Search

The current study aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of the T-Force and Chronojump systems to measure the movement velocity in the leg press (LP) and chest press (CP) exercises in older people. Eighteen older adults (6 men and 12 women, 79.9 ± 8.5 years) performed a set of procedures over three weeks: (i) the first week was to familiarize participants with the testing procedures, (ii) the second was to perform a progressive loading test until reaching one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the LP and CP, and (iii) in the third week, participants performed three repetitions against five loads (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of 1RM). The mean velocity of each repetition was recorded simultaneously through the T-Force and Chronojump devices. Linear regressions (coefficient of determination [r2] and standard error of the estimate [SEE]) analyzed the inter-device validity, and Bland-Altman plots illustrated the systematic differences between devices. A mixed-effects model estimated the mean velocity differences between devices. The relative reliability was analyzed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC[1,k]), while the absolute reliability was by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the coefficient of variation (CV). The results showed that the T-Force and Chronojump presented a high association level in measuring mean velocity in the LP and CP (r2 range: 0.96–0.99; SEE range: 0.01–0.02 m·s− 1) and low systematic bias (0.02–0.03 m·s− 1). The mean velocity values of T-Force were significantly higher than Chronojump only for 40% 1RM (p = 0.04). Excellent reliability inter-device (ICC range: 0.95–0.98; CV range: 1.7–3.2%) and intra-device (ICC range: 0.90–0.97; CV range: 3.4–6.5%) was observed. This study shows that the T-Force and Chronojump systems are valid and reliable for measuring movement velocity in the CP and LP machines when used by older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction of one-repetition maximum (1RM) using the submaximal load–velocity relationship (LVR) is highly relevant for the field of strength and conditioning. The optimal minimum velocity threshold (MVT) was recently proposed to increase the accuracy of 1RM predictions. However, using the average optimal MVT would allow for more practical estimations. LVRs of the free-weight back squat were obtained in 53 participants, throughout 2 sessions. LVRs were obtained using the multi- and two-point methods. Estimations of 1RM were made based on the average actual MVT (1RM velocity) and the average optimal MVT. The accuracy of 1RM predictions was examined using absolute-percent error and Bland-Altman plots. Cross-validation was performed using a leave-one-out approach. The number of selected loads did not affect the slope, y-intercept, optimal MVT or the accuracy of 1RM predictions. Predictions based on the average optimal MVT displayed greater accuracy than those obtained with the average actual MVT (~6% vs. ~8% absolute-percent error, respectively). However, wide 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were found between actual and estimated 1RM using both approaches (~13%1RM). The average optimal MVT offers more accurate 1RM estimations than the average actual MVT. However, errors prove substantial, making it challenging to precisely track minor changes in 1RM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the validation of the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF)-test in heparinized and EDTA plasma for use in reflex testing algorithms for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is a common liver disease worldwide, and non-invasive tests (NITs) are being developed to stage MASLD and detect advanced stages of fibrosis. The ELF-test is a commonly used test, but it has only been validated for use in serum. The study aimed to validate the ELF-test in both heparinized plasma and EDTA plasma and found that the test performed comparably in all three sample types when using correction factors. The corrected ELF-test formulas showed increased sensitivity and accuracy in detecting fibrosis. The study concludes that the validated ELF-test can be used in reflex testing algorithms for fibrotic MASLD. [Extracted from the article]

Harmonization has been recommended by the International Organization for Standard (ISO) to achieve equivalent results across in vitro diagnostic measurement devices (IVD-MDs). We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of Bland-Altman plot-based harmonization algorithm (BA-BHA) created in this study and compare it with weighted Deming regression-based harmonization algorithm (WD-BHA) proposed in ISO 21151:2020. Eighty patient sera were used as the harmonization reference material (HRM) to develop IVD-MD-specific harmonization algorithms. Another panel of 40 patient sera was used to validate the effectiveness of harmonization algorithms. We compared regression slopes, intercepts, Bland-Altman plot layouts, percent differences, limits of agreement (LoAs), between-method coefficients of variation (CV) before and after harmonization. After harmonization by WD-BHA, acceptable slopes and intercepts between measured values and HRM targets were observed in weighted Deming regression, but not in Passing-Bablok analysis. Mean differences were −5.5 to 5.0 % and differences at specific levels were −33.9 to 23.9 %. LoAs were −64.6 to 74.6 %. Between-method CV was 22.9 % (±12.9 %). However, after harmonization by BA-BHA, both weighted Deming and Passing-Bablok regressions equations presented harmonized results. Mean differences were −0.3 to 0.2 % and differences at specific levels were −1.1 to 1.6 %. LoAs were −23.3 to 23.2 %. Between-method CV was 8.4 % (±4.0 %). The data points were evenly distributed at both sides of the mean in Bland-Altman plots. The inequivalence of test results between different methods can be improved but unacceptable analytical differences at specific levels may be hidden in terms of an acceptable slope and intercept on WD-BHA. The new protocol BA-BHA may be a viable alternative to optimize the harmonization for immunoassays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform a comparison of the measurement properties of two cancer-specific Multi-Attribute Utility Instruments (MAUIs), EORTC QLU-C10D and FACT-8D, in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies (HM). Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study on patients with HM in China, using QLU-C10D and FACT-8D at baseline and follow-up (3–4 months from baseline). We assessed: (i) convergent validity using Spearman's rank correlation test (r) with EQ-5D-5L; (ii) clinical-groups validity by differentiating cancer stages, overall health assessment (OHA), Eastern Cancer Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and mental health status. We also examined clinical validity with effect size (ES) and relative efficiency (RE); (iii) responsiveness to changes in patient self-perception using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the curves (AUC); and (iv) agreement using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and visualized with Bland-Altman plot. Results: Among the 308 patients with HM at baseline, 131 completed the follow-up survey. Agreement between the two measures was high (ICC = 0.76). Both measures were highly correlated with EQ-5D-5 L and significantly differentiated (p < 0.001) among groups categorized by cancer stage, OHA performance status, and mental health. ESs for QLU-C10D were numerically higher for cancer stage, OHA, and performance status (ES = 0.53–1.49), whereas ES was higher for FACT-8D and mental health status (ES = 1.35). Responsiveness was higher for QLU-C10D (AUC = 0.84) compared to FACT-8D (AUC = 0.78). Conclusion: Both QLU-C10D and FACT-8D are valid cancer-specific MAUIs for evaluating patients with HM. However, scholars should consider their slight differences in focus when choosing between the two measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A smear review is typically made in flagged differential counts performed with hematology analyzers although the clinical value of such reviews is uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the differences in differential counts between Sysmex XN-9000 and a smear review in flagged samples. Furthermore, the clinical value of blasts identified was investigated.Data on all differential counts performed in a two-year period were identified at two laboratories. In patients with blasts, the electronic health record was reviewed. Agreement between automated and manual differential counts was evaluated by Bland-Altman plots. Concordance between the two methods categorized according to reference intervals was evaluated and adjusted for irrelevant non-concordance caused by random analytical error.In total, 5,500 flagged differential counts were identified from 4,092 patients. A good agreement between the automated and manual differential count was found for all cell types (−0.480 × 109/L to 0.297 × 109/L). The concordance between the two methods was excellent for all cell types, except for monocytes (82 %) where the automated estimates were higher than the manual in 19 % of samples. Blasts were identified in 241 (1 %) of smear reviews. Acute leukemia was diagnosed in 13 (5 %) patients, and only in one patient contributed the detection of blasts to the suspicion of acute leukemia.Our findings indicate that routine smear review of all flagged samples do not contribute with additional, significant information. After local validation and dialogue with clinical departments, such reviews may potentially be omitted to increase cost-effectiveness and reduce turn-around-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The duration of sleep data collection from actigraphy is often influenced by practical factors (e.g. workdays versus non‐workdays), but the impact of the variation of duration on outcome measures of interest has not been well explored. This study investigates the effect of the duration of actigraphy measurement on non‐parametric measures of 24‐hr sleep–wake rhythms. We examined regularity inter‐daily stability and fragmentation intra‐daily variation over 14 days or the first 7 days in participants (n = 41) undergoing evaluation for sleep disorders. Bland–Altman plots assessed the impact of fewer than 14 or 7 days, respectively, on inter‐daily stability and intra‐daily variation scores. Intra‐daily variation values were also calculated for each day and compared with the 14‐day intra‐daily variation. Compared with the entire 14‐day period, using shorter durations (< 7 days) led to a higher estimated bias and increased variance in the limits of agreement for inter‐daily stability. Intra‐daily variation values showed increased variation in the limits of agreement with fewer days. Similar trends were observed when comparing shorter actigraphy periods 3 or 5 days–7 days. Daily intra‐daily variation calculations indicate that individuals with higher daily fragmentation experienced more pronounced day‐to‐day fragmentation and greater variability in the degree of fragmentation, in a linear association between daily intra‐daily variation standard deviation and 14‐day intra‐daily variation values. Our data indicate that a minimum of 7 full days of actigraphy is recommended to reduce measurement errors, and intra‐daily variation and