Application of computer-generated images to train pattern recognition used in semiquantitative immunohistochemistry scoring

This study aimed to clarify whether the pattern recognition involved in scoring proliferation fractions can be trained by abstract computerized images of virtual tissues. Twenty computer-generated images with randomly distributed blue or red dots were scored by 12 probands (all co-workers or collaborators of the Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn). Afterward, the probands underwent a training phase during which they received an immediate feedback on the actual rate of positivity after each image. Finally, the initial testing series was rescored. In a second round with 15 different probands, 20 Ki-67 immunohistochemistry images of tonsil tissue were scored, followed by the same training phase with computer-generated images, before the immunohistochemistry slides were scored again. Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in mean rates pre- and post-training. Concerning computerized images, untrained probands scored the percentages of positive dots with a mean deviation from the true rates of 8.2%. Following training, the same testing series was scored significantly better with a mean deviation of 4.9% (mean improvement 3.3%, p < 0.001). Scoring real immunohistochemistry slides, the training with computerized images also improved correct estimations, albeit to a lesser degree (mean improvement 1%, p = 0.03). Abstract computerized images of virtual tissues may be a useful tool to train and improve the accuracy of pattern recognition involved in semiquantitative scoring of immunohistochemistry slides. As a side results, this study highlights the value of computer-generated images to verify the performance of image-analysis software.     

结核性脑膜炎临床诊断评分体系的建立及评价研究

背景 结核性脑膜炎（TM）是临床常见的中枢性感染的一种，其起病较慢，症状不典型，病原学诊断困难，误诊率高。目前有效的TM诊断工具较少。利用常见的临床症状、检查指标等建立诊断评分系体可提高诊断准确率，减少误诊。 目的 建立TM临床诊断评分体系（TMCDS），并对其应用价值进行初步评价。 方法 选取2011年11月至2021年9月在柳州市人民医院感染病科住院并诊断为脑膜炎的患者187例为研究对象，采用SPSS 21.0统计软件将患者随机分成建模组（147例）和验模组（40例）。根据是否为TM将建模组分为非TM亚组（76例）和TM亚组（71例）。收集患者的一般资料，主要包括性别、年龄、临床症状（发热、头痛、意识障碍、颈抵抗），实验室及影像学检查结果，包括人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染情况、CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数、C反应蛋白、颅内压、脑脊液常规生化检查（糖、氯、蛋白、细胞数）。建模组采用多因素Logistic回归分析探讨TM的影响因素；根据每个因素的β值所占比重设立相应分值，建立TMCDS；采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC曲线）分析TMCDS诊断TM的价值。 结果 两亚组头痛、HIV感染、CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、颅内压>200 mm H2O（1 mm H2O=0.009 8 kPa）、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液氯降低、脑脊液蛋白升高、脑脊液单核细胞升高情况比较，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，头痛、CD4+ T淋巴细胞<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液蛋白升高均是TM的影响因素（P<0.05）。将以上5个影响因素同时结合临床经验纳入脑脊液氯、脑脊液细胞数再次进行多因素Logistic回归分析，结果显示，头痛、CD4+ T淋巴细胞<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液蛋白升高均是TM的影响因素（P<0.05）。根据上述7个因素β值建立评分系统，将脑脊液氯降低β值设定为1分，其他因素β值与其的倍数即为该因素所对应的分值，因2个影响因素评分为负值，为方便临床，每个因素对应分值增加2.5分，最终建立TMCDS。TMCDS诊断建模组TM的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0.807〔95%CI（0.735，0.879），标准误=0.037，P<0.001〕，最佳诊断界值为21.50分。TMCDS诊断验模组TM的AUC为0.766〔95%CI（0.610，0.921），标准误=0.079，P=0.004〕，灵敏度为0.789，特异度为0.667。 结论 通过7个变量建立的TMCDS简单易行，对于早期TM具有较高的临床诊断价值。     

PREDICT-GTN 1: Can we improve the FIGO scoring system in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia?

