Sample records for probe guided sentinel

  1. Sentinel node biopsy and concomitant probe-guided tumor excision of nonpalpable breast cancer.

    PubMed

    van Rijk, Maartje C; Tanis, Pieter J; Nieweg, Omgo E; Loo, Claudette E; Olmos, Renato A Valdés; Oldenburg, Hester S A; Rutgers, Emiel J Th; Hoefnagel, Cornelis A; Kroon, Bin B R

    2007-02-01

    Preliminary data have shown encouraging results of a single intratumoral radiopharmaceutical injection that enables both sentinel node biopsy and probe-guided excision of the primary tumor in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate this approach in a large group of patients. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 368 patients with nonpalpable breast cancer after intratumoral injection of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid (.2 mL, 123 MBq, 3.3 mCi) guided by ultrasound or stereotaxis. The sentinel node was pursued with the aid of vital blue dye (1.0 mL, intratumoral) and a gamma ray detection probe. In case of breast-conserving surgery, the probe was used to guide the excision. At least one sentinel node could be identified intraoperatively in 357 patients (97%), of whom 69 had involved nodes (19%). Age over 60 years was associated with less frequent nonaxillary lymphatic drainage and absence of internal mammary chain dissemination. Tumor-free margins were obtained in 262 (89%) of the 293 patients who underwent segmental excision. Re-excision of the primary tumor bed was performed in six patients (2%). During a median follow-up of 22 months, one breast recurrence and one axillary recurrence were observed. Lymphatic mapping and probe-guided tumor excision of nonpalpable breast cancer by intralesional administration of a single dose of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid and blue dye resulted in 97% identification of the sentinel node and in tumor-free margins in 89% of the patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery. Longer follow-up is needed to substantiate the accuracy and safety of this technique.

  2. One-inch field of view imaging probe for breast cancer sentinel node location

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    D'Errico, Giovanni; Scafé, Raffaele; Soluri, Alessandro; Schiaratura, Alfiero; Maria Mangano, Anna; David, Vincenzo; Scopinaro, Francesco

    2003-01-01

    The already reported 1-in. 2 field of view mini gamma camera known since 1998 with the name of Imaging Probe (IP), has been used for sentinel node localization by a medical equipe that, though trained by the group of nuclear physicians of the University "La Sapienza" who first conceived and used this detector, has used IP in its own Hospital to: (1) gain experience for future use during operations—a cooperative work on IP radio guided orthopaedic operations has already started working, and (2) to start with IP multicenter trials. In six patients with breast cancer, who underwent lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel node biopsy, sentinel node was checked and located with IP and non-imaging Neoprobe 2000 CdTe (Zn) probe, independent of location by means of large field of view Anger camera. Operators who used Neoprobe and IP were blinded to each other and not aware of the results of Anger camera imaging. Anger camera, as well as IP and neoprobe detected 7 nodes in 6 pts. Detection time was 2', 06″ SD 26″ with IP and 2', 18″ SD 47″ with neoprobe 2000. The most difficult to find node required 2 min and 56 s—inside sd—for IP detection and 3 min and 45 s with neoprobe. Subjective impression of being sure of having detected sentinel node was: absolutely sure on 7/7 nodes with IP and on 5/7 nodes with neoprobe.

  3. Novel Handheld Magnetometer Probe Based on Magnetic Tunnelling Junction Sensors for Intraoperative Sentinel Lymph Node Identification

    PubMed Central

    Cousins, A.; Balalis, G. L.; Thompson, S. K.; Forero Morales, D.; Mohtar, A.; Wedding, A. B.; Thierry, B.

    2015-01-01

    Using magnetic tunnelling junction sensors, a novel magnetometer probe for the identification of the sentinel lymph node using magnetic tracers was developed. Probe performance was characterised in vitro and validated in a preclinical swine model. Compared to conventional gamma probes, the magnetometer probe showed excellent spatial resolution of 4.0 mm, and the potential to detect as few as 5 μg of magnetic tracer. Due to the high sensitivity of the magnetometer, all first-tier nodes were identified in the preclinical experiments, and there were no instances of false positive or false negative detection. Furthermore, these preliminary data encourage the application of the magnetometer probe for use in more complex lymphatic environments, such as in gastrointestinal cancers, where the sentinel node is often in close proximity to other non-sentinel nodes, and high spatial resolution detection is required. PMID:26038833

  4. A dual-modal magnetic nanoparticle probe for preoperative and intraoperative mapping of sentinel lymph nodes by magnetic resonance and near infrared fluorescence imaging

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Zhengyang; Chen, Hongwei; Lipowska, Malgorzata; Wang, Liya; Yu, Qiqi; Yang, Xiaofeng; Tiwari, Diana; Yang, Lily; Mao, Hui

    2016-01-01

    The ability to reliably detect sentinel lymph nodes for sentinel lymph node biopsy and lymphadenectomy is important in clinical management of patients with metastatic cancers. However, the traditional sentinel lymph node mapping with visible dyes is limited by the penetration depth of light and fast clearance of the dyes. On the other hand, sentinel lymph node mapping with radionucleotide technique has intrinsically low spatial resolution and does not provide anatomic details in the sentinel lymph node mapping procedure. This work reports the development of a dual modality imaging probe with magnetic resonance and near infrared imaging capabilities for sentinel lymph node mapping using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (10 nm core size) conjugated with a near infrared molecule with emission at 830 nm. Accumulation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in sentinel lymph nodes leads to strong T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging contrast that can be potentially used for preoperative localization of sentinel lymph nodes, while conjugated near infrared molecules provide optical imaging tracking of lymph nodes with a high signal to background ratio. The new magnetic nanoparticle based dual imaging probe exhibits a significant longer lymph node retention time. Near infrared signals from nanoparticle conjugated near infrared dyes last up to 60 min in sentinel lymph node compared to that of 25 min for the free near infrared dyes in a mouse model. Furthermore, axillary lymph nodes, in addition to sentinel lymph nodes, can be also visualized with this probe, given its slow clearance and sufficient sensitivity. Therefore, this new dual modality imaging probe with the tissue penetration and sensitive detection of sentinel lymph nodes can be applied for preoperative survey of lymph nodes with magnetic resonance imaging and allows intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping using near infrared optical devices. PMID:23812946

  5. Handheld magnetic probe with permanent magnet and Hall sensor for identifying sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Sekino, Masaki; Kuwahata, Akihiro; Ookubo, Tetsu; Shiozawa, Mikio; Ohashi, Kaichi; Kaneko, Miki; Saito, Itsuro; Inoue, Yusuke; Ohsaki, Hiroyuki; Takei, Hiroyuki; Kusakabe, Moriaki

    2018-01-19

    The newly developed radioisotope-free technique based on magnetic nanoparticle detection using a magnetic probe is a promising method for sentinel lymph node biopsy. In this study, a novel handheld magnetic probe with a permanent magnet and magnetic sensor is developed to detect the sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. An outstanding feature of the probe is the precise positioning of the sensor at the magnetic null point of the magnet, leading to highly sensitive measurements unaffected by the strong ambient magnetic fields of the magnet. Numerical and experimental results show that the longitudinal detection length is approximately 10 mm, for 140 μg of iron. Clinical tests were performed, for the first time, using magnetic and blue dye tracers-without radioisotopes-in breast cancer patients to demonstrate the performance of the probe. The nodes were identified through transcutaneous and ex-vivo measurements, and the iron accumulation in the nodes was quantitatively revealed. These results show that the handheld magnetic probe is useful in sentinel lymph node biopsy and that magnetic techniques are widely being accepted as future standard methods in medical institutions lacking nuclear medicine facilities.

  6. Optimising probe holder design for sentinel lymph node imaging using clinical photoacoustic system with Monte Carlo simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sivasubramanian, Kathyayini; Periyasamy, Vijitha; Wen, Kew Kok; Pramanik, Manojit

    2017-03-01

    Photoacoustic tomography is a hybrid imaging modality that combines optical and ultrasound imaging. It is rapidly gaining attention in the field of medical imaging. The challenge is to translate it into a clinical setup. In this work, we report the development of a handheld clinical photoacoustic imaging system. A clinical ultrasound imaging system is modified to integrate photoacoustic imaging with the ultrasound imaging. Hence, light delivery has been integrated with the ultrasound probe. The angle of light delivery is optimized in this work with respect to the depth of imaging. Optimization was performed based on Monte Carlo simulation for light transport in tissues. Based on the simulation results, the probe holders were fabricated using 3D printing. Similar results were obtained experimentally using phantoms. Phantoms were developed to mimic sentinel lymph node imaging scenario. Also, in vivo sentinel lymph node imaging was done using the same system with contrast agent methylene blue up to a depth of 1.5 cm. The results validate that one can use Monte Carlo simulation as a tool to optimize the probe holder design depending on the imaging needs. This eliminates a trial and error approach generally used for designing a probe holder.

  7. Feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes in dogs.

    PubMed

    Gelb, Hylton R; Freeman, Lynetta J; Rohleder, Jacob J; Snyder, Paul W

    2010-01-01

    Our goal was to develop and validate a technique to identify the sentinel lymph nodes of the mammary glands of healthy dogs with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and evaluate the feasibility of obtaining representative samples of a sentinel lymph node under ultrasound guidance using a new biopsy device. Three healthy intact female adult hounds were anesthetized and each received an injection of octafluoropropane-filled lipid microspheres and a separate subcutaneous injection of methylene blue dye around a mammary gland. Ultrasound was then used to follow the contrast agent through the lymphatic channel to the sentinel lymph node. Lymph node biopsy was performed under ultrasound guidance, followed by an excisional biopsy of the lymph nodes and a regional mastectomy procedure. Excised tissues were submitted for histopathologic examination and evaluated as to whether they were representative of the node. The ultrasound contrast agent was easily visualized with ultrasound leading up to the sentinel lymph nodes. Eight normal lymph nodes (two inguinal, one axillary in two dogs; two inguinal in one dog) were identified and biopsied. Lymphoid tissue was obtained from all biopsy specimens. Samples from four of eight lymph nodes contained both cortical and medullary lymphoid tissue. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be successfully used to image and guide minimally invasive biopsy of the normal sentinel lymph nodes draining the mammary glands in healthy dogs. Further work is needed to evaluate whether this technique may be applicable in patients with breast cancer or other conditions warranting evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes in animals.

  8. Outcome following sentinel lymph node biopsy-guided decisions in breast cancer patients with conversion from positive to negative axillary lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Kang, Young-Joon; Han, Wonshik; Park, Soojin; You, Ji Young; Yi, Ha Woo; Park, Sungmin; Nam, Sanggeun; Kim, Joo Heung; Yun, Keong Won; Kim, Hee Jeong; Ahn, Sei Hyun; Park, Seho; Lee, Jeong Eon; Lee, Eun Sook; Noh, Dong-Young; Lee, Jong Won

    2017-11-01

    Many breast cancer patients with positive axillary lymph nodes achieve complete node remission after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The usefulness of sentinel lymph node biopsy in this situation is uncertain. This study evaluated the outcomes of sentinel biopsy-guided decisions in patients who had conversion of axillary nodes from clinically positive to negative following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We reviewed the records of 1247 patients from five hospitals in Korea who had breast cancer with clinically axillary lymph node-positive status and negative conversion after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, between 2005 and 2012. Patients who underwent axillary operations with sentinel biopsy-guided decisions (Group A) were compared with patients who underwent complete axillary lymph node dissection without sentinel lymph node biopsy (Group B). Axillary node recurrence and distant recurrence-free survival were compared. There were 428 cases in Group A and 819 in Group B. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that recurrence-free survivals were not significantly different between Groups A and B (4-year axillary recurrence-free survival: 97.8 vs. 99.0%; p = 0.148). Multivariate analysis also indicated the two groups had no significant difference in axillary and distant recurrence-free survival. For breast cancer patients who had clinical conversion of axillary lymph nodes from positive to negative following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, sentinel biopsy-guided axillary surgery, and axillary lymph node dissection without sentinel lymph node biopsy had similar rates of recurrence. Thus, sentinel biopsy-guided axillary operation in breast cancer patients who have clinically axillary lymph node positive to negative conversion following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a useful strategy.

  9. Accuracy of non-operative identification of the sentinel lymph node using combined gamma and ultrasound scanning.

    PubMed

    Whelehan, P; Vinnicombe, S J; Brown, D C; McLean, D; Evans, A

    2014-08-01

    To assess how accurately the sentinel lymph node (SLN) can be identified percutaneously, using gamma probe and ultrasound technology. Women with breast cancer, scheduled for wide local excision or mastectomy with SLN biopsy (SLNB), were included. Peri-areolar intradermal injection of technetium-99 nanocolloid was performed on the morning of surgery and 1-2 ml of blue dye was injected in the peri-areolar region once the patient was anaesthetized. Prior to surgery, a gamma probe was used over the skin to identify any hot spot that could represent a SLN. Ultrasound, guided by the hot spot, was then used to visualize potential SLNs and guide the insertion of a localizing wire. The accuracy in localizing the SLN by preoperative gamma-probe guided ultrasonography was assessed by comparison to SLNB. A SLN was correctly identified and marked using gamma-probe guided ultrasonography in 44 of 59 cases (75%; 95% CI: 63-86%). This study supports the case for investigating percutaneous gamma probe and ultrasound guided interventions in the axilla in women with breast cancer, as a potential alternative to surgical SLNB. Copyright © 2014 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. [The validity of the sentinel node concept in gastrointestinal cancers].

    PubMed

    Kitagawa, Y; Fujii, H; Mukai, M; Ando, N; Kubota, T; Ikeda, T; Ohgami, M; Watanabe, M; Otani, Y; Ozawa, S; Hasegawa, H; Furukawa, T; Nakahara, T; Kubo, A; Kumai, K; Kitajima, M

    2000-03-01

    Although the sentinel node concept has been validated and clinically applied to breast cancer and malignant melanoma, its clinical significance in other solid tumors has not been thoroughly investigated. With regard to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in particular, our surgeons have been cautious because of the high frequency of skip metastasis and the complicated lymphatic system in the GI tract. We would like to emphasize that so-called skip metastasis has been defined according to anatomic classification of regional lymph nodes and that the lymphatic drainage route must be patient or lesion specific. To test the validity and feasibility of this concept in GI cancers, we have established a radio-guided intraoperative sentinel node navigation system using preoperative endoscopic submucosal injection of radioactive tracer followed by intra-operative gamma-probing. In 131 patients with GI cancers (esophagus: 22, stomach: 71, colorectum: 38), the detection rate of sentinel nades was 91% and overall diagnostic accuracy of lymph node metastasis by sentinel node status was 97%. Initial results suggest further investigation of this procedure as an accurate staging and a minimally invasive approach to early GI cancers.

  11. Comparative study between ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of axillary lymph nodes and sentinel lymph node histopathology in early-stage breast cancer

    PubMed Central

    Cardoso-Coelho, Lívio Portela; Borges, Rafael Soares; Alencar, Airlane Pereira; Cardoso-Campos-Verdes, Larysse Maira; da Silva-Sampaio, João Paulo; Borges, Umbelina Soares; Gebrim, Luiz Henrique; da Silva, Benedito Borges

    2017-01-01

    The replacement of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-guided FNA) cytology of axillary lymph nodes is controversial, despite the simplicity and reduced cost of the latter. In the present study, US-guided FNA was performed in 27 patients with early-stage breast cancer for comparison with SNB. Data were analyzed by calculation of sample proportions. Tumor subtypes included invasive ductal carcinoma (85%), invasive lobular carcinoma (7%), and tubular and metaplastic carcinoma (4%). FNA had a sensitivity of 45%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 73%. Axillary lymph node cytology obtained by US guided-FNA in patients with breast cancer had a specificity similar to that of sentinel lymph node histopathology in the presence of axillary node metastases. However, when lymph node cytology is negative, it does not exclude the existence of metastatic implants, due to its low sensitivity in comparison to sentinel lymph node histopathology. PMID:28521436

  12. Beyond the Briganti nomogram: Individualisation of lymphadenectomy using selective sentinel node biopsy during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Monserrat-Monfort, J J; Martinez-Sarmiento, M; Vera-Donoso, C D; Vera-Pinto, V; Sopena-Novales, P; Bello-Arqués, P; Boronat-Tormo, F

    To validate the technique of selective sentinel node biopsy for diagnosing and staging intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer by comparing the technique with conventional extended lymphadenectomy (eLFD) in a prospective, longitudinal comparative study. We applied the technique to 45 patients. After an intraprostatic injection of 99m Tc-nanocolloid and preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT), we extracted the sentinel lymph nodes, guided by a portable Sentinella® gamma camera and a laparoscopic gamma-ray detection probe. The eLFD was completed to establish the negative predictive value of the technique. SPECT/CT showed radiotracer deposits outside the eLFD territory in 73% of the patients and the laparoscopic gamma probe in 60%. The mean number of active foci per patient was 4.3 in the SPECT/CT and 3.2 in the laparoscopic gamma probe. The mean number of extracted sentinel lymph nodes was 4.3 (0-14), with 26% outside the eLFD territory. The lymph nodes were metastatic in 10 patients (22%), 6/40 (15%) when the prostatectomy was the primary treatment. In all cases with metastatic lymph nodes, there was at least one positive sentinel node. Metastatic sentinel lymph nodes were found outside the eLFD territory in 3/10 patients (30%). The sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 94.73%, the positive predictive value was 81.81%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. Selective sentinel node biopsy is superior to eLFD for diagnosing lymph node involvement and can avoid eLFD when metastatic sentinel lymph nodes are not found (85%), with the consequent functional advantages. Copyright © 2016 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  13. Disinfection of a probe used in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

    PubMed

    Rutala, William A; Gergen, Maria F; Weber, David J

    2007-08-01

    Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies are among the most common outpatient diagnostic procedures in urology clinics and carry the risk of introducing pathogens that may lead to infection. To investigate the effectiveness of procedures for disinfecting a probe used in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. The effectiveness of disinfection was determined by inoculating 10(7) colony forming units (cfu) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the following 3 sites on the probe: the interior lumen of the biopsy needle guide, the outside surface of the biopsy needle guide, and the interior lumen of the ultrasound probe where the needle guide passes through the transducer. Each site was investigated separately. After inoculation, the probe was immersed in 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 minutes and then assessed for the level of microbial contamination. The results demonstrated that disinfection (ie, a reduction in bacterial load of greater than 7 log(10) cfu) could be achieved if the needle guide was removed from the probe. However, if the needle guide was left in the probe channel during immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde, disinfection was not achieved (ie, the reduction was approximately 1 log(10) cfu). Recommendations for probe disinfection are provided and include disassembling the device and immersing the probe and the needle guide separately in a high-level disinfectant.

  14. Sentinel lymph node detection in patients with endometrial cancer.

    PubMed

    Niikura, Hitoshi; Okamura, Chikako; Utsunomiya, Hiroki; Yoshinaga, Kosuke; Akahira, Junichi; Ito, Kiyoshi; Yaegashi, Nobuo

    2004-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in patients with endometrial cancer using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and an intraoperative gamma probe. Between June 2001 and January 2003, 28 consecutive patients with endometrial cancer who were scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total pelvic lymphadenectomy, and paraaortic lymphadenectomy at Tohoku University School of Medicine underwent sentinel lymph node detection. On the day before surgery, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed by injection of 99m-Technetium ((99m)Tc)-labeled phytate into the endometrium during hysteroscopy. At the time of surgery, a gamma-detecting probe was used to locate radioactive lymph nodes. At least one sentinel node was detected in each of 23 of the 28 patients (82%). The mean number of sentinel nodes detected was 3.1 (range, 1-9). Sentinel nodes could be identified in 21 of 22 patients (95%) whose tumor did not invade more than halfway into the myometrium. Eighteen patients had radioactive nodes in the paraaortic area. Most patients had a sentinel node in one of the following three sites: paraaortic, external iliac, and obturator. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting lymph node metastases were both 100%. The combination of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with intraoperative gamma probe detection may be useful in identifying sentinel nodes in early-stage endometrial cancer.

  15. Use of Indocyanine Green for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Case Series and Methods Comparison.

    PubMed

    McGregor, Andrew; Pavri, Sabrina N; Tsay, Cynthia; Kim, Samuel; Narayan, Deepak

    2017-11-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is indicated for patients with biopsy-proven thickness melanoma greater than 1.0 mm. Use of lymphoscintigraphy along with vital blue dyes is the gold standard for identifying sentinel lymph nodes intraoperatively. Indocyanine green (ICG) has recently been used as a method of identifying sentinel lymph nodes. We herein describe a case series of patients who have successfully undergone ICG-assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma. We compare 2 imaging systems that are used for ICG-assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy. Fourteen patients underwent ICG-assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma using the SPY Elite system (Novadaq, Mississigua, Canada) and the Hamamatsu PDE-Neo probe system (Mitaka USA, Park City, Utah). We analyzed costs for 2 systems that utilize ICG for sentinel lymph node biopsies. Intraoperative use of ICG for sentinel lymph node biopsies was successful in correctly identifying sentinel lymph nodes. There was no difference between the Hamamatsu PDE-Neo probe and SPY Elite systems in the ability to detect sentinel lymph nodes; however, the former was associated with a lower operating cost and ease of use compared with the latter. ICG-assisted sentinel lymph biopsy using the SPY Elite or the Hamamatsu PDE-Neo probe systems for melanoma are comparable in terms of sentinel node detection. The Neo probe system delivers pertinent clinical data with the advantages of lower cost and ease of operation.

  16. Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Non-palpable and Suspicious Axillary Lymph Nodes with Subsequent Removal after Tattooing: False-Negative Results and Concordance with Sentinel Lymph Nodes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Won Hwa; Kim, Hye Jung; Jung, Jin Hyang; Park, Ho Yong; Lee, Jeeyeon; Kim, Wan Wook; Park, Ji Young; Cheon, Hyejin; Lee, So Mi; Cho, Seung Hyun; Shin, Kyung Min; Kim, Gab Chul

    2017-11-01

    Ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-guided FNA) for axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is currently used with various techniques for the initial staging of breast cancer and tagging of ALNs. With the implementation of the tattooing of biopsied ALNs, the rate of false-negative results of US-guided FNA for non-palpable and suspicious ALNs and concordance with sentinel lymph nodes were determined by node-to node analyses. A total of 61 patients with breast cancer had negative results for metastasis on US-guided FNA of their non-palpable and suspicious ALNs. The biopsied ALNs were tattooed with an injection of 1-3 mL Charcotrace (Phebra, Lane Cove West, Australia) ink and removed during sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection. We determined the rate of false-negative results and concordance with the sentinel lymph nodes by a retrospective review of surgical and pathologic findings. The association of false-negative results with clinical and imaging factors was evaluated using logistic regression. Of the 61 ALNs with negative results for US-guided FNA, 13 (21%) had metastases on final pathology. In 56 of 61 ALNs (92%), tattooed ALNs corresponded to the sentinel lymph nodes. Among the 5 patients (8%) without correspondence, 1 patient (2%) had 2 metastatic ALNs of 1 tattooed node and 1 sentinel lymph node. In multivariate analysis, atypical cells on FNA results (odds ratio = 20.7, p = 0.040) was independently associated with false-negative FNA results. False-negative ALNs after US-guided FNA occur at a rate of 21% and most of the tattooed ALNs showed concordance with sentinel lymph nodes. Copyright © 2017 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Photo-guided sentinel node mapping in breast cancer using marker-free photo-gamma fusion lymphoscintigraphy.

    PubMed

    Lee, Eun Seong; Chun, In Kook; Ha, Seunggyun; Yoon, Hai-Jeon; Jung, So-Youn; Lee, Seeyoun; Kim, Seok Won; Lee, Eun Sook; Kim, Taeyoon; Kim, Kwang Gi; Lee, Byung Il; Kim, Tae Sung; Kim, Seok-Ki

    2013-03-01

    Photo-gamma fusion lymphoscintigraphy (PGFLS) was developed by overlying a conventional planar gamma image on a photograph for the guidance of sentinel node biopsy. The feasibility and accuracy of PGFLS was assessed in breast cancer patients. A digital camera and a gamma camera were coordinated to obtain photograph and gamma images from the same angle. Using the distance to the object and calibration acquisition with a flat phantom and radioactive markers, PGFLS was performed both in phantom and in patients without fiducial markers. Marker-free PGFLS was verified using flat phantom, anthropomorphic phantom with markers simulating sentinel nodes and breast cancer patients. In addition, the depth of the radioactive marker or sentinel node was calculated using two gamma images taken at right angles. The feasibility and accuracy of PGFLS were assessed in terms of mismatch errors of co-registration and depth with reference to the data from SPECT/CT. The mismatch error was less than 6 mm in the flat phantom image at a distance from 50 to 62 cm without misalignment. In the anthropomorphic phantom study, co-registration error was 0.42 ± 0.29 cm; depth error was 0.51 ± 0.37 cm, which was well correlated with the reference value on SPECT/CT (x scale: R(2) = 0.99, p < 0.01; y scale: R(2) = 0.99, p < 0.01; depth: R(2) = 0.99, p < 0.01). In ten patients with breast cancer referred for lympho-SPECT/CT, PGFSL enabled photo-guided sentinel lymph node mapping with acceptable accuracy (co-registration error, 0.47 ± 0.24 cm; depth error, 1.20 ±0.41 cm). The results from PGFSL showed close correlation with those from SPECT/CT (x scale: R(2) = 0.99, p < 0.01; y scale: R(2) = 0.98, p < 0.01; depth: R(2) = 0.77, p < 0.01). The novel and convenient PGFLS technique is clinically feasible, showing acceptable accuracy and providing additional visual and quantitative information for sentinel lymph node mapping. This

  18. Technique for reliable sentinel node biopsy in squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of mouth.

    PubMed

    Stoeckli, Sandro J; Huebner, Thomas; Huber, Gerhard F; Broglie, Martina A

    2016-09-01

    Applicability of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for tumors of the floor of mouth (FOM) is controversial. Prospective evaluation of the accuracy of gamma-probe-guided superselective neck dissection of the preglandular triangle of level I for SNB in FOM squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission CT (SPECT)/CT. In total, 22 sentinel lymph nodes were harvested in level I. Eight of 22 (36%) were seen on lymphoscintigraphy and 11 (50%) on SPECT/CT. Eleven sentinel lymph nodes (50%) were only detected intraoperatively. In unilateral tumors, 20% were contralateral, and, in midline tumors, 93% showed bilateral level I sentinel lymph nodes. The false-negative rate was 8.3%, the negative predictive value was 96.4%, and the false-omission rate was 3.6%. The ultimate neck control rate, including salvage treatment, was 100%. SNB in FOM can be reliably performed using the presented surgical technique. Level I exploration, bilaterally in midline tumors, is mandatory irrespective of the visualization of sentinel lymph nodes in other levels. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1367-1372, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Sentinel node detection in cervical cancer with (99m)Tc-phytate.

    PubMed

    Silva, Lucas B; Silva-Filho, Agnaldo L; Traiman, Paulo; Triginelli, Sérgio A; de Lima, Carla Flávia; Siqueira, Cristiano Ferrari; Barroso, Adelanir; Rossi, Telma Maria F F; Pedrosa, Moises Salgado; Miranda, Dairton; Melo, José Renan Cunha

    2005-05-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification using radioisotopic lymphatic mapping with technetium-99 m-labeled phytate in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for treatment of early cervical cancer. Between July 2001 and February 2003, 56 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage I (n = 53) or stage II (n = 3) underwent sentinel lymph node detection with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy ((99m)Tc-labeled phytate injected into the uterine cervix, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, at a dose of 55-74 MBq in a volume of 0.8 ml) and intraoperative lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma probe. Radical hysterectomy was aborted in three cases because parametrial invasion was found intraoperatively and we performed only sentinel node resection. The remaining 53 patients underwent radical hysterectomy with complete pelvic lymphadenectomy. Sentinel nodes were detected using a handheld gamma-probe and removed for pathological assessment during the abdominal radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. One or more sentinel nodes were detected in 52 out of 56 eligible patients (92.8%). A total of 120 SLNs were detected by lymphoscintigraphy (mean 2.27 nodes per patient) and intraoperatively by gamma probe. Forty-four percent of SLNs were found in the external iliac area, 39% in the obturator region, 8.3% in interiliac region, and 6.7% in the common iliac area. Unilateral sentinel nodes were found in thirty-one patients (59%). The remaining 21 patients (41%) had bilateral sentinel nodes. Microscopic nodal metastases were confirmed in 17 (32%) cases. In 10 of these patients, only SLNs had metastases. The 98 sentinel nodes that were negative on hematoxylin and eosin were submitted to cytokeratin immunohistochemical analysis. Five (5.1%) micrometastases were identified with this technique. The sensitivity of the sentinel node was 82.3% (CI 95% = 56.6-96.2) and the negative predictive value was 92

  20. Sentinel lymph node mapping in melanoma with technetium-99m dextran.

    PubMed

    Neubauer, S; Mena, I; Iglesis, R; Schwartz, R; Acevedo, J C; Leon, A; Gomez, L

    2001-06-01

    The aim of this work is to evaluate the capability of Tc99m B Dextran as a lymphoscintigraphic agent in the detection of the sentinel node in skin lesions. Forty-one patients with melanomas (39) and Merkel cell tumors (2) had perilesional intradermal injection of Tc99m-Dextran 2 hours before surgery. Serial gamma camera images and a handheld gamma probe were used to direct sentinel node biopsy. In 39/41 patients, lymph channels and 52 sentinel nodes (one to three sentinel nodes/patient) could be visualized. In one patient, with a dorsal melanoma, no lymph channels or lymph nodes could be demonstrated on the images and only minimal radioactivity was found in the regional nodes with the probe. Another patient with a facial lesion failed to demonstrate lymph channels or nodes. No adverse reactions were observed. Tc99m-Dextran provided good definition of lymph channels and sentinel node localization, without the risks related to the use of potentially hazardous labeled materials of biological origin.

  1. Activatable fluorescent probes in fluorescence-guided surgery: Practical considerations.

    PubMed

    Mochida, Ai; Ogata, Fusa; Nagaya, Tadanobu; Choyke, Peter L; Kobayashi, Hisataka

    2018-02-15

    Fluorescence-guided imaging during surgery is a promising technique that is increasingly used to aid surgeons in identifying sites of tumor and surgical margins. Of the two types of fluorescent probes, always-on and activatable, activatable probes are preferred because they produce higher target-to-background ratios, thus improving sensitivity compared with always-on probes that must contend with considerable background signal. There are two types of activatable probes: 1) enzyme-reactive probes that are normally quenched but can be activated after cleavage by cancer-specific enzymes (activity-based probes) and 2) molecular-binding probes which use cancer targeting moieties such as monoclonal antibodies to target receptors found in abundance on cancers and are activated after internalization and lysosomal processing (binding-based probes). For fluorescence-guided intraoperative surgery, enzyme-reactive probes are superior because they can react quickly, require smaller dosages especially for topical applications, have limited side effects, and have favorable pharmacokinetics. Enzyme-reactive probes are easier to use, fit better into existing work flows in the operating room and have minimal toxicity. Although difficult to prove, it is assumed that the guidance provided to surgeons by these probes results in more effective surgeries with better outcomes for patients. In this review, we compare these two types of activatable fluorescent probes for their ease of use and efficacy. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  2. Lymphatic Drainage from Renal Tumors In Vivo: A Prospective Sentinel Node Study Using SPECT/CT Imaging.

    PubMed

    Kuusk, Teele; De Bruijn, Roderick; Brouwer, Oscar R; De Jong, Jeroen; Donswijk, Maarten; Grivas, Nikolaos; Hendricksen, Kees; Horenblas, Simon; Prevoo, Warner; Valdés Olmos, Renato A; Van Der Poel, Henk G; Van Rhijn, Bas W G; Wit, Esther M; Bex, Axel

    2018-06-01

    Lymphatic drainage from renal tumors is unpredictable. In vivo drainage studies of primary lymphatic landing sites may reveal the variability and dynamics of lymphatic connections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lymphatic drainage pattern of renal tumors in vivo with single photon emission/computerized tomography after intratumor radiotracer injection. We performed a phase II, prospective, single arm study to investigate the distribution of sentinel nodes from renal tumors on single photon emission/computerized tomography. Patients with cT1-3 (less than 10 cm) cN0M0 renal tumors of any subtype were enrolled in analysis. After intratumor ultrasound guided injection of 0.4 ml 99m Tc-nanocolloid we performed preoperative imaging of sentinel nodes with lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission/computerized tomography. Sentinel and locoregional nonsentinel nodes were resected with a γ probe combined with a mobile γ camera. The primary study end point was the location of sentinel nodes outside the locoregional retroperitoneal templates on single photon emission/computerized tomography. Using a Simon minimax 2-stage design to detect a 25% extralocoregional retroperitoneal template location of sentinel nodes on imaging at α = 0.05 and 80% power at least 40 patients with sentinel node imaging on single photon emission/computerized tomography were needed. Of the 68 patients 40 underwent preoperative single photon emission/computerized tomography of sentinel nodes and were included in primary end point analysis. Lymphatic drainage outside the locoregional retroperitoneal templates was observed in 14 patients (35%). Eight patients (20%) had supradiaphragmatic sentinel nodes. Sentinel nodes from renal tumors were mainly located in the respective locoregional retroperitoneal templates. Simultaneous sentinel nodes were located outside the suggested lymph node dissection templates, including supradiaphragmatic sentinel nodes in more than a third of the

  3. Sentinel node biopsy in thin and thick melanoma.

    PubMed

    Mozzillo, Nicola; Pennacchioli, Elisabetta; Gandini, Sara; Caracò, Corrado; Crispo, Anna; Botti, Gerardo; Lastoria, Secondo; Barberis, Massimo; Verrecchia, Francesco; Testori, Alessandro

    2013-08-01

    Although sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has become standard of care in patients with melanoma, its use in patients with thin or thick melanomas remains a matter of debate. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with thin (≤1 mm) or thick (≥4 mm) melanomas who underwent SNB at two Italian centers between 1998 and 2011. The associations of clinicopathologic features with sentinel lymph node positive status and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. In 492 patients with thin melanoma, sentinel node was positive for metastatic melanoma in 24 (4.9 %) patients. No sentinel node positivity was detected in patients with primary tumor thickness <0.3 mm. Mitotic rate was the only factor significantly associated with sentinel node positivity (p = 0.0001). Five-year OS was 81 % for patients with positive sentinel node and 93 % for negative sentinel node (p = 0.001). In 298 patients with thick melanoma, 39 % of patients had positive sentinel lymph nodes (median Breslow thickness 5 mm). In patients with positive sentinel node, 93 % had mitotic rate >1/mm(2). Five-year OS was 49 % for patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes and 56 % for patients with negative sentinel nodes (p = 0.005). The rate of sentinel node positivity in patients with thin melanoma was 4.9 %. The only clinicopathologic factor related to node positivity was mitotic rate. Given its prognostic importance, SNB should be considered in such patients. SNB should also be the standard method for melanoma ≥4 mm, not only for staging, but also for guiding therapeutic decisions.

  4. EANM-EORTC general recommendations for sentinel node diagnostics in melanoma.

    PubMed

    Chakera, Annette H; Hesse, Birger; Burak, Zeynep; Ballinger, James R; Britten, Allan; Caracò, Corrado; Cochran, Alistair J; Cook, Martin G; Drzewiecki, Krzysztof T; Essner, Richard; Even-Sapir, Einat; Eggermont, Alexander M M; Stopar, Tanja Gmeiner; Ingvar, Christian; Mihm, Martin C; McCarthy, Stanley W; Mozzillo, Nicola; Nieweg, Omgo E; Scolyer, Richard A; Starz, Hans; Thompson, John F; Trifirò, Giuseppe; Viale, Giuseppe; Vidal-Sicart, Sergi; Uren, Roger; Waddington, Wendy; Chiti, Arturo; Spatz, Alain; Testori, Alessandro

    2009-10-01

    The accurate diagnosis of a sentinel node in melanoma includes a sequence of procedures from different medical specialities (nuclear medicine, surgery, oncology, and pathology). The items covered are presented in 11 sections and a reference list: (1) definition of a sentinel node, (2) clinical indications, (3) radiopharmaceuticals and activity injected, (4) dosimetry, (5) injection technique, (6) image acquisition and interpretation, (7) report and display, (8) use of dye, (9) gamma probe detection, (10) surgical techniques in sentinel node biopsy, and (11) pathological evaluation of melanoma-draining sentinel lymph nodes. If specific recommendations given cannot be based on evidence from original, scientific studies, referral is given to "general consensus" and similar expressions. The recommendations are designed to assist in the practice of referral to, performance, interpretation and reporting of all steps of the sentinel node procedure in the hope of setting state-of-the-art standards for good-quality evaluation of possible spread to the lymphatic system in intermediate-to-high risk melanoma without clinical signs of dissemination.

  5. Re and 99mTc Tricarbonyl Probes for Target-Specific Detection of Melanoma and Sentinel Lymph Node

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morais, Mauricio da Silva

    The work described in this thesis aimed at the development of M(I) (M = 99mTc, Re) specific probes for the detection of malignant melanoma and sentinel lymph node (SLN) through the in vivo targeting of membrane receptors. In the former case we have designed M(CO)3-complexes stabilized by tridentate chelators containing a pyrazolyl-diamine chelating unit (N,N,N donor atom set) and pendant alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) derivatives for targeting the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R), which is overexpressed in melanotic and amelanotic human melanoma cells. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.). None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None

  6. [Sentinel node detection using optonuclear probe (gamma and fluorescence) after green indocyanine and radio-isotope injections].

    PubMed

    Poumellec, M-A; Dejode, M; Figl, A; Darcourt, J; Haudebourg, J; Sabah, Y; Voury, A; Martaens, A; Barranger, E

    2016-04-01

    Assess the biopsy's feasibility of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using optonuclear probe after of indocyanine green (ICG) and radio-isotope (RI) injections. Twenty-one patients with a localized breast cancer and unsuspicious axillary nodes underwent a SLNB after both injections of ICG and radio-isotope. One or more SLN were identified on the 21 patients (identification rate of 100%). The median number SLN was 2 (1-3). Twenty SLN were both radio-actives and fluorescents (54.1%), 11 fluorescent only (29.7%) and 6 were only radio-actives (16.2%). Seven patients had a metastatic SLN (8 SLN overall). Among them, only one had a micrometastasic SLN, 5 others had a macrometastatic SLN and one patient had two macrometastatic SLNs. Among the 8 metastatic SLN, 5 were both fluorescent and radioactive, 2 were only fluorescent and 1 was only radioactive. Detection SLN using optonuclear probe after indocyanine green and radio-isotope injections is effective and could be, after validation by randomized trial, a reliable alternative to the blue dye injection for teams who consider that combined detection as the reference. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  7. Molecular Imaging Probes for Positron Emission Tomography and Optical Imaging of Sentinel Lymph Node and Tumor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Zhengtao

    Molecular imaging is visualizations and measurements of in vivo biological processes at the molecular or cellular level using specific imaging probes. As an emerging technology, biocompatible macromolecular or nanoparticle based targeted imaging probes have gained increasing popularities. Those complexes consist of a carrier, an imaging reporter, and a targeting ligand. The active targeting ability dramatically increases the specificity. And the multivalency effect may further reduce the dose while providing a decent signal. In this thesis, sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and cancer imaging are two research topics. The focus is to develop molecular imaging probes with high specificity and sensitivity, for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and optical imaging. The objective of this thesis is to explore dextran radiopharmaceuticals and porous silicon nanoparticles based molecular imaging agents. Dextran polymers are excellent carriers to deliver imaging reporters or therapeutic agents due to its well established safety profile and oligosaccharide conjugation chemistry. There is also a wide selection of dextran polymers with different lengths. On the other hand, Silicon nanoparticles represent another class of biodegradable materials for imaging and drug delivery. The success in fluorescence lifetime imaging and enhancements of the immune activation potency was briefly discussed. Chapter 1 begins with an overview on current molecular imaging techniques and imaging probes. Chapter 2 presents a near-IR dye conjugated probe, IRDye 800CW-tilmanocept. Fluorophore density was optimized to generate the maximum brightness. It was labeled with 68Ga and 99mTc and in vivo SLN mapping was successfully performed in different animals, such as mice, rabbits, dogs and pigs. With 99mTc labeled IRDye 800CW-tilmanocept, chapter 3 introduces a two-day imaging protocol with a hand-held imager. Chapter 4 proposed a method to dual radiolabel the IRDye 800CW-tilmanocept with both 68Ga and

  8. Sentinel node localization in oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell cancer.

    PubMed

    Taylor, R J; Wahl, R L; Sharma, P K; Bradford, C R; Terrell, J E; Teknos, T N; Heard, E M; Wolf, G T; Chepeha, D B

    2001-08-01

    To evaluate the feasibility and predictive ability of the sentinel node localization technique for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx and clinically negative necks. Prospective, efficacy study comparing the histopathologic status of the sentinel node with that of the remaining neck dissection specimen. Tertiary referral center. Patients with T1 or T2 disease and clinically negative necks were eligible for the study. Nine previously untreated patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Unfiltered technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid injections of the primary tumor and lymphoscintigraphy were performed on the day before surgery. Intraoperatively, the sentinel node(s) was localized with a gamma probe and removed after tumor resection and before neck dissection. The primary outcome was the negative predictive value of the histopathologic status of the sentinel node for predicting cervical metastases. Sentinel nodes were identified in 9 previously untreated patients. In 5 patients, there were no positive nodes. In 4 patients, the sentinel nodes were the only histopathologically positive nodes. In previously untreated patients, the sentinel node technique had a negative predictive value of 100% for cervical metastasis. Our preliminary investigation shows that sentinel node localization is technically feasible in head and neck surgery and is predictive of cervical metastasis. The sentinel node technique has the potential to decrease the number of neck dissections performed in clinically negative necks, thus reducing the associated morbidity for patients in this group.

  9. [The historical perspective of the sentinel lymph node concept].

    PubMed

    Bekker, J; Meijer, S

    2008-01-05

    The sentinel lymph node procedure is currently standard care in the treatment of breast cancer. The introduction of this procedure in 1992 would not have been possible without the pioneering discoveries regarding lymph nodes and cancer. The Italian surgeon Gaspar Asellius (1581-1626) visualized the lymphatic vessels of a dog after it had been fed and shortly before dissection. At the end of the 17th century, the French anatomists Lauth and Sappey visualized the lymphatics by injecting deceased criminals with mercury. In 1858, the German pathologist Virchow (1821-1902) launched the theory that lymph nodes act as defensive barriers. He also made the first microscopical illustration ofa sentinel lymph node. Gould et al. and Cabaãs independently launched the precursors of the current modern sentinel lymph node concept in 1959 and 1977 respectively. Gould et al. were the first people to use the term "sentinel node'. Cabañas used lymphangiography for the visualisation of the sentinel lymph node. Controversies about the barrier function of the lymph nodes, the fear of skip metastasis and the difficulties of performing the Cabañas procedure, prevented a breakthrough of this concept. In 1992 Morton et al. rediscovered the valuable sentinel node biopsy concept and introduced blue dye for the investigation of patients with melanoma. The combination of lymphoscintigraphy, intra-operative gamma probe guidance and patent blue further increased the reliability of the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure. Unnecessary lymph gland dissection procedures with considerable morbidity can be prevented by this procedure.

  10. Fluorescence-guided mapping of sentinel lymph nodes in gynecological malignancies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirsch, Ole; Szyc, Łukasz; Muallem, Mustafa Zelal; Ignat, Iulia; Chekerov, Radoslav; Macdonald, Rainer; Sehouli, Jalid; Braicu, Ioana; Grosenick, Dirk

    2017-07-01

    We have successfully applied a custom-made handheld fluorescence camera for intraoperative fluorescence detection of indocyanine green in a feasibility study on sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with vulvar, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer.

  11. Indocyanine green SPY elite-assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Korn, Jason M; Tellez-Diaz, Alejandra; Bartz-Kurycki, Marisa; Gastman, Brian

    2014-04-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the standard of care for intermediate-depth and high-risk thin melanomas. Recently, indocyanine green and near-infrared imaging have been used to aid in sentinel node biopsy. The present study aimed to determine the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy with indocyanine green SPY Elite navigation and to critically evaluate the technique compared with the standard modalities. A retrospective review of 90 consecutive cutaneous melanoma patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed. Two cohorts were formed: group A, which had sentinel lymph node biopsy performed with blue dye and radioisotope; and group B, which had sentinel lymph node biopsy performed with radioisotope and indocyanine green SPY Elite navigation. The cohorts were compared to assess for differences in localization rates, sensitivity and specificity of sentinel node identification, and length of surgery. The sentinel lymph node localization rate was 79.4 percent using the blue dye method, 98.0 percent using the indocyanine green fluorescence method, and 97.8 percent using the radioisotope/handheld gamma probe method. Indocyanine green fluorescence detected more sentinel lymph nodes than the vital dye method alone (p = 0.020). A trend toward a reduction in length of surgery was noted in the SPY Elite cohort. Sentinel lymph node mapping and localization in cutaneous melanoma with the indocyanine green SPY Elite navigation system is technically feasible and may offer several advantages over current modalities, including higher sensitivity and specificity, decreased number of lymph nodes sampled, decreased operative time, and potentially lower false-negative rates. Diagnostic, II.

  12. Radiolabeled mannosylated dextran derivatives bearing an NIR-fluorophore for sentinel lymph node imaging.

    PubMed

    Morais, Maurício; Campello, Maria P C; Xavier, Catarina; Heemskerk, Johannes; Correia, João D G; Lahoutte, Tony; Caveliers, Vicky; Hernot, Sophie; Santos, Isabel

    2014-11-19

    Current methods for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping involve the use of radioactivity detection with technetium-99m sulfur colloid and/or visually guided identification using a blue dye. To overcome the kinetic variations of two individual imaging agents through the lymphatic system, we report herein on two multifunctional macromolecules, 5a and 6a, that contain a radionuclide ((99m)Tc or (68)Ga) and a near-infrared (NIR) reporter for pre- and/or intraoperative SLN mapping by nuclear and NIR optical imaging techniques. Both bimodal probes are dextran-based polymers (10 kDa) functionalized with pyrazole-diamine (Pz) or 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) chelating units for labeling with fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3](+) or (68)Ga(III), respectively, mannose units for receptor targeting, and NIR fluorophore units for optical imaging. The probes allowed a clear visualization of the popliteal node by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) or positron emission tomography (PET/CT), as well as real-time optically guided excision. Biodistribution studies confirmed that both macromolecules present a significant accumulation in the popliteal node (5a: 3.87 ± 0.63% IA/organ; 6a: 1.04 ± 0.26% IA/organ), with minimal spread to other organs. The multifunctional nanoplatforms display a popliteal extraction efficiency >90%, highlighting their potential to be further explored as dual imaging agents.

  13. Improvement of the sentinel lymph node detection rate of cervical sentinel lymph node biopsy using real-time fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green in head and neck skin cancer.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Yasuhiro; Fujisawa, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Yoshiyuki; Maruyama, Hiroshi; Furuta, Jun-ichi; Kawachi, Yasuhiro; Otsuka, Fujio

    2013-06-01

    The standard technique using lymphoscintigraphy, blue dye and a gamma probe has established a reliable method for sentinel node biopsy for skin cancer. However, the detection rate of cervical sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) is generally lower than that of inguinal or axillary SLN because of the complexity of lymphatic drainage in the head and neck region and the "shine-through" phenomenon. Recently, indocyanine green fluorescence imaging has been reported as a new method to detect SLN. We hypothesized that fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green in combination with the standard technique would improve the detection rate of cervical sentinel nodes. We performed cervical sentinel node biopsies using the standard technique in 20 basins of 18 patients (group A) and using fluorescence navigation in combination with the standard technique in 12 basins of 16 patients (group B). The mean number of sentinel nodes was two per basin (range, 1-4) in group A and three per basin (range, 1-5) in group B. The detection rate of sentinel nodes was 83% (29/35) in group A and 95% (36/38) in group B. The false-negative rate was 6% (1/18 patients) in group A and 0% in group B. Fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green may improve the cervical sentinel node detection rate. However, greater collection of data regarding the usefulness of cervical sentinel node biopsy using indocyanine green is necessary. © 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.

  14. Fiber optic photoacoustic probe with ultrasonic tracking for guiding minimally invasive procedures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Wenfeng; Mosse, Charles A.; Colchester, Richard J.; Mari, Jean Martial; Nikitichev, Daniil I.; West, Simeon J.; Ourselin, Sebastien; Beard, Paul C.; Desjardins, Adrien E.

    2015-07-01

    In a wide range of clinical procedures, accurate placement of medical devices such as needles and catheters is critical to optimize patient outcomes. Ultrasound imaging is often used to guide minimally invasive procedures, as it can provide real-time visualization of patient anatomy and medical devices. However, this modality can provide low image contrast for soft tissues, and poor visualization of medical devices that are steeply angled with respect to the incoming ultrasound beams. Photoacoustic sensors can provide information about the spatial distributions of tissue chromophores that could be valuable for guiding minimally invasive procedures. In this study, a system for guiding minimally invasive procedures using photoacoustic sensing was developed. This system included a miniature photoacoustic probe with three optical fibers: one with a bare end for photoacoustic excitation of tissue, a second for photoacoustic excitation of an optically absorbing coating at the distal end to transmit ultrasound, and a third with a Fabry-Perot cavity at the distal end for receiving ultrasound. The position of the photoacoustic probe was determined with ultrasonic tracking, which involved transmitting pulses from a linear-array ultrasound imaging probe at the tissue surface, and receiving them with the fiber-optic ultrasound receiver in the photoacoustic probe. The axial resolution of photoacoustic sensing was better than 70 μm, and the tracking accuracy was better than 1 mm in both axial and lateral dimensions. By translating the photoacoustic probe, depth scans were obtained from different spatial positions, and two-dimensional images were reconstructed using a frequency-domain algorithm.

  15. Comparison of 2- and 4-wavelength methods for the optical detection of sentinel lymph node

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tellier, F.; Simon, H.; Blé, F. X.; Ravelo, R.; Chabrier, R.; Steibel, J.; Rodier, J. F.; Poulet, P.

    2011-07-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the gold standard method to detect a metastatic invasion from the primary breast cancer. This method can avoid patients to be submitted to full axillary chain dissection. In this study we present and compare two near-infrared optical probes for the sentinel lymph node detection, based on the recording of scattered photons. The two setups were developed to improve the detection of the dye injected in clinical routine: the Patent Blue V dye. Herein, we present results regarding clinical ex-vivo detection of sentinel lymph node after different volume injections. We have previously published results obtained with a two-wavelength probe on phantom and animal models. However this first generation device did not completely account for the optical absorption variations from biological tissue. Thus, a second generation probe has been equipped with four wavelengths. The dye concentration computation is then more robust to measurement and tissue property fluctuations. The detection threshold of the second setup was estimated at 8.10-3μmol/L, which is about 37 times lower than the eye visibility threshold. We present here the preliminary results and demonstrate the advantages of using four wavelengths compared to two on phantom suspensions simulating the optical properties of breast tissues.

  16. Sentinel node biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy spares breast cancer patients axillary lymph node dissection.

    PubMed

    van Rijk, Maartje C; Nieweg, Omgo E; Rutgers, Emiel J T; Oldenburg, Hester S A; Olmos, Renato Valdés; Hoefnagel, Cornelis A; Kroon, Bin B R

    2006-04-01

    Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients is a valuable method to determine the efficacy of chemotherapy and potentially downsize the primary tumor, which facilitates breast-conserving therapy. In 18 studies published about sentinel node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the sentinel node was identified in on average 89%, and the false-negative rate was on average 10%. Because of these mediocre results, no author dares to omit axillary clearance just yet. In our institute, sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with this approach. Sentinel node biopsy was performed before neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 25 T2N0 patients by using lymphoscintigraphy, a gamma ray detection probe, and patent blue dye. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed after chemotherapy if the sentinel node contained metastases. Ten patients had a tumor-positive axillary sentinel node, and one patient had an involved lateral intramammary node. Four patients had additional involved nodes in the completion lymph node dissection specimen. The other 14 patients (56%) had a tumor-negative sentinel node and did not undergo axillary lymph node dissection. No recurrences have been observed after a median follow-up of 18 months. Fourteen (56%) of the 25 patients were spared axillary lymph node dissection when the sentinel node was found to be disease free. Performing sentinel node biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy seems successful and reliable in patients with T2N0 breast cancer.

  17. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinically detected ductal carcinoma in situ.

    PubMed

    Al-Ameer, Ahmed Yahia; Al Nefaie, Sahar; Al Johani, Badria; Anwar, Ihab; Al Tweigeri, Taher; Tulbah, Asma; Alshabanah, Mohmmed; Al Malik, Osama

    2016-04-10

    To study the indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in clinically-detected ductal carcinoma in situ (CD-DCIS). A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with an initial diagnosis of pure DCIS by an image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) between June 2006 and June 2012 was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. The accuracy of performing SLNB in CD-DCIS, the rate of sentinel and non-sentinel nodal metastasis, and the histologic underestimation rate of invasive cancer at initial diagnosis were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were a preoperative diagnosis of pure DCIS with no evidence of invasion. We excluded any patient with evidence of microinvasion or invasion. There were two cases of mammographically detected DCIS and 18 cases of CD-DCIS. All our patients were diagnosed by an image-guided CNB except two patients who were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA). All patients underwent breast surgery, SLNB, and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) if the SLN was positive. Twenty patients with an initial diagnosis of pure DCIS underwent SLNB, 2 of whom had an ALND. The mean age of the patients was 49.7 years (range, 35-70). Twelve patients (60%) were premenopausal and 8 (40%) were postmenopausal. CNB was the diagnostic procedure for 18 patients, and 2 who were diagnosed by FNA were excluded from the calculation of the underestimation rate. Two out of 20 had a positive SLNB and underwent an ALND and neither had additional non sentinel lymph node metastasis. Both the sentinel visualization rate and the intraoperative sentinel identification rate were 100%. The false negative rate was 0%. Only 2 patients had a positive SLNB (10%) and neither had additional metastasis following an ALND. After definitive surgery, 3 patients were upstaged to invasive ductal carcinoma (3/18 = 16.6%) and 3 other patients were upstaged to DCIS with microinvasion (3/18 = 16.6%). Therefore the histologic underestimation rate of invasive disease was 33%. SLNB in CD-DCIS is

  18. Sentinel-2 data exploitation with ESA's Sentinel-2 Toolbox

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gascon, Ferran; Ramoino, Fabrizzio; deanos, Yves-louis

    2017-04-01

    The Sentinel-2 Toolbox is a project kicked off by ESA in early 2014, under the umbrella of the ESA SEOM programme with the aim to provide a tool for visualizing, analysing, and processing the Sentinel-2 datasets. The toolbox is an extension of the SeNtinel Application Platform (SNAP), a project resulting from the effort of the developers of the Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 toolbox to provide a single common application framework suited for the mixed exploitation of SAR, high resolution optical and medium resolution optical datasets. All three development teams collaborate to drive the evolution of the common SNAP framework in a developer forum. In this triplet, the Sentinel-2 toolbox is dedicated to enhance SNAP support for high resolution optical imagery. It is a multi-mission toolbox, already providing support for Sentinel-2, RapidEye, Deimos, SPOT 1 to SPOT 5 datasets. In terms of processing algorithms, SNAP provides tools specific to the Sentinel-2 mission : • An atmospheric correction module, Sen2Cor, is integrated into the toolbox, and provides scene classification, atmospheric correction, cirrus detection and correction. The output L2A products can be opened seamlessly in the toolbox. • A multitemporal synthesis processor (L3) • A biophysical products processor (L2B) • A water processor • A deforestation detector • OTB tools integration • SNAP Engine for Cloud Exploitation along with a set of more generic tools for high resolution optical data exploitation. Together with the generic functionalities of SNAP this provides an ideal environment for designing multi-missions processing chains and producing value-added products from raw datasets. The use of SNAP is manifold and the desktop tools provides a rich application for interactive visualization, analysis and processing of data. But all tools available from SNAP can be accessed via command-line through the Graph Processing Framework (GPT), the kernel of the SNAP processing engine. This

  19. Intraoperative sentinel node identification in early stage cervical cancer using a combination of radiolabeled albumin injection and isosulfan blue dye injection.

    PubMed

    Martínez-Palones, José M; Gil-Moreno, Antonio; Pérez-Benavente, María A; Roca, Isabel; Xercavins, Jordi

    2004-03-01

    We investigated the feasibility of sentinel lymph node identification using radioisotopic lymphatic mapping with technetium-99m-labeled human serum albumin and isosulfan blue dye injection in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for treatment of early cervical cancer. Between September 2000 and October 2002, 25 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage I (n=24) or stage II (n=1) underwent sentinel lymph node detection with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy (technetium-99m colloid albumin injection around the tumor) and intraoperative lymphatic mapping with blue dye and a handheld or laparoscopic gamma probe. Complete pelvic or paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed in all cases by open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. In 23 evaluable patients, a total of 51 sentinel lymph nodes were detected by lymphoscintigraphy (mean 2.21 nodes per patient). Intraoperatively, 61 sentinel lymph nodes were identified, with a mean of 2.52 nodes per patient by gamma probe and a mean of 1.94 nodes per patient after isosulfan blue injection. Forty percent of sentinel nodes were found in the interiliac region and 25% in the external iliac area. Microscopic nodal metastases (four nodes) were confirmed in 12% of cases. All these lymph nodes were previously detected as sentinel lymph nodes. The remaining 419 nodes after pelvic lymphadenectomy were histologically negative. Sentinel lymph node identification with technetium-99m-labeled nanocolloid combined with blue dye injection is feasible and showed a 100% negative predictive value, and potentially identified women in whom lymph node dissection can be avoided.

  20. The predictive value of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for sentinel lymph node localization in head and neck cutaneous malignancy.

    PubMed

    Remenschneider, Aaron K; Dilger, Amanda E; Wang, Yingbing; Palmer, Edwin L; Scott, James A; Emerick, Kevin S

    2015-04-01

    Preoperative localization of sentinel lymph nodes in head and neck cutaneous malignancies can be aided by single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT); however, its true predictive value for identifying lymph nodes intraoperatively remains unquantified. This study aims to understand the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SPECT/CT in sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck. Blinded retrospective imaging review with comparison to intraoperative gamma probe confirmed sentinel lymph nodes. A consecutive series of patients with a head and neck cutaneous malignancy underwent preoperative SPECT/CT followed by sentinel lymph node biopsy with a gamma probe. Two nuclear medicine physicians, blinded to clinical data, independently reviewed each SPECT/CT. Activity within radiographically defined nodal basins was recorded and compared to intraoperative gamma probe findings. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were calculated with subgroup stratification by primary tumor site. Ninety-two imaging reads were performed on 47 patients with cutaneous malignancy who underwent SPECT/CT followed by sentinel lymph node biopsy. Overall sensitivity was 73%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 54%, and negative predictive value 96%. The predictive ability of SPECT/CT to identify the basin or an adjacent basin containing the single hottest node was 92%. SPECT/CT overestimated uptake by an average of one nodal basin. In the head and neck, SPECT/CT has higher reliability for primary lesions of the eyelid, scalp, and cheek. SPECT/CT has high sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value, but may overestimate relevant nodal basins in sentinel lymph node biopsy. © 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

  1. Advantages of Direct Insertion of a Straight Probe Without a Guide Tube During Anterior Odontoid Screw Fixation of Odontoid Fractures.

    PubMed

    Park, Jin Hoon; Kang, Dong-Ho; Lee, Moon Kyu; Yoo, Byoungwoo; Jung, Sang Ku; Hwang, Soo-Hyun; Kim, Jeoung Hee; Oh, Sunkyu; Lee, Eun Jung; Jeon, Sang Ryong; Roh, Sung Woo; Rhim, Seung Chul

    2016-05-01

    A retrospective cohort study. The aim of this study was to compare the anterior odontoid screw fixation (AOSF) with a guide tube or with a straight probe. AOSF associates with several complications, including malpositioning, fixation loss, and screw breakage. Screw pull-out from the C2 body is the most common complication. All consecutive patients with type II or rostral shallow type III odontoid fractures who underwent AOSFs during the study period were enrolled retrospectively. The guide-tube AOSF method followed the standard published method except C3 body and C2-3 disc annulus rimming was omitted to prevent disc injury; instead, the guide tube was anchored at the anterior inferior C2 vertebra corner. After 2 screw pull-outs, the guide-tube cohort was analyzed to identify the cause of instrument failure. Thereafter, the straight-probe method was developed. A guide tube was not used. A small pilot hole was made on the most anterior side of the inferior endplate, followed by insertion of a 2.5 mm straight probe through the C2 body. Non-union and instrument failure rates and screw-direction angles of the guide-tube and straight-probe groups were recorded. The guide-tube group (n = 13) had 2 screw pull-outs and 1 non-union. The straight-probe group (n = 8) had no complications and significantly larger screw-direction angles than the guide-tube group (60.5 ± 4.63 vs. 54.8 ± 3.82 degrees; P = 0.047). Straight-probe AOSF yielded larger direction angles without injuring bone and disc. Complications were absent. The procedure was easier than guide-tube AOSF and assured sufficient engagement, even in horizontal fracture orientation cases. 3.

  2. Distribution of Prostate Sentinel Nodes: A SPECT-Derived Anatomic Atlas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ganswindt, Ute, E-mail: ute.ganswindt@med.uni-muenchen.d; Schilling, David; Mueller, Arndt-Christian

    2011-04-01

    Purpose: The randomized Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 94-13 trial revealed that coverage of the pelvic lymph nodes in high-risk prostate cancer confers an advantage (progression-free survival and biochemical failure) in patients with {>=}15% risk of lymph node involvement. To facilitate an improved definition of the adjuvant target volume, precise knowledge regarding the location of the relevant lymph nodes is necessary. Therefore, we generated a three-dimensional sentinel lymph node atlas. Methods and Materials: In 61 patients with high-risk prostate cancer, a three-dimensional visualization of sentinel lymph nodes was performed using a single photon emission computed tomography system after transrectal intraprostatic injectionmore » of 150 to 362 (median 295) mega becquerel (MBq) {sup 99m}Technetium-nanocolloid (1.5-3h after injection) followed by an anatomic functional image fusion. Results: In all, 324 sentinel nodes in 59 of 61 patients (96.7%) were detected, with 0 to 13 nodes per patient (median 5, mean 5.3). The anatomic distribution of the sentinel nodes was as follows: external iliac 34.3%, internal iliac 17.9%, common iliac 12.7%, sacral 8.6%, perirectal 6.2%, left paraaortic 5.3%, right paraaortic 5.3%, seminal vesicle lymphatic plexus 3.1%, deep inguinal 1.5%, superior rectal 1.2%, internal pudendal 1.2%, perivesical 0.9%, inferior rectal 0.9%, retroaortic 0.3%, superficial inguinal 0.3%, and periprostatic 0.3%. Conclusions: The distribution of sentinel nodes as detected by single photon emission computed tomography imaging correlates well with the distribution determined by intraoperative gamma probe detection. A lower detection rate of sentinels in close proximity to the bladder and seminal vesicles is probably caused by the radionuclide accumulation in the bladder. In regard to intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques, the presented anatomic atlas may allow optimized target volume definitions.« less

  3. Simultaneous mapping of pan and sentinel lymph nodes for real-time image-guided surgery.

    PubMed

    Ashitate, Yoshitomo; Hyun, Hoon; Kim, Soon Hee; Lee, Jeong Heon; Henary, Maged; Frangioni, John V; Choi, Hak Soo

    2014-01-01

    The resection of regional lymph nodes in the basin of a primary tumor is of paramount importance in surgical oncology. Although sentinel lymph node mapping is now the standard of care in breast cancer and melanoma, over 20% of patients require a completion lymphadenectomy. Yet, there is currently no technology available that can image all lymph nodes in the body in real time, or assess both the sentinel node and all nodes simultaneously. In this study, we report an optical fluorescence technology that is capable of simultaneous mapping of pan lymph nodes (PLNs) and sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in the same subject. We developed near-infrared fluorophores, which have fluorescence emission maxima either at 700 nm or at 800 nm. One was injected intravenously for identification of all regional lymph nodes in a basin, and the other was injected locally for identification of the SLN. Using the dual-channel FLARE intraoperative imaging system, we could identify and resect all PLNs and SLNs simultaneously. The technology we describe enables simultaneous, real-time visualization of both PLNs and SLNs in the same subject.

  4. Simplified intraoperative sentinel-node detection performed by the urologist accurately determines lymph-node stage in prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Kjölhede, Henrik; Bratt, Ola; Gudjonsson, Sigurdur; Sundqvist, Pernilla; Liedberg, Fredrik

    2015-04-01

    The reference standard for lymph-node staging in prostate cancer is currently an extended pelvic lymph-node dissection (ePLND), which detects most, but not all, regional lymph-node metastases. As an alternative to ePLND, sentinel-node dissection with preoperative isotope injection and imaging has been reported. The objective was to determine whether intraoperative sentinel-node detection with a simplified protocol can accurately determine lymph-node stage in prostate cancer patients. Patients with biopsy-verified high-risk prostate cancer with tumour stage T2-3 were included in the study. All patients underwent both ePLND and sentinel-node detection. (99m)Tc-marked nanocolloid was injected peritumourally by the operating urologist after induction of anaesthesia just before surgery. Sentinel nodes were detected both in vivo and ex vivo intraoperatively using a gamma probe. Sentinel nodes and metastases and their locations were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. At least one sentinel node was detected in 72 (87%) of the 83 patients. In 13 (18%) of these 72 patients sentinel nodes were detected outside the ePLND template. In six of these 13 patients, the Sentinel nodes from outside the template contained metastases, which proved to be the only metastases in two. For 12 patients the only metastatic deposit found was a micrometastasis (≤2 mm) in a sentinel node. In the 72 patients with detectable sentinel nodes, pathological analysis of the sentinel node correctly categorized 71 and ePLND 70 patients. This protocol yielded results comparable to the commonly used technique of sentinel-node detection, but with more cases of non-detection.

  5. The Value of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Oral Cavity Cancers

    PubMed Central

    Kaya, İsa; Göde, Sercan; Öztürk, Kerem; Turhal, Göksel; Aliyev, Araz; Akyıldız, Serdar; Duygun, Ülkem Yararbaş; Uluöz, Ümit; Yavuzer, Atilla

    2015-01-01

    Objective The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the detection of metastasis in N0 necks of T1–T2 early-stage oral cavity cancers. Materials and Methods Twenty neck dissections were performed in 18 patients diagnosed with T1 and T2 oral cavity cancer, with an indication for elective neck dissection between November 2007 and January 2011. The male to female ratio was 12:8, with a mean age of 54.5 years (range 28–76). Eight of the dissections were performed for lower lip cancer, 7 for tongue cancer, and 5 for floor of the mouth cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was used to detect metastatic lymph nodes. Tc99m radionuclide injection was administered to the periphery of the tumor 24 h before the operation, and a lymphoscintigraphy image was obtained 30 min after the injection. Sentinel lymph nodes were localized and excised on the day of surgery using static lymphoscintigraphy images and a gamma probe. Sentinel lymph nodes were sent for a frozen section examination, and either a selective or a comprehensive neck dissection was performed for each neck according to the results. Results After the final histopathological examination of the specimens, the negative predictive value, the positive predictive value, the accuracy of the sentinel lymph node biopsy, and frozen section accuracy were found to be 100%. Conclusion Sentinel lymph node biopsy was found to be an efficient method in the pathological staging and management of the N0 neck in early T-stage oral cavity cancers. PMID:29391982

  6. Sentinel node detection in early breast cancer with intraoperative portable gamma camera: UK experience.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Debashis; Michalopoulos, Nikolaos V; Davidson, Timothy; Wickham, Fred; Williams, Norman R; Keshtgar, Mohammed R

    2017-04-01

    Access to nuclear medicine department for sentinel node imaging remains an issue in number of hospitals in the UK and many parts of the world. Sentinella ® is a portable imaging camera used intra-operatively to produce real time visual localisation of sentinel lymph nodes. Sentinella ® was tested in a controlled laboratory environment at our centre and we report our experience on the first use of this technology from UK. Moreover, preoperative scintigrams of the axilla were obtained in 144 patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy using conventional gamma camera. Sentinella ® scans were done intra-operatively to correlate with the pre-operative scintigram and to determine presence of any residual hot node after the axilla was deemed to be clear based on the silence of the hand held gamma probe. Sentinella ® detected significantly more nodes compared with CGC (p < 0.0001). Sentinella ® picked up extra nodes in 5/144 cases after the axilla was found silent using hand held gamma probe. In 2/144 cases, extra nodes detected by Sentinella ® confirmed presence of tumour cells that led to a complete axillary clearance. Sentinella ® is a reliable technique for intra-operative localisation of radioactive nodes. It provides increased nodal visualisation rates compared to static scintigram imaging and proves to be an important tool for harvesting all hot sentinel nodes. This portable gamma camera can definitely replace the use of conventional lymphoscintigrams saving time and money both for patients and the health system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Sentinel-2 mission status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoersch, Bianca

    2017-04-01

    The SENTINEL-2 mission is the European Multispectral Imaging Mission for the Copernicus joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The SENTINEL-2 mission includes 13-spectral band multispectral optical imager with different resolution (down to 10 m) and a swath width of 290km. It provides very short revisit times and rapid product delivery. The mission is composed of a constellation of two satellite units, SENTINEL-2A and SENTINEL-2B, sharing the same orbital plane and featuring a short repeat cycle of 5 days at the equator optimized to mitigate the impact of clouds for science and applications. SENTINEL-2 enables exploitation for a variety of land and coastal applications such as agriculture, forestry, land cover and land cover change, urban mapping, emergency, as well as inland water, ice, glaciers and also coastal zone and closed seas applications. Following the launch of the Sentinel-2A in June 2015 and successful operations and data delivery since December 2015, the Sentinel-2B satellite is set for launch in March 2017. The full operation capacity is foreseen after the in-orbit commissioning phase of the Sentinel-2B unit in early summer 2017. The objective of the talk is to provide information about the mission status, and the way to achieve full operational capacity with 2 satellites.

  8. Sexually selected sentinels? Evidence of a role for intrasexual competition in sentinel behavior

    PubMed Central

    Walker, Lindsay A.; York, Jenny E.

    2016-01-01

    Although the evolutionary mechanisms that favor investment in cooperative behaviors have long been a focus of research, comparatively few studies have considered the role that sexual selection may play. For example, evolutionary explanations for sentinel behavior (where 1 individual assumes an elevated position and scans the surroundings while other group members forage nearby) have traditionally focused on the inclusive fitness benefits arising from its effects on predation risk, while its potential role in defense against intrasexual competitors remains largely unexplored. Here, we provide experimental evidence of a role for sentinel behavior in intrasexual competition, in a cooperatively breeding songbird, the white-browed sparrow weaver (Plocepasser mahali). First, dominant males sentinel substantially more than other group members (even when controlling for variation in age and body condition), consistent with a role for sentineling in intrasexual competition for mates and/or territory. Second, experimental playback of an unfamiliar male’s solo song elicited a marked increase in sentineling by the dominant male, and the vocal response to the playback also positively predicted his sentinel effort following the simulated intrusion. A second experiment also suggests that sentineling may facilitate mounting rapid anti-intruder responses, as responses to intruder-playback occurred significantly earlier when the dominant male was sentineling rather than foraging at playback onset. Together, our findings provide rare support for the hypothesis that sentinel behavior plays a role in intrasexual competition, and so highlight the potential for sexually selected direct benefits to shape its expression in this and other social vertebrates. PMID:27656086

  9. Land science with Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data series synergy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moreno, Jose; Guanter, Luis; Alonso, Luis; Gomez, Luis; Amoros, Julia; Camps, Gustavo; Delegido, Jesus

    2010-05-01

    Although the GMES/Sentinel satellite series were primarily designed to provide observations for operational services and routine applications, there is a growing interest in the scientific community towards the usage of Sentinel data for more advanced and innovative science. Apart from the improved spatial and spectral capabilities, the availability of consistent time series covering a period of over 20 years opens possibilities never explored before, such as systematic data assimilation approaches exploiting the time-series concept, or the incorporation in the modelling approaches of processes covering time scales from weeks to decades. Sentinel-3 will provide continuity to current ENVISAT MERIS/AATSR capabilities. The results already derived from MERIS/AATRS will be more systematically exploited by using OLCI in synergy with SLST. Particularly innovative is the case of Sentinel-2, which is specifically designed for land applications. Built on a constellation of two satellites operating simultaneously to provide 5 days geometric revisit time, the Sentinel-2 system will providing global and systematic acquisitions with high spatial resolution and with a high revisit time tailored towards the needs of land monitoring. Apart from providing continuity to Landsat and SPOT time series, the Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) incorporates new narrow bands around the red-edge for improved retrievals of biophysical parameters. The limitations imposed by the need of a proper cloud screening and atmospheric corrections have represented a serious constraint in the past for optical data. The fact that both Sentinel-2 and 3 have dedicated bands to allow such needed corrections for optical data represents an important step towards a proper exploitation, guarantying consistent time series showing actual variability in land surface conditions without the artefacts introduced by the atmosphere. Expected operational products (such as Land Cover maps, Leaf Area Index

  10. Sentinel lymph node detection in early stage cervical cancer: a prospective study comparing preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe, and blue dye.

    PubMed

    Kara, P Pelin; Ayhan, Ali; Caner, Biray; Gültekin, Murat; Ugur, Omer; Bozkurt, M Fani; Usubutun, Alp

    2008-07-01

    The objective of this prospective study was to determine the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in patients with cervical cancer using lymphoscintigraphy (LS), gamma probe, and blue dye. A total of 32 patients with early stage cervical cancer (FIGO IA2-IIA) who were treated with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic and paraortic lymphadenectomy underwent SLN biopsy. LS was performed on all the patients following the injection of 74 MBq technetium-99m-nanocolloid pericervically. The first appearing persistent focal accumulation on either dynamic or static images of LS was considered to be an SLN. Blue dye was injected just prior to surgical incision in 16 patients (50%) at the same locations as the radioactive isotope injection. During the operation, blue-stained node(s) were excised as SLNs. For gamma probe, a lymph node was accepted as an SLN, if its ex vivo radioactive counts were at least 10-fold above background radioactivity. SLNs, which were negative by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) examination, were histopathologically reevaluated for the presence of micrometastases by step sectioning and immunohistochemical staining with pancytokeratin. At least one SLN was identified for each patient by gamma probe. Intraoperative gamma probe was the most sensitive method with a technical success rate of SLN detection of 100% (32/32), followed by LS 87.5% (28/32) and blue dye 68.8% (11/16), respectively. The average number of SLNs per patient detected by gamma probe was 2.09 (range 1-5). The localizations of the SLNs were external iliac 47.8%, obturatory 32.8%, common iliac 9%, paraaortic 4.4%, and paracervical 6%. Micrometastases, not detected by routine H&E were found by immunohistochemistry in one patient. On the basis of the histopathological analysis, the negative predictive value for predicting metastases was 100%, and there were no false-negative results. Preoperative LS with radiocolloids, intraoperative lymphatic mapping with

  11. Data mining tools for Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 data exploitation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Espinoza Molina, Daniela; Datcu, Mihai

    2016-10-01

    With the new planned Sentinel missions, the availability of Earth Observation data is increasing everyday offering a larger number of applications that can be created using these data. Currently, three of the five missions were launched and they are delivering a wealth of data and imagery of the Earth's surface as, for example, the Sentinel-1 carries an advanced radar instrument to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of Earth imagery. The second mission, the Sentinel-2, carries an optical instrument payload that will sample 13 spectral bands at different resolutions. Even though, we count on tools for automated loading and visual exploration of the Sentinel data, we still face the problem of extracting relevant structures from the images, finding similar patterns in a scene, exploiting the data, and creating final user applications based on these processed data. In this paper, we present our approach for processing radar and multi-spectral Sentinel data. Our approach is mainly composed of three steps: 1) the generation of a data model that explains the information contained in a Sentinel product. The model is formed by primitive descriptors and metadata entries, 2) the storage of this model in a database system, 3) the semantic definition of the image content based on machine learning algorithms and relevance feedback methods.

  12. Intraoperative probe detecting β- decays in brain tumour radio-guided surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Solfaroli Camillocci, E.; Bocci, V.; Chiodi, G.; Collamati, F.; Donnarumma, R.; Faccini, R.; Mancini Terracciano, C.; Marafini, M.; Mattei, I.; Muraro, S.; Recchia, L.; Rucinski, A.; Russomando, A.; Toppi, M.; Traini, G.; Morganti, S.

    2017-02-01

    Radio-guided surgery (RGS) is a technique to intraoperatively detect tumour remnants, favouring a radical resection. Exploiting β- emitting tracers provides a higher signal to background ratio compared to the established technique with γ radiation, allowing the extension of the RGS applicability range. We developed and tested a detector based on para-terphenyl scintillator with high sensitivity to low energy electrons and almost transparent to γs to be used as intraoperative probe for RGS with β- emitting tracer. Portable read out electronics was customised to match the surgeon needs. This probe was used for preclinical test on specific phantoms and a test on "ex vivo" specimens from patients affected by meningioma showing very promising results for the application of this new technique on brain tumours. In this paper, the prototype of the intraoperative probe and the tests are discussed; then, the results on meningioma are used to make predictions on the performance of the probe detecting residuals of a more challenging and more interesting brain tumour: the glioma.

  13. Immune response in melanoma: an in-depth analysis of the primary tumor and corresponding sentinel lymph node

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Michelle W.; Medicherla, Ratna C.; Qian, Meng; de Miera, Eleazar Vega-Saenz; Friedman, Erica B.; Berman, Russell S.; Shapiro, Richard L.; Pavlick, Anna C.; Ott, Patrick A.; Bhardwaj, Nina; Shao, Yongzhao; Osman, Iman; Darvishian, Farbod

    2013-01-01

    using clinical stage. Primary tumor regression was associated with prolonged disease-free (P=0.025) and melanoma-specific (P=0.014) survival. Our results support an assessment of local immune profiles in both the primary tumor and sentinel lymph node to help guide therapeutic decisions. PMID:22425909

  14. Better data, better planning: the College of Emergency Medicine sentinel sites project.

    PubMed

    Moulton, Chris; Mann, Clifford; Tempest, Michelle

    2014-11-01

    This article describes the College of Emergency Medicine's initial attempt to gather high quality data from its own 'sentinel sites' rather than relying on more comprehensive national data of dubious quality. Such information is essential to inform and guide the planning of urgent and emergency care services in the future.

  15. Intraoperative Localisation of Impalpable Breast Lesions Utilising the ROLLIS Technique Following Peritumoral 99mTc-colloid Sentinel Node Lymphoscintigraphy.

    PubMed

    Hung, Te-Jui; Burrage, John; Bourke, Anita; Taylor, Donna

    2017-08-24

    Ultrasound or stereotactic guided hook-wire localisation has been the standard-of-care for the pre-surgical localisation of impalpable breast lesions, which account for approximately a third of all breast cancer. Radioguided occult lesion localisation using I-125 seeds (ROLLIS) is a relatively new technique for guiding surgical excision of impalpable breast lesions, and is a promising alternative to the traditional hook-wire method. When combined with Tc-99m labelled colloid for sentinel node mapping in clinically indicated cases, there has been uncertainty regarding whether the downscatter of Tc-99m into the I-125 energy spectrum could adversely affect the intra-operative detection of the I-125 seed, especially pertaining to a peritumoral injection. To evaluate the percentage contribution of downscattered activity from Tc-99m into the I-125 energy spectrum in simulated intra-operative resections of an I-125 seed following different sentinel node injection techniques. Two scenarios were simulated using breast phantoms with lean chicken breast. The first scenario, with a 2cm distance between the Tc-99m injection site and the I-125 seed, simulated a periareolar ipsiquadrant injection with the subdermal or intradermal technique. The second scenario simulated a peritumoral injection technique with the Tc-99m bolus and an I-125 seed at the same site. Count rates were acquired with a hand-held gamma probe, and the percentage contribution of downscattered Tc-99m gamma photons to the I-125 energy window was calculated. In scenarios one and two, downscattered Tc-99m activity contributed 0.5% and 33% respectively to the detected count rate in the I-125 energy window. In both scenarios, the I-125 seed was successfully localised and removed using the gamma probe. There is no significant contribution of downscattered activity associated with a peritumoral injection of Tc-99m to adversely affect the accurate intra-operative localisation of an I- 125 seed. Copyright© Bentham

  16. Sentinel lymph node detection by an optical method using scattered photons

    PubMed Central

    Tellier, Franklin; Ravelo, Rasata; Simon, Hervé; Chabrier, Renée; Steibel, Jérôme; Poulet, Patrick

    2010-01-01

    We present a new near infrared optical probe for the sentinel lymph node detection, based on the recording of scattered photons. A two wavelengths setup was developed to improve the detection threshold of an injected dye: the Patent Blue V dye. The method used consists in modulating each laser diode at a given frequency. A Fast Fourier Transform of the recorded signal separates both components. The signal amplitudes are used to compute relative Patent Blue V concentration. Results on the probe using phantoms model and small animal experimentation exhibit a sensitivity threshold of 3.2 µmol/L, which is thirty fold better than the eye visible threshold. PMID:21258517

  17. Intraoperative β{sup -} detecting probe for radio-guided surgery in tumour resection

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Solfaroli Camillocci, Elena; Bellini, Fabio; Bocciy, Valerio

    The development of the β{sup -} based radio-guided surgery aims to extend the technique to those tumours where surgery is the only possible treatment and the assessment of the resection would most profit from the low background around the lesion, as for brain tumours. Feasibility studies on meningioma and gliomas already estimated the potentiality of this new treatment. To validate the technique, a prototype of the intraoperative probe detecting β{sup -} decays and specific phantoms simulating tumour remnant patterns embedded in healthy tissue have been realized. The response of the probe in this simulated environment is tested with dedicated procedures.more » This document discusses the innovative aspects of the method, the status of the developed intraoperative β{sup -} detecting probe and the results of the preclinical tests. (authors)« less

  18. Lymphatic drainage patterns of oral maxillary tumors: Approachable locations of sentinel lymph nodes mainly at the cervical neck level.

    PubMed

    Boeve, Koos; Schepman, Kees-Pieter; Vegt, Bert van der; Schuuring, Ed; Roodenburg, Jan L; Brouwers, Adrienne H; Witjes, Max J

    2017-03-01

    There is debate if the lymphatic drainage pattern of oral maxillary cancer is to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes or to the cervical lymph nodes. Insight in drainage patterns is important for the indication for neck treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the lymphatic drainage pattern of oral maxillary cancer via preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. Eleven consecutive patients with oral maxillary cancer treated in our center between December 1, 2012, and April 22, 2016 were studied. Sentinel lymph nodes identified by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy after injection of 99m Tc-nanocolloid and by intraoperative detection using a γ-probe, were surgically removed and histopathologically examined. In 10 patients, sentinel lymph nodes were detected and harvested at cervical levels I, II, or III in the neck. In 2 patients, a parapharyngeal sentinel lymph node was detected. One of the harvested sentinel lymph nodes (1/19) was tumor positive. This study suggests the likelihood of 73% of exclusively cervical level I to III sentinel lymph nodes in oral maxillary cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 486-491, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Sensor sentinel computing device

    DOEpatents

    Damico, Joseph P.

    2016-08-02

    Technologies pertaining to authenticating data output by sensors in an industrial environment are described herein. A sensor sentinel computing device receives time-series data from a sensor by way of a wireline connection. The sensor sentinel computing device generates a validation signal that is a function of the time-series signal. The sensor sentinel computing device then transmits the validation signal to a programmable logic controller in the industrial environment.

  20. Sentinel-1 mission scientific exploitation activities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Desnos, Yves louis; Foumelis, Michael; Engdahl, Marcus

    2017-04-01

    The Sentinel-1 mission is the European Imaging Radar Observatory for the Copernicus joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Sentinel-1 mission is composed of a constellation of two satellites, Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B (launched in April 2014 and April 2016, respectively), sharing the same orbital plane and featuring a short repeat cycle of 6 days optimised for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry science and applications. The full operation capacity was achieved after the completion of the Sentinel-1B in-orbit commissioning on 14 September 2016. Sentinel-1 data are freely available via the ESA's Sentinels Scientific Data Hub since October 2014. The data uptake by the science community has been unprecedented and numerous results have been published to date. The objective of the current paper is to provide a brief overview of the latest ESA activities, in the frame of the Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) programme, aimed to facilitate the scientific exploitation of Sentinel-1 mission as well as discuss future opportunities for research.

