Melanocytic globules detection in skin lesion images

In this paper a method is presented for detection of melanin globules often present in melanocytic skin lesions images. The detection is done by performing image analysis similar to the one used in clinical evaluation. The method uses multi-stage image filtering to extract objects present in the dermoscopic image that match globule structure pattern. Classification of the found objects is made based on shape and size of globule structure. The classification is problematic task due to color and scale differences between dermatologic images and is related to differences between image acquisition equipment used in dermatoscopy. First we describe characteristic of globule structure needed for correct classification, along with method for calculating those characteristic. Next we presented a method for globules detection that is a part of computer-aided diagnostic process of melanocytic skin lesions. Evaluation of such lesions is a basis for early detection of malignant lesions

Inter-Annotator Agreement in Coreference Annotation of Polish

Abstract. This paper discusses different methods of estimating the inter-annotator agreement in manual annotation of Polish coreference and proposes a new BLANC-based annotation agreement metric. The commonly used agreement indicators are calculated for mention detection, semantic head annotation, near-identity markup and coreference resolution

Human-Centered Programming: The Design of a Robotic Process Automation Language

RPA (Robotic Process Automation) helps automate repetitive tasks performed by users, often across different software solutions. Regardless of the RPA tool chosen, the key problem in automation is analyzing the steps of these tasks. This is usually done by an analyst with the possible participation of the person responsible for the given activity. However, currently there exists no one-size-fits-all description language, which would allow to record, process, and easily automate steps of specific tasks. Every RPA solution uses a different notation, which is not easily human-readable, editable, and which cannot be applied to a different automation platform. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new eXtensible Robotic Language (XRL) that can be understood by both programmers and non-programmers to automate repetitive business processes.Comment: 8 page

Salivary gland damage after 131I therapy in patient with differentiated thyroid cancer. Preliminary report

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to evaluate salivary gland dysfunction after a high-dose radioiodine therapy administered to patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 60 patients (age range 20-78 years). Detailed history about complaints from the oral cavity were taken, followed by the ultrasonography and dynamic scintigraphy. The procedure was performed on 40 patients before and one year after radioiodine administration, and a single-time on 20 patients treated with multiple doses in the past. Results: Data analysis shows no statistically significant increase of subjective sufferings after first radioiodine dose (60-150 mCi), small decrease of uptake ratio UR (< 10%) and diminished parotid glands transverse diameter (~ 10%). The patients after multiple therapies (i.e. average dose of 250 mCi) informed more often about problems connected with decreased salivation (~ 20% patients), in scintigraphy there was a reduction of parotid UR 21-23% and parotid maximal secretion MS 7-13%. Ultrasonography did not show changes in salivary glands echogenicity after 12 months from the first dose of 131I. There was no close relationship between scintigraphically revealed dysfunctions and the occurrence of complaints; no correlation between appearance of acute sialadenitis symptoms after radioiodine therapy and subsequent dysfunctions. Conclusions: The main conclusion is that a single dose of 131I has no significant influence on salivary gland function; a repeated high-doses therapy is connected with an essential risk of side-effect occurrence. Scintigraphy can evaluate salivary gland function with high sensitivity. Parotid glands are more radiosensitive than submandibular. (Pol J Endocrinol 2008; 59 (5): 403-410)Wstęp: Celem pracy była ocena uszkodzenia ślinianek po zastosowaniu dużych dawek radiojodu, podawanych pacjentom z powodu zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy. Materiał i metody: Badaniami objęto grupę 60 chorych w wieku 20-78 lat. Zebrano szczegółowy wywiad dotyczący dolegliwości ze strony jamy ustnej, wykonano USG i scyntygrafię dynamiczną ślinianek. U 40 osób procedurę przeprowadzono 2-krotnie - przed i rok po podaniu 131I, natomiast jednokrotnie u 20 osób leczonych kilkoma dawkami w przeszłości. Wyniki: W analizie wyników wykazano brak statystycznie istotnego wzrostu subiektywnych dolegliwości po pierwszej dawce radiojodu (60-150 mCi), niewielki spadek UR (< 10%), a w USG zmniejszenie wymiaru poprzecznego przyusznic (ok. 10%). Osoby po wielokrotnej terapii informowały częściej o problemach związanych ze zmniejszonym wydzielaniem śliny (ok. 20% pacjentów), w scyntygrafii wystąpiła redukcja UR przyusznic o 21-23% i MS przyusznic o 7-13%. Ultrasonograficznie nie uwidoczniono zmian w echogeniczności ślinianek po 12 miesiącach od momentu podania pierwszej dawki 131I. Nie stwierdzono wyraźnej zależności pomiędzy zmianami w badaniu scyntygraficznym a występowaniem dolegliwości oraz związku pomiędzy występowaniem objawów ostrego sialadenitis po podaniu radiojodu a późniejszymi zaburzeniami funkcji gruczołów. Wnioski: Pojedyncza dawka 131I ma niewielki wpływ na funkcję ślinianek; powtarzanie terapii dużymi dawkami wiąże się już jednak z istotnym wzrostem ryzyka wystąpienia powikłań. Scyntygrafia jest czułą metodą oceny funkcji gruczołów ślinowych. Ślinianki przyuszne są bardziej wrażliwe na terapię radiojodem niż ślinianki podżuchwowe. (Endokrynol Pol 2008; 59 (5): 403-410

