Polar transform network for prostate ultrasound segmentation with uncertainty estimation

Automatic and accurate prostate ultrasound segmentation is a long-standing and challenging problem due to the severe noise and ambiguous/missing prostate boundaries. In this work, we propose a novel polar transform network (PTN) to handle this problem from a fundamentally new perspective, where the prostate is represented and segmented in the polar coordinate space rather than the original image grid space. This new representation gives a prostate volume, especially the most challenging apex and base sub-areas, much denser samples than the background and thus facilitate the learning of discriminative features for accurate prostate segmentation. Moreover, in the polar representation, the prostate surface can be efficiently parameterized using a 2D surface radius map with respect to a centroid coordinate, which allows the proposed PTN to obtain superior accuracy compared with its counterparts using convolutional neural networks while having significantly fewer (18%∼41%) trainable parameters. We also equip our PTN with a novel strategy of centroid perturbed test-time augmentation (CPTTA), which is designed to further improve the segmentation accuracy and quantitatively assess the model uncertainty at the same time. The uncertainty estimation function provides valuable feedback to clinicians when manual modifications or approvals are required for the segmentation, substantially improving the clinical significance of our work. We conduct a three-fold cross validation on a clinical dataset consisting of 315 transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results show that our proposed PTN with CPTTA outperforms the state-of-the-art methods with statistical significance on most of the metrics while exhibiting a much smaller model size. Source code of the proposed PTN is released at https://github.com/DIAL-RPI/PTN.

BMSC-Derived ApoEVs Promote Craniofacial Bone Repair via ROS/JNK Signaling

Bone defect caused by trauma, neoplasia, congenital defects, or periodontal disease is a major cause of disability and physical limitation. The transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) promotes bone repair and regeneration. However, it has been shown that most BMSCs die within a short period after transplantation. During apoptosis, BMSCs generate a large number of apoptotic cell-derived extracellular vesicles (ApoEVs). This study aims to understand the potential role of ApoEVs in craniofacial bone defect repair and regeneration. First, we confirmed that BMSCs undergo apoptosis within 2 d after transplantation into the defect of the cranium. Abundant ApoEVs were generated from apoptotic BMSCs. Uptake of ApoEVs efficiently promoted the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of recipient BMSCs in vitro. ApoEVs from cells in the middle stage of apoptosis were the most efficient to enhance the regenerative capacity of BMSCs. Moreover, a critical size bone defect model in rats was used to evaluate the osteogenic property of ApoEVs in vivo. Local transplantation of ApoEVs promoted bone regeneration in the calvarial defect. Mechanistically, ApoEVs promoted new bone formation by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species to activate JNK signaling. This study reveals a previously unknown role of the dying transplanted BMSCs in promoting the viability of endogenous BMSCs and repairing the calvarial defects. Since it could avoid several adverse effects and limits of BMSC cytotherapy, treatment of ApoEVs might be a promising strategy in craniofacial bone repair and regeneration.

Heavy clinical and economic burden of osteoporotic fracture among elderly female Medicare beneficiaries

We comprehensively described elderly Medicare women with an outpatient visit in 2011 and fracture within 2 years before. These women were at very high risk for subsequent fracture and high healthcare utilization and cost, especially those with vertebral or multiple fractures. However, rates of fracture prevention treatments were low.

INTRODUCTION

Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are stratified to high and very-high fracture risk categories, and this categorization drives algorithms for osteoporosis management in osteoporosis treatment guidelines. This study comprehensively describes a very-high-risk cohort.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used the Medicare 20% database; elderly women with an outpatient visit in 2011 and fracture within 2 years before the visit were included. Outcomes included fracture risk, all-cause and fracture-related healthcare resource utilization and cost, and osteoporosis medication use in the 5 years after the visit.

