Automatic Detection and Classification of Rib Fractures on Thoracic CT Using Convolutional Neural Network: Accuracy and Feasibility

Zhou Qing-Qing,Wang Jiashuo,Tang Wen,Hu Zhang-Chun,Xia Zi-Yi,Xue-Song Li,Zhang Rongguo,Yin Xindao,Zhang Bing,Zhang Hong 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.7

Objective: To evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that can automatically detect and classify rib fractures, and output structured reports from computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: This study included 1079 patients (median age, 55 years; men, 718) from three hospitals, between January 2011 and January 2019, who were divided into a monocentric training set (n = 876; median age, 55 years; men, 582), five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (n = 173; median age, 59 years; men, 118) with different slice thicknesses and image pixels, and a normal control set (n = 30; median age, 53 years; men, 18). Three classifications (fresh, healing, and old fracture) combined with fracture location (corresponding CT layers) were detected automatically and delivered in a structured report. Precision, recall, and F1-score were selected as metrics to measure the optimum CNN model. Detection/diagnosis time, precision, and sensitivity were employed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of the structured report and that of experienced radiologists. Results: A total of 25054 annotations (fresh fracture, 10089; healing fracture, 10922; old fracture, 4043) were labelled for training (18584) and validation (6470). The detection efficiency was higher for fresh fractures and healing fractures than for old fractures (F1-scores, 0.849, 0.856, 0.770, respectively, p = 0.023 for each), and the robustness of the model was good in the five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (all mean F1-scores > 0.8 except validation set 5 [512 x 512 pixels; F1-score = 0.757]). The precision of the five radiologists improved from 80.3% to 91.1%, and the sensitivity increased from 62.4% to 86.3% with artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. On average, the diagnosis time of the radiologists was reduced by 73.9 seconds. Conclusion: Our CNN model for automatic rib fracture detection could assist radiologists in improving diagnostic efficiency, reducing diagnosis time and radiologists’ workload.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of nano ZrO2-10 vol.% TiN composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Chun-Feng Hu,김병남,박영조,Koji Morita,Hidehiro Yoshida,Salvatore Grasso,Hai-Bin Zhang,Shu-Qi Guo,Yoshio Sakka 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2015 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.16 No.3

Nano ZrO2-10 vol.% TiN composite was fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using nano sized 3Y-ZrO2 and TiN particles as initial materials. The effects of sintering temperature of 1100-1300 o C, heating rate of 2-250 o C/min, annealing time of 5-120 min, and applied pressure of 20-100 MPa on the microstructure and mechanical properties were systemically investigated. It was confirmed that the main compositions of densified composites were t-ZrO2 and c-TiN. Both the sintering temperature above 1100 o C and the applied pressure above 60 MPa were the most important factors to affect the full densification of composites. The grain sizes of ZrO2 and TiN were kept below 243 and 171 nm, respectively. Vickers hardness of 13.90-15.53 GPa, fracture toughness of 2.91-5.44 MPa • m1/2, and Young’s modulus of 216.2-228.0 GPa of dense composites ascribed to the sintering parameters were discussed.

Prognostic Values of VEGF and Endostatin with Malignant Pleural Effusions in Patients with Lung Cancer

Zhang, Yu,Yu, Li-Ke,Lu, Guo-Jun,Xia, Ning,Xie, Hai-Yan,Hu, Wei,Hao, Ke-Ke,Xu, Chun-Hua,Qian, Qian Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Aims: Angiogenesis is important in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) formation and it is regulated by a number of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin in lung cancer patients with MPE, and investigate the relationship between these two kinds of agent. Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, the concentrations of VEGF and endostatin were measured in pleural effusions (PE) and serum from a total of 70 lung cancer patients with MPE and 20 patients with tuberculosis. Results: Compared to patients with tuberculosis, the levels of VEGF and endostatin in both PE and serum were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer. There were statistically significant correlations between VEGF levels in PE and serum (r=0.696, p<0.001), endostatin levels in PE and serum (r=0.310, p=0.022), and VEGF and endostatin levels in PE (r=0.287, p=0.019). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that elevated pleural VEGF and endostatin levels and serum endostatin level were independent predictors of shorter overall survival. Conclusion: Both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors are likely contributors to PE formation. Our results suggest that the levels of VEGF and endostatin in PE, together with endostatin in serum, may be potential prognostic parameters for lung cancer patients with MPE.

Traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 pandemic and emerging challenges: An online cross-sectional survey in China

Chun-Li Lu,Ruo-Xiang Zheng,Xue Xue,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Xue-Han Liu,Xin-Yan Jin,Feng-Lan Pu,Hui-Di Lan,Min Fang,Ling-Yao Kong,Merlin Willcox,Bertrand Graz,Joelle Houriet,Xiao-Yang Hu,Jian-ping Liu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background We aimed to investigate use of infection control behaviours, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among respondents to an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods The survey was designed by an international team, translated and adapted to simplified Chinese, including 132 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recommended by guidelines. It was distributed and collected from February to May 2021, with data analysed by WPS spreadsheet and wjx.cn. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, preventative behaviours and interventions, and their associated outcomes. Results The survey was accessed 503 times with 341 (67.8%) completions covering 23 provinces and four municipalities in China. Most (282/341, 82.7%) respondents reported no symptoms during the pandemic and the majority (290/341, 85.0%) reported having a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at some point. Forty-five (13.2%) reported having a respiratory infection, among which 19 (42.2%) took one or more categories of modern medicine, e.g. painkillers, antibiotics; 16 (35.6%) used TCM interventions(s); while seven respondents combined TCM with modern medicine. All respondents reported using at least one behavioural or medical approach to prevention, with 22.3% taking TCM and 5.3% taking modern medicines. No respondents reported having a critical condition related to COVID-19. Conclusion We found evidence of widespread use of infection control behaviours, modern medicines and TCM for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory symptoms. Larger scale studies are warranted, including a more representative sample exploring TCM preparations recommended in clinical guidelines. Background We aimed to investigate use of infection control behaviours, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among respondents to an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods The survey was designed by an international team, translated and adapted to simplified Chinese, including 132 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recommended by guidelines. It was distributed and collected from February to May 2021, with data analysed by WPS spreadsheet and wjx.cn. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, preventative behaviours and interventions, and their associated outcomes. Results The survey was accessed 503 times with 341 (67.8%) completions covering 23 provinces and four municipalities in China. Most (282/341, 82.7%) respondents reported no symptoms during the pandemic and the majority (290/341, 85.0%) reported having a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at some point. Forty-five (13.2%) reported having a respiratory infection, among which 19 (42.2%) took one or more categories of modern medicine, e.g. painkillers, antibiotics; 16 (35.6%) used TCM interventions(s); while seven respondents combined TCM with modern medicine. All respondents reported using at least one behavioural or medical approach to prevention, with 22.3% taking TCM and 5.3% taking modern medicines. No respondents reported having a critical condition related to COVID-19. Conclusion We found evidence of widespread use of infection control behaviours, modern medicines and TCM for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory symptoms. Larger scale studies are warranted, including a more representative sample exploring TCM preparations recommended in clinical guidelines.

Interactions among Measles Virus Hemagglutinin, Fusion Protein and Cell Receptor Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule (SLAM) Indicating a New Fusion-trimer Model

Peng Zhang,Ling Yun Li,Chun Lin Hu,Qin Xu,Xin Liu,Yi Peng Qi 한국생활환경학회 2005 BMB Reports Vol.38 No.4

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging features and clinical characteristics of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma: comparison with hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Hai-Chun Zhang,Ting Zhu,Rong-Fei Hu,Long Wu 대한초음파의학회 2020 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.39 No.4

