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Parasitology Aug 2018Although the application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering approaches was first reported in apicomplexan parasites only 3 years ago, this technology has rapidly become... (Review)
Review
Although the application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering approaches was first reported in apicomplexan parasites only 3 years ago, this technology has rapidly become an essential component of research on apicomplexan parasites. This review briefly describes the history of CRISPR/Cas9 and the principles behind its use along with documenting its implementation in apicomplexan parasites, especially Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. We also discuss the recent use of CRISPR/Cas9 for whole genome screening of gene knockout mutants in T. gondii and highlight its use for seminal genetic manipulations of Cryptosporidium spp. Finally, we consider new variations of CRISPR/Cas9 that have yet to be implemented in apicomplexans. Whereas CRISPR/Cas9 has already accelerated rapid interrogation of gene function in apicomplexans, the full potential of this technology is yet to be realized as new variations and innovations are integrated into the field.
Topics: Animals; Apicomplexa; CRISPR-Associated Protein 9; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Cryptosporidium; Gene Knockout Techniques; Genetic Engineering; Genome, Protozoan; Humans; Mice; Plasmodium; Recombination, Genetic; Toxoplasma
PubMed: 29463318
DOI: 10.1017/S003118201800001X -
SLAS Technology Feb 2022Increasing the level of automation in pharmaceutical laboratories and production facilities plays a crucial role in delivering medicine to patients. However, the... (Review)
Review
Increasing the level of automation in pharmaceutical laboratories and production facilities plays a crucial role in delivering medicine to patients. However, the particular requirements of this field make it challenging to adapt cutting-edge technologies present in other industries. This article provides an overview of relevant approaches and how they can be utilized in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in development laboratories. Recent advancements include the application of flexible mobile manipulators capable of handling complex tasks. However, integrating devices from many different vendors into an end-to-end automation system is complicated due to the diversity of interfaces. Therefore, various approaches for standardization are considered in this article, and a concept is proposed for taking them a step further. This concept enables a mobile manipulator with a vision system to "learn" the pose of each device and - utilizing a barcode - fetch interface information from a universal cloud database. This information includes control and communication protocol definitions and a representation of robot actions needed to operate the device. In order to define the movements in relation to the device, devices have to feature - besides the barcode - a fiducial marker as standard. The concept will be elaborated following appropriate research activities in follow-up papers.
Topics: Automation, Laboratory; Humans; Laboratories; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Robotics
PubMed: 35058216
DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2021.11.003 -
Light, Science & Applications Dec 2016Optical methods to manipulate and detect nanoscale objects are highly desired in both nanomaterials and molecular biology fields. Optical tweezers have been used to...
Optical methods to manipulate and detect nanoscale objects are highly desired in both nanomaterials and molecular biology fields. Optical tweezers have been used to manipulate objects that range in size from a few hundred nanometres to several micrometres. The emergence of near-field methods that overcome the diffraction limit has enabled the manipulation of objects below 100 nm. A highly free manipulation with signal-enhanced real-time detection, however, remains a challenge for single sub-100-nm nanoparticles or biomolecules. Here we show an approach that uses a photonic nanojet to perform the manipulation and detection of single sub-100-nm objects. With the photonic nanojet generated by a dielectric microlens bound to an optical fibre probe, three-dimensional manipulations were achieved for a single 85-nm fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticle as well as for a plasmid DNA molecule. Backscattering and fluorescent signals were detected with the enhancement factors up to ∼10 and ∼30, respectively. The demonstrated approach provides a potentially powerful tool for nanostructure assembly, biosensing and single-biomolecule studies.
PubMed: 30167133
DOI: 10.1038/lsa.2016.176 -
Nature Communications Oct 2022Structured light (SL)-based depth-sensing technology illuminates the objects with an array of dots, and backscattered light is monitored to extract three-dimensional...
Structured light (SL)-based depth-sensing technology illuminates the objects with an array of dots, and backscattered light is monitored to extract three-dimensional information. Conventionally, diffractive optical elements have been used to form laser dot array, however, the field-of-view (FOV) and diffraction efficiency are limited due to their micron-scale pixel size. Here, we propose a metasurface-enhanced SL-based depth-sensing platform that scatters high-density ~10 K dot array over the 180° FOV by manipulating light at subwavelength-scale. As a proof-of-concept, we place face masks one on the beam axis and the other 50° apart from axis within distance of 1 m and estimate the depth information using a stereo matching algorithm. Furthermore, we demonstrate the replication of the metasurface using the nanoparticle-embedded-resin (nano-PER) imprinting method which enables high-throughput manufacturing of the metasurfaces on any arbitrary substrates. Such a full-space diffractive metasurface may afford ultra-compact depth perception platform for face recognition and automotive robot vision applications.
