Automated deep learning-based paradigm for high-risk plaque detection in B-mode common carotid ultrasound scans: an asymptomatic Japanese cohort study

Author(s):  
Pankaj K. JAIN ◽  
Neeraj SHARMA ◽  
Luca SABA ◽  
Kosmas I. PARASKEVAS ◽  
Mandeep K. KALRA ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 277 ◽  
pp. 02024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lincan Li ◽  
Tong Jia ◽  
Tianqi Meng ◽  
Yizhe Liu

In this paper, an accurate two-stage deep learning method is proposed to detect vulnerable plaques in ultrasonic images of cardiovascular. Firstly, a Fully Convonutional Neural Network (FCN) named U-Net is used to segment the original Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (IVOCT) cardiovascular images. We experiment on different threshold values to find the best threshold for removing noise and background in the original images. Secondly, a modified Faster RCNN is adopted to do precise detection. The modified Faster R-CNN utilize six-scale anchors (122,162,322,642,1282,2562) instead of the conventional one scale or three scale approaches. First, we present three problems in cardiovascular vulnerable plaque diagnosis, then we demonstrate how our method solve these problems. The proposed method in this paper apply deep convolutional neural networks to the whole diagnostic procedure. Test results show the Recall rate, Precision rate, IoU (Intersection-over-Union) rate and Total score are 0.94, 0.885, 0.913 and 0.913 respectively, higher than the 1st team of CCCV2017 Cardiovascular OCT Vulnerable Plaque Detection Challenge. AP of the designed Faster RCNN is 83.4%, higher than conventional approaches which use one-scale or three-scale anchors. These results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed method and the power of deep learning approaches in diagnose cardiovascular vulnerable plaques.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Léna Royston ◽  
Eva Royston ◽  
Stavroula Masouridi-Levrat ◽  
Nathalie Vernaz ◽  
Yves Chalandon ◽  
...  

Background: Real-life data on the administration of letermovir as cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary prophylaxis after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remain limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center matched cohort study, comparing consecutive high-risk allogeneic HCT recipients (cases) receiving primary prophylaxis with letermovir and untreated matched historical controls, during a study period of 180 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically significant (cs) CMV infection. Secondary outcomes included duration and costs of CMV-antiviral treatments, hospital resource utilization, hematology and laboratory parameters. Results: Letermovir prophylaxis decreased csCMV infection incidence from 82.7% (controls) to 34.5% (cases; p-value < 0.0001). Controls were more likely to have >1 episode of csCMV infection (59.6%) compared to cases (11.5%; p-value < 0.0001). Letermovir was associated with: shorter overall CMV-associated treatment duration (49 days vs. 77.8 days; p-value: 0.02) and a trend for lower costs of CMV-associated treatments ($4096 vs. $9736; p-value: 0.07) and reduced length of stay (44.8 days vs. 59.8 days; p-value: 0.16). Letermovir administration was associated with significantly shorter duration (27.3 days vs. 57.1 days; p-value: 0.008) and lower costs ($1089 vs. $2281; p-value: 0.008) of valganciclovir treatment. Compared to controls, higher platelet counts were observed in cases (138 G/L vs. 92 G/L; p-value: 0.03) and renal function was improved (94 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 74 mL/min/1.73 m2; p-value: 0.006). Conclusions: Primary anti-CMV letermovir prophylaxis decreased the incidence of csCMV infection and the administration of CMV-associated treatments and costs, particularly those associated with valganciclovir. An effect of letermovir on platelet reconstitution and renal function of csCMV post-HCT was observed and needs further investigation.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e040817
Author(s):  
Patrick O'Byrne ◽  
Amanda Vandyk ◽  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Marlene Haines

ObjectiveTo report the results of a nurse-led pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery service.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study conducted from 5 August 2018 to 4 March 2020. It involved manual chart review to collect data. Variables were described using frequencies and percentages and analysed using χ2 testing. Those significant in bivariate analysis were retained and entered into a binary multiple logistic regression. Hierarchical modelling was used, and only significant factors were retained.SettingThis study occurred in an urban public health unit and community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Ottawa, Canada.ParticipantsOf all persons who were diagnosed with a bacterial STI in Ottawa and everyone who presented to our STI clinic during the study period, there were 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria for PrEP; these criteria included patients who newly presented with any of the following: HIV contacts, diagnosed with a bacterial STI or single use of HIV PEP. Further, eligibility could be determined based on clinical judgement. Patients who met the foregoing criteria were appropriate for PrEP-RN, while lower-risk patients were referred to elsewhere. Of the 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria, 47% accepted and 53% declined. Of those who accepted, 80% selected PrEP-registered nurse (RN).Primary and secondary outcome measuresUptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who obtained PrEP through PrEP-RN.Findings69% of participants who were eligible attended their intake PrEP-RN visit. 66% were retained in care. Half of participants continued PrEP and half were lost to follow-up. We found no significant differences in the uptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who accessed PrEP-RN regarding reason for referral, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, annual income, education attainted, insurance status, if they have a primary care provider, presence or absence of depression or anxiety and evidence of newly acquired STI during the study period.ConclusionsNurse-led PrEP is an appropriate strategy for PrEP delivery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwan Chen ◽  
Yongjin Li ◽  
Jinchang Lv ◽  
Xiufeng Liu ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background On September 4, 2018, a boarding school in the Shunyi District of Beijing, China reported an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. At least 209 suspected students caused of diarrhea and vomiting. The case was investigated, and control measures were taken to prevent further spread. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the school students and staff in order to test hypothesis that high risk of food served at the school canteen. We collected information on demographics, refectory records, person to person transmission by uniform epidemiological questionnaire. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Stool specimens of cases and canteen employees, retained food, water, and environmental swabs were investigated by laboratory analysis. Results We identified 209 cases (including 28 laboratory-confirmed cases) which occurred from August 29 to September 10. All cases were students, and the average age was 20, 52% were male. The outbreak lasted for 13 days, and peaked on September 5. Consumption of Drinks stall and Rice flour stall on September 1 (RR:3.4, 95%CI:1.5–7.8, and RR:7.6, 95%CI:2.8–20.2), Rice flour stall and Fish meal stall on September 2 (RR:4.0, 95%CI:1.2–13.6, and RR:4.6, 95%CI:1.7–12.5), muslim meal stall on September 4 (RR:2.7, 95%CI:1.3–5.4), Barbeque stall on September 5 (RR:3.0, 95%CI:1.2–7.0) were independently associated with increased risk of disease within the following 2 days. Among 35 specimens of rectal swabs or feces from students, 28 specimens were positive. Norovirus GI.6 alone was detected in 23 specimens, Bacillus cereus alone in 3 specimens and both norovirus GI.6 and Bacillus cereus in 2 specimens. Ten specimens of rectal swabs from canteen employees were positive for norovirus GI, and 2 specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus. Four retained food specimens were positive for Bacillus cereus, and environmental samples were negative for any viruses or bacteria. Conclusion Our investigation indicated that canteen employees were infected by two pathogens (norovirus and Bacillus cereus) and transmission may have been possible due to unhygienic practices. Student consumption of food or drink at high-risk stalls was determined as the probable cause of the outbreak.


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