Early detection of hip periprosthetic joint infections through CNN on Computed Tomography images

Early detection of an infection prior to prosthesis removal (e.g., hips, knees or other areas) would provide significant benefits to patients. Currently, the detection task is carried out only retrospectively with a limited number of methods relying on biometric or other medical data. The automatic detection of a periprosthetic joint infection from tomography imaging is a task never addressed before. This study introduces a novel method for early detection of the hip prosthesis infections analyzing Computed Tomography images. The proposed solution is based on a novel ResNeSt Convolutional Neural Network architecture trained on samples from more than 100 patients. The solution showed exceptional performance in detecting infections with an experimental high level of accuracy and F-score

Ostruzione polmonare ed aritmia respiratoria

Il monitoraggio di pazienti tramite segnali fotopletismografici (PhotoPlethysmoGram, PPG) acquisiti sul polso, arteria radiale, piuttosto che sulla punta dell’indice, permette di ottenere un segnale più stabile e con maggiori informazioni, come la gittata cardiaca, la durata della contrazione ventricolare e la chiusura dell’aorta. In questo lavoro è presentata un’attività preliminare per rilevare condizioni come l’ostruzione polmonare e le apnee notturne. Si è indagato l’andamento dell’aritmia respiratoria in relazione ad eventuali difficoltà respiratorie. Per il momento ci si è limitati ad osservare soggetti sani e l’ostruzione è stata simulata facendo respirare i soggetti attraverso una cannuccia

Generalization of DT Equations for Time Dependent Sources

New equations for paralyzable, non paralyzable and hybrid DT models, valid for any time dependent sources are presented. We show how such new equations include the equations already used for constant rate sources, and how it’s is possible to correct DT losses in the case of time dependent sources. Montecarlo simulations were performed to compare the equations behavior with the three DT models. Excellent accordance between equations predictions and Montecarlo simulation was found. We also obtain good results in the experimental validation of the new hybrid DT equation. Passive quenched SPAD device was chosen as a device affected by hybrid DT losses and active quenched SPAD with 50 ns DT was used as DT losses free device

SINPHOS - SINgle PHOton spectrometer for biomedical application

In the last decades several experiments have clearly demonstrated that, once illuminated, all biological systems emit for some time a very weak flux of photons, called Delayed Luminescence (DL). Some recent results have shown the possibility of using the DL as a diagnostic tool in the field of optical biopsy or of multi-dimensional diagnostics. Following such indications we decided to start developing SINPHOS, a monolithic micro-device, capable of measuring simultaneously the time distribution and the spectrum of photons coming from a weak source. Two important innovative aspects will characterize this spectrometer: the optical part, realized by means of the Deep Lithography with Particles (DLP), and SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) detectors under development along with ST-Microelectronics

Fiberless, Multi-Channel fNIRS-EEG System Based on Silicon Photomultipliers: Towards Sensitive and Ecological Mapping of Brain Activity and Neurovascular Coupling

Portable neuroimaging technologies can be employed for long-term monitoring of neurophysiological and neuropathological states. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and Electroencephalography (EEG) are highly suited for such a purpose. Their multimodal integration allows the evaluation of hemodynamic and electrical brain activity together with neurovascular coupling. An innovative fNIRS-EEG system is here presented. The system integrated a novel continuous-wave fNIRS component and a modified commercial EEG device. fNIRS probing relied on fiberless technology based on light emitting diodes and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). SiPMs are sensitive semiconductor detectors, whose large detection area maximizes photon harvesting from the scalp and overcomes limitations of fiberless technology. To optimize the signal-to-noise ratio and avoid fNIRS-EEG interference, a digital lock-in was implemented for fNIRS signal acquisition. A benchtop characterization of the fNIRS component showed its high performances with a noise equivalent power below 1 pW. Moreover, the fNIRS-EEG device was tested in vivo during tasks stimulating visual, motor and pre-frontal cortices. Finally, the capabilities to perform ecological recordings were assessed in clinical settings on one Alzheimer’s Disease patient during long-lasting cognitive tests. The system can pave the way to portable technologies for accurate evaluation of multimodal brain activity, allowing their extensive employment in ecological environments and clinical practice

Pattern of care and effectiveness of treatment for glioblastoma patients in the real world: Results from a prospective population-based registry. Could survival differ in a high-volume center?

BACKGROUND: As yet, no population-based prospective studies have been conducted to investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of glioblastoma (GBM) or the diffusion and impact of the current standard therapeutic approach in newly diagnosed patients younger than aged 70 years. METHODS: Data on all new cases of primary brain tumors observed from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010, in adults residing within the Emilia-Romagna region were recorded in a prospective registry in the Project of Emilia Romagna on Neuro-Oncology (PERNO). Based on the data from this registry, a prospective evaluation was made of the treatment efficacy and outcome in GBM patients. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven GBM patients (median age, 64 y; range, 29-84 y) were enrolled. The median overall survival (OS) was 10.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-12.4). The 139 patients 64aged 70 years who were given standard temozolomide treatment concomitant with and adjuvant to radiotherapy had a median OS of 16.4 months (95% CI, 14.0-18.5). With multivariate analysis, OS correlated significantly with KPS (HR = 0.458; 95% CI, 0.248-0.847; P = .0127), MGMT methylation status (HR = 0.612; 95% CI, 0.388-0.966; P = .0350), and treatment received in a high versus low-volume center (HR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.328-0.986; P = .0446). CONCLUSIONS: The median OS following standard temozolomide treatment concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy given to (72.8% of) patients aged 6470 years is consistent with findings reported from randomized phase III trials. The volume and expertise of the treatment center should be further investigated as a prognostic factor

DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED INDUCTIVE SENSORS FOR MAGNETIC IMMUNOASSAY IN ”LAB ON CHIP” DEVICES

In this paper an inductive integrated sensor to be adopted in sensing application on microfluidic systems for biomedical applications is presented. It is based on the use of magnetic particles that, suitably coated, act as markers of the bio-molecule to be detected. The de-vice consists of a primary coil and two secondary coils arranged in a differential configuration. The sensing principle of the device is related to the output voltage variation on the secondary coils due to the presence of the magnetic beads only over one of the two coils. A general transduction mechanism is therefore presented together with analytical models and some discussion on novel integrated devices whose layout is proposed here. These sensors will be embedded into a more general ”lab on a chip ” device in which suitable microfluidics will be implemented both to bind markers with analyte and to drive the fluid into the sensing chamber. Key words Magnetic immuno-assay, magnetic beads, inductive sensors, lab-on-chip.