Introduction: Based on the evolution of hand prosthetics, many original shortcomings have been addressed and further rectified. Some common past limitations include limited degrees of freedom, strained motion control/fine movements, the weight of the design, and lack of ability to do thumb-index pinch. Henceforth, this review highlights and assesses the effects of hand- prosthetics advancements on the quality of life of patients with/requiring joint replacements. Methods: Relevant literature between 2013 to 2023 was obtained using Web of Science and PubMed. Search terms were “Upper limb prostheses” OR “Body replacement technologies” AND “technology” as well as “Upper limb prostheses” AND “technology” AND “Quality of life” OR “Improvement”. Literature was selected based on applicability to key aspects of the research topic after assessing the results and abstracts. Results: Studies support the theory that over the decade, the ability to accomplish fine motion control with hand-prosthetics has aided in improving patients' quality of life. Overall, advancements to prosthetic design, prosthetic sensors, and waterproofing designs via myoelectricity, insulated and biopotential sensors, as well as waterproofing technologies, were reported to contribute greatly to patients’ quality of life. Discussion: As technological advances aid in improved dexterity and motility, recently advanced prosthetics help promote independence and confidence, and in some cases, decrease the cost of living for some patients. Myoelectric prostheses, flexible insulated sensors, capacitive biopotential sensors, and waterproofing technologies, have shown trends in increased dexterity, patient comfort and flexibility, as well as increased degrees of freedom of movement. The most notable limitations to these advancements were limited accessibility, comfort challenges, and lack of large-scale patient assessment. Hence, future advancements in further research and patient testing of these technologies were suggested. Conclusion: This review will be deemed as supporting material for healthcare providers and policy makers while making decisions on the allocation of resources to ensure that patients from all demographics can acquire accessible technologies, improving their qualities of life. In addition, the advancements of hand prosthetic technologies from mechanics and robotics research can provide implications for the next-generation technologies with the determination to improve patients’ life.
导言:基于手部假肢的发展，许多原有的缺陷已经被解决并进一步纠正。过去一些常见的限制包括自由度有限，运动控制紧张/精细运动，设计的重量，以及缺乏拇指食指捏捏的能力。因此，这篇综述强调并评估了假肢技术的进步对关节置换术患者生活质量的影响。方法:通过Web of Science和PubMed检索2013 - 2023年的相关文献。搜索词是“上肢假肢”或“身体替代技术”和“技术”，以及“上肢假肢”和“技术”和“生活质量”或“改善”。在评估结果和摘要后，根据对研究主题关键方面的适用性选择文献。结果:研究支持这一理论，即在过去的十年中，使用假肢完成精细运动控制的能力有助于改善患者的生活质量。总体而言，据报道，假肢设计、假肢传感器、通过肌电、绝缘和生物电位传感器进行防水设计以及防水技术的进步极大地提高了患者的生活质量。讨论:随着技术的进步有助于提高灵活性和能动性，最近先进的假肢有助于提高独立性和信心，在某些情况下，降低了一些患者的生活成本。肌电假体、柔性绝缘传感器、电容式生物电位传感器和防水技术已经显示出增加灵巧性、患者舒适度和灵活性以及增加运动自由度的趋势。这些进步最显著的限制是有限的可及性、舒适度挑战和缺乏大规模的患者评估。因此，对这些技术的进一步研究和患者试验提出了建议。结论:本综述将被视为医疗保健提供者和政策制定者在制定资源分配决策时的支持材料，以确保所有人口统计数据的患者都能获得可获得的技术，提高他们的生活质量。此外，机械和机器人技术在手部假肢技术方面的进步可以为下一代技术提供启示，以改善患者的生活。
{"title":"Advancements of Upper Limb Prostheses can Improve Patient Quality of Life: A Technology Review","authors":"Anthony B. Makwanda, Anne O. Ikhile","doi":"10.26685/urncst.519","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.519","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Based on the evolution of hand prosthetics, many original shortcomings have been addressed and further rectified. Some common past limitations include limited degrees of freedom, strained motion control/fine movements, the weight of the design, and lack of ability to do thumb-index pinch. Henceforth, this review highlights and assesses the effects of hand- prosthetics advancements on the quality of life of patients with/requiring joint replacements. Methods: Relevant literature between 2013 to 2023 was obtained using Web of Science and PubMed. Search terms were “Upper limb prostheses” OR “Body replacement technologies” AND “technology” as well as “Upper limb prostheses” AND “technology” AND “Quality of life” OR “Improvement”. Literature was selected based on applicability to key aspects of the research topic after assessing the results and abstracts. Results: Studies support the theory that over the decade, the ability to accomplish fine motion control with hand-prosthetics has aided in improving patients' quality of life. Overall, advancements to prosthetic design, prosthetic sensors, and waterproofing designs via myoelectricity, insulated and biopotential sensors, as well as waterproofing technologies, were reported to contribute greatly to patients’ quality of life. Discussion: As technological advances aid in improved dexterity and motility, recently advanced prosthetics help promote independence and confidence, and in some cases, decrease the cost of living for some patients. Myoelectric prostheses, flexible insulated sensors, capacitive biopotential sensors, and waterproofing technologies, have shown trends in increased dexterity, patient comfort and flexibility, as well as increased degrees of freedom of movement. The most notable limitations to these advancements were limited accessibility, comfort challenges, and lack of large-scale patient assessment. Hence, future advancements in further research and patient testing of these technologies were suggested. Conclusion: This review will be deemed as supporting material for healthcare providers and policy makers while making decisions on the allocation of resources to ensure that patients from all demographics can acquire accessible technologies, improving their qualities of life. In addition, the advancements of hand prosthetic technologies from mechanics and robotics research can provide implications for the next-generation technologies with the determination to improve patients’ life.