Fiberbots: Robotic fibers for high-precision minimally invasive surgery.

Precise manipulation of flexible surgical tools is crucial in minimally invasive surgical procedures, necessitating a miniature and flexible robotic probe that can precisely direct the surgical instruments. In this work, we developed a polymer-based robotic fiber with a thermal actuation mechanism by local heating along the sides of a single fiber. The fiber robot was fabricated by highly scalable fiber drawing technology using common low-cost materials. This low-profile (below 2 millimeters in diameter) robotic fiber exhibits remarkable motion precision (below 50 micrometers) and repeatability. We developed control algorithms coupling the robot with endoscopic instruments, demonstrating high-resolution in situ molecular and morphological tissue mapping. We assess its practicality and safety during in vivo laparoscopic surgery on a porcine model. High-precision motion of the fiber robot delivered endoscopically facilitates the effective use of cellular-level intraoperative tissue identification and ablation technologies, potentially enabling precise removal of cancer in challenging surgical sites.

In Their Own Voices; Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a deeper assessment of the lived experience of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent abscess, sinuses, and scars. METHODS: This study used a phenomenologic approach. Researchers recruited 10 participants via purposive sampling. Data were collected via semistructured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews, and interpretative phenomenologic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Data analysis uncovered two primary themes among participants' interview responses: "unending symptoms" and "life becoming hard." CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa negatively affect individuals' family, professional, and daily lives, and patients may benefit from psychiatric intervention.

Acousto-holographic reconstruction of whole-cell stiffness maps.

Accurate assessment of cell stiffness distribution is essential due to the critical role of cell mechanobiology in regulation of vital cellular processes like proliferation, adhesion, migration, and motility. Stiffness provides critical information in understanding onset and progress of various diseases, including metastasis and differentiation of cancer. Atomic force microscopy and optical trapping set the gold standard in stiffness measurements. However, their widespread use has been hampered with long processing times, unreliable contact point determination, physical damage to cells, and unsuitability for multiple cell analysis. Here, we demonstrate a simple, fast, label-free, and high-resolution technique using acoustic stimulation and holographic imaging to reconstruct stiffness maps of single cells. We used this acousto-holographic method to determine stiffness maps of HCT116 and CTC-mimicking HCT116 cells and differentiate between them. Our system would enable widespread use of whole-cell stiffness measurements in clinical and research settings for cancer studies, disease modeling, drug testing, and diagnostics.

MobileSkin: Classification of Skin Lesion Images Acquired Using Mobile Phone-Attached Hand-Held Dermoscopes.

Dermoscopy is the visual examination of the skin under a polarized or non-polarized light source. By using dermoscopic equipment, many lesion patterns that are invisible under visible light can be clearly distinguished. Thus, more accurate decisions can be made regarding the treatment of skin lesions. The use of images collected from a dermoscope has both increased the performance of human examiners and allowed the development of deep learning models. The availability of large-scale dermoscopic datasets has allowed the development of deep learning models that can classify skin lesions with high accuracy. However, most dermoscopic datasets contain images that were collected from digital dermoscopic devices, as these devices are frequently used for clinical examination. However, dermatologists also often use non-digital hand-held (optomechanical) dermoscopes. This study presents a dataset consisting of dermoscopic images taken using a mobile phone-attached hand-held dermoscope. Four deep learning models based on the MobileNetV1, MobileNetV2, NASNetMobile, and Xception architectures have been developed to classify eight different lesion types using this dataset. The number of images in the dataset was increased with different data augmentation methods. The models were initialized with weights that were pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset, and then they were further fine-tuned using the presented dataset. The most successful models on the unseen test data, MobileNetV2 and Xception, had performances of 89.18% and 89.64%. The results were evaluated with the 5-fold cross-validation method and compared. Our method allows for automated examination of dermoscopic images taken with mobile phone-attached hand-held dermoscopes.

Deep convolutional neural networks for onychomycosis detection using microscopic images with KOH examination.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of superficial fungal infections is still mostly based on direct microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide solution. However, this method can be time consuming, and its diagnostic accuracy rates vary widely depending on the clinician's experience. OBJECTIVES: This study presents a deep neural network structure that enables the rapid solutions for these problems and can perform automatic fungi detection in grayscale images without dyes. METHODS: One hundred sixty microscopic full field photographs containing the fungal element, obtained from patients with onychomycosis, and 297 microscopic full field photographs containing dissolved keratin obtained from normal nails were collected. Smaller patches containing fungi (n = 1835) and keratin (n = 5238) were extracted from these full field images. In order to detect fungus and keratin, VGG16 and InceptionV3 models were developed by the use of these patches. The diagnostic performance of models was compared with 16 dermatologists by using 200 test patches. RESULTS: For the VGG16 model, the InceptionV3 model and 16 dermatologists, mean accuracy rates were 88.10 ± 0.8%, 88.78 ± 0.35% and 74.53 ± 8.57%, respectively; mean sensitivity rates were 75.04 ± 2.73%, 74.93 ± 4.52% and 74.81 ± 19.51%, respectively; and mean specificity rates were 92.67 ± 1.17%, 93.78 ± 1.74% and 74.25 ± 18.03%, respectively. The models were statistically superior to dermatologists according to rates of accuracy and specificity but not to sensitivity (p < .0001, p < .005 and p > .05, respectively). Area under curve values of the VGG16 and InceptionV3 models were 0.9339 and 0.9292, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our research demonstrates that it is possible to build an automated system capable of detecting fungi present in microscopic images employing the proposed deep learning models. It has great potential for fungal detection applications based on AI.

