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Price: EUR 150.00Authors: Huang, Nannan | Fu, Min | Gao, Fumei | Wang, Yanbing | Lu, Man | Li, Xin | Wang, Dandan | Wang, Jing
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The success of assisted pregnancy relies heavily on the effectiveness of the embryo transfer process. Currently, embryo transfer is typically conducted with the assistance of abdominal ultrasound. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of targeted nursing interventions on the embryo transfer procedure, its impact on pregnancy outcomes, and the level of patient comfort concerning bladder management throughout the procedure. METHODS: A total of 247 patients who underwent embryo transfer at the Reproductive Center of Peking University People’s Hospital from December 2019 to August 2020 were included …in this study. These patients were categorized into two groups: the control group (n = 124) and the experimental group (n = 123). Within the control group, patients received conventional preoperative education, whereas those within the experimental group were subjected to targeted nursing interventions. Furthermore, patients in the experimental group were furnished with explicit instructions pertaining to the volume and timing of water intake. Multiple factors were assessed in this study, encompassing bladder filling, the quality of uterine imaging, the utilization of assistive devices during the surgical procedure, and pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, a post-operative questionnaire was administered to both groups to gauge their comfort levels regarding urinary retention. RESULTS: Following the targeted nursing intervention, ultrasound scans indicated an increase in bladder depth (5.91 ± 1.76 vs. 5.40 ± 1.61, P = 0.02), resulting in clearer endometrial imaging (96.74% vs. 88.71%, P = 0.02). Additionally, the experimental group reported significantly higher levels of comfort with urine retention (P = 0.01) compared to the control group, and these differences held statistical significance. Furthermore, the pregnancy rate in the experimental group was greater than that in the control group (52.85% vs. 50.8%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the premise that pregnancy rates remain unaffected, the implementation of targeted nursing care has the potential to augment bladder filling, enhance the quality of endometrial imaging, reduce the requirement for instrument-assisted embryo transfers, and notably enhance the comfort of patients in relation to urine retention. Show more
Keywords: Bladder filling, comfort with urine retention, embryo transfer, IVF, targeted nursing
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230380
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2023
Authors: Bai, Yuan | He, Fang | Yu, Ying | Li, Jia
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been shown to die mainly due to disease-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Prone position ventilation (PPV) is an important ventilation strategy in the management of patients with ARDS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of PPV in ventilation strategies for patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Three hundred patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected. Based on body position and conscious state, all patients were divided into three groups: intubation prone …position group (n = 110), awake prone position group (n = 90) and supine position group (n = 100); The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores, blood gas indicators, complications and other relevant clinical indicators were compared among the three groups. One-way ANOVA was used to compare means between multiple groups for quantitative information that conformed to a normal distribution. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for repeated measures data. Component comparisons were made using the Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test for non-normally distributed quantitative data. RESULTS: One-way repeated-measures ANOVA main effect analysis showed different effects of different treatments on PaO2 in patients with COVID-19 (F treatment = 256.231, P < 0.05), with the order of awake prone position group > intubation prone position group > supine position group. The effects of the three different treatments on P/F in patients with COVID-19 (F treatment = 311.661, P < 0.05), with the order of awake prone position group > supine position group > intubation prone position group; Moreover, the three treatments had different effects on APACHE II scores in patients with COVID-19 (F treatment = 201.342, P < 0.05), with the order of intubation prone position group > supine position group > awake prone position group. CONCLUSION: Intubation prone position and awake prone position can improve lung function to some extent in patients with COVID-19, and should be applied as early as possible in patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS. Show more
Keywords: Prone position ventilation, supine position, coronavirus disease 2019, lung function, efficacy
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230874
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2023
Authors: Zhang, Hua | Wang, Ning | Zhang, Xiao-Yan | Liu, Cong | Zhang, Jing
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of telemonitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) improves the detection rate of various arrhythmias as it offers an extended recording time and does not impose activity restrictions. However, many community hospitals lack the resources to conduct this test due to a lack of cardiac function specialists and antiquated screening equipment. OBJECTIVE: To establish a digital ECG telemonitoring system and remote consultation service between tertiary hospitals and community medical service stations to improve diagnosis and treatment effectiveness. METHODS: We used the PI ECG telemonitoring data acquisition system, with a personal digital assistant (PDA) or …computer serving as the platform for ECG acquisition, storage, display, printing, and transmission. We introduced this system to standardize the storage and transmission of ECG telemonitoring data, and ensure accurate transmission, reproducibility, and preservation of data. RESULTS: The implementation of the PI ECG telemonitoring data acquisition system enabled the sharing of remote ambulatory electrocardiography data between Beijing Shijitan Hospital and its affiliated community hospitals. This has resulted in reduced waiting times for patients to receive reports (from 0.3 to 1 hour, to 0.1 or less), shortened consultation times (from 2 hours to 0.1 hour), and improved patient satisfaction with consultations (> 20% of the patients reported they were highly satisfied). The system successfully combined the goals of intelligence, real-time synchronization, and efficiency, revolutionizing ECG telemonitoring diagnosis in the network era. CONCLUSION: Sharing digital telematics information between tertiary and community hospitals enables a tiered approach to diagnosis and treatment and allows for more efficient, accurate, and convenient remote diagnostics. Show more
Keywords: Community-based medical and health services, digital telemonitoring electrocardiography for diagnosis and treatment, information sharing, tiered diagnosis and treatment
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230914
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2023
Authors: Yuan, Zheng | Zhao, Wei | You, Yali | Wu, Wenbo | Duan, Guochen
