The Internet of Things (IoT) allows collecting vast amounts of health-relevant data such as daily activity, body weight (BW), and blood pressure (BP) automatically. The use of IoT devices to monitor diabetic patients has been studied, but could not evaluate IoT-dependent effects because health data were not measured in control groups. This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel group study will compare the impact of intensive health guidance using IoT and conventional medical guidance on glucose control. It will be conducted in outpatients with type 2 diabetes for a period of 6 months. IoT devices to measure amount of daily activity, BW, and BP will be provided to IoT group patients. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) will provide appropriate feedback according to the data. Non-IoT control, patients will be given measurement devices that do not have a feedback function. The primary outcome is glycated hemoglobin at 6 months. The study has already enrolled 101 patients, 50 in the IoT group and 51 in the non-IoT group, at the two participating outpatient clinics. The baseline characteristics of two groups did not differ, except for triglycerides. This will be the first randomized, controlled study to evaluate IoT-dependent effects of intensive feedback from HCPs. The results will validate a new method of health-data collection and provision of feedback suitable for diabetes support with increased effectiveness and low cost.
Recent development of a high-speed vision system enables real-time image processing and high-frame-rate recording over 1kHz[1]. Modal analyses have been realized by utilizing such a high-speed vision system [2]. Such the measurement technique using the high-speed image processing technology is expected as new nondestructive inspection in place of the percussion.
DNA microarray has become one of the most indispensable tools for genome analysis, medical diagnosis and molecular biological studies. In this study, to make DNA microarray more reliable and efficient, we employed additional silanization modification on aminoalkoxysilane-treated surface. In addition, oxanine was used as a linker of DNA probe, which does not require any chemical activation step in probe immobilization. These strategies were practically convenient in DNA microarray fabrication, and the newly developed system showed enhanced stability for the immobilized DNA probes that could be useful for quantitative analysis.
Purpose: The authors and others have investigated instructional and treatment methods to effectively stop digitsucking in a short time based on experiences with 26 digitsucking patients (8 boys and 18 girls) in our clinic over a fiveyear period. From the results compiled, successes and failures will be reported.
Different authors have postulated both toxic and protective effects for nitric oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology of active inflammation.To examine the role of NO, especially that produced by the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), by investigating the effects of NOS inhibitors and NO donors on inflammation in experimental acute colitis.Acute colitis was induced in rats by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). White blood cell counts and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactants in the portal blood were determined, as were histological changes in the colonic mucosa. We then evaluated the effects of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG) and an NO donor on DSS-induced changes in these inflammatory parameters.Inhibition of NO production by either L-NAME or AG worsened DSS-induced inflammation, suggesting a protective role for NO in acute colitis. On the other hand, a NO donor also exaggerated DSS-induced inflammatory parameters, suggesting that acute colitis may be aggravated by either too much or too little NO. These results suggest that medical treatment of ulcerative colitis must aim for maintenance of appropriate NO levels in the intestinal mucosa.
Three kinds of Pd-Co alloys have been newly developed. Their magnetic and physical properties and corrosion resistances have been examined. As a result, it was found that they are available as the dental casting ferromagnetic alloy which can be used in combination with Sm-Co magnets, overcoming such problems as non-castability and brittleness.
