Northcentral University

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an efficient surgical intervention for removing large kidney stones. However, it is a challenging procedure that requires years of training to perform. To meet the need for quick skill-building, scientists have now developed and trialed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robotic device for assisting surgeons in PCNL. Its notable features include ease of use and better accuracy in creating renal access. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an efficient, minimally-invasive, gold standard procedure used for removing large kidney stones. Creating an access from the skin on the back to the kidney -- called renal access, is a crucial yet challenging step in PCNL. An inefficiently created renal access can lead to severe complications including massive bleeding, thoracis and bowel injuries, renal pelvis perforation, or even sepsis. It is therefore no surprise that it takes years of training and practice to perform this procedure efficiently. There are two main renal access methods adopted during PCNL -- fluoroscopic guidance and ultrasound (US) guidance with or without fluoroscopy. Both approaches deliver similar postoperative outcomes but require experience-based expertise. Many novel methods and technologies are being tested and used in clinical practice to bridge this gap in skill requirement. While some offer better imaging guidance, others provide precise percutaneous access. Nonetheless, most techniques are still challenging for beginners. This inspired a research team led by Assistant Professors Kazumi Taguchi and Shuzo Hamamoto, and Chair and Professor Takahiro Yasui from Nagoya City University (NCU) Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Nephro-urology), to question if artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotic devices could be used for improved guidance compared with conventional US guidance. Specifically, they wanted to see if the AI-powered device called the Automated Needle Targeting with X-ray (ANT-X), which was developed by the Singaporean medical start-up, NDR Medical Technology, offers better precision in percutaneous renal access along with automated needle trajectory. The team conducted a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial comparing their robotic-assisted fluoroscopic-guided (RAF) method with US-guided PCNL. The results of this trial were made available online on May 13, 2022 and published on June 13, 2022 in The Journal of Urology. "This was the first human study comparing RAF with conventional ultrasound guidance for renal access during PCNL,and the first clinical application of the ANT-X," says Dr. Taguchi. The trial was conducted at NCU Hospital between January 2020 and May 2021 with 71 patients -- 36 in the RAF group and 35 in the US group. The primary outcome of the study was single puncture success, with stone-free rate (SFR), complication rate, parameters measured during renal access, and fluoroscopy time as secondary outcomes. The single puncture success rate was ~34 and 50 percent in the US and RAF groups, respectively. The average number of needle punctures were significantly fewer in the RAF group (1.82 times) as opposed to the US group (2.51 times). In 14.3 percent of US-guided cases the resident was unable to obtain renal access due to procedural difficulty and needed a surgeon change. However, none of the RAF cases faced this issue. The median needle puncture duration was also significantly shorter in the RAF group (5.5 minutes vs. 8.0 minutes). There were no significant differences in the other secondary outcomes. These results revealed that using RAF guidance reduced the mean number of needle punctures by 0.73 times. Multiple renal accesses during PCNL are directly linked to postoperative complications including, decreased renal function. Therefore, the low needle puncture frequency and shorter puncture duration, as demonstrated by the ANT-X, may provide better long-term outcome for patients. While the actual PCNL was performed by residents in both RAF and US groups, the renal access was created by a single, novice surgeon in the RAF group, using ANT-X. This demonstrates the safety and convenience of the novel robotic device, which could possibly reduce surgeons' training load and allow more hospitals to offer PCNL procedures. Dr. Taguchi outlines the potential advantages of their RAF device saying,"The ANT-X simplifies a complex procedure, like PCNL, making it easier for more doctors to perform it and help more number of patients in the process. Being an AI-powered robotic technology, this technique may pave the way for automating similar interventional surgeries that could shorten the procedure time, relieve the burden off of senior doctors, and perhaps reduce the occurrence of complications ." With such promising results, ANT-X and other similar robotic-assisted platforms might be the future of percutaneous procedures in urology and other medical fields.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES MINNEAPOLIS, July 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global alternative investment firm Castlelake, L.P. (“Castlelake”), today announced that it has filed an updated Early Warning Report in respect of Nevada Copper Corp. (“NCU”). As a result of the completion in January 2021 of NCU’s public offering and private placement of units (each unit consisting of one common share (a “NCU Share”) and one-half of one NCU Share purchase warrant (a full warrant, a “Warrant”)) (the “Transactions”), the issuances over the past few months of NCU Shares to various parties in connection with the satisfaction of certain fees payable by NCU and the settlement of a litigation, and the issuances of NCU Shares to various parties in connection with the exercise of deferred share units and Warrants, the Castlelake funds’ holdings of NCU Shares decreased by 4.0% on a non-diluted basis and 4.6% on a partially diluted basis. Castlelake did not participate in the Transactions. Prior to the completion of the Transactions and the said issuances of NCU Shares, Castlelake funds held (a) 286,535,165 NCU Shares (representing approximately 19.6% of the then issued and outstanding NCU Shares on a non-diluted basis); and (b) 74,951,426 Warrants (representing, together with the 286,535,165 NCU Shares, approximately 23.5% of the then issued and outstanding NCU Shares on a partially diluted basis (assuming only the exercise of the Warrants held by the Castlelake funds)). Upon completion of the Transactions and the said issuances of NCU Shares, Castlelake funds hold (a) 286,535,165 NCU Shares (representing approximately 15.6% of the current issued and outstanding NCU Shares on a non-diluted basis); and (b) 74,951,426 Warrants (representing, together with the 286,535,165 NCU Shares, approximately 18.9% of the current issued and outstanding NCU Shares on a partially diluted basis (assuming only the exercise of the Warrants held by the Castlelake funds)). For further information, please refer to the Early Warning Report filed on SEDAR under the company’s profile or please contact Molly Blemker at (+1 612 851 3083). NCU is a corporation organized under the laws of British Columbia with its head office at Suite 598 - 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E1. About Castlelake Castlelake, L.P. is a global alternative investment manager focused on opportunistic investments in real assets, specialty finance and aviation. Founded in 2005, Castlelake manages approximately $20 billion of assets on behalf of its investors. The Castlelake team comprises more than 200 experienced professionals, including 89 investment professionals, across six offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit . Media Contact Molly Blemker +1 612 851 3083molly.blemker@castlelake.com

