development of a deep convolutional neural network to predict grading of canine meningiomas from magnetic resonance images

Abstract An established deep neural network (DNN) based on transfer learning and a newly designed DNN were tested to predict the grade of meningiomas from magnetic resonance (MR) images in dogs and to determine the accuracy of classification of using pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted (T1W), and T2-weighted (T2W) MR images. The images were randomly assigned to a training set, a validation set and a test set, comprising 60%, 10% and 30% of images, respectively. The combination of DNN and MR sequence displaying the highest discriminating accuracy was used to develop an image classifier to predict the grading of new cases. The algorithm based on transfer learning using the established DNN did not provide satisfactory results, whereas the newly designed DNN had high classification accuracy. On the basis of classification accuracy, an image classifier built on the newly designed DNN using post-contrast T1W images was developed. This image classifier correctly predicted the grading of 8 out of 10 images not included in the data set

Correlation between renal histopathology and renal ultrasound in dogs.

Fifty-three privately owned dogs were included in the study. Ultrasonography of the kidneys was performed ante mortem. All the dogs died or were euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. Histopathology of both kidneys was performed, and a degeneration and an inflammation score ranging from zero to two was assigned by consensus between two pathologists. A numerical score based on a three level semi-quantitative scale (0, 0.5, 1) was assigned by consensus between two of the authors to the following ultrasonographic abnormalities: cortico-medullary definition, echogenicity of the renal cortex, echogenicity of the medulla, renal shape, cysts, scars, mineralizations, subcapsular perirenal fluid accumulation, pyelectasia. The scores deriving from the consensus were summed to create a summary index called renal ultrasound score (RUS). Statistically significant differences in cortico-medullary definition, echogenicity of the renal cortex, echogenicity of the medulla, renal shape, scars and pyelectasia were evident between the degeneration score groups. There were significantly different distributions of cortico-medullary definition, renal shape and scars between the inflammatory score groups. There were statistically significant differences in the RUS between the degenerative score groups (F = 24.154, p-value<.001). Post-hoc tests revealed significant differences between all groups. There were no significant differences in the RUS between the inflammatory score groups (F = 1.312, p-value = .264). Post-hoc tests revealed no significant differences between groups. The results of the present study suggest that the number and severity of the ultrasonographic abnormalities are correlated with the severity of the kidney degeneration. On the other hand, inflammation showed poor influence on the ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in relation to cellular differentiation and lesion size. METHODS: Sixty dogs with a cytological diagnosis of HCC and that underwent a CEUS examination were retrospectively selected. The wash-in and wash-out patterns of contrast enhancement, along with the time to wash-in and the time to wash-out, of each lesion were recorded. A dimensional cut-off value of 3\u2009cm was adopted for classification. RESULTS: Cellular differentiation had a significant influence on both wash-in (chi-squared=16.99; P<0.001) and wash-out (chi-squared=10.9; P=0.004) patterns of contrast enhancement. Lesion size had a lower, but still significant, influence on both wash-in (chi-squared=12.7; P=0.005) and wash-out (chi-squared=7.42; P=0.024) patterns. A homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase followed by homogeneous wash-out were suggestive of a well-differentiated HCC. The cellular differentiation of lesions with inhomogeneous hyperenhancement or hypoenhancement/no enhancement as well as an inhomogeneous wash-out or no wash-out could not be inferred. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in the time to wash-in and the time to wash-out in relation to cellular differentiation or lesion size was evident. CEUS has the potential to improve efficiency in the diagnosis of HCCs in dogs

