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Biomedical subjects

Ross Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to Ross Anderson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Prediction methods to account for the effect of gait speed on lower limb angular kinematics.

Altering gait speed appears to have an effect on lower limb kinematics during gait. This is a potential source of inaccuracy when data recorded from healthy volunteers are compared with those of slow-walking patients. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of several prediction methods which could be used to predict appropriate kinematic data obtained at various walking speeds. Seventeen healthy adults were video-recorded while walking at three different speeds (slow, normal and fast). Five lower limb angles (knee, ankle, thigh, shank and foot) were assessed at 26 points in the gait cycle. Significant correlations were observed between angles and gait speed. The relationship between gait speed and angles was also dependent on the point in the gait cycle that was used for comparison. Results indicate that using prediction methods based on group mean data or regression data from the same speed range on which the prediction methods are being applied is significantly more accurate than prediction methods based on other speed ranges. These results indicate that 'ideal' angle data for slow-walking speeds should be based on data recorded from slow-walking healthy adults or regressed using suitable regression equations.

Adult↗

Accelerometry-based feedback--can it improve movement consistency and performance in rowing?

The training and competition regimen of elite athletes demands rapid feedback about their performance. The aim of this study was to determine if real-time visual ipsative (comparison with oneself) feedback of instantaneous kinematic consistency improves overall kinematic consistency in rowing. Accelerometry-based data, representing the upper and lower body kinematics, were determined for 13 experienced rowers. Kinematic consistency data -- represented by percentage time outside the acceptable performance bandwidth, performance consistency -- represented by power-stroke dispersion, and several performance indicators were acquired for all the rowers for three 2000 m time trials on a RowPerfect ergometer with three different visual feedback interventions: no feedback, detailed feedback, and summary feedback. Results indicated significantly increased performance consistency for detailed feedback than for both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.05). No significant difference between summary feedback and no feedback was found (p = 0.173). We deemed feedback of detailed information to enhance kinematic consistency significantly more than both no feedback (p < 0.01) and summary feedback (p < 0.01) interventions, although summary feedback was shown to enhance kinematic consistency more than no feedback (p < 0.01). No improvements were found for performance-related parameters.

Acceleration↗

Best evidence topic report. Proteolytic enzymes for oesophageal meat impaction.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether proteolytic enzymes are effective at resolving oesophageal meat impaction. Altogether 98 papers were found using the reported search, of which three presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.

Ananas↗

Best evidence topic report. Effervescent agents for oesophageal food bolus impaction.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether fizzy drinks alone are effective at resolving food bolus impaction. Altogether 46 papers were found using the reported search, of which six presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.

Animals↗

Residual neonatal teeth: a case report.

A case is presented in which an infant required extraction of 2 residual neonatal teeth. Some authors suggest routine curettage of the extraction sites of natal and neonatal teeth to prevent the development of residual teeth. In light of the rare occurrence of such residual teeth, this may represent overtreatment. Curettage at the time of extraction is recommended only in cases where the administration of an injectable local anesthetic is required because of greater gingival attachment.

Humans↗

Plasma C-reactive protein, but not protein S, VCAM-1, von Willebrand factor or P-selectin, is associated with endothelium dysfunction in coronary artery disease.

Abnormal endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is well documented in coronary artery disease (CAD), as are significant increases of acute phase inflammatory proteins and other soluble hepatic and endothelium derived proteins. In the current study we investigated whether there is a relationship between endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and the plasma levels of such proteins. Further we examined the association between these proteins, together with age, cholesterol and endothelium function, and participant status (i.e. healthy, smoker, coronary artery disease). Three groups of participants were recruited: healthy controls (n = 20), cigarette smokers (n = 20) and patients with coronary artery disease (n = 20). Forearm vascular dilatation responses to the endothelium-dependent agonist acetylcholine were obtained using venous occlusion plethysmography. Blood was sampled at the time of study for the measurement of the serological proteins described above. Responses to acetylcholine were significantly dampened in patients with CAD when compared with control and smoker groups (forearm blood flow at acetylcholine 37 microg/min): control, smokers, CAD, 12.14 +/- 2.14, 12.35 +/- 09.4, 5.12 +/- 0.81, ANOVA, P < 0.05). Responses to acetylcholine were not different between controls and smokers. C-reactive protein (C-RP) levels (controls, smokers, CAD, 1.40 +/- 0.19, 2.27 +/- 0.71, 4.73 +/- 1.09, P < 0.05) and protein S levels were significantly higher in the CAD group compared with the other two groups. There was a significant inverse correlation between forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine and C-reactive proteins. Both responses to acetylcholine and C-RP levels demonstrated a significant association with participant status with the r value increasing from 0.405 for responses to acetylcholine to 0.491 for the combination of responses to acetylcholine and C-RP. We conclude that there is an inverse correlation between C-reactive protein, but not protein S, VCAM-1, P-selectin nor von Willebrand factor, levels and abnormal endothelium-dependent vasodilation and further that responses to acetylcholine together with C-RP protein have a strong association with cardiovascular risk and disease.

Acetylcholine↗

Preoperative factors associated with postoperative change in confusion assessment method score in hip fracture patients.

UNLABELLED: Postoperative delirium is a major problem in elderly patients undergoing surgical repair of hip fracture. It is imperative to identify potentially treatable preoperative factors associated with the onset of postoperative delirium to optimize outcome. We sought to determine what preoperative variables are associated with postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing surgical repair of hip fracture. In a prospective, IRB-approved study, patients admitted to the geriatric hip fracture service were examined daily in the hospital for the occurrence of postoperative delirium. All patients with a preoperative diagnosis of dementia or delirium were eliminated. A positive confusion assessment method score ([+]CAM) was used to determine the presence of postoperative delirium during the acute hospital stay. To determine the association between preoperative variables (demographics, laboratory values, and comorbidities) and postoperative (+)CAM scores, chi(2) and logistic regression analysis were performed with calculation for the odds ratios (OR). One-hundred-sixty-eight patients (72% women) were included in the analysis. Twenty-eight percent (n = 47) of patients had a (+)CAM score. Three variables were significant predictors of a (+)CAM score: (a) normal white blood cell count (OR, 2.2), (b) abnormal serum sodium (OR, 2.4); and (c) ASA physical status >II (OR, 11.3). The results suggest that preoperative medical conditions (abnormal serum sodium and ASA physical status >II) and an inability to mount a stress response (normal white blood cell count) may influence the patient's postoperative mental status. In particular, two of the risk factors we identified may be amenable to therapy and are abnormal serum sodium and lack of an increase in white blood cell count during the stress of trauma and surgery. IMPLICATIONS: This prospective study investigated preoperative variables that are predictive of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing surgical repair of hip fracture. The results suggest that the patient's preoperative medical condition and inability to mount a stress response influence postoperative delirium.

Age Factors↗