Application and progress of artificial intelligence technology in the segmentation of hyperreflective foci in OCT images for ophthalmic disease research

With the advancement of retinal imaging,hyperreflective foci(HRF)on optical coherence tomography(OCT)images have gained significant attention as potential biological biomarkers for retinal neuroinflammation.However,these biomarkers,represented by HRF,present pose challenges in terms of localization,quantification,and require substantial time and resources.In recent years,the progress and utilization of artificial intelligence(AI)have provided powerful tools for the analysis of biological markers.AI technology enables use machine learning(ML),deep learning(DL)and other technologies to precise characterization of changes in biological biomarkers during disease progression and facilitates quantitative assessments.Based on ophthalmic images,AI has significant implications for early screening,diagnostic grading,treatment efficacy evaluation,treatment recommendations,and prognosis development in common ophthalmic diseases.Moreover,it will help reduce the reliance of the healthcare system on human labor,which has the potential to simplify and expedite clinical trials,enhance the reliability and professionalism of disease management,and improve the prediction of adverse events.This article offers a comprehensive review of the application of AI in combination with HRF on OCT images in ophthalmic diseases including age-related macular degeneration(AMD),diabetic macular edema(DME),retinal vein occlusion(RVO)and other retinal diseases and presents prospects for their utilization.

咖啡因抑制辐照区和旁区细胞的γ-H2AX foci的形成

辐射诱导的旁效应不仅在体外实验存在,也在动物体内存在,这对辐射剂量的计算和辐射风险的评估有重要影响。咖啡因是一个模式辐射敏感剂,显著增强辐射的细胞毒性。咖啡因也显著增强辐射诱导的旁效应,咖啡因处理使未受辐照的旁细胞对损伤信号更加敏感,但其机理并不清楚。在正常人原代细胞AG1522中,分析了咖啡因处理对组蛋白H2AX磷酸化的影响,咖啡因显著减少α粒子辐射区和旁区γ-H2AX foci阳性细胞的比率和每个细胞γ-H2AX foci点数,表明咖啡因处理抑制了H2AX磷酸化,后者启动细胞对DNA双链断裂的修复,从而提示咖啡因增强辐射旁效应可能的机理,对辐射治疗具有重要意义。

Evaluation of hyperreflective foci as a prognostic factor of visual outcome in retinal vein occlusion

AIM：To evaluate the potential role of hyperreflective foci（HF） as a prognostic indicator of visual outcome in patients with macular edema（ME） due to retinal vein occlusion（RVO）.METHODS：We retrospectively reviewed 50 eyes of 50 patients with ME due to ischemic central retinal vein occlusion（CRVO）,non-ischemic CRVO and branch retinal vein occlusion（BRVO） who were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor（anti-VEGF） at Beijing Tongren Eye Center from January 2013 to July 2016.All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity（BCVA）,spectral domain optical coherence tomography（SD-OCT） at baseline and follow-up.Such factors were evaluated and compared among three groups as baseline and final BCVA,central retinal thickness（CRT）,external limiting membrane（ELM） status and the numbers of HF in different position.Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to analyze the relationship between baseline HF and final BCVA.Changes of HF before and after treatment were evaluated too.RESULTS：Among three groups,HF could be located in each retinal layers,as well as in vitreous cavity.The mean HF in outer retinal layer（ORL） at baseline was 5.29±8.48 in ischemic CRVO with intact ELM,1.93±2.76 in non-ischemic CRVO,and 1.75±2.05 in BRVO.With disrupted ELM,the mean HF in ORL increased.There was statistically difference of HF in ORL between intact and disrupted ELM.The numbers of HF in ORL were associated with poor visual outcome among three groups.However,HF in inner retinal layer（IRL） and vitreous cavity were not associated with poor visual outcome.Meanwhile,the baseline HF in ORL and vitreous cavity reduced significantly in nonischemic CRVO and BRVO after anti-VEGF treatment.CONCLUSION：The numbers of HF in ORL are prognostic factors associated with the final BCVA in patients with ME due to RVO after anti-VEGF treatment.

