Quality-Adaptive Split-Federated Learning for Segmenting Medical Images with Inaccurate Annotations

SplitFed Learning, a combination of Federated and Split Learning (FL and SL), is one of the most recent developments in the decentralized machine learning domain. In SplitFed learning, a model is trained by clients and a server collaboratively. For image segmentation, labels are created at each client independently and, therefore, are subject to clients' bias, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies. In this paper, we propose a data quality-based adaptive averaging strategy for SplitFed learning, called QA-SplitFed, to cope with the variation of annotated ground truth (GT) quality over multiple clients. The proposed method is compared against five state-of-the-art model averaging methods on the task of learning human embryo image segmentation. Our experiments show that all five baseline methods fail to maintain accuracy as the number of corrupted clients increases. QA-SplitFed, however, copes effectively with corruption as long as there is at least one uncorrupted client.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI) 202

Single pulse nanosecond laser‐stimulated targeted delivery of anti‐cancer drugs from hybrid lipid nanoparticles containing 5 nm gold nanoparticles

ABSTRACT: Encapsulating chemotherapeutic drugs like doxorubicin (DOX) inside lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can overcome their acute, systematic toxicity. However, a precise drug release at the tumor microenvironment for improving the maximum tolerated dose and reducing side effects has yet to be well-established by implementing a safe stimuli-responsive strategy. This study proposes an integrated nanoscale perforation to trigger DOX release from hybrid plasmonic multilamellar LNPs composed of 5 nm gold (Au) NPs clustered at the internal lamellae interfaces. To promote site-specific DOX release, a single pulse irradiation strategy is developed by taking advantage of the resonant interaction between nanosecond pulsed laser radiation (527 nm) and the plasmon mode of the hybrid nanocarriers. This approach enlarges the amount of DOX in the target cells up to 11-fold compared to conventional DOX-loaded LNPs, leading to significant cancer cell death. The simulation of the pulsed laser interactions of the hybrid nanocarriers suggests a release mechanism mediated by either explosive vaporization of thin water layers adjacent to AuNP clusters or thermo-mechanical decomposition of overheated lipid layers. This simulation indicates an intact DOX integrity following irradiation since the temperature distribution is highly localized around AuNP clusters and highlights a controlled light-triggered drug delivery system

Nitric oxide releasing plasma polymer coating with bacteriostatic properties and no cytotoxic side effects

Published on 19 March 2015We report a stable plasma polymer coating, using isopentyl nitrite as a volatile precursor, which releases nitric oxide at bacteriostatic concentrations when contacted with water, inhibiting bacterial growth without cytotoxic side effects to human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.Thomas D. Michl, Bryan R. Coad, Michael Doran, Michael Osiecki, Morteza Hasanzadeh Kafshgari, Nicolas H. Voelcker, Amanda Hüsler, Krasimir Vasilev and Hans J. Griesse

New biomaterial based on cotton with incorporated biomolecules

The aim of this study was to investigate a method of embedding l-cysteine (l-cys), an antimicrobial agent, between layers of chitosan (CH) and sodium alginate (ALG) onto cotton samples obtained via a layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition technique via several embedding methods. The results show that the best way to incorporate l-cys into the layers was the one that used the property of gelling ALG. To monitor the l-cys embedding into the CH/ALG multilayer film, different methods were used: energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis to assess the presence of sulfur on the sample, Ellman's reagent method to analyze l-cys release from the sample, and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to compare the ATR–FTIR spectra of the pure l-cys and l-cys embedded in the CH/ALG multilayer film to study the interaction between the l-cys and the CH/ALG multilayer films. Functionalized CH/ALG cotton samples were also investigated for their antibacterial properties toward Staphylococcus aureus andKlebsiella pneumonia with the Japanese Industrial Standard method JIS L 1902:2002, and the results show an enhancement of the antibacterial effect due to the presence of l-cys.The authors thank Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia for the funding granted concerning the project PTDC/EBB-BIO/113671/ 2009 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-014752). Also, they thank Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional through COMPETE—Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade for cofunding

Survey of diversity, distribution, abundance and biomass of macrobenthic fauna in the southern Caspian Sea

