Robust Proximal Femur Segmentation in Conventional X-Ray Images via Random Forest Regression on Multi-resolution Gradient Features

In this paper, we propose a fully automatic, robust approach for segmenting proximal femur in conventional X-ray images. Our method is based on hierarchical landmark detection by random forest regression, where the detection results of 22 global landmarks are used to do the spatial normalization, and the detection results of the 59 local landmarks serve as the image cue for instantiation of a statistical shape model of the proximal femur. To detect landmarks in both levels, we use multi-resolution HoG (Histogram of Oriented Gradients) as features which can achieve better accuracy and robustness. The efficacy of the present method is demonstrated by experiments conducted on 150 clinical x-ray images. It was found that the present method could achieve an average point-to-curve error of 2.0 mm and that the present method was robust to low image contrast, noise and occlusions caused by implants.

Randomized comparisons among health informatics students identify hypertutorial features as improving web-based instruction.

Hypertutorials optimize five features - presentation, learner control, practice, feedback, and elaborative learning resources. Previous research showed graduate students significantly and overwhelmingly preferred Web-based hypertutorials to conventional "Book-on-the-Web" statistics or research design lessons. The current report shows that the source of hypertutorials' superiority in student evaluations of instruction lies in their hypertutorial features. Randomized comparisons between the two methodologies were conducted in two successive iterations of a graduate level health informatics research design and evaluation course. The two versions contained the same text and graphics, but differed in the presence or absence of hypertutorial features: Elaborative learning resources, practice, feedback, and amount of learner control. Students gave high evaluations to both Web-based methodologies, but consistently rated the hypertutorial lessons as superior. Significant differences localized in the hypertutorial subscale that measured student responses to hypertutorial features.

Short-term vs conventional glucocorticoid therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the REDUCE randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE International guidelines advocate a 7- to 14-day course of systemic glucocorticoid therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the optimal dose and duration are unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a short-term (5 days) systemic glucocorticoid treatment in patients with COPD exacerbation is noninferior to conventional (14 days) treatment in clinical outcome and whether it decreases the exposure to steroids. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS REDUCE: (Reduction in the Use of Corticosteroids in Exacerbated COPD), a randomized, noninferiority multicenter trial in 5 Swiss teaching hospitals, enrolling 314 patients presenting to the emergency department with acute COPD exacerbation, past or present smokers (≥20 pack-years) without a history of asthma, from March 2006 through February 2011. INTERVENTIONS Treatment with 40 mg of prednisone daily for either 5 or 14 days in a placebo-controlled, double-blind fashion. The predefined noninferiority criterion was an absolute increase in exacerbations of at most 15%, translating to a critical hazard ratio of 1.515 for a reference event rate of 50%. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE Time to next exacerbation within 180 days. RESULTS Of 314 randomized patients, 289 (92%) of whom were admitted to the hospital, 311 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis and 296 in the per-protocol analysis. Hazard ratios for the short-term vs conventional treatment group were 0.95 (90% CI, 0.70 to 1.29; P = .006 for noninferiority) in the intention-to-treat analysis and 0.93 (90% CI, 0.68 to 1.26; P = .005 for noninferiority) in the per-protocol analysis, meeting our noninferiority criterion. In the short-term group, 56 patients (35.9%) reached the primary end point; 57 (36.8%) in the conventional group. Estimates of reexacerbation rates within 180 days were 37.2% (95% CI, 29.5% to 44.9%) in the short-term; 38.4% (95% CI, 30.6% to 46.3%) in the conventional, with a difference of -1.2% (95% CI, -12.2% to 9.8%) between the short-term and the conventional. Among patients with a reexacerbation, the median time to event was 43.5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 13 to 118) in the short-term and 29 days (IQR, 16 to 85) in the conventional. There was no difference between groups in time to death, the combined end point of exacerbation, death, or both and recovery of lung function. In the conventional group, mean cumulative prednisone dose was significantly higher (793 mg [95% CI, 710 to 876 mg] vs 379 mg [95% CI, 311 to 446 mg], P < .001), but treatment-associated adverse reactions, including hyperglycemia and hypertension, did not occur more frequently. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In patients presenting to the emergency department with acute exacerbations of COPD, 5-day treatment with systemic glucocorticoids was noninferior to 14-day treatment with regard to reexacerbation within 6 months of follow-up but significantly reduced glucocorticoid exposure. These findings support the use of a 5-day glucocorticoid treatment in acute exacerbations of COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN19646069.

Deflection of conventional versus nondeflecting dental needles in vitro.

Deflection of conventional and newly introduced nondeflecting dental local anesthetic needles were compared in vitro by radiographic examination of the course of the needles in a hydrocolloid impression material. Results indicated significantly less deflection of the new needles when compared to a variety of conventional needles. Controlled clinical trials will be required to test the significance of this finding.

