Specific CT 3D rendering of the treatment zone after Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in a pig liver model: the “Chebyshev Center Concept” to define the maximum treatable tumor size

Background: Size and shape of the treatment zone after Irreversible electroporation (IRE) can be difficult to depict due to the use of multiple applicators with complex spatial configuration. Exact geometrical definition of the treatment zone, however, is mandatory for acute treatment control since incomplete tumor coverage results in limited oncological outcome. In this study, the “Chebyshev Center Concept” was introduced for CT 3d rendering to assess size and position of the maximum treatable tumor at a specific safety margin. Methods: In seven pig livers, three different IRE protocols were applied to create treatment zones of different size and shape: Protocol 1 (n = 5 IREs), Protocol 2 (n = 5 IREs), and Protocol 3 (n = 5 IREs). Contrast-enhanced CT was used to assess the treatment zones. Technique A consisted of a semi-automated software prototype for CT 3d rendering with the “Chebyshev Center Concept” implemented (the “Chebyshev Center” is the center of the largest inscribed sphere within the treatment zone) with automated definition of parameters for size, shape and position. Technique B consisted of standard CT 3d analysis with manual definition of the same parameters but position. Results: For Protocol 1 and 2, short diameter of the treatment zone and diameter of the largest inscribed sphere within the treatment zone were not significantly different between Technique A and B. For Protocol 3, short diameter of the treatment zone and diameter of the largest inscribed sphere within the treatment zone were significantly smaller for Technique A compared with Technique B (41.1 ± 13.1 mm versus 53.8 ± 1.1 mm and 39.0 ± 8.4 mm versus 53.8 ± 1.1 mm; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). For Protocol 1, 2 and 3, sphericity of the treatment zone was significantly larger for Technique A compared with B. Conclusions: Regarding size and shape of the treatment zone after IRE, CT 3d rendering with the “Chebyshev Center Concept” implemented provides significantly different results compared with standard CT 3d analysis. Since the latter overestimates the size of the treatment zone, the “Chebyshev Center Concept” could be used for a more objective acute treatment control

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Beef Cattle Short Course.

91 p

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, multi-center, Phase III clinical study on transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with Sorafenib® versus TACE plus placebo in patients with hepatocellular cancer before liver transplantation – HeiLivCa [ISRCTN24081794]

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disease progression of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in patients eligible for liver transplantation (LTx) occurs in up to 50% of patients, resulting in withdrawal from the LTx waiting list. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used as bridging therapy with highly variable response rates. The oral multikinase inhibitor sorafenib significantly increases overall survival and time-to-progression in patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>The HeiLivCa study is a double-blinded, controlled, prospective, randomized multi-centre phase III trial. Patients in study arm A will be treated with transarterial chemoembolization plus sorafenib 400 mg bid. Patients in study arm B will be treated with transarterial chemoembolization plus placebo. A total of 208 patients with histologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC diagnosed according to EASL criteria will be enrolled. An interim patients' analysis will be performed after 60 events. Evaluation of time-to-progression as primary endpoint (TTP) will be performed at 120 events. Secondary endpoints are number of patients reaching LTx, disease control rates, OS, progression free survival, quality of live, toxicity and safety.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>As TACE is the most widely used primary treatment of HCC before LTx and sorafenib is the only proven effective systemic treatment for advanced HCC there is a strong rational to combine both treatment modalities. This study is designed to reveal potential superiority of the combined TACE plus sorafenib treatment over TACE alone and explore a new neo-adjuvant treatment concept in HCC before LTx.</p

Радиографический метод контроля сварных швов трубопроводов

Обнаружение дефектов сварных соединений является одной из основных задач неразрушающего контроля, применяемого для диагностики технического состояния трубопроводов различного назначения. Среди методов неразрушающего контроля широкое распространение получил радиографический метод. Для обработки изображений, полученных радиографическим методом, и обнаружения дефектов сварки, используются различные алгоритмы. Одним из перспективных алгоритмов обработки изображений является алгоритм, основанный на методе нейронной сети.Detection of defects in welded joints is one of the main tasks of non-destructive testing used for diagnostics of the technical condition of pipelines for various purposes. Among the methods of nondestructive testing, the radiographic method is widely used. For processing images obtained by radiographic method, and the detection of welding defects, various algorithms are used. One of the promising algorithms for image processing is an algorithm based on the neural network method

Повышение устойчивости магистрального трубопровода в условиях Крайнего Севера

В работе рассмотрены магистрaльные газопроводы Якутии.Большое внимание уделено особенностям рaботы нa болотaх и оттаивaющих грунтaх. Приведены результaты нaтурных исследовaний и проведен рaсчет нa устойчивость против всплытия и определено количество грузов, необходимое для нaдежной рaботы. Дaны мероприятия по производственной и экологической безопaсности.In work the main gas pipelines of Yakutia are considered. A great deal of attention is paid to the peculiarities of work on swamps and defusing soils. The results of natural studies are given and the calculation is made for stability against ascent and the quantity of cargo necessary for reliable operation is determined. Dates of the event on industrial and environmental safety

IgG4-associated cholangitis with cholangiocarcinoma.

no Abstrac