Integrating Simulink, OpenVX, and ROS for Model-Based Design of Embedded Vision Applications

OpenVX is increasingly gaining consensus as standard platform to develop portable, optimized and power-efficient embedded vision applications. Nevertheless, adopting OpenVX for rapid prototyping, early algorithm parametrization and validation of complex embedded applications is a very challenging task. This paper presents a comprehensive framework that integrates Simulink, OpenVX, and ROS for model-based design of embedded vision applications. The framework allows applying Matlab-Simulink for the model-based design, parametrization, and validation of computer vision applications. Then, it allows for the automatic synthesis of the application model into an OpenVX description for the hardware and constraints-aware application tuning. Finally, the methodology allows integrating the OpenVX application with Robot Operating System (ROS), which is the de-facto reference standard for developing robotic software applications. The OpenVX-ROS interface allows co-simulating and parametrizing the application by considering the actual robotic environment and the application reuse in any ROS-compliant system. Experimental results have been conducted with two real case studies: An application for digital image stabilization and the ORB descriptor for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), which have been developed through Simulink and, then, automatically synthesized into OpenVX-VisionWorks code for an NVIDIA Jetson TX2 boar

A 20-year experience with surgical management of true and false internal carotid artery aneurysms

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse early and late results of surgical management of internal carotid artery (ICA) true and false aneurysms in a single-centre experience. Materials and methods: From January 1988 to December 2011, 50 consecutive interventions for ICA aneurismal disease were performed; interventions were performed for true ICA aneurysm in 19 cases (group 1) and for ICA post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) pseudo-aneurysm in the remaining 31 (group 2). Early results (<30 days) were evaluated in terms of mortality, stroke and cranial nerves' injury and compared between the two groups with χ2 test. Follow-up results (stroke free-survival, freedom from ICA thrombosis and reintervention) were analysed with Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with log-rank test. Results: All the patients in group 1 had open repair of their ICA aneurysm; in group 2 open repair was performed in 30 cases, while three patients with post-CEA aneurysm without signs of infection had a covered stent placed. There were no perioperative deaths. Two major strokes occurred in group 1 and one major stroke occurred in group 2 (p = 0.1). The rates of postoperative cranial nerve injuries were 10.5% in group 1 and 13% in group 2 (p = 0.8). Median duration of follow-up was 60 months (range 1-276). Estimated 10-year stroke-free survival rates were 64% in group 1 and 37% in group 2 (p = 0.4, log rank 0.5); thrombosis-free survival at 10 years was 66% in group 1 and 34% in group 2 (p = 0.2, log rank 1.2), while the corresponding figures in terms of reintervention-free survival were 68% and 33%, respectively (p = 0.2, log rank 1.8). Conclusions: Surgical treatment of ICA aneurismal disease provided in our experience satisfactory early and long-term results, without significant differences between true and false aneurysms. In carefully selected patients with non-infected false aneurysm, the endovascular option seems to be feasible.© 2012 European Society for Vascular Surgery

Endovascular Treatment of Aorto-iliac Aneurysms: Four-year Results of Iliac Branch Endograft

Introduction: The aim of this report was to analyse early and mid-term outcomes of endovascular treatment (endovascular aneurysm repair, EVAR) for aorto-iliac aneurysms with the use of an iliac branch device (IBD). Report: A total of 85 EVAR procedures with IBD were electively carried out in 81 patients between September 2007 and August 2012. Technical success was obtained in 98.7% of the cases. The mean follow-up duration was 20.4 months (SD ± 15.4). There was one IBD occlusion (1.2%). Estimated 48 months' survival, freedom from re-intervention and branch occlusion were 76.7%, 88.3% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions: EVAR for aorto-iliac aneurysms using IBD is an effective procedure with low complication and re-intervention rates at mid-term follow-up

Comparison between Aorto-bifemoral Bypass and Aorto-iliac Kissing Stent in Patients with Complex Aorto-iliac Obstructive Disease

Introduction: To retrospectively compare early and late results of aorto-bifemoral bypass and endovascular recanalization with the kissing stent technique in the management of TASC II C and D lesions in the aorto-iliac district in a multicentre study. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2013, 293 open and endovascular interventions for TASC-II class C and D aorto-iliac obstructive lesions were performed at three Italian teaching hospitals. In 210 patients the intervention was performed for aortic and bilateral iliac involvement: an aorto-bifemoral bypass was performed in 82 patients (Group 1) while in the remaining 128 an endovascular recanalization with the kissing stent technique (Group 2). Early results in the two groups were compared with \u3c72 test. Follow up results were analyzed with Kaplan-Meyer curves and compared with log rank test. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data, comorbidities, or risk factors for atherosclerosis, except for a higher percentage of females and of diabetic patients in group 2. Critical limb ischemia was present in 29 patients in group 1 (35.5%) and in 31 patients in group 2 (24%, p = 0.07). Technical success in group 2 was 98.5%; two patients required immediate conversion to open surgery for iliac rupture. There was one peri-operative death in group 1 (mortality rate 1.2%, p = 0.2 in comparison with group 2). Four peri-operative thromboses occurred; two in group 1 and two in group 2 (in one case requiring conversion to open surgical intervention) and no amputations at 30 days were recorded. Post-operative local and systemic complications occurred in 20 patients in group 1 (24%) and in 13 patients in group 2 (10% p = 0.006). Mean duration of follow up was 39 months (range 1 \u2013108 months). Survival rates at 6 years were 65% (SE 0.07) in group 1 and 82% (SE 0.05) in group 2 (p = 0.07). At the same time interval, primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates were similar; re-intervention rates were 6% in group 1 (SE 0.05) and 11% in group 2 (SE 0.04; p = 0.2). Conclusion: Endovascular repair of complex aorto-iliac lesions with the kissing stent technique, in the multicentre experience, provided similar satisfactory early and late results to those obtained with open surgery, however with a lower rate of peri-operative complications and a trend towards better long-term survival

