The influence of predinisolone upon the pathologic response of adult mice to Newcastle disease virus

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1965 K48Master of Scienc

A Review of Deep Convolutional Neural Networks in Mobile Face Recognition

With the emergence of deep learning, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models have been proposed to advance the progress of various applications, including face recognition, object detection, pattern recognition, and number plate recognition. The utilization of CNNs in these areas has considerably improved security and surveillance capabilities by providing automated recognition solutions, such as traffic surveillance, access control devices, biometric security systems, and attendance systems. However, there is still room for improvement in this field. This paper discusses several classic CNN models, such as LeNet-5, AlexNet, VGGNet, GoogLeNet, and ResNet, as well as lightweight models for mobile-based applications, such as MobileNet, ShuffleNet, and EfficientNet. Additionally, deep CNN-based face recognition models, such as DeepFace, DeepID, FaceNet, and SphereFace, are explored, along with their architectural characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and recognition accuracy. The results indicate that many scholars are researching lightweight face recognition, but applying it to mobile devices is impractical due to high computational costs. Furthermore, noise label learning is not robust in actual scenarios, and unlabeled face learning is expensive in manual labeling. Finally, this paper concludes with a discussion of the current problems faced by face recognition technology and its potential future directions for development

Comparison of ensemble simple feed forward neural network and deep learning neural network on Phishing Detection

Phishing attack is one of wide spread cybercrimes due to the advancement of the Internet. There are many forms of phishing attack and the most common one is through email. The attacker tries to pretend by sending email from an official organization or body to deceive the user in giving in their credential user name and password. The username and password are then used for malicious purpose. Many methods have been used to detect these phishing attacks; however, the attack evolved too quickly to be solved by manual approach. Therefore, automated phishing detection through artificial intelligence approach would be more feasible. In this paper, a comparison study for phishing detection between two neural networks which are the feedforward neural network and the deep learning neural network is carried out. The result is empirically evaluated to determine which method performs better in phishing detection

Hyperintense Thyroid Incidentaloma on Time of Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of thyroid incidentaloma with hypersignal intensity on the time of flight magnetic resonance (TOF-MR) angiography and correlation with ultrasound (US).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3,505 non-contrast TOF-MR angiography performed at our institution between September 2014 and May 2017. Two radiologists correlated the thyroid incidentalomas detected on TOF-MR angiography with US features that were obtained within a three-month interval between MR and US examinations in consensus.Results: The prevalence of hyperintense thyroid nodules incidentally detected by TOF-MR angiography was 1.2% (43/3,505 patients). Among these, 35 people (77.8%) underwent US examinations, and a total of 45 hyperintense thyroid nodules were detected by US studies. Of these 45 nodules, more than 70% were categorized as benign on US exams. Fine needle aspiration was performed on nine nodules according to indications recommended by the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology. All except one high-suspicion thyroid nodule were confirmed as benign (Bethesda 2) on cytologic examination. The high-suspicion nodule on US showed a nondiagnostic result (Bethesda 1). However, this nodule collapsed after aspiration of thick colloid.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the most hyperintense thyroid nodules detected on TOF-MR angiography were benign. Therefore, if a hyperintense incidentaloma is found on TOF-MR angiography, the thyroid nodule is more likely to be benign. We believe that these findings could offer additional information for further clinical management

17β-Estradiol supplementation changes gut microbiota diversity in intact and colorectal cancer-induced ICR male mice

The composition of the gut microbiota is influenced by sex hormones and colorectal cancer (CRC). Previously, we reported that 17 beta -estradiol (E2) inhibits azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced tumorigenesis in male mice. Here, we investigated whether the composition of the gut microbiota is different between male and female, and is regulated by estrogen as a secondary outcome of previous studies. We established four groups of mice based on the sex and estrogen status [ovariectomized (OVX) female and E2-treated male]. Additionally, three groups of males were established by treating them with AOM/DSS, and E2, after subjecting them to AOM/DSS treatment. The mice were sacrificed at 21 weeks old. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA metagenomics sequencing. We observed a significant increase in the microbial diversity (Chao1 index) in females, males supplemented with E2, and males treated with AOM/DSS/E2 compared with normal males. In normal physiological condition, sex difference and E2 treatment did not affect the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B). However, in AOM/DSS-treated male mice, E2 supplementation showed significantly lower level of the F/B ratio. The ratio of commensal bacteria to opportunistic pathogens was higher in females and E2-treated males compared to normal males and females subjected to OVX. Unexpectedly, this ratio was higher in the AOM/DSS group than that determined in other males and the AOM/DSS/E2 group. Our findings suggest that estrogen alters the gut microbiota in ICR (CrljOri:CD1) mice, particularly AOM/DSS-treated males, by decreasing the F/B ratio and changing Shannon and Simpson index by supply of estrogen. This highlights another possibility that estrogen could cause changes in the gut microbiota, thereby reducing the risk of developing CRC.

