Segmentation is a key component of several bio-medical image processing systems. Recently, segmentation methods based on supervised learning such as deep convolutional networks have enjoyed immense ...success for natural image datasets and biological datasets alike. These methods require large volumes of data to avoid overfitting which limits their applicability. In this work, we present a transfer learning mechanism based on active learning which allows us to utilize pre-trained deep networks for segmenting new domains with limited labelled data. We introduce a novel optimization criterion to allow feedback on the most uncertain, yet abundant image patterns thus provisioning for an expert in the loop albeit with minimum amount of guidance. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving segmentation performance with very limited labelled data.
Introduction:
Natural disasters often damage the public health infrastructure required to maintain the wellbeing of people with noncommunicable diseases. This increases the risk of an acute ...exacerbation or complications, potentially leading to a worse long-term prognosis or even death. Disaster-related exacerbations of noncommunicable diseases will continue, if not increase, due to an increasing disease prevalence, sustained rise in the frequency and intensity of disasters, and rapid unsustainable urbanization in disaster-prone areas. However, the traditional focus of public health and disaster systems remains on communicable diseases, despite a low risk. There is now an urgent need to expand the public health response to include noncommunicable diseases.
Aim:
To explore the key influences on patient ability to successfully manage their noncommunicable disease after a natural disaster.
Methods:
A survey of people with noncommunicable diseases in Queensland, Australia, collected data on demographics, disease/condition, disaster experience, and primary concern post-disaster. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with Bonferroni-adjustment were used to analyze data.
Results:
There were 118 responses to the survey. Key influences on the ability to self-manage post-disaster were access to medication, medical services, water, treatment and care, power, and food. Managing disease-specific symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, and respiratory diseases were primary concerns following a disaster. Stress and anxiety, loss of sleep, weakness or fatigue and shortness of breath were common concerns for all noncommunicable diseases. Those dependent on care from others were most worried about shortness of breath and slow healing sores. Accessing medication and medical services were priorities for all patients post-disaster.
Discussion:
The key influences on successful self-management post disaster for people with noncommunicable diseases must be reflected in disaster plans and strategies. Achieving this will reduce exacerbations or complications of disease and decrease demand for emergency health care post-disaster.
Maternal factors laid down in the oocyte regulate blastomere identities in the early
Caenorhabditis elegans embryo by activating zygotic patterning genes and restricting their expression to the ...appropriate lineages. A number of early-acting zygotic genes that specify various cell fates have been identified recently and their temporal and spatial regulation by maternal factors has begun to be elucidated.
Glioblastoma recurrence involves the persistence of a subpopulation of cells with enhanced tumor-initiating capacity (TIC) that reside within the perivascular space, or niche (PVN). Anti-angiogenic ...therapies may prevent the formation of new PVN but have not prevented recurrence in clinical trials, suggesting they cannot abrogate TIC activity. We hypothesized that combining anti-angiogenic therapy with blockade of PVN function would have superior anti-tumor activity. We tested this hypothesis in an established intracranial xenograft model of GBM using a monoclonal antibody specific for murine and human VEGF (mcr84) and a Protein Epitope Mimetic (PEM) CXCR4 antagonist, POL5551. When doses of POL5551 were increased to overcome an mcr84-induced improvement in vascular barrier function, combinatorial therapy significantly inhibited intracranial tumor growth and improved survival. Anti-tumor activity was associated with significant changes in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, and a reduction in the numbers of perivascular cells expressing the TIC marker nestin. A direct effect on TICs was demonstrated for POL5551, but not mcr84, in three primary patient-derived GBM isolates. These findings indicate that targeting the structure and function of the PVN has superior anti-tumor effect and provide a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of POL5551 and Avastin in patients with GBM.
This article presents the issues and challenges facing older Chinese immigrants in accessing mainstream services in Edmonton, Alberta, in Western Canada. A partnership was developed to advance ...knowledge in better understanding the provision of social services to this population. The study aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the needs of older Chinese immigrants and possible systems that would benefit from collaborative action and strategic engagement. Qualitative research was used to understand these issues with service providers in mainstream and immigrant-serving organisations and with Older Chinese from their perspectives. The awareness and access to mainstream services and information, perceptions of services, system improvements and use of social media are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions on how mainstream organisations can address diversity to better meet the needs of ethno-culturally diverse older immigrants in their programming and the implications for practice.
