Novel Endoscope Control Assessment System Using Video and Magnetic Tracking

Author(s):  
Alexandra Ferri ◽  
Saira Hussain ◽  
Eric Pauli ◽  
Randy Haluck ◽  
Barry Fell ◽  
...  

Abstract Colonoscopy procedures are commonly performed to diagnose and prevent colorectal cancer. These procedures require highly trained practitioners to perform complex maneuvers with an endoscope. Extensive training is necessary to become proficient. To improve assessment during endoscope training the novel endoscopic control assessment system (ECAS) is proposed. This device uses a magnetic tracker to track the end of the endoscope in manikin training. In addition, camera imaging is used to track the angle of the control knobs during the training. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the magnetic tracker could sense the full range of motion of the endoscope. Experiment 2 showed that the control knob angle could be accurately tracked through 4 positions to within 0.6° accuracy. The feasibility of the ECAS system was shown and in the future, this can be employed as an effective means of assessing endoscopic training performance.

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel García Caballero ◽  
Donella Beckwith ◽  
Nadezhda V. Shilova ◽  
Adele Gabba ◽  
Tanja J. Kutzner ◽  
...  

Abstract The concept of biomedical significance of the functional pairing between tissue lectins and their glycoconjugate counterreceptors has reached the mainstream of research on the flow of biological information. A major challenge now is to identify the principles of structure–activity relationships that underlie specificity of recognition and the ensuing post-binding processes. Toward this end, we focus on a distinct feature on the side of the lectin, i.e. its architecture to present the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Working with a multifunctional human lectin, i.e. galectin-3, as model, its CRD is used in protein engineering to build variants with different modular assembly. Hereby, it becomes possible to compare activity features of the natural design, i.e. CRD attached to an N-terminal tail, with those of homo- and heterodimers and the tail-free protein. Thermodynamics of binding disaccharides proved full activity of all proteins at very similar affinity. The following glycan array testing revealed maintained preferential contact formation with N-acetyllactosamine oligomers and histo-blood group ABH epitopes irrespective of variant design. The study of carbohydrate-inhibitable binding of the test panel disclosed up to qualitative cell-type-dependent differences in sections of fixed murine epididymis and especially jejunum. By probing topological aspects of binding, the susceptibility to inhibition by a tetravalent glycocluster was markedly different for the wild-type vs the homodimeric variant proteins. The results teach the salient lesson that protein design matters: the type of CRD presentation can have a profound bearing on whether basically suited oligosaccharides, which for example tested positively in an array, will become binding partners in situ. When lectin-glycoconjugate aggregates (lattices) are formed, their structural organization will depend on this parameter. Further testing (ga)lectin variants will thus be instrumental (i) to define the full range of impact of altering protein assembly and (ii) to explain why certain types of design have been favored during the course of evolution, besides opening biomedical perspectives for potential applications of the novel galectin forms.


Author(s):  
Caroline J. Chapman ◽  
Ayan Banerjea ◽  
David J Humes ◽  
Jaren Allen ◽  
Simon Oliver ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesCurrently, NICE recommends the use of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) at faecal haemoglobin concentrations (f-Hb) of 10 μg Hb/g faeces to stratify for colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in symptomatic populations. This f-Hb cut-off is advised across all analysers, despite the fact that a direct comparison of analyser performance, in a clinical setting, has not been performed.MethodsTwo specimen collection devices (OC-Sensor, OC-S; HM-JACKarc, HM-J) were sent to 914 consecutive individuals referred for follow up due to their increased risk of CRC. Agreement of f-Hb around cut-offs of 4, 10 and 150 µg Hb/g faeces and CRC detection rates were assessed. Two OC-S devices were sent to a further 114 individuals, for within test comparisons.ResultsA total of 732 (80.1%) individuals correctly completed and returned two different FIT devices, with 38 (5.2%) CRCs detected. Median f-Hb for individuals diagnosed with and without CRC were 258.5 and 1.8 µg Hb/g faeces for OC-S and 318.1 and 1.0 µg Hb/g faeces for HM-J respectively. Correlation of f-Hb results between OC-S/HM-J over the full range was rho=0.74, p<0.001. Using a f-Hb of 4 µg Hb/g faeces for both tests found an agreement of 88.1%, at 10 µg Hb/g faeces 91.7% and at 150 µg Hb/g faeces 96.3%. A total of 114 individuals completed and returned two OC-S devices; correlation across the full range was rho=0.98, p<0.001.ConclusionsWe found large variations in f-Hb when different FIT devices were used, but a smaller variation when the same FIT device was used. Our data suggest that analyser-specific f-Hb cut-offs are applied with regard to clinical decision making, especially at lower f-Hb.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 2045
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gornowicz ◽  
Anna Szymanowska ◽  
Mariusz Mojzych ◽  
Robert Czarnomysy ◽  
Krzysztof Bielawski ◽  
...  

