Design and development of patient health tracking, monitoring and big data storage using Internet of Things and real time cloud computing.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and quarantine have become commonplace across the world. IoT health monitoring solutions eliminate the need for regular doctor visits and interactions among patients and medical personnel. Many patients in wards or intensive care units require continuous monitoring of their health. Continuous patient monitoring is a hectic practice in hospitals with limited staff; in a pandemic situation like COVID-19, it becomes much more difficult practice when hospitals are working at full capacity and there is still a risk of medical workers being infected. In this study, we propose an Internet of Things (IoT)-based patient health monitoring system that collects real-time data on important health indicators such as pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature but can be expanded to include more parameters. Our system is comprised of a hardware component that collects and transmits data from sensors to a cloud-based storage system, where it can be accessed and analyzed by healthcare specialists. The ESP-32 microcontroller interfaces with the multiple sensors and wirelessly transmits the collected data to the cloud storage system. A pulse oximeter is utilized in our system to measure blood oxygen saturation and body temperature, as well as a heart rate monitor to measure pulse rate. A web-based interface is also implemented, allowing healthcare practitioners to access and visualize the collected data in real-time, making remote patient monitoring easier. Overall, our IoT-based patient health monitoring system represents a significant advancement in remote patient monitoring, allowing healthcare practitioners to access real-time data on important health metrics and detect potential health issues before they escalate.

The distance between the fibular collateral ligament tunnel and the common peroneal nerve allows a posterolateral corner reconstruction without neurolysis.

PURPOSE: The most popular knee posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction techniques describe that a common peroneal nerve (CPN) neurolysis must be done to safely address the posterolateral aspect of the knee. The purpose of this study was to measure the distance between the CPN and the fibular insertion of the FCL in different degrees of knee flexion in cadaveric specimens, to identify if tunnel drilling could be done anatomically and safely without a CPN neurolysis. METHODS: Ex vivo experimental analytical study. Ten fresh frozen human knees were dissected leaving FCL and CPN in situ. Shortest distance from the centre of the FCL distal tunnel and CPN was measured (antero-posterior and proximal-distal wire-nerve distances) at 90°, 60°, 30°, and 0° of knee flexion. Measurements between different flexion angles were compared and correlation between knee flexion angle and distance was identified. RESULTS: The mean distance between the FCL tunnel and the CPN at 90° were 21.15 ± 6.74 mm posteriorly (95% CI: 16.33-25.97) and 13.01 ± 3.55 mm distally (95% CI: 10.47-15.55). The minimum values were 9.8 mm posteriorly and 8.9 mm, respectively. These distances were smaller at 0° (p ≤ 0.017). At 90° of knee flexion, the mean distance from the fibular tip to the CPN distally was 23.46 ± 4.13 mm (20.51-26.41). CONCLUSION: Anatomic localization and orientation of fibular tunnels can be done safely while avoiding nerve neurolysis. Further studies should aim to in vivo measurements and results.

Analysis and Implementation of Human Mobility Behavior Using Similarity Analysis Based on Co-Occurrence Matrix.

The fast expansion of ICT (information and communications technology) has provided rich sources of data for the analysis, modeling, and interpretation of human mobility patterns. Many researchers have already introduced behavior-aware protocols for a better understanding of architecture and realistic modeling of behavioral characteristics, similarities, and aggregation of mobile users. We are introducing the similarity analytical framework for the mobile encountering analysis to allow for more direct integration between the physical world and cyber-based systems. In this research, we propose a method for finding the similarity behavior of users' mobility patterns based on location and time. This research was conducted to develop a technique for producing co-occurrence matrices of users based on their similar behaviors to determine their encounters. Our approach, named SAA (similarity analysis approach), makes use of the device info i.e., IP (internet protocol) and MAC (media access control) address, providing an in-depth analysis of similarity behaviors on a daily basis. We analyzed the similarity distributions of users on different days of the week for different locations based on their real movements. The results show similar characteristics of users with common mobility behaviors based on location and time to showcase the efficacy. The results show that the proposed SAA approach is 33% more accurate in terms of recognizing the user's similarity as compared to the existing similarity approach.

