Purpose
Radiation therapy (RT) is a common treatment option for head and neck (HaN) cancer. An important step involved in RT planning is the delineation of organs‐at‐risks (OARs) based on HaN ...computed tomography (CT). However, manually delineating OARs is time‐consuming as each slice of CT images needs to be individually examined and a typical CT consists of hundreds of slices. Automating OARs segmentation has the benefit of both reducing the time and improving the quality of RT planning. Existing anatomy autosegmentation algorithms use primarily atlas‐based methods, which require sophisticated atlas creation and cannot adequately account for anatomy variations among patients. In this work, we propose an end‐to‐end, atlas‐free three‐dimensional (3D) convolutional deep learning framework for fast and fully automated whole‐volume HaN anatomy segmentation.
Methods
Our deep learning model, called AnatomyNet, segments OARs from head and neck CT images in an end‐to‐end fashion, receiving whole‐volume HaN CT images as input and generating masks of all OARs of interest in one shot. AnatomyNet is built upon the popular 3D U‐net architecture, but extends it in three important ways: (a) a new encoding scheme to allow autosegmentation on whole‐volume CT images instead of local patches or subsets of slices, (b) incorporating 3D squeeze‐and‐excitation residual blocks in encoding layers for better feature representation, and (c) a new loss function combining Dice scores and focal loss to facilitate the training of the neural model. These features are designed to address two main challenges in deep learning‐based HaN segmentation: (a) segmenting small anatomies (i.e., optic chiasm and optic nerves) occupying only a few slices, and (b) training with inconsistent data annotations with missing ground truth for some anatomical structures.
Results
We collected 261 HaN CT images to train AnatomyNet and used MICCAI Head and Neck Auto Segmentation Challenge 2015 as a benchmark dataset to evaluate the performance of AnatomyNet. The objective is to segment nine anatomies: brain stem, chiasm, mandible, optic nerve left, optic nerve right, parotid gland left, parotid gland right, submandibular gland left, and submandibular gland right. Compared to previous state‐of‐the‐art results from the MICCAI 2015 competition, AnatomyNet increases Dice similarity coefficient by 3.3% on average. AnatomyNet takes about 0.12 s to fully segment a head and neck CT image of dimension 178 × 302 × 225, significantly faster than previous methods. In addition, the model is able to process whole‐volume CT images and delineate all OARs in one pass, requiring little pre‐ or postprocessing.
Conclusion
Deep learning models offer a feasible solution to the problem of delineating OARs from CT images. We demonstrate that our proposed model can improve segmentation accuracy and simplify the autosegmentation pipeline. With this method, it is possible to delineate OARs of a head and neck CT within a fraction of a second.
The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of ternary composite gel of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) protein hydrolysates (SMGHs)/κ‐carrageenan (KC)/xanthan gum (XG). The ...rheological properties, moisture‐distribution, molecular structure, and microstructure of SMGNs/KC/XG gels were analyzed. The results showed that the G′ value, melting temperature, and water holding capacity of SMGHs/KC/XG were higher than those of SMGHs, SMGHs/KC, and SMGHs/XG. FTIR spectrum showed the generation of hydrogen bonds between SMGHs and KC/XG, and the carboxylic acid group of XG interacts with SMGHs. Moreover, the cryo‐SEM results showed that SMGHs/KC/XG exhibited a tighter, smoother, and more aggregated microstructure than those of SMGHs, SMGHs/KC, and SMGHs/XG. These results indicate that the gel and microstructural properties of SMGHs are significantly improved by addition of KC and XG, and SMGHs/KC/XG has potential to be used as functional hydrogels for food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.
Practical Application
Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonads are rich in protein and usually regarded as byproducts during adductor processing. Because of its gelation properties, scallop male gonads have potential to be used as functional hydrogels for food. The SMGHs/KC/XG ternary composite gel showed excellent gel properties, which would be potentially applied in delivery system in food and biological fields. Further study is undergoing to apply SMGHs/KC/XG to embed bioactive compounds, such as curcumin and β‐carotene.
The complex coacervation between scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) female gonad protein isolates (SFGPIs) and sodium alginate (SA) was determined by the turbidimetric method. The impact of pH, total ...biopolymer concentration, biopolymer blend ratio, and various salt ionic on the mechanisms governing the complex coacervation of SFGPIs–SA complexes were also investigated. For the SFGPIs:SA ratio of 2:1 without adding NaCl, insoluble and soluble complexes were observed at pH 5.8 (pHφ1) and pH 8.2 (pHc) with the optimum biopolymer interactions appearing at pH 2.6 (pHopt). The maximum turbidity value increased with the increment of the total biopolymer concentration from 0.37 to 1.83 until attaining the critical value (0.75%). As the blend ratios rose from 1:3 to 12:1, the critical pH values (pHc, pHφ1, and pHopt) moved to higher pH. Furthermore, the addition of NaCl led to a remarkable decrease in turbidity over the whole pH region in SFGPIs–SA complexes. Moreover, monovalent ions (Na+ and K+) had the same effect on the formation of the SFGPIs–SA complex, whereas the divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+) lessened the complex formation in comparison with the monovalent ions. This study offers a methodological and theoretical basis for the design of complex SFGPIs–SA systems by understanding the complex coacervation under different conditions.
