Reduced CPU Workload for Human Pose Detection with the Aid of a Low-Resolution Infrared Array Sensor on Embedded Systems.

Modern embedded systems have achieved relatively high processing power. They can be used for edge computing and computer vision, where data are collected and processed locally, without the need for network communication for decision-making and data analysis purposes. Face detection, face recognition, and pose detection algorithms can be executed with acceptable performance on embedded systems and are used for home security and monitoring. However, popular machine learning frameworks, such as MediaPipe, require relatively high usage of CPU while running, even when idle with no subject in the scene. Combined with the still present false detections, this wastes CPU time, elevates the power consumption and overall system temperature, and generates unnecessary data. In this study, a low-cost low-resolution infrared thermal sensor array was used to control the execution of MediaPipe's pose detection algorithm using single-board computers, which only runs when the thermal camera detects a possible subject in its field of view. A lightweight algorithm with several filtering layers was developed, which allowed the effective detection and isolation of a person in the thermal image. The resulting hybrid computer vision proved effective in reducing the average CPU workload, especially in environments with low activity, almost eliminating MediaPipe's false detections, and reaching up to 30% power saving in the best-case scenario.

Evaluating the characteristics of myocardial work by two-dimensional echocardiography during pre-eclampsia pregnancy.

This study aimed to analyze the changes in myocardial work (MyW) properties and the correlation of MyW with cardiovascular and clinical indices during the pre-eclampsia (PE) pregnancy. Standard two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography were sequentially performed on 77 women with PE and 89 with normal pregnancy. Four components of MyW: global myocardial work index (GWI), constructive work (GCW), wasted work (GWW), and work efficiency (GWE) were measured. The significant increased GWI, GCW and GWW were observed, while GWW elevated more than GCW with consequently resulting the decline in GWE among PE cases. Although there was a diverse relationship between MyW components and LV morphological as well as functional indices, MyW parameters were significantly correlated with the grades of arterial hypertension and the incidence of adverse outcome of PE. With the hypertension stages, GWI, GCW and GWW gradually increased but GWE decreased. Meanwhile, the higher GWI and GCW and the lower GWE, the more adverse events occurred in PE group. In conclusion, during the PE pregnancy, GWI, GCW and GWW increase, while GWW elevates more than GCW, which leads to the decrease in GWE. Moreover, the changes in MyW are associated with the hypertension grades and the poor prognosis in PE. The non-invasive manner for MyW assessment provides a new perspective on the myocardial biomechanics, cardio-metabolic conditions and pathophysiological changes in the condition of PE.

Quantification of Myocardial Work by 2-D Echocardiography during a Normal Pregnancy: A Preliminary Study.

This study was aimed at investigating the adaptive changes in myocardial work (MyW) during normal pregnancy. Sequential 2D standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed on 41 pregnant women in each gestational trimester and 4 to 11 mo after delivery. Thirty-eight age-matched, healthy, non-pregnant women served as controls. Four components of MyW-global myocardial work index (GWI), constructive work (GCW), wasted work (GWW) and work efficiency (GWE)-were calculated. GWI began to decline early in the first trimester and remained at a low level until delivery; GCW gradually decreased with gestational progression and reached its lowest level in the third trimester. When compared with the values for non-pregnant women and those postpartum, GWE and GWW remained unchanged in gestation. This study provides normal ranges of MyW during pregnancy. Despite the adapted decrease in GWI and GCW, the myocardium manages to work efficiently in the healthy pregnancy with drastic hemodynamic alternations.

