title: The effects of post-operative antibiotics in endoscopic sinus surgery

authors: Challis, Jacinda

subjects: Chronic rhinosinusitis

abstract: Previous research into post-operative antibiotic usage for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients generated contradictory results. Some studies found that post-operative antibiotics did not improve the short-term clinical outcomes (Jiang et al., 2008; Lehmann et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2011) while some did (Albu & Lucaciu, 2010). Those studies had also focused primarily on the clinical outcomes of the surgery, overlooking the potential impact of prophylactic antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome. Using cultivation-independent methods, this study aimed to examine the impact of post-operative antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome alongside short-term clinical outcomes of CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Twelve patients undergoing ESS to treat their CRS were enrolled in this study and randomly distributed into two groups: an antibiotic treatment group and a placebo treatment group. The antibiotic treatment group received doxycycline for 28 days after surgery. Clinical information, including computed tomography scan, symptom questionnaires, and nasal endoscopy, were collected for each patient before and after ESS. Swab and tissue samples were collected and underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and amplicon sequencing analysis to longitudinally characterise each patient’s sinonasal microbiome. There were no differences in symptom scores or endoscopic/radiological scores between treatment groups before or after the surgery, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between the treatment groups after surgery. Our preliminary study showed that post-operative antibiotics did not improve short-term clinical outcomes for CRS patients undergoing ESS, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between treatments, either. However, our preliminary findings reflect only short-term effects, and many of our analyses were statistically underpowered due to the modest sample size. A larger study is needed to explore specific patterns observed in our data with greater confidence.

text: The effects of post-operative antibiotics in endoscopic sinus surgery Previous research into post-operative antibiotic usage for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients generated contradictory results. Some studies found that post-operative antibiotics did not improve the short-term clinical outcomes (Jiang et al., 2008; Lehmann et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2011) while some did (Albu & Lucaciu, 2010). Those studies had also focused primarily on the clinical outcomes of the surgery, overlooking the potential impact of prophylactic antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome. Using cultivation-independent methods, this study aimed to examine the impact of post-operative antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome alongside short-term clinical outcomes of CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Twelve patients undergoing ESS to treat their CRS were enrolled in this study and randomly distributed into two groups: an antibiotic treatment group and a placebo treatment group. The antibiotic treatment group received doxycycline for 28 days after surgery. Clinical information, including computed tomography scan, symptom questionnaires, and nasal endoscopy, were collected for each patient before and after ESS. Swab and tissue samples were collected and underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and amplicon sequencing analysis to longitudinally characterise each patient’s sinonasal microbiome. There were no differences in symptom scores or endoscopic/radiological scores between treatment groups before or after the surgery, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between the treatment groups after surgery. Our preliminary study showed that post-operative antibiotics did not improve short-term clinical outcomes for CRS patients undergoing ESS, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between treatments, either. However, our preliminary findings reflect only short-term effects, and many of our analyses were statistically underpowered due to the modest sample size. A larger study is needed to explore specific patterns observed in our data with greater confidence.

year: 2021

title: Time-of-flight range image measurement in the presence of transverse motion using the Kalman filter

authors: Streeter, Lee

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Time-of-flight range imaging cameras measure distance to objects in their field of view, but are prone to error when objects move. At least three raw frames are required to obtain one range image, and the standard method is to read out raw frames into separate sets and process to find one range image per set. Motion during the acquisition of a set causes error in the corresponding range image. In this paper, the problem of motion is addressed by regarding the raw data from each pixel as a noisy time series, and using the Kalman filter to efficiently perform time-series analysis. The proposed method adapts to the effects of transverse motion, measuring a sharp range image at each raw frame. The error in the proposed method is less than the traditional approach in 80% of tests, with no detected increase in the STD due to noise. In the qualitative experimental results, the visible blur is reduced.

text: Time-of-flight range image measurement in the presence of transverse motion using the Kalman filter Time-of-flight range imaging cameras measure distance to objects in their field of view, but are prone to error when objects move. At least three raw frames are required to obtain one range image, and the standard method is to read out raw frames into separate sets and process to find one range image per set. Motion during the acquisition of a set causes error in the corresponding range image. In this paper, the problem of motion is addressed by regarding the raw data from each pixel as a noisy time series, and using the Kalman filter to efficiently perform time-series analysis. The proposed method adapts to the effects of transverse motion, measuring a sharp range image at each raw frame. The error in the proposed method is less than the traditional approach in 80% of tests, with no detected increase in the STD due to noise. In the qualitative experimental results, the visible blur is reduced.

year: 2018

title: Section 2: Native disruption: Maori and the precariat: Introduction

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: Within this section, the authors encourage the reader to look back into history and then consider the future. We are invited to re-examine deeds from this country’s past. To immerse ourselves in a narrative that may be different to the one we have been taught in school, or heard among our friends and family. Through their stories we can see multiple narratives. Readers are invited to understand, embrace and own the past. By recognising and accepting the past — our collective histories — we can determine our collective present and future.

text: Section 2: Native disruption: Maori and the precariat: Introduction Within this section, the authors encourage the reader to look back into history and then consider the future. We are invited to re-examine deeds from this country’s past. To immerse ourselves in a narrative that may be different to the one we have been taught in school, or heard among our friends and family. Through their stories we can see multiple narratives. Readers are invited to understand, embrace and own the past. By recognising and accepting the past — our collective histories — we can determine our collective present and future.

year: 2017