Practical Application
In recent years, several protein–polysaccharides complexes have been widely applied in food and biological systems. Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) female gonads are deemed as good marine sources for developing protein matrices on account of their high protein content and nutrients. In our study, the effects of different conditions on the mechanisms governing the complex coacervation of SFGPI–SA mixtures were investigated, and the instability of the system could be overcome by understanding the conditions for SFGPIs/SA complex formation, which have a feasible role in developing marine source‐protein as a functional food base such as kamaboko gels, can, sausage, fat substitutes, and delivery vehicles for bioactive compounds.
Various bond disrupting agents including NaCl, GuHCl, urea, and SDS were introduced to investigate the intermolecular interactions between scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates ...(SMGHs) and κ‐carrageenan (κ‐C), which were monitored by changes in rheological property, water distribution, conformation characterization and microstructure by using rheometer, low field‐NMR relaxometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the bond disrupting agents deteriorated the rheological property of SMGHs/κ‐C in a dose‐dependent manner. Indeed, at the same concentration of 2 M, NaCl deteriorated the SMGHs/κ‐C more obviously than GuHCl and urea. In addition, SMGHs/κ‐C with bond disrupting agents possessed higher relaxation times including T21 and T23, indicating the migration to free water direction of bound and free water. Moreover, the FITR results showed the red‐shift in water regions (amide A and B bands), amide I and II bands, and indicated the breakdown of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, indicating a disordered structure in SMGHs/κ‐C by various bond disrupting agents. Furthermore, cryo‐SEM results showed the change of SMGHs/κ‐C from a homogeneous network to a looser and ruptured one with larger void spaces, and indicated the disrupted and tattered microstructure of SMGHs/κ‐C by various bond disrupting agents. Additionally, SMGHs/κ‐C as well showed less aggregates stained by RITC by bond disrupting agents. These results suggest that electrostatic interactions would be mainly involved in the maintenance of SMGHs/κ‐C gel network. This study could provide theoretical and methodological basis for hydrogel products with modified gel strength and microstructure by understanding the intermolecular interactions in gel system.
Practical Application
Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonads as a high‐protein part of scallop, is usually discarded during processing despite its edibility. In recent years, scallop male gonads are regarded as good sources to develop protein matrices due to their high protein content and numerous nutrients. In this study, scallop male gonad hydrolysates (SMGHs) were obtained by trypsin‐treated process. The considerable gelation behavior of SMGHs indicated that the SMGHs could be potentially utilized as a novel thickener and additive in production of kamaboko gels, can, sausage and spread with marine flavor.
•The pit metastable growth was in situ observed by 3-dimensional microscope.•The theoretical calculated value and measured value of pit radius were different.•The pit would turn from cone-shaped to ...dish-shaped during its growth.•The average lifetime and maximum of lifetime had different change trend.•The ohmic potential drop was existed between the pit surface and bulk solution.
Metastable pitting corrosion of 304 stainless steel was studied by potentiostatic polarization and three-dimensional video microscope. The results showed that the dissolution rate of metastable pits increased with time, and peaked before repassivation. The average lifetime of metastable pits decayed with potential. Whereas maximum pit lifetime, average peak value of current transients and pitting nucleation numbers increased with potential. Metastable pits were transformed from cone-shaped to dish-shaped during metastable growth. The ohmic potential drop presented between the pit interior and bulk solution, but the growth controlling factor was metal cations diffusion.
This study evaluated the gel and microstructure properties of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonads hydrolysates (SMGHs) combined with xanthan gum (XG). SMGHs/XG hydrogel matrix properties ...and structures were elucidated via different analysis tools such as rheometry, LF‐NMR, FTIR, AFM, and Cryo‐SEM. The addition of XG significantly improved the rheological properties of SMGHs, as indicated by 3.1‐fold G′ and 1.3‐fold melting temperature with increasing the XG dose to 5.6 mg/ml. The corresponding decrease in the T23 relaxation time from 450.3 to 365.6 ms also signified the strong binding between SMGHs and XG. SMGHs/XG also had a higher proton density (T1 and T2 weighted images) due to the higher bound and free water content of the hybrid gel systems, respectively. Additionally, the blueshift in the amide I and II bands in SMGHs/XG further indicated stronger electrostatic interactions between SMGHs and XG. Such scenarios resulted in a well‐distributed and compact network with a rougher surface of SMGHs/XG in comparison to pure SMGHs and XG, as assessed by AFM and SEM. These results suggest that SMGHs/XG gel could be a potential hybrid gel applied in the food industry.
