Next-gen regional fire risk mapping: Integrating hyperspectral imagery and National Forest Inventory data to identify hot-spot wildland-urban interfaces.

The increasing threat of high-severity wildfires in Mediterranean Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas demands to develop effective fire risk assessment and management strategies. Simultaneously, the newfound accessibility of spaceborne hyperspectral data represents a significant potential for generating fire severity assessments, whereas National Forest Inventories (NFI) offer a vast dataset related to vegetation and fuel loads, which is essential for shaping the planning and strategies of forest services. This research work aims to advance the state-of-the-art in WUI fire risk mapping in the western Mediterranean Basin by combining PRISMA spaceborne hyperspectral data and Spanish NFI data. The proposed methodology had three main stages: (i) fire severity assessment at local scale (a wildfire) by using PRISMA hyperspectral data and Multi-Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (MESMA) leveraging field-based measurements of the Composite Burn Index (70 plots); (ii) development of a high fire severity probability map at regional scale from the extrapolation of a Random Forest predictive model calibrated from fire severity estimates, NFI data and topo-climatic variables at local scale (overall accuracy = 92 %; Kappa = 0.8); and (iii) identification and characterization of zones that concentrate WUIs with high probability of high fire severity if a fire event occurs (hot-spot WUIs) by crossing the information from the previous regional high fire severity probability map and a WUI cartography developed at regional scale. Study area was Castilla y León Autonomous Region (larger Spanish region, 94,226 km2), where the second-largest extreme Spanish wildfire event (28,000 ha) occurred. We identified hot-spot WUIs so that stakeholders and decision-makers could (i) prioritize resources and interventions for effective fire management and mitigation, (ii) allocate resources for prevention, and (iii) plan evacuation measures to safeguard lives and property. This study contributes to the development of next-generation fire risk assessment methods that combine remote sensing technologies with comprehensive ground-level datasets.

Anestesia libre de opioides para cistectomía radical laparotómica en obesidad mórbida / Opioid-free anesthesia for open radical cystectomy in morbid obesity

El estudio de la técnica anestésica libre de opioides aporta evidencias de su efectividad y seguridad. Sin embargo, aún no están bien definidos todos sus riesgos y beneficios, ni en qué pacientes o intervenciones puede ser superior a la técnica anestésica convencional basada en opioides. Las cirugías intensivas y/o duraderas plantean dudas para la utilización de esta técnica por la respuesta a cambios hemodinámicos bruscos, al no producir la simpaticolisis a través de la actuación sobre el receptor μ y haber poca experiencia de uso. Una paciente con obesidad mórbida fue sometida a cistectomía radical con derivación urinaria tipo Bricker mediante laparotomía infraumbilical, consiguiéndose una adecuada estabilidad hemodinámica y una analgesia óptima en el postoperatorio sin emplear opioides intraoperatorios. La anestesia libre de opioides está en expansión con una evidencia creciente. No obstante, es necesario seguir investigando sobre sus posibilidades de utilización, las distintas combinaciones de fármacos que se puedan emplear y la resolución de complicaciones que puedan ocurrir.(AU)

Opioid-free anaesthesia shows evidence about its efectivity and security, even though its risks and benefits are not well defined. Neither are the patient profile or sort of surgery where it could be superior to the conventional opioid-based anaesthetic technique. Aggressive and/or long-lasting surgeries set out several queries on this technique regarding sudden hemodynamic changes, as it does not produce sympatholysis through μ receptor and there is modest experience in this technique. A morbidly obese patient received open radical cystectomy with Bricker-type urinary diversion using infraumbilical incision under OFA protocol, maintaining an adequate hemodynamic stability and excellent analgesia in postoperatory care without using any intraoperative opioids. Opioid-free anaesthesia technique is developing its evidence. However, it is necessary to keep on researching its clinical applications, different drug combinations and solutions to its expected complications.(AU)

Opioid-free anesthesia for open radical cystectomy in morbid obesity.

