Modelling of uncertainties in ultrasound sensor locations in photoacoustic tomography

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is an imaging modality developed during the past few decades. In the inverse problem of PAT, the aim is to estimate the spatial distribution of an initial pressure p0 generated by the photoacoustic effect, when photoacoustic time-series pt measured on the boundary of the imaged target are given. To produce accurate photoacoustic images, the forward model linking p0 to pt has to model the measurement setup and the underlying physics to a sufficient accuracy. Use of an inaccurate model can lead to significant errors in the solution of the inverse problem. In this work, we study the effect and compensation of modelling errors due to uncertainties in ultrasound sensor locations in PAT using Bayesian approximation error modelling. The approach is evaluated with simulated and experimental data using various levels of measurement noise, uncertainties in sensor locations and varying sensor geometries. The results indicate that even small errors in the modelling of ultrasound sensor locations can lead to large errors in the solution of the inverse problem. Furthermore, the magnitude of these errors is affected by the amount of measurement noise and the measurement The modelling errors can, however, be well compensated by the approximation error modelling

Suu- ja sorkkatautiepidemia maksaisi miljoonia - Tautiin varautuminen pienentää riskiä ja seurauksia

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Workforce participation and activities in Parkinson's disease patients receiving device-aided therapy

Objectives: Many countries have an aging population, and it is thus likely that Parkinson's disease (PD) will become an increasing health problem. It is important to ensure this group can use their resources in the best way possible, including remaining in the work market. This study aimed to investigate workforce participation and daily activities among patients with PD receiving device-aided therapy to provide new knowledge that may be used to inform decisions about these therapy options. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive quantitative pilot study, including 67 patients with PD from 3 centers in Sweden and Denmark. Included patients were younger than 67 years at the time of introduction of device-aided therapy. Eligible patients were identified by the Swedish national Parkinson patient registry or by the treating neurologist. Quantitative interviews were made by telephone. Results: A majority of the patients could perform the same, or more, amount of activities approximately 5 years after the introduction of device-aided therapy. A small number of patients receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) and levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) were able to increase their work capacity within 1 year of initiating device-aided therapy and a remarkably high share could still work at the end-point of this study, approximately 15 years since the diagnosis of PD. Conclusions: Device-aided therapy may sustain or increase daily activities and workforce participation in patients with PD who have not yet reached retirement age. There is need for prospective studies, both quantitative and qualitative, to confirm these results

Structural change and animal disease risks in the Finnish livestock sector

Aviemore, Scotland, 27th and 28th March 2017 ; Flashtal

Lavage treatment of painful jaw movements at disc displacement without reduction. A randomized controlled trial in a short-term perspective.

This study compared the short-term efficacy of two treatments (local anesthetics (A) and local anesthetics and lavage (AL)) in patients with permanently displaced discs and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. 45 patients participated in the single-blind randomized controlled trial. All patients had received: a Research Diagnostic Criteria/TMD diagnosis of disc displacement without reduction; and magnetic resonance imaging confirmation of non-reducing disc displacement. Participants were randomized to treatment with A or AL and were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 3 month follow-ups. The primary outcome measure defining success was reduction in pain intensity of at least 30% during jaw movement. At the 3 month follow-up, the success rate was 76% for A and 55% for AL. Both groups reported similar pain relief with no significant difference between the groups. Similar trends were observed for outcome measures in the physical functioning, emotional functioning, and global improvement domains with no significant difference between the groups. Use of lavage to supplement extra-articular local anesthetic treatment of painful jaw movements at non-reducing discs does not appear to improve TMD pain and mouth opening capacity in the short term