Technology and Health Care - Volume 28, issue S1

Authors: Lee, Gihyoun | Park, Ji-Su | Cho, Hong-Sig | Lee, Bong-Choon | Jung, Young-Jin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that can help modulate cortical excitability by transmitting direct current (DC) between a pair of scalp electrodes. To date, most studies on tDCS have been relatively short-lived, and the DC stimulations only lasted a few minutes. Conventional tDCS devices usually have some problems such as needing a lot of patches and lead lines. OBJECTIVE: Since conventional tDCS devices are unsuitable for use in long-term stimulations, we developed a new tDCS which can easily be used by unskilled persons. METHODS: We developed …a new tDCS device that does not have lead lines for tDCS electrodes and has a simple structure. RESULT: This device can achieve stimulation with polarity interchangeable DC without physically swapping the anode and cathode. The performance of the proposed device was verified through an experiment. CONCLUSION: The developed tDCS device can contribute to long-term research as it uses neuroelectric stimulation. Show more

Keywords: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), interchangeable electrodes

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209031

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 311-319, 2020

Authors: Choi, Mi-Hyun | Kim, Hyung-Sik | Lee, Beob-Yi | Chung, Soon-Cheol

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Variations or malformation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and basilar artery (BA) can be risk factors during simple surgery. So medically the focus has been on information about the positional relationship between the blood vessels based on the distance and angle between the ICA and BA. OBJECTIVE: This study measured the distance and angle between the ICA and BA in 188 healthy Korean male and female subjects in their 20s and 40s and analyzed the differences in terms of age and gender. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images were obtained; the distance between …the right ICA and BA was defined as R1 [cm], the distance between the left ICA and BA was defined as L2 [cm], and the distance between the right ICA and left ICA was defined as M3 [cm]. The angles between the right and left ICA and BA were defined as AR1 [degree] and AR2 [degree], respectively. RESULTS: With increasing age, R1 and M3 became shorter in both men and women, and L2 became shorter only in women. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide data on the average distance and angle between the ICA and BA of healthy Korean men and women in their 20s and 40s, which may later be used to support the diagnosis of relevant brain diseases and simple routine surgical procedures. Show more

Keywords: Internal carotid artery (ICA), basilar artery (BA), distance and angle, age and gender

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209032

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 321-326, 2020

Authors: Yi, Jeong-Han | Kim, Ki-Han | Ahn, Jin-Su | Kim, Hyung-Sik

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The defibrillator is a device that instantaneously discharges the high energy stored in the capacitor to the human body to help revitalize the heart. The circuit for charging the capacitor uses the same power source as the biosignal measurement unit. Therefore, variation in main power supply voltage, ground noise, and electromagnetic interference from the charging circuit can induce distortion into the biosignal at the initial stage of charging. OBJECTIVE: In this study, a simple method is proposed for removing the initial irregularity of an electrocardiogram due to the transient state of a power supply. …METHODS: To evaluate the method, a 1-channel electrocardiogram measurement unit and peripheral units were separated from the main control module using galvanic isolation. An isolated push-pull converter was designed to power the secondary side. The method was tested under steady-state and transient conditions. RESULTS: The obtained results proved that biosignal distortion can be significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: This method could be another simple implementation approach for solving signal distortions due to the transient status of power supplies used in medical devices. Show more

Keywords: Defibrillator, electrocardiogram, irregularity, transient state, galvanic isolation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209033

