Visualizing bacteria-carrying particles in the operating room: exposing invisible risks

Surgical site infections occur due to contamination of the wound area by bacteria-carrying particles during the surgery. There are many surgery preparation conditions that might block the path of clean air in the operating room, consequently increasing the contamination level at the surgical zone. The main goal of the current study is to translate this knowledge into a perceivable tool for the medical staff by applying state-of-the-art simulation and visualization techniques. In this work, the results of numerical simulations are used to inform visualization. These results predict the airflow fields in the operating rooms equipped with mixing, laminar airflow and temperature-controlled airflow ventilation systems. In this regard, the visualization uses a virtual reality interface to translate the computational fluid dynamics simulations into usable animations. The results of this study help the surgical and technical staff to update their procedures by using the provided virtual tools.publishedVersio

Multisensory 360 videos under varying resolution levels enhance presence

Omnidirectional videos have become a leading multimedia format for Virtual Reality applications. While live 360◦ videos offer a unique immersive experience, streaming of omnidirectional content at high resolutions is not always feasible in bandwidth-limited networks. While in the case of flat videos, scaling to lower resolutions works well, 360◦ video quality is seriously degraded because of the viewing distances involved in head-mounted displays. Hence, in this paper, we investigate first how quality degradation impacts the sense of presence in immersive Virtual Reality applications. Then, we are pushing the boundaries of 360◦ technology through the enhancement with multisensory stimuli. 48 participants experimented both 360◦ scenarios (with and without multisensory content), while they were divided randomly between four conditions characterised by different encoding qualities (HD, FullHD, 2.5K, 4K). The results showed that presence is not mediated by streaming at a higher bitrate. The trend we identified revealed however that presence is positively and significantly impacted by the enhancement with multisensory content. This shows that multisensory technology is crucial in creating more immersive experiences

Trends in virtual reality technologies for the learning patient

NextMed convened the Medicine Meets Virtual Reality 22 (MMVR 22) conference in 2016. Since 1992, the conference has brought together a diverse group of researchers to share creative solutions for the evolving challenge of integrating virtual reality tools into medical education. Virtual reality (VR) and its enabling technologies utilize hardware and software to simulate environments and encounters where users can interact and learn. The MMVR 22 symposium proceedings contain projects that support a variety of learners: medical students, practitioners, soldiers, and patients. This report will contemplate the trends in virtual reality technologies for patients navigating their medical and healthcare learning. The learning patient seeks more than intervention; they seek prevention. From virtual humans and environments to motion sensors and haptic devices, patients are surrounded by increasingly rich and transformative data-driven tools. Applied data enables VR applications to simulate experience, predict health outcomes, and motivate new behavior. The MMVR 22 presents investigations into the usability of wearable devices, the efficacy of avatar inclusion, and the viability of multi-player gaming. With increasing need for individualized and scalable programming, only committed open source efforts will align instructional designers, technology integrators, trainers, and clinicians. Curriculum and InstructionCurriculum and Instructio

Thermal and wind devices for multisensory human-computer interaction: an overview

In order to create immersive experiences in virtual worlds, we need to explore different human senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). Many different devices have been developed by both industry and academia towards this aim. In this paper, we focus our attention on the researched area of thermal and wind devices to deliver the sensations of heat and cold against people’s skin and their application to human-computer interaction (HCI). First, we present a review of devices and their features that were identified as relevant. Then, we highlight the users’ experience with thermal and wind devices, highlighting limitations either found or inferred by the authors and studies selected for this survey. Accordingly, from the current literature, we can infer that, in wind and temperature-based haptic systems (i) users experience wind effects produced by fans that move air molecules at room temperature, and (ii) there is no integration of thermal components to devices intended for the production of both cold or hot airflows. Subsequently, an analysis of why thermal wind devices have not been devised yet is undertaken, highlighting the challenges of creating such devices.Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Foundation (FAPES, Brazil) - Finance Code 2021-GL60J), the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Brazil) - Finance Code 88881.187844/2018-01 and 88887.570688/2020-00 and by the National Council for Scientific and Technological (CNPq, Brazil) - Finance Code 307718/2020-4. The work was also funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 688503. E. B. Saleme additionally acknowledges aid from the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo

Safety and physiological effects of two different doses of elosulfase alfa in patients with morquio a syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, pilot study.

