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Δευτέρα 16 Απριλίου 2018

Cu(II) removal using green adsorbents: kinetic modeling and plant scale-up design

Abstract

Cu(II) adsorption in continuous column using green adsorbents like peanut and almond shell was investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunaer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Point of Zero charge (pHpzc) determination have been used for characterization of the adsorbents. Experiments were conducted at various operating conditions to calculate the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents. Adsorption studies signify that both the adsorbents have good adsorptive capacity for Cu(II) ion. Equilibrium of adsorption was described using Langmuir isotherm and the highest qmax value for both the adsorbent were obtained at an operating condition of 20 ml/min flow rate, 15 mg/L influent Cu(II) concentration, and 7 cm bed depth. Regeneration of both the adsorbents suggests that these adsorbents can be used several times for Cu(II) removal. Seven different kinetic models were tested among which the modified dose response model was fitted well for peanut shell and the Thomas model was fitted well for almond shell. These fitted models were further used for scale-up design. Regeneration studies show that peanut shell and almond shell are useful up to the fifth adsorption cycle. Application of these adsorbents with industrial effluent was also reported. This study reveals that peanut and almond shells can be used for Cu(II) removal for industrial wastewater.



Erythrodermic psoriasis and secukinumab: Our clinical experience

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Nonspecific erythema and scaling of the palms in a 53‐year‐old woman

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, EarlyView.


Cutaneous chromomycosis caused by Arthrinium arundinis

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, EarlyView.


Primary cutaneous ganglioneuroma: anatomoclinical study of 4 cases with focus on Merkel cells

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Correction to: Flavonoid quercetin–methotrexate combination inhibits inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinase expression, providing protection to joints in collagen-induced arthritis

The original article can be found online.



Functional expansion pharyngoplasty: Technical update by unidirectional barbed sutures

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Associations of chronic urticaria with atopic and autoimmune comorbidities: a nationwide population‐based study

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Tackling scabies: novel agents for a neglected disease

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Medical comorbidities in patients with lichen planopilaris, a retrospective case–control study

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Treatment of auricular keloids by triple combination therapy: Surgical excision, platelet‐rich plasma, and cryosurgery

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


An evaluation of the antiaging properties of strawberry hydrolysate treatment enriched with L‐ascorbic acid applied with microneedle mesotherapy

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


A single‐center, pilot study evaluating a novel TriHex peptide‐ and botanical‐containing eye treatment compared to baseline

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


Efficacy and safety of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams used to treat photoaged skin: A randomized double‐blind controlled trial

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


Development of QSAR model for predicting the inclusion constants of organic chemicals with α -cyclodextrin

Abstract

Solubility is a crucial limiting factor in pharmaceutical research and contaminated site remediation. Cyclodextrin, with its structure of hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic cavity, has a potential ability to enhance the hydrophobic chemical's solubility through the formation of host–guest complex. The stability of host–guest complex is often quantified by the inclusion constant. In this study, the logarithm of 1:1 α-cyclodextrin inclusion constants (log Kα ) for 195 organic chemicals was collected. With this parameter as the endpoint, a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed using DRAGON descriptors and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. The model statistics parameters indicated that the established model had a good determination coefficient of 0.857, a high cross-validation coefficient of 0.835, a low root mean square error of 0.380, together with the acceptable results of external validation, which indicate a satisfactory goodness-of-fit, robustness, and predictive ability of the model. Based on the screened eight descriptors, we propose an appropriate mechanism interpretation for the inclusion interaction. Additionally, the applicability domain of the current model was characterized by the Euclidean distance-based method and Williams plot, and results indicated that the model covered a large number of structurally diverse chemicals belonging to 13 different classes. Comparing with the previous reported models, this model has obvious advantages with a larger dataset, a higher value of correlation coefficient, and a wider application domain.