Index-Oriented Methodologies for Landslide Consequence Analysis: An Application to a Mountain Community in the French Alps

Consequence analysis is a key aspect of anchoring assessment of landslide impacts to present and long-term development planning. Although several approaches have been developed over the last decade, some of them are difficult to apply in practice, mainly because of the lack of valuable data on historical damages or on damage functions. In this paper, two possible consequence indicators based on a combination of descriptors of the exposure of the elements at risk are proposed in order to map the potential impacts of landslides and highlight the most vulnerable areas. The first index maps the physical vulnerability due to landslide; the second index maps both direct damage (physical, structural, functional) and indirect damage (socio-economic impacts) of landslide hazards. The indexes have been computed for the 200 km2 area of the Barcelonnette Basin (South French Alps), and their potential applications are discussed.

Intra- and postoperative complications of navigated and conventional techniques in percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation after pelvic fractures: Results from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry

Background: Percutaneous iliosacral screw placement following pelvic trauma is a very demanding technique involving a high rate of screw malpositions possibly associated with the risk of neurological damage or inadequate stability. In the conventional technique, the screw’s correct entry point and the small target corridor for the iliosacral screw may be difficult to visualise using an image intensifier. 2D and 3D navigation techniques may therefore be helpful tools. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative complications after percutaneous screw implantation by classifying the fractures using data from a prospective pelvic trauma registry. The a priori hypothesis was that the navigation techniques have lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Methods: This study is based on data from the prospective pelvic trauma registry introduced by the German Society of Traumatology and the German Section of the AO/ASIF International in 1991. The registry provides data on all patients with pelvic fractures treated between July 2008 and June 2011 at any one of the 23 Level I trauma centres contributing to the registry. Results: A total of 2615 patients were identified. Out of these a further analysis was performed in 597 patients suffering injuries of the SI joint (187 � with surgical interventions) and 597 patients with sacral fractures (334 � with surgical interventions). The rate of intraoperative complications was not significantly different, with 10/114 patients undergoing navigated techniques (8.8%) and 14/239 patients in the conventional group (5.9%) for percutaneous screw implantation (p = 0.4242). Postoperative complications were analysed in 30/114 patients in the navigated group (26.3%) and in 70/239 patients (29.3%) in the conventional group (p = 0.6542). Patients who underwent no surgery had with 66/197 cases (33.5%) a relatively high rate of complications during their hospital stay. The rate of surgically-treated fractures was higher in the group with more unstable Type-C fractures, but the fracture classification had no significant influence on the rate of complications. Discussion: In this prospective multicentre study, the 2D/3D navigation techniques revealed similar results for the rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications compared to the conventional technique. The rate of neurological complications was significantly higher in the navigated group.

Nebulizing poractant alfa versus conventional instillation: Ultrastructural appearance and preservation of surface activity.

BACKGROUND Nebulized surfactant therapy has been proposed as an alternative method of surfactant administration. The use of a perforated vibrating membrane nebulizer provides a variety of advantages over conventional nebulizers. We investigated the molecular structure and integrity of poractant alfa pre- and post-nebulization. METHOD Curosurf® was nebulized using an Investigational eFlow® Nebulizer System. Non-nebulized surfactant ("NN"), recollected surfactant droplets from nebulization through an endotracheal tube ("NT") and nebulization of surfactant directly onto a surface ("ND") were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Biophysical characteristics were assessed by the Langmuir-Wilhelmy balance and the Captive Bubble Surfactometer. RESULTS Volume densities of lamellar body-like forms (LBL) and multi-lamellar forms (ML) were high for "NN" and "NT" samples (38.8% vs. 47.7% for LBL and 58.2% vs. 47.8% for ML). In the "ND" sample, we found virtually no LBL's, ML's (72.6%) as well as uni-lamellar forms (16.4%) and a new structure, the "garland-like" forms (9.4%). Surface tension for "NN" and "NT" was 23.33 ± 0.29 and 25.77 ± 1.12 mN/m, respectively. Dynamic compression-expansion cycling minimum surface tensions were between 0.91 and 1.77 mN/m. CONCLUSION The similarity of surfactant characteristics of nebulized surfactant via a tube and the non-nebulized surfactant suggests that vibrating membrane nebulizers are suitable for surfactant nebulization. Alterations in surfactant morphology and characteristics after nebulization were transient. A new structural subtype of surfactant was identified. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:348-356. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A quantitative analysis of microcirculation in sore-prone pressure areas on conventional and pressure relief hospital mattresses using laser Doppler flowmetry and tissue spectrophotometry

