scholarly journals A Novel Method for Measuring Myocardial Performance Index using Non-contact Ballistocardiogram System

Author(s):  
K. R. Nishanth ◽  
Aashit Singh ◽  
Gaurav Parchani ◽  
Gulshan Kumar ◽  
Vibhor Saran ◽  
...  

Aim: The aim was to validate the Systolic Time Intervals (STI) measured by Ballistocardiography (BCG) with STI derived from simultaneously performed Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) and attempt to create an AI algorithm that automatically calculates Tei Index from BCG tracings. Study design:  Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Cardiology and Department of Electrophysiology of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, Bangalore, India, between January 2020 and January 2021. Methodology: Two hundred seventy-four patients with clinically indicated TTE were enrolled in the study, average age was 52. Simultaneous recordings on BCG and TTE were done. 150 patients had clinically usable TTE images for accurate calculations. STI was calculated independently by operators experienced in TTE and BCG. Results were compared using Pearson’s R. A proprietary AI algorithm for automatically calculating the MPI, was trained over a subset of patients. Its accuracy in detecting STI was compared to that of TTE and manually calculated STI from BCG. Results: There was a strong positive correlation (r=0.766, P<0.00, 99%CI [0.691,0.824]) between the TTE and BCG derived MPI values. The result was validated over predetermined subgroups of subjects with reduced EF (EF<50) and subjects with normal EF (EF>=50). The AI algorithm had correlation of 0.54(p<0.01) with the MPI calculated by TTE and 0.34(P<0.10) with the manually calculated MPI on the BCG. Conclusion: BCG derived manual and automated MPI correlates well with TTE derived MPI in a variety of EF fraction subgroups. Automated calculation algorithms for MPI derived from BCG remain a work under progress.

Author(s):  
T Prathiba ◽  
G Rajkumar ◽  
M Anbarasi

Introduction: Obesity and sedentary life style are becoming more prevalent among the student generation. Every human being has a very good insight about the outlook. But many are not able to maintain what they perceive. During this survey, the students get a vivid picture of their real body weight and their perception of their body structure. Aim: To compare the self-perceived body weight with actual body weight among medical students and to analyse the perceptions and practice of medical student’s related to physical activity. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 400 medical students. Self-perceived body image was assessed using Silhouette matching technique. Students represented the figure how they currently look (Feel) and how they actually wanted to look (Ideal). The Feel minus Ideal Discrepancy (FID) score was noted. Actual body weight and height were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the Quetelet formula- weight(Kg)/height(metres)2. Perceptions and practice of physical activity were assessed using Exercise Benefits/Barrier Scale (EBBS). Comparison of perceived and actual body weight was done by Student’s Independent t-test and Pearson correlation test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: The actual BMI and perceived BMI showed strong positive correlation (r= 0.726; p=0.0001). Males had high exercise benefit scores (92) when compared with females (86) (p=0.0002). The students had high total score (benefit score plus barrier score); males had 127 and females had 124 (p=0.003) and high benefit/barrier ratio. Conclusion: Actual BMI and self-perceived BMI were well correlated indicating participant’s awareness of their body image. Male participants were more actively involved in physical activity and more concerned about maintaining their body weight. All students had higher benefit scores which is a favourable sign towards a healthy and active physical life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1755-1761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Valencia-Sosa ◽  
Clío Chávez-Palencia ◽  
Enrique Romero-Velarde ◽  
Alfredo Larrosa-Haro ◽  
Edgar Manuel Vásquez-Garibay ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to study the correlation between neck circumference (NC) and anthropometric adiposity indicators, and to determine cut-off points of NC for both sexes to identify elevated central adiposity in schoolchildren in western Mexico.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingRural settings in western México.ParticipantsChildren from a convenience sample of six schools in Acatlán, Jalisco, Mexico (n 1802).ResultsNC showed a strong positive correlation with all anthropometric adiposity indicators in both sexes, which were notably higher in boys regardless of age. Noteworthy, waist circumference displayed the highest significant correlation when analysed by both age and sex. As age increased, NC cut-off points to identify elevated central adiposity ranged from 25·7 to 30·1 cm for girls and from 27·5 to 31·7 cm for boys.ConclusionsNC could be used as a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive indicator for central obesity assessment in Mexican schoolchildren.


Author(s):  
Rini Maurya ◽  
Swarna Buddha Nayok ◽  
Sathyanarayana MT ◽  
Dhanashree Akshatha H.S.

Introduction: Due to the current Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic related lockdown in India, regular classes are suspended to maintain social distancing. Educational institutions are now opting for online learning to facilitate and continue with the academic schedule of students. Aim: To evaluate the acceptability, attitude, and satisfaction of online learning among nursing students during COVID-19 lockdown. Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 193 nursing students of a nursing college attached to private medical college and hospital, through online Google Forms questionnaires. Materials: Semi-structured proforma for socio-demographic details, Social Presence Scale (SPS), and related Satisfaction Scale (SS) were used for evaluation. Statistical analysis: Sociodemographic details were mainly descriptive and categories compared using Pearson’s correlation test and ordinal variables using Spearman’s Rho correlation. Results: The mean age of 20.01 years (Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.42), the mean score of SPS was 44.75 (SD=5.89) and that of SS was 31.12 (SD=7.59). SPS and SS scores correlated significantly (P<.000), with a strong positive correlation coefficient of .602. Positive attitude towards online learning was found in 61.7% of students, and 62.7% opined their experience to be satisfactory. Conclusion: This study shows that nursing students show adequate acceptability, positive attitudes, and higher satisfaction levels related to online learning, as determined by Social Presence Theory, during COVID-19 lockdown in India.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. e000022
Author(s):  
Andrew Evans ◽  
Anne Hinchliffe ◽  
Kerenza Hood ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens

ObjectiveTo determine the appropriateness of valproate prescribing indicators in England and Wales as a means of identifying variation in the prevalence of valproate use among women and girls of childbearing potential between health communities.Methods and analysisCross-sectional study using an ecological design using routinely published, publicly available valproate prescribing data for the period January to March 2019 and 2018 mid-year population estimates.ResultsIn England and Wales, 87.7 people in every 1000 people prescribed valproate were women or girls aged 14–45 years (range 60.4–133.2). The prevalence of valproate use among all women and girls of childbearing age was 1.49 cases per 1000 women and girls aged 14–45 years (range 0.47–3.13). Considerable variation in prevalence was observed depending on which of two measures was used. The relative risk of exposure between health communities increased from 2.2 to 6.6 depending on the measure used, leading to the identification of different health communities being a priority for action. Wide variation was observed in the prevalence of valproate use among individuals other than women and girls aged 14–45 years (mean prevalence 3.89 cases per 1000 population, range 2.42–7.78). The prevalence of valproate use in all Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Health Boards was lower in the at-risk population than in the rest of the population (p=0.046) with a strong positive correlation observed between the prevalence of valproate use in these two groups (p<0.001).ConclusionCurrent indicators may lead to a failure to systematically review women and girls of childbearing age prescribed valproate. Urgent consideration should be given to changing the indicators used in England and Wales.


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