A Novel Method for Lung Image Processing Using Complex Networks

Broască, Laura; Trușculescu, Ana Adriana; Ancusa, V.; Ciocârlie, Horia; Oancea, Cristian; Stoicescu, Emil Robert; Manolescu, Diana

doi:10.3390/tomography8040162

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Although no other researchers have reported similar particular results addressing the inflammatory markers in minorities, such as the Roma ethnicity, IL-6 levels have been linked to prolonged lung damage in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals [ 38 , 39 ]. Notably, these studies described how individuals with persistent pulmonary lesions, as determined by high CT scores, had elevated IL-6 levels at discharge and during the follow-up period, which may also explain why our group of patients with higher IL-6 at admission had more ICU admissions and oxygen supplementation requirements [ 40 ]. Importantly, the peak expression of IL-6 prior to the worsening of lung damage was mostly seen in patients with persistent lesions, and multivariate analysis demonstrated that the IL-6 level at admission was an independent predictor of persistent pulmonary injury [ 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Findings and Clinical Outcomes of ICU-admitted COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Assessment of Particularities Identified among Romanian Minorities

Mocanu

Lăzureanu

Laza

et al. 2023

JPM

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The Roma population accounts for over 3% (approximately 10 to 15 million) of Romania’s permanent population, and it represents one of Europe’s most impoverished populations. Due to poverty and unemployment, Romania’s Roma minority may have diminished access to healthcare and preventive medicine. The limited existing evidence suggests that the European Roma group has been at a higher risk of becoming ill and dying during the pandemic owing to their lifestyle choices, socioeconomic circumstances, and genetic pathophysiological traits. As a result, the purpose of the present research was to investigate the link between the inflammatory markers implicated and the clinical progression of COVID-19 in Roma patients who were brought to the intensive care unit. We considered 71 Roma patients admitted to the ICU with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 213 controls from the general population with the same inclusion criteria. The body mass index of patients was statistically significantly higher among Roma patients, with more than 57% being overweight, compared with 40.7% in the control group. Frequent smoking was more prevalent in patients of Roma ethnicity admitted to the ICU and the number of comorbidities. We observed a significantly higher proportion of severe imaging features at admission in the group of cases, although this difference may have been associated with the higher prevalence of smoking in this group. The mean duration of hospitalization was longer by 1.8 days than the control group. Elevated ESR levels were observed in 54.0% of Roma patients at admission, compared with 38.9% in the control group. Similarly, 47.6% of them had elevated CRP levels. IL-6 increased significantly at the time of ICU admission, similarly to the significant rise in the CRP levels, compared with the general population. However, the proportion of intubated patients and mortality did not differ significantly. On multivariate analysis, the Roma ethnicity significantly influenced the CRP (β = 1.93, p-value = 0.020) and IL-6 (β = 1.85, p-value = 0.044). It is necessary to plan different healthcare strategies aimed at special populations, such as the Roma ethnicity, to prevent the reduced disparities presented in in this study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Findings and Clinical Outcomes of ICU-admitted COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Assessment of Particularities Identified among Romanian Minorities

Mocanu

Lăzureanu

Laza

et al. 2023

JPM

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“…Regarding the measles infection evolution and severity, it was observed that adolescents were more likely to develop pneumonia and secondary bacterial pneumonia, as indicated by significantly higher procalcitonin levels [ 23 , 24 ]. However, the overall number of disease complications, duration of hospital stay and number of patients admitted to the ICU remained insignificant when compared by age groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease Progression, Clinical Features, and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in Unvaccinated Children and Adolescents with Measles: A Re-Emerging Disease in Romania

