Patient-generated health data collection using a wearable activity tracker in cancer patients-a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Incorporation of patient-generated health data (PGHD) into clinical research requires an investigation of the validity of outcomes and feasibility of implementation. This single-arm pilot trial investigated the feasibility of using a commercially available activity tracking wearable device in cancer patients to assess adherence to the device and real-time PGHD collection in a clinical research setting. METHODS: From July to November 2017, enrolled adult patients were asked to wear a wristband-style device. Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) were assessed at baseline and on day 29. Furthermore, 29-day Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, global impression of the devices, and NCI CTCAE v4 were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 30 patients (mean age, 58.6 years; male, 21 [70%]), 15 (50%) and 11 (36.7%) had gastrointestinal and lung cancer, respectively, and 27 (90%, 95% CI: 0.74-0.98) were well adhered (> 70%) to the device for 28 days. The mean adherence was 84.9% (range: 41.7-95.2%). More frequent PGHD synchronization tended to show better device adherence, with moderate correlation (r = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.33-0.80, p < 000.1). CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of using a wearable activity tracker was confirmed in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for a month. For future implementation in clinical trials, there is a need for further comprehensive assessment of the validity and reliability of wearable activity trackers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN: UMIN000027575.

Phorbol Ester Induces Elevation of the Vitelline Coat of Eggs of the Ascidian Halocynthia roretzi: (phorbol ester/ascidian egg/vitelline coat/trypsin-like enzyme/calmodulin).

Elevation of the vitelline coat of eggs of the ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, was induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate, but not by their 4-epimers. After elevation of the vitelline coat in this way, eggs were unable to undergo cleavage on addition of sperm. This elevation of the vitelline coat by phorbol esters was inhibited by specific inhibitors of trypsin-like enzyme, calmodulin, phospholipase A2 , and protein kinase C. In association with elevation of the vitelline coat, a trypsin-like enzyme was released from the eggs. The properties of this enzyme were similar to those of the enzyme released by calcium ionophore, which also induced elevation of the vitelline coat, suggesting that similar exocytosis of intracellular granules occurred in both cases. Calmodulin, possibly involved in the elevation process, was isolated from eggs and characterized.