Implementation and Evaluation of a Cooperative Vehicle-to-Pedestrian Safety Application

While the development of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) safety applications based on Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) has been extensively undergoing standardization for more than a decade, such applications are extremely missing for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs). Nonexistence of collaborative systems between VRUs and vehicles was the main reason for this lack of attention. Recent developments in Wi-Fi Direct and DSRC-enabled smartphones are changing this perspective. Leveraging the existing V2V platforms, we propose a new framework using a DSRC-enabled smartphone to extend safety benefits to VRUs. The interoperability of applications between vehicles and portable DSRC enabled devices is achieved through the SAE J2735 Personal Safety Message (PSM). However, considering the fact that VRU movement dynamics, response times, and crash scenarios are fundamentally different from vehicles, a specific framework should be designed for VRU safety applications to study their performance. In this article, we first propose an end-to-end Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) framework to provide situational awareness and hazard detection based on the most common and injury-prone crash scenarios. The details of our VRU safety module, including target classification and collision detection algorithms, are explained next. Furthermore, we propose and evaluate a mitigating solution for congestion and power consumption issues in such systems. Finally, the whole system is implemented and analyzed for realistic crash scenarios

AROW: A V2X-based Automated Right-of-Way Algorithm for Distributed Cooperative Intersection Management

Safe and efficient intersection management is critical for an improved driving experience. As per several studies, an increasing number of crashes and fatalities occur every year at intersections. Most crashes are a consequence of a lack of situational awareness and ambiguity over intersection crossing priority. In this regard, research in Cooperative Intersection Management (CIM) is considered highly significant since it can utilize Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication among Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). CAVs can transceive basic and/or advanced safety information, thereby improving situational awareness at intersections. Although numerous studies have been performed on CIM, most of them are reliant on the presence of a Road-Side Unit (RSU) that can act as a centralized intersection manager and assign intersection crossing priorities. In the absence of RSU, there are some distributed CIM methods that only rely on communication among CAVs for situational awareness, however, none of them are specifically focused towards Stop Controlled-Intersection (SCI) with the aim of mitigating ambiguity among CAVs. Thus, we propose an Automated Right-of-Way (AROW) algorithm based on distributed CIM that is capable of reducing ambiguity and handling any level of noncompliance by CAVs. The algorithm is validated with extensive experiments for its functionality and robustness, and it outperforms the current solutions

Evaluation of effect of epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression in survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Background. In the central nervous system, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most important neo-plasms in adults. Amplification of EGFR and VEGF genes is common in GBM. However, the role of overexpression of EGFR and VEGF in survival of patients with GBM has been a contentious issue. Therefore, we performed the present study to assess the survival rate of patients with EGFR and VEGF overexpression. Materials and methods. Resected samples of GBM patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for overex-pression of VEGF and EGFR. The patients were followed up for a year. Results. The mean±sd of age of patients was 56.2±13.1 years. The majority of the patients were male (65.9%). Most of the patients had primary GBM (67%), notwithstanding 33% of the patients with secondary GBM. Moreover, 19.2% and 49.5% of the samples were VEGF-positive and EGFR-positive, respectively. Overall 6, 12-, and 18-month survival rates were shown to be 61.5±5.1%, 17.6±4%, and 4.4±2.1%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean±se survival rate in VEGF-negative patients (12±1.9 months) VEGF-positive patients (7.8±0.5 months) (P=0.045). Conclusions. We found an association between VEGF and EGFR over-expression and the survival rate of GBM patients. The VEGF overexpression was significantly associated with the overall survival rate of the GBM patients, but failed to have a prognostic value for their mortality rate. However, EGFR was a predictor of overall survival rate and mortality of GBM patients. Moreover, VEGF overexertion has a stronger association with survival rate in GBM, compared to EGFR overexpression.</p

The Comparison of Biomechanical Volar and Dorsal Plating in Distal Part Radius Fractures; a Finite Element Analysis Study

Objective: To compare the stability of the radius stabilized fractured parts by volar and dorsal planting based on modeling approach. Methods: Ten forearm models were created based on Computed Tomography (CT) Scan images by using of Mimics software. The distal part fracture of radius was induced in the models. The stress were developed and implanted in various parts of the bone and and their displacement were evaluated in volar and dorsal inserted implants. Results: The results of this study showed that the stress developed in screws, implant and bony parts differed significantly between volar and dorsal plate conditions. The displacement of implant and bony parts in volar plating was more than dorsal plating (p=0.05). However, the screws displacement in dorsal plating significantly increased compared to volar plating. Conclusion: The stress developed in dorsal and volar implants is not too high to fail the structure. However, it seems that the irritation of soft tissue and tendon would be less in volar inserted implant than dorsal implant. It is recommended to use valor plating to be a good approach for stabilizing the distal part fracture of radius