The primary treatment outcomes of a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, pilot study evaluating safety, physiological, and pharmacological effects of elosulfase alfa in patients with Morquio A syndrome are herewith presented. Patients aged ≥7 years and able to walk ≥200 m in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) were randomized to elosulfase alfa 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg/week for 27 weeks. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety of both doses. Secondary objectives were to evaluate effects on endurance (6MWT and 3-min stair climb test [3MSCT]), exercise capacity (cardio-pulmonary exercise test [CPET]), respiratory function, muscle strength, cardiac function, pain, and urine keratan sulfate (uKS) levels, and to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. Twenty-five patients were enrolled (15 randomized to 2.0 mg/kg/week and 10 to 4.0 mg/kg/week). No new or unexpected safety signals were observed. After 24 weeks, there were no improvements versus baseline in the 6MWT, yet numerical improvements were seen in the 3MSCT with 4.0 mg/kg/week. uKS and pharmacokinetic data suggested no linear relationship over the 2.0-4.0 mg/kg dose range. Overall, an abnormal exercise capacity (evaluated in 10 and 5 patients in the 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg/week groups, respectively), impaired muscle strength, and considerable pain were observed at baseline, and there were trends towards improvements in all domains after treatment. In conclusion, preliminary data of this small study in a Morquio A population with relatively good endurance confirmed the acceptable safety profile of elosulfase alfa and showed a trend of increased exercise capacity and muscle strength and decreased pain

Endurance exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Endurance exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas

Test de marcha 6 minutos en pacientes con fibrosis quística como método de evaluación de la capacidad funcional, medida a través del volumen espiratorio forzado durante el primer segundo.

Tesis (Kinesiólogo)Existe poca evidencia científica que analice la correlación entre la capacidad funcional, predeterminada mediante el volumen espirado forzado durante el primer segundo (VEF1), y la performance del test de marcha de seis minutos en pacientes con fibrosis quística. La presente revisión tiene como objetivo analizar la literatura respecto de la correlación entre la distancia recorrida en el test de marcha de seis minutos y la valoración de la capacidad funcional de pacientes con fibrosis quística –niños, adolescentes y adultos- en términos de VEF1. Se realizó la búsqueda de estudios en las bases de datos Cochrane Library, Medline, Pubmed, PEDro, Sport and Rehabilitation Medicine Source y Scielo. Fueron incluídos estudios de tipo caso control y prevalencia del año 2005 al 2013, con usuarios de 6 a 45 años de edad. De un total de 13 estudios, 5 artículos fueron seleccionados para este análisis. El análisis crítico de los estudios fue realizado con dos herramientas, la Critical Appraisal Skills Programe en su versión validada al español (CASPe) para los artículos de caso-control, y la Questions to assist with the critical appraisal desarrollado por la Universidad de Cardiff , para los estudios de prevalencia; que no se encuentra validada al español. En base a los estudios analizados, concluimos que la distancia alcanzada en el test de marcha de seis minutos se correlaciona con la capacidad funcional de los pacientes con fibrosis quística, como también con otras enfermedades respiratorias crónicas; además la distancia caminada es un parámetro predictor de muerte (cuando es menor o igual a 475 metros) e indica la necesidad de medidas como el trasplante pulmonar.There are few evidence that analyze the correlation between functional capacity, predetermined by FEV1, and the six minute walk test performance in patients with cystic fibrosis. The purpose of this review is to analyze studies on correlation between distance of six minute walk test and functional capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis –children, adolescents and adults- in terms of FEV1. A search in Cochrane Library, Medline, Pubmed, PEDro, Sport and Rehabilitation Medicine Source and Scielo database was performed. Inclusion criteria for review were case-control and cross sectional studies dated 2005 to 2013, patients 6 to 45 years old. From 13 studies, finally 5 articles were selected to critically apparaised. This critical analysis was performed with CASPe and Questions to assist with the critical appraisal of the Cardiff University; the latter is not validated in spanish version. Based on this systematic review, we concluded that distance reached in six minute walk test correlates with functional capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis, and also with others chronic pulmonary disease; as well as distance is predicted death (when ≤475 m) and indicates lung transplant