•The indicator of malnutrition for acute ischemic stroke has not been established.•Prognostic value of the CONUT score has been reported in patients with malignant tumors.•The CONUT score was ...significantly associated with poor 3-mo outcomes in acute ischemic stroke.•The CONUT score could be a useful prognostic marker in acute ischemic stroke.
Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the indicator of malnutrition has not yet been established. We investigated the relationship between the Controlling Nutritional Status score, a useful prognostic measure of malnutrition in patients with cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumors, and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Patients with acute ischemic stroke (n = 264, 71 ± 12 y old) were consecutively evaluated within 7 d of stroke onset. The Controlling Nutritional Status score was calculated from the serum albumin, total peripheral lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol; a Controlling Nutritional Status score of 5 to 12 was defined as malnutrition. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6 at 3 mo.
Of the total cohort, 230 patients (87.1%) were assessed. The patients with poor functional outcome (n = 85) were older; had a lower body mass index; had a higher frequency of atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure, and anemia; and had a lower frequency of dyslipidemia and a current smoking status. In addition, the Controlling Nutritional Status score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission were significantly higher for the patients with poor functional outcome. After multivariate analysis, adjusted for baseline characteristics, a Controlling Nutritional Status score of 5 to 12 was found to be independently associated with poor outcome (odds ratio: 4.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.52–11.67, P = 0.005).
The Controlling Nutritional Status score at admission could be a useful prognostic marker of 3-mo functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Aims: Alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2MG) is thought to be associated with inflammatory reactions and procoagulant properties that might cause ischemic stroke. Endothelial dysfunction plays an important ...role in atherosclerosis development and in the occurrence of cardiovascular events. In this study, we investigated whether serum α2MG levels, endothelial function, and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) number were associated in patients with chronic stroke or cardiovascular risk factors.Methods: Patients with a history of stroke or any established cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled in this study (n=102; 69 men, 70.1±9.2 years). Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). EPC numbers (CD34＋/CD133＋) were measured using flow cytometry (n=91). Serum α2MG levels were measured by nephelometry.Results: Patients in the highest tertile of serum α2MG levels were older (P=0.019) and more frequently exhibited dyslipidemia (P=0.021). Univariate-regression analysis revealed that increased α2MG levels were negatively associated with FMD values (r=−0.25; P=0.010), whereas increased EPC numbers were positively associated (r=0.21; P=0.044). Multivariate-regression analysis adjusted for male gender, hypertension, and severe white-matter lesions showed that serum α2MG levels were independently associated with FMD values (standardized partial regression coefficient β −0.185; P=0.033), although not significantly associated with EPC numbers.Conclusion: Serum α2MG levels might reflect endothelial dysfunction evaluated by FMD in patients with chronic stroke or cardiovascular risk factors.
The performance of indoor localization methods is highly dependent on the situations in which they are used. Various competitions on indoor localization have been held for fairly comparing the ...existing indoor localization methods in shared and controlled testing environments. However, it is difficult to evaluate the practical performance in industrial scenarios through the existing competitions. This paper introduces two indoor localization competitions, which are named the "PDR Challenge in Warehouse Picking 2017" and "xDR Challenge for Warehouse Operations 2018" for tracking workers and vehicles in a warehouse scenario. For the PDR Challenge in Warehouse Picking 2017, we conducted a unique competition based on the data measured during the actual picking operation in an actual warehouse. We term the dead-reckoning of a vehicle as vehicle dead-reckoning (VDR), and the term "xDR" is derived from pedestrian dead-reckoning (PDR) plus VDR. As a sequel competition of the PDR Challenge in Warehouse Picking 2017, the xDR Challenge for Warehouse Operations 2018 was conducted as the world's first competition that deals with tracking forklifts by VDR with smartphones. In the paper, first, we briefly summarize the existing competitions, and clarify the characteristics of our competitions by comparing them with other competitions. Our competitions have the unique capability of evaluating the practical performance in a warehouse by using the actual measured data as the test data and applying multi-faceted evaluation metrics. As a result, we successfully organize the competitions due to the many participants from many countries. As a conclusion of the paper, we summarize the findings of the competitions.
