Compact and modular autonomous surface vehicle for water research: The Naval Operating Research Drone Assessing Climate Change (NORDACC).

Research, monitoring, and management of marine and aquatic ecosystems often require surface water samples to measure biogeochemical and optical parameters. Traditional sampling with a boat and several personnel onboard can be labor-intensive and safety requirements limit sampling activities in high-risk environments. This paper describes the Naval Operating Research Drone Assessing Climate Change (NORDACC).

Designing a Private and Secure Personal Health Records Access Management System: A Solution Based on IOTA Distributed Ledger Technology.

The privacy and security of patients' health records have been an ongoing issue, and researchers are in a race against technology to design a system that can help stop the compromising of patient data. Many researchers have proposed solutions; however, most solutions have not incorporated potential parameters that can ensure private and secure personal health records management, which is the focus of this study. To design and develop a solution, this research thoroughly investigated existing solutions and identified potential key contexts.

Can CT Pelvimetry Be Used to Predict Circumferential Resection Margin Positivity in Laparoscopic Resection of Middle and Lower Rectum Cancer?

Background Previous studies have shown that pelvimetry can be valuable in predicting surgical difficulties in rectal cancer operations. However, its usability in predicting circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement remains debatable. This study investigated the factors affecting CRM status and the importance of computed tomography (CT) pelvimetry in predicting CRM involvement in laparoscopic resection of middle and lower rectal cancer.

Addressing the Challenges of Electronic Health Records Using Blockchain and IPFS.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) are the healthcare sector's core digital strategy meant to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Despite the benefits afforded by this digital transformation initiative, adoption among healthcare organizations has been slower than desired. The sheer volume and sensitive nature of patient records compel these organizations to exercise a healthy amount of caution in implementing EHR.

Management of Aberrant Left Hepatic Artery During Laparoscopic Gastrectomy and Consequences.

Aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) can exist in up to 25% of the population. The presence of ALHA during lymph node (LN) dissection in gastric cancer may complicate the process. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existence rate, management, and consequences of ALHA in our laparoscopic gastrectomy series.

The effect and clinical significance of using nathanson liver retractor on liver function tests in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

Aim: There are very few studies in the literature investigating the changes caused by the Nathanson retractors in liver function tests (LFT) after LG and its clinical significance. The present study investigated the changes made by the Nathanson retractor used during LG on LFT and its clinical significance.

Material And Method: The data of 236 patients, who underwent radical gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer at Surgical Oncology Unit in the period between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrospective studied.

Comparison of Parathyroid Autofluorescence Signals in Different Types of Hyperparathyroidism.

Background: There are scant data in the literature regarding whether parathyroid autofluorescence (AF) signal patterns vary based on the etiology of hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare AF signals of parathyroid glands across different etiologies of hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: As a prospective institutional review board-approved study between 2016 and 2019, AF intensities and heterogeneity indexes (HIs) of parathyroid glands in patients who underwent parathyroidectomy using AF were calculated and compared using Chi-square, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U, and logistic regression tests.

Assessment of a new 150 W single-antenna microwave ablation system in the treatment of malignant liver tumors: The first worldwide experience.

Background And Objectives: Data in literature regarding liver microwave ablation pertain to systems delivering 100 W of maximum power. Our aim is to assess a new 150 W microwave system for liver tumor ablation.

Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved study of patients undergoing ablation of malignant liver tumors using a 150 W microwave system.

Can near-infrared autofluorescence imaging be used for intraoperative confirmation of parathyroid tissue?

Background And Objectives: Whether ex vivo autofluorescence (AF) imaging findings could be quantified to intraoperatively differentiate parathyroid tissue has not been reported. Our aim was to assess the ability of AF imaging to confirm parathyroid tissue during thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy procedures.

Methods: This was a retrospective Institutional Review Board-approved study.