Effects of different vermicompost extracts of palm oil mill effluent and palm-pressed fiber mixture on seed germination of mung bean and its relative toxicity

Abstract

Several treatment technologies are available for the treatment of palm oil mill wastes. Vermicomposting is widely recognized as efficient, eco-friendly methods for converting organic waste materials to valuable products. This study evaluates the effect of different vermicompost extracts obtained from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm-pressed fiber (PPF) mixtures on the germination, growth, relative toxicity, and photosynthetic pigments of mung beans (Vigna radiata) plant. POME contains valuable nutrients and can be used as a liquid fertilizer for fertigation. Mung bean seeds were sown in petri dishes irrigated with different dilutions of vermicomposted POME-PPF extracts, namely 50, 60, and 70% at varying dilutions. Results showed that at lower dilutions, the vermicompost extracts showed favorable effects on seed germination, seedling growth, and total chlorophyll content in mung bean seedlings, but at higher dilutions, they showed inhibitory effects. The carotenoid contents also decreased with increased dilutions of POME-PPF. This study recommends that the extracts could serve as a good source of fertilizer for the germination and growth enhancement of mung bean seedlings at the recommended dilutions.



Survival of patients with early invasive melanoma down-staged under the new 8th AJCC edition



Pharmacy Costs of Specialty Medications for Plaque Psoriasis in the United States



Nocturnal Movements in Children with Atopic Dermatitis have a Timing Pattern: A Case Control Study



Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors: A Review of Applications in Dermatology

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have attracted attention for their role in treating inflammatory disorders. This new class of biologics has the potential to significantly impact the field of dermatology, especially with the development of topical formulations.

Clinical features and prognosis of Asian patients with acral lentiginous melanoma who have nodal nevi in their sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen.

Nodal melanocytic nevi (NN) encountered during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB) for malignant melanoma are usually difficult to distinguish from metastatic melanoma. However, NN have not been studied well in acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) in Asian populations.

Evaluation of anatomical and round breast implant aesthetics and preferences in Dutch young lay and plastic surgeon cohort

Literature remains inconclusive on the attractiveness and natural aspect of anatomical breast implants and, so far, studies have failed to demonstrate the visible difference in practice as compared to round ones. This study was undertaken to evaluate: (1) whether lay and professional participants can distinguish between breasts augmented with either round or anatomical breast implants, (2) their opinion with regard to naturalness and attractiveness of these augmented breasts.

Improved outcomes of scar revision with use of polydioxanone suture in comparison to polyglactin 910: A randomized controlled trial

Scars have multiple cosmetic and functional sequelae and revision surgeries are an attempt to ameliorate these effects. Reduction of spread of the revised scar is one of the main objectives of revision procedures. Provision of prolonged dermal support to wound can theoretically reduce spread of the scar. We carried out a randomized controlled trial and objectively evaluated the impact of two commonly used absorbable sutures, Polyglactin 910 and Polydioxanone on scar spread and quality. Sixty patients with post traumatic scars of one year duration were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups of 30 each.

Masseter-to-facial nerve transfer: technique and outcomes utilizing a fibrin sealant for coaptation

BackgroundThis article describes the use of fibrin sealant for nerve coaptation without sutures in masseter-to-facial nerve transfer; and the results obtained utilizing this technique in a series of eleven patients.MethodsA retrospective review of eleven patients with facial paralysis grades V-VI was performed. All patients underwent masseter nerve transfer for facial reanimation utilizing a fibrin sealant, without utilizing sutures for coaptation.ResultsThe follow up period ranged from 10 to 52 months.

Mollie lentaigne, the nurse who drew mcindoe's Guinea pigs: exploring the role of a medical artist at the queen victoria hospital, 1940-1945

Mollie Lentaigne was a medical artist who worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead during the Second World War alongside Archibald McIndoe and his dedicated team. She drew hundreds of medical illustrations for McIndoe and his fellow surgeons during the years between 1940 and 1945. Her illustrations depict the plastic surgery that was carried out in that hospital on the badly burnt RAF servicemen injured during the war that took place in the skies over Europe, which included many aircrew injured during the Battle of Britain.

Complete response of extramammary Paget's disease with imiquimod and PDT: Report of two cases

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, EarlyView.


Comparison of pre‐ and post‐transplant sun‐safe behavior of kidney transplant recipients: What is needed to improve?

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, EarlyView.


Molecular detection of fungi of public health importance in wild animals from Southern Brazil

Mycoses, EarlyView.


Natural UV‐Screening Mechanisms of Norway Spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Needles

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.


