Adaptable pattern recognition system for discriminating Melanocytic Nevi from Malignant Melanomas using plain photography images from different image databases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to propose features that evaluate pictorial differences between melanocytic nevus (mole) and melanoma lesions by computer-based analysis of plain photography images and to design a cross-platform, tunable, decision support system to discriminate with high accuracy moles from melanomas in different publicly available image databases.

Material And Methods: Digital plain photography images of verified mole and melanoma lesions were downloaded from (i) Edinburgh University Hospital, UK, (Dermofit, 330moles/70 melanomas, under signed agreement), from 5 different centers (Multicenter, 63moles/25 melanomas, publicly available), and from the Groningen University, Netherlands (Groningen, 100moles/70 melanomas, publicly available). Images were processed for outlining the lesion-border and isolating the lesion from the surrounding background.

Distinct Roles of Apolipoproteins A1 and E in the Modulation of High-Density Lipoprotein Composition and Function.

In addition to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, HDL quality also appears to be very important for atheroprotection. Analysis of various clinical paradigms suggests that the lipid and apolipoprotein composition of HDL defines its size, shape, and functions and may determine its beneficial effects on human health. Previously, we reported that like apolipoprotein A-I (Apoa1), apolipoprotein E (Apoe) is also capable of promoting the de novo biogenesis of HDL with the participation of ATP binding cassette A lipid transporter member 1 (Abca1) and plasma enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (Lcat), in a manner independent of a functional Apoa1.

Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Regulates Plasma Apolipoprotein E Levels and Dietary Lipid Deposition to the Liver.

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is primarily responsible for the selective uptake of cholesteryl esters (CE) of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by the liver and other tissues. In the present study, we show that SR-BI-deficient (scarb1(-/-)) mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity, hepatic lipid deposition, and glucose intolerance after 24 weeks of being fed a western-type diet. No differences in energy expenditure or mitochondrial function could account for the observed phenotype.

Novice surgeons: do they benefit from 3D laparoscopy?

In this study, the impact of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) vision on laparoscopic performance of novice surgeons is examined. Twenty-five novice surgeons were directed to complete four basic tasks from European Training in Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) with both 2D and 3D systems in a random order: task 1: needle guidance, task 2: cutting a circle, task 3: laparoscopic suturing, and task 4: pegs transfer. Quality and quantity scores for each task were measured.

Motor unit number estimation and quantitative needle electromyography in stroke patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of upper motor neuron damage upon motor units' function by means of two separate and supplementary electrophysiological methods.

Methods: The abductor digiti minimi muscle of the non-paretic and the paretic side was studied in forty-six stroke patients with (a) motor unit number estimation (MUNE) - adapted multiple point stimulation method and (b) computerized quantitative needle electromyography (EMG) assessing the configuration of voluntary recruited motor unit potentials. Main outcome comparisons were focused on differences between non-paretic and paretic side.

Improved levothyroxine pharmacokinetics after bariatric surgery.

Background: The absorption of levothyroxine (LT4) is affected by many factors. Bariatric surgery is recommended in severely obese patients. The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of bariatric surgery on LT4 pharmacokinetic parameters, and to identify the regions of the gastrointestinal tract where LT4 is absorbed in patients with severe obesity before and after surgery.

Qualitative characteristics of HDL in young patients of an acute myocardial infarction.

Aim: Recently, the concept that high density lipoprotein (HDL) quality is an important parameter for atheroprotection is gaining ground, though little data exists so far to support it. In an attempt to identify measurable qualitative parameters of HDL associated with increased risk for premature myocardial infarction (MI), we studied the structural characteristics of HDL from patients who survived an MI at a young age (≤35 years).

Methods And Results: We studied 20 MI patients and 20 healthy control subjects.

Level and correlates of burnout among orthopaedic nurses in Greece.

Purpose: To investigate the level and correlates of burnout among nurses employed in orthopaedic wards.

Design: Descriptive study.

Sample: Sixty nurses from 3 Greek hospitals.

Factors affecting the long-term response to tacrolimus in renal transplant patients: pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic approach.

Background: The aim of our study was to determine the impact of CYP3A5*1 and CYP3A5*3 on the kinetics of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients.

Material And Methods: Forty kidney recipients were selected to participate. Maintenance scheme consisted of tacrolimus, a purine inhibitor and a steroid.