Melatonin regulation as a possible mechanism for probiotic (VSL#3) in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized double-blinded placebo study.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have treatment efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the exact mechanism remains obscure. One hypothesis is the mediation of melatonin levels, leading to changes in IBS symptoms. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic, VSL#3, on symptoms, psychological and sleep parameters, and pain sensitivity in IBS, and relate these parameters to in vivo melatonin levels. METHODS: Forty-two IBS patients were randomly assigned to receive VSL#3 or placebo for 6 weeks. Subjects completed bowel and psychological questionnaires, underwent rectal sensitivity testing and saliva melatonin assays. RESULTS: Abdominal pain duration and distension intensity decreased significantly in the probiotic group, along with an increase in rectal distension pain thresholds. A correlation between increase in pain tolerance and improvement in abdominal pain scores (r = 0.51, p = 0.02) was seen with probiotic. There was an increase in salivary morning melatonin levels in males treated with VSL#3, which correlated (r = 0.61) with improved satisfaction in bowel habits. When grouped based on baseline diurnal melatonin levels, patients with normal diurnal fluctuations showed an increase in morning melatonin levels with VSL#3 treatment, which significantly correlated with improved satisfaction in bowel habits (r = 0.68). They also had reduced symptom severity scores and abdominal pain duration when treated with VSL#3, as well as satisfaction with bowel movements and quality-of-life. CONCLUSIONS: VSL#3 improved symptoms and increased rectal pain thresholds. Symptom improvement correlated with a rise in morning melatonin, significant in males and subjects with normal circadian rhythm. This suggests that probiotics may act by influencing melatonin production, hence modulating IBS symptoms, in individuals with a normal circadian rhythm.

CEUS helps to rerate small breast tumors of BI-RADS category 3 and category 4.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to explore if classification, whether using the BI-RADS categories based on CEUS or conventional ultrasound, was conducive to the identification of benign and malignant category 3 or 4 small breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 30 malignant and 77 benign small breast lesions using CEUS. The range of enhancement, type of enhancement strength, intensity of enhancement, and enhancement patterns were independent factors included to assess the BI-RADS categories. RESULTS: Of the nonenhanced breast lesions, 97.8% (44/45) were malignant, while, of the hyperplasic nodules, 96.8% (30/31) showed no enhancement in our study. Category changes of the lesions were made according to the features determined using CEUS. The results showed that these features could improve diagnostic sensitivity (from 70.0 to 80.0, 80.0, 90.0, and 90.0%), reduce the negative likelihood ratio (from 0.33 to 0.22, 0.25, 0.11, and 0.12), and improve the NPV (from 88.8 to 92.2, 91.2, 96.2, and 95.5%). However, this was not conducive to improve diagnostic specificity or the PPV. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of nonenhanced small breast lesions were malignant and most of the hyperplasic nodules showed no contrast enhancement. As a reference, CEUS was helpful in identifying BI-RADS category 3 or 4 small breast lesions.

[Influencing factors of reproduction status of patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of reproduction status in women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). METHODS: A total of 278 LM patients were recruited.We retrospectively reviewed the reproduction status of 87 pregnant cases after LM. The correlations of their pregnancy outcomes and such clinical profiles as age, operative techniques, biological characteristics of fibroids (number, type, size and location) were analyzed.No uterine rupture occurred during the gestation period. RESULTS: None of them switched to open surgery due to laparoscopic difficulties. However, one patient had a laparoscopic suture for secondary bleeding of uterine incision. At 3 months post-operation, sonography showed no heterogeneous echo, effusion and hematoma in uterine incision.Incision through uterine cavity occurred intraoperatively in 8 cases, but no intrauterine adhesion was found on hysteroscopy 3 months later. And 87 women became pregnant and the postoperative fertilization time was from 2 months to 5 years. Age influenced the postoperative pregnancy rate.Other factors such as location, number and size of fibroid had no impact on fertility. CONCLUSION: For achieving a high conception rate and guaranteeing the safety of pregnant women, a clinician should select reasonable surgical approaches, perform accurate anatomical restoration, apply strict hemostasis and choose a right time of conception.