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours that threaten human health globally. Radical resection under thoracoscopic guidance has been accepted as the major therapeutic option for treating lung cancer clinically. However, the procedure still has some adverse impacts on the comfort of patients following thoracoscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the reliability and validity of the postoperative comfort scale for patients with lung cancer undergoing endoscopic surgery and to evaluate patient comfort. METHODS: With 210 patients with lung cancer undergoing endoscopic surgery as the participants, this study was performed to …assess the reliability and validity of the postoperative comfort scale for patients with lung cancer undergoing endoscopic surgery, with the assessment performed by eight experts. RESULTS: The postoperative comfort scale included 28 items and consisted of four dimensions (physiological, psychological, socio-cultural and environmental). The total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.851, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.875. Meanwhile, the content validity index (CVI) was 0.875∼ 1, and the scale-level average CVI was 0.99. The Chi-square/degree-of-freedom ratio of construct validity was 2.844, suggesting a good model-fitting. Furthermore, the overall average score of patient comfort was 3.72 ± 0.57, with scores ranging between 3.59 ± 0.71 and 3.83 ± 1.06 across all four dimensions, with the lowest score in the physiological dimension. CONCLUSION: The postoperative comfort scale has good reliability and validity and can be applied for the postoperative comfort assessment of patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for lung cancer. Overall, the degree of patient comfort in this assessment was moderate, meaning targeted measures may be required to further improve patient comfort, especially in the physiological dimension. Show more
Keywords: Lung cancer, patients after endoscopic surgery, comfort assessment scale, reliability, validity, comfort evaluation
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231102
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2024
Authors: Yu, Juan | Peng, Yan | Yu, Liqun | Shi, Shutian
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality across the globe. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery in treating ectopic pregnancy, and its impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes. METHODS: A clinical study was conducted to compare laparoscopic and medical conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy. A total of 206 patients were treated for ectopic pregnancy at our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020. Among them, 46 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingectomy, 54 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingostomy with lesion removal, and 106 were …treated conservatively with medication. RESULTS: The age range and average age of each group are provided, with no significant differences in these general demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Both the salpingostomy and medication groups had higher rates of ectopic pregnancy compared to the salpingectomy group, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The comparison of ectopic pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and medication groups showed no significant difference. Within three years, the salpingostomy group had 10 cases of recurrent ectopic pregnancy, with 2 cases on the same side, while the medication group had 18 cases, with 8 cases on the same side. At 3 months after the normalization of blood β -HCG, the salpingostomy group showed 43 cases of tubal patency (patency rate: 79.63%), while the medication group showed 57 cases (patency rate: 53.77%), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy offers significant clinical benefits over conservative medical treatment, including higher rates of tubal patency and improved reproductive outcomes. These findings support laparoscopic surgery as an effective approach for the management of ectopic pregnancy. Show more
Keywords: Ectopic pregnancy, laparoscopic surgery, medical conservative treatment, clinical advantages, fertility outcomes
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230920
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024
Authors: Miao, Zhuang | Yu, Xinyue | Zhang, Lizhen | Zhu, Liqiao | Sheng, Huagang
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: As a traditional digestive medicine, stir-fried Raphani Semen (SRS) has been used to treat food retention for thousands of years in China. Modern research has shown that SRS has a good therapeutic effect on functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the active components and mechanism of SRS in the treatment of FD are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the material basis and mechanism of SRS for treating FD based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS: The compounds of SRS water decoction were …identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS and the potential targets of these compounds were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. FD-associated targets were collected from disease databases. The overlapped targets of SRS and FD were imported into STRING to construct Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. Then, the Metascape was used to analyze Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway after introducing overlapped targets. Finally, the active components and core targets were obtained by analyzing the “component-target-pathway” network, and the affinity between them was verified by molecular docking. RESULTS: 53 components were identified, and 405 targets and 1487 FD-related targets were collected. GO and KEGG analysis of 174 overlapped targets showed that SRS had important effects on hormone levels, serotonin synapses, calcium signaling pathway and cAMP signaling pathway. 7 active components and 15 core targets were screened after analyzing the composite network. Molecular docking results showed that multiple active components had high affinity with most core targets. CONCLUSION: SRS can treat FD through a variety of pathways, which provides a direction for the modern application of SRS in FD treatment. Show more
Keywords: Network pharmacology, stir-fried Raphani Semen, functional dyspepsia, UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS, mechanism, molecular docking
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231122
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-27, 2024
