Depth over RGB: automatic evaluation of open surgery skills using depth camera.

Purpose: In this paper, we present a novel approach to the automatic evaluation of open surgery skills using depth cameras. This work is intended to show that depth cameras achieve similar results to RGB cameras, which is the common method in the automatic evaluation of open surgery skills. Moreover, depth cameras offer advantages such as robustness to lighting variations, camera positioning, simplified data compression, and enhanced privacy, making them a promising alternative to RGB cameras.

Clavicular window for brachial plexus schwannoma removal.

Background: Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that can either be sporadic or part of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Tumors of the brachial plexus (BP) with both supra- and infraclavicular components are uncommon and represent a challenge to complete surgical resection. There are few reports on single clavicular osteotomies for BP exposure; however, there are currently no reports of utilization of a clavicular window for a large schwannoma resection.

Effects of Cervical Bracing on Elderly Patients With Dysphagia.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if cervical bracing with a PMT collar increases risk of airway invasion and pharyngeal residue in elderly patients with dysphagia. Additionally, it aimed to identify patient preference for cervical bracing during deglutition.

Method: Twenty-one patients underwent a videofluoroscopic swallow study.

Advances and Challenges of Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

The purpose of this paper is to review the data supporting current endoscopic surgical techniques for the spine and the potential challenges and future of the field. The origins of endoscopic spine surgery can be traced back many decades, with many important innovations throughout its development. It can be applied to all levels of the spine, with many robust trials supporting its clinical outcomes.

Safety and Treatment Outcomes of Infants and Children Treated With Daptomycin: Six-Year Experience From a Pediatric Academic Medical Center.

Daptomycin is a common treatment for serious infections caused by gram-positive bacteria in adult patients; however, data regarding its safety and efficacy in the pediatric population are limited. This was a retrospective chart review of adverse reactions and treatment outcomes associated with daptomycin use in children <13 years old who received at least 1 dose of daptomycin. At least 1 dose of daptomycin was received by 147 patients.

The current state of training in pain medicine fellowships: An Association of Pain Program Directors (APPD) survey of program directors.

Introduction: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved the first pain medicine fellowship programs over three decades ago, designed around a pharmacological philosophy. Following that, there has been a rise in the transition of pain medicine education toward a multidisciplinary interventional model based on a tremendous surge of contemporaneous literature in these areas. This trend has created variability in clinical experience and education amongst accredited pain medicine programs with minimal literature evaluating the differences and commonalities in education and experience of different pain medicine fellowships through Program Director (PD) experiences.

Variceal and Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Refractory to Endoscopic Management: Indications and Role of Interventional Radiology.

For over 60 years, diagnostic and interventional radiology have been heavily involved in the evaluation and treatment of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding. For patients who present with upper GI bleeding and have a contraindication to endoscopy or have an unsuccessful attempt at endoscopy for identifying or controlling the bleeding, interventional radiology is often consulted for evaluation and consideration of catheter-based intervention.

Meaningful Engagement in Depression and Anxiety Collaborative Care: Associations With Systematic Case Review.

Background: Collaborative care (CC) is an evidence-based model of care for treating behavioral health conditions in primary care settings. The CC team consists of a primary care provider, behavioral health care manager (CM), and a consultant psychiatrist who collaborate to create treatment plans. To date, there is limited data on factors associated with meaningful engagement in CC programs.

Hypocarnitinemia and its effect on seizure control in adult patients with intractable epilepsy on the modified Atkins diet.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the modified Atkins diet (MAD) in attenuating seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy. MAD works by achieving ketosis, which is heavily dependent on the metabolic compound, carnitine, to facilitate the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondria for beta-oxidation. The effect of carnitine on ketogenic diet therapy is not well-defined in the current literature.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Imaging Features in MR-Linac Radiation Therapy Planning for the Liver.

