Linking IL-6 and hsCRP among Indian patients with myocardial infarction.

The association between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and highly sensitive C - reactive protein (hsCRP) as predictors of the risk factors for Myocardial Infarction. The study included a total of 50 patients with Myocardial Infarction, aged between 25 to 74 years. The levels of hsCRP were measured using the immunoturbidimetry method, while Interleukin 6 was estimated using the sandwich ELISA method.

Image-guided surgical planning of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with patient-specific CTRs.

Purpose: We propose the utilization of patient-specific concentric-tube robots (CTRs) whose designs are optimized to enhance their volumetric reachability of the renal stone, thus reducing the morbidities associated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures. By employing a nested optimization-driven scheme, this work aims to determine a single surgical tract through which the patient-tailored CTR is deployed. We carry out a sensitivity analysis on the combined percutaneous access and optimized CTR design with respect to breathing-induced excursion of the kidneys based on preoperative images.

Robotics-Based Characterization of Sensorimotor Integration in Parkinson's Disease and the Effect of Medication.

Integration of multi-modal sensory inputs and modulation of motor outputs based on perceptual estimates is called Sensorimotor Integration (SMI). Optimal functioning of SMI is essential for perceiving the environment, modulating the motor outputs, and learning or modifying motor skills to suit the demands of the environment. Growing evidence suggests that patients diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) may suffer from an impairment in SMI that contributes to perceptual deficits, leading to motor abnormalities.

On Surgical Planning of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with Patient-Specific CTRs.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered a first-choice minimally invasive procedure for treating kidney stones larger than 2 cm. It yields higher stone-free rates than other minimally invasive techniques and is employed when extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or uteroscopy are, for instance, infeasible. Using this technique, surgeons create a tract through which a scope is inserted for gaining access to the stones.

Visual velocity perception dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: Compared with motor deficits, sensory information processing in Parkinson's disease (PD) is relatively unexplored. While there is increasing interest in understanding the sensory manifestations of PD, the extent of sensory abnormality in PD has remained relatively unexplored. Furthermore, most investigations on the sensory aspects of PD involve motor aspects, causing confounding results.

Robot-assisted investigation of sensorimotor control in Parkinson's disease.

Sensorimotor control (SMC) is a complex function that involves sensory, cognitive, and motor systems working together to plan, update and execute voluntary movements. Any abnormality in these systems could lead to deficits in SMC, which would negatively impact an individual's ability to execute goal-directed motions. Recent studies have shown that patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) have dysfunctions in sensory, motor, and cognitive systems, which could give rise to SMC deficits.

Texture-based Intraoperative Image Guidance for Tumor Localization in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Intraoperative tumor localization in a deflated lung in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is challenging as the lung cannot be manually palpated through small incisions. To do so remotely, an articulated multisensory imaging device combining tactile and ultrasound sensors was developed. It visualizes the surface tactile map and the depth of the tissue.

Video Context Improves Performance in Identifying Operative Planes on Static Surgical Images.

Background: Correct identification of the surgical tissue planes of dissection is paramount at the operating room, and the needed skills seem to be improved with realistic dynamic models rather than mere still images. The objective is to assess the role of adding video prequels to still images taken from operations on the precision and accuracy of tissue plane identification using a validated simulation model, considering various levels of surgeons' experience.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted involving 15 surgeons distributed to three equal groups, including a consultant group [C], a senior group [S], and a junior group [J].

Abnormal Vision-Based Displacement Perception in Parkinson's Disease.

In this work, we investigate the effect of Parkinson's disease (PD), and common corresponding therapies on vision-based perception of motion, a critical perceptual ability required for performing a wide range of activities of daily livings. While PD has been recognized as mainly a motor disorder, sensory manifestation of PD can also play a major role in the resulting disability. In this paper, for the first time, the effect of disease duration and common therapies on vision-based perception of displacement were investigated.

Colonic displacement as a marker of endoscopic skill: development of a novel tool for endoscopy training.

Background: Colonoscopy is a technically challenging procedure. The colonoscope is prone to forming loops in the colon, which can lead patient discomfort and even perforation. We hypothesized that expert endoscopists use techniques to avoid loop formation, identify and straighten loops earlier, and thus exert less force.

A deep explainable artificial intelligent framework for neurological disorders discrimination.

Pathological hand tremor (PHT) is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET), which affects manual targeting, motor coordination, and movement kinetics. Effective treatment and management of the symptoms relies on the correct and in-time diagnosis of the affected individuals, where the characteristics of PHT serve as an imperative metric for this purpose. Due to the overlapping features of the corresponding symptoms, however, a high level of expertise and specialized diagnostic methodologies are required to correctly distinguish PD from ET.

