Mechanical impact of epiretinal membranes on the retina utilizing finite element analysis.

Background And Objective: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a transparent membrane that forms on the surface of the neurosensory retina, causing tangential traction on the retinal surface, which may contribute to cell proliferation and contraction. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) may be asymptomatic in some patients, while in others the membranes can progress, resulting in macular thickening and macular traction, thus distorting and inducing loss of central visual function and metamorphopsia. Currently, treatment options include follow-up or pars plana vitrectomy with an ERM peel, aiming to relieve the macular traction and improve vision and metamorphopsia.

A novel approach based on machine learning analysis of flow velocity waveforms to identify unseen abnormalities of the umbilical cord.

Introduction: A Doppler ultrasound (DUS) is essential for detecting blood flow abnormalities in the umbilical cord (UC). Any morphological abnormalities of the UC may lead to morbidity and stillbirth. Some abnormalities such as torsion, strictures and true-knot, however, may only be discovered at birth.

Statistical learning methodologies and admission prediction in an emergency department.

Background: The quality of an emergency department (ED) is highly dependent on its ability to supply efficient, as well as high-quality treatment for all patients. Key performance indicators are important when measuring the performance of an emergency department. This study aimed to perform an exploratory data analysis and to develop an admission prediction model based on a dataset that was constructed from key performance indicators selected by a panel of expert physicians, nurses and hospital administrators.

The relation between central variables, electromyography signals and peripheral microcirculation during intensive treadmill exercise.

Background: Aerobic exercise under muscle fatigue can lead to muscular damage and injuries. Finding the correlations between central and peripheral microcirculation variables, as well as with electromyography signals of leg muscles during aerobic exercise, may contribute to early muscle fatigue identification. The goal of this study was to characterize the peripheral compensation following intensive exercise for assessment of muscle performance based on non-invasive techniques.

Analysis of skeletal muscle performance using piezoelectric film sensors.

A flexible piezoelectric thin film sensor has been proposed recently in several studies for detection of muscle movements. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of this sensor to assess skeletal muscle performance and fatigue under isokinetic contractions. Simultaneous noninvasive measurements of muscles activity were done using surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes and two thin film piezoelectric sensors.

The impact of breathing pattern and rate on inspiratory muscles activity.

Different rehabilitation programs are used to relieve dyspnea for hyper-inflated lung patients. In this study, a new approach, based on integrated changes in respiratory rate and pattern, for inspiratory muscles rehabilitation and training was examined utilizing noninvasive measurements of the two inspiratory muscles (rib cage inspiratory and neck inspiratory muscles) activity during controlled breathing in healthy subjects. Muscles activity was measured using electromyography, while subjects, breathed at different combinations of respiratory rate (6, 10, 16 breath per minutes) and inspiratory duty cycles (TI/Ttot).

Mechanical properties of different airway stents.

Airway stents improve pulmonary function and quality of life in patients suffering from airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare main types of stents (silicone, balloon-dilated metal, self-expanding metal, and covered self-expanding metal) in terms of their mechanical properties and the radial forces they exert on the trachea. Mechanical measurements were carried out using a force gauge and specially designed adaptors fabricated in our lab.

Analysis of facial and inspiratory muscles performance during breastfeeding.

Background: Breastfeeding is a dynamic process in which the infant recruits several muscle groups in his face, head and throat.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the relative role of the submental muscle group, the orbicularis oris and the sternocleidomastoid muscles to breastfeeding process and to the relatively high intra-oral vacuum measured during this process.

Methods: Electromyography (EMG) measurements were conducted on 11 infants (mean age 1.

Evaluation of fatigue of respiratory and lower limb muscles during prolonged aerobic exercise.

The respiratory muscles may fatigue during prolonged exercises and thereby become a factor that limits extreme physical activity. The aim of the current study was to determine whether respiratory muscle fatigue imposes a limitation on extreme physical activity of well-trained young men. Electromyography (EMG) signals of respiratory (external intercostal and sternomastoid) and calf muscles (gastrocnemius) were measured (N = 8) during 1 hr of treadmill marching at a speed of 8 km/hr with and without a 15 kg backpack.

Mechanics of respiratory muscles.

Lung ventilation is a mechanical process in which the respiratory muscles are acting in concert to remove air in and out of the lungs. Any alteration in the performance of the respiratory muscle may reduce the effectiveness of ventilation. Thus, early diagnosis of their weakness is vital for treatment and rehabilitation.

Airway smooth muscle proliferation and mechanics: effects of AMP kinase agonists.

Obesity is a risk factor for asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether metformin, an agent used in the treatment of an obesity-related condition (type II diabetes), might have therapeutic potential for modifying the effects of obesity on airway smooth muscle (ASM) function. Metformin acts via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cellular sensor of energy status.

Inspiratory muscles experience fatigue faster than the calf muscles during treadmill marching.

The possibility that respiratory muscles may fatigue during extreme physical activity and thereby become a limiting factor leading to exhaustion is debated in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine whether treadmill marching exercise induces respiratory muscle fatigue, and to compare the extent and rate of respiratory muscle fatigue to those of the calf musculature. To identify muscle fatigue, surface electromyographic (EMG) signals of the inspiratory (sternomastoid, external intercostals), expiratory (rectus abdominis and external oblique) and calf (gastrocnemius lateralis) muscles were measured during a treadmill march of 2 km at a constant velocity of 8 km/h.

Breathing power of respiratory muscles in single-lung transplanted emphysematic patients.

Single-lung transplantation may induce asynchronous performance between the respiratory muscles of the chest. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a single transplanted lung on respiratory muscle mechanics. The force and power of the sternomastoid, external intercostal and external oblique muscles were evaluated throughout a range of respiratory maneuvers in emphysematic patients with a single transplanted lung and compared with that of healthy subjects.

Anatomical model of the human trunk for analysis of respiratory muscles mechanics.

A realistic two-dimensional (2D) model of the human trunk was developed for quantitative analysis of the relative contribution to breathing mechanics of seven groups of respiratory muscles. Along with noninvasive measurements of electromyography (EMG) signals from respiratory muscles near the skin surface, it provides predictions for the forces generated by inner respiratory muscles as well as the instantaneous work of each muscle. The results revealed that inspiratory muscles reach their maximal force towards the end of inspiration, while expiratory muscles reach their maximal force at mid-expiration.

Integrated approach for in vivo evaluation of respiratory muscles mechanics.

The respiratory muscles constitute the respiratory pump, which determines the efficacy of ventilation. Any functional disorder in their performance may cause insufficient ventilation. This study was designed to quantitatively explore the relative contribution of major groups of respiratory muscles to global lung ventilation throughout a range of maneuvers in healthy subjects.