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Finding comparison to relevant prior studies is a requisite component of the radiology workflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a deep learning tool simplifying this time-consuming task by automatically identifying and displaying the finding in relevant prior studies. The algorithm pipeline used in this retrospective study, TimeLens (TL), is based on natural language processing and descriptor-based image-matching algorithms. The dataset used for testing comprised 3872 series of 246 radiology examinations from 75 patients (189 CTs, 95 MRIs). To ensure a comprehensive testing, five finding types frequently encountered in radiology practice were included: aortic aneurysm, intracranial aneurysm, kidney lesion, meningioma, and pulmonary nodule. After a standardized training session, nine radiologists from three university hospitals performed two reading sessions on a cloud-based evaluation platform resembling a standard RIS/PACS. The task was to measure the diameter of the finding-of-interest on two or more exams (a most recent and at least one prior exam): first without use of TL, and a second session at an interval of at least 21 days with the use of TL. All user actions were logged for each round, including time needed to measure the finding at all timepoints, number of mouse clicks, and mouse distance traveled. The effect of TL was evaluated in total, per finding type, per reader, per experience (resident vs. board-certified radiologist), and per modality. Mouse movement patterns were analyzed with heatmaps. To assess the effect of habituation to the cases, a third round of readings was performed without TL. Across scenarios, TL reduced the average time needed to assess a finding at all timepoints by 40.1% (107 vs. 65 seconds; p < 0.001). Largest accelerations were demonstrated for assessment of pulmonary nodules (−47.0%; p < 0.001). Less mouse clicks (−17.2%) were needed for finding evaluation with TL, and mouse distance traveled was reduced by 38.0%. Time needed to assess the findings increased from round 2 to round 3 (+27.6%; p < 0.001). Readers were able to measure a given finding in 94.4% of cases on the series initially proposed by TL as most relevant series for comparison. The heatmaps showed consistently simplified mouse movement patterns with TL. A deep learning tool significantly reduced both the amount of user interactions with the radiology image viewer and the time needed to assess findings of interest on cross-sectional imaging with relevant prior exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune event increases oxidative stress in islet β cells, giving rise to cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. Lipoxygenases are enzymes that catalyze the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids that can form lipid metabolites involved in several biological functions, including oxidative stress. 12-Lipoxygenase and 12/15-lipoxygenase are related but distinct enzymes that are expressed in pancreatic islets, but their relative contributions to oxidative stress in these regions are still being elucidated. In this study, we used mice with global genetic deletion of the genes encoding 12-lipoxygenase (arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase, 12S type [Alox12]) or 12/15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) to compare the influence of each gene deletion on β cell function and survival in response to theβ cell toxin streptozotocin. Alox12-/- mice exhibited greater impairment in glucose tolerance following streptozotocin exposure than WT mice, whereas Alox15-/- mice were protected against dysglycemia. These changes were accompanied by evidence of islet oxidative stress in Alox12-/- mice and reduced oxidative stress in Alox15-/- mice, consistent with alterations in the expression of the antioxidant response enzymes in islets from these mice. Additionally, islets from Alox12-/- mice displayed a compensatory increase in Alox15 gene expression, and treatment of these mice with the 12/15-lipoxygenase inhibitor ML-351 rescued the dysglycemic phenotype. Collectively, these results indicate that Alox12 loss activates a compensatory increase in Alox15 that sensitizes mouse β cells to oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magneso-silicate (MgSi) and polyacrylamide acrylic acid (Pam-Aa-MgSi) impregnated with magneso-silicate, as hybrid ion-exchange materials have chemical stability comparing with other composites ion-exchange materials. The capacities of MgSi, (Pam-Aa) and (Pam-Aa-MgSi) composites prepared at different radiation doses to Ni2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions were studied and the data indicated that their values of (Pam-Aa) and (Pam-Aa-MgSi) composites are lower than the values obtained for MgSi by 0.6 and 0.93 values, respectively. Distribution coefficients in nitric acid medium have been evaluated to explore the separation potentiality of MgSi, (Pam-Aa) and (Pam-Aa-MgSi) composites for mentioned cations. The data indicated that Cd2+ ion has high separation factor by 2.57, 2.13, 1.95, 1.93 and 1.42 for Pb2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions, respectively, on MgSi and the selectivity for the investigated ions had the sequence: Cd2+ > Ni2+ > Cu2+ ≈ Co2+ ≥ Zn2+ ≥ Pb2+ on MgSi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Introduction and objectives Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the first choice for pediatric renal calculi <2 cm, the success rate after the first session is low. This is in contrast to other minimally invasive procedures like percutanous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), which have higher rates of success. Therefore, the present study sought to identify predictors of success after one session of ESWL. Patients and methods A prospective study including 100 children with renal stone burden <2 cm who underwent ESWL at the present institution. The success rate after the first session was analyzed, and the predictors of success were investigated. The success of ESWL monotherapy was defined by absence of any residual fragments after 3 months, on non-contrast spiral computerized tomography (NCCT) scan, without need of any additional intervention. Results Between January 2013 and October 2015, 100 children were treated with a Dornier Gemini lithotripter at the present institution. The mean patients age and stone size were 6 years (range: 1.8–14) and 13.1 mm (range: 6–20), respectively. After one session, 47% of patients showed complete clearance 3 months postoperative, those patients versus those who required an additional session or auxiliary procedures were younger in age, with smaller stone size and lower density. On multivariate analysis, only patient age was an independent predictor of success (odds ratio (OR) 0.9; P < 0.001). Conclusion Patient's age was an important predictor for response after ESWL monotherapy: not only did children respond better than adults, but age was also an independent predictor within the pediatric group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are aggressive with frequent lymphatic spread. By analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we determined that ~35% of PDACs have a pro-angiogenic gene signature. We now show that the same PDACs exhibit increased expression of lymphangiogenic genes and lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, and that LEC abundance in human PDACs correlates with endothelial cell microvessel density. Lymphangiogenic genes and LECs are also elevated in murine PDACs arising in the KRC (mutated Kras; deleted RB) and KIC (mutated Kras; deleted INK4a) genetic models. Moreover, pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) derived from KRC tumors express and secrete high levels of lymphangiogenic factors, including the EGF receptor ligand, amphiregulin. Importantly, TGF-β1 increases lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin expression in KRC PCCs but not in murine PCCs that lack SMAD4, and combinatorial targeting of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) with LY2157299 and EGFR/HER2 with lapatinib suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in a syngeneic orthotopic model, and attenuates tumor lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis while reducing lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin and enhancing apoptosis. Therefore, this combination could be beneficial in PDACs with lymphangiogenic or angiogenic gene signatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]