Cortical Bone Trajectory Pedicle Screw Fixation in Surgical Treatment of Monosegmental Pyogenic Lumbar Spondylodiskitis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY OBJECT: Pedicle screw fixation has been widely used in surgical treatment for infective lumbar spondylodiskitis to prevent instability and deformity. The cortical bone trajectory pedicle screw (CBTPS) fixation is a minimally invasive posterior spinal fixation system that runs from the pedicle's entry point of the caudiomedial region toward the cephalad-divergent direction. Successful results with CBTPS fixation have been reported to treat degenerative and osteoporotic spinal diseases. This study aims to investigate the clinical feasibility of CBTPS in the surgical treatment of pyogenic lumbar spondylodiskitis. PATIENT AND METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved 20 consecutive patients from two academic centers who were surgically treated for monosegmental lumbar pyogenic spondylodiskitis. The primary surgical treatment was the anterior lumbar interbody fusion with decompression, debridement, and reconstruction using an autogenous iliac strut bone graft. One to 2 weeks after the primary surgery, patients underwent a second surgery for posterior instrumentation using conventional pedicle screws (CPS; group I) and CBTPS (group II). Radiographic parameters of the deformity angle at the fusion segment and clinical parameter of visual analog scale (VAS) scores were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: There were 10 patients in each group. The mean follow-up periods of groups I and II were 51.10 ± 6.95 and 28.60 ± 9.31 months, respectively. Intergroup analysis indicated the two groups area age-matched (p = 0.38), but initial C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dL, p = 0.04), CRP normalization (months, p = 0.00), and follow-up duration (months, p = 0.00) were heterogeneous. Meanwhile, deformity angles (segmental lordosis) between the two groups were not significantly different preoperatively (p = 0.25), postoperatively (p = 0.13), and at last follow-up (p = 0.38). The intragroup analysis indicated a significant postoperative increase of lordosis in both group I and II (p = 0.00 and 0.04, respectively) with subsequent subsidence. Lordosis remained increased at the last follow-up with or without significance (group I, p = 0.02; group II, p = 0.62). Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS scores (group I, p = 0.00; group II, p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: In monosegmental lumbar spondylodiskitis, posterior stabilization of the anterior strut bone graft by CBTPS and CPS was comparable via the radiographic parameter of segmental lordosis or deformity angle. Our observation suggests the clinical feasibility of CBTPS in the treatment of relatively mild monosegmental pyogenic lumbar spondylodiskitis.

Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Osteobiologics for Lumbar Fusion.

Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is an excellent treatment option for a number of lumbar diseases. LIF can be performed through posterior, transforaminal, anterior, and lateral or oblique approaches. Each technique has its own pearls and pitfalls. Through LIF, segmental stabilization, neural decompression, and deformity correction can be achieved. Minimally invasive surgery has recently gained popularity and each LIF procedure can be performed using minimally invasive techniques to reduce surgery-related complications and improve early postoperative recovery. Despite advances in surgical technology, surgery-related complications after LIF, such as pseudoarthrosis, have not yet been overcome. Although autogenous iliac crest bone graft is the gold standard for spinal fusion, other bone substitutes are available to enhance fusion rate and reduce complications associated with bone harvest. This article reviews the surgical procedures and characteristics of each LIF and the osteobiologics utilized in LIF based on the available evidence.