inter‐daily stability derived from less than 7 days cannot be compared with those from more than 7 days without significant error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present research was to assess, under controlled laboratory conditions, the accuracy and precision of a prototype device (named 'P.ALP': Ph.D. Air-quality Low-cost Project) developed for PM2.5 concentration level monitoring. Indeed, this study follows a complementary manuscript (previously published) focusing on the in-field evaluation of the device's performance. Four P.ALP prototypes were co-located with the reference instrument in a calm-air aerosol chamber at the NIOSH laboratories in Pittsburgh, PA (USA), used by the Center for Direct Reading and Sensor Technologies. The devices were tested for 10 monitoring days under several exposure conditions. To evaluate the performance of the prototypes, different approaches were employed. After the data from the devices were stored and prepared for analysis, to assess the accuracy (comparing the reference instrument with the prototypes) and the precision (comparing all the possible pairs of devices) of the P.ALPs, linear regression analysis was performed. Moreover, to find out the applicability field of this device, the US EPA's suggested criteria were adopted, and to assess error trends of the prototype in the process of data acquisition, Bland–Altman plots were built. The findings show that, by introducing ad hoc calibration factors, the P.ALP's performance needs to be further implemented, but the device can monitor the concentration trend variations with satisfying accuracy. Overall, the P.ALP can be involved in and adapted to a wide range of applications because of the inexpensive nature of the components, the small dimensions, and the high data storage capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Movement behavior features such as time use estimates, average acceleration and intensity gradient are crucial in understanding associations with cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to 1) compare movement behavior features processed by commonly used accelerometer metrics among adults (i.e. Euclidian Norm Minus One (ENMO), Mean Amplitude Deviation (MAD) and counts per minute (CPM)), 2) investigate the impact of accelerometer metrics on compliance with movement behavior guidelines, and 3) explore potential variations in the association between movement behavior features and cardiometabolic variables depending on the chosen metric. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected movement behavior features (Actigraph GT3X+) and cardiometabolic variables. Accelerometer data were analyzed by four metrics, i.e. ENMO, MAD, and CPM vertical axis and CPM vector magnitude (GGIR). Intraclass correlations and Bland‒Altman plots identified metric differences for time use in single movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior), average acceleration and intensity gradient. Regression models across the four metrics were used to explore differences in 24-hour movement behaviors (24h-MBs; compositional variable) as for exploration of associations with cardiometabolic variables. Results: Movement behavior data from 213 Belgian adults (mean age 45.8±10.8 years, 68.5% female) differed according to the metric used, with ENMO representing the most sedentary movement behavior profile and CPM vector magnitude representing the most active profile. Compliance rates for meeting integrated 24h-MBs guidelines varied from 0–25% depending on the metric used. Furthermore, the strength and direction of associations between movement behavior features and cardiometabolic variables (body mass index, waist circumference, fat% and HbA1c) differed by the choice of metric. Conclusion: The metric used during data processing markedly influenced cut-point dependent time use estimates and cut-point independent average acceleration and intensity gradient, impacting guideline compliance and associations with cardiometabolic variables. Consideration is necessary when comparing findings from accelerometry studies to inform public health guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate whether the left and right hands yield the same bone age using the automated bone age assessment (BAA) system and proposed the right-hand BAA as a tool for filtering out measurement errors. The Bland–Altman, Passing–Bablok, and Spearman correlation coefficients were analyzed to compare the automated BAA results for each hand. The absolute difference between each hand obtained by the model (ADBH model) was calculated. The mean absolute difference (MAD) was estimated between the automatic BAA results for each hand and the reference standard. The mean of the ADBH model was 0.23 ± 0.19 years; 92.2% of the participants showed an ADBH model result of <0.5 years. The Passing–Bablok regression analysis revealed an excellent overall correlation between the BAAs of both hands. Of the total cases, 59 participants showed an ADBH model result >0.5 years, with a MAD between the model and the reference standard of 0.409 years for the left hand and 0.424 years for the right hand; both MADs were higher than those of previous studies using the same model. Given the excellent overall correlation of the BAA between both hands using the model, the high ADBH model value may indicate BAA measurement errors and serve as a cue for manual supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methodology Results Conclusions To evaluate the agreement between six currently available periapical radiography‐based methods for measuring the root canal curvatures in mesial roots of mandibular first molars, assessed by two examiners with different proficiency levels.Non‐endodontically treated mesial roots of 41 human mandibular first molars were radiographed using the parallelling technique. Two independent observers (a specialist in endodontics and radiology and a final‐year dental student) assessed their root canal curvature using the methodologies described by Schneider (1971, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, 32, 271), Weine (1982, Endodontic therapy), Berbert and Nishiyama (1994, Revista Gaúcha de Odontología, 356), Luiten et al. (1995, Journal of Endodontics, 21, 26), Hankins and ElDeeb (1996, Journal of Endodontics, 22, 123) and Pettiette et al. (1999, Journal of Endodontics, 25, 230). Intra‐ and inter‐examiner reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The differences in curvature angle measured by the different methods were compared using the one‐way anova for repeated measures test, followed by Tukey's post hoc analysis. The effect was calculated using the Cohen's d method. To determine the agreement between methods, the Bland–Altman analysis was used. The significance level was set at 5%.Agreement for the observers was excellent (>0.81) for the six methods considered. For the angle comparisons between methods, the maximum differences were for Schneider versus Weine (35.77°) and Luiten versus Hankins (35.14°), whilst the highest percentage of angles with a difference >10° were Weine versus Luiten and Berbert versus Pettiette (90%) and the comparison Weine versus Hankins presented with the lowest frequency (15%). Excellent agreement was found for five comparisons: Weine versus Luiten (0.940), Berbert versus Pettiette (0.917), Weine versus Pettiette (0.907), Luiten versus Pettiette (0.904) and Berbert versus Luiten (0.812). Compared to Schneider's method, the other methods showed a tendency of increasing difference as the angles became more acute. The other methods exhibited linear differences, remaining constant for smaller and larger angles.Reliability was excellent for all methods assessed separately. Maximum differences in curvature angles were found when comparing Schneider versus Weine and Luiten versus Hankins. Excellent agreement was found for Weine versus Luiten, Berbert versus Pettiette, Weine versus Pettiette, Luiten versus Pettiette and Berbert versus Luiten. In the presence of dilacerations, the method by Schneider was less sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nasoseptal perforations (NSP) are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders with a wide range of available treatments. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can provide valuable insights for assessing clinical and surgical outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate a novel-specific questionnaire for patients with NSP. Methods: A multi-centre prospective observational study was conducted at two tertiary referral hospitals. "Septal Perforation Quality of Life" (SEPEQOL) was developed by a committee of experts. The psychometric properties, including reproducibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness, were assessed. Results: The study included 96 symptomatic NSP patients and 30 healthy controls. SEPEQOL internal consistency was satisfactory [Cronbach´s α = 0.7843; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.702–0.856]. Test-retest reliability was excellent, demonstrated by the absolute intraclass correlation (ICC = 0.974; 95% CI, 0.935–0.989, P-value < 0.001) and Bland-Altman plot (line bias = 1.6 ± 4.57; 95% CI -0.54–3.74, P-value < 0.001). The mean total SEPEQOL score was higher before surgery (25.16 ± 1.65) compared to 6-months after the procedure (13.72 ± 11.39), with a mean difference of 12.19 [standard deviation (SD) 10.76], P-value < 0.001. Conclusions: SEPEQOL is reliable, consistent, valid, and sensitive to change over time. SEPEQOL assesses the impact of health-related quality of life on NSP and its management in clinical practice. Moreover, it is easy to apply in clinical settings with minimal burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Respiratory rate (RR) is a crucial vital sign in patient monitoring and is often the best marker of the deterioration of a sick patient. It can be used to help diagnose numerous medical conditions and has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of patient outcomes in various critical care settings and is incorporated in many clinical early warning scores. Here, we report on the performance of depth-camera-based system for the noncontact monitoring of RR during a ramped RR protocol. The ramped breathing protocol was developed specifically to test the relatively rapid changes in rates, which include clinically important low and high ranges of RRs. Materials and Methods We performed a series of experimental runs with healthy volunteers who were instructed to breathe over a wide range of RRs, where the rates were ramped up from 4 breaths/min to 50 breaths/min then back down to 4 breaths/min in a series of ramped steps. Depth information was acquired from the scene and used to determine a respiratory rate (RRdepth), and this was compared to capnograph or spirometer respiratory rate reference (RRref). A total of 9,482 contemporaneous data pairs (RRdepth, RRref) were collected during the study for comparison. Results A Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.995 was achieved and a line of best fit given by RRdepth = 0.99 × RRref + 0.36 breaths/min. The overall root mean squared difference (RMSD) across the runs was 1.29 breaths/min with a corresponding bias of 0.16 breaths/min, respectively. The associated Bland–Altman analysis found limits of agreement of −2.45 and 2.75 breaths/min. When the data were subdivided according to low, medium, and high RRs, corresponding to ≤10, >10 to 20, and >20 breaths/min, the RMSD accuracies were found to be 0.94, 1.34, and 1.55 breaths/min, respectively. Conclusions The technology performed well, exhibiting an RMSD accuracy well within our target of 3 breaths/min, both across the whole range and across each individual subrange. In summary, our results indicate the potential viability of continuous noncontact monitoring for the determination of RR over a clinically relevant range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Standing is a basic human function that healthy adults take for granted, yet it is a complex perceptual-motor process that requires sensation of position and motion from the sensory systems. OBJECTIVE: We assessed agreement between center of pressure data from a laboratory force-platform and head position data from an HTC Vive head-mounted display (HMD) for the evaluation of standing postural control. We investigated the impact of different statistical choices when assessing the relationship between two measurements. Specifically: 1) How does correlation and agreement statistics relate before and after logarithmic transformation? 