A Novel Method for Tracking Neck Motions Using a Skin-Conformable Wireless Accelerometer: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Cervical spine disease is a leading cause of pain and disability. Degenerative conditions of the spine can result in neurologic compression of the cervical spinal cord or nerve roots and may be surgically treated with an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in up to 137,000 people per year in the United States. A common sequelae of ACDF is reduced cervical range of motion (CROM) with patient-based complaints of stiffness and neck pain. Currently, tools for assessment of CROM are manual, subjective, and only intermittently utilized during doctor or physical therapy visits. We propose a skin-mountable acousto-mechanic sensor (ADvanced Acousto-Mechanic sensor; ADAM) as a tool for continuous neck motion monitoring in postoperative ACDF patients. We have developed and validated a machine learning neck motion classification algorithm to differentiate between eight neck motions (right/left rotation, right/left lateral bending, flexion, extension, retraction, protraction) in healthy normal subjects and patients. Methods: Sensor data from 12 healthy normal subjects and 5 patients were used to develop and validate a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Results: An average algorithm accuracy of 80.0 ± 3.8% was obtained for healthy normal subjects (94% for right rotation, 98% for left rotation, 65% for right lateral bending, 87% for left lateral bending, 89% for flexion, 77% for extension, 50% for retraction, 84% for protraction). An average accuracy of 67.5 ± 5.8% was obtained for patients. Discussion: ADAM, with our algorithm, may serve as a rehabilitation tool for neck motion monitoring in postoperative ACDF patients. Sensor-captured vital signs and other events (extubation, vocalization, physical therapy, walking) are potential metrics to be incorporated into our algorithm to offer more holistic monitoring of patients after cervical spine surgery.

A transient, closed-loop network of wireless, body-integrated devices for autonomous electrotherapy.

Temporary postoperative cardiac pacing requires devices with percutaneous leads and external wired power and control systems. This hardware introduces risks for infection, limitations on patient mobility, and requirements for surgical extraction procedures. Bioresorbable pacemakers mitigate some of these disadvantages, but they demand pairing with external, wired systems and secondary mechanisms for control. We present a transient closed-loop system that combines a time-synchronized, wireless network of skin-integrated devices with an advanced bioresorbable pacemaker to control cardiac rhythms, track cardiopulmonary status, provide multihaptic feedback, and enable transient operation with minimal patient burden. The result provides a range of autonomous, rate-adaptive cardiac pacing capabilities, as demonstrated in rat, canine, and human heart studies. This work establishes an engineering framework for closed-loop temporary electrotherapy using wirelessly linked, body-integrated bioelectronic devices.

Physiological function of insoluble dietary fiber prepared from exploded oak wood (Quercus mongolica).

This study investigated the production of insoluble dietary fiber using exploded and chemically treated oak wood (Quercus mongolica) and the physiological functions of prepared insoluble dietary fiber in laboratory animals. To produce high quality insoluble dietary fiber, the steam explosion treatment was performed at 25 kgf/cm2 pressure for 6 minutes. In the chemical analysis of insoluble dietary fiber, exploded oak wood was pretreated by 1% sodium hydroxide solution. The insoluble dietary fiber contained 7.6% residual lignin and 61.7% of alpha-cellulose. In order to compare the physiological functions of prepared insoluble dietary fiber with those of commercial insoluble dietary fiber, Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to one normal diet and five high cholesterol diets, containing 1% cholesterol. The high cholesterol diet groups were classified as the fiber-free diet (FF group), 5% commercial alpha-cellulose diet group (5C group), 10% commercial alpha-cellulose group (10C group), 5% insoluble dietary fiber group (5M group) and 10% insoluble dietary fiber group (10M group). Food intake, weight gain and food efficiency ratio in high cholesterol groups were significantly higher than those of the normal group, but there were no significant differences among the high cholesterol diet groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the weights of liver, kidney and small intestine in insoluble dietary fiber-supplemented groups. Cecum weights in all insoluble dietary fiber groups were significantly higher than those of the FF group. There were no significant differences in the activities of the glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) among the insoluble dietary fiber-supplemented groups. In conclusion, the prepared insoluble dietary fiber and the commercially available insoluble fiber showed the same physiological effects. Moreover, the preparation method for the insoluble dietary fiber from the exploded oak wood was successful.

Effects of manufactured soluble dietary fiber from Quercus mongolica on hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and lipoprotein lipase activities in epididymal adipose tissue of rats fed high cholesterol diets.

This study investigated the effect of a manufactured soluble dietary fiber on lipid metabolism in rats fed high cholesterol diets. Soluble dietary fiber was prepared from wood chips of oak (Quercus mongolica). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to either a normal diet or five high cholesterol diets containing 1% cholesterol and different fiber supplements. The high cholesterol groups were subdivided into fiber-free diet (FF), 5% pectin (5P), 10% pectin (10P), 5% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (5QM), and 10% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (10QM) groups. Total serum cholesterol concentrations in all soluble dietary fiber-supplemented groups were lower than in the FF group. The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration in the FF group was significantly lower, compared with the normal group, but was increased in groups supplemented with soluble dietary fiber. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and the atherogenic index had the same tendency as total cholesterol concentration. Compared with the FF group, in the 5P, 5QM, 10P, and 10QM groups hepatic triglyceride concentrations were 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24% lower, respectively, and hepatic cholesterol concentrations were 48%, 52%, 52%, and 58% lower, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in the soluble fiber groups was significantly higher than in the FF groups, but lower than the normal group. When hepatic tissue was observed under a light microscope, the FF group had completely formed lipomas in the hepatic tissue, which led to fat deposits and then a fatty liver. The size and number of lipomas were lower in the soluble dietary fiber-fed groups, as compared with the group not fed dietary fiber. In conclusion, improvements in lipid metabolism were observed as a result of the manufactured soluble dietary fiber from the oak chips, and were similar to that seen for pectin. The preparation method for the soluble dietary fiber from oak chips successfully produced a functional soluble fiber.