cell therapy and the latest advances that will eventually translate into clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the various applications of exosomes derived from iMSCs in clinical medicine.

Investigating a classical neuropsychological test in a real world context.

This study was performed to investigate the validity of a real world version of the Trail Making Test (TMT) across age strata, compared to the current standard TMT which is delivered using a pen-paper protocol. We developed a real world version of the TMT, the Can-TMT, that involves the retrieval of food cans, with numeric or alphanumerical labels, from a shelf in ascending order. Eye tracking data was acquired during the Can-TMT to calculate task completion time and compared to that of the Paper-TMT. Results indicated a strong significant correlation between the real world and paper tasks for both TMTA and TMTB versions of the tasks, indicative of the validity of the real world task. Moreover, the two age groups exhibited significant differences on the TMTA and TMTB versions of both task modalities (paper and can), further supporting the validity of the real world task. This work will have a significant impact on our ability to infer skill or impairment with visual search, spatial reasoning, working memory, and motor proficiency during complex real-world tasks. Thus, we hope to fill a critical need for an exam with the resolution capable of determining deficits which subjective or reductionist assessments may otherwise miss.

Better Measurement for Performance Improvement in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) Experience of Conceptual Framework Development and Indicator Selection.

Policy Points: Strengthening accountability through better measurement and reporting is vital to ensure progress in improving quality primary health care (PHC) systems and achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) provides national decision makers and global stakeholders with opportunities to benchmark and accelerate performance improvement through better performance measurement. Results from the initial PHC performance assessments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are helping guide PHC reforms and investments and improve the PHCPI's instruments and indicators. Findings from future assessment activities will further amplify cross-country comparisons and peer learning to improve PHC. New indicators and sources of data are needed to better understand PHC system performance in LMICs. CONTEXT: The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI), a collaboration between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The World Bank, and the World Health Organization, in partnership with Ariadne Labs and Results for Development, was launched in 2015 with the aim of catalyzing improvements in primary health care (PHC) systems in 135 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in order to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Through more comprehensive and actionable measurement of quality PHC, the PHCPI stimulates peer learning among LMICs and informs decision makers to guide PHC investments and reforms. Instruments for performance assessment and improvement are in development; to date, a conceptual framework and 2 sets of performance indicators have been released. METHODS: The PHCPI team developed the conceptual framework through literature reviews and consultations with an advisory committee of international experts. We generated 2 sets of performance indicators selected from a literature review of relevant indicators, cross-referenced against indicators available from international sources, and evaluated through 2 separate modified Delphi processes, consisting of online surveys and in-person facilitated discussions with experts. FINDINGS: The PHCPI conceptual framework builds on the current understanding of PHC system performance through an expanded emphasis on the role of service delivery. The first set of performance indicators, 36 Vital Signs, facilitates comparisons across countries and over time. The second set, 56 Diagnostic Indicators, elucidates underlying drivers of performance. Key challenges include a lack of available data for several indicators and a lack of validated indicators for important dimensions of quality PHC. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of data is critical to assessing PHC performance, particularly patient experience and quality of care. The PHCPI will continue to develop and test additional performance assessment instruments, including composite indices and national performance dashboards. Through country engagement, the PHCPI will further refine its instruments and engage with governments to better design and finance primary health care reforms.

Primary Health Care as a Foundation for Strengthening Health Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Primary health care (PHC) has been recognized as a core component of effective health systems since the early part of the twentieth century. However, despite notable progress, there remains a large gap between what individuals and communities need, and the quality and effectiveness of care delivered. The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) was established by an international consortium to catalyze improvements in PHC delivery and outcomes in low- and middle-income countries through better measurement and sharing of effective models and practices. PHCPI has developed a framework to illustrate the relationship between key financing, workforce, and supply inputs, and core primary health care functions of first-contact accessibility, comprehensiveness, coordination, continuity, and person-centeredness. The framework provides guidance for more effective assessment of current strengths and gaps in PHC delivery through a core set of 25 key indicators ("Vital Signs"). Emerging best practices that foster high-performing PHC system development are being codified and shared around low- and high-income countries. These measurement and improvement approaches provide countries and implementers with tools to assess the current state of their PHC delivery system and to identify where cross-country learning can accelerate improvements in PHC quality and effectiveness.