Novel Methodology to Recover Road Surface Height Maps from Illuminated Scene through Convolutional Neural Networks.

Road surface properties have a major impact on pavement's life service conditions. Nowadays, contactless techniques are widely used to monitor road surfaces due to their portability and high precision. Among the different possibilities, laser profilometers are widely used, even though they have two major drawbacks: spatial information is missed and the cost of the equipment is considerable.

Defining machine learning algorithms as accident prediction models for Italian two-lane rural, suburban, and urban roads.

Four Accident Prediction Models have been defined for Italian two-lane rural, suburban, and urban roads by exploiting different Machine Learning Algorithms. Specifically, a Classification and Regression Tree, a Boosted Regression Tree, a Random Forest, and a Support Vector Machine have been implemented to predict the number of Fatal and Injury crashes on a 905-km network, which experienced 5,802 FI crashes in 2008-2016. The dataset incorporates geometrical, functional, and environmental information.

Can Machine Learning and PS-InSAR Reliably Stand in for Road Profilometric Surveys?

This paper proposes a methodology for correlating products derived by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurements and laser profilometric road roughness surveys. The procedure stems from two previous studies, in which several Machine Learning Algorithms (MLAs) have been calibrated for predicting the average vertical displacement (in terms of mm/year) of road pavements as a result of exogenous phenomena occurrence, such as subsidence. Such algorithms are based on surveys performed with Persistent Scatterer Interferometric SAR (PS-InSAR) over an area of 964 km in the Tuscany Region, Central Italy.

Cytokine storm in aged people with CoV-2: possible role of vitamins as therapy or preventive strategy.

Background: In December 2019, a novel human-infecting coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, had emerged. The WHO has classified the epidemic as a "public health emergency of international concern". A dramatic situation has unfolded with thousands of deaths, occurring mainly in the aged and very ill people.

The rationale for a multi-step therapeutic approach based on antivirals, drugs and nutrients with immunomodulatory activity in patients with coronavirus-SARS2-induced disease of different severities.

In December 2019, a novel human-infecting coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was recognised to cause a pneumonia epidemic outbreak with different degrees of severity in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China. Since then, this epidemic has spread worldwide; in Europe, Italy has been involved. Effective preventive and therapeutic strategies are absolutely required to block this serious public health concern.

Computer-aided assessment of the extra-cellular matrix during pancreatic carcinogenesis: a pilot study.

Background: A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the desmoplastic reaction, but its impact on the tumor behavior remains controversial. Our aim was to introduce a computer -aided method to precisely quantify the amount of pancreatic collagenic extra-cellular matrix, its spatial distribution pattern, and the degradation process.

Methods: A series of normal, inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded Sirius red stained sections were automatically digitized and analyzed using a computer-aided method.

The role of matricellular proteins and tissue stiffness in breast cancer: a systematic review.

Malignancies consist not only of cancerous and nonmalignant cells, but also of additional elements, as extracellular matrix. The aim of this review is to summarize meta-analyses, describing breast tissue stiffness and risk of breast carcinoma (BC) assessing the potential relationship between matricellular proteins (MPs) and survival. A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to PRISMA statement, was conducted through Ovid interface.

Matricellular proteins and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: A systematic review.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a fundamental role in tissue architecture and homeostasis and modulates cell functions through a complex interaction between cell surface receptors, hormones, several bioeffector molecules, and structural proteins like collagen. These components are secreted into ECM and all together contribute to regulate several cellular activities including differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. The so-called "matricellular" proteins (MPs) have recently emerged as important regulators of ECM functions.

Vitamin E for the treatment of children with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To assess vitamin E efficacy, defined as its ability to induce hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, in children with HBeAg-positive persistent hepatitis.

Methods: In July 2016, we extracted articles published in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library using the following search terms: "chronic hepatitis B", "children", "childhood", "therapy", "treatment", "vitamin E", "tocopherols", "tocotrienols". Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English language were collected.

MicroRNAs as possible biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis B- and C-related-hepatocellular-carcinoma.

Aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge about the potential relationship between miRNAs and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-hepatitis C virus (HCV) related liver diseases. A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement, was performed to identify relevant studies on usefulness of serum/plasma/urine miRNAs, as noninvasive biomarkers for early detection of HBV and HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, as well as for its prognostic evaluation. The used Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords were: "HBV", "HCV", "hepatocellular carcinoma", "microRNAs", "miRNAs", "diagnosis", "prognosis", "therapy", "treatment".

Prospective comparison of T2w-MRI and dynamic-contrast-enhanced MRI, 3D-MR spectroscopic imaging or diffusion-weighted MRI in repeat TRUS-guided biopsies.

Objectives: To compare T2-weighted MRI and functional MRI techniques in guiding repeat prostate biopsies.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with a history of negative biopsies, negative digital rectal examination and elevated PSA were imaged before repeat biopsies. Dichotomous criteria were used with visual validation of T2-weighted MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and literature-derived cut-offs for 3D-spectroscopy MRI (choline-creatine-to-citrate ratio >0.