2) Is there systemic or proportional bias between the force-platform and HMD measurements? METHODS: We tested 37 adults (26 controls, 11 with unilateral vestibular hypofunction) standing on foam, observing a static or dynamic visual scene projected from the HMD. We quantified anterior-posterior and medio-lateral sway via Directional Path, Root Mean Square Velocity, Variance, and Power Spectral Density (PSD) from a force-platform and the HMD. RESULTS: Intra-class correlations (ICCs) were moderate-to-good for the non-transformed data and good-to-excellent after logarithmic transformation for all outcomes except for PSD above 1 Hz. Correlations were higher than ICCs. Bland-Altman plots indicated proportional bias but not after logarithmic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices correlated linearly, and measure people's postural responses but cannot be used interchangeably, mostly because they appear to diverge with larger sway as evident on Bland-Altman plots of non-transformed data. Agreement between devices was excellent for low frequency movement but poor for high frequency small corrective movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine the accuracy of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) device by comparing glucose concentrations measured over time as determined by the CGMS to those of the chemistry analyzer (reference method). ANIMALS 7 healthy goats and 7 dairy calves. METHODS A randomized, crossover design with 3 treatments: control, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. The CGMS device was applied to the neck. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were induced by insulin and xylazine, respectively. Glucose concentrations were measured by the chemistry analyzer CGMS, point-of-care glucometer, and intensive care unit machine at 0 (before treatment), 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours. Agreement between the CGMS and the chemistry analyzer was determined by Bland-Altman plots. The analytical and clinical accuracy of the CGMS was determined using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013 criteria and the Parkes error grid analysis. RESULTS In goats, the CGMS overestimated glucose concentrations during the hypoglycemic, normoglycemia, and hyperglycemia treatments. In calves, the CGMS underestimated glucose concentrations during the hypoglycemic treatment but overestimated glucose concentrations in normoglycemia and hyperglycemic treatments. The CGMS met the ISO clinical accuracy criteria for goats and calves, with > 99% of the glucose measurements in zones A and B of the Parkes grid. However, the CGMS did not meet the ISO 15197:2013 criteria for analytical accuracy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The CGMS evaluated in our study only met the ISO 15197:2013 clinical accuracy criteria, not the analytical accuracy. Therefore, the device might be considered for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gait variable minimum toe clearance (MTC) has been investigated concerning trip-related fall research in older adults. However, comparing studies is difficult due to the different methods used to measure MTC and shoe conditions, which may affect agreement. Measurement methods can include using a single virtual point (SVP), multiple virtual points (MVPS), or metatarsal head markers (marker-based). The shoe types used in MTC studies include standard shoes (SS), personal shoes (PS), and barefoot (BF) conditions. What is the agreement, inter and intra-rater reliability, and repeatability for the 3 commonly used methods of measuring MTC (SVP, MVPS, marker-based) under the 3 shoe conditions for optical motion capture systems (SS, PS, BF)? Twelve healthy young adults (mean [SD] 23.8 [1.9] years,7 males) participated in this observational study. In a randomized order, participants completed 25 walking trials at self-selected normal and slow speeds in SS, PS, and BF conditions while infrared cameras recorded the maker trajectories. Each participant performed a familiarization trial for at least 1 minute before collecting data on each shoe condition. Statistical analyses included Bland-Altman 95 % limits of agreement (LOA) analyses, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses for inter- and intra-rater reliability, and the repeatability coefficient (RC). The SVP and MVPS had a tighter 95 % LOA than the marker-based method, particularly under SS and BF conditions. The inter-rater reliability was good to excellent under these shoe conditions. Intra-reliability for all methods under all shoe conditions was excellent (ICC >.90). The RC was very similar for each method, with none exceeding 1.02 cm. The study provides estimates of the agreement between MTC methods and suggests that only SVP or MVPS produced similar results in SS/BF conditions. Additionally, a "true" change in MTC requires a difference greater than 1.02 cm. • Single and multiple virtual point methods to assess MTC agreed in shoe and barefoot conditions. • The intra-rater reliability was excellent for marker and virtual point methods of assessing MTC. • "True" change in MTC requires a difference greater than 1.02 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three dimensional (3D) kinematic analysis based on motion capture can study synchronized data from the integrated jaw and neck motor system. Jaw function is commonly estimated on linear outcome variables of motion range. By combining jaw border movements in three planes the functional range of motion could be described by movement area and volume measures. Can we ensure the accuracy, test-retest reliability, and intra-individual variability with 3D kinematic analysis for estimating jaw functional range of motion (ROM), including jaw movement area and volume and jaw and head linear measures? Accuracy was estimated by applying the method to a set of beakers with known volume, based on the percentage deviation and Pearson correlation coefficient between target and estimated values. Test-retest reliability was then analysed on maximum jaw movements performed in a pre-determined movement sequence by 17 pain-free participants (25.4 years ± 2.4) to estimate jaw functional ROM. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated, and Bland-Altman plots were constructed. Coefficient of variation (CV) tested the within session reliability. The accuracy in volume and area measurements were high with a percentage deviation (0.03±0.59) and (1.2±0.45), respectively, with a strong linear relationship (R2=0.99) between target and estimated values. The test-retest reliability showed moderate to excellent reliability, and Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement. Overall, CVs showed high repeatability, but jaw movements in horizontal directions were less reliable and presented higher variability. The study with 3D kinematic analysis of jaw functional ROM, provides a methodological basis for accurate and reliable measurements. The study presents a new way to estimate jaw functional ROM measures, useful for evaluation in clinical intervention, for instance in pain and jaw dysfunction. Moreover, the natural biological movement variability and the complexity of the interplay of jaw-head movement will be emphasised. • A new kinematic method to estimate jaw functional range of motion. • The accuracy in area and volume measurements were high. • Jaw and head linear movement displacements showed high test-retest reliability. • The method has potential to evaluate dysfunctions in jaw-neck motor system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Modelling [18F]LW223 PET data using simplified imaging protocols for quantification of TSPO expression in the rat heart and brain" published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. The correction notice addresses errors in the original article and provides the accurate information. The corrections include changes to numerical values and clarifications in the text. Additionally, some figures in the original article were incorrect and have been corrected in the notice. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral and unbiased in relation to jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

This study assessed the psychometric performance and construct validity of the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short (EQ-HWB-S), using a validated measure, the EQ-5D-5L, as a comparator. The experimental version of the EQ-HWB-S was compared with the EQ-5D-5L to assess the psychometric performance of the measures. Data were drawn from the valuation stages of the Extending the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year project (UK general population, n = 429) and the EQ-5D-5L UK valuation pilot study (UK general population, n = 248). Construct validity was assessed based on convergent validity, using Spearman correlations and Pearson correlations. Known-group validity was assessed by estimating effect sizes to assess the ability of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L to discriminate between known groups based on "healthy" status, presence of a long-term condition, health and life satisfaction, age, and employment status. The degree of agreement in utility values across instruments was also evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Strong associations (r s ≥ 0.5, P <.001) were found between conceptually overlapping dimensions and the utility scores of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L. The instruments performed comparably in discriminating between known groups including healthy versus unhealthy groups (based on the visual analog scale ≥ 80), long-term condition (vs no long-term condition), and above versus below average health and life satisfaction and employed (vs unemployed and long-term sick). The EQ-HWB-S performs favorably with utility values successfully discriminating between groups in which differences are expected. Convergence between the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L is evident, especially between conceptually overlapping dimensions. • There is evidence of convergence between the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short (EQ-HWB-S) and EQ-5D-5L instruments, especially for constructs