Prevesicular herpes zoster lumbar radiculopathy with transient motor paresis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Herpes zoster frequently causes dermatomal vesicular rash accompanied by severe neuralgia, and reaching a differential diagnosis may be challenging before the appearance of the vesicular rash. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old male patient visited the emergency department with a complaint of sudden onset motor weakness and ipsilateral radiating neuralgia to the Lt. thigh. He had suffered from chickenpox during childhood. DIAGNOSES: No skin lesion was present at the initial visit. The reverse Straight Leg Raise test was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging showed asymmetrically swollen dorsal root ganglion with Gadolinium enhancement. The vesicular rash that appeared on the sixth day after the symptom onset led to the diagnosis of herpes zoster. INTERVENTIONS: Antiviral agent of valacyclovir (1000 mg t.i.d.) was administered for 7 days. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered from motor weaknesses by 2 weeks from the onset of the symptom. Mild degree post-herpetic neuralgia recovered by 2 months. LESSONS: A high index of suspicion is necessary to differentiate early herpes zoster radiculitis before the appearance of vesicular rash from compressive radiculopathy. In L2-3 ipsilateral radiating pain along the dermatome or myotome, the absence of reverse Straight Leg Raise sign may be a possible factor in differentiating herpes zoster radiculitis from compressive radiculopathy.

Progression of idiopathic thoracic or thoracolumbar scoliosis and pelvic obliquity in adolescent patients with and without limb length discrepancy.

ΒACKGROUND: Both limb length inequality and scoliosis are associated with pelvic obliquity. METHODS: This is an observational study of adolescents with growth potential presenting for evaluation of thoracic or thoracolumbar idiopathic scoliosis at an outpatient pediatric orthopedic clinic. Patients were evaluated for limb length discrepancy (LLD) (using bilateral femoral head height difference), pelvic obliquity (using bilateral iliac crest height difference and sacral takeoff angle), and scoliotic curve (using Cobb angle and rotation) on full spine standing radiographs. The same radiographic parameters were measured at a follow-up visit at least 2 years later. RESULTS: Seventy-three consecutive patients with a mean (SD) age of 13.3 (0.2) years at initial examination were included in the study. Scoliosis (major curve Cobb angle ≥ 10°) was confirmed in all 73 patients, pelvic obliquity (iliac crest height difference > 1 cm or sacral takeoff angle > 5°) appeared in 23 (31.5%) patients with scoliosis, and LLD (> 1 cm femoral head height difference) was identified in 6 (8.2%) patients with scoliosis and pelvic obliquity. At a subsequent visit, a mean of 2.8 (range 2-5.8) years later, no significant change (p > 0.05) in limb length inequality was observed but a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in scoliotic and pelvic deformity parameters was found. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescent patient population with thoracic or thoracolumbar scoliosis, the anisomelia remains stable with growth but both the scoliotic deformity and pelvic obliquity progress. TRIAL REGISTRATION: MGH no 2012-P-000774/1.

Predicting Working Memory Capacity in Older Subjects Using Quantitative Electroencephalography.

OBJECTIVE: We utilized a spectral and network analysis technique with an integrated support vector classification algorithm for the automated detection of cognitive capacity using resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. METHODS: An eyes-closed resting EEG was recorded in 158 older subjects, and spectral EEG parameters in seven frequency bands, as well as functional brain network parameters were, calculated. In the feature extraction stage, the statistical power of the spectral and network parameters was calculated for the low-, moderate-, and high-performance groups. Afterward, the highly-powered features were selected as input into a support vector machine classifier with two discrete outputs: low- or high-performance groups. The classifier was then trained using a training set and the performance of the classification process was evaluated using a test set. RESULTS: The performance of the Support Vector Machine was evaluated using a 5-fold cross-validation and area under the curve values of 70.15% and 74.06% were achieved for the letter numbering task and the spatial span task. CONCLUSION: In this study, reliable results for classification accuracy and specificity were achieved. These findings provide an example of a novel method for parameter analysis, feature extraction, training, and testing the cognitive function of elderly subjects based on a quantitative EEG signal.

