Thermal signatures of skin lesions using computational thermal modeling and medical infrared imaging

Infrared (IR) thermography is a valuable quantitative diagnostic tool that allows for non-invasive, accurate measurement of skin temperature variations in the presence of a lesion. Modeling the underlying thermal and physiological processes within the body offers excellent potential for improving the thermographic measurement system design and developing more exact, quantitative assessment criteria. Using computational modeling and infrared imaging experiments, this dissertation investigates the thermal signatures of lesions of varying geometrical and physiological characteristics. We first performed a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the computed skin temperatures in order to understand the relationships between healthy skin temperatures and the underlying thermophysical processes and tissue properties. These functional relationships provide a foundation for interpreting steady state and transient thermal signatures of skin lesions. We developed a computational thermal model for a heel deep tissue injury (DTI) to allow for an early thermographic detection and assessment capability for DTIs. The DTI models were used to develop thermographic measurement strategies and quantitative staging criteria that can be employed in a clinical setting. We analyzed the infrared images of various vascular tumors and pigmented skin lesions acquired from patient studies, using the combined white light-infrared image processing approaches. Our quantitative thermal analysis of lesions of different physiological characteristics, sizes, locations and depths will facilitate quantitative assessment and interpretation of other skin lesion thermographic images. A better understanding of the thermal behavior of skin lesions, gained using computational modeling and infrared imaging experiments in this study, can contribute to the advanced use of quantitative infrared imaging in medical diagnostic applications

Morvan syndrome: An interesting case of a rare disease

Morvan syndrome is a rare disorder of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, autonomic and central nervous system hyperactivity. It is considered autoimmune and paraneoplastic in nature. The most common associated antibodies are voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibodies which target leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1(LGI-1) and contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR-2). It is characterized by myokymia, burning pain, cramps, stiffness, weakness, hyperhidrosis, weight loss, insomnia, and hallucinations. Thymectomy, long-term immunosuppression, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), steroids are the treatment options. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, amitriptyline, and benzodiazepine are useful in relieving symptoms. We report a rare case ofthis disease from western Rajasthan who presented with bilateral diffuse burning pain, cramps, insomnia, weight loss, hyperhidrosis, visual hallucinations, and continuous muscle twitching and rippling activity over the lower back paraspinal muscles. His serum VGKC antibodies were positive. He was treated with IV methylprednisolone (MPS) and IVIG and had a good response to therapy. We should look for rippling muscle movement in a high index of suspicion and should not be missed

HemoSYS: A Toolkit for Image-based Systems Biology of Tumor Hemodynamics

Abnormal tumor hemodynamics are a critical determinant of a tumor’s microenvironment (TME), and profoundly affect drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy and the emergence of drug and radio-resistance. Since multiple hemodynamic variables can simultaneously exhibit transient and spatiotemporally heterogeneous behavior, there is an exigent need for analysis tools that employ multiple variables to characterize the anomalous hemodynamics within the TME. To address this, we developed a new toolkit called HemoSYS for quantifying the hemodynamic landscape within angiogenic microenvironments. It employs multivariable time-series data such as in vivo tumor blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and intravascular oxygen saturation (Hbsat) acquired concurrently using a wide-field multicontrast optical imaging system. The HemoSYS toolkit consists of propagation, clustering, coupling, perturbation and Fourier analysis modules. We demonstrate the utility of each module for characterizing the in vivo hemodynamic landscape of an orthotropic breast cancer model. With HemoSYS, we successfully described: (i) the propagation dynamics of acute hypoxia; (ii) the initiation and dissolution of distinct hemodynamic niches; (iii) tumor blood flow regulation via local vasomotion; (iv) the hemodynamic response to a systemic perturbation with carbogen gas; and (v) frequency domain analysis of hemodynamic heterogeneity in the TME. HemoSYS (freely downloadable via the internet) enables vascular phenotyping from multicontrast in vivo optical imaging data. Its modular design also enables characterization of non-tumor hemodynamics (e.g. brain), other preclinical disease models (e.g. stroke), vascular-targeted therapeutics, and hemodynamic data from other imaging modalities (e.g. MRI)

In vivo phenotyping of the microvasculature in necrotizing enterocolitis with multicontrast optical imaging

Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants and is characterized by a dysfunctional gut microcirculation. Therefore, there is a dire need for in vivo methods to characterize NEC-induced changes in the structure and function of the gut microcirculation, that is, its vascular phenotype. Since in vivo gut imaging methods are often slow and employ a single-contrast mechanism, we developed a rapid multicontrast imaging technique and a novel analyses pipeline for phenotyping the gut microcirculation. Methods: Using an experimental NEC model, we acquired in vivo images of the gut microvasculature and blood flow over a 5000 × 7000 μm2 field of view at 5 μm resolution via the following two endogenous contrast mechanisms: intrinsic optical signals and laser speckles. Next, we transformed intestinal images into rectilinear “flat maps,” and delineated 1A/V gut microvessels and their perfusion territories as “intestinal vascular units” (IVUs). Employing IVUs, we quantified and visualized NEC-induced changes to the gut vascular phenotype. Results: In vivo imaging required 60–100 s per animal. Relative to the healthy gut, NEC intestines showed a significant overall decrease (i.e. 64–72%) in perfusion, accompanied by vasoconstriction (i.e. 9–12%) and a reduction in perfusion entropy (19%)within sections of the vascular bed. Conclusions: Multicontrast imaging coupled with IVU-based in vivo vascular phenotyping is a powerful new tool for elucidating NEC pathogenesis

