Cortical signals analysis to recognize intralimb mobility using modified RNN and various EEG quantities.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are critical in interpreting sensorimotor activities for predicting body movements. However, their efficacy in identifying intralimb movements, such as the dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot, remains suboptimal. This study aims to explore whether various EEG signal quantities can effectively recognize intralimb movements to facilitate the development of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) devices for foot rehabilitation. This research involved twenty-two healthy, right-handed participants. EEG data were collected using 21 electrodes positioned over the motor cortex, while two electromyography (EMG) electrodes recorded the onset of ankle joint movements. The study focused on analyzing slow cortical potential (SCP) and sensorimotor rhythms (SMR) in alpha and beta bands from the EEG. Five key features-fourth-order Autoregressive feature, variance, waveform length, standard deviation, and permutation entropy-were extracted. A modified Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) including Long Short-term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) algorithms was developed for movement recognition. These were compared against conventional machine learning algorithms, including nonlinear Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k Nearest Neighbourhood (kNN) classifiers. The performance of the proposed models was assessed using two data schemes: within-subject and across-subjects. The findings demonstrated that the GRU and LSTM models significantly outperformed traditional machine learning algorithms in recognizing different EEG signal quantities for intralimb movement. The study indicates that deep learning models, particularly GRU and LSTM, hold superior potential over standard machine learning techniques in identifying intralimb movements using EEG signals. Where the accuracies of LSTM for within and across subjects were 98.87 ± 1.80 % and 87.38 ± 0.86 % respectively. Whereas the accuracy of GRU within and across subjects were 99.18 ± 1.28 % and 86.44 ± 0.69 % respectively. This advancement could significantly benefit the development of BCI devices aimed at foot rehabilitation, suggesting a new avenue for enhancing physical therapy outcomes.

Anterior lesser curve seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy versus proximal gastric vagotomy: results of a prospective randomized trial 3-8 years after surgery.

In a prospective randomized trial, anterior lesser curve seromytomy with posterior truncal vagotomy (ASPTV, n = 50) was compared with proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV, n = 50). Most of our patients were young men with ASA grade I risk, and 80% were expatriates. They were followed up for 3 to 8 years after surgery. The mean reductions of basal acid output (BAO) and insulin-stimulated peak acid output (IPAO) were 85% and 88%, respectively, soon after surgery for both ASPTV and PGV groups. These values remained at 70% and 60% of their preoperative level for 1 year. Good to excellent results (Visick I and II) were recorded in 76% of cases in both groups. The recurrent ulcer rate was 14% for PGV and 12% for ASPTV. This trial suggests that for the treatment of duodenal ulcer ASPTV is as good an operation as PGV.

A study of the acceptability and effectiveness of Norplant (R) contraceptive implants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PIP: A clinical trial was carried out on the levonorgestrel-containing subdermal contraceptive implant to evaluate its efficacy and acceptability among Malaysian women. The study recruited 121 women in and around the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory over a 13-month period (March 1986-March 19870 and followed regularly for 2 years at intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The acceptors consisted of 53.7% Malays, 24.8% Indians, and 21.5% Chinese. 81% of the selected females were between 20-34 years in age (mean=30). The average parity was 3.9 children; 81.8% reported that they did not want to have a child in the he next 3 years. In the last 6 months, 45.5% of the study group had used the oral contraceptive pills, 15.7% had used the intrauterine contraceptive device, and 17.4% had not employed any method. The results showed that the subdermal implant Norplant (R) is effective and safe. The gross cumulative continuation rate was 93.8 at 6 months, 88.2 at 12 months, and 72.2 at 24 months. Within the 24 month period, 26 terminations occurred as a result of pregnancy (n=1), menstrual problems (n=9), medical reasons (n=12), and personal reasons (n=4). the gross cumulative termination rate/100 women for pregnancy was 0 at 12 months and 1.7 at 24 months. Major side effects include menstrual problems, weight gain, dizziness, and headache. After 1 year, 13.3% of the cases (n=2) had the implant removed. The acceptability of the method among our women in 4 clinics around Kuala Lumpur and other Norplant (R) studies in other countries is comparable to the intrauterine devices among Malaysian women; the termination rate for accidental pregnancy is lower than that of IUD. The device is easy to administer in a small clinical set-up though it requires personnel specially trained in the surgical techniques; 86.0% of the acceptors reported complication-free insertion. This may be a method to be introduced to our National Family Planning Program in our efforts to offer a wider range of safe and effective methods of family planning. (author's modified).^ieng