  1. Optimization via specific fluorescence brightness of a receptor-targeted probe for optical imaging and positron emission tomography of sentinel lymph nodes

    PubMed Central

    Qin, Zhengtao; Hall, David J.; Liss, Michael A.; Hoh, Carl K.; Kane, Christopher J.; Wallace, Anne M.

    2013-01-01

    Abstract. The optical properties of a receptor-targeted probe designed for dual-modality mapping of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) was optimized. Specific fluorescence brightness was used as the design criterion, which was defined as the fluorescence brightness per mole of the contrast agent. Adjusting the molar ratio of the coupling reactants, IRDye 800CW-NHS-ester and tilmanocept, enabled us to control the number of fluorescent molecules attached to each tilmanocept, which was quantified by H1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Quantum yields and molar absorptivities were measured for unconjugated IRDye 800CW and IRDye 800CW-tilmanocept (800CW-tilmanocept) preparations at 0.7, 1.5, 2.3, 2.9, and 3.8 dyes per tilmanocept. Specific fluorescence brightness was calculated by multiplication of the quantum yield by the molar absorptivity and the number of dyes per tilmanocept. It predicted that the preparation with 2.3 dyes per tilmanocept would exhibit the brightest signal, which was confirmed by fluorescence intensity measurements using three optical imaging systems. When radiolabeled with Ga68 and injected into the footpads of mice, the probe identified SLNs by both fluorescence and positron emission tomography (PET) while maintaining high percent extraction by the SLN. These studies demonstrated the feasibility of 800CW-tilmanocept for multimodal SLN mapping via fluorescence and PET–computed tomography imaging. PMID:23958947

  2. Sentinel-3 For Land Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goryl, Philippe; Gobron, Nadine; Mecklenburg, Susanne; Donlon, Craig; Bouvet, Marc; Buongiorno, Alessandra; Wilson, Hilary

    2016-07-01

    The Copernicus Programme, being Europe's Earth Observation and Monitoring Programme led by the European Union, aims to provide, on a sustainable basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues. The Sentinel-3 mission forms part of the Copernicus Space Component. Its main objectives, building on the heritage and experience of the European Space Agency's (ESA) ERS and ENVISAT missions, are to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. The series of Sentinel-3 satellites will ensure global, frequent and near-real time ocean, ice and land monitoring, with the provision of observation data in a routine, long-term (up to 20 years of operations) and continuous fashion, with a consistent quality and a high level of reliability and availability. The launch of Sentinel-3 was successful last February 2016. The Sentinel-3 missions are jointly operated by ESA and EUMETSAT. ESA will be responsible for the operations, maintenance and evolution of the Sentinel-3 ground segment on land related products and EUMETSAT on the marine products and the satellite monitoring and control. All facilities supporting the Sentinel-3 operations are in place. The Sentinel-3 ground segment systematically acquires, processes and distributes a set of pre-defined core data products to the users. For a detailed description of the core data products please see https://earth.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-3/data-products. On request from the European Commission, ESA and EUMETSAT are presently assessing the possibility to include further core data products, in particular on aerosol optical depth, fire monitoring and synergistic products over land. This paper will provide an update on the status of the mission operations after the initial months in orbit and provide in particular an overview on the status of the Sentinel-3

  3. PET Probe-Guided Surgery in Patients with Breast Cancer: Proposal for a Methodological Approach.

    PubMed

    Orsaria, Paolo; Chiaravalloti, Agostino; Fiorentini, Alessandro; Pistolese, Chiara; Vanni, Gianluca; Granai, Alessandra Vittoria; Varvaras, Dimitrios; Danieli, Roberta; Schillaci, Orazio; Petrella, Giuseppe; Buonomo, Oreste Claudio

    2017-01-02

    Although it is valuable for detecting distant metastases, identifying recurrence, and evaluating responses to chemotherapy, the role of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) in assessing locoregional nodal status for initial staging of breast cancer has not yet been well-defined in clinical practice. In the current report, we describe a new PET probe-based clinical approach, with evaluation of the technical performance of a handheld high-energy gamma probe for intraoperative localization of breast carcinomas, and evaluation of lymph node metastases during radio-guided oncological surgery. Three patients underwent a PET/CT scan immediately prior to surgery following the standard clinical protocol. Intraoperatively, tumors were localized and resected with the assistance of a hand-held gamma probe. PET-guided assessment of the presence or absence of regional nodal spread of malignancy was compared with the reference standard of histopathological examination. In all three cases, perioperative 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging and intraoperative gamma probe detection verified complete resection of the hypermetabolic lesions and demonstrated no additional suspicious occult disease. This innovative approach demonstrates great promise for providing real-time access to metabolic and morphological tumor information that may lead to an optimal disease-tailored approach. In carefully selected indications, a PET probe can be a useful adjunct in surgical practice, but further trials with a larger number of patients need to be performed to verify these findings. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

  4. Role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral cancer.

    PubMed

    Calabrese, L; Bruschini, R; Ansarin, M; Giugliano, G; De Cicco, C; Ionna, F; Paganelli, G; Maffini, F; Werner, J A; Soutar, D

    2006-12-01

    Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity represents about 2% of all malignant neoplasms and 47% of those developing in the head and neck area. The tongue is the most common site involved, and this incidence is increasing mainly in young people, possibly related to human papilloma virus infections. Prognosis depends on the stage: the 5-year survival rate of tongue squamous cell carcinoma, whatever the T stage, is 73% in pN0 cases, 40% in patients with positive nodes without extracapsular spread (pNl ECS-), and 29% when nodes are metastatic with extracapsular spread (pNl ECS+: p > or = 0.0001). Nodal micrometastases (cN0 pN1) are found in up to 50% of cN0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients operated on the neck. At present, no clinical, imaging staging modalities or biological markers are available to diagnose nodal micrometastases. The sentinel node biopsy has been tested since 1996 in order to find a solution to this problem. The sentinel node is the first node reached by the lymphatic stream, assuming an orderly and sequential drainage from the tumour site, and should be predictive of the nodal stage. According to the literature, sentinel node biopsy is a reliable technique in selected cN0 cases, but the procedure is still experimental and should not be performed outside validation trials. Successful application of sentinel node biopsy in the head and neck region requires surgical experience and specific technical devices, including pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative gamma-probe. Moreover, dynamic lymphoscintigraphy seems to be able to show the lymphatic stream from the primary tumour and could allow a selective neck dissection to be tailored thus reducing the related morbidity.

  5. Indocyanine green detects sentinel lymph nodes in early breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jun; Huang, Linping; Wang, Ning; Chen, Ping

    2017-04-01

    Objective To explore the clinical value of indocyanine green (ICG) for the fluorescence-guided detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with early breast cancer. Methods This retrospective study included female patients with breast cancer. Patients were administered methylene blue and ICG using standard techniques. All SLNs that were collected during surgery were submitted for pathological examination. SLNs were defined as those that were either fluorescent, blue, fluorescent and blue or palpably suspicious. Surgical complications, axillary recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival rates were observed postoperatively. Results A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study. The fluorescence detection rate of SLNs was 100% ( n = 177), with a mean of 2.95 SLNs per patient. The methylene blue staining rate was 88.3% ( n = 106), with a mean of 1.77 SLNs per patient. Pathological assessment of intraoperative frozen specimens revealed SLN metastases in 10 patients, who immediately underwent axillary lymph node dissection. No patient had axillary recurrence or distant metastases, with a survival rate of 100%. Patients who underwent SLNB showed good appearance in the axillary wound, with no limited shoulder joint abduction and upper limb oedema. Conclusion Fluorescence-guided SLNB has several advantages and is suitable for clinical application.

  6. Ultrasound-guided Subclavian Vein Cannulation Using a Micro-Convex Ultrasound Probe

    PubMed Central

    Fair, James; Hirshberg, Eliotte L.; Grissom, Colin K.; Brown, Samuel M.

    2014-01-01

    Background: The subclavian vein is the preferred site for central venous catheter placement due to infection risk and patient comfort. Ultrasound guidance is useful in cannulation of other veins, but for the subclavian vein, current ultrasound-guided techniques using high-frequency linear array probes are generally limited to axillary vein cannulation. Methods: We report a series of patients who underwent clinically indicated subclavian venous catheter placement using a micro-convex pediatric probe for real-time guidance in the vein’s longitudinal axis. We identified rates of successful placement and complications by chart review. Results: Twenty-four catheters were placed using the micro-convex pediatric probe with confirmation of placement of the needle medial to the lateral border of the first rib. Sixteen of the catheters were placed by trainee physicians. In 23 patients, the catheter was placed without complication (hematoma, pneumothorax, infection). In one patient, the vein could not be safely cannulated without risk of arterial puncture, so an alternative site was selected. Conclusions: Infraclavicular subclavian vein cannulation using real-time ultrasound with a micro-convex pediatric probe appears to be a safe and effective method of placing subclavian vascular catheters. This technique merits further study to confirm safety and efficacy. PMID:24611628

  7. Sentinel-2B image quality commissioning phase results and Sentinel2 constellation performances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Languille, F.; Gaudel, A.; Vidal, B.; Binet, R.; Poulain, V.; Trémas, T.

    2017-09-01

    In the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission, Sentinel-2 is a constellation of 2 satellites on a polar sun-synchronous orbit with a revisit time of 5 days (with both satellites), a high field of view - 290km, 13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infrared, and high spatial resolution - 10m, 20m and 60m. The Sentinel-2 mission offers a global coverage over terrestrial surfaces. The satellites acquire systematically terrestrial surfaces under the same viewing conditions in order to have temporal images stacks. The first satellite was launched in June 2015 and the second in March 2017. In cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency (CNES) is in charge of the image quality of the project, and so ensured the CAL/VAL commissioning phase during the months following the launch. This cooperation is also extended to routine phase as CNES supports European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) and the Sentinel-2 Mission performance Centre (MPC) for validation in geometric and radiometric image quality aspects, and in Sentinel-2 Global Reference Image (GRI) geolocation performance assessment. This paper points on geometric image quality on Sentinel-2B commissioning phase. It relates to the methods and the performances obtained, as well as the comparison between S2A and S2B. This deals with geolocation and multispectral registration. A small focus is also done on the Sentinel-2 GRI which is a set of S2A images at 10m resolution covering the whole world with a good and consistent geolocation. This ground reference leads to ensure an accurate multi-temporal registration -on refined Sentinel-2 products over GRI- which is also presented in this paper.

  8. Comparison of SPECT/CT and Planar Lympho-scintigraphy in Sentinel Node Biopsies of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

    PubMed

    Chandra, Piyush; Dhake, Sanket; Shah, Sneha; Agrawal, Archi; Purandare, Nilendu; Rangarajan, Venkatesh

    2017-01-01

    Evidence supporting the use of Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for nodal staging of early oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) appears to be very promising. Pre-operative lymphatic mapping using planar lymphoscinitigraphy (PL) with or without SPECT/CT in the SNB procedure is useful in sentinel node localization and for planning appropriate surgery. Recently, a large prospective multi-centric study evaluating SNB in cutaneous melanoma, breast and pelvic malignancies, demonstrated that adding SPECT to PL leads to surgical adjustments in a considerable number of patients. Our aim of this study was to evaluate the incremental value of additional SPECT/CT over PL alone in SNB for OSCC. This was a retrospective analysis of 44 patients (40- tongue, 4- buccal mucosa) with T1-T2, clinically N0 oral cavity SCC who underwent sentinel node biopsy procedure. PL and SPECT lymphoscinitigraphy images were compared for pre-operative mapping of sentinel nodes. Using a handheld gamma probe, a total of 179 sentinel nodes were harvested, with a mean of 4.06 per patient. PL revealed 75 hotspots with a mean of 1.70 per patient, and SPECT/CT revealed 92 hotspots with a mean of 2.09 per patient. Additional hotpots were identified in 14 patients on SPECT/CT, which included 4 patients, where PL did not detect any sentinel nodes. Pre-operative SPECT/CT in addition to planar lympho-scinitigraphy in sentinel node biopsies of oral cavity SCC detects more number of sentinel nodes compared to planar imaging alone. The higher sensitivity of SPECT combined with better anatomical localization using diagnostic CT may further improve the precision of SNB procedure.

  9. Copernicus POD Service: Ready for Sentinel-3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peter, H.; Fernández, J.; Escobar, D.; Féménias, P.; Flohrer, C.; Otten, M.

    2015-12-01

    The Copernicus POD Service is part of the Copernicus PDGS Ground Segment of the Sentinel missions. A GMV-led consortium is operating the Copernicus POD Service being in charge of generating precise orbital products and auxiliary data files for their use as part of the processing chains of the respective Sentinel PDGS. The Sentinel-1, -2 & -3 missions have different but very demanding requirements in terms of orbital accuracy and timeliness. Orbital products in Near Real Time (latency: 30 min), Short Time Critical (1.5 days) and Non-time Critical (20-30 days) are required. The accuracy requirements are very challenging, targeting 5 cm in 3D for Sentinel-1 and 2-3 cm in radial direction for Sentinel-3. Sentinel-3A carries, in addition to a GPS receiver a laser retro reflector and a DORIS receiver. On the one hand, the three different techniques GPS, SLR and DORIS make POD more complex but, on the other hand, it is very helpful to have independent techniques available for validation of the orbit results. The successful POD processing for Sentinel-1A is a good preparation for Sentinel-3A due to the similar demanding orbit accuracy requirements. The Copernicus POD Service is ready for Sentinel-3A and the service will process GPS and SLR data routinely and has the capacity to process DORIS in NTC and reprocessing campaigns. The three independent orbit determination techniques on Sentinel-3 offer big potential for scientific exploitation. Carrying all three techniques together makes the satellite, e.g., very useful for combining all the techniques on observation level as it could only be done for Jason-2 until now. The Sentinel POD Quality Working Group strongly supporting the CPOD Service delivers additional orbit solutions to validate the CPOD results independently. The recommendations from this body guarantee that the CPOD Service is updated following state-of-the-art algorithms, models and conventions. The QWG also focuses on the scientific exploitation of the

  10. Sen2Cor for Sentinel-2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Main-Knorn, Magdalena; Pflug, Bringfried; Louis, Jerome; Debaecker, Vincent; Müller-Wilm, Uwe; Gascon, Ferran

    2017-10-01

    In the frame of the Copernicus programme, ESA has developed and launched the Sentinel-2 optical imaging mission that delivers optical data products designed to feed downstream services mainly related to land monitoring, emergency management and security. The Sentinel-2 mission is the constellation of two polar orbiting satellites Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, each one equipped with an optical imaging sensor MSI (Multi-Spectral Instrument). Sentinel-2A was launched on June 23rd, 2015 and Sentinel-2B followed on March 7th, 2017. With the beginning of the operational phase the constellation of both satellites enable image acquisition over the same area every 5 days or less. To use unique potential of the Sentinel-2 data for land applications and ensure the highest quality of scientific exploitation, accurate correction of satellite images for atmospheric effects is required. Therefore the atmospheric correction processor Sen2Cor was developed by Telespazio VEGA Deutschland GmbH on behalf of ESA. Sen2Cor is a Level-2A processor which main purpose is to correct single-date Sentinel-2 Level-1C Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) products from the effects of the atmosphere in order to deliver a Level-2A Bottom-Of-Atmosphere (BOA) reflectance product. Additional outputs are an Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) map, a Water Vapour (WV) map and a Scene Classification (SCL) map with Quality Indicators for cloud and snow probabilities. Telespazio France and DLR have teamed up in order to provide the calibration and validation of the Sen2Cor processor. Here we provide an overview over the Sentinel-2 data, processor and products. It presents some processing examples of Sen2Cor applied to Sentinel-2 data, provides up-to-date information about the Sen2Cor release status and recent validation results at the time of the SPIE Remote Sensing 2017.

  11. Monte Carlo modeling of ultrasound probes for image guided radiotherapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bazalova-Carter, Magdalena, E-mail: bazalova@uvic.ca; Schlosser, Jeffrey; Chen, Josephine

    2015-10-15

    orientation. The X6-1 probe in vertical orientation caused the highest attenuation of the 6 and 15 MV beams, which at 10 cm depth accounted for 33% and 43% decrease compared to the respective (15 × 15) cm{sup 2} open fields. The C5-2 probe in horizontal orientation, on the other hand, caused a dose increase of 10% and 53% for the 6 and 15 MV beams, respectively, in the buildup region at 0.5 cm depth. For the X6-1 probe in vertical orientation, the dose at 5 cm depth for the 3-cm diameter 6 MV and 5-cm diameter 15 MV beams was attenuated compared to the corresponding open fields to a greater degree by 65% and 43%, respectively. Conclusions: MC models of two US probes used for real-time image guidance during radiotherapy have been built. Due to the high beam attenuation of the US probes, the authors generally recommend avoiding delivery of treatment beams that intersect the probe. However, the presented MC models can be effectively integrated into US-guided radiotherapy treatment planning in cases for which beam avoidance is not practical due to anatomy geometry.« less

  12. [Sentinel node in melanoma and breast cancer. Current considerations].

    PubMed

    Vidal-Sicart, S; Vilalta Solsona, A; Alonso Vargas, M I

    2015-01-01

    The main objectives of sentinel node (SN) biopsy is to avoid unnecessary lymphadenectomies and to identify the 20-25% of patients with occult regional metastatic involvement. This technique reduces the associated morbidity from lymphadenectomy and increases the occult lymphatic metastases identification rate by offering the pathologist the or those lymph nodes with the highest probability of containing metastatic cells. Pre-surgical lymphoscintigraphy is considered a "road map" to guide the surgeon towards the sentinel nodes and to localize unpredictable lymphatic drainage patterns. The SPECT/CT advantages include a better SN detection rate than planar images, the ability to detect SNs in difficult to interpret studies, better SN depiction, especially in sites closer to the injection site and better anatomic localization. These advantages may result in a change in the patient's clinical management both in melanoma and breast cancer. The correct SN evaluation by pathology implies a tumoral load stratification and further prognostic implication. The use of intraoperative imaging devices allows the surgeon a better surgical approach and precise SN localization. Several studies reports the added value of such devices for more sentinel nodes excision and a complete monitoring of the whole procedure. New techniques, by using fluorescent or hybrid tracers, are currently being developed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  13. Pilot-study on the feasibility of sentinel node navigation surgery in combination with thoracolaparoscopic lymphadenectomy without esophagectomy in early esophageal adenocarcinoma patients.

    PubMed

    Künzli, H T; van Berge Henegouwen, M I; Gisbertz, S S; van Esser, S; Meijer, S L; Bennink, R J; Wiezer, M J; Seldenrijk, C A; Bergman, J J G H M; Weusten, B L A M

    2017-11-01

    High-risk submucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma's might be treated curatively by means of radical endoscopic resection, followed by thoracolaparoscopic lymphadenectomy without concomitant esophagectomy. A preclinical study has shown the feasibility and safety of this approach; however, no studies are performed in a clinical setting. In addition, sentinel node navigation surgery could be valuable in tailoring the extent of the lymphadenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of thoracolaparoscopic lymphadenectomy without esophagectomy (phase I) and sentinel node navigation surgery (phase II) in patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients with T1N0M0 early esophageal adenocarcinoma scheduled for esophagectomy without neoadjuvant therapy were included. Phase I: Two-field, esophagus preserving, thoracolaparoscopic lymphadenectomy was performed, followed by esophagectomy in the same session. Primary outcome parameters were the number of lymph nodes resected, and number of retained lymph nodes in the esophagectomy specimen. Phase II: A radioactive tracer was injected endoscopically the day before surgery. Static imaging was performed 15 and 120 minutes after injection. The day of surgery, sentinel node navigation surgery followed by esophagectomy was performed. Primary outcome parameters were the percentage of patients with a detectable sentinel node, and the concordance between static imaging and probe-based detection of sentinel node. Phase I: Five patients were included, and a median of 30 (IQR: 25-46) lymph nodes was resected. A median of 6 (IQR: 2-9) retained lymph nodes was found in the esophagectomy specimen. No acute adverse events occurred, but near the end of lymphadenectomy esophageal discoloration was observed, possibly indicating ischemia. Phase II: In all five included patients sentinel nodes could be visualized and resected, at a median of 3 (IQR: 2-5) locations. There was a high concordance between imaging and probe

  14. The Sentinel 4 focal plane subsystem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hohn, Rüdiger; Skegg, Michael P.; Hermsen, Markus; Hinger, Jürgen; Williges, Christian; Reulke, Ralf

    2017-09-01

    The Sentinel 4 instrument is an imaging spectrometer, developed by Airbus under ESA contract in the frame of the joint European Union (EU)/ESA COPERNICUS program with the objective of monitoring trace gas concentrations. Sentinel 4 will provide accurate measurements of key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, as well as aerosol and cloud properties. Sentinel 4 is unique in being the first geostationary UVN mission. The SENTINEL 4 space segment will be integrated on EUMETSAT's Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite (MTG-S). Sentinel 4 will provide coverage of Europe and adjacent regions. The Sentinel 4 instrument comprises as a major element two Focal Plane Subsystems (FPS) covering the wavelength ranges 305 nm to 500 nm (UVVIS) and 750 nm to 775 nm (NIR) respectively. The paper describes the Focal Plane Subsystems, comprising the detectors, the optical bench and the control electronics. Further the design and development approach will be presented as well as first measurement results of FPS Qualification Model.

  15. Sentinels for snow science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gascoin, S.; Grizonnet, M.; Baba, W. M.; Hagolle, O.; Fayad, A.; Mermoz, S.; Kinnard, C.; Fatima, K.; Jarlan, L.; Hanich, L.

    2017-12-01

    Current spaceborne sensors do not allow retrieving the snow water equivalent in mountain regions, "the most important unsolved problem in snow hydrology" (Dozier, 2016). While the NASA is operating an airborne mission to survey the SWE in the western USA, elsewhere, however, snow scientists and water managers do not have access to routine SWE measurements at the scale of a mountain range. In this presentation we suggest that the advent of the Copernicus Earth Observation programme opens new perspectives to address this issue in mountain regions worldwide. The Sentinel-2 mission will provide global-scale multispectral observations at 20 m resolution every 5-days (cloud permitting). The Sentinel-1 mission is already imaging the global land surface with a C-band radar at 10 m resolution every 6 days. These observations are unprecedented in terms of spatial and temporal resolution. However, the nature of the observation (radiometry, wavelength) is in the continuity of previous and ongoing missions. As a result, it is relatively straightforward to re-use algorithms that were developed by the remote sensing community over the last decades. For instance, Sentinel-2 data can be used to derive maps of the snow cover extent from the normalized difference snow index, which was initially proposed for Landsat. In addition, the 5-days repeat cycle allows the application of gap-filling algorithms, which were developed for MODIS based on the temporal dimension. The Sentinel-1 data can be used to detect the wet snow cover and track melting areas as proposed for ERS in the early 1990's. Eventually, we show an example where Sentinel-2-like data improved the simulation of the SWE in the data-scarce region of the High Atlas in Morocco through assimilation in a distributed snowpack model. We encourage snow scientists to embrace Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data to enhance our knowledge on the snow cover dynamics in mountain regions.

  16. [Evaluation of the efficacy of sentinel node detection in breast cancer: chronological course and influence of the incorporation of an intra-operative portable gamma camera].

    PubMed

    Goñi Gironés, E; Vicente García, F; Serra Arbeloa, P; Estébanez Estébanez, C; Calvo Benito, A; Rodrigo Rincón, I; Camarero Salazar, A; Martínez Lozano, M E

    2013-01-01

    To define the sentinel node identification rate in breast cancer, the chronological evolution of this parameter and the influence of the introduction of a portable gamma camera. A retrospective study was conducted using a prospective database of 754 patients who had undergone a sentinel lymph node biopsy between January 2003 and December 2011. The technique was mixed in the starting period and subsequently was performed with radiotracer intra-peritumorally administered the day before of the surgery. Until October 2009, excision of the sentinel node was guided by a probe. After that date, a portable gamma camera was introduced for intrasurgical detection. The SN was biopsied in 725 out of the 754 patients studied. The resulting technique global effectiveness was 96.2%. In accordance with the year of the surgical intervention, the identification percentage was 93.5% in 2003, 88.7% in 2004, 94.3% in 2005, 95.7% in 2006, 93.3% in 2007, 98.8% in 2008, 97.1% in 2009 and 99.1% in 2010 and 2011. There was a significant difference in the proportion of identification before and after the incorporation of the portable gamma camera of 4.6% (95% CI of the difference 2-7.2%, P = 0.0037). The percentage of global identification exceeds the recommended level following the current guidelines. Chronologically, the improvement for this parameter during the study period has been observed. These data suggest that the incorporation of a portable gamma camera had an important role. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  17. The sentinel behaviour of Arabian babbler floaters.

    PubMed

    Ostreiher, Roni; Heifetz, Aviad

    2017-02-01

    The sentinel behaviour of 38 Arabian babbler adult floaters, who lived alone within a territory belonging to a foreign group, was studied and compared with their own sentinel behaviour in the past, when they were group members. All floaters acted as sentinels and uttered 'alarm calls'. This suggests that sentinel activity is due at least, in part, to selfish motives. Floaters sentinelled less than they did as group members, with the decrease in sentinel activity sharper for ex-dominants than for ex-subordinates. One possible explanation for these differences is that sentinel activity is aimed not only at detecting predators, but also at detecting foreign conspecifics. Within a group, the latter incentive is stronger for breeding dominants than for subordinates, whereas all floaters alike may be trying to detect the owners of the territory in which they were roaming but also to avoid being detected by them. Other possible explanations are that floaters have less time and energy for sentinel activity because they are weaker or because foraging is more difficult in a foreign territory. This may be especially so for dominants who used to enjoy privileged access to food in their group. No significant difference was found in the rate of sentinels' 'alarm calls' between floaters and group members, suggesting that their main purpose is predator-prey communication, of which warning groupmates may be a side benefit.

  18. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy in ovarian tumors: a study using intra-operative Tc-99m-Phytate and lymphoscintigraphy imaging.

    PubMed

    Hassanzadeh, Malihe; Hosseini Farahabadi, Elham; Yousefi, Zohreh; Kadkhodayan, Sima; Zarifmahmoudi, Leili; Sadeghi, Ramin

    2016-09-07

    Experience on sentinel node mapping in ovarian tumors is very limited. We evaluated the sentinel node concept in ovarian tumors using intra-operativeTc-99m-Phytate injection and lymphoscintigraphy imaging. Thirty-five patients with a pelvic mass due to an ovarian pathology were included in the study. The radiotracer was injected just after laparotomy and before removal of the tumor either beneath the normal cortex (10 patients) or in the utero-ovarian and suspensory ligaments of the ovary just beneath the peritoneum two injections of the radiotracer (25 patients). For malignant masses, the sentinel nodes were identified using a hand held gamma probe. Then standard pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed. In case of benign pathologies or borderline ovarian tumors on frozen section, lymphadenectomy was not performed. The morning after surgery, all patients were sent for lymphoscintigraphy imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. Sentinel node was identified only in 4 patients of the cortical injection group. At least one sentinel node could be identified in 21 patients of the sub-peritoneal group. Sentinel nodes were identified only in the para-aortic area in 21, pelvic/para-aortic areas in 2, and pelvic only area in 2 patients. Three patients had lymph node involvement and all had involved sentinel nodes (no false negative case). Sentinel node mapping using intra-operative injection of the radiotracer (in the utero-ovarian and suspensory ligaments of the ovary just beneath the peritoneum) is feasible in ovarian tumors. Technical aspects of this method should be explored in larger multicenter studies in the future.

  19. Discovering Sentinel Rules for Business Intelligence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Middelfart, Morten; Pedersen, Torben Bach

    This paper proposes the concept of sentinel rules for multi-dimensional data that warns users when measure data concerning the external environment changes. For instance, a surge in negative blogging about a company could trigger a sentinel rule warning that revenue will decrease within two months, so a new course of action can be taken. Hereby, we expand the window of opportunity for organizations and facilitate successful navigation even though the world behaves chaotically. Since sentinel rules are at the schema level as opposed to the data level, and operate on data changes as opposed to absolute data values, we are able to discover strong and useful sentinel rules that would otherwise be hidden when using sequential pattern mining or correlation techniques. We present a method for sentinel rule discovery and an implementation of this method that scales linearly on large data volumes.

  20. The sentinel behaviour of Arabian babbler floaters

    PubMed Central

    Heifetz, Aviad

    2017-01-01

    The sentinel behaviour of 38 Arabian babbler adult floaters, who lived alone within a territory belonging to a foreign group, was studied and compared with their own sentinel behaviour in the past, when they were group members. All floaters acted as sentinels and uttered ‘alarm calls’. This suggests that sentinel activity is due at least, in part, to selfish motives. Floaters sentinelled less than they did as group members, with the decrease in sentinel activity sharper for ex-dominants than for ex-subordinates. One possible explanation for these differences is that sentinel activity is aimed not only at detecting predators, but also at detecting foreign conspecifics. Within a group, the latter incentive is stronger for breeding dominants than for subordinates, whereas all floaters alike may be trying to detect the owners of the territory in which they were roaming but also to avoid being detected by them. Other possible explanations are that floaters have less time and energy for sentinel activity because they are weaker or because foraging is more difficult in a foreign territory. This may be especially so for dominants who used to enjoy privileged access to food in their group. No significant difference was found in the rate of sentinels' ‘alarm calls’ between floaters and group members, suggesting that their main purpose is predator–prey communication, of which warning groupmates may be a side benefit. PMID:28386429

  1. Body-mounted robotic instrument guide for image-guided cryotherapy of renal cancer

    PubMed Central

    Hata, Nobuhiko; Song, Sang-Eun; Olubiyi, Olutayo; Arimitsu, Yasumichi; Fujimoto, Kosuke; Kato, Takahisa; Tuncali, Kemal; Tani, Soichiro; Tokuda, Junichi

    2016-01-01

    Purpose: Image-guided cryotherapy of renal cancer is an emerging alternative to surgical nephrectomy, particularly for those who cannot sustain the physical burden of surgery. It is well known that the outcome of this therapy depends on the accurate placement of the cryotherapy probe. Therefore, a robotic instrument guide may help physicians aim the cryotherapy probe precisely to maximize the efficacy of the treatment and avoid damage to critical surrounding structures. The objective of this paper was to propose a robotic instrument guide for orienting cryotherapy probes in image-guided cryotherapy of renal cancers. The authors propose a body-mounted robotic guide that is expected to be less susceptible to guidance errors caused by the patient’s whole body motion. Methods: Keeping the device’s minimal footprint in mind, the authors developed and validated a body-mounted, robotic instrument guide that can maintain the geometrical relationship between the device and the patient’s body, even in the presence of the patient’s frequent body motions. The guide can orient the cryotherapy probe with the skin incision point as the remote-center-of-motion. The authors’ validation studies included an evaluation of the mechanical accuracy and position repeatability of the robotic instrument guide. The authors also performed a mock MRI-guided cryotherapy procedure with a phantom to compare the advantage of robotically assisted probe replacements over a free-hand approach, by introducing organ motions to investigate their effects on the accurate placement of the cryotherapy probe. Measurements collected for performance analysis included accuracy and time taken for probe placements. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess if either or both organ motion and the robotic guide impacted these measurements. Results: The mechanical accuracy and position repeatability of the probe placement using the robotic instrument guide were 0.3 and 0.1 mm, respectively, at a depth

  2. Activatable clinical fluorophore-quencher antibody pairs as dual molecular probes for the enhanced specificity of image-guided surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Obaid, Girgis; Spring, Bryan Q.; Bano, Shazia; Hasan, Tayyaba

    2017-12-01

    The emergence of fluorescently labeled therapeutic antibodies has given rise to molecular probes for image-guided surgery. However, the extraneous interstitial presence of an unbound and nonspecifically accumulated probe gives rise to false-positive detection of tumor tissue and margins. Thus, the concept of tumor-cell activation of smart probes provides a potentially superior mechanism of delineating tumor margins as well as small tumor deposits. The combination of molecular targeting with intracellular activation circumvents the presence of extracellular, nonspecific signals of targeted probe accumulation. Here, we present a demonstration of the clinical antibodies cetuximab (cet, anti-EGFR mAb) and trastuzumab (trast, anti-HER-2 mAb) conjugated to Alexa Fluor molecules and IRDye QC-1 quencher optimized at the ratio of 1∶2∶6 to provide the greatest degree of proteolytic fluorescence activation, synonymous with intracellular lysosomal degradation. The cet-AF-Q-C1 conjugate (1∶2∶6) provides up to 9.8-fold proteolytic fluorescence activation. By preparing a spectrally distinct, irrelevant sham IgG-AF-QC-1 conjugate, a dual-activatable probe approach is shown to enhance the specificity of imaging within an orthotopic AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer xenograft model. The dual-activatable approach warrants expedited clinical translation to improve the specificity of image-guided surgery by spectrally decomposing specific from nonspecific probe accumulation, binding, and internalization.

  3. SENTINEL-1 and SENTINEL-2 Data Fusion for Wetlands Mapping: Balikdami, Turkey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaplan, G.; Avdan, U.

    2018-04-01

    Wetlands provide a number of environmental and socio-economic benefits such as their ability to store floodwaters and improve water quality, providing habitats for wildlife and supporting biodiversity, as well as aesthetic values. Remote sensing technology has proven to be a useful and frequent application in monitoring and mapping wetlands. Combining optical and microwave satellite data can help with mapping and monitoring the biophysical characteristics of wetlands and wetlands` vegetation. Also, fusing radar and optical remote sensing data can increase the wetland classification accuracy. In this paper, data from the fine spatial resolution optical satellite, Sentinel-2 and the Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite, Sentinel-1, were fused for mapping wetlands. Both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images were pre-processed. After the pre-processing, vegetation indices were calculated using the Sentinel-2 bands and the results were included in the fusion data set. For the classification of the fused data, three different classification approaches were used and compared. The results showed significant improvement in the wetland classification using both multispectral and microwave data. Also, the presence of the red edge bands and the vegetation indices used in the data set showed significant improvement in the discrimination between wetlands and other vegetated areas. The statistical results of the fusion of the optical and radar data showed high wetland mapping accuracy, showing an overall classification accuracy of approximately 90 % in the object-based classification method. For future research, we recommend multi-temporal image use, terrain data collection, as well as a comparison of the used method with the traditional image fusion techniques.

  4. Geocoding uncertainty analysis for the automated processing of Sentinel-1 data using Sentinel-1 Toolbox software

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dostálová, Alena; Naeimi, Vahid; Wagner, Wolfgang; Elefante, Stefano; Cao, Senmao; Persson, Henrik

    2016-10-01

    One of the major advantages of the Sentinel-1 data is its capability to provide very high spatio-temporal coverage allowing the mapping of large areas as well as creation of dense time-series of the Sentinel-1 acquisitions. The SGRT software developed at TU Wien aims at automated processing of Sentinel-1 data for global and regional products. The first step of the processing consists of the Sentinel-1 data geocoding with the help of S1TBX software and their resampling to a common grid. These resampled images serve as an input for the product derivation. Thus, it is very important to select the most reliable processing settings and assess the geocoding uncertainty for both backscatter and projected local incidence angle images. Within this study, selection of Sentinel-1 acquisitions over 3 test areas in Europe were processed manually in the S1TBX software, testing multiple software versions, processing settings and digital elevation models (DEM) and the accuracy of the resulting geocoded images were assessed. Secondly, all available Sentinel-1 data over the areas were processed using selected settings and detailed quality check was performed. Overall, strong influence of the used DEM on the geocoding quality was confirmed with differences up to 80 meters in areas with higher terrain variations. In flat areas, the geocoding accuracy of backscatter images was overall good, with observed shifts between 0 and 30m. Larger systematic shifts were identified in case of projected local incidence angle images. These results encourage the automated processing of large volumes of Sentinel-1 data.

  5. Feasibility of Real-Time Near-Infrared Fluorescence Tracer Imaging in Sentinel Node Biopsy for Oral Cavity Cancer Patients.

    PubMed

    Christensen, Anders; Juhl, Karina; Charabi, Birgitte; Mortensen, Jann; Kiss, Katalin; Kjær, Andreas; von Buchwald, Christian

    2016-02-01

    Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an established method in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) for staging the cN0 neck and to select patients who will benefit from a neck dissection. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging has the potential to improve the SNB procedure by facilitating intraoperative visual identification of the sentinel lymph node (SN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of fluorescence tracer imaging for SN detection in conjunction with conventional radio-guided technique. Prospective study of patients with primary OSCC planned for tumor resection and SNB. Thirty patients were injected peritumorally with a bimodal tracer (ICG-99mTc-Nanocoll) followed by lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT to define the SNs and their anatomic allocation preoperatively. SNs were detected intraoperatively with a hand-held gamma-probe and a hand-held NIRF camera. In 29 of 30 subjects (97%), all preoperatively defined SNs could be identified intraoperatively using a combination of radioactive and fluorescence guidance. A total of 94 SNs (mean 3, range 1-5) that were both radioactive and fluorescent ex vivo were harvested. Eleven of 94 SNs (12%) could only be identified in vivo using NIRF imaging, and the majority of those were located in level 1 close to the primary tumor. A combined fluorescent and radioactive tracer for SNB is feasible, and the additional use of NIRF imaging may improve the accuracy of SN identification in oral cancer patients. Intraoperative fluorescence guidance seems of particular value when SNs are located in close proximity to the injection site.

  6. Sentinel-2 Mission status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoersch, Bianca; Colin, Olivier; Gascon, Ferran; Arino, Olivier; Spoto, Francois; Marchese, Franco; Krassenburg, Mike; Koetz, Benjamin

    2016-04-01

    Copernicus is a joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA), designed to establish a European capacity for the provision and use of operational monitoring information for environment and security applications. Within the Copernicus programme, ESA is responsible for the development of the Space Component, a fully operational space-based capability to supply earth-observation data to sustain environmental information Services in Europe. The Sentinel missions are Copernicus dedicated Earth Observation missions composing the essential elements of the Space Component. In the global Copernicus framework, they are complemented by other satellites made available by third-parties or by ESA and coordinated in the synergistic system through the Copernicus Data-Access system versus the Copernicus Services. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission provides continuity to services relying on multi-spectral high-resolution optical observations over global terrestrial surfaces. Sentinel-2 capitalizes on the technology and the vast experience acquired in Europe and the US to sustain the operational supply of data for services such as forest monitoring, land cover changes detection or natural disasters management. The Sentinel-2 mission offers an unprecedented combination of the following capabilities: ○ Systematic global coverage of land surfaces: from 56°South to 84°North, coastal waters and Mediterranean sea; ○ High revisit: every 5 days at equator under the same viewing conditions with 2 satellites; ○ High spatial resolution: 10m, 20m and 60m; ○ Multi-spectral information with 13 bands in the visible, near infra-red and short wave infra-red part of the spectrum; ○ Wide field of view: 290 km. The data from the Sentinel-2 mission are available openly and freely for all users with online easy access since December 2015. The presentation will give a status report on the Sentinel-2 mission, and outlook for the remaining ramp-up Phase, the

  7. The added value of a portable gamma camera for intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph node in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: A case report.

    PubMed

    Mayoral, M; Paredes, P; Sieira, R; Vidal-Sicart, S; Marti, C; Pons, F

    2014-01-01

    The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is still subject to debate although some studies have reported its feasibility. The main reason for this debate is probably due to the high false-negative rate for floor-of-mouth tumors per se. We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a T1N0 floor-of-mouth squamous cell carcinoma who underwent the sentinel lymph node procedure. Lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT imaging were performed for lymphatic mapping with a conventional gamma camera. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified at right Ib, left IIa and Ia levels. However, these sentinel lymph nodes were difficult to detect intraoperatively with a gamma probe owing to the activity originating from the injection site. The use of a portable gamma camera made it possible to localize and excise all the sentinel lymph nodes. This case demonstrates the usefulness of this tool to improve sentinel lymph node detecting in floor-of-mouth tumors, especially those close to the injection area. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  8. 75 FR 76018 - Third Annual Sentinel Initiative Public Workshop

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-07

    ...] Third Annual Sentinel Initiative Public Workshop AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION... workshop: Third Annual Sentinel Initiative Public Workshop. Hosted by the Engelberg Center for Health Care..., including an update on Mini-Sentinel and related activities, near-term plans for FDA's Sentinel Initiative...

  9. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck using the indocyanine green SPY Elite system.

    PubMed

    Vahabzadeh-Hagh, Andrew M; Blackwell, Keith E; Abemayor, Elliot; St John, Maie A

    2018-05-17

    Lymph node status is the single most important prognostic factor for patients with early-stage cutaneous melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard of care for intermediate depth melanomas. Modern SLNB implementation includes technetium-99 lymphoscintigraphy combined with local administration of a vital blue dye. However, sentinel lymph nodes may fail to localize in some cases and false-negative rates range from 0 to 34%. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of a new sentinel lymph node biopsy technique using indocyanine green (ICG) and the SPY Elite near-infrared imaging system. Cases of primary cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck without locoregional metastasis, underwent SLNB at a single quaternary care institution between May 2016 and June 2017. Intraoperatively, 0.25 mL of ICG was injected intradermal in 4 quadrants around the primary lesion. 10-15 minute circulation time was permitted. SPY Elite identified the sentinel lymph node within the nodal basin marked by lymphoscintigraphy. Target first echelon lymph nodes were confirmed with a gamma probe and ICG fluorescence. 14 patients were included with T1a to T4b cutaneous melanomas. Success rates for sentinel lymph node identification using lymphoscintigraphy and the SPY Elite system were both 86%. Zero false negatives occurred. Median length of follow-up was 323 days. In this pilot study, Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence demonstrates a safe, and facile method of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck compared with lymphoscintigraphy and vital blue dyes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Sentinel Network

    Cancer.gov

    The Sentinel Network is an integrated, electronic, national medical product safety initiative that compiles information about the safe and effective use of medical products accessible to patients and healthcare practitioners.

  11. Sentinel lymph nodes in endometrial cancer: is hysteroscopic injection valid?

    PubMed

    Clement, D; Bats, A S; Ghazzar-Pierquet, N; Le Frere Belda, M A; Larousserie, F; Nos, C; Lecuru, F

    2008-01-01

    We aimed to describe hysteroscopic peritumoral tracer injection for detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in patients with endometrial cancer and to evaluate tolerance of the procedure, detection rate and location of SLNs. Five patients with early endometrial cancer underwent hysteroscopic radiotracer injection followed by lymphoscintigraphy, then by surgery with hysteroscopic peritumoral blue dye injection, and radioactivity measurement using an endoscopic handheld gamma probe. SLNs and other nodes were sent separately to the pathology laboratory. SLNs were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin-saffron staining and, when negative, by immunohistochemistry. Tolerance of the injection by the patients was poor (mean visual analog scale score, 8/10). SLNs were detected in only two patients (external iliac and common iliac+paraaortic, respectively). Detection rates were 1/5 by radiotracer, 1/5 by dye, and 2/5 by the combined method. One SLN was involved in a patient whose other nodes were negative. In three patients no SLNs were found by radiotracer or blue dye. Of the 83 non sentinel nodes removed from these patients, none was involved. Hysteroscopic peritumoral injection may be more difficult than cervical injection and, in our experience, carries a lower SLN detection rate.

  12. Gap-enhanced Raman tags for high-contrast sentinel lymph node imaging.

    PubMed

    Bao, Zhouzhou; Zhang, Yuqing; Tan, Ziyang; Yin, Xia; Di, Wen; Ye, Jian

    2018-05-01

    The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is gaining in popularity as a procedure to investigate the lymphatic metastasis of malignant tumors. The commonly used techniques to identify the SLNs in clinical practice are blue dyes-guided visualization, radioisotope-based detection and near-infrared fluorescence imaging. However, all these methods have not been found to perfectly fit the clinical criteria with issues such as short retention time in SLN, poor spatial resolution, autofluorescence, low photostability and high cost. In this study, we have reported a new type of nanoprobes, named, gap-enhanced Raman tags (GERTs) for the SLN Raman imaging. With the advantageous features including unique "fingerprint" Raman signal, strong Raman enhancement, high photostability, good biocompatibility and extra-long retention time, we have demonstrated that GERTs are greatly favorable for high-contrast and deep SLN Raman imaging, which meanwhile reveals the dynamic migration behavior of the probes entering the SLN. In addition, a quantitative volumetric Raman imaging (qVRI) data-processing method is employed to acquire a high-resolution 3-dimensional (3D) margin of SLN as well as the content variation of GERTs in the SLN. Moreover, SLN detection could be realized via a cost-effective commercial portable Raman scanner. Therefore, GERTs hold the great potential to be translated in clinical application for accurate and intraoperative location of the SLN. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Synergetic Use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Data for Soil Moisture Mapping at 100 m Resolution.

    PubMed

    Gao, Qi; Zribi, Mehrez; Escorihuela, Maria Jose; Baghdadi, Nicolas

    2017-08-26

    The recent deployment of ESA's Sentinel operational satellites has established a new paradigm for remote sensing applications. In this context, Sentinel-1 radar images have made it possible to retrieve surface soil moisture with a high spatial and temporal resolution. This paper presents two methodologies for the retrieval of soil moisture from remotely-sensed SAR images, with a spatial resolution of 100 m. These algorithms are based on the interpretation of Sentinel-1 data recorded in the VV polarization, which is combined with Sentinel-2 optical data for the analysis of vegetation effects over a site in Urgell (Catalunya, Spain). The first algorithm has already been applied to observations in West Africa by Zribi et al., 2008, using low spatial resolution ERS scatterometer data, and is based on change detection approach. In the present study, this approach is applied to Sentinel-1 data and optimizes the inversion process by taking advantage of the high repeat frequency of the Sentinel observations. The second algorithm relies on a new method, based on the difference between backscattered Sentinel-1 radar signals observed on two consecutive days, expressed as a function of NDVI optical index. Both methods are applied to almost 1.5 years of satellite data (July 2015-November 2016), and are validated using field data acquired at a study site. This leads to an RMS error in volumetric moisture of approximately 0.087 m³/m³ and 0.059 m³/m³ for the first and second methods, respectively. No site calibrations are needed with these techniques, and they can be applied to any vegetation-covered area for which time series of SAR data have been recorded.

  14. A prospective investigation of fluorescence imaging to detect sentinel lymph nodes at robotic-assisted endometrial cancer staging.

    PubMed

    Paley, Pamela J; Veljovich, Dan S; Press, Joshua Z; Isacson, Christina; Pizer, Ellen; Shah, Chirag

    2016-07-01

    The accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping has been shown in endometrial cancer, but studies to date have primarily focused on cohorts at low risk for nodal involvement. In our practice, we acknowledge the lack of benefit of lymphadenectomy in the low-risk subgroup and omit lymph node removal in these patients. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel node mapping in women at sufficient risk for nodal metastasis warranting lymphadenectomy and in whom the potential benefit of avoiding nodal procurement could be realized. To evaluate the detection rate and accuracy of fluorescence-guided sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer patients undergoing robotic-assisted staging. One hundred twenty-three endometrial cancer patients undergoing sentinel lymph node sentinel node mapping using indocyanine green were prospectively evaluated. Two mL (1.0 mg/mL) of dye were injected into the cervical stroma divided between the 2-3 and 9-10 o'clock positions at the time of uterine manipulator placement. Before hysterectomy, the retroperitoneal spaces were developed and fluorescence imaging was used for sentinel node detection. Identified sentinel nodes were removed and submitted for touch prep intraoperatively, followed by permanent assessment with routine hematoxylin and eosin levels. Patients then underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and completion bilateral pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy based on intrauterine risk factors determined intraoperatively (tumor size >2 cm, >50% myometrial invasion, and grade 3 histology). Of 123 patients enrolled, at least 1 sentinel node was detected in 119 (96.7%). Ninety-nine patients (80%) had bilateral pelvic or periaortic sentinel nodes detected. A total of 85 patients met criteria warranting completion lymphadenectomy. In 14 patients (16%) periaortic lymphadenectomy was not feasible, and the mean number of pelvic nodes procured was 13 (6-22). Of the 71 patients undergoing

  15. Concordance between peri-areolar blue dye and peri-incisional radiotracer injections for sentinel node mapping in patients with a history of primary breast cancer excisonal biopsy.

    PubMed

    Mehrabibahar, M; Azizi, S; Jangjoo, A; Saremi, E; Kakhki, V R Dabbagh; Sadeghi, R; Chicken, D W; Keshtgar, M

    2014-01-01

    We evaluated the concordance between peri-areolar blue dye and peri-incisional radiotracer injections for axillary sentinel node mapping of patients with the history of previous breast lesion excisional biopsy. 80 patients with the history of previous excisional biopsy of the breast lesions were included. All patients received two injections of 99mTc-antimony sulfide colloid in both ends of incision line in an intradermal fashion. 2 mL patient blue V dye was injection to all patients in the peri-areolar area of the index quadrant after induction of anesthesia. All blue or hot nodes were harvested as sentinel lymph nodes. At least one sentinel node could be detected during surgery in 79 patients. In total 94 sentinel nodes were detected. All detected sentinel nodes were hot. In three patients sentinel nodes were detected by gamma probe but not blue dye. The tumor location in all of these patients was in the upper lateral quadrant and the incision line was extended into the axillary tail of the breast in all of them. 91 out of 94 sentinel nodes were stained blue, which amounts to 95.8% concordance between blue dye and radiotracer on a per node analysis. Single peri-areolar injection in the index quadrant would suffice for sentinel node mapping of patients with history of excisional biopsy. Care should be taken in patients with large excisional biopsy in the extreme proximity to axilla.

  16. Zika beyond the Americas: Travelers as sentinels of Zika virus transmission. A GeoSentinel analysis, 2012 to 2016.

    PubMed

    Leder, Karin; Grobusch, Martin P; Gautret, Philippe; Chen, Lin H; Kuhn, Susan; Lim, Poh Lian; Yates, Johnnie; McCarthy, Anne E; Rothe, Camilla; Kato, Yasuyuki; Bottieau, Emmanuel; Huber, Kristina; Schwartz, Eli; Stauffer, William; Malvy, Denis; Shaw, Marc T M; Rapp, Christophe; Blumberg, Lucille; Jensenius, Mogens; van Genderen, Perry J J; Hamer, Davidson H

    2017-01-01

    Zika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated in Africa; decades later, caused large outbreaks in the Pacific, and is considered endemic in Asia. We aim to describe ZIKV disease epidemiology outside the Americas, the importance of travelers as sentinels of disease transmission, and discrepancies in travel advisories from major international health organizations. This descriptive analysis using GeoSentinel Surveillance Network records involves sixty-four travel and tropical medicine clinics in 29 countries. Ill returned travelers with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of ZIKV disease acquired in Africa, Asia and the Pacific seen between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016 are included, and the frequencies of demographic, trip, and diagnostic characteristics described. ZIKV was acquired in Asia (18), the Pacific (10) and Africa (1). For five countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cameroon), GeoSentinel patients were sentinel markers of recent Zika activity. Additionally, the first confirmed ZIKV infection acquired in Kiribati was reported to GeoSentinel (2015), and a probable case was reported from Timor Leste (April 2016), representing the only case known to date. Review of Zika situation updates from major international health authorities for country risk classifications shows heterogeneity in ZIKV country travel advisories. Travelers are integral to the global spread of ZIKV, serving as sentinel markers of disease activity. Although GeoSentinel data are collected by specialized clinics and do not capture all imported cases, we show that surveillance of imported infections by returned travelers augments local surveillance system data regarding ZIKV epidemiology and can assist with risk categorization by international authorities. However, travel advisories are variable due to risk uncertainties.

  17. [Risk factors of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph node ≤ 2].

    PubMed

    Gao, Yajun; He, Yingjian; Fan, Zhaoqing; Ouyang, Tao

    2014-08-13

    To explore retrospectively the risk factors of non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis in breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node metastasis ≤ 2 and examine the likelihood of non-sentinel lymph node prediction. A sentinel lymph node biopsy database containing 455 breast cancer patients admitted between July 2005 and February 2012 at Beijing Cancer Hospital was analyzed retrospectively. The patients had ≤ 2 positive sentinel lymph node and complete axillary lymph node dissection. The SLNS⁺/SLNS ratio (P = 0.001), histological grade (P = 0.075), size of mass (P = 0.023) and onset age (P = 0.074) were correlated with NSLN metastases. Only SLNS⁺/SLNS (OR 0.502 95% CI 0.322-0.7844) , histological grade ratio (histological grade ratio II, III and others vs grade I OR 2.696, 2.102, 3.662) were significant independent predictors for NSLN metastases . The ROC value was 0.62 (0.56, 0.68). For ≤ 2 positive sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer, ratio of SLNS⁺/SLNS and histological grading are independent factors affecting NSLN metastases. However, the results remain unsatisfactory for predicting the status of NSLN.

  18. Sentinel Lymph Nodes for Breast Carcinoma A Paradigm Shift

    PubMed Central

    Maguire, Aoife; Brogi, Edi

    2016-01-01

    Context Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been established as the new standard of care for axillary staging in most patients with invasive breast carcinoma. Historically, all patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy result underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Recent trials show that axillary lymph node dissection can be safely omitted in women with clinically node negative, T1 or T2 invasive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast radiotherapy. This change in practice also has implications on the pathologic examination and reporting of sentinel lymph nodes. Objective To review recent clinical and pathologic studies of sentinel lymph nodes and explore how these findings influence the pathologic evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes. Data Sources Sources were published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) and published guidelines from the American Joint Committee on Cancer, the Union for International Cancer Control, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Conclusions The main goal of sentinel lymph node examination should be to detect all macrometastases (>2 mm). Grossly sectioning sentinel lymph nodes at 2-mm intervals and evaluation of one hematoxylin-eosin–stained section from each block is the preferred method of pathologic evaluation. Axillary lymph node dissection can be safely omitted in clinically node-negative patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes, as well as in a selected group of patients with limited sentinel lymph node involvement. The pathologic features of the primary carcinoma and its sentinel lymph node metastases contribute to estimate the extent of non–sentinel lymph node involvement. This information is important to decide on further axillary treatment. PMID:27472237

  19. Sentinel Lymph Nodes for Breast Carcinoma: A Paradigm Shift.

    PubMed

    Maguire, Aoife; Brogi, Edi

    2016-08-01

    -Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been established as the new standard of care for axillary staging in most patients with invasive breast carcinoma. Historically, all patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy result underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Recent trials show that axillary lymph node dissection can be safely omitted in women with clinically node negative, T1 or T2 invasive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast radiotherapy. This change in practice also has implications on the pathologic examination and reporting of sentinel lymph nodes. -To review recent clinical and pathologic studies of sentinel lymph nodes and explore how these findings influence the pathologic evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes. -Sources were published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) and published guidelines from the American Joint Committee on Cancer, the Union for International Cancer Control, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. -The main goal of sentinel lymph node examination should be to detect all macrometastases (>2 mm). Grossly sectioning sentinel lymph nodes at 2-mm intervals and evaluation of one hematoxylin-eosin-stained section from each block is the preferred method of pathologic evaluation. Axillary lymph node dissection can be safely omitted in clinically node-negative patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes, as well as in a selected group of patients with limited sentinel lymph node involvement. The pathologic features of the primary carcinoma and its sentinel lymph node metastases contribute to estimate the extent of non-sentinel lymph node involvement. This information is important to decide on further axillary treatment.

  20. Synergetic Use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Data for Soil Moisture Mapping at 100 m Resolution

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Qi; Zribi, Mehrez

    2017-01-01

    The recent deployment of ESA’s Sentinel operational satellites has established a new paradigm for remote sensing applications. In this context, Sentinel-1 radar images have made it possible to retrieve surface soil moisture with a high spatial and temporal resolution. This paper presents two methodologies for the retrieval of soil moisture from remotely-sensed SAR images, with a spatial resolution of 100 m. These algorithms are based on the interpretation of Sentinel-1 data recorded in the VV polarization, which is combined with Sentinel-2 optical data for the analysis of vegetation effects over a site in Urgell (Catalunya, Spain). The first algorithm has already been applied to observations in West Africa by Zribi et al., 2008, using low spatial resolution ERS scatterometer data, and is based on change detection approach. In the present study, this approach is applied to Sentinel-1 data and optimizes the inversion process by taking advantage of the high repeat frequency of the Sentinel observations. The second algorithm relies on a new method, based on the difference between backscattered Sentinel-1 radar signals observed on two consecutive days, expressed as a function of NDVI optical index. Both methods are applied to almost 1.5 years of satellite data (July 2015–November 2016), and are validated using field data acquired at a study site. This leads to an RMS error in volumetric moisture of approximately 0.087 m3/m3 and 0.059 m3/m3 for the first and second methods, respectively. No site calibrations are needed with these techniques, and they can be applied to any vegetation-covered area for which time series of SAR data have been recorded. PMID:28846601

  1. Sentinel 2 products and data quality status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Clerc, Sebastien; Gascon, Ferran; Bouzinac, Catherine; Touli-Lebreton, Dimitra; Francesconi, Benjamin; Lafrance, Bruno; Louis, Jerome; Alhammoud, Bahjat; Massera, Stephane; Pflug, Bringfried; Viallefont, Francoise; Pessiot, Laetitia

    2017-04-01

    Since July 2015, Sentinel-2A provides high-quality multi-spectral images with 10 m spatial resolution. With the launch of Sentinel-2B scheduled for early March 2017, the mission will create a consistent time series with a revisit time of 5 days. The consistency of the time series is ensured by some specific performance requirements such as multi-temporal spatial co-registration and radiometric stability, routinely monitored by the Sentinel-2 Mission Performance Centre (S2MPC). The products also provide a rich set of metadata and auxiliary data to support higher-level processing. This presentation will focus on the current status of the Sentinel-2 L1C and L2A products, including dissemination and product format aspects. Up-to-date mission performance estimations will be presented. Finally we will provide an outlook on the future evolutions: commissioning tasks for Sentinel-2B, geometric refinement, product format and processing improvements.

  2. Zika beyond the Americas: Travelers as sentinels of Zika virus transmission. A GeoSentinel analysis, 2012 to 2016.

    PubMed Central

    Grobusch, Martin P.; Gautret, Philippe; Kuhn, Susan; Lim, Poh Lian; Yates, Johnnie; McCarthy, Anne E.; Rothe, Camilla; Kato, Yasuyuki; Huber, Kristina; Schwartz, Eli; Shaw, Marc T. M.; Rapp, Christophe; Blumberg, Lucille; Jensenius, Mogens; van Genderen, Perry J. J.

    2017-01-01

    Background Zika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated in Africa; decades later, caused large outbreaks in the Pacific, and is considered endemic in Asia. We aim to describe ZIKV disease epidemiology outside the Americas, the importance of travelers as sentinels of disease transmission, and discrepancies in travel advisories from major international health organizations. Methods and findings This descriptive analysis using GeoSentinel Surveillance Network records involves sixty-four travel and tropical medicine clinics in 29 countries. Ill returned travelers with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of ZIKV disease acquired in Africa, Asia and the Pacific seen between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016 are included, and the frequencies of demographic, trip, and diagnostic characteristics described. ZIKV was acquired in Asia (18), the Pacific (10) and Africa (1). For five countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cameroon), GeoSentinel patients were sentinel markers of recent Zika activity. Additionally, the first confirmed ZIKV infection acquired in Kiribati was reported to GeoSentinel (2015), and a probable case was reported from Timor Leste (April 2016), representing the only case known to date. Review of Zika situation updates from major international health authorities for country risk classifications shows heterogeneity in ZIKV country travel advisories. Conclusions Travelers are integral to the global spread of ZIKV, serving as sentinel markers of disease activity. Although GeoSentinel data are collected by specialized clinics and do not capture all imported cases, we show that surveillance of imported infections by returned travelers augments local surveillance system data regarding ZIKV epidemiology and can assist with risk categorization by international authorities. However, travel advisories are variable due to risk uncertainties. PMID:28973011

  3. Development of an endoscopic fluorescence image-guided OCT probe for oral cancer detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McNichols, Roger J.; Gowda, Ashok; Bell, Brent A.; Johnigan, Richard M.; Calhoun, Karen H.; Motamedi, Massoud

    2001-06-01

    Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a disease which progresses through a number of well-defined morphological and biochemical changes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a rapidly-evolving, non-invasive imaging modality which allows detailed probing of subsurface tissue structures with resolution on the order of microns. While this technique offers tremendous potential as a diagnostic tool for detection and characterization of oral cancer, OCT imaging is presently associated with a field of view on the order of millimeters, and acquisition time on the order of seconds. Thus, OCT's utility as a rapid cancer screening technique is presently limited. On the other hand, imaging of tissue autofluorescence provides a very rapid, high-throughput method for cancer screening. However, while autofluorescence measures may be sensitive to cancer, they are often non- specific and lead to a large number of false positives. In the present work, we have developed a fluorescence image guided optical coherence tomographic (FIG-OCT) probe in which tissue autofluorescence images are simultaneously used to guide OCT image acquisition of suspicious regions in real time. We have begun pre-clinical pilot studies with this instrument in a DMBA-induced model of oral cancer in the hamster cheek pouch. Initial results indicate that the FIG- OCT approach shows promise as a rapid and effective tool for screening of oral cancer.

  4. Hydrodynamic ultrasonic probe

    DOEpatents

    Day, Robert A.; Conti, Armond E.

    1980-01-01

    An improved probe for in-service ultrasonic inspection of long lengths of a workpiece, such as small diameter tubing from the interior. The improved probe utilizes a conventional transducer or transducers configured to inspect the tubing for flaws and/or wall thickness variations. The probe utilizes a hydraulic technique, in place of the conventional mechanical guides or bushings, which allows the probe to move rectilinearly or rotationally while preventing cocking thereof in the tube and provides damping vibration of the probe. The probe thus has lower friction and higher inspection speed than presently known probes.

  5. Repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with ipsilateral recurrent breast cancer after breast-conserving therapy and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy: a prospective study.

    PubMed

    Folli, Secondo; Falco, Giuseppe; Mingozzi, Matteo; Buggi, Federico; Curcio, Annalisa; Ferrari, Guglielmo; Taffurelli, Mario; Regolo, Lea; Nanni, Oriana

    2016-04-01

    Patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence or new ipsilateral primary tumor after previous breast conservative surgery with negative sentinel lymph node biopsy need a new axillary staging procedure. However, the best surgical option, i.e. repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection, is still debated. Purpose of the study is to assess the performance of repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy. In a multicenter study, lymph node biopsy completed by back-up axillary lymph node dissection was undertaken for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence or new ipsilateral primary tumor. Tracer uptake was used to identify and isolate the sentinel lymph node during surgery, and it was classified after staining with hematoxylin and eosin and monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibodies. Aside from negative predictive value, overall accuracy and false-negative rate of repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy were assessed. A multicenter, prospective study was conducted performing 30 repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy completed by back-up axillary lymph node dissection for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence or new ipsilateral primary tumor in patients formerly treated with previous breast conservative surgery and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. Negative predictive value, overall accuracy and false-negative rate of repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy were assessed. Sentinel lymph nodes were mapped in 27 patients out of 30 (90%). Aberrant drainage pathways were observed in one patient (3.7%). Tracer uptake was sufficient to identify and isolate the sentinel lymph node during surgery in 23 cases (76.6%); the patients in whom lymphoscintigraphy failed or no sentinel lymph nodes could be isolated underwent axillary lymph node dissection. The negative predictive value was 95.2%, the accuracy was 95.6% and the false-negative rate was 33%. Repeat sentinel lymph node biopsy is feasible and accurate, with a high negative predictive value. Patients with ipsilateral breast tumor

  6. Copernicus POD Service: Orbit Determination of the Sentinel Satellites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peter, Heike; Fernández, Jaime; Ayuga, Francisco; Féménias, Pierre

    2016-04-01

    The Copernicus POD (Precise Orbit Determination) Service is part of the Copernicus Processing Data Ground Segment (PDGS) of the Sentinel-1, -2 and -3 missions. A GMV-led consortium is operating the Copernicus POD Service being in charge of generating precise orbital products and auxiliary data files for their use as part of the processing chains of the respective Sentinel PDGS. Sentinel-1A was launched in April 2014 while Sentinel-2A was on June 2015 and both are routinely operated since then. Sentinel-3A is expected to be launched in February 2016 and Sentinel-1B is planned for spring 2016. Thus the CPOD Service will be operating three to four satellites simultaneously in spring 2016. The satellites of the Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 missions are all equipped with dual frequency high precision GPS receivers delivering the main observables for POD. Sentinel-3 satellites will additionally be equipped with a laser retro reflector for Satellite Laser Ranging and a receiver for DORIS tracking. All three types of observables (GPS, SLR and DORIS) will be used routinely for POD. The POD core of the CPOD Service is NAPEOS (Navigation Package for Earth Orbiting Satellites) the leading ESA/ESOC software for precise orbit determination. The careful selection of models and inputs is important to achieve the different but very demanding requirements in terms of orbital accuracy and timeliness for the Sentinel -1, -2 & -3 missions. The three missions require orbital products with various latencies from 30 minutes up to 20-30 days. The accuracy requirements are also different and partly very challenging, targeting 5 cm in 3D for Sentinel-1 and 2-3 cm in radial direction for Sentinel-3. Although the characteristics and the requirements are different for the three missions the same core POD setup is used to the largest extent possible. This strategy facilitates maintenance of the complex system of the CPOD Service. Updates in the dynamical modelling of the satellite orbits, e

  7. Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Toolbox

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, Jerome; Lucas, Bruno; DInardo, Salvatore

    2015-04-01

    The prime objective of the SEOM (Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions) element is to federate, support and expand the large international research community that the ERS, ENVISAT and the Envelope programmes have build up over the last 20 years for the future European operational Earth Observation missions, the Sentinels. Sentinel-3 builds directly on a proven heritage of ERS-2 and Envisat, and CryoSat-2, with a dual-frequency (Ku and C band) advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) that provides measurements at a resolution of ~300m in SAR mode along track. Sentinel-3 will provide exact measurements of sea-surface height along with accurate topography measurements over sea ice, ice sheets, rivers and lakes. The first of the two Sentinels is expected to be launched in early 2015. The current universal altimetry toolbox is BRAT (Basic Radar Altimetry Toolbox) which can read all previous and current altimetry mission's data, but it does not have the capabilities to read the upcoming Sentinel-3 L1 and L2 products. ESA will endeavour to develop and supply this capability to support the users of the future Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Mission. BRAT is a collection of tools and tutorial documents designed to facilitate the processing of radar altimetry data. This project started in 2005 from the joint efforts of ESA (European Space Agency) and CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales), and it is freely available at http://earth.esa.int/brat. The tools enable users to interact with the most common altimetry data formats, the BratGUI is the front-end for the powerful command line tools that are part of the BRAT suite. BRAT can also be used in conjunction with Matlab/IDL (via reading routines) or in C/C++/Fortran via a programming API, allowing the user to obtain desired data, bypassing the data-formatting hassle. BRAT can be used simply to visualise data quickly, or to translate the data into other formats such as netCDF, ASCII text files, KML (Google Earth

  8. Sentinel lymph node biopsy under fluorescent indocyanin green guidance: Initial experience.

    PubMed

    Aydoğan, Fatih; Arıkan, Akif Enes; Aytaç, Erman; Velidedeoğlu, Mehmet; Yılmaz, Mehmet Halit; Sager, Muhammet Sait; Çelik, Varol; Uras, Cihan

    2016-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be applied by using either blue dye or radionuclide method or both in breast cancer. Fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green is a new defined method. This study evaluates the applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy via fluorescent indocyanine green. IC-VIEW (Pulsion Medical Systems AG, Munich, Germany) infrared visualization system was used for imaging. Two mL of indocyanine green was injected to visualize sentinel lymph nodes. After injection, subcutaneous lymphatics were traced and sentinel lymph nodes were found with simultaneous imaging. Sentinel lymph nodes were excised under fluorescent light guidance, and excised lymph nodes were examined histopathologically. Patients with sentinel lymph node metastases underwent axillary dissection. Four patients with sentinel lymph node biopsy due to breast cancer were included in the study. Sentinel lymph nodes were visualized with indocyanine green in all patients. The median number of excised sentinel lymph node was 2 (2-3). Two patients with lymph node metastasis underwent axillary dissection. No metastasis was detected in lymph nodes other than the sentinel nodes in patients with axillary dissection. There was no complication during and after the operation related to the method. According to our limited experience, sentinel lymph node biopsy under fluorescent indocyanine green guidance, which has an advantage of simultaneous visualization, is technically feasible.

  9. 78 FR 67168 - Sixth Annual Sentinel Initiative; Public Workshop

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-08

    ...] Sixth Annual Sentinel Initiative; Public Workshop AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION... workshop entitled ``Sixth Annual Sentinel Initiative.'' Convened by the Engelberg Center for Health Care... product surveillance. Topics will include an overview of the status of FDA's Sentinel Initiative and...

  10. Sentinel lymph node detection in early cervical cancer with combination 99mTc phytate and patent blue.

    PubMed

    Niikura, Hitoshi; Okamura, Chikako; Akahira, Junichi; Takano, Tadao; Ito, Kiyoshi; Okamura, Kunihiro; Yaegashi, Nobuo

    2004-08-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in patients with early stage cervical cancer using (99m)Tc phytate and patent blue dye and to compare our method with published findings utilizing other radioisotopic tracers. A total of 20 consecutive patients with cervical cancer scheduled for radical hysterectomy and total pelvic lymphadenectomy at our hospital underwent SLN detection study. The day before surgery, lymphoscintigraphy was performed with injection of 99m-technetium ((99m)Tc)-labeled phytate into the uterine cervix. At surgery, patients underwent lymphatic mapping with a gamma-detecting probe and patent blue injected into the same points as the phytate solution. At least one positive node was detected in 18 patients (90%). A total of 46 sentinel nodes were detected (mean, 2.3; range, 1-5). Most sentinel nodes were in one of the following sites: external iliac (21 nodes), obturator (15 nodes), and parametrial (7 nodes). Eleven (24%) sentinel nodes were detected only through radioactivity and two (4%) were detected only with blue dye. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value for SLN detection were all 100%. Nine published studies involving 295 patients had a summarized detection rate of 85%. Summarized sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value were 93%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. Combination of (99m)Tc phytate and patent blue is effective in SLN detection in early stage cervical cancer.

  11. Optical see-through cancer vision goggles enable direct patient visualization and real-time fluorescence-guided oncologic surgery

    PubMed Central

    Mondal, Suman B.; Gao, Shengkui; Zhu, Nan; Hebimana-Griffin, LeMoyne; Akers, Walter J.; Liang, Rongguang; Gruev, Viktor; Margenthaler, Julie; Achilefu, Samuel

    2017-01-01

    Background The inability to directly visualize the patient and surgical site limits the use of current near infrared fluorescence-guided surgery systems for real-time sentinel lymph node biopsy and tumor margin assessment. Methods We evaluated an optical see-through goggle augmented imaging and navigation system (GAINS) for near-infrared fluorescence-guided surgery. Tumor-bearing mice injected with a near infrared cancer-targeting agent underwent fluorescence-guided tumor resection. Female Yorkshire pigs received hind leg intradermal indocyanine green injection and underwent fluorescence-guided popliteal lymph node resection. Four breast cancer patients received 99mTc-sulfur colloid and indocyanine green retroareolarly, before undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy using radioactive tracking and fluorescence imaging. Three other breast cancer patients received indocyanine green retroareolarly before undergoing standard-of-care partial mastectomy, followed by fluorescence imaging of resected tumor and tumor cavity for margin assessment. Results Using near-infrared fluorescence from the dyes, the optical see-through GAINS accurately identified all mouse tumors, pig lymphatics, and 4 pig popliteal lymph nodes with high signal-to-background ratio. In 4 human breast cancer patients, 11 sentinel lymph nodes were identified with a detection sensitivity of 86.67± 0.27% for radioactive tracking and 100% for GAINS. Tumor margin status was accurately predicted by GAINS in all three patients, including clear margins in patients 1 and 2 and positive margins in patient 3 as confirmed by paraffin embedded section histopathology. Conclusions The optical see-through GAINS prototype enhances near infrared fluorescence-guided surgery for sentinel lymph node biopsy and tumor margin assessment in breast cancer patients without disrupting the surgical workflow in the operating room. PMID:28213790

  12. Optical See-Through Cancer Vision Goggles Enable Direct Patient Visualization and Real-Time Fluorescence-Guided Oncologic Surgery.

    PubMed

    Mondal, Suman B; Gao, Shengkui; Zhu, Nan; Habimana-Griffin, LeMoyne; Akers, Walter J; Liang, Rongguang; Gruev, Viktor; Margenthaler, Julie; Achilefu, Samuel

    2017-07-01

    The inability to visualize the patient and surgical site directly, limits the use of current near infrared fluorescence-guided surgery systems for real-time sentinel lymph node biopsy and tumor margin assessment. We evaluated an optical see-through goggle augmented imaging and navigation system (GAINS) for near-infrared, fluorescence-guided surgery. Tumor-bearing mice injected with a near infrared cancer-targeting agent underwent fluorescence-guided, tumor resection. Female Yorkshire pigs received hind leg intradermal indocyanine green injection and underwent fluorescence-guided, popliteal lymph node resection. Four breast cancer patients received 99m Tc-sulfur colloid and indocyanine green retroareolarly before undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy using radioactive tracking and fluorescence imaging. Three other breast cancer patients received indocyanine green retroareolarly before undergoing standard-of-care partial mastectomy, followed by fluorescence imaging of resected tumor and tumor cavity for margin assessment. Using near-infrared fluorescence from the dyes, the optical see-through GAINS accurately identified all mouse tumors, pig lymphatics, and four pig popliteal lymph nodes with high signal-to-background ratio. In 4 human breast cancer patients, 11 sentinel lymph nodes were identified with a detection sensitivity of 86.67 ± 0.27% for radioactive tracking and 100% for GAINS. Tumor margin status was accurately predicted by GAINS in all three patients, including clear margins in patients 1 and 2 and positive margins in patient 3 as confirmed by paraffin-embedded section histopathology. The optical see-through GAINS prototype enhances near infrared fluorescence-guided surgery for sentinel lymph node biopsy and tumor margin assessment in breast cancer patients without disrupting the surgical workflow in the operating room.

  13. Human and Animal Sentinels for Shared Health Risks

    PubMed Central

    Rabinowitz, Peter; Scotch, Matthew; Conti, Lisa

    2009-01-01

    Summary The tracking of sentinel health events in humans in order to detect and manage disease risks facing a larger population is a well accepted technique applied to influenza, occupational conditions, and emerging infectious diseases. Similarly, animal health professionals routinely track disease events in sentinel animal colonies and sentinel herds. The use of animals as sentinels for human health threats, or of humans as sentinels for animal disease risk, dates back at least to the era when coal miners brought caged canaries into mines to provide early warning of toxic gases. Yet the full potential of linking animal and human health information to provide warning of such “shared risks” from environmental hazards has not been realized. Reasons appear to include the professional segregation of human and animal health communities, the separation of human and animal surveillance data, and evidence gaps in the linkages between human and animal responses to environmental health hazards. The One Health initiative and growing international collaboration in response to pandemic threats, coupled with development the fields of informatics and genomics, hold promise for improved sharing of knowledge about sentinel events in order to detect and reduce environmental health threats shared between species. PMID:20148187

  14. A cMUT probe for ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound targeted therapy.

    PubMed

    Gross, Dominique; Coutier, Caroline; Legros, Mathieu; Bouakaz, Ayache; Certon, Dominique

    2015-06-01

    Ultrasound-mediated targeted therapy represents a promising strategy in the arsenal of modern therapy. Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) technology could overcome some difficulties encountered by traditional piezoelectric transducers. In this study, we report on the design, fabrication, and characterization of an ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound (USgFUS) cMUT probe dedicated to preclinical evaluation of targeted therapy (hyperthermia, thermosensitive liposomes activation, and sonoporation) at low frequency (1 MHz) with simultaneous ultrasonic imaging and guidance (15 to 20 MHz). The probe embeds two types of cMUT arrays to perform the modalities of targeted therapy and imaging respectively. The wafer-bonding process flow employed for the manufacturing of the cMUTs is reported. One of its main features is the possibility of implementing two different gap heights on the same wafer. All the design and characterization steps of the devices are described and discussed, starting from the array design up to the first in vitro measurements: optical (microscopy) and electrical (impedance) measurements, arrays' electroacoustic responses, focused pressure field mapping (maximum peak-to-peak pressure = 2.5 MPa), and the first B-scan image of a wire-target phantom.

  15. Sentinel lymph node biopsy under fluorescent indocyanin green guidance: Initial experience

    PubMed Central

    Aydoğan, Fatih; Arıkan, Akif Enes; Aytaç, Erman; Velidedeoğlu, Mehmet; Yılmaz, Mehmet Halit; Sager, Muhammet Sait; Çelik, Varol; Uras, Cihan

    2016-01-01

    Objective: Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be applied by using either blue dye or radionuclide method or both in breast cancer. Fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green is a new defined method. This study evaluates the applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy via fluorescent indocyanine green. Material and Methods: IC-VIEW (Pulsion Medical Systems AG, Munich, Germany) infrared visualization system was used for imaging. Two mL of indocyanine green was injected to visualize sentinel lymph nodes. After injection, subcutaneous lymphatics were traced and sentinel lymph nodes were found with simultaneous imaging. Sentinel lymph nodes were excised under fluorescent light guidance, and excised lymph nodes were examined histopathologically. Patients with sentinel lymph node metastases underwent axillary dissection. Results: Four patients with sentinel lymph node biopsy due to breast cancer were included in the study. Sentinel lymph nodes were visualized with indocyanine green in all patients. The median number of excised sentinel lymph node was 2 (2–3). Two patients with lymph node metastasis underwent axillary dissection. No metastasis was detected in lymph nodes other than the sentinel nodes in patients with axillary dissection. There was no complication during and after the operation related to the method. Conclusion: According to our limited experience, sentinel lymph node biopsy under fluorescent indocyanine green guidance, which has an advantage of simultaneous visualization, is technically feasible. PMID:26985159

  16. Sentinel node detection in pre-operative axillary staging.

    PubMed

    Trifirò, Giuseppe; Viale, Giuseppe; Gentilini, Oreste; Travaini, Laura Lavinia; Paganelli, Giovanni

    2004-06-01

    The concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer surgery is based on the fact that the tumour drains in a logical way via the lymphatic system, from the first to upper levels. Since axillary node dissection does not improve the prognosis of patients with breast cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy might replace complete axillary dissection for staging of the axilla in clinically N0 patients. Sentinel lymph node biopsy would represent a significant advantage as a minimally invasive procedure, considering that about 70% of patients are found to be free from metastatic disease, yet axillary node dissection can lead to significant morbidity. Subdermal or peritumoural injection of small aliquots (and very low activity) of radiotracer is preferred to intratumoural administration, and (99m)Tc-labelled colloids with most of the particles in the 100-200 nm size range would be ideal for radioguided sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer. The success rate of radioguidance in localising the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer surgery is about 97% in institutions where a high number of procedures are performed, and the success rate of lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node detection is about 100%. The sentinel lymph node should be processed for intraoperative frozen section examination in its entirety, based on conventional histopathology and, when necessary, immune staining with anti-cytokeratin antibody. Nowadays, lymphoscintigraphy is a useful procedure in patients with different clinical evidence of breast cancer.

  17. Operational marine products from Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tomazic, Igor; Montagner, Francois; O'Carroll, Anne; Kwiatkowska, Ewa; Scharroo, Remko; Nogueira Loddo, Carolina; Martin-Puig, Cristina; Bonekamp, Hans; Lucas, Bruno; Dinardo, Salvatore; Dash, Prasanjit; Taberner, Malcolm; Coto Cabaleiro, Eva; Santacesaria, Vincenzo; Wilson, Hilary

    2017-04-01

    The first Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, Sentinel-3A, was launched in early 2016, with the mission to provide a consistent, long-term collection of marine and land data for operational analysis, forecasting and environmental and climate monitoring. The marine centre is part of the Sentinel-3 Payload Data Ground Segment, located at EUMETSAT. This centre together with the existing EUMETSAT facilities provides a routine centralised service for operational meteorology, oceanography, and other Sentinel-3 marine users as part of the European Commission's Copernicus programme. The EUMETSAT marine centre delivers operational Sea Surface Temperature, Ocean Colour and Sea Surface Topography data products based on the measurements from the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR), Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL), respectively, all aboard Sentinel-3. All products have been developed together with ESA and industry partners and EUMETSAT is responsible for the production, distribution, and future evolution of Level-2 marine products. We will give an overview of the scientific characteristics and algorithms of all marine Level-2 products, as well as instrument calibration and product validation results based on on-going Sentinel-3 Cal/Val activities. Information will be also provided about the current status of the product dissemination and the future evolutions that are envisaged. Also, we will provide information how to access Sentinel-3 data from EUMETSAT and where to look for further information.

  18. The SENTINEL-3 Mission: Overview and Status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, J.; Mecklenburg, S.

    2015-12-01

    The Copernicus Programme, being Europe's Earth Observation and Monitoring Programme led by the European Union, aims to provide, on a sustainable basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues. The Sentinel-3 mission forms part of the Copernicus Space Component. Its main objectives, building on the heritage and experience of the European Space Agency's (ESA) ERS and ENVISAT missions, are to measure sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature and ocean- and land-surface colour in support of ocean forecasting systems, and for environmental and climate monitoring. The series of Sentinel-3 satellites will ensure global, frequent and near-real time ocean, ice and land monitoring, with the provision of observation data in routine, long term (up to 20 years of operations) and continuous fashion, with a consistent quality and a high level of reliability and availability. The Sentinel-3 missions will be jointly operated by ESA and EUMETSAT. ESA will be responsible for the operations, maintenance and evolution of the Sentinel-3 ground segment on land related products and EUMETSAT for the marine products. The Sentinel-3 ground segment systematically acquires, processes and distributes a set of pre-defined core data products. Sentinel-3A is foreseen to be launched at the beginning of November 2015. The paper will give an overview on the mission, its instruments and objectives, the data products provided, the mechanisms to access the mission's data, and if available first results.

  19. Sentinel lymph node scintigraphy in cutaneous melanoma using a planar calibration phantom filled with Tc-99m pertechnetate solution for body contouring.

    PubMed

    Peştean, Claudiu; Bărbuş, Elena; Piciu, Andra; Larg, Maria Iulia; Sabo, Alexandrina; Moisescu-Goia, Cristina; Piciu, Doina

    2016-01-01

    Melanoma is a disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. Sentinel lymph node scintigraphy is a diagnostic tool that offers important information regarding the localization of the sentinel lymph nodes offering important input data to establish a pertinent and personalized therapeutic strategy. The golden standard in body contouring for sentinel lymph node scintigraphy is to use a planar flood source of Cobalt-57 (Co-57) placed behind the patients, against the gamma camera. The purpose of the study was to determine the performance of the procedure using a flood calibration planar phantom filled with aqueous solution of Technetion-99m (Tc-99m) in comparison with the published data in literature where the gold standard was used. The study was conducted in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă" Cluj-Napoca in 95 patients, 31 males and 64 females. The localization of the lesions was grouped by anatomical regions as follows: 23 on lower limbs, 17 on upper limbs, 45 on thorax and 10 on abdomen. The calibration flood phantom containing aqueous solution of Tc-99m pertechnetate was used as planar source to visualize the body contour of the patients for a proper anatomic localization of detected sentinel lymph nodes. The radiopharmaceutical uptake in sentinel lymph nodes has been recorded in serial images following peritumoral injection of 1 ml solution of Tc-99m albumin nanocolloids with an activity of 1 mCi (37 MBq). The used protocol consisted in early acquired planar images within 15 minutes post-injection and delayed images at 2-3 hours and when necessary, additional images at 6-7 hours. The acquisition matrix used was 128×128 pixels for an acquisition time of 5 - 7 minutes. The skin projection of the sentinel lymph nodes was marked on the skin and surgical removal of detected sentinel lymph nodes was performed the next day using a gamma probe for detection and measurements. The sentinel lymph nodes were detected in

  20. Sentinel-3 for Science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, J.; Regner, P.; Desnos, Y. L.

    2015-12-01

    The Scientific Exploitation of Operational Mission (SEOM) programme element (http://seom.esa.int/) is part of the ESA's Fourth Earth Observation Envelope Programme (2013-2017). The prime objective is to federate, support and expand the international research community that the ERS, ENVISAT and the Envelope programmes have built up over the last 25 years. It aims to further strengthen the leadership of the European Earth Observation research community by enabling them to extensively exploit future European operational EO missions. SEOM is enabling the science community to address new scientific research that are opened by free and open access to data from operational EO missions. The Programme is based on community-wide recommendations for actions on key research issues, gathered through a series of international thematic workshops and scientific user consultation meetings such as the Sentinel-3 for Science Workshop held last June in Venice, Italy (see http://seom.esa.int/S3forScience2015). The 2015 SEOM work plan includes the launch of new R&D studies for scientific exploitation of the Sentinels, the development of open-source multi-mission scientific toolboxes, the organization of advanced international training courses, summer schools and educational materials, as well as activities for promoting the scientific use of EO data, also via the organization of Workshops. This paper will report the recommendations from the International Scientific Community concerning the Sentinel-3 Scientific Exploitation, as expressed in Venice, keeping in mind that Sentinel-3 is an operational mission to provide operational services (see http://www.copernicus.eu).