Fixation Strength of Pedicle and Cortical Lumbar Vertebral Screws after Laminectomy: A Cadaver Study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Cortical screws were proposed as an alternative to the traditional pedicle screws. Diverse experimental results support the biomechanical superiority of cortical screws compared to pedicle screws. Laminectomy is often part of multilevel lumbar surgeries. Laminectomy might weaken the medial bony edge at the entry of the divergently oriented screw and, thereby, the screw purchase. This study investigated the biomechanical strength of lumbar cortical screw after laminectomy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the fixation strength of cortical screws and traditional pedicle screws after lumbar laminectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 pedicles from 60 lumbar vertebrae of 12 cadavers (8 men, 4 women) were assessed. The mean age of the cadavers was 73.4 ± 6.2 years (range: 62-82 years). Using a posterior midline approach, we inserted the traditional pedicle screws into one and the cortical screws into the other side of each vertebra. Laminectomy was performed after screw insertion. Vertical pullout strength and toggle strength testing were performed to compare the fixation strength between the two sides. RESULTS: After laminectomy, the pullout strength of the cortical screws was 718.92 ± 340.76 N, and that of the pedicle screws was 625.78 ± 287.10 N (p = 0.183). The toggle strength of the cortical screws was 544.83 ± 329.97 N; that of the pedicle screws was 613.17 ± 311.70 N (p = 0.145). No significant difference was found in biomechanical strength between the two types of screws. CONCLUSION: Despite laminectomy, lumbar cortical screws offers comparable pullout and toggle biomechanical strength as traditional pedicle screws.

Paraspinal Muscles of Patients with Lumbar Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of atrophy or increased fat infiltration of the lumbar paraspinal muscles of patients with back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, or lumbar degenerative kyphosis is controversial. We review the literature on changes in the lumbar paraspinal muscles of these patients. METHODS: We searched Medline for relevant English-language articles and retrieved 25 articles published from 1993 to 2017 on changes in the lumbar paraspinal muscles; 21 met our study criteria. We categorized each article into three groups: randomized clinical trial, nonrandomized prospective study, or retrospective study. RESULTS: We found 1 randomized prospective, 3 nonrandomized prospective, and 17 retrospective studies. Atrophies of the multifidus muscle are found at the level of the L5 vertebral body in patients with back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, and lumbar degenerative kyphosis. Increased fat infiltration to the multifidus muscle was found in the patients with lumbar radiculopathy or lumbar degenerative kyphosis. However, there are controversies over fat infiltration to the multifidus muscle in the patients with back pain and the efficiency of a paramedian surgical approach to prevent the atrophy of the multifidus muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Atrophy of the multifidus muscle was found in patients with back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, and lumbar degenerative kyphosis. There was increased fat infiltration to the multifidus muscle in those patients with lumbar radiculopathy or lumbar degenerative kyphosis.

Anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using patellar suture anchor fixation for recurrent patellar instability.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes following anatomic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using patellar suture anchor fixation for recurrent patellar instability. METHODS: Twenty patients (20 knees) were enrolled in this study. The median age was 21 years, and the median follow-up was 34.5 months. Reconstruction was performed using a hamstring autograft fixed with two suture anchors at native patellar site of the MPFL. No patient had undergone additional medial tibial tuberosity transfer. Clinical scores (Kujala, Lysholm, and Tegner score) and apprehension test were completed preoperatively and at the follow-up. Preoperative and follow-up radiographic assessments included modified Insall-Salvati ratio, congruence angle, and lateral patellofemoral angle. RESULTS: The preoperative Kujala and Lysholm scores were 52.6±12.4 and 49.2±10.7, and at follow-up visits, corresponding values were 90.9±4.5 (p<0.001) and 90.9±5.2 (p<0.001). Tegner score increased from 3.0 (range 1-4) to 5.0 (range 4-7) (p<0.001). The apprehension test was positive in all patients preoperatively, but only positive in one patient at follow-up. All radiographic assessments were significantly improved; modified Insall-Salvati index (from 1.75 to 1.65) (p=0.002), congruence angle (from 6.3° to -7.0°) (p<0.001), and lateral patellofemoral angle (from 2.1° to 4.9°) (p=0.008). No patient experienced a patellar fracture or redislocation. CONCLUSION: These results are comparable to those of bone tunnel techniques reported in the literature. This study shows that anatomic MPFL reconstruction using two suture anchors is a reliable treatment option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series with no comparison group, Level IV.