Concordance of somatic mutational profile in multiple primary melanomas

Pigment Cell &Melanoma Research, EarlyView.


Uveal melanoma driver mutations in GNAQ/11 yield numerous changes in melanocyte biology

Pigment Cell &Melanoma Research, EarlyView.


Issue Information

Pigment Cell &Melanoma Research, Volume 31, Issue 3, Page 345-349, May 2018.


Curcumin accelerates cutaneous wound healing via multiple biological actions: The involvement of TNF‐α, MMP‐9, α‐SMA, and collagen

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Sentinel lymph node biopsy in 33 non‐melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck: A twelve‐year experience with long‐term follow‐up

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Hearing aids in patients with vestibular schwannoma: Interest of the auditory brainstem responses

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Is routine histological tissue sampling during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy advantageous? A retrospective analysis of 213 patients

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Reliable sonographic features for nodal thyroglobulin to diagnose recurrent lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Long‐lasting allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylisothiazolinone in wall paint: A case report

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by oxacillin confirmed by patch testing

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome induced by benznidazole

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Prevalence of contact allergy to metals in the European general population with a focus on nickel sulfate and piercings: The EDEN Fragrance Study

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Allergic contact dermatitis caused by isobornyl acrylate in OmniPod, an innovative tubeless insulin pump

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Successful treatment with interleukin‐17A antagonists of generalized pustular psoriasis in patients without IL36RN mutations

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Dacryocystitis mimicking erysipelas due to a giant dacryolith

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Pediatric case of generalized pustular psoriasis developing acute pancreatitis

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis limited to oral mucosa associated with ulcerative colitis

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Efficacy and toxicity of ipilimumab used after nivolumab in patients with melanoma

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Alteration of serum thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine level during biologic therapy for psoriasis: Possibility as a marker reflecting favorable response to anti‐interleukin‐17A agents

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Pilomatricoma with bullous‐like/anetodermic appearance: Possibly associated with matrix metalloproteinases

The Journal of Dermatology, Volume 45, Issue 4, Page 505-506, April 2018.


Issue Information

The Journal of Dermatology, Volume 45, Issue 4, Page 509-512, April 2018.


Expression of aurora kinase A expression in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

The Journal of Dermatology, Volume 45, Issue 4, Page 507-508, April 2018.


Issue Information

The Journal of Dermatology, Volume 45, Issue 4, Page i, 383-384, April 2018.


High‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment after cryolipolysis may be used to reduce pain: Two case report

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Exploring the combination of SSKI and topical heparin in a case of erythema nodosum migrans

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Efficacy and tolerability of a lotion containing triethyl citrate, ethyl linoleate, and GT peptide‐10 in the adjuvant treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: Real‐life data

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


The expression change of RORγt, BATF, and IL‐17 in Chinese vitiligo patients with 308 nanometers excimer laser treatment

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Radiotherapy in the management of classic Kaposi's sarcoma: A single institution experience from Northeast Turkey

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Two cases of large cell acanthoma successfully treated with photodynamic therapy

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Secukinumab: A positive outcome in a patient with severe psoriasis and HBV‐HCV co‐infection

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


Merkel cell carcinoma in a patient treated with infliximab: Beware of the subcutaneous nodule

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Clinical features and repair options for nonmelanoma skin cancers of the eyebrow

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


A retrospective clinico‐pathological study comparing lichen planus pigmentosus with ashy dermatosis

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Maculopapular drug eruption induced by linagliptin

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis complicated by systemic involvement

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Hyperglycaemia is inversely correlated with live M. bovis BCG‐specific CD4+ T cell responses in Tanzanian adults with latent or active tuberculosis

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, EarlyView.


Fas Ligand localizes to intraluminal vesicles within NK cell cytolytic granules and is enriched at the immune synapse

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, EarlyView.


Effect of the S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase inhibitor N6022 on bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, EarlyView.


