Suspicious Areas Research Articles

Detection of “legbreaker” antipersonnel landmines by analysis of aerial thermographic images of the soil

An automatic detection methodology for “legbreaker” Antipersonnel Landmines (APL) was developed based on digital image processing techniques and pattern recognition, applied to thermal images acquired by means of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a thermal camera. The images were acquired from the inspection of a natural terrain with sparse vegetation and under uncontrolled conditions, in which prototypes of “legbreaker” APL were buried at different depths. Remarkable results were obtained using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classifier, reaching average percentages of success in detecting suspicious areas with the presence of these artifacts about 97.1 % for images acquired at 1 m from the ground and 88.8 % at higher altitudes.

An Magnetic Resonance Imaging–directed Targeted-plus-perilesional Biopsy Approach for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: “Less Is More”

BackgroundConsidering that most men benefit diagnostically from increased sampling of index lesions, limiting systematic biopsy (SBx) to the region around the index lesion could potentially minimize overdetection while maintaining the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a hypothetical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed targeted-plus-perilesional biopsy approach. Design, setting, and participantsThis single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively generated data included all biopsy-naïve men with unilateral MRI-positive lesions (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System category ≥3), undergoing both MRI-directed targeted biopsies and SBx. Grade group 2–5 cancers were considered csPCa. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe diagnostic performance of a targeted-plus-perilesional biopsy approach was compared with that of a targeted-plus-systematic biopsy approach. The primary outcome was the detection of csPCa. Secondary outcomes included the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (ciPCa) and the number of total biopsy cores. Results and limitationsA total of 235 men were included in the analysis; csPCa and ciPCa were detected, respectively, in 95 (40.4%) and 86 (36.6%) of these 235 men. A targeted-plus-perilesional biopsy approach would have detected 92/95 (96.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 91.0–99.3%) csPCa cases. At the same time, detection of systematically found ciPCa would be reduced by 11/86 (12.8%; 95% CI 6.6–21.7%). If a targeted-plus-perilesional biopsy approach would have been performed, the number of biopsy cores per patient would have been reduced significantly (a mean difference of 5.2; 95% CI 4.9–5.6, p < 0.001). ConclusionsAn MRI-directed targeted-plus-perilesional biopsy approach detected almost all csPCa cases, while limiting overdiagnosis and reducing the number of biopsy cores. Prospective clinical trials are needed to substantiate the withholding of nonperilesional SBx in men with unilateral lesion(s) on MRI. Patient summaryLimiting systematic biopsies to the proximity of the suspicious area on magnetic resonance imaging helps detect an equivalent number of aggressive cancers and fewer indolent cancers. These findings may help patients and physicians choose the best biopsy approach.

A New Collaborative Classification Process for Microcalcification Detection Based on Graphs and Knowledge Propagation.

In this paper, we propose a new collaborative process that aims to detect macrocalcifications from mammographic images while minimizing false negative detections. This process is made up of three main phases: suspicious area detection, candidate object identification, and collaborative classification. The main concept is to operate on the entire image divided into homogenous regions called superpixels which are used to identify both suspicious areas and candidate objects. The collaborative classification phase consists in making the initial results of different microcalcification detectors collaborate in order to produce a new common decision and reduce their initial disagreements. The detectors share the information about their detected objects and associated labels in order to refine their initial decisions based on those of the other collaborators. This refinement consists of iteratively updating the candidate object labels of each detector following local and contextual analyses based on prior knowledge about the links between super pixels and macrocalcifications. This process iteratively reduces the disagreement between different detectors and estimates local reliability terms for each super pixel. The final result is obtained by a conjunctive combination of the new detector decisions reached by the collaborative process. The proposed approach is evaluated on the publicly available INBreast dataset. Experimental results show the benefits gained in terms of improving microcalcification detection performances compared to existing detectors as well as ordinary fusion operators.