IoT Enabled Intelligent Stick for Visually Impaired People for Obstacle Recognition.

This paper presents the design, development, and testing of an IoT-enabled smart stick for visually impaired people to navigate the outside environment with the ability to detect and warn about obstacles. The proposed design employs ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, a water sensor for sensing the puddles and wet surfaces in the user's path, and a high-definition video camera integrated with object recognition. Furthermore, the user is signaled about various hindrances and objects using voice feedback through earphones after accurately detecting and identifying objects. The proposed smart stick has two modes; one uses ultrasonic sensors for detection and feedback through vibration motors to inform about the direction of the obstacle, and the second mode is the detection and recognition of obstacles and providing voice feedback. The proposed system allows for switching between the two modes depending on the environment and personal preference. Moreover, the latitude/longitude values of the user are captured and uploaded to the IoT platform for effective tracking via global positioning system (GPS)/global system for mobile communication (GSM) modules, which enable the live location of the user/stick to be monitored on the IoT dashboard. A panic button is also provided for emergency assistance by generating a request signal in the form of an SMS containing a Google maps link generated with latitude and longitude coordinates and sent through an IoT-enabled environment. The smart stick has been designed to be lightweight, waterproof, size adjustable, and has long battery life. The overall design ensures energy efficiency, portability, stability, ease of access, and robust features.

Multipath Routing in Wireless Body Area Sensor Network for Healthcare Monitoring.

Mobility and low energy consumption are considered the main requirements for wireless body area sensor networks (WBASN) used in healthcare monitoring systems (HMS). In HMS, battery-powered sensor nodes with limited energy are used to obtain vital statistics about the body. Hence, energy-efficient schemes are desired to maintain long-term and steady connectivity of the sensor nodes. A sheer amount of energy is consumed in activities such as idle listening, excessive transmission and reception of control messages, packet collisions and retransmission of packets, and poor path selection, that may lead to more energy consumption. A combination of adaptive scheduling with an energy-efficient protocol can help select an appropriate path at a suitable time to minimize the control overhead, energy consumption, packet collision, and excessive idle listening. This paper proposes a region-based energy-efficient multipath routing (REMR) approach that divides the entire sensor network into clusters with preferably multiple candidates to represent each cluster. The cluster representatives (CRs) route packets through various clusters. For routing, the energy requirement of each route is considered, and the path with minimum energy requirements is selected. Similarly, end-to-end delay, higher throughput, and packet-delivery ratio are considered for packet routing.

Design and Development of Smart Weight Measurement, Lateral Turning and Transfer Bedding for Unconscious Patients in Pandemics.

Patient care and convenience remain the concern of medical professionals and caregivers alike. An unconscious patient confined to a bed may develop fluid accumulation and pressure sores due to inactivity and deficiency of oxygen flow. Moreover, weight monitoring is crucial for an effective treatment plan, which is difficult to measure for bedridden patients. This paper presents the design and development of a smart and cost-effective independent system for lateral rotation, movement, weight measurement, and transporting immobile patients. Optimal dimensions and practical design specifications are determined by a survey across various hospitals. Subsequently, the proposed hoist-based weighing and turning mechanism is CAD-modeled and simulated. Later, the structural analysis is carried out to select suitable metallurgy for various sub-assemblies to ensure design reliability. After fabrication, optimization, integration, and testing procedures, the base frame is designed to mount a hydraulic motor for the actuator, a DC power source for self-sustenance, and lockable wheels for portability. The installation of a weighing scale and a hydraulic actuator is ensured to lift the patient for weight measuring up to 600 pounds or lateral turning of 80 degrees both ways. The developed system offers simple operating characteristics, allows for keeping patient weight records, and assists nurses in changing patients' lateral positions both ways, comfortably massage patients' backs, and transport them from one bed to another. Additionally, being lightweight offers reduced contact with the patient to increase the healthcare staff's safety in pandemics; it is also height adjustable and portable, allowing for use with multiple-sized beds and easy transportation across the medical facility. The feedback from paramedics is encouraging regarding reducing labor-intensive nursing tasks, alleviating the discomfort of long-term bed-ridden patients, and allowing medical practitioners to suggest better treatment plans.

