Intravascular OCT tissue type imaging by automated optical attenuation analysis

We developed attenuation imaging in OCT for atherosclerotic tissue characterization and validated the method ex and in-vivo. We introduced an en-face map of attenuation in the whole artery for plaque visualization. We quantified the attenuation derived from OCT and derived an index for the plaques. A single centre clinical study (OC3T study) was conducted to validate the index to identify thin cap fibroatheromas. We also demonstrated the utility of the attenuation maps and the index in clinical studies as corresponding well with a visual assessment of LCP in the OCT data by expert readers

A new technique for lipid core plaque detection by optical coherence tomography for prevention of peri-procedural myocardial infarction

Rationale: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provides effective revascularization of atherosclerotic coronary arteries but the invasive nature of treatment can result in complications. Patient concerns: A 53-year old man underwent coronary angiography due to chest pain with minimal ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads of the electrocardiogram. Diagnosis: We proceeded directly to coronary angiography and delineated a moderate stenosis with haziness in the mid right coronary artery (RCA). Interventions: Expert analysis of the pre-intervention OCT imaging demonstrated a large lipid core plaque (LCP), upstream of the culprit site, with minimal thrombus burden. Subsequent implantation of a bioresorbable vascular scaffold, protected with distal deployment of a filter protection device provided an excellent result with retrieval of plaque material. Post-hoc attenuation analysis confirmed the presence of large LCP. Outcomes: A post-procedural transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed good left ventricular function with no regional wall motion abnormality. An excellent clinical outcome was achieved. Lessons: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) derived attenuation analysis can provide with qualitative and quantitative detailed evaluation of the underlying plaque substrate. Our case shows OCT can provide the interventionist with qualitative and qualitative assessment of large LCP for prevention of periprocedural complications, which may improve outcome for PCI

Vision and perception of community on the use of recycled water for household laundry: A case study in Australia

This study investigates the community perception of household laundry as a new end use of recycled water in three different locations of Australia through a face to face questionnaire survey (n=478). The study areas were selected based on three categories of (1) non-user, (2) perspective user and (3) current user of recycled water. The survey results indicate that significantly higher number (70%) of the respondents supported the use of recycled water for washing machines (χ2=527.40, df=3; p=0.000). Significant positive correlation between the overall support for the new end use and the willingness of the respondents to use recycled water for washing machine was observed among all users groups (r=0.43, p=0.000). However, they had major concerns regarding the effects of recycled water on the aesthetic appearance of cloth, cloth durability, machine durability, odour of the recycled water and cost along with the health issues. The perspective user group had comparatively more reservations and concerns about the effects of recycled water on washing machines than the non-users and the current users (χ2=52.73, df=6; p=0.000). Overall, community from all three study areas are willing to welcome this new end use as long as all their major concerns are addressed and safety is assured. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

OCT assessment of the long-term vascular healing response 5 years after everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold

AbstractBackgroundAlthough recent observations suggest a favorable initial healing process of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), little is known regarding long-term healing response.ObjectivesThis study assessed the in vivo vascular healing response using optical coherence tomography (OCT) 5 years after elective first-in-man BVS implantation.MethodsOf the 14 living patients enrolled in the Thoraxcenter Rotterdam cohort of the ABSORB A study, 8 patients underwent invasive follow-up, including OCT, 5 years after implantation. Advanced OCT image analysis included luminal morphometry, assessment of the adluminal signal-rich layer separating the lumen from other plaque components, visual and quantitative tissue characterization, and assessment of side-branch ostia “jailed” at baseline.ResultsIn all patients, BVS struts were integrated in the vessel and were not discernible. Both minimum and mean luminal area increased from 2 to 5 years, whereas lumen eccentricity decreased over time. In most patients, plaques were covered by a signal-rich, low-attenuating layer. Minimum cap thickness over necrotic core was 155 ± 90 μm. One patient showed plaque progression and discontinuity of this layer. Side-branch ostia were preserved with tissue bridge thinning that had developed in the place of side-branch struts, creating a neo-carina.ConclusionsAt long-term BVS follow-up, we observed a favorable tissue response, with late luminal enlargement, side-branch patency, and development of a signal-rich, low-attenuating tissue layer that covered thrombogenic plaque components. The small size of the study and the observation of a different tissue response in 1 patient warrant judicious interpretation of our results and confirmation in larger studies