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"72 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135569752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by trauma to the head or body, and are a prominent issue within the geriatric population. Severe TBIs can result in a myriad of symptoms including headaches, problems with speech, loss of consciousness, coma, and potential death. Methods: The goal of this paper is to determine if aggressive treatment would be better suited to treat severe TBIs in the elderly population as compared to the standard cons. A primary literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, and 9 articles were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria identified. Results: It was found that aggressive treatments such as depressive craniotomies are effective in treating TBIs, improving GCS scores and decreasing mortality rates. Despite this, aggressive treatment cannot be universally applied, as many factors beyond age contribute to the type of treatment that can be administered. Furthermore, when aggressive treatment could not be used, palliative care is useful in treating TBIs in the elderly population, but it does not contribute significantly to the decrease in mortality. Discussion: As a result, the study concludes that while aggressive treatment is often more beneficial than palliative care, the specific combinatorial of these treatments should be considered based on the individual needs and medical history of each patient Conclusion: This finding is essential as it contributes to the limited body of knowledge currently available for the treatment of TBIs in the elderly population.
{"title":"Evaluating the Efficacy of Aggressive Treatments and Palliative Care for Traumatic Brain Injuries in Elderly Patients: A Review","authors":"Mukti H. Patel, Nidhi D. Mehta","doi":"10.26685/urncst.527","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.527","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by trauma to the head or body, and are a prominent issue within the geriatric population. Severe TBIs can result in a myriad of symptoms including headaches, problems with speech, loss of consciousness, coma, and potential death. Methods: The goal of this paper is to determine if aggressive treatment would be better suited to treat severe TBIs in the elderly population as compared to the standard cons. A primary literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, and 9 articles were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria identified. Results: It was found that aggressive treatments such as depressive craniotomies are effective in treating TBIs, improving GCS scores and decreasing mortality rates. Despite this, aggressive treatment cannot be universally applied, as many factors beyond age contribute to the type of treatment that can be administered. Furthermore, when aggressive treatment could not be used, palliative care is useful in treating TBIs in the elderly population, but it does not contribute significantly to the decrease in mortality. Discussion: As a result, the study concludes that while aggressive treatment is often more beneficial than palliative care, the specific combinatorial of these treatments should be considered based on the individual needs and medical history of each patient Conclusion: This finding is essential as it contributes to the limited body of knowledge currently available for the treatment of TBIs in the elderly population.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"160 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135888199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Due to its natural relationship with physiological health, skeletal muscle has been studied in a variety of contexts. Most commonly, it is analyzed during exercise to determine the adaptations caused by specific homeostatic imbalances. These imbalances pushed for more research in p53, a tumour suppressor known for regulating cellular stability. Methods: This literature review will be a narrative review using primary studies to determine the role of p53 in hypertrophy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and angiogenesis of skeletal muscles during exercise. Results: Differences in gene expression related to hypertrophy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and angiogenesis were observed during skeletal muscle adaptations dependent on p53 content and activity during and after exercise. Discussion: p53 content level was shown to contribute to skeletal muscle atrophy immediately following exercise, while having minimal effect on mitochondrial biogenesis. Rather, p53 activity was seen to be a more likely effector of mitochondrial levels. Moreover, through indirect pathways, p53 appears to negatively correlate with increases of angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Conclusion: Research on p53 continues to express the importance of the protein beyond its role as a tumour suppressor. This review highlights alternative roles of p53 by analyzing its interactions in relation to exercise-induced adaptations of skeletal muscle.
