A system based on deep convolutional neural network improves the detection of early gastric cancer.

Background: Early gastric cancer (EGC) has a high survival rate, but it is difficult to diagnosis. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) based on deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) has made significant progress in the field of gastroenterology. The purpose of this study was to establish a DCNN assist system to improve the detection of EGC. Methods: 3400 EGC and 8600 benign images were collected to train the DCNN to detect EGC. Subsequently, its diagnostic ability was compared to that of endoscopists using an independent internal test set (ITS, including 1289 images) and an external test set (ETS, including 542 images) come from three digestive center. Results: The diagnostic time of DCNN and endoscopists were 0.028s, 8.05 ± 0.21s, 7.69 ± 0.25s in ITS, and 0.028s, 7.98 ± 0.19s, 7.50 ± 0.23s in ETS, respectively. In ITS, the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of DCNN are 88.08%(95% confidence interval,95%CI,85.24%-90.44%), 88.60% (95%CI,86.74%-90.22%), respectively. In ETS, the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy are 92.08% (95%CI, 87.91%- 94.94%),92.07%(95%CI, 89.46%-94.08%),respectively. DCNN outperformed all endoscopists in ETS, and had a significantly higher sensitivity than the junior endoscopists(JE)(by18.54% (95%CI, 15.64%-21.84%) in ITS, also higher than JE (by21.67%,95%CI, 16.90%-27.32%) and senior endoscopists (SE) (by2.08%, 95%CI, 0.75%-4.92%)in ETS. The accuracy of DCNN model was higher (by10.47%,95%CI, 8.91%-12.27%) than that of JE in ITS, and also higher (by14.58%,95%CI, 11.84%-17.81%; by 1.94%,95%CI,1.25%-2.96%, respectively) than JE and SE in ETS. Conclusion: The DCNN can detected more EGC images in a shorter time than the endoscopists. It will become an effective tool to assist in the detection of EGC in the near future.

Triterpenoids from Euphorbia maculata and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Euphorbia maculata is a medicinal plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, which can produce anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents of triterpenoids. The present study reports on the bioactive triterpenoids of this plant. Two new lanostane-type triterpenoids, named (3S,4S,7S,9R)-4-methyl-3,7-dihydroxy-7(8→9) abeo-lanost-24(28)-en-8-one (1) and 24-hydroperoxylanost-7,25-dien-3ß-ol (2), together with 15 known triterpene derivatives, were isolated from Euphorbia maculata. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (UV, MS, ¹H and 13C-NMR, and 2D NMR) analysis. All tetracyclic triterpenoids (1⁻11) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects in the test of TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice. The triterpenes exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities.

[Effects of anti-osteopontin antibody on expression of MMP-2 and TGF-beta1 in hepatic alveolar hydatid tissue of gerbil].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of anti-osteopontin antibody on the level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) and TGF-beta1 in gerbils infected with Echinococcus multilocularis. METHODS: One hundred and eighty gerbils were infected with Echinococcus protoscoleces (approximately 400 for each gerbil) by abdominal opening inoculation in liver. The gerbils were randomly divided into three groups: anti-osteopontin antibody experiment group (group A), rabbit serum injection group (group B), and model group (group C). Gerbils in groups A and B were injected with antiosteopontin antibodies and rabbit serum (0.15 mi/gerbil) via tail vein, respectively. Ten gerbils from each group were sacrificed at 20, 60, 100, 140, 180, and 220 days post-infection, respectively. The liver tissue with hydatid cysts were collected and the expression of MMP-2 and TGF-beta1 was observed by immunohistochemistry staining (SP method). RESULTS: E. multilocularis hydatid tissue spreader over the liver and abdominal cavity. There was no significant difference in the number of MMP-2-positive gerbils among the three groups (P > 0.05). At 100, 140, and 180 days post-infection, the number of TGF-beta1-positive gerbils in group A (3, 2, and 2) was considerably less than that of group B (8, 8, and 9) and group C (8, 9, and 9) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Anti-osteopontin antibody can reduce the expression of TGF-beta1 in hepatic alveolar hydatid tissue of gerbils at certain time, but have no effect on MMP2.

[Effect of anti-osteopontin antibody on expression of IL-2 and IL-5 in hepatic alveolar hydatid tissue of gerbil].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of anti-osteopontin antibody on the level of IL-2 and IL-5 in the liver of gerbil infected with Echinococcus multilocularis (Em). METHODS: 180 gerbils were infected with echinococcus protoscoleces (approximately 400 for each gerbil) by abdominal opening inoculation in liver. The gerbils were randomly divided into three groups with 60 each: experiment group (group A, with anti-osteopontin antibody interference), control group (group B, with normal rabbit serum injection) and model group (group C, with no interference). Ten gerbils from each group were sacrificed at 20, 60, 100, 140, 180, and 220 days post-infection respectively. The liver tissue with hydatid cysts was collected and the expression of IL-2 and IL-5 was observed after immunohistochemistry staining (SP method). RESULTS: E. multilocularis hydatid tissue spreaded over the liver and abdominal cavity. The positive expression rate of IL-2 in the tissue showed no statistical difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). On the days 140 and 180, however, the positive expression rate of IL-5 in group A was 40% and 20% respectively, considerably lower than that in group B (100% and 90%) and group C (90% and 80% respectively). CONCLUSION: The anti-osteopontin antibody can reduce Th2 type cytokine response in the Em-infected gerbils, which may strengthen the immunity of the host.

Three novel sterols isolated from Selaginella tamariscina with antiproliferative activity in leukemia cells.

Three new sterols, 3beta,16alpha-dihydroxy-5alpha,17beta-cholestan-21-carboxylic acid (1), 3beta-acetoxy-16alpha-hydroxy-5alpha,17beta-cholestan-21-carboxylic acid (2) and 3beta-(3-hydroxybutyroxy)-16alpha-hydroxy-5alpha,17beta-cholestan-21-carboxylic acid (3) were isolated from Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring (Selaginellaceae). Their structures were elucidated based on NMR analyses. The growth inhibitory effects and differentiation induction abilities of compounds 1 - 3 were determined in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Compound 1 was more effective than compounds 2 and 3 in inhibiting cell growth, but compound 3 was more effective than compounds 1 and 2 in enhancing induction of all- trans-retinoic acid differentiation.