BACKGROUND Pressure ulcers are associated with severe impairment for the patients and high economic load. With this study we wanted to gain more insight to the skin perfusion dynamics due to external loading. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of different types of pressure relief mattresses. METHODS A total of 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Perfusion dynamics of the sacral and the heel area were assessed using the O2C-device, which combines a laser light, to determine blood flow, and white light to determine the relative amount of hemoglobin. Three mattresses were evaluated compared to a hard surface: a standard hospital foam mattress bed, a visco-elastic foam mattress, and an air-fluidized bed. RESULTS In the heel area, only the air-fluidized bed was able to maintain the blood circulation (mean blood flow of 13.6 ± 6 versus 3.9 ± 3 AU and mean relative amount of hemoglobin of 44.0 ± 14 versus 32.7 ± 12 AU.) In the sacral area, all used mattresses revealed an improvement of blood circulation compared to the hard surface. CONCLUSION The results of this study form a more precise pattern of perfusion changes due to external loading on various pressure relief mattresses. This knowledge may reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers and may be an influencing factor in pressure relief mattress selection.

Lack of efficacy of low-dose spironolactone as adjunct treatment to conventional congestive heart failure treatment in dogs.

Aldosterone plays an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Aldosterone receptor blockade has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in human patients with advanced congestive left ventricular heart failure. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and tolerance of long-term low-dose spironolactone when added to conventional heart failure treatment in dogs with advanced heart failure. Eighteen client-owned dogs with advanced congestive heart failure due to either degenerative valve disease (n=11) or dilated cardiomyopathy (n=7) were included in this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical study. After initial stabilization including furosemide, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, pimobendan and digoxin, spironolactone at a median dose of 0.52 mg/kg (range 0.49-0.8 mg/kg) once daily (n=9) or placebo (n=9) was added to the treatment, and the dogs were reassessed 3 and 6 months later. Clinical scoring, echocardiography, electrocardiogram, systolic blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aldosterone and aminoterminal atrial natriuretic propeptide were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Survival times were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Spironolactone was well tolerated when combined with conventional heart failure treatment.

Effectiveness of non-conventional methods for accelerated orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES To assess the available evidence on the effectiveness of accelerated orthodontic tooth movement through surgical and non-surgical approaches in orthodontic patients. METHODS Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials were identified through electronic and hand searches (last update: March 2014). Orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis, and pharmacological approaches were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS Eighteen trials involving 354 participants were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Eight trials reported on low-intensity laser, one on photobiomodulation, one on pulsed electromagnetic fields, seven on corticotomy, and one on interseptal bone reduction. Two studies on corticotomy and two on low-intensity laser, which had low or unclear risk of bias, were mathematically combined using the random effects model. Higher canine retraction rate was evident with corticotomy during the first month of therapy (WMD=0.73; 95% CI: 0.28, 1.19, p<0.01) and with low-intensity laser (WMD=0.42mm/month; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.57, p<0.001) in a period longer than 3 months. The quality of evidence supporting the interventions is moderate for laser therapy and low for corticotomy intervention. CONCLUSIONS There is some evidence that low laser therapy and corticotomy are effective, whereas the evidence is weak for interseptal bone reduction and very weak for photobiomodulation and pulsed electromagnetic fields. Overall, the results should be interpreted with caution given the small number, quality, and heterogeneity of the included studies. Further research is required in this field with additional attention to application protocols, adverse effects, and cost-benefit analysis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE From the qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the studies, it could be concluded that there is some evidence that low laser therapy and corticotomy are associated with accelerated orthodontic tooth movement, while further investigation is required before routine application.

Torque efficiency of different archwires in 0.018- and 0.022-inch conventional brackets.

OBJECTIVE To compare the archwires inserted during the final stages of the orthodontic treatment with the generated moments at 0.018- and 0.022-inch brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS The same bracket type, in terms of prescription, was evaluated in both slot dimensions. The brackets were bonded on two identical maxillary acrylic resin models, and each model was mounted on the orthodontic measurement and simulation system. Ten 0.017 × 0.025-inch TMA and ten 0.017 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwires were evaluated in the 0.018-inch brackets. In the 0.022-inch brackets, ten 0.019 × 0.025-inch TMA and ten 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwires were measured. A 15° buccal root torque (+15°) and then a 15° palatal root torque (-15°) were gradually applied to the right central incisor bracket, and the moments were recorded at these positions. A t-test was conducted to compare the generated moments between wires within the 0.018- and 0.022-inch bracket groups separately. RESULTS The 0.017 × 0.025-inch archwire in the 0.018-inch brackets generated mean moments of 9.25 Nmm and 14.2 Nmm for the TMA and stainless steel archwires, respectively. The measured moments in the 0.022-inch brackets with the 0.019 × 0.025-inch TMA and stainless steel archwires were 6.6 Nmm and 9.3 Nmm, respectively. CONCLUSION The 0.017 × 0.025-inch stainless steel and β-Ti archwires in the 0.018-inch slot generated higher moments than the 0.019 × 0.025-inch archwires because of lower torque play. This difference is exaggerated in steel archwires, in comparison with the β-Ti, because of differences in stiffness. The differences of maximum moments between the archwires of the same cross-section but different alloys were statistically significant at both slot dimensions.