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients are treated according to the eight-variable International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) scoring system, that aims to predict first-line single-agent chemotherapy resistance. FIGO is imperfect with one-third of low-risk patients developing disease resistance to first-line single-agent chemotherapy. We aimed to generate simplified models that improve upon FIGO. Logistic regression (LR) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) modelling (n = 4191) generated six models (M1-6). M1, all eight FIGO variables (scored data); M2, all eight FIGO variables (scored and raw data); M3, nonimaging variables (scored data); M4, nonimaging variables (scored and raw data); M5, imaging variables (scored data); and M6, pretreatment hCG (raw data) + imaging variables (scored data). Performance was compared to FIGO using true and false positive rates, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic odds ratio, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Bland-Altman calibration plots, decision curve analysis and contingency tables. M1-6 were calibrated and outperformed FIGO on true positive rate and positive predictive value. Using LR and MLP, M1, M2 and M4 generated small improvements to the ROC curve and decision curve analysis. M3, M5 and M6 matched FIGO or performed less well. Compared to FIGO, most (excluding LR M4 and MLP M5) had significant discordance in patient classification (McNemar's test P < .05); 55-112 undertreated, 46-206 overtreated. Statistical modelling yielded only small gains over FIGO performance, arising through recategorisation of treatment-resistant patients, with a significant proportion of under/overtreatment as the available data have been used a priori to allocate primary chemotherapy. Streamlining FIGO should now be the focus.     

Effect of Exposure to Agent Orange on the Risk of Monoclonal Gammopathy and Subsequent Transformation to Multiple Myeloma: A Single-Center Experience From the Veterans Affairs Hospital,Detroit

BackgroundMonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an indolent, premalignant plasma cell disorder with the potential of transforming into symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). There are multiple risk factors that contribute to transformation. Agent Orange (AO) has been linked with multiple malignant and nonmalignant conditions.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with monoclonal gammopathy who were seen at John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Detroit, Michigan) between 2005 and 2015 with MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, and MM. We explored baseline patient characteristics and explored AO exposure. Dates of diagnosis, dates of progression, and expiration dates were recorded to time to progression and overall survival (OS).ResultsWe identified 211 patients with monoclonal gammopathy; 96% were male and 122 were African American. Eleven patients had reported AO exposure. Cumulative risk of progression in the overall population was 1.4% at 1 year. Risk of transformation in the population exposed to AO was significantly higher with a hazard ratio (HR) of 11.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-59.47; P = .005). OS was numerically shorter in AO-exposed patients with a median OS of 7 years compared with 11.1 years in those not exposed. However, AO exposure was not associated with OS in multivariable analysis (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.07-3.83; P = .508).ConclusionMonoclonal gammopathy is a premalignant condition with the risk of progressing to MM. Exposure to AO has been implicated in multiple conditions including MM. Our study demonstrates an increased risk of progression in exposed patients.     

臭茉莉叶总黄酮提取工艺优化及月周期变化研究

目的:采用超声辅助正交试验法优化臭茉莉叶总黄酮的提取工艺,并进一步研究臭茉莉叶中总黄酮1年内每月含量变化趋势,探讨臭茉莉叶最佳采收时间。方法:以提取液中总黄酮含量为指标,选择乙醇浓度(%)、超声时间(min)、料液比、提取温度(℃)等为考察因素,采用正交试验法L9(34)确定臭茉莉叶提取液中总黄酮的最优工艺。结果:臭茉莉叶所含总黄酮最优提取工艺条件:乙醇浓度70%、超声时间60min、料液比1∶25、提取温度50℃。3月份总黄酮/药材量是0.0235mg·g-1为最高。结论:该提取工艺快捷以及操作简便,适用于臭茉莉叶总黄酮的提取。结合总黄酮月周期变化规律,可以确定1年中5月份和7月份为最佳采摘期。     

天麻素生物合成的研究进展

天麻素是我国名贵中药材天麻中的一种主要活性成分，具有降血压、抗癫痫、抑制肿瘤、保护神经等多方面的药理活性。随着市场对天麻素需求的不断增长以及传统获取方法固有的问题，导致急需新的方法来解决天麻素生产实际中面临的各项困难。生物合成法是一种有别于传统获取法的新方法，已在天麻素获取上取得了较大进展和成果，故现阶段有必要从天麻素生物合成途径、植物转化法和微生物转化法3个方面，对天麻素生物合成进行系统地阐述，从而为进一步改进和完善天麻素生产方法，以满足人们对其不断增长的需求提供有价值的参考。     

生理学教学核心理念变革的探讨

医学教育改革更多的是热衷于授课形式和方法的改革，而忽视了真正能够渗透到教学各方面的教学理念的改革。结合对生理学教学目标的反思和“岗位胜任力”培养的需求，将生理学教学的核心理念总结为四个方面：“三观”要正，帮助学生树立平衡观、辩证观和整体观；“三基”要牢，培养学生掌握基本的知识架构体系、基本的知识获取能力、基本的操作技能；重视学以致用和强化人文素养。上述核心理念在教学实践中得到学生的广泛认可，临床医学专业学生对核心理念的评价明显高于护理专业。下一步教学改革的方向是在教学理念的指导下如何细化授课内容，以适应专业设置越来越细化的现状。