Multi-Atlas based Segmentation of Head and Neck CT Images using Active Contour

This paper presents the segmentation of bilateral parotid glands in the Head and Neck (H&N) CT images using an active contour based atlas registration. We compare segmentation results from three atlas selection strategies: (i) selection of "single-most-similar" atlas for each image to be segmented, (ii) fusion of segmentation results from multiple atlases using STAPLE, and (iii) fusion of segmentation results using majority voting. Among these three approaches, fusion using majority voting provided the best results. Finally, we present a detailed evaluation on a dataset of eight images (provided as a part of H&N auto segmentation challenge conducted in conjunction with MICCAI-2010 conference) using majority voting strategy

Introduction of a urodynamic score to detect pre- and postoperative neurological deficits in children with a primary tethered cord.

OBJECT: An increasing number of asymptomatic children are diagnosed with occult spinal dysraphism, raising the question of their optimal management. Urodynamic study (UDS) is the most reliable method of detecting neuro-urological abnormalities in these children. The rate of postoperative retethering ranges from 10 to 20% and is not always immediately clinically significant. The aim of this prospective study was to develop a reliable method that could be used in the preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up of children with a tethered cord syndrome (TCS). METHODS: From 1989 to 1997, 15 children underwent spinal cord untethering for TCS. Preoperatively, patients were assessed with MRI and UDS. Postoperative UDS were repeated at 6- to 12-month intervals. Four UDS parameters were identified, graded, and added to obtain a UDS score. A group of 38 children without dysraphic condition was used as control and allowed the calculation of a normal score. CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference in the preoperative UDS scores between the control group and the study group ( p<0.001). Postoperatively, there was a statistically significant improvement ( p<0.001) in UDS scores. UDS score is a reliable tool for identifying and quantifying neuro-urological disorders in patients with TCS. Postoperatively, this score was useful in the early diagnosis of spinal cord retethering

Diagnostic yield and cost analysis of electrocardiographic screening in Swiss paediatric athletes

OBJECTIVES Athletes performing sports on high level are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death. This includes paediatric athletes, even though data on screening strategies in this age group remain scarce. This study aimed to assess electrocardiogram interpretation criteria in paediatric athletes and to evaluate the cost of screening. METHODS National, multicentre, retrospective, observational study on 891 athletes of paediatric age (<18 years) evaluated by history, physical examination and 12-lead electrocardiogram. The primary outcome measure was abnormal electrocardiogram findings according to the International Recommendations for Electrographic Interpretation in Athletes. The secondary outcome measure was cost of screening. RESULTS 19 athletes (2.1%) presented abnormal electrocardiogram findings requiring further investigations, mainly abnormal T-wave inversion. These 19 athletes were predominantly males, performing endurance sports with a mean volume of 10 weekly hours for a mean duration of 6 years of training. Further investigations did not identify any relevant pathology. All athletes were cleared for competition with regular follow-up. Total costs of the screening were 108,860 USD (122 USD per athlete). CONCLUSIONS Our study using the International Recommendations for Electrographic Interpretation in Athletes identified a low count of abnormal findings in paediatric athletes, yet raising substantially the cost of screening. Hence, the utility of electrocardiogram-inclusive screening of paediatric athletes remains to be elucidated by longitudinal data

The chromatin landscape of primary synovial sarcoma organoids is linked to specific epigenetic mechanisms and dependencies.

Synovial sarcoma (SyS) is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy invariably associated with the chromosomal translocation t(X:18; p11:q11), which results in the in-frame fusion of the BAF complex gene SS18 to one of three SSX genes. Fusion of SS18 to SSX generates an aberrant transcriptional regulator, which, in permissive cells, drives tumor development by initiating major chromatin remodeling events that disrupt the balance between BAF-mediated gene activation and polycomb-dependent repression. Here, we developed SyS organoids and performed genome-wide epigenomic profiling of these models and mesenchymal precursors to define SyS-specific chromatin remodeling mechanisms and dependencies. We show that SS18-SSX induces broad BAF domains at its binding sites, which oppose polycomb repressor complex (PRC) 2 activity, while facilitating recruitment of a non-canonical (nc)PRC1 variant. Along with the uncoupling of polycomb complexes, we observed H3K27me3 eviction, H2AK119ub deposition and the establishment of de novo active regulatory elements that drive SyS identity. These alterations are completely reversible upon SS18-SSX depletion and are associated with vulnerability to USP7 loss, a core member of ncPRC1.1. Using the power of primary tumor organoids, our work helps define the mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation on which SyS cells are dependent