RESULTS

Overall, 43,193 patients were included. The 5-year probability was 0.36 for major fracture and 0.11 and 0.17 for hip fracture and vertebral fracture, respectively, much higher than the guidelines' 10-year probability thresholds for very-high-risk (0.3 for major fracture, 0.045 for hip fracture). Rates of hospitalizations, emergency department visits or observation stays, and skilled nursing facility stays in year 1 were 53.7, 57.0, and 18.8 per 100 patient-years, respectively, decreasing slightly in subsequent years. Mean healthcare cost was $23,700 in year 1, decreasing to $18,500 in year 5. About 29.1% of patients received osteoporosis medications in year 1, decreasing to 16.9% by year 5. Rates for all outcomes, especially fractures, were much higher among vertebral and multiple fracture cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Elderly women with a fracture within last 2 years were at very-high-risk for subsequent fracture and high healthcare utilization and cost, especially those with vertebral or multiple fractures. However, rates of fracture prevention treatments were low. More effort is needed to identify and treat patients at very-high-risk for fracture.

Seed bulb size influences the effects of exogenous brassinolide on yield and quality of Pinellia ternata

In recent years, natural Pinellia ternata populations of have gradually been exhausted, while the cultivated yield has been limited due to lack of research and uncertain climate condition. Therefore, it is necessary to explore methods of improving yield and quality in P. ternata using brassinolide (BR) treatments and choice of a suitable seed bulb size. This article reports the effects of BR and two seed bulb sizes (diameter: 0.5-1.0 cm and 1.0-1.5 cm) on active and nutrient components and antioxidant activity in P. ternata. The experiment included six levels of BR (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg l^-1 ). The tuber yield of the two seed bulb sizes and bulbil yield of small seed bulbs increased 5.67%, 22.66% and 69.23% by day 105 after 0.50 mg l^-1 BR treatment, compared with the control. On day 105, only 0.05 mg l^-1 BR increased scores in principal components analysis (PCA) in tubers of small seed bulbs by 167.29%, and 0.05 and 0.50 mg l^-1 BR increased PCA score in bulbils of large seed bulbs by 145.66% and 252.97%, respectively, compared with the control. Significant BR × seed bulb size interactions were found on yield and quality of P. ternata. The results indicate that BR effects on yield and quality of tubers and bulbils of P. ternata are not only related to BR concentration but also to seed bulb size.

The SINgapore GERiatric Intervention Study to Reduce Cognitive Decline and Physical Frailty (SINGER): Study Design and Protocol

Background

The SINgapore GERiatric intervention study to reduce cognitive decline and physical frailty (SINGER) randomised controlled trial (RCT) uses a multidomain lifestyle interventions approach, shown to be effective by the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) trial, to delay cognitive decline.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of the SINGER multidomain lifestyle interventions in older adults at risk for dementia to delay cognitive decline.

Participants

1200 participants between 60–77 years old, with Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) dementia risk score ≥6, fulfilling at least one of the following LIBRA index for diet, cognitive activity, physical activity and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥18, ≤27 points, will be recruited across Singapore.

Methods

SINGER is a 2-year multi-site RCT consisting of multidomain interventions: dietary advice, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk factors management. Participants will be randomised into either the Self-Guided Intervention (SGI; general lifestyle and health information and resources) or Structured Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group. The SLI comprises diet training (6 group and 3 individual sessions over 12 months); exercise (supervised: 1-hour twice weekly for 6 months, unsupervised: 2–3/week for the rest of the study duration); cognitive sessions (15–30 minutes/session, 3/week for 6 months, together with 10 workshops in 24 months). Vascular management takes place every 3–6 months or otherwise as specified by study physicians. The primary outcome is global cognition measured using the modified Neuropsychological Battery assessing performance in various domains, such as episodic memory, executive function and processing speed. Secondary outcome measures include: domain-specific cognition and function, imaging evidence of brain and retinal changes, incidence and progression of chronic diseases, blood biomarkers, quality of life, mental health and cost-benefit analysis.

Conclusions

SINGER is part of the Worldwide-FINGERS international network, which is at the forefront of harmonizing approaches to effective non-pharmacological interventions in delaying cognitive decline in older adults at risk of dementia. By establishing the efficacy of multidomain interventions in preventing cognitive decline, SINGER aims to implement the findings into public health and clinical practices by informing policy makers, and guiding the design of community- and individual-level health promotion initiatives.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.14283/jpad.2022.5 and is accessible for authorized users.