{"title":"The Role of p53 in Skeletal Muscle Adaptation During Exercise: A Literature Review","authors":"Amber Lu","doi":"10.26685/urncst.520","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.520","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Due to its natural relationship with physiological health, skeletal muscle has been studied in a variety of contexts. Most commonly, it is analyzed during exercise to determine the adaptations caused by specific homeostatic imbalances. These imbalances pushed for more research in p53, a tumour suppressor known for regulating cellular stability. Methods: This literature review will be a narrative review using primary studies to determine the role of p53 in hypertrophy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and angiogenesis of skeletal muscles during exercise. Results: Differences in gene expression related to hypertrophy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and angiogenesis were observed during skeletal muscle adaptations dependent on p53 content and activity during and after exercise. Discussion: p53 content level was shown to contribute to skeletal muscle atrophy immediately following exercise, while having minimal effect on mitochondrial biogenesis. Rather, p53 activity was seen to be a more likely effector of mitochondrial levels. Moreover, through indirect pathways, p53 appears to negatively correlate with increases of angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Conclusion: Research on p53 continues to express the importance of the protein beyond its role as a tumour suppressor. This review highlights alternative roles of p53 by analyzing its interactions in relation to exercise-induced adaptations of skeletal muscle.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135995509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Infertility affects a significant portion of the population, up to 1 in 5 North American adults. The lack of accurate reproductive models has limited clinical research with 15% of infertility cases remaining untreatable. However, advances in stem cell technology have allowed for the development of organoids, artificial 3D organ systems in culture (also referred to as “organs-in-a-dish”), as accurate, human-specific research models. We propose that organoid systems are valuable tools to advance reproductive health research and aim to assess major progress and limitations of this technology relating to infertility. Methods: A literature review was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We identified 10 studies published from 2017 onwards that focused on the application of reproductive organoid systems in infertility treatments or the development of model systems for infertility research. These studies were compared and analyzed in terms of methodology, clinical applications, and potential limitations. Results: Both female and male reproductive tracts (FRT and MRT) are complex systems with many potential causes for infertility. We identified the ovary, fallopian tubes and endometrium in the FRT and the prostate, epididymis and testes in the MRT as the most promising current organoid models. Organoid systems have been used in transplantation techniques to treat the infertility disorders of Asherman’s syndrome and azoospermia. As well, organoids function as disease models for drug screening including chemotherapeutic compounds or as physiologic models to study fundamental mechanisms of fertility considering factors like ageing and environmental gonad toxicity. Discussion: The various novel applications of reproductive organoids emphasize their potential in infertility research and the development of personalized medicine. However, lack of cross-organ communication and minimal microbiome modeling limit organoid-based research. Conversion from animal to human organoid models is also a major obstacle to be addressed for the advancement this technology in reproductive health science. Conclusion: This review highlights the unique benefits of using organoids over traditional research models as well as the most critical research gaps in this field to guide future studies and accelerate the development of clinical techniques for human infertility treatment.