Delayed infrarenal aortic pseudoaneurysm treated by endovascular stent graft in pyogenic spondylitis.

A 61-year-old male patient with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and epidural and psoas abscesses underwent posterior decompression, debridement, and instrumented fusion, followed by anterior debridement and reconstruction. Sudden onset flank pain was diagnosed 7 weeks postoperatively and was determined to be a pseudoaneurysm located at the aorta inferior to the renal artery and superior to the aortic bifurcation area. An endovascular stent graft was applied to successfully treat the pseudoaneurysm. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and infection status was stabilized.

Motion characteristics of the lumbar spinous processes with degenerative disc disease and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, interspinous process devices have attracted much attention since they can be implanted between the lumbar spinous processes (LSP) of patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DLS) using a minimally invasive manner. However, the motion characters of the LSP in the DLS and DDD patients have not been reported. This study is aimed at investigating the kinematics of the lumbar spinous processes in patients with DLS and DDD. METHODS: Ten patients with DDD at L4-S1 and ten patients with DLS at L4-L5 were studied. The positions of the vertebrae (L2-L5) at supine, standing, 45° trunk flexion, and maximal extension positions were determined using MRI-based models and dual fluoroscopic images. The shortest ISP distances were measured and compared with those of healthy subjects that have been previously reported. RESULTS: The shortest distance of the interspinous processes (ISP) gradually decreased from healthy subjects to DDD and to DLS patients when measured in the supine, standing, and extension positions. During supine-standing and flexion-extension activities, the changes in the shortest ISP distances in DDD patients were 2 ± 1.2 and 4.8 ± 2.1 mm at L4-L5; in DLS patients they were 0.5 ± 0.4 and 2.8 ± 1.7 mm at L4-L5, respectively. The range of motion is increased in DDD patients but decreased in DLS patients when compared with those of the healthy subjects. No significantly different changes were detected at L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels. CONCLUSION: At the involved level, the hypermobility of the LSP was seen in DDD and hypomobility of the LSP in DLS patients. The data may be instrumental for improving ISP surgeries that are aimed at reducing post-operative complications such as bony fracture and device dislocations.

Loss of lordosis and clinical outcomes after anterior cervical fusion with dynamic rotational plates.

PURPOSE: The cervical dynamic rotational plating system may induce bone graft subsidence, so it may cause loss of cervical lordosis. However there were few studies for alignments of cervical spines influencing the clinical results after using dynamic rotational plates. The purpose is to evaluate the effect of graft subsidence on cervical alignments due to the dynamic rotational cervical plates and correlating it with the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with disease or fracture underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion using a dynamic rotational plate. The presence and extent of implant complications, graft subsidence, loss of lordosis were identified and Visual Analog Scale score (VAS score), Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA score), clinical outcomes based on Odom's criteria were recorded. RESULTS: Fusion was achieved without implant complications in all cases. The mean graft subsidence at 6 months after the surgery was 1.46 mm. The lordotic changes in local cervical angles were 5.85° which was obtained postoperatively. VAS score for radicular pain was improved by 5.19 and the JOA score was improved by 3. Clinical outcomes based on Odom's criteria showed sixteen excellent, ten good and two satisfactory results. There was no significant relationship between clinical outcomes and changes in the cervical angles. CONCLUSION: Dynamic rotational anterior cervical plating provides comparable clinical outcomes to that of the reports of former static cervical platings. The loss of lordosis is related to the amount of graft settling but it is not related to the clinical outcomes.

