Continuum estimation in low-resolution gamma-ray spectra based on deep learning

In this study,an end-to-end deep learning method is proposed to improve the accuracy of continuum estimation in low-resolution gamma-ray spectra.A novel process for generating the theoretical continuum of a simulated spectrum is established,and a convolutional neural network consisting of 51 layers and more than 105 parameters is constructed to directly predict the entire continuum from the extracted global spectrum features.For testing,an in-house NaI-type whole-body counter is used,and 106 training spectrum samples(20%of which are reserved for testing)are generated using Monte Carlo simulations.In addition,the existing fitting,step-type,and peak erosion methods are selected for comparison.The proposed method exhibits excellent performance,as evidenced by its activity error distribution and the smallest mean activity error of 1.5%among the evaluated methods.Additionally,a validation experiment is performed using a whole-body counter to analyze a human physical phantom containing four radionuclides.The largest activity error of the proposed method is−5.1%,which is considerably smaller than those of the comparative methods,confirming the test results.The multiscale feature extraction and nonlinear relation modeling in the proposed method establish a novel approach for accurate and convenient continuum estimation in a low-resolution gamma-ray spectrum.Thus,the proposed method is promising for accurate quantitative radioactivity analysis in practical applications.

Opportunities and challenges of CD47-targeted therapy in cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer,with the tumor microenvironment(TME)playing a pivotal role in modulating the immune response.CD47,a cell surface protein,has been identified as a crucial regulator of the TME and a potential therapeutic target for cancer therapy.However,the precise functions and implications of CD47 in the TME during immunotherapy for cancer patients remain incompletely understood.This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of CD47’s multifaced role in TME regulation and immune evasion,elucidating its impact on various types of immunotherapy outcomes,including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy.Notably,CD47-targeted therapies offer a promising avenue for improving cancer treatment outcomes,especially when combined with other immunotherapeutic approaches.The review also discusses current and potential CD47-targeted therapies being explored for cancer treatment and delves into the associated challenges and opportunities inherent in targeting CD47.Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of CD47-targeted therapies,there are potential problems,including unintended effects on healthy cells,hematological toxicities,and the development if resistance.Consequently,further research efforts are warranted to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance and to optimize CD47-targeted therapies through innovative combination approaches,ultimately improving cancer treatment outcomes.Overall,this comprehensive review highlights the significance of CD47 as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy and provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities in developing effective CD47-targeted therapies for cancer treatment.

Game-changing insights on vertebral skeletal stem cells in bone metastasis and therapeutic horizons

Greenblatt and his team have unveiled vertebral skeletal stem cells(vSSCs)as a critical player in the landscape of bone metastasis.This commentary delves into the transformative discoveries surrounding vSSCs,emphasizing their distinct role in bone metastasis compared to other stem cell lineages.We illuminate the unique properties and functions of vSSCs,which may account for the elevated susceptibility of vertebral bones to metastatic invasion.Furthermore,we explore the exciting therapeutic horizons opened by this newfound understanding.These include potential interventions targeting vSSCs,modulation of associated signaling pathways,and broader implications for the treatment and management of bone metastasis.By shedding light on these game-changing insights,we hope to pave the way for novel strategies that could revolutionize the prognosis and treatment landscape for cancer patients with metastatic bone disease.

Accuracy of dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic criteria for diagnosis of psoriasis

To the Editor:Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is usually diagnosed on the basis of typical clinical features.However,ambiguous cases can exist at times and are sometimes mistaken for other erythematosquamous diseases.Although histopathologic diagnosis remains the gold standard in such cases,it is frequently bypassed to avoid damage to the lesion areas and reduce discomfort for patients.Because a biopsy cannot provide real-time monitoring,non-invasive techniques that are cost-effective,such as dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy(RCM),have increasingly been used in clinical practice during the past few years.

Filaggrin Gene Mutation c.3321delA is Associated with Dry Phenotypes of Atopic Dermatitis in the Chinese Han Population

INTRODUCTION Atopic dermatitis （AD） is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by dry skin and disturbed skin barrier functions. Mutations in the filaggrin （FLG） gene, the gene coding profilaggrin/filaggrin, have a great impact on the epidermal barrier function and are an important predisposing factor for AD. However, in both Europeans and Asians,

Skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study:a cross-sectional study

Background:The prevalence of skin diseases and diabetes mellitus(DM)are prominent around the world.The current scope of knowledge regarding the prevalence of skin diseases and comorbidities with type 2 DM(T2DM)is limited,leading to limited recognition of the correlations between skin diseases and T2DM.Methods:We collected 383 subjects from the Da Qing Diabetes Study during the period from July 9th to September 1st,2016.The subjects were categorized into three groups:Normal glucose tolerance(NGT),impaired glucose tolerance(IGT),and T2DM.The prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin diseases were recorded and investigated.Results:In this cross-sectional study,383 individuals with ages ranging from 53 to 89-year-old were recruited.The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 93.5%,and 75.7%of individuals had two or more kinds of skin diseases.Additionally,there were 47 kinds of comorbid skin diseases in patients with T2DM,of which eight kinds of skin diseases had a prevalence>10%.The prevalence of skin diseases in NGT,IGT,and T2DM groups were 93.3%,91.5%,and 96.6%,respectively;stratified analysis by categories showed a statistically significant difference in"disturbances of pigmentation"and"neurological and psychogenic dermatoses".The duration of T2DM also significantly associated with the prevalence of"disturbances of pigmentation"and"neurological and psychogenic dermatoses".Subsequently,the prevalence of"disturbances of pigmentation"was higher in males than females in NGT(P<0.01)and T2DM(P<0.01)groups.In addition,the difference in the prevalence of"disturbances of pigmentation"was also significant in NGT and T2DM groups(P<0.01).Conclusions:There was a high prevalence of skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study.To address the skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study,increased awareness and intervention measures should be implemented.