  1. Quantification of Radiation Exposure of Non-Dominant Index for the Surgeon Performing Sentinel Lymph-Node Removal Procedure.

    PubMed

    Peştean, Claudiu; Larg, Maria Iulia; Bărbuş, Elena; Bădulescu, Claudiu; Piciu, Doina

    2018-01-01

    Sentinel lymph-node scintigraphy is a useful method for accurate staging of different tumors and a helpful tool in personalized therapy for oncological patients. The radiation exposure for surgical staff has been a concern since the sentinel lymph-node detection method was developed. The objective of the study was to determine and quantify the exposure to radiation of the non-dominant index for the surgeon performing sentinel lymph-node removal and to determine, if there is an irradiation risk imposed during the surgical procedure. We performed a study over a period of one year, where we evaluated the exposure of surgeon's non-dominant index during 196 sentinel lymph-node removal procedures. The pharmaceutical was administrated via subcutaneous injection in four peritumoral or perilesional injection sites. The equipment we used consisted of EuroProbe3 for sentinel lymph-node detection and ring TLD dosimeter placed on the surgeon's non-dominant index. The clinical distribution was: 104 melanomas, 84 breast carcinomas, 6 vulvar carcinomas and 2 penial carcinomas. The administered activity showed an average of 39.55 MBq (SD ± 1.96) Tc-99m nanoalbumin compound. The non-dominant index exposure ranged between 0.10 mSv and 0.13 mSv/month with a cumulative dose of 1.31 mSv/year, thus 6.69 µSv per procedure. The surgeon received a minimal dose for the non-dominant index. The values we recorded did not pose any additional concerns or restrictions, the exposure being under the limits and constraints established by regulations, close to the detectability limit of the dosimeter. The procedure is safe in terms of radiation protection, respecting the limitation and optimization principles. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  2. Utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy for uterine cancer.

    PubMed

    Wright, Jason D; Cham, Stephanie; Chen, Ling; Burke, William M; Hou, June Y; Tergas, Ana I; Desai, Vrunda; Hu, Jim C; Ananth, Cande V; Neugut, Alfred I; Hershman, Dawn L

    2017-06-01

    To limit the potential short and long-term morbidity of lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy has been proposed for endometrial cancer. The principle of sentinel lymph node biopsy relies on removal of a small number of lymph nodes that are the first drainage basins from a tumor and thus the most likely to harbor tumor cells. While the procedure may reduce morbidity, efficacy data are limited and little is known about how commonly the procedure is performed. We examined the patterns and predictors of use of sentinel lymph node biopsy and outcomes of the procedure in women with endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy. We used the Perspective database to identify women with uterine cancer who underwent hysterectomy from 2011 through 2015. Billing and charge codes were used to classify women as having undergone lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or no nodal assessment. Multivariable models were used to examine clinical, demographic, and hospital characteristics with use of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Length of stay and cost were compared among the different methods of nodal assessment. Among 28,362 patients, 9327 (32.9%) did not undergo nodal assessment, 17,669 (62.3%) underwent lymphadenectomy, and 1366 (4.8%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 1.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.6%) of abdominal hysterectomies, 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-4.1%) of laparoscopic hysterectomies, and 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 7.0-8.0%) of robotic-assisted hysterectomies. In a multivariable model, more recent year of surgery was associated with performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Compared to abdominal hysterectomy, those undergoing laparoscopic (adjusted risk ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-3.18) and robotic-assisted (adjusted risk ratio, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-3.30) hysterectomy were more likely to undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy. Among women who underwent minimally

  3. The history of sentinel node biopsy in head and neck cancer: From visualization of lymphatic vessels to sentinel nodes.

    PubMed

    de Bree, Remco; Nieweg, Omgo E

    2015-09-01

    The aim of this report is to describe the history of sentinel node biopsy in head and neck cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is a minimally invasive technique to select patients for treatment of metastatic lymph nodes in the neck. Although this procedure has only recently been accepted for early oral cancer, the first studies on visualization of the cervical lymphatic vessels were reported in the 1960s. In the 1980s mapping of lymphatic drainage from specific head and neck sites was introduced. Sentinel node biopsy was further developed in the 1990s and after validation in this century the procedure is routinely performed in early oral cancer in several head and neck centers. New techniques may improve the accuracy of sentinel node biopsy further, particularly in difficult subsites like the floor of mouth. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Sentinel 2 global reference image

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dechoz, C.; Poulain, V.; Massera, S.; Languille, F.; Greslou, D.; de Lussy, F.; Gaudel, A.; L'Helguen, C.; Picard, C.; Trémas, T.

    2015-10-01

    Sentinel-2 is a multispectral, high-resolution, optical imaging mission, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission. In cooperation with ESA, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is responsible for the image quality of the project, and will ensure the CAL/VAL commissioning phase. Sentinel-2 mission is devoted the operational monitoring of land and coastal areas, and will provide a continuity of SPOT- and Landsat-type data. Sentinel-2 will also deliver information for emergency services. Launched in 2015 and 2016, there will be a constellation of 2 satellites on a polar sun-synchronous orbit, imaging systematically terrestrial surfaces with a revisit time of 5 days, in 13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infra-red. Therefore, multi-temporal series of images, taken under the same viewing conditions, will be available. So as to ensure for the multi-temporal registration of the products, specified to be better than 0.3 pixels at 2σ, a Global Reference Image (GRI) will be produced during the CAL/VAL period. This GRI is composed of a set of Sentinel-2 acquisitions, which geometry has been corrected by bundle block adjustment. During L1B processing, Ground Control Points will be taken between this reference image and the sentinel-2 acquisition processed and the geometric model of the image corrected, so as to ensure the good multi-temporal registration. This paper first details the production of the reference during the CALVAL period, and then details the qualification and geolocation performance assessment of the GRI. It finally presents its use in the Level-1 processing chain and gives a first assessment of the multi-temporal registration.

  5. Preoperative 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging and sentinel node biopsy in the detection of regional lymph node metastases in malignant melanoma.

    PubMed

    Singh, Baljinder; Ezziddin, Samer; Palmedo, Holger; Reinhardt, Michael; Strunk, Holger; Tüting, Thomas; Biersack, Hans-Jürgen; Ahmadzadehfar, Hojjat

    2008-10-01

    The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanning, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy (LS), and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with malignant melanoma. Fifty-two patients (36 men: 16 women; mean age 55.0+/-13.0 years; median age 61 years; range 17-76 years) with malignant melanoma were selected. According to the latest version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, the disease in the study patients was initially classified as either stage I or II. The other primary tumor characteristics were mean Breslow depth=2.87 mm and median=2 mm; range 1-12.0 mm and Clarks levels III-V. None of the study patients had clinical or radiological evidence of regional lymph node metastatic disease. At least one sentinel node was identified in all patients. Preoperative LS detected a total of 111 sentinel lymph nodes (average 2.13 sentinel lymph node per patient) and demonstrated a single nodal draining basin in 38 (73%) patients and multiple (2-3 draining basins) in the remaining 14 (27%) patients. Fourteen out of the 52 patients (27%) had at least one involved sentinel node. Positron emission tomography was true positive in two patients with a sentinel node greater than 1 cm and false positive in two other patients. In this study, the detection of sentinel lymph node by LS and gamma probe had a sensitivity of 100%. In contrast, 18F-FDG-PET imaging demonstrated very low sensitivity (14.3%; 95% CI, 2.5 to 44%) and positive predictive value (50%; 95% CI, 9 to 90%) for localizing the subclinical nodal metastases. The specificity, net present value, and diagnostic accuracy were 94.7, 75, and 73%, respectively. Preoperative fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging is not able to substitute LS/sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients at stage I or II.

  6. Clinical trial of combined radio- and fluorescence-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

    PubMed Central

    Schaafsma, Boudewijn E.; Verbeek, Floris P.R.; Rietbergen, Daphne D.D.; van der Hiel, Bernies; van der Vorst, Joost R.; Liefers, Gerrit-Jan; Frangioni, John V.; van de Velde, Cornelis J.H.; van Leeuwen, Fijs W.B.; Vahrmeijer, Alexander L.

    2013-01-01

    Background Combining radioactive colloids and a near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore permit preoperative planning and intraoperative localization of deeply located sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) with direct optical guidance by a single lymphatic tracer. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate and optimize a hybrid NIR fluorescence and radioactive tracer for SLN detection in breast cancer patients. Method Patients with breast cancer undergoing SLN biopsy were enrolled. The day before surgery, indocyanine green (ICG)-99mTc-Nanocolloid was injected periareolarly and a lymphoscintigram was acquired. Directly before surgery, blue dye was injected. Intraoperative SLN localization was performed by a gamma probe and the Mini-FLARETM NIR fluorescence imaging system. Patients were divided into two dose groups, with one group receiving twice the particle density of ICG and nanocolloid, but the same dose of radioactive 99mTechnetium. Results Thirty-two patients were enrolled in the trial. At least one SLN was identified pre- and intraoperatively. All 48 axillary SLNs could be detected by gamma tracing and NIR fluorescence imaging, but only 42 of them stained blue. NIR fluorescence permitted detection of lymphatic vessels draining to the SLN up to 29 hours after injection. Increasing the particle density by two-fold did not yield a difference in fluorescence intensity, median 255 (range 98 – 542) vs. median 284 (90 – 921; P = 0.590), or signal- to- background ratio, median 5.4 (range 3.0 – 15.4) vs. median 4.9 (3.5 – 16.3; P = 1.000), of the SLN. Conclusion The hybrid NIR fluorescence and radioactive tracer ICG-99mTc-Nanocolloid permitted accurate pre- and intraoperative detection of the SLNs in patients with breast cancer. PMID:23696463

  7. Anatomical classification of breast sentinel lymph nodes using computed tomography-lymphography.

    PubMed

    Fujita, Tamaki; Miura, Hiroyuki; Seino, Hiroko; Ono, Shuichi; Nishi, Takashi; Nishimura, Akimasa; Hakamada, Kenichi; Aoki, Masahiko

    2018-05-03

    To evaluate the anatomical classification and location of breast sentinel lymph nodes, preoperative computed tomography-lymphography examinations were retrospectively reviewed for sentinel lymph nodes in 464 cases clinically diagnosed with node-negative breast cancer between July 2007 and June 2016. Anatomical classification was performed based on the numbers of lymphatic routes and sentinel lymph nodes, the flow direction of lymphatic routes, and the location of sentinel lymph nodes. Of the 464 cases reviewed, anatomical classification could be performed in 434 (93.5 %). The largest number of cases showed single route/single sentinel lymph node (n = 296, 68.2 %), followed by multiple routes/multiple sentinel lymph nodes (n = 59, 13.6 %), single route/multiple sentinel lymph nodes (n = 53, 12.2 %), and multiple routes/single sentinel lymph node (n = 26, 6.0 %). Classification based on the flow direction of lymphatic routes showed that 429 cases (98.8 %) had outward flow on the superficial fascia toward axillary lymph nodes, whereas classification based on the height of sentinel lymph nodes showed that 323 cases (74.4 %) belonged to the upper pectoral group of axillary lymph nodes. There was wide variation in the number of lymphatic routes and their branching patterns and in the number, location, and direction of flow of sentinel lymph nodes. It is clinically very important to preoperatively understand the anatomical morphology of lymphatic routes and sentinel lymph nodes for optimal treatment of breast cancer, and computed tomography-lymphography is suitable for this purpose.

  8. GeoSentinel: the global emerging infections sentinel network of the International Society of Travel Medicine.

    PubMed

    Freedman, D O; Kozarsky, P E; Weld, L H; Cetron, M S

    1999-06-01

    GeoSentinel is a network of 22 member travel/tropical medicine clinics (14 in the United States and 8 in other countries) initiated in 1995 by the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM). GeoSentinel is based on the concept that these clinics are ideally situated to effectively detect geographic and temporal trends in morbidity among travelers. The core surveillance tool is a single-page faxable form submitted to a central data site for each post-travel patient, including immigrants, refugees, and foreign visitors. Diagnoses are entered either as specific etiologies or as syndromes and are then linked to geographic locations, reference dates, and clinical presentations. In addition, electronic communication with the larger body of worldwide ISTM member clinics is periodically done to obtain broader data collection in response to specific inquiries. The scope of GeoSentinel has broadened from the initial vision of a provider-based sentinel network tracking emerging infections at their point of entry into developed countries. Its present goals are (1) to monitor global trends in disease occurrence among travelers; (2) to ascertain risk factors and morbidity in groups of travelers categorized by travel purpose and type of traveler; (3) to respond to urgent public health queries; (4) to develop educational priorities for travelers' health; and (5) to effect a rapid response by electronically disseminating alerts to surveillance sites, to all ISTM members in 55 countries, and to public health authorities. In addition, a major byproduct of the network, and now one of its strongest assets, has been the growth of partnerships between ISTM, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health-care providers around the world, as well as other medical societies, government, and private organizations. The demographic data, travel patterns, and clinical presentations for the first 2813 patient records analyzed from the GeoSentinel sites are summarized in this paper.

  9. Can integrated 18F-FDG PET/MR replace sentinel lymph node resection in malignant melanoma?

    PubMed

    Schaarschmidt, Benedikt Michael; Grueneisen, Johannes; Stebner, Vanessa; Klode, Joachim; Stoffels, Ingo; Umutlu, Lale; Schadendorf, Dirk; Heusch, Philipp; Antoch, Gerald; Pöppel, Thorsten Dirk

    2018-06-06

    To compare the sensitivity and specificity of 18F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), 18F-FDG PET/magnetic resonance (18F-FDG PET/MR) and 18F-FDG PET/MR including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the detection of sentinel lymph node metastases in patients suffering from malignant melanoma. Fifty-two patients with malignant melanoma (female: n = 30, male: n = 22, mean age 50.5 ± 16.0 years, mean tumor thickness 2.28 ± 1.97 mm) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and subsequent PET/MR & DWI for distant metastasis staging were included in this retrospective study. After hybrid imaging, lymphoscintigraphy including single photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) was performed to identify the sentinel lymph node prior to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In a total of 87 sentinel lymph nodes in 64 lymph node basins visible on SPECT/CT, 17 lymph node metastases were detected by histopathology. In separate sessions PET/CT, PET/MR, and PET/MR & DWI were assessed for sentinel lymph node metastases by two independent readers. Discrepant results were resolved in a consensus reading. Sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values were calculated with histopathology following SPECT/CT guided SLNB as a reference standard. Compared with histopathology, lymph nodes were true positive in three cases, true negative in 65 cases, false positive in three cases and false negative in 14 cases in PET/CT. PET/MR was true positive in four cases, true negative in 63 cases, false positive in two cases and false negative in 13 cases. Hence, we observed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 17.7, 95.6, 50.0 and 82.3% for PET/CT and 23.5, 96.9, 66.7 and 82.3% for PET/MR. In DWI, 56 sentinel lymph node basins could be analyzed. Here, the additional analysis of DWI led to two additional false positive findings, while the number of true

  10. Sentinel Node and Ovarian Tumors: A Series of 20 Patients.

    PubMed

    Nyberg, Reita H; Korkola, Pasi; Mäenpää, Johanna U

    2017-05-01

    Intraoperative detection of ovarian sentinel nodes has been shown to be feasible. We examined the detection rate and locations of sentinel nodes in patients with ovarian tumors. We also aimed to assess the reliability of sentinel node method in predicting regional lymph node metastasis. Twenty patients scheduled for laparotomy because of a pelvic mass were recruited to the study. In the beginning of the laparotomy, radioisotope and blue dye were injected under the serosa next to the junction of the ovarian tumor and suspensory ligament. The number and locations of the hot and/or blue nodes/spots were recorded during the operation. If the tumor was malignant according to the frozen section, systematic lymphadenectomies were performed, the sentinel nodes sampled separately, and their status compared with other regional lymph nodes. Eleven patients had a right-sided ovarian tumor, 7 patients a left-sided tumor, and 2 patients had bilateral tumors. A median of 2 sentinel nodes/locations per patient (range, 1-3) were found. Sixty percent of all sentinel nodes were located in the para-aortic region only, compared with 30% in both para-aortic and pelvic areas and 10% in pelvic area only. Both unilateral and bilateral locations were found. In 83% of the cases with more than 1 sentinel node location, they were located in separate anatomical regions. In 3 patients, systematic lymphadenectomies were performed. One of them had nodal metastases in 2 regions and also a metastasis in 1 of her 2 sentinel nodes in 1 of those regions. In patients with ovarian tumor(s), the detection of sentinel nodes is feasible. They are located in different anatomic areas both ipsilaterally and contralaterally, although most of them are found in the para-aortic region. The reliability of the sentinel node concept should be evaluated in the framework of a multicenter trial.

  11. Synergy between Sentinel-1 radar time series and Sentinel-2 optical for the mapping of restored areas in Danube delta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niculescu, Simona; Lardeux, Cédric; Hanganu, Jenica

    2018-05-01

    Wetlands are important and valuable ecosystems, yet, since 1900, more than 50 % of wetlands have been lost worldwide. An example of altered and partially restored coastal wetlands is the Danube Delta in Romania. Over time, human intervention has manifested itself in more than a quarter of the entire Danube surface. This intervention was brutal and has rendered ecosystem restoration very difficult. Studies for the rehabilitation / re-vegetation were started immediately after the Danube Delta was declared as a Biosphere Reservation in 1990. Remote sensing offers accurate methods for detecting and mapping change in restored wetlands. Vegetation change detection is a powerful indicator of restoration success. The restoration projects use vegetative cover as an important indicator of restoration success. To follow the evolution of the vegetation cover of the restored areas, satellite images radar and optical of last generation have been used, such as Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2. Indeed the sensor sensitivity to the landscape depends on the wavelength what- ever radar or optical data and their polarization for radar data. Combining this kind of data is particularly relevant for the classification of wetland vegetation, which are associated with the density and size of the vegetation. In addition, the high temporal acquisition frequency of Sentinel-1 which are not sensitive to cloud cover al- low to use temporal signature of the different land cover. Thus we analyse the polarimetric and temporal signature of Sentinel-1 data in order to better understand the signature of the different study classes. In a second phase, we performed classifications based on the Random Forest supervised classification algorithm involving the entire Sentinel-1 time series, then starting from a Sentinel-2 collection and finally involving combinations of Sentinel-1 and -2 data.

  12. Regional lymph node staging in breast cancer: the increasing role of imaging and ultrasound-guided axillary lymph node fine needle aspiration.

    PubMed

    Mainiero, Martha B

    2010-09-01

    The status of axillary lymph nodes is a key prognostic indicator in patients with breast cancer and helps guide patient management. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasingly being used as a less morbid alternative to axillary lymph node dissection. However, when sentinel lymph node biopsy is positive, axillary dissection is typically performed for complete staging and local control. Axillary ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USFNA) are useful for detecting axillary nodal metastasis preoperatively and can spare patients sentinel node biopsy, because those with positive cytology on USFNA can proceed directly to axillary dissection or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Internal mammary nodes are not routinely evaluated, but when the appearance of these nodes is abnormal on imaging, further treatment or metastatic evaluation may be necessary. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Utilization and Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Vulvar Cancer.

    PubMed

    Cham, Stephanie; Chen, Ling; Burke, William M; Hou, June Y; Tergas, Ana I; Hu, Jim C; Ananth, Cande V; Neugut, Alfred I; Hershman, Dawn L; Wright, Jason D

    2016-10-01

    To examine the use and predictors of sentinel node biopsy in women with vulvar cancer. The Perspective database, an all-payer database that collects data from more than 500 hospitals, was used to perform a retrospective cohort study of women with vulvar cancer who underwent vulvectomy and lymph node assessment from 2006 to 2015. Multivariable models were used to determine factors associated with sentinel node biopsy. Length of stay and cost were compared between women who underwent sentinel node biopsy and lymphadenectomy. Among 2,273 women, sentinel node biopsy was utilized in 618 (27.2%) and 1,655 (72.8%) underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Performance of sentinel node biopsy increased from 17.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.0-22.0%) in 2006 to 39.1% (95% CI 27.1-51.0%) in 2015. In a multivariable model, women treated more recently were more likely to have undergone sentinel node biopsy, whereas women with more comorbidities and those treated at rural hospitals were less likely to have undergone the procedure. The median length of stay was shorter for those undergoing sentinel node biopsy (median 2 days, interquartile range 1-3) compared with women who underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (median 3 days, interquartile range 2-4). The cost of sentinel node biopsy was $7,599 (interquartile range $5,739-9,922) compared with $8,095 (interquartile range $5,917-11,281) for lymphadenectomy. The use of sentinel node biopsy for vulvar cancer has more than doubled since 2006. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with a shorter hospital stay and decreased cost compared with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy.

  14. CTC Sentinel. Volume 10, Issue 3

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    Mining Matthew C . DuPée MARCH 2017 C TC SENTINEL 1 Among the most recent evolutions of jihadi terrorist tactics in the West has been...arrest him. Soofi and Simpson committed the attack with assistance from Adbul Malik Abdul Kareem. Source: court documents. c They are Avin Brown (2014...State’s Virtual Entrepreneurs By Seamus Hughes and Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens 2 C TC SENTINEL MARCH 2017 jihadi propaganda. Together

  15. Improved Survival in Male Melanoma Patients in the Era of Sentinel Node Biopsy.

    PubMed

    Koskivuo, I; Vihinen, P; Mäki, M; Talve, L; Vahlberg, T; Suominen, E

    2017-03-01

    Sentinel node biopsy is a standard method for nodal staging in patients with clinically localized cutaneous melanoma, but the survival advantage of sentinel node biopsy remains unsolved. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the survival benefit of sentinel node biopsy. A total of 305 prospective melanoma patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy were compared with 616 retrospective control patients with clinically localized melanoma whom have not undergone sentinel node biopsy. Survival differences were calculated with the median follow-up time of 71 months in sentinel node biopsy patients and 74 months in control patients. Analyses were calculated overall and separately in males and females. Overall, there were no differences in relapse-free survival or cancer-specific survival between sentinel node biopsy patients and control patients. Male sentinel node biopsy patients had significantly higher relapse-free survival ( P = 0.021) and cancer-specific survival ( P = 0.024) than control patients. In females, no differences were found. Cancer-specific survival rates at 5 years were 87.8% in sentinel node biopsy patients and 85.2% in controls overall with 88.3% in male sentinel node biopsy patients and 80.6% in male controls and 87.3% in female sentinel node biopsy patients and 89.8% in female controls. Sentinel node biopsy did not improve survival in melanoma patients overall. While females had no differences in survival, males had significantly improved relapse-free survival and cancer-specific survival following sentinel node biopsy.

  16. New Spectral Index for Detecting Wheat Yellow Rust Using Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imagery

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Qiong; Huang, Wenjiang; Cui, Ximin; Liu, Linyi

    2018-01-01

    Yellow rust is one of the most destructive diseases for winter wheat and has led to a significant decrease in winter wheat quality and yield. Identifying and monitoring yellow rust is of great importance for guiding agricultural production over large areas. Compared with traditional crop disease discrimination methods, remote sensing technology has proven to be a useful tool for accomplishing such a task at large scale. This study explores the potential of the Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), a newly launched satellite with refined spatial resolution and three red-edge bands, for discriminating between yellow rust infection severities (i.e., healthy, slight, and severe) in winter wheat. The corresponding simulative multispectral bands for the Sentinel-2 sensor were calculated by the sensor’s relative spectral response (RSR) function based on the in situ hyperspectral data acquired at the canopy level. Three Sentinel-2 spectral bands, including B4 (Red), B5 (Re1), and B7 (Re3), were found to be sensitive bands using the random forest (RF) method. A new multispectral index, the Red Edge Disease Stress Index (REDSI), which consists of these sensitive bands, was proposed to detect yellow rust infection at different severity levels. The overall identification accuracy for REDSI was 84.1% and the kappa coefficient was 0.76. Moreover, REDSI performed better than other commonly used disease spectral indexes for yellow rust discrimination at the canopy scale. The optimal threshold method was adopted for mapping yellow rust infection at regional scales based on realistic Sentinel-2 multispectral image data to further assess REDSI’s ability for yellow rust detection. The overall accuracy was 85.2% and kappa coefficient was 0.67, which was found through validation against a set of field survey data. This study suggests that the Sentinel-2 MSI has the potential for yellow rust discrimination, and the newly proposed REDSI has great robustness and generalized

  17. New Spectral Index for Detecting Wheat Yellow Rust Using Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imagery.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Qiong; Huang, Wenjiang; Cui, Ximin; Shi, Yue; Liu, Linyi

    2018-03-15

    Yellow rust is one of the most destructive diseases for winter wheat and has led to a significant decrease in winter wheat quality and yield. Identifying and monitoring yellow rust is of great importance for guiding agricultural production over large areas. Compared with traditional crop disease discrimination methods, remote sensing technology has proven to be a useful tool for accomplishing such a task at large scale. This study explores the potential of the Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), a newly launched satellite with refined spatial resolution and three red-edge bands, for discriminating between yellow rust infection severities (i.e., healthy, slight, and severe) in winter wheat. The corresponding simulative multispectral bands for the Sentinel-2 sensor were calculated by the sensor's relative spectral response (RSR) function based on the in situ hyperspectral data acquired at the canopy level. Three Sentinel-2 spectral bands, including B4 (Red), B5 (Re1), and B7 (Re3), were found to be sensitive bands using the random forest (RF) method. A new multispectral index, the Red Edge Disease Stress Index (REDSI), which consists of these sensitive bands, was proposed to detect yellow rust infection at different severity levels. The overall identification accuracy for REDSI was 84.1% and the kappa coefficient was 0.76. Moreover, REDSI performed better than other commonly used disease spectral indexes for yellow rust discrimination at the canopy scale. The optimal threshold method was adopted for mapping yellow rust infection at regional scales based on realistic Sentinel-2 multispectral image data to further assess REDSI's ability for yellow rust detection. The overall accuracy was 85.2% and kappa coefficient was 0.67, which was found through validation against a set of field survey data. This study suggests that the Sentinel-2 MSI has the potential for yellow rust discrimination, and the newly proposed REDSI has great robustness and generalized ability

  18. Overview of Sentinel-2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fernandez, Valerie; Martimort, Philippe; Spoto, Francois; Sy, Omar; Laberinti, Paolo

    2013-10-01

    GMES is a joint initiative of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA), designed to establish a European capacity for the provision and use of operational monitoring information for environment and security applications. ESA's role in GMES is to provide the definition and the development of the space- and ground-related system elements. GMES Sentinel-2 mission provides continuity to services relying on multi-spectral highresolution optical observations over global terrestrial surfaces. The key mission objectives for Sentinel-2 are: (1) to provide systematic global acquisitions of high-resolution multi-spectral imagery with a high revisit frequency, (2) to provide enhanced continuity of multi-spectral imagery provided by the SPOT series of satellites, and (3) to provide observations for the next generation of operational products such as landcover maps, land change detection maps, and geophysical variables. Consequently, Sentinel-2 will directly contribute to the Land Monitoring, Emergency Response, and Security services. The corresponding user requirements have driven the design towards a dependable multi-spectral Earthobservation system featuring the MSI with 13 spectral bands spanning from the visible and the near infrared to the short wave infrared. The spatial resolution varies from 10 m to 60 m depending on the spectral band with a 290 km field of view. This unique combination of high spatial resolution, wide field of view and large spectral coverage will represent a major step forward compared to current multi-spectral missions. The mission foresees a series of satellites, each having a 7.25-year lifetime (extendable to 12 years) over a 20-year period starting with the launch of Sentinel-2A foreseen by mid-2014. During full operations two identical satellites will be maintained in the same sun synchronous orbit with a phase delay of 180° providing a revisit time of five days at the equator.

  19. Sentinel-2 radiometric image quality commissioning: first results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lachérade, S.; Lonjou, V.; Farges, M.; Gamet, P.; Marcq, S.; Raynaud, J.-L.; Trémas, T.

    2015-10-01

    In partnership with the European Commission and in the frame of the Copernicus program, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing the Sentinel-2 optical imaging mission devoted to the operational monitoring of land and coastal areas. The Sentinel-2 mission is based on a satellites constellation deployed in polar sun-synchronous orbit. Sentinel-2 offers a unique combination of global coverage with a wide field of view (290km), a high revisit (5 days with two satellites), a high spatial resolution (10m, 20m and 60m) and multi-spectral imagery (13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infrared domains). The first satellite, Sentinel-2A, has been launched in June 2015. The Sentinel-2A Commissioning Phase starts immediately after the Launch and Early Orbit Phase and continues until the In-Orbit Commissioning Review which is planned three months after the launch. The Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) supports ESA/ESTEC to insure the Calibration/Validation commissioning phase during the first three months in flight. This paper provides first an overview of the Sentinel-2 system and a description of the products delivered by the ground segment associated to the main radiometric specifications to achieve. Then the paper focuses on the preliminary radiometric results obtained during the in-flight commissioning phase. The radiometric methods and calibration sites used in the CNES image quality center to reach the specifications of the sensor are described. A status of the Sentinel-2A radiometric performances at the end of the first three months after the launch is presented. We will particularly address in this paper the results in term of absolute calibration, pixel to pixel relative sensitivity and MTF estimation.

  20. Sentinel Node Detection in Head and Neck Malignancies: Innovations in Radioguided Surgery

    PubMed Central

    Vermeeren, L.; Klop, W. M. C.; van den Brekel, M. W. M.; Balm, A. J. M.; Nieweg, O. E.; Valdés Olmos, R. A.

    2009-01-01

    Sentinel node mapping is becoming a routine procedure for staging of various malignancies, because it can determine lymph node status more precisely. Due to anatomical problems, localizing sentinel nodes in the head and neck region on the basis of conventional images can be difficult. New diagnostic tools can provide better visualization of sentinel nodes. In an attempt to keep up with possible scientific progress, this article reviews new and innovative tools for sentinel node localization in this specific area. The overview comprises a short introduction of the sentinel node procedure as well as indications in the head and neck region. Then the results of SPECT/CT for sentinel node detection are described. Finally, a portable gamma camera to enable intraoperative real-time imaging with improved sentinel node detection is described. PMID:20016804

  1. Sentinel Node Biopsy in Melanoma: A Short Update

    PubMed Central

    Ferrara, Gerardo; Partenzi, Antonietta; Filosa, Alessandra

    2018-01-01

    Several controversies are still ongoing about sentinel node biopsy in melanoma. It is basically a staging procedure for melanoma > 0.75 mm in thickness or for thinner melanoma in the presence of ulceration, high mitotic rate, and/or lymphovascular invasion. Complete lymph node dissection after a positive sentinel node can also allow a better locoregional disease control but seems not to prevent the development of distant metastases. The use of sentinel node biopsy in atypical Spitz tumors should be discouraged because of their peculiar biological properties. PMID:29719827

  2. Use of sentinel mallards for epizootiologic studies of avian botulism

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rocke, T.E.; Brand, C.J.

    1994-01-01

    Captive-reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were used as sentinels to study the epizootiology of avian botulism at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Willows, California (USA) from 1986 to 1989. Sentinel mallards were wing-clipped, and 40 to 50 birds were confined in 1.6-ha enclosures in 11 selected wetlands (pools). Enclosures were searched intensively three to four times weekly from July through October. Sick and dead wild and sentinel birds were collected, necropsied, and tested for type C botulism toxin. Botulism epizootics occurred in sentinel mallards in 1986, 1987, and 1989, but only a few isolated cases of botulism were detected in 1988. In most epizootics, botulism also was detected simultaneously in wild birds using the same pool outside the enclosure. Epizootics in sentinels were initiated and perpetuated in the absence of vertebrate carcasses. A sex-specific trend in the probability of intoxication was detected, with males contracting botulism at a higher rate than females. Daily mortality rates of sentinels during botulism epizootics ranged from 0.0006 to 0.0600, with a mean of 0.0190. These rates would result in the daily loss of 0.6 to 60 birds per thousand at risk. The use of sentinel birds provided an effective means of gathering site-specific epizootiologic data.

  3. Getting ready for the arrival of Sentinel data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aschbacher, Josef; Milagro Perez, Maria Pilar

    2013-04-01

    The European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have developed the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES), being renamed to Copernicus, programme as Europe's answer to the vital need for joined-up data about our climate, environment and security. Through a unique combination of satellite, atmospheric and Earth-based monitoring systems, the initiative will provide new insight into the state of the land, sea and air, providing policymakers, scientists, businesses and the public with accurate and timely information. GMES capabilities include monitoring and forecasting of climatic change, flood risks, soil and coastal erosion, crop and fish resources, air pollution, greenhouse gases, iceberg distribution and snow cover, among others. To accomplish this, GMES has been divided into three main components: Space, In-situ and Services. The Space Component, led by ESA, comprises five types of new dedicated satellites called Sentinels. These missions carry a range of technologies, such as radar and multi-spectral imaging instruments for land, ocean and atmospheric monitoring. While the Sentinel satellites are currently being developed by ESA specifically to meet the needs of GMES, the Contributing Missions, operated by national agencies or commercial entities, are already providing a wealth of data for GMES services, and will continue to deliver complementary data after the Sentinels are in orbit. An integrated Ground Segment ensures access to Sentinels and Contributing Missions data. Access to Sentinel data is governed by the Sentinel data policy, which is part of a wider GMES data and information access policy. The Sentinel data policy envisages free and open access, subject to restrictions only if security or other European interests need to be preserved. As regards the Contributing Missions, the data policy of the mission owners will be respected for the purpose of providing data to GMES service users. The first in the fleet of dedicated

  4. Black sentinel lymph node and 'scary stickers'.

    PubMed

    Yang, Arthur S; Creagh, Terrence A

    2013-04-01

    An unusual case is presented of a young adult patient with two black-stained, radio-nucleotide tracer-active sentinel lymph nodes biopsied following her primary cutaneous melanoma treatment. This was subsequently confirmed to be secondary to cutaneous tattoos, averting the need of an elective regional node dissection. History of tattooing and tattoo removal should therefore be obtained as a routine in all melanoma patients considered for sentinel node biopsy (SLN). SLN biopsy and any subsequent completion node dissection should be strictly staged so that proper histologic diagnosis of the sentinel node is available for correct decision making and treatment. Copyright © 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Combination of hand-held probe and microscopy for fluorescence guided surgery in the brain tumor marginal zone.

    PubMed

    Richter, Johan C O; Haj-Hosseini, Neda; Hallbeck, Martin; Wårdell, Karin

    2017-06-01

    Visualization of the tumor is crucial for differentiating malignant tissue from healthy brain during surgery, especially in the tumor marginal zone. The aim of the study was to introduce a fluorescence spectroscopy-based hand-held probe (HHF-probe) for tumor identification in combination with the fluorescence guided resection surgical microscope (FGR-microscope), and evaluate them in terms of diagnostic performance and practical aspects of fluorescence detection. Eighteen operations were performed on 16 patients with suspected high-grade glioma. The HHF-probe and the FGR-microscope were used for detection of protoporphyrin (PpIX) fluorescence induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and evaluated against histopathological analysis and visual grading done through the FGR-microscope by the surgeon. A ratio of PpIX fluorescence intensity to the autofluorescence intensity (fluorescence ratio) was used to quantify the spectra detected by the probe. Fluorescence ratio medians (range 0 - 40) measured by the probe were related to the intensity of the fluorescence in the FGR-microscope, categorized as "none" (0.3, n=131), "weak" (1.6, n=34) and "strong" (5.4, n=28). Of 131 "none" points in the FGR-microscope, 88 (67%) exhibited fluorescence with the HHF-probe. For the tumor marginal zone, the area under the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.49 for the FGR-microscope and 0.65 for the HHF-probe. The probe was integrated in the established routine of tumor resection using the FGR-microscope. The HHF-probe was superior to the FGR-microscope in sensitivity; it detected tumor remnants after debulking under the FGR-microscope. The combination of the HHF-probe and the FGR-microscope was beneficial especially in the tumor marginal zone. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Contribution of the new satellites (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and SPOT-6) to the coastal vegetation monitoring in the Pays de Brest (France)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talab-Ou-Ali, Halima; Niculescu, Simona; Sellin, Vanessa; Bougault, Christophe

    2017-10-01

    This paper presents a methodology for monitoring vegetation in the Pays de Brest using new series of Sentinel-1 satellite images combining with Sentinel-2 and SPOT-6. This work consists of establishing an interferogram method of the main types of vegetation in order to achieve the coherence of a multi-temporal Sentinel-1 radar image series, in SLC format (C band, VV and VH polarization), between 2015 and 2016. We then proceed to calculating the radar backscatter coefficient based on Sentinel 1 images in GRD format. Multi-date and multipolarized color compositions will be made to detect changes. It also shows the importance of data synergy to obtain an excellent accuracy using Random Forest classification.

  7. Novel bright-emission small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for in vivo tumor imaging and image-guided surgery† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7sc00251c Click here for additional data file.

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Yao; Ding, Mingmin; Zeng, Xiaodong; Xiao, Yuling; Wu, Huaping; Zhou, Hui; Ding, Bingbing; Qu, Chunrong; Hou, Wei; Er-bu, AGA; Zhang, Yejun; Cheng, Zhen

    2017-01-01

    Though high brightness and biocompatible small NIR-II dyes are highly desirable in clinical or translational cancer research, their fluorescent cores are relatively limited and their synthetic processes are somewhat complicated. Herein, we have explored the design and synthesis of novel NIR-II fluorescent materials (H1) without tedious chromatographic isolation with improved fluorescence performance (QY ≈ 2%) by introducing 2-amino 9,9-dialkyl-substituted fluorene as a donor into the backbone. Several types of water-soluble and biocompatible NIR-II probes: SXH, SDH, and H1 NPs were constructed via different chemical strategies based on H1, and then their potential to be used in in vivo tumor imaging and image-guided surgery in the NIR-II region was explored. High levels of uptake were obtained for both passive and active tumor targeting probes SXH and SDH. Furthermore, high resolution imaging of blood vessels on tumors and the whole body of living mice using H1 NPs for the first time has demonstrated precise NIR-II image-guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery. PMID:28507722

  8. ESA's Multi-mission Sentinel-1 Toolbox

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Veci, Luis; Lu, Jun; Foumelis, Michael; Engdahl, Marcus

    2017-04-01

    The Sentinel-1 Toolbox is a new open source software for scientific learning, research and exploitation of the large archives of Sentinel and heritage missions. The Toolbox is based on the proven BEAM/NEST architecture inheriting all current NEST functionality including multi-mission support for most civilian satellite SAR missions. The project is funded through ESA's Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM). The Sentinel-1 Toolbox will strive to serve the SEOM mandate by providing leading-edge software to the science and application users in support of ESA's operational SAR mission as well as by educating and growing a SAR user community. The Toolbox consists of a collection of processing tools, data product readers and writers and a display and analysis application. A common architecture for all Sentinel Toolboxes is being jointly developed by Brockmann Consult, Array Systems Computing and C-S called the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP). The SNAP architecture is ideal for Earth Observation processing and analysis due the following technological innovations: Extensibility, Portability, Modular Rich Client Platform, Generic EO Data Abstraction, Tiled Memory Management, and a Graph Processing Framework. The project has developed new tools for working with Sentinel-1 data in particular for working with the new Interferometric TOPSAR mode. TOPSAR Complex Coregistration and a complete Interferometric processing chain has been implemented for Sentinel-1 TOPSAR data. To accomplish this, a coregistration following the Spectral Diversity[4] method has been developed as well as special azimuth handling in the coherence, interferogram and spectral filter operators. The Toolbox includes reading of L0, L1 and L2 products in SAFE format, calibration and de-noising, slice product assembling, TOPSAR deburst and sub-swath merging, terrain flattening radiometric normalization, and visualization for L2 OCN products. The Toolbox also provides several new tools for

  9. A mathematical prediction model incorporating molecular subtype for risk of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in sentinel lymph node-positive breast cancer patients: a retrospective analysis and nomogram development.

    PubMed

    Wang, Na-Na; Yang, Zheng-Jun; Wang, Xue; Chen, Li-Xuan; Zhao, Hong-Meng; Cao, Wen-Feng; Zhang, Bin

    2018-04-25

    Molecular subtype of breast cancer is associated with sentinel lymph node status. We sought to establish a mathematical prediction model that included breast cancer molecular subtype for risk of positive non-sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node metastasis and further validate the model in a separate validation cohort. We reviewed the clinicopathologic data of breast cancer patients with sentinel lymph node metastasis who underwent axillary lymph node dissection between June 16, 2014 and November 16, 2017 at our hospital. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed and patients with pathologically proven sentinel lymph node metastasis underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Independent risks for non-sentinel lymph node metastasis were assessed in a training cohort by multivariate analysis and incorporated into a mathematical prediction model. The model was further validated in a separate validation cohort, and a nomogram was developed and evaluated for diagnostic performance in predicting the risk of non-sentinel lymph node metastasis. Moreover, we assessed the performance of five different models in predicting non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in training cohort. Totally, 495 cases were eligible for the study, including 291 patients in the training cohort and 204 in the validation cohort. Non-sentinel lymph node metastasis was observed in 33.3% (97/291) patients in the training cohort. The AUC of MSKCC, Tenon, MDA, Ljubljana, and Louisville models in training cohort were 0.7613, 0.7142, 0.7076, 0.7483, and 0.671, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that tumor size (OR = 1.439; 95% CI 1.025-2.021; P = 0.036), sentinel lymph node macro-metastasis versus micro-metastasis (OR = 5.063; 95% CI 1.111-23.074; P = 0.036), the number of positive sentinel lymph nodes (OR = 2.583, 95% CI 1.714-3.892; P < 0.001), and the number of negative sentinel lymph nodes (OR = 0.686, 95% CI 0

  10. ESA Sentinel-1 Mission and Products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Floury, Nicolas; Attema, Evert; Davidson, Malcolm; Levrini, Guido; Rommen, Björn; Rosich, Betlem; Snoeij, Paul

    The global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) space component relies on existing and planned space assets by European States, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as new complementary developments by ESA. The new developments are implemented in terms of five families of satellites called Sentinels. The Sentinel-1 mission is an imaging synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mission at C-band designed to supply all-weather day-and-night imagery to a number of operational Earth observation based services. Three priorities (fasttrack services) for the mission have been identified by user consultation working groups of the European Union: Marine Core Services, Land Monitoring and Emergency Services. These cover applications such as: - monitoring sea ice zones and the arctic environment, - surveillance of marine environment, - monitoring land surface motion risks, - mapping of land surfaces: forest, water and soil, agriculture, - mapping in support of humanitarian aid in crisis situations. Sentinel-1 has been designed to address medium resolution applications. It includes a main mode of operation that features a wide swath (250 km) and a medium resolution (5 m x 20 m). The two-satellite constellation offers six days exact repeat and the conflict-free operations based on the main operational mode allow exploiting every single data take. This paper describes the Sentinel-1 mission, provides an overview of the mission requirements, and presents some of the key user driven information products, the crucial requirements for operational sustainable services being continuity of data supply, frequent revisit, geographical coverage and timeliness. As data products from the Agency‘s successful ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions form the basis for many of the pilot GMES services, Sentinel-1 data products need to maintain and in some ways to improve data quality levels of the Agency

  11. Binocular Goggle Augmented Imaging and Navigation System provides real-time fluorescence image guidance for tumor resection and sentinel lymph node mapping

    PubMed Central

    B. Mondal, Suman; Gao, Shengkui; Zhu, Nan; Sudlow, Gail P.; Liang, Kexian; Som, Avik; Akers, Walter J.; Fields, Ryan C.; Margenthaler, Julie; Liang, Rongguang; Gruev, Viktor; Achilefu, Samuel

    2015-01-01

    The inability to identify microscopic tumors and assess surgical margins in real-time during oncologic surgery leads to incomplete tumor removal, increases the chances of tumor recurrence, and necessitates costly repeat surgery. To overcome these challenges, we have developed a wearable goggle augmented imaging and navigation system (GAINS) that can provide accurate intraoperative visualization of tumors and sentinel lymph nodes in real-time without disrupting normal surgical workflow. GAINS projects both near-infrared fluorescence from tumors and the natural color images of tissue onto a head-mounted display without latency. Aided by tumor-targeted contrast agents, the system detected tumors in subcutaneous and metastatic mouse models with high accuracy (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 98% ± 5% standard deviation). Human pilot studies in breast cancer and melanoma patients using a near-infrared dye show that the GAINS detected sentinel lymph nodes with 100% sensitivity. Clinical use of the GAINS to guide tumor resection and sentinel lymph node mapping promises to improve surgical outcomes, reduce rates of repeat surgery, and improve the accuracy of cancer staging. PMID:26179014

  12. Binocular Goggle Augmented Imaging and Navigation System provides real-time fluorescence image guidance for tumor resection and sentinel lymph node mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    B. Mondal, Suman; Gao, Shengkui; Zhu, Nan; Sudlow, Gail P.; Liang, Kexian; Som, Avik; Akers, Walter J.; Fields, Ryan C.; Margenthaler, Julie; Liang, Rongguang; Gruev, Viktor; Achilefu, Samuel

    2015-07-01

    The inability to identify microscopic tumors and assess surgical margins in real-time during oncologic surgery leads to incomplete tumor removal, increases the chances of tumor recurrence, and necessitates costly repeat surgery. To overcome these challenges, we have developed a wearable goggle augmented imaging and navigation system (GAINS) that can provide accurate intraoperative visualization of tumors and sentinel lymph nodes in real-time without disrupting normal surgical workflow. GAINS projects both near-infrared fluorescence from tumors and the natural color images of tissue onto a head-mounted display without latency. Aided by tumor-targeted contrast agents, the system detected tumors in subcutaneous and metastatic mouse models with high accuracy (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 98% ± 5% standard deviation). Human pilot studies in breast cancer and melanoma patients using a near-infrared dye show that the GAINS detected sentinel lymph nodes with 100% sensitivity. Clinical use of the GAINS to guide tumor resection and sentinel lymph node mapping promises to improve surgical outcomes, reduce rates of repeat surgery, and improve the accuracy of cancer staging.

  13. Forest Area Derivation from SENTINEL-1 Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dostálová, Alena; Hollaus, Markus; Milenković, Milutin; Wagner, Wolfgang

    2016-06-01

    The recently launched Sentinel-1A provides the high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data with very high temporal coverage over large parts of European continent. Short revisit time and dual polarization availability supports its usability for forestry applications. The following study presents an analysis of the potential of the multi-temporal dual-polarization Sentinel-1A data for the forest area derivation using the standard methods based on Otsu thresholding and K-means clustering. Sentinel-1 data collected in winter season 2014-2015 over a test area in eastern Austria were used to derive forest area mask with spatial resolution of 10m and minimum mapping unit of 500 m2. The validation with reference forest mask derived from airborne full-waveform laser scanning data revealed overall accuracy of 92 % and kappa statistics of 0.81. Even better results can be achieved when using external mask for urban areas, which might be misclassified as forests when using the introduced approach based on SAR data only. The Sentinel-1 data and the described methods are well suited for forest change detection between consecutive years.

  14. CTC Sentinel. Volume 9, Issue 8

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-08-01

    607 Cullum Road, Lincoln Hall West Point, NY 10996 Phone: (845) 938-8495 Email: sentinel@usma.edu Web : www.ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/ SUBSMISSIONS...Hallberg Tønnes- sen, “The Islamic Emirate of Fallujah,” paper presented at ISA conference, Montreal, March 16-19, 2011. See also Ben Hubbard, “Iraq...It’s difficult, therefore, to dry up the financing to a point where the money isn’t there to sponsor it. What we do set as our goal is to weaken the

  15. The impact of previous para-areolar incision in the upper outer quadrant of the breast on the localization of the sentinel lymph node in a canine model

    PubMed Central

    Vasques, Paulo Henrique Diógenes; Pinheiro, Luiz Gonzaga Porto; de Meneses e Silva, João Marcos; de Moura Torres-de-Melo, José Ricardo; Pinheiro, Karine Bessa Porto; Rocha, João Ivo Xavier

    2011-01-01

    OBJECTIVES: This paper discusses the influence of a para-areolar incision in the upper outer quadrant of the breast on the location of the sentinel lymph node in a canine model. METHODS: The sentinel lymph node was marked with technetium-99, which was injected into the subareolar skin of the cranial breast. After the marker had migrated to the axilla, an arcuate para-areolar incision was performed 2 cm from the nipple in the upper outer quadrant. Patent blue dye was then injected above the upper border of the incision. At the marked site, an axillary incision was made, and the sentinel lymph node was identified by gamma probe and/or by direct visualization of the dye. The agreement between the two injection sites and the two sentinel lymph node identification methods was determined. Our sample group consisted of 40 cranial breasts of 23 adult females of the species Canis familiaris. The data were analyzed by using the McNemar test and by determining the kappa agreement coefficient. RESULT: Our findings showed that in 95% of the breasts, the sentinel lymph node was identified by the injection of technetium-99 m into the subareolar region, and in 82% of the cases, the sentinel lymph node was identified by the injection of patent blue dye above the upper border of the incision. The methods agreed 82% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Previous para-areolar incisions in the upper outer quadrant did not interfere significantly with the biopsy when the dye was injected above the upper border of the incision. PMID:21915493

  16. Soil moisture retrieval from Sentinel-1 satellite data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benninga, Harm-Jan; van der Velde, Rogier; Su, Zhongbo

    2016-04-01

    Reliable up-to-date information on the current water availability and models to evaluate management scenarios are indispensable for skilful water management. The Sentinel-1 radar satellite programme provides an opportunity to monitor water availability (as surface soil moisture) from space on an operational basis at unprecedented fine spatial and temporal resolutions. However, the influences of soil roughness and vegetation cover complicate the retrieval of soil moisture states from radar data. In this contribution, we investigate the sensitivity of Sentinel-1 radar backscatter to soil moisture states and vegetation conditions. The analyses are based on 105 Sentinel-1 images in the period from October 2014 to January 2016 covering the Twente region in the Netherlands. This area is almost flat and has a heterogeneous landscape, including agricultural (mainly grass, cereal and corn), forested and urban land covers. In-situ measurements at 5 cm depth collected from the Twente soil moisture monitoring network are used as reference. This network consists of twenty measurement stations (most of them at agricultural fields) distributed across an area of 50 km × 40 km. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from optical images is adopted as proxy to represent seasonal variability in vegetation conditions. The results from this sensitivity study provide insight into the potential capability of Sentinel-1 data for the estimation of soil moisture states and they will facilitate the further development of operational retrieval methods. An operationally applicable soil moisture retrieval method requires an algorithm that is usable without the need for area specific model calibration with detailed field information (regarding roughness and vegetation). Because it is not yet clear which method provides the most reliable soil moisture retrievals from Sentinel-1 data, multiple soil moisture retrieval methods will be studied in which the fine spatiotemporal

  17. Proposed concept and preliminary design for the sentinel-5 UVNs spectrometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Windpassinger, R.; Schubert, J.; Kampf, D.

    2017-11-01

    Sentinel-5 is an atmospheric monitoring mission within the European Copernicus programme, formerly GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Its main objective is trace-gas and aerosol optical depth measurements for air quality and climate monitoring and forecast with daily global coverage. Constituents of interest are O3, SO2, HCHO (formaldehyde), BrO, NO2, CHCHO (glyoxal), O2, CH4 (methane), and CO. Sentinel-5 will complement the Sentinel-4 GEO data over Europe. Both Sentinel-4 and -5 are intended to start operation in 2020.

  18. The Utility of Sentinel Node Biopsy for Sinonasal Melanoma.

    PubMed

    Oldenburg, Michael S; Price, Daniel L

    2017-10-01

    Objective  Report two positive sentinel node biopsies for sinonasal melanoma. Design  Retrospective review. Setting  Academic tertiary care center. Participants  Patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy for sinonasal melanoma between November 1, 2014 and November 1, 2015. Main Outcome Measures  Clinical course. Results  Two patients were identified. Patient 1 (83M) presented with a sinonasal melanoma anterior to the left inferior turbinate and was clinically N0 neck. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed two sentinel nodes in the ipsilateral and three in the contralateral cervical basins. The left level I sentinel node was positive for melanoma and lymphadenectomy showed no additional metastases. Patient 2 (71F) presented after incomplete resection of a sinonasal melanoma of the left posterior maxillary sinus wall and was clinically N0 neck. Lymphoscintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) localization revealed one sentinel node in the parapharyngeal space and another in the ipsilateral cervical basin. Metastatic melanoma was found in both nodes and completion lymphadenectomy was negative for additional disease. Both patients developed distant metastasis in less than 1 year after surgical resection but responded well to adjuvant immunomodulatory chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion  Sentinel node biopsy for sinonasal melanoma can provide crucial clinical evidence of regional metastasis prior to overt clinical signs and symptoms. This intraoperative tool has the potential to improve detection of regional metastasis and improve long-term outcomes of this aggressive malignancy.

  19. In vivo photoacoustic and ultrasonic mapping of rat sentinel lymph nodes with a modified commercial ultrasound imaging system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Erpelding, Todd N.; Kim, Chulhong; Pramanik, Manojit; Guo, Zijian; Dean, John; Jankovic, Ladislav; Maslov, Konstantin; Wang, Lihong V.

    2010-02-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard method for axillary staging in breast cancer patients, relying on invasive identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) following injection of blue dye and radioactive tracers. While SLNB achieves a low false negative rate (5-10%), it is an invasive procedure requiring ionizing radiation. As an alternative to SLNB, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy has been tested clinically. However, ultrasound alone is unable to accurately identify which lymph nodes are sentinel. Therefore, a non-ionizing and noninvasive detection method for accurate SLN mapping is needed. In this study, we successfully imaged methylene blue dye accumulation in vivo in rat axillary lymph nodes using a Phillips iU22 ultrasound imaging system adapted for photoacoustic imaging with an Nd:YAG pumped, tunable dye laser. Photoacoustic images of rat SLNs clearly identify methylene blue dye accumulation within minutes following intradermal dye injection and co-registered photoacoustic/ultrasound images illustrate lymph node position relative to surrounding anatomy. To investigate clinical translation, the imaging depth was extended up to 2.5 cm by adding chicken breast tissue on top of the rat skin surface. These results raise confidence that photoacoustic imaging can be used clinically for accurate, noninvasive SLN mapping.

  20. [Presence of intramammary lymph nodes in the preoperative lymphoscintigraphy to locate the sentinel lymph node. Clinical significance].

    PubMed

    Nogareda, Z; Álvarez, A; Perlaza, P; Caparrós, F X; Alonso, I; Paredes, P; Vidal-Sicart, S

    2015-01-01

    The routes of lymphatic drainage from a breast cancer are the axilla (the most frequent) and the extra axillary regions. Among the latter, there are the so-called intrammamary lymph nodes (IMLN). This study has aimed to assess the incidence of IMLNs in our patients and study the evolution of these cases with IMLN in the lymphoscintigraphy. Thirty-eight patients (out of 1725) with IMLN in the pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy were assessed. During the surgical procedure, using a gamma probe, IMLNs were located and excised. After their harvesting, a meticulous surgical field scan was performed. When the axillary sentinel node was positive for metastasis, a complete axillary lymphadenectomy was performed. In those where the axillary sentinel node was negative and IMLN was positive (IMLN+), axillary lymphadenectomy was also performed, except for one case. Thirty-four out of the 38 IMLNs were obtained (89.5%), because no lymphatic tissue was found in pathology analysis in three cases (8%) and in one patient (3%) IMLN was not found during surgery. Ten (26%) metastatic IMLNs were located and the remaining 24 IMLNs cases (63%) were metastasis-free. During the clinical follow-up, one patient with IMLN+ developed hepatic metastases. The remaining 33 patients did not present any recurrence. No follow-up data were available for three patients. IMLN and axillary sentinel node biopsy are recommended when both are depicted in preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. The axilla treatment will only depend on the axillary sentinel node status. Based on the data from other authors and our own experience, avoiding the axillary lymphadenectomy when a metastatic IMLN without axillary involvement seems reasonable. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  1. Fish and wildlife species as sentinels of environmental endocrine disruption

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Sheffield, S.R.; Matter, J.M.; Rattner, B.A.; Guiney, P.D.; Kendall, Ronald J.; Dickerson, Richard L.; Giesy, John P.; Suk, William P.

    1998-01-01

    This chapter provides an overview of the history and criteria for use of captive and free-ranging fish and wildlife (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) species as sentinels of potential environmental endocrine disruption. Biochemical, behavioral, physiological, immunological, genetic, reproductive, developmental, and ecological correlates of endocrine disruption in these sentinels are presented and reviewed. In addition, data needs to promote better use of sentinel species in the assessment of endocrine disruption are discussed.

  2. SU-E-J-205: Monte Carlo Modeling of Ultrasound Probes for Real-Time Ultrasound Image-Guided Radiotherapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hristov, D; Schlosser, J; Bazalova, M

    2014-06-01

    Purpose: To quantify the effect of ultrasound (US) probe beam attenuation for radiation therapy delivered under real-time US image guidance by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Methods: MC models of two Philips US probes, an X6-1 matrix-array transducer and a C5-2 curved-array transducer, were built based on their CT images in the EGSnrc BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes. Due to the metal parts, the probes were scanned in a Tomotherapy machine with a 3.5 MV beam. Mass densities in the probes were assigned based on an electron density calibration phantom consisting of cylinders with mass densities between 0.2–8.0 g/cm{sup 3}.more » Beam attenuation due to the probes was measured in a solid water phantom for a 6 MV and 15 MV 15x15 cm{sup 2} beam delivered on a Varian Trilogy linear accelerator. The dose was measured with the PTW-729 ionization chamber array at two depths and compared to MC simulations. The extreme case beam attenuation expected in robotic US image guided radiotherapy for probes in upright position was quantified by means of MC simulations. Results: The 3.5 MV CT number to mass density calibration curve was found to be linear with R{sup 2} > 0.99. The maximum mass densities were 4.6 and 4.2 g/cm{sup 3} in the C5-2 and X6-1 probe, respectively. Gamma analysis of the simulated and measured doses revealed that over 98% of measurement points passed the 3%/3mm criteria for both probes and measurement depths. The extreme attenuation for probes in upright position was found to be 25% and 31% for the C5-2 and X6-1 probe, respectively, for both 6 and 15 MV beams at 10 cm depth. Conclusion: MC models of two US probes used for real-time image guidance during radiotherapy have been built. As a Result, radiotherapy treatment planning with the imaging probes in place can now be performed. J Schlosser is an employee of SoniTrack Systems, Inc. D Hristov has financial interest in SoniTrack Systems, Inc.« less

  3. Radioguided localisation of impalpable breast lesions using 99m-Technetium macroaggregated albumin: Lessons learnt during introduction of a new technique to guide preoperative localisation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Landman, Joanne; Kulawansa, Sagarika; McCarthy, Michael

    2015-03-15

    Preoperative wire-guided localisation (WGL) of impalpable breast lesions is widely used but can be technically difficult. Risks include wire migration, inaccurate placement, and inadequate surgical margins. Research shows that radioguided occult lesion localisation (ROLL) is quicker, easier, and can improve surgical and cosmetic outcomes. An audited introduction of ROLL was conducted to validate the technique as a feasible alternative to WGL. Fifty patients with single impalpable lesions and biopsy proven malignancy or indeterminate histology underwent WGL followed by intralesional radiopharmaceutical injection of 99m-Technetium macroaggregated albumin. Postprocedural mammography was performed to demonstrate wire position, and scintigraphy to evaluate radiopharmaceutical migration. Lymphoscintigraphymore » and intraoperative sentinel node biopsy were performed if indicated, followed by lesion localisation and excision using a gamma probe. Specimen imaging was performed, with immediate reexcision for visibly inadequate margins. Accurate localisation was achieved in 86% of patients with ROLL compared to 72% with WGL. All lesions were successfully removed, with clear margins in 71.8% of malignant lesions. Reexcision and intraoperative sentinel node localisation rates were equivalent to preaudit figures for WGL. ROLL was easy to perform and problems were infrequent. Inaccurate radiopharmaceutical placement necessitating WGL occurred in four patients. Minor radiopharmaceutical migration was common, but precluded using ROLL in only two cases. ROLL is effective, simple, inexpensive, and easily learnt; however, preoperative confirmation of correct radiopharmaceutical placement using mammography and the gamma probe is important to help ensure successful lesion removal. Insertion of a backup hookwire is recommended during the initial introduction of ROLL.« less

  4. A Receptor-targeted Fluorescent Radiopharmaceutical for Multireporter Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Emerson, Derek K.; Limmer, Karl K.; Hall, David J.; Han, Sung-Ho; Eckelman, William C.; Kane, Christopher J.; Wallace, Anne M.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose: To determine the imaging and receptor-binding properties of a multireporter probe designed for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping via nuclear and fluorescence detection. Materials and Methods: The animal experiments were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. A multireporter probe was synthesized by covalently attaching cyanine 7 (Cy7), a near-infrared cyanine dye, to tilmanocept, a radiopharmaceutical that binds to a receptor specific to recticuloendothelial cells. In vitro binding assays of technetium 99m (99mTc) -labeled Cy7 tilmanocept were conducted at 4°C by using receptor-bearing macrophages. Optical SLN imaging after foot pad administration was performed by using two molar doses of Cy7 tilmanocept. Six mice were injected with 0.11 nmol of 99mTc-labeled Cy7 tilmanocept (low-dose group); an additional six mice were injected with 31 nmol of 99mTc-labeled Cy7 tilmanocept (high-dose group) to saturate the receptor sites within the SLN. After 2.5 hours of imaging, the mice were euthanized, and the sentinel and distal lymph nodes were excised and assayed for radioactivity for calculation of SLN percentage of injected dose and extraction. Four mice were used as controls for autofluorescence. Standard optical imaging software was used to plot integrated fluorescence intensity against time for calculation of the SLN uptake rate constant and scaled peak intensity. Significance was calculated by using the Student t test. Results: In vitro binding assays showed subnanomolar affinity (mean dissociation constant, 0.25 nmol/L ± 0.10 [standard deviation]). Fluorescence imaging showed a detection sensitivity of 1.6 × 103 counts · sec−1 · μW−1 per picomole of Cy7. All four imaging metrics (percentage of injected dose, SLN extraction, SLN uptake rate constant, and expected peak fluorescence intensity) exhibited higher values (P = .005 to P = .042) in the low-dose group than in the high-dose group; this finding was consistent with

  5. Radio-guided thoracoscopic surgery (RGTS) of small pulmonary nodules.

    PubMed

    Ambrogi, Marcello Carlo; Melfi, Franca; Zirafa, Carmelina; Lucchi, Marco; De Liperi, Annalisa; Mariani, Giuliano; Fanucchi, Olivia; Mussi, Alfredo

    2012-04-01

    The demand for adequate tissue sampling to determine individual tumor behavior is increasing the number of lung nodule resections, even when the diagnosis is already recognized. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is the procedure of choice for diagnosis and treatment of small pulmonary nodules. Difficulties in localizing smaller and deeper nodules have been approached with different techniques. Herein we report our 13-years' experience with radio-guided thoracoscopic resection. Patients with pulmonary nodules smaller than 1 cm and/or deeper than 1 cm, below the visceral pleura, underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided injection of a solution, composed of 0.2 ml (99)Tc-labeled human serum albumin microspheres and 0.1 ml nonionic contrast, into the nodule. During the VATS procedure, an 11-mm-diameter collimated probe connected to a gamma ray detector was introduced to scan the lung surface. The area of major radioactivity, which matched with the area of the nodule, was resected. From 1997 to 2009, 573 patients underwent thoracoscopic resection of small pulmonary nodules, 211 with the radio-guided technique. There were 159 men and 52 women, with an average age of 60.6 years (range = 12-83). The mean duration of the surgical procedure was 41 min (range = 20-100). The procedure was successful in 208/211 cases. Three patients (0.5%) required conversion to a minithoracotomy. The mean length of pleural drainage and hospital stay was 2.3 and 3.7 days, respectively. Histological examination showed 98 benign lesions and 113 malignant lesions (61 metastases and 52 primary lung cancers). This study confirms that radio-guided localization of small pulmonary nodules is a feasible, safe, and quick procedure, with a high rate of success. The spread of the sentinel lymph node technique has increased the availability of technology required for RGTS.

  6. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer-Feasibility, safety and lymphatic complications.

    PubMed

    Geppert, Barbara; Lönnerfors, Céline; Bollino, Michele; Persson, Jan

    2018-03-01

    To compare the rate of lymphatic complications in women with endometrial cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy versus a full pelvic and infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy, and to examine the overall feasibility and safety of the former. A prospective study of 188 patients with endometrial cancer planned for robotic surgery. Indocyanine green was used to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. In low-risk patients the lymphadenectomy was restricted to removal of sentinel lymph nodes whereas in high-risk patients also a full lymphadenectomy was performed. The impact of the extent of the lymphadenectomy on the rate of complications was evaluated. The bilateral detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes was 96% after cervical tracer injection. No intraoperative complication was associated with the sentinel lymph node biopsy per se. Compared with hysterectomy alone, the additional average operative time for removal of sentinel lymph nodes was 33min whereas 91min were saved compared with a full pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone resulted in a lower incidence of leg lymphedema than infrarenal paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy (1.3% vs 18.1%, p=0.0003). The high feasibility, the absence of intraoperative complications and the low risk of lymphatic complications supports implementing detection of sentinel lymph nodes in low-risk endometrial cancer patients. Given that available preliminary data on sensitivity and false negative rates in high-risk patients are confirmed in further studies, we also believe that the reduction in lymphatic complications and operative time strongly motivates the sentinel lymph node concept in high-risk endometrial cancer. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  7. CTC Sentinel. Volume 1, Issue, July 2008

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-07-01

    1 I n recent months, there has been a spate of seemingly good news in the counter- terrorism arena, as former terrorist leaders and clerics have...28 CTC Sentinel Staff & Contacts JULy 2008 . VoL 1 . IssUE 8 About the CTC Sentinel The Combating Terrorism Center is an independent educational... the Center’s global network of scholars and practitioners in order to understand and confront contemporary threats posed by terrorism and other

  8. Motion-compensated hand-held common-path Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography probe for image-guided intervention

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Yong; Song, Cheol; Liu, Xuan; Kang, Jin U.

    2013-03-01

    A motion-compensated hand-held common-path Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography imaging probe has been developed for image guided intervention during microsurgery. A hand-held prototype instrument was designed and fabricated by integrating an imaging fiber probe inside a stainless steel needle which is attached to the ceramic shaft of a piezoelectric motor housed in an aluminum handle. The fiber probe obtains A-scan images. The distance information was extracted from the A-scans to track the sample surface distance and a fixed distance was maintained by a feedback motor control which effectively compensated hand tremor and target movements in the axial direction. Graphical user interface, real-time data processing, and visualization based on a CPU-GPU hybrid programming architecture were developed and used in the implantation of this system. To validate the system, free-hand optical coherence tomography images using various samples were obtained. The system can be easily integrated into microsurgical tools and robotics for a wide range of clinical applications. Such tools could offer physicians the freedom to easily image sites of interest with reduced risk and higher image quality.

  9. Sentinel Lymph Node Evaluation in Women with Cervical Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Holman, Laura L.; Levenback, Charles F.; Frumovitz, Michael

    2014-01-01

    Lymph node status is the most important prognosticator of survival among women with early stage cervical cancer. This means that many cervical cancer patients will undergo pelvic lymphadenectomy as part of their treatment. Unfortunately, this procedure is associated with significant morbidity. Utilizing the sentinel lymph node technique for women with cervical cancer has the potential to decrease this morbidity. Multiple studies have suggested that sentinel lymph node mapping in these patients is feasible with excellent detection rates and sensitivity. This review examines the current body of literature regarding sentinel lymph node biopsy among women with cervical cancer. PMID:24407177

  10. Oral health sentinel-based surveillance: a pilot study on dentinal hypersensitivity pain.

    PubMed

    Guerra, F; Corridore, D; Cocco, F; Arrica, M; Rinaldo, F; Mazur, M; Sanavia, C; Nardi, G M; Campus, G; Ottolenghi, L

    2017-01-01

    Aim of the study is to assess the development of a structured sentinel system for oral health data collection at national level. Furthermore, this pilot study aims to investigate the prevalence data on dentinal sensitivity pain collected through a nationwide network of epidemiological sentinels (dental hygienists). Each sentinel was given a specific number of examinees and periodicity of data collection. Overall, 116 adults were recruited from 19 Regions, 42,24% male and 57,76% female, with a mean age of 26. DH result was consistent with literature data, being 45%. All sentinel completed the standard forms and assured a good compliance. The overall good customer satisfaction assures adhesion of the sentinels to the procedure, and the regular data collection. The pilot study proved the effectiveness of a structured nationwide network of epidemiological sentinels (dental hygienists) for oral health data collection at national level. This methodology can be an essential starting point for periodic comparative studies.

  11. SENTINEL-2 Services Library - efficient way for exploration and exploitation of EO data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milcinski, Grega; Batic, Matej; Kadunc, Miha; Kolaric, Primoz; Mocnik, Rok; Repse, marko

    2017-04-01

    With more than 1.5 million scenes available covering over 11 billion sq. kilometers of area and containing half a quadrillion of pixels, Sentinel-2 is becoming one of the most important MSI datasets in the world. However, the vast amount of data makes it difficult to work with. This is certainly an important reason, why the number of Sentinel based applications is not as high as it could be at this point. We will present a Copernicus Award [1] winning service for archiving, processing and distribution of Sentinel data, Sentinel Hub [2]. It makes it easy for anyone to tap into global Sentinel archive and exploit its rich multi-sensor data to observe changes in the land. We will demonstrate, how one is able not just to observe imagery all over the world but also to create its own statistical analysis in a matter of seconds, performing comparison of different sensors through various time segments. The result can be immediately observed in any GIS tool or exported as a raster file for post-processing. All of these actions can be performed on a full, worldwide, S-2 archive (multi-temporal and multi-spectral). To demonstrate the technology, we created a publicly accessible web application, called "Sentinel Playground" [3], which makes it possible to query Sentinel-2 data anywhere in the world, and experts-oriented tool "EO Browser" [4], where it is also possible to observe land changes through longer period by using historical Landsat data as well. [1] http://www.copernicus-masters.com/index.php?anzeige=press-2016-03.html [2] http://www.sentinel-hub.com [3] http://apps.sentinel-hub.com/sentinel-playground/ [4] http://apps.eocloud.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browser/

  12. Radionavigated detection of sentinel nodes in breast carcinoma--first experiences of our department.

    PubMed

    Duchaj, B; Chvalny, P; Vesely, J; Makaiova, I; Durdik, S; Straka, V; Palaj, J; Procka, V; Aksamitova, K; Skraskova, S; Banki, P; Kovacova, S; Galbavy, S

    2010-01-01

    Biopsy and histological evaluation of sentinel lymphatic node limits the axillary node dissection only in cases of positive histological finding and decreases the occurrence of postoperative complications related to the axillary node dissection. We used radiotracer SentiScint, Medi-Radiopharma Ltd, Hungary and preoperatively administered blue dye--Blue Patenté V, Guebert, Aulnay-Sous-Bios, France. 11 (18%) patients were subdued to deep peritimorous application of radiotracer, 10 (16.4%) to sub/intradermal application over the lesions and n 40 (65.6%) patients the application was sub/intradermal and periareolar. The patients underwent an operation protocol of corresponding quadrantectomy, radionavigated blue-dye sentinel node biopsy and axillary dissection. From May 2006 to June 2008, we examined 61 patients with breast carcinoma. They underwent radionavigated and blue-dye sentinel node biopsy. We detected 57 (93.4%) sentinel nodes with preoperative scintigraphy, of which only 51 (83.6%) were detected peroperatively and underwent histological evaluation. In six (9.8%) cases, the "frozen cut" histology of the primary lesion had shown a benign lesion; hence no sentinel node biopsy or axillary disection was performed. 12 (19.7%) of 51 histologically evaluated sentinel nodes had metastatic invasion. We retrospectively compared the histological fund in sentinel and axillary nodes in patients with metastatic sentinel nodes. In 6 (16.6%) cases, the sentinel node was positive of metastatic invasion but axillary nodes were histologically negative, in 6 (16.6%) cases the sentinel node and axillary nodes were positive for metastatic invasion. We observed falsely negative findings in 3 (8.3%) patients with negative histological fund in the sentinel node, but positive axillary nodes (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 11). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

  13. Sentinel nodes identified by computed tomography-lymphography accurately stage the axilla in patients with breast cancer

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Sentinel node biopsy often results in the identification and removal of multiple nodes as sentinel nodes, although most of these nodes could be non-sentinel nodes. This study investigated whether computed tomography-lymphography (CT-LG) can distinguish sentinel nodes from non-sentinel nodes and whether sentinel nodes identified by CT-LG can accurately stage the axilla in patients with breast cancer. Methods This study included 184 patients with breast cancer and clinically negative nodes. Contrast agent was injected interstitially. The location of sentinel nodes was marked on the skin surface using a CT laser light navigator system. Lymph nodes located just under the marks were first removed as sentinel nodes. Then, all dyed nodes or all hot nodes were removed. Results The mean number of sentinel nodes identified by CT-LG was significantly lower than that of dyed and/or hot nodes removed (1.1 vs 1.8, p <0.0001). Twenty-three (12.5%) patients had ≥2 sentinel nodes identified by CT-LG removed, whereas 94 (51.1%) of patients had ≥2 dyed and/or hot nodes removed (p <0.0001). Pathological evaluation demonstrated that 47 (25.5%) of 184 patients had metastasis to at least one node. All 47 patients demonstrated metastases to at least one of the sentinel nodes identified by CT-LG. Conclusions CT-LG can distinguish sentinel nodes from non-sentinel nodes, and sentinel nodes identified by CT-LG can accurately stage the axilla in patients with breast cancer. Successful identification of sentinel nodes using CT-LG may facilitate image-based diagnosis of metastasis, possibly leading to the omission of sentinel node biopsy. PMID:24321242

  14. Joint Sentinel-1 and SMAP data assimilation to improve soil moisture estimates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lievens, H.; Reichle, R. H.; Liu, Q.; De Lannoy, G.; Dunbar, R. S.; Kim, S.; Das, N. N.; Cosh, M. H.; Walker, J. P.; Wagner, W.

    2017-12-01

    SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) radiometer observations at 40 km resolution are routinely assimilated into the NASA Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM) to generate the SMAP Level 4 Soil Moisture product. The use of C-band radar backscatter observations from Sentinel-1 has the potential to add value to the radiance assimilation by increasing the level of spatial detail. The specifications of Sentinel-1 are appealing, particularly its high spatial resolution (5 by 20 m in interferometric wide swath mode) and frequent revisit time (6 day repeat cycle for the Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B constellation). However, the shorter wavelength of Sentinel-1 observations implies less sensitivity to soil moisture. This study investigates the value of Sentinel-1 data for hydrologic simulations by assimilating the radar observations into CLSM, either separately from or simultaneously with SMAP radiometer observations. To facilitate the assimilation of the radar observations, CLSM is coupled to the water cloud model, simulating the radar backscatter as observed by Sentinel-1. The innovations, i.e. differences between observations and simulations, are converted into increments to the model soil moisture state through an Ensemble Kalman Filter. The assimilation impact is assessed by comparing 3-hourly, 9 km surface and root-zone soil moisture simulations with in situ measurements from 9 km SMAP core validation sites and sparse networks, from May 2015 to 2017. The Sentinel-1 assimilation consistently improves surface soil moisture, whereas root-zone impacts are mostly neutral. Relatively larger improvements are obtained from SMAP assimilation. The joint assimilation of SMAP and Sentinel-1 observations performs best, demonstrating the complementary value of radar and radiometer observations.

  15. The Sentinel-4 detectors: architecture and performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Skegg, Michael P.; Hermsen, Markus; Hohn, Rüdiger; Williges, Christian; Woffinden, Charles; Levillain, Yves; Reulke, Ralf

    2017-09-01

    The Sentinel-4 instrument is an imaging spectrometer, developed by Airbus under ESA contract in the frame of the joint European Union (EU)/ESA COPERNICUS program. SENTINEL-4 will provide accurate measurements of trace gases from geostationary orbit, including key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, as well as aerosol and cloud properties. Key to achieving these atmospheric measurements are the two CCD detectors, covering the wavelengths in the ranges 305 nm to 500 nm (UVVIS) and 750 to 775 nm (NIR) respectively. The paper describes the architecture, and operation of these two CCD detectors, which have an unusually high full-well capacity and a very specific architecture and read-out sequence to match the requirements of the Sentinel- 4 instrument. The key performance aspects and their verification through measurement are presented, with a focus on an unusual, bi-modal dark signal generation rate observed during test.

  16. Sentinel-1 Precise Orbit Calibration and Validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monti Guarnieri, Andrea; Mancon, Simone; Tebaldini, Stefano

    2015-05-01

    In this paper, we propose a model-based procedure to calibrate and validate Sentinel-1 orbit products by the Multi-Squint (MS) phase. The technique allows to calibrate an interferometric pair geometry by refining the slave orbit with reference to the orbit of a master image. Accordingly, we state the geometric model of the InSAR phase as function of positioning errors of targets and slave track; and the MS phase model as derivative of the InSAR phase geometric model with respect to the squint angle. In this paper we focus on the TOPSAR acquisition modes of Sentinel-1 (IW and EW) assuming at the most a linear error in the known slave trajectory. In particular, we describe a dedicated methodology to prevent InSAR phase artifacts on data acquired by the TOPSAR acquisition mode. Experimental results obtained by interferometric pairs acquired by Sentinel-1 sensor will be displayed.

  17. Citrullus lanatus `Sentinel' (Watermelon) Extract Reduces Atherosclerosis in LDL Receptor Deficient Mice

    PubMed Central

    Poduri, Aruna; Rateri, Debra L.; Saha, Shubin K.; Saha, Sibu; Daugherty, Alan

    2012-01-01

    Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus or C. lanatus) has many potentially bioactive compounds including citrulline, which may influence atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of C. lanatus, provided as an extract of the cultivar `sentinel', on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Male LDL receptor deficient mice at 8 weeks old were given either C. lanatus `sentinel' extract (2% vol/vol; n=10) or a mixture of matching carbohydrates (2% vol/vol; n=8) as the control in drinking water, while fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 12 weeks ad libitum. Mice consuming C. lanatus `sentinel' extract had significantly increased plasma citrulline concentrations. Systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups. Consumption of C. lanatus `sentinel' extract led to lower body weight and fat mass without influencing lean mass. There were no differences in food and water intake, and urine output between the two groups. C. lanatus `sentinel' extract administration decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations that were attributed to reductions of intermediate/low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of MCP-1 and IFN-γ were decreased and IL-10 increased in mice consuming C. lanatus `sentinel' extract. Intake of C. lanatus `sentinel' extract resulted in reductions of atherosclerosis in both aortic arch and thoracic regions. In conclusion, consumption of C. lanatus `sentinel' extract led to reduced body weight gain, decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations, improved homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated development of atherosclerosis without affecting systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic mice. PMID:22902326

  18. U.S. Geological Survey distribution of European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 data

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Pieschke, Renee L.

    2017-03-31

    A partnership established between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) allows for USGS storage and redistribution of images acquired by the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) on the European Union's Sentinel-2 satellite mission. The MSI data are acquired from a pair of satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, which are part of a larger set of ESA missions focusing on different aspects of Earth observation. The primary purpose of the Sentinel-2 series is to collect multispectral imagery over the Earth’s land surfaces, large islands, and inland and coastal waters. Sentinel-2A was launched in 2015 and Sentinel-2B launched in 2017.The collaborative effort between ESA and USGS provides for public access and redistribution of global acquisitions of Sentinel-2 data at no cost, which allows users to download the MSI imagery from USGS access systems such as Earth- Explorer, in addition to the ESA Sentinels Scientific Data Hub. The MSI sensor acquires 13 spectral bands that are highly complementary to data acquired by the USGS Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+). The product options from USGS include a Full-Resolution Browse (FRB) image product generated by USGS, along with a 100-kilometer (km) by 100-km tile-based Level-1C top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance product that is very similar (but not identical) to the currently (2017) distributed ESA Level 1C product.

  19. The use of {sup 99m}Tc-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} for detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sinilkin, I., E-mail: sinilkinig@oncology.tomsk.ru; Chernov, V.; Medvedeva, A.

    2016-08-02

    Purpose: to study the feasibility of using the new radiopharmaceutical based on the technetium-99m-labeled gamma-alumina for identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer patients. The study included two groups of breast cancer patients who underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and intraoperaive gamma probe identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). To identify SLNs, the day before surgery Group I patients (n = 34) were injected with radioactive {sup 99m}Tc-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and Group II patients (n = 30) received {sup 99m}Tc-labeled phytate colloid. A total of 37 SLNs were detected in Group I patients. The number ofmore » identified SLNs per patient ranged from 1 to 2 (the average number of identified SLNs was 1.08). Axillary lymph nodes were the most common site of SLN localization. 18 hours after {sup 99m}Tc-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} injection, the percentage of its accumulation in the SLN was 7–11% (of the counts in the injection site) by SPECT and 17–31% by gamma probe detection. In Group II SLNs were detected in 27 patients. 18 hours after injection of the phytate colloid the percentage of its accumulation in the SLN was 1.5–2% out of the counts in the injection site by SPECT and 4–7% by gamma probe. The new radiopharmaceutical based on the {sup 99m}Tc-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} demonstrates high accumulation in SLNs without redistribution through the entire lymphatic basin. The sensitivity and specificity of {sup 99m}Tc-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were 100% for both SPECT and intraoperative gamma probe identification.« less

  20. Use of 99mTc-Tilmanocept as a Single Agent for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification in Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Unkart, Jonathan T; Wallace, Anne M

    2017-09-01

    99m Tc-tilmanocept received recent Food and Drug Administration approval for lymphatic mapping in 2013. However, to our knowledge, no prior studies have evaluated the use of 99m Tc-tilmanocept as a single agent in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. Methods: We executed this retrospective pilot study to assess the ability of 99m Tc-tilmanocept to identify sentinel nodes as a single agent in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. Patients received a single intradermal injection overlying the tumor of either 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi) of 99m Tc-tilmanocept on the day of surgery or 74.0 MBq (2.0 mCi) on the day before surgery by a radiologist. Immediate 3-view lymphoscintigraphy was performed. Intraoperatively, SLNs were identified with a portable γ-probe. A node was classified as hot if the count (per second) of the node was more than 3 times the background count. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: Nineteen patients underwent SLN biopsy with single-agent 99m Tc-tilmanocept. Immediate lymphoscintigraphy identified at least 1 sentinel node in 13 of 17 patients (76.5%). Intraoperatively, at least 1 (mean, 1.7 ± 0.8; range, 1-3) hot node was identified in all patients. Three patients (15.8%) had 1 disease-positive SLN. Conclusion: In this small, retrospective pilot study, 99m Tc-tilmanocept performed well as a single agent for intraoperative sentinel node identification in breast cancer. A larger, randomized clinical trial is warranted to compare 99m Tc-tilmanocept as a single agent with other radiopharmaceuticals for sentinel node identification in breast cancer. © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

  1. Clinical utilities and biological characteristics of melanoma sentinel lymph nodes

    PubMed Central

    Han, Dale; Thomas, Daniel C; Zager, Jonathan S; Pockaj, Barbara; White, Richard L; Leong, Stanley PL

    2016-01-01

    An estimated 73870 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States in 2015, resulting in 9940 deaths. The majority of patients with cutaneous melanomas are cured with wide local excision. However, current evidence supports the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) given the 15%-20% of patients who harbor regional node metastasis. More importantly, the presence or absence of nodal micrometastases has been found to be the most important prognostic factor in early-stage melanoma, particularly in intermediate thickness melanoma. This review examines the development of SLNB for melanoma as a means to determine a patient’s nodal status, the efficacy of SLNB in patients with melanoma, and the biology of melanoma metastatic to sentinel lymph nodes. Prospective randomized trials have guided the development of practice guidelines for use of SLNB for melanoma and have shown the prognostic value of SLNB. Given the rapidly advancing molecular and surgical technologies, the technical aspects of diagnosis, identification, and management of regional lymph nodes in melanoma continues to evolve and to improve. Additionally, there is ongoing research examining both the role of SLNB for specific clinical scenarios and the ways to identify patients who may benefit from completion lymphadenectomy for a positive SLN. Until further data provides sufficient evidence to alter national consensus-based guidelines, SLNB with completion lymphadenectomy remains the standard of care for clinically node-negative patients found to have a positive SLN. PMID:27081640

  2. Sentinel-5: the new generation European operational atmospheric chemistry mission in polar orbit

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pérez Albiñana, Abelardo; Erdmann, Matthias; Wright, Norrie; Martin, Didier; Melf, Markus; Bartsch, Peter; Seefelder, Wolfgang

    2017-08-01

    Sentinel-5 is an Earth Observation instrument to be flown on the Metop Second Generation (Metop-SG) satellites with the fundamental objective of monitoring atmospheric composition from polar orbit. The Sentinel-5 instrument consists of five spectrometers to measure the solar spectral radiance backscattered by the earth atmosphere in five bands within the UV (270nm) to SWIR (2385nm) spectral range. Data provided by Sentinel-5 will allow obtaining the distribution of important atmospheric constituents such as ozone, on a global daily basis and at a finer spatial resolution than its precursor instruments on the first generation of Metop satellites. The launch of the first Metop-SG satellite is foreseen for 2021. The Sentinel-5 instrument is being developed by Airbus DS under contract to the European Space Agency. The Sentinel-5 mission is part of the Space Component of the Copernicus programme, a joint initiative by ESA, EUMETSAT and the European Commission. The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Sentinel-5 development was successfully completed in 2015. This paper provides a description of the Sentinel-5 instrument design and data calibration.