A broad area densely covered by ferromanganese nodules was recently discovered around Minamitorishima (Marcus) Island, representing a high‐potential metal resource, particularly for Co, Ni, Mo, and ...W. We studied 16 nodule samples from nodule fields around Minamitorishima Island. To define the fine‐scale chemostratigraphy of the nodules, polished cross‐sections of the samples were analyzed by microfocus X‐ray fluorescence. Our results show that a general pattern of compositional variation was common throughout the growth history of the nodules in all the regions we studied. Chemical mapping clarified changes in the chemical signature and proportion of five lithological components throughout the growth history: Mn represented columnar δ‐MnO2; Fe represented layered amorphous FeOOH*xH2O; Ti represented TiO2*2H2O intergrown with an amorphous FeOOH phase; P, Ca and Y represented particles of biogenic calcium phosphate; and Si, Al, K, Cu, and Ni represented pelagic sediment infills. We proposed a method for a creating a multi‐dimensional compositional map of the fine‐scale chemostratigraphy observed in the ferromanganese oxide layers on the basis of merging the mapped Mn, Fe, Ti, P, Si and Cu intensities. Multi‐dimensional compositional mapping of the sampled nodules from the western North Pacific revealed two fundamental findings: (1) previously recognized first‐order Fe–Mn layers, L0, L1, and L2, were further divided into two, three, and four sublayers, respectively, and (2) a delayed supply of material to be nuclei of nodule or a growth hiatus of Fe–Mn layer(s), leading to missing sublayers in the layers L0 and L2, regulated the nodule size. In contrast, layer L1, which does not have any missing sublayers, was commonly observed in the samples for this study and has been reported in studies of other regions in the western Pacific. We propose, therefore, that the layer L1 is a key facies for examining chemostratigraphic correlations with other areas of seafloor.
Ferromanganese nodule nuclei are considered crucial to the formation and distribution of nodules. However, because it is difficult and time-consuming to study ferromanganese nodule nuclei, few ...studies have been performed, despite the large number of samples. Here, we analyzed the nuclei of 934 ferromanganese nodules from the abyssal seafloor around Minamitorishima Island (western North Pacific Ocean) using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Based on the CT number distribution (describing X-ray absorption in Hounsfield units, HU), we classified the nuclei as Type I (>1800 HU) or Type II (<1800 HU). Additionally, some Type I nuclei had characteristic conical shapes (Type I-C) distinct from the shapes of other nuclei (Type I-O). Based on the chemical compositions determined by microfocus X-ray fluorescence analyses of selected samples, we identified Type I-C, I-O, and II nuclei as fish teeth, hard rocks (volcanic rock, ironstone, or phosphorite), and sediments, respectively. These nucleus types were observed in sufficient quantities at all dive sites that we conclude them to be typical of nodule nuclei in the study area. Fish-tooth nuclei were the rarest at all sites, whereas sediment nuclei dominated at most sites, suggesting their significance for understanding the origin of ferromanganese nodules. Hard-rock nuclei dominated at only three sites and probably originated from seamounts.
Although the assessment of nutrition is essential for stroke patients, detailed associations between nutritional status at admission, subsequent complications, and clinical outcomes in patients with ...acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are unclear. We aimed to elucidate these associations using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Consecutive patients with acute ICH were investigated. Nutritional status was evaluated using the CONUT score, calculated from the serum albumin level, lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol level. Subsequent complications, such as hemorrhage expansion (HE) during the acute stage and aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization, were evaluated. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≥ 3 at 3 months. Of the 721 patients, 49 had HE, 111 had aspiration pneumonia, and 409 had poor outcomes. Patients with HE had significantly lower total cholesterol levels than those without HE. Patients with aspiration pneumonia had significantly lower albumin levels, lower lymphocyte counts, and higher CONUT scores than those without aspiration pneumonia. Patients with poor outcomes had significantly lower albumin levels, lower lymphocyte counts, lower total cholesterol levels, and higher CONUT scores than those with good outcomes. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that higher CONUT scores were independently associated with poor outcome (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.49;
P
= 0.002) after adjusting for baseline characteristics, HE, and aspiration pneumonia. Each component of CONUT was a useful predictor of subsequent complications. Malnutrition, determined using the CONUT score, was independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with ICH after adjusting for these complications.
