Development of Notch-Free, Pre-Bent Rod Applicable for Posterior Corrective Surgery of Thoracolumbar/Lumbar Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the most common pediatric musculoskeletal disorder, causes a three-dimensional spine deformity. Lenke type 5 AIS is defined as a structural thoracolumbar/lumbar curve with nonstructural thoracic curves. Although a rod curvature will affect clinical outcomes, intraoperative contouring of the straight rod depends on the surgeon's knowledge and experience.

Quantification of Cartilage Surface Degeneration by Curvature Analysis Using 3D Scanning in a Rabbit Model.

Objective: Accurate analysis to quantify cartilage morphology is critical for evaluating degenerative conditions in osteoarthritis (OA). Three-dimensional (3D) optical scanning provides 3D data for the entire cartilage surface; however, there is no consensus on how to quantify it. Our purpose was to validate a 3D method for evaluating spatiotemporal alterations in degenerative cartilages in a rabbit OA model by analyzing their curvatures at various stages of progression.

Construction of a detachable artificial trachea model for three age groups for use in an endotracheal suctioning training environment simulator.

Tracheal suctioning is an important procedure to maintain airway patency by removing secretions. Today, suctioning operators include not only medical staff, but also family caregivers. The use of a simulation system has been noted to be the most effective way to learn the tracheal suctioning technique for operators.

An algorithm for using deep learning convolutional neural networks with three dimensional depth sensor imaging in scoliosis detection.

Background Context: Timely intervention in growing individuals, such as brace treatment, relies on early detection of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To this end, several screening methods have been implemented. However, these methods have limitations in predicting the Cobb angle.

Relationship Between Tracheal Suctioning Catheter Motion and Secretion Amount Based on Viscosity.

Background: To provide safe tracheal suctioning, the American Association of Respiratory Care guideline discusses the length of suctioning catheter, but the most effective tracheal suctioning catheter technique is still unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the amount of simulated secretion produced by five different handlings of a catheter at two different viscosities and in two different models to discover the most effective suctioning maneuver in the various mucus conditions.

Design: In vitro experimental design.

Quantitative analysis of regional endocardial geometry dynamics from 4D cardiac CT images: endocardial tracking based on the iterative closest point with an integrated scale estimation.

Regional cardiac function analysis is important for the diagnosis and treatment planning of ischemic heart disease, but has not been sufficiently developed in the field of computed tomography (CT). Therefore, we propose a 3D endocardial tracking framework for cardiac CT using local point cloud registration based on the iterative closest point with an integrated scale estimation algorithm. We also introduce regional function descriptors that express the curvature and stretching of the endocardium: Surface distortion (E) and Scaling rate (S).

Automated noninvasive detection of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents: A principle validation study.

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common pediatric musculoskeletal disorder that causes a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. Early detection of this progressive aliment is essential. The aim of this study is to determine outcomes using a newly developed automated asymmetry-evaluation system for the surface of the human back using a three-dimensional depth sensor.

Identification of optimized rod shapes to guide anatomical spinal reconstruction for adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), the most common pediatric musculoskeletal disorder, causes a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. Although rod curvature could play an important role in anatomical spinal reconstruction in patients with thoracic AIS, intraoperative contouring of the straight rod induces notches into the rod, leading to decreased fatigue strength. Here, we analyzed pre-bent rod geometries from 46 intraoperative tracings of the rod geometry, which can provide anatomical spinal reconstruction in patients with thoracic AIS.

Observer-independent nodule-detectability index for low-dose lung cancer screening CT: a pilot study.

For the wide dissemination of lung cancer screening by low-dose computed tomography (CT), it is important to determine the optimal conditions for scan and image reconstruction based on objective standards of evaluation. Our aim in this study was to propose a quantitative index of nodule detectability without an observer test. It was essential to determine the apparent size and density of nodules visible on CT images for developing the nodule-detectability index based on a statistical observer-independent method.

Effects of olmesartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist, on hypoxia-induced activation of ERK1/2 and pro-inflammatory signals in the mouse lung.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of olmesartan, an antagonist for angiotensin II receptor type 1(AT1), on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, tissue remodeling, and pro-inflammatory signals in the right ventricle and lung of mice during the early phase of hypobaric hypoxia. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in both tissue types in response to hypoxia peaked at 1-3 days, and declined rapidly in the right ventricle, whereas in the lung it was sustained for at least 8 days. Upregulation of angiotensinogen mRNA was observed in the hypoxic lung at 4-9 days, but not in the hypoxic right ventricle and pulmonary artery.