Authors: Hao, Xianjie | Yi, Yanli | Lin, Xian | Li, Jie | Chen, Cheng | Shen, Yanfeng | Sun, Yuhang | He, Jinglan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Psychological factors are a risk factor for the incidence of breast cancer and have a significant impact on patient prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effects of personalised graded psychological intervention on negative emotion and quality of life in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with breast cancer were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 100) and control group (n = 100). Both groups received routine nursing care. The experimental group …received personalised graded psychological intervention care, and the control group received routine nursing measures. After 2 months of standard treatment, the patients’ quality of life and negative emotions were evaluated using the self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), social support rating scale (SSRS) and quality of life measurement scale (FACT-B) scoring criteria. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the general data between the two groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the SDS, SAS, SSRS and FACT-B scores between the two groups before personalised graded psychological intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited an improved nursing effect compared with the control group. The SDS and SAS scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05); after the intervention, the SDS and SAS scores were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The SSRS and FACT-B scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and the experimental group’s post-intervention SSRS and FACT-B scores were significantly higher than before the intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of personalised graded psychological intervention for the nursing of patients with breast cancer in clinical practice can significantly reduce patients’ negative emotions as well as improve positive emotions and quality of life; thus, this method can be popularised in the nursing process. Show more
Keywords: Personalised grading, breast cancer, psychological intervention, negative emotions, quality of life
DOI: 10.3233/THC-232021
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2024
Authors: Mathew, Vinod Babu | Shamsuddin, Shaheen | Langaliya, Akshayraj | Rathod, Priyanka Tikaram | Gupta, Bharti | Ronsivalle, Vincenzo | Cicciù, Marco | Minervini, Giuseppe
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Literature evidence describes various treatment protocols that have been employed for the effectiveness in improving survival and addressing associated symptoms of cracked teeth. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review investigates the survivability of endodontically treated cracked teeth and associated assessments, focusing on various treatment protocols. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were utilised for guiding the article selection framework of this review. A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted in May 2023 across various databases, and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. Data extraction, guided by a standardized form, captured crucial details, including study …characteristics, treatment protocols, and treatment outcomes, enhancing the consistency and accuracy of information collection. Data extraction and synthesis was done by two reviewers independently. The Newcastle Ottawa tool was used to measure the methodological quality of the study. Six observational studies were eventually included. RESULTS: Mandibular molars are particularly prone to developing cracks, with research indicating a heightened susceptibility to this dental issue. Studies reveal that endodontically treated cracked teeth boast robust overall survival rates ranging from 75.8% to 100%. The risk of bias assessment, utilizing the Newcastle Ottawa scale, indicated a moderate risk across studies, highlighting the necessity for careful interpretation of findings. CONCLUSION: Endodontically treated cracked teeth show marked success in survival, with the incorporation of crowns post-endodontic treatment significantly enhancing longevity and resilience. Show more
Keywords: Cracked teeth, survivability, treatment protocols, tooth survival, pulpitis, periodontitis, fractures
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231993
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-15, 2024
Authors: Celebioglu, Cansu | Topalli, Ayca Kumluca
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Incubators, especially the ones for babies, require continuous monitoring for anomaly detection and taking action when necessary. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to introduce a system in which important information such as temperature, humidity and gas values being tracked from incubator environment continuously in real-time. METHOD: Multiple sensors, a microcontroller, a transmission module, a cloud server, a mobile application, and a Web application were integrated Data were made accessible to the duty personnel both remotely via Wi-Fi and in the range of the sensors via Bluetooth Low Energy technologies. In addition, potential emergencies …were detected and alarm notifications were created utilising a machine learning algorithm. The mobile application receiving the data from the sensors via Bluetooth was designed such a way that it stores the data internally in case of Internet disruption, and transfers the data when the connection is restored. RESULTS: The obtained results reveal that a neural network structure with sensor measurements from the last hour gives the best prediction for the next hour measurement. CONCLUSION: The affordable hardware and software used in this system make it beneficial, especially in the health sector, in which the close monitoring of baby incubators is vitally important. Show more
Keywords: Biomedical, cloud service, healthcare, incubators, machine learning, mobile applications, web application, child wellbeing
DOI: 10.3233/THC-240167
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024
Authors: Lei, Jie | Huang, YiJun | Chen, YangLin | Xia, Linglin | Yi, Bo
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate segmentation of tumor regions from rectal cancer images can better understand the patientâs lesions and surrounding tissues, providing more effective auxiliary diagnostic information. However, cutting rectal tumors with deep learning still cannot be compared with manual segmentation, and a major obstacle to cutting rectal tumors with deep learning is the lack of high-quality data sets. OBJECTIVE: We propose to use our Re-segmentation Method to manually correct the model segmentation area and put it into training and training ideas. The data set has been made publicly available. Methods: A total of 354 rectal …cancer CT images and 308 rectal region images labeled by experts from Jiangxi Cancer Hospital were included in the data set. Six network architectures are used to train the data set, and the region predicted by the model is manually revised and then put into training to improve the ability of model segmentation and then perform performance measurement. RESULTS: In this study, we use the Resegmentation Method for various popular network architectures. CONCLUSION: By comparing the evaluation indicators before and after using the Re-segmentation Method, we prove that our proposed Re-segmentation Method can further improve the performance of the rectal cancer image segmentation model. Show more
Keywords: Medical image, rectal cancer, data set, semantic segmentation
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230690
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2023
Authors: Luo, Linjie | Li, Ying | Zhang, Lin | Yang, Lijie