Azoxymethane-induced rat aberrant crypt foci:Relevance in studying chemoprevention of colon cancer

The pathogenesis of colon cancer involves sequential and multistep progression of epithelial cells initiated to a cancerous state with defined precancerous intermediaries. Aberrant crypt foci （ACF） represent the earliest identifiable intermediate precancerous lesions during colon carcinogenesis in both laboratory animals and humans. ACF are easily induced by colon-specific carcinogens in rodents and can be used to learn more about the process of colon carcinogenesis. For over two decades, since its first discovery, azoxymethane （AOM）-induced rodent ACF have served as surrogate biomarkers in the screening of various anticarcinogens and carcinogens. Several dietary constituents and phytochemicals have been tested for their colon cancer chemopreventive efficacy using the ACF system. There has been substantial effort in defining and refining ACF in terms of understanding their molecular make-up, and extensive research in this field is currently in progress. In chemoprevention studies, AOM-induced rat ACF have been very successful as biomarkers, and have provided several standardized analyses of data. There have been several studies that have reported that ACF data do not correlate to actual colon tumor outcome, however, and hence there has been an ambiguity about their role as biomarkers. The scope of this mini-review is to provide valuable insights and limitations of AOM-induced rat ACF as biomarkers in colon cancer chemoprevention studies. The role of the dynamics and biological heterogeneity of ACF is critical in understanding them as biomarkers in chemoprevention studies.

Foci of Future Studies on Abiotic Stress Tolerance of Maize in the Era of Post-Genomics

Genetic and metabolic engineering approaches are powerful tools for improving the tolerance of maize to abiotic stresses because they are faster and can afford greater control over agronomically useful traits. However, in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling response to abiotic stresses is the prerequisite for successful implementation of these strategies. A great flaw to dissect the biological mechanisms by genome sequencing is that genome sequencing approach could not reflect real-time molecular actions of plants especially under the stresses because the living organisms rarely live in unchanging environments. Post-genomics such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics can generate knowledge that is closer to the biological processes. With the development of post-genomics, it can be expected that voluminous data will be generated. This paper proposes that future research on maize stress tolerance in the era of post-genomics should focus on metabolomics and proteomics; stress tolerance of whole plant rather than individual tissues or organs; coordination of expression of genes among tissues; characterization of promoters of stress-responsive genes; interrelation between mechanisms for tolerance to, and growth recovery from the stress; hexose metabolism as well as the glycolysis pathway; and foundation genotypes.

APC and K-ras gene mutation in aberrant crypt foci of human colon

AIM:To study the genetic alteration in ACF and to define the possibility that ACF may be a very early morphological lesion with molecular changes,and to explore the relationship between ACF and colorectal adenoma even carcinoma. METHODS: DNA from 35 CRC, 15 adenomas, 34 ACF and 10 normal mucus was isolated by means of microdissection. Direct gene sequencing of K-ras gene including codon 12, 13 and 61 as well as the mutation cluster region (MCR) of APC gene was performed. RESULTS: K-ras gene mutation frequency in ACF, adenoma and carcinoma was 17.6% (6/34), 13.3% (2/15), and 14.3% (5/35) respectively, showing no difference (P 】 0.05) in K-ras gene mutation among three pathologic procedures. The K-ras gene mutation in adenoma, carcinoma and 4 ACF restricted in codon 12 (GGT GAT), but the other 2 mutations from ACF located in codon 13 (GGC GAC). K-ras gene mutation was found more frequently in older patients and patients with polypoid cancer. No mutation in codon 61 was found in the three tissue types. Mutation rate of APC gene in adenoma and carcinoma was 22.9% (8/35) and 26.7% (4/15), which was higher than ACF (2.9%) (P 【0.05). APC gene mutation in carcinoma was not correlated with age of patients, location, size and differentiation of tumor. CONCLUSION: ACF might be a very early morphological lesion in the tumorogenesis of colorectal tumor. The morphological feature and gene mutation status was different in ACF and adenoma. ACF is possibly putative microadenoma that might be the precursor of adenoma. In addition, the development of a subgroup of colorectal carcinomas might undergo a way of normal epithelium ACF carcinomas .

