Using a New Deep Learning Method for 3D Cephalometry in Patients With Hemifacial Microsomia.

ABSTRACT: Deep learning algorithms based on automatic 3D cephalometric marking points about people without craniomaxillofacial deformities have achieved good results. However, there has been no previous report about hemifacial microsomia (HFM). The purpose of this study is to apply a new deep learning method based on a 3D point cloud graph convolutional neural network to predict and locate landmarks in patients with HFM based on the relationships between points. The authors used a PointNet++ model to investigate the automatic 3D cephalometry. And the mean distance error (MDE) of the center coordinate position and the success detection rate (SDR) were used to evaluate the accuracy of systematic labeling. A total of 135 patients were enrolled. The MDE for all 32 landmarks was 1.46 ± 1.308 mm, and 10 landmarks showed SDRs at 2 mm over 90%, and only 4 landmarks showed SDRs at 2 mm under 60%. Compared with the manual reproducibility, the standard distance deviation and coefficient of variation values for the MDE of the artificial intelligence system was 0.67 and 0.43, respectively. In summary, our training sets were derived from HFM computed tomography to achieve accurate results. The 3D cephalometry system based on the graph convolutional network algorithm may be suitable for the 3D cephalometry system in HFM cases. More accurate results may be obtained if the HFM training set is expanded in the future.

Using a New Deep Learning Method for 3D Cephalometry in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

Deep learning algorithms based on automatic 3-dimensional (D) cephalometric marking points about people without craniomaxillofacial deformities has achieved good results. However, there has been no previous report about cleft lip and palate. The purpose of this study is to apply a new deep learning method based on a 3D point cloud graph convolutional neural network to predict and locate landmarks in patients with cleft lip and palate based on the relationships between points. The authors used the PointNet++ model to investigate the automatic 3D cephalometric marking points. And the mean distance error of the center coordinate position and the success detection rate (SDR) were used to evaluate the accuracy of systematic labeling. A total of 150 patients were enrolled. The mean distance error for all 27 landmarks was 1.33 mm, and 9 landmarks (30%) showed SDRs at 2 mm over 90%, and 3 landmarks (35%) showed SDRs at 2 mm under 70%. The automatic 3D cephalometric marking points take 16 seconds per dataset. In summary, our training sets were derived from the cleft lip with/without palate computed tomography to achieve accurate results. The 3D cephalometry system based on the graph convolutional neural network algorithm may be suitable for 3D cephalometry system in cleft lip and palate cases. More accurate results may be obtained if the cleft lip and palate training set is expanded in the future.

Amphiphilic nanosheet self-assembly at the water/oil interface: computer simulations.

In this paper, dissipative particle dynamics simulations are performed to study the interfacial and emulsion stabilizing properties of various systems of amphiphilic nanosheets (ANs) self-assembled at the oil/water (O/W) interface. The ANs have a dimensional symmetry structure that encompasses a triangular-plate at the center and two soft comb-like shells constructed with hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. As the simulation results show, the AN molecules are highly oriented in interfacial films with their triangular nanosheets parallel to the O/W interface, while their hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments attempt to immerse into the oil phase and aqueous phase, respectively. These results reveal that the rotation of ANs at oil/water interfaces is greatly restricted, meanwhile, their nanosheet (or planar) configuration facilitates their favorable orientation thereby, thus making the emulsion more stable. At higher concentrations, a wrapped-like or micelle morphology is observed. The O/W emulsions stabilized by ANs were also simulated, and it is interesting to find AN 'patches' at the O/W interface which resembles the leather patches on a football. By introducing the "amphiphilic nanosheet balance" concept, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values of ANs were calculated. Due to their properties of two-dimensional symmetry, the HLB values of ANs tend to approximately 1 which reveals a stronger stability for emulsions.

Accelerating fDOT image reconstruction based on path-history fluorescence Monte Carlo model by using three-level parallel architecture.

The excessive time required by fluorescence diffuse optical tomography (fDOT) image reconstruction based on path-history fluorescence Monte Carlo model is its primary limiting factor. Herein, we present a method that accelerates fDOT image reconstruction. We employ three-level parallel architecture including multiple nodes in cluster, multiple cores in central processing unit (CPU), and multiple streaming multiprocessors in graphics processing unit (GPU). Different GPU memories are selectively used, the data-writing time is effectively eliminated, and the data transport per iteration is minimized. Simulation experiments demonstrated that this method can utilize general-purpose computing platforms to efficiently implement and accelerate fDOT image reconstruction, thus providing a practical means of using path-history-based fluorescence Monte Carlo model for fDOT imaging.

Accurate quantification of fluorescent targets within turbid media based on a decoupled fluorescence Monte Carlo model.

We propose a method based on a decoupled fluorescence Monte Carlo model for constructing fluorescence Jacobians to enable accurate quantification of fluorescence targets within turbid media. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using two cylindrical phantoms enclosing fluorescent targets within homogeneous and heterogeneous background media. The results demonstrate that our method can recover relative concentrations of the fluorescent targets with higher accuracy than the perturbation fluorescence Monte Carlo method. This suggests that our method is suitable for quantitative fluorescence diffuse optical tomography, especially for in vivo imaging of fluorophore targets for diagnosis of different diseases and abnormalities.