Long-Distance Multi-Vehicle Detection at Night Based on Gm-APD Lidar

Long-distance multi-vehicle detection at night is critical in military operations. Due to insufficient light at night, the visual features of vehicles are difficult to distinguish, and many missed detections occur. This paper proposes a two-level detection method for long-distance nighttime multi-vehicles based on Gm-APD lidar intensity images and point cloud data. The method is divided into two levels. The first level is 2D detection, which enhances the local contrast of the intensity image and improves the brightness of weak and small objects. With the confidence threshold set, the detection result greater than the threshold is reserved as a reliable object, and the detection result less than the threshold is a suspicious object. In the second level of 3D recognition, the suspicious object area from the first level is converted into the corresponding point cloud classification judgment, and the object detection score is obtained through comprehensive judgment. Finally, the object results of the two-level recognition are merged into the final detection result. Experimental results show that the method achieves a detection accuracy of 96.38% and can effectively improve the detection accuracy of multiple vehicles at night, which is better than the current state-of-the-art detection methods.

Use of staging for sex cord stromal tumours.

Purpose of reviewSex cord-stromal tumours (SCSTs) are rare ovarian cancers. As in the literature, only small case series or case reports are published, gathering solid evidence about their management is challenging. Surgery plays a pivotal role, and accurate staging is one of the most important prognostic factors. This review focuses on the current evidence for surgical staging in the management of SCSTs.Recent findingsStaging procedures have been inferred by epithelial ovarian cancers; however, they are often only partially performed, and most SCSTs therefore end up incompletely staged, raising the issue of the need for restaging or further treatments. In addition, some parts of the staging procedure have been questioned over the years, and lymphadenectomy is now considered unnecessary for SCSTs.The generally favourable prognosis of SCSTs, the introduction of minimally invasive surgery and fertility-sparing approaches is empowering the question of which staging procedures are beneficial for these patients. We reviewed the role of each staging procedure proposed by the guidelines in light of new scientific updates.SummarySurgical staging should always be performed. It includes peritoneal samplings (peritoneal washing, multiple peritoneal biopsies, omental biopsy and biopsy of any suspicious area), whereas lymphadenectomy could be omitted. Laparoscopy may be considered a feasible approach.

The expanding role of endoscopic ultrasound elastography.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an invaluable tool for assessing various GI diseases. However, using just the conventional B-mode EUS imaging may not be sufficient to accurately delineate the lesion's character. Using the principle of stress-induced tissue strain, EUS elastography (EUS-E) can help in the real-time sonographic assessment of the level of tissue stiffness or hardness of any organ of interest during a routine EUS procedure. Thus, EUS-E can better characterize the lesion's nature and highlight the more suspicious areas within an individual lesion. The most commonly studied lesions with EUS-E are the pancreatic lesions, namely, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and lymph nodes. However, EUS-E is gradually expanding its use for lesion characterization of the liver, bile duct, adrenals, gastrointestinal tract, and even therapy response. Moreover, the use of EUS-E along with other image enhancement techniques such as harmonic EUS and contrast-enhanced EUS can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. However, several technical aspects need to be standardized before EUS-E can be truly used as a tool for "virtual biopsy". This review focuses on the various technical aspects of the use of EUS-E, it is established and expanding indications and an extensive outline of the various studies on EUS-E. We also discuss the current pitfalls and future trends in EUS-E.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD) and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) Consensus Statements on Pre-invasive Vulvar Lesions.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vulvar squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, vulvar Paget disease in situ, and melanoma in situ. For differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), an excisional procedure must always be adopted. For vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (VHSIL), both excisional procedures and ablative ones can be used. The latter can be considered for anatomy and function preservation and must be preceded by several representative biopsies to exclude malignancy. Medical treatment (imiquimod or cidofovir) can be considered for VHSIL. Recent studies favor an approach of using imiquimod in vulvar Paget’s disease. Surgery must take into consideration that the extension of the disease is usually wider than what is evident in the skin. A 2 cm margin is usually considered necessary. A wide local excision with 1 cm free surgical margins is recommended for melanoma in situ. Following treatment of pre-invasive vulvar lesions, women should be seen on a regular basis for careful clinical assessment, including biopsy of any suspicious area. Follow-up should be modulated according to the risk of recurrence (type of lesion, patient age and immunological conditions, other associated lower genital tract lesions).

