A new radiological measurement method used to evaluate the modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery

Purpose A new radiological method was used to evaluate the plastic effect of modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery in patients with inactive thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Methods In this study, 10 inactive patients (14 eyes) with moderate to severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were selected. The patients underwent modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery. According to the results of a spiral CT scan before and 6 months after the surgery, the INFINITT system workstation was used to measure the eyeball protrusion value. According to the results obtained by the PHLIPS IntelliSpace Portal elliptical area and line segment measurement tools, the standard elliptical vertebral volume formula was used to calculate the muscular cone inner volume. Changes in eyeball protrusion and the inner volume of the muscular cone before and after surgery were examined. Statistical analysis of the correlation between the two parameters was performed. Results Radiological measurement results confirmed that removing the orbital fat in the muscle cone during surgery was effective for alleviating eyeball protrusion in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (P < 0.05). This surgery caused an obvious change in the muscle cone inner volume (P < 0.05). And there was significant correlation between changes in eyeball protrusion and muscle cone inner volume (r = 0.797, P = 0.0006, P < 0.05). Conclusion The radiological assessment method used in this study is simple and easy to implement. For inactive patients with moderate to severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy who just want to improve their appearance, the modified orbital fat decompression surgery is worth considering.

The Convoluted Tubules of the Nephron Must Be Considered Elliptical, and Not Circular, in Stereological Studies of the Kidney

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The diameter and area of the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) are of the main parameters analyzed in stereological studies of the kidney. However, there is no consensus about if the PCT and DCT should be considered circular or elliptical in shape. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To analyze if there are significant differences in the diameter and area of the PCT and DCT, depending on whether they are considered circular or elliptical. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Paraffin-embedded sections of kidneys from CD1 mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined using a light microscope. Images were captured using a camera linked to image analysis software. A short diameter (<i>d</i>) and a long diameter (<i>D</i>) were measured in both PCT and DCT. A small circular area (SCA), a large circular area (LCA), and an elliptical area (EA) were calculated with mathematical formulas that incorporate <i>d</i> and <i>D</i> values, while a program area (PA) was provided by the software. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was a significant difference between <i>d</i> and <i>D</i> in both PCT (<i>F</i> = 1.354, Sig = 0.000) and DCT (<i>F</i> = 4.989, Sig = 0.000). Also, there were significant differences in the tubular areas in both PCT (<i>F</i> = 34.843, Sig = 0.000) and DCT (<i>F</i> = 22.390, Sig = 0.000); circular areas were different from elliptical areas (SCA and LCA vs. EA and PA). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The convoluted tubules of the nephron must not be considered circular, but rather elliptical; care should be taken every time the tubules are analyzed in stereological studies of the kidney, especially when evaluating their diameters and areas.

Feature-vector for the MeanShift

The article gives the description of the feature vector, which is suitable for the MeanShift procedure, uses all the color information of the RGB24 format and has a dimension exceeding only 1.5 times the dimension of the smallest 512-dimensional vector used for the Kernel Based Object Tracking procedure. For the described feature vector, a function of similarity of two elliptical areas of the frame is built. For the similarity function, formulas are found for the gradient vector - the mean shift vector, which indicates the direction of the growth of similarity in four-dimensional space of all elliptical regions covering the object in the frame. Knowing the greatest value of the similarity function of two elliptical regions, the length of the displacement vector in the four dimensional space of all elliptical regions was found. To this vector the previous point in space must be moved at the current moment, i.e. the values of the coordinates of the center and the dimensions of the ellipse, in order to obtain the best similarity of the current elliptical area from the previous one. Finally, so as to implement Kernel Based Object Tracking, an algorithm of successive iterations (Newton's method) has been developed, which allows finding the parameters of the ellipse that really has the best similarity. The experiments were carried out and their results were presented and discussed

