- a large-scale dataset of 3D medical shapes for computer vision.

Objectives: The shape is commonly used to describe the objects. State-of-the-art algorithms in medical imaging are predominantly diverging from computer vision, where voxel grids, meshes, point clouds, and implicit surface models are used. This is seen from the growing popularity of ShapeNet (51,300 models) and Princeton ModelNet (127,915 models).

Investigating Task-Free Functional Connectivity Patterns in Newborns Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Background: Resting-state networks (RSNs), particularly the sensorimotor network, begin to strengthe in the third trimester of pregnancy and mature extensively by term age. The integrity and structure of these networks have been repeatedly linked to neurological health outcomes in neonates, highlighting the importance of understanding the normative variations in RSNs in healthy development. Specifically, robust bilateral functional connectivity in the sensorimotor RSN has been linked to optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates.

Predicting cortical-thalamic functional connectivity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and graph convolutional networks.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measures cortical hemodynamic changes, yet it cannot collect this information from subcortical structures, such as the thalamus, which is involved in several key functional networks. To address this drawback, we propose a machine-learning-based approach to predict cortical-thalamic functional connectivity using cortical fNIRS data. We applied graph convolutional networks (GCN) to two datasets obtained from healthy adults and neonates with early brain injuries, respectively.

Altered functional connectivity in preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common neurological injury following very preterm birth. Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is associated with injury severity; yet, fMRI is impractical for use in intensive care settings. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measures RSFC through cerebral hemodynamics and has greater bedside accessibility than fMRI.

Semi-supervised learning framework with shape encoding for neonatal ventricular segmentation from 3D ultrasound.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) imaging has shown promise in non-invasive monitoring of changes in the lateral brain ventricles of neonates suffering from intraventricular hemorrhaging. Due to the poorly defined anatomical boundaries and low signal-to-noise ratio, fully supervised methods for segmentation of the lateral ventricles in 3D US images require a large dataset of annotated images by trained physicians, which is tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Training fully supervised segmentation methods on a small dataset may lead to overfitting and hence reduce its generalizability.

A Canadian National Survey Study of Harassment in Surgery-Still a Long Way to Go.

Objectives: Previous literature has consistently documented harassment and discrimination in surgery. These experiences may contribute to the continuing gender inequity in surgical fields. The objective of our study was to survey Canadian surgeons and surgical trainees to gain a greater understanding of the experience of harassment across genders, career stage, and specialty.

Clinical trainee performance on task-based AR/VR-guided surgical simulation is correlated with their 3D image spatial reasoning scores.

This paper describes a methodology for the assessment of training simulator-based computer-assisted intervention skills on an AR/VR-guided procedure making use of CT axial slice views for a neurosurgical procedure: external ventricular drain (EVD) placement. The task requires that trainees scroll through a stack of axial slices and form a mental representation of the anatomical structures in order to subsequently target the ventricles to insert an EVD. The process of observing the 2D CT image slices in order to build a mental representation of the 3D anatomical structures is the skill being taught, along with the cognitive control of the subsequent targeting, by planned motor actions, of the EVD tip to the ventricular system to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Structural Alterations of the Corpus Callosum in Children With Infantile Hydrocephalus.

This study investigates structural alterations of the corpus callosum in children diagnosed with infantile hydrocephalus. We aim to assess both macrostructural (volume) and microstructural (diffusion tensor imaging metrics) facets of the corpus callosum, providing insights into the nature and extent of alterations associated with this condition. Eighteen patients with infantile hydrocephalus (mean age = 9 years) and 18 age- and sex-matched typically developing healthy children participated in the study.

Assessing the impact of infantile hydrocephalus on visuomotor integration through behavioural and neuroimaging studies.

Infantile hydrocephalus considerably impacts neurodevelopment, warranting attention to potential long-term consequences on visuomotor functions. The current study investigated the impact of infantile hydrocephalus on functional connectivity within the posterior cortex. Fourteen patients, who were treated for infantile hydrocephalus, were matched for age and sex with 14 typically-developing controls.

Altered resting-state functional connectivity in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy assessed using high-density functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) results from a lack of oxygen to the brain during the perinatal period. HIE can lead to mortality and various acute and long-term morbidities. Improved bedside monitoring methods are needed to identify biomarkers of brain health.

Smart haptic gloves for virtual reality surgery simulation: a pilot study on external ventricular drain training.