Topics: Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Research Design
PubMed: 36216802
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32117-2 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 2020There has been increasing concern about compromised integrity in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because it undermines the authority of this top-level... (Review)
Review
There has been increasing concern about compromised integrity in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) because it undermines the authority of this top-level evidence-generating method and puts patients at risk. Compromised RCTs also jeopardize the validity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses when they are included. The publication-driven research environment is responsible for the emergence of integrity issues in RCTs, which has been facilitated by insufficient efforts to prevent, identify, and disclose research misconduct. The ability to assess integrity in RCTs is important to deter research misconduct. Data integrity in RCTs can be assessed in three domains: general assessment, analysis with summary data, and individual participant data check. Statistical methods play an important role in finding evidence against data fabrication or falsification in RCTs. It is important to strictly implement the prospective registration policy and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement for RCT publication, but more effort needs to be devoted to developing and validating statistical methods that identify different patterns of data manipulation. Ideally the system of submission, review, and publication would be reformed in a way that allows the timely investigation and retraction of compromised RCTs. Authors of systematic reviews should be aware of the uncertainty posed by compromised RCTs to the quality of synthesized evidence, and they should participate in the campaign to fight compromised integrity.
Topics: Data Accuracy; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reproductive Medicine; Research Design; Scientific Misconduct; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 32387277
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.04.018 -
Journal of the American College of... Nov 2019Guidewire manipulation time is rarely used in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategies.
BACKGROUND
Guidewire manipulation time is rarely used in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategies.
OBJECTIVES
This study sought to develop an algorithm based on angiographic characteristics and guidewire manipulation time.
METHODS
This study assessed 5,843 patients undergoing CTO PCI between January 2014 and December 2017 and enrolled in the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry and analyzed their CTO-PCI strategies, procedural outcomes, and guidewire manipulation time.
RESULTS
Primary retrograde approach was performed on 1,562 patients. The average Japanese CTO score of primary antegrade approach and primary retrograde approach were 1.7 ± 1.1 and 2.3 ± 1.1, respectively (p < 0.001). The overall guidewire and technical success rates were 92.8% and 90.6%, respectively. Median guidewire manipulation time of guidewire success and failure were 56 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 22 to 111 min) and 176 min (IQR: 130 to 229 min), respectively. Median successful guidewire crossing time of single wiring and parallel wiring in the antegrade alone were 23 min (IQR: 11 to 44 min) and 60 min (IQR: 36 to 97 min), and rescue retrograde approach and primary retrograde approach were 126 min (IQR: 87 to 174 min) and 107 min (IQR: 70 to 161 min), respectively (p < 0.001). Significant predictors for antegrade guidewire failure in primary antegrade approach, which were reattempt, CTO length of ≥20 mm, and no stump, did not predict guidewire failure after collateral channel crossing in primary retrograde approach.
CONCLUSIONS
Results from a large registry with information on guidewire manipulation time as well as CTO characteristics suggest a redefinition of the current strategy algorithms.
Topics: Aged; Algorithms; Chronic Disease; Clinical Protocols; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Occlusion; Female; Humans; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Operative Time; Patient Selection; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31699280
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.08.1049 -
Microbial Biotechnology Sep 2016Microorganisms are of great importance to aquaculture where they occur naturally, and can be added artificially, fulfilling different roles. They recycle nutrients,... (Review)
Review
Microorganisms are of great importance to aquaculture where they occur naturally, and can be added artificially, fulfilling different roles. They recycle nutrients, degrade organic matter and, occasionally, they infect and kill the fish, their larvae or the live feed. Also, some microorganisms may protect fish and larvae against disease. Hence, monitoring and manipulating the microbial communities in aquaculture environments hold great potential; both in terms of assessing and improving water quality, but also in terms of controlling the development of microbial infections. Using microbial communities to monitor water quality and to efficiently carry out ecosystem services within the aquaculture systems may only be a few years away. Initially, however, we need to thoroughly understand the microbiomes of both healthy and diseased aquaculture systems, and we need to determine how to successfully manipulate and engineer these microbiomes. Similarly, we can reduce the need to apply antibiotics in aquaculture through manipulation of the microbiome, i.e. by the use of probiotic bacteria. Recent studies have demonstrated that fish pathogenic bacteria in live feed can be controlled by probiotics and that mortality of infected fish larvae can be reduced significantly by probiotic bacteria. However, the successful management of the aquaculture microbiota is currently hampered by our lack of knowledge of relevant microbial interactions and the overall ecology of these systems.
Topics: Animals; Aquaculture; Ecosystem; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 27452663
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12392 -
Pediatric Investigation Sep 2019Tracheotomy is one of the riskiest procedures for composite morbidity within pediatric otolaryngology. During the postoperative period, each time the tracheostomy tube...
IMPORTANCE
Tracheotomy is one of the riskiest procedures for composite morbidity within pediatric otolaryngology. During the postoperative period, each time the tracheostomy tube is manipulated, there is opportunity for morbidity (e.g. a patient is vulnerable to accidental decannulation and airway loss).
OBJECTIVE
To identify areas of improvement in caring for "fresh tracheostomy" patients by determining the number of times a tracheostomy tube is manipulated from placement until discharge. The hypothesis is that the more a tracheostomy is manipulated, the higher probability of morbidity.