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a prevalent form of lung cancer, is characterized by its high global mortality rate. Previous studies have demonstrated the significance of Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NME) in various cancers; however, the specific role of NME6 in LUAD remains inadequately understood. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to enhance our understanding of LUAD by investigating the expression level, epigenetic mechanism, signaling activities, and immune infiltrating characteristic immune cells of NME6 in patients. METHODS: The NME6 expression was explored between LUAD and normal tissue samples using GEPIA, UALCAN and HPA databases. The survival analysis …was performed by Kaplan-Meier plotter. The Shiny Methylation Analysis Resource Tool was employed to examine the methylation characteristics of NME6. The Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH) and CIBERSORT algorithm were utilized to analyze immune infiltrating characteristic immune cells between NME6 high- and low-expression group in LUAD. RESULTS: According to GEPIA, UALCAN, and HPA databases, NME6 is highly expressed in LUAD compared to normal tissues. At the same time, elevated levels of NME6 were found to be significantly correlated with inferior overall survival outcomes in LUAD patients. Subsequently, the top 10 genes interacted with NME6 were mainly involved in seven pathways, such as p53 signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, thiamine metabolism, metabolic pathways, and drug metabolism. Notably, NME6 methylation in LUAD samples was lower than in normal samples. The methylation of cg04625862 has a significant impact on the regulation of NME6 expression in LUAD. Furthermore, high NME6 expression in LUAD was associated with tumor stages and relative abundance of tumor infiltrating immune cells, such as Macrophage M2, activated mast cell, and neutrophil. Moreover, NME6 regulated the expression of m6A modification of genes related to LUAD, including METTL3, WTAP, RBM15B, METTL14, RBMX, VIRMA, YTHDC1, RBM15, ZC3H13, YTHDF1, YTHDC2, IGF2BP2, YTHDF3, HNRNPA2B1, YTHDF2, HNRNPC, FTO, and ALKBH5. CONCLUSION: The analysis showed that NME6 is a crucial prognostic factor for LUAD patients. NME6 regulates genes related to m6A modification and immune cells infiltration. Furthermore, NME6 could sever as a potential therapeutic target for LUAD. Show more
Keywords: Nucleoside diphosphate kinase 6, lung adenocarcinoma, DNA methylation, survival analysis, immune infiltration, m6A modification
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231058
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-15, 2024
Authors: Kim, Juhee | Bae, Young-Hyeon | Ho, Seung Hee | Lee, Hyungjoo | Park, Hyukyoung
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: People with disabilities face challenges in daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited access to care, exposure to lifestyle-related diseases, and difficulties in regular exercise. Therefore, it is important to establish health safety nets using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in communities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop an m-Health-based personalized lifestyle intervention algorithm targeting high-risk groups of lifestyle-related diseases (including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) among people with hemiplegic disabilities, and to verify its feasibility. METHODS: Six people at a high risk of lifestyle-related diseases participated in an 8-week lifestyle intervention …using a wearable device and the S-Health program. The self-health management areas included walking, moderate-intensity exercise, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, diet, calorie intake, heart rate, sobriety, no smoking. Health, physical, psychological, and social changes were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: The intervention had a positive impact on the participants’ health, with statistically significant differences found in fasting blood glucose, highest systolic blood pressure, grip strength, and motor function assessment. Quality of life, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy improved post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Our findings can be used as preliminary evidence for establishing m-Health-based health safety net systems for people with disabilities who live in communities. Show more
Keywords: Community, stroke, m-Health, lifestyle interventions, feasibility
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230857
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024
Authors: Lai, Xing | Zhang, Songsong | Gong, Jianping | Ma, Rong
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer is a major health issue, so finding the most effective treatment is vital. OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis compares high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for primary liver cancer treatment. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang were used to search for English and Chinese papers. After carefully confirming data completeness and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, RevMan 5.3 was used to evaluate the included literature. Data analysis utilized a fixed-effects model for heterogeneity between 0.1 and 0.5. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 304 patients: 119 …had HIFU and 185 RF ablation. For primary liver cancer, HIFU and RF ablation were equally efficacious (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval [0.54, 1.92]). Overall survival, disease-free survival, and complications at 1, 2, and 3 years were not significantly different (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence range [0.04, 12.79], P = 0.82). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis shows no significant difference in efficacy, long-term survival rates, or complication rates between HIFU and RF ablation for primary liver cancer, but more large-scale, high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to prove their equivalence. Both therapy strategies seem promising, but additional information is needed to determine their respective merits. Show more
Keywords: HIFU, radiofrequency ablation, primary liver cancer, meta-analysis
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230868
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024
Authors: Farid, Farzaneh | Haider, Julfikar | Shahab, Marjan Sadeghpour | Rezaeikalantari, Nika
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: For placement of intraradicular posts the intracanal filling material has to be removed. If drills are employed for this purpose, extra widening of the canal, incomplete cracks or root perforation are probable when inappropriate size of drill is used. OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study assessed the efficacy of radiographs taken after completion of root canal therapy in selecting the appropriate-sized Peeso reamer for post space preparation. METHODS: Canals of 53 extracted maxillary and mandibular teeth of different types were cleaned and shaped. Then with acrylic resin 3-dimensional model of the intracanal …space of each tooth was fabricated. Next, all canals were filled with gutta-percha and teeth were radiographed buccolingually. Based on these radiographs two observers selected a Peeso reamer that best matched each canal’s diameter. The diameter of the selected Peeso reamer was compared to the diameter of the corresponding resin model of each canal by two independent observers and the difference was measured. The data were analyzed by paired sample t -test using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The diameter of the selected Peeso reamers ranged from 0.21 mm smaller to 0.12 mm larger than the diameter of intracanal spaces. The difference between reamer and resin model was less than 0.1 mm in 75% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that post-operation endodontic radiographs are reliable means for selecting a size of Peeso reamer that does not encroach on dentinal wall during removal of intracanal filling material and post space preparation. Show more