Opioid-free anaesthesia shows evidence about its efectivity and security, even though its risks and benefits are not well defined. Neither are the patient profile or sort of surgery where it could be superior to the conventional opioid-based anaesthetic technique. Aggressive and/or long-lasting surgeries set out several queries on this technique regarding sudden hemodynamic changes, as it does not produce sympatholysis through µ receptor and there is modest experience in this technique. A morbidly obese patient received open radical cystectomy with Bricker-type urinary diversion using infraumbilical incision under OFA protocol, maintaining an adequate hemodynamic stability and excellent analgesia in postoperatory care without using any intraoperative opioids. Opioid-free anaesthesia technique is developing its evidence. However, it is necessary to keep on researching its clinical applications, different drug combinations and solutions to its expected complications.

Opioid-free anesthesia for open radical cystectomy in morbid obesity. / Anestesia libre de opioides para cistectomía radical laparotómica en obesidad mórbida.

Opioid-free anaesthesia shows evidence about its efectivity and security, even though its risks and benefits are not well defined. Neither are the patient profile or sort of surgery where it could be superior to the conventional opioid-based anaesthetic technique. Aggressive and/or long-lasting surgeries set out several queries on this technique regarding sudden hemodynamic changes, as it does not produce sympatholysis through µ receptor and there is modest experience in this technique. A morbidly obese patient received open radical cystectomy with Bricker-type urinary diversion using infraumbilical incision under OFA protocol, maintaining an adequate hemodynamic stability and excellent analgesia in postoperatory care without using any intraoperative opioids. Opioid-free anaesthesia technique is developing its evidence. However, it is necessary to keep on researching its clinical applications, different drug combinations and solutions to its expected complications.

Narcolepsia y anestesia libre de opioides: revisión y caso clínico / Narcolepsy and opioid-free anesthesia: a review and case report

Introducción: La narcolepsia es el segundo trastorno del sueño en frecuencia y se caracteriza por somnolencia excesiva durante el día junto con otros síntomas como cataplejía, parálisis del sueño y alucinaciones. Su fisiopatología y tratamiento, así como los síndromes que asocia, pueden interferir de forma severa con el acto anestésico. Metodología: Debido al déficit de evidencia de calidad que aporte un grado de recomendación alto en la anestesia de estos pacientes, se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura no sistemática en Pubmed. Como descriptores se usaron narcolepsy, anesthesia, surgery, perioperative, opioid, obstructive, apnea y sleep y se emplearon de forma individual y cruzándolos con conectores AND y OR. Conclusión: La recomendación de evitar opioides y la estabilidad de la anestesia libre de opioides (OFA), hace de esta última una opción para estos pacientes. Se describe un caso en el que se empleó de forma segura.(AU)

Introduction: Narcolepsy is the second most common sleep disorder. It is characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness together with other symptoms such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. The pathophysiology and treatment of this disease, together with its associated syndromes, can severely interfere with anaesthesia. Methodology: Due to the lack of quality evidence on which to base a high grade of recommendation for anaesthesia in these patients, we performed a non-systematic, narrative review of the literature in Pubmed. We used the descriptors narcolepsy, anesthesia, surgery, perioperative, opioid, obstructive, apnea and sleep both individually and with AND and OR connectors. Conclusion: The recommendation to avoid opioids and the stability of opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) make this approach an option to consider in these patients. We describe a case in which it was used safely.(AU)

Narcolepsy and opioid-free anesthesia: a review and case report. / Narcolepsia y anestesia libre de opioides: revisión y caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Narcolepsy is the second most common sleep disorder. It is characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness together with other symptoms such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. The pathophysiology and treatment of this disease, together with its associated syndromes, can severely interfere with anaesthesia. METHODOLOGY: Due to the lack of quality evidence on which to base a high grade of recommendation for anaesthesia in these patients, we performed a non-systematic, narrative review of the literature in Pubmed. We used the descriptors narcolepsy, anesthesia, surgery, perioperative, opioid, obstructive, apnea and sleep both individually and with AND and OR connectors. CONCLUSION: The recommendation to avoid opioids and the stability of opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) make this approach an option to consider in these patients. We describe a case in which it was used safely.

[Impact of opioid free anaesthesia in bariatric surgery]. / Impacto de la anestesia libre de opioides en cirugía bariátrica.