RUVBL2基因knock-down对Rad51和γ-H2AX foci的影响

用脂质体转染的方法将特定的RUVBL2 si RNA序列转染到真核细胞,并鉴定其在人肺纤维细胞(MRC5 SV)中的表达,以确保RUVBL2基因的knock-down效果。用Rad51和γ-H2AX的特异性抗体进行免疫荧光染色,应用荧光显微镜观察计数Rad51和γ-H2AX foci的数量。Western blot法证实了si RNA以及转染的效率,确定了RUVBL2基因的存在有利于诱导DNA双链断裂(DSB)条件下Rad51和γ-H2AX被招募到DNA损伤位点。

Relationship of human rectal aberrant crypt foci and formation of colorectal polyp:One-year following up after polypectomy

AIM:To clarify the relationship of human rectal aberrant crypt foci and formation of colorectal polyp.METHODS:Eighty-nine subjects were recruited from the population of Japanese individuals who underwent polypectomy at Yokohama City University Hospital.All patients had baseline adenomas removed at year 0 colonoscopy.Aberrant crypt foci(ACF) were defined as lesions in which the crypts were more darkly stained with methylene blue than normal crypts and had larger diameters,often with oval or slit-like lumens and a thicker epithelial lining.RESULTS:A total of 366 ACFs were identified in 89 patients;all had baseline adenomas removed at the first examination(year 0) colonoscopy and returned for the second(year 1).ACF in the lower rectum were assessed at year 0 and study group were divided into two groups depend on ACF numbers,0-3 or over 3.All participants were examined in the number and maximum size of adenoma.There was no statistical difference in number and maximum size of ACF at year 0,however,maximum size of adenoma was larger in over 3 group than 0-3 group at year 1.CONCLUSION:The number of ACF may be a predictive factor of relatively large adenoma incidence in the pilot phase study.

Comment on “Evaluation of hyperreflective foci as a prognostic factor of visual outcome in retinal vein occlusion”

Dear Editor,We’re interested in the article by Mo and colleagues about＂Evaluation of hyperreflective foci as a prognostic factor of visual outcome in retinal vein occlusion＂.They performed a multiple linear regression analysis with backward elimination to analyse the association of best corrected visual acuity（BCVA）with the numbers of hyperreflective foci（HF）in different layers.

Co-Existence of Local Limit Cycles from Degenerate and Weak Foci in Cubic Systems

In this paper, we investigate the existence of local limit cycles obtained by perturbing degenerate and weak foci of two-dimensional cubic systems of differential equations. In particular, we consider a specific class of such systems where the origin is a degenerate focus. By utilizing a Liapunov function method and the stability results that follow, we first determine constraints on the system to maximize the number of local limit cycles that can be obtained by perturbing the degenerate focus at the origin. Once this is established, we add on the additional assumption that the system has a weak focus at , where , and determine conditions to maximize the number of additional local limit cycles that can be obtained near this fixed point. We will ultimately achieve an example of a cubic system with three local limit cycles about the degenerate focus and one local limit cycle about the weak focus.