  3. Intraoperative Imaging Guidance for Sentinel Node Biopsy in Melanoma Using a Mobile Gamma Camera

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dengel, Lynn T; Judy, Patricia G; Petroni, Gina R

    2011-04-01

    The objective is to evaluate the sensitivity and clinical utility of intraoperative mobile gamma camera (MGC) imaging in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in melanoma. The false-negative rate for SLNB for melanoma is approximately 17%, for which failure to identify the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is a major cause. Intraoperative imaging may aid in detection of SLN near the primary site, in ambiguous locations, and after excision of each SLN. The present pilot study reports outcomes with a prototype MGC designed for rapid intraoperative image acquisition. We hypothesized that intraoperative use of the MGC would be feasible and that sensitivitymore » would be at least 90%. From April to September 2008, 20 patients underwent Tc99 sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy, and SLNB was performed with use of a conventional fixed gamma camera (FGC), and gamma probe followed by intraoperative MGC imaging. Sensitivity was calculated for each detection method. Intraoperative logistical challenges were scored. Cases in which MGC provided clinical benefit were recorded. Sensitivity for detecting SLN basins was 97% for the FGC and 90% for the MGC. A total of 46 SLN were identified: 32 (70%) were identified as distinct hot spots by preoperative FGC imaging, 31 (67%) by preoperative MGC imaging, and 43 (93%) by MGC imaging pre- or intraoperatively. The gamma probe identified 44 (96%) independent of MGC imaging. The MGC provided defined clinical benefit as an addition to standard practice in 5 (25%) of 20 patients. Mean score for MGC logistic feasibility was 2 on a scale of 1-9 (1 = best). Intraoperative MGC imaging provides additional information when standard techniques fail or are ambiguous. Sensitivity is 90% and can be increased. This pilot study has identified ways to improve the usefulness of an MGC for intraoperative imaging, which holds promise for reducing false negatives of SLNB for melanoma.« less

  4. Soiled-bedding Sentinel Detection of Murine Norovirus 4

    PubMed Central

    Manuel, Christopher A; Hsu, Charlie C; Riley, Lela K; Livingston, Robert S

    2008-01-01

    According to serologic surveys, murine norovirus (MNV) is the most prevalent viral pathogen infecting mice used in biomedical research. However, the use of sentinel mice to detect MNV-infected mouse populations has not been evaluated thoroughly. To this end, an experimental method of soiled bedding transfer was created to mimic a quarterly sentinel monitoring program. Soiled bedding (15 or 30 cm3) from ICR mice experimentally infected with MNV4 was transferred weekly to cages of pair-housed 4-wk-old ICR mice. After 12 wk, both mice in 80% (4 of 5) of cages receiving either 15 or 30 cm3 of soiled bedding were seropositive for MNV and were shedding virus in feces. To evaluate the stability of MNV RNA in mouse feces, fecal pellets from MNV-infected sentinel mice were stored at room temperature for as long as 14 d. After storage, all fecal samples tested positive for MNV by RT-PCR. To determine whether fecal samples could be pooled for MNV detection, 1 MNV-positive fecal pellet was combined with either 9 or 19 MNV-negative fecal pellets. All pooled fecal samples were positive for MNV by RT-PCR at both dilutions. These data indicate that although MNV-infected mouse populations can be detected by exposing sentinel mice to MNV-contaminated bedding, detection failures can occur. In addition, there was high agreement in the MNV infection status of cohoused sentinel mice. These data also demonstrate that MNV is readily detectable in pooled fecal samples and in mouse feces stored at room temperature for 2 wk. PMID:18459710

  5. Animals as sentinels of chemical terrorism agents: an evidence-based review.

    PubMed

    Rabinowitz, Peter; Wiley, James; Odofin, Lynda; Wilcox, Matthew; Dein, F Joshua

    2008-02-01

    The goal of this systematic review was to identify evidence that animals could serve as sentinels of an attack with a chemical terrorism agent. The biomedical literature was systematically searched for evidence that wild or domestic animals exposed to certain chemical weapons of terrorism had either greater susceptibility, shorter latency period, or increased exposure risk versus humans. Additionally, we searched for documented reports of such animals historically serving as sentinels for chemical warfare agents. For a small number of agents, there was limited evidence that domestic and/or wild animals could provide sentinel information to humans following an airborne attack with chemical agents, usually related to increased potential for environmental exposure. Some of this evidence was based on anecdotal case reports, and in many cases high quality chemical terrorism agent evidence regarding comparative susceptibility, exposure, and latency between humans and sentinel animal species was not found. Currently, there is insufficient evidence for routine use of animals as sentinels for airborne chemical warfare agents. At the same time, Poison Center surveillance systems should include animal calls, and greater communication between veterinarians and physicians could help with preparedness for a chemical terrorism attack. Further analysis of comparative chemical warfare agent toxicity between sentinel animal species and humans is needed.

  6. Citrullus lanatus 'sentinel' (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Poduri, Aruna; Rateri, Debra L; Saha, Shubin K; Saha, Sibu; Daugherty, Alan

    2013-05-01

    Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus or C. lanatus) has many potentially bioactive compounds including citrulline, which may influence atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of C. lanatus, provided as an extract of the cultivar 'sentinel,' on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice at 8 weeks old were given either C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract (2% vol/vol; n=10) or a mixture of matching carbohydrates (2% vol/vol; n=8) as the control in drinking water while being fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 12 weeks ad libitum. Mice consuming C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract had significantly increased plasma citrulline concentrations. Systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups. Consumption of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract led to lower body weight and fat mass without influencing lean mass. There were no differences in food and water intake and in urine output between the two groups. C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract administration decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations that were attributed to reductions of intermediate-/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-gamma were decreased and those of interleukin-10 were increased in mice consuming C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract. Intake of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract resulted in reductions of atherosclerosis in both aortic arch and thoracic regions. In conclusion, consumption of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract led to reduced body weight gain, decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations, improved homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated development of atherosclerosis without affecting systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic mice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for early oral cancers: Westmead Hospital experience.

    PubMed

    Abdul-Razak, Muzib; Chung, Hsiang; Wong, Eva; Palme, Carsten; Veness, Michael; Farlow, David; Coleman, Hedley; Morgan, Gary

    2017-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become an alternative option to elective neck dissection (END) for early oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) outside of Australia. We sought to assess the technical feasibility of SLNB and validate its accuracy against that of END in an Australian setting. We performed a prospective cohort study consisting of 30 consecutive patients with cT 1 - 2 N 0 OCSCC referred to the Head and Neck Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, between 2011 and 2014. All patients underwent SLNB followed by immediate selective neck dissection (levels I-III). A total of 30 patients were diagnosed with an early clinically node-negative OCSCC (seven cT1 and 23 cT2), with the majority located on the oral tongue. A median of three (range: 1-14) sentinel nodes were identified on lymphoscintigraphy, and all sentinel nodes were successfully retrieved, with 50% having a pathologically positive sentinel node. No false-negative sentinel nodes were identified using selective neck dissection as the gold standard. The negative predictive value (NPV) of SLNB was 100%, with 40% having a sentinel node identified outside the field of planned neck dissection on lymphoscintigraphy. Of these, one patient had a positive sentinel node outside of the ipsilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection template. SLNB for early OCSCC is technically feasible in an Australian setting. It has a high NPV and can potentially identify at-risk lymphatic basins outside the traditional selective neck dissection levels even in well-lateralized lesions. © 2016 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  8. Fluorescence-Guided Surgery

    PubMed Central

    Nagaya, Tadanobu; Nakamura, Yu A.; Choyke, Peter L.; Kobayashi, Hisataka

    2017-01-01

    Surgical resection of cancer remains an important treatment modality. Despite advances in preoperative imaging, surgery itself is primarily guided by the surgeon’s ability to locate pathology with conventional white light imaging. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can be used to define tumor location and margins during the procedure. Intraoperative visualization of tumors may not only allow more complete resections but also improve safety by avoiding unnecessary damage to normal tissue which can also reduce operative time and decrease the need for second-look surgeries. A number of new FGS imaging probes have recently been developed, complementing a small but useful number of existing probes. In this review, we describe current and new fluorescent probes that may assist FGS. PMID:29312886

  9. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

    PubMed Central

    Alsaif, Abdulaziz A.

    2015-01-01

    Objectives: To report our experience in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early breast cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2005 and December 2014. There were 120 patients who underwent SLNB with frozen section examination. Data collected included the characteristics of patients, index tumor, and sentinel node (SN), SLNB results, axillary recurrence rate and SLNB morbidity. Results: There were 120 patients who had 123 cancers. Sentinel node was identified in 117 patients having 120 tumors (97.6% success rate). No SN was found intraoperatively in 3 patients. Frozen section results showed that 95 patients were SN negative, those patients had no immediate axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), whereas 25 patients were SN positive and subsequently had immediate ALND. Upon further examination of the 95 negative SN’s by hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining for doubtful H&E cases, 10 turned out to have micrometastases (6 had delayed ALND and 4 had no further axillary surgery). Median follow up of patients was 35.5 months and the mean was 38.8 months. There was one axillary recurrence observed in the SN negative group. The morbidity of SLNB was minimal. Conclusion: The obtainable results from our local experience in SLNB in breast cancer, concur with that seen in published similar literature in particular the axillary failure rate. Sentinel lymph node biopsy resulted in minimal morbidity. PMID:26318461

  10. Feasibility of a wireless gamma probe in radioguided surgery.

    PubMed

    Park, Hye Min; Joo, Koan Sik

    2016-06-21

    Radioguided surgery through the use of a gamma probe is an established practice, and has been widely applied in the case of sentinel lymph node biopsies. A wide range of intraoperative gamma probes is commercially available. The primary characteristics of the gamma probes include their sensitivity, spatial resolution, and energy resolution. We present the results obtained from a prototype of a new wireless gamma probe. This prototype is composed of a 20 mm thick cerium-doped gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet (Ce:GAGG) inorganic scintillation crystal from Furukawa Denshi and a Hamamatsu S12572-100C multi-pixel photon counter equipped with a designed electronics. The measured performance characteristics include the energy resolution, energy linearity, angular aperture, spatial resolution and sensitivity. Measurements were carried out using (57)Co, (133)Ba, (22)Na, and (137)Cs sources. The energy resolutions for 0.122 and 0.511 MeV were 17.2% and 6.9%, respectively. The designed prototype consumes an energy of approximately 4.4 W, weighs about 310 g (including battery) having a dimension of 20 mm (D)  ×  130 mm (L).

  11. Feasibility of a wireless gamma probe in radioguided surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Hye Min; Joo, Koan Sik

    2016-06-01

    Radioguided surgery through the use of a gamma probe is an established practice, and has been widely applied in the case of sentinel lymph node biopsies. A wide range of intraoperative gamma probes is commercially available. The primary characteristics of the gamma probes include their sensitivity, spatial resolution, and energy resolution. We present the results obtained from a prototype of a new wireless gamma probe. This prototype is composed of a 20 mm thick cerium-doped gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet (Ce:GAGG) inorganic scintillation crystal from Furukawa Denshi and a Hamamatsu S12572-100C multi-pixel photon counter equipped with a designed electronics. The measured performance characteristics include the energy resolution, energy linearity, angular aperture, spatial resolution and sensitivity. Measurements were carried out using 57Co, 133Ba, 22Na, and 137Cs sources. The energy resolutions for 0.122 and 0.511 MeV were 17.2% and 6.9%, respectively. The designed prototype consumes an energy of approximately 4.4 W, weighs about 310 g (including battery) having a dimension of 20 mm (D)  ×  130 mm (L).

  12. Verification of the SENTINEL-4 Focal Plane Subsystem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Williges, C.; Hohn, R.; Rossmann, H.; Hilbert, S.; Uhlig, M.; Buchwinkler, K.; Reulke, R.

    2017-05-01

    The Sentinel-4 payload is a multi-spectral camera system which is designed to monitor atmospheric conditions over Europe. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Berlin, Germany conducted the verification campaign of the Focal Plane Subsystem (FPS) on behalf of Airbus Defense and Space GmbH, Ottobrunn, Germany. The FPS consists, inter alia, of two Focal Plane Assemblies (FPAs), one for the UV-VIS spectral range (305 nm … 500 nm), the second for NIR (750 nm … 775 nm). In this publication, we will present in detail the opto-mechanical laboratory set-up of the verification campaign of the Sentinel-4 Qualification Model (QM) which will also be used for the upcoming Flight Model (FM) verification. The test campaign consists mainly of radiometric tests performed with an integrating sphere as homogenous light source. The FPAs have mainly to be operated at 215 K ± 5 K, making it necessary to exploit a thermal vacuum chamber (TVC) for the test accomplishment. This publication focuses on the challenge to remotely illuminate both Sentinel-4 detectors as well as a reference detector homogeneously over a distance of approximately 1 m from outside the TVC. Furthermore selected test analyses and results will be presented, showing that the Sentinel-4 FPS meets specifications.

  13. Sentinel-1 Mission Overview and Implementation Status

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davidson, M.; Attema, E.; Snoeij, P.; Levrini, G.

    2009-04-01

    Sentinel-1 is an imaging radar mission at C-band consisting of a constellation of two satellites aimed at providing continuity of all-weather day-and-night supply of imagery for user services. Special emphasis is placed on services identified in ESA's GMES service elements program and on projects funded by the European Union Framework Programmes. Three priorities (fast-track services) for the mission have been identified by user consultation working groups of the European Union: Marine Core Services, Land Monitoring and Emergency Services. These cover applications such as: - Monitoring sea ice zones and the arctic environment - Surveillance of marine environment - Monitoring land surface motion risks - Mapping of land surfaces: forest, water and soil, agriculture - Mapping in support of humanitarian aid in crisis situations. The Sentinel 1 space segment will be designed and built by an industrial consortium with Thales Alenia Space Italia as prime contractor and EADS Astrium GmbH as C-SAR instrument responsible. Data products from current and previous ESA missions including ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat missions form the basis for many of the pilot GMES services. Consequently Sentinel-1 data maintain data quality levels of the Agency‘s previous SAR missions in terms of spatial resolution, sensitivity, accuracy, polarization and wavelength. Nonetheless, the Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation represents a completely new approach to SAR mission design by ESA in direct response to the operational needs for SAR data expressed under the EU-ESA Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme. The Sentinel-1 constellation is expected to provide near daily coverage over Europe and Canada, global coverage all independent of weather with delivery of radar data within 1 hour of acquisition - all vast improvements with respect to the existing SAR systems. The continuity of C-band SAR data combined with the greatly improved data provision is

  14. Breast cancer sentinel node scintigraphy: differences between imaging results 1 and 2 h after injection.

    PubMed

    Wondergem, Maurits; Hobbelink, Monique G G; Witkamp, Arjen J; van Hillegersberg, Richard; de Keizer, Bart

    2012-11-01

    Timing of image acquisition in breast cancer sentinel node scintigraphy remains a subject of debate. Therefore, the performance of our protocol in which images are acquired 1 and 2 h after injection was evaluated. The results of sentinel node scintigraphy 1 and 2 h after injection were compared with regard to the sentinel lymph nodes visualized. We studied 132 patients who were consecutively referred for sentinel lymph node biopsy. 99mTc-albumine nanocolloid (120 MBq) was injected peritumourally into patients with palpable tumours and intratumourally into patients with nonpalpable tumours. All scintigraphic images taken for the sentinel node procedure were evaluated. The number of sentinel nodes per anatomic localization and the interpretability of the images were scored. A total of 132 patients underwent sentinel node scintigraphy 1 h after injection. Of these, 117 patients also underwent sentinel node scintigraphy 2 h after injection. An axillary sentinel node was visualized in 79.5 and 95.7% of patients, respectively, 1 and 2 h after injection. In 20.5% of the patients the images acquired 1 h after injection did not show a sentinel node. Furthermore, in all procedures, the images 1 h after injection were of no added value to those acquired 2 h after injection. Scintigraphic imaging 2 h after a single peritumoural or intratumoural administration of about 120 MBq 99mTc-albumine nanocolloid yields an axillary sentinel node in over 95% of cases. Imaging 1 h after injection is of no additional value and can be omitted.

  15. Sentinel lymph node biopsy from the vantage point of an oncologic surgeon.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Lori L

    2009-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy has greatly influenced the surgical management of clinically localized primary melanoma. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy have been used for the selective management of the draining regional lymph node basin of primary cutaneous melanoma. Oncologic surgeons have adopted this procedure to selectively identify occult nodal status in melanoma patients who are at a higher risk of regional metastasis. The current standard of treatment of tumor-positive sentinel lymph node metastasis is immediate completion lymphadenectomy, but considerable debate surrounds the utility of this procedure. This contribution reviews development, technical aspects, selective management of the lymph node basin, and sentinel lymph node biopsy techniques.

  16. Marine mammals as sentinel species for oceans and human health.

    PubMed

    Bossart, G D

    2011-05-01

    The long-term consequences of climate change and potential environmental degradation are likely to include aspects of disease emergence in marine plants and animals. In turn, these emerging diseases may have epizootic potential, zoonotic implications, and a complex pathogenesis involving other cofactors such as anthropogenic contaminant burden, genetics, and immunologic dysfunction. The concept of marine sentinel organisms provides one approach to evaluating aquatic ecosystem health. Such sentinels are barometers for current or potential negative impacts on individual- and population-level animal health. In turn, using marine sentinels permits better characterization and management of impacts that ultimately affect animal and human health associated with the oceans. Marine mammals are prime sentinel species because many species have long life spans, are long-term coastal residents, feed at a high trophic level, and have unique fat stores that can serve as depots for anthropogenic toxins. Marine mammals may be exposed to environmental stressors such as chemical pollutants, harmful algal biotoxins, and emerging or resurging pathogens. Since many marine mammal species share the coastal environment with humans and consume the same food, they also may serve as effective sentinels for public health problems. Finally, marine mammals are charismatic megafauna that typically stimulate an exaggerated human behavioral response and are thus more likely to be observed.

  17. Exploring Capabilities of SENTINEL-2 for Vegetation Mapping Using Random Forest

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saini, R.; Ghosh, S. K.

    2018-04-01

    Accurate vegetation mapping is essential for monitoring crop and sustainable agricultural practice. This study aims to explore the capabilities of Sentinel-2 data over Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data for vegetation mapping. Two combination of Sentinel-2 dataset have been considered, first combination is 4-band dataset at 10m resolution which consists of NIR, R, G and B bands, while second combination is generated by stacking 4 bands having 10 m resolution along with other six sharpened bands using Gram-Schmidt algorithm. For Landsat-8 OLI dataset, six multispectral bands have been pan-sharpened to have a spatial resolution of 15 m using Gram-Schmidt algorithm. Random Forest (RF) and Maximum Likelihood classifier (MLC) have been selected for classification of images. It is found that, overall accuracy achieved by RF for 4-band, 10-band dataset of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 OLI are 88.38 %, 90.05 % and 86.68 % respectively. While, MLC give an overall accuracy of 85.12 %, 87.14 % and 83.56 % for 4-band, 10-band Sentinel and Landsat-8 OLI respectively. Results shown that 10-band Sentinel-2 dataset gives highest accuracy and shows a rise of 3.37 % for RF and 3.58 % for MLC compared to Landsat-8 OLI. However, all the classes show significant improvement in accuracy but a major rise in accuracy is observed for Sugarcane, Wheat and Fodder for Sentinel 10-band imagery. This study substantiates the fact that Sentinel-2 data can be utilized for mapping of vegetation with a good degree of accuracy when compared to Landsat-8 OLI specifically when objective is to map a sub class of vegetation.

  18. Sentinel events predicting later unwanted sex among girls: A national survey in Haiti, 2012.

    PubMed

    Sumner, Steven A; Marcelin, Louis H; Cela, Toni; Mercy, James A; Lea, Veronica; Kress, Howard; Hillis, Susan D

    2015-12-01

    Sexual violence against children is a significant global public health problem, yet limited studies exist from low-resource settings. In Haiti we conducted the country's first, nationally representative survey focused on childhood violence to help inform the development of a national action plan for violence against children. The Haiti Violence Against Children Survey was a household-level, multistage, cluster survey among youth age 13-24. In this analysis we sought to determine whether sexual violence sentinel events (unwanted sexual touching or unwanted attempted sex) were predictive of later unwanted, completed, penetrative sex in Haiti. We also sought to explore characteristics of sentinel events and help-seeking behavior among Haitian children. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations between sentinel events and later unwanted, completed, penetrative sex. Overall, 1,457 females reported on experiences of sexual violence occurring in childhood (before age 18). A sentinel event occurred in 40.4% of females who experienced subsequent unwanted completed sex. Females experiencing a sentinel event were approximately two and a half times more likely to experience later unwanted completed sex (adjusted odds ratio=2.40, p=.004) compared to individuals who did not experience a sentinel event. The mean lag time from first sentinel event to first unwanted completed sex was 2.3 years. Only half (54.6%) of children experiencing a sentinel event told someone about their experience of sexual violence. Among children, sentinel events occur frequently before later acts of completed unwanted sex and may represent a useful point of intervention. Reporting of sexual violence by children in Haiti is low and can be improved to better act on sentinel events. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  19. The Copernicus Sentinel 4 mission: a geostationary imaging UVN spectrometer for air quality monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Sallusti, M.; Bulsa, G.; Bagnasco, G.; Veihelmann, Ben; Riedl, S.; Smith, D. J.; Maurer, R.

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel-4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrometer, developed by Airbus Defence and Space under ESA contract in the frame of the joint EU/ESA COPERNICUS program. The mission objective is the operational monitoring of trace gas concentrations for atmospheric chemistry and climate applications - hence the motto of Sentinel-4 "Knowing what we breathe". Sentinel-4 will provide accurate measurements of key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, and aerosol properties over Europe and adjacent regions from a geostationary orbit (see Fig. 1). In the family of already flown UVN spectrometers (SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME and GOME 2) and of those spectrometers currently under development (Sentinel-5p and Sentinel-5), Sentinel-4 is unique in being the first geostationary UVN mission. Furthermore, thanks to its 60-minutes repeat cycle measurements and high spatial resolution (8x8 km2), Sentinel-4 will increase the frequency of cloud-free observations, which is necessary to assess troposphere variability. Two identical Sentinel-4 instruments (PFM and FM-2) will be embarked, as Customer Furnished Item (CFI), fully verified, qualified and calibrated respectively onto two EUMETSAT satellites: Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 and 2 (MTG-S1 and MTG-S2), whose Flight Acceptance Reviews are presently planned respectively in Q4 2021 and Q1 2030. This paper gives an overview of the Sentinel-4 system1 architecture, its design and development status, current performances and the key technological challenges.

  20. Surgical management of sentinel lymph node biopsy outside major nodal basin in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Caracò, Corrado; Marone, Ugo; Di Monta, Gianluca; Aloj, Luigi; Caracò, Corradina; Anniciello, Annamaria; Lastoria, Secondo; Botti, Gerardo; Mozzillo, Nicola

    2014-01-01

    To assess the incidence of nonmajor lymphatic basin sentinel nodes in patients with cutaneous melanoma in order to propose a correct nomenclature and inform appropriate surgical management. This was a retrospective review of 1,045 consecutive patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and dynamic lymphoscintigraphy to identify sentinel node site. Nonmajor drainage sites were classified as uncommon (located in a minor lymphatic basin along the lymphatic drainage to a major classical nodal basin) or interval (located anywhere along the lymphatics between the primary tumor site and the nearest lymphatic basin) sentinel nodes. Nonclassical sentinel nodes were identified in 32 patients (3.0 %). Uncommon sentinel nodes were identified in 3.2 % (n = 17) of trunk melanoma primary disease and in 1.5 % (n = 7) of upper and lower extremity sites. Interval sentinel nodes were identified in 1.3 % (n = 7) of trunk primary lesions, with none from upper and lower extremities melanomas. The incidence of tumor-positive sentinel nodes was 24.1 % (245 of 1,013) in classical sites and 12.5 % (4 of 32) in uncommon/interval sites. The definition of uncommon and interval sentinel nodes allows the identification of different lymphatic pathways and inform appropriate surgical treatment. Wider experience with uncommon/interval sentinel nodes will better clarify the clinical implications and surgical management to be adopted in the management of uncommon and interval sentinel node sites.

  1. Solar Sentinels: Report of the Science and Technology Definition Team

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2006-01-01

    The goal of NASA s Living With a Star (LWS) program is to develop the scientific understanding necessary to effectively address those aspects of the connected Sun Earth system that directly affect life and society. Along with the other elements of LWS, Solar Sentinels aims to discover, understand, and model the heliospheric initiation, propagation, and solar connection of those energetic phenomena that adversely affect space exploration and life and society here on Earth. The Solar Sentinels mission will address the following questions: (1) How, where, and under what circumstances are solar energetic particles (SEPs) accelerated to high energies and how do they propagate through the heliosphere? And (2) How are solar wind structures associated with these SEPs, like CMEs, shocks, and high-speed streams, initiated, propagate, evolve, and interact in the inner heliosphere? The Sentinels STDT recommends implementing this mission in two portions, one optimized for inner heliospheric in-situ measurements and the other for solar remote observations. Sentinels will greatly enhance the overall LWS science return.

  2. [Exclusive use of blue dye to detect sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer].

    PubMed

    Bühler H, Simón; Rojas P, Hugo; Cayazzo M, Daniela; Cunill C, Eduardo; Vesperinas A, Gonzalo; Hamilton S, James

    2008-08-01

    The use of a dye and radiocolloid to detect sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer increases the detection rates. However the use of either method alone does not modify the false negative rate. Therefore there is no formal contraindication for the exclusive use of dye to detect nodes. To report a prospective analysis of the exclusive blue dye technique for sentinel node biopsy in patients with early breast cancer. We analyzed the first 100 women with pathologically proven breast cancer who met the inclusion criteria. Patent blue dye was used as colorant. In the first 25 cases sentinel node was identified using radiocolloid and blue dye an then an axillary dissection performed. In the next 25 women, blue dye was used exclusively for detection and an axillary dissection was performed. In the next 50 cases, blue dye was used and only isolated sentinel node biopsy was performed. In 92 of the 100 women a sentinel node was successfully detected. In the first 50 women, the false negative rate of sentinel lymph node detection was 6.9%. No complications occurred. During follow-up, lasting three to 29 months, no axillary relapse was observed. Sentinel node biopsy in patients with early breast cancer using exclusively blue dye is feasible and safe.

  3. Design and Production of an Articulating Needle Guide for Ultrasound-Guided Needle Block Manufactured With a Three-Dimensional Printer: Technical Communication.

    PubMed

    Bigeleisen, Paul E

    2017-05-15

    Needle guides may allow the practitioner to align the needle with the probe when ultrasound-guided nerve block is performed. The author's goal was to design and fabricate an inexpensive ($1.90), disposable, needle guide that could articulate over a range from 85 degrees to 0 degrees with a three-dimension printer. Three-dimensional representations of an L50, L25, and C 60 ultrasound probe (Sono Site, Bothell, WA) were created using a laser scanner. Computer-aided design software (Solid Works, Waltham, MA) was used to design a needle bracket and needle guide to attach to these probes. A three-dimensional printer was used to fabricate the needle bracket and guide with acrylonitrile polybutadiene polystyrene. An echogenic needle was held in plane with the needle guide. The author performed a supraclavicular block in a morbidly obese patient. The needle was easily visualized. Similar guides that are commercially available cost as much as $400. A knowledge of computer-aided design is necessary for this work.

  4. Characterization of Akiyama probe applied to dual-probes atomic force microscope

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Hequn; Gao, Sitian; Li, Wei; Shi, Yushu; Li, Qi; Li, Shi; Zhu, Zhendong

    2016-10-01

    The measurement of nano-scale line-width has always been important and difficult in the field of nanometer measurements, while the rapid development of integrated circuit greatly raises the demand again. As one kind of scanning probe microscope (SPM), atomic force microscope (AFM) can realize quasi three-dimensional measurement, which is widely used in nanometer scale line-width measurement. Our team researched a dual-probes atomic force microscope, which can eliminate the prevalent effect of probe width on measurement results. In dual-probes AFM system, a novel head are newly designed. A kind of self-sensing and self-exciting probes which is Nanosensors cooperation's patented probe—Akiyama probe, is used in this novel head. The Akiyama probe applied to dual-probe atomic force microscope is one of the most important issues. The characterization of Akiyama probe would affect performance and accuracy of the whole system. The fundamental features of the Akiyama probe are electrically and optically characterized in "approach-withdraw" experiments. Further investigations include the frequency response of an Akiyama probe to small mechanical vibrations externally applied to the tip and the effective loading force yielding between the tip and the sample during the periodic contact. We hope that the characterization of the Akiyama probe described in this paper will guide application for dual-probe atomic force microscope.

  5. SPICE: Sentinel-3 Performance Improvement for Ice Sheets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McMillan, M.; Escola, R.; Roca, M.; Thibaut, P.; Aublanc, J.; Shepherd, A.; Remy, F.; Benveniste, J.; Ambrózio, A.; Restano, M.

    2017-12-01

    For the past 25 years, polar-orbiting satellite radar altimeters have provided a valuable record of ice sheet elevation change and mass balance. One of the principle challenges associated with radar altimetry comes from the relatively large ground footprint of conventional pulse-limited radars, which reduces their capacity to make measurements in areas of complex topographic terrain. In recent years, progress has been made towards improving ground resolution, through the implementation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), or Delay-Doppler, techniques. In 2010, the launch of CryoSat-2 heralded the start of a new era of SAR Interferometric (SARIn) altimetry. However, because the satellite operated in SARIn and LRM mode over the ice sheets, many of the non-interferometric SAR altimeter processing techniques have been optimized for water and sea ice surfaces only. The launch of Sentinel-3, which provides full non-interferometric SAR coverage of the ice sheets, therefore presents the opportunity to further develop these SAR processing methodologies over ice sheets. Here we present results from SPICE, a 2 year study that focuses on (1) developing and evaluating Sentinel-3 SAR altimetry processing methodologies over the Polar ice sheets, and (2) investigating radar wave penetration through comparisons of Ku- and Ka-band satellite measurements. The project, which is funded by ESA's SEOM (Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions) programme, has worked in advance of the operational phase of Sentinel-3, to emulate Sentinel-3 SAR and pseudo-LRM data from dedicated CryoSat-2 SAR acquisitions made at the Lake Vostok, Dome C and Spirit sites in East Antarctica, and from reprocessed SARIn data in Greenland. In Phase 1 of the project we have evaluated existing processing methodologies, and in Phase 2 we are investigating new evolutions to the Delay-Doppler Processing (DDP) and retracking chains. In this presentation we (1) evaluate the existing Sentinel-3 processing chain by

  6. In vivo and ex vivo sentinel node mapping does not identify the same lymph nodes in colon cancer.

    PubMed

    Andersen, Helene Schou; Bennedsen, Astrid Louise Bjørn; Burgdorf, Stefan Kobbelgaard; Eriksen, Jens Ravn; Eiholm, Susanne; Toxværd, Anders; Riis, Lene Buhl; Rosenberg, Jacob; Gögenur, Ismail

    2017-07-01

    Identification of lymph nodes and pathological analysis is crucial for the correct staging of colon cancer. Lymph nodes that drain directly from the tumor area are called "sentinel nodes" and are believed to be the first place for metastasis. The purpose of this study was to perform sentinel node mapping in vivo with indocyanine green and ex vivo with methylene blue in order to evaluate if the sentinel lymph nodes can be identified by both techniques. Patients with colon cancer UICC stage I-III were included from two institutions in Denmark from February 2015 to January 2016. In vivo sentinel node mapping with indocyanine green during laparoscopy and ex vivo sentinel node mapping with methylene blue were performed in all patients. Twenty-nine patients were included. The in vivo sentinel node mapping was successful in 19 cases, and ex vivo sentinel node mapping was successful in 13 cases. In seven cases, no sentinel nodes were identified. A total of 51 sentinel nodes were identified, only one of these where identified by both techniques (2.0%). In vivo sentinel node mapping identified 32 sentinel nodes, while 20 sentinel nodes were identified by ex vivo sentinel node mapping. Lymph node metastases were found in 10 patients, and only two had metastases in a sentinel node. Placing a deposit in relation to the tumor by indocyanine green in vivo or of methylene blue ex vivo could only identify sentinel lymph nodes in a small group of patients.

  7. Examples of Sentinel-2A Mission Exploitation Results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koetz, Benjamin; Hoersch, Bianca; Gascon, Ferran; Desnos, Yves-Louis; Seifert, Frank Martin; Paganini, Marc; Ramoino, Fabrizio; Arino, Olivier

    2017-04-01

    The Sentinel-2 Copernicus mission will bring significant breakthrough in the exploitation of space borne optical data. Sentinel-2 time series will transform land cover, agriculture, forestry, in-land water and costal EO applications from mapping to monitoring, from snapshot to time series data analysis, from image-based to pixel-based processing. The 5-days temporal revisiting of the Sentinel-2 satellites, when both units will be operated together, will usher us in a new era for time series analysis at high spatial resolutions (HR) of 10-20 meters. The monitoring of seasonal variations and processes in phenology and hydrology are examples of the many R&D areas to be studied. The mission's large swath and systematic acquisitions will further support unprecedented coverage at the national scale addressing information requirements of national to regional policies. Within ESA programs, such as the Data User Element (DUE), Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) and Climate Change Initiative (CCI), several R&D activities are preparing the exploitation of the Sentinel-2 mission towards reliable measurements and monitoring of e.g. Essential Climate Variables and indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals. Early Sentinel-2 results will be presented related to a range of applications and scientific domains such as agricultural monitoring at national scale (DUE Sen2Agri), wetland extent and condition over African Ramsar sites (DUE GlobWetland-Africa), land cover mapping for climate change (CCI Land Cover), national land monitoring (Cadaster-Env), forest degradation (DUE ForMoSa), urban mapping (DUE EO4Urban), in-land water quality (DUE SPONGE), map of Mediterranean aquaculture (DUE SMART) and coral reef habitat mapping (SEOM S2-4Sci Coral). The above-mentioned activities are only a few examples from the very active international land imaging community building on the long-term Landsat and Spot heritage and knowledge.

  8. Sentinel-5 instrument: status of design, performance, and development

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gühne, T.; Keim, C.; Bartsch, P.; Weiß, S.; Melf, M.; Seefelder, W.

    2017-09-01

    The Sentinel-5 instrument is currently under development by a consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space in the frame of the European Union Copernicus program. It is a customer furnished item to the MetOp Second Generation satellite platform, which will provide operational meteorological data for the coming decades. Mission objective of the Sentinel-5 is to monitor the composition of the Earth atmosphere for Copernicus Atmosphere Services by taking measurements of trace gases and aerosols impacting air quality and climate with high resolution and daily global coverage. Therefore the Sentinel-5 provides five dispersive spectrometers covering the UV-VIS (270…500 nm), NIR (685 …773 nm) and SWIR (1590…1675 and 2305…2385 nm) spectral bands with resolutions <=1nm. Spatially the Sentinel-5 provides a 108° field of view with a ground sampling of 7.5 x 7 km2 at Nadir. The development program is post PDR and the build-up of the industrial team is finalised. We report on the instrument architecture and design derived from the driving requirements, the predicted instrument performance, and the general status of the program.

  9. BioSentinel: Developing a Space Radiation Biosensor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Santa Maria, Sergio R.

    2015-01-01

    BioSentinel is an autonomous fully self-contained science mission that will conduct the first study of the biological response to space radiation outside low Earth orbit (LEO) in over 40 years. The 4-unit (4U) BioSentinel biosensor system, is housed within a 6-Unit (6U) spacecraft, and uses yeast cells in multiple independent microfluidic cards to detect and measure DNA damage that occurs in response to ambient space radiation. Cell growth and metabolic activity will be measured using a 3-color LED detection system and a metabolic indicator dye with a dedicated thermal control system per fluidic card.

  10. Development of a Hybrid Optical Biopsy Probe to Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    integrated needle probe can be developed for guiding needle biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. Multi-modal optical measurements to be utilized for... needle probe can be developed for guiding needle biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. Multi-modal optical measurements to be utilized for the study...tissue, into a transrectal- ultrasound , needle - biopsy probe. In the development phase, documentation to obtain IRB approval for ex vivo human prostate

  11. Sentinel-2A: Orbit Modelling Improvements and their Impact on the Orbit Prediction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peter, Heike; Otten, Michiel; Fernández Sánchez, Jaime; Fernández Martín, Carlos; Féménias, Pierre

    2016-07-01

    Sentinel-2A is the second satellite of the European Copernicus Programme. The satellite has been launched on 23rd June 2015 and it is operational since mid October 2015. This optical mission carries a GPS receiver for precise orbit determination. The Copernicus POD (Precise Orbit Determination) Service is in charge of generating precise orbital products and auxiliary files for Sentinel-2A as well as for the Sentinel-1 and -3 missions. The accuracy requirements for the Sentinel-2A orbit products are not very stringent with 3 m in 3D (3 sigma) for the near real-time (NRT) orbit and 10 m in 2D (3 sigma) for the predicted orbit. The fulfilment of the orbit accuracy requirements is normally not an issue. The Copernicus POD Service aims, however, to provide the best possible orbits for all three Sentinel missions. Therefore, a sophisticated box-wing model is generated for the Sentinel-2 satellite as it is done for the other two missions as well. Additionally, the solar wing of the satellite is rewound during eclipse, which has to be modelled accordingly. The quality of the orbit prediction is dependent on the results of the orbit estimation performed before it. The values of the last estimation of each parameter is taken for the orbit propagation, i.e. estimating ten atmospheric drag coefficients per 24h, the value of the last coefficient is used as a fix parameter for the subsequent orbit prediction. The question is whether the prediction might be stabilised by, e.g. using an average value of all ten coefficients. This paper presents the status and the quality of the Sentinel-2 orbit determination in the operational environment of the Copernicus POD Service. The impact of the orbit model improvements on the NRT and predicted orbits is studied in detail. Changes in the orbit parametrization as well as in the settings for the orbit propagation are investigated. In addition, the impact of the quality of the input GPS orbit and clock product on the Sentinel-2A orbit

  12. An Intraoperative β- Detecting Probe for Radio-Guided Surgery in Tumour Resection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Russomando, Andrea; Bellini, Fabio; Bocci, Valerio; Collamati, Francesco; De Lucia, Erika; Faccini, Riccardo; Marafini, Michela; Mattei, Ilaria; Chiodi, Giacomo; Patera, Vincenzo; Recchia, Luigi; Sarti, Alessio; Sciubba, Adalberto; Camillocci, Elena Solfaroli; Paramatti, Riccardo; Voena, Cecilia; Donnarumma, Raffaella; Mancini-Terracciano, Carlo; Morganti, Silvio

    2016-10-01

    The development of the β- based radio-guided surgery aims to extend the technique to those tumours where surgery is the only possible treatment and the assessment of the resection would most profit from the low background around the lesion, as for brain tumours. To validate the technique, prototypes of the intraoperative β- probe have been developed. This paper discusses the design details of one of the prototypes and its tests performed in laboratory. In such tests particular care has to be taken to reproduce the surgical field conditions. The tests showed that the prototype under study has 70% efficiency on electrons with an energy threshold at 540 keV, a point-like resolution of 2.8±0.1 mm, and a sensitivity to photons lower than 1%. The tests also demonstrated, with an innovative technique to produce specific phantoms, that 0.5 ml residuals can be safely identified in 1 s with tumor-non-tumor ratio equal to 10.

  13. New Sentinel-2 radiometric validation approaches (SEOM program)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bruniquel, Véronique; Lamquin, Nicolas; Ferron, Stéphane; Govaerts, Yves; Woolliams, Emma; Dilo, Arta; Gascon, Ferran

    2016-04-01

    SEOM is an ESA program element whose one of the objectives aims at launching state-of-the-art studies for the scientific exploitation of operational missions. In the frame of this program, ESA awarded ACRI-ST and its partners Rayference and National Physical Laboratory (NPL) early 2016 for a R&D study on the development and intercomparison of algorithms for validating the Sentinel-2 radiometric L1 data products beyond the baseline algorithms used operationally in the frame of the S2 Mission Performance Centre. In this context, several algorithms have been proposed and are currently in development: The first one is based on the exploitation of Deep Convective Cloud (DCC) observations over ocean. This method allows an inter-band radiometry validation from the blue to the NIR (typically from B1 to B8a) from a reference band already validated for example with the well-known Rayleigh method. Due to their physical properties, DCCs appear from the remote sensing point of view to have bright and cold tops and they can be used as invariant targets to monitor the radiometric response degradation of reflective solar bands. The DCC approach is statistical i.e. the method shall be applied on a large number of measurements to derive reliable statistics and decrease the impact of the perturbing contributors. The second radiometric validation method is based on the exploitation of matchups combining both concomitant in-situ measurements and Sentinel-2 observations. The in-situ measurements which are used here correspond to measurements acquired in the frame of the RadCalNet networks. The validation is performed for the Sentinel-2 bands similar to the bands of the instruments equipping the validation site. The measurements from the Cimel CE 318 12-filters BRDF Sun Photometer installed recently in the Gobabeb site near the Namib desert are used for this method. A comprehensive verification of the calibration requires an analysis of MSI radiances over the full dynamic range

  14. Sentinel-1 interferometry and modelling of the 2014 Fogo volcano crisis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikkhoo, Mehdi; Walter, Thomas R.; Prats-Iraola, Pau

    2015-04-01

    The Sentinel-1 mission is a European Space Agency's mission with the aim of earth surface monitoring on land and sea. Through the ESA project INSARAP, we aim at studying the Sentinel-1 InSAR performance for different study areas, and developing new routines for TOPS data analysis. Here we describe results achieved from Sentinel-1 acquisitions over Fogo Island, Cape Verdes. A new volcanic eruption occurred on Fogo volcano in November 2014, leading to a request for assistance communicated by the European ERCC (Emergency Response Coordination Centre). The eruption occurred after a 20 yr period of quiescence inside the Cha das Caldeiras, the embayment of a pre-historic giant landslide. The eruption affected populated areas and has lead to significant loss and destruction, forcing thousands of inhabitants to leave their homes. The timely acquisitions of Sentinel-1 data allows us the comparison of the amplitude and phase differences before and after the eruption. This is one of the first applications of Sentinel-1 data, allowing testing the system and accurate measurements of the deformation processes associated with the volcano eruption. Sentinel-1 InSAR results processed by us in ascending and descending geometry, allows developing numerical models to explain the deformation. To this aim we make use of a novel boundary element code that is based on the artifact free analytical solution of triangular dislocation elements (see Nikkhoo and Walter, 2015, Geophys. J. Int., doi:10.1093/gji/ggv035). The models consider topography and complex source geometries. We find that the magma dike is largely emplaced within the subaerial part of the volcano edifice, where the steep topography has large effects on InSAR results, the surface displacement, and the parameters of the models. Embedded in an inversion scheme, we could reproduce most of the deformation signals as determined in the Sentinel-1 InSAR data, although residuals remain in localized areas that might be associated to

  15. Assimilation of Sentinel-1 and SMAP observations to improve GEOS-5 soil moisture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lievens, Hans; Reichle, Rolf; Wagner, Wolfgang; De Lannoy, Gabrielle; Liu, Qing; Verhoest, Niko

    2017-04-01

    The SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) mission carries an L-band radiometer that provides brightness temperature observations at a nominal resolution of 40 km. These radiance observations are routinely assimilated into GEOS-5 (Goddard Earth Observing System version 5) to generate the SMAP Level 4 Soil Moisture product. The use of C-band radar backscatter observations from Sentinel-1 has the potential to add value to the radiance assimilation by increasing the level of spatial detail. The specifications of Sentinel-1 are appealing, particularly its high spatial resolution (5 by 20 m in interferometric wide swath mode) and frequent revisit time (potentially every 3 days for the Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B constellation). However, the shorter wavelength of Sentinel-1 observations implies less sensitivity to soil moisture. This study investigates the value of Sentinel-1 data for hydrologic simulations by assimilating the radar observations into GEOS-5, either separately from or simultaneously with SMAP radiometer observations. The assimilation can be performed if either or both Sentinel-1 or SMAP observations are available, and is thus not restricted to synchronised overpasses. To facilitate the assimilation of the radar observations, GEOS-5 is coupled to the water cloud model, simulating the radar backscatter as observed by Sentinel-1. The innovations, i.e. differences between observations and simulations, are converted into increments to the model soil moisture state through an Ensemble Kalman Filter. The model runs are performed at 9-km spatial and 3-hourly temporal resolution, over the period from May 2015 to October 2016. The impact of the assimilation on surface and root-zone soil moisture simulations is assessed using in situ measurements from SMAP core validation sites and sparse networks. The assimilation of Sentinel-1 backscatter is found to consistently improve surface and root-zone soil moisture, relative to the open loop (no assimilation). However

  16. Evaluation of registration accuracy between Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barazzetti, Luigi; Cuca, Branka; Previtali, Mattia

    2016-08-01

    Starting from June 2015, Sentinel-2A is delivering high resolution optical images (ground resolution up to 10 meters) to provide a global coverage of the Earth's land surface every 10 days. The planned launch of Sentinel-2B along with the integration of Landsat images will provide time series with an unprecedented revisit time indispensable for numerous monitoring applications, in which high resolution multi-temporal information is required. They include agriculture, water bodies, natural hazards to name a few. However, the combined use of multi-temporal images requires an accurate geometric registration, i.e. pixel-to-pixel correspondence for terrain-corrected products. This paper presents an analysis of spatial co-registration accuracy for several datasets of Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 images distributed all around the world. Images were compared with digital correlation techniques for image matching, obtaining an evaluation of registration accuracy with an affine transformation as geometrical model. Results demonstrate that sub-pixel accuracy was achieved between 10 m resolution Sentinel-2 bands (band 3) and 15 m resolution panchromatic Landsat images (band 8).

  17. A first assessment of Sentinel-3 SAR altimetry over ice sheets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McMillan, M.; Muir, A. S.; Shepherd, A.

    2017-12-01

    The first Sentinel-3 satellite was launched in 2016 and carries onboard a Ku-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) altimeter. With coverage up to a latitude of 81.5 degrees and a repeat period of 27 days, it offers the opportunity to measure surface topography and elevation change across much of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets, therefore continuing the existing 25 year radar altimeter record. The global operation of Sentinel-3 in SAR mode differs from all past Ku-band instruments; for the first time SAR measurements are routinely acquired across the interiors of the ice sheets; however unlike CryoSat-2 it does not carry an interferometer to aid signal retrieval in regions of complex coastal terrain. In view of these differences and the novel characteristics of the Sentinel-3 system, assessments of the performance of the instrument are required, to evaluate the satellite's utility for monitoring Earth's Polar regions. Here, we analyse data acquired during the first year of routine operations, to assess the performance of the Sentinel-3 SAR altimeter to date. We focus both on inland ice sheet regions, where Sentinel-3 provides the first operational SAR altimeter measurements, and also on coastal areas with more complex topography. We investigate SAR waveforms and retrieved elevations in both regions, and through comparison to measurements from earlier missions examine the impact of the different modes of operation. We also conduct a high level evaluation of the data, by comparing it to reference airborne altimetry, to provide an assessment of Sentinel-3 performance to date over ice sheets.

  18. RTS effect detection in Sentinel-4 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Candeias, Henrique; Gnata, Xavier; Harlander, Maximilian; Hermsen, Markus; Hohn, Rüdiger; Riedl, Stefan; Skegg, Michael; Williges, Christian; Reulke, Ralf

    2017-09-01

    The future ESA Earth Observation Sentinel-4/UVN is a high resolution spectrometer intended to fly on board a Meteosat Third Generation Sounder (MTG-S) platform, placed in a geostationary orbit. The main objective of this optical mission is to continuously monitor the air quality over Europe in near-real time. The Sentinel-4/UVN instrument operates in three wavelength bands: Ultraviolet (UV: 305-400 nm), Visible (VIS: 400- 500 nm) and Near-infrared (NIR: 750-775 nm). Two dedicated CCD detector have been developed to be used in the Focal Plane Subsystems (FPS), one for the combined UV and VIS band, the other covering the NIR band. Being a high resolution spectrometer with challenging radiometric accuracy requirements, both on spectral and spatial dimensions, an effect such the Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) can represent a relevant contribution for the complete system accuracy. In this work we analyze the RTS effect on data acquired during the FPS testing campaign with qualification models for the Sentinel-4/UVN detectors. This test campaign has been performed in late 2016. The strategy for the impact assessment of RTS is to measure the effect at room temperature and then to extrapolate the results to the at instrument operational temperature. This way, very-long lasting data acquisitions could be avoided since the RTS frequency is much lower at cryogenic temperatures. A reliable technique for RTS effect detection has been developed in order to characterize the signal levels amplitude and occurrence frequencies (flipping rate). We demonstrate the residual impact of the RTS on the global In-Orbit Sentinel-4/UVN instrument performance and products accuracy.

  19. Sentinel-2: presentation of the CAL/VAL commissioning phase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trémas, Thierry L.; Déchoz, Cécile; Lacherade, Sophie; Nosavan, Julien; Petrucci, Beatrice

    2015-10-01

    In partnership with the European Commission and in the frame of the Copernicus program, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed the Sentinel-2 optical imaging mission devoted to the operational monitoring of land and coastal areas. The Sentinel-2 mission is based on a satellites constellation deployed in polar sun-synchronous orbits. Sentinel-2 will offer a unique combination of global coverage with a wide field of view (290km), a high revisit (5 days with two satellites), a high resolution (10m, 20m and 60m) and multi-spectral imagery (13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infra-red domains). The first sentinel 2A has been launched on June 22nd, 2015, from Kourou, French Guyana. In this context, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) supports ESA to insure the cal/val commissioning phase, for Image Quality aspects. This paper provides first, an overview of the Sentinel-2 system after the launch. Then the articles focuses on the means implemented and activated in CNES to perform the In Orbit Commissioning, the availability and performances of the different devices involved in the ground segment : the GPP in charge of producing the level 1 files, the "radiometric unit" that processes sensitivity parameters, the "geometric unit" in charge of fitting the images on a reference map, MACCS that will produce Level 2A files (computing reflectances at the Bottom of Atmosphere) and the TEC-S2 that will coordinate all the previous software and drive a database in which will be gather the incoming Level 0 files and the processed Level 1 files.

  20. Development and characterization of a compact hand-held gamma probe system, SURGEOGUIDE, based on NEMA NU3-2004 standards

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaviani, S.; Zeraatkar, N.; Sajedi, S.; Gorjizadeh, N.; Farahani, M. H.; Ghafarian, P.; El Fakhri, G.; Sabet, H.; Ay, M. R.

    2016-12-01

    Using an intra-operative gamma probe after periareolar or peritumoral injection of a radiotracer during surgery helps the surgeon to identify the sentinel, or first, nodal site of regional metastasis in clinically node-negative patients. The pathological analysis of this node can have an important influence on the treatment staging in various cancers. This paper reports the design and performance evaluation of a gamma probe recently developed in our department. The detector unit of this system consists of an 8 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness monolithic CsI(Tl) scintillator optically, coupled to a Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) with an active area of 6×6 mm2, and a single-hole collimator. The unit is shielded using tungsten. The system can operate in three different modes for Tc-99m, I-131, or F-18 isotopes. The following measurements were carried out to evaluate the performance of the probe: sensitivity in air and scatter medium, spatial resolution in scatter medium, angular resolution in scatter medium, and side and back shielding effectiveness. All experiments have been performed based on the NEMA NU3-2004 standard set up. The measured system sensitivities in air and scatter medium (water) are 1700 cps/MBq and 1770 cps/MBq, respectively, both measured at 3 cm from the collimator. The spatial resolution in the scatter medium is about 45 mm at 3 cm distance from the collimator. Also, the angular resolution of the probe is 74o FWHM. Finally, a shielding effectiveness of 99.5% is measured. The results show that the probe can potentially be used for sentinel lymph node localization during the surgery.

  1. When an event sparks behavior change: an introduction to the sentinel event method of dynamic model building and its application to emergency medicine.

    PubMed

    Boudreaux, Edwin D; Bock, Beth; O'Hea, Erin

    2012-03-01

    Experiencing a negative consequence related to one's health behavior, like a medical problem leading to an emergency department (ED) visit, can promote behavior change, giving rise to the popular concept of the "teachable moment." However, the mechanisms of action underlying this process of change have received scant attention. In particular, most existing health behavior theories are limited in explaining why such events can inspire short-term change in some and long-term change in others. Expanding on recommendations published in the 2009 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference on public health in emergency medicine (EM), we propose a new method for developing conceptual models that explain how negative events, like medical emergencies, influence behavior change, called the Sentinel Event Method. The method itself is atheoretical; instead, it defines steps to guide investigations that seek to relate specific consequences or events to specific health behaviors. This method can be used to adapt existing health behavior theories to study the event-behavior change relationship or to guide formulation of completely new conceptual models. This paper presents the tenets underlying the Sentinel Event Method, describes the steps comprising the process, and illustrates its application to EM through an example of a cardiac-related ED visit and tobacco use. © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

  2. A handheld SPIO-based sentinel lymph node mapping device using differential magnetometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Waanders, S.; Visscher, M.; Wildeboer, R. R.; Oderkerk, T. O. B.; Krooshoop, H. J. G.; ten Haken, B.

    2016-11-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become a staple tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer. By replacing the morbidity-plagued axillary node clearance with removing only those nodes most likely to contain metastases, it has greatly improved the quality of life of many breast cancer patients. However, due to the use of ionizing radiation emitted by the technetium-based tracer material, the current sentinel lymph node biopsy has serious drawbacks. Most urgently, the reliance on radioisotopes limits the application of this procedure to small parts of the developed world, and it imposes restrictions on patient planning and hospital logistics. Magnetic alternatives have been tested in recent years, but all have their own drawbacks, mostly related to interference from metallic instruments and electromagnetic noise coming from the human body. In this paper, we demonstrate an alternative approach that utilizes the unique nonlinear magnetic properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to eliminate the drawbacks of both the traditional gamma-radiation centered approach and the novel magnetic techniques pioneered by others. Contrary to many other nonlinear magnetic approaches however, field amplitudes are limited to 5 mT, which enables handheld operation without additional cooling. We show that excellent mass sensitivity can be obtained without the need for external re-balancing of the probe to negate any influences from the human body. Additionally, we show how this approach can be used to suppress artefacts resulting from the presence of metallic instruments, which are a significant dealbreaker when using conventional magnetometry-based approaches.

  3. Early Validation of Sentinel-2 L2A Processor and Products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pflug, Bringfried; Main-Knorn, Magdalena; Bieniarz, Jakub; Debaecker, Vincent; Louis, Jerome

    2016-08-01

    Sentinel-2 is a constellation of two polar orbiting satellite units each one equipped with an optical imaging sensor MSI (Multi-Spectral Instrument). Sentinel-2A was launched on June 23, 2015 and Sentinel-2B will follow in 2017.The Level-2A (L2A) processor Sen2Cor implemented for Sentinel-2 data provides a scene classification image, aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and water vapour (WV) maps and the Bottom-Of-Atmosphere (BOA) corrected reflectance product. First validation results of Sen2Cor scene classification showed an overall accuracy of 81%. AOT at 550 nm is estimated by Sen2Cor with uncertainty of 0.035 for cloudless images and locations with dense dark vegetation (DDV) pixels present in the image. Aerosol estimation fails if the image contains no DDV-pixels. Mean difference between Sen2Cor WV and ground-truth is 0.29 cm. Uncertainty of up to 0.04 was found for the BOA- reflectance product.

  4. Impact of false-negative sentinel lymph node biopsy on survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Caracò, C; Marone, U; Celentano, E; Botti, G; Mozzillo, N

    2007-09-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is widely accepted as standard care in melanoma despite lack of pertinent randomized trials results. A possible pitfall of this procedure is the inaccurate identification of the sentinel lymph node leading to biopsy and analysis of a nonsentinel node. Such a technical failure may yield a different prognosis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the incidence of false negativity and its impact on clinical outcome and to try to understand its causes. The Melanoma Data Base at National Cancer Institute of Naples was analyzed comparing results between false-negative and tumor-positive sentinel node patients focusing on overall survival and prognostic factors influencing the clinical outcome. One hundred fifty-one cases were diagnosed to be tumor-positive after sentinel lymph node biopsy and were subjected to complete lymph node dissection. Thirty-four (18.4%)patients with tumor-negative sentinel node subsequently developed lymph node metastases in the basin site of the sentinel procedure. With a median follow-up of 42.8 months the 5-year overall survival was 48.4% and 66.3% for false-negative and tumor-positive group respectively with significant statistical differences (P < .03). The sensitivity of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 81.6%, and a regional nodal basin recurrence after negative-sentinel node biopsy means a worse prognosis, compared with patients submitted to complete lymph node dissection after a positive sentinel biopsy. The evidence of higher number of tumor-positive nodes after delayed lymphadenectomy in false-negative group compared with tumor-positive sentinel node cases, confirmed the importance of an early staging of lymph nodal involvement. Further data will better clarify the role of prognostic factors to identify cases with a more aggressive biological behavior of the disease.

  5. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound mapping of sentinel lymph nodes in oral tongue cancer-a pilot study.

    PubMed

    Gvetadze, Shalva R; Xiong, Ping; Lv, Mingming; Li, Jun; Hu, Jingzhou; Ilkaev, Konstantin D; Yang, Xin; Sun, Jian

    2017-03-01

    To assess the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with peritumoral injection of microbubble contrast agent for detecting the sentinel lymph nodes for oral tongue carcinoma. The study was carried out on 12 patients with T1-2cN0 oral tongue cancer. A radical resection of the primary disease was planned; a modified radical supraomohyoid neck dissection was reserved for patients with larger lesions (T2, n = 8). The treatment plan and execution were not influenced by sentinel node mapping outcome. The Sonovue ™ contrast agent (Bracco Imaging, Milan, Italy) was utilized. After detection, the position and radiologic features of the sentinel nodes were recorded. The identification rate of the sentinel nodes was 91.7%; one patient failed to demonstrate any enhanced areas. A total of 15 sentinel nodes were found in the rest of the 11 cases, with a mean of 1.4 nodes for each patient. The sentinel nodes were localized in: Level IA-1 (6.7%) node; Level IB-11 (73.3%) nodes; Level IIA-3 (20.0%) nodes. No contrast-related adverse effects were observed. For oral tongue tumours, CEUS is a feasible and potentially widely available approach of sentinel node mapping. Further clinical research is required to establish the position of CEUS detection of the sentinel nodes in oral cavity cancers.

  6. Availability of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Maruyama, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Ryota; Fujisawa, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Yasuhiro; Ito, Shusaku; Fujimoto, Manabu

    2017-04-01

    Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second common cutaneous cancer, especially in the elderly. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is generally performed in breast cancers and cutaneous melanomas to detect occult nodal metastases. The benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy in improving cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma prognosis is doubtful. One hundred and sixty-nine patients who underwent treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma between 2004 and 2015, and who were followed up for at least 6 months or developed metastases within the follow-up period were included. Forty-nine patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, whereas 120 patients did not, including 13 who exhibited clinical lymph node metastases before treatment. Of these 49 patients, nine (18.4%) presented with sentinel lymph node metastasis, which occurred after treatment in three (6.1%) of them (false-negative). Among the 107 patients who did not undergo lymph node biopsy, 12 (11.2%) developed post-treatment metastases. The metastasis-free and disease-specific survival rates were not significantly different in those who did or did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy. Patients with clinical lymph node metastases had a higher risk compared with those without. Patients with T2-T4 tumors had a higher risk compared with those with T1 tumors. When selecting for those with T2 tumors or greater, the same lack of relationship was observed. In conclusion, in this small retrospective cohort, in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, there were no significant differences in metastasis-free and disease-specific survival rates between those who did or did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy, regardless of T staging. © 2016 Japanese Dermatological Association.

  7. [Sentinel lymph node metastasis in patients with ductal breast carcinoma in situ].

    PubMed

    Ruvalcaba-Limón, Eva; de Jesús Garduño-Raya, María; Bautista-Piña, Verónica; Trejo-Martínez, Claudia; Maffuz-Aziz, Antonio; Rodríguez-Cuevas, Sergio

    2014-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ still controversial, with positive lymph node in range of 1.4-12.5% due occult invasive breast carcinoma in surgical specimen. To know the frequency of sentimel node metastases in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, identify differences between positive and negative cases. Retrospective study of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ treated with sentinel lymph node biopsy because mastectomy indication, palpable tumor, radiological lesion = 5 cm, non-favorable breast-tumor relation and/or patients whom surgery could affect lymphatic flow drainage. Of 168 in situ carcinomas, 50 cases with ductal carcinoma in situ and sentinel lymph node biopsy were included, with a mean age of 51.6 years, 30 (60%) asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were palpable nodule (18%), nipple discharge (12%), or both (8%). Microcalcifications were common (72%), comedonecrosis pattern (62%), grade-2 histology (44%), and 28% negative hormonal receptors. Four (8%) cases had intra-operatory positive sentinel lymph node and one patient at final histo-pathological study (60% micrometastases, 40% macrometastases), all with invasive carcinoma in surgical specimen. Patients with intra-operatory positive sentinel lymph node where younger (44.5 vs 51 years), with more palpable tumors (50% vs 23.1%), and bigger (3.5 vs 2 cm), more comedonecrosis pattern (75% vs 60.8%), more indifferent tumors (75% vs 39.1%), and less cases with hormonal receptors (50% vs 73.9%), compared with negative sentinel lymph node cases, all these differences without statistic significance. One of each 12 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ had affection in sentinel lymph node, so we recommend continue doing this procedure to avoid second surgeries due the presence of occult invasive carcinoma.

  8. Sentinel-5/UVNS instrument: the principle ability of a slit homogenizer to reduce scene contrast for earth observation spectrometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meister, Ch.; Keim, C.; Irizar, J.; Bauer, M.

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel-5/UVNS 1 is an Earth observation spectrometer system that is operating in nadir looking push broom mode from a low Earth orbit. While having a wide across-track field of view (≈ 2700 km) it covers approximately 7 km at nadir in flight direction during one dwell. However a high contrast in the scene in along track may lead to disturbance of the Instrument Spectral Response Function (ISRF) and with this a variation of measured spectrum. In order to reduce the effect of scene contrast along track, instead of a spectrometer slit two mirrors are introduced, in between which the light path is extended such as a one dimensional wave guide. The entrance length across track however is wide enough to let light pass unchanged. This new concept is called Slit Homogenizer (SH) within theSentinel-5 project. The entrance of the SH is placed on the image plane of the preceding op- tics. The exit of the SH represents the object plane of the subsequent spectrometer in the along track (spectral) direction. This article proposes a simulation model of a SH together with a preced- ing generic optics based on scalar diffraction theory. The model is used to evaluate quantitatively the homogenizing ability of the device. Some parameters in the discussed examples are taken from Sentinel-5/UVNS instrument but the model and its application is not limited to that mission.

  9. Altimeter products for the Sentinel-6/Jason-CS mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Scharroo, Remko; Bonekamp, Hans; Ponsard, Christelle; Nogueira Loddo, Carolina

    2015-04-01

    The Sentinel-6 (Jason-CS) mission will be unique in the Jason-series of altimeters. It will be the first of the "reference missions" outfitted with a SAR altimeter. Not only that, it will be the first altimeter that operates in a continuous high-rate pulse mode, such that there is no longer the need to wait 2/3 of the time for pulses to be received, while transmitting only 1/3 of the time, like the altimeters of CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3. On top of that, Sentinel-6 will be operating in this mode 100% of the time. This particular operating mode allows simultaneous production of low-resolution mode (LRM) measurements on-board as well as the processing of SAR echoes on-ground. Both types of measurements will be provided in (separate) Sentinel-6 altimeter data products. The data chain for Jason-CS foresees to have a number of products similar to those of Sentinel-3, while at the same time trying to maintain a good coherency with the Jason-1 and Jason-2 product tree. The aim is to provide near-realtime (NRT) products compatible with those of the previous missions while at the same time providing slow-time-critical (STC) and non-time-critical (NTC) products with all of the variables needed to fully exploit and analyse the SAR mode data. Similar to the Jason-1/2 products will be produced with three different latencies (3-5 hours, 1-2 days, 60 days) and three levels of complexities (1-Hz data, 1-Hz and 20-Hz data, 1-Hz and 20-Hz data and waveforms). On top of that, Level 1 products will be released containing all the individual echoes in the time domain (L1A) or the measurement data and waveforms without geophysical corrections (L1B). A L1B-S product, with the individual waveforms stacked and geo-located such as is available for Sentinel-3 is under consideration. This poster will provide an overview of the suggested data products and invites users to give their feedback on the proposed data delivery and data formats.

  10. Sentinel 2B: the image quality performances at the beginning of the mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trémas, T.; Lonjou, V.; Dick, A.; Languille, F.; Gaudel-Vacaresse, A.; Vidal, B.; Revel, C.

    2017-09-01

    Launched on March 6th, 2017 from Kourou, Sentinel 2B has passed the phase of commissioning. Sentinel 2B will work together with Sentinel 2A launched in June 2015. The building and implementation of the satellite has been made under the responsibility of ESA, for the European Commission. The subset of Image Quality commissioning was delegated by ESA to CNES, referring to the experience of the French Space Agency on previous imagers. This phase lasted 4 months after the launch, a little longer than the formal In Orbit Calibration period conducted by ESA, some Image Quality parameters requiring several months before converging to a stable state. This paper presents the status of the satellite, from an IQ prospective, just before it entered its operational phase. The radiometric and geometric performances are listed, including: the absolute radiometric calibration, the equalization, the SNR, the absolute and the multi-temporal location accuracy. The performances of both satellites Sentinel and Sentinel 2B working together, will be addressed. A particular focus will be done on multi-temporal location performances, homogeneity of radiometric inter calibrations. The accomplishment of the Global Reference Image over Europe is evoked as well. The IQ commissioning phase ended on June 2017. From this date, the monitoring of IQ parameters is under the responsibility of ESA/ESRIN. Nevertheless, CNES continues to support ESA to survey the accuracy of S2A and S2B performances. The article ends by dealing with the prospective offered by the couple Sentinel 2A + Sentinel 2B.

  11. Sentinel-2 ArcGIS Tool for Environmental Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Plesoianu, Alin; Cosmin Sandric, Ionut; Anca, Paula; Vasile, Alexandru; Calugaru, Andreea; Vasile, Cristian; Zavate, Lucian

    2017-04-01

    This paper addresses one of the biggest challenges regarding Sentinel-2 data, related to the need of an efficient tool to access and process the large collection of images that are available. Consequently, developing a tool for the automation of Sentinel-2 data analysis is the most immediate need. We developed a series of tools for the automation of Sentinel-2 data download and processing for vegetation health monitoring. The tools automatically perform the following operations: downloading image tiles from ESA's Scientific Hub or other venders (Amazon), pre-processing of the images to extract the 10-m bands, creating image composites, applying a series of vegetation indexes (NDVI, OSAVI, etc.) and performing change detection analyses on different temporal data sets. All of these tools run in a dynamic way in the ArcGIS Platform, without the need of creating intermediate datasets (rasters, layers), as the images are processed on-the-fly in order to avoid data duplication. Finally, they allow complete integration with the ArcGIS environment and workflows

  12. Imaging probe for breast cancer localization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soluri, A.; Scafè, R.; Capoccetti, F.; Burgio, N.; Schiaratura, A.; Pani, R.; Pellegrini, R.; Cinti, M. N.; Mechella, M.; Amanti, A.; David, V.; Scopinaro, F.

    2003-01-01

    High spatial resolution, small Field Of View (FOV), fully portable scintillation cameras are lower cost and obviously lower weight than large FOV, not transportable Anger gamma cameras. Portable cameras allow easy transfer of the detector, thus of radioisotope imaging, where the bioptical procedure takes place. In this paper we describe a preliminary experience on radionuclide Breast Cancer (BC) imaging with a 22.8×22.8 mm 2 FOV minicamera, already used by our group for sentinel node detection with the name of Imaging Probe (IP). In this work IP BC detection was performed with the aim of guiding biopsy, in particular open biopsy, or to help or modify fine needle or needle addressing when main driving method was echography or digital radiography. The IP prototype weight was about 1 kg. This small scintillation camera is based on the compact Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube Hamamatsu R7600-00-C8, coupled to a CsI(Tl) scintillation array 2.6×2.6×5.0 mm 3 crystal-pixel size. Spatial resolution of the IP was 2.5 mm Full-Width at Half-Maximum at laboratory tests. IP was provided with acquisition software allowing quick change of pixels number on the computer acquisition frame and an on-line image-smoothing program. Both these programs were developed in order to allow nuclear physicians to quickly get target source when the patient was anesthetized in the operator room, with sterile conditions. 99mTc Sestamibi (MIBI) was injected at the dose of 740 MBq 1 h before imaging and biopsy to 14 patients with suspicious or known BC. Scintigraphic images were acquired before and after biopsy in each patient. Operator was allowed to take into account scintigraphic images as well as previously performed X-ray mammograms and echographies. High-resolution IP images were able to guide biopsy toward cancer or washout zones of the cancer, that are thought to be chemoresistant in 7 patients out of 10. Four patients, in whom IP and MIBI were not able to guide biopsy, did not show

  13. A Miniature Forward-imaging B-scan Optical Coherence Tomography Probe to Guide Real-time Laser Ablation

    PubMed Central

    Li, Zhuoyan; Shen, Jin H.; Kozub, John A.; Prasad, Ratna; Lu, Pengcheng; Joos, Karen M.

    2014-01-01

    Background and Objective Investigations have shown that pulsed lasers tuned to 6.1 μm in wavelength are capable of ablating ocular and neural tissue with minimal collateral damage. This study investigated whether a miniature B-scan forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe can be combined with the laser to provide real-time visual feedback during laser incisions. Study Design/Methods and Materials A miniature 25-gauge B-scan forward-imaging OCT probe was developed and combined with a 250 μm hollow-glass waveguide to permit delivery of 6.1 μm laser energy. A gelatin mixture and both porcine corneal and retinal tissues were simultaneously imaged and lased (6.1 μm, 10 Hz, 0.4-0.7 mJ) through air. The ablation studies were observed and recorded in real time. The crater dimensions were measured using OCT imaging software (Bioptigen, Durham, NC). Histological analysis was performed on the ocular tissues. Results The combined miniature forward-imaging OCT and mid-infrared laser-delivery probe successfully imaged real-time tissue ablation in gelatin, corneal tissue, and retinal tissue. Application of a constant number of 60 pulses at 0.5 mJ/pulse to the gelatin resulted in a mean crater depth of 123 ± 15 μm. For the corneal tissue, there was a significant correlation between the number of pulses used and depth of the lased hole (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.82; P = 0.0002). Histological analysis of the cornea and retina tissues showed discrete holes with minimal thermal damage. Conclusions A combined miniature OCT and laser -delivery probe can monitor real-time tissue laser ablation. With additional testing and improvements, this novel instrument has the future possibility of effectively guiding surgeries by simultaneously imaging and ablating tissue. PMID:24648326

  14. Snow Cover Mapping and Ice Avalanche Monitoring from the Satellite Data of the Sentinels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, S.; Yang, B.; Zhou, Y.; Wang, F.; Zhang, R.; Zhao, Q.

    2018-04-01

    In order to monitor ice avalanches efficiently under disaster emergency conditions, a snow cover mapping method based on the satellite data of the Sentinels is proposed, in which the coherence and backscattering coefficient image of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data (Sentinel-1) is combined with the atmospheric correction result of multispectral data (Sentinel-2). The coherence image of the Sentinel-1 data could be segmented by a certain threshold to map snow cover, with the water bodies extracted from the backscattering coefficient image and removed from the coherence segment result. A snow confidence map from Sentinel-2 was used to map the snow cover, in which the confidence values of the snow cover were relatively high. The method can make full use of the acquired SAR image and multispectral image under emergency conditions, and the application potential of Sentinel data in the field of snow cover mapping is exploited. The monitoring frequency can be ensured because the areas obscured by thick clouds are remedied in the monitoring results. The Kappa coefficient of the monitoring results is 0.946, and the data processing time is less than 2 h, which meet the requirements of disaster emergency monitoring.

  15. Clinical relevance of sentinel lymph node status examined with conventional histology and molecular biology.

    PubMed

    Micciolo, Rocco; Boi, Sebastiana; Paoli, Loredana; Cristofolini, Paolo; Girlando, Salvatore; Dalla Palma, Paolo; Cristofolini, Mario

    2009-01-01

    The presence of nodal metastases in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma adversely affects the biological behavior and is related to a poor prognosis. The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of sentinel lymph node biopsy with respect to disease-free period and overall survival. Patients with invasive cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy in the Santa Chiara Hospital of Trento between October 1997 and December 2002 were evaluated. The lymph nodes were examined with conventional histology, S100 and tyrosinase in immunohistochemistry, and tyrosinase in molecular biology. There were 144 patients with 198 sentinel lymph nodes. A significant association was found in conventional histology with Clark level and Breslow thickness. The prognostic role of sentinel lymph node status was independent of the other considered variables. However, no significant association was found with the molecular biology test. A significant excess of positive results at molecular biology was found. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an important independent prognostic factor for invasive cutaneous melanoma, but only when evaluated with conventional histology. As a result of this study, we stopped performing the tyrosinase test in molecular biology.

  16. Remarks on Sentinel-1 Avionic SW Qualification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Candia, Sante; Pascucci, Dario

    2013-08-01

    The GMES Sentinel-1 Earth Radar Observatory, a projects co-funded by the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA), is a constellation of C-band radar satellites. The satellites have been conceived to be a continuous and reliable source of C-band SAR imagery for operational application such as mapping of global landmasses, coastal zones and monitoring of shipping routes. ESA is responsible for the development of the Sentinel-1 satellites that are built by an industrial consortium headed by Thales Alenia Space Italy (TASI) as Prime Contractor. TAS-I is also directly responsible for the production of the Spacecraft Bus and the Avionic S/S including the Avionic SW (ASW), which is characterized by: · The high performances of its attitude and orbit determination and control function; · Scheduling of the imaging activity on position basis with high geo-location performances; · High on board autonomy both in routine and contingency situations. This paper is focused on the Sentinel-1 Avionic SW, which has currently been qualified by TAS-I for Flight. It covers both the SW architecture and development process areas: · Avionic SW context; · Avionic SW architecture; · Flexibility of PUS-based on-board autonomy and FDIR; · Validation and Qualification activities;

  17. Improved resection and prolonged overall survival with PD-1-IRDye800CW fluorescence probe-guided surgery and PD-1 adjuvant immunotherapy in 4T1 mouse model

    PubMed Central

    Li, Yuan; Jin, Zhengyu; Xue, Huadan; Wan, Yihong; Tian, Jie

    2017-01-01

    An intraoperative technique to accurately identify microscopic tumor residuals could decrease the risk of positive surgical margins. Several lines of evidence support the expression and immunotherapeutic effect of PD-1 in breast cancer. Here, we sought to develop a fluorescence-labeled PD-1 probe for in vivo breast tumor imaging and image-guided surgery. The efficacy of PD-1 monoclonal antibody (PD-1 mAb) as adjuvant immunotherapy after surgery was also assessed. PD-1-IRDye800CW was developed and examined for its application in tumor imaging and image-guided tumor resection in an immunocompetent 4T1 mouse tumor model. Fluorescence molecular imaging was performed to monitor probe biodistribution and intraoperative imaging. Bioluminescence imaging was performed to monitor tumor growth and evaluate postsurgical tumor residuals, recurrences, and metastases. The PD-1-IRDye800CW exhibited a specific signal at the tumor region compared with the IgG control. Furthermore, PD-1-IRDye800CW-guided surgery combined with PD-1 adjuvant immunotherapy inhibited tumor regrowth and microtumor metastases and thus improved survival rate. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using PD-1-IRDye800CW for breast tumor imaging and image-guided tumor resection. Moreover, PD-1 mAb adjuvant immunotherapy reduces cancer recurrences and metastases emanating from tumor residuals. PMID:29200846

  18. [Relevance of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast multifocal and multicentric cancer].

    PubMed

    Mosbah, R; Raimond, E; Pelissier, A; Hocedez, C; Graesslin, O

    2015-05-01

    The sentinel lymph node biopsy is a gold standard in the management of breast cancer. Its role in multifocal or multicentric tumors is still evolving. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and pertinence of sentinel lymph node biopsy in multifocal and multicentric tumors based on a systematic review of literature. A systematic review was conducted searching in the following electronic databases PubMed using "sentinel lymph node biopsy", "breast cancer", "multifocal tumor", "multicentric tumor" and "multiple tumor" as keywords. We included original articles published between 2000 and 2014, both French and English, studying feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in invasive breast cancer, multicentric and/or multifocal tumors. The first end point was success rate and false negative rate. Twenty-six articles were included in this literature review, with 2212 cases (782 multifocal, 737 multicentric and 693 multiple tumors). Percentage of tumors whose stage was higher than stage T2 ranged from 0 to 86.3%. Success rate average was 83.1%. False negative average was 8.2%. False negative rate was less than 10% in 15 articles. Mean of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 2 (1-9). The average rate of sentinel lymph node positive was 50.6%. Axillary recurrence rate was 0.5%. Despite the methodological biases of the studies included in this review of literature, the false negative rate of sentinel node biopsy in multifocal and multicentric breast cancers are less than 10% with a low rate of axillary recurrence. Despite the lack of randomized study, this procedure can be routinely performed in accordance with rigorous technical process. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  19. Predictors of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer-radioactivity and Ki-67.

    PubMed

    Thangarajah, Fabinshy; Malter, Wolfram; Hamacher, Stefanie; Schmidt, Matthias; Krämer, Stefan; Mallmann, Peter; Kirn, Verena

    2016-12-01

    Since the introduction of the sentinel node technique for breast cancer in the 1990s patient's morbidity was reduced. Tracer uptake is known to be dependent from lymph node integrity and activity of macrophages. The aim of this study was to assess whether radioactivity of the tracer can predict sentinel lymph node metastases. Furthermore, a potential association with Ki-67 index was examined. Non-invasive prediction of lymph node metastases could lead to a further decrease of morbidity. We retrospectively analyzed patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University Hospital of Cologne between 2012 and 2013. Injection of radioactive tracer was done a day before surgery in the department of Nuclear Medicine. Clinical data and radioactivity of the sentinel node measured the day before and intraoperatively were abstracted from patient's files. Of 246 patients, 64 patients had at least one, five patients had two and one patient had three positive sentinel lymph nodes. Occurrence of sentinel lymph node metastases was not associated with preoperative tracer activity (p = 0,319), intraoperative tracer activity of first sentinel node (p = 0,086) or with loss of tracer activity until operation (p = 0,909). There was no correlation between preoperative Ki-67 index and occurrence of lymph node metastases (p = 0,403). In our cohort, there was no correlation between radioactivity and sentinel node metastases. Tracer uptake might not only be influenced by lymph node metastases and does not predict metastatic lymph node involvement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Laboratory-supported influenza surveillance in Victorian sentinel general practices.

    PubMed

    Kelly, H; Murphy, A; Leong, W; Leydon, J; Tresise, P; Gerrard, M; Chibo, D; Birch, C; Andrews, R; Catton, M

    2000-12-01

    Laboratory-supported influenza surveillance is important as part of pandemic preparedness, for identifying and isolating candidate vaccine strains, for supporting trials of anti-influenza drugs and for refining the influenza surveillance case definition in practice. This study describes the implementation of laboratory-supported influenza surveillance in Victorian sentinel general practices and provides an estimate of the proportion of patients with an influenza-like illness proven to have influenza. During 1998 and 1999, 25 sentinel general practices contributed clinical surveillance data and 16 metropolitan practices participated in laboratory surveillance. Serological, virus-antigen detection, virus culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction procedures were used to establish the diagnosis of influenza. Two laboratories at major teaching hospitals in Melbourne provided additional data on influenza virus identification. General practice sentinel surveillance and laboratory identification of influenza provided similar data on the pattern of influenza in the community between May and September. The clinical suspicion of influenza was confirmed in 49 to 54 per cent of cases seen in general practice.

  1. Sentinel-4: the geostationary component of the GMES atmosphere monitoring missions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Arcioni, M.; Meijer, Y.; Bézy, J.-L.; Bensi, P.; Langen, J.

    2017-11-01

    The implementation of operational atmospheric composition monitoring missions is foreseen in the context of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative. Sentinel-4 will address the geostationary observations and Sentinel-5 the low Earth orbit ones. The two missions are planned to be launched on-board Eumetsat's Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and Post-EPS satellites, respectively. This paper presents an overview of the GMES Sentinel- 4 mission, which has been assessed at Phase-0 level. It describes the key requirements and outlines the main aspects of the candidate implementation concepts available at completion of Phase-0. The paper will particularly focus on the observation mode, the estimated performance and the related technology developments.

  2. Sentinel-3a: commissioning phase results of its optical payload

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nieke, J.; Mavrocordatos, C.

    2017-09-01

    The Sentinel-3 (S3) is a Global Land and Ocean Mission [1] currently in development as part of the European Commission's Copernicus programme (former: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) [2]). The multi-instrument Sentinel-3 mission measures sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature, ocean colour and land colour to support ocean forecasting systems, as well as environmental and climate monitoring with near-real time data.

  3. Efficacy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Detecting Axillary Metastasis in Breast Cancer Using Methylene Blue.

    PubMed

    Nandu, Vipul V; Chaudhari, Milind S

    2017-06-01

    Breast cancer is the leading malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Axillary lymph node status is a very important prognostic factor in breast cancer patients; nodal evaluation is therefore a critical part of breast cancer management. Axillary lymph node dissection results in significant morbidity. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is being used in many centers to stage the axilla in planning axillary dissection management of patients and hence plays an important part in reducing morbidity among patients with carcinoma breast. The objectives of this paper is to study the (1) efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in detecting axillary metastasis, (2) location of sentinel lymph node in the axilla, (3) rate of involvement of sentinel lymph nodes, and (4) incidence of skip metastasis. Thirty-five patients with breast cancer with clinically node-negative axilla were selected for the study. Methylene blue dye was injected intralesional and perilesional 20 min prior to surgery. All patients underwent modified radical mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary dissection and after pathological examination diagnostic statics, namely sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were computed. Sentinel lymph node was identified in all of these patients. Sixty percent patients had pathologically positive lymph nodes in the axilla. 90.48% patients of these had sentinel lymph nodes positive for malignant cells. Incidence of skip metastasis is 9.52%. 88.57% patients had sentinel lymph node mapped to level I lymph nodes. Sensitivity of SLNB is 90.48%, specificity is 85.71%, PPV of is 90.48%, NPV is 85.71%, and accuracy is 88.57%. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an effective method of staging the axilla and deciding on axillary clearance in patients of carcinoma breast. Unnecessary axillary dissection and associated complications can be prevented in most of patients due to sentinel

  4. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in periocular merkel cell carcinoma: a case report.