The Effect of the Laser Incidence Angle in the Surface of L-PBF Processed Parts

The manufacture of multiple parts on the same platform is a common procedure in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) process. The main advantage is that the entire working volume of the machine is used and a greater number of parts are obtained, thus reducing inert gas volume, raw powder consumption, and manufacturing time. However, one of the main disadvantages of this method is the possible differences in quality and surface finish of the different parts manufactured on the same platform depending on their orientation and location, even if they are manufactured with the same process parameters and raw powder material. Throughout this study, these surface quality differences were studied, focusing on the variation of the surface roughness with the angle of incidence of the laser with respect to the platform. First, a characterization test was carried out to understand the behavior of the laser in the different areas of the platform. Then, the surface roughness, microstructure, and minimum thickness of vertical walls were analyzed in the different areas of the platform. These results were related to the angle of incidence of the laser. As it was observed, the laser is completely perpendicular only in the center of the platform, whilst at the border of the platform, due to the incidence angle, it melts an elliptical area, which affects the roughness and thickness of the manufactured part. The roughness increases from values of Sa = 5.489 μm in the central part of the platform to 27.473 μm at the outer borders while the thickness of the manufactured thin walls increases around 40 μm.

Association between constitution, axiography, analysis of dental casts, and postural control in women aged between 41 and 50 years

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anamnestic, axiographic and occlusal parameters and postural control in healthy women aged between 41 and 50 years. Materials and methods A total of 100 female participants aged between 41 and 50 (45.12 ± 2.96) years participated in the study. In addition to completing a general anamnesis questionnaire, lower jaw movements were measured axiographically, dental occlusion parameters were determined using a model analysis and postural parameters were recorded using a pressure measurement platform. The significance level was 5%. Results An increasing weight and a rising BMI lead to a weight shifted from the rearfoot (p ≤ 0.01/0.04) to the forefoot (p ≤ 0.01/0.02). A limited laterotrusion on the right resulted in a lower forefoot load and an increased rearfoot load (p ≤ 0.01). Laterotrusion to the left (extended above the standard) showed a lower frontal sway (p ≤ 0.02) and a reduced elliptical area, height and width (p ≤ 0.01, 0.02, 0.03). Thus, the extent of deviation correlated with reduced right forefoot loading (p ≤ 0.03) and the extent of deflection correlated with increased left foot loading (p ≤ 0.01). The higher the extent of angle class II malocclusion, the larger the ellipse area (p ≤ 0.04) and the ellipse height (p ≤ 0.02) resulted. Conclusions There is a connection between weight, BMI and laterotrusion, as well as between angle class II malocclusion and postural control in women aged between 41 and 50 years. Interdisciplinary functional examinations of mandibular movements treating possible limitations can be conducive for an improvement of postural control. Clinical relevance Angle class II malocclusion has a negative influence on postural control.

Nummular headache

Nummular headache is characterized by head pain exclusively felt in a sharply contoured, rounded, or elliptical area of the scalp, fixed in size and shape, and typically 1–6 cm in diameter. The affected area may show variable combinations of hypoaesthesia, dysaesthesia, paraesthesia, allodynia, and/ or tenderness. The symptomatic area may be localized in any part of the head but mostly in the parietal region. Rarely, the disorder may be multifocal, with each symptomatic area retaining all the characteristics of nummular headache. The pain is continuous or intermittent, and generally chronic. Nummular headache is a primary condition.

ONE-LEGGED STANCE BALANCE OF OLDER ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT FALLS

Balance impairment is a common problem among older adults. Poor balance in older adults is often associated with mobility impairments, activity limitations and fear of falling in older adults. Thus, balance assessment is useful for early detection of postural control deficits to prevent mobility impairments and falls in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess if balance measures based in center of pressure (COP) parameters during one-legged stance could differentiate between older adults with and without falls in the past 12 months. One-hundred and seventy older adults (50 fallers and 120 non-fallers, age range: 63-72 years) performed three 30s one-legged stance trials with eyes open on a force platform with 30s of rest between each trial. The following variables were evaluated: COP 95% elliptical area, COP velocity in the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions, and test duration (how long the participant was able to stay in one-legged stance, up to 30s). Fallers had poorer balance than non-fallers (P ≤0.004). The COP parameters presented an area under the curve between 0.65-0.72, with sensitivity varying from 66 to 78% and specificity from 54 to 68%. There were no significant differences between fallers and non-fallers on test duration (17 vs. 18s, respectively). The findings showed that the fallers had similar duration time, but poorer balance than the non-fallers during one-legged stance. The COP parameters were able to differentiate the balance between fallers and non-fallers with acceptable area under curve, sensitivity and specificity.