Cell Cycle Gene Networks Are Associated with Melanoma Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of the molecular pathways that underlie melanoma remains incomplete. Although several published microarray studies of clinical melanomas have provided valuable information, we found only limited concordance between these studies. Therefore, we took an in vitro functional genomics approach to understand melanoma molecular pathways. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Affymetrix microarray data were generated from A375 melanoma cells treated in vitro with siRNAs against 45 transcription factors and signaling molecules. Analysis of this data using unsupervised hierarchical clustering and Bayesian gene networks identified proliferation-association RNA clusters, which were co-ordinately expressed across the A375 cells and also across melanomas from patients. The abundance in metastatic melanomas of these cellular proliferation clusters and their putative upstream regulators was significantly associated with patient prognosis. An 8-gene classifier derived from gene network hub genes correctly classified the prognosis of 23/26 metastatic melanoma patients in a cross-validation study. Unlike the RNA clusters associated with cellular proliferation described above, co-ordinately expressed RNA clusters associated with immune response were clearly identified across melanoma tumours from patients but not across the siRNA-treated A375 cells, in which immune responses are not active. Three uncharacterised genes, which the gene networks predicted to be upstream of apoptosis- or cellular proliferation-associated RNAs, were found to significantly alter apoptosis and cell number when over-expressed in vitro. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This analysis identified co-expression of RNAs that encode functionally-related proteins, in particular, proliferation-associated RNA clusters that are linked to melanoma patient prognosis. Our analysis suggests that A375 cells in vitro may be valid models in which to study the gene expression modules that underlie some melanoma biological processes (e.g., proliferation) but not others (e.g., immune response). The gene expression modules identified here, and the RNAs predicted by Bayesian network inference to be upstream of these modules, are potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets

Low dielectric and low surface free energy flexible linear aliphatic alkoxy core bridged bisphenol cyanate ester based POSS nanocomposites

The aim of the present work is to develop a new type of flexible linear aliphatic alkoxy core bridged bisphenol cyanate ester (AECE) based POSS nanocomposites for low k applications. The POSS-AECE nanocomposites were developed by incorporating varying weight percentages (0, 5 and 10 wt %) of octakis (dimethylsiloxypropylglycidylether) silsesquioxane (OG-POSS) into cyanate esters. Data from thermal and dielectric studies imply that the POSS reinforced nanocomposite exhibits higher thermal stability and low dielectric value of k=2.4 (10 wt% POSS-AECE4) compared than those of neat AECE. From the contact angle measurement, it is inferred that, the increase in the percentage incorporation of POSS in to AECE, the values of water contact angle was enhanced. Further, the value of surface free energy was lower when compared to that of neat AECE. The molecular level dispersion of POSS into AECE was ascertained from SEM and TEM analyses

Electroencephalography (EEG) Based Control in Assistive Mobile Robots: A Review

Recently, EEG based control in assistive robot usage has been gradually increasing in the area of biomedical field for giving quality and stress free life for disabled and elderly people. This study reviews the deployment of EGG based control in assistive robots, especially for those who in need and neurologically disabled. The main objective of this paper is to describe the methods used for (i) EEG data acquisition and signal preprocessing, (ii) feature extraction and (iii) signal classification methods. Besides that, this study presents the specific research challenges in the designing of these control systems and future research directions

Power-performance modeling on asymmetric multi-cores

10.1109/CASES.2013.66625192013 International Conference on Compilers, Architecture and Synthesis for Embedded Systems, CASES 2013

Hierarchical power management for asymmetric multi-core in dark silicon era

10.1145/2463209.2488949Proceedings - Design Automation Conference-PDAW