Medical image segmentation based on simulated annealing and opposition-based learning island algorithm.

With the development of society and changes in the human living environment, people are increasingly attaching importance to their own health. Regarding medical imaging examinations of certain parts of the body, the process of medical image segmentation has become extremely important. This paper presents a novel hybrid algorithm: SAOBL-IA, a fusion of the Simulated Annealing(SA), Opposition-based Learning(OBL)and Island Algorithm(IA). The Island Algorithm itself suffers from slow convergence speed and the tendency to get stuck in local optimum. To address these limitations, we introduce opposition-based learning to enhance the search range and avoid local optimum. Furthermore, we leverage the simulated annealing approach to accelerate the convergence of SAOBL-IA. Comparing the experimental results, it can be seen that SAOBL-IA has better comprehensive performance. Subsequently, the SAOBL-IA algorithm is utilized in conjunction with an optimized two-dimensional OTSU fusion segmentation technique for the purpose of medical image processing. This study proposes an application of image segmentation based on the SAOBL-IA. The segmentation of pixels around the background and target regions using the two-dimensional OTSU method faces challenges in terms of accuracy. To address this issue, an adaptive thresholding technique known as Adaptive Forking is employed for optimization. By determining the slope of the fork based on the misclassified pixel ratio, enhanced segmentation accuracy can be achieved. This improved approach is then integrated with the SAOBL-IA algorithm and applied to the segmentation of lung medical images. The experimental findings show that the amalgamation of SAOBL-IA with the adaptive two-dimensional OTSU segmentation approach, as proposed in this study, manifests superior segmentation speed and enhanced precision in the context of medical image segmentation.

Effect of Naoluoxintong formula and its split prescriptions on cerebral vascular regeneration in rats with the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To observe regulatory effect of Naoluoxintong formula (, NLXT) and its split prescriptions on vascular regeneration of rats suffering from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) syndrome of Qi deficiency with blood stasis (QDBS). METHODS: NLXT is the representative prescription of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo decoction, and NLXT is divided into Yiqi herbs and Huoxue Tongluo herbs according to their efficacies. One hundred and eight specific-pathogen-free, clean-grade, Sprague-Dawley male rats were selected to prepare the classical rat model with QDBS due to middle artery ischemia-reperfusion using the multi-factor compound simulation approach. The animals were classified into sham operation (S), model (M), Nimodping (NMDP), NLXT, YQ and HXTL groups, each having 18 rats. Cerebral ischemia was reperfused after 2 h, and 24 h later, they were administered traditional Chinese medicine treatment for 14 d twice a day. Angiogenesis changes after NLXT administration to middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats with QDBS were analyzed using the neurological deficit score and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cerebral infarct area by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride was detected, and the ultrastructure of the blood vessel in the ischemic frontoparietal cortex was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), angiopoietin receptor 2 (Tie2), and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein levels in the frontal and parietal cortex were quantified by immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting assays. RESULTS: Relative to the S group, VEGFA and VEGFR2 levels in the frontal and parietal cortex of group M were increased, and Ang1, Ang2, Tie2, CD31, and p38 MAPK levels remarkably increased (P < 0.05); cerebral infarct area was significant and pathological morphology and ultrastructure damage was obvious. Relative to the group M, VEGFA, VEGFR2, CD31, Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 expression of group NLXT and NMDP remarkably elevated (P < 0.05) and infarct focus, pathological morphology and ultrastructure were significantly improved; VEGFA and VEGFR2 levels in the groups YQ and HXTL increased, and Ang1, Ang2, CD31, and Tie2 levels remarkably increased (P < 0.05); p38 MAPK levels in the three treatment groups decreased (P < 0.05). Relative to the group NLXT, the expression levels of p38 MAPK in group YQ and group HXTL were significantly increased, and the expression levels of other indicators were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NLXT can promote the angiogenesis of the rat model of MCAO/R with QDBS by activating VEGFA and inhibiting P38 MAPK, and the effect is better than that of split prescription groups.

Endothelial dysfunction predicted cardiovascular events in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: In this prospective observational study, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured by ultrasound in 291 patients with paroxysmal AF. Then, the patients were divided into low FMD group (n=97, FMD of <5.9%) or high FMD group (n=194, FMD of ≥5.9%). Patients were followed up for at least 30 months. Primary end point was cardiovascular events (stroke, heart failure hospitalization, cardiovascular death, and non-fatal myocardial infarction) and second endpoint was heart failure hospitalization, or stroke. RESULTS: Rate of cardiovascular events was higher in low FMD group compared with high FMD group (37.1% versus 18%, p<0.001). This higher risk of cardiovascular events in patients with low FMD was primarily due to a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization compared with patients with high FMD (19.6% versus 10.8%, p<0.05). There was no significant difference of stroke between both groups. Cox proportional hazards ratio (HR) analysis showed that low FMD (HR: 3.036, 95% CI: [1.546-5.963], CHA2DS2-VASc scores (HR: 1.383, 95% CI: [1.035-1.847]), and left atrial diameter (HR: 1.304, 95% CI: [1.001-1.069]) were independent predictors for composite cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: In patients with paroxysmal AF, endothelial dysfunction was associated with composite cardiovascular events. Flow-mediated dilation was a significant predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Variations of microbial community in Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. rhizosphere soilin a short-term continuous cropping system.

Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. (Ranunculaceae) is a potential source of an important herbal drug named "Fuzi", which is derived from the lateral root of the plant. Increased therapeutic usage resulted in the great demand for artificial cultivation of A. carmichaeli, however, the obstacles caused by continuous cropping is a serious problem. Continuous cropping has shown to affect the soil biological and non-biological factors. The current study attempted to discover the variations of microbial communities and soil properties in short-term continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli. An experimental procedure with A. carmichaeli planted two years continuously was established. The variation of the soil microbial community, disease incidence, soil properties, and the correlation between soil microbe and disease incidence were investigated. The disease incidence increased during the continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli. The PCoA and LefSe results indicated that fungal communities in rhizosphere soil were altered during the short-term continuous croppingand the bacterial community was disturbed by the cultivation of A. carmichaeli, however, in the following two years of continuous cropping period, the soil bacterial community has not changed obviously. Proportions of some fungal and bacterial genera were varied significantly (p < 0.05), and some genera of microflora showed a significant correlation with adisease incidence of A. carmichaeli. Microorganisms contributing to community composition discrepancy were also elucidated. Continuous cropping of A. carmichaeli disturbed the rhizosphere soil microbial community and altered the soil chemical parameters and soil pH. These variations in soil may be related to the occurrence of plant diseases. The current study will not only provide theoretical and experimental evidence for the A. carmichaeli continuous cropping obstacles but will also contribute to A. carmichaeli agricultural production and soil improvement.

Facile integration of FeS and titanate nanotubes for efficient removal of total Cr from aqueous solution: Synergy in simultaneous reduction of Cr(VI) and adsorption of Cr(III).

In this study, a novel composite composed of iron monosulfide nanoparticles (FeS NPs) and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) was hydrothermally synthesized. Characterizations revealed the encapsulation and homogenous dispersion of FeS NPs into the interlayers of TNTs. Significant performance in removal of aqueous total Cr was acquired by efficient conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on FeS and simultaneous adsorption of Cr(III) on TNTs. Moreover, the high activity of FeS-TNTs in reduction of Cr(VI) can maintain at high oxicity or alkalinity of its solution. The synergistic effect between FeS and TNTs was derived from sheltering of FeS NPs from their self-aggregation, O2-oxidation and the affinity of Cr(III) to TNTs. The unique properties, e.g. the solid acidity, the hollow and interlayered configuration of TNTs played important roles in high activity, good stability and reusability of FeS-TNTs.

The diagnostic value of serum CEA, NSE and MMP-9 for on-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. But no one type of serum biomarker was found to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of lung cancer at present. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate a diagnostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP-9) for non-small cell lung cancer. Thirty-six cases with pathology confirmed non-small cell lung cancer and thirty-two of subjects with benign lung disease were reviewed in our hospital and included in this retrospective study. The serum level of CEA, NSE and MMP-9 were tested and compared between the non-small cell lung cancer patients and benign lung disease. The diagnosis sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for serum CEA, NSE and MMP-9 were calculated with STATA10.0 software. The serum CEA, NSE and MMP-9 were 32.0±16.7 ng/mL, 51.6±68.3 ng/mL, 30.6 ±15.7 µg/L for the NSCLC patients and 15.1±10.9 ng/mL, 4.9±3.1 ng/mL, 9.3±5.9 µg/L for the benign lung disease patients with statistical difference (Pall<0.05); The diagnosis sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 80.0%, 72.2%, 0.84 for the serum CEA; 71.0%, 83.3% and 0.80 for NSE and 87.1%, 80.56%, 0.89 for MMP-9, respectively. The serum CEA, NSE and MMP-9 were generally elevated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and could be used as potential bio-markers for non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis.

[Antibacterial activity of synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide against oral bacteria].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. METHODS In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed. RESULTS: The results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 µg · mL(-1) to 125 µg · mL(-1), and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 µg · mL(-1) to 1,000 µg · mL(-1). Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S. mutans. Results of the time-kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S. mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S. mutans within dental plaque.

Comparing the safety and efficiency of conventional monopolar, plasmakinetic, and holmium laser transurethral resection of primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficiency of conventional monopolar, plasmakinetic and holmium laser transurethral resection of bladder tumor (CM-TURBT, PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT) while managing primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2009, 173 patients with primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer underwent endoscopic surgery. Among them, 51 patients underwent CM-TURBT, 58 patients underwent PK-TURBT, and 64 patients underwent HoL-TURBT. All patients were divided into three risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) based on the European Association of Urology guidelines and prognostic factors of recurrence. Clinical data, included preoperative, operative, and postoperative management and follow-up, were recorded. RESULTS: Patient demographics and tumor characteristics in all three groups were compared before surgery. There was no significant difference in operative duration among the three groups. Compared with the CM-TURBT group, both PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT groups had less intraoperative and postoperative complications, including obturator nerve reflex, bladder perforation, as well as bleeding and postoperative bladder irritation. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the transfusion rate and occurrence of urethral strictures. Patients in the PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT groups had less catheterization and hospitalization time than those in the CM-TURBT group, and there were no significant differences in each risk subgroup as well as the overall recurrence rate among the CM-TURBT, PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT might prove to be preferable alternatives to CM-TURBT management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. PK-TURBT and HoL-TURBT, however, did not demonstrate an obvious advantage over CM-TURBT in tumor recurrence rate.