Gaj Vidmar

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A survey of overuse problems in patients with acquired or congenital upper limb deficiency

Prosthetics and orthotics international, Jan 28, 2015

Little is known about secondary impairments and overuse problems in patient with acquired or cong... more Little is known about secondary impairments and overuse problems in patient with acquired or congenital upper limb deficiency. Our aim was to estimate the frequency of overuse problems in persons after unilateral upper limb deficiency and identify the factors relevant for development of these problems. Cross-sectional study conducted at the University Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana. In total, 65 persons after unilateral upper limb deficiency who had visited our subspecialist outpatient clinic during the 2011-2013 period (excluding those with other possible medical causes of overuse-type problems) were interviewed about the frequency, duration and severity of neck, elbow and shoulder pain and the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome and filled in the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey-Upper Extremity Functional Status questionnaire. The most frequent problem was carpal tunnel syndrome, followed by shoulder pain, neck pain and elbow pain. No statistically significant associati...

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No difference in release of troponin I between sevoflurane and propofol anaesthetic regimes in off- pump myocardial revascularization

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 2015

2nd days when compared with values in the preoperative value in Group N (po0,001). Discussion. Ox... more 2nd days when compared with values in the preoperative value in Group N (po0,001). Discussion. Oxidative stress causes renal tubular damage, accordingly causes proteinuria by increasing the glomerular permeability.Therefore, various drugs such as dopamine, mannitol, diuretics, fenoldopam, enalaprilat, dexamethasone and diltiazem are used to preserve the renal function during cardiac surgery. Recently, the protective effects of NAC on organ injuries, and especially renal injury due to the suggested beneficial effects of NAC as an antioxidant on oxidative stress are examined and investigated (3). we have found that i.v. prophylactic use of NAC had a protective effect on renal function.

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Body mass index and anthropometric characteristics of the hand as risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

Collegium antropologicum, 2014

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment compressive neuropathy in t... more Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment compressive neuropathy in the upper limbs. It is often correlated with personal factors of individuals, not only with certain medical conditions and jobs. The study aimed at clarifying the association of carpal tunnel syndrome with anthropometric characteristics of the hand and body mass index (BMI) as independent risk factors. A total of 100 subjects participated: 50 patients with electro-diagnostically confirmed CTS and 50 healthy volunteers without CTS symptoms as control group, each group including 37 women and 13 men. Height, weight, BMI, wrist depth and width, wrist index, hand shape index, digit index, palm length, palm width, third finger length and ratio of hand length to body height were assessed in all participants. To determine independent risk factors for CTS, multiple logistic regression was used. Wrist index and wrist width were significantly higher in CTS patients than in the control group. The est...

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Do acid and bile reflux into the esophagus simultaneously? Temporal relationship between duodenogastro-esophageal reflux and esophageal pH

Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society, 2007

Duodenogastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of reflux esoph... more Duodenogastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis. Animal studies have demonstrated that the injurious effect of duodenal juice components depends on pH. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the temporal relationship between DGER and esophageal pH. Seventy-six children with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (27 without, 31 with mild, 18 with severe esophagitis) underwent 24 h simultaneous esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring with Bilitec 2000. The recordings were analyzed for (i) pH at the beginning of DGER episodes; (ii) relative duration of DGER in eight defined pH intervals of 1 pH unit; and (iii) differences in relative duration of DGER between the three groups of children. DGER episodes most frequently began at pH between 6 and 7. DGER was present in the esophagus across the spectrum of esophageal pH, with the biggest relative duration between pH 3 and 5. However, in children without esophagitis r...

Premature mortality in Slovenia in relation to selected biological, socioeconomic, and geographical determinants

Croatian medical journal, 2006

To determine biological (sex and age), socioeconomic (marital status, education, and mother tongu... more To determine biological (sex and age), socioeconomic (marital status, education, and mother tongue) and geographical (region) factors connected with causes of death and lifespan (age at death, years-of-potential-life-lost, and mortality rate) in Slovenia in the 1990s. In this population-based cross-sectional study, we analyzed all deaths in the 25-64 age group (N=14 816) in Slovenia in 1992, 1995, and 1998. Causes of death, classified into groups according to the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases, were linked to the data on the deceased from the 1991 Census. Stratified contingency-table analyses were performed. Years-of-potential-life-lost (YPLL) were calculated on the basis of population life-tables stratified by region and linearly modeled by the characteristics of the deceased. Poisson regression was applied to test the differences in mortality rate. Across all socioeconomic strata, men died at younger age than women (index of excess mortality in men excee...