Proposed Protocols for Artificial Intelligence Imaging Database in Acute Stroke Imaging

Purpose To propose standardized and feasible imaging protocols for constructing artificial intelligence (AI) database in acute stroke by assessing the current practice at tertiary hospitals in South Korea and reviewing evolving AI models. Materials and Methods A nationwide survey on acute stroke imaging protocols was conducted using an electronic questionnaire sent to 43 registered tertiary hospitals between April and May 2021. Imaging protocols for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in the early and late time windows and during follow-up were assessed. Clinical applications of AI techniques in stroke imaging and required sequences for developing AI models were reviewed. Standardized and feasible imaging protocols for data curation in acute stroke were proposed. Results There was considerable heterogeneity in the imaging protocols for EVT candidates in the early and late time windows and posterior circulation stroke. Computed tomography (CT)-based protocols were adopted by 70% (30/43), and acquisition of noncontrast CT, CT angiography and CT perfusion in a single session was most commonly performed (47%, 14/30) with the preference of multiphase (70%, 21/30) over single phase CT angiography. More hospitals performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based protocols or additional MRI sequences in a late time window and posterior circulation stroke. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) were most commonly performed MRI sequences with considerable variation in performing other MRI sequences. AI models for diagnostic purposes required noncontrast CT, CT angiography and DWI while FLAIR, dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion, and T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) were additionally required for prognostic AI models. Conclusion Given considerable heterogeneity in acute stroke imaging protocols at tertiary hospitals in South Korea, standardized and feasible imaging protocols are required for constructing AI database in acute stroke. The essential sequences may be noncontrast CT, DWI, CT/MR angiography and CT/MR perfusion while FLAIR and T1WI may be additionally required

17β-Estradiol strongly inhibits azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colorectal cancer development in Nrf2 knockout male mice

© 2020 The Author(s)Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has dual effects on inflammation and cancer progression depending on the microenvironment. Estrogens have a protective effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The aim of this study was to investigate CRC development in Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice. Azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated wild-type (WT) and Nrf2 KO male mice were sacrificed at weeks 2 and 16 after AOM injection with/without 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment during week 1. Disease activity index and colon tissue damage at week 2 showed strong attenuation following E2 administration in WT mice but to a lesser extent in Nrf2 KO male mice. At week 16, E2 significantly diminished AOM/DSS-induced adenoma/cancer incidence at distal colon in the Nrf2 KO group, but not in the WT. Furthermore, mRNA or protein levels of NF-κB-related mediators (i.e., iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β) and Nrf2-related antioxidants (i.e., NQO1 and HO-1) were significantly lower in the Nrf2 KO group regardless of E2 treatment compared to the WT. The expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) was higher in the Nrf2 KO group than in the WT. In conclusion, estrogen further inhibits CRC by upregulating ERβ-related alternate pathways in the absence of Nrf2.

Porokeratotic Eccrine Ostial and Dermal Duct Nevus Showing Partial Remission by Topical Photodynamic Therapy

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN) is an uncommon, benign dermatosis and is characterized by asymptomatic grouped keratotic papules and plaques with a linear pattern on the extremities. Various treatments, including topical steroids, topical calcipotriol, topical 5-fluorouracil, retinoid, cryotherapy, and carbon dioxide laser ablation have been tried for PEODDN, but the results were unsatisfactory. Recently, topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be effective for various cutaneous disorders. We report a case of PEODDN showing partial remission with PDT using topical 5-aminolevulanic acid in a 4-year-old girl

Surgical Treatments for Lumbar Disc Disease in Adolescent Patients; Chemonucleolysis / Microsurgical Discectomy / PLIF with Cages

The herniated lumbar disc (HLD) in adolescent patients is characterized by typical discogenic pain that originates from a soft herniated disc. It is frequently related to back trauma, and sometimes it is also combined with a degenerative process and a bony spur such as posterior Schmorl's node. Chemonucleolysis is an excellent minimally invasive treatment having these criteria: leg pain rather than back pain, severe limitation on the straight leg raising test (SLRT), and soft disc protrusion on computed tomography (CT). Microsurgical discectomy is useful in the cases of extruded or sequestered HLD and lateral recess stenosis due to bony spur because the nerve root is not decompressed with chymopapain. Spinal fusion, like as PLIF, should be considered in the cases of severe disc degeneration, instability, and stenosis due to posterior central bony spur. In our study, 185 adolescent patients, whose follow-up period was more than 1 year (the range was 1 - 4 years), underwent spinal surgery due to HLD from March, 1998 to December, 2002 at our institute. Among these cases, we performed chemonucleolysis in 65 cases, microsurgical discectomy in 94 cases, and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with cages in 33 cases including 7 reoperation cases. The clinical success rate was 91% for chemonucleolysis, 95% for microsurgical disectomy, and 89% for PLIF with cages, and there were no nonunion cases for the PLIF patients with cages. In adolescent HLD, chemonucleolysis was the 1st choice of treatment because the soft adolescent HLD was effectively treated with chemonucleolysis, especially when the patient satisfied the chemonucleolysis indications