The three-dimensional layered growth structure of 934 ferromanganese nodule samples collected from dives in the Pacific Ocean around Minamitorishima Island was assessed using X-ray computed ...tomography (X-ray CT) to elucidate their growth history. The thickness of the layered structure measured in three orthogonal directions showed that the ferromanganese nodules grew equally in all directions regardless of shape and size. Based on differences in CT numbers, a layered structure was subdivided into sublayers I, II, III, and IV, which corresponded to petrological features. The nodules were then classified as Types I, II, III, and IV according to whether they had sublayers I, I and II, I–III, or I–IV, respectively. Correlations between the total thickness of the layers and the number of sublayers indicated that both represented the relative age of the nodules. Nodules with all these types were recovered from most of the sampling sites, and histograms of the total layer thickness at each dive site showed several peaks. These findings indicated that the initiation of nodule growth was intermittent, rather than simultaneous. Three distinct thickness peaks were found at many sites throughout the study area, suggesting that at least three nodule initiation events covering hundreds of kilometers initiated the growth of ferromanganese nodules.
Background
Strains of Streptococcus mutans expressing the cell surface collagen‐binding protein, Cnm, encoded by cnm (cnm‐positive S. mutans), are associated with hypertensive intracerebral ...hemorrhage (ICH) and the occurrence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Small diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH are also associated with CMBs. However, the association between cnm‐positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities is unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between cnm‐positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH.
Methods
Patients with acute ICH were prospectively registered at three hospitals. Dental plaque specimens were collected within 4 days after admission, and cnm‐positive S. mutans was detected using the polymerase chain reaction. Magnetic resonance imaging at 14 ± 5 days after admission was used to evaluate DWI hyperintensities and CMBs.
Results
A total of 197 patients were enrolled in this study. cnm‐positive S. mutans was detected in 30 patients (15.2%), and DWI hyperintensities were observed in 56 patients (28.4%). Patients with cnm‐positive S. mutans had a higher frequency of DWI hyperintensities (50.0% vs 24.6%; p = 0.008) and a higher number of CMBs (5.5 vs 1.5; p < 0.001) than those without cnm‐positive S. mutans. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that the presence of cnm‐positive S. mutans was independently associated with DWI hyperintensities (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.01–5.61; p = 0.047) after adjusting for several confounding factors.
Conclusion
This study found an association between the presence of cnm‐positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH.
Patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were prospectively registered at three hospitals. Patients with cnm‐positive Streptococcus mutans had a higher frequency of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities and a higher number of cerebral microbleeds than those without cnm‐positive S. mutans. This study found an association between the presence of cnm‐positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH.
Background:Few existing stroke registries allow for evaluation of stroke severity, stroke subtype and antithrombotic usage prior to stroke onset over a given time period. The present study aimed to ...elucidate temporal trends in initial presenting stroke severity, stroke subtype and prior antithrombotic use over a 12-year period in a Japanese multicenter stroke registry.Methods and Results:We included 71,017 acute ischemic stroke patients (72±12 years old; 27,445 women) from the Japan Standard Stroke Registry Study (JSSRS) who were admitted to 94 hospitals between 2001 and 2012. The mean age of stroke onset increased gradually over time (P<0.001). Cardioembolic stroke patients (n=19,247) exhibited more severe NIHSS scores when compared with those with non-cardioembolic stroke (n=50,427). The proportion of cardioembolic stroke patients tended to increase over time, rising from 25.9% in 2001–2002 to 30.2% in 2011–2012 (P<0.001). Among the cardioembolic stroke patients, the frequency of prior anticoagulant use significantly increased from 15.6% in 2001–2002 to 24.8% in 2011–2012 (P<0.001). The frequency of prior antiplatelet use increased from 2001–2002 to 2007–2008 but decreased after 2007–2008. Among both cardioembolic and non-cardioembolic stroke patients, initial stroke severity at admission decreased over time, particularly after 2008.Conclusions:In this Japanese study, the mean age of ischemic stroke onset increased, while the initial neurological severity at presentation decreased, over a 12-year period. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2033–2036)
Proposal on Drone Control Device with Tactile Display Sugiura, Takumi; Shimomura, Ryo; Nobuhara, Hajime
Journal of advanced computational intelligence and intelligent informatics,
05/2018, Volume:
22, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
In order to support the tele-operation of drone, a new devise that can be controlled easily and intuitively, is proposed. The proposed devise also can display the feedback information from drone by ...tactile display, and it employs two visualization modes, first one is to display the difference between the drone’s direction and control direction by using the position of violators. Second one is to display the difference between the drone’s direction and control direction by using various frequencies. Through the experimental comparisons, the effectiveness of the proposed system is confirmed.
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