Walking and running cadence estimation using a single trunk-fixed accelerometer for daily physical activities assessment.

Accurate assessment of the type, duration, and intensity of physical activity (PA) in daily life is considered very important because of the close relationship between PA level, health, and well-being. Therefore, the assessment of PA using lightweight wearable sensors has gained interest in recent years. In particular, the use of activity monitors could help to measure the health-related effects of specific PA interventions. Our study, named as Run4Vit, focuses on evaluating the acute and longterm effects of an eight-week running intervention on PA behaviour and vitality. To achieve this goal, we developed an algorithm to detect running and estimate instantaneous cadence using a single trunk-fixed accelerometer. Cadence was computed using time and frequency domain approaches. Validation was performed over a wide range of locomotion speeds using an open-source gait database. Across all subjects, the cadence estimation algorithms achieved a mean bias and precision of - 0.01 ± 0.69 steps/min for the temporal method and 0.02 ± 1.33 steps/min for the frequency method. The running detection algorithm demonstrated very good performance, with an accuracy of 98% and a precision superior to 99%. These algorithms could be used to extract metrics related to the multiple dimensions of PA, and provide reliable outcome measures for the Run4Vit longitudinal running intervention program. Clinical Relevance- This work aims at validating a multi-dimensional physical activity (PA) classification algorithm for assessing the acute and long-term effects of eight weeks running intervention on PA behaviours and vitality.

Actinobaculum schaalii: A truly emerging pathogen?: Actinobaculum schaalii: un pathogène réellement émergent?

Actinobaculum schaalii is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobe bacillus. It is a commensal organism of the genitourinary tract. Its morphology is nonspecific. Aerobic culture is tedious, and identification techniques have long been inadequate. Thus, A. schaalii has often been considered as a nonpathogen bacterium or a contaminant. Its pathogenicity is now well described in urinary tract infections, and infections in other sites have been reported. This pathogen is considered as an emerging one following the growing use of mass spectrometry identification. In this context, the aim of our study was to evaluate the number of isolations of A. schaalii before and after the introduction of mass spectrometry in our hospital and to study the clinical circumstances in which isolates were found.

Actinobaculum schaalii est un bacille à Gram positif anaérobie facultatif. Il s'agit d'un germe commensal du tractus génito-urinaire. Sa morphologie est aspécifique. La culture est fastidieuse en aérobiose et les techniques d'identification ont longtemps été insuffisantes. De ce fait, il a souvent été considéré comme un germe non pathogène ou un contaminant. Sa pathogénicité est aujourd'hui bien décrite dans les infections urinaires, mais des infections au niveau d'autres sites ont été rapportées. Ce pathogène considéré comme émergent, voit en réalité son nombre d'isolats augmenter depuis l'introduction de la spectrométrie de masse. Dans ce contexte, le but de notre étude est d'évaluer le nombre d'isolements d'Actinobaculum schaalii avant et après l'introduction de la spectrométrie de masse dans notre centre hospitalier et d'étudier les circonstances cliniques dans lesquelles ces isolats ont été retrouvés.

Late superior mesenteric artery syndrome in paraplegia: case report and review.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA syndrome) occurring in a paraplegic patient 3 months after injury. OBJECTIVES: To report an unusual case and review the literature of SMA syndrome in spinal cord injured patients, focusing on paraplegic subjects and on tardive presentations. SETTING: A Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center in Garches (France). METHOD: Current medical literature includes reports of only 14 spinal cord injured patients with SMA syndrome. This syndrome has been often described in anorexia nervosa, burns or other causes of cachexia, following correction of spinal deformities or after application of body casts. RESULTS: In spinal cord injured patients SMA usually occurs in tetraplegic patients during the first weeks after injury. Only four cases of SMA syndrome in paraplegic patients have been described. Late forms are less common than acute ones: only three cases among 14. SMA syndrome consists of a vascular compression of the third part of the duodenum between the ventrally oriented SMA and the aorta. The normal aorto-mesenteric angle ranges between 38 degrees and 65 degrees and can be as low as 6 degrees in patients with SMA syndrome. The diagnosis is usually based on upper gastro-intestinal contrast X-ray study, which shows abrupt vertical compression of the third part of the duodenum. CT scan with angiography is useful in some difficult cases. Conservative management includes early correction of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, insertion of a nasojejunal tube beyond the obstruction and renutrition. Duodenojejunostomy may be necessary in case of failure of conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: SMA syndrome is an unusual gastro-intestinal complication that may occur in paraplegic patients, even late after injury.