Turaiche

Grigoraş

Bratosin

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Measles causes in vaccinated children, with some exceptions, a mild disease, while the unvaccinated can suffer complications that result in serious consequences and even death. Although the introduction of the measles vaccine has reduced the number of cases and the viral spread, the current downward vaccination trend has resulted in the resurgence of the disease. Currently, Romania has a measles vaccination coverage below the 95% safety threshold. Thus, an outbreak started in 2016 and still ongoing in Romania, many cases being identified in the Western region in the pediatric population. Our objective was to conduct a thorough examination of clinical characteristics, evolution, and risk factors in vaccinated and unvaccinated children in this region. To reach our objectives we used a retrospective cohort analysis. The authors reviewed clinical and laboratory data from patients hospitalized at “Victor Babes” Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology in Timisoara. We found a total of 136 qualifying cases of measles among the children admitted to this facility. The two comparison groups consisted of 104 children under 10 years and 32 patients between 10 and 18 years. An important characteristic of both study groups was the high prevalence of patients from the Roma ethnicity, which, although represents a minority in Romania, the prevalence was over 40% in the current study. The infection source was in 40.4% of children under 10 years inside the family, while 71.9% of infections in the group of adolescents were isolated (p-value = 0.047). The multivariate risk factor analysis identified as independent risk factors for the development of pneumonia the older age of patients (OR = 1.62), poor nutritional status (OR = 1.25), Roma ethnicity (OR = 2.44), presence of anemia (OR = 1.58), and procalcitonin (OR = 3.09). It is essential to handle these risk factors in a patient with measles, especially in conjunction with an unknown vaccination status. To achieve a vaccination rate greater than 95 percent for Romanian children, measles vaccination awareness must be promoted, moreover in the Roma population. More comprehensive preventative methods must be developed promptly with the objective of eradicating measles in Romania via a vigorous vaccination campaign.

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“…The operator-dependency of this evaluation has the potential to be significantly impacted in the future due to advancements in robotic ultrasound systems (RUSSs). These systems can be classified as either teleoperated or autonomous, and the importance of machine learning and artificial intelligence in facilitating smart image acquisition is highlighted [21,22]. Another game-changing aspect is the fact that in the upcoming five years, researchers are expected to concentrate on the development of five novel materials aimed at enhancing transmit-receive efficiencies, with a particular focus on creating transparent and flexible thin films for ultrasound acquisition [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratifying Disease Severity in Pediatric COVID-19: A Correlative Study of Serum Biomarkers and Lung Ultrasound—A Retrospective Observational Dual-Center Study

Stoicescu,

Iacob,

Ilie

et al. 2024

Diagnostics

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The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has manifested distinct impacts on infants and children. This study delves into the intricate connection between lung ultrasound (LUS) findings and serum biomarkers in neonates and infants with COVID-19. Exploring factors contributing to the mild symptoms in this demographic, including immune responses and pre-existing immunity, the study spans 3 years and 9 months, involving 42 patients. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms predominate, and LUS emerges as a vital, non-irradiating tool for evaluating pulmonary abnormalities. Serum biomarkers like CRP, procalcitonin, and cytokines provide key insights into the pathophysiology. Correlations reveal nuanced links between LUS score and clinical parameters, unveiling associations with hospitalization duration (rho = 0.49), oxygen saturation (rho = −0.88), and inflammatory markers, like ferritin (rho = 0.62), LDH (rho = 0.73), and D-dimer (rho = 0.73) with significance level (p < 0.05). The absence of large consolidations in LUS suggests unique pulmonary characteristics. The novelty of these findings lies in the comprehensive integration of LUS with serum biomarkers to assess and monitor the severity of lung involvement in neonates and infants affected by SARS-CoV-2. This approach offers valuable insights into disease severity, biomarker levels, the duration of hospitalization, and oxygen saturation, providing a multifaceted understanding of COVID-19’s impact on this vulnerable population.

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A Novel Method for Lung Image Processing Using Complex Networks

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

Laboratory Findings and Clinical Outcomes of ICU-admitted COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Assessment of Particularities Identified among Romanian Minorities

Laboratory Findings and Clinical Outcomes of ICU-admitted COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Assessment of Particularities Identified among Romanian Minorities

Disease Progression, Clinical Features, and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in Unvaccinated Children and Adolescents with Measles: A Re-Emerging Disease in Romania

Stratifying Disease Severity in Pediatric COVID-19: A Correlative Study of Serum Biomarkers and Lung Ultrasound—A Retrospective Observational Dual-Center Study

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