BACKGROUND: Patients subjected to bariatric surgery present a greater risk of complications due to the use of opioids. The goal is to evaluate the security and suitability of the Opioid Free Anaesthesia (OFA) protocol implemented in the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria in 2018. METHOD: Prospective study carried out on 38 patients subjected to laparoscopic bariatric surgery under the OFA protocol in the year 2018 at the H.U. Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga, Spain). Variables were gathered to establish haemodynamic control and perioperative pain, which were analysed using Stata v.16. RESULTS: The average age was 43 years, the average body mass index was 48.14 and the average stay in the operating theatre was 178 minutes. Control of hypertensive response following laryngoscopy occurred in 88.1% of the cases. On entering the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), SpO2 without a supplementary contribution in the transfer showed a median of 97% with p75 = 95%, while the p75 of pain evaluation by means of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 3, with 68% of patients without pain. On discharge from the PACU, all presented VAS below 4 and it was only necessary to administer a low dose of Pethidine in seven patients. CONCLUSION: The OFA has proved to be secure and achieves optimum pain control. In the reconverted cases, good control of the parameters opens up the possibility of its use in more painful surgeries.

Preservation of renal function in cardiac surgery patients with low cardiac output syndrome: levosimendan vs beta agonists.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have been performed to assess the effects of levosimendan on cardiac function when administered to cardiac surgery patients with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in the immediate postoperative period. Levosimendan is an inotropic agent for the treatment of low cardiac output syndrome that seems to have a protective effect on renal function. METHODS: It is a quasi-experimental study. A total of 100 patients with LCOS received either beta-agonists or levosimendan. We assessed the incidence of postoperative kidney failure in cardiac surgery patients. In patients who had kidney failure at diagnosis of LCOS, we examined whether differences existed in the evolution of kidney failure based on the treatment administered for LCOS. The parameters measured included haemodynamics, oxygen supply, and renal function as assessed by the AKI scale. ANOVA, Student's t-test and Wilcoxon or Friedman tests were used. RESULTS: Up to 30% of cardiac surgery patients had kidney failure at diagnosis of LCOS. Kidney failure at discharge from the ICU was more frequent in patients who received beta-agonist drugs as compared to those who received levosimendan (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of kidney failure decreased with the postoperative administration of levosimendan to cardiac surgery patients with LCOS, as compared to beta-agonists. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 46058317. Date of registration: 7/10/2019. Retrospectively registered.

Recombination of the Phase-Variable spnIII Locus Is Independent of All Known Pneumococcal Site-Specific Recombinases.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the world's leading bacterial pathogens, causing pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis. In recent years, it has been shown that genetic rearrangements in a type I restriction-modification system (SpnIII) can impact colony morphology and gene expression. By generating a large panel of mutant strains, we have confirmed a previously reported result that the CreX (also known as IvrR and PsrA) recombinase found within the locus is not essential for hsdS inversions. In addition, mutants of homologous recombination pathways also undergo hsdS inversions. In this work, we have shown that these genetic rearrangements, which result in different patterns of genome methylation, occur across a wide variety of serotypes and sequence types, including two strains (a 19F and a 6B strain) naturally lacking CreX. Our gene expression analysis, by transcriptome sequencing (RNAseq), confirms that the level of creX expression is impacted by these genomic rearrangements. In addition, we have shown that the frequency of hsdS recombination is temperature dependent. Most importantly, we have demonstrated that the other known pneumococcal site-specific recombinases XerD, XerS, and SPD_0921 are not involved in spnIII recombination, suggesting that a currently unknown mechanism is responsible for the recombination of these phase-variable type I systems.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis. The discovery that genetic rearrangements in a type I restriction-modification locus can impact gene regulation and colony morphology led to a new understanding of how this pathogen switches from harmless colonizer to invasive pathogen. These rearrangements, which alter the DNA specificity of the type I restriction-modification enzyme, occur across many different pneumococcal serotypes and sequence types and in the absence of all known pneumococcal site-specific recombinases. This finding suggests that this is a truly global mechanism of pneumococcal gene regulation and the need for further investigation of mechanisms of site-specific recombination.

[Laparotomy in a patient under opioid free anesthesia]. / Laparotomía en un paciente bajo anestesia libre de opiáceos.