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Psychomotor function during mild narcosis induced by subanesthetic level of nitrous oxide: individual susceptibility beyond gender effect

Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc

We investigated the effect of narcosis induced by subanesthetic concentrations of nitrous oxide (... more We investigated the effect of narcosis induced by subanesthetic concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O), a behavioral analogue for hyperbaric nitrogen, on psychomotor performance. In particular, we assessed individual susceptibility to narcosis. The participants were 12 female and 12 male undergraduate students. Psychomotor assessment was conducted with a computerized Visual Simple Reaction Time (VSRT) test, and Trail Making Tests Part A (TMTA) and Part B (TMT-B). The tests were conducted on two separate occasions in the following order: VSRT, TMT-A, TMT-B. On the first occasion participants conducted the tests breathing room air (air trial), and during the second test they conducted the tests while breathing a normoxic mixture containing 30% N2O (N2O trial). Males had significantly (p = 0.036) shorter VSRT in the air trials. There was no effect of gender on psychomotor performance in the N2O trials. Overall, mean performance in the N2O trials degraded significantly (p = 0.004) only i...

Parental evaluation of processes of care in relation to the child, parent and family characteristics

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 2014

The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a questionnaire for parents used to evaluate the behav... more The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a questionnaire for parents used to evaluate the behaviours of healthcare providers. We applied its 20-item version (MPOC-20) to explore the associations between parental evaluation of processes of care and child, parent and family characteristics in Slovenia. A novelty of our approach was the emphasis on the role of a key person. Parents of 235 children who were admitted as inpatients or outpatients of six institutions (hospitals and health centres) because of chronic illness or disability participated in the study. Parents were asked to fill in a general questionnaire on several characteristics of the child, child's health problems, the family and the therapy programmes, and MPOC-20. Univariate associations of the five MPOC-20 scale scores with child, parent and family characteristics were tested first. Multiple linear regression was used for modelling scale scores in relation to child, parent and family characteristics. The analyses singled out availability of a key person as the factor most consistently and unequivocally influencing parental satisfaction. We also found a general positive effect of male sex of the child on the MPOC-20 scores. Neither the present age of children nor age at the onset of health problems was found to be associated with MPOC-20 scores. We found no notable association of the number of health problems with the MPOC-20 scores, but observed clear differences when comparing parental satisfaction with processes of care between different participating institutions.

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Experiences of Slovene ICU Physicians with End-of-Life Decision Making: A Nation-Wide Survey

Medical Science Monitor, 2014

Background: Advances in intensive care medicine have enormously improved ability to successfully ... more Background: Advances in intensive care medicine have enormously improved ability to successfully treat seriously ill patients. However, intensive treatment and prolongation of life is not always in the patient's best interest, and many ethical dilemmas arise in end-of-life (EOL) situations. We aimed to assess intensive care unit (ICU) physicians' experiences with EOL decision making and to compare the responses according to ICU type. Material/Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in all 35 Slovene ICUs, using a questionnaire designed to assess ICU physician experiences with EOL decision making, focusing on limitations of life-sustaining treatments (LST). Results: We distributed 370 questionnaires (approximating the number of Slovene ICU physicians) and 267 were returned (72% response rate). The great majority of ICU physicians reported using do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders (97%), withholding LST (94%), and withdrawing antibiotics (86%) or inotropes (95%). Fewer ICU physicians reported withdrawing mechanical ventilation (52%) or extubating patients (27%). Hydration was reported to be only rarely terminated (76% of participants reported never terminating it). In addition, 63% of participants had never encountered advance directives, and 39% reported to "never" or "rarely" participating in decision making with relatives of patients. Nurses were reported to be "never" or "rarely" involved in the EOL decision making process by 84% of participants. Conclusions: Limitation of LST was regularly used by Slovene ICU physicians. DNR orders and withholding of LST were the most commonly used measures. Hydration was only rarely terminated. In addition, use of advance directives was almost non-existent in practice, and the patients' relatives and nurses only infrequently participated in the decision making.