Background adjustment of cDNA microarray images by Maximum Entropy distributions.

Many empirical studies have demonstrated the exquisite sensitivity of both traditional and novel statistical and machine intelligence algorithms to the method of background adjustment used to analyze microarray datasets. In this paper we develop a statistical framework that approaches background adjustment as a classic stochastic inverse problem, whose noise characteristics are given in terms of Maximum Entropy distributions. We derive analytic closed form approximations to the combined problem of estimating the magnitude of the background in microarray images and adjusting for its presence.

Association between nursing workload and mortality of intensive care unit patients.

Purpose: To investigate differences in mortality of intensive care unit (ICU) patients according to the ratio between total patient care demands and nurse staffing.

Design: Observational, prospective study. Patients consecutively admitted in the medical-surgical ICU of a Greek hospital over a 1-year period were enrolled.

Bayesian clustering of flow cytometry data for the diagnosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In the rapidly advancing field of flow cytometry, methodologies facilitating automated clinical decision support are increasingly needed. In the case of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), discrimination of the various subpopulations of blood cells is an important task. In this work, our objective is to provide a useful paradigm of computer-based assistance in the domain of flow-cytometric data analysis by proposing a Bayesian methodology for flow cytometry clustering.

Nursing workload associated with fever in the general intensive care unit.

Background: Fever in a patient in the intensive care unit necessitates several nursing tasks. Moreover, factors associated with increased patient care needs may be associated with fever.

Objective: To identify relationships between fever and characteristics of fever and nursing workload at the patient level.

Routine suction of intercostal drains is not necessary after lobectomy: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: The decision to proceed to simple underwater seal drainage or apply active suction to the underwater seal after lung resection is mostly based on surgeon preference. The purpose of this study was to test whether routine application of active suction is necessary after lobectomy.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted in the Patras University Hospital.

Molecular imaging and the unification of multilevel mechanisms and data in medical physics.

Molecular imaging (MI) constitutes a recently developed approach of imaging, where modalities and agents have been reinvented and used in novel combinations in order to expose and measure biologic processes occurring at molecular and cellular levels. It is an approach that bridges the gap between modalities acquiring data from high (e.g.

Influence of blood transfusions and preoperative anemia on long-term survival in patients operated for non-small cell lung cancer.

It has been postulated that transfusions have immunosuppressive effects that promote tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover perioperative anemia is considered an independent prognostic factor on outcome in patients operated for malignancy. We evaluated the influence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and perioperative anemia on survival in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients.

A perspective for biomedical data integration: design of databases for flow cytometry.

Background: The integration of biomedical information is essential for tackling medical problems. We describe a data model in the domain of flow cytometry (FC) allowing for massive management, analysis and integration with other laboratory and clinical information. The paper is concerned with the proper translation of the Flow Cytometry Standard (FCS) into a relational database schema, in a way that facilitates end users at either doing research on FC or studying specific cases of patients undergone FC analysis

Results: The proposed database schema provides integration of data originating from diverse acquisition settings, organized in a way that allows syntactically simple queries that provide results significantly faster than the conventional implementations of the FCS standard.

Transcranial cerebral oximetry and transcranial doppler sonography in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms and delayed cerebral vasospasm.

Background: Vasospasm is a major cause of ischemic neurological deficits developing after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The goal was to identify hemodynamic changes and the presence of clinical vasospasm in patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Material/methods: Pre- and postoperative serial transcranial cerebral oximetry and transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) examinations were performed in 75 patients operated for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

CT angiography with three-dimensional techniques for the early diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms. Comparison with intra-arterial DSA and the surgical findings.

Introduction: Cerebral CT angiography (CTA) is an established method applied to both the detection and treatment planning of intracranial aneurysms. The aim of our study was to compare CTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings with the surgical results mainly in patients with acute SAH and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of CTA.

Materials And Methods: During the last 2 years, 82 consecutive patients were admitted under clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of harboring an intracranial aneurysm.

Identification of iodine deficiency in the field by the rapid urinary iodide test: comparison with the classic Sandell-Kolthoff reaction method.

The two traditional methods for the assessment of iodine deficiency in a given area are the estimation of urinary excretion of iodine, and the prevalence of goiter. In field studies, the estimation of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in random urine specimens provides an adequate assessment of a population's iodine nutrition. The recommended method is the classic one, based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction (Method A).