MUCKE aims to mine a large volume of images, to structure them conceptually and to use this conceptual structuring in order to improve large-scale image retrieval. The last decade witnessed important progress concerning low-level image representations. However, there are a number problems which need to be solved in order to unleash the full potential of image mining in applications. The central problem with low-level representations is the mismatch between them and the human interpretation of image content. This problem can be instantiated, for instance, by the incapability of existing descriptors to capture spatial relationships between the concepts represented or by their incapability to convey an explanation of why two images are similar in a content-based image retrieval framework. We start by assessing existing local descriptors for image classification and by proposing to use co-occurrence matrices to better capture spatial relationships in images. The main focus in MUCKE is on cleaning large scale Web image corpora and on proposing image representations which are closer to the human interpretation of images. Consequently, we introduce methods which tackle these two problems and compare results to state of the art methods. Note: some aspects of this deliverable are withheld at this time as they are pending review. Please contact the authors for a preview.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel2/4524/12820/00592460.pdf

Image Processing

This chapter introduces the subject of statistical pattern recognition (SPR). It starts by considering how features are defined and emphasizes that the nearest neighbor algorithm achieves error rates comparable with those of an ideal Bayes’ classifier. The concepts of an optimal number of features, representativeness of the training data, and the need to avoid overfitting to the training data are stressed. The chapter shows that methods such as the support vector machine and artificial neural networks are subject to these same training limitations, although each has its advantages. For neural networks, the multilayer perceptron architecture and back-propagation algorithm are described. The chapter distinguishes between supervised and unsupervised learning, demonstrating the advantages of the latter and showing how methods such as clustering and principal components analysis fit into the SPR framework. The chapter also defines the receiver operating characteristic, which allows an optimum balance between false positives and false negatives to be achieved.

Statistical Pattern Recognition

Confocal Imaging–Guided Laser Ablation of Basal Cell Carcinomas: An Ex Vivo Study

Relationship between depression and frailty in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The human microbiota has a fundamental role in host physiology and pathology. Gut microbial alteration, also known as dysbiosis, is a condition associated not only with gastrointestinal disorders but also with diseases affecting other distal organs. Recently it became evident that the intestinal bacteria can affect the central nervous system (CNS) physiology and inflammation. The nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract are communicating through a bidirectional network of signaling pathways called the gut-brain axis, which consists of multiple connections, including the vagus nerve, the immune system, and bacterial metabolites and products. During dysbiosis, these pathways are dysregulated and associated with altered permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neuroinflammation. However, numerous mechanisms behind the impact of the gut microbiota in neuro-development and -pathogenesis remain poorly understood. There are several immune pathways involved in CNS homeostasis and inflammation. Among those, the inflammasome pathway has been linked to neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, but also anxiety and depressive-like disorders. The inflammasome complex assembles upon cell activation due to exposure to microbes, danger signals, or stress and lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and interleukin-18) and to pyroptosis. Evidences suggest that there is a reciprocal influence of microbiota and inflammasome activation in the brain. However, how this influence is precisely working is yet to be discovered. Herein, we discuss the status of the knowledge and the open questions in the field focusing on the function of intestinal microbial metabolites or products on CNS cells during healthy and inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and also neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, we focus on the innate inflammasome pathway as immune mechanism that can be involved in several of these conditions, upon exposure to certain microbes.

/pdf/the-gut-brain-axis-how-microbiota-and-host-inflammasome-3au8wu7inw.pdf

The Gut-Brain Axis: How Microbiota and Host Inflammasome Influence Brain Physiology and Pathology.

Importance Laser ablation is a rapid and minimally invasive approach for the treatment of superficial skin cancers, but efficacy and reliability vary owing to lack of histologic margin control. High-resolution reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) may offer a means for examining margins directly on the patient. Observations We report successful elimination of superficial and early nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in 2 cases using RCM imaging to guide Er:YAG laser ablation. Three-dimensional (3D) mapping is feasible with RCM to delineate the lateral border and thickness of the tumor. Thus, the surgeon may deliver laser fluence and passes with localized control—ie, by varying the ablation parameters in sublesional areas with specificity that is governed by the 3D topography of the BCC. We further demonstrate intraoperative detection of residual BCC after initial laser ablation and complete removal of remaining tumor by additional passes. Both RCM imaging and histologic sections confirm the final clearance of BCC. Conclusions and Relevance Confocal microscopy may enhance the efficacy and reliability of laser tumor ablation. This report represents a new translational application for RCM imaging, which, when combined with an ablative laser, may one day provide an efficient and cost-effective treatment for BCC.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/articlepdf/1870495/dcr130165.pdf

Confocal Microscopy–Guided Laser Ablation for Superficial and Early Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Promising Surgical Alternative for Superficial Skin Cancers