{"title":"Developing Human Reproductive Organoids to Combat Infertility: A Literature Review","authors":"Ronit Mohapatra","doi":"10.26685/urncst.513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.513","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Infertility affects a significant portion of the population, up to 1 in 5 North American adults. The lack of accurate reproductive models has limited clinical research with 15% of infertility cases remaining untreatable. However, advances in stem cell technology have allowed for the development of organoids, artificial 3D organ systems in culture (also referred to as “organs-in-a-dish”), as accurate, human-specific research models. We propose that organoid systems are valuable tools to advance reproductive health research and aim to assess major progress and limitations of this technology relating to infertility. Methods: A literature review was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We identified 10 studies published from 2017 onwards that focused on the application of reproductive organoid systems in infertility treatments or the development of model systems for infertility research. These studies were compared and analyzed in terms of methodology, clinical applications, and potential limitations. Results: Both female and male reproductive tracts (FRT and MRT) are complex systems with many potential causes for infertility. We identified the ovary, fallopian tubes and endometrium in the FRT and the prostate, epididymis and testes in the MRT as the most promising current organoid models. Organoid systems have been used in transplantation techniques to treat the infertility disorders of Asherman’s syndrome and azoospermia. As well, organoids function as disease models for drug screening including chemotherapeutic compounds or as physiologic models to study fundamental mechanisms of fertility considering factors like ageing and environmental gonad toxicity. Discussion: The various novel applications of reproductive organoids emphasize their potential in infertility research and the development of personalized medicine. However, lack of cross-organ communication and minimal microbiome modeling limit organoid-based research. Conversion from animal to human organoid models is also a major obstacle to be addressed for the advancement this technology in reproductive health science. Conclusion: This review highlights the unique benefits of using organoids over traditional research models as well as the most critical research gaps in this field to guide future studies and accelerate the development of clinical techniques for human infertility treatment.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135858157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Metastatic bone disease, the condition where tumor cells spread from their origin tissue to bone, is common for breast and prostate cancer. Two main hypotheses, referred to as Paget’s “seed and soil” theory and Ewing’s anatomical theory, describe the homing of cancer cells to the bone. When breast cancer becomes metastatic and the tumor spreads to the bone, skeletal-related events can occur. Many patients use bone-modifying agents such as bisphosphonates (BPs) to manage skeletal deterioration. Given the longstanding history of BPs, this review aims to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of oral versus intravenous BPs as adjuvant treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Relevant literature was sourced through a search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using established inclusion criteria for screening papers published between 1889 and the present. Results: Currently, there are three generations of BPs. Literature on the different generations reports that studies mainly use first-generation BPs for Paget’s disease and there is no significant effect of first-generation BPs on breast cancer survival rate. Second-generation BPs showed effectiveness in prolonging the progression of bone metastasis and decreasing distant recurrences to the bone in breast cancer patients. In attempts to improve the health outcomes of BPs, researchers examined third-generation BPs and found that they decreased skeletal-related events and pain levels. Discussion: Comparing oral to intravenous administration of BPs, both had overall similar effects in reducing skeletal complications; however, the side effects resulting from BP use vary depending on the route of administration. Patients administered intravenous BPs exhibit an acute phase response and renal complications, while oral BPs cause disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. Cost-effectiveness varied by study depending on assumptions made in the analytic models. Conclusion: This novel review investigates the development of each generation of BPs to compare the implications of oral and intravenous administration. By accounting for differences across the three generations, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about BPs and create treatment plans tailored to the individual patient. Future research may explore how preexisting risk factors contribute to the occurrence of adverse effects of BP use.
{"title":"Evaluating Route of Administration for Bisphosphonates in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Bone: A Literature Review","authors":"Christine P. King, Jennifer P. Huynh","doi":"10.26685/urncst.515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.515","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Metastatic bone disease, the condition where tumor cells spread from their origin tissue to bone, is common for breast and prostate cancer. Two main hypotheses, referred to as Paget’s “seed and soil” theory and Ewing’s anatomical theory, describe the homing of cancer cells to the bone. When breast cancer becomes metastatic and the tumor spreads to the bone, skeletal-related events can occur. Many patients use bone-modifying agents such as bisphosphonates (BPs) to manage skeletal deterioration. Given the longstanding history of BPs, this review aims to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of oral versus intravenous BPs as adjuvant treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Relevant