Associations between pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases and periodontitis

The goal of the study was to assess the relationship between cardioprotective medications, i.e., beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and periodontitis (PD). Background: Xerostomia increases the risk of PD and is a side effect of some pharmacotherapies. Information about the effect of cardioprotective treatment of periodontal status is scarce. Methods: We studied 562 dentate residents of Krakow at the age of 50 to 70 years. Information about treatment was collected using a standardized questionnaire. The pocket depth and clinical attachment level (CAL) were used to ascertain PD. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the relation between cardioprotective medications and PD. Results: PD was found in 74% of participants. The range of cardioprotective drug use among participants was 7% (ARBs) to 32% (beta-blockers). After adjusting for age, sex, number of teeth, smoking, and education, ASA&rsquo;s use was related to a lower prevalence of PD in all dentate participants (odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40&ndash;0.99). The use of ARBs and statins was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of PD in persons having &ge;6 teeth (odds ratio (OR) = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.06&ndash;11.99 and OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.03&ndash;3.16, respectively). Further adjustment for CVD risk factors, history of coronary heart disease, and other chronic diseases did not attenuate the results. There was no significant relation between PD and the use of other cardioprotective drugs

Effect of ventricular function and volumes on exercise capacity in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Objectives: Investigate the effects of left and right ventricular function and severity of pulmonary valve regurgitation, quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), on exercise tolerance in adult patients who underwent ToF repair at a young age. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 52 patients after ToF surgery and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. CMR and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed on all patients; CPET was performed on control subjects. Results: The main finding of CPET was a severe decrease in oxygen uptake at peak exercise VO2peak in TOF patients. The patients were characterized also by lower pulse O2peak and heart rate at peak exercise. Ejection fraction of the right and left ventricles was correlated (r = 0,32; p = 0,03). Left ventricle ejection fraction was negatively correlated with right ventricular volumes (r = −0,34; p = 0,01) and right ventricular mass (r = −046; p < 0,00). Right ventricular mass was positively correlated with left ventricular variables (left ventricle end diastolic volume, r = 0,43; p = 0,002; left ventricle end systolic volume, r = 0,54; p < 0,00) as was VO2peak: LVEDV (r = 0,38; p = 0,01); LVESV (r = 0,33; p = 0,03) and LV mass (r = 0,42; p = 0,006). Conclusion: Exercise intolerance in adults with repaired ToF is markedly depressed. The decreased exercise capacity is correlated with impaired RV function and may be associated also with LV dysfunction, which suggests right-to-left ventricular interaction

Safety and efficacy of interferon-alfa2b (IFN) in the treatment of patients with mycosis fungoides

W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono własne, jednoośrodkowe doświadczenia dotyczące stosowania interferonu w pierwszej linii leczenia systemowego ziarniniaka grzybiastego. Badaniem objęto grupę chorych leczonych w Centrum Onkologii w Bydgoszczy, u których po wyczerpaniu możliwości leczenia miejscowego oraz w stopniu zaawansowania Ib–III podjęto terapię systemową. Maksymalny czas prowadzenia terapii sięgał 3 lat. Interferon alfa jest leczeniem dobrze tolerowanym, skutkującym poprawąjakości życia u 80% chorych. Lek ten powoduje znaczną bądź całkowitą remisję trwającą do kilkunastu miesięcy. Terapia ziarniniaka grzybiastego jest leczeniem choroby przewlekłej, co wpływa na zasady prowadzenia terapii.This paper reports our own experience on interferon-alpha as the first-line systemic treatment of mycosis fungoides in the group of patients with advanced stages of disease after failure of skin-directedtherapies. Therapy resulted in improved quality of life and long-lasting, high response rate up to 80%. Given chronic character of MF special account must be taken not only to efficacy of the therapy, but also the safety