This study examined associations between adolescent alcohol use in Spain and family relationship quality, parental rules, sources of information about substances, and family behaviors. A sample of ...565 students in Alicante, Spain completed measures of these constructs. After controlling for age and type of school, family relationship quality explained 3.7% of the variance in adolescents' alcohol use, family rules explained 7.0%, sources of information 2.8%, and parental behaviors 2.6%. A comprehensive model with all unique predictors from these four models explained 10.6% of the variance in adolescents' alcohol use. Within this final model, higher family relationship quality and parents knowing with whom one goes out at night were uniquely and negatively associated with adolescents' alcohol use, but mothers permitting alcohol consumption and fathers' drinking behaviors were positively associated. These findings suggest that the family unit may be ideal for intervening to reduce alcohol use in adolescents in Spain.
•Examined associations between adolescent alcohol use in Spain and family factors•Better relationship quality & parents knowing with whom one goes out at night were negatively associated with alcohol use•Mothers permitting alcohol use & fathers’ drinking behaviors were positively associated with adolescents’ alcohol use•Results suggest that the family unit may be one vehicle for intervening to reduce alcohol use in adolescents in Spain
Maize flour is a staple consumed by 93% of the population in Tanzania. In 2011, Tanzania aimed to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and neural tube defects by introducing mandatory fortification of ...large-scale industrially produced wheat and maize flour. However, maize production is often fragmented (produced at smaller commercial mills) that are not required to fortify under the existing mandate. Objective: 1. Ascertain the proportion of the population of Morogoro region, Tanzania, that consumes packaged maize flour from commercial, ills; 2. understand if consumption of packaged maize flour is affected by changes in seasons and 3. determine who might potentially be reached by point-of-milling fortification in smaller packaging mills.
In 2018, a regional, multistage cluster probability study was conducted among residents in Morogoro region, Tanzania, living in households that reported consuming maize flour as the main staple. Interviews collected information on socio-demographic factors and patterns of household flour consumption. Weighted medians estimated daily individual flour intake g/day/Adult Male Equivalent (AME). Daily estimated intake of folic acid was reported in μg and as percentages of the estimated average requirements (EAR) according to age.
Information was collected on 711 households (out of 984 households selected). Use of wheat flour was reported by 49.5% of households. Package maize flour was purchased 10–12 months, 6–9 months, and 1–5 months of the year by 22.9%, 17.6% and 25.1% of households, respectively; and 34.4% of households never purchased package maize flour. Per capita median daily consumption of any maize flour (including non-packaged flour) was 209.7 g/d/AME. Median daily intake was 230.1 g/d/AME among females. If all packaded maize flour were fortified according to mandate standards, those consuming packaded maize flour 10–12 months of the year would intake 199.9 μg folic acid/d representing 49.7% of daily EAR requirements.
Fortifying maize flour at small- and medium-packaging scale mills is a promising strategy for increasing household access to micronutrients including folic acid in Tanzania.
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The purpose of this review was to determine the degree to which physical activity interventions for Latin American populations reported on internal and external validity factors using the RE-AIM ...framework (reach & representativeness, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance). We systematically identified English (PubMed; EbscoHost) and Spanish (SCIELO; Biblioteca Virtual en Salud) language studies published between 2001 and 2012 that tested physical activity, exercise, or fitness promotion interventions in Latin American populations. Cross-sectional/descriptive studies, conducted in Brazil or Spain, published in Portuguese, not including a physical activity/fitness/exercise outcome, and with one time point assessment were excluded. We reviewed 192 abstracts and identified 46 studies that met the eligibility criteria (34 in English, 12 in Spanish). A validated 21-item RE-AIM abstraction tool was used to determine the quality of reporting across studies (0-7 = low, 8-14 = moderate, and 15-21 = high). The number of indicators reported ranged from 3–14 (mean = 8.1 ± 2.6), with the majority of studies falling in the moderate quality reporting category. English and Spanish language articles did not differ on the number of indicators reported (8.1 vs. 8.3, respectively). However, Spanish articles reported more across reach indicators (62% vs. 43% of indicators), while English articles reported more across effectiveness indicators (69% vs 62%). Across RE-AIM dimensions, indicators for reach (48%), efficacy/effectiveness (67%), and implementation (41%) were reported more often than indicators of adoption (25%) and maintenance (10%). Few studies reported on the representativeness of participants, staff that delivered interventions, or the settings where interventions were adopted. Only 13% of the studies reported on quality of life and/or potential negative outcomes, 20% reported on intervention fidelity, and 11% on cost of implementation. Outcomes measured after six months of intervention, information on continued delivery and institutionalization of interventions, were also seldom reported. Regardless of language of publication, physical activity intervention research for Latin Americans should increase attention to and measurement of external validity and cost factors that are critical in the decision making process in practice settings and can increase the likelihood of translation into community or clinical practice.
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