敌鼠钠盐和溴敌隆毒饵对康保牧场长爪沙鼠灭效研究

目的 通过现场试验,观察不同药物及毒饵在夏季对长爪沙鼠的灭鼠效果,为鼠疫防控提供参考依据。方法 夏季,在康保牧场分别使用0.05%敌鼠钠盐、0.005%溴敌隆开展现场灭鼠试验,同时设置空白对照组,试验组按洞投药,对照组除不投药外,一切与投药区一致;用堵洞查盗法调查鼠密度,待药物生效后,再用同种方法调查灭后鼠密度,计算校正灭效。长爪沙鼠对不同毒饵的适口性通过计数投饵后1、2、3 d的盗食率、耗饵量和耗饵率来计算。结果 荒地0.05%敌鼠钠盐毒饵对长爪沙鼠的校正灭效为90.07%;人工草场0.05%敌鼠钠盐毒饵、0.005%溴敌隆玉米渣毒饵、0.005%溴敌隆莜麦毒饵对长爪沙鼠的校正灭效分别是86.52%、85.94%、83.87%;2种生境,不同毒饵灭鼠效果均较好;长爪沙鼠对3种不同毒饵适口性存在统计学差异,0.005%溴敌隆莜麦毒饵适口性最好。结论 夏季,抗凝血灭鼠剂敌鼠钠盐和溴敌隆仍对长爪沙鼠有较好的杀灭效果,仍然可以应用毒饵法对长爪沙鼠进行杀灭。灭鼠药物首选第一代抗凝血灭鼠剂敌鼠钠盐,若长爪沙鼠对敌鼠钠盐产生抗性,再选择第二代抗凝血灭鼠剂溴敌隆;莜麦作为诱饵的适口性最优。

三江源地区鼠疫耶尔森菌CRISPR基因分型及流行特征研究

目的了解三江源地区鼠疫菌株分布情况,进行规律间隔成簇短回文重复序列(Clustered regularly in-terspaced short palindromic repeats)基因分型研究,为该地区鼠疫疫源地菌株鉴定溯源、科学防控提供理论依据。方法选取三江源地区310株鼠疫菌提取DNA,分别PCR扩增、测序3个CRISPR的位点YPa、YPb和YPc,所测得CRISPR序列与CRISPR Dictionary数据库最新数据进行比对,鉴定CRISPR spacer阵列并对三江源地区鼠疫菌进行基因分型。对310株鼠疫菌结合CRISPR基因型和分离宿主信息进行统计分析。结果310株鼠疫菌共发现26种spacer,分别为YPa15种、YPb8种、YPc3种;310株鼠疫菌被分成16个不同CRISPR基因型,G22型和G22-a1′型分布于整个三江源地区包括称多县、治多县、玉树市、曲麻莱县、囊谦县、杂多县、玛多县、玛沁县、同仁县、泽库县、共和县、同德县、贵德县;G24型分布于泽库县、玛多县、囊谦县、称多县;G26-a1′型主要分布于共和县、兴海县、贵德县、玛多县、称多县、杂多县,16个基因型归类为7个CRISPR类群:Cb4、Cb4′、Ca7、Ca7′、Ca8、Ca35′、Cc3′。结论三江源地区鼠疫菌CRISPR基因型具有多样性,不同疫源地基因型分布特征显著,且不同菌株基因型存在差异。

视网膜高反射点数量与糖尿病性黄斑水肿患者房水炎症细胞因子水平的相关性

目的 探讨视网膜高反射点(HF)数量与糖尿病性黄斑水肿(DME)患者房水炎症细胞因子水平的相关性。方法 选取25例DME患者(34只眼)作为研究对象,检测患者房水炎症细胞因子[血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-17A、单核细胞趋化蛋白1(MCP1)、细胞间黏附分子(ICAM)]水平。采用光学相干断层扫描测量黄斑中心凹厚度(CMT)、黄斑总体积(TMV)、黄斑中心凹体积(CMV),计数HF数量。采用Pearson或Spearman相关分析法分析DME患者HF数量、CMT、TMV、CMV与房水炎症细胞因子水平的相关性。结果 DME患者的HF数量与房水IL-6、MCP1、ICAM水平呈正相关,TMV与房水TGF-β1、MCP1、ICAM水平呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论 DME患者视网膜HF数量与房水IL-6、MCP1、ICAM水平相关,HF可能是眼内炎症的影像标志物。

