This research is aimed to detect defects on the surface of the fabric and deep learning model optimization. Since defect detection cannot effectively solve the fabric with complex background by image ...processing, this research uses deep learning to identify defects. However, the current network architecture mainly focuses on natural images rather than the defect detection. As a result, the network architecture used for defect detection has more redundant neurons, which reduces the inference speed. In order to solve the above problems, we propose network pruning with the Bayesian optimization algorithm to automatically tune the network pruning parameters, and then retrain the network after pruning. The training and detection process uses the above-mentioned pruning network to predict the defect feature map, and then uses the image processing flow proposed in this research for the final judgment during fabric defect detection. The proposed method is verified in the two self-made datasets and the two public datasets. In the part of the proposed network optimization results, the Intersection over Union (IoU) of four datasets are dropped by 1.26%, 1.13%, 1.21%, and 2.15% compared to the original network model, but the inference time is reduced to 20.84%, 40.52%, 23.02%, and 23.33% of the original network model using Geforce 2080 Ti. Furthermore, the inference time is also reduced to 17.56%, 37.03%, 19.67%, and 22.26% using the embedded system AGX Xavier. After the image processing part, the accuracy of the four datasets can reach 92.75%, 94.87%, 95.6%, and 81.82%, respectively. In this research, Yolov4 is also trained with fabric defects, and the results showed this model are not conducive to detecting long and narrow fabric defects.
The isolation and the purification of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates are the key step of the process profitability in the fermentation system. That is why many scientists have studied this field for ...the production of this biodegradable polymer. The ideal method should lead to a high purity and recovery level at a low production cost. This paper reviews four isolation methods, i.e. solvent extraction of halosolvent and nonhalosolvent, digestion of non-polyhydroxyalkanoate cell material involving surfactants, sodium hypochlorite or enzyme, mechanical cell disruption methods like using bead mills and high pressure homogenization, and new methods like spontaneous liberation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), dissolved air flotation, air classification, or by using supercritical CO
2. The pretreatment of cell disruption and the purification methods and analytical methods of polyhydroxyalkanoates are also presented.
Abstract
Bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare intraocular infection, and prompt administration of intravitreal antibiotics is crucial for preventing severe vision loss. The retrospective study is to ...investigate the in vitro susceptibility to the antibiotics vancomycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates in specimens at a tertiary referral center from January 1996 to April 2019 in Taiwan. Overall, 450 (49.9%) isolates were Gram positive, 447 (49.6%) were Gram negative, and 4 (0.4%) were Gram variable. In Gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly cultured bacteria (158, 35.1%), followed by
Streptococci
(100, 22.2%),
Enterococci
(75, 16.7%), and
Staphylococcus aureus
(70, 15.6%). In Gram-negative isolates, they were
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(166, 37.1%) and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(131, 29.3%). All Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to vancomycin, with the exception of one
Enterococcus faecium
isolate (1/450, 0.2%). Of the Gram-negative isolates, 96.9% and 93.7% were susceptible to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively. Nine isolates (9/447, 2.0%) were multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, comprising
K. pneumoniae
(4/164, 2.4%),
Acinetobacter baumannii
(2/3, 67%), and
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
(3/18, 17%). In conclusion, in vitro susceptibility testing revealed that vancomycin remains the suitable antibiotic treatment for Gram-positive endophthalmitis. Ceftazidime and amikacin provide approximately the same degree of Gram-negative coverage. Multidrug-resistant bacterial endophthalmitis was uncommon.
Background
The diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (ALPS)‐index can be used to model the glymphatic system in vivo.
Aim
This study explores putative mechanisms between ...prediction of ALPS‐index and cognitive outcomes in young‐onset Alzheimer's disease (YOAD) and age‐matched controls (CTLs) and analyzes whether the link was mediated by the integrity of ALPS‐index‐anchored cerebral gray matter (GM).
Methods
We enrolled 130 patients with YOAD and 137 CTLs. All participants underwent three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and cognitive tests. We constructed GM regions correlated with the ALPS‐index in the YOAD and CTL groups. For the GM regions significantly correlated with the ALPS‐index and cognitive measures, we extracted a 4‐mm radius sphere. In the YOAD and CTL groups, we used mediator analysis to explore the ALPS‐index as predictor, GM partitions as mediators, and significant cognitive test scores as outcomes.
Results
Patient group had significantly lower ALPS‐index. The ALPS‐index was associated with GM volume in the cerebellar gray, dorsolateral prefrontal, thalamus, superior frontal, amygdala and hippocampus, and these coherent regions coincided with those showing GM atrophy in the YOAD group. Mediation analysis of the YOAD group suggested that the relationships between the ALPS‐index and cognitive performance were fully mediated by the integrity of ALPS‐index coherent GM areas.