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 327-334, 2020

Authors: Kim, Hyung-Sik | Mun, Kyung-Ryoul | Choi, Mi-Hyun | Chung, Soon-Cheol

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A system that comprehensively analyzes a complex perceptual-motor behavior such as driving, by measuring changes in the central and autonomic nervous systems integrated with measurement of changes in vehicle operation, is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-compatible driving simulator to enable simultaneous measurement of physiological, kinematic, and brain activations. METHODS: The system mainly comprises a driving simulator and physiological/kinematic measurement. The driving simulator comprises a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake pedal, and a virtual-reality optical system. The physiological system comprises a skin-conductance-level and a photoplethysmographic …meter. The kinematic system comprises a 3-axis accelerometer and a 2-axis gyroscope attached to the accelerator foot. To evaluate the influence of the MR system on the MMSD, physiological and kinematic signals were measured. RESULTS: The system did not blur or deform the MR image. Moreover, the main magnetic field, the gradient magnetic field, and the RF pulse of the MR system did not introduce noise into the physiological or kinematic signals. CONCLUSION: This system can enable a comprehensive evaluation of cognitively complex behaviors such as driving, by quantitatively measuring and analyzing concurrent brain activity, autonomic nervous system activity, and human movement during simulated driving. Show more

Keywords: fMRI-compatibility, driving simulator, physiological signal, kinematic signal, multi-biosignal measurement system

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209034

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 335-345, 2020

Authors: Chen, Jinliang | Lv, Xuedong | He, Haiyan | Qi, Feng | Chen, Jianrong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We aimed to observe and investigate the clinical significance of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: An improved EcoScreen condenser was used to collect EBC from 31 ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation and from 22 healthy subjects. Serum and EBC VEGF levels were analyzed with ELISA. VEGF levels in the EBC of patients with different grades of lung injuries were analyzed. The correlation between VEGF levels and clinical indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: Serum and EBC VEGF levels were …linearly and positively correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.694 (P < 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of ARDS patients was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of the mild ARDS group was higher than that in the moderate-severe ARDS group (P < 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of the survival group was higher than that in the mortality group. The VEGF level in the EBC of ARDS patients was positively correlated with PaO 2 /FiO 2 and PaO 2 and was negatively correlated with lung injury score (LIS) and A-aDO 2 /PaO 2 . CONCLUSION: The changes in VEGF levels in the EBC of ARDS patients can Respiratory Medicine, reflect the severity of lung injury. Therefore, VEGF level in EBC can be used as an auxiliary index for judging the severity and prognosis of ARDS patients. Show more

Keywords: Vascular endothelium growth factor, exhaled breath condensate, acute respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, ELISA, PaO2/FiO2, lung injury score

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209035

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 347-354, 2020

Authors: Hu, Fan | Jing, Limei | Shi, Rong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, air pollution and the number of children with respiratory tract infections increased. This also increased the burden related to the treatment of disease, so the government and relevant departments need to strengthen their management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to quantitatively analyze the relationship between respiratory infection and air quality in children and gain insight into the burden of related diseases. METHODS: Data regarding outpatient and emergency department visits in children of 14 years or younger in 16 public and private medical institutions were collected for …four months. Routine air quality monitoring data in Shanghai from the same period were correlated with these medical data by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between respiratory tract infections in 73376 children and Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5, SO 2 and NO 2 levels. The total medical expense per patient was 80.22 yuan, and the average compensation ratio of medical insurance per patient was 18.95%. The increase in AQI and the concentration of major air pollutants will lead to increased medical treatment for children with respiratory diseases. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the intensity of air pollution control should be increased, so that the special period of childhood respiratory protection is strengthened. Moreover, child medical insurance coverage should also be moderately increased to safeguard the rights and interests of children’s health. Show more

Keywords: Air Quality Index, pollutant concentration, children, respiratory tract infection, outpatient emergency treatment visits, medical expenses, medical insurance

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209036

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 355-360, 2020

Authors: Lu, Haidan | Zhang, Kaili | Liu, Qiaoyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pitch perception and pitch matching may link to individual reading skills. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined pitch perception and pitch matching tasks in children with learning disabilities to determine whether there was any connection between these tests and the reading fluency in these children. METHOD: The study used different types of pitch discrimination tests and reading fluency tests to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Results indicated that the accuracy of pitch discrimination and reading fluency was significantly different in these children with learning disabilities relative to typically developing …children. This study also indicated that they exhibit impaired pitch matching, which linked to their reading skills. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that processing and production of speech may be impacted by individuals’ musical pitch perception and matching ability. The results may also give us a piece of evidence that we need further research on how these deficits in musical pitch perception affect our speech and language production in children and adults. Show more