San Diego, Feb. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Feb. 22-25 virtual Power of Engagement Summit, hosted by the National University System (NUS), is bringing together educators, universities and nonprofit professionals around the globe to offer approaches aimed at strengthening relationships on behalf of our diverse communities and youth. Reflecting current societal issues, the Summit will feature sessions on how to support pre-K-12 students’ social and emotional development both in person and online, and offers breakout sessions for participants to engage in meaningful dialogue. A special track of sessions is available to address current needs of the fundraising community. "The National University System is pleased to bring together a dynamic group of experts, researchers and practitioners dedicated to education and serving our communities through the Power of Engagement Summit," said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System, which includes National University, Northcentral University and City University of Seattle. "The Power of Engagement Summit is designed to strengthen relationships among teachers, leaders of youth organizations and nonprofit fundraising professionals, empowering them to better support the diverse communities they serve. The Summit builds on the powerful foundation provided by the Harmony, Inspire and Fundraising Academy programs and reflects our commitment to providing lifelong learning opportunities and professional development support for our nation's pre-K-12 educators and nonprofit leaders." The four-day online conference will explore innovative implementation solutions from leaders in social and emotional learning (SEL), professional development partners, university partners, educators, and professionals in nonprofit fundraising. A recurring theme and area of focus will be in social and emotional learning, with sessions that include educators talking about ways to advance relationship building strategies online that support expanding racial understanding, distance learning and more. NUS is a leader in providing distance learning and professional development. In addition to offering a Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning, NUS offers three research-based online resources available at no cost to educators and nonprofits: Harmony, a pre-K-6 grade social and emotional learning program that has been recognized as being an effective SEL program by the national organization CASEL; Inspire, which provides research-based professional development for inspiring teaching practices; and Fundraising Academy, which provides resources and training on proven, relationship-driven fundraising principles for nonprofits. Keynote speakers for the Power of Engagement Summit include David Adams, Sr. Director, Strategy with the Urban Assembly; Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, Ed.D., Professor of Education and Psychology with the University of Southern California; and Jacqueline Jodl, Ph.D., Sr. Vice President, Special Olympics. More than 30 sessions are offered during the Power of Engagement Summit and feature education leaders and teachers representing communities from New York City to Alaska. A few examples of the sessions include: Creating a Culture of Harmony: Strengthening Our SEL Approaches & Practices. Susan M. Green, Ed.D., Senior Administrator for SEL, New York City Department of Education. Susan M. Green will present information on blending components of Harmony and other SEL-based resources in virtual platforms and the Material on Power Theory Framework Tool for Measuring Implicit Bias. New Focus on Relationships. Larry Taylor, Senior Director of Youth Development, YMCA of Greater Houston. Larry Taylor will demonstrate how to introduce SEL to a team, and how to incorporate SEL into your current curriculum. Trauma-Resilient Expanded Learning: A Vision for Transformational Change. Eric Gurna, President & CEO, LA's BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program. Eric Gurna will share promising practices for integrating a trauma-resilient-informed approach into learning programs and schools, and the importance of mental health partnerships. “Relationship-building is key to learning and growing. The pandemic has created great challenges for our communities, and this ultimately impacts how our children learn and relate to each other in the online environment and in person,” said Dr. Nick Yoder, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the National University System programs of Harmony, Inspire and Fundraising Academy. “Through the Power of Engagement Summit we want to bring together educators and community-based organizations to share ideas that highlight the need for and impact of strong social and emotional connections in our schools and communities.” The Power of Engagement Summit offers a chance to connect with thousands of educators and fundraising leaders nationally, while creating opportunities for small-group breakout sessions to encourage meaningful discussions and relationship-building. It will be hosted via the CVENT platform. To learn more about the speakers and sessions being offered, visit the Power of Engagement Summit webpage. About the National University System. Established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st Century, the National University System is a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving higher education and K-12 students including National University, Northcentral University, and City University of Seattle. Initiatives of the System include Workforce Education Solutions and the affiliate programs Harmony SEL, Inspire Teaching & Learning, and the Fundraising Academy Cause Selling Education. Learn more at . About Harmony SELHarmony is a social and emotional learning program for pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults. An affiliate of the National University System, Harmony is accessible online and at no cost. Learn more at HarmonySEL.org. About Inspire Teaching & Learning. An affiliate of the National University System, Inspire celebrates and develops inspirational educators through on-demand courses and resources at no cost. Through teacher training, Inspire supports social and emotional learning and inspirational instruction in the pre-K-12 classroom and with our partner universities. Learn more at InspireTeaching.org. About Fundraising Academy Cause Selling Education. An affiliate of the National University System, Fundraising Academy prepares nonprofits and their fundraisers for greater, measurable impact by providing learning opportunities designed to enhance their cause, their communities, and the world. Through peer-to-peer instruction, our participants develop time-tested, relationship building skills they can apply to their operations now and in the future. Learn more at Fundraising-Academy.org. Anna Cearley National University System 619-246-4188 acearley@migcom.com