Methods and Protocols最新文献

{"title":"Effects of a WhatsApp-Assisted Health Educational Intervention for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol.","authors":"A.M. Jácome-Hortúa, Zully Rocio Rincon-Rueda, Diana C. Sanchez-Ramirez, A. Angarita-Fonseca","doi":"10.3390/mps7020035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020035","url":null,"abstract":"Although the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in secondary prevention is well-recognized, there is a lack of studies exploring the potential of mobile health to enhance educational interventions within CR. The objective is to assess the impact of a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention, in conjunction with the usual care, compared to the usual care alone among participants enrolled in a CR program. The trial will recruit 32 participants enrolled in a CR program, who will be randomly assigned to a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention plus usual care or usual care alone group. The intervention will span 4 weeks, with assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the cardiovascular risk factors knowledge score. Secondary outcomes include physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Expected results include improved knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, increased physical activity levels, and better mental health outcomes in the intervention group. Additionally, an enhancement in the overall quality of life is anticipated. These findings are expected to underscore the value of integrating mHealth with traditional CR methods, potentially shaping future approaches in chronic disease management and prevention.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140684478","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}

{"title":"Financial Toxicity in Renal Patients (FINTORE) Study: A Cross-Sectional Italian Study on Financial Burden in Kidney Disease-A Project Protocol.","authors":"Rossella Siligato, G. Gembillo, E. Di Simone, Alessio Di Maria, Simone Nicoletti, L. Scichilone, Matteo Capone, Francesca Maria Vinci, M. Bondanelli, Cristina Malaventura, A. Storari, Domenico Santoro, M. Di Muzio, S. Dionisi, Fabio Fabbian","doi":"10.3390/mps7020034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020034","url":null,"abstract":"Financial toxicity (FT) refers to the negative impact of health-care costs on clinical conditions. In general, social determinants of health, especially poverty, socioenvironmental stressors, and psychological factors, are increasingly recognized as important determinants of non-communicable diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), and their consequences. We aim to investigate the prevalence of FT in patients at different stages of CKD treated in our universal health-care system and from pediatric nephrology, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation clinics. FT will be assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcome for Fighting Financial Toxicity (PROFFIT) score, which was first developed by Italian oncologists. Our local ethics committee has approved the study. Our population sample will answer the sixteen questions of the PROFFIT questionnaire, seven of which are related to the outcome and nine the determinants of FT. Data will be analyzed in the pediatric and adult populations and by group stratification. We are confident that this study will raise awareness among health-care professionals of the high risk of adverse health outcomes in patients who have both kidney disease and high levels of FT. Strategies to reduce FT should be implemented to improve the standard of care for people with kidney disease and lead to truly patient-centered care.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140706994","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}

{"title":"Research and Simulation on the Development of a Hydraulic Prop Support System of Powered Roof Support to Increase Work Safety.","authors":"Beata Borska, D. Szurgacz","doi":"10.3390/mps7020033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020033","url":null,"abstract":"The underground mining environment is currently based on technology that uses mainly analogue sensors in machine and equipment control systems. The primary machine performing the most important functions in a mining system is the powered roof support. In order for it to work properly, it is important that it achieves the required power. To ensure this, it is necessary to continuously and precisely monitor the pressure in the under-piston space of the prop. Due to the extreme environmental conditions, pressure sensors should have high sensitivity, large transmission capacity, small size and light weight. To achieve these requirements, the authors of the article propose to implement a monitoring system based on photonics technology. To achieve this goal, several studies were carried out. The range of these studies included simulations, bench tests and tests under real conditions. The obtained test results showed the possibility of developing the control system for the powered roof support, the additional function to supercharge power. Based on the analysis of the obtained test results, assumptions were developed for the development of a power charging system with monitoring sensors. Based on the guidelines obtained from the research results, thedevelopment of the above prototype based on photonics technology is proposed.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140714704","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}

{"title":"Optimization of the Amplification of Equine Muscle-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a Hollow-Fiber Bioreactor.","authors":"Julien Duysens, Hélène Graide, A. Niesten, A. Mouithys-Mickalad, Justine Ceusters, Didier Serteyn","doi":"10.3390/mps7020032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020032","url":null,"abstract":"The main causes of mortality in horses are the gastrointestinal pathologies associated with septic shock. Stem cells have shown, through systemic injection, a capacity to decrease inflammation and to regenerate injured tissue faster. Nevertheless, to achieve this rapid and total regeneration, systemic injections of 1 to 2 million cells per kilogram of body weight must be considered. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility and expansion capacity of equine muscle-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (mdMSCs) in a functionally closed, automated, perfusion-based, hollow-fiber bioreactor (HFBR) called the Quantum™ Cell Expansion System (Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies). This feature greatly increases the number of generated cells with a surface area of 1.7 m2. The expansion of mdMSCs is very efficient in this bioreactor. The maximum expansion generated twenty times more cells than the initial seeding in nine days. The best returns were observed with an optimal seeding between 10 and 25 million mdMSCs, using the Bull's eye loading method and with a run duration between 7 and 10 days. Moreover, all the generated cells kept their stem properties: the ability to adhere to plastic and to differentiate into chondroblasts, osteoblasts and adipocytes. They also showed the expression of CD-44 and CD-90 markers, with a positive rate above 93%, while CD-45 and MHCII were non-expressed, with a positive rate below 0.5%. By capitalizing on the scalability, automation and 3D culture capabilities of the Quantum™, it is possible to generate large quantities of high-quality equine mdMSCs for gastrointestinal disorders and other clinical applications.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140754980","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}

