Artificial intelligence in clinical endoscopy: Insights in the field of videomics

Artificial intelligence is being increasingly seen as a useful tool in medicine. Specifically, these technologies have the objective to extract insights from complex datasets that cannot easily be analyzed by conventional statistical methods. While promising results have been obtained for various -omics datasets, radiological images, and histopathologic slides, analysis of videoendoscopic frames still represents a major challenge. In this context, videomics represents a burgeoning field wherein several methods of computer vision are systematically used to organize unstructured data from frames obtained during diagnostic videoendoscopy. Recent studies have focused on five broad tasks with increasing complexity: quality assessment of endoscopic images, classification of pathologic and nonpathologic frames, detection of lesions inside frames, segmentation of pathologic lesions, and in-depth characterization of neoplastic lesions. Herein, we present a broad overview of the field, with a focus on conceptual key points and future perspectives

Quantitative Evaluation of Bacteria Adherent and in Biofilm on Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Coated Surfaces

Biofilm is a common bacterial lifestyle, and it plays a crucial role in human health, causing biofilm-mediated infections. Recently, to counteract biofilm development, new nano-structured biomaterials have been proposed. However, data about the antibacterial properties of nano-structured surfaces are fragmentary and controversial, and, in particular, the susceptibility of nano-structured materials to colonization and biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens has not been yet thoroughly considered. Here, the ability of the pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to adhere and form biofilm on surfaces coated with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was analyzed. Our results showed that the surfaces of SWCNTs-coated glass beads (SWCNTs-GBs) were colonized at the same extent of uncoated GBs both by S. mutans and P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that single wall SWCNTs-coated surfaces are not suitable to counteract bacterial adhesion and biofilm development

Instance segmentation of upper aerodigestive tract cancer: site-specific outcomes

Objective. To achieve instance segmentation of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) neoplasms using a deep learning (DL) algorithm, and to identify differences in its diagnostic performance in three different sites: larynx/hypopharynx, oral cavity and oropharynx.Methods. A total of 1034 endoscopic images from 323 patients were examined under narrow band imaging (NBI). The Mask R-CNN algorithm was used for the analysis. The dataset split was: 935 training, 48 validation and 51 testing images. Dice Similarity Coefficient (Dsc) was the main outcome measure.Results. Instance segmentation was effective in 76.5% of images. The mean Dsc was 0.90 & PLUSMN; 0.05. The algorithm correctly predicted 77.8%, 86.7% and 55.5% of lesions in the larynx/hypopharynx, oral cavity, and oropharynx, respectively. The mean Dsc was 0.90 & PLUSMN; 0.05 for the larynx/hypopharynx, 0.60 & PLUSMN; 0.26 for the oral cavity, and 0.81 & PLUSMN; 0.30 for the oropharynx. The analysis showed inferior diagnostic results in the oral cavity compared with the larynx/hypopharynx (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The study confirms the feasibility of instance segmentation of UADT using DL algorithms and shows inferior diagnostic results in the oral cavity compared with other anatomic areas

Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying multiple alleles of antigen 43-encoding gene of Escherichia coli associated with biofilm formation

A clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae typed as sequence type 307 carrying three different alleles of the flu gene encoding the Escherichia coli virulence factor antigen 43 associated with biofilm formation was detected and characterized. The flu alleles are located in the chromosome inside putative integrative conjugative elements. The strain displays the phenotypes associated with Ag43, i.e. bi-phasic colony morphology and enhanced biofilm production. Furthermore, the strain produces low amount of capsule known to affect Ag43 function. Analysis of 1431 worldwide deposited genomes revealed that 3.7% Klebsiella pneumoniae carry one or two flu alleles

Anger and substance abuse : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate levels of anger among substance users compared to non-user controls and to analyze the possible association between anger and psychoactive substance use (PSU). Methods: The procedures of this review followed the Meta-Analyzes of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIREME, PsycINFO) were searched. Results: Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis; 10 used the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) anger trait subscale and two used the Buss-Perry-Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) anger subscale. The sample included 2,294 users of psychoactive substances and 2,143 nonusers, all male. The mean difference in anger scale scores between users and non-users was 2.151 (95% CI 1.166-3.134, p p 0.00, inconsistency index [I2] = 98.83) standard deviations. Age and abstinence duration did not moderate the difference in anger between substance users and non-users. Conclusion: Users of psychoactive substances had elevated anger scores compared to non-users, which represents a high risk of relapse. It is suggested that PSU treatment programs include intensive anger management modules, focusing on factors such as dealing with daily stressors, family conflicts, frustrations, and problems

La contabilizzazione di emissioni e concentrazioni degli inquinanti in atmosfera utilizzando conti ambientali e chain modeling