literature was sourced through a search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using established inclusion criteria for screening papers published between 1889 and the present. Results: Currently, there are three generations of BPs. Literature on the different generations reports that studies mainly use first-generation BPs for Paget’s disease and there is no significant effect of first-generation BPs on breast cancer survival rate. Second-generation BPs showed effectiveness in prolonging the progression of bone metastasis and decreasing distant recurrences to the bone in breast cancer patients. In attempts to improve the health outcomes of BPs, researchers examined third-generation BPs and found that they decreased skeletal-related events and pain levels. Discussion: Comparing oral to intravenous administration of BPs, both had overall similar effects in reducing skeletal complications; however, the side effects resulting from BP use vary depending on the route of administration. Patients administered intravenous BPs exhibit an acute phase response and renal complications, while oral BPs cause disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. Cost-effectiveness varied by study depending on assumptions made in the analytic models. Conclusion: This novel review investigates the development of each generation of BPs to compare the implications of oral and intravenous administration. By accounting for differences across the three generations, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about BPs and create treatment plans tailored to the individual patient. Future research may explore how preexisting risk factors contribute to the occurrence of adverse effects of BP use.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135917810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erin A. Ford, Emma C. Griffin, Veda J.H. Sharpe, Simon J. Zacharias Bezanson
Introduction: Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) manifests in infants exposed to the Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero. Recent studies have documented the correlation between bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and fetal brain calcification in these infants; however, potential treatment avenues remain unaccomplished. Unfortunately, the increase in ZIKV cases has engendered fetal neurodevelopmental defects including brain calcification which permanently impairs neurological function. The dominant pathogenic explanation results from osteogenic factor upregulation. Previous research has identified this underlying factor, highlighting the mechanism to combat the neurodegenerative impacts of ZIKV. Since the correlation between ZIKV and BMP is novel, studies addressing the mitigation of infant brain calcification are limited. Data from established ZIKV research was used to determine the potential utilization of matrix Gla protein (MGP) to inhibit the BMP pathway which calcifies fetal neural tissue. This rationale is founded on evidence showing (a) the efficacy of MGP in combating BMP-dependent calcification, and (b) the activation of MGP with Vitamin K2 (VK2). This study aims to establish a protocol for supplementing pregnant Zika patients with the VK2 derivative menaquinone-4 (MK-4), with the goal of preventing CZS-associated neurological calcification. Methods: A literature search was performed to evaluate the feasibility of VK2 injections for the prevention of neural calcification in CZS patients. The preventative potential of VK2 against CZS-related calcification will be tested using in vivo pregnant mouse (Mus musculus) models. Treatment groups will receive MK-4 administered with propylene glycol, while the control group will receive a placebo. Neurological calcification of fetuses and neonates will be monitored using pelvic ultrasound and micro-CT. Plasma and cerebral MK-4 content will be quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Anticipated results should demonstrate reduced subcortical calcification in the MK-4-treated murine cohort. Discussion: Protocol implementation precipitates the development of preventative CZS treatments. These findings indicate that low-dose maternal VK2 supplementation could provide a potential avenue for prevention of brain calcification in utero after vertical transmission of ZIKV. Conclusion: The proposed treatment would be the first of its kind, providing affected populations with a low-cost intervention for neurological damage caused by CZS, decreasing the burden of disease as ZIKV prevalence grows.
{"title":"Vitamin K Supplementation for Prevention of Teratogenic Neurological Calcification in Fetuses with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A Research Protocol","authors":"Erin A. Ford, Emma C. Griffin, Veda J.H. Sharpe, Simon J. Zacharias Bezanson","doi":"10.26685/urncst.493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.493","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) manifests in infants exposed to the Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero. Recent studies have documented the correlation between bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and fetal brain calcification in these infants; however, potential treatment avenues remain unaccomplished. Unfortunately, the increase in ZIKV cases has engendered fetal neurodevelopmental defects including brain calcification which permanently impairs neurological function. The dominant pathogenic explanation results from osteogenic factor upregulation. Previous research has identified this underlying factor, highlighting the mechanism to combat the neurodegenerative impacts of ZIKV. Since the correlation between ZIKV and BMP is novel, studies addressing the mitigation of infant brain calcification are limited. Data from established ZIKV research was used to determine the potential utilization of matrix Gla protein (MGP) to inhibit the BMP pathway which calcifies fetal neural tissue. This rationale is founded on evidence showing (a) the efficacy of MGP in combating BMP-dependent calcification, and (b) the activation of MGP with Vitamin K2 (VK2). This study aims to establish a protocol for supplementing pregnant Zika