Investigation of coupled bending of the lumbar spine during dynamic axial rotation of the body.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the coupled motions of the spine during functional dynamic motion of the body. This study investigated the in vivo characteristic motion patterns of the human lumbar spine during a dynamic axial rotation of the body. Specifically, the contribution of each motion segment to the lumbar axial rotation and the coupled bending of the vertebrae during the dynamic axial rotation of the body were analyzed. METHODS: Eight asymptomatic subjects (M/F, 7/1; age, 40-60 years) were recruited. The lumbar segment of each subject was MRI scanned for construction of 3D models of the vertebrae from L2 to S1. The lumbar spine was then imaged using a dual fluoroscopic system while the subject performed a dynamic axial rotation from maximal left to maximal right in a standing position. The 3D vertebral models and the fluoroscopic images were used to reproduce the in vivo vertebral motion. In this study, we analyzed the primary left-right axial rotation, the coupled left-right bending of each vertebral segment from L2 to S1 levels. RESULTS: The primary axial rotations of all segments (L2-S1) followed the direction of the body axial rotation. Contributions of each to the overall segment axial rotation were 6.7° ± 3.0° (27.9 %) for the L2-L3, 4.4° ± 1.2° (18.5 %) for the L3-L4, 6.4° ± 2.2° (26.7 %) for the L4-L5, and 6.4° ± 2.6° (27.0 %) for the L5-S1 vertebral motion segments. The upper segments of L2-L3 and L3-L4 demonstrated a coupled contralateral bending towards the opposite direction of the axial rotation, while the lower segments of L4-L5 and L5-S1 demonstrated a coupled ipsilateral bending motion towards the same direction of the axial rotation. Strong correlation between the primary axial rotation and the coupled bending was found at each vertebral level. We did not observe patterns of coupled flexion/extension rotation with the primary axial rotation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a dynamic lumbar axial rotation coupling with lateral bendings is segment-dependent and can create a coordinated dynamic coupling to maintain the global dynamic balance of the body. The results could improve our understanding of the normal physiologic lumbar axial rotation and to establish guidelines for diagnosing pathological lumbar motion.

Electrodes for wide-bandwidth substrate-removed electro-optic modulators.

This Letter is on wide-bandwidth electrodes suitable for ultralow voltage substrate-removed compound semiconductor electro-optic modulators. Using a loaded line approach, traveling wave electrodes suitable for wide-bandwidth and low-voltage operation were studied theoretically and experimentally up to 35 GHz. Using staircase waveguides and n-i-p-i-n epilayer designs, electrode capacitance and resistance were reduced significantly. Experimental and modeling results are found to agree very well. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that subvolt modulators with electrical to optical bandwidths in excess of 30 GHz are possible.

Lumbar facet joint motion in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis.

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vivo biomechanical effect of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) on the motion of the facet joint during various functional weight-bearing activities. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although the morphologic changes of the facet joints in patients with DLS have been reported in a few studies, no data have been reported on the kinematics of these facet joints. METHODS: Ten patients with DLS at L4-L5 were studied. Each patient underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan to obtain 3-dimensional models of the lumbar vertebrae from L2-L5 and a dual fluoroscopic imaging scan in different postures: flexion-extension, left-right bending, and left-right torsion. The positions of the vertebrae were reproduced by matching the magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral models to the fluoroscopic images. The kinematics of the facet joint and the ranges of motion were compared with those of healthy subjects and those of patients with degenerative disk diseases (DDD) previously published. RESULTS: In DLS patients, the range of rotation of the facet joints was significantly less at the DLS level (L4-L5) than that at the adjacent levels (L2-L3 and L3-L4), whereas the range of translation was similar at all levels. The range of rotation at the facet joints of the DLS level decreased compared with those of both the DDD patients and healthy subjects at the corresponding vertebral level (L4-L5), whereas no significant difference was found in the range of translation. The range of motion of facet joints in DLS and in DDD patients was similar at the adjacent levels (L2-L3 and L3-L4). CONCLUSIONS: The range of rotation decreased at the facet joints at the DLS level (L4-L5) in patients compared with those in healthy subjects and DDD patients. This decrease in range of rotation implies that the DLS disease may cause restabilization of the joint. The data may help the selection of conservative treatment or different surgical techniques for the DLS patients.

