-
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Jun 2024Pathological myopia (PM) is the leading ocular disease for impaired vision worldwide. Clinically, the characteristics of pathology distribution in PM are global-local on...
Pathological myopia (PM) is the leading ocular disease for impaired vision worldwide. Clinically, the characteristics of pathology distribution in PM are global-local on the fundus image, which plays a significant role in assisting clinicians in diagnosing PM. However, most existing deep neural networks focused on designing complex architectures but rarely explored the pathology distribution prior of PM. To tackle this issue, we propose an efficient pyramid channel attention (EPCA) module, which fully leverages the potential of the clinical pathology prior of PM with pyramid pooling and multi-scale context fusion. Then, we construct EPCA-Net for automatic PM recognition based on fundus images by stacking a sequence of EPCA modules. Moreover, motivated by the recent pretraining-and-finetuning paradigm, we attempt to adapt pre-trained natural image models for PM recognition by freezing them and treating the EPCA and other attention modules as adapters. In addition, we construct a PM recognition benchmark termed PM-fundus by collecting fundus images of PM from publicly available datasets. The comprehensive experiments demonstrate the superiority of EPCA-Net over state-of-the-art methods in the PM recognition task. For example, EPCA-Net achieves 97.56% accuracy and outperforms ViT by 2.85% accuracy on the PM-fundus dataset. The results also show that our method based on the pretraining-and-finetuning paradigm achieves competitive performance through comparisons to part of previous methods based on traditional fine-tuning paradigm with fewer tunable parameters, which has the potential to leverage more natural image foundation models to address the PM recognition task in limited medical data regime.
PubMed: 38964193
DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2024.102926 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jun 2024Lexical tone presents challenges to cochlear implant (CI) users especially in noise conditions. Bimodal hearing utilizes residual acoustic hearing in the contralateral...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Lexical tone presents challenges to cochlear implant (CI) users especially in noise conditions. Bimodal hearing utilizes residual acoustic hearing in the contralateral side and may offer benefits for tone recognition in noise. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate tone recognition in both steady-state noise and multi-talker babbles by the prelingually-deafened, Mandarin-speaking children with unilateral CIs or bimodal hearing.
METHODS
Fifty-three prelingually-deafened, Mandarin-speaking children who received CIs participated in this study. Twenty-two of them were unilateral CI users and 31 wore a hearing aid (HA) in the contralateral ear (i.e., bimodal hearing). All subjects were tested for Mandarin tone recognition in quiet and in two types of maskers: speech-spectrum-shaped noise (SSN) and two-talker babbles (TTB) at four signal-to-noise ratios (-6, 0, +6, and +12 dB).
RESULTS
While no differences existed in tone recognition in quiet between the two groups, the Bimodal group outperformed the Unilateral CI group under noise conditions. The differences between the two groups were significant at SNRs of 0, +6, and +12 dB in the SSN conditions (all p < 0.05), and at SNRs of +6 and +12 dB of TTB conditions (both p < 0.01), but not significant at other conditions (p > 0.05). The TTB exerted a greater masking effect than the SSN for tone recognition in the Unilateral CI group as well as in the Bimodal group at all SNRs tested (all p < 0.05). Among demographic or audiometric variables, only age at implantation showed a weak but significant correlation with the mean tone recognition performance under the SSN conditions (r = -0.276, p = 0.045). However, when Bonferroni correction was applied to the correlation analysis results, the weak correlation became not significant.
CONCLUSION
Prelingually-deafened children with CIs face challenges in tone perception in noisy environments, especially when the noise is fluctuating in amplitude such as the multi-talker babbles. Wearing a HA on the contralateral side when residual hearing permits is beneficial for tone recognition in noise.
PubMed: 38964177
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.112020 -
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious... Jul 2024
Optimizing Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Evaluations: Influence of In-House Serum HSV PCR Performance on Diagnostic Turnaround, Acyclovir Duration, and Hospital Length of Stay.
PubMed: 38963796
DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piae072 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jul 2024Burn injuries with ≥70% total body surface area (TBSA) are especially acute and life-threatening, leading to severe complications and terrible prognosis, while a...
BACKGROUND
Burn injuries with ≥70% total body surface area (TBSA) are especially acute and life-threatening, leading to severe complications and terrible prognosis, while a powerful model for prediction of overall survival (OS) is lacked. The objective of this study is to identify prognostic factors for the OS of patients with burn injury ≥70% TBSA, construct and validate a feasible predictive model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients diagnosed with burns ≥70% TBSA admitted and treated between 2010 and 2020 in our hospital were included. A cohort of the patients from the Kunshan explosion were assigned as the validation set. The Chi-square test and K-M survival analysis were conducted to identify potential predictors for OS. Then, multi-variate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors. Afterwards, we constructed a nomogram to predict OS probability. Finally, the Kunshan cohort was applied as an external validation set.