Cancer therapy is one of the most important challenges of modern medical and chemical sciences. Among the many methods of combating cancer, chemotherapy plays a special role. Imperfect modern chemotherapy justifies continuing the search for new, more effective, and safe drugs. Sulfonamides are the classic group of chemotherapeutic drugs with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. Recent literature reports show that sulfonamide derivatives have anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. The aim of the study was to synthesize a novel 1,2,4-triazine sulfonamide derivative and check its anticancer potential in DLD-1 and HT-29 colon cancer cells. The biological studies included MTT assay, DNA biosynthesis, cell cycle analysis, Annexin V binding assay, ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, and caspase-8, -9, and -3/7 activity. The concentrations of important molecules (sICAM-1, mTOR, Beclin-1, cathepsin B) involved in the pathogenesis and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer were also evaluated by ELISA. We demonstrated that the novel compound was able to induce apoptosis through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and was capable of decreasing sICAM-1, mTOR, cathepsin B concentrations, whereas increased Beclin-1 concentration was detected in both colon cancer cell lines. The novel compound represents promising multi-targeted potential in colorectal cancer, but further in vivo examinations are needed to confirm the claim.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-520
Author(s):  
Nicola Pozza

AbstractNumerous studies have dealt with the process of globalization and its various cultural products. Three such cultural products illustrate this process: Vikas Swarup’s novel Q and A (2005), the TV quiz show Kaun banega crorepati? (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), and Danny Boyle’s film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). The novel, the TV show and the film have so far been studied separately. Juxtaposing and comparing Q and A, Kaun banega crorepati, and Slumdog Millionaire provides an effective means to shed light on the dialogic and interactive nature of the process of globalization. It is argued through this case study that an analysis of their place of production, language and content, helps clarify the derivative concepts of “glocalization” and “grobalization” with regard to the way(s) contemporary cultural products respond to globalization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huai Wang ◽  
Jiankang Yang

The epidemic of the novel, pathogenic SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the world pose a global health emergency. Cancer has been identified as a risk factor for the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have been implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection for mediating viral entry into the host cell. However, a systematic analysis of aberrant expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was not yet reported in multiple human cancers. Here, we analyzed gene expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 across 31 types of tumors. Notably, overexpression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have been observed in colorectal cancer including colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and rectum adenocarcinoma (READ). In addition, the colorectal tumors with upregulated gene expressing presented with decreased DNA methylation levels. DNA methylation might be one of the reasons for abnormal expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Conclusively, colorectal cancer was the only cancer with the upregulated expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. More care of colorectal cancer patients is needed in multiple cancers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Aamar ◽  
Zeeshan Butt ◽  
Kamraan Madhani ◽  
Iqra Hussain ◽  
Joel Garsten ◽  
...  