Refugees at the Crossroads of Continents: A Molecular Approach for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Among Refugees in Turkey.

PURPOSE: Due to mass population movements driven by internal conflicts and wars, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is becoming increasingly important in Turkey. This study is aimed at determining the clinical aspects, diagnosis and genotyping of CL patients coming to Turkey from abroad. METHODS: In our study, the clinical materials obtained from the patients or sent for diagnostic purposes from other centers to our laboratory between years 2012 and 2016 were assessed retrospectively. In total, there were 38 patients from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. RESULTS: 29 (76%), 28 (73%) and 33 (87%) samples were positive by light microscopy, Novy-McNeal-Nicolle(NNN), and enriched medium, respectively. By ITS-1 gene region PCR, 31 (81%) of the cases were positive. 35 of the patients were tested positive by at least one of the diagnostic methods. By genotyping, 21 Leishmania tropica, 8 Leishmania major, 3 Leismania infantum, 2 Leishmania donovani, and 1 Leishmania aethopica were detected. CONCLUSION: This study is aimed at informing the clinicians working in the field for the import CL cases and recording the changing epidemiological features of CL in the region as well as discussing the possible focus for L. aethiopica infection which has not been shown in the region before.

Evaluation of sequential effect of isotretinoin on the haematological parameters in patients with acne vulgaris.

PURPOSE: Isotretinoin is the most effective drug for acne with some side effects. Few studies exist regarding the effects of isotretinoin on haematological parameters with different results. Mostly, baseline values with a single value during or at the end of the treatment were compared. In this study, we aimed to determine the differences in haematological parameters during isotretinoin treatment until reaching the cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 118 patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Patients with preexisting liver disease, anaemia, iron deficiency, abnormal liver function tests, thrombocytopenia/thrombocytosis or hyperlipidaemia were excluded. Laboratory monitoring for haematological parameters was performed at baseline and monthly during treatment. Parameters at the baseline, at the first and second months and at the end of the therapy were taken into account. RESULTS: According to general linear model analysis, platelets and plateletcrit increased at the first month of the treatment and then decreased to baseline. White blood cells and neutrophils decreased at the first month, then increased to baseline value at the second month, and were found to be decreased again at the end of the treatment. Mean corpuscle volume was found to be increased at the end of the treatment. Other parameters in CBC did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Although some changes occur in haematological parameters during isotretinoin therapy, all of these changes remain within the normal range. Evaluating the spot values at any time during treatment may cause misinterpretations.

Expression of nuclear factor kappa B and survivin in psoriasis.

Background and Objective. Suppression of apoptosis has been proposed as a mechanism responsible for epidermal thickness in psoriasis. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is one of the transcriptional factors that regulate many genes affecting apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine survivin and NF-κB expressions in psoriasis in comparison with normal epidermis. Patients and Methods. Immunohistochemical expressions of survivin and NF-κB were investigated in 41 psoriatic and 21 normal skin samples. Results. Diffuse nuclear survivin expression in all epidermal layers was seen in all of the psoriatic samples. NF-κB expression in different epidermal locations was seen in all of the psoriatic samples. Nuclear staining was positive in 40 psoriasis samples. Similar survivin and NF-κB expressions were observed in normal skin samples. Conclusion. Since similar expressions are seen in both normal and psoriatic epidermis, no important roles for survivin and NF-κB can be attributed in epidermal proliferation and thickness seen in psoriasis.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck: clinical evaluation and histopathology.

Clinical and histopathologic features of nonmelanoma skin cancer, physical examination, and diagnostic methods (biopsy, dermoscopy, confocal microscopy) are summarized. A diagnostic algorithm provides a useful summarization of differential diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream in a patient with classic Kaposi sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The classic Kaposi sarcoma is most common in the Mediterranean population over 50 years of age and presents with reddish-brown papules and nodules particularly on the lower limbs. Treatment depends on the clinical presentation and extension of lesions. Imiquimod is as an immune response modifier with antiangiogenic activity. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: We present a 74-year-old man with classic Kaposi sarcoma who had multiple, small, violaceous papules and nodules on the trunk and extremities with a history of 14 years. He complained particularly from plantar hyperkeratotic painful nodules. Treatment with imiquimod 5% cream under occlusion resulted with almost complete regression within 12 weeks. No local or systemic side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topical imiquimod was a safe and effective therapy in our patient with classic Kaposi sarcoma.