    PubMed

    Filitis, Dan C; Paragh, Gyorgy; Samie, Faramarz H; Zeitouni, Nathalie C

    2017-09-20

    The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for Merkel cell carcinoma recommend performance of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in all patients with clinically negative nodal disease for staging and treatment. Nevertheless, sentinel lymph node biopsy in the periocular region is debated as tumors are typically smaller and lymphatic variability can make performance procedurally problematic. We present a case of a Caucasian patient in their seventies who presented with a 1.0 cm periocular Merkel cell carcinoma, who underwent Mohs surgery with a Tenzel flap repair, that was found to have a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy, but who, despite parotidectomy, selective neck dissection, and radiation, succumbed to the disease. Evidence in both the site-specific and non-specific literature demonstrates: (1) Worsening prognosis with extent of lymph node burden, (2) improvements in our abilities to perform lymphoscintigraphy, (3) locoregional and distant metastatic disease in patients with tumor sizes ≤1 cm, and (4) significant rates of sentinel lymph node positivity in patients with tumor sizes ≤1 cm. Our case supports that sentinel lymph node biopsy should be considered in all clinically nodal negative periocular Merkel cell carcinoma, regardless of size, and despite limited site-specific studies on the subject.

  5. Multifunctional Polymer Microbubbles for Advanced Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging and Mapping

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-03-01

    undesired PMA attached to microbubble surface. Figure 1: One-pot polymer -lipid microbubbles. (a) Synthesis of thiolated poly(acrylic acid) with...Award Number: W81XWH-11-1-0215 TITLE: Multifunctional Polymer Microbubbles for Advanced Sentinel...February 2012 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Multifunctional Polymer Microbubbles for Advanced Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging and Mapping 5b

  6. Review of the role of sentinel node biopsy in cutaneous head and neck melanoma.

    PubMed

    Roy, Jennifer M; Whitfield, Robert J; Gill, P Grantley

    2016-05-01

    Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is recommended for selected melanoma patients in many parts of the world. This review examines the evidence surrounding the accuracy and prognostic value of SNB and completion neck dissection in head and neck melanoma. Sentinel nodes were identified in an average of 94.7% of head and neck cases compared with 95.3-100% in all melanoma cases. More false-negative sentinel nodes were found in head and neck cases. A positive sentinel node was associated with both lower disease-free survival (53.4 versus 83.2%) and overall survival (40 versus 84%). We conclude that SNB should be offered to all patients with intermediate and high-risk melanomas in the head and neck area. To date, evidence does not exist to demonstrate the safety of avoiding completion lymph node dissection in sentinel node-positive patients with head and neck melanoma. © 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  7. Sentinel lymph nodes fluorescence detection and imaging using Patent Blue V bound to human serum albumin

    PubMed Central

    Tellier, Franklin; Steibel, Jérôme; Chabrier, Renée; Blé, François Xavier; Tubaldo, Hervé; Rasata, Ravelo; Chambron, Jacques; Duportail, Guy; Simon, Hervé; Rodier, Jean-François; Poulet, Patrick

    2012-01-01

    Patent Blue V (PBV), a dye used clinically for sentinel lymph node detection, was mixed with human serum albumin (HSA). After binding to HSA, the fluorescence quantum yield increased from 5 × 10−4 to 1.7 × 10−2, which was enough to allow fluorescence detection and imaging of its distribution. A detection threshold, evaluated in scattering test objects, lower than 2.5 nmol × L−1 was obtained, using a single-probe setup with a 5-mW incident light power. The detection sensitivity using a fluorescence imaging device was in the µmol × L−1 range, with a noncooled CCD camera. Preclinical evaluation was performed on a rat model and permitted to observe inflamed nodes on all animals. PMID:23024922

  8. Filariasis in Travelers Presenting to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network

    PubMed Central

    Lipner, Ettie M.; Law, Melissa A.; Barnett, Elizabeth; Keystone, Jay S.; von Sonnenburg, Frank; Loutan, Louis; Prevots, D. Rebecca; Klion, Amy D.; Nutman, Thomas B.

    2007-01-01

    Background As international travel increases, there is rising exposure to many pathogens not traditionally encountered in the resource-rich countries of the world. Filarial infections, a great problem throughout the tropics and subtropics, are relatively rare among travelers even to filaria-endemic regions of the world. The GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, a global network of medicine/travel clinics, was established in 1995 to detect morbidity trends among travelers. Principal Findings We examined data from the GeoSentinel database to determine demographic and travel characteristics associated with filaria acquisition and to understand the differences in clinical presentation between nonendemic visitors and those born in filaria-endemic regions of the world. Filarial infections comprised 0.62% (n = 271) of all medical conditions reported to the GeoSentinel Network from travelers; 37% of patients were diagnosed with Onchocerca volvulus, 25% were infected with Loa loa, and another 25% were diagnosed with Wuchereria bancrofti. Most infections were reported from immigrants and from those immigrants returning to their county of origin (those visiting friends and relatives); the majority of filarial infections were acquired in sub-Saharan Africa. Among the patients who were natives of filaria-nonendemic regions, 70.6% acquired their filarial infection with exposure greater than 1 month. Moreover, nonendemic visitors to filaria-endemic regions were more likely to present to GeoSentinel sites with clinically symptomatic conditions compared with those who had lifelong exposure. Significance Codifying the filarial infections presenting to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network has provided insights into the clinical differences seen among filaria-infected expatriates and those from endemic regions and demonstrated that O. volvulus infection can be acquired with short-term travel. PMID:18160987

  9. Guided mass spectrum labelling in atom probe tomography.

    PubMed

    Haley, D; Choi, P; Raabe, D

    2015-12-01

    Atom probe tomography (APT) is a valuable near-atomic scale imaging technique, which yields mass spectrographic data. Experimental correctness can often pivot on the identification of peaks within a dataset, this is a manual process where subjectivity and errors can arise. The limitations of manual procedures complicate APT experiments for the operator and furthermore are a barrier to technique standardisation. In this work we explore the capabilities of computer-guided ranging to aid identification and analysis of mass spectra. We propose a fully robust algorithm for enumeration of the possible identities of detected peak positions, which assists labelling. Furthermore, a simple ranking scheme is developed to allow for evaluation of the likelihood of each possible identity being the likely assignment from the enumerated set. We demonstrate a simple, yet complete work-chain that allows for the conversion of mass-spectra to fully identified APT spectra, with the goal of minimising identification errors, and the inter-operator variance within APT experiments. This work chain is compared to current procedures via experimental trials with different APT operators, to determine the relative effectiveness and precision of the two approaches. It is found that there is little loss of precision (and occasionally gain) when participants are given computer assistance. We find that in either case, inter-operator precision for ranging varies between 0 and 2 "significant figures" (2σ confidence in the first n digits of the reported value) when reporting compositions. Intra-operator precision is weakly tested and found to vary between 1 and 3 significant figures, depending upon species composition levels. Finally it is suggested that inconsistencies in inter-operator peak labelling may be the largest source of scatter when reporting composition data in APT. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Fluorescence-Guided Probes of Aptamer-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles with Computed Tomography Imaging Accesses for in Vivo Tumor Resection.

    PubMed

    Li, Cheng-Hung; Kuo, Tsung-Rong; Su, Hsin-Jan; Lai, Wei-Yun; Yang, Pan-Chyr; Chen, Jinn-Shiun; Wang, Di-Yan; Wu, Yi-Chun; Chen, Chia-Chun

    2015-10-28

    Recent development of molecular imaging probes for fluorescence-guided surgery has shown great progresses for determining tumor margin to execute the tissue resection. Here we synthesize the fluorescent gold nanoparticles conjugated with diatrizoic acid and nucleolin-targeted AS1411 aptamer. The nanoparticle conjugates exhibit high water-solubility, good biocompatibility, visible fluorescence and strong X-ray attenuation for computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement. The fluorescent nanoparticle conjugates are applied as a molecular contrast agent to reveal the tumor location in CL1-5 tumor-bearing mice by CT imaging. Furthermore, the orange-red fluorescence emitting from the conjugates in the CL1-5 tumor can be easily visualized by the naked eyes. After the resection, the IVIS measurements show that the fluorescence signal of the nanoparticle conjugates in the tumor is greatly enhanced in comparison to that in the controlled experiment. Our work has shown potential application of functionalized nanoparticles as a dual-function imaging agent in clinical fluorescence-guided surgery.

  11. Fluorescence-Guided Probes of Aptamer-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles with Computed Tomography Imaging Accesses for in Vivo Tumor Resection

    PubMed Central

    Li, Cheng-Hung; Kuo, Tsung-Rong; Su, Hsin-Jan; Lai, Wei-Yun; Yang, Pan-Chyr; Chen, Jinn-Shiun; Wang, Di-Yan; Wu, Yi-Chun; Chen, Chia-Chun

    2015-01-01

    Recent development of molecular imaging probes for fluorescence-guided surgery has shown great progresses for determining tumor margin to execute the tissue resection. Here we synthesize the fluorescent gold nanoparticles conjugated with diatrizoic acid and nucleolin-targeted AS1411 aptamer. The nanoparticle conjugates exhibit high water-solubility, good biocompatibility, visible fluorescence and strong X-ray attenuation for computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement. The fluorescent nanoparticle conjugates are applied as a molecular contrast agent to reveal the tumor location in CL1-5 tumor-bearing mice by CT imaging. Furthermore, the orange-red fluorescence emitting from the conjugates in the CL1-5 tumor can be easily visualized by the naked eyes. After the resection, the IVIS measurements show that the fluorescence signal of the nanoparticle conjugates in the tumor is greatly enhanced in comparison to that in the controlled experiment. Our work has shown potential application of functionalized nanoparticles as a dual-function imaging agent in clinical fluorescence-guided surgery. PMID:26507179

  12. HiSentinel: A Stratospheric Airship

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, I.; Lew, T.; Perry, W.; Smith, M.

    On December 4 2005 a team led by Southwest Research Institute SwRI successfully demonstrated powered flight of the HiSentinel stratospheric airship at an altitude of 74 000 feet The development team of Aerostar International the Air Force Research Laboratory AFRL and SwRI launched the airship from Roswell N M for a five-hour technology demonstration flight The 146-foot-long airship carried a 60-pound equipment pod and propulsion system when it became only the second airship in history to achieve powered flight in the stratosphere Designed for launch from remote sites these airships do not require large hangars or special facilities Unlike most stratospheric airship concepts HiSentinel is launched flaccid with the hull only partially inflated with helium As the airship rises the helium expands until it completely inflates the hull to the rigid aerodynamic shape required for operation A description of previous Team development results of the test flight plans for future development and applicability to future science missions will be presented

  13. Soil moisture retrival from Sentinel-1 and Modis synergy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Qi; Zribi, Mehrez; Escorihuela, Maria Jose; Baghdadi, Nicolas

    2017-04-01

    This study presents two methodologies retrieving soil moisture from SAR remote sensing data. The study is based on Sentinel-1 data in the VV polarization, over a site in Urgell, Catalunya (Spain). In the two methodologies using change detection techniques, preprocessed radar data are combined with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) auxiliary data to estimate the mean soil moisture with a resolution of 1km. By modeling the relationship between the backscatter difference and NDVI, the soil moisture at a specific NDVI value is retrieved. The first algorithm is already developed on West Africa(Zribi et al., 2014) from ERS scatterometer data to estimate soil water status. In this study, it is adapted to Sentinel-1 data and take into account the high repetitiveness of data in optimizing the inversion approach. Another new method is developed based on the backscatter difference between two adjacent days of Sentinel-1 data w.r.t. NDVI, with smaller vegetation change, the backscatter difference is more sensitive to soil moisture. The proposed methodologies have been validated with the ground measurement in two demonstrative fields with RMS error about 0.05 (in volumetric moisture), and the coherence between soil moisture variations and rainfall events is observed. Soil moisture maps at 1km resolution are generated for the study area. The results demonstrate the potential of Sentinel-1 data for the retrieval of soil moisture at 1km or even better resolution.

  14. Orbit determination of the Sentinel satellites - preparations for GPS L2C-tracking

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peter, Heike; Fernández, Jaime; Fernández, Carlos; Féménias, Pierre

    2017-04-01

    The Copernicus POD (Precise Orbit Determination) Service is part of the Copernicus Processing Data Ground Segment (PDGS) of the Sentinel-1, -2 and -3 missions. A GMV-led consortium is operating the Copernicus POD Service being in charge of generating precise orbital products and auxiliary data files for their use as part of the processing chains of the respective Sentinel PDGS. Since April 2014 four Sentinel satellites have been launched (1A, 2A, 3A, and 1B). Sentinel-2B is expected to be launched in March 2017. Thus the CPOD Service will be operating five satellites simultaneously in spring 2017. The satellites of the Sentinel-1, -2, and -3 missions are all equipped with dual frequency high precision GPS receivers delivering the main observables for POD. Sentinel-3 satellites are additionally equipped with a laser retro reflector for Satellite Laser Ranging and a receiver for DORIS tracking. This allows an additional external validation of the Sentinel-3 orbit accuracy. The three missions require orbital products with various latencies from 30 minutes up to 20-30 days. The accuracy requirements are also different and partly very challenging, targeting 5 cm in 3D for Sentinel-1 and 2-3 cm in radial direction for Sentinel-3. The main quality control of the CPOD orbits is done by validating them with independent orbit solutions provided by the Copernicus POD Quality Working Group. The cross-comparison of orbit solutions from different institutions is essential to monitor and to improve the orbit accuracy. The GPS receivers on the B-satellites have the capability to track L2C signal. The option is, however, not yet activated, because if enabled the old L2 signal can no longer be tracked by the receiver. The measurements of many old GPS IIA and IIR satellites would have to be discarded because of the missing second frequency. To be prepared for the future, tests and simulations are foreseen to learn about the impact of the new observable on the POD results. This paper

  15. The ground prototype processor: Level-1 production during Sentinel-2 in-orbit acceptance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrucci, B.; Dechoz, C.; Lachérade, S.; L'Helguen, C.; Raynaud, J.-L.; Trémas, T.; Picard, C.; Rolland, A.

    2015-10-01

    Jointly with the European Commission, the Sentinel-2 earth observation optical mission is developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Relying on a constellation of satellites put in orbit starting mid-2015, Sentinel-2 will be devoted to the monitoring of land and coastal areas worldwide thanks to an imagery at high revisit (5 days with two satellites), high resolution (10m, 20m and 60m) with large swath (290km), and multi-spectral imagery (13 bands in visible and shortwave infra-red). In this framework, the French Space Agency (CNES: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) supports ESA on the activities related to Image Quality, defining the image products and prototyping the processing techniques. Scope of this paper is to present the Ground Prototype Processor (GPP) that will be in charge of Level-1 production during Sentinel-2 In Orbit Acceptance phase. GPP has been developed by a European industrial consortium composed of Advanced Computer Systems (ACS), Magellium and DLR on the basis of CNES technical specification of Sentinel-2 data processing and under the joint management of ESA-ESTEC and CNES. It will assure the generation of the products used for Calibration and Validation activities and it will provide the reference data for Sentinel-2 Payload Data Ground Segment Validation. At first, Sentinel-2 end-users products definition is recalled with the associated radiometric and geometric performances; secondly the methods implemented will be presented with an overview of the Ground Image Processing Parameters that need to be tuned during the In Orbit Acceptance phase to assure the required performance of the products. Finally, the complexity of the processing having been showed, the challenges of the production in terms of data volume and processing time will be highlighted. The first Sentinel-2 Level-1 products are shown.

  16. Sentinel lymph node mapping in minimally invasive surgery: Role of imaging with color-segmented fluorescence (CSF).

    PubMed

    Lopez Labrousse, Maite I; Frumovitz, Michael; Guadalupe Patrono, M; Ramirez, Pedro T

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel lymph node mapping, alone or in combination with pelvic lymphadenectomy, is considered a standard approach in staging of patients with cervical or endometrial cancer [1-3]. The goal of this video is to demonstrate the use of indocyanine green (ICG) and color-segmented fluorescence when performing lymphatic mapping in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Injection of ICG is performed in two cervical sites using 1mL (0.5mL superficial and deep, respectively) at the 3 and 9 o'clock position. Sentinel lymph nodes are identified intraoperatively using the Pinpoint near-infrared imaging system (Novadaq, Ontario, CA). Color-segmented fluorescence is used to image different levels of ICG uptake demonstrating higher levels of perfusion. A color key on the side of the monitor shows the colors that coordinate with different levels of ICG uptake. Color-segmented fluorescence may help surgeons identify true sentinel nodes from fatty tissue that, although absorbing fluorescent dye, does not contain true nodal tissue. It is not intended to differentiate the primary sentinel node from secondary sentinel nodes. The key ranges from low levels of ICG uptake (gray) to the highest rate of ICG uptake (red). Bilateral sentinel lymph nodes are identified along the external iliac vessels using both standard and color-segmented fluorescence. No evidence of disease was noted after ultra-staging was performed in each of the sentinel nodes. Use of ICG in sentinel lymph node mapping allows for high bilateral detection rates. Color-segmented fluorescence may increase accuracy of sentinel lymph node identification over standard fluorescent imaging. The following are the supplementary data related to this article. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Above-ground biomass prediction by Sentinel-1 multitemporal data in central Italy with integration of ALOS2 and Sentinel-2 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laurin, Gaia Vaglio; Balling, Johannes; Corona, Piermaria; Mattioli, Walter; Papale, Dario; Puletti, Nicola; Rizzo, Maria; Truckenbrodt, John; Urban, Marcel

    2018-01-01

    The objective of this research is to test Sentinel-1 SAR multitemporal data, supported by multispectral and SAR data at other wavelengths, for fine-scale mapping of above-ground biomass (AGB) at the provincial level in a Mediterranean forested landscape. The regression results indicate good accuracy of prediction (R2=0.7) using integrated sensors when an upper bound of 400 Mg ha-1 is used in modeling. Multitemporal SAR information was relevant, allowing the selection of optimal Sentinel-1 data, as broadleaf forests showed a different response in backscatter throughout the year. Similar accuracy in predictions was obtained when using SAR multifrequency data or joint SAR and optical data. Predictions based on SAR data were more conservative, and in line with those from an independent sample from the National Forest Inventory, than those based on joint data types. The potential of S1 data in predicting AGB can possibly be improved if models are developed per specific groups (deciduous or evergreen species) or forest types and using a larger range of ground data. Overall, this research shows the usefulness of Sentinel-1 data to map biomass at very high resolution for local study and at considerable carbon density.

  18. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: A Clinical Review and Update

    PubMed Central

    Haji, Altaf; Battoo, Azhar; Qurieshi, Mariya; Mir, Wahid; Shah, Mudasir

    2017-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become a standard staging tool in the surgical management of breast cancer. The positive impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on postoperative negative outcomes in breast cancer patients, without compromising the oncological outcomes, is its major advantage. It has evolved over the last few decades and has proven its utility beyond early breast cancer. Its applicability and efficacy in patients with clinically positive axilla who have had a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being aggressively evaluated at present. This article discusses how sentinel lymph node biopsy has evolved and is becoming a useful tool in new clinical scenarios of breast cancer management. PMID:28970846

  19. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: A Clinical Review and Update.

    PubMed

    Zahoor, Sheikh; Haji, Altaf; Battoo, Azhar; Qurieshi, Mariya; Mir, Wahid; Shah, Mudasir

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become a standard staging tool in the surgical management of breast cancer. The positive impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on postoperative negative outcomes in breast cancer patients, without compromising the oncological outcomes, is its major advantage. It has evolved over the last few decades and has proven its utility beyond early breast cancer. Its applicability and efficacy in patients with clinically positive axilla who have had a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being aggressively evaluated at present. This article discusses how sentinel lymph node biopsy has evolved and is becoming a useful tool in new clinical scenarios of breast cancer management.

  20. Biological Status Monitoring of European Fresh Water with Sentinel-2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Serra, Romain; Mangin, Antoine; Fanton d'Andon, Odile Hembise; Lauters, Francois; Thomasset, Franck; Martin-Lauzer, Francois-Regis

    2016-08-01

    Thanks to a widening range of sensors available, the observation of continental water quality for lakes and reservoirs is gaining more and more consistency and accuracy.Consistency because back in 2012, the only free sensor with a sufficient resolution (30m) was Landsat-7 which has truncated data since 2003 and a 16-day revisit time. But today, Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A are now operating so depending on the latitude of interest, the combined revisit time dropped to 2 to 4 days which is more appropriate for such a monitoring (especially considering the cloud cover).Accuracy because Landsat-7 has a poor contrast over water whereas Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A have a better radiometric sensitivity (more bit) and moreover Sentinel-2 offers additional spectral bands in the visible which are helpful for Chlorophyll-A concentration assessment. To sum up, with Sentinel-2, continental water quality monitoring capabilities are making a giant leap and it is important to exploit this potential the sooner. ACRI-HE has already built a strong basis to prepare Sentinel-2 by using Landsat data.Indeed, more than 600 lakes are already constantly monitored using Landsat data and their biological statuses are available on EyeOnWater (see eyeonwater.eu). Chlorophyll-A retrieval from (fresh) water leaving reflectances is the result of research activities conducted by ACRI-HE in parallel with EDF (Electricité de France) to respond to an emerging very demanding environmental monitoring through European regulations (typically the Water Framework Directive). Two parallel and complementary algorithms have thus been derived for Chlorophyll-a retrieval.Upstream of Eyeonwater, there is a complex and complete system automatically collecting images, extracting areas of interest around lakes, applying atmospheric correction (very sensitive part as atmosphere can contribute to 90% of the signal at sensor level) and then algorithms to retrieve water transparency (Secchi disk), turbidity and Chlorophyll

  1. [Role of sentinel lymph nodes and lymphatic mapping of colorectal cancer].

    PubMed

    Ivanov, K; Kolev, N; Ignatov, V; Temelkov, T; Madzhov, R

    2005-01-01

    The accuracy of staging of colorectal cancer is dependable of number of lymph nodes, colected and investegated from the pathologist. Moreover 50% of newfounded cases with colorectal cancer are diagnosed as I or II stage of the desease. Between 15% and 20% of these patients develop regional or distant metastases around 5 years after the examination, despite of the radical surgery. This may be due to pathological "understaging" (decrease of the stage), becouse of missed micrometastases, which size often is smaller than 5 mm. High accurate and specific pathologoanatomical methods for "ultrastaging" are cost-expensive, therefore their selective application to labeled sentinel lymph nodes has a economical benefit and saves a time. Moreover it is decreasing the understaging effect, assosiated with convectional pathologoanatomical investigaton. In the future, the technical progress will develop the intensive competiton between the sentinel lymph node mapping and the improved imaging diagnostic techniques as flurodeoxyglucose (18FDG), positron emision tomography (PET), or the other molecular imaging techniques. Unfortunately, the limited spatial resolution of these techniques, do not allow to be used for tumor staging as sentinel lymph node techniques. Therefore the sentinel lymphnode mapping become the choice of the lymphnode staging technique.

  2. Interspecific signalling between mutualists: food-thieving drongos use a cooperative sentinel call to manipulate foraging partners

    PubMed Central

    Baigrie, Bruce D.; Thompson, Alex M.; Flower, Tom P.

    2014-01-01

    Interspecific communication is common in nature, particularly between mutualists. However, whether signals evolved for communication with other species, or are in fact conspecific signals eavesdropped upon by partners, is often unclear. Fork-tailed drongos (Dicrurus adsimilis) associate with mixed-species groups and often produce true alarms at predators, whereupon associating species flee to cover, but also false alarms to steal associating species' food (kleptoparasitism). Despite such deception, associating species respond to drongo non-alarm calls by increasing their foraging and decreasing vigilance. Yet, whether these calls represent interspecific sentinel signals remains unknown. We show that drongos produced a specific sentinel call when foraging with a common associate, the sociable weaver (Philetairus socius), but not when alone. Weavers increased their foraging and decreased vigilance when naturally associating with drongos, and in response to sentinel call playback. Further, drongos sentinel-called more often when weavers were moving, and weavers approached sentinel calls, suggesting a recruitment function. Finally, drongos sentinel-called when weavers fled following false alarms, thereby reducing disruption to weaver foraging time. Results therefore provide evidence of an ‘all clear’ signal that mitigates the cost of inaccurate communication. Our results suggest that drongos enhance exploitation of a foraging mutualist through coevolution of interspecific sentinel signals. PMID:25080343

  3. Estimating meningitis hospitalization rates for sentinel hospitals conducting invasive bacterial vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance.

    PubMed

    2013-10-04

    The World Health Organization (WHO)-coordinated Global Invasive Bacterial Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (IB-VPD) sentinel hospital surveillance network provides data for decision making regarding use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, both recommended for inclusion in routine childhood immunization programs worldwide. WHO recommends that countries conduct sentinel hospital surveillance for meningitis among children aged <5 years, including collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for laboratory detection of bacterial etiologies. Surveillance for pneumonia and sepsis are recommended at selected hospitals with well-functioning laboratories where meningitis surveillance consistently meets process indicators (e.g., surveillance performance indicators). To use sentinel hospital surveillance for meningitis to estimate meningitis hospitalization rates, WHO developed a rapid method to estimate the number of children at-risk for meningitis in a sentinel hospital catchment area. Monitoring changes in denominators over time using consistent methods is essential for interpreting changes in sentinel surveillance incidence data and for assessing the effect of vaccine introduction on disease epidemiology. This report describes the method and its use in The Gambia and Senegal.

  4. Ice/water Classification of Sentinel-1 Images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Korosov, Anton; Zakhvatkina, Natalia; Muckenhuber, Stefan

    2015-04-01

    Sea Ice monitoring and classification relies heavily on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. These sensors record data either only at horizontal polarization (RADARSAT-1) or vertically polarized (ERS-1 and ERS-2) or at dual polarization (Radarsat-2, Sentinel-1). Many algorithms have been developed to discriminate sea ice types and open water using single polarization images. Ice type classification, however, is still ambiguous in some cases. Sea ice classification in single polarization SAR images has been attempted using various methods since the beginning of the ERS programme. The robust classification using only SAR images that can provide useful results under varying sea ice types and open water tend to be not generally applicable in operational regime. The new generation SAR satellites have capability to deliver images in several polarizations. This gives improved possibility to develop sea ice classification algorithms. In this study we use data from Sentinel-1 at dual-polarization, i.e. HH (horizontally transmitted and horizontally received) and HV (horizontally transmitted, vertically received). This mode assembles wide SAR image from several narrower SAR beams, resulting to an image of 500 x 500 km with 50 m resolution. A non-linear scheme for classification of Sentinel-1 data has been developed. The processing allows to identify three classes: ice, calm water and rough water at 1 km spatial resolution. The raw sigma0 data in HH and HV polarization are first corrected for thermal and random noise by extracting the background thermal noise level and smoothing the image with several filters. At the next step texture characteristics are computed in a moving window using a Gray Level Co-occurence Matrix (GLCM). A neural network is applied at the last step for processing array of the most informative texture characteristics and ice/water classification. The main results are: * the most informative texture characteristics to be used for sea ice classification

  5. Combined Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 Burned Area Mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, H.; Roy, D. P.; Zhang, H.; Boschetti, L.; Yan, L.; Li, Z.

    2017-12-01

    Fire products derived from coarse spatial resolution satellite data have become an important source of information for the multiple user communities involved in fire science and applications. The advent of the MODIS on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites enabled systematic production of 500m global burned area maps. There is, however, an unequivocal demand for systematically generated higher spatial resolution burned area products, in particular to examine the role of small-fires for various applications. Moderate spatial resolution contemporaneous satellite data from Landsat-8 and the Sentinel-2A and -2B sensors provide the opportunity for detailed spatial mapping of burned areas. Combined, these polar-orbiting systems provide 10m to 30m multi-spectral global coverage more than once every three days. This NASA funded research presents results to prototype a combined Landsat-8 Sentinel-2 burned area product. The Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 pre-processing, the time-series burned area mapping algorithm, and preliminary results and validation using high spatial resolution commercial satellite data over Africa are presented.

  6. FoxP3 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase immunoreactivity in sentinel nodes from melanoma patients.

    PubMed

    Ryan, Marisa; Crow, Jennifer; Kahmke, Russel; Fisher, Samuel R; Su, Zuowei; Lee, Walter T

    2014-01-01

    1) Assess FoxP3/indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase immunoreactivity in head and neck melanoma sentinel lymph nodes and 2) correlate FoxP3/indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase with sentinel lymph node metastasis and clinical recurrence. Retrospective cohort study. Patients with sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck melanoma between 2004 and 2011 were identified. FoxP3/indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase prevalence and intensity were determined from the nodes. Poor outcome was defined as local, regional or distant recurrence. The overall immunoreactivity score was correlated with clinical recurrence and sentinel lymph node metastasis using the chi-square test for trend. Fifty-six sentinel lymph nodes were reviewed, with 47 negative and 9 positive for melanoma. Patients with poor outcomes had a statistically significant trend for higher immunoreactivity scores (p=0.03). Positive nodes compared to negative nodes also had a statistically significant trend for higher immunoreactivity scores (p=0.03). Among the negative nodes, there was a statistically significant trend for a poor outcome with higher immunoreactivity scores (p=0.02). FoxP3/indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase immunoreactivity correlates with sentinel lymph node positivity and poor outcome. Even in negative nodes, higher immunoreactivity correlated with poor outcome. Therefore higher immunoreactivity may portend a worse prognosis even without metastasis in the sentinel lymph node. This could identify a subset of patients that may benefit from future trials and treatment for melanoma through Treg and IDO suppression. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  7. Design considerations, architecture, and use of the Mini-Sentinel distributed data system.

    PubMed

    Curtis, Lesley H; Weiner, Mark G; Boudreau, Denise M; Cooper, William O; Daniel, Gregory W; Nair, Vinit P; Raebel, Marsha A; Beaulieu, Nicolas U; Rosofsky, Robert; Woodworth, Tiffany S; Brown, Jeffrey S

    2012-01-01

    We describe the design, implementation, and use of a large, multiorganizational distributed database developed to support the Mini-Sentinel Pilot Program of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As envisioned by the US FDA, this implementation will inform and facilitate the development of an active surveillance system for monitoring the safety of medical products (drugs, biologics, and devices) in the USA. A common data model was designed to address the priorities of the Mini-Sentinel Pilot and to leverage the experience and data of participating organizations and data partners. A review of existing common data models informed the process. Each participating organization designed a process to extract, transform, and load its source data, applying the common data model to create the Mini-Sentinel Distributed Database. Transformed data were characterized and evaluated using a series of programs developed centrally and executed locally by participating organizations. A secure communications portal was designed to facilitate queries of the Mini-Sentinel Distributed Database and transfer of confidential data, analytic tools were developed to facilitate rapid response to common questions, and distributed querying software was implemented to facilitate rapid querying of summary data. As of July 2011, information on 99,260,976 health plan members was included in the Mini-Sentinel Distributed Database. The database includes 316,009,067 person-years of observation time, with members contributing, on average, 27.0 months of observation time. All data partners have successfully executed distributed code and returned findings to the Mini-Sentinel Operations Center. This work demonstrates the feasibility of building a large, multiorganizational distributed data system in which organizations retain possession of their data that are used in an active surveillance system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  8. Tube curvature measuring probe and method

    DOEpatents

    Sokol, George J.

    1990-01-01

    The present invention is directed to a probe and method for measuring the radius of curvature of a bend in a section of tubing. The probe includes a member with a pair of guide means, one located at each end of the member. A strain gauge is operatively connected to the member for detecting bending stress exrted on the member as the probe is drawn through and in engagement with the inner surface of a section of tubing having a bend. The method of the present invention includes steps utilizing a probe, like the aforementioned probe, which can be made to detect bends only in a single plane when having a fixed orientation relative the section of tubing to determine the maximum radius of curvature of the bend.

  9. Evaluating Sentinel-2 for Lakeshore Habitat Mapping Based on Airborne Hyperspectral Data.

    PubMed

    Stratoulias, Dimitris; Balzter, Heiko; Sykioti, Olga; Zlinszky, András; Tóth, Viktor R

    2015-09-11

    Monitoring of lakeshore ecosystems requires fine-scale information to account for the high biodiversity typically encountered in the land-water ecotone. Sentinel-2 is a satellite with high spatial and spectral resolution and improved revisiting frequency and is expected to have significant potential for habitat mapping and classification of complex lakeshore ecosystems. In this context, investigations of the capabilities of Sentinel-2 in regard to the spatial and spectral dimensions are needed to assess its potential and the quality of the expected output. This study presents the first simulation of the high spatial resolution (i.e., 10 m and 20 m) bands of Sentinel-2 for lakeshore mapping, based on the satellite's Spectral Response Function and hyperspectral airborne data collected over Lake Balaton, Hungary in August 2010. A comparison of supervised classifications of the simulated products is presented and the information loss from spectral aggregation and spatial upscaling in the context of lakeshore vegetation classification is discussed. We conclude that Sentinel-2 imagery has a strong potential for monitoring fine-scale habitats, such as reed beds.

  10. Evaluating Sentinel-2 for Lakeshore Habitat Mapping Based on Airborne Hyperspectral Data

    PubMed Central

    Stratoulias, Dimitris; Balzter, Heiko; Sykioti, Olga; Zlinszky, András; Tóth, Viktor R.

    2015-01-01

    Monitoring of lakeshore ecosystems requires fine-scale information to account for the high biodiversity typically encountered in the land-water ecotone. Sentinel-2 is a satellite with high spatial and spectral resolution and improved revisiting frequency and is expected to have significant potential for habitat mapping and classification of complex lakeshore ecosystems. In this context, investigations of the capabilities of Sentinel-2 in regard to the spatial and spectral dimensions are needed to assess its potential and the quality of the expected output. This study presents the first simulation of the high spatial resolution (i.e., 10 m and 20 m) bands of Sentinel-2 for lakeshore mapping, based on the satellite’s Spectral Response Function and hyperspectral airborne data collected over Lake Balaton, Hungary in August 2010. A comparison of supervised classifications of the simulated products is presented and the information loss from spectral aggregation and spatial upscaling in the context of lakeshore vegetation classification is discussed. We conclude that Sentinel-2 imagery has a strong potential for monitoring fine-scale habitats, such as reed beds. PMID:26378538

  11. Influence of previous breast surgery in sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer.

    PubMed

    López-Prior, V; Díaz-Expósito, R; Casáns Tormo, I

    The aim of this study was to review the feasibility of selective sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with previous surgery for breast cancer, as well as to examine the factors that may interfere with sentinel node detection. A retrospective review was performed on 91 patients with breast cancer and previous breast surgery, and who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to their previous treatment: aesthetic breast surgery in 30 patients (group I) and breast-conserving surgery in 61 (group II). Lymphoscintigraphy was performed after an intra-tumour injection in 21 cases and a peri-areolar injection in 70 cases. An analysis was made of lymphatic drainage patterns and overall sentinel node detection according to clinical, pathological and surgical variables. The overall detection of the sentinel lymph node in the lymphoscintigraphy was 92.3%, with 7.7% of extra-axillary drainages. The identification rate was similar after aesthetic breast surgery (93.3%) and breast-conserving surgery (91.8%). Sentinel lymph nodes were found in the contralateral axilla in two patients (2.2%), and they were included in the histopathology study. The non-identification rate in the lymphoscintigraphy was 7.7%. There was a significantly higher non-detection rate in the highest histological grade tumours (28.6% grade III, 4.5% grade I and 3.6% grade II). Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with previous breast surgery is feasible and deserves further studies to assess the influence of different aspects in sentinel node detection in this clinical scenario. A high histological grade was significantly associated with a lower detection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  12. User's guide for the computer code COLTS for calculating the coupled laminar and turbulent flow over a Jovian entry probe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kumar, A.; Graeves, R. A.

    1980-01-01

    A user's guide for a computer code 'COLTS' (Coupled Laminar and Turbulent Solutions) is provided which calculates the laminar and turbulent hypersonic flows with radiation and coupled ablation injection past a Jovian entry probe. Time-dependent viscous-shock-layer equations are used to describe the flow field. These equations are solved by an explicit, two-step, time-asymptotic finite-difference method. Eddy viscosity in the turbulent flow is approximated by a two-layer model. In all, 19 chemical species are used to describe the injection of carbon-phenolic ablator in the hydrogen-helium gas mixture. The equilibrium composition of the mixture is determined by a free-energy minimization technique. A detailed frequency dependence of the absorption coefficient for various species is considered to obtain the radiative flux. The code is written for a CDC-CYBER-203 computer and is capable of providing solutions for ablated probe shapes also.

  13. Development of a Hybrid Optical Biopsy Probe to Improve Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-06-01

    can be developed for guiding needle biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. Multi-modal optical measurements to be utilized for the study are (1) light...which collect light scattering and auto-fluorescence from the prostate tissue, into a transrectal- ultrasound , needle - biopsy probe. In the...probe can be developed for guiding needle biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. Multi-modal optical measurements to be utilized for the study were

  14. Slope Stability Analysis and Event Reconstruction of the Karrat Fjord (W Greenland) Rock Avalanche from June 2017 using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Langley, K.; Caduff, R.; Wiesmann, A.; Mätzler, E.

    2017-12-01

    A massive rock slope failure that led to a rock avalanche in the Karrat Fjord, Western Greenland, caused a tsunami on 17 June 2017. The tsunami reached local villages and resulted in loss of life and damage to infrastructure. The length of the rock avalanche detachment zone is on the order of 800 m. It is located at an elevation of 1'000 m above the fjord with a slant distance of 2'000 m to the shore line. Since very little information was available on the state of the originating mountain slope, satellite based information was gathered immediately after the event in order to assess the processes on the slope. Thanks to the quick data distribution through Copernicus, we could process the entire available datasets of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors Sentinel-1A/B and the optical sensor Sentinel-2. The pre-, syn, and post-event history could be reconstructed using ascending orbit Sentinel-1 data, available from October 2014 in 12 and from early 2017 on in 6d interval. We looked at the differential interferograms to detect coherent surface displacements in line-of-sight (LOS). Coherent interferograms after the snow-melt in May 2017 revealed surface displacements of 10-15 cm/year with accelerating trend in the later detachment zone. The known limitation for interferometry in wet-snow condition hinders the determination of areas undergoing surface deformation. However, a detailed coherence analysis showed that during the previous winter, a large avalanche type process must have happened in the later detachment zone. A radar backscatter analysis showed, that significant changes in the corridor of 500 m of the area affected by the rock avalanche can be dated between 5 and 11 November 2016. The traces of the event could be verified with optical imagery from Sentinel-2 dating from 23 May 2017. An overall analysis on the mountain side revealed the presence of a number of active zones. An inventory of the outlines of the moving areas containing information on the

  15. Sentinel-1 - the radar mission for GMES operational land and sea services

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Attema, Evert; Bargellini, Pierre; Edwards, Peter; Levrini, Guido; Lokas, Svein; Moeller, Ludwig; Rosich-Tell, Betlem; Secchi, Patrizia; Torres, Ramon; Davidson, Malcolm; Snoeij, Paul

    2007-08-01

    The ESA Sentinels will be the first series of operational satellites to meet the Earth observation needs of the European Union - ESA Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme. Existing and planned space assets will be complemented by new developments from ESA. The first is Sentinel-1, a pair of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellites.

  16. ORAM-SENTINEL{trademark} demonstration at Fitzpatrick. Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, L.K.; Anderson, V.M.; Mohammadi, K.

    1998-06-01

    New York Power Authority, in cooperation with EPRI, installed the ORAM-SENTINEL{trademark} software at James A. Fitzpatrick (JAF) Nuclear Power Plant. This software incorporates models of safety systems and support systems that are used for defense-in-depth in the plant during outage and on-line periods. A secondary goal was to include some pre-analyzed risk results to validate the methodology for quantitative assessment of the plant risks during proposed on-line maintenance. During the past year, New York Power Authority personnel have become familiar with the formal computerized Safety Assessment process associated with on-line and outage maintenance. The report describes techniques and lessons learnedmore » during development of the ORAM-SENTINEL model at JAF. It overviews the systems important to the Safety Function Assessment Process and provides details on development of the Plant Transient Assessment process using the station emergency operating procedures. The assessment results are displayed by color (green, yellow, orange, red) to show decreasing safety conditions. The report describes use of the JAF Probabilistic Safety Assessment within the ORAM-SENTINEL code to calculate an instantaneous core damage frequency and the criteria by which this frequency is translated to a color indicator.« less

  17. Verification of the Sentinel-4 focal plane subsystem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Williges, Christian; Uhlig, Mathias; Hilbert, Stefan; Rossmann, Hannes; Buchwinkler, Kevin; Babben, Steffen; Sebastian, Ilse; Hohn, Rüdiger; Reulke, Ralf

    2017-09-01

    The Sentinel-4 payload is a multi-spectral camera system, designed to monitor atmospheric conditions over Europe from a geostationary orbit. The German Aerospace Center, DLR Berlin, conducted the verification campaign of the Focal Plane Subsystem (FPS) during the second half of 2016. The FPS consists, of two Focal Plane Assemblies (FPAs), two Front End Electronics (FEEs), one Front End Support Electronic (FSE) and one Instrument Control Unit (ICU). The FPAs are designed for two spectral ranges: UV-VIS (305 nm - 500 nm) and NIR (750 nm - 775 nm). In this publication, we will present in detail the set-up of the verification campaign of the Sentinel-4 Qualification Model (QM). This set up will also be used for the upcoming Flight Model (FM) verification, planned for early 2018. The FPAs have to be operated at 215 K +/- 5 K, making it necessary to exploit a thermal vacuum chamber (TVC) for the test accomplishment. The test campaign consists mainly of radiometric tests. This publication focuses on the challenge to remotely illuminate both Sentinel-4 detectors as well as a reference detector homogeneously over a distance of approximately 1 m from outside the TVC. Selected test analyses and results will be presented.

  18. Tagging of Breast Tumors for Excision and Specimen Radiography and of Sentinel Nodes for Ultrasound-Guided Localization Using Novel Particulate Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2000-08-01

    optimized the dose. This year we worked on coloring that agent and sentinel node detection. Scope: We could not color the radiopaque perfluorocarbon ( PFC ...We aimed to accomplish these two goals using perfluorocarbon ( PFC ) emulsions. Because it was known that PFC emulsions, that can be radiopaque...discussed our results to hypothesis #1: When a radiopaque perfluorocarbon ( PFC ) emulsion is injected in the lesion it will mark the lesion for days and will

  19. Discrete call types referring to predation risk enhance the efficiency of the meerkat sentinel system

    PubMed Central

    Rauber, R.; Manser, M. B.

    2017-01-01

    Sentinel behaviour, a form of coordinated vigilance, occurs in a limited range of species, mostly in cooperative breeders. In some species sentinels confirm their presence vocally by giving a single sentinel call type, whereby the rate and subtle acoustic changes provide graded information on the variation of perceived predation risk. In contrast, meerkat (Suricata suricatta) sentinels produce six different sentinel call types. Here we show that manipulation of perception of danger has different effects on the likelihood of emitting these different call types, and that these call types affect foraging individuals differently. Increasing the perceived predation risk by playing back alarm calls decreased the production rate of the common short note calls and increased the production rate of the rare long calls. Playbacks of short note calls increased foraging behaviour and decreased vigilance in the rest of the group, whereas the opposite was observed when playing long calls. This suggests that the common call types act as all-clear signals, while the rare call types have a warning function. Therefore, meerkats increase the efficiency of their sentinel system by producing several discrete call types that represent changes in predation risk and lead to adjustments of the group’s vigilance behaviour. PMID:28303964

  20. 76 FR 22038 - Revision to the South Coast Portion of the California State Implementation Plan, CPV Sentinel...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-20

    ... California SIP. This source-specific SIP revision is known as the CPV Sentinel Energy Project AB 1318... list of those emissions credits. The Sentinel Energy Project is a source that is not authorized to... District to transfer certain emissions credits to one stationary source, the Sentinel Energy Project. The...

  1. On Clear-Cut Mapping with Time-Series of Sentinel-1 Data in Boreal Forest

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rauste, Yrjo; Antropov, Oleg; Mutanen, Teemu; Hame, Tuomas

    2016-08-01

    Clear-cutting is the most drastic and wide-spread change that affects the hydrological and carbon-balance proper- ties of forested land in the Boreal forest zone1.A time-series of 36 Sentinel-1 images was used to study the potential for mapping clear-cut areas. The time series covered one and half year (2014-10-09 ... 2016-03-20) in a 200-km-by-200-km study site in Finland. The Sentinel- 1 images were acquired in Interferometric Wide-swath (IW), dual-polarized mode (VV+VH). All scenes were acquired in the same orbit configuration. Amplitude im- ages (GRDH product) were used. The Sentinel-1 scenes were ortho-rectified with in-house software using a digi- tal elevation model (DEM) produced by the Land Survey of Finland. The Sentinel-1 amplitude data were radio- metrically corrected for topographic effects.The temporal behaviour of C-band backscatter was stud- ied for areas representing 1) areas clear-cut during the ac- quisition of the Sentinel-1 time-series, 2) areas remaining forest during the acquisition of the Sentinel-1 time-series, and 3) areas that had been clear-cut before the acquisition of the Sentinel-1 time-series.The following observations were made:1. The separation between clear-cut areas and forest was generally low;2. Under certain acquisition conditions, clear-cut areas were well separable from forest;3. The good scenes were acquired: 1) in winter during thick snow cover, and 2) in late summer towards the end of a warm and dry period;4. The separation between clear-cut and forest was higher in VH polarized data than in VV-polarized data.5. The separation between clear-cut and forest was higher in the winter/snow scenes than in the dry summer scenes.

  2. Use of released pigs as sentinels for Mycobacterium bovis.

    PubMed

    Nugent, Graham; Whitford, Jackie; Young, Nigel

    2002-10-01

    Identifying the presence of bovine tuberculosis (TB; Mycobacterium bovis) in wildlife is crucial in guiding management aimed at eradicating the disease from New Zealand. Unfortunately, surveys of the principal wildlife host, the introduced brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), require large samples (> 95% of the population) before they can provide reasonable confidence that the disease is absent. In this study, we tested the feasibility of using a more wide-ranging species, feral pig (Sus scrofa), as an alternative sentinel capable of indicating TB presence. In January 2000, 17 pigs in four groups were released into a forested area with a low density of possums in which TB was known to be present. The pigs were radiotracked at 2 wk intervals from February to October 2000, and some of them were killed and necropsied at various intervals after release. Of the 15 pigs successfully recovered and necropsied, one killed 2 mo after release had no gross lesions typical of TB, and the only other pig killed at that time had greatly enlarged mandibular lymph nodes. The remainder were killed at longer intervals after release and all had gross lesions typical of TB. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from all 15 pigs by mycobacterial culture. Home range sizes of pigs varied widely and increased with the length of time the pigs were in the forest, with minimum convex polygon range-size estimates averaging 10.7 km2 (range 4.7-20.3 km2) for the pigs killed after 6 mo. A 6 km radius around the kill site of each pig would have encompassed 95% of all of their previous locations at which they could have become infected. However, one pig shifted 35 km, highlighting the main limitation of using unmarked feral pigs as sentinels. This trial indicates use of resident and/or released free-ranging pigs is a feasible alternative to direct prevalence surveys of possums for detecting TB presence.

  3. Sentinel-3A Views Ocean Variability More Accurately at Finer Resolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heslop, E. E.; Sánchez-Román, A.; Pascual, A.; Rodríguez, D.; Reeve, K. A.; Faugère, Y.; Raynal, M.

    2017-12-01

    This is the first multiplatform evaluation involving data from the new Sentinel-3A altimeter. An experiment was undertaken in the Algerian Basin, employing an ocean glider and a ship mission, along the same track and synchronous with an overpass of the Sentinel-3A mission. This provided three independent views of the ocean velocity field, along a section that encompassed three different oceanographic regimes. The results demonstrate the capacity of Sentinel-3A to retrieve fine-scale oceanographic features ( 20 km). The intercomparison with in situ platforms showed a significant improvement, order 30% in resolution and 42% in velocity accuracy using a synthetic aperture radar mode with respect to lower-resolution mode of conventional altimetry. In addition, the three-platform view provided valuable insight into the variability of evolving oceanographic features, in an area of the Mediterranean that remains chronically under sampled.

  4. Endocavity Ultrasound Probe Manipulators

    PubMed Central

    Stoianovici, Dan; Kim, Chunwoo; Schäfer, Felix; Huang, Chien-Ming; Zuo, Yihe; Petrisor, Doru; Han, Misop

    2014-01-01

    We developed two similar structure manipulators for medical endocavity ultrasound probes with 3 and 4 degrees of freedom (DoF). These robots allow scanning with ultrasound for 3-D imaging and enable robot-assisted image-guided procedures. Both robots use remote center of motion kinematics, characteristic of medical robots. The 4-DoF robot provides unrestricted manipulation of the endocavity probe. With the 3-DoF robot the insertion motion of the probe must be adjusted manually, but the device is simpler and may also be used to manipulate external-body probes. The robots enabled a novel surgical approach of using intraoperative image-based navigation during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), performed with concurrent use of two robotic systems (Tandem, T-RALP). Thus far, a clinical trial for evaluation of safety and feasibility has been performed successfully on 46 patients. This paper describes the architecture and design of the robots, the two prototypes, control features related to safety, preclinical experiments, and the T-RALP procedure. PMID:24795525

  5. Supine MRI for regional breast radiotherapy: imaging axillary lymph nodes before and after sentinel-node biopsy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van Heijst, Tristan C. F.; Eschbach-Zandbergen, Debora; Hoekstra, Nienke; van Asselen, Bram; Lagendijk, Jan J. W.; Verkooijen, Helena M.; Pijnappel, Ruud M.; de Waard, Stephanie N.; Witkamp, Arjen J.; van Dalen, Thijs; Desirée van den Bongard, H. J. G.; Philippens, Marielle E. P.

    2017-08-01

    Regional radiotherapy (RT) is increasingly used in breast cancer treatment. Conventionally, computed tomography (CT) is performed for RT planning. Lymph node (LN) target levels are delineated according to anatomical boundaries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could enable individual LN delineation. The purpose was to evaluate the applicability of MRI for LN detection in supine treatment position, before and after sentinel-node biopsy (SNB). Twenty-three female breast cancer patients (cTis-3N0M0) underwent 1.5 T MRI, before and after SNB, in addition to CT. Endurance for MRI was monitored. Axillary levels were delineated. LNs were identified and delineated on MRI from before and after SNB, and on CT, and compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. LN locations and LN-based volumes were related to axillary delineations and associated volumes. Although postoperative effects were visible, LN numbers on postoperative MRI (median 26 LNs) were highly reproducible compared to preoperative MRI when adding excised sentinel nodes, and higher than on CT (median 11, p  <  0.001). LN-based volumes were considerably smaller than respective axillary levels. Supine MRI of LNs is feasible and reproducible before and after SNB. This may lead to more accurate RT target definition compared to CT, with potentially lower toxicity. With the MRI techniques described here, initiation of novel MRI-guided RT strategies aiming at individual LNs could be possible.

  6. Estimating Velocities of Glaciers Using Sentinel-1 SAR Imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gens, R.; Arnoult, K., Jr.; Friedl, P.; Vijay, S.; Braun, M.; Meyer, F. J.; Gracheva, V.; Hogenson, K.

    2017-12-01

    In an international collaborative effort, software has been developed to estimate the velocities of glaciers by using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. The technique, initially designed by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), has been previously used to quantify spatial and temporal variabilities in the velocities of surging glaciers in the Pakistan Karakoram. The software estimates surface velocities by first co-registering image pairs to sub-pixel precision and then by estimating local offsets based on cross-correlation. The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has modified the software to make it more robust and also capable of migration into the Amazon Cloud. Additionally, ASF has implemented a prototype that offers the glacier tracking processing flow as a subscription service as part of its Hybrid Pluggable Processing Pipeline (HyP3). Since the software is co-located with ASF's cloud-based Sentinel-1 archive, processing of large data volumes is now more efficient and cost effective. Velocity maps are estimated for Single Look Complex (SLC) SAR image pairs and a digital elevation model (DEM) of the local topography. A time series of these velocity maps then allows the long-term monitoring of these glaciers. Due to the all-weather capabilities and the dense coverage of Sentinel-1 data, the results are complementary to optically generated ones. Together with the products from the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction project (GoLIVE) derived from Landsat 8 data, glacier speeds can be monitored more comprehensively. Examples from Sentinel-1 SAR-derived results are presented along with optical results for the same glaciers.

  7. Polarimetry-Based Land Cover Classification with Sentinel-1 Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Banque, Xavier; Lopez-Sanchez, Juan M.; Monells, Daniel; Ballester, David; Duro, Javier; Koudogbo, Fifame

    2015-04-01

    The presented research focuses on the assessment of the exploitation of the Sentinel-1 dual polarization data for land cover classification. In order to take advantage of massive data availability produced by Sentinel-1, data used in this research work is Interferometric Wide Swath mode, acquired over the Altmühlsee, Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen, Germany during November 2014. The developed preliminary classifier is based on the interpretation of several polarimetric figures as well as the Dual Polarization Entropy/Alpha Decomposition. Specifically, the following polarimetric indicators will be assessed: the channels cross- correlation, the cross and co-polar channels ratio and both cross and co-polar backscattering coefficients. The work carried out concentrates on the joint interpretation of the backscattering response of the co-pol and cross- pol channels for four or five different distributed targets that set the basis for an unsupervised simple land cover classifier. The developed research targets a preliminary unsupervised classifier able to differentiate between four or five terrain classes, including water, urban, forest and bare soil. Obtained results pave the way for the development of a Sentinel-1 based land classifier.

  8. Effect of time to sentinel-node biopsy on the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Tejera-Vaquerizo, Antonio; Nagore, Eduardo; Puig, Susana; Robert, Caroline; Saiag, Philippe; Martín-Cuevas, Paula; Gallego, Elena; Herrera-Acosta, Enrique; Aguilera, José; Malvehy, Josep; Carrera, Cristina; Cavalcanti, Andrea; Rull, Ramón; Vilalta-Solsona, Antonio; Lannoy, Emilie; Boutros, Celine; Benannoune, Naima; Tomasic, Gorana; Aegerte, Philippe; Vidal-Sicart, Sergi; Palou, Josep; Alos, L Lúcia; Requena, Celia; Traves, Víctor; Pla, Ángel; Bolumar, Isidro; Soriano, Virtudes; Guillén, Carlos; Herrera-Ceballos, Enrique

    2015-09-01

    In patients with primary cutaneous melanoma, there is generally a delay between excisional biopsy of the primary tumour and sentinel-node biopsy. The objective of this study is to analyse the prognostic implications of this delay. This was an observational, retrospective, cohort study in four tertiary referral hospitals. A total of 1963 patients were included. The factor of interest was the interval between the date of the excisional biopsy of the primary melanoma and the date of the sentinel-node biopsy (delay time) in the prognosis. The primary outcome was melanoma-specific survival and disease-free survival. A delay time of 40 days or less (hazard ratio (HR), 1.7; confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.5) increased Breslow thickness (Breslow ⩾ 2 mm, HR, > 3.7; CI, 1.4-10.7), ulceration (HR, 1.6; CI, 1.1-2.3), sentinel-node metastasis (HR, 2.9; CI, 1.9-4.2), and primary melanoma localised in the head or neck were independently associated with worse melanoma-specific survival (all P < 0.03). The stratified analysis showed that the effect of delay time was at the expense of the patients with a negative sentinel-node biopsy and without regression. Early sentinel-node biopsy is associated with worse survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. SENTINEL-1/2 Data for Ship Traffic Monitoring on the Danube River

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Negula, I. Dana; Poenaru, V. D.; Olteanu, V. G.; Badea, A.

    2016-06-01

    After a long period of drought, the water level of the Danube River has significantly dropped especially on the Romanian sector, in July-August 2015. Danube reached the lowest water level recorded in the last 12 years, causing the blockage of the ships in the sector located close to Zimnicea Harbour. The rising sand banks in the navigable channel congested the commercial traffic for a few days with more than 100 ships involved. The monitoring of the decreasing water level and the traffic jam was performed based on Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 free data provided by the European Space Agency and the European Commission within the Copernicus Programme. Specific processing methods (calibration, speckle filtering, geocoding, change detection, image classification, principal component analysis, etc.) were applied in order to generate useful products that the responsible authorities could benefit from. The Sentinel data yielded good results for water mask extraction and ships detection. The analysis continued after the closure of the crisis situation when the water reached the nominal level again. The results indicate that Sentinel data can be successfully used for ship traffic monitoring, building the foundation of future endeavours for a durable monitoring of the Danube River.

  10. Analysis of signal-dependent sensor noise on JPEG 2000-compressed Sentinel-2 multi-spectral images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Uss, M.; Vozel, B.; Lukin, V.; Chehdi, K.

    2017-10-01

    The processing chain of Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) data involves filtering and compression stages that modify MSI sensor noise. As a result, noise in Sentinel-2 Level-1C data distributed to users becomes processed. We demonstrate that processed noise variance model is bivariate: noise variance depends on image intensity (caused by signal-dependency of photon counting detectors) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR; caused by filtering/compression). To provide information on processed noise parameters, which is missing in Sentinel-2 metadata, we propose to use blind noise parameter estimation approach. Existing methods are restricted to univariate noise model. Therefore, we propose extension of existing vcNI+fBm blind noise parameter estimation method to multivariate noise model, mvcNI+fBm, and apply it to each band of Sentinel-2A data. Obtained results clearly demonstrate that noise variance is affected by filtering/compression for SNR less than about 15. Processed noise variance is reduced by a factor of 2 - 5 in homogeneous areas as compared to noise variance for high SNR values. Estimate of noise variance model parameters are provided for each Sentinel-2A band. Sentinel-2A MSI Level-1C noise models obtained in this paper could be useful for end users and researchers working in a variety of remote sensing applications.

  11. Mining Land Subsidence Monitoring Using SENTINEL-1 SAR Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yuan, W.; Wang, Q.; Fan, J.; Li, H.

    2017-09-01

    In this paper, DInSAR technique was used to monitor land subsidence in mining area. The study area was selected in the coal mine area located in Yuanbaoshan District, Chifeng City, and Sentinel-1 data were used to carry out DInSAR techniqu. We analyzed the interferometric results by Sentinel-1 data from December 2015 to May 2016. Through the comparison of the results of DInSAR technique and the location of the mine on the optical images, it is shown that DInSAR technique can be used to effectively monitor the land subsidence caused by underground mining, and it is an effective tool for law enforcement of over-mining.

  12. Immune cell profile of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with malignant melanoma – FOXP3+ cell density in cases with positive sentinel node status is associated with unfavorable clinical outcome

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Besides being a preferential site of early metastasis, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is also a privileged site of T-cell priming, and may thus be an appropriate target for investigating cell types involved in antitumor immune reactions. Methods In this retrospective study we determined the prevalence of OX40+ activated T lymphocytes, FOXP3+ (forkhead box P3) regulatory T cells, DC-LAMP+ (dendritic cell-lysosomal associated membrane protein) mature dendritic cells (DCs) and CD123+ plasmacytoid DCs by immunohistochemistry in 100 SLNs from 60 melanoma patients. Density values of each cell type in SLNs were compared to those in non-sentinel nodes obtained from block dissections (n = 37), and analyzed with regard to associations with clinicopathological parameters and disease outcome. Results Sentinel nodes showed elevated amount of all cell types studied in comparison to non-sentinel nodes. Metastatic SLNs had higher density of OX40+ lymphocytes compared to tumor-negative nodes, while no significant difference was observed in the case of the other cell types studied. In patients with positive sentinel node status, high amount of FOXP3+ cells in SLNs was associated with shorter progression-free (P = 0.0011) and overall survival (P = 0.0014), while no significant correlation was found in the case of sentinel-negative patients. The density of OX40+, CD123+ or DC-LAMP+ cells did not show significant association with the outcome of the disease. Conclusions Taken together, our results are compatible with the hypothesis of functional competence of sentinel lymph nodes based on the prevalence of the studied immune cells. The density of FOXP3+ lymphocytes showed association with progression and survival in patients with positive SLN status, while the other immune markers studied did not prove of prognostic importance. These results, together with our previous findings on the prognostic value of activated T cells and mature DCs infiltrating primary

  13. 10 % fluorescein sodium vs 1 % isosulfan blue in breast sentinel lymph node biopsy.

    PubMed

    Ren, Lidong; Liu, Zhao; Liang, Mengdi; Wang, Li; Song, Xingli; Wang, Shui

    2016-11-03

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is well accepted to be a standard procedure in breast cancer surgery with clinically negative lymph nodes. Isosulfan blue is the first dye approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration for the localization of the lymphatic system. Few alternative tracers have been investigated. In this study, we aimed to compare the differences between 10 % fluorescein sodium and 1 % isosulfan blue in breast sentinel lymph node biopsy and to investigate the feasibility of using 10 % fluorescein sodium as a new dye for breast sentinel lymph node biopsy. A total of 30 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the fluorescein sodium group and the isosulfan blue group (15 rabbits per group). Fluorescein sodium or isosulfan blue was injected subcutaneously into the second pair of mammary areolas. The average fading time of the second lymph nodes in the isosulfan blue group was significantly shorter than that in the fluorescein sodium group. Moreover, the detection rates of SLNs were higher in the fluorescein sodium group than in the isosulfan blue group. No significant differences between the fluorescein sodium group and isosulfan blue group were observed regarding the distances between the detected sentinel lymph nodes and second pair of mammary areolas, the distances between the second lymph nodes and second pair of mammary areolas, the number of detected sentinel lymph nodes and second lymph nodes, the average dyeing time of the sentinel and the second lymph nodes, and the average fading time of the second lymph nodes. In summary, we first reported that fluorescein sodium is a potential new tracer for breast sentinel lymph node biopsy.

  14. Combined application of Sentinel2A data and growth modelling for novel monitoring and prediction of pasture yields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verhoef, A.; Punalekar, S.; Quaife, T. L.; Humphries, D.; Reynolds, C.

    2017-12-01

    Currently, 30% of the world's land area is covered by permanent pasture. Grazing ruminants convert forage materials into milk and meat for human consumption; ruminant production is a key agricultural enterprise. Management of pasture farms (nutrient and herbi-/pesticides application, grazing rotations) is often suboptimal. Furthermore, adverse weather can have negative effects on pasture growth and quality. Near real-time herbage monitoring and prediction could help improve farm profitability. While the use of remote sensing (RS) in the context of arable crop growth prediction is becoming more established, the same is not true for pasture. However, recently launched Sentinel satellites offer real opportunities to exploit high spatio-temporal resolution datasets for effective monitoring of pastures, as well as crops. A perennial grazed ryegrass field in the Southwest of the UK was monitored regularly using field hyperspectral spectro-radiometers. Simultaneously, leaf area index (LAI) was measured using a ceptometer, and yield was measured, indirectly using a `plate meter' and directly by destructive sampling. Two sets of spectral data were used to retrieve LAI with the PROSAIL radiative transfer model: (i) Sentinel-2A bands convolved from field spectral data, (ii) actual Sentinel-2A image pixels for the sampling plots. Retrieved LAI was compared against field observations. LAI estimates were assimilated in a bespoke growth model (including grazing and management), driven by weather data, for calibration of sensitive parameters using a 4D-Var scheme, to obtain pasture biomass. The developed approach was used to study a pasture farm in the South of the UK, for which a large number of Sentinel-2A images were available throughout 2016-17. Retrieved LAI compared well with in-situ LAI, and significantly improved yield estimates. The calibrated model parameters compared well with literature values. The model, guided by satellite data and general information on farm

  15. Development of tumor-targeted near infrared probes for fluorescence guided surgery.

    PubMed

    Kelderhouse, Lindsay E; Chelvam, Venkatesh; Wayua, Charity; Mahalingam, Sakkarapalayam; Poh, Scott; Kularatne, Sumith A; Low, Philip S

    2013-06-19

    Complete surgical resection of malignant disease is the only reliable method to cure cancer. Unfortunately, quantitative tumor resection is often limited by a surgeon's ability to locate all malignant disease and distinguish it from healthy tissue. Fluorescence-guided surgery has emerged as a tool to aid surgeons in the identification and removal of malignant lesions. While nontargeted fluorescent dyes have been shown to passively accumulate in some tumors, the resulting tumor-to-background ratios are often poor, and the boundaries between malignant and healthy tissues can be difficult to define. To circumvent these problems, our laboratory has developed high affinity tumor targeting ligands that bind to receptors that are overexpressed on cancer cells and deliver attached molecules selectively into these cells. In this study, we explore the use of two tumor-specific targeting ligands (i.e., folic acid that targets the folate receptor (FR) and DUPA that targets prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)) to deliver near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes specifically to FR and PSMA expressing cancers, thereby rendering only the malignant cells highly fluorescent. We report here that all FR- and PSMA-targeted NIR probes examined bind cultured cancer cells in the low nanomolar range. Moreover, upon intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice with metastatic disease, these same ligand-NIR dye conjugates render receptor-expressing tumor tissues fluorescent, enabling their facile resection with minimal contamination from healthy tissues.

  16. Mission Design for NASA's Inner Heliospheric Sentinels and ESA's Solar Orbiter Missions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Downing, John; Folta, David; Marr, Greg; Rodriquez-Canabal, Jose; Conde, Rich; Guo, Yanping; Kelley, Jeff; Kirby, Karen

    2007-01-01

    This paper will document the mission design and mission analysis performed for NASA's Inner Heliospheric Sentinels (IHS) and ESA's Solar Orbiter (SolO) missions, which were conceived to be launched on separate expendable launch vehicles. This paper will also document recent efforts to analyze the possibility of launching the Inner Heliospheric Sentinels and Solar Orbiter missions using a single expendable launch vehicle, nominally an Atlas V 551.

  17. Factors Predictive of Sentinel Lymph Node Involvement in Primary Breast Cancer.

    PubMed

    Malter, Wolfram; Hellmich, Martin; Badian, Mayhar; Kirn, Verena; Mallmann, Peter; Krämer, Stefan

    2018-06-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has replaced axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for axillary staging in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The need for therapeutic ALND is the subject of ongoing debate especially after the publication of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial. In a retrospective trial with univariate and multivariate analyses, factors predictive of sentinel lymph node involvement should be analyzed in order to define tumor characteristics of breast cancer patients, where SLNB should not be spared to receive important indicators for adjuvant treatment decisions (e.g. thoracic wall irradiation after mastectomy with or without reconstruction). Between 2006 and 2010, 1,360 patients with primary breast cancer underwent SLNB with/without ALND with evaluation of tumor localization, multicentricity and multifocality, histological subtype, tumor size, grading, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. These characteristics were retrospectively analyzed in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to define significant predictive factors for sentinel lymph node involvement. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor size and LVI (p<0.001) were independent predictive factors for metastatic sentinel lymph node involvement in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Because of the increased risk for metastatic involvement of axillary sentinel nodes in cases with larger breast cancer or diagnosis of LVI, patients with these breast cancer characteristics should not be spared from SLNB in a clinically node-negative situation in order to avoid false-negative results with a high potential for wrong indication of primary breast reconstruction or wrong non-indication of necessary post-mastectomy radiation therapy. The prognostic impact of avoidance of axillary staging with SLNB is analyzed in the ongoing prospective INSEMA trial. Copyright© 2018, International

  18. Site-specific lead exposure from lead pellet ingestion in sentinel mallards

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rocke, T.E.; Brand, C.J.; Mensik, John G.

    1997-01-01

    We monitored lead poisoning from the ingestion of spent lead pellets in sentinel mallards (Anas platyhrynchos) at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), Willows, California for 4 years (1986-89) after the conversion to steel shot for waterfowl hunting on refuges in 1986. Sentinel mallards were held in 1.6-ha enclosures in 1 hunted (P8) and 2 non-hunted (T19 and TF) wetlands. We compared site-specific rates of lead exposure, as determined by periodic measurement of blood lead concentrations, and lead poisoning mortality between wetlands with different lead pellet densities, between seasons, and between male and female sentinels. In 1986, the estimated 2-week rate of lead exposure was significantly higher (P < 0.005) in P8 (43.8%), the wetland with the highest density of spent lead pellets (>2,000,000 pellets/ha), than in those with lower densities of lead pellets, T19 (18.1%; 173,200 pellets/ha) and TF (0.9%; 15,750 pellets/ha). The probability of mortality from lead poisoning was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) in sentinel mallards enclosed in P8 (0.25) than T19 (0) and TF (0) in 1986 and remained significantly higher (P < 0.001) during the 4-year study. Both lead exposure and the probability of lead poisoning mortality in P8 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the fall of 1986 (43.8%; 0.25), before hunting season, than in the spring of 1987 (21.6%; 0.04), after hunting season. We found no significant differences in the rates of lead exposure or lead poisoning mortality between male and female sentinel mallards. The results of this study demonstrate that in some locations, lead exposure and lead poisoning in waterfowl will continue to occur despite the conversion to steel shot for waterfowl hunting.

  19. Comparison of Trapping Performance Between the Original BG-Sentinel® Trap and BG-Sentinel 2® Trap (1).

    PubMed

    Arimoto, Hanayo; Harwood, James F; Nunn, Peter J; Richardson, Alec G; Gordon, Scott; Obenauer, Peter J

    2015-12-01

    Recently, the BG-Sentinel® trap (BGS) trap has been reconfigured for increased durability during harsh field conditions. We evaluated the attractiveness of this redesigned trap, BG-Sentinel 2® (BGS2), and its novel granular lure cartridge system relative to the original trap and lure. Granular lures containing different combinations of lactic acid, ammonia, hexanoic acid, and octenol were also evaluated. Lure cartridges with all components except octenol trapped significantly more Aedes albopictus than lures containing octenol. This new granular lure combination and original BG-Lure® system were paired with BGS and BGS2 traps to compare relative attractiveness of the lures and the traps. All evaluations were conducted under field conditions in a suburban neighborhood in northeastern Florida from July to October 2014. Overall, the average numbers of Ae. albopictus collected by BGS or BGS2 were similar regardless of the lure type (i.e., mesh bag versus granules) (P  =  0.56). The functionality and durability of both trap models are discussed.

  20. Manatees as sentinels of marine ecosystem health: are they the 2000-pound canaries?

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bonde, R.K.; Aguirre, A.A.; Powell, J.

    2004-01-01

    The order Sirenia is represented by three species of manatees and one species of dugong distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and considered vulnerable to extinction. The sentinel species concept is useful to identify indicators of the environment and may reflect the quality of health in marine ecosystems. The single species approach to evaluate ecological health may provide a series of “snap shots” of environmental changes to determine if animal, human, or ecosystem health may be affected. Under this concept, marine vertebrates may be good integrators of changes over space and time, and excellent sentinels of ecosystem health. Based on their life history, manatees may or may not be ideal sentinels, as they are robust, long-lived species and appear remarkably resilient to natural disease and the effects of human-related injury and trauma. These characteristics might be the result of an efficient and responsive immune system compared to other marine mammals. Although relatively immune to infectious agents, manatees face other potentially serious threats, including epizootic diseases and pollution while in large aggregations. Manatees can serve as excellent sentinels of harmful algal blooms due to their high sensitivity, specifically to brevetoxicosis, which has caused at least two major die-offs in recent times. Threats to manatees worldwide, such as illegal hunting and boat collisions, are increasing. Habitat is being lost at an alarming rate and the full effects of uncontrolled human population growth on the species are unknown. The manatee may serve as a sentinel species, prognosticating the deleterious effects of unhealthy marine and aquatic ecosystems on humans. We have identified a number of critical research needs and opportunities for transdisciplinary collaboration that could help advance the use of the sentinel species concept in marine ecosystem health and monitoring of disease emergence using our knowledge on these magnificent

  1. Lakes as sentinels of climate change

    PubMed Central

    Adrian, Rita; O’Reilly, Catherine M.; Zagarese, Horacio; Baines, Stephen B.; Hessen, Dag O.; Keller, Wendel; Livingstone, David M.; Sommaruga, Ruben; Straile, Dietmar; Van Donk, Ellen; Weyhenmeyer, Gesa A.; Winder, Monika

    2010-01-01

    While there is a general sense that lakes can act as sentinels of climate change, their efficacy has not been thoroughly analyzed. We identified the key response variables within a lake that act as indicators of the effects of climate change on both the lake and the catchment. These variables reflect a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological responses to climate. However, the efficacy of the different indicators is affected by regional response to climate change, characteristics of the catchment, and lake mixing regimes. Thus, particular indicators or combinations of indicators are more effective for different lake types and geographic regions. The extraction of climate signals can be further complicated by the influence of other environmental changes, such as eutrophication or acidification, and the equivalent reverse phenomena, in addition to other land-use influences. In many cases, however, confounding factors can be addressed through analytical tools such as detrending or filtering. Lakes are effective sentinels for climate change because they are sensitive to climate, respond rapidly to change, and integrate information about changes in the catchment. PMID:20396409

  2. A Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel-2 Surface Reflectance product: a resource for Agricultural Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masek, J. G.; Claverie, M.; Ju, J.; Vermote, E.; Justice, C. O.

    2015-12-01

    The combination of Landsat and Sentinel-2 data offers a unique opportunity to observe globally the land every 2-3 days at medium (<30m) spatial resolution. The Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel-2 (HLS) project is a NASA initiative aiming to produce surface reflectance data from Landsat and Sentinel-2 missions and to deliver them to the community in a combined, seamless form. The HLS will be beneficial for global agricultural monitoring applications that require medium spatial resolution and weekly or more frequent observations. In particular, the provided opportunity to track crop phenology at the scale of individual fields will support detailed mapping of crop type and type-specific vegetation conditions. To create a compatible set of radiometric measurements, the HLS product relies on rigorous pre- and post-launch cross-calibration (Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI) activities. The processing chain includes the following components: atmospheric correction, cloud/shadow masking, nadir BRDF-adjustment, spectral-adjustment, regridding, and temporal composite. The atmospheric correction and cloud masking is based on the OLI atmospheric correction developed at NASA-GSFC and has been adapted to the MSI data. The BRDF-adjustment is based on a disaggregation technique using MODIS-based BRDF coefficients. The technique has been evaluated using the multi-angular acquisition from the SPOT 4 and 5 (Take5) experiments. The spectral-adjustment relies on a linear regression that has been calibrated and evaluated using synthetic data and surface reflectance processed from a large number of hyperspectral EO-1 Hyperion scenes. Finally, significant effort is placed on product validation and evaluation. The delivered data set will include surface reflectance products at different levels: Using the native gridding, i.e. UTM, 30m for Landsat-8, and UTM, 10-20m for Sentinel-2 Using a common global gridding (Sinusoidal, 30m) Temporal composite (Sinusoidal, 30m, 5-day) During the first year of

  3. Pioneer probe mission with orbiter option

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1975-01-01

    A spacecraft is described which is based on Pioneer 10 and 11, and existing propulsion technology; it can transport and release a probe for entry into Jupiter's atmosphere, and subsequently maneuver to place the spacecraft in orbit about Jupiter. Orbital operations last 3 years and include maneuvers to provide multiple close satellite encounters which allow the orbit to be significantly changed to explore different parts of the magnetosphere. A mission summary, a guide to related documents, and background information about Jupiter are presented along with mission analysis over the complete mission profile. Other topics discussed include the launch, interplanetary flight, probe release and orbit deflection, probe entry, orbit selection, orbit insertion, periapsis raising, spacecraft description, and the effects of Jupiter's radiation belt on both orbiter and the probe.

  4. Mountain Plant Community Sentinels: AWOL

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malanson, G. P.

    2017-12-01

    Mountain plant communities are thought to be sensitive to climate change. Because climatic gradients are steep on mountain slopes, the spatial response of plant communities to climate change should be compressed and easier to detect. These expectations have led to identifying mountain plant communities as sentinels for climate change. This idea has, however, been criticized. Two critiques, for alpine treeline and alpine tundra, are rehearsed and supplemented. The critique of alpine treeline as sentinel is bolstered with new model results on the confounding role of dispersal mechanisms and sensitivity to climatic volatility. In alpine tundra, for which background turnover rates have yet to be established, community composition may reflect environmental gradients only for extremes where effects of climate are most indirect. Both plant communities, while primarily determined by energy at broad scales, may respond to water as a proximate driver at local scales. These plant communities may not be in equilibrium with climate, and differently scaled time lags may mean that ongoing vegetation change may not signal ongoing climate change (or lack thereof). In both cases a double-whammy is created by scale dependence for time lags and for drivers leading to confusion, but these cases present opportunities for insights into basic ecology.

  5. Developments in the Aerosol Layer Height Retrieval Algorithm for the Copernicus Sentinel-4/UVN Instrument

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nanda, Swadhin; Sanders, Abram; Veefkind, Pepijn

    2016-04-01

    The Sentinel-4 mission is a part of the European Commission's Copernicus programme, the goal of which is to provide geo-information to manage environmental assets, and to observe, understand and mitigate the effects of the changing climate. The Sentinel-4/UVN instrument design is motivated by the need to monitor trace gas concentrations and aerosols in the atmosphere from a geostationary orbit. The on-board instrument is a high resolution UV-VIS-NIR (UVN) spectrometer system that provides hourly radiance measurements over Europe and northern Africa with a spatial sampling of 8 km. The main application area of Sentinel-4/UVN is air quality. One of the data products that is being developed for Sentinel-4/UVN is the Aerosol Layer Height (ALH). The goal is to determine the height of aerosol plumes with a resolution of better than 0.5 - 1 km. The ALH product thus targets aerosol layers in the free troposphere, such as desert dust, volcanic ash and biomass during plumes. KNMI is assigned with the development of the Aerosol Layer Height (ALH) algorithm. Its heritage is the ALH algorithm developed by Sanders and De Haan (ATBD, 2016) for the TROPOMI instrument on board the Sentinel-5 Precursor mission that is to be launched in June or July 2016 (tentative date). The retrieval algorithm designed so far for the aerosol height product is based on the absorption characteristics of the oxygen-A band (759-770 nm). The algorithm has heritage to the ALH algorithm developed for TROPOMI on the Sentinel 5 precursor satellite. New aspects for Sentinel-4/UVN include the higher resolution (0.116 nm compared to 0.4 for TROPOMI) and hourly observation from the geostationary orbit. The algorithm uses optimal estimation to obtain a spectral fit of the reflectance across absorption band, while assuming a single uniform layer with fixed width to represent the aerosol vertical distribution. The state vector includes amongst other elements the height of this layer and its aerosol optical

  6. What Is a False Negative Sentinel Node Biopsy: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Minimize It?

    PubMed

    Kataria, Kamal; Srivastava, Anurag; Qaiser, Darakhshan

    2016-10-01

    Sentinel node biopsy helps in assessing the involvement of axillary lymph node without the morbidity of full axillary lymph node dissection, namely arm and shoulder pain, paraesthesia and lymphoedema. The various methods described in the literature identify the sentinel lymph nodes in approximately 96 % of cases and associated with a false negativity rate of 5 to 10 %. A false negative sentinel node is defined as the proportion of cases in whom sentinel node biopsy is reported as negative, but the rest of axillary lymph node(s) harbours cancer cells. The possible causes of a false negative sentinel lymph node may be because of blocked lymphatics either by cancer cells or following fibrosis of previous surgery/radiotherapy, and an alternative pathway opens draining the blue dye or isotope to another uninvolved node . The other reasons may be two lymphatic pathways for a tumour area, the one opening to a superficial node and the other in deep nodes. Sometimes, lymphatics do not relay into a node but traverse it going to a higher node. In some patients, the microscopic focus of metastasis inside a lymph node is so small-micrometastasis (i.e. between 0.2 and 2 mm) or isolated tumour cells (i.e. less than 0.2 mm) that is missed by the pathologist. The purpose of this review is to clear some fears lurking in the mind of most surgeons about the false negative sentinel lymph node (FNSLN).

  7. [Feasibility analysis of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer after local lumpectomy].

    PubMed

    Wang, J; Wang, X; Wang, W Y; Liu, J Q; Xing, Z Y; Wang, X

    2016-07-01

    To explore the feasibility, safety and clinical application value of sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB)in patients with breast cancer after local lumpectomy. Clinical data of 195 patients who previously received local lumpectomy from January 2005 to April 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients with pathologic stage T1-2N0M0 (T1-2N0M0) breast cancer underwent SLNB. Methylene blue, carbon nanoparticles suspension, technetium-99m-labeled dextran, or in combination were used in the SLNB. The interval from lumpectomy to SLNB was 1-91 days(mean, 18.3 days)and the maximum diameter of tumors before first operation was 0.2-4.5 cm (mean, 1.8 cm). The sentinel lymph node was successfully found in all the cases and the detection rate was 100%. 42 patients received axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), 19 patients had pathologically positive sentinel lymph node, with an accuracy rate of 97.6%, sensitivity of 95.0%, false negative rate of 5.0%, and specificity of 100%, and the false positive rate was 0. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the age of patients was significantly associated with sentinel lymph node metastasis after local lumpectomy. For early breast cancer and after breast tumor biopsy, the influence of local lumpectomy on detection rate and accuracy of sentinel lymph node is not significant. Sentinel lymph node biopsy with appropriately chosen tracing technique may still provide a high detection rate and accuracy.

  8. New NASA Satellite Flood Map of Southeastern Texas (Sentinel-1 Data)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-31

    The Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, used synthetic aperture radar imagery from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-1 satellite to create this Flood Proxy Map of Southeastern Texas, showing areas that are likely flooded as a result of Hurricane Harvey (light blue pixels). The images used to create the map were taken before (Aug. 5, 2017) and after (Aug. 29, 2017) Hurricane Harvey made landfall. The map covers an area of 155 by 211 miles (250 by 340 kilometers). Each pixel measures about 33 yards (30 meters) across. Local ground observations provided anecdotal preliminary validation. The results were also cross-validated with the ARIA ALOS-2 flood proxy map v0.2. The map should be used as guidance, and may be less reliable over urban areas. Sentinel-1 data were accessed through the Copernicus Open Access Hub. Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2017. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21932

  9. Interval sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma: a digital pathology analysis of Ki67 expression and microvascular density.

    PubMed

    Marinaccio, Christian; Giudice, Giuseppe; Nacchiero, Eleonora; Robusto, Fabio; Opinto, Giuseppina; Lastilla, Gaetano; Maiorano, Eugenio; Ribatti, Domenico

    2016-08-01

    The presence of interval sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma is documented in several studies, but controversies still exist about the management of these lymph nodes. In this study, an immunohistochemical evaluation of tumor cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis has been performed with the aim of establishing a correlation between these two parameters between positive and negative interval sentinel lymph nodes. This retrospective study reviewed data of 23 patients diagnosed with melanoma. Bioptic specimens of interval sentinel lymph node were retrieved, and immunohistochemical reactions on tissue sections were performed using Ki67 as a marker of proliferation and CD31 as a blood vessel marker for the study of angiogenesis. The entire stained tissue sections for each case were digitized using Aperio Scanscope Cs whole-slide scanning platform and stored as high-resolution images. Image analysis was carried out on three selected fields of equal area using IHC Nuclear and Microvessel analysis algorithms to determine positive Ki67 nuclei and vessel number. Patients were divided into positive and negative interval sentinel lymph node groups, and the positive interval sentinel lymph node group was further divided into interval positive with micrometastasis and interval positive with macrometastasis subgroups. The analysis revealed a significant difference between positive and negative interval sentinel lymph nodes in the percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei and mean vessel number suggestive of an increased cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in positive interval sentinel lymph nodes. Further analysis in the interval positive lymph node group showed a significant difference between micro- and macrometastasis subgroups in the percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei and mean vessel number. Percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei was increased in the macrometastasis subgroup, while mean vessel number was increased in the micrometastasis subgroup. The results of this study suggest

  10. MTF Determination of SENTINEL-4 Detector Arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reulke, R.; Sebastian, I.; Williges, C.; Hohn, R.

    2017-05-01

    The Institute for Optical Sensor Systems was involved in many international space projects in recent years. These include, for example, the fokal plane array (FPA) of the hyperspectral sensors ENMAP or Sentinel-4, but also the FPA for the high resolution FPA for Kompsat-3. An important requirement of the customer is the measurement of the detector MTF for different wavelengths. A measuring station under clean room conditions and evaluation algorithms was developed for these measurements. The measurement setup consist of a collimator with slit target in focus for illumination at infinity, a gimbal mounted detector facing an auxiliary lens in front, a halogen lamp with monochromator or filter, as well as optical and electrical ground support equipment. Different targets and therefore also different measurement and data evaluation opportunities are possible with this setup. Examples are slit, edge, pin hole but also a Siemens star. The article describes the measurement setup, the different measuring and evaluation procedures and exemplary results for Sentinel-4 detector.

  11. Intraoperative Injection of Technetium-99m Sulfur Colloid for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Single Institution Experience.

