MicroHikari3D: an automated DIY digital microscopy platform with deep learning capabilities.

A microscope is an essential tool in biosciences and production quality laboratories for unveiling the secrets of microworlds. This paper describes the development of MicroHikari3D, an affordable DIY optical microscopy platform with automated sample positioning, autofocus and several illumination modalities to provide a high-quality flexible microscopy tool for labs with a short budget. This proposed optical microscope design aims to achieve high customization capabilities to allow whole 2D slide imaging and observation of 3D live specimens. The MicroHikari3D motion control system is based on the entry level 3D printer kit Tronxy X1 controlled from a server running in a Raspberry Pi 4. The server provides services to a client mobile app for video/image acquisition, processing, and a high level classification task by applying deep learning models.

Influence of fulfilment patient expectations in outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. / Influencia del cumplimiento de las expectativas del paciente en los resultados de la artroplastia total de rodilla.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Compliance with preoperative expectations of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is related to the degree of satisfaction, but its effect on other outcomes has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine whether meeting expectations influences clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes at one year after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expectations of 183 patients were evaluated through the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectations Survey. The Visual Analog Scale, Knee Society Score, WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires were administered preoperatively and at the annual review. Comparisons were made between compliance with expectations and socio-demographic variables, postoperative complications, improvement in the questionnaires and degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: Patients without postoperative complications were significantly (P<.005) in the group that had fulfilled all their expectations. A statistically significant relationship (P<.001) was also observed between this group and a higher degree of satisfaction. Finally, the fulfillment of all expectations was associated with a greater improvement (P<.001) in the KSS-Function and SF-36 questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with preoperative expectations is related to a greater improvement in functionality and quality of life at one year of the RTA and significantly affects satisfaction. These findings will allow us to adjust expectations to what is really expected from the surgery, in order to avoid poor results and dissatisfaction.

¿Influye el deterioro cognitivo preoperatorio en los resultados de la artroplastia total de rodilla? / Does pre-surgical cognitive impairment affect knee replacement results?

Objetivo. Determinar la influencia del deterioro cognitivo preoperatorio en los resultados de la artroplastia total de rodilla, no solo desde la perspectiva del médico sino también del paciente. Material y método. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes procedentes de la lista de espera quirúrgica, sometidos a artroplastia total de rodilla primaria. De los 265 pacientes de la muestra inicial, 50 fueron excluidos. El deterioro cognitivo fue valorado preoperatoriamente mediante el Mini Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC-35). Tanto preoperatoriamente como al año postoperatorio se utilizó la Escala Analógica Visual (EVA), la Knee Society Score (KSS), el Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), y el Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Resultados. Se analizaron 215 pacientes (57 varones y 158 mujeres). El deterioro cognitivo no influyó en los resultados de la artroplastia total de rodilla, no alcanzando significación estadística en ninguna de las escalas analizadas. Los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo presentaron niveles más elevados de ansiedad y depresión, preoperatoriamente, y al año de intervención, siendo estas diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Discusión. Todos los pacientes experimentaron una mejoría de los resultados tanto específicos como de calidad de vida tras un procedimiento como la artroplastia total de rodilla independientemente de la presencia de deterioro cognitivo preoperatorio (AU)

Objective. To determine the influence of the pre-operative cognitive impairment on results of the total knee arthroplasty according to a doctor and patient perspective. Material and method. A prospective study was conducted on patient from the surgical waiting list who had undergone a primary total knee arthroplasty. The sample initially included 265 patients, but 50 were subsequently excluded. Cognitive impairment was assessed pre-operatively by the Mini Cognitive Examination (MEC-35). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Knee Society Score (KSS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were used pre-operatively and one year later post-operatively. Results. A total of 215 patients were assessed (57 men and 158 women). Cognitive impairment had no influence on the results of total knee arthroplasty. In fact, there was no statistical significance in any of the scales analyzed. Preoperatively, and one year later, the patients with cognitive impairment showed higher levels of anxiety and depression, with these differences being statistically significant. Discussion. All of the patients experienced an improvement in the specific outcomes and quality of life after the total knee arthroplasty procedure, regardless of the presence of preoperative cognitive impairment (AU)

[Does pre-surgical cognitive impairment affect knee replacement results?]. / ¿Influye el deterioro cognitivo preoperatorio en los resultados de la artroplastia total de rodilla?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the pre-operative cognitive impairment on results of the total knee arthroplasty according to a doctor and patient perspective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study was conducted on patient from the surgical waiting list who had undergone a primary total knee arthroplasty. The sample initially included 265 patients, but 50 were subsequently excluded. Cognitive impairment was assessed pre-operatively by the Mini Cognitive Examination (MEC-35). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Knee Society Score (KSS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were used pre-operatively and one year later post-operatively. RESULTS: A total of 215 patients were assessed (57 men and 158 women). Cognitive impairment had no influence on the results of total knee arthroplasty. In fact, there was no statistical significance in any of the scales analyzed. Preoperatively, and one year later, the patients with cognitive impairment showed higher levels of anxiety and depression, with these differences being statistically significant. DISCUSSION: All of the patients experienced an improvement in the specific outcomes and quality of life after the total knee arthroplasty procedure, regardless of the presence of preoperative cognitive impairment.