METHODS
A quality improvement initiative was conducted to map the care of patients who underwent tracheostomy placement over 12 months. Tracheostomy care and manipulation by all providers were reviewed. Complications, wound care, and respiratory treatments were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Patients were hospitalized for an average of 39 days (7-140) following tracheostomy. The first tracheostomy tube change occurred on average 6 days (5-10) following placement. Tracheostomy tubes were manipulated an average of 6 (2.5-11.9) times a day to amount to 216 (51-1091) times between placement and discharge. Bedside nurses and respiratory therapists were responsible for 95% of these actions; physicians accounted for 4%. There were 6 tracheostomy related complications. Three were accidental decannulations resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest. One of these caused long term patient morbidity. Patients with more than 4 manipulations per day during the 2 weeks following tracheostomy tube placement, were more likely to have a tracheostomy related complication than those with less than 4 (: 12.5; 95% : 1.2-130.6; 0.0349).
INTERPRETATION
While uncommon, complications related to tracheostomy can have serious long term effects and at best prolongs length of stay for patients. Reducing the number of tracheostomy manipulations may provide safer postoperative care ultimately reducing morbidity and potentially mortality; children on average have 6 tracheotomy manipulations/day with only 2% being by the physician.
PubMed: 32851308
DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12141 -
Journal of Neuroengineering and... Nov 2022Service robots are defined as reprogrammable, sensor-based mechatronic devices that perform useful services in an autonomous or semi-autonomous way to human activities... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Service robots are defined as reprogrammable, sensor-based mechatronic devices that perform useful services in an autonomous or semi-autonomous way to human activities in an everyday environment. As the number of elderly people grows, service robots, which can operate complex tasks like dressing tasks for disabled people, are being demanded increasingly. Consequently, there is a growing interest in studying dressing tasks, such as putting on a t-shirt, a hat, or shoes. Service robots or robot manipulators have been developed to accomplish these tasks using several control approaches. The robots used in this kind of application are usually bimanual manipulator (i.e. Baxter robot) or single manipulators (i.e. Ur5 robot). These arms are usually used for recognizing clothes and then folding them or putting an item on the arm or on the head of a person.
METHODS
This work provides a comprehensive review of the most relevant attempts/works of robotic dressing assistance with a focus on the control methodology used for dressing tasks. Three main areas of control methods for dressing tasks are proposed: Supervised Learning (SL), Learning from Demonstration (LfD), and Reinforcement Learning (RL). There are also other methods that cannot be classified into these three areas and hence they have been placed in the other methods section. This research was conducted within three databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Accurate exclusion criteria were applied to screen the 2594 articles found (at the end 39 articles were selected). For each work, an evaluation of the model is made.
CONCLUSION
Current research in cloth manipulation and dressing assistance focuses on learning-based robot control approach. Inferring the cloth state is integral to learning the manipulation and current research uses principles of Computer Vision to address the issue. This makes the larger problem of control robot based on learning data-intensive; therefore, a pressing need for standardized datasets representing different cloth shapes, types, materials, and human demonstrations (for LfD) exists. Simultaneously, efficient simulation capabilities, which closely model the deformation of clothes, are required to bridge the reality gap between the real-world and virtual environments for deploying the RL trial and error paradigm. Such powerful simulators are also vital to collect valuable data to train SL and LfD algorithms that will help reduce human workload.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Robotics; Disabled Persons; Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Bandages
PubMed: 36329473
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-01078-4 -
Journal of Medicine and Life 2019Patients feel uncomfortable with cervical manipulation, uterine distension and stimulation of peritoneum during hysterosalpingography (HSG) and experience lower... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Patients feel uncomfortable with cervical manipulation, uterine distension and stimulation of peritoneum during hysterosalpingography (HSG) and experience lower abdominal pain during and after the procedure. Pain during the procedure has a negative effect on the adaptation of patients to treatment and physicians are trying to overcome this unpleasant situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of midazolam and dexmedetomidine on reducing pain and spasm of fallopian tubes during and after HSG procedure in women with infertility. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 102 patients were randomly divided into two groups, midazolam and dexmedetomidine. The pain was recorded during injection and immediately after injection and 30 minutes after HSG, and then the complications of injection were recorded. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Based on the results presented herein, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of vasovagal reaction, spasticity of the tube and the side of the spastic tube and uterine cavity anomalies (p <0.05). However, the pain showed a significant difference between the two groups during the injection, immediately or at 30 minutes after the procedure (p = 0.0001). The pain in the midazolam group was less than that of dexmedetomidine. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding spasticity (p <0.05). There is a benefit in terms of pain reduction with the use of dexmedetomidine when comparing with midazolam injection. However, dexmedetomidine does not cause side effects in patients and can be used to reduce pain during injection.
Topics: Adult; Dexmedetomidine; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hysterosalpingography; Infertility, Female; Midazolam; Pain; Young Adult
PubMed: 31406520
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2019-0013