Advancements in Dentistry with Artificial Intelligence: Current Clinical Applications and Future Perspectives.

Artificial intelligence has been widely used in the field of dentistry in recent years. The present study highlights current advances and limitations in integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning in subfields of dentistry including periodontology, endodontics, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and oral pathology. This article aims to provide a systematic review of current clinical applications of artificial intelligence within different fields of dentistry. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) statement was used as a formal guideline for data collection. Data was obtained from research studies for 2009-2022. The analysis included a total of 55 papers from Google Scholar, IEEE, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Results show that artificial intelligence has the potential to improve dental care, disease diagnosis and prognosis, treatment planning, and risk assessment. Finally, this study highlights the limitations of the analyzed studies and provides future directions to improve dental care.

Tibial Cut Accuracy in Mechanically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon to Determine Extramedullary Tibial Guide Position.

This study aimed to determine the tibial cut (TC) accuracy using extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon as an anatomical landmark to position the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) extramedullary tibial guide (EMTG), and its impact on the TKA mechanical alignment (MA). We retrospectively studied 96 TKA, performed by a single surgeon, using a femoral tailored intramedullary guide technique. Seventeen were prior to the use of the EHL and 79 used the EHL tendon to position the EMTG. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative standing total lower extremity radiographs to determine the tibial component angle (TCA) and the correction in MA, comparing pre-EHL use and post-EHL technique incorporation. Mean TCA was 88.89 degrees and postoperative MA was neutral in 81% of patients. Pre- and postoperative MAs were not correlated. As a conclusion of this study, using the EHL provides a safe and easy way to determine the position of EMTG.

Dosimetric algorithm to reproduce isodose curves obtained from a LINAC.

In this work isodose curves are obtained by the use of a new dosimetric algorithm using numerical data from percentage depth dose (PDD) and the maximum absorbed dose profile, calculated by Monte Carlo in a 18 MV LINAC. The software allows reproducing the absorbed dose percentage in the whole irradiated volume quickly and with a good approximation. To validate results an 18 MV LINAC with a whole geometry and a water phantom were constructed. On this construction, the distinct simulations were processed by the MCNPX code and then obtained the PDD and profiles for the whole depths of the radiation beam. The results data were used by the code to produce the dose percentages in any point of the irradiated volume. The absorbed dose for any voxel's size was also reproduced at any point of the irradiated volume, even when the voxels are considered to be of a pixel's size. The dosimetric algorithm is able to reproduce the absorbed dose induced by a radiation beam over a water phantom, considering PDD and profiles, whose maximum percent value is in the build-up region. Calculation time for the algorithm is only a few seconds, compared with the days taken when it is carried out by Monte Carlo.

Malleable ribonucleoprotein machine: protein intrinsic disorder in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome.

Recent studies revealed that a significant fraction of any given proteome is presented by proteins that do not have unique 3D structures as a whole or in significant parts. These intrinsically disordered proteins possess dramatic structural and functional variability, being especially enriched in signaling and regulatory functions since their lack of fixed structure defines their ability to be involved in interaction with several proteins and allows them to be re-used in multiple pathways. Among recognized disorder-based protein functions are interactions with nucleic acids and multi-target binding; i.e., the functions ascribed to many spliceosomal proteins. Therefore, the spliceosome, a multimegadalton ribonucleoprotein machine catalyzing the excision of introns from eukaryotic pre-mRNAs, represents an attractive target for the focused analysis of the abundance and functionality of intrinsic disorder in its proteinaceous components. In yeast cells, spliceosome consists of five small nuclear RNAs (U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6) and a range of associated proteins. Some of these proteins constitute cores of the corresponding snRNA-protein complexes known as small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Other spliceosomal proteins have various auxiliary functions. To gain better understanding of the functional roles of intrinsic disorder, we have studied the prevalence of intrinsically disordered proteins in the yeast spliceosome using a wide array of bioinformatics methods. Our study revealed that similar to the proteins associated with human spliceosomes (Korneta & Bujnicki, 2012), proteins found in the yeast spliceosome are enriched in intrinsic disorder.

The impact of lumbar scoliosis on pain, function and health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women.