Los vecinos del Barrio El Dique y los problemas ambientales : Primeros avances hacia una agenda de gestión con Inteligencia Territorial (Ensenada, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Esta investigación se enmarca en un Proyecto de Investigación Orientado UNLP-CONICET, enfocado en los barrios que rodean los canales del puerto La Plata entre Berisso y Ensenada y en la cuenca del arroyo Maldonado, al sur de la ciudad, proponiendo ocho soluciones tecnológicas en una agenda de gestión ambiental del territorio. Específicamente en este trabajo, nuestro objetivo está centrado en la historia de los barrios adyacentes a los canales del puerto (El Dique es uno de ellos, sin embargo hay dos ciudades -Ensenada y Berisso- y un buen número de barrios alrededor de los canales) y las familias que lo habitan con el fin de aportar al estudio de los territorios pasados y los territorios vividos, componentes del método Territorii.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Los vecinos del Barrio El Dique y los problemas ambientales : Primeros avances hacia una agenda de gestión con Inteligencia Territorial (Ensenada, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Esta investigación se enmarca en un Proyecto de Investigación Orientado UNLP-CONICET, enfocado en los barrios que rodean los canales del puerto La Plata entre Berisso y Ensenada y en la cuenca del arroyo Maldonado, al sur de la ciudad, proponiendo ocho soluciones tecnológicas en una agenda de gestión ambiental del territorio. Específicamente en este trabajo, nuestro objetivo está centrado en la historia de los barrios adyacentes a los canales del puerto (El Dique es uno de ellos, sin embargo hay dos ciudades -Ensenada y Berisso- y un buen número de barrios alrededor de los canales) y las familias que lo habitan con el fin de aportar al estudio de los territorios pasados y los territorios vividos, componentes del método Territorii.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Los vecinos del Barrio El Dique y los problemas ambientales : Primeros avances hacia una agenda de gestión con Inteligencia Territorial (Ensenada, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Esta investigación se enmarca en un Proyecto de Investigación Orientado UNLP-CONICET, enfocado en los barrios que rodean los canales del puerto La Plata entre Berisso y Ensenada y en la cuenca del arroyo Maldonado, al sur de la ciudad, proponiendo ocho soluciones tecnológicas en una agenda de gestión ambiental del territorio. Específicamente en este trabajo, nuestro objetivo está centrado en la historia de los barrios adyacentes a los canales del puerto (El Dique es uno de ellos, sin embargo hay dos ciudades -Ensenada y Berisso- y un buen número de barrios alrededor de los canales) y las familias que lo habitan con el fin de aportar al estudio de los territorios pasados y los territorios vividos, componentes del método Territorii.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of adrenal lesions in dogs

Background: The contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of adrenallesions are poorly reported in veterinary literature. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative B-mode ultrasound and CEUS features of 186 benign (adenoma) and malignant (adenocarcinoma and pheochromocytoma)adrenal lesions were evaluated. Results: Adenocarcinomas (n = 72) and pheochromocytomas (n = 32) had mixed echogenicity with B-mode, and a non-homogeneous aspect with a diffusedor peripheral enhancement pattern, hypoperfused areas, intralesional microcirculation and non-homogeneous wash-out with CEUS. Adenomas (n = 82) had mixed echogenicity, isoechogenicity or hypoechogenicity with B-mode, and a homogeneous or non-homogeneous aspect with a diffused enhancement pattern, hypoperfused areas, intralesional microcirculation and homogeneous wash-out with CEUS. With CEUS, a non-homogeneous aspect and the presence of hypoperfused areas and intralesional microcirculation can be used to distinguish between malignant (adenocarcinoma and pheochromocytoma) and benign (adenoma) adrenal lesions. Limitations: Lesions were characterised only bymeans of cytology. Conclusions: CEUS examination is a valuable tool for distinction between benign and malignant adrenal lesions and can potentially differentiatepheochromocytomas fromadenocarcinomas and adenomas.However, cytology and histology are necessary to obtain the final diagnosis

Correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and respiratory sounds in children.

irty-eight children (aged>24 months) with symptoms of gastroesophageal re ux and/or wheezing and cough were enrolled in this study. Patients underwent pH-impedance monitoring and recording of lung sounds (WHolter\uae). Results: e median number of cough events associated with weakly acid re ux in the group of patients with positive impedance monitoring was signi cantly higher than the median of cough associated with weakly acid and non-acid re ux in the group of patients with negative impedance monitoring (p = 0.003). e median number of events of wheezing 655% associated with an episode of acid re ux was signi cantly higher (p = 0.008) in the group of patients with positive 24-hr pH monitoring than those with negative 24-hr pH monitoring. Conclusion: In conclusion, we found a relationship between gastroesophageal re ux and respiratory symptoms: wheezing was associated mainly with acid re ux, whereas coughing was associated with weakly acid re ux