A system for monitoring the functional status of older adults in daily life.

Functional decline in older adults can lead to an increased need of assistance or even moving to a nursing home. Utilising home automation, power and wearable sensors, our system continuously keeps track of the functional status of older adults through monitoring their daily life and allows health care professionals to create individualised rehabilitation programmes based on the changes in the older adult's functional capacity and performance in daily life. The system uses the taxonomy of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Temporal integration of infrasound at threshold.

Infrasounds are signals with frequencies below the classical audio-frequency range, i.e., below 20 Hz.

How to define thresholds for level and interaural-level-difference discrimination: Insights from scedasticities and distributions.

Sensitivity to changes in the stimulus level at one or at both ears and to changes in the interaural level difference (ILD) between the two ears has been studied widely. Several different definitions of threshold and, for one of them, two different ways of averaging single-listener thresholds have been used (i.e.

Diverse molecular causes of unsolved autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney diseases.

Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease (ADTKD) is caused by mutations in one of at least five genes and leads to kidney failure usually in mid adulthood. Throughout the literature, variable numbers of families have been reported, where no mutation can be found and therefore termed ADTKD-not otherwise specified. Here, we aim to clarify the genetic cause of their diseases in our ADTKD registry.

Using Sensor Graphs for Monitoring the Effect on the Performance of the OTAGO Exercise Program in Older Adults.

The OTAGO exercise program is effective in decreasing the risk for falls of older adults. This research investigated if there is an indication that the OTAGO exercise program has a positive effect on the capacity and as well as on the performance in mobility. We used the data of the 10-months observational OTAGO pilot study with 15 (m = 1, f = 14) (pre-)frail participants aged 84.

Detecting Impending Malnutrition of (Pre-) Frail Older Adults in Domestic Smart Home Environments.

Malnutrition is a well-known risk factor for deteriorated physical function, disability and loss in independence in older adults. An unintended loss in body weight of more than 5% in 3 months is one indicator for malnutrition. In this study we examined the relationship between meal preparation time, hand grip strength, and body weight in order to map impending nutritional problems using ambient sensors.

A Deep Learning Approach for TUG and SPPB Score Prediction of (Pre-) Frail Older Adults on Real-Life IMU Data.

Since older adults are prone to functional decline, using Inertial-Measurement-Units (IMU) for mobility assessment score prediction gives valuable information to physicians to diagnose changes in mobility and physical performance at an early stage and increases the chances of rehabilitation. This research introduces an approach for predicting the score of the Timed Up & Go test and Short-Physical-Performance-Battery assessment using IMU data and deep neural networks. The approach is validated on real-world data of a cohort of 20 frail or (pre-) frail older adults of an average of 84.

Analyzing the Importance of Sensors for Mode of Transportation Classification.

The broad availability of smartphones and Inertial Measurement Units in particular brings them into the focus of recent research. Inertial Measurement Unit data is used for a variety of tasks. One important task is the classification of the mode of transportation.

Spectral integration of infrasound at threshold.

The present study investigated the effect of the number of spectral components on the threshold in quiet of infrasound stimuli. Stimuli with one, two, or three sinusoidal components were presented monaurally to the ear with a low-distortion infrasound reproduction system. All components of the complex tones had the same level relative to their respective pure-tone threshold.

Performance of a novel high sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients - evidence for sex-specific differences.

Background High sensitivity assays for the determination of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are able to reliably measure cTnI far below the 99th percentile of healthy persons (hs-cTnI) and display sex-specific differences. There is uncertainty regarding the clinical utility of hs-cTnI in asymptomatic hemodialysis (HD) patients and if sex-specific differences also apply in this cohort. Methods In this multicenter study we measured hs-cTnI and sensitive cTnI (s-TnI) concentrations (both on Siemens Centaur) in 215 HD patients from a predialytic sample to determine the prevalence of elevated concentrations above the 99th percentile, the association with baseline characteristics, prognostic accuracy for death, and sex-specific differences.

Systemic haemodynamics in haemodialysis: intradialytic changes and prognostic significance.

Background: Although haemodialysis (HD) leads to alterations of systemic haemodynamics that can be monitored using dilution methods, there is a lack of data on the diagnostic and prognostic significance of haemodynamic monitoring during routine HD.

Methods: In this multicentre study, we measured cardiac index (CI), access flow (AF) and central blood volume index (CBVI) during a single HD session in stable HD patients (n = 215) using the Transonic HD03 monitor (Transonic, Ithaca, NY, USA). Systemic CI (SCI) was defined as CI corrected for AF.

Onset-Duration Matching of Acoustic Stimuli Revisited: Conventional Arithmetic vs. Proposed Geometric Measures of Accuracy and Precision.

Onsets of acoustic stimuli are salient transients and are relevant in humans for the perception of music and speech. Previous studies of onset-duration discrimination and matching focused on whether onsets are perceived categorically. In this study, we address two issues.

Sclerostin quo vadis? - is this a useful long-term mortality parameter in prevalent hemodialysis patients?

Background/aims: Cardiovascular calcification contributes to the increased mortality in hemodialysis patients. Sclerostin was identified as an antianabolic bone factor causing soft tissue calcification. Data on prospective large-scale studies associating sclerostin with mortality in hemodialysis patients are so far inconsistent.