Background. In the United States, patients wear a one-piece, reusable cloth gown during colonoscopy procedures. Many patients report embarrassment related to bodily exposure during colonoscopy. This may limit participation in colorectal cancer screening programs. Aims. To assess whether the use of a novel, disposable patient garment (Privacy Pants, Jackson, MS), which increases patient coverage, can reduce embarrassment related to bodily exposure and increase colonoscopy acceptance rates. Methods. Patients were offered a novel gown, and they completed questionnaires before and after colonoscopy. Results. A total of 120 patients participated. 54% were female and 82% were Caucasian. The novel gown had high overall satisfaction (8.3) and was associated with a sense of respect during the procedure (9.4). 67% (80) of the patients had a prior colonoscopy, and of these, 76% would request a novel gown over a traditional gown for future procedures. Among all study participants, a high rate of acceptability for repeat colonoscopy if recommended by their doctors was reported (mean of 9.4). Nonwhites were more likely to have a concern for embarrassment addressed by using novel gowns as compared to whites (P value 0.02). Conclusion. All participants, particularly women and nonwhite participants, reported high rates of respect and satisfaction and decrease in embarrassment utilizing the novel gown during colonoscopy. Patients who had prior colonoscopy with a traditional gown preferred the novel garment. A novel procedure gown may enhance colonoscopy acceptance by minimizing embarrassment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 737-741
Author(s):  
Oleksandra Vyrva ◽  
Elliott Smock ◽  
Joel Pessa ◽  
Sunil M. Thirkannad

We studied the efficacy of the glove-gauze regimen in treating superficial, partial-thickness and small full-thickness hand burns. Outcome measures included healing time, need for surgical intervention, need for formal physical therapy, restoration of range of motion, return to function and incidence of infection. All patients ( n = 123) successfully completed the regimen with an average healing time of 3.7 weeks. None required surgical debridement and seven (6%) required formal physical therapy. One hundred and eighteen patients (96%) regained full range of motion and 122 (99%) returned to their previous level of work. We believe that the glove-gauze regimen provides a simplified and effective means of managing hand burns. We conclude from our patients that the glove-gauze regimen is an effective treatment that can ensure uneventful healing of superficial, partial-thickness and small full-thickness burns. A majority of our patients healed with full range of motion and function without formal physical therapy. Level of evidence: IV


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Fugazza ◽  
Ádám Miklósi

AbstractCategorization has been tested in non-human animals after extensive training procedures under laboratory conditions and it is assumed that in non-primate species categorization relies on perceptual similarity. We report evidence of the ability to categorize objects in absence of specific training in a family dog with vocabulary knowledge of multiple toys, including exemplars of 4 categories. Our experimental design was devised to test categorization in absence of specific training and based on the spontaneously learned vocal labels of the categories, a condition that mirrors human studies more than previous experiments on non-human animals. We also observed that the dog’s categorization skills were more accurate when, prior to the categorization test, she was given the opportunity to play with the novel exemplars, suggesting that category representations arise not only from physical resemblance, but also from objects’ affordances (function).


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 635-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Xu ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Jian Zhao

Background/Aims: The novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) tumor suppressor candidate 7 (TUSC7) has been reported as a potential tumor suppressor, while the functional role of TUSC7 is still unknown in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we characterized TUSC7 expression profile in CRC patients and investigated its biological function and potential molecular mechanism. Methods: RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, cell counter kit-8 assay, cell cycle assay, EdU assay, and western blot were performed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0 software and p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: In a cohort of CRC patients, we found TUSC7 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (P < 0.01). Patients with high expression of TUSC7 had better survival than those with low expression of TUSC7 (HR = 0.342, 95% CI: 0.120-0.972, P = 0.044). Cell count kit 8 and EdU assays showed that ectopic expression of TUSC7 in HCT116 and SW480 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation rate. After silence of TUSC7 with small interfering RNA, cell proliferation rate increased. Flow cytometry analyses revealed cycles were arrested at G1 phase after TUSC7 overexpression. We found there were 2 binding sites of miR-211-3p within the sequence of TUSC7 and TUSC7 expression level was negatively correlated with miR-211-3p. TUSC7 overexpression increased the expression level of CDK6, which is a downstream target of miR-211-3p, in both RNA and protein level. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay indicated that TUSC7 could sponge miR-211-3p. Conclusion: To summary, we demonstrated that TUSC7 is a potential tumor suppressor in CRC, and TUSC7 could inhibit CRC cell proliferation by completely sponging miR-211-3p.


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