Cutis tricolor parvimaculata in ring chromosome 15 syndrome: A case report

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Bibbidi bobbidi bald: Two “hairowing” tales of Princess Package hairstyles

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Atypical aluminium patch tests in children with persistent itching postvaccinal nodules

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Pyoderma gangrenosum in an infant: A case report and review of the literature

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Colchicine may be of therapeutic benefit in prurigo pigmentosa

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–positive vasculitis, oligoarthritis, tendinitis, and myositis associated with isotretinoin in a 15‐year‐old boy: Case report and review of literature

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Chromhidrosis due to exogenous oxidizing heavy metals: Clinical and laboratory findings

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.


Treatment of acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau with ustekinumab as monotherapy after failure of anti‐TNF agents

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, EarlyView.


ÖGDV Preisträger stellen sich vor: Der Wissenschaftspreis der ÖGDV 2017 ging an Dr. rer. nat. Stefan Hainzl und Dr. rer. nat. Patricia Peking aus Salzburg

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 527-528, April 2018.


Der subkutan gestielte retroaurikuläre Insellappen zur Rekonstruktion von Defekten des Cavum conchae

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 508-510, April 2018.


Journal‐Club

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 526-526, April 2018.


In Memoriam Prof. Dr. Ludwig Suter 1938–2018

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 535-536, April 2018.


3rd Science Days of the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venereology – ÖGDV Forschungstage

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 532-533, April 2018.


ÖGDV Preisträger stellen sich vor: Der Österreichische Dermatologenpreis – Unilever Preis 2017 ging an Dr. Thomas Kocher aus Salzburg

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 529-531, April 2018.


Perichondritis am Ohr eines afghanischen Immigranten

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 500-503, April 2018.


Schmerzhafte gruppierte erythematöse Papeln in segmentaler Anordnung

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 496-499, April 2018.


Vernarbende Alopezien

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 435-463, April 2018.


Nicht IgE‐vermittelte Hypersensitivität auf Macrogol 6000

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 478-480, April 2018.


S1‐Leitlinie – Dermatosen bei dermaler Lymphostase

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 512-524, April 2018.


Tattooentfernung mit Laser: Gibt es bereits Pikosekundenlaser?

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 467-469, April 2018.


Die Wirksamkeit einer neuen Nagelspange für die Behandlung von eingewachsenen Nägeln

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 417-425, April 2018.


Kutanes Pseudolymphom nach quadrivalenter HPV‐Impfung – eine seltene Nebenwirkung

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 465-467, April 2018.


Patient satisfaction in 1,827 patients following various methods of facial reconstruction based on age, defect size and site

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 426-433, April 2018.


Anuläres paraneoplastisches bullöses Pemphigoid imitiert lineare IgA‐Dermatose bei einem 40‐jährigen Patienten

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 481-483, April 2018.


S1 Guidelines – Dermatoses associated with dermal lymphostasis

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 512-523, April 2018.


Multibazilläre Lepra mit dem Erscheinungsbild einer Sinusitis und eines chronischen, persistierenden Angioödems

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 470-472, April 2018.


Cicatricial alopecia

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, Volume 16, Issue 4, Page 435-461, April 2018.


In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy combined with the ‘spaghetti technique’ for the identification of surgical margins of lentigo maligna: experience in 70 patients

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Generalized pustular psoriasis: a review and update on treatment

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Who will treat inflammatory skin diseases in the year 2020?

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Oral psoriasis and SIBO: is there a link?

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Circular RNA expression profile analysis of severe acne by RNA‐Seq and bioinformatics

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Google search trends in psoriasis: a pilot evaluation of global population interests

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Efficacy of suplatast tosilate in a case of recurrent eosinophilic annular erythema

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Lichen striatus following scarlet fever in a 3‐year‐old female patient

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐producing melanoma treated with the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Vedolizumab‐induced acne in inflammatory bowel disease

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Concentric targetoid scaly plaques in a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Heavily pigmented fibroepithelioma of Pinkus mimicking melanoma

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Gray‐bluish cutaneous pigmentation and ice‐pick scars induced by vandetanib therapy

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Transient improvement of skin symptoms in an adult patient with pediatric‐onset cutaneous mastocytosis treated with interferon‐α

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


A review of bullous pemphigoid associated with PD‐1 and PD‐L1 inhibitors

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Issue Information

International Journal of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 5, Page i-iii,503-504, May 2018.


Teaching & Learning Tips 7: small‐group discussion

International Journal of Dermatology, Volume 57, Issue 5, Page 583-586, May 2018.