Preliminary report of three-dimensional reconstructive intraoperative C-arm in percutaneous vertebroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is usually carried out under three-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic guidance. However, operative complications or bone cement distribution might be difficult to assess on the basis of only 2D radiographic projection images. We evaluated the feasibility of performing an intraoperative and postoperative examination in patients undergoing PVP by using three-dimensional (3D) reconstructive C-arm. METHODS: Standard PVP procedures were performed on 14 consecutive patients by using a Siremobil Iso-C(3D) and a multidetector computed tomography machine. Post-processing of acquired volumetric datasets included multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and surface shaded display (SSD). We analyzed intraoperative and immediate postoperative evaluation of the needle trajectory and bone cement distribution. RESULTS: THE MALE : female ratio was 2 : 12; mean age of patients, 70 (range, 77-54) years; and mean T score, -3.4. The mean operation time was 52.14 min, but the time required to perform and post-process the rotational acquisitions was 7.76 min. The detection of bone cement distribution and leakage after PVP by using MPR and SSD was possible in all patients. However, detection of the safe trajectory for needle insertion was not possible. CONCLUSION: 3D rotational image acquisition can enable intra- or post-procedural assessment of vertebroplasty procedures for the detection of bone cement distribution and leakage. However, it is difficult to assess the safe trajectory for needle insertion.

HRV analysis and blood pressure monitoring on weighing scale using BCG.

Using the Ballistocardiogram(BCG) measured on weighing scale, heart rate variability(HRV) and blood pressure were estimated. BCG was measured while subjects were on weighing scale in resting state and under the Valsalva maneuver and static exercise condition to induce the change in cardiac autonomic rhythm. Time domain, frequency domain and nonlinear HRV parameters were estimated from the measured BCG and compared with the ones calculated from ECG measured simultaneously. For blood pressure(BP) estimation, ECG was measured additionally on the feet using dry electrodes simultaneously installed on weighing scale and R-J intervals were extracted as a BP correlated parameter at every beat cycle. HRV estimation results shows the correlation higher than 0.97, and the estimated BP was similar to the measured BP with a reliable correlations.

Heart rate variability analysis using a ballistocardiogram during Valsalva manoeuvre and post exercise.

We introduced a novel non-constrained technique for estimating heart rate variability (HRV) using a ballistocardiogram (BCG). To assess whether the BCG signal can be used to analyse the cardiac autonomic modulation, HRV parameters derived from the BCG signal (ballistocardiographic HRV, B-HRV) were statistically compared with the HRV parameters from the ECG signal during rest and under two different experimental conditions that induce cardiac autonomic rhythm changes: the Valsalva manoeuvre and static exercise. Time domain, frequency domain and nonlinear analyses were individually performed on 15 healthy subjects to assess whether the BCG can be used to analyse the cardiac autonomic modulation under each condition. For all subjects, the proposed method had averages of relative errors of 5.01 ± 4.72, 5.64 ± 4.83 and 5.98 ± 5.80% for resting, Valsalva and post-exercise sessions, respectively, and the correlation coefficients between the reference (ECG) and proposed (BCG) methods are 0.97, 0.98 and 0.98, for resting, Valsalva and post-exercise sessions, respectively. During cardiac autonomic changes, the B-HRV parameters changed in a pattern that is very similar to the variations in the HRV parameters based on Student's t-test results. In addition, some of the B-HRV parameters changed according to cardiac autonomic rhythms controlled by sympathetic and parasympathetic activities during the experiments. These findings indicate that BCG can provide an accurate and reliable means to evaluate autonomic system activation by HRV in its unconstrained way.