Morbidity of radical retropubic prostatectomy following previous prostate resection.

A total of 153 patients with prior prostate surgery underwent a radical retropubic prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate. Ninety-seven patients had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and 56 patients had undergone suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy (SPP). In 115 patients, the diagnosis of malignancy was made at the time of transurethral resection or enucleation.

[4 cases of Horton's temporal arteritis. Hypothesis on the possible correlations with rheumatic polymyalgia].

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) or temporal arteritis is an entity of unknown aetiology and uncertain autonomy for the close relationship with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). This work describes four patients with GCA alone. All patients had clinical and laboratoristic evidence of the disease and were treated with steroids.

Urinary continence following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Between 1983 and 1989, 484 men (46-82 years old) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Six months after surgery, 434 patients (90%) achieved complete urinary control; stress incontinence was present in 50 patients (10%) and no patient was totally incontinent. Of the 398 patients who were followed up for more than 1 year, 377 (95%) achieved complete urinary control and 21 (5%) experienced stress incontinence.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy: morbidity and quality of life. Experience with 620 consecutive cases.

We describe our experience and complications of radical retropubic prostatectomy. From March 1983 through December 1990, 620 consecutive patients have undergone an anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy for the treatment of prostatic carcinoma. The surgical technique we used is described.

Radical prostatectomy in the management of stage A carcinoma of the prostate.

A total of 115 patients (29 with stage A1 and 86 with stage A2 prostate cancer) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. Residual cancer was found in the radical prostatectomy specimens in 11 of the 29 stage A1 patients (38%) and in 66 of the 86 stage A2 patients (77%). Fourteen percent of the stage A1 patients and 29.

Preservation of urinary continence and potency after cystoprostatectomy.

Between 1980-1989 a total of 349 patients underwent one-stage radical cystoprostatectomy and an orthotopic bladder substitution. 278 patients underwent the Camey I bladder replacement and in 71 patients a detubularized ileal loop was utilized (Camey II). 75 patients underwent a potency-sparing cystectomy (32 patients of the Camey I and 43 patients of the Camey II groups).

Radical retropubic prostatectomy: complications and quality of life (429 cases, 1983-1989).

From March 1983 to December 1989 we have performed radical prostatectomy on 429 patients with prostate cancer. With 117 of the cases we performed the sparing nerve procedure. Follow-up was 6-72 months.

Radical prostatectomy in the management of stage-A carcinoma of the prostate.

A total of 115 patients (29 with stage A1 and 86 with stage A2 prostate cancer) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. Residual cancer was found in the radical prostatectomy specimen in 11 of the 29 stage-A1 patients (38%) and in 66 of the 86 stage-A2 patients (77%). 14% of the stage-A1 patients and 29.

Ileal low-pressure bladder replacement: Camey type II. Stapling technique and preliminary results (57 cases, 1987-1989).

In keeping with the basic principles of Camey's procedure and with a view to improve continence, we decided in 1987 to experiment with the technique of ileal low-pressure bladder replacement (Camey II). We introduced the stapling technique in order to save time and to obtain watertight, reliable sutures. 57 patients underwent a Camey II intervention following radical cystectomy.

[Rigid ureteroscopy and the pulsed laser. Apropos of 325 treated calculi].

A pulsed dye laser (Candela) was used in our lithiasis treatment center during the period 02/88-09/89 to remove 325 calculi in 278 patients, requiring 285 endoscopic instrumentations. The pulsed laser allowed to obtain fragmentation of 318 calculi, 238 of which were reduced to thin sand and 80 to coarser fragments. The latter were either cleared using a Dormia probe or further disintegrated by electrohydrolytic shock wave treatment or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Pulsed dye laser in the treatment of 325 calculi of the urinary tract.

The pulsed dye laser (Candela) has been used from February 1988 to September 1989 in order to treat 325 stones in 278 patients. A total of 285 endoscopies has been performed. The pulsed laser has helped to achieve the fragmentation of 318 stones.

[External radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for cancer of the prostate, stage C or DI. Preliminary study].

Between february 1985 and february 1988, 45 patients upstaged to stages C or D 1 cancer after radical prostatectomy, were treated by adjuvant radiotherapy with a view to control the risk of local recurrence and distant metastases. Radical prostatectomy has a low morbidity (less than 10%) whereas the radiotherapy morbidity rate is important (40% with 10% severe complications). With an average 33.

[Uretero-ileal anastomosis using the modified Leduc-Camey technic. Surgical technic].

A modified Leduc-Camey technic for uretero-ileal anastomosis was used in 96 patients over a period of one year, complications related to this type of anastomosis, and requiring recovery surgery, being noted in 2 cases. When compared with more than 300 anastomoses performed using the original Leduc-Camey technic, this modified procedure using absorbable sutures appeared to be simple, effective and very rapid. It is a valid method for Camey type reconstruction bladders and also for Bricker type or Kock's pouch type continent diversion operations.