With the rapid development of autonomous vehicles (AV) and high-definition (HD) maps, up-to-date lane marking information is necessary. Over the years, several lane marking extraction approaches have ...been proposed with many of them based on accurate and dense Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud data collected by mobile mapping systems (MMS). This study proposes a normalized intensity thresholding strategy and a deep learning strategy with automatically generated labels. The former extracts lane markings directly from LiDAR point clouds while the latter utilizes 2D intensity images generated from the LiDAR point cloud. Additionally, the proposed approaches are also compared with state-of-the-art strategies such as original intensity thresholding and a deep learning approach based on manually established labels. Finally, each strategy is evaluated in asphalt and concrete pavements separately to assess their sensitivity to the nature of pavement surface. The results show that the deep learning model trained with automatically generated labels performs the best in both asphalt and concrete pavement area with an F1-score of 84.9% and 85.1%. In asphalt pavement area, original intensity thresholding strategy shows a lane marking extraction performance comparable to the other strategies while in concrete pavement area, it is significantly poor with an F1-score of 65.1%. Between the proposed normalized intensity thresholding and deep learning model trained with manually labeled data, the former performs better in asphalt pavement area while the latter obtains better results in concrete pavements.
Exosomes are secreted vesicles which can transmit molecular cargo between cells. Exosomal microRNAs (exomiRs) have drawn much attention in recent years because there is increasing evidence to suggest ...that loading of microRNAs into exosomes is not a random process. Preclinical studies have identified functional roles for exomiRs in influencing many hallmarks of cancer. Mechanisms underpinning their actions, such as exomiR receptors (“miRceptors”), are now becoming apparent. Even more exciting is the fact that exomiRs are highly suitable candidates for use as non-invasive biomarkers in an era of personalized cancer medicine.
•MicroRNAs packaged and secreted in exosomes are termed “exomiRs”.•Sorting of miRNAs into exosomes is a selective process.•Cancer and stroma-derived exomiRs influence many hallmarks of cancer.•ExomiRs are highly promising cancer biomarkers.
Background
Anemia is frequently identified at the time of diagnosis in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, studies addressing the prognostic significance of this important ...clinical parameter are lacking.
Methods
In this dual‐center study of patients with DLBCL (n = 556) treated with rituximab‐containing regimens, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of anemia at diagnosis in a training set (n = 211) and validated our findings in a second independent patient cohort (n = 345). Using Kaplan–Meier curves as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models, we analyzed the impact of anemia on 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) alongside established prognostic indicators including age, tumor stage, the revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI), and the recently published NCCN‐IPI. The influence of anemia on the predictive accuracy of IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI prognosis scores was subsequently determined using the Harrell's concordance index.
Results
Anemia was an independent predictor of impaired OS and DFS at 5 years in both DLBCL patient cohorts (P < 0.001, log–rank test). In multivariate analysis, hemoglobin level was also a strong and independent prognostic indicator in patients stratified according to R‐IPI or NCCN‐IPI score. In survival analysis, the estimated concordance index, using IPI, R‐IPI, and NCCN‐IPI stratification measures (0.69, 0.64, and 0.70, respectively), improved to 0.70, 0.68, and 0.73, respectively, when anemia was also considered.
Conclusion
In this study, we have demonstrated that anemia at the time of diagnosis is an independent predictor of impaired clinical outcome in DLBCL. Furthermore, consideration of hemoglobin levels may improve the accuracy of recently established prognostic tools in lymphoma. Our data encourage further evaluation of the prognostic utility of this readily accessible biological parameter in prospective clinical trials.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) enable colonic epithelial cells to acquire malignant characteristics and metastatic capabilities. Recently, cancer relevant miRNAs deregulated during disease progression have also ...been identified in tumor-associated stroma.By combining laser-microdissection (LMD) with high-throughput screening and high-sensitivity quantitation techniques, miRNA expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens and paired normal colonic tissue was independently characterized in stromal and epithelial tissue compartments. Notably, deregulation of the key oncogene miR-21 was identified exclusively as a stromal phenomenon and miR-106a, an epithelial phenomenon in the malignant state.MiRNAs identified in this study successfully distinguished CRC from normal tissue and metastatic from non-metastatic tumor specimens. Furthermore, in a separate cohort of 50 consecutive patients with CRC, stromal miR-21 and miR-556 and epithelial miR-106a expression predicted short disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in stage II disease: miR-21 (DFS: HR = 2.68, p = 0.015; OS: HR = 2.47, p = 0.029); miR-556 (DFS: HR = 2.60, p = 0.018); miR-106a (DFS: HR = 2.91, p = 0.008; OS: HR = 2.25, p = 0.049); combined (All High vs. All Low. DFS: HR = 5.83, p = 0.002; OS: HR = 4.13, p = 0.007).These data support the notion that stromal as well as epithelial miRNAs play important roles during disease progression, and that mapping patterns of deregulated gene expression to the appropriate tumor strata may be a valuable aid to therapeutic decision making in CRC.
It is well established that the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to cancer progression. Stromal cells can be divided into mesenchymal, vascular, and immune. Signaling molecules secreted by ...the tumor corrupts these cells to create "activated" stroma. Equally, the extracellular matrix (ECM) contributes to tumor development and invasion by forming a biologically active scaffold. In this review we describe the key structural, cellular and signaling components of the TME with a perspective on stromal soluble factors and microRNAs (miRNAs).
