Medical image segmentation based on deep-learning networks makes great progress in assisting disease diagnosis. However, currently, the training of most networks still requires a large amount of data with labels. In reality, labeling a considerable number of medical images is challenging and time-consuming. In order to tackle this challenge, a new one-shot segmentation framework for cardiac MRI images based on an inter-subject registration model called Alternating Union Network (AUN) is proposed in this study. The label of the source image is warped with deformation fields discovered from AUN to segment target images directly. Initially, the volumes are pre-processed by aligning affinely and adjusting the global intensity to simplify subsequent deformation registration. AUN consists of two kinds of subnetworks trained alternately to optimize segmentation gradually. The first kind of subnetwork takes a pair of volumes as inputs and registers them using global intensity similarity. The second kind of subnetwork, which takes the predicted labels generated from the previous subnetwork and the labels refined using the information of intrinsic anatomical structures of interest as inputs, is intensity-independent and focuses attention on registering structures of interest. Specifically, the input of AUN is a pair of a labeled image with the texture in regions of interest removed and a target image. Additionally, a new similarity measurement more appropriate for registering such image pair is defined as Local Squared Error (LSE). The proposed registration-based one-shot segmentation pays attention to the problem of the lack of labeled medical images. Cpd 20m cell line In AUN, only one labeled volume is required and a large number of unlabeled ones can be leveraged to improve segmentation performance, which has great advantages in clinical application. In addition, the intensity-independent subnetwork and LSE proposed in this study empower the framework to segment medical images with complicated intensity distribution.Currently, of the few accessible symptomatic therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), memantine is the only N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blocker approved by the FDA. This work further explores a series of memantine analogs featuring a benzohomoadamantane scaffold. Most of the newly synthesized compounds block NMDARs in the micromolar range, but with lower potency than previously reported hit IIc, results that were supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Subsequently, electrophysiological studies with the more potent compounds allowed classification of IIc, a low micromolar, uncompetitive, voltage-dependent, NMDAR blocker, as a memantine-like compound. The excellent in vitro DMPK properties of IIc made it a promising candidate for in vivo studies in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and in the 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Administration of IIc or memantine improved locomotion and rescues chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans. Furthermore, both compounds enhanced working memory in 5XFAD mice and modified NMDAR and CREB signaling, which may prevent synaptic dysfunction and modulate neurodegenerative progression.

Report final data from adolescent (12-<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) patients from PROVE (NCT03208660), a multicenter, retrospective, non-interventional, Phase IV study to assess retention, efficacy, safety, and dosing of perampanel in patients with epilepsy during routine clinical care.

Data were retrospectively collected from medical/pharmacy records of patients in the US initiating perampanel after January 1, 2014, according to treating clinicians’ recommendation. Retention rate was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary endpoints included median percent changes in seizure frequency, seizure-freedom rates, investigator’s impression of seizure effect, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

The Safety Analysis Set (SAS) included 294 adolescents and 1157 adults (median maximum perampanel dose, 6.0mg/day). In patients eligible for inclusion in the retention rate analysis, 24-month retention rates were 53.5% (n=91/170) in adolescents and 47.8% (n=354/741) in adults. In patients with available efficacy data during Months 10-12, median percent seizure frequency reductions were 79.3% (n=20) in adolescents and 70.8% (n=92) in adults. Most patients in the SAS with seizure-effect data experienced an improvement in seizures at the last follow-up time point (adolescents, 51.4% [n=128/249]; adults, 52.3% [n=506/967]). TEAEs occurred in 113 adolescents (38.4%; most common, aggression [6.5%]) and 512 adults (44.3%; most common, dizziness [9.2%]).

Perampanel demonstrated favorable retention rates and sustained efficacy (up to 2 years) in adolescent and adult patients during routine clinical care; no new safety signals were observed.

NCT03208660 (https//clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03208660).

