Automatic and standardized quality assurance of digital mammography and tomosynthesis with deep convolutional neural networks

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to develop and validate a commercially available AI platform for the automatic determination of image quality in mammography and tomosynthesis considering a standardized set of features. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 11,733 mammograms and synthetic 2D reconstructions from tomosynthesis of 4200 patients from two institutions were analyzed by assessing the presence of seven features which impact image quality in regard to breast positioning. Deep learning was applied to train five dCNN models on features detecting the presence of anatomical landmarks and three dCNN models for localization features. The validity of models was assessed by the calculation of the mean squared error in a test dataset and was compared to the reading by experienced radiologists. RESULTS Accuracies of the dCNN models ranged between 93.0% for the nipple visualization and 98.5% for the depiction of the pectoralis muscle in the CC view. Calculations based on regression models allow for precise measurements of distances and angles of breast positioning on mammograms and synthetic 2D reconstructions from tomosynthesis. All models showed almost perfect agreement compared to human reading with Cohen's kappa scores above 0.9. CONCLUSIONS An AI-based quality assessment system using a dCNN allows for precise, consistent and observer-independent rating of digital mammography and synthetic 2D reconstructions from tomosynthesis. Automation and standardization of quality assessment enable real-time feedback to technicians and radiologists that shall reduce a number of inadequate examinations according to PGMI (Perfect, Good, Moderate, Inadequate) criteria, reduce a number of recalls and provide a dependable training platform for inexperienced technicians

Differential requirement of kindlin-3 for T cell progenitor homing to the non-vascularized and vascularized thymus

The role of integrin-mediated adhesion during T cell progenitor homing to and differentiation within the thymus is ill-defined, mainly due to functional overlap. To circumvent compensation, we disrupted the hematopoietic integrin regulator kindlin-3 in mice and found a progressive thymus atrophy that is primarily caused by an impaired homing capacity of T cell progenitors to the vascularized thymus. Notably, the low shear flow conditions in the vascular system at midgestation allow kindlin-3-deficient fetal liver-derived T cell progenitors to extravasate via pharyngeal vessels and colonize the avascular thymus primordium. Once in the thymus, kindlin-3 promotes intrathymic T cell proliferation by facilitating the integrin-dependent crosstalk with thymic antigen presenting cells, while intrathymic T cell migration, maturation into single positive CD4 and CD8 T cells and release into the circulation proceed without kindlin-3. Thus, kindlin-3 is dispensable for integrin-mediated T cell progenitor adhesion and signalling at low and indispensable at high shear forces

CD98hc facilitates B cell proliferation and adaptive humoral immunity.

The proliferation of antigen-specific lymphocytes and resulting clonal expansion are essential for adaptive immunity. We report here that B cell-specific deletion of the heavy chain of CD98 (CD98hc) resulted in lower antibody responses due to total suppression of B cell proliferation and subsequent plasma cell formation. Deletion of CD98hc did not impair early B cell activation but did inhibit later activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Erk1/2 and downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. Reconstitution of CD98hc-deficient B cells with CD98hc mutants showed that the integrin-binding domain of CD98hc was required for B cell proliferation but that the amino acid-transport function of CD98hc was dispensable for this. Thus, CD98hc supports integrin-dependent rapid proliferation of B cells. We propose that the advantage of adaptive immunity favored the appearance of CD98hc in vertebrates

Kindlin-3–mediated signaling from multiple integrin classes is required for osteoclast-mediated bone resorption

Loss of kindlin-3 impairs activation of β1, β2, and β3 integrin classes, resulting in osteopetrotic defects in osteoclast adhesion and spreading

Analysis of shared heritability in common disorders of the brain

ience, this issue p. eaap8757 Structured Abstract INTRODUCTION Brain disorders may exhibit shared symptoms and substantial epidemiological comorbidity, inciting debate about their etiologic overlap. However, detailed study of phenotypes with different ages of onset, severity, and presentation poses a considerable challenge. Recently developed heritability methods allow us to accurately measure correlation of genome-wide common variant risk between two phenotypes from pools of different individuals and assess how connected they, or at least their genetic risks, are on the genomic level. We used genome-wide association data for 265,218 patients and 784,643 control participants, as well as 17 phenotypes from a total of 1,191,588 individuals, to quantify the degree of overlap for genetic risk factors of 25 common brain disorders. RATIONALE Over the past century, the classification of brain disorders has evolved to reflect the medical and scientific communities' assessments of the presumed root causes of clinical phenomena such as behavioral change, loss of motor function, or alterations of consciousness. Directly observable phenomena (such as the presence of emboli, protein tangles, or unusual electrical activity patterns) generally define and separate neurological disorders from psychiatric disorders. Understanding the genetic underpinnings and categorical distinctions for brain disorders and related phenotypes may inform the search for their biological mechanisms. RESULTS Common variant risk for psychiatric disorders was shown to correlate significantly, especially among attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia. By contrast, neurological disorders appear more distinct from one another and from the psychiatric disorders, except for migraine, which was significantly correlated to ADHD, MDD, and Tourette syndrome. We demonstrate that, in the general population, the personality trait neuroticism is significantly correlated with almost every psychiatric disorder and migraine. We also identify significant genetic sharing between disorders and early life cognitive measures (e.g., years of education and college attainment) in the general population, demonstrating positive correlation with several psychiatric disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa and bipolar disorder) and negative correlation with several neurological phenotypes (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke), even though the latter are considered to result from specific processes that occur later in life. Extensive simulations were also performed to inform how statistical power, diagnostic misclassification, and phenotypic heterogeneity influence genetic correlations. CONCLUSION The high degree of genetic correlation among many of the psychiatric disorders adds further evidence that their current clinical boundaries do not reflect distinct underlying pathogenic processes, at least on the genetic level. This suggests a deeply interconnected nature for psychiatric disorders, in contrast to neurological disorders, and underscores the need to refine psychiatric diagnostics. Genetically informed analyses may provide important "scaffolding" to support such restructuring of psychiatric nosology, which likely requires incorporating many levels of information. By contrast, we find limited evidence for widespread common genetic risk sharing among neurological disorders or across neurological and psychiatric disorders. We show that both psychiatric and neurological disorders have robust correlations with cognitive and personality measures. Further study is needed to evaluate whether overlapping genetic contributions to psychiatric pathology may influence treatment choices. Ultimately, such developments may pave the way toward reduced heterogeneity and improved diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders

La carte et le territoire : le réseau écologique à l'épreuve de l'assemblée cartographique

International audienceEcological network concept is a growing core element of conservation strategies. Based on the need to integrate ecological processes which underlie spatial dynamics of biodiversity at a landscape scale, network planning is largely based on a single model that allows the identification of natural core areas and linkage corridors. In this context a structural mapping approach is the most often used means to discuss and identify conservation issues at stake and to prepare recommendations for action. In this paper we analyze the process of ecological network construction at the scale of a Regional Natural Park in southern France. We show that by sticking to a classical and highly technical approach focused on mapping spatial organization, the group of actors involved was unable to produce neither a collective representation of the conservation stakes nor recommend a plan of actions. Our study highlights the need to integrate more correctly the ordinary biodiversity of the landscape matrix and consider that a mapping approach should above all make possible the construction and functioning of a social interaction process.Le concept de réseau écologique devient un élément central des stratégies de conservation de la nature. En soulignant le besoin de tenir compte des processus écologiques qui sous-tendent l'organisation spatiale de la biodiversité et ses dynamiques à l'échelle des paysages, la planification des réseaux se base largement sur un modèle unique permettant d'identifier des coeurs de natures et les corridors qui les relient. Dans ce contexte, la carte est largement mise en avant comme support à la fois de réflexions et de recommandations pour l'action. Dans cet article, nous analysons la première étape du processus de planification d'un réseau écologique à l'échelle d'un Parc Naturel Régional du Sud de la France et montrons comment ce nouveau concept s'est confronté aux réalités du territoire. En restant centré sur une approche technique qui se focalise sur la cartographie du réseau écologique, le collectif d'acteurs n'a pu aboutir à une représentation partagée des enjeux et du dispositif d'actions à mettre en oeuvre. Pour penser et agir sur la nature ordinaire, la carte doit avant tout permettre de matérialiser un processus d'interaction sociale

La trame verte et bleue et son public

L’approche de la Trame Verte et Bleue (TVB) énonce une solidarité écologique, une interrelation à distance des espèces ou des écosystèmes qui participent d’une définition processuelle et pragmatique du public. Le suivi de deux dispositifs de mise en œuvre de la TVB promue par le Grenelle de l’environnement montre comment ces dispositifs, bien que différents, fabriquent un public putatif auquel ils destinent la trame, public anticipé et imaginé par les experts, les élus, les scientifiques. Ils dévoilent comment ce public varie dans les deux cas, sans toutefois résoudre la question de la définition d’un intérêt général.The approach of green infrastructure (Trame Verte et Bleue) acknowledges the ecological solidarity and distant interrelationships between species or ecosystems and as such contributes to a processual and pragmatic definition of the public. Based on two case studies of implementation of the ecological network promoted by the environmental roundtable in France, our paper showed how these two different approaches created a putative public for the Green infrastructure, a public anticipated and imagined by the experts, the elected people, and the scientists. These approaches revealed how the public changes in the two cases, without resolving the question of the definition of the general interest

19. Jahrhundert (Französische Revolution bis einschließlich Erster Weltkrieg) | [Buchbesprechungen Nr. 283–286]

Frederik Berger: Inszenierung der Antike. Präsentationskonzepte in öffentlichen Antikenmuseen des 19. Jahrhunderts in Deutschland (Raphael Brendel) Klaus Ries (Hg.): Europa im Vormärz. Eine transnationale Spurensuche (Karsten Ruppert) Adam Zamoyski: Phantome des Terrors. Die Angst vor der Revolution und die Unterdrückung der Freiheit. 1789-1848 (Hendrik Thoß) Rolf Hosfeld, Christin Pschichholz (Hg.): Das Deutsche Reich und der Völkermord an den Armeniern (Ludger Heid