that are similar across both instruments, including mobility (getting around or walking), activities (daily or usual), anxiety and depression (separate or combined items), and pain (physical pain or pain and discomfort). • The EQ-HWB-S successfully distinguished between groups with known differences in health based on self-reported health, experience of long-term conditions, and health satisfaction in addition to life satisfaction and employment status. • The EQ-HWB-S extends beyond the EQ-5D-5L by capturing additional aspects of health-related quality of life, namely, loneliness, cognition, and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) holds promise for image-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) in prostate cancer. However, challenges persist due to image distortion, artifacts, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) reproducibility issues. This study aimed to assess DWI image quality and ADC reproducibility on both a 1.5 T MR-simulator and a 1.5 T MR-Linac, employing measurements from both an ACR MRI phantom and prostate cancer patients undergoing MRgRT. DW-MRI scans were conducted on 19 patients (mean age = 69 ± 8 years, with 23 MR-visible intra-prostatic lesions) and an ACR MRI phantom using a 1.5 T MR-simulator (b-values = 0, 800, 1400s/mm2) and a 1.5 T MR-Linac (b-values = 50, 500, 800 s/mm2). ADC homogeneity in the phantom was evaluated via 1D profile flatness (FL) in three directions. Image quality was assessed through qualitative 5-point Likert scale ratings and quantitative ADC and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements. Intra-observer reproducibility of image quality scores was evaluated using ICC(1, 2). Geometric distortion was measured by comparing landmark sizes on the ACR phantom against the ground truth. Mean ADC and reproducibility were assessed using Bland-Altman plots. Both MR-simulator and MR-Linac demonstrated high ADC homogeneity (FL > 87.5% - MR-simulator: 97.23 ± 0.62%, MR-Linac: 94.75 ± 0.62%, p < 0.05) in the phantom. Image quality scores revealed acceptable ratings (≥3) for capsule demarcation, image artifacts, and geometric distortion in patients. However, intra-prostatic lesions were barely discernible in b800 images for both MR-simulator (average score = 2.37 ± 1.33) and MR-Linac (average score = 2.16 ± 1.28). While MR-Linac DWI scans exhibited significantly more severe geometric distortion than MR-simulator scans (p < 0.01), most phantom measurements fell within the image in-plane resolution of 3 mm. Significant differences were noted in MR-simulator ADC (CTV: 1.20 ± 0.14 × 10−3 mm2/s (MR-simulator) vs 1.06 ± 0.10 × 10–3 mm2/s (MR-Linac); GTV: 1.05 ± 0.21 × 10−3 mm2/s vs 0.91 ± 0.16 × 10 mm2/s, all p < 0.05), with a small non-zero bias observed in the Bland-Altman analysis (CTV: 12.3%; GTV: 14.5%). The significantly larger MR-simulator ADC and the small non-zero bias hint at potential systematic differences in ADC values acquired from an MR-simulator and an MR-Linac, both at 1.5 T. Although acceptable ADC homogeneity was noted, caution is warranted in interpreting MR-Linac DWI images due to occasional severe artifacts. Further studies are essential to validate DWI and ADC as reliable imaging markers in prostate cancer MRgRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the feasibility and diagnostic efficacy of a 3D multiecho Dixon (qDixon) research application for simultaneously quantifying the liver iron concentration (LIC) and steatosis in thalassemia patients. This prospective study enrolled participants with thalassemia who underwent 3 T MRI of the liver for the evaluation of hepatic iron overload. The imaging protocol including qDixon and conventional T2* mapping based on 2D multiecho gradient echo (ME GRE) sequences respectively. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in the liver on the qDixon maps to obtain R2* and proton density fat fraction (PDFF). The reference R2* value was measured and calculated on conventional T2* mapping using the CMRtools software. Correlation analysis, Linear regression analysis, and Bland–Altman analysis were performed. 84 patients were finally included in this study. The median R2*-ME-GRE was 366.97 (1/s), range [206.68 (1/s), 522.20 (1/s)]. 8 patients had normal hepatic iron deposition, 16 had Insignificant, 42 had mild, 18 had moderate. The median of R2*-qDixon was 376.88 (1/s) [219.33 (1/s), 491.75 (1/s)]. A strong correlation was found between the liver R2*-qDixon and the R2*-ME-GRE (r = 0.959, P < 0.001). The median value of PDFF was 1.76% (1.10%, 2.95%). 8 patients had mild fatty liver, and 1 had severe fatty liver. MR qDixon research sequence can rapidly and accurately quantify liver iron overload, that highly consistent with the measured via conventional GRE sequence, and it can also simultaneously detect hepatic steatosis, this has great potential for clinical evaluation of thalassemia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the agreement between measurements of invasive blood pressure (IBP) and oscillometric blood pressure from the tongue (OBPton) using a multiparameter monitor. Unblinded, prospective, experimental study. A total of 12 female Large White crossbreed pigs. Pigs undergoing experimental procedures that required arterial cannula placement were recruited. A blood pressure cuff with the closest width to 40% of the circumference of the tongue was placed rostral to the lingual frenulum. Systolic, mean and diastolic IBP and OBPton were measured simultaneously at 5 minute intervals. Agreement between paired measurements was examined using Bland–Altman analysis. Mean bias, precision (standard deviation of mean bias), 95% limits of agreement, correlation coefficients and percentage of measurements within 10 and 20 mmHg of IBP were calculated. The total numbers of paired measurements recorded were 124, 126 and 124 for systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. The mean bias, precision and 95% limits of agreement for systolic OBPton were 11.5, 11.5 (–11.1 to 34.2), for mean OBPton 5.6, 5.7 (–5.7 to 16.8) and for diastolic OBPton 7.6, 10.1 (–12.1 to 27.4) mmHg. Correlation coefficients were greater than 0.9 for mean OBPton only. More than 50% of measurements were within 10 mmHg of IBP and 80% of measurements were within 20 mmHg of IBP for mean and diastolic OBPton only. The tongue as a cuff site for oscillometric blood pressure measurement is a useful site for measuring mean arterial, but not systolic or diastolic blood pressure in anaesthetized Large White crossbreed pigs. This technique fulfils the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine criteria for measuring mean arterial pressure but not systolic or diastolic arterial pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sport-related concussions are a complex injury requiring multifaceted assessment, including physical exertion. Currently, concussion testing relies primarily on a treadmill-based protocol for assessing exertion-related symptoms in persons after concussion. This study compared a modified cycle protocol (Calgary Concussion Cycle Test [CCCT]) with the clinically adopted standard, the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT), across multiple physiological parameters. Hypothesis: Treadmill and cycle matched workload protocols would produce similar results for cerebral blood velocity, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PETCO2), but heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) would be higher on the treadmill than the cycle modality. Study Design: Crossover study design. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 17 healthy adults (8 men, 9 women; age, 26 ± 3 years; body mass index, 23.8 ± 2.7 kg/m2) completed the BCTT and CCCT protocols, 7 days apart in a randomized order. During both exertional protocols, the physiological parameters measured were middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (MCAv), MAP, PETCO2, VO2, and HR. Analysis of variance with effect size computations, coefficient of variation, and Bland-Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement were used to compare exercise tests. Results: The BCTT and CCCT produced comparable results for both male and female participants with no significant differences for average MCAv, MAP, and PETCO2 (all P > 0.05; all generalized eta squared [η2G] < 0.02 [negligible]; P value range, 0.29-0.99) between stages. When accounting for exercise stage and modality, VO2 (P < 0.01) and HR (P < 0.01) were higher on the treadmill compared with the cycle. Aside from the final few stages, all physiology measures displayed good-to-excellent agreeability/variability. Conclusion: The CCCT was physiologically similar to the BCTT in terms of MCAv, PETCO2, and MAP; however, HR and VO2 differed between modalities. Clinical Relevance: Providing a cycle-based modality to exertional testing after injury may increase accessibility to determine symptom thresholds in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Currently in medicine there are multiple point-of-care (POC) devices that can quickly give test results in a manner that will allow for testing to be performed outside of a hospital. One example of this is POC devices that measure blood glucose, which were originally developed for the human diabetic community. These devices have uses that extend into veterinary medicine. However, not all of these devices are used in species that they have been validated for, and device-to-device variation can exist. In this study, blood from healthy calves and ewes had blood glucose levels recorded from both a validated POC device and a device that is commonly used but is not validated. The results were compared statistically and differences were noted between the two devices. Ambulatory veterinarians should be aware of the differences in POC glucometers and be careful comparing results from one device to another, as the devices may have their own specific reference ranges. POC devices that have not yet been validated may still be useful for measuring trends in individual patients until they can be validated. (1) Background: Multiple point-of-care (POC) glucometers are in use in veterinary medicine, but few are compared to each other. This leaves the potential for clinicians to be unaware of the effect of bias when comparing results from different POC glucometers. (2) Methods: Samples from healthy calves and ewes were simultaneously compared with two POC veterinary glucometers, the Precision Xtra and the AlphaTrak2, under both the "canine" and "feline" settings. The results of each sample were statistically analyzed with linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. (3) Results: 170 samples from healthy calves and 108 samples from healthy ewes were available for comparison. Calves: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the calves. Correlationt with the PX was r = 0.8496 (canine setting) and r = 0.8861 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (41.11 and 33.64 mg/dL, respectively). Ewes: The AT2 consistently overestimated blood glucose concentrations when compared to the PX device with the ewes. Correlation with the PX was R = 0.4710 (canine setting) and R = 0.7269 (feline setting). Both the canine and feline settings demonstrated a consistent bias (21.23 and 14.54 mg/dL, respectively). (4) Clinicians should be aware of the potential for consistent bias when evaluating calf and