Le tematiche relative alla sostenibilità ambientale sono caratterizzate da approcci interdisciplinari. Fra i vari strumenti che tentano di integrare le componenti economiche e le componenti ambientali si menzionano i conti integrati economici e ambientali le cui diverse tipologie sono contenute nel manuale SEEA. Fra i diversi moduli di contabilità ambientale attualmente presenti ed utilizzati NAMEA è la matrice ‘ibrida’ atta a contabilizzare i prelievi e le emissioni delle attività produttive e delle famiglie sull’ambiente. In questo lavoro si presentano i risultati dell’applicazione NAMEA in relazione alle emissioni in atmosfera nella regione Piemonte, provincia di Torino e comune di Torino. L’utilizzazione di database ‘raccolti’ su territorio permette, oltre ad una puntuale analisi descrittiva e strutturale della matrice NAMEA, anche un collegamento con simulazioni relative alle concentrazioni degli inquinanti. Infatti l’utilizzo dell’Inventario Regionale delle Emissioni in Atmofera rappresenta il punto di contatto fra le cause generatrici delle emissioni elaborate attraverso NAMEA e l’effetto sull’ambiente in termini di concentrazioni elaborate attraverso la modellistica a catena. Va premesso che il processo che partendo dalle emissioni porta alle concentrazioni degli inquinanti non è lineare, tuttavia l’elaborazione di NAMEA a livello locale e la visualizzazione congiunta di emissioni e concentrazioni può aiutare l’amministratore locale nella pianificazione di azioni da implementare sul territorio per migliorare la qualità dell’aria.Contabilità ambientale, NAMEA, emissioni in atmosfera, concentrazioni degli inquinanti atmosferici, modellistica a catena

Matrix for Mucosal Regeneration in Transoral Glossectomy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Objective and Subjective Functional Evaluation

Background: Numerous options to manage local reconstruction following transoral partial glossectomy are possible. In this work, we present our experience using a matrix for mucosal regeneration, Integra®, after transoral resections of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients treated for tongue carcinoma and reconstruction with Integra®, from September 2017 to September 2022. Functional outcomes were evaluated by measuring swallowing and speech abilities, tongue motility, and subjective quality of life. Results: The series accounts for 13 consecutive patients, staged from Tis to T3, no positive resection margins were found, average defect size was 17.8 cm2. The average histologically measured depth of invasion was 4.1 mm (range 2–12 mm), and no recurrences were observed during follow-up. All patients maintained excellent swallowing function, the average number of recognized words by an external listener during a phone call was 70.5 out of 75, the lingual motility test was good (a mean score of 4.5 out of 6 movements correctly executed) and subjective questionnaires results were optimal. Less satisfying functional results were recorded in elderly patients receiving a wider surgical resection. Conclusions: This reconstructive technique for allows obtaining optimal healing and functional outcomes in patients with tumors suitable for transoral glossectomy

Exploratory tympanotomy in conductive hearing loss with normal pre-operative investigations

Objective: To investigate whether patients with conductive hearing loss (CHL) and normal preoperative investigations may benefit from exploratory tympanotomy (ET) and tailored treatment performed according to intraoperative findings. Methods: Patients treated with ET for CHL with normal pre-operative otoscopy, tympanometry and CT scan from 2011 to 2019 were reviewed. Data regarding demographics, audiometry, intraoperative findings and surgery were collected and analysed to assess if they can predict post-operative air bone gap (ABG) closure and patient satisfaction. Results: Forty-eight cases were included. Mean ABG significantly reduced (p < 0.001) from preoperative (38.4 dB) to postoperative (14.8 dB). Post-operative ABG closure within 10 dB was observed in 20 cases (41.7%). Overall satisfaction was reported in 60% of cases. Stapes fixation was the most common diagnosis (47.9%) and significantly associated with lower post-operative ABG and higher satisfaction. Conclusions: In CHL with normal pre-operative investigations, ET represents the mainstay of treatment, even if audiological outcomes may widely vary. Intraoperative finding of stapes fixation (thus stapedotomy) ensures the best audiological and satisfaction outcomes

Quantitative Evaluation of Bacteria Adherent and in Biofilm on Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Coated Surfaces

Biofilm is a common bacterial lifestyle, and it plays a crucial role in human health, causing biofilm-mediated infections. Recently, to counteract biofilm development, new nano-structured biomaterials have been proposed. However, data about the antibacterial properties of nano-structured surfaces are fragmentary and controversial, and, in particular, the susceptibility of nano-structured materials to colonization and biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens has not been yet thoroughly considered. Here, the ability of the pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to adhere and form biofilm on surfaces coated with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was analyzed. Our results showed that the surfaces of SWCNTs-coated glass beads (SWCNTs-GBs) were colonized at the same extent of uncoated GBs both by S. mutans and P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that single wall SWCNTs-coated surfaces are not suitable to counteract bacterial adhesion and biofilm development