Mortality prediction using modern peptide biomarkers in hemodialysis patients--a comparative analysis.

Background/aims: Determination of peptide biomarkers such as troponins, natriuretic peptides or the recently reported FGF23 can be useful to identify hemodialysis patients with a high risk of mortality. However, it is desirable to focus on few robust parameters to warrant their routine application.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study with 239 prevalent hemodialysis patients we studied the prognostic significance of 10 simultaneously determined modern peptide biomarkers (high sensitive troponin I and T, NT-pro-BNP, BNP, MR-pro-ANP, MR-pro-ADM, CT-pro-ET1, copeptin, FGF23 and a-Klotho) and compared them with parameters traditionally associated with mortality (PTH, Ca, Pi, albumin, CRP, cholesterol, AP).

Prognostic value and link to atrial fibrillation of soluble Klotho and FGF23 in hemodialysis patients.

Deranged calcium-phosphate metabolism contributes to the burden of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. This study aimed to assess the association of the phosphaturic hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and soluble Klotho with all-cause mortality. We measured soluble Klotho and FGF23 levels at enrolment and two weeks later in 239 prevalent hemodialysis patients.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of three natriuretic peptides in hemodialysis patients: which is the appropriate biomarker?

Background: Plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides are often elevated in chronic hemodialysis patients and difficult to interpret due to accumulation, high incidence of cardiac disease and changes in volume status. Mid-regional pro-ANP is a newly developed assay whereas BNP and its fragment NT-pro-BNP are available for a longer time. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the plasma concentration of MR-pro-ANP, BNP and NT-pro-BNP in stable ambulatory hemodialysis patients (n = 239) and investigated their associations with clinical factors such as residual diuresis, cardiac status and interdialytic weight gain and with mortality.

Increased readiness for adaptation and faster alternation rates under binocular rivalry in children.

Binocular rivalry in childhood has been poorly investigated in the past. Information is scarce with respect to infancy, and there is a complete lack of data on the development of binocular rivalry beyond the first 5-6 years of age. In this study, we are attempting to fill this gap by investigating the developmental trends in binocular rivalry in pre-puberty.

ECM remodelling components regulated during jaw periosteal cell osteogenesis.

Human JPCs (jaw periosteal cells) are a promising source for the engineering of cell-based osteoinductive grafts in oral surgery. For this purpose, cell characteristics of this stem cell source should be elucidated in detail. Analysis of gene expression profiles may help us to evaluate key factors and cellular targets of JPC osteogenesis.

MSCA-1/TNAP selection of human jaw periosteal cells improves their mineralization capacity.

Human jaw periosteum-derived cells (JPCs) represent an alternative cell source to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering applications in the oral and maxillofacial surgery. In this study we investigated how far the presence or expression of human mesenchymal stem cell antigen-1/tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (MSCA-1/TNAP) and LNGFR (CD271) can be utilized to select and enrich the osteogenic progenitor cell fraction from the entire JPC population. Depending on their mineralization capacity, we classified the human isolated JPCs into mineralizing (mJPCs) and non-mineralizing JPCs (nmJPCs).

PPARgamma-dependent regulation of adenylate cyclase 6 amplifies the stimulatory effect of cAMP on renin gene expression.

The second messenger cAMP plays an important role in the regulation of renin gene expression. Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is known to stimulate renin gene transcription acting through PPARγ-binding sequences in renin promoter. We show now that activation of PPARγ by unsaturated fatty acids or thiazolidinediones drastically augments the cAMP-dependent increase of renin mRNA in the human renin-producing cell line Calu-6.

LNGFR induction during osteogenesis of human jaw periosteum-derived cells.

Isolated jaw periosteum-derived cells (JPCs) comprise a morphologically heterogeneous population. There are no known specific surface markers that are able to distinguish between progenitors and cells of other tissue types. The aim of our study was to identify differentiation markers as predictors of JPC mineralization capacity.

APC sensitive gastric acid secretion.

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a tumor suppressor gene inactivated in familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colorectal cancer. Mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the apc gene (apc(Min/+)) spontaneously develop gastrointestinal tumors. APC fosters degradation of beta-catenin, which in turn upregulates the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1.

DOCA and TGF-beta induce early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression.

Renal fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Recent findings show that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces a rapid but transient expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) by skin fibroblasts. The present study aims to define the role of Egr-1 in mineralocorticoid-induced renal fibrosis.

Acute effects of haemodialysis on pro-/anti- apoptotic genes in peripheral blood leukocytes.

Several studies have implicated a remarkable dysfunctional apoptotic state and/or response in ESRD patients. Previously published studies are controversial with respect to acute effects of haemodialysis (HD) treatment on up- or downregulation of apoptotic genes. Twenty-eight chronic HD patients were haemodialysed for 4 hours with a 4008 dialyser using high-flux membranes.

Variance of the SGK1 gene is associated with insulin secretion in different European populations: results from the TUEF, EUGENE2, and METSIM studies.

Hypothesis: Serum- and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase 1 (SGK1) is involved in the regulation of insulin secretion and may represent a candidate gene for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans.

Methods: Three independent European populations were analyzed for the association of SGK1 gene (SGK) variations and insulin secretion traits. The German TUEF project provided the screening population (N = 725), and four tagging SNPs (rs1763527, rs1743966, rs1057293, rs9402571) were investigated.