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Nursing education in Slovenia and its impact on nurses publishing in their professional journal

The paper describes development of nursing education in Slovenia (from Associate Degree to Diplom... more The paper describes development of nursing education in Slovenia (from Associate Degree to Diploma level, with BSN programme of brief duration) and discusses its impact on structure and contents of the Journal of the Slovenian Nursing Association (JSNA). Extensive bibliometric analysis was performed on all scientific and technical papers published in the JSNA between 1976 and 2001. Statistical analyses were carried out to study characteristics and interrelations of authorship, article type, cited references and subject classification. A positive impact of improved and extended education of nurses on quantity and quality of their publications was confirmed. Nevertheless, further steps in terms of education and research are needed fully to establish nursing as an independent profession in Slovenia, and there is still much room for improving the standard of the articles in the JSNA.

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Prevalence and risk factors for osteopenia/osteoporosis in an HIV-infected male population

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis and investigate some of ... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis and investigate some of its risk factors among Mongolian adults. Methods: The subjects comprised of 2001 adults (age ranged from 20 to 87) were recruited from 5 ecological zones of Mongolia. After applying exclusion criteria, 1990 subjects were selected. Speed of sound (SOS) ultrasonic bone mineral density was measured in the distal one third of radius of the non-dominant arm using the Sunlight Omnisense (Sunlight Medical, Rehovot, Israel). The data were used to calculate mean SOS and T-score by WHO osteoporosis criteria. Results: The average age was 49.1±13.5 (men: 48.6±14.6, women: 49.4±13.0). The prevalence of osteoporosis in men and women from 20-35 years of age was 4.7% vs 6.2%, from 36-45 years of age was 7.2% vs 8.0%, from ages 46-55 was 11.4% vs 25.5%, from ages 56-65 was 21.9% vs 58.3%, and from those over 65 years of age was 35.6% vs 75.5%. The prevalence of osteoporosis was lowest in Ulaanbaatar city. The independent predictors of osteoporosis in Mongolian adults were female sex, menopause, lower education level, physical inactivity and low BMI (BMI<18.5). Conclusion: Compared to neighboring and industrialized countries, the prevalence of osteoporosis in Mongolia is significantly higher. Female sex, lack of exercise, lower education level, menopause and being underweight were identified as risk factors in Mongolian adults.

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Melatonin prevents the development of hyperplastic urothelium induced by repeated doses of cyclophosphamide

Virchows Archiv, 2009

Repeated cyclophosphamide (CP) chemotherapy increases the risk of developing bladder cancer, whic... more Repeated cyclophosphamide (CP) chemotherapy increases the risk of developing bladder cancer, which could be due to the extremely rapid proliferation of urothelial cells observed in hyperplastic urothelium induced by CP treatment. We investigated the effect of melatonin on the development of urothelial hyperplasia induced by repeated CP treatment. Male ICR mice were injected with CP (150 mg/kg) or melatonin (10 mg/kg) with CP once a week for 3, 4 and 5 weeks. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to study the ultrastructure, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of urothelial cells. Repeated doses of CP caused the development of hyperplastic urothelium with up to ten cell layers and increased proliferation and apoptotic indices regarding Ki-67 and active caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy observations, cytokeratin and asymmetrical unit membrane immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed a lower differentiation state of superficial urothelial cells. Melatonin co-treatment prevented the development of hyperplastic urothelium, statistically significantly decreased proliferation and apoptotic indices after four and five doses of CP and caused higher differentiation state of superficial urothelial cells.

Assessment of Cardiac Autonomic Regulation and Ventricular Repolarization after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The Heart Surgery Forum, 2006