Evaluation of path-history-based fluorescence Monte Carlo method for photon migration in heterogeneous media.

The path-history-based fluorescence Monte Carlo method used for fluorescence tomography imaging reconstruction has attracted increasing attention. In this paper, we first validate the standard fluorescence Monte Carlo (sfMC) method by experimenting with a cylindrical phantom. Then, we describe a path-history-based decoupled fluorescence Monte Carlo (dfMC) method, analyze different perturbation fluorescence Monte Carlo (pfMC) methods, and compare the calculation accuracy and computational efficiency of the dfMC and pfMC methods using the sfMC method as a reference. The results show that the dfMC method is more accurate and efficient than the pfMC method in heterogeneous medium.

[miR-124 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion in gastric carcinoma and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of miR-124 suppressing the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells. METHODS: SPHK1 3'UTR-luciferase vector was constructed and luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to examine the effect of miR-124 on luciferase activity. Human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were transfected with miR-124 mimics, and then Western blot was performed to detect the expression of SPHK1 protein. RESULTS: Luciferase reporter vector system confirmed that SPHK1 was a target gene of miR-124. Western blot showed that the expression of SPHK1 protein was inhibited by miR-124. After transfection of miR-124 mimics or SPHK1 siRNA for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, respectively, MTT assay showed that the A values of the three groups were significantly different (P < 0.05), and it was in a time-dependent manner. After transfection of miR-124 mimics or SPHK1 siRNA for 24 h, transwell invasion assay showed that the number of transmembrane cells was 54.6 ± 8.3 in the SPHK1 siRNA group and 47.8 ± 6.6 in the miR-124 mimics group, both were significantly lower than 100.6 ± 11.3 of the control group (P < 0.05), indicating that SPHK1 siRNA can slow down the invasion of MGC-803 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-124 can suppress the cell proliferation and invasion by targeting SPHK1 in gastric carcinoma.

Current-induced self-switching of perpendicular magnetization in CoPt single layer.

All-electric switching of perpendicular magnetization is a prerequisite for the integration of fast, high-density, and low-power magnetic memories and magnetic logic devices into electric circuits. To date, the field-free spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching of perpendicular magnetization has been observed in SOT bilayer and trilayer systems through various asymmetric designs, which mainly aim to break the mirror symmetry. Here, we report that the perpendicular magnetization of CoxPt100-x single layers within a special composition range (20 < x < 56) can be deterministically switched by electrical current in the absence of external magnetic field. Specifically, the Co30Pt70 shows the largest out-of-plane effective field efficiency and best switching performance. We demonstrate that this unique property arises from the cooperation of two structural mechanisms: the low crystal symmetry property at the Co platelet/Pt interfaces and the composition gradient along the thickness direction. Compared with that in bilayers or trilayers, the field-free switching in CoxPt100-x single layer greatly simplifies the SOT structure and avoids additional asymmetric designs.

Erk is involved in the differentiation induced by diallyl disulfide in the human gastric cancer cell line MGC803.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a major constituent of garlic. Previously, we found that DADS both inhibited proliferation in human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and induced G2/M arrest. In this study, we investigated whether this differentiation effect was induced by DADS in human gastric cancer MGC803 cells, and whether it was related to an alteration in ERK activity. The results showed that the growth of MGC803 cells was inhibited by DADS. Cells treated with DADS displayed a lower nucleocytoplasmic ratio and tended to form gland and intercellular conjunction structures. The ConA-mediated cell agglutination ratio and cells' ALP specific activity decreased. In MGC803 cells, dye transfer was limited to a few cells neighbouring the dye-injected cell and to a depth of 1-2 layers beneath the scrape site. However, after treatment with DADS, the LY (Lucifer Yellow) was transferred to several cells immediately neighbouring the microinjected cell and to a depth of 2-4 cell layers from the scrape site. This indicated that DADS induced differentiation in MGC803 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that although DADS did not influence the quantity of ERK1/2 protein expressed, it did decrease its phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, compared with the controls. At 30 mg x L(-1), DADS inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 in 15-30 min. These results suggested that the DADS-induced differentiation of MGC803 cells involved an alteration of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Hypoxia promotes the invasion and metastasis of laryngeal cancer cells via EMT.

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of hypoxia on the invasion and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma. The invasion and migration ability of laryngeal cancer SCC10A cell was detected by transwell assay. Western blot was applied to analyze the expression of EMT-related proteins. Fifty-seven samples from postoperative patients with laryngeal cancer were collected to study. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of GLUT-1 and EMT-related proteins (Vim, E-cad, N-cad) in normal laryngeal squamous epithelial tissue, laryngeal cancer adjacent tissues and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Hypoxia promoted laryngeal cancer cell invasion and migration. Hypoxia also enhanced the expression of GLUT-1, vimentin and N-cad, which exist statistically significant correlation with the clinical staging and lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). The expression of GLUT-1 is positively correlated with Vim and N-cad expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues, but negatively correlated with E-cad expression. The patient survival rate with the positive expression of GLUT-1, Vim and N-cad becomes much shorter compared with those with negative expression of GLUT-1, Vim and N-cad (P < 0.05). Hypoxia promoted laryngeal cancer cell invasion and migration via EMT.