Smart haptic gloves are a new technology emerging in Virtual Reality (VR) with a promise to enhance sensory feedback in VR. This paper presents one of the first attempts to explore its application to surgical training for neurosurgery trainees using VR-based surgery simulators. We develop and evaluate a surgical simulator for External Ventricular Drain Placement (EVD), a common procedure in the field of neurosurgery.

Association between altered white matter networks and post operative ventricle volume in shunt-treated pediatric hydrocephalus.

Objective: The objective of this study was to use probabilistic tractography in combination with white matter microstructure metrics to characterize differences in white matter networks between shunt-treated pediatric hydrocephalus patients relative to healthy controls. We were also able to explore the relationship between these white matter networks and postoperative ventricle volume.

Methods: Network-based statistics was used in combination with whole-brain probabilistic tractography to determine dysregulated white matter networks in a sample of patients with pediatric hydrocephalus (n = 8), relative to controls (n = 36).

Sex- and age-based differences in fetal and early childhood hippocampus maturation: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis.

The hippocampus, essential for cognitive and affective processes, develops exponentially with differential trajectories seen in girls and boys, yet less is known about its development during early fetal life until early childhood. In a cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we examined the sex-, age-, and laterality-related developmental trajectories of hippocampal volumes in fetuses, infants, and toddlers associated with age. Third trimester fetuses (27-38 weeks' gestational age), newborns (0-4 weeks' postnatal age), infants (5-50 weeks' postnatal age), and toddlers (2-3 years postnatal age) were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging.

Strabismus outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing disconnective hemispheric surgery for intractable epilepsy: a systematic review.

Background: Children undergoing hemispheric surgery for intractable seizures are susceptible to visual complications including strabismus. This systematic review aims to investigate the rates and characteristics of strabismus development after hemispheric surgery and evaluate clinical implications for ophthalmologic care.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases was performed from database inception to May 2022.

The Role of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent Signal Variability in Pediatric Neuroscience: A Systematic Review.

Background: As pediatric BOLD Signal Variability (SV) analysis is relatively novel, there is a need to provide a foundational framework that gives researchers an entry point into engaging with the topic. This begins with clarifying the definition of BOLD signal variability by identifying and categorizing the various metrics utilized to measure BOLD SV.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted.

Subcortical brain volumes in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Background: Despite treatment with therapeutic hypothermia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with adverse developmental outcomes, suggesting the involvement of subcortical structures including the thalamus and basal ganglia, which may be vulnerable to perinatal asphyxia, particularly during the acute period. The aims were: (1) to examine subcortical macrostructure in neonates with HIE compared to age- and sex-matched healthy neonates within the first week of life; (2) to determine whether subcortical brain volumes are associated with HIE severity.

Methods: Neonates (n = 56; HIE: n = 28; Healthy newborns from the Developing Human Connectome Project: n = 28) were scanned with MRI within the first week of life.

Next-Generation Remote Hand Assessments: Cross-Platform DIGITS Web Application.

Purpose: We have previously developed DIGITS, a platform for remote evaluation of range of motion, dexterity, and swelling of fingers for reducing barriers to accessing clinical resources. The current study was aimed at evaluating DIGITS across different devices with varied operating systems and camera resolutions using a single person's hands.

Methods: Our team has now developed a web application version of the DIGITS platform, which makes it accessible on any device that is equipped with a camera, including computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Default mode network functional connectivity strength in utero and the association with fetal subcortical development.

The default mode network is essential for higher-order cognitive processes and is composed of an extensive network of functional and structural connections. Early in fetal life, the default mode network shows strong connectivity with other functional networks; however, the association with structural development is not well understood. In this study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and anatomical images were acquired in 30 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies.

Funcmasker-flex: An Automated BIDS-App for Brain Segmentation of Human Fetal Functional MRI data.

Fetal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers critical insight into the developing brain and could aid in predicting developmental outcomes. As the fetal brain is surrounded by heterogeneous tissue, it is not possible to use adult- or child-based segmentation toolboxes. Manually-segmented masks can be used to extract the fetal brain; however, this comes at significant time costs.

A Shared Decision-Making Process Utilizing a Decision Coach in Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery.

Background & Rationale: The process to evaluate candidacy for epilepsy surgery is lengthy and stressful for caregivers, therefore the decision can be challenging. There is not a lot of information in regard to how families of a child living with epilepsy navigate the stressful decision during surgical candidacy evaluation. With difficult decisions comes the possibility of increased decisional conflict in both the child and the family.