Diagnosis and management of lentigo maligna (LM) and LM melanoma (LMM) is challenging. Novel noninvasive imaging technologies such as reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) have advanced the ability to better diagnose and monitor challenging lesions. In addition, the new handheld RCM (HRCM) together with the use of videomosaics has allowed an accurate evaluation of large lesions in concave/convex areas of the body (eg, the face). Herein, we review the impact of HRCM in the detection, treatment decision-making, and monitoring of 5 cases of complex facial LM/LMM. In the cases presented, HRCM enabled the detection of subclinical margins, presence of invasion, detection of persistence/recurrence, and monitoring of surgical and nonsurgical therapies. In this preliminary report, our results suggest that HRCM is a versatile ancillary tool in pretreatment decision-making, intraoperative surgical mapping, and posttreatment monitoring of complex facial LM/LMM.

Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy to aid in the management of complex facial lentigo maligna.

SummaryBackground
Laser ablation is an alternative, nonsurgical treatment modality for low-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, lack of confirmative tumour destruction or residual tumour presence has been a limiting factor to its adoption. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) provides noninvasive, cellular-level resolution imaging of the skin and is capable of identifying tumour.

Objectives
To evaluate the use of RCM to guide carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation of BCC, confirm destruction and correlate findings with histology.

Methods
RCM was used preablation to evaluate for features of BCC. Ablation was performed with a CO2 laser, and the response rapidly assessed using handheld RCM to evaluate for residual tumour. Confirmative pathology was used to verify confocal imaging.

Results
Preablation RCM imaging identified tumour with features not identified on normal, surrounding skin. Postablation, RCM documented complete removal of tumour in six cases and residual tumour in two. Histological examination identified the ablated area and confirmed clearance of tumour in the six aforementioned cases and corroborated confocal findings for residual tumour in the other two cases.

Conclusions
We report successful treatment of superficial and nodular BCC using CO2 laser ablation augmented by RCM imaging for preablation guidance and verification of tumour removal postablation. Akin to complete circumferential and deep margin control techniques, using RCM helps to map peripheral and deep BCC margins to hone in on areas exhibiting persistent tumour after ablation. CO2 laser ablation visually guided by RCM can help circumvent previously cited limiting factors of laser ablation for tumour destruction by providing cellular-level resolution imaging of tumour and margin assessment in between each laser pass and postablation.

Carbon dioxide laser ablation of basal cell carcinoma with visual guidance by reflectance confocal microscopy: a proof-of-principle pilot study.

Laser ablation offers a procedure for precise, fast, and minimally invasive removal of superficial and early nodular basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). However, the lack of histopathological confirmation has been a limitation toward widespread use in the clinic. A reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) imaging-guided approach offers cellular-level histopathology-like feedback directly on the patient, which may then guide and help improve the efficacy of the ablation procedure. Following an ex vivo benchtop study (reported in our earlier papers), we performed an initial study on 44 BCCs on 21 patients in vivo, using a pulsed erbium:ytterbium aluminum garnet laser and a contrast agent (aluminum chloride). In 10 lesions on six patients, the RCM imaging-guided detection of either presence of residual tumor or complete clearance was immediately confirmed with histopathology. Additionally, 34 BCCs on 15 patients were treated with RCM imaging-guided laser ablation, with immediate confirmation for clearance of tumor (no histopathology), followed by longer-term monitoring, currently in progress, with follow-up imaging (again, no histopathology) at 3, 6, and 18 months. Thus far, the imaging resolution appears to be sufficient and consistent for monitoring efficacy of ablation in the wound, both immediately postablation and subsequently during recovery. The efficacy results appear to be promising, with observed clearance in 19 cases of 22 cases with follow-ups ranging from 6 to 21 months. An additional 12 cases with 1 to 3 months of follow-ups has shown clearance of tumor but a longer follow-up time is required to establish conclusive results. Further instrumentation development will be necessary to cover larger areas with a more automatically controlled instrument for more uniform, faster, and deeper imaging of margins.

https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/journal-of-biomedical-optics/volume-22/issue-8/085005/Reflectance-confocal-microscopy-guided-laser-ablation-of-basal-cell-carcinomas/10.1117/1.JBO.22.8.085005.pdf

Heidy Sierra

Papers

Confocal Imaging–Guided Laser Ablation of Basal Cell Carcinomas: An Ex Vivo Study

Confocal Microscopy–Guided Laser Ablation for Superficial and Early Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Promising Surgical Alternative for Superficial Skin Cancers

Handheld reflectance confocal microscopy to aid in the management of complex facial lentigo maligna.

Carbon dioxide laser ablation of basal cell carcinoma with visual guidance by reflectance confocal microscopy: a proof-of-principle pilot study.

Reflectance confocal microscopy-guided laser ablation of basal cell carcinomas: initial clinical experience.