Practical Application
Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonads are edible, but are usually discarded during processing of scallop adductor. Because of its rich nutrition and gelation properties, scallop male gonads have a potential role in developing marine source‐protein as a functional food base. The SMGHs/XG binary gel would be potentially applied in delivery system in food and biological fields. Further study is undergoing to apply SMGHs/XG binary gel to embed bioactive compounds, such as curcumin and β‐carotene.
•The effects of potential on stable pitting of 304 stainless steel were studied.•Pit morphologies and three-dimensional structures were dependent on potential.•Ratio of pit depth and width ...continuously changed with potential and time.•Pitting current density of a single stable pit increased with applied potential.•Ohmic potential drop existed between pit internal surface and bulk solution.
Effects of applied potential on stable pitting corrosion of 304 stainless steel were studied by potentiostatic polarization and three-dimensional video microscope. The results showed that pit mouth morphologies and three-dimensional structures were dependent on potential. Higher potentials resulted in more open pits. Pit volume, depth, and width increased with potential. The ratio of pit depth to width continuously changed with time and potential. The pitting current density of a single pit increased with potential, indicating that an ohmic potential drop presented between the pit internal surface and the bulk solution, but stable propagation was still controlled by corrosion products diffusion.
Protein isolates were recovered from scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) gonads to develop a novel functional matrix by investigating their physiochemical and functional properties. Scallop gonad ...protein isolates (SGPIs) were prepared from degreased scallop gonads (DSGs) by an alkali extraction and isoelectric solubilization/precipitation (ISP) process. The protein compositions of the SGPIs were mainly vitellogenin and beta‐actin with molecular weights of 266 and 42 kDa, respectively, as determined using Nano‐liquid chromatography‐mass/mass (Nano‐LC‐MS/MS). After the ISP process, the protein solubility of the SGPIs was significantly improved, and the surface hydrophobicity of SGPIs intensely increased by 1.1‐fold, which were attributed to the exposure of aromatic residues such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. However, the content of total/reactive sulfhydryl in SGPIs was decreased compared with that of DSGs. Meanwhile, the ISP process caused partial protein unfolding, as indicated by circular dichroism analysis, which exhibited a remarkable rise in the β‐sheet content with a parallel decline in the α‐helix and random coil contents (P < 0.05). SGPIs exhibited a better oil absorption capacity and foaming property than both DSGs and soybean protein isolates (SPIs). Moreover, the emulsifying capacity of SGPIs was greatly enhanced by the ISP process, which was superior to the effect of commercial SPIs and was ascribed to its favorable solubility as well as surface characteristics.
Practical Application
During the processing of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) adductors, scallop gonad, a high‐protein part, is usually discarded as processing by‐products despite its edibility. In recent years, scallop gonads are regarded as good sources to develop protein matrices due to their high protein content and numerous nutrients. In this study, scallop gonad protein isolates (SGPIs) were isolated by isoelectric solubilization/precipitation (ISP) process. The preferable solubility, foaming property coupled with high emulsifying property of SGPIs indicated that the SGPIs could be potentially utilized as a good protein emulsifier and additives in production of kamaboko gels, hamburger patties, sausages, and pet foods.
Background Breast cancer lung metastasis occurs at a high rate and at an early stage, and is the leading cause of death in breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect ...of Ru’ai Shuhou Recipe (RSR) intervention on the occurrence of recurrent metastases, especially lung metastases, in postoperative patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was implemented at Shuguang Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China between January 2014 to January 2019. Female patients were included according to the propensity score matching (PSM) method and balanced on the basis of general and clinical information such as age, body mass index, neo-adjuvant therapy, and surgical approach. Patients with pathological diagnosis of breast cancer were included in this study. Breast cancer patients were divided into exposed and non-exposed groups according to whether they took RSR-based botanical drugs after surgery. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox survival analysis to explore the relationship between RSR and 5-year disease-free survival and incidence of lung metastases in breast cancer patients after surgery. Results 360 female patients were assessed and 190 patients were included in the study after PSM (95 in each of the exposed and non-exposed groups). Of the 190 patients after PSM, 55.79% were over 50 years of age. The mean follow-up time was 60.55 ± 14.82 months in the exposed group and 57.12 ± 16.37 months in the non-exposed group. There was no significant baseline characteristics difference between two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year incidence of lung metastases was significantly lower in the exposed group, and the disease-free survival of patients was significantly longer. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for the development of breast cancer lung metastasis, with risk ratios of 17.188 and 5.812, while RSR treatment was an independent protective factor against the development of breast cancer lung metastasis, with a risk ratio of 0.290. Conclusion Standard biomedical treatment combined with RSR intervention can better prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis, reduce the incidence of lung metastasis in patients, and improve long-term prognosis.
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