An Efficient Implementation of a Subgraph Isomorphism Algorithm for GPUs.

The subgraph isomorphism problem is a computational task that applies to a wide range of today's applications, ranging from the understanding of biological networks to the analysis of social networks. Even though different implementations for CPUs have been proposed to improve the efficiency of such a graph search algorithm, they have shown to be bounded by the intrinsic sequential nature of the algorithm. More recently, graphics processing units (GPUs) have become widespread platforms that provide massive parallelism at low cost. Nevertheless, parallelizing any efficient and optimized sequential algorithm for subgraph isomorphism on many-core architectures is a very challenging task. This article presents , a parallel implementation of the subgraph isomorphism algorithm for GPUs. Different strategies are implemented in to deal with the space complexity of the graph searching algorithm, the potential workload imbalance, and the thread divergence involved by the non-homogeneity of actual graphs. The paper presents the results obtained on several graphs of different sizes and characteristics to understand the efficiency of the proposed approach

Impasse in the management of recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the skull with sagittal sinus erosion1

Abstract Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a non melanocytic skin cancer that arises from basal cells, affecting commonly fair-skinned human beings. Although the tumor is well known for local recurrences, extension into the intracranial space is reported. A case of a giant BCC of the scalp invading the middle and posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) is reported. A 70-year-old male with a basal cell carcinoma history presented with a massive bleeding from the SSS invaded by the tumor. Since the patient refused surgery the bleeding was managed through direct compression by applying a thrombin-based hemostatic agents and sterile dressings. This procedure was performed daily in order to stimulate the spontaneous thrombosis of the dural sinus and development of collateral circle. BCC invading the SSS is rarely reported. A technical description of this case is provided. This case underscores the importance of early and appropriate treatment for high risk BCC, and whenever surgical procedure is not suitable appropriate conservative treatment may be efficacious

An entropy heuristic to optimize decision diagrams for index-driven search in biological graph databases

Graphs are a widely used structure for knowledge representation. Their uses range from biochemical to biomedical applications and are recently involved in multi-omics analyses. A key computational task regarding graphs is the search of specific topologies contained in them. The task is known to be NP-complete, thus indexing techniques are applied for dealing with its complexity. In particular, techniques exploiting paths extracted from graphs have shown good performances in terms of time requirements, but they still suffer because of the relatively large size of the produced index. We applied decision diagrams (DDs) as index data structure showing a good reduction in the indexing size with respect to other approaches. Nevertheless, the size of a DD is dependent on its variable order. Because the search of an optimal order is an NP-complete task, variable order heuristics on DDs are applied by exploiting domain-specific information. Here, we propose a heuristic based on the information content of the labeled paths. Tests on well-studied biological benchmarks, which are an essential part of multi-omics graphs, show that the resultant size correlates with the information measure related to the paths and that the chosen order allows to effectively reduce the index size

An entropy heuristic to optimize decision diagrams for index-driven search in biological graph databases

Graphs are a widely used structure for knowledge representation. Their uses range from biochemical to biomedical applications and are recently involved in multi-omics analyses. A key computational task regarding graphs is the search of specific topologies contained in them. The task is known to be NP-complete, thus indexing techniques are applied for dealing with its complexity. In particular, techniques exploiting paths extracted from graphs have shown good performances in terms of time requirements, but they still suffer because of the relatively large size of the produced index. We applied decision diagrams (DDs) as index data structure showing a good reduction in the indexing size with respect to other approaches. Nevertheless, the size of a DD is dependent on its variable order. Because the search of an optimal order is an NP-complete task, variable order heuristics on DDs are applied by exploiting domain-specific information. Here, we propose a heuristic based on the information content of the labeled paths. Tests on well-studied biological benchmarks, which are an essential part of multi-omics graphs, show that the resultant size correlates with the information measure related to the paths and that the chosen order allows to effectively reduce the index size

A rare case of extra-intramedullary dorsal tanycitic ependymoma, radically removed with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Introduction: Tanycitic dorsal extra and intramedullary ependymoma is a rare form of tumor. From the histological point of view, these tumors show several aspects that make difficult the differential diagnosis from schwannomas and pilocytic astrocytomas. Tanycytic variant, often occurs in the thoracic tract of the spinal cord, and it is constituted by tanycites, that are typical elongated and bipolar cells that give to the tumor fibrillary aspects. Tanycitic variant has been recently characterized as a variant of ependymoma, since the 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) system. Case presentation: A 57 years old woman presented with intractable back pain often radiating to the left leg. Neurological exam revealed mild weakness in left tight flexion. No sensory or sphincterial disturbances were present. A dorso-lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)with contrast medium showed a well-demarked T12 intradural extramedullary lesion, suggestive for schwannoma. The tumor was radically removed, with an excellent neurological outcome, and was then characterized as a grade II tanycitic ependymoma. Conclusion: To differentiate the diagnosis between extramedullary ependymomas and schwannomas, meningiomas or astrocytomas is necessary a histopathological examination and a close follow up period is recommended since the tumor could evolve into higher grade. Neurophysiological monitoring is necessary for a satisfactory neurological outcome