Obese patients subjected to bariatric surgery have a high probability of presenting complications that worsen with the use of opioids and can be reduced thanks to anaesthetic techniques like opioid-free anaesthetics (OFA). The risk of having to convert the laparoscopic surgical technique into open surgery is one of the criticisms aimed at this anaesthetic modality, facing the possibility of there not being a correct sympathetic or nociceptive control. We present the case of a patient scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery who, while maintaining OFA, was converted to open surgery (exploratory laparoscopy), with correct control achieved of both haemodynamics and perioperative pain.

Influence of bladder lithiasis on lower urinary tract dynamics in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective and a case-matched control study. OBJECTIVES: To study the lower urinary tract dysfunction associated with bladder lithiasis in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Toledo (Spain). METHODS: We have carried out a urodynamic study in 30 patients with SCI with lithiasis in their bladder before and 3 months after bladder endoscopic lithotripsy. This second study was compared with the urodynamic findings of a different group of 30 patients with SCI, without a history of bladder lithiasis, paired with cases by gender and date of urodynamic study. RESULTS: We have found that the prevalence of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) was significantly different after bladder lithotripsy, although the cystomanometric capacity was significantly increased. A group of patients with lithiasis showed a maximum flow rate, a voiding maximum detrusor pressure and the detrusor contractility parameter Wmax lower than that in controls. On the other hand, a voiding abdominal straining was found to be significantly greater than that in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder lithiasis affects the presence of NDO in patients with SCI. Patients with SCI who develop bladder lithiasis present a lower detrusor contractility power compared with those who do not.

Comparative analyses of ion release, pH and multispecies biofilm formation between conventional and bioactive gutta-percha.

AIM: To analyse the effect of commercial and experimental gutta-percha with the addition of niobium phosphate glass on biofilm formation by oral bacteria from human dental plaque. Additional pH and elemental release of the materials were analysed. METHODOLOGY: The multispecies biofilm was grown anaerobically from plaque bacteria on standardized discs of each material: hydroxyapatite (HA), gutta-percha pellets (OBT) (Obtura pellets, Shoreline, CT, USA), ProTaper gutta-percha (PTP) (ProTaper Universal Gutta-Percha Points, Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), EndoSequence BC gutta-percha (GBC) (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA, USA), experimental gutta-percha associated with niobium phosphate glass (GNB) and niobium phosphate glass (NPG). Specimens (n = 5 per group and per incubation period) were incubated in brain-heart infusion broth for 3, 14 and 30 days, at 37 °C, and stained using live/dead viability assay. Images were analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the total biovolume (mm3 ), viable bacteria biovolume (mm3 ), and live percentage (%) were quantified. For pH measurement, specimens of each material (n = 3) were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C, and pH was monitored in multiple intervals, up to 30 days. For elemental analysis, additional specimens (n = 3) were immersed in deionized water and elemental release was analysed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry) at time intervals of 3, 14 and 30 days. Differences between groups were evaluated by the two-way analysis of variation (anova) with Tukey's post hoc test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The lowest total biovolume at 30 days was found in GNB, GBC and NPG. GNB had the lowest viable bacteria biovolume (mean value) at 30 days (P < 0.05), and the lowest live percentage of bacteria at 3 and 30 days (P < 0.05), whilst NPG had the lowest live percentage at 14 days (P < 0.05). GNB had the highest pH (8.45) after 30 days (P < 0.05), and the greatest Zn and Na release at all time intervals (P < 0.05). Both GBC and GNB had significantly higher Ca release at 14 and 30 days. CONCLUSION: GNB and GBC reduced biofilm formation, GNB had the lowest amount of viable bacteria in biofilms with the highest pH, and high Zn and Na release values after 30 days.

