The Classification of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis X-Ray Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

We aimed to develop and validate a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model capable of accurately identifying spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis on lateral or dynamic X-ray images. A total of 2449 lumbar lateral and dynamic X-ray images were collected from two tertiary hospitals. These images were categorized into lumbar spondylolysis (LS), degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS), and normal lumbar in a proportional manner. Subsequently, the images were randomly divided into training, validation, and test sets to establish a classification recognition network. The model training and validation process utilized the EfficientNetV2-M network. The model's ability to generalize was assessed by conducting a rigorous evaluation on an entirely independent test set and comparing its performance with the diagnoses made by three orthopedists and three radiologists. The evaluation metrics employed to assess the model's performance included accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score. Additionally, the weight distribution of the network was visualized using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). For the doctor group, accuracy ranged from 87.9 to 90.0% (mean, 89.0%), precision ranged from 87.2 to 90.5% (mean, 89.0%), sensitivity ranged from 87.1 to 91.0% (mean, 89.2%), specificity ranged from 93.7 to 94.7% (mean, 94.3%), and F1 score ranged from 88.2 to 89.9% (mean, 89.1%). The DCNN model had accuracy of 92.0%, precision of 91.9%, sensitivity of 92.2%, specificity of 95.7%, and F1 score of 92.0%. Grad-CAM exhibited concentrations of highlighted areas in the intervertebral foraminal region. We developed a DCNN model that intelligently distinguished spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis on lumbar lateral or lumbar dynamic radiographs.

Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Neural Electrophysiological Function in Patients with ALS.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease. In recent years, numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation. Electrophysiological measurements are critical to assess the progress and evaluate the prognosis of ALS. The electrophysiological measurements include nerve conduction velocity (NCV), motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), F-wave, and electromyography (EMG) of motor neurons. The present research examined whether autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) could improve neural electrophysiological function in 21 patients with ALS. METHODS: 21 patients with ALS were injected with autologous peripheral blood stem cells, and the measurements were assessed prior to APBSCT at 1, 3, and 6 months after transplantation. The analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows 17.0. RESULTS: APBSCT increased the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and the frequency of the F-wave. This increase was significant at the 6-month follow-up. We failed to detect improvement in the MCV or the distal motor latency (DML). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary observations suggest that APBSCT improved the electrophysiological function of motor neurons in ALS patients and therefore slowed the progression of the disease.

[Guidance of volume transmission theory on treatment of "bipolar lesions"].

As the key organ of human, the brain has projection area corresponding to every part of the body, indicating that the damage on human body will locate a corresponding projection area in the brain. The primary injury on the distal end will produce secondary lesion in the projection area of brain, featuring as "bipolar lesions". The volume transmission (VT) theory and propagated sensation along meridians (PSAM) in TCM provide core guidance for the treatment of "bipolar lesions". The tendency to lesion of PSAM is achieved through volume transmission, which is also called "propagated sensation tendency to lesion of VT". From three aspects, VT can treat bipolar lesions, formatting a ring closed path. With VT as main treatment and wiring transmission as supplemented treatment, it has a more comprehensive guidance for treatment, and this theory may play an essential guiding role in the future treatment development for diseases.