Genetic predisposition in degenerative lumbar scoliosis due to the copy number variation.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarrays. OBJECTIVE: To identify genomic copy number variations (CNVs) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) patients, and investigate the possibility of genetic predisposition in DLS. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Genome scanning technology enables search for presence of CNVs. CGH microarray is a useful procedure in a genome-wide study. METHODS: Among 45 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as DLS, 15 patients who manifested greatest Cobb's angle were selected for the array-CGH based CNV analysis. Control group was blood samples from 58 individuals without DLS. Oligonucleotide CGH microarray was utilized to analyze the CNV. Gene searches were performed for CNV DNA with significant gene-dosage difference. Validation qualitative PCR(qPCR) was performed at 3 genetic loci: at chromosome 2--TMEM163 gene, at chromosome 16--ANKRD 11 gene, and at chromosome 18--NFATC1 gene. RESULTS: Genomic gains and losses were observed using the oligonucleotide CGH microarray. Identified CNVs were 446 ± 129 per individual. Gain- and loss-CNVs were identified as 196 ± 24 and 250 ± 110, respectively. The length of total CNV per individual was 30,946,730 ± 31,658,175 bp, and mean CNV-length was 61,017 ± 40,620 (median length 6411 ± 1994). Comparison with control group revealed 260 CNVs, which were significant (P < 10(-3)). Validation qPCR for gene-dosage comparison of DLS group DNA versus control group DNA in TMEM163 (P < 0.001); ANKRD 11 (P = 0.000); and NFATC1 (P = 0.000) gene showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: Various whole-genome CNVs specific to DLS patients were observed. Validation qPCR confirmed significantly different gene-dosages for TMEM163, ANKRD 11, and NFATC1 genes. We consider that the expression of DLS is supported by various typical CNV-associated structural variants of the genome.

Detection of abnormal living patterns for elderly living alone using support vector data description.

In this study, we developed an automated behavior analysis system using infrared (IR) motion sensors to assist the independent living of the elderly who live alone and to improve the efficiency of their healthcare. An IR motion-sensor-based activity-monitoring system was installed in the houses of the elderly subjects to collect motion signals and three different feature values, activity level, mobility level, and nonresponse interval (NRI). These factors were calculated from the measured motion signals. The support vector data description (SVDD) method was used to classify normal behavior patterns and to detect abnormal behavioral patterns based on the aforementioned three feature values. The simulation data and real data were used to verify the proposed method in the individual analysis. A robust scheme is presented in this paper for optimally selecting the values of different parameters especially that of the scale parameter of the Gaussian kernel function involving in the training of the SVDD window length, T of the circadian rhythmic approach with the aim of applying the SVDD to the daily behavior patterns calculated over 24 h. Accuracies by positive predictive value (PPV) were 95.8% and 90.5% for the simulation and real data, respectively. The results suggest that the monitoring system utilizing the IR motion sensors and abnormal-behavior-pattern detection with SVDD are effective methods for home healthcare of elderly people living alone.

Improved elimination of motion artifacts from a photoplethysmographic signal using a Kalman smoother with simultaneous accelerometry.

A photoplethysmography (PPG) signal provides very useful information about a subject's hemodynamic status in a hospital or ubiquitous environment. However, PPG is very vulnerable to motion artifacts, which can significantly distort the information belonging to the PPG signal itself. Thus, the reduction of the effects of motion artifacts is an important issue when monitoring the cardiovascular system by PPG. There have been many adaptive techniques to reduce motion artifacts from PPG signals. In the present study, we compared a method based on the fixed-interval Kalman smoother with the usual adaptive filtering algorithms, e.g. the normalized least mean squares, recursive least squares and the conventional Kalman filter. We found that the fixed-interval Kalman smoother reduced motion artifacts from the PPG signal most effectively. Therefore, the use of the fixed-interval Kalman smoother can reduce motion artifacts in PPG, thus providing the most reliable information that can be deduced from the reconstructed PPG signals.