Keywords: Root canal therapy, periapical radiographs, peeso reamer, post space preparation
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231410
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2024
Authors: Zhou, Hongtao | Daud, D. Maryama Binti Ag
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sports have been a fundamental component of any culture and legacy for centuries. Athletes are widely regarded as a source of national pride, and their physical well-being is deemed to be of paramount significance. The attainment of optimal performance and injury prevention in athletes is contingent upon physical fitness. Technology integration has implemented Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) to augment the athletic training milieu. OBJECTIVE: The present study introduces an approach for assessing athlete physical fitness in training environments: the Internet of Things (IoT) and CPS-based Physical Fitness Evaluation Method (IoT-CPS-PFEM). METHODS: The IoT-CPS-PFEM …employs a range of IoT-connected sensors and devices to observe and assess the physical fitness of athletes. The proposed methodology gathers information on diverse fitness parameters, including heart rate, body temperature, and oxygen saturation. It employs machine learning algorithms to scrutinize and furnish feedback on the athlete’s physical fitness status. RESULTS: The simulation findings illustrate the efficacy of the proposed IoT-CPS-PFEM in identifying the physical fitness levels of athletes, with an average precision of 93%. The method under consideration aims to tackle the existing obstacles of conventional physical fitness assessment techniques, including imprecisions, time lags, and manual data-gathering requirements. The approach of IoT-CPS-PFEM provides the benefits of real-time monitoring, precision, and automation, thereby enhancing an athlete’s physical fitness and overall performance to a considerable extent. CONCLUSION: The research findings suggest that the implementation of IoT-CPS-PFEM can significantly impact the physical fitness of athletes and enhance the performance of the Indian sports industry in global competitions. Show more
Keywords: Athlete physical fitness, sports training, cyber-physical systems, internet of things, performance optimization
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231435
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-20, 2024
Authors: Li, Chenxi | Li, Jian | Lu, Yao | Hou, Jiahui | Zhi, Zhaoyu | Zhao, Baocun | Zhang, Xiumei
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) guided by ultrasound is a novel radiation therapy technique that facilitates the delineation of the tumor target area under image guidance, enhancing the precision of radiation therapy and maximizing the protection of surrounding tissues. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of VMAT under ultrasonic guidance for cervical cancer patients and its impact on radiotherapy dosage and prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis encompassed 128 instances of cervical cancer patients who were admitted to our medical facility between April 2019 and April 2021. The …patients were categorized into an observation cohort and a control cohort, depending on variations in treatment modalities post-admission. The control group underwent conventional radiotherapy, whereas the observation group received VMAT guided by ultrasound. Clinical efficacy, average radiation dosages (in the radiotherapy target area, rectum, and bladder), radiotherapy-related toxicities during treatment, and one-year survival rates were compared between the two groups. Additionally, variances in pre- and post-treatment serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) were subjected to assessment. RESULTS: When compared to the control group (64.52%), the observation cohort’s comprehensive effectiveness rate was considerably greater (80.30%). The observation group saw lower average radiation exposures and a reduction in the post-treatment concentrations of CEA, SCC-Ag, and CA724. The overall incidence of adverse effects from radiation treatment also declined. The observation group had a greater one-year survival rate (90.48%) than the control group (73.33%). When comparing the observation cohort to the control group, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly higher one-year survival rate (Log-Rank = 6.530, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: VMAT guided by ultrasound for patients with cervical cancer demonstrates promising short- and long-term treatment outcomes. It also leads to improvements in serum CEA, SCC-Ag, and CA724 levels, as well as reductions in the average radiation dosages to the radiotherapy target area, rectum, and bladder. This approach warrants attention from clinicians in clinical practice. Show more
Keywords: Cervical cancer, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, ultrasound, radiation dosage, prognosis
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231977
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024
Authors: Kuppusamy, Ramesh | Murugesan, Anbarasan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent times, there has been widespread deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly in the healthcare sector, where computations involving user-specific data are carried out on cloud servers. However, the network nodes in IoT healthcare are vulnerable to an increased level of security threats. OBJECTIVE: This paper introduces a secure Electronic Health Record (EHR) framework with a focus on IoT. METHODS: Initially, the IoT sensor nodes are designated as registered patients and undergo initialization. Subsequently, a trust evaluation is conducted, and the clustering of trusted nodes is achieved through the …application of Tasmanian Devil Optimization (STD-TDO) utilizing the Student’s T-Distribution. Utilizing the Transposition Cipher-Squared random number generator-based-Elliptic Curve Cryptography (TCS-ECC), the clustered nodes encrypt four types of sensed patient data. The resulting encrypted data undergoes hashing and is subsequently added to the blockchain. This configuration functions as a network, actively monitored to detect any external attacks. To accomplish this, a feature reputation score is calculated for the network’s features. This score is then input into the Swish Beta activated-Recurrent Neural Network (SB-RNN) model to classify potential attacks. The latest transactions on the blockchain are scrutinized using the Neutrosophic Vague Set Fuzzy (NVS-Fu) algorithm to identify any double-spending attacks on non-compromised nodes. Finally, genuine nodes are granted permission to decrypt medical records. RESULTS: In the experimental analysis, the performance of the proposed methods was compared to existing models. The results demonstrated that the suggested approach significantly increased the security level to 98%, reduced attack detection time to 1300 ms, and maximized accuracy to 98%. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparative analysis affirmed the reliability of the proposed model across all metrics. CONCLUSION: The proposed healthcare framework’s efficiency is proved by the experimental evaluation. Show more
Keywords: Cluster Head (CH), Electronic Health Records (EHR), Student’s T-Distribution employed Tasmanian Devil Optimization (STD-TDO), Swish Beta activated-Recurrent Neural Network (SB-RNN), Neutrosophic Vague Set Fuzzy (NVS-Fu)
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231895
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-21, 2024