sheep blood glucose concentrations as the AT2 device, at both settings, overestimated blood glucose compared to the previously validated PX. This reliability appears to change when the values are farther from the normal ranges, which should be considered when making clinical decisions based on data from these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis are intimately linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Transient elastography (TE) and point shear wave elastography (pSWE) were used to measure liver stiffness in patients who met the ultrasound criteria for steatotic liver diseases (SLD). This study compared two methods for estimating liver stiffness in patients with SLD, which in turn correlated with liver fibrosis. Method: Ultrasound B-mode imaging was used to identify SLD. In total, 250 MAFLD patients were recruited. Patient characteristics, laboratory investigations, and liver stiffness measurements using TE and pSWE were assessed on the same day. Results: In the study, 56.0% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 41.5 ± 10.7 years. The correlation between TE and pSWE was significant (Spearman's r = 0.867*, p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman Plot analysis confirmed this, with 97.5% of variations in LSM falling within 95% agreement ranges. Cohen's κ was used to assess the agreement between TE and pSWE fibrosis stages, showing almost perfect agreement (83.5% kappa agreement) and a strong association between pSWE and TE in the assessment fibrosis stages. Conclusion: In patients with MAFLD, TE, and SWE are reliable methods for measuring liver stiffness and can be used as non-invasive screening tools for the assessment of fibrosis in SLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study examined the differences in participant force production and pain between a squat maximal voluntary isometric contraction (IMVIC) performed with either a waist belt (WB) or full-body harness (FBH) on the Desmotec D.EVO isoinertial device (D.EVO). Agreement between FBH IMVIC and a traditional force plate squat MVIC (TMVIC) was also assessed. Methods: Twenty adults completed FBH, WB, and TMVIC assessments on two separate occasions. Two-way treatment x time ANOVAs were conducted to compare force outputs and pain between treatments (FBH vs. WB) across time. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Associations between outcomes were determined using Pearson's r. Standard error of estimate, constant error, total error, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess agreement between IMVIC and TMVIC. Results: FBH and WB IMVIC exhibited good to excellent reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.889–0.994) and strong associations (r = 0.813 and 0.821, respectively) when compared to TMVIC. However, agreement between FBH and TMVIC was poor. No significant interaction or main effects were observed for pain. FBH maximum isometric force (MIF) was significantly higher than WB MIF. WB IMVIC was the only significant predictor of TMVIC (R2 = 0.674). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the D.EVO should not be utilized as a replacement for a traditional MVIC setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power output in cycling is one of the most important factors for athletes and coaches. The cycling community has several commercial gears that can be used. One of the most used is the TACX Neo 2T (TN2T) smart trainer. The objective of this study was to investigate the metrological proprieties of the TN2T (accuracy and reliability), as well as its agreement with the Garmin Vector 3 (GV3) pedals at different power stages. The sample consisted of ten regional-level cyclists with a mean age of 45.6 ± 6.4 years, who regularly participated in regional and national competitions. Residual relative differences were found between the two devices. Both devices showed good reliability with coefficients of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.03% to 0.15% and from 0.731 to 0.968, respectively. Independent samples t-test comparison between devices showed no significant differences in all power stages (p > 0.05). Bland–Altman plots showed that more than 80% of the plots were within the 95% confidence intervals in all power stages. The present data showed that there were non-significant differences between the two devices at power stages between 100 W and 270 W, with a strong agreement. Therefore, they can be used simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Buffalo milk, constituting 15% of global production, has higher fatty acids content than Holstein milk. Fourier‐transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectroscopy is widely used for dairy analysis, but its application to buffalo milk, with larger fat globules, remains understudied. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop machine learning models based on FT‐MIR spectroscopy for predicting fatty acids in buffalo milk and to assess the accuracy of commercial milk analyzers. This research provides a convenient, fast, and environmentally friendly method for detecting the fatty acid composition in buffalo milk. RESULTS: We employed six machine learning algorithms to establish a detection model for 34 fatty acids in buffalo milk. The predictive models demonstrated robust capabilities for high‐content fatty acids [C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)], with errors within a 15% range. Traditional FT6000 detection methods exhibited limitations in measuring SFAs and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Implementing a mean difference correction of 0.21 for MUFAs and applying regression equations (SFA × 1.0639 + 0.0705; PUFA × 0.5472 + 0.0047) significantly improved measurement accuracy. CONCLUSION: This study successfully developed a predictive model for fatty acids in Mediterranean buffalo milk based on FT‐MIR spectroscopy. Additionally, a correction was applied to the existing measurement device, FT6000, enabling more accurate measurements of fatty acids in buffalo milk. The findings have practical implications for the food industry, offering a faster and more reliable approach to assess and monitor fatty acid composition in buffalo milk, potentially influencing product development and quality control processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lean soft tissue mass (LSTM) of the limbs is approximately 63% of total skeletal muscle mass. For athletes, measurement of limb LSTM is the basis for rapid estimation of skeletal muscle mass. This study aimed to establish the estimation equation of LSTM in Asian athletes using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Methods: A total of 198 athletes (121 males, 77 females; mean age 22.04 ± 5.57 years) from different sports in Taiwan were enrolled. A modeling group (MG) of 2/3 (n = 132) of subjects and a validation group (VG) of 1/3 (n = 68) were randomly assigned. Using the InBody S-10, resistance and reactance were measured at 50 kHz from the right palm to the right sole while the participant was in the supine position. Predictor variables were height (h), weight (W), age, Sex, Xc, resistance index (RI; RI = h2 / R). LSTM of arms and legs measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the response variable. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis method was used to establish BIA estimation equations as ArmsLSTMBIA-Asian and LegsLSTMBIA-Asian. Estimation equations performance was confirmed by cross-validation. Results: Estimation equation "ArmsLSTMBIA-Asian = 0.096 h2/R– 1.132 Sex + 0.030 Weight + 0.022 Xc– 0.022 h + 0.905, r2 = 0.855, SEE = 0.757 kg, n = 132" and "LegsLSTMBIA Asian = 0.197h2/R" + 0.120 h– 1.242 Sex + 0.055 Weight– 0.052 Age + 0.033 Xc –16.136, r2 = 0.916, SEE = 1.431 kg, n = 132" were obtained from MG. Using DXA measurement results of VG for correlation analysis and Limit of Agreement (LOA) of Bland-Altman Plot, ArmsLST is 0.924, -1.53 to 1.43 kg, and LegsLST is 0.957, -2.68 to 2.90 kg. Conclusion: The established single-frequency BIA hand-to-foot (whole body) estimation equation quickly and accurately estimates LSTM of the arms and legs of Asian athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMaterials and methodsResultsConclusion\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo develop an instruction manual to administer the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) via videoconferencing (Tele-MAS), investigate its validity, reliability and measurement error.In-person assessment, conducted at the participant’s home, was compared to remote assessment conducted by rater A. Then, within two days, the rater B, repeat the remote assessment (n = 41). Part of the sample (n = 10) was assessed again within seven days by rater A to determine test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity, agreement of alternate forms (in-person x remote) for total score and reliability of individual items were analyzed using respectively the Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots and weighted Kappa (Kw). Interrater and test-retest reliability were analyzed by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal detectable changes (MDC) were computed.The Tele-MAS instruction manual was developed. In-person MAS and Tele-MAS present a high positive correlation (r = 0.97). Bland-Altman plots showed adequate agreement (MD=-0.0 point). Most Individual items showed excellent reliability (Kw > 0.70). Tele-MAS showed excellent interrater (ICC(2,1)=0.92) and test-retest (ICC(3,1)=0.98) reliability. Tele-MAS presents a SEM = 3% and MDC = 8%.The Tele-MAS is a valid and reliable global motor assessment scale to be applied in individuals after stroke.The validity and reliability of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) by videoconferencing was determined for post-stroke individuals.MAS in-person and Tele-MAS present a high positive correlation, and the Tele-MAS present an excellent reliability.A motor assessment based on a task-oriented approach the Tele-MAS may be used in telerehabilitation for post-stroke individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, necessitating the monitoring of antimicrobial usage (AMU). However, there is a lack of consensus on the standardized collection and reporting of AMU data in the veterinary field. In Denmark, the Danish Cattle Database (DCDB) contains treatment information on animal level, which allows counting of number of treatments carried out, used daily doses (UDD). The Danish VetStat database (VetStat) contains information on veterinary medicinal prescriptions at farm level and uses fixed standard doses of each product to calculate number of daily treatments, animal daily doses (ADD). This study aimed to compare two different numerators, UDD and ADD, used to describe AMU on Danish cattle farms, and estimate their correlation. Results: Routinely collected registry data from conventional dairy farms in Denmark for 2019 were used, including a total of 2,197 conventional dairy farms. The data from VetStat and the DCDB were aggregated and analysed, and treatment frequencies (TF) were calculated for both UDD and ADD, adjusting for farm size. Spearman correlation analysis and Bland–Altman plots were employed to assess the relationship and agreement between TF for ADD and UDD, respectively. The results showed a high correlation between TF for ADD and UDD for most prescription groups, i.e., groups used to categorise antibiotics based on target organs. An exception is found for the Udder prescription group, where a systematic underreporting of UDD compared to ADD was observed. This discrepancy may be due to combination treatments, and potential missing or grouped registrations in the DCDB. Conclusions: Our UDD and ADD comparison yields valuable insights on farm-level AMU. We observe strong correlations between UDD and ADD, except for udder treatments, where some farms report only 1/3 UDD compared to ADD, indicating potential underreporting. Further investigations are needed to understand the factors contributing to these patterns and to ensure the accuracy and completeness of recorded information. Standardizing AMU data collection and reporting remains crucial to tackle the global challenge of AMR effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The biuret method is frequently used to determine serum total protein. On the other hand refractometer, a quicker and less expensive option, is available to determine serum total protein. However, there is no study conducted in Ethiopia to compare serum total protein measurement in veterinary settings. