A deep ensemble medical image segmentation with novel sampling method and loss function.

Medical image segmentation is a critical task in computer vision because of facilitating precise identification of regions of interest in medical images. This task plays an important role in disease diagnosis and treatment planning. In recent years, deep learning algorithms have exhibited remarkable performance in this domain. However, it is important to note that there are still unresolved issues, including challenges related to class imbalance and achieving higher levels of accuracy. Considering the challenges, we propose a novel approach to the semantic segmentation of medical images. In this study, a new sampling method to handle class imbalance in the medical datasets is proposed that ensures a comprehensive understanding of both abnormal tissues and background characteristics. Additionally, we propose a novel loss function inspired by exponential loss, which operates at the pixel level. To enhance segmentation performance further, we present an ensemble model comprising two UNet models with ResNet backbone. The initial model is trained on the primary dataset, while the second model is trained on the dataset obtained through our sampling method. The predictions of both models are combined using an ensemble model. We have assessed the effectiveness of our approach using three publicly available datasets: Kvasir-SEG, FLAIR MRI Low-Grade Glioma (LGG), and ISIC 2018 datasets. In our evaluation, we have compared the performance of our loss function against four different loss functions. Furthermore, we have showcased the excellence of our approach by comparing it with various state-of-the-art methods.

Lovastatin production by Aspergillus terreus in membrane gradostat bioreactor with two-stage feeding strategy.

Lovastatin is a blood cholesterol-lowering agent and is produced as a secondary metabolite by Aspergillus terreus. Microbial production of this drug is carried out in solid-state or submerged culture, and due to difficulties of controlling the procedure parameters in solid-state method, the submerged method is conventional for industrial production. Although the submerged method is widely used, but this method damages the morphology of fungus due to shear stress caused by stirring. Since the morphology of fungus is a key factor in lovastatin production, using a bioreactor that causes the least damage to it, can improve the lovastatin production. In this paper, for the first time, it has been shown that the membrane gradostat bioreactor is suitable for lovastatin production, using A. terreus, due to providing suitable environmental conditions, therefore, it can be implemented as an alternative method for lovastatin production. Furthermore, it was found that implementing two-stage feeding, using different ratios of Carbon to Nitrogen in the culture medium, makes the lovastatin production to be 5 times more than one-stage feeding. Finally, it is shown that adding Zinc and Magnesium at the second stage further increases lovastatin production by 18%.

Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand.

Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas.

Micropropagation of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) in liquid medium by temporary immersion bioreactor in comparison with solid culture.

Developing scale-up system and automation of micropropagation in a bioreactor has been a possible way of cost reduction and intensive manual handling. We report a comparison between the results of experiments aimed at improving carnation micropropagation using new bioreactor according to Temporary Immersion Bioreactor (TIB) and solid culture. By applying different levels of BAP, at the concentration of 3 mg L-1, we observed 14.3 new shoots in TIB, but the number of new shoots on solid medium reached to 5.7 at the same treatment. Our results also showed that with 3 mg L-1 BAP in TIB, the initial fresh weight of plant material increased from 10 g to 450 g after 15 days. It is concluded that TIB showed more than 10 times shoot production of carnation. Shoot elongation and rooting induction was successfully stimulated in TIB by applying 1 mg L-1 IBA. Rooting of proliferated plantlets from TIB and solid culture were successfully happened, and led to highest number of roots (4.6 cm) and highest length of roots (6.87 cm) in TIB. More than 90% of plantlet was acclimatized to ex vitro. Our results suggested that mass production of carnation shoots in our simple TIB, with effective result, can be considered as a critical first step toward large scale production of carnation.

Penile vascular indices in surgically treated and conservatively treated penile fracture: does conventional immediate repair matter?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of immediate surgical repair and conservative treatment of penile fracture (PF) on penile vascular indices. METHODS: The study includes 146 surgically treated (group 1), and 56 conservatively treated patients (group 2). All of the participants underwent penile duplex Doppler ultrasonography (PDDU), and Doppler parameters including the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) were measured in both corpora at baseline and after intracavernosal injection of 20 µg prostaglandin E1. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis addressed study variables. RESULTS: An increased number of men in group 2 (25.0%) compared with men in group 1 (19.2%) reported ED, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06). In patients with ED the mean PSV did not differ significantly between the group 1 (30.1±4.02 cm/s) and group 2 (30.1±4.02 cm/s) (P=0.32). Also, in patients without ED, the mean PSV for group 1 (82.4±24.1 cm/s) subjects did not differ significantly from the means for the group 2 patients (79.4±27.2 cm/s) (P=0.21). Vascular hemodynamics in fractured corpus cavernosum did not differ significantly between two groups (P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Current method of surgical treatment does not provide better outcome in terms of erectile function and penile vascular hemodynamics.

Penile reconstruction: evaluation of the most accepted techniques.

PURPOSE: Loss of the penis can have a devastating effect on the lives of sufferers with significant psychogenic implications. Penile reconstruction or phallus construction poses a difficult challenge and a demanding problem to the urologists and plastic surgeons. Different techniques have been used for construction of a total penis and reconstruction of severely injured penis. The objective of this review was to determine the efficacy, advantages and disadvantages of the most popular penile reconstruction (PR) and phallus construction techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched without language restriction MEDLINE, Pre-MEDLINE EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from January 1960 to January 2009. In addition, we searched the citation lists of relevant articles and book chapters. Studies evaluating the functional and cosmetic results of different techniques of total phallus construction (TPC) and penile reconstruction (PR) were identified. Two authors independently evaluated studies for selection, study quality, and extracted data. The primary outcome was creation of a sensate and cosmetically acceptable phallus. The secondary outcomes were competent neourethra that allows voiding in comfortable position, sexual intercourse, and the rate of complications. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six studies with a total of 1622 patients were included in this review. CONCLUSION: Data from the available studies are insufficient to recommendany technique for TPC or PR. In the absence of evidence to support any method, the review authors recommend the one-stage TPC or PR. Further studies are warranted, preferably multi-centered studies.

Microsatellite analysis of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) accessions from various regions in Iran reveals multiple genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Damask roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) are mainly used for essential oil production. Previous studies have indicated that all production material in Bulgaria and Turkey consists of only one genotype. Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of 40 accessions of R. damascena collected across major and minor rose oil production areas in Iran. RESULTS: All microsatellite markers showed a high level of polymorphism (5-15 alleles per microsatellite marker, with an average of 9.11 alleles per locus). Cluster analysis of genetic similarities revealed that these microsatellites identified a total of nine different genotypes. The genotype from Isfahan province, which is the major production area, was by far the most common genotype (27/40 accessions). It was identical to the Bulgarian genotype. Other genotypes (each represented by 1-4 accessions) were collected from minor production areas in several provinces, notably in the mountainous Northwest of Iran. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that uncovered genetic diversity within Damask rose. Our results will guide new collection activities to establish larger collections and manage the Iranian Damask rose genetic resources. The genotypes identified here may be directly useful for breeding.

A new surgical technique for the treatment of high common peroneal nerve palsy.

In this article, the authors introduce a new procedure for the treatment of high common peroneal nerve palsy. The principle of this technique consists of the neurotization of the anterior tibial nerve (deep peroneal nerve) with the bundle composed of the nerves to the soleus and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscles. The authors used this procedure for eight children who had permanent common peroneal nerve palsy caused by the injection of diclofenac in the gluteal region and for a 25-year-old male patient whose common peroneal nerve was transected near the gluteal region by a stab wound. For the cases in which paralysis was less than 8 months in duration, the results are satisfactory.