Augmented reality for point-of-care ultrasound-guided vascular access in pediatric patients using Microsoft HoloLens 2: a preliminary evaluation.

Significance: Conventional ultrasound-guided vascular access procedures are challenging due to the need for anatomical understanding, precise needle manipulation, and hand-eye coordination. Recently, augmented reality (AR)-based guidance has emerged as an aid to improve procedural efficiency and potential outcomes. However, its application in pediatric vascular access has not been comprehensively evaluated.

PedBotLab: A Novel Video Game-Based Robotic Ankle Platform Created for Therapeutic Exercise for Children With Neurological Impairments.

Aims: Assess the potential benefits of using PedBotLab, a clinic based robotic ankle platform with integrated video game software, to improve ankle active and passive range of motion, strength, selective motor control, gait efficiency, and balance.

Methods: Ten participants with static neurological injuries and independent ambulation participated in a 10-week pilot study (Pro00013680) to assess feasibility and efficacy of PedBotLab as a therapeutic device twice weekly. Isometric ankle strength, passive and active ankle range of motion, plantarflexor spasticity, selective motor control of the lower extremity, balance, and gait speed were measured pre- and post-trial.

StethAid: A Digital Auscultation Platform for Pediatrics.

(1) Background: Mastery of auscultation can be challenging for many healthcare providers. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital support is emerging as an aid to assist with the interpretation of auscultated sounds. A few AI-augmented digital stethoscopes exist but none are dedicated to pediatrics.

EasyTBSA as a method for calculating total body surface area burned: a validation study.

Background: Current methods of burn estimation can lead to incorrect estimates of the total body surface area (TBSA) burned, especially among injured children. Inaccurate estimation of burn size can impact initial management, including unnecessary transfer to burn centres and fluid overload during resuscitation. To address these challenges, we developed a smartphone application (EasyTBSA) that calculates the TBSA of a burn using a body-part by body-part approach.

Photochemical C(sp )-H Pyridination via Arene-Pyridinium Electron Donor-Acceptor Complexes.

This report describes the development of a photochemical method for C(sp )-H pyridination that leverages the photoexcitation of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes. Experimental and DFT studies show that black light (λ ≈350 nm) irradiation of solutions of protonated pyridines (acceptors) and aromatic C-H substrates (donors) results in single electron transfer to form aryl radical cation intermediates that can be trapped with pyridine nucleophiles under aerobic conditions. With some modification of the reaction conditions, this EDA activation mode is also effective for promoting the oxidatively triggered S Ar pyridination of aryl halides.

Species diversity and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Enterococcus spp. isolated from mastitis cases, milking machine and the environment of dairy cows.

The objectives were to study the diversity of Enterococcus spp. isolated from mastitis cases, milking equipment and the environment of dairy cows; and to determine in vitro resistance of isolates to antimicrobials that are relevant to human and animal health. Ten dairy farms were visited to collect samples from mastitis cases, faeces, bedding, aisles, water and milking equipment.

Bioinspired Synthesis of Pinoxaden Metabolites Using a Site-Selective C-H Oxidation Strategy.

A bioinspired synthesis of Pinoxaden metabolites is described herein. A site-selective C-H oxidation strategy validated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations was devised for preparing metabolites . Oxidation of the benzylic C-H bond in tertiary alcohol using KSO and catalytic AgNO formed the desired metabolite that enabled access to metabolites and in a single step.

Frequency-Based Maternal Electrocardiogram Attenuation for Fetal Electrocardiogram Analysis.

Fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform analysis along with cardiac time intervals (CTIs) measurements are critical for the management of high-risk pregnancies. Currently, there is no system that can consistently and accurately measure fetal ECG. In this work, we present a new automatic approach to attenuate the maternal ECG in the frequency domain and enhance it with measurable CTIs.

PedBotHome: A Video Game-Based Robotic Ankle Device Created for Home Exercise in Children With Neurological Impairments.

Purpose: This pilot study assesses the feasibility of using PedBotHome to promote adherence to a home exercise program, the ability of the device to withstand frequent use, and changes in participant ankle mobility.PedBotHome is a robotic ankle device with integrated video game software designed to improve ankle mobility in children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: Eight participants enrolled in a 28-day trial of PedBotHome.

Gender Disparities Among Craniofacial Surgeons.