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the clinical characteristics and imaging features on (CEUS) of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) with those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Methods: The clinical information and CEUS features of 45 patients with CHC from 2015 to 2019 and 1-to-1-matched control subjects with HCC and CC (45 each) were compared. Results: Simultaneous elevation of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 was more common in CHC than in HCC and CC. In the arterial phase, hyperenhancement (homogeneous and heterogeneous) was more common in CHC (73.3%) and HCC (100%), while peripheral rim-like enhancement was more common in CC (55.6%). In the portal phase, marked washout was significantly more frequent in CHC and CC than in HCC (42.2% and 53.3% vs. 6.7%). In the delayed phase, marked washout was more common in CHC (82.2%) and CC (93.3%) than in HCC (40.0%). The washout time (WT) was much shorter in CHC and CC than in HCC (33.8±13.1 seconds and 30.1±11.6 seconds vs. 58.4±23.5 seconds). Using the combination of simultaneous elevation of AFP and CA 19-9 with marked washout in the delayed phase and a WT <38 seconds or arterial hyperenhancement to differentiate CHC from HCC or CC, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 74.4%, 93.3%, and 55.6% and 71.1%, 80.0%, and 62.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Although some CEUS imaging features of CHC, HCC, and CC overlap, the combination of tumor markers and CEUS features can be helpful in differentiating CHC from HCC and CC.

Adenovirus-mediated Expression of Both Antisense Ornithine Decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase Induces G1 Arrest in HT-29 Cells

( Lei Gong ),( Chun Ying Jiang ),( Bing Zhang ),( Hai Yan Hu ),( Wei Wang ),( Xian Xi Liu ) 생화학분자생물학회 2006 BMB Reports Vol.39 No.6

Study on the micro-scale simulation of wind field over complex terrain by RAMS/FLUENT modeling system

Li, Lei,Zhang, Li-Jie,Zhang, Ning,Hu, Fei,Jiang, Yin,Xuan, Chun-Yi,Jiang, Wei-Mei Techno-Press 2010 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.13 No.6

A meteorological model, RAMS, and a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, FLUENT are combined as a one-way off-line nested modeling system, namely, RAMS/FLUENT system. The system is experimentally applied in the wind simulation over a complex terrain, with which numerical simulations of wind field over Foyeding weather station located in the northwest mountainous area of Beijing metropolis are performed. The results show that the method of combining a meteorological model and a CFD model as a modeling system is reasonable. In RAMS/FLUENT system, more realistic boundary conditions are provided for FLUENT rather than idealized vertical wind profiles, and the finite volume method (FVM) of FLUENT ensures the capability of the modeling system on describing complex terrain in the simulation. Thus, RAMS/FLUENT can provide fine-scale realistic wind data over complex terrains.

Protective effects of 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in hepatic L02 cell

Lu, Yue,Zhang, Yan-Yan,Hu, Ying-Chun,Lu, Yan-Hua 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.9

2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) is a chalcone isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry, and the hepatoprotective effects of DMC on Kunming mice have been studied in previous study. However, the effects of DMC on hepatocyte toxicity and corresponding mechanism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective mechanism of DMC in human hepatocytes (L02) treated with $H_2O_2$. The results demonstrated that pretreatment with DMC effectively protected $H_2O_2$-induced cell viability loss, cell membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase, nitric oxide production and caspase-3 accumulation. Besides, DMC pretreatment increased the amount of glutathione, decreased malondialdehyde and the percentage of apoptotic L02 cells compared with only $H_2O_2$ treated group. Taken together, these results indicated that DMC had hepatoprotective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced liver injury by alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis process in L02 cells, and DMC might be a potential candidate for the intervention of liver diseases.

Protective effects of 20,40-dihydroxy-60-methoxy-30,50- dimethylchalcone against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in hepatic L02 cell

Yue Lu,Yan-Yan Zhang,Ying-Chun Hu,Yan-Hua Lu 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.9

2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone(DMC) is a chalcone isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyxoperculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry, and thehepatoprotective effects of DMC on Kunming mice havebeen studied in previous study. However, the effects ofDMC on hepatocyte toxicity and corresponding mechanismremain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate thehepatoprotective mechanism of DMC in human hepatocytes(L02) treated with H2O2. The results demonstrated thatpretreatment with DMC effectively protected H2O2-inducedcell viability loss, cell membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase,nitric oxide production and caspase-3 accumulation. Besides, DMC pretreatment increased the amount ofglutathione, decreased malondialdehyde and the percentageof apoptotic L02 cells compared with only H2O2 treatedgroup. Taken together, these results indicated that DMC hadhepatoprotective effects against H2O2-induced liver injuryby alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis process in L02cells, and DMC might be a potential candidate for theintervention of liver diseases.