A case of pigmentary mosaicism associated with diploid/triploid mixoploidy

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Religious stigmata: a dermato‐psychiatric approach and differential diagnosis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Lichen planus pigmentosus – An appraisal

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Novel use of combination therapeutic plasma exchange and rituximab in the treatment of nivolumab‐induced bullous pemphigoid

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Dyshidrosiform pemphigoid restricted to the soles

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma of the scrotum

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Skin ultrasound is a useful tool for evaluating and monitoring eosinophilic fasciitis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Is pleasure all that is good about experience?

Abstract

Experientialist accounts of wellbeing are those accounts of wellbeing that subscribe to the experience requirement. Typically, these accounts are hedonistic. In this article I present the claim that hedonism is not the most plausible experientialist account of wellbeing. The value of experience should not be understood as being limited to pleasure, and as such, the most plausible experientialist account of wellbeing is pluralistic, not hedonistic. In support of this claim, I argue first that pleasure should not be understood as a broad term to describe valuable experiences generally. I then analyze responses to the main argument against a monistic view on the value of experience: the philosophy of swine objection. I argue that such responses deviate from the central hedonistic view that only pleasure and pain matter for wellbeing. I then argue that the argument can be avoided on a pluralistic account, and formulate a plausible candidate for an account of pluralistic experientialism, in which, besides pleasure, non-hedonic aspects of experience like novelty, compassion, and aesthetic value also contribute to wellbeing.



Algebraic structuralism

Abstract

This essay is about how the notion of "structure" in ontic structuralism might be made precise. More specifically, my aim is to make precise the idea that the structure of the world is (somehow) given by the relations inhering in the world, in such a way that the relations are ontologically prior to their relata. The central claim is the following: one can do so by giving due attention to the relationships that hold between those relations, by making use of certain notions from algebraic logic.



Determination of optimal ultrasound planes for the initialisation of image registration during endoscopic ultrasound-guided procedures

Abstract

Purpose

Navigation of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) system can be technically challenging due to the small fields-of-view of ultrasound and optical devices, as well as the anatomical variability and limited number of orienting landmarks during navigation. Co-registration of an EUS device and a pre-procedure 3D image can enhance the ability to navigate. However, the fidelity of this contextual information depends on the accuracy of registration. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a simulation-based planning method for pre-selecting patient-specific EUS-visible anatomical landmark locations to maximise the accuracy and robustness of a feature-based multimodality registration method.

Methods

A registration approach was adopted in which landmarks are registered to anatomical structures segmented from the pre-procedure volume. The predicted target registration errors (TREs) of EUS-CT registration were estimated using simulated visible anatomical landmarks and a Monte Carlo simulation of landmark localisation error. The optimal planes were selected based on the 90th percentile of TREs, which provide a robust and more accurate EUS-CT registration initialisation. The method was evaluated by comparing the accuracy and robustness of registrations initialised using optimised planes versus non-optimised planes using manually segmented CT images and simulated ( \(n=9\) ) or retrospective clinical ( \(n=1\) ) EUS landmarks.

Results

The results show a lower 90th percentile TRE when registration is initialised using the optimised planes compared with a non-optimised initialisation approach (p value \(< 0.01\) ).

Conclusions

The proposed simulation-based method to find optimised EUS planes and landmarks for EUS-guided procedures may have the potential to improve registration accuracy. Further work will investigate applying the technique in a clinical setting.



Personalized skincare: from molecular basis to clinical and commercial applications



Quinazoline clubbed 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as VEGFR2 kinase inhibitors: design, synthesis, docking, in vitro cytotoxicity and in ovo antiangiogenic activity

Abstract

A series of quinazoline clubbed 1,3,5-triazine derivatives (QCT) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against HeLa (human cervical cancer), MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cell), HepG2 (human Hepatocellular carcinoma cell), and one normal cell line HFF (human foreskin fibroblasts). In vitro assay result encouraged to further move towards in ovo anticancer evaluation using chick embryo. The series of QCT derivatives showed higher anticancer and antiangiogenic activity against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. In the series, synthetic molecule 8d, 8l, and 8m displayed significant activity. Further, these results substantiated by docking study on VGFR2. SAR study concluded that the potency of drugs depends on the nature of aliphatic substitution and the heterocyclic ring system.