Design and use of computational models for contrast-enhanced spectral mammography

Introduction: Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a new technique for cancer investigations. The application of this technique to screen the breast would result in contrast improvement of the different breast lesions. This can be effectively ensured by the use of phantoms. Computational phantoms are one of the ways to investigate the characteristics of the received image and thus to evaluate the whole technique. Aim: The aim of this study is to validate and analyse the design of three different computational phantoms for CESM. Materials and Methods: An in-house software tool was used to create three computational phantoms, consisting of iodinated inserts for the simulation of the CESM procedure. The inserts in the phantoms, modelled from Omnipaque, have a radius of 8–10 mm and varying height. The three phantoms are made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with different shape and composition. One of the phantoms is characterised by a heterogeneous background. For each phantom two x-ray radiographs were generated, one at x-ray energy of 20keV and one at 34 keV. The images were processed to obtain a recombined iodine image, which shows the iodine contrast agent and suppresses the surrounding background tissue. Results: Simulated spectral images demonstrated a great improvement of the image quality compared to low-energy images of the phantoms. The simulations with the inhomogeneous model revealed that the heterogeneous background has been successively depressed while improving the visibility of the iodine inserts. Conclusion: The heterogeneous breast phantom might be used as a reference tool for information about the needed iodine concentration which needs to be inserted during the procedure to obtain significant enhancement in the suspicious area.

Reconstruction of ancient volcanic complexes using magnetic signature: A case study from Cambrian andesite lava flow, Bohemian Massif

Reconstruction of the Upper Cambrian Křivoklát-Rokycany Volcanic Complex was made using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS). The correlation of AMS with visible structures at a few sites showed that the most important and reliable information was the direction of magnetic lineation K1 that determines the direction of a lava flow. The analysis of K1 directions together with radially propagating dikes helped to determine the feeding area along the NW rim of the volcanic complex. One andesite feeder and one rhyodacite feeder were recognized with certainty. In addition, K1 directions pointed to a suspicious area with the presence of another andesite feeder in a caldera-like structure. The evaluation of data strongly suggests that magnetic susceptibility in andesite lavas increases with the distance from the feeder and also with the distance towards the upper part of the andesitic lava flow. We suggest that this might be related to the degree of oxidation of the lava flow before solidification as a reaction with oxygen in the atmosphere. Oxygen can react with FeO in the andesite melt, which consequently results in the formation of magnetite.

Review and analysis of COVID-19 lung lesion segmentation technique and algorithms

COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading disease over the world, yet hospital resources are limited. A recent COVID-19 study reveals that CT imaging can be used to detect disease progression and aid diagnosis, as well as to better understand the disease. Many new studies suggest that deep learning could be used to swiftly and effectively detect COVID-19 in chest CT scans. The problem of automatically segmenting the lungs in CT scans of individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 is intriguing. CT chest scan images allow us to analyze and categorize COVID-19's normal and abnormal properties in a comprehensive way. Segmenting and detecting suspicious areas in the images is done by the platform, which then assesses these regions to get an accurate categorization. Deep learning models can benefit from broad receptive fields that can learn contextual information and COVID-19 infection-related features for more accurate segmentation results. Deep learning models. More than 1800 annotated CT slices were used to construct and evaluate LungINFseg. For this purpose, we tested LungINFseg against 13 current deep learning-based segmentation techniques.

Near-Infrared Bioluminescence Imaging of Macrophage Sensors for Cancer Detection In Vivo.

Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer with a poor prognosis after it gets metastasized. The early detection of malignant melanoma is critical for effective therapy. Because melanoma often resembles moles, routine skin check-up may help for timely identification of suspicious areas. Recently, it has been shown that the interplay of melanoma cells with the immune system can help develop efficient therapeutic strategies. Here, we leveraged engineered macrophages (BMC2) as cell-based sensors for metastatic melanoma. To perform dual-color bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vivo, macrophages were engineered to express a green click beetle luciferase (CBG2) and a near-infrared fluorescent dye (DiR), and B16F10 melanoma cells were instead engineered to express a near-infrared click beetle luciferase (CBR2). Using real-time in vivo dual-color BLI and near-infrared fluorescence (FL) imaging, we could demonstrate that macrophages were able to sense and substantially accumulate in subcutaneous and metastatic melanoma tissues at 72 h after systemic injections. Together, we showed the potentiality to use optical imaging technologies to track circulating macrophages for the non-invasive detection of metastatic melanoma.

PD59-07 NEGLECTED LYMPH NODAL METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL CANCER: WHEN TO EXTEND THE ANATOMICAL TEMPLATE OF LYMPH NODE DISSECTION DURING NEPHRECTOMY

PD59-07 NEGLECTED LYMPH NODAL METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL CANCER: WHEN TO EXTEND THE ANATOMICAL TEMPLATE OF LYMPH NODE DISSECTION DURING NEPHRECTOMY

To Evaluate the Efficacy of Tissue Autofluorescence (Velscope) in the Visualization of Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions among High-Risk Population Aged 18 Years and Above in Haroli Block of Una, Himachal Pradesh.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Visually enhanced lesion scope (Velscope) that identifies reduction in tissue fluorescence in dysplasia can prove to be effective in screening for potentially malignant lesions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of device that utilizes the principles of tissue autofluorescence (Velscope) in the detection of dysplastic and/or neoplastic changes in oral mucosal lesions using biopsy and histopathology as “gold standard.”Materials and Methods:Out of nine hundred fifty patients with suspicious oral mucosal lesions, 250 patients were subjected to conventional oral examination followed by Velscope examination. The autofluorescence characteristics of 250 patients were compared with the results of histopathology. Biopsies were obtained from all suspicious areas identified on examination. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated for Velscope examination.Results:The Velscope examination showed sensitivity and specificity values of 75.00% (95% CI: 69.63%-80.37%) and 61.39% (95% CI: 55.35%–67.42%) respectively while the positive and negative predictive values were 31.58% (95% CI: 25.82%-37.34%) and 91.18% (95% CI: 87.66%-94.69%) respectively.Conclusion:The definite diagnosis of the presence of dysplastic tissue changes in the oral lesions cannot be made alone with the Velscopic examination. The high number of false-positive results limits its efficiency as an adjunct despite its reasonable sensitivity. However, It can serve to alleviate patient anxiety regarding suspicious mucosal lesions in a general practice setting due to high negative predictive value. Also, a combined approach of Velscope examination and conventional oral examination may prove to be an effective diagnostic tool for early detection of malignant oral mucosal lesions.

Isolated Displaced Glenoid Fracture Caused by Minor Trauma: a Case Report

The glenoid is a shallow structure in the shoulder joint, facing the humeral head and located lateral to the scapula. Glenoid fossa intra-articular fractures account for only 1% of scapular fractures and are associated with high-energy trauma. An 84-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department with the complaint of pain in her left arm and inability to move her arm as a result of falling over her shoulder from her own level. On the shoulder radiograph of the patient, a suspicious area that could be a fracture in the glenoid rim was observed. CT revealed a displaced fracture line starting from the glenoid rim and extending to the medial wall of the scapula. Velpau bandage was applied to the patient. Elderly female patients should be carefully examined and necessary imaging should be performed, even if they are exposed to a low-energy trauma to the shoulder girdle (such as falling from one's own level). Computed tomography, which is one of the advanced imaging methods, should be applied when a suspicious image of a glenoid fracture is found on the radiography.

Image Energy Saving Recognition Technology of Monitoring System Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

In order to solve the shortcomings of traditional monitoring and alarm system, the key technology of intelligent video monitoring system-image processing and recognition technology is studied. The image energy-saving recognition technology of monitoring system based on ant colony algorithm is proposed. The ant colony algorithm is used to segment the image, extract the suspicious area, and then deal with the suspicious area separately by using the reasoning based on default rules in artificial intelligence. Using the trained neural network, the recognition experiment is carried out on 40 samples, and the recognition accuracy is more than 93%, which shows that it is very effective to use 7 invariant moments in the target image area as the characteristic parameters of target recognition. The microcomputer 2 renewal for a single target area is identified by using a moment invariant calculation force method and neural network. The execution time of the test on the microcomputer of Saijie 1.0 is microsecond. The experiment proves that it is practical and reliable, meets the real-time requirements, and can transmit the alarm signal and suspicious area image to the alarm center through the network.

CEUS Versus MRI in Evaluation of the Effect of Microwave Ablation of Breast Cancer.

Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) is a new minimally invasive technique for breast cancer treatment. The aim of this research was to compare the differences in performance between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with respect to the curative effect of MWA in the treatment of breast cancer. Between 2015 and 2019, 26 patients with breast cancer underwent ultrasound-guided MWA. All patients underwent both CEUS and MRI within 3 d after ablation. If either of the two imaging modalities revealed suspicious enhancement of the ablation zone and the ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed residual tumor in the suspicious area, supplementary MWA was applied. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS and MRI within 3 d after ablation was evaluated based on a >6-mo follow-up of 26 patients. Two cases were diagnosed with residual tumors by ultrasound that were missed by MRI. Three cases were diagnosed with residual tumors by MRI that were missed by CEUS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of complete ablation were 100%, 40%, 87.5%, 100% and 88.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of complete ablation were 100%, 60%, 91.3%, 100% and 92.3%, respectively. Within 3 d, both CEUS and MRI can efficiently assess the efficacy of MWA of breast cancer.

Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma to a Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignancy. It has a variable clinical course with metastasis to unusual sites occurring months to years after the initial diagnosis. However, metastasis can also be the first presentation of RCC. Although relatively uncommon, the thyroid gland is the most common location for RCC metastasis in the head and neck region. Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Only 10 cases were reported of RCC metastasis to primary thyroid neoplasms.We present a case of clear cell RCC metastasizing to a follicular of variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) 14 years after the initial diagnosis of RCC. A review of similar reported cases revealed that the most common primary thyroid recipient of tumor-to-tumor metastasis of RCC was FVPTC. The rich lymphovascular network in FVPTC compared to other thyroid tumors, which may promote the deposition of metastatic tumor cells, might explain this predilection.Careful review of the clinical and radiological findings and checking for any history of malignancy when examining thyroid nodules is important for guiding further studies. Performing a targeted panel of immunohistochemical stains for any suspicious areas is also essential for the diagnosis of such unusual cases.

Does the GRB Duration Depend on Redshift?

Several hundred gamma-ray burst (GRB) redshifts have been determined to date. One of the other important properties—besides the distance—of the GRBs is the duration of the burst. In this paper, we analyse these two important quantities of the phenomena. In this paper, we map the two-dimensional distribution and explore some suspicious areas. As it is well known that the short GRBs are closer than the others, we search for parts in the Universe where the GRB duration is different from the others. We also analyse whether there are any ranges in the duration where the redshifts differ. We find some suspicious areas, however, no other significant region was found than the short GRB region.

Research on Application of Sports Training Performance Prediction Based on Convolutional Neural Network.

In order to improve the prediction effect of sports training performance and improve the effect of sports training, this paper classifies the sports training image area, refines the image into different areas, finds suspicious areas, and completes the error prediction. Moreover, this paper calculates the regional similarity of sports training images in the fully connected layer of the convolutional neural network and introduces the local linear weighting method for analysis. In addition, this paper gives a certain weight to each prediction point near the area to be predicted and selects the suspicious area feature based on the multievaluation standard fusion method. Finally, this paper combines the convolutional neural network algorithm to construct a sports training performance prediction system to improve the effect of sports training and design experiments to verify the system proposed in this paper. From the experimental research results, we can see that the sports training performance prediction system based on the convolutional neural network proposed in this paper has good practical effects.

Endoscopic management of difficult laterally spreading tumors in colorectum.

Due to the advent of the screening programs for colorectal cancer and the era of quality assurance colonoscopy the number the polyps that can be considered difficult, including large (> 20 mm) laterally spreading tumors (LSTs), has increased in the last decade. All LSTs should be assessed carefully, looking for suspicious areas of submucosal invasion (SMI), such as nodules or depressed areas, describing the morphology according to the Paris classification, the pit pattern, and vascular pattern. The simplest, most appropriate and safest endoscopic treatment with curative intent should be selected. For LST-granular homogeneous type, piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection should be the first option due to its biological low risk of SMI. LST-nongranular pseudodepressed type has an increased risk of SMI, and en bloc resection should be mandatory. Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection is useful in situations where submucosal injection alters the operative field, e.g., for the resection of scar lesions, with no lifting, adjacent tattoo, incomplete resection attempts, lesions into a colonic diverticulum, in ileocecal valve and lesions with intra-appendicular involvement. Endoscopic full thickness resection is very useful for the treatment of difficult to resect lesions of less than 20 up to 25 mm. Among the indications, we highlight the treatment of polyps with suspected malignancy because the acquired tissue allows an exact histologic risk stratification to assign patients individually to the best treatment and avoid surgery for low-risk lesions. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is the only endoscopic procedure that allows completes en bloc resection regardless of the size of the lesion. It should therefore be indicated in the treatment of lesions with risk of SMI.