    PubMed

    Berrocal, Julian; Saperstein, Lawrence; Grube, Baiba; Horowitz, Nina R; Chagpar, Anees B; Killelea, Brigid K; Lannin, Donald R

    2017-01-01

    Background . Most institutions require a patient undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy to go through nuclear medicine prior to surgery to be injected with radioisotope. This study describes the long-term results using intraoperative injection of radioisotope. Methods . Since late 2002, all patients undergoing a sentinel lymph node biopsy at the Yale-New Haven Breast Center underwent intraoperative injection of technetium-99m sulfur colloid. Endpoints included number of sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes obtained and number of positive sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes. Results . At least one sentinel lymph node was obtained in 2,333 out of 2,338 cases of sentinel node biopsy for an identification rate of 99.8%. The median number of sentinel nodes found was 2 and the mean was 2.33 (range: 1-15). There were 512 cases (21.9%) in which a sentinel node was positive for metastatic carcinoma. Of the patients with a positive sentinel lymph node who underwent axillary dissection, there were 242 cases (54.2%) with no additional positive nonsentinel lymph nodes. Advantages of intraoperative injection included increased comfort for the patient and simplification of scheduling. There were no radiation related complications. Conclusion . Intraoperative injection of technetium-99m sulfur colloid is convenient, effective, safe, and comfortable for the patient.

  12. Intraoperative Injection of Technetium-99m Sulfur Colloid for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Single Institution Experience

    PubMed Central

    Berrocal, Julian; Saperstein, Lawrence; Grube, Baiba; Horowitz, Nina R.; Chagpar, Anees B.

    2017-01-01

    Background. Most institutions require a patient undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy to go through nuclear medicine prior to surgery to be injected with radioisotope. This study describes the long-term results using intraoperative injection of radioisotope. Methods. Since late 2002, all patients undergoing a sentinel lymph node biopsy at the Yale-New Haven Breast Center underwent intraoperative injection of technetium-99m sulfur colloid. Endpoints included number of sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes obtained and number of positive sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes. Results. At least one sentinel lymph node was obtained in 2,333 out of 2,338 cases of sentinel node biopsy for an identification rate of 99.8%. The median number of sentinel nodes found was 2 and the mean was 2.33 (range: 1–15). There were 512 cases (21.9%) in which a sentinel node was positive for metastatic carcinoma. Of the patients with a positive sentinel lymph node who underwent axillary dissection, there were 242 cases (54.2%) with no additional positive nonsentinel lymph nodes. Advantages of intraoperative injection included increased comfort for the patient and simplification of scheduling. There were no radiation related complications. Conclusion. Intraoperative injection of technetium-99m sulfur colloid is convenient, effective, safe, and comfortable for the patient. PMID:28492062

  13. Evaluation of automated urban surface water extraction from Sentinel-2A imagery using different water indices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Xiucheng; Chen, Li

    2017-04-01

    Urban surface water is characterized by complex surface continents and small size of water bodies, and the mapping of urban surface water is currently a challenging task. The moderate-resolution remote sensing satellites provide effective ways of monitoring surface water. This study conducts an exploratory evaluation on the performance of the newly available Sentinel-2A multispectral instrument (MSI) imagery for detecting urban surface water. An automatic framework that integrates pixel-level threshold adjustment and object-oriented segmentation is proposed. Based on the automated workflow, different combinations of visible, near infrared, and short-wave infrared bands in Sentinel-2 image via different water indices are first compared. Results show that object-level modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI with band 11) and automated water extraction index are feasible in urban surface water mapping for Sentinel-2 MSI imagery. Moreover, comparative results are obtained utilizing optimal MNDWI from Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 images, respectively. Consequently, Sentinel-2 MSI achieves the kappa coefficient of 0.92, compared with that of 0.83 from Landsat 8 operational land imager.

  14. The Surveillance and On-demand Sentinel-1 SBAS Services on the Geohazards Exploitation Platforms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Casu, F.; de Luca, C.; Zinno, I.; Manunta, M.; Lanari, R.

    2017-12-01

    The Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP) is an ESA R&D activity of the EO ground segment to demonstrate the benefit of new technologies for large scale processing of EO data. GEP aims at providing on-demand processing services for specific user needs, as well as systematic processing services to address the need of the geohazards community for common information layers and, finally, to integrate newly developed processors for scientists and other expert users. In this context, a crucial role is played by the recently launched Sentinel-1 (S1) constellation that, with its global acquisition policy, has flooded the scientific community with a huge amount of data acquired over large part of the Earth on a regular basis (down to 6-days with both Sentinel-1A and 1B passes). The Sentinel-1 data, as part of the European Copernicus program, are openly and freely accessible, thus fostering their use for the development of automated and systematic tools for Earth surface monitoring. In particular, due to their specific SAR Interferometry (InSAR) design, Sentinel-1 satellites can be exploited to build up operational services for the easy and rapid generation of advanced InSAR products useful for risk management and natural hazard monitoring. In this work we present the activities carried out for the development, integration, and deployment of two SBAS Sentinel-1 services of CNR-IREA within the GEP framework, namely the Surveillance and On-demand services. The Surveillance service consists on the systematic and automatic processing of Sentinel-1 data over selected Areas of Interest (AoI) to generate updated surface displacement time series via the SBAS-InSAR algorithm. We built up a system that is automatically triggered by every new Sentinel-1 acquisition over the AoI, once it is available on the S1 catalogue. Then, the system processes the new acquisitions only, thus saving storage space and computing time. The processing, which relies on the Parallel version of the SBAS (P

  15. Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging for Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Lymphatic Vessels during Open Prostatectomy using Indocyanine Green.

    PubMed

    Yuen, Keiji; Miura, Tetsuya; Sakai, Iori; Kiyosue, Akiko; Yamashita, Masuo

    2015-08-01

    We investigated the feasibility and validity of intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels during open prostatectomy. Indocyanine green was injected into the prostate under transrectal ultrasound guidance just before surgery. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging was performed using a near-infrared camera system in 66 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer after a 10-patient pilot test to optimize indocyanine green dosing, observation timing and injection method. Lymphatic vessels were visualized and followed to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. Confirmatory pelvic lymph node dissection including all fluorescent nodes and open radical prostatectomy were performed in all patients. Lymphatic vessels were successfully visualized in 65 patients (98%) and sentinel lymph nodes in 64 patients (97%). Sentinel lymph nodes were located in the obturator fossa, internal and external iliac regions, and rarely in the common iliac and presacral regions. A median of 4 sentinel lymph nodes per patient was detected. Three lymphatic pathways, the paravesical, internal and lateral routes, were identified. Pathological examination revealed metastases to 9 sentinel lymph nodes in 6 patients (9%). All pathologically positive lymph nodes were detected as sentinel lymph nodes using this imaging. No adverse reactions due to the use of indocyanine green were observed. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green during open prostatectomy enables the detection of lymphatic vessels and sentinel lymph nodes with high sensitivity. This novel method is technically feasible, safe and easy to apply with minimal additional operative time. Copyright © 2015 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Endometrial Cancer: a New Standard of Care?

    PubMed

    Sullivan, Stephanie A; Rossi, Emma C

    2017-09-18

    Lymph node status is one of the most important factors in determining prognosis and the need for adjuvant treatment in endometrial cancer (EMCA). Unfortunately, full lymphadenectomy bears significant surgical and postoperative risks. The majority of patients with clinical stage I disease will not have metastatic disease; thus, a full lymphadenectomy only increases morbidity in this population of patients. The use of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as an alternative to complete lymphadenectomy in EMCA. By removing the highest yield lymph nodes, the SLN biopsy has the same diagnostic ability as lymphadenectomy while minimizing morbidity. The sensitivity of sentinel lymph node identification with robotic fluorescence imaging for detecting metastatic endometrial and cervical cancer (FIRES) trial published this year is the largest prospective, multi-institution trial investigating the accuracy of the SLN biopsy for endometrial and cervical cancer. Results of this trial found an excellent sensitivity (97.2%) and false negative rate (3%) with the technique. The conclusions from the FIRES trial and those of a recent meta-analysis are that SLN biopsy has an acceptable diagnostic accuracy in detecting lymphatic metastases, and can replace lymphadenectomy for this diagnostic purpose. There remains controversy surrounding the SLN biopsy in high-risk disease and the use of adjuvant therapy in the setting of low volume disease detected with ultrastaging. Current data suggests that the technique is accurate in high-risk disease and that the increased detection of metastasis helps guide adjuvant therapy such that oncologic outcomes are likely not affected by forgoing a full lymphadenectomy. Further prospective study is needed to investigate the impact of low volume metastatic disease on oncologic outcomes and the need for adjuvant therapy in these patients.

  17. Evaluation of a CdTe semiconductor based compact gamma camera for sentinel lymph node imaging

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Russo, Paolo; Curion, Assunta S.; Mettivier, Giovanni

    2011-03-15

    Purpose: The authors assembled a prototype compact gamma-ray imaging probe (MediPROBE) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization. This probe is based on a semiconductor pixel detector. Its basic performance was assessed in the laboratory and clinically in comparison with a conventional gamma camera. Methods: The room-temperature CdTe pixel detector (1 mm thick) has 256x256 square pixels arranged with a 55 {mu}m pitch (sensitive area 14.08x14.08 mm{sup 2}), coupled pixel-by-pixel via bump-bonding to the Medipix2 photon-counting readout CMOS integrated circuit. The imaging probe is equipped with a set of three interchangeable knife-edge pinhole collimators (0.94, 1.2, or 2.1 mm effective diametermore » at 140 keV) and its focal distance can be regulated in order to set a given field of view (FOV). A typical FOV of 70 mm at 50 mm skin-to-collimator distance corresponds to a minification factor 1:5. The detector is operated at a single low-energy threshold of about 20 keV. Results: For {sup 99m}Tc, at 50 mm distance, a background-subtracted sensitivity of 6.5x10{sup -3} cps/kBq and a system spatial resolution of 5.5 mm FWHM were obtained for the 0.94 mm pinhole; corresponding values for the 2.1 mm pinhole were 3.3x10{sup -2} cps/kBq and 12.6 mm. The dark count rate was 0.71 cps. Clinical images in three patients with melanoma indicate detection of the SLNs with acquisition times between 60 and 410 s with an injected activity of 26 MBq {sup 99m}Tc and prior localization with standard gamma camera lymphoscintigraphy. Conclusions: The laboratory performance of this imaging probe is limited by the pinhole collimator performance and the necessity of working in minification due to the limited detector size. However, in clinical operative conditions, the CdTe imaging probe was effective in detecting SLNs with adequate resolution and an acceptable sensitivity. Sensitivity is expected to improve with the future availability of a larger CdTe detector permitting operation at

  18. Evaluation of a CdTe semiconductor based compact γ camera for sentinel lymph node imaging.

    PubMed

    Russo, Paolo; Curion, Assunta S; Mettivier, Giovanni; Esposito, Michela; Aurilio, Michela; Caracò, Corradina; Aloj, Luigi; Lastoria, Secondo

    2011-03-01

    The authors assembled a prototype compact gamma-ray imaging probe (MediPROBE) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization. This probe is based on a semiconductor pixel detector. Its basic performance was assessed in the laboratory and clinically in comparison with a conventional gamma camera. The room-temperature CdTe pixel detector (1 mm thick) has 256 x 256 square pixels arranged with a 55 microm pitch (sensitive area 14.08 x 14.08 mm2), coupled pixel-by-pixel via bump-bonding to the Medipix2 photon-counting readout CMOS integrated circuit. The imaging probe is equipped with a set of three interchangeable knife-edge pinhole collimators (0.94, 1.2, or 2.1 mm effective diameter at 140 keV) and its focal distance can be regulated in order to set a given field of view (FOV). A typical FOV of 70 mm at 50 mm skin-to-collimator distance corresponds to a minification factor 1:5. The detector is operated at a single low-energy threshold of about 20 keV. For 99 mTc, at 50 mm distance, a background-subtracted sensitivity of 6.5 x 10(-3) cps/kBq and a system spatial resolution of 5.5 mm FWHM were obtained for the 0.94 mm pinhole; corresponding values for the 2.1 mm pinhole were 3.3 x 10(-2) cps/kBq and 12.6 mm. The dark count rate was 0.71 cps. Clinical images in three patients with melanoma indicate detection of the SLNs with acquisition times between 60 and 410 s with an injected activity of 26 MBq 99 mTc and prior localization with standard gamma camera lymphoscintigraphy. The laboratory performance of this imaging probe is limited by the pinhole collimator performance and the necessity of working in minification due to the limited detector size. However, in clinical operative conditions, the CdTe imaging probe was effective in detecting SLNs with adequate resolution and an acceptable sensitivity. Sensitivity is expected to improve with the future availability of a larger CdTe detector permitting operation at shorter distances from the patient skin.

  19. Enhancements to the Sentinel Fireball Network Video Software

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watson, Wayne

    2009-05-01

    The Sentinel Fireball Network that supports meteor imaging of bright meteors (fireballs) has been in existence for over ten years. Nearly five years ago it moved from gathering meteor data with a camera and VCR video tape to a fisheye lens attached to a hardware device, the Sentinel box, which allowed meteor data to be recorded on a PC operating under real-time Linux. In 2006, that software, sentuser, was made available on Apple, Linux, and Window operating systems using the Python computer language. It provides basic video and management functionality and a small amount of analytic software capability. This paper describes the new and attractive future features of the software, and, additionally, it reviews some of the research and networks from the past and present using video equipment to collect and analyze fireball data that have applicability to sentuser.

  20. Interventional multispectral photoacoustic imaging with a clinical linear array ultrasound probe for guiding nerve blocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Wenfeng; West, Simeon J.; Nikitichev, Daniil I.; Ourselin, Sebastien; Beard, Paul C.; Desjardins, Adrien E.

    2016-03-01

    Accurate identification of tissue structures such as nerves and blood vessels is critically important for interventional procedures such as nerve blocks. Ultrasound imaging is widely used as a guidance modality to visualize anatomical structures in real-time. However, identification of nerves and small blood vessels can be very challenging, and accidental intra-neural or intra-vascular injections can result in significant complications. Multi-spectral photoacoustic imaging can provide high sensitivity and specificity for discriminating hemoglobin- and lipid-rich tissues. However, conventional surface-illumination-based photoacoustic systems suffer from limited sensitivity at large depths. In this study, for the first time, an interventional multispectral photoacoustic imaging (IMPA) system was used to image nerves in a swine model in vivo. Pulsed excitation light with wavelengths in the ranges of 750 - 900 nm and 1150 - 1300 nm was delivered inside the body through an optical fiber positioned within the cannula of an injection needle. Ultrasound waves were received at the tissue surface using a clinical linear array imaging probe. Co-registered B-mode ultrasound images were acquired using the same imaging probe. Nerve identification was performed using a combination of B-mode ultrasound imaging and electrical stimulation. Using a linear model, spectral-unmixing of the photoacoustic data was performed to provide image contrast for oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin, water and lipids. Good correspondence between a known nerve location and a lipid-rich region in the photoacoustic images was observed. The results indicate that IMPA is a promising modality for guiding nerve blocks and other interventional procedures. Challenges involved with clinical translation are discussed.

  1. Sentinel-1 Contribution to Monitoring Maritime Activity in the Arctic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santamaria, Carlos; Greidanus, Harm; Fournier, Melanie; Eriksen, Torkild; Vespe, Michele; Alvarez, Marlene; Arguedas, Virginia Fernandez; Delaney, Conor; Argentieri, Pietro

    2016-08-01

    This paper presents results on the use of Sentinel-1 combined with satellite AIS to monitor maritime activity in the Arctic. Such activities are expected to increase, even if not uniformly across the Arctic, as the ice cover in the region retreats due to changes in climate. The objectives of monitoring efforts in the region can vary from country to country, but are generally related to increasing awareness on non- cooperative, small and cruise ships, fisheries, safety at sea, and Search and Rescue. A ship monitoring study has been conducted, involving more than 2,000 Sentinel-1 images acquired during one year in the central Arctic, where the ship densities are high. The main challenges to SAR-based monitoring in this area are described, solutions for some of them are proposed, and analyses of the results are shown. With the high detection thresholds needed to prevent false alarms from sea ice, 16% of the ships detected overall in the Sentinel-1 images have not been correlated to AIS- transmitting ships, and 48% of the AIS-transmitting ships are not correlated to ships detected in the images.

  2. The use of isotope injections in sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: are the 1- and 2-day protocols equally effective?

    PubMed

    Dodia, Nazera; El-Sharief, Deena; Kirwan, Cliona C

    2015-01-01

    Sentinel lymph nodes are mapped using (99m)Technetium, injected on day of surgery (1-day protocol) or day before (2-day protocol). This retrospective cohort study compares efficacy between the two protocols. Histopathology for all unilateral sentinel lymph node biopsies (March 2012-March 2013) in a single centre were reviewed. Number of sentinel lymph nodes, non-sentinel lymph nodes and pathology was compared. 2/270 (0.7 %) in 1-day protocol and 8/192 (4 %) in 2-day protocol had no sentinel lymph nodes removed (p = 0.02). The median (range) number of sentinel lymph nodes removed per patient was 2 (0-7) and 1 (0-11) in the 1- and 2-day protocols respectively (p = 0.08). There was a trend for removing more non-sentinel lymph nodes in 2-day protocol [1-day: 52/270 (19 %); 2-day: 50/192 (26 %), p = 0.07]. Using 2-day, sentinel lymph node identification failure rate is higher, although within acceptable rates. The 1 and 2 day protocols are both effective, therefore choice of protocol should be driven by patient convenience and hospital efficiency. However, this study raises the possibility that 1-day may be preferable when higher sentinel lymph node count is beneficial, for example following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

  3. Comparison of Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A reflectance and normalized difference vegetation index

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, H.; Roy, D. P.; Yan, L.; Li, Z.; Huang, H.

    2017-12-01

    The moderate spatial resolution satellite data from the polar-orbiting Landsat-8 (launched 2013) and Sentinel-2A (launched 2015) sensors provide 10 m to 30 m multi-spectral global coverage with a better than 5-day revisit. Although a national laboratory traceable cross-calibration comparison of the Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and the Sentinel-2A MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) was undertaken pre-launch, there are a number of other sensor differences, notably due to spectral, spatial and angular differences. To examine these in a comprehensive way, Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data for approximately 20° × 10° of southern Africa acquired in the summer (January to March) and winter (July to September) of 2016 were compared. Only Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A observations acquired within one-day apart were considered. The sensor data were registered and then each orbit projected into 30 m fixed global Web Enabled Landsat Data (GWELD) tiles defined in the MODIS sinusoidal equal area projection. Only corresponding sensor observations of each 30 m tile pixel that were flagged as cloud and snow-free, unsaturated, and that had no significant change in their one day separation, were compared. Both the Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data were atmospherically corrected using the Landsat Surface Reflectance Code (LaSRC) and were also corrected to nadir BRDF adjusted reflectance (NBAR). Top of atmosphere and surface reflectance for the spectrally corresponding visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared OLI and MSI bands, and derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were compared and their differences quantified using regression analyses. The resulting statistical transformations may be used to improve the consistency between the Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI data. The importance and sensitivity of the results to correct filtering, atmospheric correction and adjustment to NBAR is demonstrated.

  4. Portable gamma camera guidance in sentinel lymph node biopsy: prospective observational study of consecutive cases.

    PubMed

    Peral Rubio, F; de La Riva, P; Moreno-Ramírez, D; Ferrándiz-Pulido, L

    2015-06-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the most important tool available for node staging in patients with melanoma. To analyze sentinel lymph node detection and dissection with radio guidance from a portable gamma camera. To assess the number of complications attributable to this biopsy technique. Prospective observational study of a consecutive series of patients undergoing radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy. We analyzed agreement between nodes detected by presurgical lymphography, those detected by the gamma camera, and those finally dissected. A total of 29 patients (17 women [62.5%] and 12 men [37.5%]) were enrolled. The mean age was 52.6 years (range, 26-82 years). The sentinel node was dissected from all patients; secondary nodes were dissected from some. In 16 cases (55.2%), there was agreement between the number of nodes detected by lymphography, those detected by the gamma camera, and those finally dissected. The only complications observed were seromas (3.64%). No cases of wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, or hemorrhage were observed. Portable gamma-camera radio guidance may be of use in improving the detection and dissection of sentinel lymph nodes and may also reduce complications. These goals are essential in a procedure whose purpose is melanoma staging. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV. All rights reserved.

  5. Application of carbon nanoparticles in laparoscopic sentinel lymph node detection in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yan; Wei, Jin-Ying; Yao, De-Sheng; Pan, Zhong-Mian; Yao, Yao

    2017-01-01

    To investigate the value of carbon nanoparticles in identifying sentinel lymph nodes in early-stage cervical cancer. From January 2014 to January 2016, 40 patients with cervical cancer stage IA2-IIA, based on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 criteria, were included in this study. The normal cervix around the tumor was injected with a total of 1 mL of carbon nanoparticles (CNP)at 3 and 9 o'clock. All patients then underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection and radical hysterectomy. The black-dyed sentinel lymph nodes were removed for routine pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. Among the 40 patients, 38 patients had at least one sentinel lymph node (SLN). The detection rate was 95% (38/40). One hundred seventy-three SLNs were detected with an average of 3.9 SLNs per side. 25 positive lymph nodes, which included 21 positive SLNs, were detected in 8 (20%) patients. Sentinel lymph nodes were localized in the obturator (47.97%), internal lilac (13.87%), external lilac (26.59%), parametrial (1.16%), and common iliac (8.67%) regions. The sensitivity of the SLN detection was 100% (5/5), the accuracy was 97.37% (37/38), and the negative predictive value was 100. 0% and the false negative rate was 0%. Sentinel lymph nodes can be used to accurately predict the pathological state of pelvic lymph nodes in early cervical cancer. The detection rates and accuracy of sentinel lymph node were high. Carbon nanoparticles can be used to trace the sentinel lymph node in early cervical cancer.

  6. Sentinel Lymphadenectomy in Vulvar Cancer Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence From Indocyanine Green Compared With Technetium 99m Nanocolloid.

    PubMed

    Soergel, Philipp; Hertel, Hermann; Nacke, Anna Kaarina; Klapdor, Rüdiger; Derlin, Thorsten; Hillemanns, Peter

    2017-05-01

    Nowadays, sentinel diagnostic is performed using technetium 99m (Tc) nanocolloid as a radioactive marker and sometimes patent blue. In the last years, indocyanine green has been evaluated for sentinel diagnostic in different tumor entities. Indocyanine green is a fluorescent molecule that emits a light signal in the near-infrared band after excitation. Our study aimed to evaluate indocyanine green compared with the criterion-standard Tc-nanocolloid. We included patients with primary, unifocal vulvar cancer of less than 4 cm with clinically node-negative groins in this prospective trial. Sentinel diagnostic was carried out using Tc-nanocolloid, indocyanine green, and patent blue. We examined each groin for light signals from the near-infrared band, for radioactivity, and for blue staining. A sentinel lymph node was defined as a Tc-nanocolloid-positive lymph node. All sentinel lymph nodes and all additional blue or fluorescent lymph nodes were excised and tested and then sent for histologic examination. In all, 27 patients were included in whom we found 91 sentinel lymph nodes in 52 groins. All these lymph nodes were positive for indocyanine green, also giving a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.0%-100%) compared with Tc-nanocolloid. Eight additional lymph nodes showed indocyanine green fluorescence but no Tc positivity, so that the positive predictive value was 91.9% (95% confidence interval, 84.6%-96.5%). In 1 patient, a false-negative sentinel missed by all 3 modalities was found. Our results show that indocyanine green is a promising approach for inguinal sentinel identification in vulvar cancer with a similar sensitivity as radioactive Tc-nanocolloid and worth to be evaluated in further studies.

  7. Tyurin packs the docking probe in Node 1 during Expedition Three

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2001-09-17

    ISS003-E-5634 (17 September 2001) --- Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition Three flight engineer, packs the docking probe in a stowage bag in Unity. The docking probe successfully guided the arrival of the Russian-built Pirs docking compartment to the International Space Station (ISS). Tyurin represents Rosaviakosmos.

  8. High-Resolution Enhanced Product based on SMAP Active-Passive Approach using Sentinel 1A and 1B SAR Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Das, N. N.; Entekhabi, D.; Dunbar, R. S.; Colliander, A.; Kim, S.; Yueh, S. H.

    2017-12-01

    NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission was launched on January 31st, 2015. SMAP utilizes an L-band radar and radiometer sharing a rotating 6-meter mesh reflector antenna. However, on July 7th, 2015, the SMAP radar encountered an anomaly and is currently inoperable. During the SMAP post-radar phase, many ways are explored to recover the high-resolution soil moisture capability of the SMAP mission. One of the feasible approaches is to substitute the SMAP radar with other available SAR data. Sentinel 1A/1B SAR data is found more suitable for combining with the SMAP radiometer data because of almost similar orbit configuration that allow overlapping of their swaths with minimal time difference that is key to the SMAP active-passive algorithm. The Sentinel SDV mode acquisition also provide the co-pol and x-pol observations required for the SMAP active-passive algorithm. Some differences do exist between the SMAP SAR data and Sentinel SAR data, they are mainly: 1) Sentinel has C-band SAR and SMAP is L-band; 2) Sentinel has multi incidence angle within its swath, where as SMAP has single incidence angle; and 3) Sentinel swath width is 300 km as compare to SMAP 1000 km swath width. On any given day, the narrow swath width of the Sentinel observations will significantly reduce the spatial coverage of SMAP active-passive approach as compared to the SMAP swath coverage. The temporal resolution (revisit interval) is also degraded from 3-days to 12-days when Sentinel 1A/1B data is used. One bright side of using Sentinel 1A/1B data in the SMAP active-passive algorithm is the potential of obtaining the disaggregated brightness temperature and soil moisture at much finer spatial resolutions of 3 km and 9 km with optimal accuracy. The Beta version of SMAP-Sentinel Active-Passive high-resolution product will be made available to public in September 2017.

  9. Assistive technology for ultrasound-guided central venous catheter placement.

    PubMed

    Ikhsan, Mohammad; Tan, Kok Kiong; Putra, Andi Sudjana

    2018-01-01

    This study evaluated the existing technology used to improve the safety and ease of ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization. Electronic database searches were conducted in Scopus, IEEE, Google Patents, and relevant conference databases (SPIE, MICCAI, and IEEE conferences) for related articles on assistive technology for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization. A total of 89 articles were examined and pointed to several fields that are currently the focus of improvements to ultrasound-guided procedures. These include improving needle visualization, needle guides and localization technology, image processing algorithms to enhance and segment important features within the ultrasound image, robotic assistance using probe-mounted manipulators, and improving procedure ergonomics through in situ projections of important information. Probe-mounted robotic manipulators provide a promising avenue for assistive technology developed for freehand ultrasound-guided percutaneous procedures. However, there is currently a lack of clinical trials to validate the effectiveness of these devices.

  10. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and tumor histologic grade are associated with surgical detection of the sentinel lymph node.

    PubMed

    Arias Ortega, M; Torres Sousa, M Y; González García, B; Pardo García, R; González López, A; Delgado Portela, M

    2014-01-01

    To study which variables involved in the process of selective sentinel node biopsy (SSNB) influence the intraoperative detection of the sentinel lymph node. This was a prospective cross-sectional study in 210 patients (mean age, 54 years) diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent SSNB. We recorded clinical, radiological, radioisotope administration, surgical, and histological data as well as follow-up data. We did a descriptive analysis of the data and an associative analysis using multivariable regression. Deep injection alone was the most common route of radioisotope administration (72.7%). Most lesions were palpable (57.1%), presented as nodules (67.1%), measured less than 2 cm in diameter (64.8%), were located in the upper outer quadrant (49.1%), were ductal carcinomas (85.7%), were accompanied by infiltration (66.2%), and had a histologic grade of differentiation of ii (44.8%). Preoperative scintigraphy detected the sentinel node in 97.6% of cases and 95.7% were detected during the operation. One axillary relapse was observed. In the associative study, the variables "preoperative lymphoscintigraphy" and "histologic grade of differentiation of the tumor" were significantly associated with the detection of the sentinel lymph node during the operation. The probability of not detecting the sentinel lymph node during the surgical intervention is higher in patients with high histologic grade tumors or in patients in whom preoperative lymphoscintigraphy failed to detect the sentinel node. Copyright © 2012 SERAM. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  11. History, present status and future of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer. The Mary Béves Lecture.

    PubMed

    Mansel, R E; Khonji, N I; Clarke, D

    2000-01-01

    The word Sentinel' is defined in The Oxford English Dictionary as 'a guard, one who keeps watch or a sentry'. When translated to the concept of a tumour and its lymph node drainage, the sentinel node could be interpreted to mean the lymph node that guards or keeps watch over a tumour. The sentinel lymph node can thus be defined as the first lymph node that drains a primary tumour within the regional lymphatic basin of that tumour. We know that tumour progression in breast cancer often occurs in an orderly, progressive fashion. So in theory, if the sentinel node is tumour free then the rest of the nodes in the lymphatic basin should also be uninvolved by the tumour.

  12. Lymphoscintigraphy and radioguided sentinel node biopsy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: same day protocol.

    PubMed

    Vigili, Maurizio Giovanni; Tartaglione, Girolamo; Rahimi, Siavash; Mafera, Barbara; Pagan, Marco

    2007-02-01

    The routine use of a sentinel node biopsy (SNB) protocol in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been challenged on the basis of the elevated number of sentinel nodes (SNs) detected (>2.5) and on the multiply neck level involvement reported in several studies. These data limit the practical application of the protocol, because in such cases, it seems easier and safer to perform a selective neck dissection. The aim of our study is to perform radioguided surgery 1-3 h after lymphoscintigraphy (same day protocol) to detect the lymph nodes closest to the tumour site. In our study, 12 patients affected by cT1-2 N0 SCC of the oral cavity were submitted to a same day protocol of a lymphoscintigraphic examination (1-3 h before surgery) and a radioguided SNB. We used a hand-held gamma probe and performed an elective neck dissection on all patients. The SNs were found in all cases with 83% localised in the ipsilateral neck in only levels I-II. The mean number of SN detected was 2.1, with a mean pathological size of 13.8 mm measured on pathological specimen. Metastases were found in 5/12 cases (41.6%), on levels I, II and III and all were identified by step serial sectioning and routine H&E staining. This study confirms the accuracy of SNB in predicting the presence of occult metastases. This protocol is designed to detect SNs, which are almost always on neck level I and II, thereby limiting the number of nodes examined and the extension of the surgical approach.

  13. Prognostic relevance of an epigenetic biomarker panel in sentinel lymph nodes from colon cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Lind, Guro E; Guriby, Marianne; Ahlquist, Terje; Hussain, Israr; Jeanmougin, Marine; Søreide, Kjetil; Kørner, Hartwig; Lothe, Ragnhild A; Nordgård, Oddmund

    2017-01-01

    Patients with early colorectal cancer (stages I-II) generally have a good prognosis, but a subgroup of 15-20% experiences relapse and eventually die of disease. Occult metastases have been suggested as a marker for increased risk of recurrence in patients with node-negative disease. Using a previously identified, highly accurate epigenetic biomarker panel for early detection of colorectal tumors, we aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of occult metastases in sentinel lymph nodes of colon cancer patients. The biomarker panel was analyzed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR in primary tumors and 783 sentinel lymph nodes from 201 patients. The panel status in sentinel lymph nodes showed a strong association with lymph node stage ( P  = 8.2E-17). Compared with routine lymph node diagnostics, the biomarker panel had a sensitivity of 79% (31/39). Interestingly, among 162 patients with negative lymph nodes from routine diagnostics, 13 (8%) were positive for the biomarker panel. Colon cancer patients with high sentinel lymph node methylation had an inferior prognosis (5-year overall survival P  = 3.0E-4; time to recurrence P  = 3.1E-4), although not significant. The same trend was observed in multivariate analyses ( P  = 1.4E-1 and P  = 6.7E-2, respectively). Occult sentinel lymph node metastases were not detected in early stage (I-II) colon cancer patients who experienced relapse. Colon cancer patients with high sentinel lymph node methylation of the analyzed epigenetic biomarker panel had an inferior prognosis, although not significant in multivariate analyses. Occult metastases in TNM stage II patients that experienced relapse were not detected.

  14. The Gravity Probe B Experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kolodziejczak, Jeffrey

    2008-01-01

    This presentation briefly describes the Gravity Probe B (GP-B) Experiment which is designed to measure parts of Einstein's general theory of relativity by monitoring gyroscope orientation relative to a distant guide star. To measure the miniscule angles predicted by Einstein's theory, it was necessary to build near-perfect gyroscopes that were approximately 50 million times more precise than the best navigational gyroscopes. A telescope mounted along the central axis of the dewar and spacecraft provided the experiment's pointing reference to a guide star. The telescope's image divide precisely split the star's beam into x-axis and y-axis components whose brightness could be compared. GP-B's 650-gallon dewar, kept the science instrument inside the probe at a cryogenic temperature for 17.3 months and also provided the thruster propellant for precision attitude and translation control. Built around the dewar, the GP-B spacecraft was a total-integrated system, comprising both the space vehicle and payload, dedicated as a single entity to experimentally testing predictions of Einstein's theory.

  15. A comparison of sentinel lymph node biopsy to lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer staging (FIRES trial): a multicentre, prospective, cohort study.

    PubMed

    Rossi, Emma C; Kowalski, Lynn D; Scalici, Jennifer; Cantrell, Leigh; Schuler, Kevin; Hanna, Rabbie K; Method, Michael; Ade, Melissa; Ivanova, Anastasia; Boggess, John F

    2017-03-01

    Sentinel-lymph-node mapping has been advocated as an alternative staging technique for endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to measure the sensitivity and negative predictive value of sentinel-lymph-node mapping compared with the gold standard of complete lymphadenectomy in detecting metastatic disease for endometrial cancer. In the FIRES multicentre, prospective, cohort study patients with clinical stage 1 endometrial cancer of all histologies and grades undergoing robotic staging were eligible for study inclusion. Patients received a standardised cervical injection of indocyanine green and sentinel-lymph-node mapping followed by pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy. 18 surgeons from ten centres (tertiary academic and community non-academic) in the USA participated in the trial. Negative sentinel lymph nodes (by haematoxylin and eosin staining on sections) were ultra-staged with immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin. The primary endpoint, sensitivity of the sentinel-lymph-node-based detection of metastatic disease, was defined as the proportion of patients with node-positive disease with successful sentinel-lymph-node mapping who had metastatic disease correctly identified in the sentinel lymph node. Patients who had mapping of at least one sentinel lymph node were included in the primary analysis (per protocol). All patients who received study intervention (injection of dye), regardless of mapping result, were included as part of the assessment of mapping and in the safety analysis in an intention-to-treat manner. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01673022 and is completed and closed. Between Aug 1, 2012, and Oct 20, 2015, 385 patients were enrolled. Sentinel-lymph-node mapping with complete pelvic lymphadenectomy was done in 340 patients and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was done in 196 (58%) of these patients. 293 (86%) patients had successful mapping of at least one sentinel lymph node. 41 (12

  16. Characterizing nanoscale scanning probes using electron microscopy: A novel fixture and a practical guide

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jacobs, Tevis D. B., E-mail: tjacobs@pitt.edu; Wabiszewski, Graham E.; Goodman, Alexander J.

    2016-01-15

    The nanoscale geometry of probe tips used for atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements determines the lateral resolution, contributes to the strength of the tip-surface interaction, and can be a significant source of uncertainty in the quantitative analysis of results. While inverse imaging of the probe tip has been used successfully to determine probe tip geometry, direct observation of the tip profile using electron microscopy (EM) confers several advantages: it provides direct (rather than indirect) imaging, requires fewer algorithmic parameters, and does not require bringing the tip into contact with a sample. In the past, EM-based observation of the probe tipmore » has been achieved using ad hoc mounting methods that are constrained by low throughput, the risk of contamination, and repeatability issues. We report on a probe fixture designed for use in a commercial transmission electron microscope that enables repeatable mounting of multiple AFM probes as well as a reference grid for beam alignment. This communication describes the design, fabrication, and advantages of this probe fixture, including full technical drawings for machining. Further, best practices are discussed for repeatable, non-destructive probe imaging. Finally, examples of the fixture’s use are described, including characterization of common commercial AFM probes in their out-of-the-box condition.« less

  17. Characterizing nanoscale scanning probes using electron microscopy: A novel fixture and a practical guide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jacobs, Tevis D. B.; Wabiszewski, Graham E.; Goodman, Alexander J.; Carpick, Robert W.

    2016-01-01

    The nanoscale geometry of probe tips used for atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements determines the lateral resolution, contributes to the strength of the tip-surface interaction, and can be a significant source of uncertainty in the quantitative analysis of results. While inverse imaging of the probe tip has been used successfully to determine probe tip geometry, direct observation of the tip profile using electron microscopy (EM) confers several advantages: it provides direct (rather than indirect) imaging, requires fewer algorithmic parameters, and does not require bringing the tip into contact with a sample. In the past, EM-based observation of the probe tip has been achieved using ad hoc mounting methods that are constrained by low throughput, the risk of contamination, and repeatability issues. We report on a probe fixture designed for use in a commercial transmission electron microscope that enables repeatable mounting of multiple AFM probes as well as a reference grid for beam alignment. This communication describes the design, fabrication, and advantages of this probe fixture, including full technical drawings for machining. Further, best practices are discussed for repeatable, non-destructive probe imaging. Finally, examples of the fixture's use are described, including characterization of common commercial AFM probes in their out-of-the-box condition.

  18. Mapping Mediterranean seagrasses with Sentinel-2 imagery.

    PubMed

    Traganos, Dimosthenis; Reinartz, Peter

    2017-07-01

    Mediterranean seagrasses have been hailed for their numerous ecosystem services, yet they are undergoing a decline in their coverage. The major complication with resolving this tendency is the sparsity of data on their overall distribution. This study addresses the suitability of the recently launched Sentinel-2 satellite for mapping the distribution of Mediterranean seagrass meadows. A comprehensive methodology is presented which applies atmospheric and analytical water column corrections and compares the performance of three different supervised classifiers. Remote sensing of the Thermaikos Gulf, northwestern Aegean Sea (Greece, eastern Mediterranean Sea) reveals that the utilization of Support Vector Machines on water column corrected reflectances yields best accuracies. Two Mediterranean seagrasses, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, cover a total submerged area of 1.48km 2 between depths of 1.4-16.5m. With its 10-m spatial resolution and 5-day revisit frequency, Sentinel-2 imagery can mitigate the Mediterranean seagrass distribution data gap and allow better management and conservation in the future in a retrospective, time- and cost-effective fashion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. The Added Value of a Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Patients with Breast Cancer and Malignant Melanoma.

    PubMed

    Bennie, George; Vorster, Mariza; Buscombe, John; Sathekge, Mike

    2015-01-01

    Single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) allows for physiological and anatomical co-registration in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and offers additional benefits over conventional planar imaging. However, the clinical relevance when considering added costs and radiation burden of these reported benefits remains somewhat uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the possible added value of SPECT-CT and intra-operative gamma-probe use over planar imaging alone in the South African setting. 80 patients with breast cancer or malignant melanoma underwent both planar and SPECT-CT imaging for SLN mapping. We assessed and compared the number of nodes detected on each study, false positive and negative findings, changes in surgical approach and or patient management. In all cases where a sentinel node was identified, SPECT-CT was more accurate anatomically. There was a significant change in surgical approach in 30 cases - breast cancer (n = 13; P 0.001) and malignant melanoma (n = 17; P 0.0002). In 4 cases a node not identified on planar imaging was seen on SPECT-CT. In 16 cases additional echelon nodes were identified. False positives were excluded by SPECT-CT in 12 cases. The addition of SPECT-CT and use of intra-operative gamma-probe to planar imaging offers important benefits in patients who present with breast cancer and melanoma. These benefits include increased nodal detection, elimination of false positives and negatives and improved anatomical localization that ultimately aids and expedites surgical management. This has been demonstrated in the context of industrialized country previously and has now also been confirmed in the setting of a emerging-market nation.

  20. A critical assessment on the role of sentinel node mapping in endometrial cancer.

    PubMed

    Bogani, Giorgio; Ditto, Antonino; Martinelli, Fabio; Signorelli, Mauro; Perotto, Stefania; Lorusso, Domenica; Raspagliesi, Francesco

    2015-10-01

    Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the developed countries. Although the high incidence of this occurrence no consensus, about the role of retroperitoneal staging, still exists. Growing evidence support the safety and efficacy of sentinel lymph node mapping. This technique is emerging as a new standard for endometrial cancer staging procedures. In the present paper, we discuss the role of sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer, highlighting the most controversies features.

  1. Near-infrared fluorescence goggle system with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor imaging sensor and see-through display

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Yang; Njuguna, Raphael; Matthews, Thomas; Akers, Walter J.; Sudlow, Gail P.; Mondal, Suman; Tang, Rui

    2013-01-01

    Abstract. We have developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence goggle system based on the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor active pixel sensor imaging and see-through display technologies. The fluorescence goggle system is a compact wearable intraoperative fluorescence imaging and display system that can guide surgery in real time. The goggle is capable of detecting fluorescence of indocyanine green solution in the picomolar range. Aided by NIR quantum dots, we successfully used the fluorescence goggle to guide sentinel lymph node mapping in a rat model. We further demonstrated the feasibility of using the fluorescence goggle in guiding surgical resection of breast cancer metastases in the liver in conjunction with NIR fluorescent probes. These results illustrate the diverse potential use of the goggle system in surgical procedures. PMID:23728180

  2. The impact of superficial injections of radiocolloids and dynamic lymphoscintigraphy on sentinel node identification in oral cavity cancer: a same-day protocol.

    PubMed

    Tartaglione, Girolamo; Vigili, Maurizio G; Rahimi, Siavash; Celebrini, Alessandra; Pagan, Marco; Lauro, Luigi; Al-Nahhas, Adil; Rubello, Domenico

    2008-04-01

    To evaluate the role of dynamic lymphoscintigraphy with a same-day protocol for sentinel node biopsy in oral cavity cancer. Twenty-two consecutive patients affected by cT1-2N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were enrolled between September 2001 and November 2005. After a local anaesthetic (10% lidocaine spray), a dose of 30-50 MBq of Tc human serum albumin nanocolloid, in ml saline, was injected superficially (1-2 mm subendothelial injection) into four points around the lesion. Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was acquired immediately (256x256 matrix, 5 min pre-set time, LEGP collimator) in lateral and anterior projections. The imaging was prolonged until the lymph nodes of at least two neck levels were visualized (time required min). About 3 h later (same-day protocol) the patients had a radioguided sentinel node biopsy. Elective neck dissection was performed in the first 13 patients; whereas the last nine patients had elective neck dissection only if the sentinel node was positive. Sentinel nodes were dissected into 1 mm thick block sections and studied by haematoxylin & eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (anticytokeratin antibody). The sentinel nodes were found on the 1st neck level in 13 cases, on the 2nd neck level in eight cases, and on the 3rd neck level in one case (100% sensitivity). The average number of sentinel nodes was 2.2 for each patient. The sentinel node was positive in eight patients (36%); with six of them having the sentinel node as the exclusive site of metastasis. No skip metastases were found in the 14 patients with negative sentinel node (100% specificity). Our preliminary data indicate that superficial injections of radiocolloid and dynamic lymphoscintigraphy provide a high success rate in sentinel node identification in oral cavity cancers. Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy helps in distinguishing sentinel node from second-tier lymph nodes. The same-day protocol is advisable in order to correctly identify the first sentinel node

  3. Novel Indocyanine Green-Phytate Colloid Technique for Sentinel Node Detection in Head and Neck: Mouse Study.

    PubMed

    Araki, Koji; Mizokami, Daisuke; Tomifuji, Masayuki; Yamashita, Taku; Ohnuki, Kazunobu; Umeda, Izumi O; Fujii, Hirofumi; Kosuda, Shigeru; Shiotani, Akihiro

    2014-08-01

    Sentinel node navigation surgery using real-time, near-infrared imaging with indocyanine green is becoming popular by allowing head and neck surgeons to avoid unnecessary neck dissection. The major drawback of this method is its quick migration through the lymphatics, limiting the diagnostic time window and undesirable detection of downstream nodes. We resolved this problem by mixing indocyanine green (ICG) with phytate colloid to retard its migration and demonstrated its feasibility in a nude mouse study. Experimental prospective animal study. Animal laboratory. Indocyanine green at 3 concentrations was tested to determine the optimal concentration for sentinel lymph node detection in a mouse model. Effect of indocyanine green with phytate colloid mixture solutions was also analyzed. Indocyanine green or mixture solution at different mixing ratios were injected into the tongue of nude mice and near-infrared fluorescence images were captured sequentially for up to 48 hours. The brightness of fluorescence in the sentinel lymph node and lymph nodes further downstream were assessed. Indocyanine green concentration >50 μg/mL did not improve sentinel lymph node detection. The addition of phytate colloid to indocyanine green extended the period when sentinel lymph node was detectable. Second echelon lymph nodes were not imaged in mice injected with the mixture, while these were visualized in mice injected with indocyanine green alone. This novel technique of ICG-phytate colloid mixture allows prolonged diagnostic time window, prevention of downstream subsequent nodes detection, and improved accuracy for the detection of true sentinel lymph nodes. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014.

  4. Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Toolbox - Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) Program Element

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, Jérôme; Lucas, Bruno; Dinardo, Salvatore

    2014-05-01

    The prime objective of the SEOM (Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions) element is to federate, support and expand the large international research community that the ERS, ENVISAT and the Envelope programmes have build up over the last 20 years for the future European operational Earth Observation missions, the Sentinels. Sentinel-3 builds directly on a proven heritage pioneered by ERS-1, ERS-2, Envisat and CryoSat-2, with a dual-frequency (Ku and C band) advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) that provides measurements at a resolution of ~300m in SAR mode along track. Sentinel-3 will provide exact measurements of sea-surface height along with accurate topography measurements over sea ice, ice sheets, rivers and lakes. The first of the Sentinel-3 series is planned for launch in early 2015. The current universal altimetry toolbox is BRAT (Basic Radar Altimetry Toolbox) which can read all previous and current altimetry mission's data, but it does not have the capabilities to read the upcoming Sentinel-3 L1 and L2 products. ESA will endeavour to develop and supply this capability to support the users of the future Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Mission. BRAT is a collection of tools and tutorial documents designed to facilitate the processing of radar altimetry data. This project started in 2005 from the joint efforts of ESA (European Space Agency) and CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, the French Space Agency), and it is freely available at http://earth.esa.int/brat. The tools enable users to interact with the most common altimetry data formats, the BratGUI is the front-end for the powerful command line tools that are part of the BRAT suite. BRAT can also be used in conjunction with Matlab/IDL (via reading routines) or in C/C++/Fortran via a programming API, allowing the user to obtain desired data, bypassing the data-formatting hassle. BRAT can be used simply to visualise data quickly, or to translate the data into other formats such as net

  5. Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Toolbox - Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) Program Element

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, Jérôme; Dinardo, Salvatore; Lucas, Bruno Manuel

    The prime objective of the SEOM (Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions) element is to federate, support and expand the large international research community that the ERS, ENVISAT and the Envelope programmes have build up over the last 20 years for the future European operational Earth Observation missions, the Sentinels. Sentinel-3 builds directly on a proven heritage pioneered by ERS-1, ERS-2, Envisat and CryoSat-2, with a dual-frequency (Ku and C band) advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter (SRAL) that provides measurements at a resolution of ~300m in SAR mode along track. Sentinel-3 will provide exact measurements of sea-surface height along with accurate topography measurements over sea ice, ice sheets, rivers and lakes. The first of the Sentinel-3 series is planned for launch in early 2015. The current universal altimetry toolbox is BRAT (Basic Radar Altimetry Toolbox) which can read all previous and current altimetry mission’s data, but it does not have the capabilities to read the upcoming Sentinel-3 L1 and L2 products. ESA will endeavour to develop and supply this capability to support the users of the future Sentinel-3 SAR Altimetry Mission. BRAT is a collection of tools and tutorial documents designed to facilitate the processing of radar altimetry data. This project started in 2005 from the joint efforts of ESA (European Space Agency) and CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, the French Space Agency), and it is freely available at http://earth.esa.int/brat. The tools enable users to interact with the most common altimetry data formats, the BratGUI is the front-end for the powerful command line tools that are part of the BRAT suite. BRAT can also be used in conjunction with Matlab/IDL (via reading routines) or in C/C++/Fortran via a programming API, allowing the user to obtain desired data, bypassing the data-formatting hassle. BRAT can be used simply to visualise data quickly, or to translate the data into other formats such as

  6. Sentinel-1A - Launching the first satellite and launching the operational Copernicus programme

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aschbacher, Josef; Milagro Perez, Maria Pilar

    2014-05-01

    The first Copernicus satellite, Sentinel-1A, is prepared for launch in April 2014. It will provide continuous, systematic and highly reliable radar images of the Earth. Sentinel-1B will follow around 18 months later to increase observation frequency and establish an operational system. Sentinel-1 is designed to work in a pre-programmed conflict-free operation mode ensuring the reliability required by operational services and creating a consistent long-term data archive for applications based on long time series. This mission will ensure the continuation and improvement of SAR operational services and applications addressing primarily medium- to high-resolution applications through a main mode of operation that features both a wide swath (250 km) and high geometric (5 × 20 m) and radiometric resolution, allowing imaging of global landmasses, coastal zones, sea ice, polar areas, and shipping routes at high resolution. The Sentinel-1 main operational mode (Interferometric Wide Swath) will allow to have a complete coverage of the Earth in 6 days in the operational configuration when the two Sentinel-1 spacecraft will be in orbit simultaneously. High priority areas like Europe, Canada and some shipping routes will be covered almost daily. This high global observation frequency is unprecedented and cannot be reached with any other current radar mission. Envisat, for example, which was the 'workhorse' in this domain up to April 2012, reached global coverage every 35 days. Sentinel-1 data products will be made available systematically and free of charge to all users including institutional users, the general public, scientific and commercial users. The transition of the Copernicus programme from the development to operational phase will take place at about the same time when the first Sentinel-1 satellite will be launched. During the operational phase, funding of the programme will come from the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2014

  7. Optimisation of fluorescence guidance during robot-assisted laparoscopic sentinel node biopsy for prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    KleinJan, Gijs H; van den Berg, Nynke S; Brouwer, Oscar R; de Jong, Jeroen; Acar, Cenk; Wit, Esther M; Vegt, Erik; van der Noort, Vincent; Valdés Olmos, Renato A; van Leeuwen, Fijs W B; van der Poel, Henk G

    2014-12-01

    The hybrid tracer was introduced to complement intraoperative radiotracing towards the sentinel nodes (SNs) with fluorescence guidance. Improve in vivo fluorescence-based SN identification for prostate cancer by optimising hybrid tracer preparation, injection technique, and fluorescence imaging hardware. Forty patients with a Briganti nomogram-based risk >10% of lymph node (LN) metastases were included. After intraprostatic tracer injection, SN mapping was performed (lymphoscintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT-CT)). In groups 1 and 2, SNs were pursued intraoperatively using a laparoscopic gamma probe followed by fluorescence imaging (FI). In group 3, SNs were initially located via FI. Compared with group 1, in groups 2 and 3, a new tracer formulation was introduced that had a reduced total injected volume (2.0 ml vs. 3.2 ml) but increased particle concentration. For groups 1 and 2, the Tricam SLII with D-Light C laparoscopic FI (LFI) system was used. In group 3, the LFI system was upgraded to an Image 1 HUB HD with D-Light P system. Hybrid tracer-based SN biopsy, extended pelvic lymph node dissection, and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Number and location of the preoperatively identified SNs, in vivo fluorescence-based SN identification rate, tumour status of SNs and LNs, postoperative complications, and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Mean fluorescence-based SN identification improved from 63.7% (group 1) to 85.2% and 93.5% for groups 2 and 3, respectively (p=0.012). No differences in postoperative complications were found. BCR occurred in three pN0 patients. Stepwise optimisation of the hybrid tracer formulation and the LFI system led to a significant improvement in fluorescence-assisted SN identification. Preoperative SPECT-CT remained essential for guiding intraoperative SN localisation. Intraoperative fluorescence-based SN visualisation can be improved by enhancing the hybrid tracer formulation and

  8. Knowing what we breathe: Sentinel 4: a geostationary imaging UVN spectrometer for air quality monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Sallusti, M.; Bulsa, G.; Bagnasco, G.; Gulde, S.; Kolm, M. G.; Smith, D. J.; Maurer, R.

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel-4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrometer, developed by Airbus DS under ESA contract in the frame of the joint EU/ESA COPERNICUS program. The mission objective is the operational monitoring of trace gas concentrations for atmospheric chemistry and climate applications - hence the motto of Sentinel-4 "Knowing what we breathe".

  9. Potential of Sentinel Satellites for Schistosomiasis Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, C.-R.; Tang, L.-L.; Niu, H.-B.; Zhou, X.-N.; Liu, Z.-Y.; Ma, L.-L.; Zhou, Y.-S.

    2012-04-01

    densities is developed. The new model is validated with field data of Dongting Lake and the dynamic monitoring of schistosomiasis breeding in Dongting Lake region is presented. Finally, emphasis are placed on analyzing the potential of Sentinel satellites for schistosomiasis monitoring. The requirements of optical high resolution data on spectral resolution, spatial resolution, radiometric resolution/accuracy, as well as the requirements of synthetic aperture radar data on operation frequency, spatial resolution, polarization, radiometric accuracy, repeat cycle are presented and then compared with the parameters of Sentinel satellites. The parameters of Sentinel satellites are also compared with those of available remote satellites, such as Envisat, Landsat, whose data are being used for schistosomiasis monitoring. The application potential of Sentinel satellites for the schistosomiasis monitoring will be concluded in the end, which will benefit for the mission operation, model development, etc.

  10. Examination system utilizing ionizing radiation and a flexible, miniature radiation detector probe

    DOEpatents

    Majewski, S.; Kross, B.J.; Zorn, C.J.; Majewski, L.A.

    1996-10-22

    An optimized examination system and method based on the Reverse Geometry X-Ray{trademark} (RGX{trademark}) radiography technique are presented. The examination system comprises a radiation source, at least one flexible, miniature radiation detector probe positioned in appropriate proximity to the object to be examined and to the radiation source with the object located between the source and the probe, a photodetector device attachable to an end of the miniature radiation probe, and a control unit integrated with a display device connected to the photodetector device. The miniature radiation detector probe comprises a scintillation element, a flexible light guide having a first end optically coupled to the scintillation element and having a second end attachable to the photodetector device, and an opaque, environmentally-resistant sheath surrounding the flexible light guide. The probe may be portable and insertable, or may be fixed in place within the object to be examined. An enclosed, flexible, liquid light guide is also presented, which comprises a thin-walled flexible tube, a liquid, preferably mineral oil, contained within the tube, a scintillation element located at a first end of the tube, closures located at both ends of the tube, and an opaque, environmentally-resistant sheath surrounding the flexible tube. The examination system and method have applications in non-destructive material testing for voids, cracks, and corrosion, and may be used in areas containing hazardous materials. In addition, the system and method have applications for medical and dental imaging. 5 figs.

  11. Examination system utilizing ionizing radiation and a flexible, miniature radiation detector probe

    DOEpatents

    Majewski, Stanislaw; Kross, Brian J.; Zorn, Carl J.; Majewski, Lukasz A.

    1996-01-01

    An optimized examination system and method based on the Reverse Geometry X-Ray.RTM. (RGX.RTM.) radiography technique are presented. The examination system comprises a radiation source, at least one flexible, miniature radiation detector probe positioned in appropriate proximity to the object to be examined and to the radiation source with the object located between the source and the probe, a photodetector device attachable to an end of the miniature radiation probe, and a control unit integrated with a display device connected to the photodetector device. The miniature radiation detector probe comprises a scintillation element, a flexible light guide having a first end optically coupled to the scintillation element and having a second end attachable to the photodetector device, and an opaque, environmentally-resistant sheath surrounding the flexible light guide. The probe may be portable and insertable, or may be fixed in place within the object to be examined. An enclosed, flexible, liquid light guide is also presented, which comprises a thin-walled flexible tube, a liquid, preferably mineral oil, contained within the tube, a scintillation element located at a first end of the tube, closures located at both ends of the tube, and an opaque, environmentally-resistant sheath surrounding the flexible tube. The examination system and method have applications in non-destructive material testing for voids, cracks, and corrosion, and may be used in areas containing hazardous materials. In addition, the system and method have applications for medical and dental imaging.

  12. Fluorescent-protein-based probes: general principles and practices.

    PubMed

    Ai, Hui-Wang

    2015-01-01

    An important application of fluorescent proteins is to derive genetically encoded fluorescent probes that can actively respond to cellular dynamics such as pH change, redox signaling, calcium oscillation, enzyme activities, and membrane potential. Despite the large diverse group of fluorescent-protein-based probes, a few basic principles have been established and are shared by most of these probes. In this article, the focus is on these general principles and strategies that guide the development of fluorescent-protein-based probes. A few examples are provided in each category to illustrate the corresponding principles. Since these principles are quite straightforward, others may adapt them to create fluorescent probes for their own interest. Hopefully, the development of the ever-growing family of fluorescent-protein-based probes will no longer be limited to a small number of laboratories specialized in senor development, leading to the situation that biological studies will be bettered assisted by genetically encoded sensors.

  13. Probing of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction with dacryoendoscope

    PubMed Central

    Kato, Kumiko; Matsunaga, Koichi; Takashima, Yuko; Kondo, Mineo

    2014-01-01

    Background A congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a relatively common disease in infants. We evaluated the results of probing three patients with CNLDO, under direct view, with a dacryoendoscope. Methods Three cases of CNLDO were examined and treated by probing with a dacryoendoscope, under intravenous anesthesia. The diameter of the dacryoendoscope probe was 0.7 mm, and we were able to observe the inner walls of the lacrimal duct and able to guide the probe through the duct. Results In all cases, the site of obstruction was detected, and the probe was used to remove the obstruction. At 2 weeks after the removal of the obstruction, there was no epiphora or mucopurulent discharge in any of the cases. No complications were detected intra- and postoperatively. Conclusion Although only three cases were studied, we believe that probing with a dacryoendoscope is a safe and effective method of treating a CNLDO. More cases need to be studied. PMID:24876765

  14. Use of sentinel lymph node biopsy to select patients for local–regional therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

    PubMed Central

    Erdahl, Lillian M.; Boughey, Judy C.

    2014-01-01

    Use of sentinel lymph node biopsy for axillary staging of patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been widely debated. Questions arise regarding the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in axillary staging for these patients and its use to determine further local–regional therapy, including surgery and radiation therapy. For patients who are clinically node-negative at presentation, sentinel lymph node biopsy enables accurate staging of the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and determination of which patients should go on to further axillary surgery and regional nodal radiation therapy. Importantly, performing axillary staging after completion of chemotherapy, rather than before chemotherapy, enables assessment of response to chemotherapy and the extent of residual disease. This information can assist the planning of adjuvant treatment. Recent data indicate that sentinel node biopsy can also be used to assess disease response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with clinical N1 disease at presentation. PMID:24683440

  15. Extreme warming challenges sentinel status of kelp forests as indicators of climate change.

    PubMed

    Reed, Daniel; Washburn, Libe; Rassweiler, Andrew; Miller, Robert; Bell, Tom; Harrer, Shannon

    2016-12-13

    The desire to use sentinel species as early warning indicators of impending climate change effects on entire ecosystems is attractive, but we need to verify that such approaches have sound biological foundations. A recent large-scale warming event in the North Pacific Ocean of unprecedented magnitude and duration allowed us to evaluate the sentinel status of giant kelp, a coastal foundation species that thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters and is considered sensitive to warming. Here, we show that giant kelp and the majority of species that associate with it did not presage ecosystem effects of extreme warming off southern California despite giant kelp's expected vulnerability. Our results challenge the general perception that kelp-dominated systems are highly vulnerable to extreme warming events and expose the more general risk of relying on supposed sentinel species that are assumed to be very sensitive to climate change.

  16. Extreme warming challenges sentinel status of kelp forests as indicators of climate change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reed, Daniel; Washburn, Libe; Rassweiler, Andrew; Miller, Robert; Bell, Tom; Harrer, Shannon

    2016-12-01

    The desire to use sentinel species as early warning indicators of impending climate change effects on entire ecosystems is attractive, but we need to verify that such approaches have sound biological foundations. A recent large-scale warming event in the North Pacific Ocean of unprecedented magnitude and duration allowed us to evaluate the sentinel status of giant kelp, a coastal foundation species that thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters and is considered sensitive to warming. Here, we show that giant kelp and the majority of species that associate with it did not presage ecosystem effects of extreme warming off southern California despite giant kelp's expected vulnerability. Our results challenge the general perception that kelp-dominated systems are highly vulnerable to extreme warming events and expose the more general risk of relying on supposed sentinel species that are assumed to be very sensitive to climate change.

  17. Sentinel-2A image quality commissioning phase final results: geometric calibration and performances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Languille, F.; Gaudel, A.; Dechoz, C.; Greslou, D.; de Lussy, F.; Trémas, T.; Poulain, V.; Massera, S.

    2016-10-01

    In the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission, Sentinel-2 offers multispectral high-spatial-resolution optical images over global terrestrial surfaces. In cooperation with ESA, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is in charge of the image quality of the project, and so ensures the CAL/VAL commissioning phase during the months following the launch. Sentinel-2 is a constellation of 2 satellites on a polar sun-synchronous orbit with a revisit time of 5 days (with both satellites), a high field of view - 290km, 13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infrared, and high spatial resolution - 10m, 20m and 60m. The Sentinel-2 mission offers a global coverage over terrestrial surfaces. The satellites acquire systematically terrestrial surfaces under the same viewing conditions in order to have temporal images stacks. The first satellite was launched in June 2015. Following the launch, the CAL/VAL commissioning phase is then lasting during 6 months for geometrical calibration. This paper will point on observations and results seen on Sentinel-2 images during commissioning phase. It will provide explanations about Sentinel-2 products delivered with geometric corrections. This paper will detail calibration sites, and the methods used for geometrical parameters calibration and will present linked results. The following topics will be presented: viewing frames orientation assessment, focal plane mapping for all spectral bands, results on geolocation assessment, and multispectral registration. There is a systematic images recalibration over a same reference which is a set of S2 images produced during the 6 months of CAL/VAL. This set of images will be presented as well as the geolocation performance and the multitemporal performance after refining over this ground reference.

  18. Analysing trends and forecasting malaria epidemics in Madagascar using a sentinel surveillance network: a web-based application.

    PubMed

    Girond, Florian; Randrianasolo, Laurence; Randriamampionona, Lea; Rakotomanana, Fanjasoa; Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona; Ratsitorahina, Maherisoa; Brou, Télesphore Yao; Herbreteau, Vincent; Mangeas, Morgan; Zigiumugabe, Sixte; Hedje, Judith; Rogier, Christophe; Piola, Patrice

    2017-02-13

    The use of a malaria early warning system (MEWS) to trigger prompt public health interventions is a key step in adding value to the epidemiological data routinely collected by sentinel surveillance systems. This study describes a system using various epidemic thresholds and a forecasting component with the support of new technologies to improve the performance of a sentinel MEWS. Malaria-related data from 21 sentinel sites collected by Short Message Service are automatically analysed to detect malaria trends and malaria outbreak alerts with automated feedback reports. Roll Back Malaria partners can, through a user-friendly web-based tool, visualize potential outbreaks and generate a forecasting model. The system already demonstrated its ability to detect malaria outbreaks in Madagascar in 2014. This approach aims to maximize the usefulness of a sentinel surveillance system to predict and detect epidemics in limited-resource environments.

  19. Dezhurov removes the docking probe in Zvezda during Expedition Three

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2001-09-17

    ISS003-E-5621 (17 September 2001) --- Cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov, Expedition Three flight engineer, prepares to remove the docking probe in the Zvezda Service Module's pressurized adapter. The docking probe successfully guided the arrival of the Russian-built Pirs docking compartment to the International Space Station (ISS). Mikhail Tyurin, flight engineer, is visible in the background. Tyurin and Dezhurov represent Rosaviakosmos.

  20. Histologic pattern of Merkel cell carcinoma sentinel lymph node metastasis improves stratification of Stage III patients

    PubMed Central

    Ko, Jennifer S; Prieto, Victor G; Elson, Paul; Vilain, Ricardo E; Pulitzer, Melissa; Scolyer, Richard A; Reynolds, Jordan P; Piliang, Melissa; Ernstoff, Marc S; Gastman, Brian; Billings, Steven D

    2016-01-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is used to stage Merkel cell carcinoma, but its prognostic value has been questioned. Furthermore, predictors of outcome in sentinel lymph node positive Merkel cell carcinoma patients are poorly defined. In breast carcinoma, isolated immunohistochemically positive tumor cells have no impact, but in melanoma they are considered significant. The significance of sentinel lymph node metastasis tumor burden (including isolated tumor cells) and pattern of involvement in Merkel cell carcinoma are unknown. In this study, 64 Merkel cell carcinomas involving sentinel lymph nodes and corresponding immunohistochemical stains were reviewed and clinicopathologic predictors of outcome were sought. Five metastatic patterns were identified: 1, sheet-like (n=38, 59%); 2, non-solid parafollicular (n=4, 6%); 3, sinusoidal, (n=11, 17%); 4, perivascular hilar (n=1, 2%) and 5, rare scattered parenchymal cells (n=10, 16%). At the time of follow-up, 30/63 (48%) patients had died with 21(33%) attributable to Merkel cell carcinoma. Patients with pattern 1 metastases had poorer overall survival compared with patients with patterns 2–5 metastases (p=0.03), with 22/30 (73%) deaths occurring in pattern 1 patients. 3 (10%) deaths occurred in patients showing pattern 5, all of whom were immunosuppressed. 4 (13%) deaths occurred in pattern 3 patients and 1 (3%) death occurred in a pattern 2 patient. In multivariable analysis, the number of positive sentinel lymph node (1 or 2 versus >2, p<.0001), age (<70 versus ≥70, p=.01), sentinel lymph node metastasis pattern (patterns 2–5 versus 1, p=.02), and immune status (immunocompetent versus suppressed, p=.03) were independent predictors of outcome, and could be used to stratify Stage III patients into 3 groups with markedly different outcomes. In Merkel cell carcinoma, the pattern of sentinel lymph node involvement provides important prognostic information and utilizing this data with other clinicopathologic features

  1. Histological pattern of Merkel cell carcinoma sentinel lymph node metastasis improves stratification of Stage III patients.

    PubMed

    Ko, Jennifer S; Prieto, Victor G; Elson, Paul J; Vilain, Ricardo E; Pulitzer, Melissa P; Scolyer, Richard A; Reynolds, Jordan P; Piliang, Melissa P; Ernstoff, Marc S; Gastman, Brian R; Billings, Steven D

    2016-02-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is used to stage Merkel cell carcinoma, but its prognostic value has been questioned. Furthermore, predictors of outcome in sentinel lymph node positive Merkel cell carcinoma patients are poorly defined. In breast carcinoma, isolated immunohistochemically positive tumor cells have no impact, but in melanoma they are considered significant. The significance of sentinel lymph node metastasis tumor burden (including isolated tumor cells) and pattern of involvement in Merkel cell carcinoma are unknown. In this study, 64 Merkel cell carcinomas involving sentinel lymph nodes and corresponding immunohistochemical stains were reviewed and clinicopathological predictors of outcome were sought. Five metastatic patterns were identified: (1) sheet-like (n=38, 59%); (2) non-solid parafollicular (n=4, 6%); (3) sinusoidal, (n=11, 17%); (4) perivascular hilar (n=1, 2%); and (5) rare scattered parenchymal cells (n=10, 16%). At the time of follow-up, 30/63 (48%) patients had died with 21 (33%) attributable to Merkel cell carcinoma. Patients with pattern 1 metastases had poorer overall survival compared with patients with patterns 2-5 metastases (P=0.03), with 22/30 (73%) deaths occurring in pattern 1 patients. Three (10%) deaths occurred in patients showing pattern 5, all of whom were immunosuppressed. Four (13%) deaths occurred in pattern 3 patients and 1 (3%) death occurred in a pattern 2 patient. In multivariable analysis, the number of positive sentinel lymph nodes (1 or 2 versus >2, P<0.0001), age (<70 versus ≥70, P=0.01), sentinel lymph node metastasis pattern (patterns 2-5 versus 1, P=0.02), and immune status (immunocompetent versus suppressed, P=0.03) were independent predictors of outcome, and could be used to stratify Stage III patients into three groups with markedly different outcomes. In Merkel cell carcinoma, the pattern of sentinel lymph node involvement provides important prognostic information and utilizing this data with other

  2. [Application of digital 3D technique combined with nanocarbon-aided navigation in endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Pu-Sheng; Luo, Yun-Feng; Yu, Jin-Long; Fang, Chi-Hua; Shi, Fu-Jun; Deng, Jian-Wen

    2016-08-20

    To study the clinical value of digital 3D technique combined with nanocarbon-aided navigation in endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer. Thirty-nine female patients with stage I/II breast cancer admitted in our hospital between September 2014 and September 2015 were recruited. CT lymphography data of the patients were segmented to reconstruct digital 3D models, which were imported into FreeForm Modeling Surgical System Platform for visual simulation surgery before operation. Endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy and endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection were then carried out, and the accuracy and clinical value of digital 3D technique in endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy were analyzed. s The 3D models faithfully represented the surgical anatomy of the patients and clearly displayed the 3D relationship among the sentinel lymph nodes, axillary lymph nodes, axillary vein, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor muscle and latissimus dorsi. In the biopsy, the detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes was 100% in the patients with a coincidence rate of 87.18% (34/39), a sensitivity of 91.67% (11/12), and a false negative rate of 8.33% (1/12). Complications such as limb pain, swelling, wound infection, and subcutaneouseroma were not found in these patients 6 months after the operation. Endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy assisted by digital 3D technique and nanocarbon-aided navigation allows a high detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes with a high sensitivity and a low false negative rate and can serve as a new method for sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer.

  3. A Novel Color Fluorescence Navigation System for Intraoperative Transcutaneous Lymphatic Mapping and Resection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer: Comparison with the Combination of Gamma Probe Scanning and Visible Dye Methods.

    PubMed

    Hokimoto, Norihiro; Sugimoto, Takeki; Namikawa, Tsutomu; Funakoshi, Taku; Oki, Toyokazu; Ogawa, Maho; Fukuhara, Hideo; Inoue, Keiji; Sato, Takayuki; Hanazaki, Kazuhiro

    2018-01-01

    This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of a novel imaging system (HyperEye Medical System [HEMS]; Mizuho Corp., Tokyo, Japan) that uses the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence of indocyanine green to analyze sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies for the staging of breast cancer. This study enrolled 91 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer that was clinically node negative with a tumor size <3 cm. We compared SLN identification rates between HEMS and conventional methods (gamma probe scanning using a colloidal radioisotope [RI] and a blue dye method) by analyzing the relationships of lymphatic to axillary lesions and SLNs. The identification rate of SLNs was 100% using HEMS, 97.8% using the RI method, and 95.6% using the blue dye method. Two types of lymphatic pathway (LP) were detected in 39 patients (42.9%) and also clearly identified using HEMS-captured color and NIR fluorescence. The incidence of two or more SLNs was significantly higher in patients with a two-route LP to the axilla group than in those with only one route (p < 0.001; 43.6 vs. 9.6%). The HEMS NIR fluorescence color imaging method is a promising potential modality for higher-level identification of SLNs than a standard combination of the RI and blue dye methods. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  4. Optimization of Designs for Nanotube-based Scanning Probes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Harik, V. M.; Gates, T. S.; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    Optimization of designs for nanotube-based scanning probes, which may be used for high-resolution characterization of nanostructured materials, is examined. Continuum models to analyze the nanotube deformations are proposed to help guide selection of the optimum probe. The limitations on the use of these models that must be accounted for before applying to any design problem are presented. These limitations stem from the underlying assumptions and the expected range of nanotube loading, end conditions, and geometry. Once the limitations are accounted for, the key model parameters along with the appropriate classification of nanotube structures may serve as a basis for the design optimization of nanotube-based probe tips.

  5. Deducing Reaction Mechanism: A Guide for Students, Researchers, and Instructors

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Meek, Simon J.; Pitman, Catherine L.; Miller, Alexander J. M.

    2016-01-01

    An introductory guide to deducing the mechanism of chemical reactions is presented. Following a typical workflow for probing reaction mechanism, the guide introduces a wide range of kinetic and mechanistic tools. In addition to serving as a broad introduction to mechanistic analysis for students and researchers, the guide has also been used by…

  6. Tyurin packs the docking probe in Node 1 during Expedition Three

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2001-09-17

    ISS003-E-5632 (17 September 2001) --- Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition Three flight engineer, packs the docking probe in a stowage bag in Unity. Cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov, flight engineer, videotapes the event. The docking probe successfully guided the arrival of the Russian-built Pirs docking compartment to the International Space Station (ISS). Tyurin and Dezhurov represent Rosaviakosmos.

  7. Evaluating the capabilities of vegetation spectral indices on chlorophyll content estimation at Sentinel-2 spectral resolutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Qi; Jiao, Quanjun; Dai, Huayang

    2018-03-01

    Chlorophyll is an important pigment in green plants for photosynthesis and obtaining the energy for growth and development. The rapid, nondestructive and accurate estimation of chlorophyll content is significant for understanding the crops growth, monitoring the disease and insect, and assessing the yield of crops. Sentinel-2 equipped with the Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI), which will provide images with high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution. It covers the VNIR/SWIR spectral region in 13 bands and incorporates two new spectral bands in the red-edge region and a spatial resolution of 20nm, which can be used to derive vegetation indices using red-edge bands. In this paper, we will focus on assessing the potential of vegetation spectral indices for retrieving chlorophyll content from Sentinel-2 at different angles. Subsequently, we used in-situ spectral data and Sentinel-2 data to test the relationship between VIs and chlorophyll content. The REP, MTCI, CIred-edge, CIgreen, Macc01, TCARI/OSAVI [705,750], NDRE1 and NDRE2 were calculated. NDRE2 index displays a strongly similar result for hyperspectral and simulated Sentinel-2 spectral bands (R2 =0.53, R2 =0.51, for hyperspectral and Sentinel-2, respectively). At different observation angles, NDRE2 has the smallest difference in performance (R2 = 0.51, R2 =0.64, at 0° and 15° , respectively).

  8. Potential of the Sentinel-2 Red Edge Spectral Bands for Estimation of Eco-Physiological Plant Parameters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malenovsky, Zbynek; Homolova, Lucie; Janoutova, Ruzena; Landier, Lucas; Gastellu-Etchegorry, Jean-Philippe; Berthelot, Beatrice; Huck, Alexis

    2016-08-01

    In this study we investigated importance of the space- borne instrument Sentinel-2 red edge spectral bands and reconstructed red edge position (REP) for retrieval of the three eco-physiological plant parameters, leaf and canopy chlorophyll content and leaf area index (LAI), in case of maize agricultural fields and beech and spruce forest stands. Sentinel-2 spectral bands and REP of the investigated vegetation canopies were simulated in the Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) model. Their potential for estimation of the plant parameters was assessed through training support vector regressions (SVR) and examining their P-vector matrices indicating significance of each input. The trained SVR were then applied on Sentinel-2 simulated images and the acquired estimates were cross-compared with results from high spatial resolution airborne retrievals. Results showed that contribution of REP was significant for canopy chlorophyll content, but less significant for leaf chlorophyll content and insignificant for leaf area index estimations. However, the red edge spectral bands contributed strongly to the retrievals of all parameters, especially canopy and leaf chlorophyll content. Application of SVR on Sentinel-2 simulated images demonstrated, in general, an overestimation of leaf chlorophyll content and an underestimation of LAI when compared to the reciprocal airborne estimates. In the follow-up investigation, we will apply the trained SVR algorithms on real Sentinel-2 multispectral images acquired during vegetation seasons 2015 and 2016.

  9. In transit sentinel node drainage as a prognostic factor for patients with cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Brandão, Paulo H D M; Bertolli, Eduardo; Doria-Filho, Eduardo; Santos Filho, Ivan D A O; de Macedo, Mariana P; Pinto, Clovis A L; Duprat Neto, João P

    2018-02-26

    Minor basin or in transit node drainage can be found in patients with cutaneous melanoma who undergo sentinel node biopsy. Its clinical impact is still unclear. Our objective is to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients who presented with in transit sentinel node (ITN) drainage. Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in a single Brazilian institution between 2000 and 2015. Our cohort comprised 1223 SNB. There were 64 patients (5.2%) with ITN. Melanoma of the limbs (OR 10.61, P < 0.0001) and acral subtype (OR 3.49, P < 0.0001) were associated with ITN drainage. Among these 64 patients, 14 (21.9%) had a positive SNB. The ITN was positive for metastases in five patients, four in a popliteal basin and one on the trunk. Regarding completion node dissection (CND), two patients had positive non-sentinel nodes (NSN), both in major basins. In patients who developed recurrence, time to recurrence was shorter (mean time 18 vs 31.4 months, P = 0.001) and time to death was shorter (mean time 31.6 vs 40 months, P = 0.039) in those who had ITN drainage. ITN drainage was associated with earlier recurrences and deaths from melanoma. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. SENTINEL-2 Global Reference Image Validation and Application to Multitemporal Performances and High Latitude Digital Surface Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gaudel, A.; Languille, F.; Delvit, J. M.; Michel, J.; Cournet, M.; Poulain, V.; Youssefi, D.

    2017-05-01

    In the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission, Sentinel-2 is a constellation of 2 satellites with a revisit time of 5 days in order to have temporal images stacks and a global coverage over terrestrial surfaces. Satellite 2A was launched in June 2015, and satellite 2B will be launched in March 2017. In cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency (CNES) is in charge of the image quality of the project, and so ensures the CAL/VAL commissioning phase during the months following the launch. This cooperation is also extended to routine phase as CNES supports European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) and the Sentinel-2 Mission performance Centre (MPC) for validation in geometric and radiometric image quality aspects, and in Sentinel-2 GRI geolocation performance assessment whose results will be presented in this paper. The GRI is a set of S2A images at 10m resolution covering the whole world with a good and consistent geolocation. This ground reference enables accurate multi-temporal registration of refined Sentinel-2 products. While not primarily intended for the generation of DSM, Sentinel-2 swaths overlap between orbits would also allow for the generation of a complete DSM of land and ices over 60° of northern latitudes (expected accuracy: few S2 pixels in altimetry). This DSM would benefit from the very frequent revisit times of Sentinel-2, to monitor ice or snow level in area of frequent changes, or to increase measurement accuracy in areas of little changes.

  11. Sentinel Node Biopsy for the Head and Neck Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography Combined with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence in Animal Models: A Feasibility Study.

    PubMed

    Kogashiwa, Yasunao; Sakurai, Hiroyuki; Akimoto, Yoshihiro; Sato, Dai; Ikeda, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Yoshifumi; Moro, Yorihisa; Kimura, Toru; Hamanoue, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Takehiro; Yamauchi, Koichi; Saito, Koichiro; Sugasawa, Masashi; Kohno, Naoyuki

    2015-01-01

    Sentinel node navigation surgery is gaining popularity in oral cancer. We assessed application of sentinel lymph node navigation surgery to pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers by evaluating the combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and indocyanine green fluorescence in animal models. This was a prospective, nonrandomized, experimental study in rabbit and swine animal models. A mixture of indocyanine green and Sonazoid was used as the tracer. The tracer mixture was injected into the tongue, larynx, or pharynx. The sentinel lymph nodes were identified transcutaneously by infra-red camera and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Detection time and extraction time of the sentinel lymph nodes were measured. The safety of the tracer mixture in terms of mucosal reaction was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Sentinel lymph nodes were detected transcutaneously by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography alone. The number of sentinel lymph nodes detected was one or two. Despite observation of contrast enhancement of Sonazoid for at least 90 minutes, the number of sentinel lymph nodes detected did not change. The average extraction time of sentinel lymph nodes was 4.8 minutes. Indocyanine green fluorescence offered visual information during lymph node biopsy. The safety of the tracer was confirmed by absence of laryngeal edema both macro and microscopically. The combination method of indocyanine green fluorescence and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for detecting sentinel lymph nodes during surgery for head and neck cancer seems promising, especially for pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Further clinical studies to confirm this are warranted.

  12. A critical review of variables affecting the accuracy and false-negative rate of sentinel node biopsy procedures in early breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Vijayakumar, Vani; Boerner, Philip S; Jani, Ashesh B; Vijayakumar, Srinivasan

    2005-05-01

    Radionuclide sentinel lymph node localization and biopsy is a staging procedure that is being increasingly used to evaluate patients with invasive breast cancer who have clinically normal axillary nodes. The most important prognostic indicator in patients with invasive breast cancer is the axillary node status, which must also be known for correct staging, and influences the selection of adjuvant therapies. The accuracy of sentinel lymph node localization depends on a number of factors, including the injection method, the operating surgeon's experience and the hospital setting. The efficacy of sentinel lymph node mapping can be determined by two measures: the sentinel lymph node identification rate and the false-negative rate. Of these, the false-negative rate is the most important, based on a review of 92 studies. As sentinel lymph node procedures vary widely, nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists must be acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques. In this review, the factors that influence the success of different techniques are examined, and studies which have investigated false-negative rates and/or sentinel lymph node identification rates are summarized.

  13. Recent advances in near-infrared fluorescence-guided imaging surgery using indocyanine green.

    PubMed

    Namikawa, Tsutomu; Sato, Takayuki; Hanazaki, Kazuhiro

    2015-12-01

    Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has better tissue penetration, allowing for the effective rejection of excitation light and detection deep inside organs. Indocyanine green (ICG) generates NIR fluorescence after illumination by an NIR ray, enabling real-time intraoperative visualization of superficial lymphatic channels and vessels transcutaneously. The HyperEye Medical System (HEMS) can simultaneously detect NIR rays under room light to provide color imaging, which enables visualization under bright light. Thus, NIR fluorescence imaging using ICG can provide for excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting sentinel lymph nodes in cancer and microvascular circulation in various ischemic diseases, to assist us with intraoperative decision making. Including HEMS in this system could further improve the sentinel lymph node mapping and intraoperative identification of blood supply in reconstructive organs and ischemic diseases, making it more attractive than conventional imaging. Moreover, the development of new laparoscopic imaging systems equipped with NIR will allow fluorescence-guided surgery in a minimally invasive setting. Future directions, including the conjugation of NIR fluorophores to target specific cancer markers might be realistic technology with diagnostic and therapeutic benefits.

  14. [The clinical value of sentinel lymph node detection in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck by methylene blue method and radiolabeled tracer method].

    PubMed

    Zhao, Xin; Xiao, Dajiang; Ni, Jianming; Zhu, Guochen; Yuan, Yuan; Xu, Ting; Zhang, Yongsheng

    2014-11-01

    To investigate the clinical value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck (cN0) by methylene blue method, radiolabeled tracer method and combination of these two methods. Thirty-three patients with cN0 laryngeal carcinoma and six patients with cN0 hypopharyngeal carcinoma underwent SLN detection using both of methylene blue and radiolabeled tracer method. All these patients were accepted received the injection of radioactive isotope 99 Tc(m)-sulfur colloid (SC) and methylene blue into the carcinoma before surgery, then all these patients underwent intraopertive lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma-detecting probe and blue-dyed SLN. After the mapping of SLN, selected neck dissections and tumor resections were peformed. The results of SLN detection by radiolabeled tracer, dye and combination of both methods were compared. The detection rate of SLN by radiolabeled tracer, methylene blue and combined method were 89.7%, 79.5%, 92.3% respectively. The number of detected SLN was significantly different between radiolabeled tracer method and combined method, and also between methylene blue method and combined method. The detection rate of methylene blue and radiolabeled tracer method were significantly different from combined method (P < 0.05). Nine patients were found to have lymph node metastasis by final pathological examination. The accuracy and negative rate of SLN detection of the combined method were 97.2% and 11.1%. The combined method using radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue can improve the detection rate and accuracy of sentinel lymph node detection. Furthermore, sentinel lymph node detection can accurately represent the cervical lymph node status in cN0 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

  15. Hands-Free Transcranial Color Doppler Probe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chin, Robert; Madala, Srihdar; Sattler, Graham

    2012-01-01

    Current transcranial color Doppler (TCD) transducer probes are bulky and difficult to move in tiny increments to search and optimize TCD signals. This invention provides miniature motions of a TCD transducer probe to optimize TCD signals. The mechanical probe uses spherical bearing in guiding and locating the tilting crystal face. The lateral motion of the crystal face as it tilts across the full range of motion was achieved by minimizing the distance between the pivot location and the crystal face. The smallest commonly available metal spherical bearing was used with an outer diameter of 12 mm, a 3-mm tall retaining ring, and 5-mm overall height. Small geared motors were used that would provide sufficient power in a very compact package. After confirming the validity of the basic positioning concept, optimization design loops were completed to yield the final design.

  16. The organizational structure and governing principles of the Food and Drug Administration's Mini-Sentinel pilot program.

