Location-based Radiology Report-Guided Semi-supervised Learning for Prostate Cancer Detection.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world. While deep learning has potential to further improve computer-aided prostate cancer detection on MRI, its efficacy hinges on the exhaustive curation of manually annotated images. We propose a novel methodology of semisupervised learning (SSL) guided by automatically extracted clinical information, specifically the lesion locations in radiology reports, allowing for use of unannotated images to reduce the annotation burden.

Variations in Microwave Ablation Zones as a Function of Probe Spacing, Angulation, and Geometry.

Despite advancements in precision and effectiveness of microwave ablation for tumor management, accurately predicting ablation zone geometry and minimum ablation margin remains a major challenge. This pilot study aimed to elucidate the influence of probe configuration on the morphometry of resulting ablation zones using tissue-mimicking thermochromic phantoms. In vitro results from 12 ablations were analyzed: (a) a single-probe ablation (n = 1) and (b) dual-probe ablations (n = 11).

Phase 1 trial to model primary, secondary, and tertiary dengue using a monovalent vaccine.

Background: The four co-circulating and immunologically interactive dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-4) pose a unique challenge to vaccine design because sub-protective immunity can increase the risk of severe dengue disease. Existing dengue vaccines have lower efficacy in DENV seronegative individuals but higher efficacy in DENV exposed individuals. There is an urgent need to identify immunological measures that are strongly associated with protection against viral replication and disease following sequential exposure to distinct serotypes.

Remarkable vessel enlargement within lung consolidation in COVID-19 compared to AH1N1 pneumonia: A retrospective study in Italy.

Purpose: To investigate the early CT findings in COVID-19 pneumonia as compared to influenza A virus H1N1 (AH1N1), with focus on vascular enlargement within consolidation or ground glass opacity (GGO) areas.

Methods: 50 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were retrospectively compared to 50 patients with AH1N1 pneumonia diagnosed during the 2009 pandemic. Two radiologists reviewed chest CT scans independently and blindly, with discordance resolved by consensus.

Learning deep similarity metric for 3D MR-TRUS image registration.

Purpose: The fusion of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance (MR) images for guiding targeted prostate biopsy has significantly improved the biopsy yield of aggressive cancers. A key component of MR-TRUS fusion is image registration. However, it is very challenging to obtain a robust automatic MR-TRUS registration due to the large appearance difference between the two imaging modalities.

Phase I and Preliminary Phase II Study of TRC105 in Combination with Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Endoglin (CD105) is an endothelial cell membrane receptor highly expressed on proliferating tumor vasculature, including that of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is associated with poor prognosis. Endoglin is essential for angiogenesis, and its expression is induced by hypoxia and VEGF pathway inhibition. TRC105 is a chimeric IgG1 CD105 mAb that inhibits angiogenesis and causes antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and apoptosis of proliferating endothelium.

Tremelimumab in combination with ablation in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Tremelimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) on the surface of activated T lymphocytes. Ablative therapies induce a peripheral immune response which may enhance the effect of anti-CTLA4 treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to demonstrate whether tremelimumab could be combined safely and feasibly with ablation.

A Case of In-Bore Transperineal MRI-Guided Prostate Biopsy of a Patient with Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease that specifically affects the colon. Ulcerative colitis is primarily treated medically and refractory disease is treated with proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Gastroenterologists advise against digital rectal exams, pelvic radiation therapy, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsies of the prostates of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients.

Virologic response following combined ledipasvir and sofosbuvir administration in patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection.

Importance: There is an unmet need for interferon- and ribavirin-free treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Objective: To evaluate the rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and adverse events in previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection following a 12-week treatment of the fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Open-label, single-center, phase 2b pilot study of previously untreated, noncirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection conducted at the Clinical Research Center of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, from June 2013 to September 2014.

Virological response after 6 week triple-drug regimens for hepatitis C: a proof-of-concept phase 2A cohort study.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral drugs have a high cure rate and favourable tolerability for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Shorter courses could improve affordability and adherence. Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir with ribavirin have high efficacy when taken for 8 weeks but not for 6 weeks.

Sofosbuvir and ribavirin for hepatitis C genotype 1 in patients with unfavorable treatment characteristics: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: The efficacy of directly acting antiviral agents in interferon-free regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infections needs to be evaluated in different populations.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir with weight-based or low-dose ribavirin among a population with unfavorable treatment characteristics.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Single-center, randomized, 2-part, open-label phase 2 study involving 60 treatment-naive patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 enrolled at the National Institutes of Health (October 2011-April 2012).

Twice-weekly pegylated interferon-α-2a and ribavirin results in superior viral kinetics in HIV/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients compared to standard therapy.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV co-infected patients have more rapid progression of liver fibrosis and only modest cure rates (sustained virologic responses, SVRs) when compared to HCV monoinfected patients.

Method: We compared the virologic responses of either twice-weekly peginterferon-α-2a 180 μg/week (for 4 weeks, followed by weekly dosing) or weekly peginterferon-α-2a 180 μg/week, and weight-based ribavirin (1-1.2 g/day), among HIV/HCV co-infected genotype-1 individuals.