Accurate Real Time Localization Tracking in A Clinical Environment using Bluetooth Low Energy and Deep Learning

Deep learning has started to revolutionize several different industries, and the applications of these methods in medicine are now becoming more commonplace. This study focuses on investigating the feasibility of tracking patients and clinical staff wearing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags in a radiation oncology clinic using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The performance of these networks was compared to relative received signal strength indicator (RSSI) thresholding and triangulation. By utilizing temporal information, a combined CNN+ANN network was capable of correctly identifying the location of the BLE tag with an accuracy of 99.9%. It outperformed a CNN model (accuracy = 94%), a thresholding model employing majority voting (accuracy = 95%), and a triangulation classifier utilizing majority voting (accuracy = 95%). Future studies will seek to deploy this affordable real time location system in hospitals to improve clinical workflow, efficiency, and patient safety

Neutrophil–Lymphocyte and Platelet–Lymphocyte Ratios as Prognostic Factors after Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

IntroductionThe hematologic indices of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are correlated with clinical outcomes after stereotactic radiation.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the pretreatment NLR and PLR in patients treated with stereotactic radiation for early stage non–small-cell lung cancer at our institution. A total of 149 patients treated for non–small-cell lung cancer were identified, and 59 had stage I disease with neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte levels within a 3-month period before treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to examine cutoff values for survival and nonlocal failure followed by Kaplan–Meier analysis for survival.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 17 months, 28 deaths were observed, and the median overall survival for all patients was 43 months. Based on the ROC analysis, NLR and PLR cutoff values for further survival analysis were determined based on the ROC analysis to be 2.98 and 146. The median overall survival was not reached for patients with low NLR or PLR but the survival was 23 months for patients with high NLR or PLR. There was no correlation between NLR and nonlocal failure, but on multivariate analysis PLR was found to be associated with freedom from nonlocal failure. Nonlocal failure rates were 11% for patients with PLR less than 250 and 58% for PLR greater than 250 (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe pretreatment NLR and PLR represented significant prognostic indicators of survival in patients treated for early-stage non–small-cell lung carcinoma with stereotactic radiation. The PLR may be used as a prognostic indicator for nonlocal failure after stereotactic radiation for early-stage lung cancer

Phase 2 Study of Pemetrexed Plus Carboplatin, or Pemetrexed Plus Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiation Therapy Followed by Pemetrexed Consolidation in Patients with Favorable-Prognosis Inoperable Stage IIIA/B Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

IntroductionThere is no consensus chemotherapy regimen with concurrent radiotherapy (RT) for inoperable stage IIIA/B non–small-cell lung cancer. This trial evaluated pemetrexed with carboplatin (PCb) or cisplatin (PC) with concurrent RT followed by consolidation pemetrexed.MethodsIn this open-label, noncomparative phase II trial, patients with inoperable stage IIIA/B non–small-cell lung cancer (initially all histologies, later restricted to nonsquamous) were randomized (1:1) to PCb or PC with concurrent RT (64–68 Gy over days 1–45). Consolidation pemetrexed monotherapy was administered every 21 days for three cycles. Primary endpoint was 2-year overall survival (OS) rate.ResultsFrom June 2007 to November 2009, 98 patients were enrolled (PCb: 46; PC: 52). The 2-year OS rate was PCb: 45.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.5–60.0%); PC: 58.4% (95% CI, 42.6–71.3%), and in nonsquamous patients was PCb: 48.0% (95% CI, 29.0–64.8%); PC: 55.8% (95% CI, 38.0–70.3%). Median time to disease progression was PCb: 8.8 months (95% CI, 6.0–12.6 months); PC: 13.1 months (95% CI, 8.3–not evaluable [NE]). Median OS (months) was PCb: 18.7 (95% CI, 12.9–NE); PC: 27.0 (95% CI, 23.2–NE). The objective response rates (ORRs) were PCb: 52.2%; PC: 46.2%. Grade 4 treatment-related toxicities (% PCb/% PC) were: anemia, 0/1.9; neutropenia, 6.5/3.8; thrombocytopenia, 4.3/1.9; and esophagitis, 0/1.9. Most patients completed scheduled chemotherapy and RT during induction and consolidation phases. No drug-related deaths were reported during chemoradiotherapy.ConclusionsBecause of study design, efficacy comparisons cannot be made. However, both combinations with concurrent RT were active and well tolerated

The Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Receptor Suppresses Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Acute Asthma

Asthma is a T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated inflammatory airway disease, characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), chronic eosinophilic inflammation, episode of reversible bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. In these responsies, several cytokines are considered to take part in a pivotal role. Although Th2 cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, are important in asthma,1 tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been implicated in the inflammatory response, seen in asthma.2 TNF-α is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine, and a chemoattractant for neutrophils and eosinophils.3 It increases the cytotoxic effect of eosinophils on endothelial cells,4 epithelial expression of adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1),6 and the contractile function of smooth muscles,7 and is involved in the activation of T cells.5 Howarth et al.8 reported that TNF-α concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and TNF-α protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in bronchial biopsy specimens were increased in patients with severe asthma compared those with mild disease

Targeting Nonhomologous End-Joining Through Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition: Rationale and Strategies for Radiosensitization

ema ovog rada je simulacija rada solarnog toplovodnog sustava u obiteljskoj kući. Solarni toplovodni sustav koristi se za zagrijavanje potrošne tople vode (u daljnjem tekstu PTV) i vode za niskotemperaturno grijanje kuće. Potrebno je optimirati nagib kolektora kako bi se prikupilo najviše moguće dozračene sunčeve energije. Također, potrebno je optimirati površinu kolektora i volumen spremnika za toplu vodu tako da povrat investicije bude najkraći. Solarni toplovodni sustavi koriste se radi iskorištavanja „besplatne“ energije sunca, a povećani investicijski troškovi relativno brzo se vračaju kroz uštede na konvencionalnim izvorima energije kao što su električna enegija i zemni plin.This working provides the simulation of solar hot water system work in a family house. Solar hot water system is used for low temperature space heating and domestic hot water (in further text DHW). It's required to optimise the angle of solar collector so the acquired solar energy on the collector is to be the most. Further, it is required to optimise the apperture of the solar collector and the volume of storage for DHW so the return on investment is to be the least. Solar hot water systems are used for the purpose of exploting „free“ energy from the sun. Increased capital cost are relatively quickly returned through the saves of using conventional energy sources like electrical energy and natural gas

SNS-032 Prevents Tumor Cell-Induced Angiogenesis By Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor1

Cell proliferation, migration, and capillary network formation of endothelial cells are the fundamental steps for angiogenesis, which involves the formation of new blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel aminothiazole SNS-032 on these critical steps for in vitro angiogenesis using a coculture system consisting of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human glioblastoma cells (U87MG). SNS-032 is a potent selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 7, and 9, and inhibits both transcription and cell cycle. In this study, we examined the proliferation and viability of HUVECs and U87MG cells in the presence of SNS-032 and observed a dose-dependent inhibition of cellular proliferation in both cell lines. SNS-032 inhibited threedimensional capillary network formations of endothelial cells. In a coculture study, SNS-032 completely prevented U87MG cell-mediated capillary formation of HUVECs. This inhibitor also prevented the migration of HUVECs when cultured alone or cocultured with U87MG cells. In addition, SNS-032 significantly prevented the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both cell lines, whereas SNS-032 was less effective in preventing capillary network formation and migration of endothelial cells when an active recombinant VEGF was added to the medium. In conclusion, SNS-032 prevents in vitro angiogenesis, and this action is attributable to blocking of VEGF