Quantitative Automated Segmentation of Lipiodol Deposits on Cone-Beam CT Imaging Acquired during Transarterial Chemoembolization for Liver Tumors: A Deep Learning Approach

PurposeTo show that a deep learning (DL)–based, automated model for Lipiodol (Guerbet Pharmaceuticals, Paris, France) segmentation on cone-beam computed tomography (CT) after conventional transarterial chemoembolization performs closer to the “ground truth segmentation” than a conventional thresholding-based model.Materials and MethodsThis post hoc analysis included 36 patients with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma or other solid liver tumors who underwent conventional transarterial chemoembolization with an intraprocedural cone-beam CT. Semiautomatic segmentation of Lipiodol was obtained. Subsequently, a convolutional U-net model was used to output a binary mask that predicted Lipiodol deposition. A threshold value of signal intensity on cone-beam CT was used to obtain a Lipiodol mask for comparison. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean squared error (MSE), center of mass (CM), and fractional volume ratios for both masks were obtained by comparing them to the ground truth (radiologist-segmented Lipiodol deposits) to obtain accuracy metrics for the 2 masks. These results were used to compare the model versus the threshold technique.ResultsFor all metrics, the U-net outperformed the threshold technique: DSC (0.65 ± 0.17 vs 0.45 ± 0.22, P < .001) and MSE (125.53 ± 107.36 vs 185.98 ± 93.82, P = .005). The difference between the CM predicted and the actual CM was 15.31 mm ± 14.63 versus 31.34 mm ± 30.24 (P < .001), with lesser distance indicating higher accuracy. The fraction of volume present ([predicted Lipiodol volume]/[ground truth Lipiodol volume]) was 1.22 ± 0.84 versus 2.58 ± 3.52 (P = .048) for the current model’s prediction and threshold technique, respectively.ConclusionsThis study showed that a DL framework could detect Lipiodol in cone-beam CT imaging and was capable of outperforming the conventionally used thresholding technique over several metrics. Further optimization will allow for more accurate, quantitative predictions of Lipiodol depositions intraprocedurally.     

Pediatric button battery ingestion: A single center experience and risk score to predict severe outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the management and outcomes of primary button battery ingestions and their sequelae at a single high-volume center, and to propose a risk score to predict the likelihood of a severe outcome.MethodsThe medical record was queried for all patients under 21 years old evaluated at our institution for button battery ingestion from 2008 to 2021. A severe outcome was defined as having at least one of the following: deep/circumferential mucosal erosion, perforation, mediastinitis, vascular or airway injury/fistula, or development of esophageal stricture. From a selection of clinically relevant factors, logistic regression determined predictors of a severe outcome, which were incorporated into a risk model.Results143 patients evaluated for button battery ingestion were analyzed. 24 (17%) had a severe outcome. The independent predictors of a severe outcome in multivariate analysis were location of battery in the esophagus on imaging (96%), battery size >/ = 2 cm (95%), and presence of any symptoms on presentation (96%), with P < 0.001 in all cases. Predicted probability of a severe outcome ranged from 88% when all three risk factors were observed, to 0.3% when none were present.ConclusionWe report the presentation, management, and complication profiles of a large cohort of BB ingestions treated at a single institution. A risk score to predict severe outcomes may be used by providers initially evaluating patients with button battery ingestion in order to allocate resources and expedite transfer to a center with pediatric endoscopic and surgical capabilities.Level of evidenceLevel IV.Type of studyClinical Research Paper.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of lycopene against 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in Caco2 cells

5-fluorouracil (5FU) is widely used to treat colorectal cancer (CC) and its main mechanisms of anticancer action are through generation of ROS which often result in inflammation. Here, we test the effect of Lycopene against 5FU in Caco2 cell line. Caco2 cells were exposed to 3 µg/ml of 5FU alone or with 60, 90, 120 µg/ml of lycopene. This was followed by assessment of cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and gene expression of inflammatory genes. Our findings showed that Lycopene and 5FU co-exposure induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effect without compromising the membrane integrity based on the LDH assay. Lycopene also significantly enhanced 5FU-induced SOD activity and GSH level compared to control for all mixture concentrations (p < 0.01). Lycopene alone and combination with 5FU-induced expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Furthermore, IFN-γ expression was significantly enhanced by only mixture of lycopene (90 µg/ml) and 5FU (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lycopene supplementation with 5FU therapy resulted in improvement in antioxidant parameters such as catalase and GSH levels giving the cell capacity to cope with 5FU-mediated oxidative stress. Lycopene also enhanced IFN-γ expression in the presence of 5FU, which may activate antitumor effects further enhancing the cancer killing effect of 5FU.     