Factors Associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Patients with Surgically Treated Distal Radius Fracture

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an important common complication after surgical treatment for distal radius fracture. Recognition of the related factors is important to reduce the burden of the problem. Herein, the contributing factors for CRPS after distal radius fracture surgery are studied.   Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 250 patients admitted to the orthopedics ward in Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2017 to 2020, were enrolled. The contributing factors for CRPS after distal radius fracture surgery were determined in them. Results: The CRPS was seen in 17 cases (6.8%). 9 percent of male and 1.9 percent of female patients were diagnosed with CRPS. This showed a significant difference in the Fisher test (P = 0.028). The mean pain severity by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was higher in CRPS cases, that showed a significant difference by the Mann-Whitney test (P = 0.001).   Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it may be concluded that CRPS was seen in seven percent of patients under surgery for distal radius fracture and was related to the male gender and higher pain severity.

Hemicorporectomy; Describing a Single-Stage Surgical Technique: A Case Report

Background: Hemicorporectomy is a life-saving operation to maintain the survival of patients with severe and irreversible pelvis and lower extremities injuries. In the typical procedure, removing lower extremities and pelvic viscera in the two stages might result in hemodynamic instability, intraoperative and postoperative morbidities, and more deficient patients' survival. In this study, we aim to describe our experience with a new technique for one-stage hemicorporectomy, which minimizes surgical time and intraoperative bleeding.   Case Report: A 77-year-old male patient with lower limb gangrene after previous vascular surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an unstable situation underwent hemicorporectomy in one step.   Conclusion: We believe that achieving a one-step procedure, especially in non-malignant cases or in the absence of severe trauma lesions, may be a viable option in emergency surgery cases or hemodynamic instability. However, there is still a need to modify the single-stage surgical technique in later experiments

Can indirect magnetic resonance arthrography be a good alternative to magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing glenoid labrum lesions?: a prospective study

Background This study was designed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography (I-MRA) imaging with those of arthroscopy and each other. Methods This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2020. All patients who tested positive for labrum lesions during that year were included in the study. The patients underwent conservative treatment for 6 weeks. In the event of no response to conservative treatment, MRI and I-MRA imaging were conducted, and the patients underwent arthroscopy to determine their ultimate diagnosis and treatment plan. Imaging results were assessed at a 1-week interval by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Image interpretation results and arthroscopy were recorded in the data collection form. Results Overall, 35 patients comprised the study. Based on the kappa coefficient, the results indicate that the results of both imaging methods are in agreement with the arthroscopic findings, but the I-MRA consensus rate is higher than that of MRI (0.612±0.157 and 0.749±0.101 vs. 0.449±0.160 and 0.603±0.113). The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of MRI in detecting labrum tears were77.77%, 75.00%, 91.30%, 50.00%, and 77.14%, respectively, and those of I-MRA were 88.88%, 75.00%, 92.30%, 66.66%, and 85.71%. Conclusions Here, I-MRA showed higher diagnostic value than MRI for labral tears. Therefore, it is recommended that I-MRA be used instead of MRI if there is an indication for potential labrum lesions

Exosomes derived from colorectal cancer cells take part in activation of stromal fibroblasts through regulating PHLPP isoforms

Given that tumor cells primarily instigate systemic changes through exosome secretion, our study delved into the role of colorectal cancer (CRC)-secreted exosomal miR-224 in stromal reprogramming and its impact on endothelial cell angiogenesis. Furthermore, we assessed the potential clinical significance of a specific signature of circulating serum-derived miRNAs, serving as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Circulating serum-derived miR-103a-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-224-5p were significantly up-regulated, while miR-215-5p, and miR-455-5p showed a significant down-regulation in CRC patients than in healthy individuals. Our findings indicated that the expressions of CAF-specific markers (α-SMA and FAP) and CAF-derived cytokines (IL-6, and SDF-1) were induced in fibroblasts stimulated with SW480 CRC exosomes, partly due to Akt activation. As a plausible mechanism, exosomal transfer of miR-224 from SW40 CRC cells may activate stromal fibroblasts, which in turn, may promote endothelial cell sprouting. The study identified PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 as direct targets of miR-224 and demonstrated that CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 activates Akt signaling by regulating PHLPP1/2 in activated fibroblasts, thereby affecting the stromal cell proliferation and migration. This study established a panel of six-circulating serum-derived miRNAs as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Also, we proposed a supporting model in which CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 takes part in the stromal reprogramming to CAFs partly through regulating Akt signaling. This may affect the malignant biological behavior of activated stromal cells and thereby elicit a vascular response within the microenvironment of CRC cells