{"title":"Assessing Stress Induced by Fluid Shifts and Reduced Cerebral Clearance during Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy under Trendelenburg Positioning (UroTreND Study).","authors":"Tobias Peschke, M. Feuerecker, Daniel Siegl, Nathalie Schicktanz, Christian Stief, Peter Zu Eulenburg, A. Choukér, Judith-Irina Buchheim","doi":"10.3390/mps7020031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020031","url":null,"abstract":"In addition to general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation, robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) necessitates maintaining a capnoperitoneum and placing the patient in a pronounced downward tilt (Trendelenburg position). While the effects of the resulting fluid shift on the cardiovascular system seem to be modest and well tolerated, the effects on the brain and the blood-brain barrier have not been thoroughly investigated. Previous studies indicated that select patients showed an increase in the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), detected by ultrasound during RALP, which suggests an elevation in intracranial pressure. We hypothesize that the intraoperative fluid shift results in endothelial dysfunction and reduced cerebral clearance, potentially leading to transient neuronal damage. This prospective, monocentric, non-randomized, controlled clinical trial will compare RALP to conventional open radical prostatectomy (control group) in a total of 50 subjects. The primary endpoint will be the perioperative concentration of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in blood using single-molecule array (SiMoA) as a measure for neuronal damage. As secondary endpoints, various other markers for endothelial function, inflammation, and neuronal damage as well as the ONSD will be assessed. Perioperative stress will be evaluated by questionnaires and stress hormone levels in saliva samples. Furthermore, the subjects will participate in functional tests to evaluate neurocognitive function. Each subject will be followed up until discharge. Conclusion: This trial aims to expand current knowledge as well as to develop strategies for improved monitoring and higher safety of patients undergoing RALP. The trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00031041 on 11 January 2023.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140797340","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}

{"title":"Diverting the Use of Hand-Operated Tablet Press Machines to Bioassays: A Novel Protocol to Test 'Waste' Insoluble Shell Matrices.","authors":"Camille Lutet-Toti, Marie Da Silva Feliciano, Nelly Debrosse, Jérôme Thomas, Laurent Plasseraud, Frédéric Marin","doi":"10.3390/mps7020030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020030","url":null,"abstract":"To mineralize their shells, molluscs secrete a complex cocktail of proteins-collectively defined as the calcifying shell matrix-that remains occluded in the exoskeleton. Nowadays, protein extracts from shells are recognized as a potential source of bioactive substances, among which signalling molecules, bactericides or protease inhibitors offer the most tangible perspectives in applied sciences, health, and aquaculture. However, one technical obstacle in testing the activity of shell extracts lies in their high insolubility. In this paper, we present a protocol that circumvents this impediment. After an adapted shell protein extraction and the production of two organic fractions-one soluble, one insoluble-we employ a hand-operated tablet press machine to generate well-calibrated tablets composed of 100% insoluble shell matrix. FT-IR monitoring of the quality of the tablets shows that the pressure used in the press machine does not impair the molecular properties of the insoluble extracts. The produced tablets can be directly tested in different biological assays, such as the bactericidal inhibition zone assay in Petri dish, as illustrated here. Diverting the use of the hand-operated tablet press opens new perspectives in the analysis of insoluble shell matrices, for discovering novel bioactive components.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140792579","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}

{"title":"Correction: Kharb et al. A Genotype-Independent, Simple, Effective and Efficient in Planta Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation Protocol. Methods Protoc. 2022, 5, 69","authors":"P. Kharb, Rinku Chaudhary, Narendra Tuteja, P. Kaushik","doi":"10.3390/mps7020029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020029","url":null,"abstract":"Additional Affiliation(s): Updated Affiliation [...]","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140377083","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}