AGING DIMINISHES THE DIRECT ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BRAIN ACTIVATION AND POSTURAL CONTROL DURING THE N-BACK TASK

Aging diminishes the control of standing posture, which relies upon the capacity to activate brain regions involved in cognitive-motor function. Our prior work shows that impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in response to the N-Back executive function task is linked to worse walking performance in older adults. However, the effects of aging on the relationship between CBF regulation and postural control during the N-Back task is unknown. Sixteen young (27 years) and 15 older participants (76 years) stood upright and completed the N-Back (i.e., control [Identify X, IdX] and an experimental condition [2-Back]) presented on a screen while CBF and postural sway were simultaneously recorded. CBF was recorded using transcranial Doppler. Sway was recorded using a lumbar motion sensor. Elliptical area, root mean square (RMS), distance, velocity, and acceleration were computed. There were no group differences in sway outcomes (p&gt;0.37). Young participants had higher CBF during the IdX and 2-Back compared to older participants (p&lt;0.001). Within the young, and not within older participants, those with lower CBF during performance of the 2-Back exhibited greater elliptical area (β=-0.67, p=0.03) and RMS (β=-0.68, p=0.03), faster acceleration (β=-0.78, p=0.02), and longer distance (β=-0.64, p=0.04). There were no associations between CBF and sway outcomes in either group during the IdX. These results suggest that dual-task sway performance is directly linked to CBF in younger adults, and furthermore, this link is diminished in older adults. These results underpin the need for cognitive-motor interventions in older adults.

Posturographic analysis of older adults without dementia and patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT. Additional clinical tools should be investigated to facilitate and aid the early diagnosis of cognitive decline. Postural control worsens with aging and this may be related to pathological cognitive impairment. Objective: to compare the balance of older adults without dementia in a control group (CG) and with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), to observe the possible association with the independent variables (diagnosis, age, gender, and global cognition) and to verify the best posturographic analyses to determine the difference between the groups. Methods: 86 older adults (AD = 48; CG = 38) were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and postural control was assessed by stabilometry on the Wii Balance Board ® (WBB). Independent T, Mann-Whitney U-tests, Effect Size (ES) and a linear regression were performed. Results: there was a significant difference for Elliptical Area, Total Velocity, Medio-Lateral displacements with closed eyes and open eyes, antero-posterior, with closed eyes and BBS between groups. These variables showed a large effect size for BBS (-1.02), Elliptical Area (0.83) with closed eyes, Medio-Lateral (0.80, 0.96) and Total Velocity (0.92; 1.10) with eyes open and eyes closed, respectively. Regression indicated global cognition accompanied by age, gender, and diagnosis influenced postural control. Conclusion: patients with AD showed impaired postural control compared to Control Group subjects. Total Velocity with closed eyes was the most sensitive parameter for differentiating groups and should be better investigated as a possible motor biomarker of dementia in posturographic analysis with WBB.

Extraction the Facial Features of the Human Face

This project presents a new approach for automatically tracking the human face as well as facial features (nose, mouth, eyes)in a clear way. This technique became required in various future visual communication applications, such as teleconferencing, Facial recognition systems, Biometrics and Human computer interface etc. The principle behind detecting the face feature is used to measure the respiration rate in the future as the nose represents the important region in the human face for breathing. Human face detection as elliptical area was investigated then image processing techniques were used to extract human face as elliptical area from the rest of image. Several techniques were applied to detect the nose inside the elliptical area as rectangle region and then the mouth and eyes regions were extracted inside the elliptical face area. A skin-color segmentation with image processing techniques played an important role in detecting the human face as elliptic area and then several techniques were used such as enhancement, thresholding, Morphological, edge detections as well as binarization techniques to achieve the aims of the suggested methods. Nose detection as a rectangle region was also investigated by looking for the longest vertical line in the elliptical area. The nose was detected and extracted as rectangle region. Detecting the mouth was achieved by looking for the longest horizontal line under the tip of the nose then thresholding this region to detect the lips of the mouth; by extracting the points of the lips corners we extracted the mouth as elliptical region. Finally, the eye regions were tracked in the upper part of ellipse above the tip of the nose and detected as rectangular regions. Further work is in progress to enhance these techniques to take place in real time images as well as apply them in the medical field.