Authors: Barberis, Luca | Sabatini, Luigi | Pellegrino, Andrea | Galletta, Claudia | Risitano, Salvatore | Capella, Marcello | Massè, Alessandro | Schiraldi, Marco | Indelli, Pier Francesco
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has seen renewed interest due to the potential for more natural knee kinematics with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) retention. OBJECTIVE: The present study attempts to determine differences in the 2-year survivorship and patient-reported outcomes between two surgical strategies (traditional instrumentation versus robotics) applied to the extensive use of a modern, 2nd generation BCR TKA design. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with prospectively collected data of 113 patients who underwent primary TKA between 2018 and 2020 using a 2nd generation BCR TKA implant. Patient …demographics, PROMS, and intra/post-operative complications were collected. Patients were also evaluated according to the use or not of robotics. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate revision-free survival at follow up. RESULTS: 102 patients were enrolled: 90 received traditional surgery and 12 robotic-assisted surgery. The mean age was 68 years (SD 7.76) with an average BMI of 29.6 kg/m2 (SD 3.56). The mean follow up (FU) was 32.4 ± 6.2 months (range 24–45 months). Survivorship at 2 years was 98% (95% CI: 92.4–99.5). Revisions/reoperations were performed for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear (1/4), pain (1/4), arthrofibrosis (1/4) and acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (1/4). At final FU, 92 patients (90.2%) considered themselves satisfied, showing a mean OKS of 40.6 (SD 5.1) and a mean FKS of 76.7 (SD 11.8). No differences in the outcome were found between traditional and robotic-assisted procedures. CONCLUSION: The modern BCR design evaluated in this study achieved excellent results in terms of implant survivorship, low rate of reoperation and clinical results, independently from the use of enabling technologies. Show more
Keywords: Arthroplasty, replacement, knee, anterior cruciate ligament, TKA, BCR, instability
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231608
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024
Authors: Zhang, Zanhua | He, Fang | Lin, Zhebing | Li, Zhisu | Xiang, Fei | Cai, Weiwei
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present, there are few studies on the technical requirements of manual bedside placement of post-pyloric tube in Intensive Care Unit patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of downward tract adherence method in the manual bedside placement of jejunal tubes. METHODS: In the downward group, 160 patients underwent manual bedside placement of jejunal tubes by a downward tract adherence method. In the conventional group, 144 patients were treated with conventional gas injection during the placement. The success rate, average time, and adverse reactions of the placement in the two groups were …investigated and compared. RESULTS: The success rate of the placement in the downward group was significantly higher (95% vs. 75%, P < 0.001) and the average time for the successful placement was shortened (23 ± 5.91 min vs. 26 ± 5.49 min, P = 0.025) than that in the conventional group. No treatment-related adverse reactions occurred in either group, and there were also no significant differences in vital sign changes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the downward tract adherence method in the manual bedside placement of postpyloric tubes for the intensive care patients at the bedside has a higher success rate, effectivity and safety. Show more
Keywords: Blind bedside, critical care patients, enteral nutrition, insertion skill, nasojejunal tube
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230824
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024
Authors: Khusheim, Lina H.
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hospitals employ many social workers, whose tasks are complicated and arduous. Quality of life assessments by healthcare professionals (HCWs) are essential for better healthcare and skillful health service delivery. HCWs have been under tremendous mental and psychological strain and at high risk of virus acquisition since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated public hospital efficiency issues and remedies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study examined leadership styles and job satisfaction among Saudi Arabian healthcare workers (HCWs). Between September 1 and December 31, 2021, a descriptive cross-sectional investigation …was conducted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a verified web-based survey reached the appropriate sample and data was collected. A web-based self-administered survey collected demographic data, leadership style using Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 6-S (MLQ-6S), and health care employee satisfaction (SEHC) from HCWs. RESULTS: Leadership styles affected HCW job satisfaction, according to this study. Individual concern, idealized influence, contingent compensation, and inspiring motivation were negatively correlated with work satisfaction ratings. CONCLUSION: Creating a special training programme for new leaders should cover leadership styles and approaches, the skills needed to foster a productive workplace with high-quality care, and the creation of motivated work opportunities that can boost worker engagement and satisfaction. Show more
Keywords: Leadership style, transformation leadership, transaction leadership, job satisfaction, healthcare worker, COVID-19
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230945
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-19, 2024
Authors: S.S., Akilan | Devprasad, Kayathri Devi | J, Raja Sekar
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) are integral to modern healthcare systems, providing continuous health monitoring and real-time data transmission. The sensitivity of medical data being transmitted makes security a significant concern in WBANs. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the application of the Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)-based Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange (ECDH) algorithm to enhance security within WBANs. METHOD: The study investigates the suitability of ECC for this context and evaluates the performance and security implications of implementing ECDH in WBANs. RESULTS: The findings reveal that ECDH provides a robust and computationally …efficient solution for secure key exchange in WBANs, addressing inherent vulnerabilities. CONCLUSION: The adoption of ECC-based ECDH is poised to bolster data confidentiality and integrity in WBANs, promoting trust and widespread use of these networks in healthcare applications. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding security measures in WBANs and opens new avenues for the secure transmission of sensitive medical information. Show more
Keywords: Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), security, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Diffie-Hellman key exchange (DHE), ECDH
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231614
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-20, 2024
Authors: Ding, Sheng | Wang, Jingchao | Sun, Qing | Zhang, Jianpo
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: This article has been retracted, and the online PDF has been watermarked ``RETRACTION''. The retraction notice is available at http://doi.org/10.3233/THC249001.
