The Zombification of art history: how AI resurrects dead masters, and perpetuates historical biases

In the past few years deep-learning AI neural networks have achieved major milestones in artistic image analysis and generation, producing what some refer to as ‘art.’ We reflect critically on some of the artistic shortcomings of a few projects that occupied the spotlight in recent years. We introduce the term ‘Zombie Art’ to describe the generation of new images of dead masters, as well as ‘The AI Reproducibility Test.’ We designate the problems inherent in AI and in its application to art history. In conclusion, we propose new directions for both AI-generated art and art history, in the light of these new powerful AI technologies of artistic image analysis and generation

Suboptimal reliability of FIB‐4 and NAFLD‐fibrosis scores for staging of liver fibrosis in general population

Abstract Background and Aim The burden and incidence of liver cirrhosis are increasing worldwide. Early detection of liver fibrosis would help in early interventions and preventing the progression of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The accepted noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis staging, namely fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), have shown inconsistent performance for detecting the fibrosis stage. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FIB‐4 score and NFS for the detection of liver fibrosis in the general population. Methods From a general population referred from a single, community‐based family‐physician clinic, we included study participants between the ages of 45 and 65 years, with no knowledge of liver disease and no record of alcohol consumption. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by the FIB‐4 score and NFS using shear wave elastography (SWE) or transient elastography (TE) measurements as a reference. Results A total of 76 participants (aged 61.5 ± 0.37 years, 33% females) were included in the study cohort. We observed a nonsignificant correlation between liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and FIB‐4 and NFS (r = 0.1, P = 0.37; r = 0.16, P = 0.15, respectively). Our results showed that only 5.2% with FIB‐4 >3.25 and 9.7% with NFS >0.675 had LSM >12 kPa. The compatibility of fibrosis staging was 55% between FIB‐4 score and LSM and only 18% between NFS and LSM. Conclusion We found that FIB‐4 and NFS are unreliable tools for liver fibrosis estimation in the general population. There is a need for more reliable noninvasive methods for the early detection of liver fibrosis

The Role of Heparanase in Lymph Node Metastatic Dissemination: Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI of Eb Lymphoma in Mice

Heparanase expression has been linked to increased tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis and with poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to monitor the effect of heparanase expression on lymph node metastasis, in heparanase-overexpressing subcutaneous Eb mouse T-lymphoma tumors, and their draining lymph node. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using biotin-BSA-GdDTPA-FAM/ROX was applied for analysis of blood volume, vascular permeability, and interstitial convection, and for detection of very early stages of such metastatic dissemination. Eb tumors increased extravasation, interstitial convection, and lymphatic drain of the contrast material. Interstitial flow directions were mapped by showing radial outflow interrupted in some tumors by directional flow toward the popliteal lymph node. Heparanase expression significantly increased contrast enhancement of the popliteal lymph node but not of the primary tumor. Changes in MR contrast enhancement preceded the formation of pathologically detectable metastases, and were detectable when only a few enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing Eb cells were found near and within the nodes. These results demonstrate very early, heparanase-dependent vascular changes in lymph nodes that were visible by MRI following administration of biotin-BSA-GdDTPA-FAM/ROX, and can be used for studying the initial stages of lymph node infiltration