Project description:INTRODUCTION:Femoral lengthening with or along intramedullary (IM) nails will occur along the axis of the nail coincident with the anatomical axis of the bone. In the femur particularly, such lengthening often creates lateral mechanical axis deviation as the knee is driven medially. In cases where shortening is associated with frontal plane deformity the surgeon needs to correct the deformity intra-operatively, however, subsequent lengthening along the anatomical axis will create deformity. Thus, planning for lengthening of the femur with or along IM nails, whether shortening is associated with frontal plane deformity or not, requires a completely different planning strategy. The author questioned if a resolution anatomical axis can be identified and used for planning when lengthening the femur along or with IM nails while still applying the same classic CORA deformity analysis method. METHODS:In a prospective study, the author included eight patients who needed femoral lengthening, five with associated frontal plane deformity and three without. The author identified a method to determine the trajectory of the nail in the lower femoral segment. It was done by calculating the angle enclosed between this resolution anatomical axis and the mechanical axis, also known as the anatomical-mechanical angle. RESULTS:This new method has proven to be effective in achieving normal alignment after lengthening is completed. CONCLUSION:The Resolution Axis Method is a new and alternative method providing a solution for planning when lengthening the femur along the anatomical axis using an IM nail, whether a deformity is present or not.
Project description:The identification of cancer subtypes is important for the understanding of tumor heterogeneity. In recent years, numerous computational methods have been proposed for this problem based on the multi-omics data of patients. It is widely accepted that different cancer subtypes are induced by different molecular regulatory networks. However, only a few incorporate the differences between their molecular systems into the identification processes. In this study, we present a novel method to identify cancer subtypes based on patient-specific molecular systems. Our method realizes this by quantifying patient-specific gene networks, which are estimated from their transcriptome data, and by clustering their quantified networks. Comprehensive analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets applied to our method confirmed that they were able to identify more clinically meaningful cancer subtypes than the existing subtypes and found that the identified subtypes comprised different molecular features. Our findings also show that the proposed method can identify the novel cancer subtypes even with single omics data, which cannot otherwise be captured by existing methods using multi-omics data.
Project description:Postoperative gait mechanics in persons with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) remain understudied as a treatment outcome despite observed, yet inconclusive, preoperative gait abnormalities. Females with FAIS demonstrate worse preoperative patient-reported hip function and altered hip mechanics when compared with males; it is unknown whether these sex differences persist postarthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to compare sex-specific gait kinematics between persons at least 1 year postarthroscopy for FAIS and healthy comparisons. General linear models with estimating equations were used to evaluate the effect of (a) limb and sex within each group, and (b) limb and group within each sex for peak sagittal and frontal plane trunk, pelvis, and hip kinematics during stance phase of gait. Analyses were covaried by gait speed. Seventeen females and eight males an average 2.5 years postarthroscopy (1.1-7.2 year) for FAIS were compared with healthy females (n = 7) and males (n = 5). Females in the FAIS group presented with an average of 4.6° more anterior pelvic tilt, and 4.8° less hip extension compared with healthy females (P ≤ .03) and 8.6° less trunk flexion, 4.8° more anterior pelvic tilt, 3.1° more pelvic drop, and 7.5° more hip flexion than males with FAIS (P ≤ .03). Males in the FAIS group presented with 2.9° less pelvic drop, and 3.2° less hip adduction than healthy males. Preoperative gait mechanics were not collected and thus changes in mechanics could not be evaluated. This study is significant to clinicians who treat patients postarthroscopy to consider sex-specific gait impairments.
Project description:There is evidence that focal epilepsy may involve the dysfunction of a brain network in addition to the focal region. To delineate the characteristics of this epileptic network, we collected EEG/fMRI data from 23 patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. For each patient, EEG/fMRI analysis was first performed to determine the BOLD response to epileptic spikes. The maximum activation cluster in the frontal lobe was then chosen as the seed to identify the epileptic network in fMRI data. Functional connectivity analysis seeded at the same region was also performed in 63 healthy control subjects. Nine features were used to evaluate the differences of epileptic network patterns in three connection levels between patients and controls. Compared with control subjects, patients showed overall more functional connections between the epileptogenic region and the rest of the brain and higher laterality. However, the significantly increased connections were located in the neighborhood of the seed, but the connections between the seed and remote regions actually decreased. Comparing fMRI runs with interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) and without IEDs, the patient-specific connectivity pattern was not changed significantly. These findings regarding patient-specific connectivity patterns of epileptic networks in FLE reflect local high connectivity and connections with distant regions differing from those of healthy controls. Moreover, the difference between the two groups in most features was observed in the strictest of the three connection levels. The abnormally high connectivity might reflect a predominant attribute of the epileptic network, which may facilitate propagation of epileptic activity among regions in the network.
Project description:Trajectory clustering and path modelling are two core tasks in intelligent transport systems with a wide range of applications, from modeling drivers' behavior to traffic monitoring of road intersections. Traditional trajectory analysis considers them as separate tasks, where the system first clusters the trajectories into a known number of clusters and then the path taken in each cluster is modelled. However, such a hierarchy does not allow the knowledge of the path model to be used to improve the performance of trajectory clustering. Based on the distance dependent Chinese restaurant process (DDCRP), a trajectory analysis system that simultaneously performs trajectory clustering and path modelling was proposed. Unlike most traditional approaches where the number of clusters should be known, the proposed method decides the number of clusters automatically. The proposed algorithm was tested on two publicly available trajectory datasets, and the experimental results recorded better performance and considerable improvement in both datasets for the task of trajectory clustering compared to traditional approaches. The study proved that the proposed method is an appropriate candidate to be used for trajectory clustering and path modelling.
