Three-Dimensional Foot Position Estimation Based on Footprint Shadow Image Processing and Deep Learning for Smart Trampoline Fitness System.

In the wake of COVID-19, the digital fitness market combining health equipment and ICT technologies is experiencing unexpected high growth. A smart trampoline fitness system is a new representative home exercise equipment for muscle strengthening and rehabilitation exercises. Recognizing the motions of the user and evaluating user activity is critical for implementing its self-guided exercising system. This study aimed to estimate the three-dimensional positions of the user's foot using deep learning-based image processing algorithms for footprint shadow images acquired from the system. The proposed system comprises a jumping fitness trampoline; an upward-looking camera with a wide-angle and fish-eye lens; and an embedded board to process deep learning algorithms. Compared with our previous approach, which suffered from a geometric calibration process, a camera calibration method for highly distorted images, and algorithmic sensitivity to environmental changes such as illumination conditions, the proposed deep learning algorithm utilizes end-to-end learning without calibration. The network is configured with a modified Fast-RCNN based on ResNet-50, where the region proposal network is modified to process location regression different from box regression. To verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm, a series of experiments are performed using a prototype system with a robotic manipulator to handle a foot mockup. The three root mean square errors corresponding to X, Y, and Z directions were revealed to be 8.32, 15.14, and 4.05 mm, respectively. Thus, the system can be utilized for motion recognition and performance evaluation of jumping exercises.

Changes in pressure waves after endoscopic intervention in patients with achalasia: A focus on peristaltic recovery of the esophageal body.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We conducted the present study to investigate the recovery of peristalsis of the esophageal body and evaluate the pressure changes observed on manometry before and after endoscopic intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients were diagnosed with achalasia, and 36 received endoscopic or surgical treatment. We collected the data of 24 patients who underwent manometry before and after treatment (pneumatic balloon dilatation, n=7; botulinum toxin injection, n=10; peroral endoscopic myotomy, n=7). RESULTS: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure and nadir LES relaxation pressure decreased regardless of the achalasia subtype or type of endoscopic intervention following treatment (p<0.05). Among patients with a nadir LES relaxation pressure of <4 mmHg, 42.9% (6/14) exhibited partial esophageal peristaltic wave recovery. However, no patients with a nadir LES relaxation pressure of >4 mmHg exhibited peristaltic wave recovery (p=0.024). Of the six patients with peristaltic wave recovery, two had type I achalasia (15.4%), three had type II (33.3%), and one had type III (100.0%). The Eckardt score, symptom duration, and type of intervention were not associated with the recovery of peristaltic waves. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that normalization of the nadir LES relaxation pressure can be a predictive factor for the recovery of esophageal peristalsis.

Copper(II)-catalyzed C-O coupling of aryl bromides with aliphatic diols: synthesis of ethers, phenols, and benzo-fused cyclic ethers.

A highly efficient copper-catalyzed C-O cross-coupling reaction between aryl bromides and aliphatic diols has been developed employing a cheaper, more efficient, and easily removable copper(II) catalyst. A broad range of aryl bromides were coupled with aliphatic diols of different lengths using 5 mol% CuCl2 and 3 equivalents of K2CO3 in the absence of any other ligands or solvents to afford the corresponding hydroxyalkyl aryl ethers in good to excellent yields. In this newly developed protocol, aliphatic diols have multilateral functions as coupling reactants, ligands, and solvents. The resulting hydroxyalkyl aryl ethers were further readily converted into the corresponding phenols, presenting a valuable alternative way to phenols from aryl bromides. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that they are useful intermediates for more advanced molecules such as benzofurans and benzo-fused cyclic ethers.

Modic degenerative marrow changes in the thoracic spine : a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence, types, and locations of Modic changes (MCs) in the thoracic spine in a large number of subjects, and to investigate the relation between the distributions of MCs and disc herniations (DHs) in the thoracic spine. METHODS: Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists assessed the presence of MCs and DHs by consensus in the thoracic MRIs of 144 patients with non-specific back pain. Patient ages ranged from 22 to 88 years (mean=53.3±14.66 years), and 72 were female (50%). The prevalence, distribution, relation of MCs and DHs was recorded. RESULTS: MC was observed in 8 of the 144 patients (5.6%) and 10 of 1728 segments (0.58%). The most common MC was type II. Of the 8 patients exhibiting MC, 6 had type II (75.0%), and 2 had mixed MCs (type I/II or type II/III). MCs were distributed mainly at the mid-thoracic level (from T5/6 to T9/10). DH was detected in 18 patients (12.5%), 36 of 1728 segments (2.1%). Of the 10 segments exhibiting MC, 5 had DHs at the same level (50.0%). Accordingly, DH was strongly associated with MC (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: A low prevalence of MC was observed in the thoracic spine, and type II MC predominated. The low prevalence of MC in the thoracic spine suggests that it was caused by a relative lack of mobility as compared with the cervical and lumbar spines. And DHs were found to be strongly associated with MCs even in the thoracic spine.

Synthesis and characterization of IMPY derivatives that regulate metal-induced amyloid-ß aggregation.

Metal ions associated with amyloid-ß (Aß) species have been suggested to be involved in neurodegeneration leading to the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of metal-involved Aß species in AD neuropathogenesis, however, is not fully elucidated. In order to advance this understanding and contribute to the therapeutic development for AD, the rational structure-based design of small molecules that specifically target metal ions surrounded by Aß species has recently received increased attention. To date, only a few compounds have been fashioned for this purpose. Herein, we report the design strategy, synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new bifunctional IMPY derivatives K1 and K2. Using UV-vis and high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy, the bifunctionality of K1 and K2 (metal chelation and Aß interaction) was confirmed. These bifunctional IMPY derivatives showed preferential reactivity toward metal-induced Aß aggregation over metal-free conditions in both in vitro inhibition and disaggregation experiments. Taken together, this study provides another example of a bifunctional small molecule framework that can target metal ions associated with Aß species.

Detection of distant metastasis to skeletal muscle by 18F-FDG-PET in a case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare malignancy that originates from the epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can metastasize in lymphatic chains, including the hepatoduodenal ligament, and it often invades adjacent organs or metastasizes to other visceral organs such as the lungs, bones, adrenal glands, and brain. However, distant skeletal muscle metastasis is very rare. Moreover, a metastatic skeletal muscle tumor rarely shows specific symptoms, making it difficult to identify in a routine examination. A 45-year-old man with a chief complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography with contrast enhancement showed a malignant mass in the right hepatic lobe, and 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron-emission tomography revealed distant skeletal muscle metastases in the thorax and buttock. The patient underwent an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy for the metastatic low-echo masses in the skeletal muscle.

Spontaneous systemic tumor embolism caused by tumor invasion of pulmonary vein in a patient with advanced lung cancer.

We describe a 72-year-old man who presented with left hemiparesis due to acute cerebral infarction in the right fronto-temporal lobe. Three months prior to admission, he was hospitalized for right hemiparesis due to the acute cerebral infarction in the left anterior cerebral artery territory. To investigate the cause of his recurrent embolic event, a chest computed tomography scan and echocardiography were performed, which revealed advanced lung cancer invading contiguously through the pulmonary veins to the right main pulmonary artery and left atrium. Tumor embolism is a rare cause of stroke, occurring with primary or metastatic neoplasms of the lung. Echocardiography is a useful tool in patients with cerebral embolic episodes.