patients with the VK2 derivative menaquinone-4 (MK-4), with the goal of preventing CZS-associated neurological calcification. Methods: A literature search was performed to evaluate the feasibility of VK2 injections for the prevention of neural calcification in CZS patients. The preventative potential of VK2 against CZS-related calcification will be tested using in vivo pregnant mouse (Mus musculus) models. Treatment groups will receive MK-4 administered with propylene glycol, while the control group will receive a placebo. Neurological calcification of fetuses and neonates will be monitored using pelvic ultrasound and micro-CT. Plasma and cerebral MK-4 content will be quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Anticipated results should demonstrate reduced subcortical calcification in the MK-4-treated murine cohort. Discussion: Protocol implementation precipitates the development of preventative CZS treatments. These findings indicate that low-dose maternal VK2 supplementation could provide a potential avenue for prevention of brain calcification in utero after vertical transmission of ZIKV. Conclusion: The proposed treatment would be the first of its kind, providing affected populations with a low-cost intervention for neurological damage caused by CZS, decreasing the burden of disease as ZIKV prevalence grows.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"102 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: An ECG is the gold standard for detecting various cardiology pathologies including AF. Current ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring technology include Holter monitoring and various implantable event monitors, which provide continuous monitoring but are invasive, uncomfortable and may lack in detecting intermittent arrhythmias, due to their periodic exploratory monitoring strategy. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the following databases: Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search was conducted using the keywords "atrial fibrillation," "smartwatch," "ECG," "stroke," and "PPG”. Relevant sources between 2018 and 2023 were chosen, and data was analysed to establish clinical utility in early diagnosis of AF. Results: Two studies assessing the diagnostic efficacy of smartwatch technology, two studies investigating the usability of new technology and one study assessing cost-effectiveness were included in our review. The diagnostic efficacy of smartwatches ranges from 93.5-98.25% accurate, 92.45-97.3% sensitive and 88.6-100% specific, with PPV ranging from 91.6-100%, and NPV ranging from 93.85-96.83%. Targeted audiences of AF detection includes a larger proportion of older adults with possible declined technological and/or cognitive function, and may find difficulty using current smartwatch technology. With a simplified user interface, novel software like Pulsewatch promotes user accessibility in smartwatch technology, making AF detection simple to identify, particularly in elderly people. 90 patients used the Pulsewatch system, and more than half reported having a positive experience with the system; only 13% considered it excessively stressful. Discussion: Due to the low 65+ age group representation (6.6%) in studies like Fitbit, Huawei, and Apple heart studies, they overlook potential bias in older adults' adherence to pAF monitoring. Pulsewatch addresses this issue. Smartwatches, being user-friendly and cost-effective, offer real-time, reasonably accurate prospective data for patients. However, further research is required to gauge their clinical utility in early AF detection, diagnostic effectiveness during daily activities, and the heterogeneity of smartwatch devices remains to be fully explored. Conclusion: User-friendly PPG-based smartwatch technology is a medically accurate alternative to standard AF detection techniques that may speed up the diagnosis and treatment of AF, lowering stroke and cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality as well as AF-related healthcare costs.
{"title":"Smartwatch Technology's Diagnostic Use in Atrial Fibrillation Detection – A Literature Review","authors":"Joshua A. Mikhail, Daniel Tadros, Rafael Shehata","doi":"10.26685/urncst.475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.475","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: An ECG is the gold standard for detecting various cardiology pathologies including AF. Current ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring technology include Holter monitoring and various implantable event monitors, which provide continuous monitoring but are invasive, uncomfortable and may lack in detecting intermittent arrhythmias, due to their periodic exploratory monitoring strategy. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the following databases: Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search was conducted using the keywords \"atrial fibrillation,\" \"smartwatch,\" \"ECG,\" \"stroke,\" and \"PPG”. Relevant sources between 2018 and 2023 were chosen, and data was analysed to establish clinical utility in early diagnosis of AF. Results: Two studies assessing the diagnostic efficacy of smartwatch technology, two studies investigating the usability of new technology and one study assessing cost-effectiveness were included in our review. The diagnostic efficacy of smartwatches ranges from 93.5-98.25% accurate, 92.45-97.3% sensitive and 88.6-100% specific, with PPV ranging from 91.6-100%, and NPV ranging from 93.85-96.83%. Targeted audiences of AF detection includes a larger proportion of older adults with possible declined technological and/or cognitive function, and may find difficulty using current smartwatch technology. With a simplified user interface, novel software like Pulsewatch promotes user accessibility in smartwatch technology, making AF detection simple to identify, particularly in elderly people. 