Validation Strategies Supporting Clinical Integration of Prostate Segmentation Algorithms for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Segmentation of the prostate in medical images is useful for prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy guidance. However, manual segmentation of the prostate is laborious and time-consuming, with inter-observer variability. The focus of this thesis was on accuracy, reproducibility and procedure time measurement for prostate segmentation on T2-weighted endorectal magnetic resonance imaging, and assessment of the potential of a computer-assisted segmentation technique to be translated to clinical practice for prostate cancer management. We collected an image data set from prostate cancer patients with manually-delineated prostate borders by one observer on all the images and by two other observers on a subset of images. We used a complementary set of error metrics to measure the different types of observed segmentation errors. We compared expert manual segmentation as well as semi-automatic and automatic segmentation approaches before and after manual editing by expert physicians. We recorded the time needed for user interaction to initialize the semi-automatic algorithm, algorithm execution, and manual editing as necessary. Comparing to manual segmentation, the measured errors for the algorithms compared favourably with observed differences between manual segmentations. The measured average editing times for the computer-assisted segmentation were lower than fully manual segmentation time, and the algorithms reduced the inter-observer variability as compared to manual segmentation. The accuracy of the computer-assisted approaches was near to or within the range of observed variability in manual segmentation. The recorded procedure time for prostate segmentation was reduced using computer-assisted segmentation followed by manual editing, compared to the time required for fully manual segmentation

Vitrification of human immature oocytes before and after in vitro maturation: a review

The use of immature oocytes subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) opens interesting perspectives for fertility preservation where ovarian reserves are damaged by pathologies or therapies, as in PCO/PCOS and cancer patients. Human oocyte cryopreservation may offer some advantages compared to embryo freezing, such as fertility preservation in women at risk of losing fertility due to oncological treatment or chronic disease, egg donation and postponing childbirth. It also eliminates religious and/or other ethical, legal, and moral concerns of embryo freezing. In addition, a successful oocyte cryopreservation program could eliminate the need for donor and recipient menstrual cycle synchronization. Recent advances in vitrification technology have markedly improved the oocyte survival rate after warming, with fertilization and implantation rates comparable with those of fresh oocytes. Healthy live births can be achieved from the combination of IVM and vitrification, even if vitrification of in vivo matured oocytes is still more effective. Recently, attention is given to highlight whether vitrification procedures are more successful when performed before or after IVM, on immature GV-stage oocytes, or on in vitro matured MII-stage oocytes. In this review, we emphasize that, even if there are no differences in survival rates between oocytes vitrified prior to or post-IVM, reduced maturation rates of immature oocytes vitrified prior to IVM can be, at least in part, explained by underlying ultrastructural and biomolecular alterations

The situation of working environment will affect the job performance of employees at Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka / Suraiti Shahedi

Positive working environment has been identified as a driver of performance. It is important because employee valuations of the environment will influence their job performance. Nowadays, numbers of civil servants that suffer from workplace situation have increase. So that it is important for management to manage their working environment and improve weaken area. This study is a research of 'The Situation of Working Environment Will Affect the Job Perfomance of Employees at Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka'. The study utilize questionnaire as the instrument for collecting data. Questionnaires have been distributed to 40 employees from all departments at the organization to do the research. In this study, researcher has identifying the types of working environment at Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka and the level of job performance of the employees. Researchers will test the relationship between working environment and the job performance in this study. Researchers have used the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Program Student Version. From the analysis researchers have identify that there is significant relationship between working environment and job performance of employees at Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka

Encapsulation of Coenzyme Q10 by Gelatin–basil Seed Mucilage Using Complex Coacervation: Optimization, Physicochemical Characterizations and Milk Fortification

