Semi-Supervised Segmentation of Interstitial Lung Disease Patterns from CT Images via Self-Training with Selective Re-Training.

Accurate segmentation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) patterns from computed tomography (CT) images is an essential prerequisite to treatment and follow-up. However, it is highly time-consuming for radiologists to pixel-by-pixel segment ILD patterns from CT scans with hundreds of slices. Consequently, it is hard to obtain large amounts of well-annotated data, which poses a huge challenge for data-driven deep learning-based methods.

Automated Magnetic Resonance Image Segmentation of Spinal Structures at the L4-5 Level with Deep Learning: 3D Reconstruction of Lumbar Intervertebral Foramen.

Objective: 3D reconstruction of lumbar intervertebral foramen (LIVF) has been beneficial in evaluating surgical trajectory. Still, the current methods of reconstructing the 3D LIVF model are mainly based on manual segmentation, which is laborious and time-consuming. This study aims to explore the feasibility of automatically segmenting lumbar spinal structures and increasing the speed and accuracy of 3D lumbar intervertebral foramen (LIVF) reconstruction on magnetic resonance image (MRI) at the L4-5 level.

Automatic Grading of Disc Herniation, Central Canal Stenosis and Nerve Roots Compression in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Image Diagnosis.

Aim: Accurate severity grading of lumbar spine disease by magnetic resonance images (MRIs) plays an important role in selecting appropriate treatment for the disease. However, interpreting these complex MRIs is a repetitive and time-consuming workload for clinicians, especially radiologists. Here, we aim to develop a multi-task classification model based on artificial intelligence for automated grading of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), lumbar central canal stenosis (LCCS) and lumbar nerve roots compression (LNRC) at lumbar axial MRIs.

Whole-brain functional MRI registration based on a semi-supervised deep learning model.

Purpose: Traditional registration of functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) is typically achieved through registering their coregistered structural MRI. However, it cannot achieve accurate performance in that functional units which are not necessarily located relative to anatomical structures. In addition, registration methods based on functional information focus on gray matter (GM) information but ignore the importance of white matter (WM).

Role of Dietary Nutrients in the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review.

Understanding how dietary nutrients modulate the gut microbiome is of great interest for the development of food products and eating patterns for combatting the global burden of non-communicable diseases. In this narrative review we assess scientific studies published from 2005 to 2019 that evaluated the effect of micro- and macro-nutrients on the composition of the gut microbiome using in vitro and in vivo models, and human clinical trials. The clinical evidence for micronutrients is less clear and generally lacking.

Global Tracking of Myocardial Motion in Ultrasound Sequence Images: A Feasibility Study.

The assessment of myocardial motion plays a promising role in the evaluation of cardiac function. This study aims to propose a novel framework of global estimation of the myocardial motion using radio-frequency (RF) data. The framework consists of B-mode image reconstruction, displacement estimation, myocardium extraction, and image fusion.

Improved graph cut model with features of superpixels and neighborhood patches for myocardium segmentation from ultrasound image.

Ultrasound (US) imaging has the technical advantages for the functional evaluation of myocardium compared with other imaging modalities. However, it is a challenge of extracting the myocardial tissues from the background due to low quality of US imaging. To better extract the myocardial tissues, this study proposes a semi-supervised segmentation method of fast Superpixels and Neighborhood Patches based Continuous Min-Cut ().

Alters Expression of Energy Metabolism Genes and Prevents Cell Death in High-Glucose Loaded Mouse Embryos.

Background: (ZGW) is a classic formula in traditional chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies have shown that it is beneficial for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) of adults and the offspring as well. This study aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms of the efficacy of ZGW on IGT.

[Segmentation of brain tumor on magnetic resonance images using 3D full-convolutional densely connected convolutional networks].

Accurate segmentation of multiple gliomas from multimodal MRI is a prerequisite for many precision medical procedures. To effectively use the characteristics of glioma MRI and im-prove the segmentation accuracy, we proposes a multi-Dice loss function structure and used pre-experiments to select the good hyperparameters (i.e.

[Segmentation of the prostate on magnetic resonance images using an ellipsoidal shape prior constraint algorithm].

We propose a novel strategy for multi-atlas-based image segmentation of the prostate on magnetic resonance (MR) images using an ellipsoidal shape prior constraint algorithm. An ellipsoidal shape prior constraint was incorporated into the process of multi-atlas based segmentation to restrict the regions of interest on the prostate images and avoid the interference by the surrounding tissues and organs in atlas selection. In the subsequent process of atlas fusion, the ellipsoidal shape prior constraint calibrated and compensated for the shape prior obtained by the registration technique to avoid incorrect segmentation caused by registration errors.

Wuzi Yanzong pill, a Chinese polyherbal formula, alleviates testicular damage in mice induced by ionizing radiation.

Background: Chinese medicine Wuzi Yanzong pill (WZYZP) was firstly documented in ancient Chinese medical works "She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang" by Shi-Che Zhang in 1550 AD. The traditional herbal formula is widely used in treating nephrasthenia lumbago, prospermia, erectile dysfunction and male sterility. The present study was to explore the effects of WZYZP on ionizing irradiation-induced testicular damage in mice.

A new biocompatible microemulsion increases extraction yield and bioavailability of Andrographis paniculata.

The purpose of this study was to design and prepare a biocompatible microemulsion of Andrographis paniculata (BMAP) containing both fat-soluble and water-soluble constituents. We determined the contents of active constituents of BMAP and evaluated its bioavailability. The biocompatible microemulsion (BM), containing lecithin and bile salts, was optimized in the present study, showing a good physical stability.

Safflower Yellow regulates microglial polarization and inhibits inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated Bv2 cells.

Activated microglia, especially polarized M1 cells, produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and free radicals, thereby contributing directly to neuroinflammation and various brain disorders. Given that excessive or chronic neuroinflammation within the central nervous system (CNS) exacerbates neuronal damage, molecules that modulate neuroinflammation are candidates as neuroprotective agents. In this study, we provide evidence that Safflor yellow (SY), the main active component in the traditional Chinese medicine safflower, modulates inflammatory responses by acting directly on BV2 microglia.

Complete genome sequence of a coxsackievirus a16 strain, isolated from a fatal case in shenzhen, southern china, in 2014.

We determined the complete genome sequence of a coxsackievirus A16 strain (CVA16/SZ29/CHN/2014) from a fatal case in Shenzhen, southern China, in 2014. The strain was assigned to subgenotype B1b based on phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 gene.

Fasudil mediates cell therapy of EAE by immunomodulating encephalomyelitic T cells and macrophages.

Although Fasudil has shown therapeutic potential in EAE mice, the mechanism of action are still not fully understood. Here, we examined the immunomodulatory effect of Fasudil on encephalitogenic mononuclear cells (MNCs), and tested the therapeutic potential of Fasudil-treated MNCs in active EAE. Fasudil inhibited expression of CCL20 on T cells and migration of T cells, decreased CD4(+) IFN-γ(+) and CD4(+) IL-17(+) T cells, but increased CD4(+) IL-10(+) and CD4(+) TGF-β(+) T cells.

The inhibition of Rho kinase blocks cell migration and accumulation possibly by challenging inflammatory cytokines and chemokines on astrocytes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are autoimmune diseases characterized by the immune-mediated demyelination and neurodegeneration of the CNS. Our previous studies showed that Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil can delay onset, and ameliorate severity of EAE, accompanied by the improvement in myelination and the inhibition of inflammatory responses in the CNS. In this study, we found that Fasudil inhibited the migration of T cells indirectly by affecting the production of inflammatory factors and the expression of chemokines in astrocytes functions, indicating that Fasudil treatment reduced inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, reactive oxygen species (NO) and chemokines like MIP-3α (CCL-20), RANTES (CCL5), MIP-1α (CCL-3) and MCP-1 (CCL2) in vitro, and blocked the chemotaxis of reactive mononuclear cells in EAE mice.

Intranasal delivery of FSD-C10, a novel Rho kinase inhibitor, exhibits therapeutic potential in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Viewing multiple sclerosis (MS) as both neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration has major implications for therapy, with neuroprotection and neurorepair needed in addition to controlling neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). While Fasudil, an inhibitor of Rho kinase (ROCK), is known to suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, it relies on multiple, short-term injections, with a narrow safety window. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effect of a novel ROCK inhibitor FSD-C10, a Fasudil derivative, on EAE.

[Status and analysis of Astragali Radix resource in China].

To explore the status of the resources of Astragali Radix, a survey on its germplasm resources was carried out. Some conclusions can be drawn for Astragali Radix: the major source is the cultivated Astragalus mongolicus. The new major cultivation areas for A.

[Clinical efficacy and safety of megestrol acetate vaginal ring].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring.

Methods: A total of 165 healthy child-bearing age women were recruited to examine the efficacy, safety and satisfaction rate of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring.

Results: The cumulative pregnancy rate of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring was 3.

An ultrasound study of altered hydration behaviour of proteoglycan-degraded articular cartilage.

Background: Articular cartilage is a solid-fluid biphasic material covering the bony ends of articulating joints. Hydration of articular cartilage is important to joint lubrication and weight-wearing. The aims of this study are to measure the altered hydration behaviour of the proteoglycan-degraded articular cartilage using high-frequency ultrasound and then to investigate the effect of proteoglycan (PG) degradation on cartilage hydration.

Intensity based image registration by minimizing exponential function weighted residual complexity.

In this paper, we propose a novel intensity-based similarity measure for medical image registration. Traditional intensity-based methods are sensitive to intensity distortions, contrast agent and noise. Although residual complexity can solve this problem in certain situations, relative modification of the parameter can generate dramatically different results.

[Three-dimensional low-dose CT volume reconstruction based on non-local weights optimization and GPU acceleration].

Concerns have been raised over x-ray radiation dose associated with repeated computed tomography (CT) scans for tumor surveillance and radiotherapy planning. In this paper, we present a low-dose CT image reconstruction method for improving low-dose CT image quality. The method proposed exploited rich redundancy information from previous normal-dose scan image for optimizing the non-local weights construction in the original non-local means (NLM)-based low-dose image reconstruction.

[A graph cuts-based interactive method for segmentation of magnetic resonance images of meningioma].

For accurate segmentation of the magnetic resonance (MR) images of meningioma, we propose a novel interactive segmentation method based on graph cuts. The high dimensional image features was extracted, and for each pixel, the probabilities of its origin, either the tumor or the background regions, were estimated by exploiting the weighted K-nearest neighborhood classifier. Based on these probabilities, a new energy function was proposed.

[Automatic detection and diagnosis of lung nodules on CT images based on LDA and SVM].

Based on suspected pulmonary nodule segmentation images obtained previously and with a large-sample training, automatic detection and diagnosis of the pulmonary nodules on CT images was realized by extracting the multi-dimensional features of the pulmonary nodule images and the application of LDA and SVM statistical classifiers. Experimental results showed that this detection and diagnosis method produced better classification results, and is practical for application in CAD systems.