For MR-guided radiation therapy treatment planning, an MRI and CT of the intended treatment site are typically acquired. Patients' prior treatments or procedures can cause image artifacts in one or both scans, which may impact treatment planning or the radiation dose calculation. In this case report, a patient with several previous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedures was planned for radiation therapy on a low-field MR-linac, and the impact of residual iodinated oil on the radiation dose calculation and MR-guided adaptive workflow was evaluated.

A severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nosocomial cluster with inter-facility spread: Lessons learned.

Background: Despite infection control guidance, sporadic nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks occur. We describe a complex severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cluster with interfacility spread during the SARS-CoV-2 δ (delta) pandemic surge in the Midwest.

Setting: This study was conducted in (1) a hematology-oncology ward in a regional academic medical center and (2) a geographically distant acute rehabilitation hospital.

How Should Organizations Be Held Accountable for Promoting Environments That Foster Social Connection?

Growing familiarity with health risks of loneliness and isolation underscores the importance of social connection in patients' lived environments and communities. Deficits in social connection are linked to poor cognitive, mental, and physical health and premature death. Design interventions for physical environments-structures, spaces, and soundscapes, for example-can foster social connection, support, and resilience.

Introduction of pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in Guatemala.

Purpose: Introducing new surgical techniques in a developing country can be challenging. Inguinal hernias in children are a common surgical problem, and open repair is the standard surgical approach. Laparoscopic repair has gained popularity in developed countries because of similar results.

Empowering the Radiation Oncology Triage Nurse Role: A Single-Center Analysis.

Background: Triage nurses play a crucial role in addressing patient telephone calls. However, topics that radiation oncology (RO) triage nurses encounter have not been thoroughly investigated.

Objectives: This project established baseline patient issues addressed via telephone by RO triage nurses in a clinically busy academic RO department; identified themes and potential areas for workflow improvement; and evaluated interprofessional perceptions of RO triage from nurses, physicians, and radiation therapists.

Urea cycle disorders in critically Ill adults.

Purpose Of Review: Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) cause elevations in ammonia which, when severe, cause irreversible neurologic injury. Most patients with UCDs are diagnosed as neonates, though mild UCDs can present later - even into adulthood - during windows of high physiologic stress, like critical illness. It is crucial for clinicians to understand when to screen for UCDs and appreciate how to manage these disorders in order to prevent devastating neurologic injury or death.

Premedication strategy in cetuximab rechallenge after Grade 2 hypersensitivity reactions.

Introduction: Cetuximab, an IgG1 monoclonal antibody, is utilized in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell head and neck cancers. Due to the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, standard premedication with a histamine-1 (H-1) antagonist is recommended prior to administration, however, there is less guidance for premedication strategies to assist with rechallenge after infusion reactions. Here, we describe two cases of successful cetuximab treatment after Grade 2 reactions, in addition to risk factors and proposed premedication strategies for successful rechallenge.

Development of a Predictive Model for Persistent Instability Following Conservative Management of Type II Odontoid Fractures.

Background: Odontoid fractures are common cervical spine fractures; however, significant controversy exists regarding their treatment. Risk factors for failure of conservative therapy have been identified, although no predictive risk score has been developed to aid in decision-making.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients evaluated at a level 1 trauma center.

Case report: isolation of from septic blood culture following near-death drowning in lakewater.

A patient suffered a non-fatal wet drowning in a freshwater lake and developed bacteraemia several days later. Blood culture grew a Gram-negative rod that could not be identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of the isolate identified the microbe as - an environmental microbe commonly found in freshwater.

Altered hepatic and intestinal homeostasis in a neonatal murine model of short-term total parenteral nutrition and antibiotics.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) prevents starvation and supports metabolic requirements intravenously when patients are unable to be fed enterally. Clinically, infants are frequently provided PN in intensive care settings along with exposure to antibiotics (ABX) to minimize infection during care. Unfortunately, neonates experience extremely high rates of hepatic complications.