{"title":"Imaging Flow Cytometry: Development, Present Applications, and Future Challenges","authors":"Savvas Dimitriadis, L. Dova, Ioannis Kotsianidis, E. Hatzimichael, Eleni Kapsali, G. Markopoulos","doi":"10.3390/mps7020028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020028","url":null,"abstract":"Imaging flow cytometry (ImFC) represents a significant technological advancement in the field of cytometry, effectively merging the high-throughput capabilities of flow analysis with the detailed imaging characteristics of microscopy. In our comprehensive review, we adopt a historical perspective to chart the development of ImFC, highlighting its origins and current state of the art and forecasting potential future advancements. The genesis of ImFC stemmed from merging the hydraulic system of a flow cytometer with advanced camera technology. This synergistic coupling facilitates the morphological analysis of cell populations at a high-throughput scale, effectively evolving the landscape of cytometry. Nevertheless, ImFC’s implementation has encountered hurdles, particularly in developing software capable of managing its sophisticated data acquisition and analysis needs. The scale and complexity of the data generated by ImFC necessitate the creation of novel analytical tools that can effectively manage and interpret these data, thus allowing us to unlock the full potential of ImFC. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have begun to be applied to ImFC, offering promise for enhancing its analytical capabilities. The adaptability and learning capacity of AI may prove to be essential in knowledge mining from the high-dimensional data produced by ImFC, potentially enabling more accurate analyses. Looking forward, we project that ImFC may become an indispensable tool, not only in research laboratories, but also in clinical settings. Given the unique combination of high-throughput cytometry and detailed imaging offered by ImFC, we foresee a critical role for this technology in the next generation of scientific research and diagnostics. As such, we encourage both current and future scientists to consider the integration of ImFC as an addition to their research toolkit and clinical diagnostic routine.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140386363","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}

{"title":"Indirect Measurement of Variables in a Heterogeneous Reaction for Biodiesel Production","authors":"Ana Paloma González-García, L. Díaz-Jiménez, Padmasree K. Padmadas, Salvador Carlos-Hernández","doi":"10.3390/mps7020027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7020027","url":null,"abstract":"This research focuses on the development of a state observer for performing indirect measurements of the main variables involved in the soybean oil transesterification reaction with a guishe biochar-based heterogeneous catalyst; the studied reaction takes place in a batch reactor. The mathematical model required for the observer design includes the triglycerides’ conversion rate, and the reaction temperature. Since these variables are represented by nonlinear differential equations, the model is linearized around an operation point; after that, the pole placement and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) methods are considered for calculating the observer gain vector L(x). Then, the estimation of the conversion rate and the reaction temperature provided by the observer are used to indirectly measure other variables such as esters, alcohol, and byproducts. The observer performance is evaluated with three error indexes considering initial condition variations up to 30%. With both methods, a fast convergence (less than 3 h in the worst case) of the observer is remarked.","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140386264","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}

{"title":"The Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) Trial: Study Protocol and Recruitment Results.","authors":"Michael Inskip, Carolina Almendrales Rangel, Chidiamara Maria Njoku, Fiona Barnett, Isabel Shih, Leonie O'Neill, Maria A Fiatarone Singh, Trinidad Valenzuela","doi":"10.3390/mps7020026","DOIUrl":"10.3390/mps7020026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Virtually all adults in aged care facilities are frail, a condition which contributes to falls, cognitive decline, hospitalisation, and mortality. Polypharmacy, malnutrition, sedentariness, and sarcopenia are risk factors amenable to intervention. The Asia-Pacific Frailty Management Guidelines recommend anabolic exercise and the optimisation of medications and nutrition. However, no study has evaluated this best practice intervention triad in aged care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Frailty Reduction via the Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition, and Deprescribing (FRIEND) Trial (ANZCTR No.ACTRN12622000926730p) is a staged 6-month translational trial evaluating resident outcomes, staff/caregiver knowledge, and institutional implementation in a Townsville aged care facility. Residents received high-intensity resistance exercise and balance training and medication and nutrition optimisation co-implemented by investigators (exercise physiologist, geriatrician, pharmacist, and nutritionist) and facility staff. Staff and caregivers completed comprehensive education modules and training. We report the trial protocol and recruitment results.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>29 residents (21 female, age: 88.6 ± 6.3 years) were recruited. At baseline, the residents were frail (frailty scale nursing home (FRAIL-NH); 6.3 ± 2.4/14), cognitively impaired (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; 13.8 ± 6.8/30), functionally impaired (Short Physical Performance Battery; 4.9 ± 3.1/12, 6 min walk distance; 222.2 ± 104.4 m), and were prescribed numerous medications (15.5 ± 5.9). Two residents died and one withdrew before the intervention's commencement. Thirty family members and 19 staff (carers, allied health assistants, nurse managers, registered nurses, lifestyle-leisure officers, kitchen/hospitality staff, and senior leadership) were recruited to receive frailty education modules.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The FRIEND trial is currently being implemented with results expected in mid-2024. This is the first trial to evaluate the implementation of the best practice frailty guidelines including anabolic exercise and medication/nutritional optimisation in residential aged care.</p>","PeriodicalId":18715,"journal":{"name":"Methods and Protocols","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10961770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140207210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}