Utilidad de la procalcitonina y proteína C reactiva para predecir bacteriemia en las infecciones del tracto urinario en el servicio de urgencias / Usefulness of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for predicting bacteremia in urinary tract infections in the emergency department

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue analizar y comparar la capacidad de la procalcitonina (PCT), proteína C reactiva (PCR), lactato y leucocitos para predecir la existencia de bacteriemia en los pacientes con infección del tracto urinario (ITU). Métodos: Estudio observacional, retroprospectivo y analítico de pacientes adultos (≥ 15 años) diagnosticados de ITU en un servicio de urgencias desde agosto de 2012 hasta enero de 2013. Resultados: Se incluyeron 328 casos diagnosticados de ITU con una edad media de 52 ± 22 años, el 74% mujeres. De ellos 43 (13,1%) con bacteriemia. Para predecir bacteriemia la PCT obtiene la mayor área bajo la curva ROC (ABC-ROC), de 0,993 (IC 95%: 0,987-1, p < 0,001) y con un punto de corte ≥ 1,16 ng/ml se consigue una sensibilidad del 100%, especificidad del 97%, un valor predictivo positivo de 84% y un valor predictivo negativo del 100%. El lactato consigue un ABC-ROC de 0,844 y la PCR solo de 0,534. Los valores medios al comparar la PCT en pacientes con ITU con/sin bacteriemia fueron 8,08 ± 16,37 vs 0,34 ± 0,37 ng/ml, p < 0,001. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con ITU en el servicio de urgencias la PCT consigue un gran rendimiento diagnóstico para sospechar bacteriemia, mayor que el lactato, la PCR y los leucocitos

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the capacity of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate and leukocytes to predict the presence of bacteremia in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: Observational, retro-prospective analytical study of adult patients (≥15 years) diagnosed with UTI in an emergency department from August 2012 to January 2013. Results: The study included 328 patients diagnosed with UTI, with a mean age of 52 ± 22 years, 74% of whom were women. Of these, 43 (13.1%) had bacteremia. For predicting bacteremia, PCT achieved the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) at .993 (95% CI .987-1; P < .001). A cutoff ≥ 1.16 ng/mL achieves a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Lactate achieved an ROC-AUC of .844, and CRP achieved only .534. The mean values when comparing PCT levels in patients with UTIs with and without bacteremia were 8.08 ± 16.37 and .34 ± .37 ng/mL, respectively (P < .001). Conclusions: For patients with UTIs in the emergency department, PCT achieves considerable diagnostic performance for suspecting bacteremia, a performance greater than that of lactate, CRP and leukocytes

Effects of Temperature and Aging on Working/Setting Time of Dual-cured Resin Cements.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of aging and temperature on working time (WT) and setting time (ST) of several dual-cured resin cements. METHODS: WT and ST were determined with a thermo-controlled stage oscillating rheometer. New cement kits were used for the study. Cements were mixed according to instructions and dispensed on the oscillating stage that was preset at 22°C or 37°C. Rheologic charts were generated from the beginning of mixing until no further oscillation was detected. After initial measurements, cement kits were aged at 37°C for 12 weeks, and WT/ST was determined again at both temperatures. Five samples were read for each material and condition. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance and a Tukey test at α=5% for each individual material. RESULTS: The WT and ST of all cements were significantly affected by temperature and aging (p<0.05). In general, higher temperature accelerated WT/ST, but aging effects were material dependent. Some materials presented reduced WT/ST, whereas others showed increased WT/ST, regardless of the temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The WT and ST were significantly affected by temperature variation and aging condition. Although temperature changes appeared to affect all materials similarly, aging effects were material dependent.

Usefulness of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for predicting bacteremia in urinary tract infections in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the capacity of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate and leukocytes to predict the presence of bacteremia in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). METHODS: Observational, retro-prospective analytical study of adult patients (≥15 years) diagnosed with UTI in an emergency department from August 2012 to January 2013. RESULTS: The study included 328 patients diagnosed with UTI, with a mean age of 52±22 years, 74% of whom were women. Of these, 43 (13.1%) had bacteremia. For predicting bacteremia, PCT achieved the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) at .993 (95% CI .987-1; P<.001). A cutoff≥1.16ng/mL achieves a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Lactate achieved an ROC-AUC of .844, and CRP achieved only .534. The mean values when comparing PCT levels in patients with UTIs with and without bacteremia were 8.08±16.37 and .34±.37ng/mL, respectively (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with UTIs in the emergency department, PCT achieves considerable diagnostic performance for suspecting bacteremia, a performance greater than that of lactate, CRP and leukocytes.

Micropush-out dentine bond strength of a new gutta-percha and niobium phosphate glass composite.

