Semantic-preserving image coding based on Conditional Diffusion models

Semantic communication, rather than on a bit-by-bit recovery of the transmitted messages, focuses on the meaning and the goal of the communication itself. In this paper, we propose a novel semantic image coding scheme that preserves the semantic content of an image, while ensuring a good trade-off between coding rate and image quality. The proposed Semantic-Preserving Image Coding based on Conditional Diffusion Models (SPIC) transmitter encodes a Semantic Segmentation Map (SSM) and a low-resolution version of the image to be transmitted. The receiver then reconstructs a high-resolution image using a Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DDPM) doubly conditioned to the SSM and the low-resolution image. As shown by the numerical examples, compared to state-of-the-art (SOTA) approaches, the proposed SPIC exhibits a better balance between the conventional rate-distortion trade-off and the preservation of semantically-relevant features.Comment: Submitted at ICASSP 202

Epithelioid Hemangioma of the Nose: A Challenging Diagnosis

Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare reactive vasoproliferative disease presenting with painless vascular nodules in the dermal and subcutaneous tissues of the head and neck. Clinical diagnosis can be difficult as, in most cases, the only symptom is a progressively tender swelling next to a vessel course. Thus far, few cases of epithelioid hemangioma localized to the nose have been described in the literature. Herein, we present a case of a 47-year-old woman with just such a lesion of the nose, focusing on its diagnosis and treatment

Epigenetics: an Opportunity to Shape Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

Epigenetics connects genetic and environmental factors: it includes DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications and the regulation of chromatin accessibility by non-coding RNAs, all of which control constitutive or inducible gene transcription. This plays a key role in harnessing the transcriptional programs of both innate and adaptive immune cells due to its plasticity and environmental-driven nature, piloting myeloid and lymphoid cell fate decision with no change in their genomic sequence. In particular, epigenetic marks at the site of lineage specific transcription factors and maintenance of cell type-specific epigenetic modifications, referred to as "epigenetic memory", dictate cell differentiation, cytokine production and functional capacity following repeated antigenic exposure in memory T cells. Moreover, metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming occurring during a primary innate immune response leads to enhanced responses to secondary challenges, a phenomenon known as "trained immunity". Here we discuss how stable and dynamic epigenetic states control immune cell identity and plasticity in physiological and pathological conditions. Dissecting the regulatory circuits of cell fate determination and maintenance is of paramount importance for understanding the delicate balance between immune cell activation and tolerance, in healthy conditions and in autoimmune diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Common genetic variants in NEFL influence gene expression and neuroblastoma risk

The genetic etiology of sporadic neuroblastoma is still largely obscure. In a genome-wide association study, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with neuroblastoma at the CASC15, BARD1, LMO1, DUSP12, HSD17B12, HACE1, and LIN28B gene loci, but these explain only a small fraction of neuroblastoma heritability. Other neuroblastoma susceptibility genes are likely hidden among signals discarded by the multiple testing corrections. In this study, we evaluated eight additional genes selected as candidates for further study based on proven involvement in neuroblastoma differentiation. SNPs at these candidate genes were tested for association with disease susceptibility in 2,101 cases and 4,202 controls, with the associations found replicated in an independent cohort of 459 cases and 809 controls. Replicated associations were further studied for cis-effect using gene expression, transient overexpression, silencing, and cellular differentiation assays. The neurofilament gene NEFL harbored three SNPs associated with neuroblastoma (rs11994014: Pcombined \ubc 0.0050; OR, 0.88; rs2979704: Pcombined \ubc 0.0072; OR, 0.87; rs1059111: Pcombined \ubc 0.0049; OR, 0.86). The protective allele of rs1059111 correlated with increased NEFL expression. Biologic investigations showed that ectopic overexpression of NEFL inhibited cell growth specifically in neuroblastoma cells carrying the protective allele. NEFL overexpression also enhanced differentiation and impaired the proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of cells with protective allele and basal NEFL expression, while impairing invasiveness and proliferation of cells homozygous for the risk genotype. Clinically, high levels of NEFL expression in primary neuroblastoma specimens were associated with better overall survival (P \ubc 0.03; HR, 0.68). Our results show that common variants of NEFL influence neuroblastoma susceptibility and they establish that NEFL expression influences disease initiation and progressio