Keywords: Learning disabilities, pitch perception, pitch matching, reading fluency

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209037

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 361-370, 2020

Authors: Jiang, Zhongting | Wang, Dong | Shang, Huijie | Chen, Yuehui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The nervous system senses and transmits information through the firing behavior of neurons, and this process is affected by various noises. However, in the previous study of the influence of noise on nerve discharge, the channel of some noise effects is not clear, and the difference from other noises was not examined. OBJECTIVE: To construct ion channel noise which is more biologically significant, and to clarify the basic characteristics of the random firing rhythm of neurons generated by different types of noise acting on ion channels. Method: Based on the dynamics of …the ion channel, we constructed ion channel noise. We simulated the nerve discharge based on the Chay model of potassium ion channel noise, and used the nonlinear time series analysis method to measure the certainty and randomness of nerve discharge. RESULTS: In the Chay model with potassium ion noise, the chaotic rhythm defined by the original model could be effectively unified with the random rhythm simulated by the previous random Chay model into a periodic bifurcation process. CONCLUSION: This method clarified the influence of ion channel noise on nerve discharge, better understood the randomness of nerve discharge and provided a more reasonable explanation for the mechanism of nerve discharge. Show more

Keywords: Nerve discharge, ion channel, noise, periodic bifurcation process, Chay model

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209038

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 371-381, 2020

Authors: Choi, Jin-Seung | Seo, Jeong-Woo | Lee, Jin-Soo | Kim, Jung-Gil | Cho, Jun-Hyeong | Tack, Gye-Rae

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gait variability and fractal dynamics may be affected by the walking duration. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the reproducibility of stride time while walking on a self-paced treadmill. METHODS: Fifteen young and healthy subjects walked on the treadmill for 10 minutes. Three to eight minutes duration of the data were used to compare the trial-to-trial and day-to-day reproducibility of the average, variability, and fractal dynamics of stride time. RESULTS: The results show that all variables had high trial-to-trial reproducibility. In the day-to-day results, the average …walking speed and mean stride time showed reproducibility without regard for duration, but the variability and gait fractal dynamics showed differences in reproducibility according to duration. The variability and fractal dynamics showed better reproducibility in less than 5 minutes and over time, respectively. However, both variables generally showed improved reproducibility when average data from two to three rounds were used. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it is proposed that variability should be examined using data of 5 min or less, and fractal dynamics should be examined using 5 min or more of repeated data when performing walking tests from a gait dynamics perspective. Show more

Keywords: Reproducibility, self-paced treadmill, walking duration, fractal dynamics, variability

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209039

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 383-390, 2020

Authors: Yu, Shuchun | Wang, Qi | Ru, Changhai | Pang, Ming

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Key area location is an important content of medical image processing and an important detail of auxiliary medical diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, a prior knowledge fusion method based on Haar-like feature and contour feature is proposed to locate and detect key areas in medical images. METHOD: For the image to be processed, six Haar-like features and five contour features are extracted respectively. The improvement of Haar-like feature extraction template better adapts to the complexity of regional structure of medical images. The design of the contour feature extraction process fully reflects the …consideration of feature invariance. The two features, together with prior knowledge, are fed into their respective decision makers and final fusers as the basis for determining and locating key regions. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the proposed method has excellent performance in locating key regions of medical images on MRI. When the capacity of the database increases from 10 to 200, the accuracy of locating the key areas of the image to be processed still reaches more than 90%. CONCLUSION: The proposed method realizes the accurate location of the key areas of medical images, which is of great significance for the auxiliary medical diagnosis. Show more

Keywords: Haar-like features, contour features, prior knowledge, location

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209040

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 391-399, 2020