Can Autism be Catered with Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Intervention Technology? A Literature Review

This article presents an extensive literature review of technology based intervention methodologies for individuals facing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Reviewed methodologies include: contemporary Computer Aided Systems (CAS), Computer Vision Assisted Technologies (CVAT) and Virtual Reality (VR) or Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted interventions. The research over the past decade has provided enough demonstrations that individuals with ASD have a strong interest in technology based interventions, which are useful in both, clinical settings as well as at home and classrooms. Despite showing great promise, research in developing an advanced technology based intervention that is clinically quantitative for ASD is minimal. Moreover, the clinicians are generally not convinced about the potential of the technology based interventions due to non-empirical nature of published results. A major reason behind this lack of acceptability is that a vast majority of studies on distinct intervention methodologies do not follow any specific standard or research design. We conclude from our findings that there remains a gap between the research community of computer science, psychology and neuroscience to develop an AI assisted intervention technology for individuals suffering from ASD. Following the development of a standardized AI based intervention technology, a database needs to be developed, to devise effective AI algorithms

Surgical management of blunt pancreatic trauma: A modus operandi or individualized therapy?

The overall rate of blunt pancreatic trauma observed in level one trauma centers is rather low compared to other injuries, with a reported prevalence of 0.4 per 100,000 hospital admissions. The situation may be further complicated by the presence of associated major visceral injuries in these patients. A number of previous reports indicate that blunt pancreatic trauma carries high morbidity and mortality rates, especially when diagnosis is delayed or inappropriate surgery is attempted. Many mandate prompt surgical explorations for organ-specific diagnosis on CT; however other literature and upcoming studies prove otherwise. Over the years, several technologic advances have increased the sophistication of non-operative management. In our case, a period of careful observation followed by surgical intervention did not adversely effect the outcome. The period of observation resulted in stabilization of other solid organ injuries with focus on pancreas during surgical exploration

Leaking pseudoaneurysm of hepatic artery: A potentially life-threatening complication of a common procedure

We report a case of leaking pseudoaneurysm of right hepatic artery in a 54-year old female after laparoscopic cholecystectomy who presented with massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage and was successfully managed with angiography and coil embolization

Surgical palliation for unresectable pancreatic carcinoma

Objectives: To review the results of surgical palliation for unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, and to analyze the morbidity and mortality associated with the surgical procedure. The reasons for readmission after discharge from the hospital were also analyzed.Methods: A retrospective study from 1995 to 2001 was done on 30 patients with pancreatic cancer operated with palliative intent, or those explored with curative intent but histopathology revealed positive resection margins or lymph node metastasis.Results: Twenty-five (83.25%) patients were above 50 years of age. There were 16 (53.28%) male, and 14 (46.62%) females, 8 (26.64%) had diabetes mellitus, 2 (6.66%) chronic pancreatitis and 4 (13.32%) had smoking as risk factors. Twenty-three (76.59%) patients presented with jaundice, 18 (59.94%) with weight loss, 17 (56.61%) with epigastric pain, 15 (49.95%) with anorexia and 14 (46.62%) with vomiting. Whipple\u27s procedure was performed in 9 (29.97%) patients, triple bypass in 13 (43.29%), choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy in 3 (9.99%) and gastrojejunostomy alone in 5 (16.65%) patients. Seven (23.31%) patients had preoperative ultrasonography, while CT Scan was done in 24 (79.92%) and ERCP in 8 (26.64%) patients. Histopathology showed positive resection margins in 9 (29.97%) patients and lymph node metastasis in 5 (16.65%) patients. Seventeen (56.61%) patients received less than 2 units of pack cells transfusion. Most of the patients remained admitted in the hospital between 20 to 30 days. Post-operatively, delayed gastric emptying was detected in 6 (19.98%) patients, cholangitis in 2 (6.66%), wound infection in 3 (9.99%), anastomotic leak in 2 (6.66%) and line sepsis in 2 (6.66%) patients. Three (9.99%) patients expired in hospital post operatively. The reasons for re-admission after discharge included abdominal pain in 9 (29.97%) patients, anemia in 3 (9.99%), intestinal obstruction in 3 (9.99%) and urinary tract infection in 2 (6.66%) patients. Follow up record was available for 22 (73.26%) patients. Six (19.98%) patients survived for 5 to 6 months and 9 (29.97%) had a survival between 7 to 10 months.CONCLUSION: A single surgical procedure can palliate all three symptoms associated with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, and can be carried out with reasonable safety in selected patients. The commonest indication for re-admission is severe abdominal pain associated with advanced malignancy, hence chemical splanchiectomy may also be considered at the time of surgical exploration