Robotic Posterior Retroperitoneal Adrenalectomy: Patient Selection and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: Recently, efficacy of laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (PRA) for pheochromocytoma and malignancy has been questioned. Although robotic technique using wristed instruments may improve limitations of laparoscopic PRA, the worldwide experience with robotic PRA is limited. This study aimed to describe patient characteristics, surgical technique, and long-term outcomes of robotic PRA from a 12-year single-center experience.

Standardization of thyroid fine needle aspiration procedure and outcomes within an endocrine surgery department.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is an essential procedure for thyroid nodules. Although, the efficacy of surgeon-performed thyroid FNA biopsies has been demonstrated in the literature, there are insufficient data regarding how to establish an efficient program with a low insufficiency rate within a group practice.

Methods: An endocrine surgery thyroid FNA biopsy program was established in 2000 by one surgeon, with training of additional partners during fellowship and upon recruitment.

Development of an algorithm for intraoperative autofluorescence assessment of parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism using artificial intelligence.

Background: Previous work showed that normal and abnormal parathyroid glands exhibit different patterns of autofluorescence, with the former appearing brighter and more homogenous. However, an objective algorithm based on quantified measurements was not provided. The aim of this study is to develop objective algorithms for intraoperative autofluorescence assessment of parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism using artificial intelligence.

A visual quantification of tissue distinction in robotic transabdominal lateral adrenalectomy: comparison of indocyanine green and conventional views.

Background: Recent studies have reported the feasibility of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging of adrenal tumors to guide dissection. Although the adrenal has been reported to concentrate the dye more than surrounding tissues, the amount of tissue distinction and how this compares with conventional vision has not been quantified before. The aim of this study is to quantify this distinction using color analysis.

Intraoperative near-infrared imaging of parathyroid glands: A comparison of first- and second-generation technologies.

Background: Intraoperative near-infrared imaging (NIFI) of parathyroid glands (PG) by first-generation technology had limited image quality and depth penetration. Second-generation NIFI has recently been introduced. Our aim was to compare (1) capability to detect PG and (2) image quality between older and newer technologies.

A Critical Analysis of Computed Tomography Washout in Lipid-Poor Adrenal Incidentalomas.

Background: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with washout has emerged as an option to distinguish lipid-poor adenomas from non-adenomas.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of CT washout in characterizing indeterminate lipid-poor adrenal incidentalomas.

Methods: From an Institutional Review Board-approved database, patients with adrenal incidentalomas who had adrenal protocol CT scans with a 15-min washout between 2003 and 2019 were identified.

An intra-operative video comparison of laparoscopic versus robotic transabdominal lateral adrenalectomy.

Background: The aim was to compare intraoperative conduct of adrenalectomy between laparoscopic and robotic approaches.

Methods: Intraoperative video-recordings of patients who underwent robotic (n = 30) and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (n = 30) were analysed using Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and multivariate regression analyses.

Results: Demographics, indications and outcomes were similar between groups.

An Analysis of Free-hand Targeting in Laparoscopic Liver Microwave Ablation.

Background: Recently, new technologies have been developed for antenna placement in laparoscopic liver tumor ablation (LLTA). At this point, it is important to analyze the efficacy of free-hand targeting to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study.

Impact of ablation algorithm versus tumor-dependent parameters on local control after microwave ablation of malignant liver tumors.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of tumor versus ablation-algorithm dependent parameters on local recurrence (LR) after microwave ablation (MWA) of liver malignancies.

Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved study of patients who underwent laparoscopic or open MWA of malignant liver tumors. The impact of ablation algorithm (stepwise or direct heating, single or overlapping ablations, and ablation margin) and tumor-dependent (type, size, location, and blood vessel proximity) parameters on LR was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards.

Colorectal emergencies associated with penetrating or retained foreign bodies.

Background: Foreign bodies in rectum and colon is an uncommon problem in surgical practice. Anal eroticism leads amongst etiologic factors. In some patients accidents or forceful application of foreign bodies are causative factors.