Multi-task learning with Multi-view Weighted Fusion Attention for artery-specific calcification analysis

In general, artery-specific calcification analysis comprises the simultaneous calcification segmentation and quantification tasks. It can help provide a thorough assessment for calcification of different coronary arteries, and further allow for an efficient and rapid diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, as a high-dimensional multi-type estimation problem, artery-specific calcification analysis has not been profoundly investigated due to the intractability of obtaining discriminative feature representations. In this work, we propose a Multi-task learning network with Multi-view Weighted Fusion Attention (MMWFAnet) to solve this challenging problem. The MMWFAnet first employs a Multi-view Weighted Fusion Attention (MWFA) module to extract discriminative feature representations by enhancing the collaboration of multiple views. Specifically, MWFA weights these views to improve multi-view learning for calcification features. Based on the fusion of these multiple views, the proposed approach takes advantage of multi-task learning to obtain accurate segmentation and quantification of artery-specific calcification simultaneously. We perform experimental studies on 676 non-contrast Computed Tomography scans, achieving state-of-the-art performance in terms of multiple evaluation metrics. These compelling results evince that the proposed MMWFAnet is capable of improving the effectivity and efficiency of clinical CVD diagnosis

A critical role of IL-17 in modulating the B-cell response during H5N1 influenza virus infection

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a member of the IL-17 cytokine family, plays a crucial role in mediating the immune response against extracellular bacteria and fungi in the lung. Although there is increasing evidence that IL-17 is involved in protective immunity against H1 and H3 influenza virus infections, little is known about the role of IL-17 in the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus infection. In this study, we show that H5N1-infected IL-17 knockout (KO) mice exhibit markedly increased weight loss, more pronounced lung immunopathology and significantly reduced survival rates as compared with infected wild-type controls. Moreover, the frequency of B cells in the lung were substantially decreased in IL-17 KO mice after virus infection, which correlated with reduced CXCR5 expression in B cells and decreased CXCL13 production in the lung tissue of IL-17 KO mice. Consistent with this observation, B cells from IL-17 KO mice exhibited a significant reduction in chemokine-mediated migration in culture. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a critical role for IL-17 in mediating the recruitment of B cells to the site of pulmonary influenza virus infection in mice. © 2011 CSI and USTC. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex