Improving Automatic Renal Segmentation in Clinically Normal and Abnormal Paediatric DCE-MRI via Contrast Maximisation and Convolutional Networks for Computing Markers of Kidney Function.

There is a growing demand for fast, accurate computation of clinical markers to improve renal function and anatomy assessment with a single study. However, conventional techniques have limitations leading to overestimations of kidney function or failure to provide sufficient spatial resolution to target the disease location. In contrast, the computer-aided analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could generate significant markers, including the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and time-intensity curves of the cortex and medulla for determining obstruction in the urinary tract.

A low-glycemic-load versus low-fat diet in the treatment of fatty liver in obese children.

Background: Fatty liver is highly prevalent among obese children and represents a major risk factor for chronic liver diseases and severe metabolic complications.

Methods: We randomly assigned 17 obese children 8-17 years of age with fatty liver to either an experimental low-glycemic-load or conventional low-fat diet for 6 months. Participants in both groups received nutrition education and behavioral counseling of equal intensity.