Could YouTubeTM encourage men on prostate checks? A contemporary analysis

Objectives: To assess YouTube™ videos' quality on prostate checks, especially on the digital rectal exam (DRE), and to investigate if they can inform patients correctly and eradicate their beliefs and myths.Methods: A search using as keywords "digital rectal exam for prostate cancer" was performed on the YouTubeTM platform. We selected the first 100 videos. To assess video quality content, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for audio-visual content (PEMAT A/V) and Misinformation tool were used.Results: Seventy-three videos were suitable for the analyses. The median PEMAT A/V Understandability score and PEMAT A/V Actionability score were 46.2% (interquartile range [IQR]: 30.8-76.9) and 50.0% (IQR: 25.0-75.0), respectively. The medi-an PEMAT A/V Understandability and Actionability scores were 69.2% (IQR: 46.2-88.5) vs 46.2% (IQR: 30.8-61.5) (p = 0.01) and 100.0% (IQR: 87.5-100.0) vs 25.0% (IQR: 25.0-68.8)(p < 0.001), for healthcare workers vs patients, respectively. According to the Misinformation tool, the median misinforma-tion score of the overall videos was 2.2 (IQR:1.7-2.8). According to the target audience, the misinformation score was 2.8 (IQR: 2.4-3.5) vs 2.0 (IQR: 1.5-2.8) (p = 0.02), for healthcare workers vs patients, respectively. Conclusions: Currently, based on our analyses, YouTubeTM videos' quality on DRE resulted unsatisfactory according to the PEMAT A/V score and the Misinformation tool. Videos targeted to healthcare workers got higher quality scores if compared to videos targeted to patients. Therefore, YouTubeTM videos' may not be considered a reliable source of information on DRE for patients

Reinke's edema and risk factors: Clinical and histopathologic aspects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the distribution of histologic damage and its correlation with various risk factors in a group of patients affected by Reinke's edema. Materials and Methods: The study subjects comprised 125 patients with bilateral Reinke's edema consecutively presenting at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "La Sapienza" University, Rome. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to Heliquist, Lundgren, and Olofsson's histologic classification and were then further categorized according to the number of cigarettes they smoked daily. Average exposure to cigarette smoke, occupation, habitual voice use, and gastroesophageal reflux were also considered. Results: Fifty-two patients did not exhibit histologic lesions, 64 patients were histologically classified as Group 1 (epithelial hyperplasia and/or keratosis with or without mild dysplasia), and 6 patients exhibited moderate dysplasia (Group 2). In 3 patients, histologic examination showed evidence of unilateral carcinoma in situ (Group 3). Forty-four patients suffered recurrences within the first 2.5 years. Both daily cigarette consumption and duration of exposure to cigarette smoke were found to influence the severity of the histologic lesion. An association with gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 4 patients (3.2%). Prolonged vocal abuse did not prove to be a noteworthy factor in our study. Conclusions: The main risk factor for Reinke's edema and for its recurrence is tobacco use. Our study results showed that the clinical manifestation of this disease is related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the duration of exposure to smoke. Longer durations of exposure to cigarette smoke result in higher degrees of histologic damage

Comparative study of pre- and postauricular flaps for external auditory canal defect reconstruction

Background: Malignancies involving the external auditory canal deserve critical evaluation due to this area's aesthetic and functional importance. Flaps can be very useful for the restoration of the external auditory canal. A variety of flaps available for the surgical treatment of external acoustic meatus defects exist, depending on the precise location and size. Objectives: Our study aimed to compare aesthetic and functional results in the postoncological reconstruction of external auditory canal defects using a preauricular flap and postauricular revolving door flap. Methods: Sixteen patients treated at our plastic surgery unit for defects involving the external auditory canal between January 2014 and December 2020 were included in the study. All defects were the result of a primary or secondary skin cancer excision. Patients were divided into two groups, one receiving the preauricular flap technique and the other the postauricular revolving door flap technique. Results: Three separate visual analog scales reported excellent scores for the two procedures, though the postauricular revolving door flap had slightly better results. Both preauricular flap and postauricular revolving door flap reconstructive techniques showed good options for external auditory canal reconstruction in postexcision skin cancer patients. From an aesthetic point of view, the revolving door flap appeared to be a more elegant surgical approach in this type of reconstruction because the scar was hidden in the postauricular sulcus. Conclusions: Reconstruction with a postauricular revolving door flap allowed for a more natural movement with no external pedicle. Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Level: I

Stahl's ear deformities treated with auricular splinting

Stahl's ear deformities treated with auricular splintin

Betadine-soaked gauzes intraoperative sizing in breast augmentation surgery

In breast augmentation surgery, the correct evaluation of the implant size required is crucial to achieve satisfactory final result. Intraoperative volume decision is usually made by the use of silicone gel breast sizers. Intraoperative sizers have some disadvantages: the progressive loss of structural integrity, the increased risk of cross infection, the high costs. However, during breast augmentation surgery, it is mandatory to fill and expand the newly dissected pocket. In our practice we fill the dissected space with Betadine-soaked and then squeezed gauzes. The use of multiple soaked gauzes as sizers is advantageous for the following reasons: they fill and expand the pocket, they are useful to check the volume and to show the circumferential contour of the breast, to keep the pocket clean while dissecting the second one, to check final hemostasis and to compare the two breasts’ size before definitive implant insertion. We simulated an “intra operative setting” where standardized volume Betadine-soaked gauzes were packed into a breast pocket. This easily reproducible and accurate technique is inexpensive and produces reliable and highly satisfactory results; it can be incorporated into the practice of any surgeon performing breast augmentation.Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) level: I