A multi-channel real time implementation of dual tree complex wavelet Transform in field programmable gate arrays

In medical applications, biomedical acquisition systems (BASs) are frequently used in order to diagnose and monitor critical conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer disease, arrhythmias and etc. Biomedical signals (BSs), which produce valuable information about the condition of various physiological subsystems in our body, can be obtained by using multi-channel BASs. Due to the time-varying behavior of physiological sub-systems, most of the BSs are expected to have non-stationary character. In order to derive desired clinical information from these non-stationary BSs, an appropriate analysis method which exhibits adjustable time-frequency resolution is needed. The wavelet transform (WT), in which the time-frequency resolution can be adjusted according to the different parts of the signal, are widely used in the analysis of BSs. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a fast and discretized implementation of classical WT and was employed as a feature extractor and de-noising operator for BSs in literature. However, due to the aliasing, lack of directionality and being shift-variance disadvantages, the DWT exhibits limited performance. A modified version of the DWT, which is named as Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT), is employed in the analysis of BSs and improved results are obtained. Therefore, in this study, considering the improvements in embedded system technology and the needs for wavelet based multi-channel real-time feature-extraction/de-noising operations in portable medical devices, the DTCWT is implemented as a multi-channel system-on-chip by using field programmable gate arrays. In proposed hardware architecture, for N input-channels, the DTCWT is implemented by using only one adder and one multiplier. The area efficiency and speed limits of proposed system are presented comparing with our previous approaches

Field programmable gate arrays implementation of dual tree complex wavelet transform

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Due to the inherent time-varying characteristics of physiological systems, most biomedical signals (BSs) are expected to have non-stationary character. Therefore, any appropriate analysis method for dealing with BSs should exhibit adjustable time-frequency (TF) resolution. The wavelet transform (WT) provides a TF representation of signals, which has good frequency resolution at low frequencies and good time resolution at high frequencies, resulting in an optimized TF resolution. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT), which is used in various medical signal processing applications such as denoising and feature extraction, is a fast and discretized algorithm for classical WT. However, the DWT has some very important drawbacks such as aliasing, lack of directionality, and shift-variance. To overcome these drawbacks, a new improved discrete transform named as Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT) can be used. Nowadays, with the improvements in embedded system technology, portable real-time medical devices are frequently used for rapid diagnosis in patients. In this study, in order to implement DTCWT algorithm in FPGAs, which can be used as real-time feature extraction or denoising operator for biomedical signals, a novel hardware architecture is proposed. In proposed architecture, DTCWT is implemented with only one adder and one multiplier. Additionally, considering the multi-channel outputs of biomedical data acquisition systems, this architecture is capable of running N channels in parallel

Evaluation of high resolution computed tomography findings of cystic fibrosis

PubMedID: 29976036Background/Aims: Morphological changes due to lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were evaluated using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and the HRCT scores obtained using the Bhalla scoring system were correlated with those obtained using clinical and laboratory indicators. Methods: Medical records of 28 children with CF who underwent chest CT in Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Cukurova University Balcali Hospital between March 2011 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and physical examination, respiratory cultures, pulmonary function tests, and chest HRCT findings were evaluated. Patients were divided into the following two groups according to their forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) values: normal FEV 1 (? 80% of predicted values) and low FEV 1 (< 80% of predicted values). Deep throat or sputum cultures were evaluated for the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) and other bacteria. HRCT scans were scored using the Bhalla scoring system. Results: No significant correlation was found between the Bhalla scores and sex, age group, or height percentiles. Significant relationships were found between the Bhalla score and weight (p = 0.036) and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.032) percentiles below the third percentile, bacterial growth in the sputum/ deep throat cultures (p = 0.009), and presence of PsA (p = 0.004). Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the Bhalla score and FEV 1 (r = -0.315, p = 0.0272), forced vital capacity (FVC; r = -0.381, p = 0.0178), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (r = -0.229, p = 0.0431), and BMI (r = -3.368, p = 0.050). Conclusions: Chest HRCT is an important diagnostic tool for the pulmonary evaluation of children with CF. © 2019 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine

An area efficient real time implementation of dual tree complex wavelet transform in field programmable gate arrays