Graphical Abstract



In vivo estimation of target registration errors during augmented reality laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Purpose

Successful use of augmented reality for laparoscopic surgery requires that the surgeon has a thorough understanding of the likely accuracy of any overlay. Whilst the accuracy of such systems can be estimated in the laboratory, it is difficult to extend such methods to the in vivo clinical setting. Herein we describe a novel method that enables the surgeon to estimate in vivo errors during use. We show that the method enables quantitative evaluation of in vivo data gathered with the SmartLiver image guidance system.

Methods

The SmartLiver system utilises an intuitive display to enable the surgeon to compare the positions of landmarks visible in both a projected model and in the live video stream. From this the surgeon can estimate the system accuracy when using the system to locate subsurface targets not visible in the live video. Visible landmarks may be either point or line features. We test the validity of the algorithm using an anatomically representative liver phantom, applying simulated perturbations to achieve clinically realistic overlay errors. We then apply the algorithm to in vivo data.

Results

The phantom results show that using projected errors of surface features provides a reliable predictor of subsurface target registration error for a representative human liver shape. Applying the algorithm to in vivo data gathered with the SmartLiver image-guided surgery system shows that the system is capable of accuracies around 12 mm; however, achieving this reliably remains a significant challenge.

Conclusion

We present an in vivo quantitative evaluation of the SmartLiver image-guided surgery system, together with a validation of the evaluation algorithm. This is the first quantitative in vivo analysis of an augmented reality system for laparoscopic surgery.



Fiducial-based fusion of 3D dental models with magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in study of maxillofacial structures. While MRI is the modality of choice for soft tissues, it fails to capture hard tissues such as bone and teeth. Virtual dental models, acquired by optical 3D scanners, are becoming more accessible for dental practice and are starting to replace the conventional dental impressions. The goal of this research is to fuse the high-resolution 3D dental models with MRI to enhance the value of imaging for applications where detailed analysis of maxillofacial structures are needed such as patient examination, surgical planning, and modeling.

Methods

A subject-specific dental attachment was digitally designed and 3D printed based on the subject's face width and dental anatomy. The attachment contained 19 semi-ellipsoidal concavities in predetermined positions where oil-based ellipsoidal fiducial markers were later placed. The MRI was acquired while the subject bit on the dental attachment. The spatial position of the center of mass of each fiducial in the resultant MR Image was calculated by averaging its voxels' spatial coordinates. The rigid transformation to fuse dental models to MRI was calculated based on the least squares mapping of corresponding fiducials and solved via singular-value decomposition.

Results

The target registration error (TRE) of the proposed fusion process, calculated in a leave-one-fiducial-out fashion, was estimated at 0.49 mm. The results suggest that 6–9 fiducials suffice to achieve a TRE of equal to half the MRI voxel size.

Conclusion

Ellipsoidal oil-based fiducials produce distinguishable intensities in MRI and can be used as registration fiducials. The achieved accuracy of the proposed approach is sufficient to leverage the merged 3D dental models with the MRI data for a finer analysis of the maxillofacial structures where complete geometry models are needed.



Enhanced TiO 2 nanorods photocatalysts with partially reduced graphene oxide for degrading aqueous hazardous pollutants

Abstract

Enhanced TiO2 nanorods (TNRs) with partially reduced graphene oxide (RGO) (designated as GT) were prepared for degrading aqueous hazardous pollutants. The degree of RGO oxidation had an important role in affecting the photoelectronic and photocatalytic activities of GT composites. The study examined the impact of the degree of RGO oxidation on the photocatalytic activities. The photocatalytic activity of the materials was investigated for degrading rhodamine b (RhB), methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and phenol by using ultraviolet (UV) light. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed when the atomic oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratio of RGO was 0.130 ± 0.003. This study suggested the photocatalytic performance was maximized by preserving a selected amount of the RGO oxygen-containing groups. The work reported in this study on optimizing the RGO-based TiO2 photocatalyst could serve as a promising approach for preparing and optimizing other types of carbon-based photocatalysts such as graphene-based CdS.