Altered autonomic regulation precipitates cardiac arrhythmias and increases the risk of sudden ca... more Altered autonomic regulation precipitates cardiac arrhythmias and increases the risk of sudden cardiac death. This risk is further increased by changes in ventricular repolarization. Autonomic regulation is deranged in patients after myocardial on-pump revascularization. We aimed to clarify how off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) affects postoperative cardiac autonomic regulation and ventricular repolarization within 4 weeks after CABG. Forty-two patients (mean age, 61.9 +/- 9.3 years; mean EURO score 2.6 +/- 1.9) were electively admitted for off-pump CABG. The electrocardiographic and respiratory waveform recordings were performed in the afternoon in the supine position for 10 minutes. Autonomic modulation was assessed using heart rate variability analysis. Power spectra were computed from 5-minute stable RR intervals using Fourier Transform analysis. Total power of spectra was defined in the range of 0.01 to 0.40 Hz, high-frequency power within 0.15 to 0.40 Hz, and low-frequency power within 0.04 to 0.15 Hz. Normalized power was defined as a ratio of power in each band/total power. The high- and low-frequency power as well as their normalized values indicated cardiac vagal and sympathetic modulation, respectively. Ventricular repolarization was assessed using QT interval, QT interval variability, and QT-RR interdependence analysis. QT intervals were determined from the beginning of the 5-minute segments. QT interval variability was evaluated by a T-wave template-matching algorithm. Pearson correlation between length of RR and QT interval was applied to study QT-RR characteristics. The results were tested for significance using the Fisher exact test, nonpaired t test, and analysis of variance; a P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;.05 was considered significant. The frequency of arrhythmic events and heart rate increased from the fourth to the seventh postoperative day and returned to preoperative levels 4 weeks after CABG. Heart rate variability measures indicating autonomic modulation remained depressed even 4 weeks after the procedure. QT variability index increased from -1.2 +/- 0.5 to -0.8 +/- 0.4 on the fourth day after the operation (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;.05) and returned to -1.0 +/- 0.5 4 weeks after CABG (P = not significant). QT-RR correlation decreased from 0.41 to 0.23 (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;.05) and remained significantly impaired as long as 4 weeks after CABG. Observed faster heart rates until 1 week after off-pump CABG imply excessive adrenergic activation, which is comparable to on-pump CABG procedure rates. The results indicate profound autonomic derangement and loss of rate-dependent regulation after off-pump CABG even 4 weeks after operation. Restituted repolarization as assessed by QT variability index 4 weeks postoperatively corresponded with decreased frequency of rhythm disturbances 4 weeks after CABG. The loss of coupling between QT and RR intervals shows increased electrical instability postoperatively, which may serve as an additional promoter for postoperative arrhythmias, especially at higher heart rates.

Influence of casting method on effectiveness of foot orthoses using plantar pressure distribution

Prosthetics & Orthotics International, 2011

Background: Existing techniques of taking foot impressions for producing foot orthoses are static... more Background: Existing techniques of taking foot impressions for producing foot orthoses are static, while walking is a dynamic process. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate a newly developed dynamic casting method for foot orthoses in comparison with static casts. Study Design: Double-blind, randomized two-period cross-over trial. Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers (six women, six men) were randomly assigned within gender to two groups. The first group wore orthoses made from static casts for two weeks and then orthoses made from dynamic casts for two weeks, and the second group vice versa. The orthoses were worn during work in sports shoes. The outcome measure was coefficient of variation (CV, defined as standard deviation/mean) over seven measurement spots on each foot. Results: Foot orthoses produced by a dynamic casting system redistributed plantar pressure (reduced CV) more effectively in the first period on both feet. In the second period, carry-over effect and/or t...

BRCA1/2 status and clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with double primary breast and ovarian cancer

Neoplasma, 2011

The aim of the study was to analyse the results of BRCA1/2 testing in a group of patients with do... more The aim of the study was to analyse the results of BRCA1/2 testing in a group of patients with double primary breast and ovarian cancer (DPBOC) in Slovenia. Additionally, the family history and the clinicopathologic characteristics of BRCA1/2 mutation positive and negative patients with DPBOC were analysed, comparing them to a group of untested patients with DPBOC. For these groups of patients, survival analysis was also performed. From the 52 patients who were invited to genetic counselling and testing, 20 responded positively (38% compliance). BRCA1/2 mutations were found in 60% (12/20): 45% BRCA1 and 15% BRCA2 (9 and 3 patients, respectively). There was significantly higher grade of ovarian cancer and significantly higher rate of multiple primary breast cancer in BRCA1/2 positive group. Additionaly, there was a trend towards higher rate of first-degree family history of breast cancer, a trend towards higher stage of ovarian cancer, and a trend towards breast cancer being the first cancer in BRCA1/2 positive group. According to survival analysis, the tested group was not a representative sample of the larger untested group (of 51 patients), so we estimate that the rate of BRCA1/2 mutations in DPBOC patients is probably less than 60%.