Keywords: Irreparable rotator cuff tears, arthroscopic acromioplasty, rotator cuff repair
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231589
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024
Authors: Su, Xiufeng | Liu, Weiyu | Jiang, Suyi | Gao, Xiaozhong | Chu, Yanliu | Ma, Liyong
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The gastroscopic examination is a preferred method for the detection of upper gastrointestinal lesions. However, gastroscopic examination has high requirements for doctors, especially for the strict position and quantity of the archived images. These requirements are challenging for the education and training of junior doctors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to use deep learning to develop automatic position recognition technology for gastroscopic examination. METHODS: A total of 17182 gastroscopic images in eight anatomical position categories are collected. Convolutional neural network model MogaNet is used to identify all the anatomical positions …of the stomach for gastroscopic examination The performance of four models is evaluated by sensitivity, precision, and F1 score. RESULTS: The average sensitivity of the method proposed is 0.963, which is 0.074, 0.066 and 0.065 higher than ResNet, GoogleNet and SqueezeNet, respectively. The average precision of the method proposed is 0.964, which is 0.072, 0.067 and 0.068 higher than ResNet, GoogleNet, and SqueezeNet, respectively. And the average F1-Score of the method proposed is 0.964, which is 0.074, 0.067 and 0.067 higher than ResNet, GoogleNet, and SqueezeNet, respectively. The results of the t -test show that the method proposed is significantly different from other methods (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The method proposed exhibits the best performance for anatomical positions recognition. And the method proposed can help junior doctors meet the requirements of completeness of gastroscopic examination and the number and position of archived images quickly. Show more
Keywords: Gastroscopic image, anatomical position recognition, convolutional neural network
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248004
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024
Authors: Castro-Egler, Cristina | Garcia-Gonzalez, Antonio | Aguilera, Jose A. | Cerezo, Pablo M. | Lopez-Crespo, Pablo | González-Herrera, Antonio
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are different ways to analyze energy absorbance (EA) in the human auditory system. In previous research, we developed a complete finite element model (FEM) of the human auditory system. OBJECTIVE: In this current work, the external auditory canal (EAC), middle ear, and inner ear (spiral cochlea, vestibule, and semi-circular canals) were modelled based on human temporal bone histological sections. METHODS: Multiple acoustic, structure, and fluid-coupled analyses were conducted using the FEM to perform harmonic analyses in the 0.1–10 kHz range. Once the FEM had been validated with published experimental data, its …numerical results were used to calculate the EA or energy reflected (ER) by the tympanic membrane. This EA was also measured in clinical audiology tests which were used as a diagnostic parameter. RESULTS: A mathematical approach was developed to calculate the EA and ER, with numerical and experimental results showing adequate correlation up to 1 kHz. Another published FEM had adapted its boundary conditions to replicate experimental results. Here, we recalculated those numerical results by applying the natural boundary conditions of human hearing and found that the results almost totally agreed with our FEM. CONCLUSION: This boundary problem is frequent and problematic in experimental hearing test protocols: the more invasive they are, the more the results are affected. One of the main objectives of using FEMs is to explore how the experimental test conditions influence the results. Further work will still be required to uncover the relationship between middle ear structures and EA to clarify how to best use FEMs. Moreover, the FEM boundary conditions must be more representative in future work to ensure their adequate interpretation. Show more
Keywords: Finite element model, energy absorbance, auditory system
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248001
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2024
Authors: Heo, Sung-Phil | Choi, Hojong | Yang, Yeon-Mo
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The stability criterion approach is very important for estimating precise behavior before or after fabricating brain computer interface system applications. OBJECTIVE: A novel approach using the Routh-Hurwitz standard criterion method is proposed to easily determine and analyze the stability of brain computer interface system applications. Using this developed approach, we were able to easily test the stability of technical issue using simple programmed codes before or after brain computer interfaces fabrication applications. METHODS: Using a MATLAB simulation program package, we are able to provide two different special case examples such as a …first zero element and a row of zeros to verify the capability of our proposed Routh-Hurwitz method. RESULTS: The MATLAB simulation program provided efficient Routh-Hurwitz standard criterion results by differentiating the highest coefficients of the s and a . CONCLUSION: This technical paper explains how to use our proposed new Routh-Hurwitz standard condition to simply ascertain and determine the brain computer interface system stability without customized commercial simulation tools. Show more
Keywords: Stability approach, Routh-Hurwitz, brain computer interface, system stability, standard criterion method
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248002
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2024
Authors: Hao, Chenru | Su, Rui | Dong, Chunnan | Zhang, Jingjing | Chi, Ziqiang | Meng, Fanzhen | Zhao, Ruibin | Wu, Yanru | Wang, Linlin | Li, Pengfei | Chen, Chengwei | Lian, Qingjie | Cheng, Li
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Flight accidents caused by spatial disorientation (SD) greatly affect flight safety. OBJECTIVE: Few studies have been devoted to the evaluation of SD. METHODS: 10 pilots and 10 non-pilots were recruited for the experimental induction of SD. Videos for giving optical flow stimuli were played at two different flow speeds to induce SD. Subjective judgment and center of foot pressure (CoP) data were collected from the tests. The data were combined to determine the occurrence of SD and analyze the SD types. RESULTS: The number of self-reported SD events …was slightly smaller in the pilots than in the non-pilots. The average upper bound of the confidence interval for the standard deviation of CoP was 0.32 ± 0.09 cm and 0.38 ± 0.12 cm in the pilots and non-pilots, respectively. This indicator was significantly lower in the pilots than in the non-pilots (P = 0.03). The success rate of the experimental induction of unrecognized SD was 26.7% and 45.0% in the pilots and non-pilots, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method offered a new to analyze unrecognized SD. We could determine the occurrence unrecognized SD. This is an essential means of reducing flight accidents caused by unrecognized SD. Show more
Keywords: Optical flow, plantar pressure, spatial disorientation, unrecognized
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248030
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024
Authors: Gómez, Carlos | Liu, Feng
Article Type: Research Article
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248000
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-1, 2024
Authors: Gong, Wontae