RESULTS
Gender, the percentage of third- and fourth-degree burn as well as organ dysfunction were identified as significant independent factors. A nomogram only based on the factors of the individuals was built and evidenced to have promising predictive accuracy, accordance, and discrimination by both internal and external validation.
CONCLUSIONS
This study recognized significant influencing factors for the OS of patients with burns ≥70% TBSA. Furthermore, our nomogram proved to be an effective tool for doctors to quickly evaluate patients' outcomes and make appropriate clinical decisions at an early stage of treatment.
PubMed: 38963751
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001880 -
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Jul 2024This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity associated with excisional biopsy in patients with spontaneous gastric perforation. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity associated with excisional biopsy in patients with spontaneous gastric perforation.
METHODS
A retrospective, single-center, observational study was performed. All consecutive patients with spontaneous gastric perforation who underwent surgical therapy were included. Outcomes were assessed concerning the performance of excisional biopsy.
RESULTS
A total of 135 adult patients were enrolled. Of these, 110 (81.5%) patients underwent excisional biopsy, while 17 (12.6%) did not. The remaining eight (5.9%) patients who underwent gastric resection were excluded from the analysis. Patients undergoing excisional biopsy developed significantly higher rates of postoperative complications (p = 0.007) and experienced more severe complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, particularly type III and above (p = 0.017). However, no significant differences were observed regarding in-hospital mortality, reoperation, suture dehiscence, or length of hospital stay.
CONCLUSION
Excisional biopsy for gastric perforation has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity. Surgical closure followed by early endoscopic biopsy may be a superior approach for gastric perforation management to rule out malignancy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Stomach Ulcer; Peptic Ulcer Perforation; Biopsy; Adult; Postoperative Complications; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38963438
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-024-03393-x -
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy Jul 2024Obesity has become a prevalent issue worldwide, leading to various complications such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Statins as FDA approved...
BACKGROUND
Obesity has become a prevalent issue worldwide, leading to various complications such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Statins as FDA approved anti-hyperlipidemic drugs, still poses some concerns upon their administration. Recently, researchers have looked for natural products as an alternative to manage hyperlipidemia and obesity.
AIM
This work aimed to study the hypolipidemic effect of Garden Cress (GC) from different preparations; orally administered seeds, and hydrogel, in comparison to atorvastatin.
METHODS
GC hydrogel was prepared from the GC aqueous extract and pharmaceutically evaluated for its pH, spreadability, seeds content, homogeneity, rheology, and in vitro release. The rat's body weight, blood glucose levels, total lipid profile, and liver biomarkers were evaluated on obese rats for one month. In addition, the histopathology study was also performed.
RESULTS
GC hydrogel had acceptable pharmaceutical properties and showed a sustained release performance over 24 h. Oral and topical GC significantly reduced the lipid profiles, blood sugar and ALT, AST levels more than the negative control group and comparable to atorvastatin. It was found that oral GC showed a significant effect on the percentage decrease in the rat's body weight than the applied hydrogel. Histopathology study revealed a better outcome in the histological structure of pancreas and liver compared with rats feed on high fat diet post treatment for one month.
CONCLUSION
GC orally administered, or topically applied hydrogel could be a promising, safe alternative formulation to atorvastatin in managing hyperlipidemia and normalizing body weight of obese rats.
PubMed: 38963406
DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2024.2376624 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2024The expression and function of coexpression genes of M1 macrophage in cervical cancer have not been identified. And the CXCL9-expressing tumour-associated macrophage has...
BACKGROUND
The expression and function of coexpression genes of M1 macrophage in cervical cancer have not been identified. And the CXCL9-expressing tumour-associated macrophage has been poorly reported in cervical cancer.
METHODS
To clarify the regulatory gene network of M1 macrophage in cervical cancer, we downloaded gene expression profiles of cervical cancer patients in TCGA database to identify M1 macrophage coexpression genes. Then we constructed the protein-protein interaction networks by STRING database and performed functional enrichment analysis to investigate the biological effects of the coexpression genes. Next, we used multiple bioinformatics databases and experiments to overall investigate coexpression gene CXCL9, including western blot assay and immunohistochemistry assay, GeneMANIA, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, Xenashiny, TISCH2, ACLBI, HPA, TISIDB, GSCA and cBioPortal databases.
RESULTS
There were 77 positive coexpression genes and 5 negative coexpression genes in M1 macrophage. The coexpression genes in M1 macrophage participated in the production and function of chemokines and chemokine receptors. Especially, CXCL9 was positively correlated with M1 macrophage infiltration levels in cervical cancer. CXCL9 expression would significantly decrease and high CXCL9 levels were linked to good prognosis in the cervical cancer tumour patients, it manifestly expressed in blood immune cells, and was positively related to immune checkpoints. CXCL9 amplification was the most common type of mutation. The CXCL9 gene interaction network could regulate immune-related signalling pathways, and CXCL9 amplification was the most common mutation type in cervical cancer. Meanwhile, CXCL9 may had clinical significance for the drug response in cervical cancer, possibly mediating resistance to chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.