Chondrocyte Adipogenic Differentiation in Softening Osteoarthritic Cartilage

A chondrocyte-to-osteoblast lineage continuum exists in the growth plate. Adipogenic differentiation of chondrocytes in vivo should be investigated. Here, unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC), which can induce osteoarthritic lesions in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), was applied to 6-wk-old C57BL/6 mice. Matrix loss in TMJ cartilage was obvious, as demonstrated by safranin O staining, and the condylar cartilage elastic modulus values, detected by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), were reduced, indicating cartilage softening that might be linked with loss of the highly charged proteoglycan. By crossing the Rosa26/tdTomato (TdT) mice with Sox9;Cre^ERT2 mice or with Col10;Cre^ERT2 mice, we obtained the Sox9-TdT and Col10-TdT strains, respectively, in which the Sox9- or Col10-expressing cells, accordingly, were labeled by TdT. A few TdT-labeled cells in both strains expressed AdipoQ or DMP-1. The Sox9-TdT⁺AdipoQ⁺ cells were primarily located in the deep zone cartilage and then in the whole cartilage. Col10-TdT⁺AdipoQ⁺ cells, Sox9-TdT⁺DMP-1⁺ cells, and Col10-TdT⁺DMP-1⁺ cells were located in the deep zone region. UAC promoted AdipoQ and DMP-1 expression in cartilage. The percentages of Sox9-TdT⁺AdipoQ⁺ and Col10-TdT⁺AdipoQ⁺ cells to Sox9-TdT⁺ and Col10-TdT⁺ cells, respectively, were increased (both P < 0.05), implying that more chondrocytes were undergoing adipogenic differentiation in the UAC group, the cartilage of which was softened. The percentages of Sox9-TdT⁺DMP-1⁺ and Col10-TdT⁺DMP-1⁺ cells to Sox9-TdT⁺ cells and Col10-TdT⁺ cells, respectively, were increased (both P < 0.05), consistent with our report that UAC enhanced deep zone cartilage calcification, causing stiffening of the deep zone cartilage. Our present data demonstrated that TMJ chondrocyte descendants can become adipogenic in vivo in addition to becoming osteogenic. This potential was promoted in osteoarthritic cartilage, in which deep zone cartilage calcification-associated cartilage stiffening and proteoglycan loss-associated cartilage softening were both stimulated.

CRISPR/Cas9-based functional characterization of the pigmentation gene ebony in Plutella xylostella

Body pigmentation is an important character of insects in adapting to biotic and abiotic environmental challenges. Additionally, based on the relative ease of screening, several genes involved in insect melanization have been used in classic genetic studies or as visual markers in constructing transgenic insects. Here, a homologue of the Bombyx mori melanization-inhibiting gene ebony, associated with the conversion of dopamine to N-β-alanyl dopamine, was identified in a global pest, Plutella xylostella. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was applied to generate multiple Pxebony knockout alleles which were crossed to produce a Pxebony knockout strain, showing darker pigmentation in larvae, pupae and adults, compared with wildtype. Interestingly, we observed that Pxebony heterozygotes displayed an intermediate darkened phenotype, indicating partial dominance between the knockout and wildtype alleles. The fitness costs of Pxebony deficiency were also assessed in the mutant strain, indicating that embryo hatchability and larval survival were significantly reduced, while the eclosion rate was not obviously affected. Our work provides a potential target for exploring CRISPR-based genetics-control systems in this economically important pest lepidopteran.

[Debulking strategy of endovascular treatment for lower extremity artery lesions]