The impact of adult scoliosis on pain, function and health-related quality of life (QOL) has not been clearly defined. A population-based study using widely applied screening tools could better reflect the impact of adult scoliosis. In this study, a visual analog pain scale assessment (VAS) for lumbar and leg pain, an Oswestry disability index (ODI) and a standard version of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire were sent by mail to 261 women of age 50 years and older, consecutively evaluated with dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (DXA) scan images. 138 patients (32 with lumbar curves 10° or bigger) returned the questionnaires. Differences in lumbar VAS, leg VAS, ODI and SF-36 values between groups of patients with curves <10°, 10°-19° and ≥20° were evaluated. Correlation analyses of the Cobb angle, age and body mass index (BMI) with VAS, ODI and SF-36 values, and multivariate regression analysis were performed. Patients with curves <10°, 10°-19° and ≥20° had no significant differences in lumbar or leg VAS, ODI or SF-36 values. ODI values correlated with age and BMI; SF-36 values correlated with BMI only; lumbar and leg VAS values did not correlate with lumbar curvature, age or BMI. Regression disclosed that Cobb angle values did not influence ODI, SF-36 or VAS values. In postmenopausal women with mild and moderate lumbar curves, Cobb angle had no influence on pain, function and QOL; age and BMI had small effect.

Lumbar scoliosis in postmenopausal women: prevalence and relationship with bone density, age, and body mass index.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of lumbar scoliosis in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older, and to determine the association of adult lumbar scoliosis with age, osteoporosis, and body mass index (BMI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Adult scoliosis prevalence has not been clearly determined. In addition, limited data are available on the correlation of adult scoliosis with age, bone mineral density, and BMI. METHODS: We studied 380 postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older, who were evaluated with dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry (DXA) scan images. The lumbar curvature magnitude in the coronal plane was measured in DXA images with Cobb's method. Scoliosis was defined by the presence of a curvature 10° or larger. Age and T-score in the lumbar spine and in both femoral necks were recorded, and BMI was calculated. Correlation analysis among the studied variables was performed, as well as a linear regression analysis to determine the effect of femoral neck T-score, spine T-score, age, and BMI as independent predictors of the Cobb angle in the lumbar spine. RESULTS.: The prevalence of lumbar scoliosis was 12.9% (49 cases); 43 cases (11.3%) had lumbar curves 10° or more but less than 20°, and six cases (1.6%) had lumbar curves more than 20°. Age and BMI were independent predictors of the Cobb angle; the femoral neck T-score and the lumbar T-score were not independent predictors of the Cobb angle. CONCLUSION: We found a 12.9% prevalence of lumbar scoliosis in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older, most of them with mild curves. Age and BMI are independent predictors of lumbar scoliosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) is not an independent predictor of the magnitude of the curve.

Therapeutic neutralization of CXCL10 decreases secondary degeneration and functional deficit after spinal cord injury in mice.

Inflammation plays a critical role in the secondary degenerative response to spinal cord injury (SCI). The influx of inflammatory cells following SCI is preceded by the expression of specific chemoattractants, including chemokines. The chemokine CXCL10 is a potent T lymphocyte recruiter and has been strongly implicated in the pathology of many CNS disorders. We have previously demonstrated that CXCL10 exacerbates secondary degeneration by blocking the function of CXCL10 prior to SCI. Here we administered neutralizing antibodies against CXCL10 1 h after SCI in order to investigate the efficacy of this therapeutic intervention in abating histologic and functional deficit following acute SCI and further assess the functional role of CXCL10 in secondary degeneration. Neutralization of CXCL10 significantly reduced inflammation, apoptosis, neuronal loss and whole tissue loss. Notably, this therapeutic treatment also promoted revascularization of the injured spinal cord and functional recovery. These data suggest that anti-CXCL10 antibody treatment is a viable therapeutic strategy for acute SCI.

Estructura y funcionamiento de un servicio de cirugía mayor ambulatoria y de corta hospitalización

Se realizó estudio de la estructura y funcionamiento del Servicio de Cirugía Ambulatoria y de Corta Hospitalización del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Miguel Enríquez", desde su creación en abril de 1989 hasta diciembre de 1995, donde se analizaron el total de intervenciones mayores (12 259) por las diferentes especialidades quirúrgicas, así como el organigrama de trabajo, y se constató un bajo índice de complicaciones (4,7 %).