90 patients used the Pulsewatch system, and more than half reported having a positive experience with the system; only 13% considered it excessively stressful. Discussion: Due to the low 65+ age group representation (6.6%) in studies like Fitbit, Huawei, and Apple heart studies, they overlook potential bias in older adults' adherence to pAF monitoring. Pulsewatch addresses this issue. Smartwatches, being user-friendly and cost-effective, offer real-time, reasonably accurate prospective data for patients. However, further research is required to gauge their clinical utility in early AF detection, diagnostic effectiveness during daily activities, and the heterogeneity of smartwatch devices remains to be fully explored. Conclusion: User-friendly PPG-based smartwatch technology is a medically accurate alternative to standard AF detection techniques that may speed up the diagnosis and treatment of AF, lowering stroke and cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality as well as AF-related healthcare costs.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"123 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135697309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Depression among expectant adults is increasing. This may contribute to newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms following in utero exposure to antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants. Newborns with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) following fetal opioid exposure receive systematic screening and pharmacological treatment based on results from the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS). In contrast, newborns exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs may not receive routine screening, thus SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS may go undiagnosed and untreated, due to the lack of awareness of the consequences of SSRI-SNRI exposure in utero. Methods: We will search electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and grey literature) from inception to July 2021 for relevant articles. Two independent reviewers will eliminate duplicate articles, screen to select relevant articles, extract quantitative data pertaining to FNASS scores and assess for risks of biases. Results: Upon conducting this systematic review, we hypothesize the results will support our objective of determining the prevalence of NAS among neonates exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs in utero. Majority of neonates diagnosed with moderate to severe opioid-induced NAS receive systematic screening and pharmacological treatment. In contrast, neonates exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs may not be systematically screened, and so go on to be untreated. This is concerning considering the potential adverse effects related to untreated NAS Discussion: We plan to use the results of our meta-analysis to yield a summary of average FNASS scores in neonates exposed to SSRIs or SNRIs in utero (primary outcome). In addition, we aim to compare the resulting FNASS summary score against the proportion of neonates who received pharmacological treatment for NAS (secondary outcome). Conclusion: In conducting our proposed systematic review, we aim to determine the severity of SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS using the FNASS scoring tool, the prevalence of newborns who receive pharmacological treatment for this condition, and to emphasize the development of standardized evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of newborns with SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS.
导读:抑郁症在待产成年人中呈上升趋势。这可能会导致新生儿在子宫内接触抗抑郁药后出现戒断症状。选择性5 -羟色胺再摄取抑制剂(SSRIs)和5 -羟色胺和去甲肾上腺素再摄取抑制剂(SNRIs)是最常用的抗抑郁药。根据Finnegan新生儿戒断评分系统(FNASS)的结果，胎儿阿片类药物暴露后患有新生儿戒断综合征(NAS)的新生儿接受系统筛查和药物治疗。相比之下，暴露于SSRI / snri的新生儿可能没有接受常规筛查，因此，由于缺乏对子宫内暴露于SSRI- snri的后果的认识，SSRI-/ snri诱导的NAS可能未得到诊断和治疗。方法:我们将检索从成立到2021年7月的电子数据库(Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov和灰色文献)中的相关文章。两名独立审稿人将消除重复文章，筛选相关文章，提取与FNASS分数有关的定量数据，并评估偏倚风险。结果:在进行这项系统评价后，我们假设结果将支持我们确定子宫内暴露于SSRIs/SNRIs的新生儿中NAS患病率的目标。大多数被诊断为中度至重度阿片类药物诱导的NAS的新生儿接受系统筛查和药物治疗。相比之下，暴露于SSRIs/SNRIs的新生儿可能没有得到系统的筛查，因此继续得不到治疗。讨论:我们计划使用我们的荟萃分析结果来总结在子宫内暴露于SSRIs或SNRIs的新生儿的平均FNASS评分(主要结局)。此外，我们的目的是比较FNASS总得分与接受NAS药物治疗的新生儿比例(次要结局)。结论:在进行我们提出的系统综述中，我们的目标是使用FNASS评分工具确定SSRI-/ snri诱导的NAS的严重程度，接受药物治疗的新生儿患病率，并强调制定标准化的循证指南来治疗SSRI-/ snri诱导的NAS。
{"title":"Determining the Severity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Among Newborns Exposed to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors in Utero: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Amenda Arulandoo, Sahanaa Kugathasan","doi":"10.26685/urncst.282","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.282","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Depression among expectant adults is increasing. This may contribute to newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms following in utero exposure to antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants. Newborns with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) following fetal opioid exposure receive systematic screening and pharmacological treatment based on results from the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS). In contrast, newborns exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs may not receive routine screening, thus SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS may go undiagnosed and untreated, due to the lack of awareness of the consequences of SSRI-SNRI exposure in utero. Methods: We will search electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and grey literature) from inception to July 2021 for relevant articles. Two independent reviewers will eliminate duplicate articles, screen to select relevant articles, extract quantitative data pertaining to FNASS scores and assess for risks of biases. Results: Upon conducting this systematic review, we hypothesize the results will support our objective of determining the prevalence of NAS among neonates exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs in utero. Majority of neonates diagnosed with moderate to severe opioid-induced NAS receive systematic screening and pharmacological treatment. In contrast, neonates exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs may not be systematically screened, and so go on to be untreated. This is concerning considering the potential adverse effects related to untreated NAS Discussion: We plan to use the results of our meta-analysis to yield a summary of average FNASS scores in neonates exposed to SSRIs or SNRIs in utero (primary outcome). In addition, we aim to compare the resulting FNASS summary score against the proportion of neonates who received pharmacological treatment for NAS (secondary outcome). Conclusion: In conducting our proposed systematic review, we aim to determine the severity of SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS using the FNASS scoring tool, the prevalence of newborns who receive pharmacological treatment for this condition, and to emphasize the development of standardized evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of newborns with SSRI-/SNRI-induced NAS.