Asian Journal Of Medical Technology

WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION OF BUTUANON RIVER: AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS FECAL INDICATOR BACTERIA (Fecal Coliforms and Total Coliforms) AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN CEBU CITY LOCATIONS ONLY

2025-05-30T02:16:37+00:00

Cebu’s Butuanon River is under investigation as potential water source, but declining water quality poses risks to human and animal health. This study investigates its fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), specifically fecal and total coliforms, and physicochemical properties within Cebu City’s borders. Utilizing analytical cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, researchers collected samples from upstream (Pulang-Bato), midstream (Bacayan Bridge-Biofence), and downstream (Talamban Bridge-Sitio Tintay) for laboratory testing. FIB levels were determined using the Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MPN/100 mL), while Biochemical Oxygen Demand [BOD] was determined using the 5-day BOD test, Dissolved Oxygen [DO] using Azide Modification, and Total Suspended Solids [TSS] with Gravimetric Analysis. Data were treated using mean, standard deviation, SPSS version 29 for statistical analysis. Findings revealed lower fecal coliform levels in the upstream, with increasing levels in the midstream and downstream, whereas, total coliforms are constant among the three sampling sites. Physicochemical properties failed to meet the Class C water quality criteria set by the DAO 2016-08, indicating significant microbial pollution. No significant differences were found in mean FIB, BOD, DO, and TSS levels among sites, but a significant relationship existed between water quality and FIB levels, indicating the need for interventions to improve the river's water quality.

EVALUATING KINOVEA’S VALIDITY IN MEASURING FOOT KINEMATICS ACROSS WALKING SPEEDS: A 3D MOTION CAPTURE COMPARISON

2025-10-13T08:03:56+00:00

Background: Kinovea is a free 2D motion analysis software frequently used for clinical gait analysis. However, its precision against gold-standard 3D motion capture systems, such as OptiTrack, has yet to be investigated, especially when measuring foot kinematic parameters during variable walking speeds. This study aims to establish the validity of Kinovea in measuring foot kinematic angles during walking by comparing its measurements with those of the OptiTrack 3D motion capture system.

Methods: Thirty-two healthy adults were tested while walking on a treadmill at speeds of 2, 3, and 4 km/h. Primary foot kinematic angles (medial longitudinal arch, subtalar, and first metatarsophalangeal) were measured with both Kinovea and OptiTrack. Mean differences were assessed with a paired t-test or Wilcoxon test, and agreement was examined using the Bland-Altman method.

Results: Most parameters showed no statistically significant differences at 2 and 3 km/h. However, at 4 km/h, several MLA parameters exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). Both the bias and limits of agreement (LoA) of Kinovea were increasingly deviated away from the line of identity and became wider at higher speeds.

Conclusion: Kinovea evidenced moderate-to-acceptable validity at slow-to-moderate speeds.

IN-VITRO HEMODYNAMICS EVALUATION OF PROLAPSE AND PERFORATED MITRAL VALVE MODEL

2025-10-24T08:33:28+00:00

The mitral valve is one of the important parts of the heart valve that prevents blood from regurgitating into the left atrium. Mitral regurgitation is the most common cause of regurgitation, affecting approximately 176 million people worldwide and 2-3% of the general population. Flow dynamics parameters are important for regurgitation severity evaluation, that can be done by flow simulation. However, there are limited open access datasets available for validating the simulated output. This paper presented an experimental setup that can serve as validation tool for flow simulation output. The in-vitro setup was tested with evaluation of flow behaviour through a defective mitral heart valve. The results shows consistent readings validated against published data. The correlations between flow rate and pressure difference between the left ventricle and left atrium conform to the principles of flow through orifice in fluid dynamics. Hence, this in-vitro setup can be utilized as a validation tool for flow simulation results expecially related to hear valve.

CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION OF A PORTABLE WEARABLE DEVICE FOR VITAL SIGN MONITORING

2025-11-18T06:29:49+00:00

Monitoring vital signs is a crucial aspect of healthcare, as abnormal physiological changes serve as early indicators of serious conditions such as cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest [1]. Periodic manual monitoring systems are limited by their low recording frequency, which increases the risk of delayed detection [2]. The emergence of portable devices and wearable technologies, supported by wireless data transmission, enables continuous monitoring of vital signs not only in hospitalized patients but also in healthy populations and outpatients [3].

NORMATIVE CT MEASUREMENTS OF VESTIBULAR AQUEDUCT WIDTH IN MALAYSIAN PAEDIATRIC POPULATION

2025-11-14T02:01:32+00:00

Introduction: Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most common inner ear malformation associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), often presenting in childhood with fluctuating or progressive hearing loss. However, normal range of vestibular aqueduct (VA) size in paediatric populations, particularly in Malaysia, remains lacking. This study aims to establish reference values for VA width using CT imaging for Malaysian paediatric population without hearing loss.
Methods: We retrospectively evaluated eighty-five CT scans of brain, face, and paranasal sinuses with bone algorithm reconstruction done for reasons other than hearing loss from January 2022 to December 2024 at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) . The VA widths were measured in both axial and 45° oblique (Pöschl) planes using Horos/Osirix software by two experienced head and neck radiologists.
Results: The upper limit of normal VA width was 1.0 mm in the axial plane and 0.9 mm in the 45° oblique (Pöschl) plane. The 45° oblique (Pöschl) plane demonstrated stronger interobserver consistency, with moderate correlation for the right ear (r = 0.429, p = 0.000) and good correlation for the left ear (r = 0.538, p = 0.000).
Conclusion: The mean VA midpoint width in the axial plane was 0.44mm (SD 0.18), with a range of 0.10mm to 0.9mm. The mean VA midpoint width in the 45° oblique (Pöschl) plane was 0.46mm (SD 0.17), with a range of 0.10mm to 0.88mm. The VA midpoint width measurement can be performed more reliably and accurately in the 45° oblique (Pöschl) plane than the axial plane.