Zeeman Effect in Parabolic Quantum Dots

An unprecedentedly well resolved Zeeman effect has been observed when confined carriers moving along a closed mesoscopic path experience an external magnetic field orthogonal to the orbit plane. Large Zeeman splitting of excited higher angular momentum states is observed in the magnetoluminescence spectrum of quantum dots induced by self-organized InP islands on InGaAs/GaAs. The measured effect is quantitatively reproduced by calculations including the vertical quantum well confinement and strain induced, nearly parabolic, lateral confinement, together with the magnetic interaction.Peer reviewe

Delayed chronic intracranial subdural hematoma complicating resection of a tanycytic thoracic ependymoma

Background: To demonstrate that the diagnosis of an intracranial subdural hematoma should be considered for patients presenting with acute or delayed symptoms of intracranial pathology following resection of a spinal tumor. Case Description: We present a case of a 57-year-old woman found to have a chronic subdural hematoma 1 month following resection of a thoracic extramedullary ependymoma. Evacuation of the hematoma through a burr hole relieved the presenting symptoms and signs. Resolution of the hematoma was confirmed with a computed tomography (CT) scan. Conclusion: Headache and other symptoms not referable to spinal pathology should be regarded as a warning sign of an intracranial subdural hematoma, and a CT scan of the head should be obtained. The mechanism of the development of the hematoma may be related to the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid with subsequent intracranial hypotension leading to an expanding subdural space and hemorrhage

A rare case of extra-intramedullary dorsal tanycitic ependymoma, radically removed with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Introduction: Tanycitic dorsal extra and intramedullary ependymoma is a rare form of tumor. From the histological point of view, these tumors show several aspects that make difficult the differential diagnosis from schwannomas and pilocytic astrocytomas. Tanycytic variant, often occurs in the thoracic tract of the spinal cord, and it is constituted by tanycites, that are typical elongated and bipolar cells that give to the tumor fibrillary aspects. Tanycitic variant has been recently characterized as a variant of ependymoma, since the 2000 World Health Organization (WHO) system. Case presentation: A 57 years old woman presented with intractable back pain often radiating to the left leg. Neurological exam revealed mild weakness in left tight flexion. No sensory or sphincterial disturbances were present. A dorso-lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)with contrast medium showed a well-demarked T12 intradural extramedullary lesion, suggestive for schwannoma. The tumor was radically removed, with an excellent neurological outcome, and was then characterized as a grade II tanycitic ependymoma. Conclusion: To differentiate the diagnosis between extramedullary ependymomas and schwannomas, meningiomas or astrocytomas is necessary a histopathological examination and a close follow up period is recommended since the tumor could evolve into higher grade. Neurophysiological monitoring is necessary for a satisfactory neurological outcome

A thoracic vertebral localization of a metastasized cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma: Case report and review of literature

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin tumor, which may be related to sun exposure. It can metastasize to lungs, liver and bone, leading to severe morbidity and mortality. Vertebral metastases from MCC are rare. The authors report the tenth case in the literature, a 59-year-old patient with MCC, which was primarily localized in the scalp, and later provoked distant metastasis to the thoracic spinal column. Case Description: A 59-year-old woman was admitted at our Unit of Neurosurgery with a 4-month history of progressive and severe dorsal back pain, without neurological signs. The patient had been surgically treated for a recidivated MCC in the occipital region in 2007, 2011, and 2013. (In 2013, the surgical treatment also included lateral cervical lymph node dissection). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy had come after the treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dorsal spine showed metastatic vertebral involvement with cord impingement of the T7-T8 levels. A total body CT scan revealed lungs and liver metastases, besides vertebral district. After a multidisciplinary consult a palliative surgery was decided and a posterior dorsal approach was employed: Radiofrequency (RF) thermoablation was followed by the injection of cement of T7 and T8 and transpedicle fixation T5-T9. The postoperative course was uneventful and followed by a further adjuvant therapy Conclusion: Spinal metastases from MCC are described in literature only exceptionally. The clinical course is presented, along with a review of literature