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor and the sixth most common form of cancer worldwide. Surgery is the gold-standard treatment for local disease and often complemented by ...radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization. In advanced disease, therapy options are limited and relapse and metastasis are common. Systemic therapy with cytotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin and cisplatin achieves low objective response rates (typically <10%) and even sorafenib, an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor considered a breakthrough when introduced, prolongs median survival by little more than a year. Sorafenib blocks platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, c-KIT and rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma signaling, and belongs to a new class of targeted drugs. It has become standard treatment for advanced-stage HCC in recent years. To date, no other agent has been shown to be more effective than sorafenib in the clinical setting, which highlights the need for ongoing research to address this important clinical challenge. The current review focuses on recent advances in molecular targeted therapy for HCC. We explore the current status of evidence, identify areas of pressing experimental need, and provide an outline of promising future therapeutic options.
Excessive fertilization with organic and/or inorganic P amendments to cropland increases the potential risk of P loss to surface waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ...soil test P level, source, and application method of P amendments on P in runoff following soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.. The treatments consisted of two rates of swine (Sus scrofa domestica) liquid manure surface-applied and injected, 54 kg P ha-1 triple superphosphate (TSP) surface-applied and incorporated, and a control with and without chisel-plowing. Rainfall simulations were conducted one month (1MO) and six months (6MO) after P amendment application for 2 yr. Soil injection of swine manure compared with surface application resulted in runoff P concentration decreases of 93, 82, and 94%, and P load decreases of 99, 94, and 99% for dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), total phosphorus (TP), and algal-available phosphorus (AAP), respectively. Incorporation of TSP also reduced P concentration in runoff significantly. Runoff P concentration and load from incorporated amendments did not differ from the control. Factors most strongly related to P in runoff from the incorporated treatments included Bray P1 soil extraction value for DRP concentration, and Bray P1 and sediment content in runoff for AAP and TP concentration and load. Injecting manure and chisel-plowing inorganic fertilizer reduced runoff P losses, decreased runoff volumes, and increased the time to runoff, thus minimizing the potential risk of surface water contamination. After incorporating the P amendments, controlling erosion is the main target to minimize TP losses from agricultural soils.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often responds inadequately to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). A case series reported substantial response to once-weekly oral morphine. We conducted a ...placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to investigate whether once-weekly oral morphine is effective in SRI-resistant OCD.
Subjects with DSM-IV-defined OCD for > or =3 years who had failed > or =2 adequate SRI trials and had a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score of > or =20 were recruited. Current medications were continued. Subjects were randomly assigned to random-order, 2-week blocks of once-weekly morphine, lorazepam, and placebo. Week 2 dosage was increased, decreased, or maintained depending on response and side effects.
We enrolled 23 subjects, who had failed 2 to 6 SRI trials. The median screening Y-BOCS score was 29. The median Y-BOCS score after morphine (highest dose) was 25 (median decrease = 13%). Seven subjects (30%) were responders (Y-BOCS decreases > or =25%). The median Y-BOCS score after lorazepam (highest dose) was 27 (median decrease = 6%). Four subjects (17%) responded to lorazepam; 1 was a morphine responder. The median Y-BOCS score after placebo (highest dose) was 27 (median decrease = 7%), and no subject responded. Responses differed significantly among the 3 conditions (Friedman 2-way analysis of variance, chir(2) = 13.92, df = 2, p = .01). Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests (T = 56.5, p = .05) showed significance for morphine versus placebo but not lorazepam versus placebo.
Our results support the hypothesis that once-weekly oral morphine can reduce symptoms in some treatment-resistant OCD patients. The mechanism of action is unknown. Further studies of mu-agonists and glutamate antagonists are warranted.
Agronomists sometimes fail to apply sound economic theory when recommending economically optimal nitrogen fertilizer application rates. Producers' objectives, producers' attitudes toward risk, and ...the effect of N on second and higher moments of the yield distribution are often left unstated or ignored. If a farmer knew, prior to N application, the future values of all stochastic factors that affect yield response to N during the growing season, optimal N rates could be established for each individual site-year. However, farmers do not have perfect knowledge, so recommended rates should not change from year to year for a given site. We propose a more economically sound method for deriving economically optimal N fertilizer application rate recommendations. Our method maximizes profit on average over observed years for a given site. Long-term field experiments from Illinois demonstrate that our proposed method increases profit from a trivial $0.18 ha-1 yr-1 to a substantial $103.41 ha-1 yr-1, depending on site and cropping sequence. We call for increased collaboration among agronomists and agricultural economists in the economic analysis of fertilizer application.
Continued inputs of fertilizer and manure in excess of crop requirements have led to a build-up of soil phosphorus (P) levels and increased P runoff from agricultural soils. The objectives of this ...study were to determine the effects of two tillage practices (no-till and chisel plow) and a range of soil P levels on the concentration and loads of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), algal-available phosphorus (AAP), and total phosphorus (TP) losses in runoff, and to evaluate the P loss immediately following tillage in the fall, and after six months, in the spring. Rain simulations were conducted on a Typic Argiudoll under a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. rotation. Elapsed time after tillage (fall vs. spring) was not related to any form of P in runoff. No-till runoff averaged 0.40 mg L(-1) and 0.05 kg ha(-1) DRP and chisel-plow plots averaged 0.24 mg L(-1) and 0.02 kg ha(-1) DRP concentration and loads, respectively. The relationship between DRP and Bray P1 extraction values was approximated by a logistic function (S-shaped curve) for no-till plots and by a linear function for tilled plots. No significant differences were observed between tillage systems for TP and AAP in runoff. Bray P1 soil extraction values and sediment concentration in runoff were significantly related to the concentrations and amounts of AAP and TP in runoff. These results suggest that soil Bray P1 extraction values and runoff sediment concentration are two easily measured variables for adequate prediction of P runoff from agricultural fields.
PDF
