How subjective CT image quality assessment becomes surprisingly reliable: pairwise comparisons instead of Likert scale.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to improve the reliability of subjective IQ assessment using a pairwise comparison (PC) method instead of a Likert scale method in abdominal CT scans.

Methods: Abdominal CT scans (single-center) were retrospectively selected between September 2019 and February 2020 in a prior study. Sample variance in IQ was obtained by adding artificial noise using dedicated reconstruction software, including reconstructions with filtered backprojection and varying iterative reconstruction strengths.

Automated Assessment of T2-Weighted MRI to Differentiate Malignant and Benign Primary Solid Liver Lesions in Noncirrhotic Livers Using Radiomics.

Rationale And Objectives: Distinguishing malignant from benign liver lesions based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important but often challenging task, especially in noncirrhotic livers. We developed and externally validated a radiomics model to quantitatively assess T2-weighted MRI to distinguish the most common malignant and benign primary solid liver lesions in noncirrhotic livers.

Materials And Methods: Data sets were retrospectively collected from three tertiary referral centers (A, B, and C) between 2002 and 2018.

Generation of synthetic ground glass nodules using generative adversarial networks (GANs).

Background: Data shortage is a common challenge in developing computer-aided diagnosis systems. We developed a generative adversarial network (GAN) model to generate synthetic lung lesions mimicking ground glass nodules (GGNs).

Methods: We used 216 computed tomography images with 340 GGNs from the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative database.

Reproducibility of CT-Based Hepatocellular Carcinoma Radiomic Features across Different Contrast Imaging Phases: A Proof of Concept on SORAMIC Trial Data.

Handcrafted radiomic features (HRFs) are quantitative imaging features extracted from regions of interest on medical images which can be correlated with clinical outcomes and biologic characteristics. While HRFs have been used to train predictive and prognostic models, their reproducibility has been reported to be affected by variations in scan acquisition and reconstruction parameters, even within the same imaging vendor. In this work, we evaluated the reproducibility of HRFs across the arterial and portal venous phases of contrast-enhanced computed tomography images depicting hepatocellular carcinomas, as well as the potential of ComBat harmonization to correct for this difference.

Intra-observer agreements in multidisciplinary team assessments of pancreatic cancer patients.

Background And Methods: Treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer patients are made by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) board. We aimed to assess intra-observer variance at MDT boards. Participating units staged, assessed resectability, and made treatment allocations for the same patients as they did two years earlier.

Laser and LIDAR in a System for Visibility Distance Estimation in Fog Conditions.

Visibility is a critical factor for transportation, even if we refer to air, water, or ground transportation. The biggest trend in the automotive industry is autonomous driving, the number of autonomous vehicles will increase exponentially, prompting changes in the industry and user segment. Unfortunately, these vehicles still have some drawbacks and one, always in attention and topical, will be treated in this paper-visibility distance issue in bad weather conditions, particularly in fog.

Non-invasive imaging prediction of tumor hypoxia: A novel developed and externally validated CT and FDG-PET-based radiomic signatures.

Background: Tumor hypoxia increases resistance to radiotherapy and systemic therapy. Our aim was to develop and validate a disease-agnostic and disease-specific CT (+FDG-PET) based radiomics hypoxia classification signature.

Material And Methods: A total of 808 patients with imaging data were included: N = 100 training/N = 183 external validation cases for a disease-agnostic CT hypoxia classification signature, N = 76 training/N = 39 validation cases for the H&N CT signature and N = 62 training/N = 36 validation cases for the Lung CT signature.

Anaplastic Large Cell T Cell Lymphoma in a Patient With Severe Therapy-refractory Crohn's Disease on Long-standing Immunosuppressive Medication During Ustekinumab Treatment: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Use of ustekinumab in Crohn's disease was approved in 2016, and consequently data regarding its real-world safety are still limited. We here present a 29-year-old woman with severe therapy-refractory Crohn's disease, who developed an anaplastic large cell T cell lymphoma during treatment with ustekinumab.

Small molecule inhibitors of WNT/β-catenin signaling block IL-1β- and TNFα-induced cartilage degradation.