AIM: To characterize an experimental gutta-percha and niobium phosphate glass composite (GNB) applied with a thermoplastic technique to the root canals without sealer in a moist environment and to evaluate its micropush-out bond strength to root canal wall dentine. METHODOLOGY: The root canals of sixty human mandibular pre-molars were prepared using rotary NiTi instruments and irrigation with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA. The teeth were then randomly divided into three groups according to the root filling material used: AH plus sealer and gutta-percha (AH), EndoSequence BC gutta-percha without sealer (GBC), and GNB without sealer. The root canals were filled with a single cone using warm vertical condensation. Push-out bond strengths associated with the filling materials in slices from middle root thirds was determined 30 days after root filling. The failure mode was analyzed with SEM. Analysis using EDX and SEM-EDS was carried out to verify the composition and distribution of the particles of the tested materials. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way anova and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: AH and GNB groups had bond strengths of 2.83 ± 0.64 MPa and 2.68 ± 0.84 MPa, respectively, with no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). The GBC group had the lowest mean bond strength (1.34 ± 0.42 MPa), which was significantly different compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Cohesive failures prevailed in the AH group, whereas failures were mixed in the GBC and GNB groups. The SEM-EDS analysis on the surface and in the bulk of GBC revealed only a superficial coating of bioceramic particles. Glass particles were detected both on the surface and in the bulk of GNB. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental root filling composite (GNB) had an ability to adhere to root canal wall dentine equal to the current gold standard root filling with gutta-percha and sealer (AH Plus).

Study of the effect of breast tissue density on detection of masses in mammograms.

One of the parameters that are usually stored for mammograms is the BI-RADS density, which gives an idea of the breast tissue composition. In this work, we study the effect of BI-RADS density in our ongoing project for developing an image-based CAD system to detect masses in mammograms. This system consists of two stages. First, a blind feature extraction is performed for regions of interest (ROIs), using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Next, in the second stage, those features form the input vectors to a classifier, neural network, or SVM classifier. To train and test our system, the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM) was used. The results obtained show that the maximum variation in the performance of our system considering only prototypes obtained from mammograms with a concrete value of density (both for training and test) is about 7%, yielding the best values for density equal to 1, and the worst for density equal to 4, for both classifiers. Finally, with the overall results (i.e., using prototypes from mammograms with all the possible values of densities), we obtained a difference in performance that is only 2% lower than the maximum, also for both classifiers.

Independent component analysis to detect clustered microcalcification breast cancers.

The presence of clustered microcalcifications is one of the earliest signs in breast cancer detection. Although there exist many studies broaching this problem, most of them are nonreproducible due to the use of proprietary image datasets. We use a known subset of the currently largest publicly available mammography database, the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM), to develop a computer-aided detection system that outperforms the current reproducible studies on the same mammogram set. This proposal is mainly based on the use of extracted image features obtained by independent component analysis, but we also study the inclusion of the patient's age as a nonimage feature which requires no human expertise. Our system achieves an average of 2.55 false positives per image at a sensitivity of 81.8% and 4.45 at a sensitivity of 91.8% in diagnosing the BCRP_CALC_1 subset of DDSM.

Light effects on mitochondrial photosensitizers in relation to retinal degeneration.

The retina captures and converts light between 400-760 nm into electrical signals that are sent to the brain by way of the optic nerve and in the process helps to translate these electrical signals into what is known as vision. The same light that allows vision to occur is nevertheless also potentially toxic to retinal cells in certain situations. The shorter wavelengths of light are known to interact with chromophores in photoreceptors and pigment epithelial cells to cause oxidative stress and severe damage. Indeed it is generally accepted that short wavelength light effects is one cause for loss of photoreceptor function in age-related macular degeneration. Recent studies have demonstrated that light may be a contributing factor for the death of retinal ganglion cells in certain situations. Light as impinging on the retina, especially the short wavelength form, affect mitochondrial chromophores and can result in neurone death. Importantly ganglion cell axons within the eye are laden with mitochondria and unlike the outer retina are not protected from short wavelength light by macular pigments. It has therefore been proposed that when ganglion cell function is already compromised, as in glaucoma, then light impinging on their mitochondria might be a contributor to their eventual demise.