Design of efficient cooling systems for hot and dry climate

While weather conditions in relatively hot parts of the world (such as Ahmedabad in India) demands cooling solutions to maintain human comfort, it is important to understand the trade-offs between thermal comfort, cost, and the effect of any particular cooling technology on the environment. Conventional HVAC based cooling systems have relatively high operational costs along with high environmental impact. To address this problem, we have designed three low cost cooling systems for the proposed student dining halls at IIT Gandhinagar. This paper aims at developing thermal models to investigate the cooling potential of Direct and Indirect Active Evaporative Cooling, Earth- Fluid Heat Exchanger, and their combinations. Results indicate that any one cooling system will not be able to deliver air at desired conditions in extremely hot climate; hence, we recommend hybrid cooling systems. This paper provides simple design techniques for evaluating the performance of these hybrid systems. This will benefit architects and designers to build a design map, from which an optimized design can be chosen based on the constraints. All the proposed hybrid solutions have lower power consumption as compared to other feasible alternatives such as vapor compression based air conditioning systems.by Akanksha Jagwani, Hariom Bhargava and Atul Bharga

SPY BOT:A BOOM FOR CAMOUFLAGING

ABSTRACT:-The objective behind making this project deals out with satisfying various functional needs such as secretly spying or keeping surveillance over a desired target location. We also aim to achieve a few more additional comprehensive needs such as detection of gas, temperature sensing, metal detection, displacing any suspected object from its original position.. We have leveraged our robot with an advantage of monitoring both audio and video parameters. The most eye catching feature of our bot along with enveloping the would be able to change its body colour that it treads along. We have achieved our main goal by aggregating individual robotic functions in a single robotic package. This bot can either be used for keeping an eye or a supervisory control on intrusion making it function like a spy bot or with the additional features as that we have added to this robot could serve as an important unmanned vehicle which could actually combat with the opponents or enemies in the war fields. Thus how making it a multifunctional, all in one bot that could be used to serve more than one application areas

Leveraging existing virtual platform for training medical officers on Non-Communicable Diseases; an experience from Bihar, India

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The state of Bihar in India has high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A NCDs training program using virtual platform was implemented for medical officers posted at public health facilities from two districts of Bihar.   <strong>Aims &amp; Objectives: </strong>The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot NCDs training program in improving the knowledge of Medical officers using virtual platform.   <strong>Material &amp; Methods: </strong>A secondary analysis of pre-post NCDs training data was undertaken. A structured knowledge assessment tool (KAT) was used to assess the knowledge of participants before and after completion of training. Also, post-training participant’s feedback was collected using a “Likert scale”. <strong>Statistical analysis: </strong>Median pre-post KAT scores were calculated and compared for statistical significance using “Wilcoxon Signed Rank test”. The proportions of participants satisfied with training were also calculated. <strong>Results: The</strong> pre-post KAT scores for diabetes, hypertension and CAD were ranked, analysed and found to be statistically significant (p &lt; .001). Overall 94% of the participants were satisfied with the virtual training on NCDs. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated that the NCDs training using virtual platform significantly improved the knowledge of medical officers and was found to be highly acceptable by them.</p

Tumor Ensemble-Based Modeling and Visualization of Emergent Angiogenic Heterogeneity in Breast Cancer

Abstract There is a critical need for new tools to investigate the spatio-temporal heterogeneity and phenotypic alterations that arise in the tumor microenvironment. However, computational investigations of emergent inter- and intra-tumor angiogenic heterogeneity necessitate 3D microvascular data from ‘whole-tumors’ as well as “ensembles” of tumors. Until recently, technical limitations such as 3D imaging capabilities, computational power and cost precluded the incorporation of whole-tumor microvascular data in computational models. Here, we describe a novel computational approach based on multimodality, 3D whole-tumor imaging data acquired from eight orthotopic breast tumor xenografts (i.e. a tumor ‘ensemble’). We assessed the heterogeneous angiogenic landscape from the microvascular to tumor ensemble scale in terms of vascular morphology, emergent hemodynamics and intravascular oxygenation. We demonstrate how the abnormal organization and hemodynamics of the tumor microvasculature give rise to unique microvascular niches within the tumor and contribute to inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. These tumor ensemble-based simulations together with unique data visualization approaches establish the foundation of a novel ‘cancer atlas’ for investigators to develop their own in silico systems biology applications. We expect this hybrid image-based modeling framework to be adaptable for the study of other tissues (e.g. brain, heart) and other vasculature-dependent diseases (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction)

Retroacetabular Stress-shielding in THA

We conducted a randomized clinical trial to compare periacetabular bone density changes after total hip arthroplasty using press-fit components with soft and hard liner materials. Bone density changes were assessed using quantitative computed tomography-assisted osteodensitometry. Twenty press-fit cups with alumina ceramic liners and 20 press-fit cups with highly cross-linked polyethylene liners were included; the nonoperated contralateral side was used as the control. Computed tomography scans were performed postoperatively and 1 year after the index operation. At the 1-year followup, we found no differences of periacetabular bone density changes between the alumina and polyethylene liner cohorts. However, we observed marked periacetabular cancellous bone density loss (up to −34%) in both cohorts. In contrast, we observed only moderate cortical bone density changes. The decrease of periacetabular cancellous bone density with retention of cortical bone density after THA suggests stress transfer to the cortical bone