NCT03208660 (https//clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03208660).Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound that has promising therapeutic benefits. However, curcumin suffers from low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability following oral administration, which are severe constraints to its full therapeutic potential. An exciting approach to resolving such challenges has been to incorporate curcumin into gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to improve its unfavorable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Growing evidence shows that AuNPs increase cytotoxicity and apoptotic effect of curcumin on cancer cells. Moreover, AuNPs has the potential to enhance curcumin’s cellular uptake and antioxidant properties. In addition, numerous benefits have been suggested for exploiting the curcumin’s gold (Au) NPs as simple preparation and functionalization. Therefore, we can take advantage of the nanogold combination with curcumin in several therapeutic methods like photothermal therapy and theranostic nanocarrier. Here, we focus on the therapeutic properties of Au/curcumin NPs and the way to improve biocompatibility and bioavailability for curcumin encapsulation, intending to enhance their anticancer and antioxidant capacities. The present review also discusses the utilization and impact of Au NPs as a drug/gene delivery system/platform and various methods for the synthesis of Au/curcumin NPs.Chitosan (CS) is becoming increasingly popular in food packaging due to its natural degradability and great film-forming properties. Nevertheless, its poor antibacterial properties and inadequate antioxidant properties prevent it from being used effectively. In this study, β-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin (β-CD-EP) oligomers were prepared and encapsulated with natural essential oils cinnamaldehyde and thymol, and then the inclusion complexes (IC) were incorporated into chitosan in various contents to afford a series of CS-IC composite films. The impacts of IC on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, and water resistance properties, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of chitosan films, as well as the loading and sustained release behavior of IC, were thoroughly examined. The results turned out that the essential oils were well-loaded with high encapsulation efficiency and showed a significant slow-release effect. It was also found that the tensile strength and the elongation at break decreased with increasing IC contents, while the thermal stability was enhanced. The incorporation of IC dramatically promoted the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the chitosan films towards Gram-positive bacteria. Based on our findings, chitosan films containing essential oils-loaded β-CD-EP oligomers may serve as an effective food packaging material.In recent years, the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea have experienced unusual and unprecedented pelagic Sargassum blooms, which may adversely affect coastal ecosystems and productive ocean. Sargassum has the potential to scavenge trace elements and radionuclides from seawater, and when bioaccumulated and thus concentrated, can pose a potential threat to higher trophic organisms, including humans that consume impacted seafood. In this study, trace elements and naturally-occurring U/Th-series radionuclides were measured in Sargassum that were collected in the coastal waters of the Caribbean Sea (Antigua/Barbuda, Belize, and Barbados) to better define baseline concentrations and activities, and to assess the scavenging potential for these trace elements and radionuclides. The mean concentration of trace elements observed in Sargassum collected across these three Caribbean Sea are ranked accordingly to the following descending order Sr > As>Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > V > C > Cd > Se > Co > Cr > Pb > Ag > Hg. 210-Po and 210Pb activities in Sargassum were observed to be more elevated than previously reported values.

This study aimed to analyze the efficiency levels of oral and dental health centers (ODHCs) affiliated to the Ministry of Health from the perspective of the development levels in the regions.

Within the framework of this study, the efficiencies of 127 ODHCs are evaluated with the data envelopment analysis based on Charnes, Cooper, Rhodes (CCR); Banker, Charnes, Cooper (BCC); and scale efficiency methods.

It is found that CCR, BCC, and scale efficiencies of the 42 ODHCs located in the first region, the highest development region, are efficient by 31%, 50%, and 38% whereas 13%, 26%, and 26% of other 85 ODHCs located in other regions are efficient, respectively. Additionally, the average efficiency scores of 42 ODHCs in the first region by CCR (0.82), BCC (0.89), and score efficiency (0.93) are much higher than the average efficiency scores of 85 ODHCs in other regions by CCR (0.73), BCC (0.80), and scale efficiency (0.92).

According to the findings, it is considered that the individuals from the first region use the oral and dental healthcare more than the individuals do in other regions because the access to oral and dental healthcare is higher in the first region and the individuals living in this region have better predisposing and enabling factors. The study results are thought to present evidence-based information to health policy makers regarding the regional planning of oral and dental healthcare.

According to the findings, it is considered that the individuals from the first region use the oral and dental healthcare more than the individuals do in other regions because the access to oral and dental healthcare is higher in the first region and the individuals living in this region have better predisposing and enabling factors. The study results are thought to present evidence-based information to health policy makers regarding the regional planning of oral and dental healthcare.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a useful tool for diagnosis and monitoring in patients with active COVID-19-infection. However, less is known about the changes in LUS findings after a hospitalization for COVID-19.

In a prospective, longitudinal study in patients with COVID-19 enrolled from non-ICU hospital units, adult patients underwent 8-zone LUS and blood sampling both during the hospitalization and 2-3 months after discharge. LUS images were analyzed blinded to clinical variables and outcomes.

A total of 71 patients with interpretable LUS at baseline and follow up (mean age 64 years, 61% male, 24% with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)) were included. The follow-up LUS was performed a median of 72 days after the initial LUS performed during hospitalization. At baseline, 87% had pathologic LUS findings in ≥1 zone (e.g. ≥3B-lines, confluent B-lines or subpleural or lobar consolidation), whereas 30% had pathologic findings at follow-up (p<0.001). The total number of B-lines and LUS score decreased significantly from hospitalization to follow-up (median 17 vs.