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Measuring patterns of disability using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in the post-acute stroke rehabilitation setting

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2011

To determine whether the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)... more To determine whether the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model is adequate for assessing disability patterns in stroke survivors in the sub-acute rehabilitation setting in terms of potential changes in functional profiles over time. Methods: Functional profiles of 197 stroke patients were assessed using the ICF Checklist and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM TM) at admission and discharge from rehabilitation hospital. The ICF Checklist was applied based on medical documentation and rehabilitation team meetings. Descriptive analyses were performed to identify changes in ICF categories and qualifiers from admission to discharge, and correlations between different improvement measures were calculated. Results: Mean rehabilitation duration was 60 days; patients' mean age was 60 years, with mean FIM-score 75 at admission. Mean FIM-score improvement at discharge was 12.5. Within Body Functions, changes in at least 10% of patients were found regarding 13 categories; no categories within Body Structures, 24 within Activities and Participation, and 2 within Environmental Factors. Changes were mostly due to improvement in qualifiers, except for within Environmental Factors, where they were due to use of additional categories. Correlations between improvements in Body Functions and Activities and Participation (regarding capacity and performance), as well as between capacity and performance within Activities and Participation, were approximately 0.4. Conclusion: Rating ICF categories with qualifiers enables the detection of changes in functional profiles of stroke patients who underwent an inpatient rehabilitation programme.

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Epidemiology of Pediatric Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Central and Western Slovenia, 1994–2005

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristi... more Background: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children in central and western Slovenia during a 12-year period (1994-2005). Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients with newly diagnosed IBD during the period of 1994-2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: In the 12-year study period, 137 children received new diagnoses of IBD, 60% had Crohn disease (CD), 28% had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 12% had indeterminate colitis (IC). The mean annual incidence of IBD for the whole 12-year period was 4.03/100,000 children; for CD 2.42, for UC 1.14, and for IC 0.47. The annual incidence of IBD rose from 3.04 in the period 1994-1999 to 5.14 in the period 2000-2005. The incidences of CD, UC, and IC rose from 1.99, 0.77, and 0.28, respectively, in the first 6 years to 2.88, 1.57, and 0.69, respectively, in the second 6-year period. The most common type of CD at presentation was inflammatory. Pancolitis was the most frequent form of UC. Almost half of the patients had a severe form of CD at its onset. Conclusions: The incidence of total pediatric IBD in central and western Slovenia is high and seems to be still rising. CD is the most prevalent form of IBD; its incidence is comparable with that reported in other central and western European countries. The incidences of UC and IC are rising more rapidly than the incidence of CD. JPGN 48:579-586, 2009.

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Intra-Arterial Rhenium-188 Lipiodol in the Treatment of Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results of an IAEA-Sponsored Multination Study

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 2007

Purpose: Intra-arterial injections (IAI) of 131I-lipiodol is effective in treating hepatocellular... more Purpose: Intra-arterial injections (IAI) of 131I-lipiodol is effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma patients, but is expensive and requires a 7-day hospitalization in a radioprotection room. 188Re is inexpensive, requires no patient isolation, and can be used with lipiodol. Methods and Materials: This International Atomic Energy Agency-sponsored phase II trial aimed to assess the safety and the efficacy of a radioconjugate 188Re + lipiodol (188Re-Lip) in a large cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma patients from developing countries. A scout dose is used to determine the maximal tolerated dose (lungs <12 Gy, normal liver <30 Gy, bone marrow <1.5 Gy) and then the delivery of the calculated activity. Efficacy was assessed using response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (RECIST) and alpha-feto-protein (aFP) levels and severe adverse events were graded using the Common Toxicity Criteria of the National Cancer Institute scale v2.0. Results: The trial included 185 patients from eight countries. The procedure was feasible in all participating centers. One treatment was given to 134 patients; 42, 8, and 1 received two, three, and four injections, respectively. The injected activity during the first treatment was 100 mCi. Tolerance was excellent. We observed three complete responses and 19 partial responses (22% of evaluable patients, 95% confidence interval 16-35%); 1-and 2-year survivals were 46% and 23%. Some factors affected survival: country of origin, existence of a cirrhosis, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, tumor dose, absence of progression, and posttreatment decrease in aFP level. Conclusions: IAI of 188Re-Lip in developing countries is feasible, safe, cost-effective, and deserves a phase III trial.