[Comparison of surgery for staging using laparoscopy and laparotomy in patients with endometrial cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes for staging by laparoscopy and laparotomy in patients with endometrial cancer, evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic surgical treatment of endometrial cancer, compare the difference between clinical and surgical staging of endometrial cancer and elucidate the advantages and feasibility of its surgical staging. METHODS: Fifty-six patients diagnosed pre-operatively as stage I endometrial cancer were reviewed for surgery for staging. They were assigned into laparoscopic group (n = 34) and laparotomic (open) group (n = 22). The operative parameters including operating time, intra-operative blood loss, the number of lymph nodes removed, gastrointestinal recovery time, urinary catheterization time, complications and post-operative hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: The pre-operative clinical characteristics before operation between two groups were similar. No significant differences were found in age and body mass index between two groups. As compared with the open group, the laparoscopic group had a longer operation time (213 min ± 49 min vs 162 min ± 30 min, P < 0.05), less hemoglobin change (12 g/L ± 8 g/L vs 19 g/L ± 8 g/L, P < 0.05), shorter hospital stay (6.3 d ± 1.7 d vs 9.5 d ± 1.8 d, P < 0.01) and shorter gastrointestinal recovery time (1.8 d ± 0.6 d vs 2.7 d ± 1.2 d, P < 0.01). While there was no significant difference between two groups in the number of lymph nodes removed, urinary catheterization time, costs and complications. The total coincidence was 57.14% between clinical and surgical staging. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic staging surgery is both feasible and safe in the treatment of endometrial cancer. And the surgical staging truly reflects the extent of cancer invasion and it is thus necessary for early-stage endometrial cancer.

[Clinical analysis of Metzenbaum scissors in transcervical incision of a complete septate uterus].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Metzenbaum scissors in the transcervical incision of a complete septate uterus. METHODS: Eight patients with a complete septate uterus were identified and recruited. The age range was 24 to 39 years old. After diagnosis by hysteroscopy, the transcervical incision was performed by Metzenbaum scissors and followed by hysteroscopic incision of corporal portion. The associated diseases were treated using laparoscopy. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated and the operation duration was 5 - 10 minutes. The postoperative period was uneventful and there was no perforation, pelvic organ damage or water intoxication. Three months later, hysteroscopy revealed no uterine scarring or adhesion. And the shape of uterine cavity was normal. CONCLUSION: Using Metzenbaum scissors for transcervical incision of cervical portion of complete septate uterus, followed by hysteroscopic incision of corporal portion, is convenient, fast and safe. This approach has no effect upon the growth of endometrium.

[Features of preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound of breast cancer: relationship with the syndrome classification in traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the features of preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the differentiation of symptoms and signs for syndrome classification by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). METHODS: Eighty-two patients with malignant breast tumor were examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound before the operation. The tumor diameter was greater than 2.0 cm in 48 cases and below 2.0 cm in 34 cases. According to the curative effect standard of TCM disorder, differentiation of symptoms and signs for classification of syndrome were performed, and the ultrasonic manifestations of different syndrome types were compared. RESULTS: In patients with maximum tumor diameter < or = 2 cm, Chong and Ren disorder type and liver Qi stagnation type were prevalent. In those with tumor diameter of <2 cm, Zeyi liver Qi stagnation type and virtual drug junction were more common. The mass peak intensity, slope of increase, enhancement intensity index and time-intensity curve of ultrasound differed significant between different syndrome types (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The preoperative ultrasound features of breast cancer are associated with the syndrome types in TCM.

[Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings of breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the manifestation of breast cancers of different sizes in contrast-enhanced sonography. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with breast cancers were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Among them, the tumor diameter was beyond 2.0 cm in 50 cases, and no greater than 2.0 cm in the rest cases. The time-intensity curve (TIC) on the enhanced images was analyzed quantitatively, and the relations between the type of TIC and the enhancement patterns of the tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: The enhancement patterns of the breast cancers showed significant difference between patients with tumor diameter beyond 2.0 cm and those with smaller tumors (P<0.01), but the other parameters were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The enhancement patterns of breast cancers differ between tumors with sizes over 2.0 cm and smaller tumors, and differential analysis is suggested in the diagnosis of breast cancer using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

The effects of melatonin on colonic transit time in normal controls and IBS patients.

