Plos One
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Segmentation of the left ventricle is very important to quantitatively analyze global and regional cardiac function from magnetic resonance. The aim of this study is to develop a novel algorithm for segmenting left ventricle on short-axis cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRI) to improve the performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. In this research, an automatic segmentation method for left ventricle is proposed on the basis of local binary fitting (LBF) model and dynamic programming techniques. ⋯ The overlapping dice metric is about 0.91. The regression and determination coefficient between the experts and our proposed method on the LV mass is 1.038 and 0.9033, respectively; they are 1.076 and 0.9386 for ejection fraction (EF). The proposed segmentation method shows the better performance and has great potential in improving the accuracy of computer-aided diagnosis systems in cardiovascular diseases.
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Elevated exhaled nitric oxide in allergen-provoked asthma is associated with airway epithelial iNOS.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide is elevated in allergen-provoked asthma. The cellular and molecular source of the elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide is, however, uncertain. ⋯ Higher fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration among asthmatics is associated with elevated iNOS mRNA in the bronchial epithelium. Furthermore, our data demonstrates for the first time increased expression and activity of iNOS in the bronchial epithelium after allergen provocation, and thus provide a mechanistic explanation for elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide in allergen-provoked asthma.
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This study analyzed cost of implementing computer-assisted Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) in selected health care centres in Ghana. ⋯ The study provides useful information in the implementation of CDSS at health facilities to enhance health workers' adherence to practice guidelines and taking accurate decisions to improve maternal health care.
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Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive disease characterized by misguided thrombolysis and remodeling of pulmonary arteries. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in multiple cell processes and functions. During CTEPH, circulating microRNA profile endued with characteristics of diseased cells could be identified as a biomarker, and might help in recognition of pathogenesis. ⋯ Altering let-7b level influenced ET-1 and TGFBR1 expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) as well as the migration of PAECs and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). These results suggested that CTEPH patients had aberrant microRNA signature which might provide some clue for pathogenesis study and biomarker screening. Reduced let-7b might be involved in the pathogenesis of CTEPH by affecting ET-1 expression and the function of PAECs and PASMCs.
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Optimal vital signs monitoring of patients with severe sepsis in resource-limited settings may improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of vital signs monitoring of patients with severe sepsis and its association with mortality in a regional referral hospital in Uganda. ⋯ More research is needed to determine the optimal frequency of vital signs monitoring for severely septic patients in resource-limited settings such as Uganda.