A parallel solution for high resolution histological image analysis.

This paper describes a general methodology for developing parallel image processing algorithms based on message passing for high resolution images (on the order of several Gigabytes). These algorithms have been applied to histological images and must be executed on massively parallel processing architectures. Advances in new technologies for complete slide digitalization in pathology have been combined with developments in biomedical informatics. However, the efficient use of these digital slide systems is still a challenge. The image processing that these slides are subject to is still limited both in terms of data processed and processing methods. The work presented here focuses on the need to design and develop parallel image processing tools capable of obtaining and analyzing the entire gamut of information included in digital slides. Tools have been developed to assist pathologists in image analysis and diagnosis, and they cover low and high-level image processing methods applied to histological images. Code portability, reusability and scalability have been tested by using the following parallel computing architectures: distributed memory with massive parallel processors and two networks, INFINIBAND and Myrinet, composed of 17 and 1024 nodes respectively. The parallel framework proposed is flexible, high performance solution and it shows that the efficient processing of digital microscopic images is possible and may offer important benefits to pathology laboratories.

Desgaste catastrófico del componente acetabular en prótesis total de cadera / Catastrophic failure of the acetabular component in total hip arthroplasty

Objetivo. En su estadio final, el desgaste natural del polietileno en una prótesis total de cadera, tanto por sí mismo como por disociación con el componente metálico, puede conducir al fracaso catastrófico del cotilo y destrucción de la cavidad acetabular. El objetivo es analizar esta situación siempre evitable. Material y métodos. Se analiza de forma retrospectiva la historia clínica de 4 pacientes con prótesis de cadera y graves destrucciones del componente acetabular. Tenían en común que eran pacientes jóvenes, el espesor del polietileno inferior a 6mm y que en todos se había demorado la intervención de recambio de éste. Discusión. Se recomienda una estrecha monitorización radiológica del desgaste del polietileno especialmente si existe algún factor de riesgo. Conclusiones. Los graves inconvenientes de demorar la revisión quirúrgica deben explicarse a los pacientes, que frecuentemente ante la ausencia de dolor están reticentes a aceptarla (AU)

Objective. The final stages of the natural history of polyethylene wear in total hip arthroplasty by itself or dislodgement of the liner, may lead to catastrophic failure of the acetabular component. The objective is to analyse this preventable situation. Material and methods. The medical histories of four patients with serious destruction of the acetabular component have been retrospectively analysed. The patients were all young, the polyethylene was less than 6mm and all of them experienced a delay in the polyethylene revision. Discussion. Close radiographic monitoring of polyethylene wear is recommended, particularly when there are risk factors. Conclusions. The potentially serious effects of delaying a revision operation until symptoms appear should be explained to patients, who frequently do not suffer any pain and are reluctant to undergo further operations (AU)

A geodesic deformable model for automatic segmentation of image sequences applied to radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Organ motion should be taken into account for image-guided fractionated radiotherapy. A deformable segmentation and registration method was developed for inter-and intra-fraction organ motion planning and evaluation. METHODS: Energy minimizing active models were synthesized for tracking a set of organs delineated by regions of interest (ROI) in radiotherapy treatment. The initial model consists of a surface deformed to match the ROI contour by geometrical properties, following a heat flow model. The deformable segmentation model was tested using a Shepp-Logan head CT simulation, and different quantitative metrics were applied such as ROC analysis, Jaccard index, Dice coefficient and Hausdorff distance. RESULTS: Experimental evaluation of automated versus manual segmentation was done for the cardiac, thoracic and pelvic regions. The method has been quantitatively validated, obtaining an average of 93.3 and 99.2% for the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, 90.79% for the Jaccard index, 95.15% for the Dice coefficient and 0.96% mm for the Hausdorff distance. CONCLUSIONS: Model-based deformable segmentation was developed and tested for image-guided radiotherapy treatment planning. The method is efficient, robust and has sufficient accuracy for 2D CT data without markers.