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the serum total protein concentration measurement in cattle and goats obtained by the biuret method and refractometer. Results: Serum samples from 60 cattle and 60 goats were assayed by both methods and data were analyzed with a paired t-test, Pearson's correlation, and Bland-Altman plots. There was a strong positive correlation between the total protein values determined with the refractometer and the biuret method in cattle (r = 0.93) and goats (r = 0.97). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the protein values measured with the refractometer and those evaluated with the biuret method in both species. Bland-Altman plots showed that biases indicating the analytic and user error were 8.33% in both species which is below the acceptable total error (< 10%). Thus, refractometer can be used in place of biuret method since it is valid enough to measure serum total protein in cattle and goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laboratory setting evaluating the agreement between two measurement methods is a very frequent practice. Unfortunately, the guidelines to refer to are not free from criticisms from a statistical methodological point of view. We reviewed the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline EP09c, 3rd ed. pointing out some drawbacks and some aspects that have not been well defined, leaving situations of uncertainty and/or of excessive subjectivity in the judgement.We have stressed the need of having replicates to estimate the systematic and the proportional biases of the measurement methods to be compared. Indeed, unequal variance of the two measurement methods gives a slope and intercept of the regression between the difference and the mean of the two values of the measurement methods to be compared that can be absolutely calculated from their means, their variances and their correlation coefficient. So, it is not possible to disentangle true from spurious biases. For laboratory professionals we have developed a worked exemplification of an agreement assessment.We have stressed the need of other approaches than the classic Bland and Altman method to calculate the systematic and proportional biases of two measurement methods compared for their agreement in a study with replicates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is a critical parameter in the care of critically ill patients, as elevated IAP can lead to reduced cardiac output and organ perfusion, potentially resulting in multiple organ dysfunction and failure. The current gold standard for measuring IAP is an indirect technique via the bladder. According to the Abdominal Compartment Society's Guidelines, new measurement methods/devices for IAP must be validated against the gold standard. Objectives: This study introduces Ventra, an abdominal phantom designed to simulate different IAP levels, abdominal compliance, respiration-related IAP variations, and bladder dynamics. Ventra aims to facilitate the development and validation of new IAP measurement devices while reducing reliance on animal and cadaveric studies. Additionally, it offers potential applications in training and education for biomedical engineering students. This study provides a thorough explanation on the phantom's design and fabrication, which provides a low-cost solution for advancing IAP measurement research and education. The design concept, technical aspects, and a series of validation experiments determining whether Ventra is a suitable tool for future research are presented in this study. Methods: Ventra's performance was evaluated through a series of validation tests using a pressure gauge and two intra-gastric (Spiegelberg and CiMON) and two intra-bladder (Accuryn and TraumaGuard) pressure measurement devices. The mean and standard deviation of IAP recordings by each device were investigated. Bland–Altman analysis was used to evaluate bias, precision, limits of agreement, and percentage error for each system. Concordance analysis was performed to assess the ability of Ventra in tracking IAP changes. Results: The phantom demonstrated excellent agreement with reference pressure measurements, showing an average bias of 0.11 ± 0.49 mmHg. A concordance coefficient of 100% was observed for the phantom as well. Ventra accurately simulated different abdominal compliances, with higher IAP values resulting in lower compliance. Abdominal volume changes showed a bias of 0.08 ± 0.07 L/min, and bladder fill volume measurements showed an average difference of 0.90 ± 4.33 mL for volumes ranging from 50 to 500 mL. Conclusion: The validation results were in agreement with the research guidelines of the world abdominal society. Ventra is a reliable tool that will facilitate the development and validation of new IAP measurement devices. It is an effective educational tool for biomedical engineering students as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to validate the measurements of three physiological parameters, namely, body temperature, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation, captured with an out-of-the-lab device using measurements taken with clinically proven devices. The out-of-the-lab specialized device was integrated into a customized mHealth application, e-CoVig, developed within the AIM Health project. To perform the analysis, single consecutive measurements of the three vital parameters obtained with e-CoVig and with the standard devices from patients in an intensive care unit were collected, preprocessed, and then analyzed through classical agreement analysis, where we used Lin's concordance coefficient to assess the agreement correlation and Bland–Altman plots with exact confidence intervals for the limits of agreement to analyze the paired data readings. The existence of possible systematic errors was also addressed, where we found the presence of additive errors, which were corrected, and weak proportional biases. We obtained the mean overall agreement between the measurements taken with the novel e-CoVig device and the reference devices for the measured quantities. Although some limitations in this study were encountered, we present more advanced methods for their further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful performance in competitive swimming requires a swimmer to maximise propulsion and minimise drag, which can be assessed using instantaneous swimming velocity. Many systems exist to quantify velocity, and therefore, it is important to understand the agreement between systems. This study examined the agreement between an automated video-based system and a tethered system to measure instantaneous velocity. Twenty-two competitive swimmers (state level or higher) completed 25 m of each stroke at maximal intensity. The tethered speedometer was attached to the swimmer’s waist, while videos of each trial were recorded. The swimmer’s head was then automatically tracked using proprietary software, and instantaneous velocity was determined from each system. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the two systems in backstroke (95% Limits of Agreement (LOA): −0.24–0.26 m.s−1) and freestyle (95% LOA: −0.36–0.38 m.s−1) but poorer agreement in butterfly (95% LOA: −0.51–0.53 m.s−1) and breaststroke (95% LOA: −0.88–0.92 m.s−1). The root mean square error was higher in butterfly (0.27 m.s−1) and breaststroke (0.46 m.s−1) compared to backstroke (0.13 m.s−1) and freestyle (0.19 m.s−1). Results demonstrated that the two systems are comparable for measuring instantaneous swimming velocity; however, larger discrepancies are evident for butterfly and breaststroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The quality and the security of preparations in hospital centres are essential to guarantee the patient's safety. The development of fast and efficient analytical methods is required to control the finished product before use. In this context, the study aimed to compare the performance and interchangeability of two spectral analytical methods: the flow injection analysis (FIA) with UV detection and the Raman spectroscopy for the quality control of preparation before use to quantify the remdesivir as a SARS‐CoV‐2 drug. A quantitative study of remdesivir was performed using clinically relevant concentration solutions ranging from 0.25 to 1.625 mg.mL−1 in 0.9% NaCl. Samples were analysed by FIA‐UV at 245 nm and by a handheld Raman spectroscopy at 785 nm. Quantitative models were developed using a calibration set (n = 45 samples) and optimized using a validation set (n = 27). An external validation test set (n = 58) was used to compare the two methods by a Bland–Altman plot. Partial least square regression was used to analyse Raman spectra, while univariate analysis was performed at 245 nm for FIA‐UV. The regression coefficient was higher than 0.990 for both methods, and the root mean square error of prediction was 0.031 mg.mL−1 for Raman spectroscopy. The Bland–Altman plot confirmed the interchangeability of the two methods and the potential of Raman spectroscopy to control remdesivir during clinical preparation in the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes a method developed for the indirect cuffless estimation of arterial blood pressure (ABP) from two/three-channel photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. It is important when the actual ABPs cannot be measured, e.g., during scanning inside a magnetic resonance imager. The proposed procedure uses heart pulse transmission parameters (HPTPs) extracted from the second derivative PPG signals. The linear regression method was used to calculate the relation between the determined HPTPs and the ABPs measured in parallel by a blood pressure monitor. The ABP values were estimated by the inverse conversion characteristic calculated from these linear relations. Three auxiliary investigations were performed first to find appropriate settings for PPG signal processing. We tested the accuracy of ABP estimation using two small corpora of multi-channel PPG records sensed during our previous experiments. We also analyzed the distribution of the determined HPTP values depending on the hand and gender for the mapping of a mutual relationship of HPTPs and measured