Identity Recognition in Sanitary Facilities Using Invisible Electrocardiography.

This article proposes a new method of identity recognition in sanitary facilities based on electrocardiography (ECG) signals. Our team previously proposed a novel approach of invisible ECG at the thighs using polymeric electrodes, leading to the creation of a proof-of-concept system integrated into a toilet seat. In this work, a biometrics pipeline was devised, which tested four different classifiers, varying the population from 2 to 17 subjects and simulating a residential environment. However, for this approach to be industrially viable, further optimization is required, particularly regarding electrode materials that are compatible with industrial processes. As such, we also explore the use of a conductive silicone material as electrodes, aiming at the industrial-scale production of a toilet seat capable of recording ECG data, without the need for body-worn devices. A desirable aspect when using such a system is matching the recorded data with the monitored user, ideally using a minimal sensor set, further reinforcing the relevance of user identification through ECG signals collected at the thighs. Our approach was evaluated against a reference device for a population of 17 healthy and pathological individuals, covering a wide age range (24-70 years). With the silicone composite, we were able to acquire signals in 100% of the sessions, with a mean heart rate deviation between a reference system and our experimental device of 2.82 ± 1.99 beats per minute (BPM). In terms of ECG waveform morphology, the best cases showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.91 ± 0.06. For biometric detection, the best classifier was the Binary Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN), with an accuracy of 100% for a population of up to four individuals.

System on Chip (SoC) for Invisible Electrocardiography (ECG) Biometrics.

Biometric identification systems are a fundamental building block of modern security. However, conventional biometric methods cannot easily cope with their intrinsic security liabilities, as they can be affected by environmental factors, can be easily "fooled" by artificial replicas, among other caveats. This has lead researchers to explore other modalities, in particular based on physiological signals. Electrocardiography (ECG) has seen a growing interest, and many ECG-enabled security identification devices have been proposed in recent years, as electrocardiography signals are, in particular, a very appealing solution for today's demanding security systems-mainly due to the intrinsic aliveness detection advantages. These Electrocardiography (ECG)-enabled devices often need to meet small size, low throughput, and power constraints (e.g., battery-powered), thus needing to be both resource and energy-efficient. However, to date little attention has been given to the computational performance, in particular targeting the deployment with edge processing in limited resource devices. As such, this work proposes an implementation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled ECG-based identification embedded system, composed of a RISC-V based System-on-a-Chip (SoC). A Binary Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN) was implemented in our SoC's hardware accelerator that, when compared to a software implementation of a conventional, non-binarized, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) version of our network, achieves a 176,270× speedup, arguably outperforming all the current state-of-the-art CNN-based ECG identification methods.

Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Treatment of the Face and Neck Using Combinations of a PCL-Based Collagen Stimulator, PLLA/PLGA Suspension Sutures, and Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid.

BACKGROUND: Combinations of minimally invasive procedures (MIPs) are often used in aesthetic treatments and are increasingly considered as the new standard of care. Three agents with specific properties are available in this perspective: a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based collagen stimulator, a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)- and a poly-glycolic acid (PLGA)-based resorbable suspension suture with a 3D-cone technology, and a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA). OBJECTIVE: To develop the first practice guidelines on rejuvenation treatment of the face and the neck using combinations of these agents, whether associated or not with other widely used MIPs such as botulinum neurotoxins or energy-based devices. METHODS: A multi-disciplinary, multi-national board of plastic surgeons and dermatologists convened to develop guidelines using a predefined consensus method. The consensus was defined as ≥83% agreement rate between participants. RESULTS: Practice guidelines and algorithms, describing optimal procedure sequence and spacing, are proposed for the treatment of upper-, mid-, lower-face and neck, combining the PCL collagen stimulator, the PLLA/PLGA suspension sutures, and the cross-linked HA, whether associated or not with other MIPs. CONCLUSION: These new guidelines provide general support to optimal management strategies. Individual treatment plans should be adapted according to the physician's individual competence and the patient's preferences.