The Sampling of macrobenthic communities in southeastern Caspian Sea, Iranian coast, were investigated seasonally from April to March 2012. Sampling was carried out at 8 transect as named Astara, Badar Anzali, Sefied rood, Tonekaboon, Nooshahr, Babolsar, Amirabad, Gomishan.In each transect were choice 8 stations at 5m, 10m, 20m, 50m, 100m depths respectively. Samples were taken in triplet with a 0.1m^² van Veen grab.Totally 28 macrofaunal species belonging to 10 families were identified as gamaridae (9species), corophidae (3species),psudocumidae(8 species), amphartidae (2species), balanidae, chironomidae, cardidae scorbicolaridae, nereidae, sponoidae, each one species. Polychaetes were dominated, representing 72.5% of the whole fauna while while (equal 62.4% of total abundance and 5/1%biomass) were belong to Streblospio spp. from Spionidae family. Cerastoderma lamarcki belong to bivavia consist of 2/3% total macobethos abundance and 73% biomass. Total abundance of macrobenthos of middle area were higher than east and west area in southern Caspian Sea. Average benthic population density (no/m^2) with (SE) was 4581(444 ). The benthic biomass (mg/m^2) with an overall mean of 12. 125(02). Spatial and temporal variations of benthos. In the present study showed, maximum abundance Macrobenthos 17855(5543) no/m^2) were recorded in 20 meter depths at Nooshahr trancect , while minimum 841(109 )in 10 meter depths at Amirabad trancect p<0.05. Maximum biomass 135.10(126) g/m^2 were obtained at 10m depths in Astara minimum 0.51(0.4) ) g/m^2 at 5m depths in Nooshahr transect . maximum were obtained in winter and minimum in summer Number of species varied 3 to 18 , Generally, minimum species diversity were obtained at 20 m depth in Tonekabon transects and the maximum value was observed at 100 m depth of sefeidrood variations physicochemical factors were between salinity 12.5to12.9ppt ,temperature 8-19˚c and PH 8.1 dissolve oxygen 69-101mg/li. Total secondary production calculated, according ,104/996g AFDW/m^2/yr.Maximum were recorded in 10meter depth (30/381AFDW/m^2/yr) and minimum at 50 meter depth(11/007g AFDW/m^2/yr) respectively. Average total organic matter were 3/18 percent in sample periods. Percent of total organic matter (TOM) were low in 5 and 10 m depths and increased toward offshore depths. TOM percent was 1/67(0.11 ) at 5 m depth and increased to 4/38(0.13 )in 100 m depth. Average total silt &clay were 68/63(2.97) percent in sample periods. Positive significant relation was between silt &clay and total organic matter. Macrobenthos community reduce in high silt clay and high sandy contents. Due to increase of streptolosbio.spp, monitoring program for understanding effect of this organism on ecosystem and on fish feeding is necessary

Hydrology and hydrobiology and environmental pollutions in lower than 10 meters depths of Caspian Sea

The present project in related to survey of factors and hydrology and hydrochemical features (water temperature, dissolve oxygen saturation, pH, clearance, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon) hydrobiology (zooplankton, phytoplankton, macrobenthos) and survey of bio environment pollution (oil, heavy metal, detergent) executed in lower 10m in different water larger in southern Caspian Sea in 2002-2003. For sampling 8 lines number were vertical on coast that selected from Astra in west to Gomishan in east in southern Caspian Sea basin. The result indicated the average physical factors such as pH were 8.11 and salinity12.12 ppt ,and disolve oxygen6.7 mg/l. Average chemical factors such as NO_2 , NO_3 and NH_4 were 1.2 µg/l, 25.7 µg/l, 13 µg/l respectively.Total nitogen and organic nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen were 690.2 µg/l , 667.6 µg/l , 41.6 µg/l. Average silicat were recrded 266.35 µg/l . Total Phosphorus was observed 37.35 µg/l and average of organic Phosphorus concentration was and 20.25 µg/l .Average of Total organic matter (T.O.M) was 4.98% maximum amount were observed in Lisar and minimum in Nooshahr . Concentration of heavy metal during sampling were respectively ,Fe>Mn>Zn>Cr>Ph>Co>Cd>Cu. Maximum concentration of Fe were determined in winter in Nooshahr and Babolsar respectively 13/3 µg/l 17/1 µg/l. In many stations and different Season, the amount of heavy meta were lower standard of in marine water. The concentration of oil hydrocarborate (PAHs) in autumn was 0/13 ppb and in winter 0/12 ppb. The amount of (PAHs) in Southern Caspian Sea were Lower than other parts of Caspian Sea. The average of detergent concentration (LAS) was 0/036 µg/l that was two fold higher than determined in 2001. Total 107 species of phytoplankton belong to 5 phylum were identified. The numbers of species of phytoplankton groups were respectively, chrysophyta (42 species), cyanophyta (17 species), pyruphyta (17 species), chlorophyta (21 species) and euglenophyta (9 species). The maximum diversity of phytoplankton observed in summer and minimum in autumn. High diversity of chrysophta and cyanophyta observed in summer and phyrophyta and chrlophyta in spring. The composition of phytoplanhkton groups were respectively, chrysophyta (70%), phyrophyta (9%) and chlorophyta (7%) and euglonophyta (1%). Maximum density of phytoplankton was observed in autumn and minimum in winter. Total 19 species of Zooplankton were identified. Maximum diversity was observed in summer and minimum in winter. Zooplankton changes during sampling, showed amount of density of zooplankton in 5m were more than 10 m depths. Total (17 species macrobenthos were identified. The composition of macrobenthos groups were respectively , Annalida (92/7% ) , Bivalvia (2/7%) gumarida (108%) cumacea ( 1/5%) , Balanidae 103% . max . density were observed in Astara and min . in Sefied roud Average of density were 1218 0/851 ind /m^2 and biomass 14 15 g/m^2 High density were recorded in autumn and low density in winter . Correlation of phytoplankton and zooplankton with physicochemical parameter and also relation between total organic matter and sediment grain size were calculated.Ecological indicies (simpson diversity evenns diversity and shanoon-wiever diversity) were calculated for macrobenthos. Data were shown impact of cetenephora (Mnenemiopsis leidyi) on zooplankton and phytoplankton and macrobenthos density

Effect of double thermal and electrochemical oxidation on titanium alloys for medical applications

The research focuses on the development and characterization of innovative thin hybrid oxide coatings obtained in subsequent processes of thermal (TO) and electrochemical (EO) oxidation. Four different surface modifications were investigated and the microstructure was determined, the mechanical, chemical and biological properties of the Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray dispersion analysis, glow discharge emission spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation and corrosion resistance measurements. The composite layers were evaluated for antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity bioassays and wettability tests were performed. The conducted studies of two-stage oxidation (TO + EO) have shown that it is possible to obtain layers with a different structure - crystalline and nanotubular. The formation of a nanotube layer on the surface of the crystalline layer is dependent on the thickness of the crystalline layer. The produced double titanium oxide coatings show high surface roughness, high corrosion resistance, are hydrophilic, slightly antibacterial, and not cytotoxic, which has a huge impact on the process of connecting the tissue with the implant

Insights into Theranostic Properties of Titanium Dioxide for Nanomedicine

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanostructures exhibit a broad range of theranostic properties that make them attractive for biomedical applications. TiO(2) nanostructures promise to improve current theranostic strategies by leveraging the enhanced quantum confinement, thermal conversion, specific surface area, and surface activity. This review highlights certain important aspects of fabrication strategies, which are employed to generate multifunctional TiO(2) nanostructures, while outlining post-fabrication techniques with an emphasis on their suitability for nanomedicine. The biodistribution, toxicity, biocompatibility, cellular adhesion, and endocytosis of these nanostructures, when exposed to biological microenvironments, are examined in regard to their geometry, size, and surface chemistry. The final section focuses on recent biomedical applications of TiO(2) nanostructures, specifically evaluating therapeutic delivery, photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy, bioimaging, biosensing, tissue regeneration, as well as chronic wound healing. [Image: see text