Objective: To explore the debulking strategy of lower extremity artery lesions. Methods: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients underwent debulking therapy at Department of Vascular Surgery,Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from June 2019 to June 2020.There were 74 males and 27 females,aged (73.2±11.7)years (range:35 to 93 years).There were 31 cases in Rutherford class 3,39 cases in class 4 and 31 cases in class 5. Hypertension occurred in 72 patients. One hundred and forty lesions were treated in 101 patients. Among them, there were 13 lesions(9.3%) in iliac artery,72 lesions(51.4%) in superficial femoral artery,41 (29.3%) lesions in popliteal artery,10 lesions(7.1%) in tibiofibular trunk,and 4 lesions(2.9%) in below the knee artery.Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) was mainly used in acute thrombosis,excimer laser ablation (ELA) was mainly used for chronic in-stent restenosis and chronic stenosis or totally occlusive lesions,while directional atherectomy (DA) was mainly used for short calcified lesions. Results: All of the patients underwent debulking therapy. Eighty-two lesions(58.6%,82/140) were treated by PMT, 56 (40.0%,56/140) were treated by ELA,and 2 (1.4%,2/140) were treated by DA.The ankle-brachial index of the patient was 0.44±0.19 before surgery, 0.87±0.17 immediately after surgery (t=-16.26, P<0.01), and 0.81±0.20 at 6 months after surgery(t=-14.67,P<0.01),and 0.79±0.15 (t=-14.12,P<0.01) at 12 months after surgery. At 12 months,the primary patency was 86.1% (87/101),mortality was 5.0% (5/101), freedom from major-amputation survival rate was 93.1% (94/101),and target lesion reintervention rate was 9.9% (10/101). Conclusions: Debulking is feasible and effective to eliminate the arterial contents and maximize the acquisition of lumen.Selection of suitable debulking methods for different segments and lesions would be helpful to improve the technical success and obtain satisfactory results.

Untargeted lipidomics analysis in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the plasma lipid profiles in women with normal pregnancies and those with mild or severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Our goal was to reveal lipidome-wide alterations in ICP and delve into the pathogenesis of ICP from a lipid metabolism perspective.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, including women with normal pregnancies, women with mild ICP and women with severe ICP.

SETTING

Gansu Provincial Hospital.

POPULATION

Women with ICP were recruited from October 2019 to March 2020 in Gansu, China.

METHODS

Untargeted lipidomics was used to analyse differentially expressed plasma lipids in controls, in women with mild ICP and in women with severe ICP (n = 30 per group). For lipidomics, liquid chromatography and Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap mass spectrometry were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differentially expressed lipids.

RESULTS

Thirty-three lipids were differentially expressed in the severe and mild ICP groups, compared with the control group, and 20 of those were sphingolipids (ceramide, six species; sphingomyelin, 14 species). All differentially expressed sphingolipids in women with mild ICP were also differentially expressed in women with severe ICP; the fold change and significance of the differential expression were positively correlated with disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

We systematically characterized the lipidome-wide alterations in mild and severe ICP groups. The results indicated a link between ICP and disordered sphingolipid homeostasis.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Abnormal sphingolipid metabolism is involved in the pathogenesis of ICP.

Malignant acanthosis nigricans and diseases with extensive oral papillary hyperplasia

Oral papillary lesions represent a variety of developmental and neoplastic conditions. Early diagnoses of different papillary lesions are challenging for oral medicine specialists. Malignant acanthosis nigricans (MAN) is a rare cutaneous disorder and a potential marker of underlying hidden tumours. It is characterized by papillary lesions that always involve the oral mucosa. In oral medicine specialities, MAN is not well understood. When the early signs of MAN are extensive oral lesions and slight cutaneous pigmentation without obvious florid cutaneous papillomatosis, the diagnosis can be incorrect or delayed. Oral medicine specialists should ask affected patients to provide details of their medical history and conduct a timely systemic examination.

Predisposing Factors for Person-to-Person Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Bunyavirus

Person-to-person transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a new threat to human health. Here we report an outbreak of nosocomial person-to-person transmission of SFTS. Among eight persons with face-to-face contact distance ≤50 centimeters and/or exposure time ≥30 minutes to the index patient, six became were infected. Only one of the 17 persons with exposure distance ≥ 50 centimeters and exposure time ≤ 30 minutes was infected (75% vs. 6.25%, p <0.001). Epidemiological investigation revealed high viral load, bloody secretions and bleeding, exposure time and distance as the key factors in person-to-person transmission.

[Assessment of biological activities of exopolysaccharides with different relative molecular masses extracted from Rhizopus nigricans]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities of exopolysaccharides with different molecular masses isolated from Rhizopus nigricans.