In-situ trace metal (Cd, Pb, Cu) speciation along the Po River plume (Northern Adriatic Sea) using submersible systems

Highlights • In-situ trace metal speciation in the Adriatic Sea by submersible voltammetric sensors • Metal species distribution mainly affected by Po River outflow. • Metal dynamic concentrations below legal limits • Cu dynamic concentrations toxic to sensitive phytoplankton Abstract Information on the distribution and speciation of trace metals is of critical importance for our ability to interpret the links between the bioavailability and uptake of an element, and its biogeochemical cycle in coastal environments. Within the framework of the European Project “In-situ automated Monitoring of Trace metal speciation in Estuaries and Coastal zones in relation with the biogeochemical processes (IMTEC)”, the chemical speciation of Cd, Pb and Cu was carried out along the Po River plume in the period 27 October – 2 November 2002. During the cruise, five Voltammetric In-situ Profiling systems and one Multi Physical Chemical Profiler, as well as conventional voltammetric instruments, were successfully applied in order to evaluate the distribution of Cd, Pb and Cu between different fractions (free ion, dynamic, colloidal, dissolved and particulate fractions) and to assess the evolution of these fractions during estuarine mixing and in the water column. Dynamic concentrations were 0.05–0.2 nmol L−1 Cd, 0.02–0.2 nmol L−1 Pb, and 0.15–4.0 nmol L−1Cu. Cd was mainly present as dynamic fraction (40–100% of the dissolved Cd). High proportions of Pb (~70%) and Cu (~80%) were present as colloids probably of biogenic origin. Principal components analysis reveals a strong influence of the Po River discharge on the spatial and vertical distributions of metal species. Almost all the metal fractions globally decreased following the salinity gradient. Metal concentrations are far below (at least one order of magnitude lower) the Environmental Quality Standard established by the Italian law. However, the Cu dynamic fraction showed concentrations likely to be toxic to sensitive phytoplankton community and to have negative effects on larva development of coastal macroinvertebrate species (toxicity data extracted from literature)

Electrochemical methods for speciation of trace elements in marine waters. Dynamic aspects

The contribution of electrochemical methods to the knowledge of dynamic speciation of toxic trace elements in marine waters is critically reviewed. Due to the importance of dynamic considerations in the interpretation of the electrochemical signal, the principles and recent developments of kinetic features in the interconversion of metal complex species will be presented. As dynamic electrochemical methods, only stripping techniques (anodic stripping voltammetry and stripping chronopotentiometry) will be used because they are the most important for the determination of trace elements. Competitive ligand ex- change-adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry, which should be considered an equilibrium technique rather than a dynamic method, will be also discussed because the complexing parameters may be affected by some kinetic limitations if equilibrium before analysis is not attained and/or the flux of the adsorbed complex is in fluenced by the lability of the natural complexes in the water sample. For a correct data interpretation and system characterization the comparison of results obtained from different techniques seems essential in the articulation of a serious discussion of their meaning

Commotion cérébrale chez l'enfant et l'adolescent sportif [Concussion in children and adolescents during sports].

Texte intégral sur le site de la Revu Médicale Suisse, free-online www.revmed.ch Concussion, a frequent injury in sports, is rarely evoked and often trivialized in children and teenagers. Knowledge of the diverse symptoms and signs to seek for is essential to an appropriate and secure management. The initial treatment relies on cognitive and physical rest followed by a progressive return to school and subsequently sport activities. The aim of this article is to review an injury whose prognosis is generally favourable, but whose rare complications can prove dramatic