Impact of the rise of artificial intelligence in radiology: What do radiologists think?

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the perception, knowledge, wishes and expectations of a sample of French radiologists towards the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology.Material and methodA general data protection regulation-compliant electronic survey was sent by e-mail to the 617 radiologists registered in the French departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais (93 radiology residents and 524 senior radiologists), from both public and private institutions. The survey included 42 questions focusing on AI in radiology, and data were collected between January 16^th and January 31^st, 2019. The answers were analyzed together by a senior radiologist and a radiology resident.ResultsA total of 70 radiology residents and 200 senior radiologists participated to the survey, which corresponded to a response rate of 43.8% (270/617). One hundred ninety-eight radiologists (198/270; 73.3%) estimated they had received insufficient previous information on AI. Two hundred and fifty-five respondents (255/270; 94.4%) would consider attending a generic continuous medical education in this field and 187 (187/270; 69.3%) a technically advanced training on AI. Two hundred and fourteen respondents (214/270; 79.3%) thought that AI will have a positive impact on their future practice. The highest expectations were the lowering of imaging-related medical errors (219/270; 81%), followed by the lowering of the interpretation time of each examination (201/270; 74.4%) and the increase in the time spent with patients (141/270; 52.2%).ConclusionWhile respondents had the feeling of receiving insufficient previous information on AI, they are willing to improve their knowledge and technical skills on this field. They share an optimistic view and think that AI will have a positive impact on their future practice. A lower risk of imaging-related medical errors and an increase in the time spent with patients are among their main expectations.     

Receptor–receptor interactions: A novel concept in brain integration

A brief historical presentation of the hypothesis on receptor–receptor interactions as an important integrative mechanism taking place at plasma membrane level is given. Some concepts derived from this integrative mechanism especially the possible assemblage of receptors in receptor mosaics (high-order receptor oligomers) and their relevance for the molecular networks associated with the plasma membrane are discussed. In particular, the Rodbell's disaggregation theory for G-proteins is revisited in the frame of receptor mosaic model.     

全口牙釉质发育不全伴颞下颌关节紊乱病1例报告

釉质发育不全（amelogenesis imperfecta,AI）是一组影响釉质发育的遗传性疾病,由于釉质形成时造釉器的某些功能障碍,导致釉质在厚度、结构和组织上的改变。临床可分为3型：釉质发育不良型（hypoplastic AI,HPAI）,釉质矿化不良型（hypocalcified AI, HCAI）和釉质未成熟型（hypomaturation AI,HMAI）。AI以牙色改变和釉质缺损为主要表现,严重者可伴有颞下颌关节紊乱病（temporomandibular joint disorders,TMD）等。笔者在临床中遇到1例全口乳牙、恒牙严重AI伴TMD病例,现报道如下。     

High proportion of 6 to 18-year-old children and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates are not meeting dietary recommendations

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), overweight, obesity, and associated chronic diseases have recently emerged as major public health concerns among all age groups, including children and adolescents. We hypothesized that although energy needs might be met by the majority of Emirati children and adolescents, their diet quality and intakes of certain micronutrients may not meet recommendations. A cross-sectional design was used to assess dietary intakes of 253 children (6-10 years of age) and 276 adolescents (11-18 years of age) in the UAE. Trained dietitians collected a 24-hour food recall in the homes of the participants. Nutrient intakes were compared with the Dietary Reference Intakes, and food group consumption was compared with MyPyramid recommendations. Results showed that 9 to 13-year-old females consumed 206 kcal/d from candy and sweets and nearly 264 cal/d from sugar-sweetened beverages. The proportion of participants with percentage energy from saturated fat greater than the recommendation ranged from 27.6% (males 9-13 years) to 45.9% (males 6-8 years). Mean intakes of vitamins A, D, and E were lower than the Estimated Average Requirements for all the subgroups. Mean calcium intake was lower than recommendations for all age and sex subgroups. The proportions of participants whose intakes were less than the recommended number of servings from the food groups were substantial: more than 90% of each of the 6 subgroups for the milk group and 100% among 9 to 18-year-old males for vegetables. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate the need for interventions targeting 6 to 18-year-old children and adolescents in the UAE to improve their diet quality.     

Purification and characterization of α-amylase in Moroccan locust,Dociostaurus maroccanus Thunberg (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and its inhibition by inhibitors from Phaseolus vulgaris L.

An α-amylase with molecular weight of 73?kDa was purified from midgut of Dociostaurus maroccanus using ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. The optimal pH and temperature were 6 and 45?°C, respectively. As calculated using Lineweaver–Burk plots, the Km was about 0.62?mM and the Vmax was 1.113 (μmol/min/mg protein). Mn²⁺, Hg⁺, Zn²⁺ and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) decreased α-amylase activity of D. maroccanus, whereas the addition of K⁺, Na⁺, Fe²⁺, Ba⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Co²⁺ increased enzyme activity. Alpha-amylase inhibitors (AI1, AI2) with molecular weights of 43?kDa and 29?kDa, respectively, were purified from the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris and its inhibitory effect on purified α-amylase of D. maroccanus was investigated. These inhibitors inhibited the D. maroccanus gut α-amylase activity significantly.     

Antioxidant effects of Genkwa flos flavonoids on Freund׳s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Genkwa flos (Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc.), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been traditionally used for over two thousand years in China for inflammation related symptoms, including joint pain. To evaluate the antioxidative effects of flavonoid aglycones (FA) isolated from Genkwa flos on adjuvant arthritis in rats and to identify the relationship between antioxidant potential and whole blood viscosity (WBV).

Materials and methods

FA compounds were identified using LC–MS and the content was assayed by HPLC. Arthritis was induced by an intradermal injection of Freund?s complete adjuvant in the footpad. The effects of FA on paw volumes, secondary arthritis scores, histopathology of joints, and body and organ weights were measured. The antioxidant effects of FA and WBV were determined.

Results

LC–MS analysis showed that the FA contained four major compounds: luteolin, apigenin, hydroxygenkwanin and genkwanin. FA significantly decreased paw edema, arthritis scores, and weight loss. These observations were consistent with the reduction of oxidative stress and the improvement of the WBV.

Conclusion

FA significantly decreased arthritis in a rat model through antioxidant and hemorheological modulatory mechanisms. The Genkwa flos flavonoids may have clinical potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

厄贝沙坦对急性脑梗死患者血浆溶血磷脂酸和血清超敏C反应蛋白的影响

【目的】观察厄贝沙坦对急性脑梗死患者血浆溶血磷脂酸（LPA）和血清超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）含量的影响。【方法】将78例急性脑梗死患者依据治疗方法分为厄贝沙坦治疗组（A组,39例）和常规治疗组（B组,39例）,另选取40名健康体检者作为对照组。A组给予厄贝沙坦150mg联合阿司匹林100mg,每日1次;B组给予阿司匹林100mg,每日1次;两组其余治疗方法相同,连续治疗两周。在治疗前、后测定LPA和hs-CRP含量,并评定其临床疗效。【结果】A,B两组脑梗死患者血浆LPA和血清hs-CRP含量较对照组均显著升高（均P〈0．01）,LPA和hs-cRP含量与爱登堡斯堪的那维亚卒中量表（NDs）呈正相关;A,B两组治疗后血浆LPA和血清hs-cRP含量和NDS与治疗前相比较均明显降低,其差异有显著性意义（P〈0．01）;A组治疗前后血浆LPA和血清hs-CRP含量的差值与B组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。【结论】厄贝沙坦能明显降低急性脑梗死患者的血浆LPA和血清hs-CRP,并有助于脑梗死患者的神经功能恢复。