Comment on: "A comprehensive model for heat-induced radio sensitization" by Bruninck et al. on Int. J. of Hyperthermia. 2017 Jun 23:1–19

Sir,It would be very interesting to demonstrate that the LQ model for hyperthermia (in general, heat) cell killing requires, at high thermal dose, an exponential extension as proposed in [1]. In ot..

A Computational Study on Temperature Variations in MRgFUS Treatments Using PRF Thermometry Techniques and Optical Probes.

Structural and metabolic imaging are fundamental for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in oncology. Beyond the well-established diagnostic imaging applications, ultrasounds are currently emerging in the clinical practice as a noninvasive technology for therapy. Indeed, the sound waves can be used to increase the temperature inside the target solid tumors, leading to apoptosis or necrosis of neoplastic tissues. The Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) technology represents a valid application of this ultrasound property, mainly used in oncology and neurology. In this paper; patient safety during MRgFUS treatments was investigated by a series of experiments in a tissue-mimicking phantom and performing ex vivo skin samples, to promptly identify unwanted temperature rises. The acquired MR images, used to evaluate the temperature in the treated areas, were analyzed to compare classical proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift techniques and referenceless thermometry methods to accurately assess the temperature variations. We exploited radial basis function (RBF) neural networks for referenceless thermometry and compared the results against interferometric optical fiber measurements. The experimental measurements were obtained using a set of interferometric optical fibers aimed at quantifying temperature variations directly in the sonication areas. The temperature increases during the treatment were not accurately detected by MRI-based referenceless thermometry methods, and more sensitive measurement systems, such as optical fibers, would be required. In-depth studies about these aspects are needed to monitor temperature and improve safety during MRgFUS treatments

A Filmless Radiology Department in a Full Digital Regional Hospital: Quantitative Evaluation of the Increased Quality and Efficiency

Reggio Emilia hospital installed Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) as the final step towards a completely digital clinical environment completing the HIS/EMR and 1,400 web/terminals for patient information access. Financial benefits throughout the hospital were assessed upfront and measured periodically. Key indicators (radiology exam turnaround time, number of radiology procedures performed, inpatients length of stay before and after the PACS implementation, etc.) were analyzed and values were statistically tested to assess workflow and productivity improvements. The hospital went “filmless” in 28 weeks. Between the half of 2004 and the respective period in 2003, overall Radiology Department productivity increased by 12%, TAT improved by more than 60%. Timelier patient care resulted in decreased lengths of stay. Neurology alone experienced a 12% improvement in average patient stay. To quantify the impact of PACS on the average hospital stays and the expected productivity benefits to inpatient productivity were used a “high level” and a “detailed” business model. Annual financial upsides have exceeded $1.9 millions/year. A well-planned PACS deployment simplifies imaging workflow and improves patient care throughout the hospital while delivering substantial financial benefits. Staff buy-in was the key in this process and on-going training and process monitoring are a must

L'autonomia liquida

Gli autori individuano per\uf2 un leit motive secondo cui l'autonomia liquida \ue8 presente quale principio, non sempre espresso ma effettivo di insistenza sulle stesse materie di poteri centrali e locali. Fonte primaria di clientelismi e di sprechi, ad un tempo causa ed effetto della persistente crisi economica e morale del Paese

Adeguamento marginale e stato eventuale

La realt\ue0 italiana dell'adeguamento marginale e del carattere eventuale dello Stato, si riverberano nei frenetici mutamenti dell'organizzazione pubblica e nei rapporti tra Autorit\ue0 e cittadini

Comment on “Simulating Radiotherapy Effect in High-Grade Glioma by Using Diffusive Modeling and Brain Atlases”

This paper focuses on the dialectic between the search for truth, adversarial procedure, and lay participation in the preparation, presentation, and evaluation of evidence in criminal trials. Its primary focus is on the reintroduction of trial by jury in two classic inquisitorial criminal justice systems, Russia (1993) and Spain (1995), as a catalyst in those countries’ move to adversary procedure. It focuses on the effect of the jury system on preparing evidence for trial, the presentation of evidence at trial, and the evaluation of evidence

Human chorionic gonadotropin regression following removal of ectopic pregnancy

Plasmatic Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) was studied in 41 patients undergoing salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy. On the temporal scale of our research, a biexponential model proved to be adequate to describe hCG clearance; the combined reading of the results of this research and those of other Authors have led us to maintain that hCG clearance is characterised by at least three components. HCG clearance was faster in patients with a higher initial hCG. Nevertheless the problem of hCG clearance depending on its initial value remains unsolved and requires further investigation. The regression curve and relative hCG values obtained in this study can be used as reliable models of comparison in the monitoring of patients undergoing conservative surgical treatment of tubal pregnancy