2022年北京冬奥会张家口赛区潜在鼠疫自然疫源地调查研究

目的分析2022年北京冬奥会张家口赛区(崇礼区)和河北省鼠疫自然疫源地(康保县)2018—2021年鼠疫调查资料,对比两地宿主媒介构成和自然地理景观差异,为崇礼区潜在鼠疫自然疫源地的研究提供科学依据。方法2018—2021年在崇礼区和康保县采用5 m夹线法和样方法捕获鼠类,对捕获鼠类及其媒介蚤类进行分类、鉴定;开展鼠疫病原学检测;使用Excel 2010对调查数据进行整理汇总,应用SPSS 19.0软件对调查数据进行统计学分析。结果在崇礼区,采用5 m夹线法有效布夹42000夹次,捕鼠515只,捕获率为1.23%;样方法调查20个样点,未捕到鼠;获鼠体蚤218只,蚤指数为0.42;在鼠体内均未检出鼠疫菌。在康保县,采用5 m夹线法有效布夹14844夹次,捕鼠304只,捕获率为2.05%;样方法共调查1060 hm^(2),捕鼠231只,平均鼠密度为0.22只/hm^(2);获鼠体蚤821只,蚤指数为1.53;在鼠体内共检出鼠疫菌6株,其中分离自长爪沙鼠3株、黑线仓鼠2株、黑线毛足鼠1株。崇礼区黑线仓鼠平均鼠密度明显低于康保县(Z=-2.309,P<0.05)。结论崇礼区与康保县的鼠种和媒介蚤类构成有明显不同,自然地理景观也存在明显差异,崇礼区发生原发性动物间鼠疫流行的可能性不大。

Aflibercept combined with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of diabetic macular edema:optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography

AIM:To analyze the relationship between optical coherence tomography(OCT)and OCT angiography(OCTA)imaging in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME)who are treated with a combination of aflibercept and triamcinolone acetonide(TA).METHODS:A total of 76 eyes newly diagnosed DME were included in this study.They were randomly assigned to receive either aflibercept or a combination of aflibercept and TA.Injections once a month for a total of three injections.Central macular thickness(CMT),number of hyperreflective foci(HRF),height of subretinal fluid(SRF),and area of foveal avascular zone(FAZ)were evaluated using OCT and OCTA at baseline and after each monthly treatment.RESULTS:Both groups showed improvement in best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and reduction in macular edema after treatment,and the difference in BCVA between the two groups was statistically significant after each treatment(P<0.05).The difference in CMT between the two groups was statistically significant after the first two injections(P<0.01),but not after the third injection(P=0.875).The number of HRF(1mo:7.41±8.25 vs 10.86±7.22,P=0.027;2mo:5.33±6.13 vs 9.12±8.61,P=0.034;3mo:3.58±3.00 vs 6.37±5.97,P=0.007)and height of SRF(1mo:82.39±39.12 vs 105.77±42.26μm,P=0.011;2mo:36.84±10.02 vs 83.59±37.78μm,P<0.01;3mo:11.57±3.29 vs 45.43±12.60μm,P<0.01)in combined group were statistically significant less than aflibercept group after each injection,while the area of FAZ showed no significant change before and after treatment in both groups.CONCLUSION:The combination therapy of aflibercept and TA shows more significant effects on DME eyes with decreased HRF and SRF.However,both aflibercept and combination therapy show no significant change in the area of FAZ.

基于groEL基因检测云南家鼠鼠疫疫源地鼠类动物感染米库尔新埃立克体情况

目的调查云南家鼠鼠疫疫源地鼠类动物感染米库尔新埃立克体情况。方法以云南省梁河县、芒市和弥勒市鼠疫疫源地为采样点,使用夹夜法捕捉鼠类动物,并收集脾脏样本。采用巢式PCR技术检测脾脏样本中米库尔新埃立克体特异性groEL基因,并对阳性产物进行Sanger双向序列测定。应用χ2检验或Fisher确切概率法分析不同疫源地、生境、鼠种、性别间鼠类动物感染米库尔新埃立克体的情况。结果检测656份鼠类动物样本,在黄胸鼠、斯氏家鼠、北社鼠和青毛巨鼠上检出米库尔新埃立克体阳性12份,阳性率为1.83%。不同疫源地、生境、鼠种、性别间鼠类动物感染米库尔新埃立克体的阳性率均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。基于groEL基因的遗传进化分析,12份阳性样本核酸序列内部的同源性在99.5%~100%,米库尔新埃立克体核酸序列处于同一分支,为ClusterⅣ型。结论云南家鼠鼠疫疫源地4种鼠类动物存在米库尔新埃立克体低度感染。