Study of rigevidon for oral contraception in a family planning clinic in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

PIP: A clinical trial was carried out in Kota Bahru to study the acceptability and effectiveness of the 30 mg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 150 mcg levonorgestrel (LNG) oral contraceptive formulation in a new packaging offered as Rigevidon (R). The 30/50 mcg EE/LNG pill is available in the National Family Planning Program in Malaysia since the mid-1970's as Nordetter (R) and Microgynon 30 (R). A total of 87 women entered the study in 1988 and were followed up for a period of 1 year; however, only 83 cases were used in the analysis. 96.4% of the selected women were Malays, 2.4% were Indians, and 1.2% were Chinese. Additional characteristics include a mean age of 28, 74.7% had 6 years of formal education, and an average parity of 2.8 children with 50.6% having 1-2 children and 12% having 5 or more children. During the last 3 months, 47% of the acceptors had used the oral contraceptive pills previously and 41% had not used any contraceptive methods. 81.9% of the acceptors were using the methods for birth spacing. This small study showed that Rigevidon (R) is an effective and safe oral contraceptive. The gross cumulative continuation rate was 89.5 at 3 months, 86.7 at 6 months, 74.8 at 9 months, and 71.3 at 12 months. Reasons for termination include medical reasons (n=12) such as weight increase, dysmenorrhea, nausea, and headache and personal (n=8) reasons. The most frequently reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, and headache; however, there was a decrease in reported complaints by the end of the 8th month. It was observed that the amount of menstrual flow decreased significantly and complaints of dysmenorrhea reduced from 24.1% to 4.2% at 8 months. The acceptability of this method is high and comparable to the other low dose preparations utilized in the National Program; the continuation rate/100 women for Rigevidon was 74.8 after 9 months of use compared to Gestoden's continuation rate of 72.2. This preparation widens the number of low dose formulation (30 mcg estrogen pills) available to our women in their choice for family planning. (author's modified).^ieng

Total protein, electrophoretic patterns, total amino acid and creatinine in the amniotic fluid of premature infants.

Total protein, total amino acid, creatinine and the 5 major protein fractions were determined in amniotic fluid samples from 42 normal and 12 premature neonates. Total protein, albumin, globulin, total amino acid, creatinine and A/G ratio were significantly lower in the 6 premature infants who developed the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) than in the controls. The alpha 1, alpha 2 and gamma globulin levels were within the normal ranges. In the 4 premature stillborn babies, total protein and globulins were significantly higher than those of the controls, while the albumin, total amino acid and creatinine levels were normal. A/G ratio for this group was still lower than that for the former group and much lower than the control ratio. The remaining 2 premature alive infants showed a significant decrease in the alpha 1, alpha 2 globulins and creatinine levels. Slight increase in total amino acid, and significant increase in the beta globulin, while total protein, albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were within the normal ranges.

Amniotic fluid total proteins, electrophoretic patterns, total amino acids and creatinine in diabetic women.

Total proteins, total-acids, creatinine and the five major protein-fractions were determined in amniotic fluid of 9 diabetic mothers and 42 normal women. The mean value of the estimated patterns in the diabetic subgroup of living full-term infants was within normal, except a significant decrease in creatinine, albumin and gamma-globulin. A highly significant decrease in albumin, gamma-globulin and total amino acids in the amniotic fluid of those given stillbirth infants (SB), while a significant increase was found in both of total proteins and albumin in cases developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In addition to a significant increase in creatinine, alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-globulins in both subgroups of SB and RDS. The A/G ratio of the 3 subgroups were significantly decreased especially those of SB.

Amniotic fluid total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol in diabetic women.

Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.

Total lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids and inorganic phosphorus in the amniotic fluid of premature infants.

Total lipids, total cholesterol, phospholipids and inorganic phosphorus were determined in the amniotic fluid of 36 normal and 12 premature neonates. Total lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol were significantly decreased in the premature patients and the extent of decrease was more pronounced in patients who developed respiratory distress syndrome. On the other hand, inorganic phosphorus content of the amniotic fluid was within the normal range.