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Maintaining gait stability is an important factor for preventing falls of normal adults. Thus, it is necessary to conduct research on gait variables in normal adults. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we conducted research on the effect of rhythmic exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns on gait variables in normal adults. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects were divided into two groups, the training and control groups, with 16 subjects in each group. We measured various gait variables step time difference (STD), step length difference (SLD), single support difference (SSD), stance phase difference (STPD) and …swing phase difference (SWPD) for the pre-test and post-test in each group. RESULTS: As a result of paired t-tests on various gait variables (STD, SLD, SSD, STPD, SWPD) of the training and control group, the training group showed significance in SLD, STPD and STD and the control group had no significance in all items. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, which verified the effect of rhythmic exercise using the PNF patterns on the gait variables of normal adults, there was statistical significance in SLD, STPD, and STD showing that dynamic exercise using the PNF pattern is helpful in improving the walking ability of normal adults. Show more
Keywords: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, rhythmic exercise, OptoGait, gait analysis
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248036
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024
Authors: Lin, Zhong | Yang, Guang-Ming | Ye, Xiu-Bi | Liu, Xiang-Bo | Chen, Song-Sen | Zhang, Yu-Ling | Zhuo, Pi-Qi
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the widespread use of low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) and increasing awareness of personal health, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules is steadily rising. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success rate and safety of two different models of Hook-Wire needle localization procedures for pulmonary small nodule biopsy. METHODS: Ninety-four cases with a total of 97 pulmonary small nodules undergoing needle localization biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into two groups: Group A, using breast localization needle steel wire (Bard Healthcare Science Co., Ltd.); Group B, using disposable pulmonary nodule …puncture needle (SensCure Biotechnology Co., Ltd.). All patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for nodule removal on the same day after localization and biopsy. The puncture localization operation time, success rate, complications such as pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, and postoperative comfort were observed and compared. RESULTS: In Group A, the average localization operation time for 97 nodules was 15.47 ± 5.31 minutes, with a success rate of 94.34%. The complication rate was 71.69% (12 cases of pneumothorax, 35 cases of pulmonary hemorrhage, 2 cases of hemoptysis), and 40 cases of post-localization discomfort were reported. In Group B, the average localization operation time was 25.32 ± 7.83 minutes, with a 100% success rate. The complication rate was 29.55% (3 cases of pneumothorax, 15 cases of pulmonary hemorrhage, 0 cases of hemoptysis), and 3 cases reported postoperative discomfort. According to the data analysis in this study, Group B had a lower incidence of puncture-related complications than Group A, along with a higher success rate and significantly greater postoperative comfort. CONCLUSIONS: The disposable pulmonary nodule puncture needle is safer and more effective in pulmonary small nodule localization biopsy, exhibiting increased comfort compared to the breast localization needle. Additionally, the incidence of complications is significantly lower. Show more
Keywords: CT-guided, pulmonary small nodule, needle localization, Hook-Wire needle
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248027
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024
Authors: Shen, Cheng-Mao | Lin, Ya-Hui | Li, Dian-Fong | Pan, Lung-Kwang | Peng, Bing-Ru
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cerebral examination via CTA is always the first choice for patients with unexpected brain injury or different types of brain lesions to detect ruptured hemangiomas, vascular infarcts, or other brain tissue lesions. OBJECTIVE: This study innovated the acrylic gauge with five eccentric circles for computed tomography angiography (CTA) analysis to optimize the spatial resolution via Taguchi’s methodology. METHODS: The customized gauge was revised from the V-shaped slit gauge and transferred into five eccentric circles’ slit gauge. The gauge was assembled with another six acrylic layers to simulate the human head. Taguchi’s L18 …orthogonal array was adopted to optimize the spatial resolution of CTA imaging quality. In doing so, six essential factors of CTA are kVp, mAs, spiral rotation pitch, FOV, rotation time of the CT and reconstruction filter, and each factor has either two or three levels to organize into eighteen combinations to simulate the full factor combination of 486 (21 × 35 = 486) times according to Taguchi’s recommendation. Three well-trained radiologists ranked the gauge’s 18 CTA scanned imaging qualities according to contrast, sharpness, and spatial resolution and derived the unique fish-bone-plot of six factors for further analysis. The optimal factor combination of CTA was proven by follow-up verification and ANOVA to obtain this study’s dominant or minor factor. RESULTS: The optimal factor combination of CTA was A2 (120 kVp), B3 (200 mAs), C1 (Pitch 0.6), D2 (FOV 220 mm2), E1 (rotation time 0.33 s), and F3 (Brain sharp, UC). Furthermore, deriving a quantified MDD (minimum detectable difference) to imply the spatial resolution of CTA, a semiauto profile analysis program run in MATLAB and OriginPro was recommended to evaluate the MDD and to suppress the manual error in calculation. Eventually, the derived MDDs of the conventional and optimal factor combinations of CTA were 2.35 and 2.26 mm, respectively, in this study. CONCLUSION: Taguchi’s methodology was found applicable for quantifying the CTA imaging quality in practical applications. Show more
Keywords: Eccentric circles gauge, spatial resolution, Taguchi optimization, MDD
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248006
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2024
Authors: Yin, Shuang | Han, Fujun | Zhou, Chenliang | Zhao, Yonghou
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The process of wound healing is complex, and expediting it remains a challenge. The advantages of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are its non-invasive treatment, promotes healing and promotes myogenesis of C2C12 cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to play a vital role in promoting wound healing, so a combination of ELF-EMF and EGF can have far-reaching significance. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of recombinant murine epidermal growth factor (rmEGF) combined with ELF-EMF on wound healing. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, EGF …group, and ELF-EMF+ EGF group, and a 20 mm × 20 mm dorsal wound was made. The wound healing rate of rats was calculated on the 3rd, 7th, 11th and 15th day. HE staining was used to observe the micro-morphological changes during the wound healing process. RESULTS: The wound healing rate of EGF+ ELF-EMF group was better than other groups. On the 15th day of wound healing, the wounds of each group were completely healed. On the 3rd, 7th, 11th and 15th day of HE staining, the early inflammatory cell infiltration, the arrangement of fibroblasts and the number of new capillaries in the wounds of EGF+ ELF-EMF group were better than those of the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: rmEGF combined with ELF-EMF significantly promotes wound healing in SD rats. Show more
Keywords: Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field, ELF-EMF, recombinant murine epidermal growth factor, rmEGF, epidermal growth factor, EGF, epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, sprague-dawley rats, SD rats
DOI: 10.3233/THC-248028
Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024
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