输卵管卵巢脓肿特征性CT表现的分析

目的探讨输卵管卵巢脓肿在MSCT检查中对诊断有价值的特征性表现。方法选取经手术病理证实的输卵管卵巢脓肿患者56例,术前均行CT增强扫描检查,分析临床及影像学资料。结果输卵管卵巢脓肿患者中单独右侧发病28例(50%),单独左侧发病18例(31.14%),双侧发病10例(17.85%)。管道型输卵巢卵巢脓肿26例(46.43%),串珠型为16例(28.57%),多囊型为12例(21.42%),单囊型2例(3.57%)。各种类型的输卵管卵巢脓肿灶的短径比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.016),长径/短径的比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.024),线性囊灶出现于60.71%的输卵管卵巢脓肿,在管道型与其他各分型中所占比例差异有统计学意义(P=0.014)。输卵管卵巢脓肿的囊壁厚度介于0.21~0.35 cm之间,增强扫描厚壁及分隔可见中重度强化,静脉期达到峰值,平均强化程度为43~51HU。结论通过对输卵巢卵巢脓肿CT征象的观察,管道型结构和线性囊灶的出现可提示诊断输卵管卵巢脓肿,对提高影像科医师的准确诊断有一定帮助。

公安院校外语课程思政建设的着力点、原则及实施路径

在全球化不断深入发展的背景下,公安院校外语课程如何在开拓学生国际视野同时,引导学生自觉坚定国家认同和理想信念,是对“培养什么人”“为谁培养人”“怎样培养人”等一系列问题的最好回答。公安院校外语课程思政有其自身特殊性,应通过重构课程价值目标,将国家意识与国际视野培育纳入其中,坚守忠诚警魂育人底色,站稳政治立场,保持开放心态,坚定国家和民族认同,从学校、教师和课堂三个维度畅通实践路径,充分发挥课程的育人价值,提升育警育人实效。

贵州省天生桥水电站库区沿岸鼠疫疫源地调查

目的 查明贵州省天生桥水电站库区沿岸鼠疫疫源地主要宿主动物和媒介蚤类 ,确定疫源地的性质和分布范围 ,为预防控制鼠疫提供依据。方法 运用现场流行病学调查方法 ,调查贵州省天生桥水电站库区沿岸 7个乡镇 36个村寨 ,采集啮齿动物、蚤类和指示动物标本 ,检测鼠疫菌、鼠疫 F1抗原和 F1抗体。结果 该地区啮齿动物有 3科 12属 2 1种 ;媒介蚤有 5种 ,黄胸鼠和印鼠客蚤为优势种。在 4个乡镇的 12个村寨检出鼠疫感染 ,鼠疫 F1抗原阳性率啮齿动物 0 .89%、蚤类 7.4 1% ;鼠疫 F1抗体阳性率啮齿动物 0 .5 4 %、指示动物 1.35 % ;从黄胸鼠和褐家鼠中培养分离鼠疫菌 3株。结论 天生桥水电站库区沿岸的鼠疫疫源地具有与黄胸鼠鼠疫疫源地相同的特征 。

青海省青海田鼠鼠疫自然疫源地的发现与研究

目的研究青海省青海田鼠自然疫源地的分布。方法常规鼠疫自然疫源地调查方法。结果青海田鼠为主要储存宿主,细钩黄鼠蚤和直缘双蚤指名亚种为主要媒介,疫源地面积约9 500 km2,位于青海省称多县珍秦乡境内;5～10月份有动物鼠疫流行,流行高峰为6～7月份。结论青海省境内存在有青海田鼠疫源地。