Experimental demonstration of noncontact vital-sign measurement using pulse radar.

BACKGROUD: Recently, monitoring the vital-sign with the noncontact method is a popular technology. OBJECTIVE: In this work, we present a fully pulse radar system including front-end sensing and back-end data processing. A series of ultra-wide band sensing pulses is generated and radiated to detect the subject's chest vibration which in turn obtains the required vital-sign signals. METHODS: An artificial plywood with 3 centimeter thickness is placed between a transmitting/receiving antenna of the radar and subject to demonstrate the characteristic of noncontact sensing. The firmware and digital signal processing are also presented in this paper to optimize physiological data quality. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the continuous heart rate and breathing rate can be monitored by this customized system radar module. CONCLUSION: A fully customized ultra-wide band radar for vital-sign application is presented. The radar system plan with wall parameter is also incorporated into the design consideration to meet the FCC requirement and SNR.

Current systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A review of the literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common form of human cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. The strategies of various treatments for HCC depend on the stage of tumor, the status of patient's performance and the reserved hepatic function. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system is currently used most for patients with HCC. For example, for patients with BCLC stage 0 (very early stage) and stage A (early stage) HCC, the curable treatment modalities, including resection, transplantation and radiofrequency ablation, are taken into consideration. If the patients are in BCLC stage B (intermediate stage) and stage C (advanced stage) HCC, they may need the palliative transarterial chemoembolization and even the target medication of sorafenib. In addition, symptomatic treatment is always recommended for patients with BCLC stage D (end stage) HCC. In this review, we will attempt to summarize the historical perspective and the current developments of systemic therapies in BCLC stage B and C in HCC.

Factors Influencing Cecal Intubation Time during Retrograde Approach Single-Balloon Enteroscopy.

Background and Aim. The predisposing factors for prolonged cecal intubation time (CIT) during colonoscopy have been well identified. However, the factors influencing CIT during retrograde SBE have not been addressed. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing CIT during retrograde SBE. Methods. We investigated patients who underwent retrograde SBE at a medical center from January 2011 to March 2014. The medical charts and SBE reports were reviewed. The patients' characteristics and procedure-associated data were recorded. These data were analyzed with univariate analysis as well as multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the possible predisposing factors. Results. We enrolled 66 patients into this study. The median CIT was 17.4 minutes. With univariate analysis, there was no statistical difference in age, sex, BMI, or history of abdominal surgery, except for bowel preparation (P = 0.021). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that inadequate bowel preparation (odds ratio 30.2, 95% confidence interval 4.63-196.54; P < 0.001) was the independent predisposing factors for prolonged CIT during retrograde SBE. Conclusions. For experienced endoscopist, inadequate bowel preparation was the independent predisposing factor for prolonged CIT during retrograde SBE.

Benefits of the povidone-iodine: simultaneously decrease risk of infection and tumor seeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a well-established enteral feeding modality in patients with oropharyngeal/esophageal cancer; however, these patients are at risk for two possible PEG-related complications. First, oropharyngeal organisms may be transported to the PEG stoma and thus increase the risk of peristomal infection. Second, oropharyngeal/esophageal cancer cells may adhere to the PEG tube and thus increase the risk of tumor seeding along the PEG tract. Because of its microbicidal and tumoricidal effects, povidone-iodine pretreatment of the PEG tube may decrease the risk of peristomal infection and tumor seeding associated with PEG insertion in patients with oropharyngeal/esophageal cancer. To test this hypothesis, we brushed povidone-iodine onto the outer surface of PEG tubes prior to insertion.