Initial orthodontic alignment effectiveness with self-ligating and conventional appliances: a network meta-analysis in practice.

Systematic reviews of well-designed trials constitute a high level of scientific evidence and are important for medical decision making. Meta-analysis facilitates integration of the evidence using a transparent and systematic approach, leading to a broader interpretation of treatment effectiveness and safety than can be attained from individual studies. Traditional meta-analyses are limited to comparing just 2 interventions concurrently and cannot combine evidence concerning multiple treatments. A relatively recent extension of the traditional meta-analytical approach is network meta-analysis, which allows, under certain assumptions, the quantitative synthesis of all evidence under a unified framework and across a network of all eligible trials. Network meta-analysis combines evidence from direct and indirect information via common comparators; interventions can therefore be ranked in terms of the analyzed outcome. In this article, the network meta-analysis approach is introduced in a nontechnical manner using a worked example on the treatment effectiveness of conventional and self-ligating appliances.

Patient-reported outcomes of maxillary implant-supported overdentures compared with conventional dentures

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present prospective clinical study was to compare patient-reported outcomes for maxillary conventional dentures and maxillary implant-supported dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-one patients (6 women and 15 men) being edentulous in the maxilla and encountering problems with their existing dentures were included. Twelve patients (4 women and 8 men) received a new set of conventional dentures, due to insufficient dentures. In nine patients (2 women and 7 men), the existing dentures were adjusted by means of relining or rebasing. All patients received implant-supported dentures on two retentive anchors. In total, 42 implants were inserted in the anterior maxilla. The participants rated their satisfaction on their existing conventional dentures, 2 months after insertion of new conventional dentures and 2 months after insertion of implant-supported dentures. Thereby, patients responded to questionnaires capturing the oral health impact profile (OHIP) using visual analog scales. Seven domains (functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical, psychological and social disability and handicap) were assessed. Higher scores implied poorer patient satisfaction. In addition, the questionnaire involved the evaluation of cleaning ability, general satisfaction, speech, comfort, esthetics, stability, and chewing ability. Higher scores implied higher patient satisfaction. RESULTS Patient satisfaction significantly increased for implant-supported dentures compared with old dentures in all seven OHIP subgroups, as well as for cleaning ability, general satisfaction, ability to speak, comfort, esthetics, and stability (P < 0.05). The comparison of new conventional dentures and implant-supported dentures revealed a statistically significantly increased satisfaction for functional limitation (difference of 33.2 mm), psychological discomfort (difference of 36.7 mm), physical disability (difference of 36.3 mm), and social disability (difference of 23.5 mm), (P < 0.05). Additionally, general satisfaction, chewing ability, speech, and stability significantly improved in implant-supported dentures (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of this study, maxillary dentures retained by two implants provided some significant short-term improvements over conventional dentures in oral- and health-related quality of life.

A single-centre cohort of patients with systemic light chain AL-amyloidosis treated with conventional chemotherapy or with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been reported to confer better prognosis in systemic light chain AL-amyloidosis as compared with conventional chemotherapy. However, only limited data are available so far on treatment and outcome of AL-amyloidosis patients in Switzerland. METHODS Within a single-centre cohort of patients with biopsy confirmed AL-amyloidosis diagnosed between January 1995 and December 2012, we aimed to investigate treatment effects in patients treated with conventional chemotherapy versus HDCT with ASCT. RESULTS We identified 50 patients with AL-amyloidosis treated with conventional chemotherapy and 13 patients who received HDCT with ASCT. Clinical characteristics differed between the groups for the age of the patients (59 years for patients with ASCT/HDCT vs 69 years; p= 0.0006) and the troponin-T value (0.015 μg/l vs 0.08 μg/l; p = 0.0279). Patients with ASCT showed a trend towards better overall survival, with median survival not yet reached compared with 53 months in patients on conventional chemotherapy (p = 0.0651). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that light chain AL-amyloidosis patients considered fit to undergo HDCT and ASCT may have a better outcome than patients treated exclusively with conventional chemotherapy regimens; however, the better performance status of patients receiving HDCT may have added to this treatment effect.