OBJECTIVES: The role of melatonin in regulating gut motility in human subjects is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin on colonic transit time (CTT) in healthy subjects and in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Colonic transit time was measured in 17 healthy controls using the radio-opaque, blue dye, and Bristol stool form score method before and after 30 days of melatonin treatment 3 mg daily. A double blind cross-over study aimed at measuring CTT was also performed in 17 matched IBS patients using the blue dye and Bristol stool form score methods. The patients were randomized and received either melatonin 3 mg or placebo daily for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout, and then placebo or melatonin in the reverse order for a second 8-week period. RESULTS: The melatonin treatment of the control subjects caused an increase in CTT (mean+/-SD) from 27.4+/-10.5 to 37.4+/-23.8 h (P=0.04). Compared with the CTT of the controls (25.2+/-7.7), that of the constipation-predominant IBS patients appeared prolonged-65.2+/-33.3 h (P<0.01). The CTT did not change significantly in IBS patients after melatonin treatment. CONCLUSION: Melatonin may be a promising candidate for the future research of agents that can modulate bowel motility.

Cortical effects of anticipation and endogenous modulation of visceral pain assessed by functional brain MRI in irritable bowel syndrome patients and healthy controls.

Visceral pain processing is abnormal in a majority of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Aberrant endogenous nociceptive modulation and anticipation are possible underlying mechanisms investigated in the current study. Twelve IBS patients and 12 matched healthy controls underwent brain fMRI scanning during the following randomised stimuli: sham and painful rectal distensions by barostat without and with simultaneous activation of endogenous descending nociceptive inhibition using ice water immersion of the foot for heterotopic stimulation. Heterotopic stimulation decreased rectal pain scores from 3.7+/-0.2 to 3.1+/-0.3 (mean+/-SE, scale 0-5) in controls (p<0.01), but not significantly in IBS. Controls differed from IBS patients in showing significantly greater activation bilaterally in the anterior insula, SII and putamen during rectal stimulation alone compared to rectal plus heterotopic stimulation. Greater activation during rectal plus heterotopic versus rectal stimulation was seen bilaterally in SI and the right superior temporal gyrus in controls and in the right inferior lobule and bilaterally in the superior temporal gyrus in IBS. Rectal pain scores were similarly low during sham stimulation in both groups, but brain activation patterns differed. In conclusion, IBS patients showed dysfunctional endogenous inhibition of pain and concomitant aberrant activation of brain areas involved in pain processing and integration. Anticipation of rectal pain was associated with different brain activation patterns in IBS involving multiple interoceptive, homeostatic, associative and emotional areas, even though pain scores were similar during sham distension. The aberrant activation of endogenous pain inhibition appears to involve circuitry relating to anticipation as well as pain processing itself.

[Enucleation of benign ovarian cysts by laparoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of improved laparoscopic enucleation of benign ovarian cysts. METHODS: A total of 234 cases of ovarian cysts with 271 cysts were analyzed retrospectively. 152 patients with 177 ovarian cysts (Group A) underwent the improved laparoscopic enucleation and 82 patients with 94 ovarian cysts (Group B) underwent the classic laparoscopic enucleation. The data of operative process and postoperative follow-up were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The rate of spillage of the Group A and Group B was 1.7% and 18.1% (P<0.01), respectively. The operating time was (40 +/-14)min and (47 +/- 16)min (P<0.01), respectively. The blood loss was (25 +/-17)ml and (27 +/- 19)ml (P>0.05), respectively. The bowel deflation recovery time was (18 +/- 8)h and (19 +/- 8)h (P>0.05), respectively. The length of hospital stay was (2.0 +/- 0.5)d and (2.2 +/- 0.8)d (P>0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with classic laparoscopic procedure, the improved laparoscopic ovarian enucleation seems to be safer and more effective with shorter operating time.