Alternative hybrid reconstruction for bilateral common and internal iliac artery aneurysms associated with external iliac artery occlusion

Purpose: To describe an alternative reconstruction for bilateral common (CIA) and internal (IIA) iliac artery aneurysms associated with external iliac artery (EIA) occlusion in a patient unfit for open surgery. Case Report: A high-risk 81-year-old man presented with contained rupture of a left CIA aneurysm in the presence of bilateral CIA and IIA aneurysms associated with complete occlusion of the left EIA and normal patency of both common femoral arteries. In an emergent procedure, the left EIA was recanalized subintimally, and the right IIA was embolized with a 14-mm Amplatzer Plug. The main body of a standard Excluder endograft was deployed just distal to the origin of the left renal artery, and the ipsilateral leg was extended into the proximal right EIA. On the contralateral side, a short 10-mm-diameter limb was inserted through a 12-F sheath and deployed in the CIA, proximal to the iliac bifurcation. Via a percutaneous left brachial artery access, 3 covered stents (9359 mm, 10359 mm, 10359 mm) were deployed from the distal IIA to the endograft contralateral limb. A right-to-left femorofemoral crossover bypass graft concluded the operation. The patient was discharged on the 5th postoperative day without complications; follow-up imaging at 6 months showed patency of the stent-graft and crossover bypass, with complete exclusion of the aneurysms and no evidence of endoleak. Conclusion: This case demonstrates an effective solution for complex aortoiliac lesions using commercially available devices, underlining how an accurate knowledge of alternative endovascular techniques and materials is crucial in the management of complex cases

Multilocus analysis in candidate genes ACE, AGT, and AGTR1 and predisposition to peripheral arterial disease: role of ACE D/-240T haplotype

ObjectivePeripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, several novel biologic mediators and genetic predisposing factors appear relevant in determining the atherogenetic process leading to PAD. Genes encoding for renin angiotensin system (RAS) components have been proposed as candidate in atherosclerosis. This study investigated four polymorphisms in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1), genes of RAS, in both predicting PAD and modulating the severity of the disease.MethodsThe ACE I/D and -240A>T, AGT M235T, and AGTR1 1166A>C polymorphisms were analyzed in 281 PAD patients and in 485 controls comparable for age and sex.ResultsThe ACE D and -240T alleles both significantly influenced the predisposition to PAD. The ACE D, but not -240 T, allele remained associated with PAD after Bonferroni correction (P = .004) and adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (P = .03). The ACE D allele influenced PAD predisposition with a dose-dependent effect (odds ratio for ACE ID vs II genotype, 1.77; P = .006; ACE DD vs II genotype, 2.15; P = .001). The haplotype reconstruction analysis for the ACE gene showed that the D/-240T haplotype significantly and independently influenced the predisposition to PAD (P = .02). In 190 PAD patients with no additional atherosclerotic localizations (isolated PAD), a significant association between ACE D and -240T alleles and PAD was observed. Only the ACE D allele remained associated with isolated PAD after Bonferroni correction (P = .02) and after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (P = .02). The haplotype reconstruction analysis for the ACE gene showed that the D/-240T, but not the D/-240A haplotype significantly influenced the predisposition to PAD (P = .0003). No influence of the polymorphisms analyzed on the severity of the disease, according to Rutherford categories, was found.ConclusionsThe present study contributes data to highlight the role of the ACED/-240T haplotype in predisposing to PAD, also in the absence of other atherosclerotic comorbidities

Carotid artery disease: Novel pathophysiological mechanisms identified by gene-expression profiling of peripheral blood

AbstractObjectThe pathogenesis of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) as well as the mechanisms underlying the different localisation of the atherosclerotic lesions remains poorly understood. We used microarray technology to identify novel systemic mediators that could contribute to CAS pathogenesis.Moreover, we compared gene-expression profile of CAS with that of patients affected by abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), previously published by our group.Methods and resultsBy global gene-expression profiling in a pool of 10 CAS patients and 10 matched controls, we found 82 genes differentially expressed. Validation study in pools used for profiling and replication study in larger numbers of CAS patients (n = 40) and controls (n = 40) of 14 genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed microarray results. Fourteen out of 82 genes were similarly expressed in AAA patients. Gene ontology analysis identified a statistically significant enrichment in CAS of differentially expressed transcripts involved in immune response and oxygen transport. Whereas alteration of oxygen transport is a common tract of the two localisations, alteration of immune response in CAS and of lipid metabolic process in AAA represents distinctive tracts of the two atherosclerotic diseases.ConclusionsWe describe the systemic gene-expression profile of CAS, which provides an extensive list of potential molecular markers