    PubMed

    Forrow, Susan; Campion, Daniel M; Herrinton, Lisa J; Nair, Vinit P; Robb, Melissa A; Wilson, Marcus; Platt, Richard

    2012-01-01

    The US Food and Drug Administration's Mini-Sentinel pilot program is developing an organizational structure as well as principles and policies to govern its operations. These will inform the structure and function of the eventual Sentinel System. Mini-Sentinel is a collaboration that includes 25 participating institutions. We describe the program's current organizational structure and its major principles and policies. The organization includes a coordinating center with program leadership provided by a principal investigator; a planning board and subcommittees; an operations center; and data, methods, and protocol cores. Ad hoc workgroups are created as needed. A privacy panel advises about protection of individual health information. Principles and policies are intended to ensure that Mini-Sentinel conforms to the principles of fair information practices, protects the privacy of individual health information, maintains the security and integrity of data, assures the confidentiality of proprietary information, provides accurate and timely communications, prevents or manages conflicts of interest, and preserves respect for intellectual property rights. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. 77 FR 67767 - Revision to the South Coast Portion of the California State Implementation Plan, CPV Sentinel...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-14

    ...'') portion of the California SIP. This source-specific SIP revision is known as the CPV Sentinel Energy... South Coast Portion of the California State Implementation Plan, CPV Sentinel Energy Project AB 1318... Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a source-specific State Implementation...

  18. 76 FR 2294 - Revision to the South Coast Portion of the California State Implementation Plan, CPV Sentinel...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-13

    ... precursors, sulfur oxides (SO X ), to the CPV Sentinel Energy Project. The District's SIP approved NSR... Management District shall transfer sulfur oxides and particulate emission credits from the CPV Sentinel... needed to issue permits to construct and to meet requirements for sulfur oxides and particulate matter...

  19. Use of C-band Sentinel-1 and L-band UAVSAR data for flood extent mapping during Hurricane Harvey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lakshmi, V.; Kundu, S.; Torres, R.

    2017-12-01

    Hurricane Harvey was one of the most destructive storms that struck the Houston area in August 2017 causing loss of life and property. In this study, an estimation of flooding extent is done using two sets of microwave remote sensing data, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) and Sentinel-1. UAVSAR is an L-band SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data which is an airborne repeat-pass interferometric observation system and has 16 km swath. Sentinel-1 is the C band microwave data developed by European Space Agency covering a large area (250 km). Data are analyzed to examine the flood extent over Houston during Harvey. Flood extent mapping is carried out using the Sentinel-1 data and UAVSAR using backscatter signatures which displays the extent of changes and destruction during the flood. Keywords: Harvey, UAVSAR, Sentinel-1, flood extent

  20. An investigation of the potential of rapid prototyping technology for image‐guided surgery

    PubMed Central

    Rajon, Didier A.; Bova, Frank J.; Bhasin, R. Rick; Friedman, William A.

    2006-01-01

    Image‐guided surgery can be broken down into two broad categories: frame‐based guidance and frameless guidance. In order to reduce both the invasive nature of stereotactic guidance and the cost in equipment and time, we have developed a new guidance technique based on rapid prototyping (RP) technology. This new system first builds a computer model of the patient anatomy and then fabricates a physical reference frame that provides a precise and unique fit to the patient anatomy. This frame incorporates a means of guiding the surgeon along a preplanned surgical trajectory. This process involves (1) obtaining a high‐resolution CT or MR scan, (2) building a computer model of the region of interest, (3) developing a surgical plan and physical guide, (4) designing a frame with a unique fit to the patient's anatomy with a physical linkage to the surgical guide, and (5) fabricating the frame using an RP unit. Software was developed to support these processes. To test the accuracy of this process, we first scanned and reproduced a plastic phantom fabricated to validate the system's ability to build an accurate virtual model. A target on the phantom was then identified, a surgical approach planned, a surgical guide designed, and the accuracy and precision of guiding a probe to that target were determined. Steps 1 through 5 were also evaluated using a head phantom. The results show that the RP technology can replicate an object from CT scans with submillimeter resolution. The fabricated reference frames, when positioned on the surface of the phantom and used to guide a surgical probe, can position the probe tip with an accuracy of 1.7 mm at the probe tip. These results demonstrate that the RP technology can be used for the fabrication of customized positioning frames for use in image‐guided surgery. PACS number: 87.57.Gg PMID:17533357

  1. Potential of future operational missions sentinel 4 and 5 for atmospheric monitoring and science (CAMELOT).

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levelt, P. F.; Veefkind, J. P.

    2010-05-01

    Dedicated atmospheric chemistry observations from space have been made for over 30 years now, starting with the SBUV and TOMS measurements of the ozone layer. Since then huge progress has been made, improving the accuracy of the measurements, extending the amount of constituents, and by sensing not only the stratosphere, but the last five to ten years also the troposphere. The potential to operational monitor the atmosphere, following the meteorological community, came within reach. At the same time, the importance for society of regular operational environmental measurements, related to the ozone layer, air quality and climate change, became apparent, amongst others resulting in the EU initiative Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) In order to prepare the operational missions in the context of the GMES, ESA took the initiative to further study the user requirements for the Sentinel 4 and 5 (precursor) missions. The Sentinel 4 and 5 (precursor) missions are dedicated operational missions to monitor the atmospheric composition in the 2013-2020 timeframe and onward. The user requirements for the sentinel missions focus on monitoring the atmosphere from an environmental point of view (ozone layer, air quality and climate). ESA's CAMELOT (Composition of the Atmospheric Mission concEpts and SentineL Observation Techniques) study is the follow-on study to ESA's CAPACITY study finished in 2005. The general objective of the CAMELOT study is to further contribute to the definition of the air quality and climate protocol monitoring parts of the GMES Sentinel 4 and 5 missions. CAMELOT consists of a large European consortium formed by 9 European institutes (KNMI (lead), RAL, U.Leicester, SRON, FMI, BIRA-IASB, CNR-IFAC,NOVELTIS and RIU-U.Koeln). In the presentation an overview will give a short overview of the CAMELOT study, including some specific results for combined retrievals, cloud statistics for different orbit geometries and retrievals for several orbit

  2. Sentinel Health Events (occupational): a basis for physician recognition and public health surveillance.

    PubMed Central

    Rutstein, D D; Mullan, R J; Frazier, T M; Halperin, W E; Melius, J M; Sestito, J P

    1983-01-01

    A Sentinel Health Event (SHE) is a preventable disease, disability, or untimely death whose occurrence serves as a warning signal that the quality of preventive and/or therapeutic medical care may need to be improved. A SHE (Occupational) is a disease, disability, or untimely death which is occupationally related and whose occurrence may: 1) provide the impetus for epidemiologic or industrial hygiene studies; or 2) serve as a warning signal that materials substitution, engineering control, personal protection, or medical care may be required. The present SHE(O) list encompasses 50 disease conditions that are linked to the workplace. Only those conditions are included for which objective documentation of an associated agent, industry, and occupation exists in the scientific literature. The list will serve as a framework for developing a national system for occupational health surveillance that may be applied at the state and local level, and as a guide for practicing physicians caring for patients with occupational illnesses. We expect to update the list periodically to accommodate new occupational disease events which meet the criteria for inclusion. PMID:6881402

  3. Sentinel lymph node mapping in melanoma: the issue of false-negative findings.

    PubMed

    Manca, Gianpiero; Rubello, Domenico; Romanini, Antonella; Boni, Giuseppe; Chiacchio, Serena; Tredici, Manuel; Mazzarri, Sara; Duce, Valerio; Colletti, Patrick M; Volterrani, Duccio; Mariani, Giuliano

    2014-07-01

    Management of cutaneous melanoma has changed after introduction in the clinical routine of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for nodal staging. By defining the nodal basin status, SLNB provides a powerful prognostic information. Nevertheless, some debate still surrounds the accuracy of this procedure in terms of false-negative rate. Several large-scale studies have reported a relatively high false-negative rate (5.6%-21%), correctly defined as the proportion of false-negative results with respect to the total number of "actual" positive lymph nodes. In this review, we identified all the technical aspects that the nuclear medicine physician, the surgeon, and the pathologist should take into account to improve accuracy of the procedure and minimize the false-negative rate. In particular, SPECT/CT imaging detects more SLNs than those found by planar lymphoscintigraphy. Furthermore, the nuclear medicine community should reach a consensus on the radioactive counting rate threshold to better guide the surgeon in identifying the lymph nodes with the highest likelihood of housing metastases ("true biologic SLNs"). Analysis of the harvested SLNs by conventional techniques is also a further potential source for error. More accurate SLN analysis (eg, molecular analysis by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and more extensive SLN sampling identify more positive nodes, thus reducing the false-negative rate.The clinical factors identifying patients at higher-risk local recurrence after a negative SLNB include older age at diagnosis, deeper lesions, histological ulceration, and head-neck anatomic location of the primary lesion.The clinical impact of a false-negative SLNB on the prognosis of melanoma patients remains controversial, because the majority of studies have failed to demonstrate overall statistically significant disadvantage in melanoma-specific survival for false-negative SLNB patients compared with true-positive SLNB patients.When new more effective

  4. Potentiality of SENTINEL-1 for landslide detection: first results in the Molise Region (Italy)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barra, Anna; Monserrat, Oriol; Mazzanti, Paolo; Esposito, Carlo; Crosetto, Michele; Scarascia Mugnozza, Gabriele

    2016-04-01

    A detailed inventory map, including information on landslide activity, is one of the most important input to landslide susceptibility and hazard analyses. The contribution of satellite SAR Interferometry in landslide risk mitigation is well-known within the scientific community. In fact, many encouraging results have been obtained, principally, in areas characterized by high coherence of the images (e.g. due to rock lithology or urban environment setting). In terms of coherence, the expected increased capabilities of Sentinel-1 for landslide mapping and monitoring are connected to both wavelength (55.5 mm) and short temporal baseline (12 days). The latter one is expected to be a key feature for increasing coherence and for defining monitoring and updating plans. With the aim of assessing these potentialities, we processed a set of 14 Sentinel-1 SLC images, acquired during a temporal span of 7 months, over the Molise region (Southern Italy), a critical area geologically susceptible to landslides. Even though Molise is mostly covered by crops and forested areas (63% and 35% respectively), that means a non-optimal coherence condition for SAR interferometry, promising results have been obtained. This has been achieved by integrating differential interferometric SAR techniques (12-days interferograms and time series) with GIS multilayer analysis (optical, geological, geomorphological, etc.). Specifically, analyzing a single burst of a Sentinel-1 frame (approximately 1875 km2), 62 landslides have been detected, thus allowing to improve the pre-existing inventory maps both in terms of landslide boundaries and state of activity. The results of our ongoing research show that Sentinel-1 can give a significant improvement in terms of exploitation of SAR data for landslide mapping and monitoring. As a matter of fact, by analyzing longer periods, it is expected to achieve a better understanding of landslide behavior and its relationship with triggering factors. This will be key

  5. Capturing pre-failure signs of slope instability using multi-temporal interferometry and Sentinel-1 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wasowski, Janusz; Bovenga, Fabio; Nitti, Davide Oscar; Tijani, Khalid; Morea, Alberto; Nutricato, Raffaele; Chiaradia, Maria Teresa

    2017-04-01

    The shorter repeat cycle (6 days since October 2016) and regularity of acquisitions of Sentinel-1A/B with respect to earlier European Space Agency (ESA) satellites with C-band sensors (ERS1/2, ENVISAT) represent the key advantages for the research-oriented and practical applications of multi-temporal interferometry (MTI). The applicability of the Interferometric Wide Swath acquisition mode of Sentinel-1 (images covering a 250 km swath on the ground) to regional scale slope instability detection through MTI has already been demonstrated, e.g., via studies of landslide-prone areas in Italy. Here we focus on the potential of Sentinel-1 data for local (site-specific), MTI-based monitoring and capturing pre-failure signs of slope instability, by exploiting the Persistent and Distributed Scatterers processing capability of the SPINUA algorithm. In particular, we present an example of a retrospective study of a large (over 2 km long) landslide, which took place in 2016 in an active open-cast coal mine in central Europe. This seemingly sudden failure caused destruction of the mining equipment, blocked the mining operations thereby resulting in significant economic losses. For the study, we exploited over 60 Sentinel-1A/B images acquired since November 2014. The MTI results furnished a valuable overview of the ground instability/stability conditions within and around the active mine, even though considerable spatial gaps in information were encountered due to surface disturbance by mining operations. Significantly, the ground surface displacement time series revealed that the 2016 slope failure was preceded by very slow (generally 1-3 cm/yr) creep-like deformations, already present in 2014. The MTI results also indicated that the slope experienced a phase of accelerated movement several weeks prior to the landslide event. Furthermore, the spatio-temporal analysis of interferometric coherence changes in the unstable area (mapped on Sentinel-2 Bottom Of Atmosphere reflectance

  6. Co- and post-seismic deformation for the 2014 Napa Valley Earthquake from Sentinel-1A interferometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elliott, J. R.; Wright, T. J.; Elliott, A. J.; González, P. J.; Hooper, A. J.; Larsen, Y.; Marinkovic, P.; Plain, M.; Walters, R. J.

    2014-12-01

    Here we present analysis of co- and post-seismic deformation for the 24 August 2014 Napa Valley Earthquake derived from Sentinel-1A interferometry. We use these to derive the co-seismic slip distribution and map the evolution of post-seismic afterslip. The 24 August 2014 Napa Valley earthquake was the first earthquake for which surface deformation was measured by Sentinel-1A, a new radar satellite launched by the European Space Agency on 3 April 2014, and operated by the European Commission's Copernicus program. Sentinel-1A reached its final operational orbit on 7 August, and fortuitously acquired a pre-earthquake image of the San Francisco Bay area on that day in StripMap mode. By comparing it with an image acquired on 31 August, we formed a co-seismic interferogram, which reveals the surface deformation that occurred during the earthquake and the first 7 days of the post-seismic period. We use this to constrain a simple elastic model of the co-seismic slip distribution; preliminary inversion results show that the slip at depth reached a peak of >1.5 m at a depth of ~4 km. Following the earthquake, Sentinel-1A has acquired further acquisitions in both StripMap and Interferometric Wide Swath modes. The first 12-day post-seismic StripMap interferogram shows a sharp discontinuity along the entire fault rupture, consistent with field observations of rapid afterslip. We will use the full time series from August to December to measure the spatio-temporal behaviour of the afterslip, and discuss the implications for the frictional properties of the fault. The results from Napa point to an exciting and impactful future for the Sentinel-1 radar constellation. By mid-2014, Sentinel-1A will be acquiring data systematically over all the seismic belts, and the launch of Sentinel-1B in 2016 will increase the temporal frequency of acquisitions. The data will be available free of charge and will transform our ability to conduct tectonic geodesy, particularly in remote areas of the

  7. Probing the Natural World, Volume 1, Teachers Guide.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Burkman, Ernest

    This is the teaching guide for the first third of a coordinated science program for grades seven through nine. The materials have been prepared according to the following Intermediate Science Curriculum Study rationale: (1) science at the junior-high-school level should serve a general education function, and (2) both processes and concepts should…

  8. Murine norovirus detection in the exhaust air of IVCs is more sensitive than serological analysis of soiled bedding sentinels.

    PubMed

    Zorn, Julia; Ritter, Bärbel; Miller, Manuel; Kraus, Monika; Northrup, Emily; Brielmeier, Markus

    2017-06-01

    One limitation to housing rodents in individually ventilated cages (IVCs) is the ineffectiveness of traditional health monitoring programs that test soiled bedding sentinels every quarter. Aerogen transmission does not occur with this method. Moreover, the transmission of numerous pathogens in bedding is uncertain, and sentinel susceptibility to various pathogens varies. A novel method using particle collection from samples of exhaust air was developed in this study which was also systematically compared with routine health monitoring using soiled bedding sentinels. We used our method to screen these samples for the presence of murine norovirus (MNV), a mouse pathogen highly prevalent in laboratory animal facilities. Exhaust air particles from prefilters of IVC racks with known MNV prevalence were tested by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). MNV was detected in exhaust air as early as one week with one MNV-positive cage per rack, while sentinels discharged MNV RNA without seroconverting. MNV was reliably and repeatedly detected in particles collected from samples of exhaust air in all seven of the three-month sampling rounds, with increasing MNV prevalence, while sentinels only seroconverted in one round. Under field conditions, routine soiled bedding sentinel health monitoring in our animal facility failed to identify 67% ( n = 85) of positive samples by RT-qPCR of exhaust air particles. Thus, this method proved to be highly sensitive and superior to soiled bedding sentinels in the reliable detection of MNV. These results represent a major breakthrough in hygiene monitoring of rodent IVC systems and contribute to the 3R principles by reducing the number of animals used and by improving experimental conditions.

  9. Clinical significance of sentinel lymph node detection in patients with invasive cervical cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinilkin, I. G.; Chernov, V. I.; Lyapunov, A. Yu.; Medvedeva, A. A.; Zelchan, R. V.; Chernyshova, A. L.; Kolomiets, L. A.; Bragina, O. D.

    2017-09-01

    The clinical significance of determining sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in patients with invasive cervical cancer was studied. From 2013 to 2014, 30 cervical cancer patients (T1a1NxM0-T1b1NxM0) were treated at the Gynecological Oncology Department of the Cancer Research Institute. The day before surgery, four submucosal injections of 99mTc Al2O3 at a total dose of 80 MBq were made in each quadrant around the cervical tumor. Patients were submitted to preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative SLN detection. The feasibility of preserving the reproductive potential in patients after radical abdominal trachelectomy was assessed. The 3-year, overall, disease-free and metastasis-free survival rates were analyzed. Thirty-four SLNs were detected by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 42 SLNs were identified by intraoperative gamma probe. The sensitivity in detecting SLNs was 100% for intraoperative SLN identification and 80% for SPECT image. The reproductive potential was preserved in 86% of patients. The 3-year overall and metastases-free survival rates were 100%. Recurrence occurred in 8.6% of cases.

  10. 5. GLACIER POINT ROAD VIEW AT SENTINEL DOME PARKING AREA. ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    5. GLACIER POINT ROAD VIEW AT SENTINEL DOME PARKING AREA. LOOKING E. GIS: N-37 42 43.8 / W-119 35 12.1 - Glacier Point Road, Between Chinquapin Flat & Glacier Point, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

  11. A 1 cm space debris impact onto the Sentinel-1A solar array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Krag, H.; Serrano, M.; Braun, V.; Kuchynka, P.; Catania, M.; Siminski, J.; Schimmerohn, M.; Marc, X.; Kuijper, D.; Shurmer, I.; O'Connell, A.; Otten, M.; Muñoz, Isidro; Morales, J.; Wermuth, M.; McKissock, D.

    2017-08-01

    Sentinel-1A is a 2-ton spacecraft of the Copernicus Earth observation program operated by ESA's Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. Sentinel-1A and its sister spacecraft Sentinel-1B operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at about 700 km altitude. On 2016/08/23 17:07:37 UTC, Sentinel-1A suffered from an anomaly resulting in a sudden permanent partial power loss and significant impulsive orbit and attitude changes. A deeper investigation identified that an impulsive orbit change against flight direction of 0.7 mm/s, estimated at the time of the event, gave the best results in terms of GPS residuals. At the same time, a peak attitude off-pointing of 0.7° (around the spacecraft yaw axis) and peak attitude rate increase of 0.04°/s (around the same axis) were observed. The simultaneous occurrence of these anomalies, starting from a sudden attitude change and ending with a permanent partial power loss, made an MMOD (Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris) impact onto a solar array a possible explanation for this event. While the spacecraft is able to continue its mission nominally, a detailed investigation involving ESA's Space Debris and Flight Dynamics experts was conducted. An MMOD impact as an explanation gained further credibility, due to the pictures of the solar array taken by the on-board camera displaying a significant damage area. On September 7th, JSpOC (US Joint Space Operations Centre) informed SDO on 8 tracked fragments that are considered to be released by Sentinel-1A after the impact. This paper addresses the analysis that was performed on the data characterising the attitude and orbit change, the on-board camera image, and the tracked fragments. The data helped to identify the linear momentum vector while a flux analysis helped to identify the origin of the impactor and allowed to understand its mass and size characteristics.

  12. Estimation and mapping of above-ground biomass of mangrove forests and their replacement land uses in the Philippines using Sentinel imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castillo, Jose Alan A.; Apan, Armando A.; Maraseni, Tek N.; Salmo, Severino G.

    2017-12-01

    The recent launch of the Sentinel-1 (SAR) and Sentinel-2 (multispectral) missions offers a new opportunity for land-based biomass mapping and monitoring especially in the tropics where deforestation is highest. Yet, unlike in agriculture and inland land uses, the use of Sentinel imagery has not been evaluated for biomass retrieval in mangrove forest and the non-forest land uses that replaced mangroves. In this study, we evaluated the ability of Sentinel imagery for the retrieval and predictive mapping of above-ground biomass of mangroves and their replacement land uses. We used Sentinel SAR and multispectral imagery to develop biomass prediction models through the conventional linear regression and novel Machine Learning algorithms. We developed models each from SAR raw polarisation backscatter data, multispectral bands, vegetation indices, and canopy biophysical variables. The results show that the model based on biophysical variable Leaf Area Index (LAI) derived from Sentinel-2 was more accurate in predicting the overall above-ground biomass. In contrast, the model which utilised optical bands had the lowest accuracy. However, the SAR-based model was more accurate in predicting the biomass in the usually deficient to low vegetation cover non-forest replacement land uses such as abandoned aquaculture pond, cleared mangrove and abandoned salt pond. These models had 0.82-0.83 correlation/agreement of observed and predicted value, and root mean square error of 27.8-28.5 Mg ha-1. Among the Sentinel-2 multispectral bands, the red and red edge bands (bands 4, 5 and 7), combined with elevation data, were the best variable set combination for biomass prediction. The red edge-based Inverted Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index had the highest prediction accuracy among the vegetation indices. Overall, Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery can provide satisfactory results in the retrieval and predictive mapping of the above-ground biomass of mangroves and the replacement

  13. Bordetella pertussis infections in travelers: data from the GeoSentinel global network.

    PubMed

    Barbosa, Felipe; Barnett, Elizabeth D; Gautret, Philippe; Schlagenhauf, Patricia; van Genderen, Perry J J; Grobusch, Martin P; Connor, Bradley A; Hamer, Davidson H; Hochberg, Natasha S

    2017-05-01

    Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection that is endemic worldwide. There are limited data regarding the occurrence of pertussis in travelers. The objective of this study is to identify travel-related pertussis cases reported to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network. This is a descriptive, retrospective analysis of GeoSentinel records from 25 travel/tropical medicine clinics in 16 countries. Frequencies of demographic and travel-related characteristics and symptoms of 74 cases of pertussis in travelers and new immigrants from 1999 to 2015 were analysed. There were 74 probable and confirmed cases of pertussis in the GeoSentinel database; median age was 44 years, and 38 (51%) patients were female. Tourism was the most common reason for travel (41; 55%). Country of exposure was determined in 66 cases with travelers returning from India and China constituting the highest number of cases (10 cases each; 15% each). Seventy of 74 (95%) patients had respiratory symptoms, while fatigue and fever were reported by 21 (28%) and 20 (27%), respectively. Immunization status against pertussis was unknown. Most cases were reported after 2005 (69; 93%). Our study describes 74 cases of pertussis acquired during travel and reported to the GeoSentinel Network. Pertussis should be considered in returned travelers who present with respiratory symptoms. Surveillance and detection of imported cases are important to prevent onward transmission in the community. The pre-travel consultation provides an opportunity to verify immunization status and provide routine vaccinations such as pertussis. © International Society of Travel Medicine, 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

  14. 77 FR 6107 - CPV Sentinel, LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-07

    ... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER12-911-000] CPV Sentinel... 204 Authorization This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of CPV Sentinel...-8659. Dated: February 1, 2012. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012-2701 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45 am...

  15. Plasmonic direct writing lithography with a macroscopical contact probe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Yuerong; Liu, Ling; Wang, Changtao; Chen, Weidong; Liu, Yunyue; Li, Ling

    2018-05-01

    In this work, we design a plasmonic direct writing lithography system with a macroscopical contact probe to achieve nanometer scale spots. The probe with bowtie-shaped aperture array adopts spring hinge and beam deflection method (BDM) to realize near-field lithography. Lithography results show that a macroscopical plasmonic contact probe can achieve a patterning resolution of around 75 nm at 365 nm wavelength, and demonstrate that the lithography system is promising for practical applications due to beyond the diffraction limit, low cost, and simplification of system configuration. CST calculations provide a guide for the design of recording structure and the arrangement of placing polarizer.

  16. 7. YOSEMITE VALLEY SHUTTLE BUS AT SENTINEL BRIDGE SHUTTLE BUS ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    7. YOSEMITE VALLEY SHUTTLE BUS AT SENTINEL BRIDGE SHUTTLE BUS AND PARKING LOT AREA. LOOKING WNW. GIS: N-37 40 36.2 / W-119 44 45.0 - Yosemite National Park Roads & Bridges, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

  17. Technetium-99m-labeled rituximab for use as a specific tracer of sentinel lymph node biopsy: a translational research study.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xuejuan; Yang, Zhi; Lin, Baohe; Zhang, Yan; Zhai, Shizhen; Zhao, Qichao; Xie, Qing; Liu, Fei; Han, Xuedi; Li, Jinfeng; Ouyang, Tao

    2016-06-21

    We aimed to develop and translate a CD20-antigen-targeted radiopharmaceutical, Technetium-99 m-labeled (99mTc) rituximab, for sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection. 99mTc-rituximab was synthesized and tested for stability in human serum. The binding affinity to CD20 was evaluated in Raji cells by flow cytometric analysis. Biodistribution and sentinel node mapping were carried out in bal b/c mice. Eighty-five patients with breast cancer participated in this study. Dynamic sentinel lymphoscintigraphy was first assessed in 12 patients before planar lymphoscintigraphy was assessed in a larger cohort. All patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), followed by axillary lymph node dissection. The cell-binding study showed that 99mTc-rituximab possessed compatible affinity to human CD20. In the mechanism study, 99mTc-labeled anti-mouse CD20 monoclonal antibodies could bind to mouse CD20 and accumulate in the SLN with 2.62±1.25 % of the percentage of injected activity, which could be blocked by excessive unlabeled antibody. Low uptake of non-sentinel nodes and fast clearance from the injection site were observed in the mice. Sentinel nodes were identified in 82 of 85 breast cancer patients (96.5%) by lymphoscintigraphy and SLNB. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 96.8% (30/31), 100% (51/51), and 98.8% (81/82), respectively. 99mTc-rituximab, specifically binding to CD20, met most of the requirements of an ideal sentinel mapping agent for use in clinical settings.

  18. Molecular markers to complement sentinel node status in predicting survival in patients with high-risk locally invasive melanoma.

    PubMed

    Rowe, Casey J; Tang, Fiona; Hughes, Maria Celia B; Rodero, Mathieu P; Malt, Maryrose; Lambie, Duncan; Barbour, Andrew; Hayward, Nicholas K; Smithers, B Mark; Green, Adele C; Khosrotehrani, Kiarash

    2016-08-01

    Sentinel lymph node status is a major prognostic marker in locally invasive cutaneous melanoma. However, this procedure is not always feasible, requires advanced logistics and carries rare but significant morbidity. Previous studies have linked markers of tumour biology to patient survival. In this study, we aimed to combine the predictive value of established biomarkers in addition to clinical parameters as indicators of survival in addition to or instead of sentinel node biopsy in a cohort of high-risk melanoma patients. Patients with locally invasive melanomas undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy were ascertained and prospectively followed. Information on mortality was validated through the National Death Index. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse proteins previously reported to be associated with melanoma survival, namely Ki67, p16 and CD163. Evaluation and multivariate analyses according to REMARK criteria were used to generate models to predict disease-free and melanoma-specific survival. A total of 189 patients with available archival material of their primary tumour were analysed. Our study sample was representative of the entire cohort (N = 559). Average Breslow thickness was 2.5 mm. Thirty-two (17%) patients in the study sample died from melanoma during the follow-up period. A prognostic score was developed and was strongly predictive of survival, independent of sentinel node status. The score allowed classification of risk of melanoma death in sentinel node-negative patients. Combining clinicopathological factors and established biomarkers allows prediction of outcome in locally invasive melanoma and might be implemented in addition to or in cases when sentinel node biopsy cannot be performed. © 2016 UICC.

  19. Dual-modality imaging with 99mTc and fluorescent indocyanine green using surface-modified silica nanoparticles for biopsy of the sentinel lymph node: an animal study

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background We propose a new approach to facilitate sentinel node biopsy examination by multimodality imaging in which radioactive and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanoparticles depict deeply situated sentinel nodes and fluorescent nodes with anatomical resolution in the surgical field. For this purpose, we developed polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-coated silica nanoparticles loaded with technetium-99m (99mTc) and indocyanine green (ICG). Methods We conducted animal studies to test the feasibility and utility of this dual-modality imaging probe. The mean diameter of the PAMAM-coated silica nanoparticles was 30 to 50 nm, as evaluated from the images of transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The combined labeling with 99mTc and ICG was verified by thin-layer chromatography before each experiment. A volume of 0.1 ml of the nanoparticle solution (7.4 MBq, except for one rat that was injected with 3.7 MBq, and 1 μg of an ICG derivative [ICG-sulfo-OSu]) was injected submucosally into the tongue of six male Wistar rats. Results Scintigraphic images showed increased accumulation of 99mTc in the neck of four of the six rats. Nineteen lymph nodes were identified in the dissected neck of the six rats, and a contact radiographic study showed three nodes with a marked increase in uptake and three nodes with a weak uptake. NIR fluorescence imaging provided real-time clear fluorescent images of the lymph nodes in the neck with anatomical resolution. Six lymph nodes showed weak (+) to strong (+++) fluorescence, whereas other lymph nodes showed no fluorescence. Nodes showing increased radioactivity coincided with the fluorescent nodes. The radioactivity of 15 excised lymph nodes from the four rats was assayed using a gamma well counter. Comparisons of the levels of radioactivity revealed a large difference between the high-fluorescence-intensity group (four lymph nodes; mean, 0.109% ± 0.067%) and the low- or no-fluorescence-intensity group (11 lymph nodes

  20. Versatile robotic probe calibration for position tracking in ultrasound imaging.

    PubMed

    Bø, Lars Eirik; Hofstad, Erlend Fagertun; Lindseth, Frank; Hernes, Toril A N

    2015-05-07

    Within the field of ultrasound-guided procedures, there are a number of methods for ultrasound probe calibration. While these methods are usually developed for a specific probe, they are in principle easily adapted to other probes. In practice, however, the adaptation often proves tedious and this is impractical in a research setting, where new probes are tested regularly. Therefore, we developed a method which can be applied to a large variety of probes without adaptation. The method used a robot arm to move a plastic sphere submerged in water through the ultrasound image plane, providing a slow and precise movement. The sphere was then segmented from the recorded ultrasound images using a MATLAB programme and the calibration matrix was computed based on this segmentation in combination with tracking information. The method was tested on three very different probes demonstrating both great versatility and high accuracy.

  1. Versatile robotic probe calibration for position tracking in ultrasound imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eirik Bø, Lars; Fagertun Hofstad, Erlend; Lindseth, Frank; Hernes, Toril A. N.

    2015-05-01

    Within the field of ultrasound-guided procedures, there are a number of methods for ultrasound probe calibration. While these methods are usually developed for a specific probe, they are in principle easily adapted to other probes. In practice, however, the adaptation often proves tedious and this is impractical in a research setting, where new probes are tested regularly. Therefore, we developed a method which can be applied to a large variety of probes without adaptation. The method used a robot arm to move a plastic sphere submerged in water through the ultrasound image plane, providing a slow and precise movement. The sphere was then segmented from the recorded ultrasound images using a MATLAB programme and the calibration matrix was computed based on this segmentation in combination with tracking information. The method was tested on three very different probes demonstrating both great versatility and high accuracy.

  2. Design and development of the Sentinel-2 Multi Spectral Instrument and satellite system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chorvalli, Vincent; Cazaubiel, Vincent; Bursch, Stefan; Welsch, Mario; Sontag, Heinz; Martimort, Philippe; Del Bello, Umberto; Sy, Omar; Laberinti, Paolo; Spoto, François

    2010-10-01

    2A and Sentinel-2B satellites currently under development will ensure systematic global acquisition of all land and coastal waters in the visible and short-wave infrared spectral domain with a 5 day revisit time at the equator. The Multi Spectral Instrument is a push-broom imager providing imagery in 13 spectral channels with spatial resolutions ranging from 10 m to 60 m and a swath width of 290 Km, larger than SPOT and Landsat. The instrument features a full field of view calibration device, a silicon carbide Three Mirror Anastigmat telescope with mirror dimensions up to 600 mm, specific filter stripe assemblies, newly developed Si-CMOS and HgCDTe detectors and a low noise wavelet compression video electronics. The 1.4 Tbits/s raw image date rate is reduced down to 490 Mbits/s at the output of the instrument to cope with the overall system transmission capability. The Sentinel-2 program has entered in the CD phase in 2009. Launch of Sentinel-2A satellite is scheduled for 2013.

  3. Pump-probe imaging of pigmented cutaneous melanoma primary lesions gives insight into metastatic potential

    PubMed Central

    Robles, Francisco E.; Deb, Sanghamitra; Wilson, Jesse W.; Gainey, Christina S.; Selim, M. Angelica; Mosca, Paul J.; Tyler, Douglas S.; Fischer, Martin C.; Warren, Warren S.

    2015-01-01

    Metastatic melanoma is associated with a poor prognosis, but no method reliably predicts which melanomas of a given stage will ultimately metastasize and which will not. While sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has emerged as the most powerful predictor of metastatic disease, the majority of people dying from metastatic melanoma still have a negative SLNB. Here we analyze pump-probe microscopy images of thin biopsy slides of primary melanomas to assess their metastatic potential. Pump-probe microscopy reveals detailed chemical information of melanin with subcellular spatial resolution. Quantification of the molecular signatures without reference standards is achieved using a geometrical representation of principal component analysis. Melanin structure is analyzed in unison with the chemical information by applying principles of mathematical morphology. Results show that melanin in metastatic primary lesions has lower chemical diversity than non-metastatic primary lesions, and contains two distinct phenotypes that are indicative of aggressive disease. Further, the mathematical morphology analysis reveals melanin in metastatic primary lesions has a distinct “dusty” quality. Finally, a statistical analysis shows that the combination of the chemical information with spatial structures predicts metastatic potential with much better sensitivity than SLNB and high specificity, suggesting pump-probe microscopy can be an important tool to help predict the metastatic potential of melanomas. PMID:26417529

  4. Fire monitoring capability of the joint Landsat and Sentinel 2 constellation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murphy, S.; Wright, R.

    2017-12-01

    Fires are a global hazard. Landsat and Sentinel 2 can monitor the Earth's surface every 2 - 4 days. This provides an important opportunity to complement the operational (lower resolution) fire monitoring systems. Landsat-class sensors can detect small fires that would be missed by MODIS-classed sensors. All large fires start out as small fires. We analyze fire patterns in California from 1984 to 2017 and compare the performance of Landsat-type and MODIS-type sensors. Had an operational Landsat-Sentinel 2 fire detection system been in place at the time of the Soberanes fire last year (i.e. August 2016), the cost of suppressing of this fire event (US $236 million) could potentially have been reduced by an order of magnitude.

  5. Availability of tissue rinse liquid-based cytology for the rapid diagnosis of sentinel lymph node metastasis and improved bilateral detection by photodynamic eye camera.

    PubMed

    Kato, Hidenori; Ohba, Yoko; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Minobe, Shin-Ichiro; Sudo, Satoko; Todo, Yukiharu; Okamoto, Kazuhira; Yamashiro, Katsushige

    2015-08-01

    On sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for early invasive cervical cancers, to gain high sensitivity and specificity, the sentinel nodes should be detected bilaterally and pathological diagnosis should be sensitive to detect micrometastasis. To improve these problems, we tried tissue rinse liquid-based cytology and the photodynamic eye. From 2005 to 2013, 102 patients with Stage Ib1 uterine cervical cancer were subjected to sentinel lymph node navigation surgery with Technetium-99 m colloid and blue dye. For the recent 11 patients with whom bilateral sentinel node detection was not available, the photodynamic eye was selectively examined. The detected sentinel node was cut along the minor axis into 2 mm slices, soaked in 10 ml CytoRich red and then subjected to tissue rinse liquid-based cytology at the time of surgery. With the accumulation of 102 Ib1 patients subjected to sentinel lymph node navigation surgery, the bilateral sentinel node detection rate was 67.7%. The photodynamic eye was examined for the recent 11 patients who did not have bilateral signals. Out of the 11, 10 patients obtained bilateral signals successfully. During the period of examining the photodynamic eye, a total of 34 patients were subjected to sentinel lymph node navigation surgery. Thus, the overall bilateral detection rate increased to 97% in this subset. Two hundred and five lymph nodes were available as sentinel nodes. The sensitivity of tissue rinse liquid-based cytology was 91.7%, and the specificity was 100%. False positivity was 0% and false negativity was 8.3%. Detection failure was observed only with one micrometastasis and one case of isolated tumor cells. Combination of photodynamic eye detection and tissue rinse liquid-based cytology pathology can be a promising method for more rewarding sentinel node detection. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  6. Scanning elastic scattering spectroscopy detects metastatic breast cancer in sentinel lymph nodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Austwick, Martin R.; Clark, Benjamin; Mosse, Charles A.; Johnson, Kristie; Chicken, D. Wayne; Somasundaram, Santosh K.; Calabro, Katherine W.; Zhu, Ying; Falzon, Mary; Kocjan, Gabrijela; Fearn, Tom; Bown, Stephen G.; Bigio, Irving J.; Keshtgar, Mohammed R. S.

    2010-07-01

    A novel method for rapidly detecting metastatic breast cancer within excised sentinel lymph node(s) of the axilla is presented. Elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) is a point-contact technique that collects broadband optical spectra sensitive to absorption and scattering within the tissue. A statistical discrimination algorithm was generated from a training set of nearly 3000 clinical spectra and used to test clinical spectra collected from an independent set of nodes. Freshly excised nodes were bivalved and mounted under a fiber-optic plate. Stepper motors raster-scanned a fiber-optic probe over the plate to interrogate the node's cut surface, creating a 20×20 grid of spectra. These spectra were analyzed to create a map of cancer risk across the node surface. Rules were developed to convert these maps to a prediction for the presence of cancer in the node. Using these analyses, a leave-one-out cross-validation to optimize discrimination parameters on 128 scanned nodes gave a sensitivity of 69% for detection of clinically relevant metastases (71% for macrometastases) and a specificity of 96%, comparable to literature results for touch imprint cytology, a standard technique for intraoperative diagnosis. ESS has the advantage of not requiring a pathologist to review the tissue sample.

  7. Development of a novel gamma probe for detecting radiation direction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pani, R.; Pellegrini, R.; Cinti, M. N.; Longo, M.; Donnarumma, R.; D'Alessio, A.; Borrazzo, C.; Pergola, A.; Ridolfi, S.; De Vincentis, G.

    2016-01-01

    Spatial localization of radioactive sources is currently a main issue interesting different fields, including nuclear industry, homeland security as well as medical imaging. It is currently achieved using different systems, but the development of technologies for detecting and characterizing radiation is becoming important especially in medical imaging. In this latter field, radiation detection probes have long been used to guide surgery, thanks to their ability to localize and quantify radiopharmaceutical uptake even deep in tissue. Radiolabelled colloid is injected into, or near to, the tumor and the surgeon uses a hand-held radiation detector, the gamma probe, to identify lymph nodes with radiopharmaceutical uptkake. The present work refers to a novel scintigraphic goniometric probe to identify gamma radiation and its direction. The probe incorporates several scintillation crystals joined together in a particular configuration to provide data related to the position of a gamma source. The main technical characteristics of the gamma locator prototype, i.e. sensitivity, spatial resolution and detection efficiency, are investigated. Moreover, the development of a specific procedure applied to the images permits to retrieve the source position with high precision with respect to the currently used gamma probes. The presented device shows a high sensitivity and efficiency to identify gamma radiation taking a short time (from 30 to 60 s). Even though it was designed for applications in radio-guided surgery, it could be used for other purposes, as for example homeland security.

  8. Subserosal uterine injection of blue dye for the identification of the sentinel node in patients with endometrial cancer: a feasibility study.

    PubMed

    Biliatis, Ioannis; Thomakos, Nikolaos; Koutroumpa, Ioanna; Haidopoulos, Dimitris; Sotiropoulou, Maria; Antsaklis, Aris; Vlachos, George; Akrivos, Nikolaos; Rodolakis, Alexandros

    2017-09-01

    To define the detection rate, sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of the sentinel node technique in patients with endometrial cancer. Patients with endometrial cancer after informed consent underwent subserosal injection of blue dye during hysterectomy in a tertiary gynae/oncology department between 2010 and 2014. The procedure was performed in all cases by the same team including two gynae/oncologist consultants and one trainee. All relevant perioperative clinicopathological characteristics of the population were recorded prospectively. The identified sentinel nodes were removed separately and a completion bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy followed in all cases. Simple statistics were used to calculate the sensitivity and NPV of the method on per patient basis. Fifty-four patients were included in this study. At least one sentinel node was mapped in 46 patients yielding a detection rate of 85.2%. Bilateral detection of sentinel nodes was accomplished in only 31 patients (57.4%). The mean number of sentinel nodes was 2.6 per patient and the commonest site of identification was the external iliac artery and vein area (66%). Six patients (11%) had a positive lymph node, and in five of them, this was the sentinel one yielding a sensitivity of 83.3% and an NPV of 97.5%. The overall detection rate improved significantly after the first 15 cases; however, this was not the case for the bilateral detection rate. Our study is in accordance with previous studies of sentinel node in endometrial cancer and further demonstrates and enhances the confidence in the technique. In the current era of an ongoing debate on whether a systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial cancer is still necessary, we believe that the sentinel node is an acceptable alternative and should be applied routinely in tertiary centres following a strict algorithm.

  9. Decline in Frozen Section Diagnosis for Axillary Sentinel Lymph Nodes as a Result of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 Trial.

    PubMed

    Bishop, Julie Anne; Sun, Jihong; Ajkay, Nicolas; Sanders, Mary Ann G

    2016-08-01

    -Results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial showed that patients with early-stage breast cancer and limited sentinel node metastasis treated with breast conservation and systemic therapy did not benefit from axillary lymph node dissection. Subsequently, most pathology departments have likely seen a decrease in frozen section diagnosis of sentinel lymph nodes. -To determine the effect of the Z0011 trial on pathology practice and to examine the utility of intraoperative sentinel lymph node evaluation for this subset of patients. -Pathology reports from cases of primary breast cancer that met Z0011 clinical criteria and were initially treated with lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy from 2009 to 2015 were collected. Clinicopathologic data were recorded. -Sentinel lymph node biopsies sent for frozen section diagnosis occurred in 22 of 22 cases (100%) in 2009 and 15 of 22 cases (68%) in 2010 during the pre-Z0011 years, and in 3 of 151 cases (2%) collected in 2011 through 2015, considered to be post-Z0011 years. Of the 151 post-Z0011 cases, 28 (19%) had sentinel lymph nodes with metastasis, and 147 (97%) were spared axillary lymph node dissection. -Following Z0011, intraoperative sentinel lymph node evaluation has significantly decreased at our institution. Prior to surgery, all patients had clinically node-negative disease. After sentinel lymph node evaluation, 97% (147 of 151) of the patients were spared axillary lymph node dissection. Therefore, routine frozen section diagnosis for sentinel lymph node biopsies can be avoided in these patients.

  10. Automatic Sub-Pixel Co-Registration of LandSat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2A MSI Images Using Phase Correlation and Machine Learning Based Mapping

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Skakun, Sergii; Roger, Jean-Claude; Vermote, Eric F.; Masek, Jeffrey G.; Justice, Christopher O.

    2017-01-01

    This study investigates misregistration issues between Landsat-8/OLI and Sentinel-2A/MSI at 30 m resolution, and between multi-temporal Sentinel-2A images at 10 m resolution using a phase correlation approach and multiple transformation functions. Co-registration of 45 Landsat-8 to Sentinel-2A pairs and 37 Sentinel-2A to Sentinel-2A pairs were analyzed. Phase correlation proved to be a robust approach that allowed us to identify hundreds and thousands of control points on images acquired more than 100 days apart. Overall, misregistration of up to 1.6 pixels at 30 m resolution between Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A images, and 1.2 pixels and 2.8 pixels at 10 m resolution between multi-temporal Sentinel-2A images from the same and different orbits, respectively, were observed. The non-linear Random Forest regression used for constructing the mapping function showed best results in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), yielding an average RMSE error of 0.07+/-0.02 pixels at 30 m resolution, and 0.09+/-0.05 and 0.15+/-0.06 pixels at 10 m resolution for the same and adjacent Sentinel-2A orbits, respectively, for multiple tiles and multiple conditions. A simpler 1st order polynomial function (affine transformation) yielded RMSE of 0.08+/-0.02 pixels at 30 m resolution and 0.12+/-0.06 (same Sentinel-2A orbits) and 0.20+/-0.09 (adjacent orbits) pixels at 10 m resolution.

  11. Sentinel lymph node biopsy as a prognostic factor in non-metastatic colon cancer: a prospective study.

    PubMed

    Estrada, O; Pulido, L; Admella, C; Hidalgo, L-A; Clavé, P; Suñol, X

    2017-04-01

    Around a third of node-negative patients with colon cancer experience a recurrence after surgery, suggesting poor staging. Sentinel lymph node techniques combined with immunochemistry could improve colon cancer staging. We prospectively assessed the effect of Sentinel node mapping on staging and survival in patients with non-metastatic colon cancer. An observational and prospective study was designed. 105 patients with colon cancer were selected. Patients were classified according to node involvement as: N1, with node invasion detected by the conventional techniques; up-staged, with node invasion detected only by sentinel node mapping; and N0, with negative lymph node involvement by both techniques. Five-year survival and disease-free survival rates were analysed. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survival. Sentinel node mapping was successfully applied in 78 patients: 33 % were N1; 24.5 % were up-staged (18 patients with isolated tumour cells and 1 patient with micrometastases); and 42.5 % were N0. N1 patients had the poorest overall 5-year survival (65.4 %) and 5-year disease-free survival (69.2 %) rates compared with the other two groups. No significant 5-year survival differences were observed between N0 patients (87.9 %) and up-staged patients (84.2 %). Patients up-staged after sentinel node mapping do not have a poorer prognosis than patients without node involvement. Detection of isolated cancer cells was not a poor prognosis factor in these patients.

  12. Monitoring Forest Degradation for a Case Study in Cambodia: Comparison of Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 Imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Langner, Andreas; Miettinen, Jukka; Stibig, Hans-Jurgen

    2016-08-01

    We use a Normalized Burned Ratio (NBR) differential approach for detecting forest canopy disturbance caused by selective logging in evergreen tropical moist forests of central Cambodia. The general disturbance pattern obtained from Landsat 8 (30 m) imagery is largely compatible to Sentinel-2 (10 m), showing good conformity to high resolution RapidEye reference data. However, the 10 m spatial resolution of Sentinel-2 provides notably higher spatial detail and purer pixel values, increasing the potential for detecting fine and subtle forest canopy changes as indicators for potential forest degradation. We can expect further improvement for detecting short-lived disturbance signals in tropical forest canopies due to an increased revisit frequency (5 days) after the Sentinel-2B launch.

  13. Multicenter Trial of Sentinel Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer Using Both Technetium Sulfur Colloid and Isosulfan Blue Dye

    PubMed Central

    Tafra, Lorraine; Lannin, Donald R.; Swanson, Melvin S.; Van Eyk, Jason J.; Verbanac, Kathryn M.; Chua, Arlene N.; Ng, Peter C.; Edwards, Maxine S.; Halliday, Bradford E.; Henry, C. Alan; Sommers, Linda M.; Carman, Claire M.; Molin, Melinda R.; Yurko, John E.; Perry, Roger R.; Williams, Robert

    2001-01-01

    Objective To determine the factors associated with false-negative results on sentinel node biopsy and sentinel node localization (identification rate) in patients with breast cancer enrolled in a multicenter trial using a combination technique of isosulfan blue with technetium sulfur colloid (Tc99). Summary Background Data Sentinel node biopsy is a diagnostic test used to detect breast cancer metastases. To test the reliability of this method, a complete lymph node dissection must be performed to determine the false-negative rate. Single-institution series have reported excellent results, although one multicenter trial reported a false-negative rate as high as 29% using radioisotope alone. A multicenter trial was initiated to test combined use of Tc99 and isosulfan blue. Methods Investigators (both private-practice and academic surgeons) were recruited after attending a course on the technique of sentinel node biopsy. No investigator participated in a learning trial before entering patients. Tc99 and isosulfan blue were injected into the peritumoral region. Results Five hundred twenty-nine patients underwent 535 sentinel node biopsy procedures for an overall identification rate in finding a sentinel node of 87% and a false-negative rate of 13%. The identification rate increased and the false-negative rate decreased to 90% and 4.3%, respectively, after investigators had performed more than 30 cases. Univariate analysis of tumor showed the poorest success rate with older patients and inexperienced surgeons. Multivariate analysis identified both age and experience as independent predictors of failure. However, with older patients, inexperienced surgeons, and patients with five or more metastatic axillary nodes, the false-negative rate was consistently greater. Conclusions This multicenter trial, from both private practice and academic institutions, is an excellent indicator of the general utility of sentinel node biopsy. It establishes the factors that play an

  14. Sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer patients using surgical navigation system based on fluorescence molecular imaging technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chi, Chongwei; Kou, Deqiang; Ye, Jinzuo; Mao, Yamin; Qiu, Jingdan; Wang, Jiandong; Yang, Xin; Tian, Jie

    2015-03-01

    Introduction: Precision and personalization treatments are expected to be effective methods for early stage cancer studies. Breast cancer is a major threat to women's health and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an effective method to realize precision and personalized treatment for axillary lymph node (ALN) negative patients. In this study, we developed a surgical navigation system (SNS) based on optical molecular imaging technology for the precise detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer patients. This approach helps surgeons in precise positioning during surgery. Methods: The SNS was mainly based on the technology of optical molecular imaging. A novel optical path has been designed in our hardware system and a feature-matching algorithm has been devised to achieve rapid fluorescence and color image registration fusion. Ten in vivo studies of SLN detection in rabbits using indocyanine green (ICG) and blue dye were executed for system evaluation and 8 breast cancer patients accepted the combination method for therapy. Results: The detection rate of the combination method was 100% and an average of 2.6 SLNs was found in all patients. Our results showed that the method of using SNS to detect SLN has the potential to promote its application. Conclusion: The advantage of this system is the real-time tracing of lymph flow in a one-step procedure. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the system for providing accurate location and reliable treatment for surgeons. Our approach delivers valuable information and facilitates more detailed exploration for image-guided surgery research.

  15. Laparoscopic Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping with Indocyanine Green Using the iSpies Platform: Initial Experience Argentina.

    PubMed

    Di Guilmi, Julian; Darin, Maria Cecilia; Toscano, Maria; Maya, Gustavo

    To demonstrate the initial experience in Argentina using the iSpies indocyanine green (ICG) platform in sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Step-by-step demonstration of the technique using a video and pictures (educative video) (Canadian Task Force classification III). Laparoscopic and robotic sentinel lymph node mapping using ICG has been shown to be safe and feasible; however, in developing countries, the opportunities to use fluorescent imaging through a minimally invasive approach are very limited, given the cost restrictions of acquiring the near-infrared technology and the fluorescent dyes. A 47-year-old woman presented with a stage IB1 squamous cervical cancer. Physical examination revealed a 1.5-cm tumor without evidence of parametrial involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show any evidence of metastatic disease. The patient underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with sentinel lymph node mapping. On laparoscopic exposure of the pelvic spaces, a cervical injection of ICG (1 mL superficial and deep) was administered using a spinal needle at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. Sentinel lymph node mapping was then performed using the ICG (Pulsion Medical Systems, Feldkirchen, Germany) and an iSpies near-infrared camera (Karl Storz Endoskope, Tuttlingen, Germany). Bilateral sentinel lymph nodes were detected on the left external iliac artery and in the right obturator space. Both were confirmed ex vivo. The total operative time was 170 minutes. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported, and the patient was discharged at 48 hours after surgery. Estimated blood loss was minimal. Sentinel lymph node mapping alone is not the standard of care in our institution, and thus bilateral lymphadenectomy was performed. Ultrastaging is routinely performed when a sentinel lymph node is evaluated. Final pathology revealed a tumor confined to the cervix, with tumor-free margins, and a total of 10

  16. In vivo reproducibility of robotic probe placement for a novel ultrasound-guided radiation therapy system

    PubMed Central

    Lediju Bell, Muyinatu A.; Sen, H. Tutkun; Iordachita, Iulian; Kazanzides, Peter; Wong, John

    2014-01-01

    Abstract. Ultrasound can provide real-time image guidance of radiation therapy, but the probe-induced tissue deformations cause local deviations from the treatment plan. If placed during treatment planning, the probe causes streak artifacts in required computed tomography (CT) images. To overcome these challenges, we propose robot-assisted placement of an ultrasound probe, followed by replacement with a geometrically identical, CT-compatible model probe. In vivo reproducibility was investigated by implanting a canine prostate, liver, and pancreas with three 2.38-mm spherical markers in each organ. The real probe was placed to visualize the markers and subsequently replaced with the model probe. Each probe was automatically removed and returned to the same position or force. Under position control, the median three-dimensional reproducibility of marker positions was 0.6 to 0.7 mm, 0.3 to 0.6 mm, and 1.1 to 1.6 mm in the prostate, liver, and pancreas, respectively. Reproducibility was worse under force control. Probe substitution errors were smallest for the prostate (0.2 to 0.6 mm) and larger for the liver and pancreas (4.1 to 6.3 mm), where force control generally produced larger errors than position control. Results indicate that position control is better than force control for this application, and the robotic approach has potential, particularly for relatively constrained organs and reproducibility errors that are smaller than established treatment margins. PMID:26158038

  17. A protocol for validating Land Surface Temperature from Sentinel-3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghent, D.

    2015-12-01

    One of the main objectives of the Sentinel-3 mission is to measure sea- and land-surface temperature with high-end accuracy and reliability in support of environmental and climate monitoring in an operational context. Calibration and validation are thus key criteria for operationalization within the framework of the Sentinel-3 Mission Performance Centre (S3MPC).Land surface temperature (LST) has a long heritage of satellite observations which have facilitated our understanding of land surface and climate change processes, such as desertification, urbanization, deforestation and land/atmosphere coupling. These observations have been acquired from a variety of satellite instruments on platforms in both low-earth orbit and in geostationary orbit. Retrieval accuracy can be a challenge though; surface emissivities can be highly variable owing to the heterogeneity of the land, and atmospheric effects caused by the presence of aerosols and by water vapour absorption can give a bias to the underlying LST. As such, a rigorous validation is critical in order to assess the quality of the data and the associated uncertainties. The Sentinel-3 Cal-Val Plan for evaluating the level-2 SL_2_LST product builds on an established validation protocol for satellite-based LST. This set of guidelines provides a standardized framework for structuring LST validation activities, and is rapidly gaining international recognition. The protocol introduces a four-pronged approach which can be summarised thus: i) in situ validation where ground-based observations are available; ii) radiance-based validation over sites that are homogeneous in emissivity; iii) intercomparison with retrievals from other satellite sensors; iv) time-series analysis to identify artefacts on an interannual time-scale. This multi-dimensional approach is a necessary requirement for assessing the performance of the LST algorithm for SLSTR which is designed around biome-based coefficients, thus emphasizing the importance of

  18. High Resolution Mapping of Wetland Ecosystems SPOT-5 Take 5 for Evaluation of Sentinel-2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ade, Christiana; Hestir, Erin L.; Khanna, Shruti; Ustin, Susan L.

    2016-08-01

    Around the world wetlands are critical to human societies and ecosystems, providing services such as habitat, water, food and fiber, flood and nutrient control, and cultural, recreational and religious value. However, the dynamic nature of tidal wetlands makes measuring ecosystem responses to climate change, seasonal inundation regimes, and anthropogenic disturbance from current and previous Earth observing sensors challenging due to limited spatial and temporal resolutions. Sentinel- 2 will directly address this challenge by providing high spatial resolution data with frequent revisit time. This pilot study aims to develop methodology for future Sentinel-2 products and highlight the variability of tidal wetland ecosystems, thereby demonstrating the necessity of improved spatial particularly temporal resolution. Here the simulated Sentinel-2 dataset from the SPOT-5 Take 5 experiment reveals the capacity of the new sensor to simultaneously assess tidal wetland ecosystem phenology and water quality in inland waters.

  19. Evaluation of the Sentinel-3 Hydrologic Altimetry Processor prototypE (SHAPE) methods.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benveniste, J.; Garcia-Mondéjar, A.; Bercher, N.; Fabry, P. L.; Roca, M.; Varona, E.; Fernandes, J.; Lazaro, C.; Vieira, T.; David, G.; Restano, M.; Ambrózio, A.

    2017-12-01

    Inland water scenes are highly variable, both in space and time, which leads to a much broader range of radar signatures than ocean surfaces. This applies to both LRM and "SAR" mode (SARM) altimetry. Nevertheless the enhanced along-track resolution of SARM altimeters should help improve the accuracy and precision of inland water height measurements from satellite. The SHAPE project - Sentinel-3 Hydrologic Altimetry Processor prototypE - which is funded by ESA through the Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions Programme Element (contract number 4000115205/15/I-BG) aims at preparing for the exploitation of Sentinel-3 data over the inland water domain. The SHAPE Processor implements all of the steps necessary to derive rivers and lakes water levels and discharge from Delay-Doppler Altimetry and perform their validation against in situ data. The processor uses FBR CryoSat-2 and L1A Sentinel-3A data as input and also various ancillary data (proc. param., water masks, L2 corrections, etc.), to produce surface water levels. At a later stage, water level data are assimilated into hydrological models to derive river discharge. This poster presents the improvements obtained with the new methods and algorithms over the regions of interest (Amazon and Danube rivers, Vanern and Titicaca lakes).

  20. Sentinel monitoring of general community health during the 1998 World Football Cup.

    PubMed

    Hanslik, T; Espinoza, P; Boelle, P Y; Cantin-Bertaux, D; Gallichon, B; Quendez, S; Aïm, J L; Retel, O; Ballereau, M; Gorodetzky, N; Flahault, A

    2001-04-01

    Present knowledge of the consequences of mass gatherings for the health of the community is scant. Our objective was to determine the impact of the 1998 World Football Cup on general community health. We set up an electronic sentinel disease surveillance, before, during and after the World Football Cup tournament held in France from June 10 to July 12, 1998. Medical activity, and the daily number of cases of communicable, environmental, and societal diseases relating to mass gatherings were surveyed. The incidence of the pathologies surveyed in real time during and after the World Cup versus the pre-Cup reference period was the main outcome measure. Five sentinel networks participated, comprising 553 general practitioners, 60 hospital adult emergency departments, 19 private emergency community services, 4 community health centres, and the medical centre of the Paris airports. Throughout the 66-day study period, physicians reported 558,829 medical encounters via 21,532 connections to the computer. Compared to the reference period, the level of medical activity reflected by the pathological items surveyed remained stable during the study period. The 1998 World Football Cup had no epidemiological impact on general community health, as observed by sentinel networks located downstream of the specific health services provided by the French authorities to ensure high standards of safety.

  1. Outcome of Sentinel Hospital-based and CDC-based ART Service Delivery: A Prospective Open Cohort of People Living with HIV in China.

    PubMed

    Ning, Chuanyi; Smith, Kumi M; McCann, Chase D; Hu, Fengyu; Lan, Yun; Zhang, Fuchun; Liang, Hao; Zhao, Jinmin; Tucker, Joseph D; Cai, Weiping

    2017-02-14

    The primary objective of this study was to obtain insights into the outcomes of people living with HIV who accessed services through HIV/AIDS sentinel hospital-based and ART service delivery in China. Post-hoc analyses of an open cohort from an observational database of 22 qualified HIV/AIDS sentinel hospital-based and two CDC-based drug delivery facilities (DDFs) in Guangdong Province was completed. Linkage to care, mortality and survival rates were calculated according to WHO criteria. 12,966 individuals received ART from HIV/AIDS sentinel hospitals and 1,919 from DDFs, with linkage to care rates of 80.7% and 79.9%, respectively (P > 0.05). Retention rates were 94.1% and 84.0% in sentinel hospitals and DDFs, respectively (P < 0.01). Excess mortality was 1.4 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI: 1.1, 1.8) in DDFs compared to 0.4 deaths/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.3, 0.5) in hospitals (P < 0.01). A Cox-regression analysis revealed that mortality was much higher in patients receiving ART from the DDFs than sentinel hospitals, with an adjusted HR of 3.3 (95% CI: 2.3, 4.6). A crude HR of treatment termination in DDFs was 7.5 fold higher (95% CI: 6.3, 9.0) compared to sentinel hospitals. HIV/AIDS sentinel hospital had better retention, and substantially lower mortality compared to DDFs.

  2. Clinical and histopathological factors affecting failed sentinel node localization in axillary staging for breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Dordea, Matei; Colvin, Hugh; Cox, Phil; Pujol Nicolas, Andrea; Kanakala, Venkat; Iwuchukwu, Obi

    2013-04-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard of care in axillary staging of clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. To analyze reasons for failure of SLN localization by means of a multivariate analysis of clinical and histopathological factors. We performed a review of 164 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent SLNB. A superficial injection technique was used. 9/164 patients failed to show nodes. In 7/9 patients no evidence of radioactivity or blue dye was observed. Age and nodal status were the only statistically significant factors (p < 0.05). For every unit increase in age there was a 9% reduced chance of failed SLN localization. Patients with negative nodal status have 90% reduced risk of failed sentinel node localization than patients with macro or extra capsular nodal invasion. The results suggest that altered lymphatic dynamics secondary to tumour burden may play a role in failed sentinel node localization. We showed that in all failed localizations the radiocolloid persisted around the injection site, showing limited local diffusion only. While clinical and histopathological data may provide some clues as to why sentinel node localization fails, we further hypothesize that integrity of peri-areolar lymphatics is important for successful localization. Copyright © 2012 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Exploring the potential of Sentinel-1 data for regional scale slope instability detection using multi-temporal interferometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wasowski, Janusz; Bovenga, Fabio; Nutricato, Raffaele; Nitti, Davide Oscar; Chiaradia, Maria Teresa; Refice, Alberto; Pasquariello, Guido

    2016-04-01

    Launched in 2014, the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-1 satellite carrying a medium resolution (20 m) C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor holds much promise for new applications of multi-temporal interferometry (MTI) in landslide assessment. Specifically, the regularity of acquisitions, timeliness of data delivery, shorter repeat cycle (currently 12 days with Sentinel-1A sensor), and flexible incidence angle geometry, all imply better practical utility of MTI relying on Sentinel-1 with respect to MTI based on data from earlier ESA's satellite radar C-band sensors (ERS1/2, ENVISAT). Furthermore, the upcoming launch of Sentinel-1B will cut down the repeat cycle to 6 days, thereby further improving temporal coherence and quality and coverage of MTI products. Taking advantage of the Interferometric Wide (IW) Swath acquisition mode of Sentinel-1 (images covering a 250 km swath on the ground), in this work we test the potential of such data for regional scale slope instability detection through MTI. Our test area includes the landslide-prone Apennine Mountains of Southern Italy. We rely on over 30 Sentinel-1 images, most of which acquired in 2015, and MTI processing through the SPINUA algorithm (Stable Points INterferometry in Un-urbanized Areas). The potential of MTI results based on Sentinel-1 data is assessed by comparing the detected ground surface displacements with the MTI results obtained for the same test area using the C-Band data acquired by ERS1/2 and ENVISAT in 1990s and 2000s. Although the initial results are encouraging, it seems evident that longer-term (few years) acquisitions of Sentinel-1 are necessary to reliably detect some extremely slow movements, which were observed in the last two decades and are likely to be still present in peri-urban areas of many hilltop towns in the Apennine Mts. The MTI results obtained from Sentinel-1 data are also locally compared with the MTI outcomes based on the high resolution (3 m) TerraSAR-X imagery

  4. Sentinel-1 Radar Shows Ground Motion From Sept. 2017 Oaxaca-Chiapas, Mexico Quake

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-09-20

    NASA and its partners are contributing important observations and expertise to the ongoing response to the Sept. 7, 2017 (local time), magnitude 8.1 Oaxaca-Chiapas earthquake in Mexico. This earthquake was the strongest in more than a century in Mexico. It has caused a significant humanitarian crisis, with widespread building damage and triggered landslides throughout the region. Scientists with the Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis project (ARIA), a collaboration between NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California; and Caltech, also in Pasadena, analyzed interferometric synthetic aperture radar images from the radar instrument on the Copernicus Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B satellites operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) to calculate a map of the deformation of Earth's surface caused by the quake. This false-color map shows the amount of permanent surface movement caused almost entirely by the earthquake, as viewed by the satellite, during a six-day interval between radar images acquired by the two Sentinel-1 satellites on Sept. 7 and Sept. 13, 2017. In this map, the colors of the surface displacements are proportional to the surface motion. The red tones show the areas along the coast of Chiapas and Oaxaca have moved toward the satellite by as much as 9 inches (22 centimeters) in a combination of up and eastward motion. The area in between and farther north with various shades of blue moved away from the satellite, mostly downward or westward, by as much as 6 inches (15 centimeters). Areas without color are open water or heavy vegetation, which prevent the radar from measuring change between the satellite images. Scientists use these maps to build detailed models of the fault slip at depth and associated land movements to better understand the impact on future earthquake activity. The green star shows the location of the earthquake epicenter estimated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center. Map

  5. From CryoSat-2 to Sentinel-3 and Beyond

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Francis, R.

    2011-12-01

    CryoSat-2 carried into Earth orbit the first altimeter using SAR principles, although similar techniques had been used on earlier Venusian missions. Furthermore, it carries a second antenna and receive chain, and has been very carefully calibrated, allowing interferometry between these antennas. The results of the SAR mode and of the interferometer have met all expectations, with handsome margins. Even before the launch of CryoSat-2 the further development of this concept was underway with the radar for the oceanography mission Sentinel-3. While this radar, named SRAL (SAR Radar Altimeter) does not have the interferometer capability of CryoSat-2's SIRAL (SAR Interferometric Radar Altimeter), it does have a second frequency, to enable direct measurement of the delay induced by the ionospheric electron content. Sentinel-3 will have a sun-synchronous orbit, like ERS and EnviSat, and will have a similar latitudinal range: about 82° north and south, compared to CryoSat's 88°. Sentinel-3 will operate its radar altimeter in the high-resolution SAR mode over coastal oceans and inland water, and will revert to the more classical pulse-width limited mode over the open oceans. The SAR mode generates data at a high rate, so the major limiting factor is the amount of on-board storage. The power consumption is also higher, imposing less critical constraints. For sizing purposes the coastal oceans are defined as waters within 300 km of the continental shorelines. Sentinel-3 is expected to be launched in 2013 and be followed 18 months later by a second satellite of the same design. The next step in the development of this family of radar altimeters is Jason-CS, which will provide Continuity of Service to the existing Jason series of operational oceanography missions. Jason-CS has a very strong heritage from CryoSat but will fly the traditional Jason orbit, which covers latitudes up to 66° from a high altitude of 1330 km. The new radar is called Poseidon-4, to emphasise the

  6. ANIMALS AS SENTINELS OF HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS

    EPA Science Inventory

    A workshop titled "Using Sentinel Species Data to Address the Potential Human Health Effects of Chemicals in the Environmnet," sponsored by the U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, the National Center for Environmental Assessment of the EPA, and the Agency for Toxi...

  7. Operational multisensor sea ice concentration algorithm utilizing Sentinel-1 and AMSR2 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dinessen, Frode

    2017-04-01

    The Norwegian Ice Service provide ice charts of the European part of the Arctic every weekday. The charts are produced from a manually interpretation of satellite data where SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data plays a central role because of its high spatial resolution and Independence of cloud cover. A new chart is produced every weekday and the charts are distributed through the CMEMS portal. After the launch of Sentinel-1A and B the number of available SAR data have significant increased making it difficult to utilize all the data in a manually process. This in combination with a user demand for a more frequent update of the ice conditions, also during the weekends, have made it important to focus the development on utilizing the high resolution Sentinel-1 data in an automatic sea ice concentration analysis. The algorithm developed here is based on a multi sensor approach using an optimal interpolation to combine sea ice concentration products derived from Sentinel-1 and passive microwave data from AMSR2. The Sentinel-1 data is classified with a Bayesian SAR classification algorithm using data in extra wide mode dual polarization (HH/HV) to separate ice and water in the full 40x40 meter spatial resolution. From the classification of ice/water the sea ice concentration is estimated by calculating amount of ice within an area of 1x1 km. The AMSR2 sea ice concentration are produced as part of the EUMETSAT Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility (OSI SAF) project and utilize the 89 GHz channel to produce a concentration product with a 3km spatial resolution. Results from the automatic classification will be presented.

  8. Satellite radar interferometry for monitoring subsidence induced by longwall mining activity using Radarsat-2, Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ng, Alex Hay-Man; Ge, Linlin; Du, Zheyuan; Wang, Shuren; Ma, Chao

    2017-09-01

    This paper describes the simulation and real data analysis results from the recently launched SAR satellites, ALOS-2, Sentinel-1 and Radarsat-2 for the purpose of monitoring subsidence induced by longwall mining activity using satellite synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR). Because of the enhancement of orbit control (pairs with shorter perpendicular baseline) from the new satellite SAR systems, the mine subsidence detection is now mainly constrained by the phase discontinuities due to large deformation and temporal decorrelation noise. This paper investigates the performance of the three satellite missions with different imaging modes for mapping longwall mine subsidence. The results show that the three satellites perform better than their predecessors. The simulation results show that the Sentinel-1A/B constellation is capable of mapping rapid mine subsidence, especially the Sentinel-1A/B constellation with stripmap (SM) mode. Unfortunately, the Sentinel-1A/B SM data are not available in most cases and hence real data analysis cannot be conducted in this study. Despite the Sentinel-1A/B SM data, the simulation and real data analysis suggest that ALOS-2 is best suited for mapping mine subsidence amongst the three missions. Although not investigated in this study, the X-band satellites TerraSAR-X and COSMO-SkyMed with short temporal baseline and high spatial resolution can be comparable with the performance of the Radarsat-2 and Sentinel-1 C-band data over the dry surface with sparse vegetation. The potential of the recently launched satellites (e.g. ALOS-2 and Sentinel-1A/B) for mapping longwall mine subsidence is expected to be better than the results of this study, if the data acquired from the ideal acquisition modes are available.

  9. Validation of Land Surface Temperature from Sentinel-3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghent, D.

    2017-12-01

    One of the main objectives of the Sentinel-3 mission is to measure sea- and land-surface temperature with high-end accuracy and reliability in support of environmental and climate monitoring in an operational context. Calibration and validation are thus key criteria for operationalization within the framework of the Sentinel-3 Mission Performance Centre (S3MPC). Land surface temperature (LST) has a long heritage of satellite observations which have facilitated our understanding of land surface and climate change processes, such as desertification, urbanization, deforestation and land/atmosphere coupling. These observations have been acquired from a variety of satellite instruments on platforms in both low-earth orbit and in geostationary orbit. Retrieval accuracy can be a challenge though; surface emissivities can be highly variable owing to the heterogeneity of the land, and atmospheric effects caused by the presence of aerosols and by water vapour absorption can give a bias to the underlying LST. As such, a rigorous validation is critical in order to assess the quality of the data and the associated uncertainties. Validation of the level-2 SL_2_LST product, which became freely available on an operational basis from 5th July 2017 builds on an established validation protocol for satellite-based LST. This set of guidelines provides a standardized framework for structuring LST validation activities. The protocol introduces a four-pronged approach which can be summarised thus: i) in situ validation where ground-based observations are available; ii) radiance-based validation over sites that are homogeneous in emissivity; iii) intercomparison with retrievals from other satellite sensors; iv) time-series analysis to identify artefacts on an interannual time-scale. This multi-dimensional approach is a necessary requirement for assessing the performance of the LST algorithm for the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) which is designed around biome

  10. Harmonized Landsat/Sentinel-2 Reflectance Products for Land Monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masek, J. G.; Ju, J.; Claverie, M.; Vermote, E.; Dungan, J. L.; Roger, J. C.; Skakun, S.; Justice, C. O.

    2017-12-01

    Many land applications require more frequent observations than can be obtained from a single "Landsat class" sensor. Agricultural monitoring, inland water quality assessment, stand-scale phenology, and numerous other applications all require near-daily imagery at better than 1ha resolution. Thus the land science community has begun expressing a desire for a "30-meter MODIS" global monitoring capability. One cost-effective way to achieve this goal is via merging data from multiple, international observatories into a single virtual constellation. The Harmonized Landsat/Sentinel-2 (HLS) project has been working to generate a seamless surface reflectance product by combining observations from USGS/NASA Landsat-8 and ESA Sentinel-2. Harmonization in this context requires a series of radiometric and geometric transforms to create a single surface reflectance time series agnostic to sensor origin. Radiometric corrections include a common atmospheric correction using the Landsat-8 LaSRC/6S approach, a simple BRDF adjustment to constant solar and nadir view angle, and spectral bandpass adjustments to fit the Landsat-8 OLI reference. Data are then resampled to a consistent 30m UTM grid, using the Sentinel-2 global tile system. Cloud and shadow masking are also implemented. Quality assurance (QA) involves comparison of the output 30m HLS products with near-simultaneous MODIS nadir-adjusted observations. Prototoype HLS products have been processed for 7% of the global land area using the NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) compute environment at NASA Ames, and can be downloaded from the HLS web site (https://hls.gsfc.nasa.gov). A wall-to-wall North America data set is being prepared for 2018.This talk will review the objectives and status of the HLS project, and illustrate applications of high-density optical time series data for agriculture and ecology. We also discuss lessons learned from HLS in the general context of implementing virtual constellations.

  11. Robust Flood Monitoring Using Sentinel-1 SAR Time Series

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    DeVries, B.; Huang, C.; Armston, J.; Huang, W.

    2017-12-01

    The 2017 hurricane season in North and Central America has resulted in unprecedented levels of flooding that have affected millions of people and continue to impact communities across the region. The extent of casualties and damage to property incurred by these floods underscores the need for reliable systems to track flood location, timing and duration to aid response and recovery efforts. While a diverse range of data sources provide vital information on flood status in near real-time, only spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors can ensure wall-to-wall coverage over large areas, mostly independently of weather conditions or site accessibility. The European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 constellation represents the only SAR mission currently providing open access and systematic global coverage, allowing for a consistent stream of observations over flood-prone regions. Importantly, both the data and pre-processing software are freely available, enabling the development of improved methods, tools and data products to monitor floods in near real-time. We tracked flood onset and progression in Southeastern Texas, Southern Florida, and Puerto Rico using a novel approach based on temporal backscatter anomalies derived from times series of Sentinel-1 observations and historic baselines defined for each of the three sites. This approach was shown to provide a more objective measure of flood occurrence than the simple backscatter thresholds often employed in operational flood monitoring systems. Additionally, the use of temporal anomaly measures allowed us to partially overcome biases introduced by varying sensor view angles and image acquisition modes, allowing increased temporal resolution in areas where additional targeted observations are available. Our results demonstrate the distinct advantages offered by data from operational SAR missions such as Sentinel-1 and NASA's planned NISAR mission, and call attention to the continuing need for SAR Earth Observation

  12. Sentinel visits in emergency department patients with diabetes mellitus as a warning sign for hyperglycemic emergencies.

    PubMed

    Yan, Justin W; Gushulak, Katherine M; Columbus, Melanie P; Hamelin, Alexandra L; Wells, George A; Stiell, Ian G

    2018-03-01

    Patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus may have a sentinel emergency department (ED) visit for a precipitating condition prior to presenting for a hyperglycemic emergency, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). This study's objective was to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of patients with a sentinel ED visit prior to their hyperglycemic emergency visit. This was a 1-year health records review of patients≥18 years old presenting to one of four tertiary care EDs with a discharge diagnosis of hyperglycemia, DKA, or HHS. Trained research personnel collected data on patient characteristics, management, disposition, and determined whether patients came to the ED within the 14 days prior to their hyperglycemia visit. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Of 833 visits for hyperglycemia, 142 (17.0%; 95% CI: 14.5% to 19.6%) had a sentinel ED presentation within the preceding 14 days. Mean (SD) age was 50.5 (19.0) years and 54.4% were male; 104 (73.2%) were discharged from this initial visit, and 98/104 (94.2%) were discharged either without their glucose checked or with an elevated blood glucose (>11.0 mmol/L). Of the sentinel visits, 93 (65.5%) were for hyperglycemia and 22 (15.5%) for infection. Upon returning to the ED, 61/142 (43.0%) were admitted for severe hyperglycemia, DKA, or HHS. In this unique ED-based study, diabetic patients with a sentinel ED visit often returned and required subsequent admission for hyperglycemia. Clinicians should be vigilant in checking blood glucose and provide clear discharge instructions for follow-up and glucose management to prevent further hyperglycemic emergencies from occurring.

  13. Sentinel model for influenza A virus monitoring in free-grazing ducks in Thailand.

    PubMed

    Boonyapisitsopa, Supanat; Chaiyawong, Supassama; Nonthabenjawan, Nutthawan; Jairak, Waleemas; Prakairungnamthip, Duangduean; Bunpapong, Napawan; Amonsin, Alongkorn

    2016-01-01

    Influenza A virus (IAV) can cause influenza in birds and mammals. In Thailand, free-grazing ducks are known IAV reservoirs and can spread viruses through frequent movements in habitats they share with wild birds. In this study, the sentinel model for IAV monitoring was conducted over 4 months in two free-grazing duck flocks. IAV subtypes H4N6 (n=1) and H3N8 (n=5) were isolated from sentinel ducks at the ages of 13 and 15 weeks. Clinical signs of depression and ocular discharge were observed in the infected ducks. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic characterization of the isolated IAVs indicated that all Thai IAVs were clustered in the Eurasian lineage and pose low pathogenic avian influenza characteristics. Serological analysis found that antibodies against IAVs could be detected in the ducks since 9-weeks-old. In summary, our results indicate that the sentinel model can be used for IAV monitoring in free-grazing duck flocks. Since free-grazing ducks are potential reservoirs and transmitters of IAVs, routine IAV surveillance in free-grazing duck flocks can be beneficial for influenza prevention and control strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Lin, Hefeng; Ding, Zheyuan; Kota, Vishnu Goutham; Zhang, Xiaoming; Zhou, Jianwei

    2017-07-11

    Endometrial cancer is the most frequent tumor in the female reproductive system, while the sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for diagnostic efficacy of endometrial cancer is still controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value of SLN in the assessment of lymph nodal involvement in endometrial cancer. Forty-four studies including 2,236 cases were identified. The pooled overall detection rate was 83% (95% CI: 80-86%). The pooled sensitivity was 91% (95% CI: 87-95%). The bilateral pelvic node detection rate was 56% (95% CI: 48-64%). Use of indocyanine green (ICG) increased the overall detection rate to 93% (95% CI: 89-96%) and robotic-assisted surgery also increased the overall detection rate to 86% (95% CI: 79-93%). In summary, our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that sentinel node mapping is an accurate and feasible method that performs well diagnostically for the assessment of lymph nodal involvement in endometrial cancer. Cervical injection, robot-assisted surgery, as well as using ICG, optimized the sensitivity and detection rate of the technique. Sentinel lymph mapping may potentially leading to a greater utilization by gynecologic surgeons in the future.

  15. Red Fox as Sentinel for Blastomyces dermatitidis, Ontario, Canada.

    PubMed

    Nemeth, Nicole M; Campbell, G Douglas; Oesterle, Paul T; Shirose, Lenny; McEwen, Beverly; Jardine, Claire M

    2016-07-01

    Blastomyces dermatitidis, a fungus that can cause fatal infection in humans and other mammals, is not readily recoverable from soil, its environmental reservoir. Because of the red fox's widespread distribution, susceptibility to B. dermatitidis, close association with soil, and well-defined home ranges, this animal has potential utility as a sentinel for this fungus.

  16. Trace Chemical Detection through Vegetation Sentinels and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

    Treesearch

    John E. Anderson; Robert L. Fischer; Jean D. Nelson

    2006-01-01

    Detection of environmental contaminants through vegetation sentinels has long been a goal of remote sensing scientists. A promising technique that should be scalable to wide-area applications is the combined use of genetically modified vascular plants and fluorescence imaging. The ultimate goal of our research is to produce a bioreporter that will express fluorescence...

  17. The clinical use of indocyanine green as a near-infrared fluorescent contrast agent for image-guided oncologic surgery

    PubMed Central

    Schaafsma, Boudewijn E.; Mieog, J.Sven D.; Hutteman, Merlijn; van der Vorst, Joost R.; Kuppen, Peter J.K.; Löwik, Clemens W.G.M.; Frangioni, John V.; van de Velde, Cornelis J.H.; Vahrmeijer, Alexander L.

    2011-01-01

    Optical imaging using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence provides new prospects for general and oncologic surgery. ICG is currently utilised in NIR fluorescence cancer-related surgery for three indications: sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, intraoperative identification of solid tumours, and angiography during reconstructive surgery. Therefore, understanding its advantages and limitations is of significant importance. Although non-targeted and non-conjugatable, ICG appears to be laying the foundation for more widespread use of NIR fluorescence-guided surgery. PMID:21495033

  18. Sentinel lymph nodes detection with an imaging system using Patent Blue V dye as fluorescent tracer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tellier, F.; Steibel, J.; Chabrier, R.; Rodier, J. F.; Pourroy, G.; Poulet, P.

    2013-03-01

    Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the gold standard to detect metastatic invasion from primary breast cancer. This method can help patients avoid full axillary chain dissection, thereby decreasing the risk of morbidity. We propose an alternative to the traditional isotopic method, to detect and map the sentinel lymph nodes. Indeed, Patent Blue V is the most widely used dye in clinical routine for the visual detection of sentinel lymph nodes. A Recent study has shown the possibility of increasing the fluorescence quantum yield of Patent Blue V, when it is bound to human serum albumin. In this study we present a preclinical fluorescence imaging system to detect sentinel lymph nodes labeled with this fluorescent tracer. The setup is composed of a black and white CCD camera and two laser sources. One excitation source with a laser emitting at 635 nm and a second laser at 785 nm to illuminate the region of interest. The prototype is operated via a laptop. Preliminary experiments permitted to determine the device sensitivity in the μmol.L-1 range as regards the detection of PBV fluorescence signals. We also present a preclinical evaluation performed on Lewis rats, during which the fluorescence imaging setup detected the accumulation and fixation of the fluorescent dye on different nodes through the skin.

  19. Sentinel Node Mapping Using a Fluorescent Dye and Visible Light During Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: Result of a Prospective Study From a Single Institute.

    PubMed

    Lee, Chang Min; Park, Sungsoo; Park, Seong-Heum; Jung, Sung Woo; Choe, Jung Wan; Sul, Ji-Young; Jang, You Jin; Mok, Young-Jae; Kim, Jong-Han

    2017-04-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel node mapping using a fluorescent dye and visible light in patients with gastric cancer. Recently, fluorescent imaging technology offers improved visibility with the possibility of better sensitivity or accuracy in sentinel node mapping. Twenty patients with early gastric cancer, for whom laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with standard lymphadenectomy had been planned, were enrolled in this study. Before lymphadenectomy, the patients received a gastrofiberoscopic peritumoral injection of fluorescein solution. The sentinel basin was investigated via laparoscopic fluorescent imaging under blue light (wavelength of 440-490 nm) emitted from an LED curing light. The detection rate and lymph node status were analyzed in the enrolled patients. In addition, short-term clinical outcomes were also investigated. No hypersensitivity to the dye was identified in any enrolled patients. Sentinel nodes were detected in 19 of 20 enrolled patients (95.0%), and metastatic lymph nodes were found in 2 patients. The latter lymph nodes belonged to the sentinel basin of each patient. Meanwhile, 1 patient (5.0%) experienced a postoperative complication that was unrelated to sentinel node mapping. No mortality was recorded among enrolled cases. Sentinel node mapping with visible light fluorescence was a feasible method for visualizing sentinel nodes in patients with early gastric cancer. In addition, this method is advantageous in terms of visualizing the concrete relationship between the sentinel nodes and surrounding structures.