ABPs. The final estimation errors were evaluated graphically (by correlation scatter plots and Bland–Altman plots) and numerically (by a correlation coefficient between the measured and estimated ABPs and by enumeration of the relative estimation error). The obtained results achieve acceptable mean values of −2.6/−3.5 mm Hg for systolic/diastolic ABPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: To develop and test VMseg, a new image processing algorithm performing automatic segmentation of retinal non-perfusion in widefield OCT-Angiography images, in order to estimate the non-perfusion index in diabetic patients. Methods: We included diabetic patients with severe non-proliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We acquired images using the PlexElite 9000 OCT-A device with a photomontage of 5 images of size 12 x 12 mm. We then developed VMseg, a Python algorithm for non-perfusion detection, which binarizes a variance map calculated through convolution and morphological operations. We used 70% of our data set (development set) to fine-tune the algorithm parameters (convolution and morphological parameters, binarization thresholds) and evaluated the algorithm performance on the remaining 30% (test set). The obtained automatic segmentations were compared to a ground truth corresponding to manual segmentation from a retina expert and the inference processing time was estimated. Results: We included 51 eyes of 30 patients (27 severe non-proliferative, 24 proliferative diabetic retinopathy). Using the optimal parameters found on the development set to tune the algorithm, the mean dice for the test set was 0.683 (sd = 0.175). We found a higher dice coefficient for images with a higher area of retinal non-perfusion (rs = 0.722, p < 10−4). There was a strong correlation (rs = 0.877, p < 10−4) between VMseg estimated non-perfusion indexes and indexes estimated using the ground truth segmentation. The Bland-Altman plot revealed that 3 eyes (5.9%) were significantly under-segmented by VMseg. Conclusion: We developed VMseg, an automatic algorithm for retinal non-perfusion segmentation on 12 x 12 mm OCT-A widefield photomontages. This simple algorithm was fast at inference time, segmented images in full-resolution and for the OCT-A format, was accurate enough for automatic estimation of retinal non-perfusion index in diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The goal of this study is to quantify the assumptions associated with the Wasserman‐Hansen (WH) and Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise: A National Database (FRIEND) predictive peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) equations across body mass index (BMI). Assumptions in pVO2 for both equations were first determined using a simulation and then evaluated using exercise data from the Stanford Exercise Testing registry. We calculated percent‐predicted VO2 (ppVO2) values for both equations and compared them using the Bland–Altman method. Assumptions associated with pVO2 across BMI categories were quantified by comparing the slopes of age‐adjusted VO2 ratios (pVO2/pre‐exercise VO2) and ppVO2 values for different BMI categories. The simulation revealed lower predicted fitness among adults with obesity using the FRIEND equation compared to the WH equations. In the clinical cohort, we evaluated 2471 patients (56.9% male, 22% with BMI >30 kg/m2, pVO2 26.8 mlO2/kg/min). The Bland–Altman plot revealed an average relative difference of −1.7% (95% CI: −2.1 to −1.2%) between WH and FRIEND ppVO2 values with greater differences among those with obesity. Analysis of the VO2 ratio to ppVO2 slopes across the BMI spectrum confirmed the assumption of lower fitness in those with obesity, and this trend was more pronounced using the FRIEND equation. Peak VO2 estimations between the WH and FRIEND equations differed significantly among individuals with obesity. The FRIEND equation resulted in a greater attributable reduction in pVO2 associated with obesity relative to the WH equations. The outlined relationships between BMI and predicted VO2 may better inform the clinical interpretation of ppVO2 values during cardiopulmonary exercise test evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test the feasibility, adherence rates and optimal frequency of digital, remote assessments using the ALSFRS-RSE via a customized smartphone-based app. This fully remote, longitudinal study was conducted over a 24-week period, with virtual visits every 3 months and weekly digital assessments. 19 ALS participants completed digital assessments via smartphone, including a digital version of the ALSFRS-RSE and mood survey. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess agreement between staff-administered and self-reported ALSFRS-R pairs. Longitudinal change was evaluated using ANCOVA models and linear mixed models, including impact of mood and time of day. Impact of frequency of administration of the ALSFRS-RSE on precision of the estimate slope was tested using a mixed effects model. In our ALS cohort, digital assessments were well-accepted and adherence was robust, with completion rates of 86%. There was excellent agreement between the digital self-entry and staff-administered scores computing multiple ICCs (ICC range = 0.925–0.961), with scores on the ALSFRS-RSE slightly higher (1.304 points). Digital assessments were associated with increased precision of the slope, resulting in higher standardized response mean estimates for higher frequencies, though benefit appeared to diminish at biweekly and weekly frequency. Effects of participant mood and time of day on total ALSFRS-RSE score were evaluated but were minimal and not statistically significant. Remote collection of digital patient-reported outcomes of functional status such as the ALSFRS-RSE yield more accurate estimates of change over time and provide a broader understanding of the lived experience of people with ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined reliability and validity of the Fulltrack AI application to identify cricket ball landing position (line, length). Nine hundred and thirty-two deliveries were compared to 3D motion capture, the criterion measure, with 836 included in analysis (516 bowled (pace = 420, spin = 96), 320 SidearmTM; 301 facing a batter). Agreement analysis indicated an intraclass correlation coefficient of >0.96 for raw and filter 3D line and length data, compared to Fulltrack AI. The coefficient of variation was acceptable for length (<10%) and larger for line (23.82%), albeit with a smaller standard error of measurement (SEM = 0.05 m), improving with outliers removed. Bland−Altman plots confirmed good statistical agreement between devices, with limits of agreement largely within maximal allowable difference values. There are potential practical application considerations, given SEM = 0.47 m for length (diameter of seven cricket balls); with greater variability detecting length closer to the batters-end, and line closer to the bowlers-end. Validity, using a generalised additive model, showed no significant differences between devices (p > 0.05), with no condition-based interaction effects. The Fulltrack AI application enables ecologically valid assessment of bowling performance. Considering the trade-off between this and the accuracy of information is warranted when deciding how best to apply it to coaching environments to support augmented feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We examined the comparability of children's nocturnal sleep estimates using accelerometry data, processed with and without a sleep log. In a secondary analysis, we evaluated factors associated with disagreement between processing approaches. Children (n = 722, age 5–12 years) wore a wrist‐based accelerometer for 14 days during Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, and/or Summer 2021. Outcomes included sleep period, duration, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and timing (onset, midpoint, waketime). Parents completed surveys including children's nightly bed/wake time. Data were processed with parent‐reported bed/wake time (sleep log), the Heuristic algorithm looking at Distribution of Change in Z‐Angle (HDCZA) algorithm (no log), and an 8 p.m.–8 a.m. window (generic log) using the R‐package 'GGIR' (version 2.6‐4). Mean/absolute bias and limits of agreement were calculated and visualised with Bland–Altman plots. Associations between child, home, and survey characteristics and disagreement were examined with tobit regression. Just over half of nights demonstrated no difference in sleep period between sleep log and no log approaches. Among all nights, the sleep log approach produced longer sleep periods (9.3 min; absolute mean bias [AMB] = 28.0 min), shorter duration (1.4 min; AMB = 14.0 min), greater WASO (11.0 min; AMB = 15.4 min), and earlier onset (13.4 min; AMB = 17.4 min), midpoint (8.8 min; AMB = 15.3 min), and waketime (3.9 min; AMB = 14.8 min) than no log. Factors associated with discrepancies included smartphone ownership, bedroom screens, nontraditional parent work schedule, and completion on weekend/summer nights (range = 0.4–10.2 min). The generic log resulted in greater AMB among sleep outcomes. Small mean differences were observed between nights with and without a sleep log. Discrepancies existed on weekends, in summer, and for children with smartphones and screens in the bedroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate deep learning–based segmentation models for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) using CT and MRI with nnU-Net. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 91 patients with OPSCC. The patients were grouped into the development (n = 56), test 1 (n = 13), and test 2 (n = 22) cohorts. In the development cohort, OPSCC was manually segmented on CT, MR, and co-registered CT-MR images, which served as the ground truth. The multimodal and multichannel input images were then trained using a self-configuring nnU-Net. For evaluation metrics, dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean Hausdorff distance (HD) were calculated for test cohorts. Pearson's correlation and Bland–Altman analyses were performed between ground truth and prediction volumes. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of radiomic features were calculated for reproducibility assessment. Results: All models achieved robust segmentation performances with DSC of 0.64 ± 0.33 (CT), 0.67 ± 0.27 (MR), and 0.65 ± 0.29 (CT-MR) in test cohort 1 and 0.57 ± 0.31 (CT), 0.77 ± 0.08 (MR), and 0.73 ± 0.18 (CT-MR) in test cohort 2. No significant differences were found in DSC among the models. HD of CT-MR (1.57 ± 1.06 mm) and MR models (1.36 ± 0.61 mm) were significantly lower than that of the CT model (3.48 ± 5.0 mm) (p = 0.037 and p = 0.014, respectively). The correlation coefficients between the ground truth and prediction volumes for CT, MR, and CT-MR models were 0.88, 0.93, and 0.9, respectively. MR models demonstrated excellent mean ICCs of radiomic features (0.91–0.93). Conclusion: The self-configuring nnU-Net demonstrated reliable and accurate segmentation of OPSCC on CT and MRI. The multimodal CT-MR model showed promising results for the simultaneous segmentation on CT and MRI. Clinical relevance statement: Deep learning–based automatic detection and segmentation of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma on pre-treatment CT and MRI would facilitate radiologic response assessment and radiotherapy planning. Key Points: • The nnU-Net framework produced a reliable and accurate segmentation of OPSCC on CT and MRI. • MR and CT-MR models showed higher DSC and lower Hausdorff distance than the CT model. • Correlation coefficients between the ground truth and predicted segmentation volumes were high in all the three models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The T2* value of interventricular septum is routinely reported for grading myocardial iron load in thalassemia major, and automatic segmentation of septum could shorten analysis time and reduce interobserver variability. Purpose: To develop a deep learning‐based method for automatic septum segmentation from black‐blood MR images for the myocardial T2* measurement of thalassemia patients. Study Type: Retrospective. Population/Subjects: One hundred forty‐six transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients with cardiac MR examinations from two centers. Data from Center 1 (1.5 T) were assigned to the training (100 examinations) and internal testing (20 examinations) sets; data from Center 2 were assigned to the external testing set (26 examinations; 10 at 1.5 T and 16 at 3.0 T). Field Strength/Sequence: 1.5 T and 3.0 T, multiecho gradient‐echo sequence. Assessment: A modified attention U‐Net for septum segmentation was constructed and trained, and its performance evaluated on unseen internal and external datasets. T2* was measured by fitting the average septum signal, separately segmented by automatic and manual methods. Statistical Tests: Agreement between manual and automatic septum segmentations was assessed with the Dice coefficient, and T2* agreement was assessed using the Bland–Altman plot and the coefficient of variation (CoV). Results: The median Dice coefficient of deep network‐based septum segmentation was 0.90 [0.05] on the internal dataset, 0.82 [0.10] on the external 1.5 T dataset, and 0.86 [0.14] on the external 3.0 T dataset. T2* measurements using automatic segmentation corresponded with those from manual segmentation, with a mean difference of 0.02 (95% LoA: −0.74 to 0.79) msec, 0.43 (95% LoA: −2.1 to 3.0) msec, and 0.36 (95% LoA: −0.72 to 1.4) msec on the three datasets. The CoVs between the two methods were 3.1%, 7.0%, and 6.1% on the internal and two external datasets, respectively. Data Conclusions: The proposed septum segmentation yielded myocardial T2* measurements which were highly consistent with those obtained by manual segmentation. This automatic approach may facilitate data processing and avoid operator‐dependent variability in practice. Evidence Level: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate determination of the working length (WL) is crucial for successful endodontic treatment. Various methods, including radiography and electronic apex locators (EALs), are employed for WL measurement, each with its advantages and limitations. Aim: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of WL determination using conventional radiography and the Root ZX Mini EAL against an ex vivo gold standard method. Materials and Methods: Fifty single-rooted teeth scheduled for extraction were included. WLs were determined using radiography (Grossman's method) and the Root ZX Mini EAL. An ex vivo method served as the gold standard with WL carried out on extracted teeth under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis included Paired samples t-test, Chi-square test, and Bland-Altman plots. Results: The mean WL values were comparable among methods, with slight variations in precision. The Root ZX Mini EAL demonstrated significantly lower mean absolute error compared to radiography (P < 0.001). Accuracy within ± 0.5 mm and ± 1 mm tolerance ranges favored the EAL over radiography (P = 0.04 and P = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: The Root ZX Mini EAL exhibited superior accuracy and lower error rates in WL determination compared to radiography. Integrating EALs alongside radiographic techniques is recommended to optimize WL precision in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The predicted serum concentrations of vancomycin are determined using population pharmacokinetic parameters. However, the accuracy of predicting vancomycin serum concentrations in the older population remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the accuracy of predicting vancomycin serum concentrations and identifying elements that diminish the prediction accuracy in older people. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 patients aged 75 years or older were included. The serum vancomycin concentrations in the patients were predicted based on population pharmacokinetic parameters common in Japan. We examined the accuracy of serum vancomycin concentration prediction in elderly individuals by comparing the predicted and measured serum vancomycin concentrations in each patient. The prediction accuracy was evaluated using the mean prediction error (ME) and mean absolute error of prediction (MAE) calculated from the measured and predicted serum vancomycin concentrations in each patient. Results: The ME for all patients was 0.27, and the 95% CI included 0, indicating that the predicted values were not significantly biased compared to the measured values. However, the predicted serum concentrations in the <50 kg body weight and serum creatinine (Scr) < 0.6 mg/dL groups were significantly biased compared to the measured values. The group with a history of intensive care unit (ICU) admission showed the largest values for the ME and MAE. Conclusions: Our prediction accuracy was satisfactory but tended to be lower in underweight patients, those with low creatinine levels, and patients admitted to the ICU. Patients with multiple of these factors may experience a greater degree of decreased predictive accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses data privacy concerns and the need for a low computational framework in health sciences education. Introducing hybrid parametric splines as a novel approach in ECG signal modeling, the study explores three cases: parametric cubic spline, parametric quartic spline, and a hybrid approach combining both methods with second-order continuity. Accuracy is assessed using power spectrum analysis, root mean square error (RMSE), percent root mean square difference (PRD), Cross correlation, and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) validated measures. Additionally, statistical analysis, including the Bland-Altman scatter plot, supports the hybrid approach. The hybrid approach achieves a harmonious blend of smoothness, heightened flexibility, and increased accuracy while ensuring computational simplicity. Efficient utilization of fewer data points optimizes storage and processing. Capable of generating diverse ECG signals, it allows flexibility in creating various scenarios. The hybrid approach demonstrates superior accuracy, as evidenced by the obtained RMSE, PRD, Cross correlation, and DTW values of 0.0410, 15.76, 0.98, and 0.49, respectively.Contributing to the advancement of ECG modeling, these findings provide enhanced visualization, analysis, and educational demonstrations in health science education, particularly in cardiovascular physiology. This research offers valuable insights for improving education in cardiovascular health sciences through the application of ECG modeling. By adopting the hybrid approach, educators and researchers can enhance their understanding and teaching of cardiovascular health, ultimately leading to improved education and advancements in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare physical activity measured by the wearable device Xiaomi Mi2 Band and self-reported physical activity by YPAQ in preadolescent school children. A pilot cross-sectional study was performed on a subsample (5%=n=60) of preadolescent children within a parallel-group feasibility intervention trial (n=1000). All children aged 9-11 years enrolled in the schools were included in the study and children with any physical disability were excluded. Self-reported physical activity was recorded through the modified version of the Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (YPAQ) and automatic physical activity was measured by the Xiaomi Mi2 band over 7 days. Data from the Xiaomi Mi2 band was synchronized with its mobile application from where data was transferred to an excel sheet. Data on 7-day total physical activity in minutes and 7-day total step count were recorded by the Xiaomi Mi2 band. Student’s t-tests were used to determine whether significant differences were present between self-reported physical activity and by Xiaomi Mi2 band. A Bland-Altman method was also used to assess the degree of agreement between the two methods of measuring physical activity. Mean ± SD age of the children was 9.6 (± 1.0) years and 31 (51.7 %) were boys. The mean ± SD time spent in physical activity reported by YPAQ was 457.5 (± 136) minutes and by the Xiaomi Mi2 band was 594.7 (± 183) minutes. The Bland-Altman plot identified a mean bias between the methods (YPAQ and Xiaomi Mi2 band) of -157.6 (95% CI: 296.3, -611.0) minutes of 7-day physical activity. Physical activity measured by a wearable device, the Xiaomi Mi2 band can give overestimated values of physical activity compared to self-reported physical activity in preadolescent school children. However, when PA is measured through step counts by the Xiaomi Mi2 band converted to minutes, it is comparable to PA measured by YPAQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stiffness of the soleus muscle (SOL) and Achilles tendon (AT) are associated with Achilles tendinitis and medial tibial stress syndrome. Therefore, reliable SOL and AT stiffness measurements are important for monitoring clinical progress. However, little is known about the absolute reliability of the stiffness measurements of SOL and AT in different ankle positions. This study aimed to determine the absolute reliability of the Young's modulus measurements of the SOL and AT in different ankle positions in healthy young males. Methods: This study included 33 healthy young males. SOL and AT stiffnesses were measured using Young's modulus and shear-wave elastography (SWE). Measurements were taken while the participants were kneeling, with their knees flexed to 90°, and the upper body supported by a table. Ultrasound images were recorded at ankle dorsiflexion angles of −10°, 0°, and 10°. The same measurements were repeated 15 min after the first measurement. Bland–Altman plots were used to verify the type or amount of error and 95 % confidence interval of the minimal detectable change (MDC95) values of the measurements. Results: Bland–Altman plots identified that there was no fixed or proportional bias and that there was good agreement between the first- and second-time measurements of the SOL and AT, respectively, among all angles. The MDC95 of the Young's modulus of SOL at −10°, 0°, and 10° of ankle dorsiflexion were 5.6 kPa, 7.0 kPa, and 10.1 kPa, respectively, and AT were 15.8 kPa, 16.4 kPa, and 17.8 kPa, respectively. Conclusion: Young's modulus measurements of the SOL and AT using SWE can be used to quantify elastic properties with high confidence. Clinically, assessing changes in the Young's moduli of the SOL and AT using SWE may help determine the effectiveness of interventions.