A study of the structure and functioning of the Service of Ambulatory Surgery and of Short Hospitalization of the "Miguel Enríquez" Clinical and Surgical Teaching Hospital since its creation in April, 1989, to December, 1995, was conducted. The total amount of major procedures (12 259) by different surgical specialities and the working flowchart were analyzed. A low index of complications (4.7 %) was obtained.

Estructura y funcionamiento de un servicio de cirugía mayor ambulatoria y de corta hospitalización / Structure and functioning of a service of ambulatory major surgery and of short hospitalization

Se realizó estudio de la estructura y funcionamiento del Servicio de Cirugía Ambulatoria y de Corta Hospitalización del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Miguel Enríquez", desde su creación en abril de 1989 hasta diciembre de 1995, donde se analizaron el total de intervenciones mayores (12 259) por las diferentes especialidades quirúrgicas, así como el organigrama de trabajo, y se constató un bajo índice de complicaciones (4,7 porciento) (AU)

Masa ósea en pacientes con enfermedad celiaca / Bone mass in celiac patients

Se evaluó el contenido mineral óseo mediante la técnica de densitometría biofotónica (densitómetro modelo Norland 2600, Gd153) en cuerpo entero, columna lumbar y cadera, en diecisiete pacientes celiacas (entre 6 y 12 años de edad) con buena adhesión al tratamiento dietético. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad había sido hecho antes de los 30 meses en el 50 por ciento de los casos y el tiempo de tratamiento en promedio era de 69,8 ñ 36 meses. El grupo control estuvo formado por 48 escolares de igual edad y sexo seleccionados al azar de un colegio de nivel socieconómico medio. Los resultados de masa ósea total (MOT) y de densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en celiacos y controles se calcularon como puntaje z con respecto a los valores de referencia establecidos previamente por los autores en población escolar chilena. Las pacientes celiacas tuvieron significativamente menor MOT y DMO que las controles en cuerpo entro (-1.11 ñ 0.94 vs 0.00 ñ 0.85 y 0.59 ñ 0.76 vs -0.06 ñ 0.84 respectivamente) y en columna (-0.79 ñ 1.04 vs 0.003 ñ 0.92 y 1.49 ñ 0.99 vs 0.06 ñ 0.87 respectivamente). En cadera sólo se encontraron diferencias significativas en MOT de cuello femoral (-0.62 ñ 1.28 vs -0.08 ñ 0.82, sin diferencias en la DMO. A pesar de un diagnóstico temprano y la buena adhesión al tratamiento libre de gluten se encontró un déficit en la masa ósea de pacientes celiacas, que no puede atribuirse solamente a su menor estatura. No es posible identificar los mecanismos involucrados en la producción de éste déficit, pero si señalar a las pacientes celiacas como un grupo con mayor riesgo de desarrollar osteoporósis en su vida futura, hecho que debe ser considerado en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad

Cirugía ambulatoria mayor: estado de satisfacción de los pacientes parte II / Outpatient major surgery: patients satisfaction after treatmen part II

Durante los meses de abril y mayo de 1989 fueron operados 254 enfermos con el método de cirugía ambulatoria mayor; de estos fueron encuestados 241 que representan el 94,8 %; opinó el 100 % positivamente en relación con el método, y el 99,2 % su satisfacción con su aplicación personal. El criterio sobre el seguimiento por el médico de la familia fue bueno en el 98,8

Cirugía ambulatoria mayor: estado de satisfacción de los pacientes parte II / Outpatient major surgery: patients satisfaction after treatmen part II

Durante los meses de abril y mayo de 1989 fueron operados 254 enfermos con el método de cirugía ambulatoria mayor; de estos fueron encuestados 241 que representan el 94,8 %; opinó el 100 % positivamente en relación con el método, y el 99,2 % su satisfacción con su aplicación personal. El criterio sobre el seguimiento por el médico de la familia fue bueno en el 98,8