METHODS

Three polysaccharides with different molecular masses, namely RPS-1, RPS-2 and RPS-3, were separated from the fermentation broth of Rhizopus nigricans by fractional ethanol precipitation, and their capacity for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals was assessed. Cell counting kit-8 was used to analyze the changes in the viability of MFC, A549 and RAW 264.7 cells following treatments with the 3 polysaccharides; The level of nitric oxide in the supernatant of RAW 264.7 cells was detected using a nitric oxide detection kit, and the apoptosis rate of A549 cells was analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

All the 3 polysaccharides had good antioxidant activities, and among them RPS-1 with a medium molecular mass exhibited the strongest scavenging capacity for DPPH and ABTS radicals (P < 0.05) while RPS-3 with the lowest molecular mass had the best scavenging activity for hydroxyl radicals (P < 0.01). All the 3 polysaccharides were capable of inhibiting the proliferation of MFC cells and A549 cells, activating the macrophages RAW 264.7 cells, and inducing apoptosis of A549 cells. RPS-2 with the highest molecular mass showed the strongest inhibitory effects against MFC and A549 cells (P > 0.05), and RPS-2 had the strongest activity for inducing apoptosis in A549 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with the other two polysaccharides, RPS-2 more strongly promoted the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells and enhanced NO release from the cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The 3 polysaccharides all have antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities, and among them RPS-1 and RPS-3 have better antioxidant activities, and RPS-2 has stronger anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities.

[Two-year follow-up study in type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment]

Objective: To determine the 2-year visual prognosis in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment and identify the predictors factors. Method: This was a 2-year population-based cohort study. The study population consisted of 650 type 2 diabetic patients with bilateral mild visual impairment in 2014 who were followed up in 2016. The demographic information, systemic and ophthalmological examination results for each participant was collected. Mild visual impairment was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)<20/25 to ≥20/63, moderate and severe visual impairment was defined as BCVA<20/63 to ≥20/400, blindness was defined as BCVA<20/400 following the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) 2002 definition. The two-year visual prognosis was divided into three groups: visual impairment regression, progression, and stable. Using chi-square test or independent t-test, the predictor factors of visual prognosis and the leading causes of visual impairment were studied. Results: 605 patients completed the follow-up in 2016. Among them, 477 were still bilateral mild visual impairment, accounting for 78.8% (477/605). The level of unilateral or bilateral visual impairment regressed in 8.1% (49/605), while progressed in 13.1% (79/605). Young age (t=2.7, P<0.05), short duration of diabetes (t=2.5, P<0.05), low blood glycemic hemoglobin (t=2.5, P<0.05) and total cholesterol (t=2.8, P<0.05) were associated with regression of visual impairment. Low levels of education (t=5.2, P<0.05), high blood glycemic hemoglobin (t=2.4, P<0.05) and total cholesterol (t=2.4, P<0.05)were associated with progression of visual impairment. Cataracts and diabetic retinopathy were the first and second cause of mild, moderate severe visual impairment or blindness. Conclusions: The percentage of 2-year visual acuity decline is relatively high in type 2 diabetic patients with mild visual impairment. We should strengthen blood glucose and cholesterol control to reduce the progress of visual impairment.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 766-771).

Measurements of the Branching Fractions of the Semileptonic Decays Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} and the Asymmetry Parameter of Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}

Using data samples of 89.5 and 711  fb^{-1} recorded at energies of sqrt[s]=10.52 and 10.58 GeV, respectively, with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider, we report measurements of branching fractions of semileptonic decays Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} (ℓ=e or μ) and the CP-asymmetry parameter of Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decay. The branching fractions are measured to be B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})=(1.31±0.04±0.07±0.38)% and B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(1.27±0.06±0.10±0.37)%, and the decay parameter α_{Ξπ} is measured to be 0.63±0.03±0.01 with much improved precision compared with the current world average. The corresponding ratio B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})/B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}) is 1.03±0.05±0.07, which is consistent with the expectation of lepton flavor universality. The first measured asymmetry parameter A_{CP}=(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}+α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})/(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}-α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})=0.024±0.052±0.014 is found to be consistent with zero. The first and the second uncertainties above are statistical and systematic, respectively, while the third ones arise due to the uncertainty of the Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} branching fraction.