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Biomedical signals (BSs), which give information about the normal condition and also the inherent irregularities of our body, are expected to have non-stationary character due to the time-varying behavior of physiological systems. The Fourier transform and the short time Fourier transform are the widely used frequency and time-frequency analysis methods for extracting information from BSs with fixed frequency and time-frequency resolution respectively. However, in order to derive relevant information from non-stationary BSs, an appropriate analysis method which exhibits adjustable time-frequency resolution is needed. The wavelet transform (WT) can be used as a mathematical microscope in which the time-frequency resolution can be adjusted according to the different parts of the signal. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a fast and discretized implementation for classical WT. Due to the aliasing, lack of directionality and shift-variance disadvantages, the DWT exhibits limited performance in the process of BSs. In literature, an improved version of the DWT, which is named as Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT), is employed in the analysis of BSs with great success. In this study, considering the improvements in embedded system technology and the needs for wavelet based real-time feature extraction or de-noising systems in portable medical devices, the DTCWT is implemented as a sub-system in field programmable gate arrays. In proposed hardware architecture, for every data input-channel, DTCWT is implemented by using only one adder and one multiplier. Additionally, considering the multi-channel outputs of biomedical data acquisition systems, this architecture is designed with the capability of running in parallel for N channels

Assessment of prevalence of allergic sensitivity in pediatric age group by the use of skin test

Meeting of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology -- JUN 11-15, 2016 -- Vienna, AUSTRIAWOS: 000383679803107…European Acad Allergy & Clin Immuno

Ataxia-Telangiectasia Clinical and Laboratory Features: Single Center Results

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, chronic sinopulmonary disease, a high incidence of malignancy, and immunological deficiencies. The mutated gene, ataxia-telangiectasia mutation (ATM), has been mapped to chromosome 11 (11q22-23). The incidence of A-T is about 1-3 per 40,000-100,000 births. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological features of the patients with A-T. Medical records of 49 patients with A-T were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic features, laboratory findings, genetic analysis, and the clinical data recorded during the follow-up period were reviewed. Medical records of 49 patients (26 female) were included in the study. Mean age at the time of study was 9 years 3 months. Mean follow-up period was 4.5 years. Mean diagnostic delay was 18 months. Consanguinity was found in 85.7% of the patients. Malignancy was present in 8.2% of first-degree and in 34.7% of second-degree relatives. Lymphocytopenia was found in 29 (59.2%) patients. Mean serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 171.6 ± 138.6 ng/dL. Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy was required in 28 (57.1%) patients. Sinopulmonary infections were the most common infections (51%). Fifteen (30.6%) patients became wheelchair dependent. Malignancy occurred in 6 (12.3%) patients. One patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had successful bone narrow transplantation. The other 5 patients died during the follow-up period. Mutation in ATM was found in 34 (69.4%) patients. Of these, 7 patients were found to have novel mutations. A-T is difficult to treat and has a poor prognosis because of its multisystem involvement. Management strategies focus on the surveillance, prevention, and treatment of the major causes of morbidity related to A-T. © Copyright 2018, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2018.61/50Medical records of patients with A-T were retrospectively reviewed. A-T was diagnosed according to criteria proposed by the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (www.esid .org). Patients with missing medical records were accessed through phone. Patients were excluded if they could not be reached through phone or if their medical records were unavailable. This study was approved by Cukurova University Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee (Project No: 61/50). Written informed consent was obtained from the parents of each patient who was enrolled

Recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura without renal involvement successfully treated with methotrexate

PubMedID: 30453828Introduction: Henoch Schönlein purpura is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis/arthralgia, often with a self-limiting course. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura and severe gastrointestinal involvement, successfully treated with methotrexate. Case presentation: A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our department with palpable purpura, abdominal pain and arthralgia. Since gastrointestinal complaints were severe, systemic steroids were administered, with tapering of dosage. Henoch Schönlein purpura recurred several times with severe abdominal pain, maelena and purpura during next two months. Colchicine and hydroxychloroquine were initiated. After four months, we also introduced methotrexate, which enabled discontinuation of previous medications including corticosteroids. Methotrexate was ceased four months later, and remission was sustained without any medications for 24 months. Conclusion: Besides the conflicting data regarding the use of methotrexate in recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura, our case introduces successful methotrexate experience in a child with Henoch Schönlein purpura and recurrent severe gastrointestinal involvement. © The Author(s) 2018