Introduction: In this study, we tested the ability of small molecule inhibitors of WNT/β-catenin signaling to block interleukin 1β (IL-1β)- and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced cartilage degradation. Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNFα are potent inducers of cartilage degradation by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity. Because WNT/β-catenin signaling was found to be involved in IL-1β- and TNFα-induced upregulation of MMP activity, we hypothesized that inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling might block IL-1β- and TNFα-induced cartilage degradation.

WNT signaling and cartilage: of mice and men.

In adult articular cartilage, the extracellular matrix is maintained by a balance between the degradation and the synthesis of matrix components. Chondrocytes that sparsely reside in the matrix and rarely proliferate are the key cellular mediators for cartilage homeostasis. There are indications for the involvement of the WNT signaling pathway in maintaining articular cartilage.

Inhibition of Gsk3β in cartilage induces osteoarthritic features through activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.

Objective: In the past years, the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has emerged as a critical regulator of cartilage development and homeostasis. In this pathway, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) down-regulates transduction of the canonical Wnt signal by promoting degradation of β-catenin. In this study we wanted to further investigate the role of Gsk3β in cartilage maintenance.

Apc bridges Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling during osteoblast differentiation of KS483 cells.

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway influences the differentiation of mesenchymal cell lineages in a quantitative and qualitative fashion depending on the dose of β-catenin signaling. Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) is the critical intracellular regulator of β-catenin turnover. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Apc in regulating the differentiation capacity of skeletal progenitor cells, we have knocked down Apc in the murine mesenchymal stem cell-like KS483 cells by stable expression of Apc-specific small interfering RNA.

Immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic studies of recombinant factor VIII containing lipid cochleates.

Replacement therapy using recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) is currently the most common therapy for hemophilia A, a bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency of FVIII. However, 15-30% of patients develop inhibitory antibodies against administered rFVIII, which complicates the therapy. Encapsulation or association of protein with lipidic structures can reduce this immune response.

APC mutations are associated with increased bone mineral density in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

The canonical Wnt pathway plays a key regulatory role in osteoblastogenesis and bone mass acquisition through its main effector, β-catenin. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) represents the key intracellular gatekeeper of β-catenin turnover, and heterozygous germ-line mutations in the APC gene cause familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Whether APC mutations affect bone mass has not been previously investigated.

Effect of route of administration of human recombinant factor VIII on its immunogenicity in Hemophilia A mice.

Factor VIII is a multi-domain glycoprotein and is an essential cofactor in the blood coagulation cascade. Its deficiency or dysfunction causes Hemophilia A, a bleeding disorder. Replacement using exogenous recombinant Factor VIII (FVIII) is the first line of therapy for Hemophilia A.

Role of glycosylation in conformational stability, activity, macromolecular interaction and immunogenicity of recombinant human factor VIII.

Factor VIII (FVIII) is a multi-domain glycoprotein that is an essential cofactor in the blood coagulation cascade. Its deficiency or dysfunction causes hemophilia A, a bleeding disorder. Replacement using exogenous recombinant human factor VIII (rFVIII) is the first line of therapy for hemophilia A.

The 7th ESPE Growth Plate Working Group symposium--EUROGROP, June 27th 2007, Helsinki, Finland.

Longitudinal bone growth occurs within the epiphyseal growth plate, a highly organized biological structure located at the distal ends of the long bones, via endochondral bone formation. This developmentally regulated process is finely tuned through the interaction of circulating systemic hormones and locally produced peptide growth factors, the net result of which is to trigger changes in gene expression by growth plate chondrocytes. These molecular events lead to carefully orchestrated alterations in chondrocyte size, extracellular matrix components, secreted enzymes, growth factors and receptor expression.

Passive transfer of polyethylene glycol to liposomal-recombinant human FVIII enhances its efficacy in a murine model for hemophilia A.

The replacement therapy using recombinant human FVIII (rFVIII) is the first line of therapy for hemophilia A. Approximately 15-30% of the patients develop inhibitory antibodies. Recently, we reported that liposomes composed of phosphatidylserine (PS) could reduce the immunogenicity of rFVIII.