CT引导下经皮穿刺二次活检诊断肺部病变的可行性及安全性

目的 评价CT引导下经皮二次穿刺活检用于明确诊断肺部病变的可行性及安全性。方法 回顾性分析40例接受2次肺穿刺活检患者的临床、影像学及随访资料,根据最终诊断结果,比较2次活检的诊断准确率,分析并发症及初次活检误诊的危险因素。结果 40例中,17例初次活检诊断结果与最终诊断一致(确诊组)、23例诊断不一致(误诊组),诊断准确率为42.50%(17/40),并发症发生率为27.50%(11/40);39例二次活检诊断结果与最终诊断一致,诊断准确率为97.50%(39/40),并发症发生率为25.00%(10/40)。二次活检诊断准确率明显提高,并发症发生率与初次活检差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。组间病灶性质和气胸发生率差异均有统计学意义(P均＜0.05)。结论 CT引导下经皮二次穿刺活检用于明确诊断肺部病变安全、可行。     

Enhancing adherence and management in patients with hypertension: Impact of form and frequency of knowledge intervention

BackgroundThe alarming rise in prevalence of hypertension warrants psychosocial methods supplementing pharmacotherapy for better management and prevention of cardiac emergencies. The objective of the study was to assess the differential impact of the form and frequency of knowledge intervention on management of primary hypertension.Materials and methodThe study was conducted on 256 hypertensive patients recruited through purposive sampling at health centers in Hyderabad, India. Pretest post-test control group quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. There were two forms of the knowledge intervention, namely ‘Direct Interaction’ and ‘Audio-Visual’. Each form was presented in two frequencies namely ‘single exposure’ and ‘double exposure’. The four groups were labelled as Direct Intervention Single (DIS), Direct Intervention Double (DID), Audio-Visual Single (AVS) and Audio-Visual Double (AVD). Adherence and management of hypertension were assessed at baseline and six weeks post experiment. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was applied using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.ResultsANCOVA followed by Bonferroni Multiple Group Comparison Test revealed significant differences between the four intervention groups and control group on adherence (p< .001). In case of hypertension management significant differences were observed between Control group and DIS, DID (p < .001), Control and AVS (p < .01). Control group did not differ from AVD.ConclusionThere was a positive impact of Knowledge Intervention on adherence and management of hypertension. Double exposure in audio visual form was counterproductive in hypertension management.     

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis B virus vaccination and transmission among men who have sex with men: A mathematical modelling study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been considerably lower than before the pandemic. Moreover, less frequent HBV testing and a reduction in numbers of sex partners have been reported. We assessed the impact of these COVID-19-related changes on HBV transmission among MSM in the Netherlands.MethodsWe estimated the changes in sexual activity, HBV testing, and HBV vaccination among MSM during the pandemic from Dutch data. We used a deterministic compartmental model and investigated scenarios with small or large declines in sexual activity, testing, and vaccination for the current phase of the pandemic (without available data). We examined the increase in HBV vaccinations needed to prevent further increase in HBV incidence.ResultsWith a decrease in numbers of sex partners of 15–25% during the first lockdown and 5% during the second lockdown, we found a decline of 6.6% in HBV incidence in 2020, despite a >70% reduction in HBV testing and vaccination during the first lockdown. With numbers of sex partners rebounding close to pre-pandemic level in 2021, and a reduction of 15% in testing and 30% in vaccination in 2021, we found an increase of 1.4% in incidence in 2021 and 3.1% in 2026. With these changes, an increase of ≥60% in HBV vaccinations in 2022 would be needed to bring the HBV incidence in 2023 back to the level that it would have had if the COVID-19-related changes had not occurred.ConclusionsDespite reductions in sexual activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the decrease in HBV vaccinations may result in a small increase in HBV incidence after 2021, which may persist for years. It is important to restore the vaccination level and limit further increase in HBV transmission among MSM.