Multi-channel algorithms for epileptic high-frequency oscillation detection.

Short-lasting rhythmic activity in intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) in the frequency range of 80 to 500 Hz is regarded to be a promising biomarker of epileptogenicity. This activity is referred to as high-frequency oscillation (HFO), and its detection from iEEG is considered the first step to several applications. In this study, several multi-channel algorithms for HFO detection are proposed. With the proposed multi-channel statistics and threshold determination scheme, the algorithms allow HFO detection to be performed without breaking the iEEG channel structure and the detection threshold to be determined automatically. Experimental simulation results illustrate the advantage of the proposed algorithms over existing single-channel-based approaches.

Small displacement measurements based on an angular-deviation amplifier and interferometric phase detection.

We propose a method for small displacement measurement based on the angle deviation to phase change transformation. The phase change of common-path heterodyne interferometry due to the angle deviation of incidence of a light at interfaces caused by the displacement is detected by a lock-in amplifier. To obtain more accurate results we used an angular amplifier to increase the angle deviation and utilized a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor to enhance the performance of phase detection. When a translator moves one of two face-to-face plane mirrors at an end and then rotates it a small angle, a light is incident onto the mirrors and reflected N times. The outgoing light is also deflected N times of the angle and incident into a SPR sensor. Thus the phase shift due to the angle deviation is amplified N times. The accumulated phase shift is proportional to the amplified angle deviation and displacement. Therefore, the phase change is obtained and the displacement is measured. The amount of movement required can be as low as 0.13 µm without an SPR sensor or 0.08 µm with an SPR sensor. The maximum measurement range can reach 1000 µm.

Prognostic influences of lymph node ratio in major cancers of Taiwan: a longitudinal study from a single cancer center.

BACKGROUND: The utility of lymph node ratio (LNR) in predicting outcomes has been reported previously. In current study, we further subgroup by LNR in subjects with lymph nodes metastasis of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer. METHODS: Cancers with pathological lymph node metastasis (pN+) at time of diagnosis between 2004 and 2012 were identified from the cancer registry database of the Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to compare the disease-specific survival (DSS) rates for different LNR after adjusting for possible confounding risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 431 cancer patients with pN+ were eligible in the current study: 149 patients with colorectal cancer; 141 patients with breast cancer; and 141 patients with head and neck cancer. High LNR was associated with poor DSS rates with the mean 24-45 months of follow-up period. In the multivariate analysis, high LNR was an independent poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (LNR ≥ 0.5; HR 4.10; p < 0.001), breast cancer (LNR ≥ 0.8; HR 5.75; p = 0.002), and head and neck cancer (LNR ≥ 0.4; HR 2.56; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: High LNR exerts a significant role as a negative prognostic factor when comparing the traditional American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) lymph nodes classification for major cancers. Therefore, LNR could be considered as an alternative and superior to, at least partially, traditional AJCC lymph nodes classification for cancer patients.

Interscapular hibernoma: case report and literature review.

Hibernoma is a rare benign tumor that arises from the vestiges of fetal brown fat. We present a case of interscapular hibernoma. Computed tomography scan showed a well-circumscribed, hypodense mass with peripheral enhancement, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed intermediate high T1 and T2 signal intensities with incomplete fat suppression. Although it is rare, hibernoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of lipomatous soft-tissue tumors. This is a benign tumor with no malignant potential. Complete excision is the treatment choice.

Pulmonary manifestations and management of proteus syndrome.

Proteus syndrome is a very rare, sporadic and congenital condition that is characterized by postnatal mosaic overgrowth. This disorder is thought to be caused by a somatic gene mutation, but the exact etiology is unknown. Commonly involved tissues include connective tissue, bone, skin and the central nervous system. Another less common symptom involves pulmonary emphysematous changes. This report documents a 25-year-old man with Proteus syndrome who presented with progressive exertional dyspnea and asymmetric overgrowth of his extremities. He underwent left pneumonectomy and his postoperative course was uneventful. Lung tissue showed emphysematous changes with multiple bulla formation and scattered calcification. We also review recent literature related to pulmonary manifestations and management of Proteus syndrome.

Surgical treatment of organising pneumonia mimicking lung cancer: experience of 27 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Organising pneumonia as a localised process has sometimes been managed by surgery. This poorly defined entity has been mistaken clinically, roentgenographically and usually at exploratory thoracotomy for lung cancer. This series details our experiences with surgical resections in 27 patients during the past 13 years. METHODS: Surgical lung resection was performed through wedge resection or lobectomy with or without video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Resected specimens were swabbed for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial, fungal and mycobacterial cultures. Clinical presentation, roentgenological examination, location and size of the tumourous lesions, pathological finding and treatment were investigated. RESULTS: The patients were between 41 and 80 years of age. Most of the patients (81.5%) presented with cough, haemoptysis and weight loss. The common radiographic findings were round or oval mass with occasionally air bronchogram. Thirteen patients underwent non-invasive biopsy without conclusive diagnosis. The tumour size ranged from 1.5 cm to 8.5 cm. The typically grossly involved area was sharply outlined, firm and extended to the pleura, which was invariably thickened. The microscopic pattern was also rather similar, with inflammation in various degrees of organisation, sometimes accompanied by necrotising changes in the bronchi. Viridans Streptococci and Neisseria spp. were identified as the aetiologic agents in 15 cases (55.6%). All patients had an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: The usual investigative procedures for pulmonary mass were of little aid in establishing the differential diagnosis of organising pneumonia from neoplasm. Surgical resection should be considered in the absence of a positive diagnosis of a persistent pulmonary mass.

A rare complication of esophageal stent: spinal epidural abscess.

The esophageal stent is used extensively for a malignant stricture, and many complications have been reported. We present a case of esophageal cancer with surgical esophageal stenting. Spinal epidural abscess occurred postoperatively, and we believe that the pathogenesis may be related to the esophageal stent.

A huge cystic cellular schwannoma of the intercostal nerve presenting with dyspnea.

We report a 73-year-old man who presented with dyspnea that was caused by a huge and single cystic cellular schwannoma in the left chest. He underwent radical tumor excision by a thoracotomy. The patient is doing well, without evidence of recurrence, 8 months after surgical resection.

Selective inducible nitric oxide synthase suppression by new bracteanolides from Murdannia bracteata.

Murdannia bracteata has been used as a Taiwanese folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, neither its active ingredients nor its anti-inflammatory actions are well defined. Nitric oxide (NO), overproduced by activated macrophages via inducible NO synthase (iNOS), is suggested to be a significant pathogenic factor in various inflammatory tissue injuries. In order to elucidate the anti-inflammatory actions of M. bracteata, the present study was designed to isolate its active constituents and examine its effects on iNOS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Two new hydroxybutenolides, bracteanolide A (1) and B (2), together with (+)-(R)-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (3) and isovitexin (4), were isolated and identified from M. bracteata by the NO production assay. All of the compounds inhibited NO production except 3. Their rank order of potency was 1>2>4. Among these, 1 significantly inhibited NO production, which is associated with its suppression on iNOS induction in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 33.27+/-0.86 microM. Nevertheless, isometric tension recordings in isolated endothelium-intact rat aorta revealed that 1-4 did not affect acetylcholine-induced endothelial NO-dependent relaxation, an index of endothelial NOS (eNOS) activity. The selective inhibition on iNOS provides a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory use of M. bracteata.