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"130 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135829588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects a large percentage of the older adult population. AD can cause many problems, most notably long-term memory (LTM) loss. Many studies have observed a decreased level of substance P (SP) in the hippocampus of individuals with AD. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy to limit AD-related decline of LTM using probiotics transformed with SP. These transformed bacteria will contain varying concentrations of SP and will be injected into three different segments of the proximal colon in AD mouse models. LTM will be measured through Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Barnes Maze (BM) tests over three months to examine improvements in spatial memory. It is anticipated that this experiment will demonstrate that increased concentrations of SP in the proximal colon will result in the greatest reduction in LTM loss in AD individuals. This experiment will establish a new therapeutic option for AD individuals to slow the progression of LTM loss.
{"title":"TAC1 Gene Therapy in the Gut to Reduce Long-Term Memory Loss in Tg4-42 Alzheimer Diseased Mice: A Research Proposal","authors":"Tyler Pereira","doi":"10.26685/urncst.502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.502","url":null,"abstract":"Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects a large percentage of the older adult population. AD can cause many problems, most notably long-term memory (LTM) loss. Many studies have observed a decreased level of substance P (SP) in the hippocampus of individuals with AD. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy to limit AD-related decline of LTM using probiotics transformed with SP. These transformed bacteria will contain varying concentrations of SP and will be injected into three different segments of the proximal colon in AD mouse models. LTM will be measured through Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Barnes Maze (BM) tests over three months to examine improvements in spatial memory. It is anticipated that this experiment will demonstrate that increased concentrations of SP in the proximal colon will result in the greatest reduction in LTM loss in AD individuals. This experiment will establish a new therapeutic option for AD individuals to slow the progression of LTM loss.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134886328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Connecting Young Minds (CYM) is a bilingual research conference created and run by students at the University of Ottawa. Our mission is to enrich the undergraduate experiences of STEM students by providing a vessel to inspire interest in research, paving the way for brighter futures and innovative minds. The conference allows students to present or propose their research to an audience and a panel of judges, to gain experience drafting scientific literature, and the chance to network with industry professionals and past valedictorians from the University of Ottawa. Each year, CYM hosts an undergraduate-level research competition in which participants submit an abstract or a proposal on their research. Top candidates are selected by a panel of professional scientists to further compete at the conference, where they are given five minutes to present their research followed by a Question & Answer period. Oral presentations are also judged by professional scientists and three grand winners are selected on the conference day. Additionally, the CYM Conference engages the interests of students in STEM programs through presentations and networking sessions held by keynote speakers. Abstracts in this booklet were submitted by participants on a volunteer basis.
{"title":"Connecting Young Minds (CYM) 2023 Undergraduate Research Conference: 5-Minute Scientific Research Presentations","authors":"Grace Tongue, Lisa Tran","doi":"10.26685/urncst.539","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26685/urncst.539","url":null,"abstract":"Connecting Young Minds (CYM) is a bilingual research conference created and run by students at the University of Ottawa. Our mission is to enrich the undergraduate experiences of STEM students by providing a vessel to inspire interest in research, paving the way for brighter futures and innovative minds. The conference allows students to present or propose their research to an audience and a panel of judges, to gain experience drafting scientific literature, and the chance to network with industry professionals and past valedictorians from the University of Ottawa. Each year, CYM hosts an undergraduate-level research competition in which participants submit an abstract or a proposal on their research. Top candidates are selected by a panel of professional scientists to further compete at the conference, where they are given five minutes to present their research followed by a Question & Answer period. Oral presentations are also judged by professional scientists and three grand winners are selected on the conference day. Additionally, the CYM Conference engages the interests of students in STEM programs through presentations and networking sessions held by keynote speakers. Abstracts in this booklet were submitted by participants on a volunteer basis.","PeriodicalId":245521,"journal":{"name":"Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135394385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：