Project description:Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells to patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) enables in vitro modelling of human genetic disorders for pathogenic investigations and therapeutic screens. However, using iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) to model an adult-onset heart disease remains challenging owing to the uncertainty regarding the ability of relatively immature iPSC-CMs to fully recapitulate adult disease phenotypes. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is an inherited heart disease characterized by pathological fatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss predominantly in the right ventricle, which is associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Over 50% of affected individuals have desmosome gene mutations, most commonly in PKP2, encoding plakophilin-2 (ref. 9). The median age at presentation of ARVD/C is 26?years. We used previously published methods to generate iPSC lines from fibroblasts of two patients with ARVD/C and PKP2 mutations. Mutant PKP2 iPSC-CMs demonstrate abnormal plakoglobin nuclear translocation and decreased ?-catenin activity in cardiogenic conditions; yet, these abnormal features are insufficient to reproduce the pathological phenotypes of ARVD/C in standard cardiogenic conditions. Here we show that induction of adult-like metabolic energetics from an embryonic/glycolytic state and abnormal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?) activation underlie the pathogenesis of ARVD/C. By co-activating normal PPAR-alpha-dependent metabolism and abnormal PPAR-? pathway in beating embryoid bodies (EBs) with defined media, we established an efficient ARVD/C in vitro model within 2?months. This model manifests exaggerated lipogenesis and apoptosis in mutant PKP2 iPSC-CMs. iPSC-CMs with a homozygous PKP2 mutation also had calcium-handling deficits. Our study is the first to demonstrate that induction of adult-like metabolism has a critical role in establishing an adult-onset disease model using patient-specific iPSCs. Using this model, we revealed crucial pathogenic insights that metabolic derangement in adult-like metabolic milieu underlies ARVD/C pathologies, enabling us to propose novel disease-modifying therapeutic strategies.
Project description:The puncture of the gluteal artery (GA) is a rare and difficult procedure. Less experienced clinicians do not always have the opportunity to practice and prepare for it, which creates a need for novel training tools. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of developing a 3D-printed, patient-specific phantom of the GA and its surrounding tissues to determine the extent to which the model can be used as an aid in needle puncture planning, simulation, and training. Computed tomography angiography scans of a patient with an endoleak to an internal iliac artery aneurysm with no intravascular antegrade access were processed. The arterial system, including the superior GA with its division branches, and pelvic area bones were 3D printed. The 3D model was embedded in the buttocks-shaped, patient-specific mold and cast. The manufactured, life-sized phantom was used to simulate the GA puncture procedure and was validated by 13 endovascular specialists. The printed GA was visible in the fluoroscopy, allowing for a needle puncture procedure simulation. The contrast medium was administered, simulating a digital subtraction angiography. Participating doctors suggested that the model could make a significant impact on preprocedural planning and resident training programs. Although the results are promising, we recommend that further studies be used to adjust the design and assess its clinical value.
Project description:BackgroundQ-Factor (QF), or the inter-pedal width, in cycling is similar to step-width in gait. Although increased step-width has been shown to reduce peak knee abduction moment (KAbM), no studies have examined the biomechanical effects of increased QF in cycling at different workrates in healthy participants.MethodsA total of 16 healthy participants (8 males, 8 females, age: 22.4 ± 2.6 years, body mass index: 22.78 ± 1.43 kg/m2, mean ± SD) participated. A motion capture system and customized instrumented pedals were used to collect 3-dimensional kinematic (240 Hz) and pedal reaction force (PRF) (1200 Hz) data in 12 testing conditions: 4 QF conditions-Q1 (15.0 cm), Q2 (19.2 cm), Q3 (23.4 cm), and Q4 (27.6 cm)-under 3 workrate conditions-80 watts (W), 120 W, and 160 W. A 3 × 4 (QF × workrate) repeated measures of analysis of variance were performed to analyze differences among conditions (p < 0.05).ResultsIncreased QF increased peak KAbM by 47%, 56%, and 56% from Q1 to Q4 at each respective workrate. Mediolateral PRF increased from Q1 to Q4 at each respective workrate. Frontal-plane knee angle and range of motion decreased with increased QF. No changes were observed for peak vertical PRF, knee extension moment, sagittal plane peak knee joint angles, or range of motion.ConclusionIncreased QF increased peak KAbM, suggesting increased medial compartment loading of the knee. QF modulation may influence frontal-plane joint loading when using stationary cycling for exercise or rehabilitation purposes.
Project description:Objectives The success of the rat model of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is primarily dependent on the measurement of pulmonary artery pressure. We herein demonstrate a novel method for measuring pulmonary artery pressure through a high-frequency ultrasound-guided transthoracic puncture in rats. The efficacy and time of this novel method are also discussed. Methods A single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT) was used to establish a rat model of PH. Through the heat shaping method, the tip of that puncture cannula was maintained at a certain angle after the needle core was removed. In-plane real-time guided trocar puncture of the right ventricular outflow tract was performed in the short-axis section of the parasternal aorta. The external pressure sensor was used to record the real-time waveform of right ventricular systolic pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure. Results The success rates of which using this novel method in the model group and the control group were 88.5 and 86.7%, respectively. The time of puncture pressure measurement was 164 ± 31 and 235 ± 50 s, respectively. The right ventricular systolic blood pressure, pulmonary systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure of the model group were higher than those of the control group. Conclusion The modified method for trocar is helpful for accurately positioning pulmonary artery manometry. The method described in this paper has a high success rate and short operation time. It can simultaneously measure systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean pressure of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. It has a broad application prospect in verifying the rat PH model and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring.