Supervised framework for COVID-19 classification and lesion localization from chest CT

Abstract Background: Quick and precise identification of people suspected of having COVID-19 plays a key function in imposing quarantine at the right time and providing medical treatment, and results not only in societal benefits but also helps in the development of an improved health system. Building a deep-learning framework for automated identification of COVID-19 using chest computed tomography (CT) is beneficial in tackling the epidemic. Aim: To outline a novel deep-learning model created using 3D CT volumes for COVID-19 classification and localization of swellings. Methods: In all cases, subjects’ chest areas were segmented by means of a pre-trained U-Net; the segmented 3D chest areas were submitted as inputs to a 3D deep neural network to forecast the likelihood of infection with COVID-19; the swellings were restricted by joining the initiation areas within the classification system and the unsupervised linked elements. A total of 499 3D CT scans were utilized for training worldwide and 131 3D CTscans were utilized for verification. Results: The algorithm took only 1.93 seconds to process the CT amount of a single affected person using a special graphics processing unit (GPU). Interesting results were obtained in terms of the development of societal challenges and better health policy. Conclusions: The deep-learning model can precisely forecast COVID-19 infectious probabilities and detect swelling areas in chest CT, with no requirement for training swellings. The easy-to-train and high-functioning deep-learning algorithm offers a fast method to classify people affected by COVID-19, which is useful to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(4):235-242] Key words: COVID-19, CT scan, deep learning, neural network, DeCoVNet, RT-PCR, computed tomograph

1-{[3-(2-Chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro­prop-1-en­yl)-2,2-dimethyl­cyclo­propan-1-yl]carbon­yl}-3-(methyl­sulfon­yl)imidazolidin-2-one

In the title mol­ecule, C13H16ClF3N2O4S, the imidazolidine ring is approximately planar, the largest deviation from this plane being 0.025 (3) Å. The cyclo­propane ring forms a dihedral angle of 64.1 (2)° with the imidazolidine ring. In the crystal, C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed

Dementia with Lewy bodies versus nonconvulsive status epilepticus in the diagnosis of a patient with cognitive dysfunction, complex visual hallucinations and periodic abnormal waves in EEG: a case report

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is often challenging in elderly individuals, not only for its various clinical features, sometimes, but also for its rare changes of periodic synchronous discharges (PSD) in electroencephalogram ( EEG). So, we reported one case of DLB and gave a detailed analysis. CASE PRESENTATION: A Chinese patient (Female, 56 years old) presented with progressive cognitive decline and complex visual hallucinations. Several days after admission, she gradually showed focal myoclonic jerks. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 19/30, EEG revealed PSD, Cerebrospinal fluid and 14-3-3 brain protein was negative, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse atrophy. To differentiate the PSD derived from DLB or from late-onset Absence Status Epilepticus, we have given the treatment with intravenous valproate (1200 mg/24 h) and diazepam 20 mg under the EEG monitor, a clinical improvement was absent and PSD in EEG did not disappear. Two weeks later, the patient showed akinetic-rigid syndrome and PSD in EEG persisted for a long time. According to her history and therapy, a clinical diagnosis of DLB has been made, but no autopsy for confirmation, and in the following visit, she has a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: PSD in EEG may occasionally be recorded in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, DLB other than CJD or NCSE. Hence it should not dissuade clinicians from the diagnosis of DLB where the clinical and neuropsychological findings were consistent with suggested diagnostic criteria for DLB

Concert recording 2017-09-20

[Tracks 1-4]. String quartet in A major, op. 18, no. 5 [Tracks 5-8]. String quartet in C minor, op. 18, no. 6 / Ludwig van Beethoven

Impact of China’s National Centralized Drug Procurement Policy on pharmaceutical enterprises’ financial performance: a quasi-natural experimental study

IntroductionIn China, the interest relationship between pharmaceutical enterprises and medical institutions has harmed the healthy development of pharmaceutical enterprises. In November 2018, the National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) policy was published. The NCDP policy severs the interest relationship and significantly impacts on pharmaceutical enterprises’s financial performance.MethodsUsing the implementation of China’s National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) policy as a quasi-natural experiment, this study evaluated the impact of participation in the NCDP policy on pharmaceutical enterprises’ financial performance. We developed a difference-in-difference model to estimate the change in financial performance after NCDP implementation, based on financial data on Chinese listed pharmaceutical enterprises.ResultsWe found that the bid-winning enterprises’ financial performance significantly improved after participating in NCDP. This may be related to lower costs, market share expansion, and increased research and development investment by the bid-winning enterprises.DiscussionTo further promote the high-quality development of pharmaceutical enterprises in China, the government should expand the variety of drugs on the NCDP list (NCDP drugs), while improving the drug patent protection system and the policies to support the bid-winning enterprises

Cationic Porphyrins with Large Side Arm Substituents as Resonance Light Scattering Ratiometric Probes for Specific Recognition of Nucleic Acid G-quadruplexes

Specific G-quadruplex-probing is crucial for both biological sciences and biosensing applications. Most reported probes are focused on fluorescent or colorimetric recognition of G-quadruplexes. Herein, for the first time, we reported a new specific G-quadruplex-probing technique—resonance light scattering (RLS)-based ratiometric recognition. To achieve the RLS probing of G-quadruplexes in the important physiological pH range of 7.4-6.0, four water soluble cationic porphyrin derivatives, including an unreported octa-cationic porphyrin, with large side arm substituents were synthesized and developed as RLS probes. These RLS probes were demonstrated to work well for ratiometric recognition of G-quadruplexes with high specificity against single- and double-stranded DNAs, including long double-stranded ones. The working mechanism was speculated to be based on the RLS signal changes caused by porphyrin protonation that was promoted by the end-stacking of porphyrins on Gquadruplexes. This work adds an important member in G-quadruplex probe family, thus providing a useful tool for studies on G-quadruplex-related events concerning G-quadruplex formation, destruction and changes in size, shape and aggregation. As a proofof-concept example of applications, the RLS probes were demonstrated to work well for label-free and sequence-specific sensing of microRNA. This work also provides a simple and useful way for the preparation of cationic porphyrins with high charges