Robotics and AI for Teleoperation, Tele-Assessment, and Tele-Training for Surgery in the Era of COVID-19: Existing Challenges, and Future Vision.

The unprecedented shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has severely influenced the delivery of regular healthcare services. Most non-urgent medical activities, including elective surgeries, have been paused to mitigate the risk of infection and to dedicate medical resources to managing the pandemic. In this regard, not only surgeries are substantially influenced, but also pre- and post-operative assessment of patients and training for surgical procedures have been significantly impacted due to the pandemic.

Multi-Lateral Teleoperation Based on Multi-Agent Framework: Application to Simultaneous Training and Therapy in Telerehabilitation.

In this paper, a new scheme for multi-lateral remote rehabilitation is proposed. There exist one therapist, one patient, and several trainees, who are participating in the process of telerehabilitation (TR) in this scheme. This kind of strategy helps the therapist to facilitate the neurorehabilitation remotely.

Intraoperative Localization of STN During DBS Surgery Using a Data-Driven Model.

A new approach is presented for localizing the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) during Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery based on microelectrode recordings (MERs). DBS is an accepted treatment for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease (PD). This surgery involves implantation of a permanent electrode inside the STN to deliver electrical current.

PHTNet: Characterization and Deep Mining of Involuntary Pathological Hand Tremor using Recurrent Neural Network Models.

The global aging phenomenon has increased the number of individuals with age-related neurological movement disorders including Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Essential Tremor (ET). Pathological Hand Tremor (PHT), which is considered among the most common motor symptoms of such disorders, can severely affect patients' independence and quality of life. To develop advanced rehabilitation and assistive technologies, accurate estimation/prediction of nonstationary PHT is critical, however, the required level of accuracy has not yet been achieved.

Differential Temporal Perception Abilities in Parkinson's Disease Patients Based on Timing Magnitude.

Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (PD) predate motor symptoms and substantially decrease quality of life; however, detection, monitoring, and treatments are unavailable for many of these symptoms. Temporal perception abnormalities in PD are generally attributed to altered Basal Ganglia (BG) function. Present studies are confounded by motor control facilitating movements that are integrated into protocols assessing temporal perception.

Determination of Passive Dry Powder Inhaler Aerodynamic Particle Size Distribution by Multi-Stage Cascade Impactor: International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation & Science (IPAC-RS) Recommendations to Support Both Product Quality Control and Clinical Programs.

The multi-stage cascade impactor (CI) is the mainstay method for the determination of the aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) of aerosols emitted from orally inhaled products (OIPs). CIs are designed to operate at a constant flow rate throughout the measurement process. However, it is necessary to mimic an inhalation maneuver to disperse the powder into an aerosol when testing passive dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which constitute a significant portion of available products in this inhaler class.

Toward Lung Tumor Localization based on Strain Variability of Lung Surface during Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Tumor localization, especially in case of minimally invasive lung tumor resection surgery, is extremely challenging due to the continuous motion of the organ. This motion can be troublesome as it results in spatial discrepancy corresponding to preoperative and intraoperative tumor location. In order to characterize lung tissue stiffness for the purpose of lung tumor localization, in this paper, we present a novel characterization approach based on variability in resistance of the healthy region vs.

Robotics-Assisted Surgical Skills Evaluation based on Electrocortical Activity.

Skills assessment in Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RAMIS) is mainly performed based on temporal, motion-based and outcome-based metrics. While these components are essential for the proper assessment of skills in RAMIS, they do not suffice for full representation of all underlying aspects of skilled performance. Besides such commonplace components of skills, there exist other elements to be taken into account for comprehensive skills assessment.

Visual Displacement Perception in Parkinson's Disease Analyzed Using a Computer-Generated Graphical Tool.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is typically classified by the onset of motor impairments, however, non-motor symptoms are also present in all disease stages. Vision abnormalities contribute to the non-motor PD deficits, yet little research has studied how PD affects visual perceptions with no produced motor responses. This provides motivation for the current study which focuses on examining allocentric visual displacement perception - information used for object identification - in PD patients.

A Systematic Review of Multilateral Teleoperation Systems.

While conventional bilateral Single-Master/Single-Slave (SM/SS) teleoperation systems have received considerable attention during the past several decades, multilateral teleoperation is only recently being studied. Unlike an SM/SS system, which consists of one master-slave set, multilateral teleoperation frameworks involve a minimum of three agents in order to remotely perform a task. This paper presents an overview of multilateral teleoperation systems and classifies the existing state-of-the-art architecture based on topologies, applications, and closed-loop stability analysis.