Decoupled fluorescence Monte Carlo model for direct computation of fluorescence in turbid media.

We present a decoupled fluorescence Monte Carlo (dfMC) model for the direct computation of the fluorescence in turbid media. By decoupling the excitation-to-emission conversion and transport process of the fluorescence from the path probability density function and associating the corresponding parameters involving the fluorescence process with the weight function, the dfMC model employs the path histories of the excitation photons and the corresponding new weight function to directly calculate the fluorescence. We verify the model's accuracy using phantom experiments and compare it with that of the perturbation fluorescence Monte Carlo model. The results indicate that the model is accurate for the direct fluorescence calculation and, thus, has great potential for application in fluorescence-based in vivo tomography.

Synthesis and biological activity of anthrapyrazoles derivatives as potential antitumor agents.

We have synthesized a series of anthrapyrazoles derivatives. The biological results indicated that these derivatives exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines (human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and BEL-7402, human colonic carcinoma HCT-116 and HT-29) and drug-resistant human hepatoma cell line (SMMC-7721). Among them, the polyamine-based anthrapyrazole derivatives 4c and 4f-g showed superior cytotoxicity than that of Mitoxantrone both on cancer cell lines and the drug-resistant subline. However, the DNA relaxation assay revealed that they had insignificant topoisomerase II inhibition. These results clearly indicate that polyamine side chains will have a profound effect on the cytotoxicity of anthrapyrazoles derivatives.

PERP gene therapy attenuates lung cancer xenograft via inducing apoptosis and suppressing VEGF.

Inducing apoptosis is an attractive antitumor strategy. PERP is an apoptosis-associated target of p53, and its activation alone is sufficient to induce apoptotic pathway leading to cell death. We have previously demonstrated that overexpression of PERP in tumor cell lines with low intrinsic PERP activity suppressed cancer cell growth and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapeutical agents. We further identified that PERP was present in surgical normal lung tissue, but absent in cancerous tissue of the same patient. Here, we sought to investigate the anti-tumor effects of PERP gene therapy in vivo. Then nude mice were transplanted with p53-mutanted Anip973 human lung cancer xenografts and treated with normal saline, pcDNA3.1 (vector) and pcDNA3.1-PERP, respectively. Successful transfection and robust expression of PERP was detected. Treatment with pcDNA3.1-PERP increased apoptosis and retarded growth in the xenografts, which contributed to a 55% decrease in tumor volume compared with controls. Furthermore, PERP gene therapy activated pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 cascade and upregulated the expression of the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) and human TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), while suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, indicating apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis are involved in the inhibitory effect of the PERP gene therapy. Taken together, our results suggest PERP gene therapy may supply an alternative strategy for lung adenocarcinoma management. Furthermore, Anip973 is a p53-mutanted cell line and the findings of this study provide reference value for other p53-mutanted cancers which is common among malignant tumors.

Effect of garlic and garlic-green tea mixture on serum lipids in MNNG-induced experimental gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion.

INTRODUCTION:To study effect of garlic and garlic-green tea mixture on serum contents of Tch,LDL and HDL in MNNG induced gastric carcinoma (GC) and precancerous lesion (PL) in Wistar rats.METHODS:Serum contents of Tch,LDL and HDL in normal control group (n=10,NG),MNNG group (n=30,MG),prevention group (n=30,PG),treatment group I (n=20,TG I) and treatment group II(n=20,TG II) were detected by PGE 6000/COD.RESULTS:Serum Tch and LDL of rats of MG (6.86±1.39 3.72±1.10) and its GC(6.95±1.37 3.77±1.08) and PL(6.42±1.04 3.56±0.74) were lower than that of NG (8.74±1.89 5.89±1.61) PG(7.73±3.18 4.96±2.89) and its GC(8.36±3.41 5.93±3.31) and PL(7.45±3.16 4.55±2.71),TGI(8.86±1.75 5.38±1.76) and its GC (9.10±2.27 5.55±2.51) and PL (8.61±1.17 5.22±0.55) and TG II (8.16±0.76 5.32±0.72) and its GC(8.52±0.67 5.96±0.48) and PL (8.02±0.79 5.09±0.65),respectively (P <0.01-0.05).Serum HDL of MG rats (2.76±0.48) and its GC(2.79±0.48) were remarkably higher than that of MG (2.20±0.85) and GC of PG (2.24±0.38) (P <0.05).CONCLUSION:Experimental gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion were associated with hypocholesterolaemia,LDL and HDL.Garlic and garlic-green tea mixture can inhibit and reverse MNNG-induced gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion in Wistar rats.