Global concern about human health and the increase the prevalence of chronic diseases in recent years lead to growing appeals for nutritious and healthy compounds, such as coenzyme Q10. Susceptibility to heat and lipophilic properties of coenzyme Q10 limit its utilization in food. Encapsulation is a technology that protects bioactive ingredients from harsh environmental conditions and extends shelf life. The purpose of this study was to encapsulate coenzyme Q10 using complex coacervation by gelatin–basil seed mucilage and characterize physical, thermal and chemical properties of produced microcapsules. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the optimum level of the four formulation variables for maximum encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and turbidity and minimum supernatant absorption. The optimum microcapsules had encapsulation efficiency of 83.69%, encapsulation load of 16.32%, turbidity of 0.979 and supernatant absorption of 0.227. The microcapsules were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results of FTIR confirmed the formation of coacervates. The thermogram of Q10 loaded microcapsule melting point was not observed at its melting point (50°C) due to its solubility in the oil phase and appropriate entrapment. Release behavior of Q10 was studied by different mathematical models. Microencapsulated Q10 was used to fortify milk and the results showed that the developed protein-carbohydrate microcapsules can be applied for protection of hydrophobic compounds

Assessment Criteria of Effective teaching of Expert Teachers based on occupational health students’ viewpoints in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Notating the criteria of an expert teacher based on the  students’ viewpoints and using them in teaching process has a prominent role in enhancing the education quality. This study aims at identifying those characteristics in occupational health students' opinions. In this cross-sectional study in 2012, using random sampling method, 200 of occupational health students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected. Requirement data collection was using a questionnaire with α= 0.85. The questions were designed in two domains, demographic and expert teacher criteria. Finally, data analysis was carried out through SPSS software version 16. Results showed that before, after and current education of four domains ability, features such as analysis method and text selection (81.4%), accurate and comprehensive examination in final (80.2%), dominance over the scientific subjects (91%) and in general, abilities, educational discipline and manual (86.4%) were respectively recognized as important factors for experted teacher. Moreover, no significant relationship was found among gender and field of study and the above mentioned four domains (p> 0/05). In this study, teaching ability was the most important factor in students’ viewpont; hence, it is recommended that the mentioned points should be taken inro more consideration in this domain for enhanced teachers’ operation

Effects of different doses of tamoxifen on the sperm parameters and chromatin quality in mice: An experimental model

Background: Tamoxifen (TX) is widely used for the treatment of male factor and idiopathic infertility. It has been shown that TX induces sperm production and so improves male fertility. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of different doses of TX on the sperm parameters and chromatin quality in mice. Materials and Methods: In this research, 24 male NMRI mice were divided into three groups including group A: control animal receiving vehicle; group B: the group receiving basal diet and TX 0.4 mg/kg/day; and group C: the group receiving basal diet and TX 0.6 mg/kg/day for 35 days. Thereafter, epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed for standard parameters and nuclear chromatin quality using Aniline Blue (AB) and Toluidine Blue (TB) staining. Results: The results indicated that although the TX did not affect the sperm count, motility, and viability parameters, it could elevate the percentage of sperm cells with abnormal morphology and abnormal chromatin at both doses. In addition, in comparison with the control mice, a significant elevation was observed in spermatozoa with residual histones (assessed by AB staining) at high doses of TX. Conclusion: Our experimental data in mice suggested that the use of TX for treating male infertility might increase the rates of spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin in a dose-dependent manner

Investigating the Effect of Daily Discharge Sequence in River Flow Forecasting Using Intelligent Algorithms (Case study: Kasilian watershed)

In fact, determination of a reliable model and selection of inputs with proper time lags for river flow forecasting is a key topic for watershed managers, hydrologists, and river engineers. In recent decades use of intelligent algorithms and fuzzy theories for modeling of hydrological phenomena has been noticed by researchers. In this regard, in the present study adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and different input patterns of flow discharge (with 1-7 day time lags) was used in order to river flow forecast of Kasilian watershed. Then in order to further investigate of this process, artificial neural network (ANN) model was used and the results were evaluated using coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that river flow prediction were improved using 1-4 day time lags in ANFIS model and 1-5 day time lags in ANN model. Evaluation of standard statistics values of the best input patterns during validation phase indicated that ANFIS with R2=0.60 and RMSE=0.64 had higher accuracy than ANN with R2=0.51 and RMSE=1.74 in river flow forecasting