[The evaluation of tumor histopathology, location, characteristic, size and thickness of nonmelanoma skin cancers of the head and neck]. / Bas ve boyun melanom disi deri kanserlerinde tümör histopatolojisi, konumu, karakteristigi, boyut ve kalinliginin incelenmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the characteristic features of tumors and relationship between features in cases who underwent surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) of the head and neck. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2007 and March 2011, 106 lesions of 90 cases who underwent excision of NMSC of the head and neck in our clinic were included. The statistical analysis was performed by evaluating the demographic data, histopathologic type, size and thickness of tumor, location, Clark stage, T stage, risk of recurrence and the presence of recurrence, reconstruction technique and success rate of surgery. RESULTS: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was approximately two-fold more common than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The most common locations of tumors were the nose and lip. Most of lesions (71.7%) were at high-risk of recurrence. When the relationship of histopathologic type with the size and depth of tumor were analyzed, it was found that the size and thickness of tumor in SCC were relatively higher with a statistically significant difference. The relationship between histopathologic type and the location of tumors was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common NMSC of the head and neck. Most of these cases have the potential of high rate of recurrence. The size and thickness of SCC are higher than BCC.

Ciliary body cysts in neurofibromatosis: a new coexistence?

PURPOSE: Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant, multisystem disorder that also effects the eye. Herein, we aimed to investigate the posterior iris surface and ciliary body morphology of NF1 patients by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UB). MATERIALS & METHODS: Nine consecutive unrelated subjects with NF1, and as a control group 25 healthy subjects, were included in the study. All patients underwent ophthalmic examination including visual acuity testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, tonometry, gonioscopy (Schaffer classification), and dilated ophthalmoscopy, UB. RESULTS: Mean age was 35.1 ± 16.2 (range, 11-57) and 34.5 ± 15.6 (range, 9-60) for NF1 and control groups respectively (p>0.05). Lisch nodules were present in 16 of 18 eyes (88.8%) in NF1 group. Fundoscopic examination of the control group and 15 eyes of NF1 (83.3%) patients was normal, whereas hypoplastic and tilted optic nerve were present in three eyes, and temporally-located bone-spicule-like lesions was present in one eye of the NF1 group. UB revealed ciliary body cyst in 77.7% (14/18) of the eyes among NF1 group, and 8% (4/50) among control group (p<0.05). The mean size of the cysts were 520 ± 191 µ (range, 220-860 µ) and 495 ± 231 µ (range, 300-830 µ) at NF1 and control groups, respectively. Gonioscopic evaluation revealed that 55% of the NF1 patients have an unoccludable anterior chamber angle (Grade 3 or 4), 45% occludable angle (Grade 1 or 2), and 78% irregular pigment patches. However, occludable angle rate was just 4% in the control group, and none of the patients had irregular pigment patches. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of ciliary body cysts and NF1, and the effect of these cysts in the eye should be enlightened with further studies.

Angiokeratoma circumscriptum of the tongue.

Angiokeratoma circumscriptum of the tongue is a rare mucocutaneous vascular disorder. To date, only three cases of angiokeratoma circumscriptum of the tongue have been reported in the English literature. In this article, a case with angiokeratoma circumscriptum of the tongue was presented, and all the aspects of this clinical entity including clinical evaluation, differential diagnosis, histopathological features, and treatment modalities were discussed.

Imiquimod 5% cream for isolated lichen planus of the lip.

Lichen planus (LP) of the lips is a rare condition that is generally associated with other parts of the oral mucosa. Lip localization has an increased risk, since external trauma, smoking and ultraviolet light trigger malignant transformation. Only a few cases of isolated LP of the lips have been reported up to now, but results of larger series on oral LP suggest that it might be underestimated. Treatment of oral LP is usually difficult and lesions are generally resistant or recur, so that novel therapy alternatives are necessary. Here we report four cases of isolated LP of the lip successfully treated with imiquimod 5% cream. It was applied twice daily, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Two weeks after therapy, complete clinical and histopathological resolution was observed. No recurrence was observed during the 5, 10 and 18 months' follow-up period in cases 4, 3 and 1, respectively. Clinical and histopathological cure was also observed in case 2, but the patient showed clinical activation after 6 months. We suggest that imiquimod 5% cream is a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for oral LP.

Staged-surgery with permanent pathology for the management of high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancer of the nose.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of staged-surgery with permanent pathology on tumour recurrence of high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) of the nose and to determine the factors associated with subclinical spread and deep-margin involvement. Twenty-one patients who underwent staged-surgery with permanent pathology for high-risk NMSCs of the nose between 2007 and 2008 were prospectively followed-up for tumour recurrence. The incidence of tumour recurrence after staged-surgery with permanent pathology was 0%. A positive correlation between perineural involvement and subclinical spread (p = .012); and a statistically significant relationship between infiltrative type basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and deep-margin involvement (p = .033) was detected. Staged-surgery with permanent pathology is a reliable surgical method for complete excision of high-risk NMSCs of the nose and provides a significant decrease in tumour recurrence. Perineural involvement may cause subclinical spread, and infiltrative type BCC may invade deeper structures of the nose.