To delineate career differences between genders of practicing plastic surgeons who have completed craniofacial fellowship given the known disparities in surgeons' professional and personal lives and an already lengthy residency training, there is concern that less women may commit to further fellowship training. Craniofacial fellowship programs were contacted to identify graduates and an internet search was attempted where information was not available. Surgeon profiles and literature databases were used to obtain practice demographics and publications.

Expanding the Utilization of Low-Dose Computed Tomography in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Based on Validated Practices Among Surgical Specialties.

Introduction: As computed tomography (CT) usage increases, so have concerns over radiation-induced malignancy. To mitigate these risks, low-dose CT (LDCT) has emerged as a versatile alternative by other specialties, although its use in plastic surgery remains sparse. This study aimed to investigate validated uses of LDCT across surgical specialties and extrapolate these insights to expand its application for plastic surgeons.

Innovation at a Children's Hospital: Personal Protective Equipment Efforts During the Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected life for everyone, and hospitals, in particular have been hard hit. In this study, we describe our efforts to develop personal protective equipment at a children's hospital early in the pandemic. We convened an innovation working group to organize our efforts and respond to the rapidly changing situation.

Leachable-Free Fabrication of Hydrogel Foams Enabling Homogeneous Viability of Encapsulated Cells in Large-Volume Constructs.

The popularity of cell-laden injectable hydrogels has steeply increased due to their compatibility with minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the diffusion of indispensable molecules for cell survival through bulk hydrogel structures, particularly oxygen, is often limited to micrometric distances, often hampering cell viability or uniform tissue formation in constructs with clinically relevant sizes. The introduction of micropores in hydrogels or the use of oxygen-generating materials has enabled combining advantages of porous 3D scaffolds with the injectability properties of in situ-solidifying hydrogels.

Toward Evaluation of the Subjective Experience of a General Class of User-Controlled, Robot-Mediated Rehabilitation Technologies for Children with Neuromotor Disability.

Technological advances in game-mediated robotics provide an opportunity to engage children with cerebral palsy (CP) and other neuromotor disabilities in more frequent and intensive therapy by making personalized, programmed interventions available 24/7 in children's homes. Though shown to be clinically effective and feasible to produce, little is known of the subjective factors impacting acceptance of what we term assistive/rehabilitative (A/R) gamebots by their target populations. This research describes the conceptualization phase of an effort to develop a valid and reliable instrument to guide the design of A/R gamebots.

What Cancer Patients Want to Know? Questions from Oncologic Patients in a Brazilian Private Cancer Center.

To establish the more relevant questions oncologic patients may have during cancer treatment. Cross-sectional observational study with all patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer in a Brazilian health institution. A questionnaire with open and close questions about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis was applied.

Pedbothome: Robotically-Assisted Ankle Rehabilitation System For Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Our research team has developed two versions of an ankle robot for children with cerebral palsy. Both devices provide three degrees of freedom and are connected to an airplane video game. The child uses his/her foot as the controller for the plane and attempts to fly through a series of hoops arranged to manipulate the foot across the ankle joint.

Ultrasound-Induced Insulin Release as a Potential Novel Treatmentfor Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Therapeutic ultrasound presents a potential novel treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus that utilizes the non-invasive application of ultrasound energy to treat secretory defects in the earlier stages of the disease. Our previous studies have shown that ultrasound is capable of stimulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, safely and effectively. This study aims to both examine the calcium-dependent mechanisms of ultrasound-mediated insulin release from pancreatic beta cells using three complementary modalities - carbon fiber amperometry, ELISA studies, and Ca2+ fluorescence imaging - and to study the translational potential of therapeutic ultrasound using transgenic hyperglycemic mice for safety and efficacy studies.

Epidemiological and clinical features of visceral leishmaniasis in children in Alicante Province, Spain.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic to the Mediterranean basin. In children, VL often presents with non-specific symptoms and can be life-threatening without proper treatment.

Aim: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric VL in children in Alicante, Spain.

Frailty, Polypharmacy, and Health Outcomes in Older Adults: The Frailty and Dependence in Albacete Study.

Background/objectives: To investigate if polypharmacy modifies the association between frailty and health outcomes in older adults.

Design: Ongoing cohort study.

Setting: Albacete City, Spain.