CONCLUSION
Our findings may provide new insight into the M1 macrophage coexpression gene network and molecular mechanisms in cervical cancer, and indicated that M1 macrophage association gene CXCL9 may serve as a good prognostic gene and a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer therapies.
Topics: Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Humans; Female; Chemokine CXCL9; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Macrophages; Prognosis; Gene Regulatory Networks; Protein Interaction Maps; Computational Biology; Tumor-Associated Macrophages; Gene Expression Profiling; Databases, Genetic
PubMed: 38963237
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2024.2373951 -
European Journal of Histochemistry : EJH Jul 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor neuron (MN) loss in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord leading to...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor neuron (MN) loss in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord leading to progressive paralysis and death. Due to the pathogenetic complexity, there are no effective therapies available. In this context the use of mesenchymal stem cells and their vesicular counterpart is an emerging therapeutic strategy to counteract neurodegeneration. The extracellular vesicles derived from adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) recapitulate and ameliorate the neuroprotective effect of stem cells and, thanks to their small dimensions, makes their use suitable to develop novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases as ALS. Here we investigate a therapeutic regimen of ASC-EVs injection in SOD1(G93A) mice, the most widely used murine model of ALS. Repeated intranasal administrations of high doses of ASC-EVs were able to ameliorate motor performance of injected SOD1(G93A) mice at the early stage of the disease and produce a significant improvement at the end-stage in the lumbar MNs rescue. Moreover, ASC-EVs preserve the structure of neuromuscular junction without counteracting the muscle atrophy. The results indicate that the intranasal ASC-EVs administration acts in central nervous system sites rather than at peripheral level in SOD1(G93A) mice. These considerations allow us to identify future applications of ASC-EVs that involve different targets simultaneously to maximize the clinical and neuropathological outcomes in ALS in vivo models.
Topics: Animals; Extracellular Vesicles; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Superoxide Dismutase-1; Mice, Transgenic; Disease Models, Animal; Adipose Tissue; Motor Neurons; Neuromuscular Junction
PubMed: 38963135
DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2024.4040 -
Oncology Reports Aug 2024Following the publication of the above article, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that certain of the immunofluorescence data featured in Fig. 1H, TUNEL...
Following the publication of the above article, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that certain of the immunofluorescence data featured in Fig. 1H, TUNEL assay data in Fig. 2A, cytochome leakage assay data in Fig. 2H, staining of cardiolipin images in Fig. 2H, lamellipodia‑stained data in Fig. 3A, and immunofluorescence assay data in Figs. 3F and 5D were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles written by different authors at different research institutes that had either already been published elsewhere prior to the submission of this paper to , or were under consideration for publication at around the same time (several of which have now been retracted). In addition, overlapping sections of data were noted within the data panels in Fig. 3D and F, such that data which were intended to represent the results from differently performed experiments had apparently been derived from the same original source(s). In view of the fact that certain of these data had already apparently been published prior to the submission of this article for publication, and in view of an overall lack of confidence in the presented data, the Editor of has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 39: 1671‑1681, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6252].
PubMed: 38963052
DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8767 -
Oncology Reports Sep 2024Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that there appeared to be two instances of overlapping data...
Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that there appeared to be two instances of overlapping data panels comparing between the cell migration and invasion assay data shown in Figs. 4 and 6 on p. 143 and 145, respectively, such that data which were intended to represent the results from differently performed experiments had apparently been derived from the same original sources. In addition, the authors themselves realized that incorrect western blotting data for Snail protein in Fig. 10A on p. 147 had been included in the figure. The authors were able to re‑examine their original data files, and realized that the affected data panels in these figures had inadvertently been incorporated into them incorrectly. The revised versions of Figs. 4, 6, and 10, featuring the correct data for the 'NC / Control' panels in Fig. 4B and C and the 'siRNA2 / ATP 12 h' panels in Fig. 4A and B, a replacement data panel for the 'siRNA1 / Control' experiment in Fig. 6, and the correct western blotting data for Snail protein in Fig. 10A (together with a revised histogram for the MCF7 cell line relating to Fig. 10A) are shown on the next three pages. The authors wish to emphasize that the errors made in compiling these figures did not affect the overall conclusions reported in the paper, and they are grateful to the Editor of for allowing them the opportunity to publish this corrigendum. All the authors agree to the publication of this corrigendum, and also apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 39: 138‑150, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.6081].
PubMed: 38963043
DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8770