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Inert gas narcosis has no influence on thermo-tactile sensation

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011

Contribution of skin thermal sensors under inert gas narcosis to the raising hypothermia is not k... more Contribution of skin thermal sensors under inert gas narcosis to the raising hypothermia is not known. Such information is vital for understanding the impact of narcosis on behavioural thermoregulation, diver safety and judgment of thermal (dis)comfort in the hyperbaric environment. So this study aimed at establishing the effects of normoxic concentration of 30% nitrous oxide (N(2)O) on thermo-tactile threshold sensation by studying 16 subjects [eight females and eight males; eight sensitive (S) and eight non-sensitive (NS) to N(2)O]. Their mean (SD) age was 22.1 (1.8) years, weight 72.8 (15.3) kg, height 1.75 (0.10) m and body mass index 23.8 (3.8) kg m(-2). Quantitative thermo-tactile sensory testing was performed on forearm, upper arm and thigh under two experimental conditions: breathing air (air trial) and breathing normoxic mixture of 30% N(2)O (N(2)O trial) in the mixed sequence. Difference in thermo-tactile sensitivity thresholds between two groups of subjects in two experimental conditions was analysed by 3-way mixed-model analysis of covariance. There were no statistically significant differences in thermo-tactile thresholds either between the Air and N(2)O trials, or between S and NS groups, or between females and males, or with respect to body mass index. Some clinically insignificant lowering of thermo-tactile thresholds occurred only for warm thermo-tactile thresholds on upper arm and thigh. The results indicated that normoxic mixture of 30% N(2)O had no influence on thermo-tactile sensation in normothermia.

Exercise testing as a screening measure for ability to walk with aprosthesis after transfemoral amputation due to peripheral vascular disease

Disability and Rehabilitation, 2013

Purpose: To establish at which exercise-power level is the vascular response, as measured by oxyg... more Purpose: To establish at which exercise-power level is the vascular response, as measured by oxygen uptake, closest to the response during the 6-min walk test (6 MWT) in people after lower-limb amputation due to peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Method: A prospective exploratory cohort study was conducted. 6 MWT and exercise testing using a hand-wheel ergometer (starting at 10 W and increasing the workload by 10 W) were performed in 101 consecutively recruited participants after transfemoral amputation due to PVD. Agreement of oxygen uptake during 6 MWT and exercise testing was compared between the groups defined by the exercise-power level reached. Results: Linear regression through origin with Chow test for comparing slopes indicated that oxygen uptake at 30 W agreed more with 6 MWT than at 20, 40 or 50 W. Analyses of observed differences (one-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests, Jonckheere-Terpstra test) confirmed 30 W to be the recommendable threshold. Conclusions: At the level of 30 W, the oxygen uptake during the exercise was the closest to the 6 MWT, so we estimated that to be the minimum required level for walking using a prosthesis after transfemoral amputation due to PVD. ä Implications for Rehabilitation Exercise testing after transfemoral amputation. Walking with a prosthesis causes notable strain to the person's vascular system: after the 6-min walk test, the participants' heart rate reached 75% of the maximum predicted heart rate on average. The study shows that persons after transfemoral amputation due to peripheral vascular disease who reach the level of 30 W or more in exercise testing with an arm ergometer at admission to rehabilitation are likely to be able to walk indoors using a prosthesis.

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VizRank: Data Visualization Guided by Machine Learning

Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 2006

Data visualization plays a crucial role in identifying interesting patterns in exploratory data a... more Data visualization plays a crucial role in identifying interesting patterns in exploratory data analysis. Its use is, however, made difficult by the large number of possible data projections showing different attribute subsets that must be evaluated by the data analyst. In this paper, we introduce a method called VizRank, which is applied on classified data to automatically select the most useful data projections. VizRank can be used with any visualization method that maps attribute values to points in a two-dimensional visualization space. It assesses possible data projections and ranks them by their ability to visually discriminate between classes. The quality of class separation is estimated by computing the predictive accuracy of k-nearest neighbor classifier on the data set consisting of x and y positions of the projected data points and their class information. The paper introduces the method and presents experimental results which show that VizRank's ranking of projections highly agrees with subjective rankings by data analysts. The practical use of VizRank is also demonstrated by an application in the field of functional genomics.

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