Recommendations for volume augmentation and rejuvenation of the face and hands with the new generation polycaprolactone-based collagen stimulator (Ellansé®).

BACKGROUND: The range of fillers currently available for soft-tissue augmentation is constantly expanding. The latest advances in filler technology include collagen biostimulators that exert their esthetic effect by promoting neocollagenesis. One such product is the next-generation collagen biostimulator (Ellansé®) that demonstrates properties as yet unseen in soft-tissue fillers. It is composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres in an aqueous carboxymethylcellulose gel carrier. Given its specific characteristics and the number of areas that can be treated with this innovative product, experts' recommendations were deemed necessary and are therefore presented in this paper with a specific focus on the indications, treatment areas and procedures as well as injection techniques. METHODS: A multinational, multidisciplinary group of plastic surgeons and dermatologists convened to develop recommendations with a worldwide perspective. This publication provides information on the specific characteristics of the product and focuses on the recommendations on the injection techniques. RESULTS: Recommendations on injection techniques are provided for the upper face, mid-face and lower face and zone by zone for each of these areas, as well as hands. Based on the particular anatomy of each area, the focus is on the techniques and devices of injection and the volume and depth of injection. The information is tabulated, and photos are presented for illustration. CONCLUSION: These recommendations provide a guideline for physicians who wish to perform safe and efficacious treatment with the PCL collagen stimulator for face and rejuvenation with volume augmentation.

Investigation of physical properties of a polycaprolactone dermal filler when mixed with lidocaine and lidocaine/epinephrine.

INTRODUCTION: In esthetic treatments with dermal fillers, increasing numbers of physicians are using the technique of mixing an anesthetic agent into the dermal filler before treatment to increase the comfort of the patients. This study aimed at evaluating the effects on the physical properties of a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based dermal filler after mixing with lidocaine. METHODS: A range of 2.0% lidocaine and 2.0% lidocaine/epinephrine concentrations was mixed with the PCL dermal filler to evaluate the changes in dynamic viscosity and elasticity, extrusion force, pH, and needle jam rates. The number of passes back to forth for optimal homogeneity of lidocaine and PCL dermal filler was determined. RESULTS: With 15 mixing strokes the lidocaine solution can effectively be mixed into dermal filler resulting in a homogenous blend. The viscosity, elasticity, and the extrusion force decrease with increasing lidocaine volume. The viscosity and elasticity of the dermal filler is sufficient to keep the PCL microspheres in suspension. There were no needle jams. The pH of the PCL dermal filler mixed with lidocaine solution is equivalent to that of the original dermal filler. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that mixing of lidocaine into the PCL-based dermal filler can safely be performed without harmful changes in the physical properties of the original dermal filler.

Pressure study of monoclinic ReO2 up to 1.2 GPa using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

The crystal and local atomic structure of monoclinic ReO2 (alpha-ReO2) under hydrostatic pressure up to 1.2 GPa was investigated for the first time using both X-ray absorption spectroscopy and high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and a home-built B4C anvil pressure cell developed for this purpose. Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) data analysis at pressures from ambient up to 1.2 GPa indicates that there are two distinct Re-Re distances and a distorted ReO6 octahedron in the alpha-ReO2 structure. X-ray diffraction analysis at ambient pressure revealed an unambiguous solution for the crystal structure of the alpha-phase, demonstrating a modulation of the Re-Re distances. The relatively small portion of the diffraction pattern accessed in the pressure-dependent measurements does not allow for a detailed study of the crystal structure of alpha-ReO2 under pressure. Nonetheless, a shift and reduction in the (011) Bragg peak intensity between 0.4 and 1.2 GPa is observed, with correlation to a decrease in Re-Re distance modulation, as confirmed by EXAFS analysis in the same pressure range. This behavior reveals that alpha-ReO2 is a possible inner pressure gauge for future experiments up to 1.2 GPa.

Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of the tumor markers CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA 15-3 in patients with pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of the tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) in the blood and pleural fluid of patients with benign or malignant pleural effusion, evaluating the sensitivity of each marker in these fluids. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 85 patients with pleural effusion. The study of the pleural fluid observed the criteria established in the literature. Levels of the markers were determined using electrochemiluminescence. The sensitivity was determined on the condition that the specificity was > or = 90%. RESULTS: Of the 85 cases, 36 (42.4%) were malignant, 30 (35.3%) were benign, and the results were inconclusive in 19 (22.3%). In the malignant cases, the CEA and CYFRA21-1 levels were higher in the pleural fluid than in the blood, which was not observed for CA 15-3. In the benign cases, the CYFRA21-1 levels were higher in the pleural fluid than in the blood, whereas the opposite was found for CEA and CA 15-3. There were significant differences between malignant and benign cases for all markers, in pleural fluid and blood. In the pleural fluid, the sensitivity of CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA 15-3 was 69.4, 69.4 and 66.7%, respectively, and the combined sensitivity was 80.6%. In the blood, the sensitivity was 57.1%, 71.4% and 48.6% for CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA 15-3, respectively, and the combined sensitivity was 77%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these markers might be useful in the differentiation between malignant and benign pleural effusion.

Association of polymorphisms in the first exon of mannose binding lectin gene (MBL2) in Brazilian patients with HCV infection.

In our study we investigated the role of the polymorphisms in the first exon of MBL2 gene in the susceptibility to HCV infection and disease progression in a Northeastern Brazilian population. One hundred and eleven patients seen at the Gastroenterology Service of the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital of the University of Pernambuco were included in this study. A total of 165 unexposed, uninfected individuals matched for place of origin were employed as healthy controls. MBL2 genotyping was performed by using a melting temperature assay. The 0 allele was significantly more frequent in the HCV positive group than the healthy controls (34% vs. 20%, p<0.01, respectively) and was associated to an increased risk of HCV-1 infection (O.R.=2.1; C.I. 1.41-3.19). Also genotypes frequencies were significantly different in HCV positive subjects when compared to healthy controls with the 00 and A0 genotypes being significantly overrepresented in HCV infected subject (15% and 37%, respectively) as compared to healthy subjects (6% and 27%, respectively, p<0.01 ) Allele and genotypes frequencies were also evaluated in HCV infected subjects according to their response to pegylated-INFalpha/riboviron therapy. There was a trend for HCV positive responders vs. non-responders to be 0 allele positive and a similar trend was observed for the MBL2 A0 and 00 genotypes, but neither of these reached statistical significance. Our findings indicate that MBL might represent an important antiviral molecule having a protective role in the first stages of HCV infection, as shown by the increased frequency of wild-type alleles in control population as compared to the infected group.

Serum prevalence of celiac disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The association between celiac disease and diabetes mellitus has been known for many decades. This combination can be observed in a large proportion of diabetic patients, who are generally asymptomatic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of celiac disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study employing antibody IgA anti-transglutaminase for the serological screening of 354 diabetic children and adolescents treated at pediatric endocrinology clinics in Recife, state of Pernambuco, during the period from January to June 2004. RESULTS: The human anti-transglutaminase test was positive in 37/354 patients, resulting in a seroprevalence of 10.5% (95%CI 7.6-14.2%). Male patients predominated (56.8%) over female patients (43.2%) among those that were seropositive, but without statistical significance. Anti-endomysial antibody testing was performed on patients with positive human anti-transglutaminase results, being negative in 14/37 (37.8%) and positive in 22/37 (59.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of celiac disease found in diabetic children and adolescents in Pernambuco is elevated, being comparable with levels observed in studies in North America and Europe and lower than in Africa, suggesting that serological screening for celiac disease should be performed for all children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.