PocketNet: A Smaller Neural Network for Medical Image Analysis.

Medical imaging deep learning models are often large and complex, requiring specialized hardware to train and evaluate these models. To address such issues, we propose the PocketNet paradigm to reduce the size of deep learning models by throttling the growth of the number of channels in convolutional neural networks. We demonstrate that, for a range of segmentation and classification tasks, PocketNet architectures produce results comparable to that of conventional neural networks while reducing the number of parameters by multiple orders of magnitude, using up to 90% less GPU memory, and speeding up training times by up to 40%, thereby allowing such models to be trained and deployed in resource-constrained settings.

Modulation of TDM-induced granuloma pathology by human lactoferrin: a persistent effect in mice.

Lactoferrin (LTF), an iron binding protein, is known to exhibit immune modulatory effects on pulmonary pathology during insult-induced models of primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. The effects of LTF correlate with modulation of the immune related development of the pathology, and altering of the histological nature of the physically compact and dense lung granuloma in mice. Specifically, a recombinant human version of LTF limits immediate progression of granulomatous severity following administration of the Mtb cell wall mycolic acid, trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), in part through reduced pro-inflammatory responses known to control these events.

Recombinant Human Lactoferrin Reduces Inflammation and Increases Fluoroquinolone Penetration to Primary Granulomas During Mycobacterial Infection of C57Bl/6 Mice.

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in the primary formation of a densely packed inflammatory foci that limits entry of therapeutic agents into pulmonary sites where organisms reside. No current therapeutic regimens exist that modulate host immune responses to permit increased drug penetration to regions of pathological damage during tuberculosis disease. Lactoferrin is a natural iron-binding protein previously demonstrated to modulate inflammation and granuloma cohesiveness, while maintaining control of pathogenic burden.

Use of a small molecule integrin activator as a systemically administered vaccine adjuvant in controlling Chagas disease.

The development of suitable safe adjuvants to enhance appropriate antigen-driven immune responses remains a challenge. Here we describe the adjuvant properties of a small molecule activator of the integrins αLβ2 and α4β1, named 7HP349, which can be safely delivered systemically independent of antigen. 7HP349 directly activates integrin cell adhesion receptors crucial for the generation of an immune response.

Lactoferrin as an Adjuvant for the Generation of Delayed Type Hypersensitivity to Orally Administered Antigen.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the property of bovine lactoferrin (LF) in the generation of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) as an oral adjuvant during immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) and BCG.

Methods: LF admixed with OVA or BCG was used for immunization of CBA or C57BL/6 mice when given via oral or subcutaneous routes. Elicited DTH response was measured post immunization.