  20. Sentinel-5 Precursor: Preparing the first Copernicus Atmospheric Mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nett, Herbert; McMullan, Kevin; Ingmann, Paul; Fehr, Thorsten

    2015-11-01

    Sentinel-5 Precursor (S-5P) will be the first of a series of atmospheric missions to be launched within the European Commission's Copernicus (former GMES) Programme. With a planned launch in 2016 and a nominal lifetime of 7 years S-5P is expected to provide continuity in the availability of global atmospheric data products between its predecessor missions SCIAMACHY (Envisat) and OMI (AURA) and the future Sentinel-4 and -5 series. The latter will comprise payload instruments on board the operational satellites MTG-S (S-4, geostationary component) and MetOp Second Generation (S-5, polar orbiting component), the first units of which will be launched in the 2020-2021 timeframe.The S-5P satellite will carry a single payload, TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) which is jointly developed by The Netherlands and ESA. Covering spectral channels in the UV, visible, near- and short-wave infrared it will measure various key species including tropospheric/stratospheric ozone, NO2, SO2, CO, CH4, CH2O as well as cloud and aerosol parameters.

  1. Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Women With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

    PubMed Central

    Levenback, Charles F.; Ali, Shamshad; Coleman, Robert L.; Gold, Michael A.; Fowler, Jeffrey M.; Judson, Patricia L.; Bell, Maria C.; De Geest, Koen; Spirtos, Nick M.; Potkul, Ronald K.; Leitao, Mario M.; Bakkum-Gamez, Jamie N.; Rossi, Emma C.; Lentz, Samuel S.; Burke, James J.; Van Le, Linda; Trimble, Cornelia L.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose To determine the safety of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a replacement for inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy in selected women with vulvar cancer. Patients and Methods Eligible women had squamous cell carcinoma, at least 1-mm invasion, and tumor size ≥ 2 cm and ≤ 6 cm. The primary tumor was limited to the vulva, and there were no groin lymph nodes that were clinically suggestive of cancer. All women underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy. Histologic ultra staging of the sentinel lymph node was prescribed. Results In all, 452 women underwent the planned procedures, and 418 had at least one sentinel lymph node identified. There were 132 node-positive women, including 11 (8.3%) with false-negative nodes. Twenty-three percent of the true-positive patients were detected by immunohistochemical analysis of the sentinel lymph node. The sensitivity was 91.7% (90% lower confidence bound, 86.7%) and the false-negative predictive value (1-negative predictive value) was 3.7% (90% upper confidence bound, 6.1%). In women with tumor less than 4 cm, the false-negative predictive value was 2.0% (90% upper confidence bound, 4.5%). Conclusion Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a reasonable alternative to inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy in selected women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. PMID:22753905

  2. Validating MODIS and Sentinel-2 NDVI Products at a Temperate Deciduous Forest Site Using Two Independent Ground-Based Sensors.

    PubMed

    Lange, Maximilian; Dechant, Benjamin; Rebmann, Corinna; Vohland, Michael; Cuntz, Matthias; Doktor, Daniel

    2017-08-11

    Quantifying the accuracy of remote sensing products is a timely endeavor given the rapid increase in Earth observation missions. A validation site for Sentinel-2 products was hence established in central Germany. Automatic multispectral and hyperspectral sensor systems were installed in parallel with an existing eddy covariance flux tower, providing spectral information of the vegetation present at high temporal resolution. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from ground-based hyperspectral and multispectral sensors were compared with NDVI products derived from Sentinel-2A and Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The influence of different spatial and temporal resolutions was assessed. High correlations and similar phenological patterns between in situ and satellite-based NDVI time series demonstrated the reliability of satellite-based phenological metrics. Sentinel-2-derived metrics showed better agreement with in situ measurements than MODIS-derived metrics. Dynamic filtering with the best index slope extraction algorithm was nevertheless beneficial for Sentinel-2 NDVI time series despite the availability of quality information from the atmospheric correction procedure.

  3. From ASCAT to Sentinel-1: Soil Moisture Monitoring using European C-Band Radars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wagner, Wolfgang; Bauer-Marschallinger, Bernhard; Hochstöger, Simon

    2016-04-01

    The Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) is a C-Band radar instrument flown on board of the series of three METOP satellites. Albeit not operating in one of the more favorable longer wavelength ranges (S, L or P-band) as the dedicated Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) missions, it is one of main microwave sensors used for monitoring of soil moisture on a global scale. Its attractiveness for soil moisture monitoring applications stems from its operational status, high radiometric accuracy and stability, short revisit time, multiple viewing directions and long heritage (Wagner et al. 2013). From an application perspective, its main limitation is its spatial resolution of about 25 km, which does not allow resolving soil moisture patterns driven by smaller-scale hydrometeorological processes (e.g. convective precipitation, runoff patterns, etc.) that are themselves related to highly variable land surface characteristics (soil characteristics, topography, vegetation cover, etc.). Fortunately, the technique of aperture synthesis allows to significantly improve the spatial resolution of spaceborne radar instruments up to the meter scale. Yet, past Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions had not yet been designed to achieve a short revisit time required for soil moisture monitoring. This has only changed recently with the development and launch of SMAP (Entekhabi et al. 2010) and Sentinel-1 (Hornacek et al. 2012). Unfortunately, the SMAP radar failed only after a few months of operations, which leaves Sentinel-1 as the only currently operational SAR mission capable of delivering high-resolution radar observations with a revisit time of about three days for Europe, about weekly for most crop growing regions worldwide, and about bi-weekly to monthly over the rest of the land surface area. Like ASCAT, Sentinel-1 acquires C-band backscatter data in VV polarization over land. Therefore, for the interpretation of both ASCAT and Sentinel-1

  4. Doppler endoscopic probe as a guide to risk stratification and definitive hemostasis of peptic ulcer bleeding.

    PubMed

    Jensen, Dennis M; Ohning, Gordon V; Kovacs, Thomas O G; Ghassemi, Kevin A; Jutabha, Rome; Dulai, Gareth S; Machicado, Gustavo A

    2016-01-01

    For more than 4 decades endoscopists have relied on ulcer stigmata for risk stratification and as a guide to hemostasis. None used arterial blood flow underneath stigmata to predict outcomes. For patients with severe peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB), we used a Doppler endoscopic probe (DEP) for (1) detection of blood flow underlying stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), (2) quantitating rates of residual arterial blood flow under SRH after visually directed standard endoscopic treatment, and (3) comparing risks of rebleeding and actual 30-day rebleed rates for spurting arterial bleeding (Forrest [F] IA) and oozing bleeding (F IB). Prospective cohort study of 163 consecutive patients with severe PUB and different SRH. All blood flow detected by the DEP was arterial. Detection rates were 87.4% in major SRH-spurting arterial bleeding (F IA), non-bleeding visible vessel (F IIA), clot (F IIB)-and were significantly lower at 42.3% (P < .0001) for an intermediate group of oozing bleeding (F IB) or flat spot (F IIC). For spurting bleeding (F IA) versus oozing (F IB), baseline DEP arterial flow was 100% versus 46.7%, residual blood flow detected after endoscopic hemostasis was 35.7% versus 0%, and 30-day rebleed rates were 28.6% versus 0% (all P < .05). (1) For major SRH versus oozing or spot, the arterial blood flow detection rate by the DEP was significantly higher, indicating a higher rebleed risk. (2) Before and after endoscopic treatment, spurting (F IA) PUB had significantly higher rates of blood flow detection than oozing (F IB) PUB and a significantly higher 30-day rebleed rate. (3) The DEP is recommended as a new endoscopic guide with SRH to improve risk stratification and potentially definitive hemostasis for PUB. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  5. Doppler Endoscopic Probe as a Guide to Risk Stratification and Definitive Hemostasis of Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

    PubMed Central

    Jensen, Dennis M.; Ohning, Gordon V.; Kovacs, Thomas OG; Ghassemi, Kevin A.; Jutabha, Rome; Dulai, Gareth S.; Machicado, Gustavo A.

    2015-01-01

    Background and Aims For more than 4 decades endoscopists have relied on ulcer stigmata for risk stratification and as a guide to hemostasis. None used arterial blood flow underneath stigmata to predict outcomes. For patients with severe peptic ulcer bleeding (PUBs), we used Doppler endoscopic probe (DEP) for: 1. detection of blood flow underlying stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), 2. quantitating rates of residual arterial blood flow under SRH after visually directed standard endoscopic treatment, and 3. comparing risks of rebleeding and actual 30 day rebleed rates for spurting arterial bleeding (Forrest – FIA) and oozing bleeding (FIB). Methods Prospective cohort study of 163 consecutive patients with severe PUBs and different SRH. Results All blood flow detected by DEP was arterial. Detection rates were 87.4% in major SRH - spurting arterial bleeding (FIA), non bleeding visible vessel (FIIA), clot (FIIB) - and significantly lower at 42.3% (p<0.0001) for intermediate group of oozing bleeding (FIB) or flat spot (FIIC). For spurting bleeding (FIA) vs. oozing (FIB), baseline DEP arterial flow was 100% vs. 46.7%; residual blood flow detected after endoscopic hemostasis was 35.7% vs. 0%; and 30 day rebleed rates were 28.6% vs. 0% (all p<0.05). Conclusions 1. For major SRH vs. oozing or spot, the arterial blood flow detection rates by DEP was significantly higher, indicating a higher rebleed risk. 2. Before and after endoscopic treatment, spurting FIA PUB’s had significantly higher rates of blood flow detection than oozing FIB PUB’s and a significantly higher 30 rebleed rate. 3. DEP is recommended as a new endoscopic guide with SRH to improve risk stratification and potentially definitive hemostasis for PUBs. PMID:26318834

  6. Confirmation of sentinel lymph node identity by analysis of fine-needle biopsy samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Beavis, Alison; Dawson, Michael; Doble, Philip; Scolyer, Richard A; Bourne, Roger; Li, Ling-Xi L; Murali, Rajmohan; Stretch, Jonathan R; Lean, Cynthia L; Uren, Roger F; Thompson, John F

    2008-03-01

    The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy technique is a reliable means of determining the tumor-harboring status of regional lymph nodes in melanoma patients. When technetium 99 m-labeled antimony trisulfide colloid (99 mTc-Sb2S3) particles are used to perform preoperative lymphoscintigraphy for SLN identification, they are retained in the SLN but are absent or present in only tiny amounts in non-SLNs. The present study investigated the potential for a novel means of assessing the accuracy of surgical identification of SLNs. This involved the use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze antimony concentrations in fine-needle biopsy (FNB) samples from surgically procured lymph nodes. A total of 47 FNB samples from surgically excised lymph nodes (32 SLNs and 15 non-SLNs) were collected. The SLNs were localized by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy that used 99 mTc-Sb2S3, blue dye, and gamma probe techniques. The concentrations of antimony were measured in the FNB samples by ICP-MS. The mean and median antimony concentrations (in parts per billion) were .898 and .451 in the SLNs, and .015 and .068 in the non-SLNs, the differences being highly statistically significant (P < .00005). Our results show that ICP-MS analysis of antimony concentrations in FNB specimens from lymph nodes can accurately confirm the identity of SLNs. Used in conjunction with techniques such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the nonsurgical evaluation of SLNs, ICP-MS analysis of antimony concentrations in FNB samples could potentially serve as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery and histopathologic evaluation to objectively classify a given node as sentinel or nonsentinel and determine its tumor-harboring status.

  7. Assessment of Sentinel Node Biopsies With Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography.

    PubMed

    Grieve, Kate; Mouslim, Karima; Assayag, Osnath; Dalimier, Eugénie; Harms, Fabrice; Bruhat, Alexis; Boccara, Claude; Antoine, Martine

    2016-04-01

    Current techniques for the intraoperative analysis of sentinel lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery present drawbacks such as time and tissue consumption. Full-field optical coherence tomography is a novel noninvasive, high-resolution, fast imaging technique. This study investigated the use of full-field optical coherence tomography as an alternative technique for the intraoperative analysis of sentinel lymph nodes. Seventy-one axillary lymph nodes from 38 patients at Tenon Hospital were imaged minutes after excision with full-field optical coherence tomography in the pathology laboratory, before being handled for histological analysis. A pathologist performed a blind diagnosis (benign/malignant), based on the full-field optical coherence tomography images alone, which resulted in a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 83% (n = 65 samples). Regular feedback was given during the blind diagnosis, with thorough analysis of the images, such that features of normal and suspect nodes were identified in the images and compared with histology. A nonmedically trained imaging expert also performed a blind diagnosis aided by the reading criteria defined by the pathologist, which resulted in 85% sensitivity and 90% specificity (n = 71 samples). The number of false positives of the pathologist was reduced by 3 in a second blind reading a few months later. These results indicate that following adequate training, full-field optical coherence tomography can be an effective noninvasive diagnostic tool for extemporaneous sentinel node biopsy qualification. © The Author(s) 2015.

  8. TROPOMI on ESA's Sentinel 5p ready for launch and use

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Vries, Johan; Voors, Robert; Ording, Barend; Dingjan, Jos; Veefkind, Pepijn; Ludewig, Antje; Kleipool, Quintus; Hoogeveen, Ruud; Aben, Ilse

    2016-08-01

    TROPOMI is the single instrument on ESA's Sentinel 5 precursor satellite to be launched in October 2016. TROPOMI will measure the atmospheric constituents absorbing in the UV-SWIR wavelength range, being O3, NO2, SO2, CH4, CO, CH2O, and aerosol properties. TROPOMI is a sun back-scatter instrument in the line of SCIAMACHY and OMI with 4 spectrometer bands and a spectral resolution of 0.25 - 0.5 nm. Following the earlier sensors, firstly the spatial resolution is improved by a factor 6 (OMI) to 7 x 7 km2 and at the same time the sensitivity by an order of magnitude. The paper discusses the instrument performances as acquired from on-ground performance / calibration measurements. For the calibration an extremely condensed measurement campaign of 4 months 24/7 measurements was performed with virtually no slack and still gathering all of the data necessary from on-ground measurements. Given the fact that the trace gas signals and their variation in the measured spectra can be quite small, calibration is crucial to get accurate results and this illustrates that TROPOMI is a highly success driven and efficient programme. TROPOMI / Sentinel-5p bridges the data streams from on one hand OMI and SCIAMACHY and on the other hand the future Sentinel-5. It is the first of a series of satellites from the Copernicus programme devoted to air quality and will soon be ready for use.

  9. Axillary web syndrome following sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Nieves Maldonado, S M; Pubul Núñez, V; Argibay Vázquez, S; Macías Cortiñas, M; Ruibal Morell, Á

    2016-01-01

    A 49 year-old woman diagnosed with infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma, underwent a right mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy (SLNB). The resected sentinel lymph nodes were negative for malignancy, with an axillary lymphadenectomy not being performed. In the early post-operative period, the patient reported an axillary skin tension sensation, associated with a painful palpable cord. These are typical manifestations of axillary web syndrome (AWS), a poorly known axillary surgery complication, from both invasive and conservative interventions. By presenting this case we want to focus the attention on a pathological condition, for which its incidence may be underestimated by not including it in SLNB studies. It is important for nuclear medicine physicians to be aware of AWS as a more common complication than infection, seroma, or lymphoedema, and to discuss this possible event with the patient who is consenting to the procedure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

  10. Measuring Surface Subsidence in Wuhan, China with SENTINEL-1 Data Using Psinsar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benattou, M. M.; Balz, T.; Liao, M.

    2018-04-01

    We use the potential of Sentinel-1 for urban subsidence monitoring. A case study was conducted in Wuhan using Sentinel-1A images acquired from 22nd June 2015 to the 24th of April 2017 acquired from an ascending orbit. Our results using PSInSAR are compared to a recent study using SBAS. Moreover, in another experiment, only more recent data, containing 18 images from the 7th of March 2017 to the 14th of March 2018, have been processed in order to analysis changes in the subsidence behavior over the study area. In addition to that, the proposed method (PSInSAR) was used to measure the water height in the east lake using metallic objects as stable PS points.

  11. Sentinel 2: implementation of the means and methods for the CAL/VAL commissioning phase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trémas, Thierry L.; Déchoz, Cécile; Lacherade, Sophie; Nosavan, Julien; Petrucci, Beatrice; Martimort, P.; Isola, Claudia

    2013-10-01

    In partnership with the European Commission and in the frame of the Copernicus program, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing the Sentinel-2 optical imaging mission devoted to the operational monitoring of land and coastal areas. The Sentinel-2 mission is based on a satellites constellation deployed in polar sun-synchronous orbit. Sentinel-2 will offer a unique combination of global coverage with a wide field of view (290km), a high revisit (5 days with two satellites), a high resolution (10m, 20m and 60m) and multi-spectral imagery (13 spectral bands in visible and shortwave infra-red domains). The first satellite is planned to be launched in late 2014. In this context, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) supports ESA to insure the cal/val commissioning phase. This paper provides first, an overview of the Sentinel-2 system and the image products delivered by the ground processing. Then the paper will present the ground segment, presently under preparation at CNES, and the various devices that compose it : the GPP in charge of producing the level 1 files, the "radiometric unit" that processes sensitivity parameters, the "geometric unit" in charge of fitting the images on a reference map, MACCS that will produce Level 2A files (computing reflectances at the Bottom of Atmosphere) and the TEC-S2 that will coordinate all the previous software and drive a database in which will be gather the incoming Level 0 files and the processed Level 1 files.

  12. Characterising and improving the performance of the Sentinel-3 SRAL altimeter: A Report from SCOOP, SHAPE & SPICE Projects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Restano, Marco; Ambrózio, Américo; Cotton, David; Scoop Team; Fabry, Pierre; Shape Team; McMillan, Malcolm; Spice Team; Benveniste, Jérôme

    2017-04-01

    Under the ESA Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions (SEOM) Programme, 3 Projects are currently underway to accurately characterise and improve the performance of the Sentinel-3 SRAL SAR mode altimeter. They are: 1) SCOOP (SAR Altimetry Coastal & Open Ocean Performance Exploitation and Roadmap Study) for Coastal and Open Ocean; 2) SHAPE (Sentinel-3 Hydrologic Altimetry PrototypE) for Inland Water; 3) SPICE (Sentinel-3 Performance improvement for ICE sheets) for Ice Sheets. As projects started before the launch of Sentinel-3 (a full SAR mission), calibrated Cryosat-2 data have been used as input to a processor replicating the Sentinel-3 baseline processing. For the SCOOP project, a first test dataset has been released to end users including data from 10 regions of interest. The successful SAMOSA retracker, adopted in the previous CP4O Project (CryoSat Plus for Oceans), has been readapted to re-track Sentinel-3 waveforms. An improved version of SAMOSA will be released at the end of the project. The SHAPE project is working towards the design and assessment of alternative/innovative techniques not implemented in the Sentinel-3 ground segment (performing no Inland Water dedicated processing). Both rivers and lakes will be studied. Amazon, Brahmaputra and Danube have been selected as rivers, whereas Titicaca and Vanern have been chosen as lakes. The study will include the assimilation of output products into hydrological models for all regions of interest. A final dataset will be provided to end users. The SPICE project is addressing four high level objectives: 1) Assess and improve the Delay-Doppler altimeter processing for ice sheets. 2) Assess and develop SAR waveform retrackers for ice sheets. 3) Evaluate the performance of SAR altimetry relative to conventional pulse limited altimetry. 4) Assess the impact on SAR altimeter measurements of radar wave interaction with the snowpack. Dataset used for validation include ICESat and IceBridge products. Vostok

  13. Automatic transperineal ultrasound probe positioning based on CT scan for image guided radiotherapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Camps, S. M.; Verhaegen, F.; Paiva Fonesca, G.; de With, P. H. N.; Fontanarosa, D.

    2017-03-01

    Image interpretation is crucial during ultrasound image acquisition. A skilled operator is typically needed to verify if the correct anatomical structures are all visualized and with sufficient quality. The need for this operator is one of the major reasons why presently ultrasound is not widely used in radiotherapy workflows. To solve this issue, we introduce an algorithm that uses anatomical information derived from a CT scan to automatically provide the operator with a patient-specific ultrasound probe setup. The first application we investigated, for its relevance to radiotherapy, is 4D transperineal ultrasound image acquisition for prostate cancer patients. As initial test, the algorithm was applied on a CIRS multi-modality pelvic phantom. Probe setups were calculated in order to allow visualization of the prostate and adjacent edges of bladder and rectum, as clinically required. Five of the proposed setups were reproduced using a precision robotic arm and ultrasound volumes were acquired. A gel-filled probe cover was used to ensure proper acoustic coupling, while taking into account possible tilted positions of the probe with respect to the flat phantom surface. Visual inspection of the acquired volumes revealed that clinical requirements were fulfilled. Preliminary quantitative evaluation was also performed. The mean absolute distance (MAD) was calculated between actual anatomical structure positions and positions predicted by the CT-based algorithm. This resulted in a MAD of (2.8±0.4) mm for prostate, (2.5±0.6) mm for bladder and (2.8±0.6) mm for rectum. These results show that no significant systematic errors due to e.g. probe misplacement were introduced.

  14. Vegetation Mapping in a Dryland Ecosystem Using Multi-temporal Sentinel-2 Imagery and Ensemble Learning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Enterkine, J.; Spaete, L.; Glenn, N. F.; Gallagher, M.

    2017-12-01

    Remote sensing and mapping of dryland ecosystem vegetation is notably problematic due to the low canopy cover and fugacious growing seasons. Recent improvements in available satellite imagery and machine learning techniques have enabled enhanced approaches to mapping and monitoring vegetation across dryland ecosystems. The Sentinel-2 satellites (launched June 2015 and March 2017) of ESA's Copernicus Programme offer promising developments from existing multispectral satellite systems such as Landsat. Freely-available, Sentinel-2 imagery offers a five-day revisit frequency, thirteen spectral bands (in the visible, near infrared, and shortwave infrared), and high spatial resolution (from 10m to 60m). Three narrow spectral bands located between the visible and the near infrared are designed to observe changes in photosynthesis. The high temporal, spatial, and spectral resolution of this imagery makes it ideal for monitoring vegetation in dryland ecosystems. In this study, we calculated a large number of vegetation and spectral indices from Sentinel-2 imagery spanning a growing season. This data was leveraged with robust field data of canopy cover at precise geolocations. We then used a Random Forests ensemble learning model to identify the most predictive variables for each landcover class, which were then used to impute landcover over the study area. The resulting vegetation map product will be used by land managers, and the mapping approaches will serve as a basis for future remote sensing projects using Sentinel-2 imagery and machine learning.

  15. Understanding Lymphatic Drainage Pathways of the Ovaries to Predict Sites for Sentinel Nodes in Ovarian Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Kleppe, Marjolein; Kraima, Anne C.; Kruitwagen, Roy F.P.M.; Van Gorp, Toon; Smit, Noeska N.; van Munsteren, Jacoba C.; DeRuiter, Marco C.

    2015-01-01

    Objective In ovarian cancer, detection of sentinel nodes is an upcoming procedure. Perioperative determination of the patient’s sentinel node(s) might prevent a radical lymphadenectomy and associated morbidity. It is essential to understand the lymphatic drainage pathways of the ovaries, which are surprisingly up till now poorly investigated, to predict the anatomical regions where sentinel nodes can be found. We aimed to describe the lymphatic drainage pathways of the human ovaries including their compartmental fascia borders. Methods A series of 3 human female fetuses and tissues samples from 1 human cadaveric specimen were studied. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded transverse sections (8 or 10 μm) using antibodies against Lyve-1, S100, and α-smooth muscle actin to identify the lymphatic endothelium, Schwann, and smooth muscle cells, respectively. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created. Results Two major and 1 minor lymphatic drainage pathways from the ovaries were detected. One pathway drained via the proper ligament of the ovaries (ovarian ligament) toward the lymph nodes in the obturator fossa and the internal iliac artery. Another pathway drained the ovaries via the suspensory ligament (infundibulopelvic ligament) toward the para-aortic and paracaval lymph nodes. A third minor pathway drained the ovaries via the round ligament to the inguinal lymph nodes. Lymph vessels draining the fallopian tube all followed the lymphatic drainage pathways of the ovaries. Conclusions The lymphatic drainage pathways of the ovaries invariably run via the suspensory ligament (infundibulopelvic ligament) and the proper ligament of the ovaries (ovarian ligament), as well as through the round ligament of the uterus. Because ovarian cancer might spread lymphogenously via these routes, the sentinel node can be detected in the para-aortic and paracaval regions, obturator fossa and surrounding internal iliac arteries, and inguinal regions

  16. Riparian spiders as sentinels of PCB contamination across heterogeneous aquatic ecosystems

    EPA Science Inventory

    Riparian spiders are being used increasingly to track spatial patterns of contaminants in and fluxing from aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of the circumstances under which spiders are effective sentinels of aquatic pollution is limited. The present study tests the ...

  17. Hands-Free Transcranial Color Doppler Probe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chin, Robert; Madala, Srihdar; Sattler, Graham

    2012-01-01

    Current transcranial color Doppler (TCD) transducer probes are bulky and difficult to move in tiny increments to search and optimize TCD signals. This invention provides miniature motions of a TCD transducer probe to optimize TCD signals. The mechanical probe uses a spherical bearing in guiding and locating the tilting crystal face. The lateral motion of the crystal face as it tilts across the full range of motion was achieved by minimizing the distance between the pivot location and the crystal face. The smallest commonly available metal spherical bearing was used with an outer diameter of 12 mm, a 3-mm tall retaining ring, and 5-mm overall height. Small geared motors were used that would provide sufficient power in a very compact package. After confirming the validity of the basic positioning concept, optimization design loops were completed to yield the final design. A parallel motor configuration was used to minimize the amount of space wasted inside the probe case while minimizing the overall case dimensions. The distance from the front edge of the crystal to the edge of the case was also minimized to allow positioning of the probe very close to the ear on the temporal lobe. The mechanical probe is able to achieve a +/-20deg tip and tilt with smooth repeatable action in a very compact package. The enclosed probe is about 7 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 1.8 cm tall. The device is compact, hands-free, and can be adjusted via an innovative touchscreen. Positioning of the probe to the head is performed via conventional transducer gels and pillows. This device is amendable to having advanced software, which could intelligently focus and optimize the TCD signal.

  18. Ultrasound-guided chest biopsies.

    PubMed

    Middleton, William D; Teefey, Sharlene A; Dahiya, Nirvikar

    2006-12-01

    Pulmonary nodules that are surrounded by aerated lung cannot be visualized with sonography. Therefore, percutaneous biopsy must be guided with computed tomography or fluoroscopy. Although this restriction only applies to central lung nodules, it has permeated referral patterns for other thoracic lesions and has retarded the growth of ultrasound-guided interventions. Nevertheless, sonography is an extremely flexible modality that can expeditiously guide many biopsy procedures in the thorax. Peripheral pulmonary nodules can be successfully biopsied with success rates exceeding 90% and complications rates of less than 5%. Orienting the probe parallel to the intercostal space facilitates biopsies of peripheral pulmonary nodules. Anterior mediastinal masses that extend to the parasternal region are often easily approachable provided the internal mammary vessels, costal cartilage, and deep great vessels are identified and avoided. Superior mediastinal masses can be sampled from a suprasternal or supraclavicular approach. Phased array probes or tightly curved arrays may provide improved access for biopsies in this location. Posterior mediastinal masses are more difficult to biopsy with ultrasound guidance because of the overlying paraspinal muscles. However, when posterior mediastinal masses extend into the posterior medial pleural region, they can be biopsied with ultrasound guidance. Because many lung cancers metastasize to the supraclavicular nodes, it is important to evaluate the supraclavicular region when determining the best approach to obtain a tissue diagnosis. When abnormal supraclavicular nodes are present, they often are the easiest and safest lesions to biopsy.

  19. Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of the BG-Sentinel trap, CDC light trap and Mosquito-oviposition trap for the surveillance of vector mosquitoes.

    PubMed

    Li, Yiji; Su, Xinghua; Zhou, Guofa; Zhang, Hong; Puthiyakunnon, Santhosh; Shuai, Shufen; Cai, Songwu; Gu, Jinbao; Zhou, Xiaohong; Yan, Guiyun; Chen, Xiao-Guang

    2016-08-12

    The surveillance of vector mosquitoes is important for the control of mosquito-borne diseases. To identify a suitable surveillance tool for the adult dengue vector Aedes albopictus, the efficacy of the BG-Sentinel trap, CDC light trap and Mosquito-oviposition trap (MOT) on the capture of vector mosquitoes were comparatively evaluated in this study. The capture efficiencies of the BG-Sentinel trap, CDC light trap and Mosquito-oviposition trap for common vector mosquitoes were tested in a laboratory setting, through the release-recapture method, and at two field sites of Guangzhou, China from June 2013 to May 2014. The captured mosquitoes were counted, species identified and compared among the three traps on the basis of species. In the release-recapture experiments in a laboratory setting, the BG-Sentinel trap caught significantly more Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus than the CDC light trap and Mosquito-ovitrap, except for Anopheles sinensis. The BG-Sentinel trap had a higher efficacy in capturing female rather than male Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, but the capture in CDC light traps displayed no significant differences. In the field trial, BG-Sentinel traps collected more Aedes albopictus than CDC light traps and MOTs collected in both urban and suburban areas. The BG-Sentinel trap was more sensitive for monitoring the population density of Aedes albopictus than the CDC light trap and MOT during the peak months of the year 2013. However, on an average, CDC light traps captured significantly more Cx. quinquefasciatus than BG-Sentinel traps. The population dynamics of Cx. quinquefasciatus displayed a significant seasonal variation, with the lowest numbers in the middle of the year. This study indicates that the BG-Sentinel trap is more effective than the commonly used CDC light trap and MOT in sampling adult Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. We recommend its use in the surveillance of dengue vector mosquitoes in China.

  20. Malignant melanoma (non-metastatic): sentinel lymph node biopsy.

    PubMed

    Pay, Andy

    2016-01-19

    The incidence of malignant melanoma has increased over the past 25 years in the UK, but death rates have remained fairly constant. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 20% to 95%, depending on disease stage. Risks are greater in white populations and in people with higher numbers of skin naevi. We conducted a systematic overview, aiming to answer the following clinical question: What is the evidence for performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy in people with malignant melanoma with clinically uninvolved lymph nodes? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to October 2014 (Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 221 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 99 records were screened for inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 58 studies and the further review of 41 full publications. Of the 41 full articles evaluated, one systematic review and three RCTs were added at this update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for two PICO combinations. In this systematic overview, we evaluated the evidence for performing sentinel lymph node biopsy in people with malignant melanoma with clinically uninvolved lymph nodes.

  1. Feasibility, strategy, methodology, and analysis of probe measurements in plasma under high gas pressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demidov, V. I.; Koepke, M. E.; Kurlyandskaya, I. P.; Malkov, M. A.

    2018-02-01

    This paper reviews existing theories for interpreting probe measurements of electron distribution functions (EDF) at high gas pressure when collisions of electrons with atoms and/or molecules near the probe are pervasive. An explanation of whether or not the measurements are realizable and reliable, an enumeration of the most common sources of measurement error, and an outline of proper probe-experiment design elements that inherently limit or avoid error is presented. Additionally, we describe recent expanded plasma-condition compatibility for EDF measurement, including in applications of large wall probe plasma diagnostics. This summary of the authors’ experiences gained over decades of practicing and developing probe diagnostics is intended to inform, guide, suggest, and detail the advantages and disadvantages of probe application in plasma research.

  2. Completion Dissection or Observation for Sentinel-Node Metastasis in Melanoma.

    PubMed

    Faries, Mark B; Thompson, John F; Cochran, Alistair J; Andtbacka, Robert H; Mozzillo, Nicola; Zager, Jonathan S; Jahkola, Tiina; Bowles, Tawnya L; Testori, Alessandro; Beitsch, Peter D; Hoekstra, Harald J; Moncrieff, Marc; Ingvar, Christian; Wouters, Michel W J M; Sabel, Michael S; Levine, Edward A; Agnese, Doreen; Henderson, Michael; Dummer, Reinhard; Rossi, Carlo R; Neves, Rogerio I; Trocha, Steven D; Wright, Frances; Byrd, David R; Matter, Maurice; Hsueh, Eddy; MacKenzie-Ross, Alastair; Johnson, Douglas B; Terheyden, Patrick; Berger, Adam C; Huston, Tara L; Wayne, Jeffrey D; Smithers, B Mark; Neuman, Heather B; Schneebaum, Schlomo; Gershenwald, Jeffrey E; Ariyan, Charlotte E; Desai, Darius C; Jacobs, Lisa; McMasters, Kelly M; Gesierich, Anja; Hersey, Peter; Bines, Steven D; Kane, John M; Barth, Richard J; McKinnon, Gregory; Farma, Jeffrey M; Schultz, Erwin; Vidal-Sicart, Sergi; Hoefer, Richard A; Lewis, James M; Scheri, Randall; Kelley, Mark C; Nieweg, Omgo E; Noyes, R Dirk; Hoon, Dave S B; Wang, He-Jing; Elashoff, David A; Elashoff, Robert M

    2017-06-08

    Sentinel-lymph-node biopsy is associated with increased melanoma-specific survival (i.e., survival until death from melanoma) among patients with node-positive intermediate-thickness melanomas (1.2 to 3.5 mm). The value of completion lymph-node dissection for patients with sentinel-node metastases is not clear. In an international trial, we randomly assigned patients with sentinel-node metastases detected by means of standard pathological assessment or a multimarker molecular assay to immediate completion lymph-node dissection (dissection group) or nodal observation with ultrasonography (observation group). The primary end point was melanoma-specific survival. Secondary end points included disease-free survival and the cumulative rate of nonsentinel-node metastasis. Immediate completion lymph-node dissection was not associated with increased melanoma-specific survival among 1934 patients with data that could be evaluated in an intention-to-treat analysis or among 1755 patients in the per-protocol analysis. In the per-protocol analysis, the mean (±SE) 3-year rate of melanoma-specific survival was similar in the dissection group and the observation group (86±1.3% and 86±1.2%, respectively; P=0.42 by the log-rank test) at a median follow-up of 43 months. The rate of disease-free survival was slightly higher in the dissection group than in the observation group (68±1.7% and 63±1.7%, respectively; P=0.05 by the log-rank test) at 3 years, based on an increased rate of disease control in the regional nodes at 3 years (92±1.0% vs. 77±1.5%; P<0.001 by the log-rank test); these results must be interpreted with caution. Nonsentinel-node metastases, identified in 11.5% of the patients in the dissection group, were a strong, independent prognostic factor for recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.78; P=0.005). Lymphedema was observed in 24.1% of the patients in the dissection group and in 6.3% of those in the observation group. Immediate completion lymph-node dissection increased

  3. Prototype of a single probe Compton camera for laparoscopic surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koyama, A.; Nakamura, Y.; Shimazoe, K.; Takahashi, H.; Sakuma, I.

    2017-02-01

    Image-guided surgery (IGS) is performed using a real-time surgery navigation system with three-dimensional (3D) position tracking of surgical tools. IGS is fast becoming an important technology for high-precision laparoscopic surgeries, in which the field of view is limited. In particular, recent developments in intraoperative imaging using radioactive biomarkers may enable advanced IGS for supporting malignant tumor removal surgery. In this light, we develop a novel intraoperative probe with a Compton camera and a position tracking system for performing real-time radiation-guided surgery. A prototype probe consisting of Ce :Gd3 Al2 Ga3 O12 (GAGG) crystals and silicon photomultipliers was fabricated, and its reconstruction algorithm was optimized to enable real-time position tracking. The results demonstrated the visualization capability of the radiation source with ARM = ∼ 22.1 ° and the effectiveness of the proposed system.

  4. Assessment of Classification Accuracies of SENTINEL-2 and LANDSAT-8 Data for Land Cover / Use Mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hale Topaloğlu, Raziye; Sertel, Elif; Musaoğlu, Nebiye

    2016-06-01

    This study aims to compare classification accuracies of land cover/use maps created from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 data. Istanbul metropolitan city of Turkey, with a population of around 14 million, having different landscape characteristics was selected as study area. Water, forest, agricultural areas, grasslands, transport network, urban, airport- industrial units and barren land- mine land cover/use classes adapted from CORINE nomenclature were used as main land cover/use classes to identify. To fulfil the aims of this research, recently acquired dated 08/02/2016 Sentinel-2 and dated 22/02/2016 Landsat-8 images of Istanbul were obtained and image pre-processing steps like atmospheric and geometric correction were employed. Both Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images were resampled to 30m pixel size after geometric correction and similar spectral bands for both satellites were selected to create a similar base for these multi-sensor data. Maximum Likelihood (MLC) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) supervised classification methods were applied to both data sets to accurately identify eight different land cover/ use classes. Error matrix was created using same reference points for Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 classifications. After the classification accuracy, results were compared to find out the best approach to create current land cover/use map of the region. The results of MLC and SVM classification methods were compared for both images.

  5. Wide-area mapping of snow water equivalent by Sentinel-1&2 data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Conde, Vasco; Nico, Giovanni; Catalao, Joao; Kontu, Anna; Gritsevich, Maria

    2017-04-01

    The mapping of snow physical properties over large mountain areas of remote areas is an important topic in both climatological studies and hydrological models where the effects of snow melting are modeled and used to forecast extreme flood events. Usually, these models are run using in-situ measurements of snow which are expensive and statistically not representative of the spatial distribution of snow properties due to slope orientation of terrain, local terrain morphology and height as well as vegetation cover. In this work we investigate the use of data acquired by Sentinel-1 and 2 missions using a C-band SAR and multispectral sensor, respectively. The Sentinel-1 SAR data are processed to estimate the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) using both the radar amplitude and the output of the SAR interferometry processing. Both approaches need in-situ data to process SAR data and calibrate SWE estimates. The use of SAR amplitude to estimate the SWE is well established and the basic idea is that the radar signal backscattered by snow is related to the SWE so, after modeling the relationship between these two quantities at the site of in-situ measurements this relationship can be used to map the SWE at all site where the SAR amplitude information is available. The physical principle used by SAR interferometry is that of phase delay due to propagation in a non-dispersive medium. This implies that the snow is supposed to be dry in order to allow the propagation of the SAR signal. Sentinel-2 images have been used to get land-use maps and identify areas covered by vegetation. Finland has been chosen as a study region with in-situ measurements acquired thanks to the availability of rich database of in-situ measurements of SWE. Sentinel data used in this work have been acquired starting from November 2015. Publication supported by FCT- project UID/GEO/50019/2013 - Instituto Dom Luiz.

  6. Surgeon Training, Protocol Compliance, and Technical Outcomes From Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Randomized Trial

    PubMed Central

    Ashikaga, Takamaru; Harlow, Seth P.; Skelly, Joan M.; Julian, Thomas B.; Brown, Ann M.; Weaver, Donald L.; Wolmark, Norman

    2009-01-01

    Background The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-32 trial was designed to determine whether sentinel lymph node resection can achieve the same therapeutic outcomes as axillary lymph node resection but with fewer side effects and is one of the most carefully controlled and monitored randomized trials in the field of surgical oncology. We evaluated the relationship of surgeon trial preparation, protocol compliance audit, and technical outcomes. Methods Preparation for this trial included a protocol manual, a site visit with key participants, an intraoperative session with the surgeon, and prerandomization documentation of protocol compliance. Training categories included surgeons who submitted material on five prerandomization surgeries and were trained by a core trainer (category 1) or by a site trainer (category 2). An expedited group (category 3) included surgeons with extensive experience who submitted material on one prerandomization surgery. At completion of training, surgeons could accrue patients. Two hundred twenty-four surgeons enrolled 4994 patients with breast cancer and were audited for 94 specific items in the following four categories: procedural, operative note, pathology report, and data entry. The relationship of training method; protocol compliance performance audit; and the technical outcomes of the sentinel lymph node resection rate, false-negative rate, and number of sentinel lymph nodes removed was determined. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results The overall sentinel lymph node resection success rate was 96.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 96.4% to 97.4%), and the overall false-negative rate was 9.5% (95% CI = 7.4% to 12.0%), with no statistical differences between training methods. Overall audit outcomes were excellent in all four categories. For all three training groups combined, a statistically significant positive association was observed between surgeons’ average number of procedural errors and their false

  7. Coupling of Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and ALOS-2 to assess coseismic deformation and earthquake-induced landslides following 26 June, 2016 earthquake in Kyrgyzstan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vajedian, Sanaz; Motagh, Mahdi; Wetzel, Hans-Ulrich; Teshebaeva, Kanayim

    2017-04-01

    The active deformation in Kyrgyzstan results from the collision between Indian and Asia tectonic plates at a rate of 29 ± 1 mm/yr. This collision is accommodated by deformation on prominent faults, which can be ruptured coseismically and trigger other hazards like landslides. Many earthquake and earthquake-induced landslides in Kyrgyzstan occur in mountainous areas, where limited accessibility makes ground-based measurements for the assessment of their impact a challenging task. In this context, remote sensing measurements are extraordinary useful as they improve our knowledge about coseismic rupture process and provide information on other types of hazards that are triggered during and/or after the earthquakes. This investigation aims to use L-band ALOS/PALSAR, C-band Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 data to evaluate fault slip model and coseismic-induced landslides related to 26 June 2016 Sary-Tash earthquake, southwest Kyrgyzstan. First we implement three methods to measure coseismic surface motion using radar data including Interferometric SAR (InSAR) analysis, SAR tracking technique and multiple aperture InSAR (MAI), followed by using Genetic Algorithm (GA) to invert the final displacement field to infer combination of orientation, location and slip on rectangular uniform slip fault plane. Slip distribution analysis is done by applying Tikhonov regularization to solve the constrained least-square method with Laplacian smoothing approach. The estimated coseismic slip model suggests a nearly W-E thrusting fault ruptured during the earthquake event in which the main rupture occurred at a depth between 11 and 14 km. Second, the local phase shifts related to landslides are inferred by detailed analysis pre-seismic, coseismic and postseismic C-band and L-band interferograms and the results are compared with the interpretations derived from Sentinel-2 data acquired before and after the earthquake.

  8. Multispectral Fluorescence Imaging During Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Sentinel Node Biopsy: A First Step Towards a Fluorescence-based Anatomic Roadmap.

    PubMed

    van den Berg, Nynke S; Buckle, Tessa; KleinJan, Gijs H; van der Poel, Henk G; van Leeuwen, Fijs W B

    2017-07-01

    During (robot-assisted) sentinel node (SN) biopsy procedures, intraoperative fluorescence imaging can be used to enhance radioguided SN excision. For this combined pre- and intraoperative SN identification was realized using the hybrid SN tracer, indocyanine green- 99m Tc-nanocolloid. Combining this dedicated SN tracer with a lymphangiographic tracer such as fluorescein may further enhance the accuracy of SN biopsy. Clinical evaluation of a multispectral fluorescence guided surgery approach using the dedicated SN tracer ICG- 99m Tc-nanocolloid, the lymphangiographic tracer fluorescein, and a commercially available fluorescence laparoscope. Pilot study in ten patients with prostate cancer. Following ICG- 99m Tc-nanocolloid administration and preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomograpy imaging, the number and location of SNs were determined. Fluorescein was injected intraprostatically immediately after the patient was anesthetized. A multispectral fluorescence laparoscope was used intraoperatively to identify both fluorescent signatures. Multispectral fluorescence imaging during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection and SN biopsy. (1) Number and location of preoperatively identified SNs. (2) Number and location of SNs intraoperatively identified via ICG- 99m Tc-nanocolloid imaging. (3) Rate of intraoperative lymphatic duct identification via fluorescein imaging. (4) Tumor status of excised (sentinel) lymph node(s). (5) Postoperative complications and follow-up. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of ICG- 99m Tc-nanocolloid visualized 85.3% of the SNs. In 8/10 patients, fluorescein imaging allowed bright and accurate identification of lymphatic ducts, although higher background staining and tracer washout were observed. The main limitation is the small patient population. Our findings indicate that a lymphangiographic tracer can provide additional information during SN biopsy based on ICG- 99m

  9. CTC Sentinel. Volume 6, Issue 7, July 2013

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-07-01

    researched means to disable fire suppression systems to increase the impact of a plot that was ultimately disrupted by authorities. These failed plots...7 About the CTC Sentinel The Combating Terrorism Center is an independent educational and research institution based in the Department of social...old, after “watching videos of children getting killed in countries like Kashmir and Palestine.”6 He described his actions on behalf of TeaMp0isoN

  10. Validating MODIS and Sentinel-2 NDVI Products at a Temperate Deciduous Forest Site Using Two Independent Ground-Based Sensors

    PubMed Central

    Lange, Maximilian; Rebmann, Corinna; Cuntz, Matthias; Doktor, Daniel

    2017-01-01

    Quantifying the accuracy of remote sensing products is a timely endeavor given the rapid increase in Earth observation missions. A validation site for Sentinel-2 products was hence established in central Germany. Automatic multispectral and hyperspectral sensor systems were installed in parallel with an existing eddy covariance flux tower, providing spectral information of the vegetation present at high temporal resolution. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values from ground-based hyperspectral and multispectral sensors were compared with NDVI products derived from Sentinel-2A and Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The influence of different spatial and temporal resolutions was assessed. High correlations and similar phenological patterns between in situ and satellite-based NDVI time series demonstrated the reliability of satellite-based phenological metrics. Sentinel-2-derived metrics showed better agreement with in situ measurements than MODIS-derived metrics. Dynamic filtering with the best index slope extraction algorithm was nevertheless beneficial for Sentinel-2 NDVI time series despite the availability of quality information from the atmospheric correction procedure. PMID:28800065

  11. Mangrove canopy density analysis using Sentinel-2A imagery satellite data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wachid, M. N.; Hapsara, R. P.; Cahyo, R. D.; Wahyu, G. N.; Syarif, A. M.; Umarhadi, D. A.; Fitriani, A. N.; Ramadhanningrum, D. P.; Widyatmanti, W.

    2017-06-01

    Teluk Jor has alluvium surface sediment that came from volcanic materials. Sea wave that relatively calm and the closed beach shape support the existence of mangrove forest at Teluk Jor. Sentinel-2A imagery has a good spatial and spectral resolution for mangrove density study. The regression between samples and the NDVI values of Sentinel-2A used to analyze the mangrove canopy density. Mangrove canopy density was identified using field survey with transect method. The regression analysis shows field data and NDVI value has correlation R=0.7739 and coefficient of determination R2=0.5989. The result of the analysis shows area of low density 397,900 m2, moderate density 336,200 m2, the high density has 110,300 m2 and very high density has 500 m2. This research also found that mangrove genus in Teluk Jor consists of Rhizopora, Ceriops, Aegiceras and Sonneratia.

  12. On the synergy of SMAP, AMSR2 AND SENTINEL-1 for retrieving soil moisture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santi, E.; Paloscia, S.; Pettinato, S.; Brocca, L.; Ciabatta, L.; Entekhabi, D.

    2018-03-01

    An algorithm for retrieving soil moisture content (SMC) from synergic use of both active and passive microwave acquisitions is presented. The algorithm takes advantage of the integration of microwave data from SMAP, Sentinel-1 and AMSR2 for overcoming the SMAP radar failure and obtaining a SMC product at enhanced resolution (0.1° × 0.1°) and improved accuracy with respect to the original SMAP radiometric SMC product. A disaggregation technique based on the Smoothing filter based intensity modulation (SFIM) allows combining the radiometric and SAR data. Disaggregated microwave data are used as inputs of an Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) based algorithm, which is able to exploit the synergy between active and passive acquisitions. The algorithm is defined, trained and tested using the SMEX02 experimental dataset and data simulated by forward electromagnetic models based on the Radiative Transfer Theory. Then the algorithm is adapted to satellite data and tested using one year of SMAP, AMSR2 and Sentinel-1 co-located data on a flat agricultural area located in the Po Valley, in northern Italy. Spatially distributed SMC values at 0.1° × 0.1° resolution generated by the Soil Water Balance Model (SWBM) are considered as reference for this purpose. The synergy of SMAP, Sentinel-1 and AMSR2 allowed increasing the correlation between estimated and reference SMC from R ≅ 0.68 of the SMAP based retrieval up to R ≅ 0.86 of the combination SMAP + Sentinel-1 + AMSR2. The corresponding Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) decreased from RMSE ≅ 0.04 m3/m3 to RMSE ≅ 0.024 m3/m3.

  13. Combination of Landsat and Sentinel-2 MSI data for initial assessing of burn severity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Quintano, C.; Fernández-Manso, A.; Fernández-Manso, O.

    2018-02-01

    Nowadays Earth observation satellites, in particular Landsat, provide a valuable help to forest managers in post-fire operations; being the base of post-fire damage maps that enable to analyze fire impacts and to develop vegetation recovery plans. Sentinel-2A MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) records data in similar spectral wavelengths that Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and has higher spatial and temporal resolutions. This work compares two types of satellite-based maps for evaluating fire damage in a large wildfire (around 8000 ha) located in Sierra de Gata (central-western Spain) on 6-11 August 2015. 1) burn severity maps based exclusively on Landsat data; specifically, on differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) and on its relative versions (Relative dNBR, RdNBR, and Relativized Burn Ratio, RBR) and 2) burn severity maps based on the same indexes but combining pre-fire data from Landsat 8 OLI with post-fire data from Sentinel-2A MSI data. Combination of both Landsat and Sentinel-2 data might reduce the time elapsed since forest fire to the availability of an initial fire damage map. Interpretation of ortho-photograph Pléiades 1 B data (1:10,000) provided us the ground reference data to measure the accuracy of both burn severity maps. Results showed that Landsat based burn severity maps presented an adequate assessment of the damage grade (κ statistic = 0.80) and its spatial distribution in wildfire emergency response. Further using both Landsat and Sentinel-2 MSI data the accuracy of burn severity maps, though slightly lower (κ statistic = 0.70) showed an adequate level for be used by forest managers.

  14. Global Lakes Sentinel Services: Water Quality Parameters Retrieval in Lakes Using the MERIS and S3-OLCI Band Sets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peters, Steef; Alikas, Krista; Hommersom, Annelies; Latt, Silver; Reinart, Anu; Giardino, Claudia; Bresciani, Mariano; Philipson, Petra; Ruescas, Ana; Stelzer, Kerstin; Schenk, Karin; Heege, Thomas; Gege, Peter; Koponen, Sampsa; Kallio, Karri; Zhang, Yunlin

    2015-12-01

    The European collaborative project GLaSS aims to prepare for the use of the data streams from Sentinel 2 and Sentinel 3. Its focus is on inland waters, since these are considered to be sentinels for land-use- and climate change and need to be monitored closely. One of the objectives of the project is to compare existing water quality algorithms and parameterizations on the basis of in-situ spectral observations and Hydrolight simulations. A first achievement of the project is the collection of over 400 Rrs spectra with accompanying data on CHL, TSM, aCDOM and Secchi depth. Especially the dataset on Lake CDOM measurements represents a rather unique reference dataset.

  15. Description and Evaluation of the 2009–2010 Pennsylvania Influenza Sentinel School Monitoring System

    PubMed Central

    Marriott, Chandra K.; Ostroff, Stephen; Waller, Kirsten

    2011-01-01

    Objectives. We described and evaluated the 2009–2010 Pennsylvania Influenza Sentinel School Monitoring System, a voluntary sentinel network of schools that report data on school absenteeism and visits to the school nurse for influenza-like illness (ILI). Methods. Participating schools provided daily absenteeism and ILI data on a weekly basis through an online survey. We used participation and weekly response rates to determine acceptability, timeliness, and simplicity. We assessed representativeness by comparing participating schools with nonparticipating schools. We compared monitoring system data with statewide reports of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Results. Of the 3244 Pennsylvania public schools, 367 (11%) enrolled in the system. On average, 79% of enrolled schools completed the survey each week. Although the peak week of elevated absenteeism coincided with the peak of statewide laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, the correlation between absenteeism and state data was nonsignificant (correlation coefficient = 0.10; P = .56). Trends in ILI correlated significantly with state data (correlation coefficient = 0.67; P < .001). Conclusions. The school-based sentinel system is a simple, acceptable, reliable device for tracking absenteeism and ILI in schools. Further analyses are necessary to determine the comparative value of this system and other influenza surveillance systems. PMID:21566024

  16. The Lymphatic Anatomy of the Breast and its Implications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: A Human Cadaver Study

    PubMed Central

    Pan, Wei-Ren; Mann, G. Bruce; Taylor, G. Ian

    2007-01-01

    Background Current understanding of the lymphatic system of the breast is derived mainly from the work of the anatomist Sappey in the 1850s, with many observations made during the development and introduction of breast lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy contributing to our knowledge. Methods Twenty four breasts in 14 fresh human cadavers (5 male, 9 female) were studied. Lymph vessels were identified with hydrogen peroxide and injected with a lead oxide mixture and radiographed. The specimens were cross sectioned and radiographed to provide three dimensional images. Lymph (collecting) vessels were traced from the periphery to the first-tier lymph node. Results Lymph collecting vessels were found evenly spaced at the periphery of the anterior upper torso draining radially into the axillary lymph nodes. As they reached the breast some passed over and some through the breast parenchyma, as revealed in the cross-section studies. The pathways showed no significant difference between male and female specimens. We found also perforating lymph vessels that coursed beside the branches of the internal mammary vessels, draining into the ipsilateral internal mammary lymphatics. In some studies one sentinel node in the axilla drained almost the entire breast. In most more than one sentinel node was represented. Conclusion These anatomical findings are discordant with our current knowledge based on previous studies and demand closer examination by clinicians. These anatomical studies may help explain the percentage of false-negative sentinel node biopsy studies and suggest the peritumoral injection site for accurate sentinel lymph node detection. PMID:18043970

  17. Processing Sentinel-2 data with ATCOR

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pflug, Bringfried; Makarau, Aliaksei; Richter, Rudolf

    2016-04-01

    Atmospheric correction of satellite images is necessary for many applications of remote sensing. Among them are applications for agriculture, forestry, land cover and land cover change, urban mapping, emergency and inland water. ATCOR is a widely used atmospheric correction tool which can process data of many optical satellite sensors, for instance Landsat, Sentinel-2, SPOT and RapidEye. ATCOR includes a terrain and adjacency correction of satellite images and several special algorithms like haze detection, haze correction, cirrus correction, de-shadowing and empirical methods for BRDF correction. The atmospheric correction tool ATCOR starts with an estimation of the vertical column Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT550) at 550 nm. The mean uncertainty of the ATCOR-AOT550-estimation was estimated using Landsat and RapidEye data by direct comparison with sunphotometer data as a reference. For Landsat and RapidEye the uncertainty is ΔAOT550nm ≈ 0.03±0.02 for cloudless conditions with a cloud+haze fraction below 1%. Inclusion of cloudy and hazy satellite images into the analysis results in mean ΔAOT550nm ≈ 0.04±0.03 for both RapidEye and Landsat imagery. About 1/3 of the samples perform with the AOT uncertainty better than 0.02 and about 2/3 perform with AOT uncertainty better than 0.05. An accuracy of the retrieved surface reflectance of ±2% (for reflectance <10%) and ±4% reflectance units (for reflectance > 40%) can be achieved for flat terrain, and avoiding the specular and backscattering regions. ATCOR also supports the processing of Sentinel-2 data. First results of processing S2 data and a comparison with AERONET AOT values will be presented.

  18. Tracking surface and subsurface lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet using Sentinel-1 SAR and Landsat-8 OLI imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miles, Katie; Willis, Ian; Benedek, Corinne; Williamson, Andrew; Tedesco, Marco

    2017-04-01

    Supraglacial lakes (SGLs) on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) are an important component of the ice sheet's mass balance and hydrology, with their drainage affecting ice dynamics. This study uses imagery from the recently launched Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to investigate SGLs in West Greenland. SAR can image through cloud and in darkness, overcoming some of the limitations of commonly used optical sensors. A semi automated algorithm is developed to detect surface lakes from Sentinel images during the 2015 summer. It generally detects water in all locations where a Landsat-8 NDWI classification (with a relatively high threshold value) detects water. A combined set of images from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-1 is used to track lake behaviour at a comparable temporal resolution to that which is possible with MODIS, but at a higher spatial resolution. A fully automated lake drainage detection algorithm is used to investigate both rapid and slow drainages for both small and large lakes through the summer. Our combined Landsat-Sentinel dataset, with a temporal resolution of three days, could track smaller lakes (mean 0.089 km2) than are resolvable in MODIS (minimum 0.125 km2). Small lake drainage events (lakes smaller than can be detected using MODIS) were found to occur at lower elevations ( 200 m) and slightly earlier in the melt season than larger events, as were slow lake drainage events compared to rapid events. The Sentinel imagery allows the analysis to be extended manually into the early winter to calculate the dates and elevations of lake freeze-through more precisely than is possible with optical imagery (mean 30 August, 1270 m mean elevation). Finally, the Sentinel imagery allows subsurface lakes (which are invisible to optical sensors) to be detected, and, for the first time, their dates of appearance and freeze-through to be calculated (mean 9 August and 7 October, respectively). These subsurface lakes occur at higher elevations than the surface

  19. Molecular analysis of breast sentinel lymph nodes.

    PubMed

    Blumencranz, Peter W; Pieretti, Maura; Allen, Kathleen G; Blumencranz, Lisa E

    2011-07-01

    Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy have become the standard of care for staging the axilla in patients with invasive breast cancer. Current histologic methods for SLN evaluation have limitations, including subjectivity, limited sensitivity, and lack of standardization. The discovery of molecular markers to detect metastases has been reported over the last 2 decades. The authors review the historical development of these markers and the clinical use of one of the molecular platforms in 478 patients at their institution. Controversies and future directions are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Use of a Sentinel System for Field Measurements of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Inactivation in Soil and Animal Waste

    PubMed Central

    Jenkins, M. B.; Walker, M. J.; Bowman, D. D.; Anthony, L. C.; Ghiorse, W. C.

    1999-01-01

    A small-volume sentinel chamber was developed to assess the effects of environmental stresses on survival of sucrose-Percoll-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soil and animal wastes. Chambers were tested for their ability to equilibrate with external chemical and moisture conditions. Sentinel oocysts were then exposed to stresses of the external environment that affected their viability (potential infectivity), as indicated by results of a dye permeability assay. Preliminary laboratory experiments indicated that temperatures between 35 and 50°C and decreases in soil water potential (−0.003 to −3.20 MPa) increased oocyst inactivation rates. The effects of two common animal waste management practices on oocyst survival were investigated on three dairy farms in Delaware County, N.Y., within the New York City watershed: (i) piling wastes from dairy youngstock (including neonatal calves) and (ii) spreading wastes as a soil amendment on an agricultural field. Sentinel containers filled with air-dried and sieved (2-mm mesh) youngstock waste or field soil were wetted and inoculated with 2 million oocysts in an aqueous suspension and then placed in waste piles on two different farms and in soil within a cropped field on one farm. Controls consisted of purified oocysts in either phosphate-buffered saline or distilled water contained in sealed microcentrifuge tubes. Two microdata loggers recorded the ambient temperature at each field site. Sentinel experiments were conducted during the fall and winter (1996 to 1997) and winter (1998). Sentinel containers and controls were removed at 2- to 4-week intervals, and oocysts were extracted and tested by the dye permeability assay. The proportions of potentially infective oocysts exposed to the soil and waste pile material decreased more rapidly than their counterpart controls exposed to buffer or water, indicating that factors other than temperature affected oocyst inactivation in the waste piles and soil. The effect

  1. Use of a sentinel system for field measurements of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst inactivation in soil and animal waste.

    PubMed

    Jenkins, M B; Walker, M J; Bowman, D D; Anthony, L C; Ghiorse, W C

    1999-05-01

    A small-volume sentinel chamber was developed to assess the effects of environmental stresses on survival of sucrose-Percoll-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soil and animal wastes. Chambers were tested for their ability to equilibrate with external chemical and moisture conditions. Sentinel oocysts were then exposed to stresses of the external environment that affected their viability (potential infectivity), as indicated by results of a dye permeability assay. Preliminary laboratory experiments indicated that temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees C and decreases in soil water potential (-0.003 to -3.20 MPa) increased oocyst inactivation rates. The effects of two common animal waste management practices on oocyst survival were investigated on three dairy farms in Delaware County, N.Y., within the New York City watershed: (i) piling wastes from dairy youngstock (including neonatal calves) and (ii) spreading wastes as a soil amendment on an agricultural field. Sentinel containers filled with air-dried and sieved (2-mm mesh) youngstock waste or field soil were wetted and inoculated with 2 million oocysts in an aqueous suspension and then placed in waste piles on two different farms and in soil within a cropped field on one farm. Controls consisted of purified oocysts in either phosphate-buffered saline or distilled water contained in sealed microcentrifuge tubes. Two microdata loggers recorded the ambient temperature at each field site. Sentinel experiments were conducted during the fall and winter (1996 to 1997) and winter (1998). Sentinel containers and controls were removed at 2- to 4-week intervals, and oocysts were extracted and tested by the dye permeability assay. The proportions of potentially infective oocysts exposed to the soil and waste pile material decreased more rapidly than their counterpart controls exposed to buffer or water, indicating that factors other than temperature affected oocyst inactivation in the waste piles and soil. The

  2. The sentinel lymph node spread determines quantitatively melanoma seeding to non-sentinel lymph nodes and survival.

    PubMed

    Ulmer, Anja; Dietz, Klaus; Werner-Klein, Melanie; Häfner, Hans-Martin; Schulz, Claudia; Renner, Philipp; Weber, Florian; Breuninger, Helmut; Röcken, Martin; Garbe, Claus; Fierlbeck, Gerhard; Klein, Christoph A

    2018-03-01

    Complete lymph node dissection (CLND) after a positive sentinel node (SN) biopsy provides important prognostic information in melanoma patients but has been questioned for therapeutic use recently. We explored whether quantification of the tumour spread to SNs may replace histopathology of non-sentinel nodes (NSNs) for staging purposes. We quantified melanoma spread in SNs and NSNs in 128 patients undergoing CLND for a positive SN. In addition to routine histopathology, one-half of each of all 1496 SNs and NSNs was disaggregated into a single cell suspension and stained immunocytochemically to determine the number of melanoma cells per 10 6 lymph node cells, i.e. the disseminated cancer cell density (DCCD). We uncovered melanoma spread to NSNs in the majority of patients; however, the tumour load and the proportion of positive nodes were significantly lower in NSNs than in SNs. The relation between SN and NSN spread could be described by a mathematical function with DCCD NSN  = DCCD SN c /10 1 - c (c = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-0.76). At a median follow-up of 67 months, multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that DCCD SN (p = 0.02; HR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.71) and the total number of pathologically positive nodes (p = 0.02; HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.07-2.22) were significant risk factors after controlling for age, gender, thickness of melanoma and ulceration status. A prognostic model based on DCCD SN and melanoma thickness predicted outcome as accurately as a model including pathological information of both SNs and NSNs. The assessment of DCCD SN renders CLND for staging purposes unnecessary. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Image quality validation of Sentinel 2 Level-1 products: performance status at the beginning of the constellation routine phase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Francesconi, Benjamin; Neveu-VanMalle, Marion; Espesset, Aude; Alhammoud, Bahjat; Bouzinac, Catherine; Clerc, Sébastien; Gascon, Ferran

    2017-09-01

    Sentinel-2 is an Earth Observation mission developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission. The mission is based on a constellation of 2-satellites: Sentinel-2A launched in June 2015 and Sentinel-2B launched in March 2017. It offers an unprecedented combination of systematic global coverage of land and coastal areas, a high revisit of five days at the equator and 2 days at mid-latitudes under the same viewing conditions, high spatial resolution, and a wide field of view for multispectral observations from 13 bands in the visible, near infrared and short wave infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission performances are routinely and closely monitored by the S2 Mission Performance Centre (MPC), including a consortium of Expert Support Laboratories (ESL). This publication focuses on the Sentinel-2 Level-1 product quality validation activities performed by the MPC. It presents an up-to-date status of the Level-1 mission performances at the beginning of the constellation routine phase. Level-1 performance validations routinely performed cover Level-1 Radiometric Validation (Equalisation Validation, Absolute Radiometry Vicarious Validation, Absolute Radiometry Cross-Mission Validation, Multi-temporal Relative Radiometry Vicarious Validation and SNR Validation), and Level-1 Geometric Validation (Geolocation Uncertainty Validation, Multi-spectral Registration Uncertainty Validation and Multi-temporal Registration Uncertainty Validation). Overall, the Sentinel-2 mission is proving very successful in terms of product quality thereby fulfilling the promises of the Copernicus program.

  4. In vivo reproducibility of robotic probe placement for an integrated US-CT image-guided radiation therapy system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lediju Bell, Muyinatu A.; Sen, H. Tutkun; Iordachita, Iulian; Kazanzides, Peter; Wong, John

    2014-03-01

    Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer by delivering high-dose radiation to a pre-defined target volume. Ultrasound (US) has the potential to provide real-time, image-guidance of radiation therapy to identify when a target moves outside of the treatment volume (e.g. due to breathing), but the associated probe-induced tissue deformation causes local anatomical deviations from the treatment plan. If the US probe is placed to achieve similar tissue deformations in the CT images required for treatment planning, its presence causes streak artifacts that will interfere with treatment planning calculations. To overcome these challenges, we propose robot-assisted placement of a real ultrasound probe, followed by probe removal and replacement with a geometrically-identical, CT-compatible model probe. This work is the first to investigate in vivo deformation reproducibility with the proposed approach. A dog's prostate, liver, and pancreas were each implanted with three 2.38-mm spherical metallic markers, and the US probe was placed to visualize the implanted markers in each organ. The real and model probes were automatically removed and returned to the same position (i.e. position control), and CT images were acquired with each probe placement. The model probe was also removed and returned with the same normal force measured with the real US probe (i.e. force control). Marker positions in CT images were analyzed to determine reproducibility, and a corollary reproducibility study was performed on ex vivo tissue. In vivo results indicate that tissue deformations with the real probe were repeatable under position control for the prostate, liver, and pancreas, with median 3D reproducibility of 0.3 mm, 0.3 mm, and 1.6 mm, respectively, compared to 0.6 mm for the ex vivo tissue. For the prostate, the mean 3D tissue displacement errors between the real and model probes were 0.2 mm under position control and 0.6 mm under force control, which are both within acceptable

  5. Harmonized Landsat/Sentinel-2 Reflectance Products for Land Monitoring (Invited)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Masek, Jeffrey G.; Dungan, Jennifer L.; Ju, Junchang; Roger, Jean-Claude; Claverie, Martin P.; Skakun, Sergii; Vermote, Eric; Justice, Christopher Owen

    2017-01-01

    Many land applications require more frequent observations than can be obtained from a single 'Landsat class'� sensor. Agricultural monitoring, inland water quality assessment, stand-scale phenology, and numerous other applications all require near-daily imagery at better than 1ha resolution. Thus the land science community has begun expressing a desire for a '30-meter MODIS' global monitoring capability. One cost-effective way to achieve this goal is via merging data from multiple, international observatories into a single virtual constellation. The Harmonized Landsat/Sentinel-2 (HLS) project has been working to generate a seamless surface reflectance product by combining observations from USGS/NASA Landsat-8 and ESA Sentinel-2. Harmonization in this context requires a series of radiometric and geometric transforms to create a single surface reflectance time series agnostic to sensor origin. Radiometric corrections include a common atmospheric correction using the Landsat-8 LaSRC/6S approach, a simple BRDF adjustment to constant solar and nadir view angle, and spectral bandpass adjustments to fit the Landsat-8 OLI reference. Data are then resampled to a consistent 30m UTM grid, using the Sentinel-2 global tile system. Cloud and shadow masking are also implemented. Quality assurance (QA) involves comparison of the output 30m HLS products with near-simultaneous MODIS nadir-adjusted observations. Prototoype HLS products have been processed for approximately 7% of the global land area using the NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) compute environment at NASA Ames, and can be downloaded from the HLS web site (https://hls.gsfc.nasa.gov). A wall-to-wall North America data set is being prepared for 2018. This talk will review the objectives and status of the HLS project, and illustrate applications of high-density optical time series data for agriculture and ecology. We also discuss lessons learned from HLS in the general context of implementing virtual constellations.

  6. The Safety project: Sentinel-1 for Civil Protection geohazars management

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monserrat, Oriol; Herrera, Gerardo; Bianchini, Silvia; González-Alonso, Elena; Onori, Roberta; Reichenbach, Paola; Carralero, Innocente P.; Barra, Anna; María Mateos, Rosa; Solari, Lorenzo; Ligüérzana, Sergio; Pagliara, Paola; Ardizzone, Francesca; Sarro, Roberto; Crosetto, Michele; Béjar-Pizarro, Marta; Moretti, Sandro; Lopez, Carmen; Garcia-Cañada, Laura; Benito-Saz, María Á.

    2017-04-01

    This work is aimed at presenting the ongoing project SAFETY (Sentinel for Geohazards regional monitoring and forecasting). The use of Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) in Natural Risks management is becoming more and more exploitable thanks to the experienced growth of the techniques. On one hand, since the DInSAR technique was proposed for the first time (1989) a wide number of data processing, analysis tools and methods have been developed, on the other hand the satellite data availability has increased and provides sensors with different characteristics of sensitivity and spatial and temporal resolutions. Nowadays, DInSAR allows to have a systematic overview about the spatio-temporal activity of a natural deformation phenomena, which is an important information for the risk management in terms of prevention, emergency response and post-emergency intervention. Specifically, Sentinel-1 (A and B) satellites data show two favourable characteristics: the wide covered area and the short revisit time (6 days). The last one, if compared with the other C band available sensors, results in a reduced temporal decorrelation, particularly in non-urbanized areas, in more robust processing results (due to the higher number of images) and in an higher temporal sampling i.e. a better monitoring and activity characterization. In this context, the European project SAFETY is focused on developing tools and implementing a methodology in order to better exploit Sentinel-1 data in the Civil Protection activities of natural risks prevention. The project is aimed at providing Civil Protection Authorities (CPA) with the capability of periodically evaluating and assessing the potential impact of geohazards (volcanic activity, earthquakes, landslides and subsidence) on urban areas. The first results over the two test-areas in Spain and Italy (respectively Canary Islands and Volterra Municipality) will be presented.

  7. Rugged: an operational, open-source solution for Sentinel-2 mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maisonobe, Luc; Seyral, Jean; Prat, Guylaine; Guinet, Jonathan; Espesset, Aude

    2015-10-01

    When you map the entire Earth every 5 days with the aim of generating high-quality time series over land, there is no room for geometrical error: the algorithms have to be stable, reliable, and precise. Rugged, a new open-source library for pixel geolocation, is at the geometrical heart of the operational processing for Sentinel-2. Rugged performs sensor-to-terrain mapping taking into account ground Digital Elevation Models, Earth rotation with all its small irregularities, on-board sensor pixel individual lines-of-sight, spacecraft motion and attitude, and all significant physical effects. It provides direct and inverse location, i.e. it allows the accurate computation of which ground point is viewed from a specific pixel in a spacecraft instrument, and conversely which pixel will view a specified ground point. Direct and inverse location can be used to perform full ortho-rectification of images and correlation between sensors observing the same area. Implemented as an add-on for Orekit (Orbits Extrapolation KIT; a low-level space dynamics library), Rugged also offers the possibility of simulating satellite motion and attitude auxiliary data using Orekit's full orbit propagation capability. This is a considerable advantage for test data generation and mission simulation activities. Together with the Orfeo ToolBox (OTB) image processing library, Rugged provides the algorithmic core of Sentinel-2 Instrument Processing Facilities. The S2 complex viewing model - with 12 staggered push-broom detectors and 13 spectral bands - is built using Rugged objects, enabling the computation of rectification grids for mapping between cartographic and focal plane coordinates. These grids are passed to the OTB library for further image resampling, thus completing the ortho-rectification chain. Sentinel-2 stringent operational requirements to process several terabytes of data per week represented a tough challenge, though one that was well met by Rugged in terms of the robustness and

  8. CTC Sentinel. Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2009

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-09-01

    For a detailed analysis of this plot and its international links, see Reinares. 20 “ NEFA Exclusives: Video Interviews with Top Paki- stani Taliban...Spokesman Maulvi Omar,” NEFA Foun- dation, August 29, 2008. 21 Reinares. 22 “Taliban’s Foreign Support Vexes U.S.,” Wall Street Journal, June 1...CTC Sentinel 1:4 (2008). 27 “Interview with Taliban Commander Sirajuddin Haqqani,” NEFA Foundation, August 18, 2008. 28 “Taliban’s Siraj Haqqani

  9. CTC Sentinel. Volume 9, Issue 5, May 2016

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-05-01

    after a bomb hidden in a laptop was detonated onboard a Somali passenger jet in February, focuses on the technological arms race between terrorist... bomb makers and those working to prevent bombs from getting onto planes. Robert Liscouski and William McGann, two leading specialists in aviation...SENTINEL 1 The mid-air bombing of a Somali passenger jet in Feb- ruary was a wake-up call for security agencies and those working in the field of

  10. Application of Deep Learning of Multi-Temporal SENTINEL-1 Images for the Classification of Coastal Vegetation Zone of the Danube Delta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niculescu, S.; Ienco, D.; Hanganu, J.

    2018-04-01

    Land cover is a fundamental variable for regional planning, as well as for the study and understanding of the environment. This work propose a multi-temporal approach relying on a fusion of radar multi-sensor data and information collected by the latest sensor (Sentinel-1) with a view to obtaining better results than traditional image processing techniques. The Danube Delta is the site for this work. The spatial approach relies on new spatial analysis technologies and methodologies: Deep Learning of multi-temporal Sentinel-1. We propose a deep learning network for image classification which exploits the multi-temporal characteristic of Sentinel-1 data. The model we employ is a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) Network, a recurrent neural network that explicitly takes into account the time dimension via a gated mechanism to perform the final prediction. The main quality of the GRU network is its ability to consider only the important part of the information coming from the temporal data discarding the irrelevant information via a forgetting mechanism. We propose to use such network structure to classify a series of images Sentinel-1 (20 Sentinel-1 images acquired between 9.10.2014 and 01.04.2016). The results are compared with results of the classification of Random Forest.

  11. Sentinel-based Surveillance of Coyotes to Detect Bovine Tuberculosis, Michigan

    PubMed Central

    Atwood, Todd C.; DeLiberto, Thomas J.; Smith, Holly J.; Stevenson, Justin S.; Thomsen, Bruce V.; Gidlewski, Thomas; Payeur, Janet

    2008-01-01

    Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the northeastern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Bovine TB in deer and cattle has created immense financial consequences for the livestock industry and hunting public. Surveillance identified coyotes (Canis latrans) as potential bio-accumulators of Mycobacterium bovis, a finding that generated interest in their potential to serve as sentinels for monitoring disease risk. We sampled 175 coyotes in the bovine TB–endemic area. Fifty-eight tested positive, and infection prevalence by county ranged from 19% to 52% (statistical mean 33%, SE 0.07). By contrast, prevalence in deer (n = 3,817) was lower (i.e., 1.49%; Mann-Whitney U4,4 = 14, p<0.001). By focusing on coyotes rather than deer, we sampled 97% fewer individuals and increased the likelihood of detecting M. bovis by 40%. As a result of reduced sampling intensity, sentinel coyote surveys have the potential to be practical indicators of M. bovis presence in wildlife and livestock. PMID:19046508

  12. Simulation of Sentinel-2A Red Edge Bands with RPAS Based Multispectral Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davids, Corine; Storvold, Rune; Haarpaintner, Jorg; Arnason, Kolbeinn

    2016-08-01

    Very high spatial and spectral resolution multispectral data was collected over the Hallormstađur test site in eastern Iceland using a fixed wing remotely piloted aerial system as part of the EU FP7 project North State (www.northstatefp7.eu). The North State project uses forest variable estimates derived from optical and radar satellite data as either input or validation for carbon flux models. The RPAS data from the Hallormsstađur forest test site in Iceland is here used to simulate Landsat and Sentinel-2A data and to explore the advantages of the new Sentinel-2A red edge bands for forest vegetation mapping. Simple supervised classification shows that the inclusion of the red edge bands improves the tree species classification considerably.

  13. Sentinel 4: a geostationary imaging UVN spectrometer for air quality monitoring: status of design, performance and development

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gulde, S. T.; Kolm, M. G.; Smith, D. J.; Maurer, R.; Bazalgette Courrèges-Lacoste, G.; Sallusti, M.; Bagnasco, G.

    2017-11-01

    SENTINEL 4 is an imaging UVN (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrometer, developed by Airbus Defence and Space under ESA contract in the frame of the joint European Union (EU)/ESA COPERNICUS program. The mission objective is the operational monitoring of trace gas concentrations for atmospheric chemistry and climate applications. To this end SENTINEL 4 will provide accurate measurements of key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, as well as aerosol and cloud properties.

  14. Confirmation of Sentinel Lymph Node Identity by Analysis of Fine-Needle Biopsy Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

    PubMed Central

    Beavis, Alison; Dawson, Michael; Doble, Philip; Scolyer, Richard A.; Bourne, Roger; Li, Ling-Xi L.; Murali, Rajmohan; Stretch, Jonathan R.; Lean, Cynthia L.; Uren, Roger F.

    2008-01-01

    Background The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy technique is a reliable means of determining the tumor-harboring status of regional lymph nodes in melanoma patients. When technetium 99 m-labeled antimony trisulfide colloid (99 mTc-Sb2S3) particles are used to perform preoperative lymphoscintigraphy for SLN identification, they are retained in the SLN but are absent or present in only tiny amounts in non-SLNs. The present study investigated the potential for a novel means of assessing the accuracy of surgical identification of SLNs. This involved the use of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze antimony concentrations in fine-needle biopsy (FNB) samples from surgically procured lymph nodes. Methods A total of 47 FNB samples from surgically excised lymph nodes (32 SLNs and 15 non-SLNs) were collected. The SLNs were localized by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy that used 99 mTc-Sb2S3, blue dye, and gamma probe techniques. The concentrations of antimony were measured in the FNB samples by ICP-MS. Results The mean and median antimony concentrations (in parts per billion) were .898 and .451 in the SLNs, and .015 and .068 in the non-SLNs, the differences being highly statistically significant (P < .00005). Conclusions Our results show that ICP-MS analysis of antimony concentrations in FNB specimens from lymph nodes can accurately confirm the identity of SLNs. Used in conjunction with techniques such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the nonsurgical evaluation of SLNs, ICP-MS analysis of antimony concentrations in FNB samples could potentially serve as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery and histopathologic evaluation to objectively classify a given node as sentinel or nonsentinel and determine its tumor-harboring status. PMID:18172734

  15. A Guide to Design Functional Molecular Liquids with Tailorable Properties using Pyrene-Fluorescence as a Probe.

    PubMed

    Lu, Fengniu; Takaya, Tomohisa; Iwata, Koichi; Kawamura, Izuru; Saeki, Akinori; Ishii, Masashi; Nagura, Kazuhiko; Nakanishi, Takashi

    2017-06-13

    Solvent-free, nonvolatile, room-temperature alkylated-π functional molecular liquids (FMLs) are rapidly emerging as a new generation of fluid matter. However, precision design to tune their physicochemical properties remains a serious challenge because the properties are governed by subtle π-π interactions among functional π-units, which are very hard to control and characterize. Herein, we address the issue by probing π-π interactions with highly sensitive pyrene-fluorescence. A series of alkylated pyrene FMLs were synthesized. The photophysical properties were artfully engineered with rational modulation of the number, length, and substituent motif of alkyl chains attached to the pyrene unit. The different emission from the excimer to uncommon intermediate to the monomer scaled the pyrene-pyrene interactions in a clear trend, from stronger to weaker to negligible. Synchronously, the physical nature of these FMLs was regulated from inhomogeneous to isotropic. The inhomogeneity, unexplored before, was thoroughly investigated by ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy techniques. The result provides a clearer image of liquid matter. Our methodology demonstrates a potential to unambiguously determine local molecular organizations of amorphous materials, which cannot be achieved by conventional structural analysis. Therefore this study provides a guide to design alkylated-π FMLs with tailorable physicochemical properties.

  16. Examining the strength of the newly-launched Sentinel 2 MSI sensor in detecting and discriminating subtle differences between C3 and C4 grass species

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shoko, C.; Mutanga, O.

    2017-07-01

    C3 and C4 grass species discrimination has increasingly become relevant in understanding their response to environmental changes and to monitor their integrity in providing goods and services. While remotely-sensed data provide robust, cost-effective and repeatable monitoring tools for C3 and C4 grasses, this has been largely limited by the scarcity of sensors with better earth imaging characteristics. The recent launch of the advanced Sentinel 2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) presents a new prospect for discriminating C3 and C4 grasses. The present study tested the potential of Sentinel 2, characterized by refined spatial resolution and more unique spectral bands in discriminating between Festuca (C3) and Themeda (C4) grasses. To evaluate the performance of Sentinel 2 MSI; spectral bands, vegetation indices and spectral bands plus indices were used. Findings from Sentinel 2 were compared with those derived from the widely-used Worldview 2 commercial sensor and the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI). Overall classification accuracies have shown that Sentinel 2 bands have potential (90.36%), than indices (85.54%) and combined variables (88.61%). The results were comparable to Worldview 2 sensor, which produced slightly higher accuracies using spectral bands (95.69%), indices (86.02%) and combined variables (87.09%), and better than Landsat 8 OLI spectral bands (75.26%), indices (82.79%) and combined variables (86.02%). Sentinel 2 bands produced lower errors of commission and omission (between 4.76 and 14.63%), comparable to Worldview 2 (between 1.96 and 7.14%), than Landsat 8 (between 18.18 and 30.61%), when classifying the two species. The classification accuracy from Sentinel 2 also did not differ significantly (z = 1.34) from Worldview 2, using standard bands; it was significantly (z > 1.96) different using indices and combined variables, whereas when compared to Landsat 8, Sentinel 2 accuracies were significantly different (z > 1.96) using all variables

  17. Surface-functionalized nanoparticles for biosensing and imaging-guided therapeutics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Shan; Win, Khin Yin; Liu, Shuhua; Teng, Choon Peng; Zheng, Yuangang; Han, Ming-Yong

    2013-03-01

    In this article, the very recent progress of various functional inorganic nanomaterials is reviewed including their unique properties, surface functionalization strategies, and applications in biosensing and imaging-guided therapeutics. The proper surface functionalization renders them with stability, biocompatibility and functionality in physiological environments, and further enables their targeted use in bioapplications after bioconjugation via selective and specific recognition. The surface-functionalized nanoprobes using the most actively studied nanoparticles (i.e., gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, upconversion nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles) make them an excellent platform for a wide range of bioapplications. With more efforts in recent years, they have been widely developed as labeling probes to detect various biological species such as proteins, nucleic acids and ions, and extensively employed as imaging probes to guide therapeutics such as drug/gene delivery and photothermal/photodynamic therapy.

  18. US Domestic Cats as Sentinels for Perfluoroalkyl Substances ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) , are persistent, globally distributed, anthropogenic compounds. The primary source(s) for human exposure are not well understood although within home exposure is likely important since many consumer products have been treated with different PFAS, and people spend much of their lives indoors. Herein, domestic cats were used as sentinels to investigate potential exposure and health linkages. PFAS in serum samples of 72 pet and feral cats, including 11 healthy and 61 with one or more primary disease diagnoses, were quantitated using high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. All but one sample had detectable PFAS, with PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) ranging from sentinels for assessing primary

  19. Malignant melanoma (non-metastatic): sentinel lymph node biopsy

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Introduction The incidence of malignant melanoma has increased over the past 25 years in the UK, but death rates have remained fairly constant. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 20% to 95%, depending on disease stage. Risks are greater in white populations and in people with higher numbers of skin naevi. Methods and outcomes We conducted a systematic overview, aiming to answer the following clinical question: What is the evidence for performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy in people with malignant melanoma with clinically uninvolved lymph nodes? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to October 2014 (BMJ Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). Results At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 221 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 99 records were screened for inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 58 studies and the further review of 41 full publications. Of the 41 full articles evaluated, one systematic review and three RCTs were added at this update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for two PICO combinations. Conclusions In this systematic overview, we evaluated the evidence for performing sentinel lymph node biopsy in people with malignant melanoma with clinically uninvolved lymph nodes. PMID:26788739

  20. Echocardiography-guided or "sided" pericardiocentesis.

    PubMed

    Degirmencioglu, Aleks; Karakus, Gultekin; Güvenc, Tolga Sinan; Pinhan, Osman; Sipahi, Ilke; Akyol, Ahmet

    2013-10-01

    Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis is the first choice method for relieving cardiac tamponade, but the exact role of the echocardiography at the moment of the puncture is still controversial. In this report, detailed echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 21 consecutive patients with cardiac tamponade just before the pericardiocentesis. Appropriate needle position was determined according to the probe position using imaginary x, y, and z axes. Pericardiocentesis was performed successfully using this technique without simultaneous echocardiography and no complications were observed. We concluded that bedside echocardiography with detailed evaluation of the puncture site and angle is enough for pericardiocentesis instead of real time guiding. © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.