Primary non-functioning paraganglioma of liver: A rare tumour at an unusual location

Pheochromocytomas are rare tumours, 22% of which are extra-adrenal and are known as paragangliomas. We report a case of a young male with non-functioning paraganglioma of the liver; a very uncommon primary site. A CT scan with contrast showed a huge, highly vascular mass lesion in the right lobe of the liver and a core biopsy confirmed it to be a paraganglioma. Whole body study with iodine-131-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) tracer highlighted the liver tumour but was negative for any other active lesions depicting that the tumour was confined to the liver. The lesion was completely resected by extended right hepatectomy and the patient had an uneventful recovery. There is no evidence of disease recurrence at 3 years of follow up

A Comparative Study of Consumer Perception of Product Quality: Chinese versus Non-Chinese Products

Product quality is a critical determinant of consumer satisfaction. The demand for a product depends upon the quality that a manufacturer is providing to their consumers. China, which is a growing economic power, exports its manufactured goods to the entire global markets. Chinese goods have been successful to capture market because of its competitive price strategy as compared to the products of other countries. The major problem with the Chinese products is that these are perceived as of relatively inferior quality in comparison to the products of other countries. This study is an attempt to assess the perceptions of customers regarding price and quality aspects of Chinese and non Chinese products. To compare the relative effectiveness of price and quality, the concepts of perceived life and perceived value are used. It is found that the Chinese products are perceived as price effective but the area of product quality requires immediate attention because Chinese products are perceived as of low qualit

Apprenticeship to simulation - The metamorphosis of surgical training

Surgery is a dynamic specialty and surgical competencies are a combination of both technical and non-technical skills. After the inception of the art of surgery, surgical education and training has undergone incredible evolution. The first model of surgical training was introduced in the 19th century and is known as the \u27apprenticeship model\u27, followed by the famous \u27Halstedian\u27 model. However, a report by the Institute of Medicine challenged the teaching institutions to formulate alternative methods of surgical education to ensure patients\u27 safety and to reduce the fear among patients of them being practised on. Teaching surgical skills outside the operating room to ensure patient safety has laid the foundation of simulation-based training in surgical education. More recently, the focus of surgical training and residency has shifted to competency and outcome-based models. The current review article was planned to describe the evolution and transformation of surgical training over time

Extended resection for xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis mimicking gallbladder carcinoma: Cases and review of diagnostic approach

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a rare variant of chronic cholecystitis, which can involve adjacent organs including liver, colon and duodenum mimicking gallbladder cancer. Preoperative and intraoperative differentiation of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis from gallbladder cancer is often difficult and the final diagnosis is made on histopathology of the resected specimen. We hereby report four cases of xanthogranulomatous chol ec ystitis w hich were misdiagnosed as cases of advanced gallbladder cancer based on presentation and radiological findings and underwent radical resections but the final histopathology was a diagnostic surprise. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is still a diagnostic challenge as no singlemodality has been helpful to diagnose this entity till date. Radical resection seems justified in patients who present with the features mimicking gallbladder cancer

Short-term outcomes after hepatic resection : perspective from a developing country

Abstract Objective: To review the early outcomes of hepatic resection at our hospital. Methods: This study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2008 to December 2015, and comprised patients who underwent hepatic resection. We analysed the pathology, magnitude of hepatic resection and short-term outcomes in the patients. Mean and standard deviations were used to describe categorical data whereas frequencies and proportions to describe quantitative data. Univariate analysis was done to look at the factors associated with morbidity, mortality and blood loss during surgery. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 75 participants, 43(57.3%) were males and 32(42.7%) were females. The overall mean age was 52±14 years. Besides, 37(49.3%) patients underwent hepatic resection for underlying hepatocellular carcinoma, with 30(81%) of them being cirrhotic. Major hepatectomy (\u3e3 segments) was performed in 30(40%) patients. Postoperative complications were observed in 30(40%) patients including postoperative liver failure in 3(4%) patients. The presence of one or more co-morbid conditions had a statistically significant association with postoperative morbidity (p=0.018). Mortality rate at 30days and 90days were 3(4%) and 5(6.7%), respectively. Discussion: Morbidity, mortality and blood loss were comparatively higher in cirrhotic patient