Segmentation of orbital and periorbital lesions detected in orbital magnetic resonance imaging by deep learning method

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a special place in the evaluation of orbital and periorbital lesions. Segmentation is one of the deep learning methods. In this study, we aimed to perform segmentation in orbital and periorbital lesions. Material and methods: Contrast-enhanced orbital MRIs performed between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively screened, and 302 cross-sections of contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed, T1-weighted, axial MRI images of 95 patients obtained using 3 T and 1.5 T devices were included in the study. The dataset was divided into 3: training, test, and validation. The number of training and validation data was increased 4 times by applying data augmentation (horizontal, vertical, and both). Pytorch UNet was used for training, with 100 epochs. The intersection over union (IOU) statistic (the Jaccard index) was selected as 50%, and the results were calculated. Results: The 77th epoch model provided the best results: true positives, 23; false positives, 4; and false negatives, 8. The precision, sensitivity, and F1 score were determined as 0.85, 0.74, and 0.79, respectively. Conclusions: Our study proved to be successful in segmentation by deep learning method. It is one of the pioneering studies on this subject and will shed light on further segmentation studies to be performed in orbital MR images

A Reinforcement Learning Based Controller to Minimize Forces on the Crutches of a Lower-Limb Exoskeleton

Metabolic energy consumption of a powered lower-limb exoskeleton user mainly comes from the upper body effort since the lower body is considered to be passive. However, the upper body effort of the users is largely ignored in the literature when designing motion controllers. In this work, we use deep reinforcement learning to develop a locomotion controller that minimizes ground reaction forces (GRF) on crutches. The rationale for minimizing GRF is to reduce the upper body effort of the user. Accordingly, we design a model and a learning framework for a human-exoskeleton system with crutches. We formulate a reward function to encourage the forward displacement of a human-exoskeleton system while satisfying the predetermined constraints of a physical robot. We evaluate our new framework using Proximal Policy Optimization, a state-of-the-art deep reinforcement learning (RL) method, on the MuJoCo physics simulator with different hyperparameters and network architectures over multiple trials. We empirically show that our learning model can generate joint torques based on the joint angle, velocities, and the GRF on the feet and crutch tips. The resulting exoskeleton model can directly generate joint torques from states in line with the RL framework. Finally, we empirically show that policy trained using our method can generate a gait with a 35% reduction in GRF with respect to the baseline.Comment: 6 pages, 5 Figure

The Reconstruction of Nasal Septal Perforation with High Density Porous Polyethylene Covered with Fascia Lata: An Experimental Study on Rabbit Model

ObjectivesEvaluation of a new material, high-density porous polyethylene (HDPP), which is covered with fascia lata, for experimental nasal septal perforation closure.MethodsTwenty New Zealand albino rabbits were included and divided into study and control groups. A lateral incision was made from the lateral aspect of the left nares to the incisura nasomaxillaris. After exposure of the cavum nasi, the nasal mucoperichondrium was elevated bilaterally. A full-thickness 0.5×0.5-cm perforation was created over the septum nasi with a No. 11 surgical blade. A fascia lata graft was used for the study group. The HDPP was covered with fascia lata and placed under the elevated mucosa. HDPP without a fascial covering was used in the control group. Four months after the procedure, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate resorption of the material. The animals were sacrificed, and the nasal septum was completely removed. Macroscopic and histopathological examinations were performed on the nasal septum.ResultsAll rabbits had survived after the 4-month period. Macroscopically, nine of 10 (90%) perforations were closed in the fascia lata-covered HDPP group. Histopathological examination of these nine rabbits revealed that the continuity of cartilage was disturbed in the perforation areas. Granulation tissue was inverted in areas in which the cartilage continuity was disturbed. The HDPP had remained intact at the edge of the perforation. In the HDPP group, six of 10 implants were still perforated (60%) and four (40%) were closed. The fascia lata-covered HDPP implant had a significantly higher perforation closure rate than that of the HDPP implant alone (P<0.05).ConclusionIn cases of septal perforation, it is better to cover the HDPP implant with fascia lata. This covered implant can be used for the repair of nasal septal perforations. HDPP implants are easy to work with and avoid the increased operative time and morbidity associated with harvesting autografts

Effect of classical music on stress among preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the effects of music played in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on stress symptoms, oxygen saturation, peak heart rate, and respiratory parameters among preterm infants

The Effects of Vaccines on the Sequelae Rates of Recurrent Infections and the Severity of Pulmonary COVID-19 Infection by Imaging

Although vaccines have been shown to reduce the number of COVID-19 infection cases significantly, vaccine-related reactions, long COVID-19 syndrome, and COVID-19 infection following vaccination continue to be a burden on healthcare services and warrant further scientific research. The purpose of this study was to research the severity of pulmonary COVID-19 infection following vaccination and the sequelae rates of recurrent infections in vaccinated cases by imaging. Patients who underwent follow-up CTs at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months in our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were scanned retrospectively. Furthermore, all essential information was gathered from patients’ immunization records. The major findings of our study were: (1) sequelae were frequently observed in unvaccinated cases; (2) the correlation between vaccination status and the severity of sequelae was significant; (3) there was not any significant relationship between the vaccine type and the severity of sequelae; and (4) hematocrit, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte parameters may be used as predictors of sequelae rates. COVID-19 infection, although reduced in prevalence following the development of vaccines, still remains a public health concern because of reinfection. Vaccination not only appears to protect against primary infection, but also seems to reduce reinfection and sequalae rates following reinfection

Effects of Soybean Extract and L-Tryptophan on 2, 4-Dichlorophenol Induced Testicular Toxicity in Mice

Two, 4-Dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP), an environmental pollutant has been in agriculture and synthetic chemical industry. The aim of present study was to analyse the testicular toxicity of 2, 4-DCP, which caused biochemical, spermatological and histological changes in male mice and to evaluate the possible ameliorative effect of soybean extract and L-Tryptophan (L-TRP). Soybean extract (25 mg/kg bw/day) and L-TRP (150 mg kg(-2) bw/day) were given by intraperitoneal (ip) route for 14 days. 2, 4-DCP was administered to male mice with drinking water at dose of 1000 ppm for 14 days. Biochemical parameters in serum ((glucose, creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)), spermatological and histological changes were investigated at the end of the 14 days comparatively with control group. We conclude that soy extract and L-tryptophan alleviate 2, 4-DCP testicular toxicity

Effectiveness of sub-Tenon's block in pediatric strabismus surgery

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Strabismus surgery is a frequently performed pediatric ocular procedure. A frequently occurring major problem in patients receiving this treatment involves the oculocardiac reflex. This reflex is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a sub-Tenon's block on the oculocardiac reflex, pain, and postoperative nausea and vomiting.METHODS: 40 patients aged 5-16 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists status I-II undergoing elective strabismus surgery were included in this study. Patients included were randomly assigned into two groups by using a sealed envelope method. In group 1 (n = 20), patients did not receive sub-Tenon's anesthesia. In group 2 (n = 20), following intubation, sub-Tenon's anesthesia was performed with the eye undergoing surgery. Atropine use, pain scores, oculocardiac reflex, and postoperative nausea and vomiting incidences were compared between groups.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to oculocardiac reflex and atropine use (p > 0.05). Pain scores 30 min post-surgery were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.05). Additional analgesic needed during the postoperative period was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we think that a sub-Tenon's block, combined with general anesthesia, is not effective and reliable in decreasing oculocardiac reflex and postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, this method is safe for reducing postoperative pain and decreasing additional analgesia required in pediatric strabismus surgery