Discussion
Reserved GM mediates the link between the glymphatic system and cognition. Our findings suggest that GM integrity rather than the glymphatic system could serve as a direct cognitive test scores predictor in patients with YOAD.
Aims
Sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are proposed to alleviate the development of inflammatory eye diseases. However, the association between SGLT2i and retinal vascular occlusion ...remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effects of SGLT2i on the incidence of retinal vascular occlusion.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective cohort study analysed electronic medical records data from the largest multi‐institutional database in Taiwan. Individuals who initiated SGLT2is and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4is) between 2016 and 2019 were included in our analysis. To conduct a homogenous comparison, inverse probability of treatment weighting with propensity scoring was employed. The primary outcome was retinal vascular occlusion, and the secondary outcomes were retinal vascular occlusion‐related complications (macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage, and tractional retinal detachment) and conditions requiring vitreoretinal intervention (intravitreal injection, retinal laser therapy, and vitrectomy).
Results
In total, 12,074 SGLT2i users and 39,318 DPP4i users were included. The incidence rate of retinal vascular occlusion in the SGLT2i and DPP4i groups was 1.2 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.9–1.4) and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.3–1.8) events per 1000 person‐years, respectively, which yielded a subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.55–0.99). Similar risk reductions were observed in the retinal vascular occlusion‐related complications (SHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.69–0.84) and conditions requiring vitreoretinal intervention (SHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77–0.94).
Conclusions
In this multi‐institutional study in Taiwan, SGLT2i use was associated with a reduced risk of retinal vascular occlusion. Further prospective studies are required to ascertain this association.
Immersive virtual reality (VR)-based motor control training (VRT) is an innovative approach to improve motor function in patients with stroke. Currently, outcome measures for immersive VRT mainly ...focus on motor function. However, serum biomarkers help detect precise and subtle physiological changes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effects of immersive VRT on inflammation, oxidative stress, neuroplasticity and upper limb motor function in stroke patients.
Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomized to the VRT or conventional occupational therapy (COT) groups. Serum biomarkers including interleukin 6 (IL-6), intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed to reflect inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity. Clinical assessments including active range of motion of the upper limb and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE) were also used. Two-way mixed analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to examine the effects of the intervention (VRT and COT) and time on serum biomarkers and upper limb motor function.
We found significant time effects in serum IL-6 (p = 0.010), HO-1 (p = 0.002), 8-OHdG (p = 0.045), and all items/subscales of the clinical assessments (ps < 0.05), except FMA-UE-Coordination/Speed (p = 0.055). However, significant group effects existed only in items of the AROM-Elbow Extension (p = 0.007) and AROM-Forearm Pronation (p = 0.048). Moreover, significant interactions between time and group existed in item/subscales of FMA-UE-Shoulder/Elbow/Forearm (p = 0.004), FMA-UE-Total score (p = 0.008), and AROM-Shoulder Flexion (p = 0.001).
This was the first study to combine the effectiveness of immersive VRT using serum biomarkers as outcome measures. Our study demonstrated promising results that support the further application of commercial and immersive VR technologies in patients with chronic stroke.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Studies have suggested that statins may reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
To investigate the ...association between statin therapy and the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia.
This population-based cohort study, conducted among 37 894 Taiwanese patients between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2013, used the National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Outcomes were compared between those taking statins and those not taking statins. Statistical analysis was performed from May 1 to 31, 2018.
Statin therapy with a medication possession rate of 80% or more with no other lipid-lowering medications.
Any stage of diabetic retinopathy and treatments for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Of 1 648 305 patients with type 2 diabetes, 219 359 were eligible for analysis over the study period, including 199 760 patients taking statins and 19 599 patients not taking statins. After propensity score matching, there were 18 947 patients in the statin group (10 436 women and 8511 men; mean SD age, 61.5 10.8 years) and 18 947 patients in the nonstatin group (10 430 women and 8517 men; mean SD age, 61.0 11.0 years), with a mean follow-up of 7.6 years for the statin group and 7.3 years for the nonstatin group. During the study period, 2004 patients in the statin group (10.6%) and 2269 patients in the nonstatin group (12.0%) developed diabetic retinopathy. Patients in the statin group had a significantly lower rate of diabetic retinopathy (hazard ratio HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.81-0.91), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58-0.70), vitreous hemorrhage (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54-0.71), tractional retinal detachment (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47-0.79), and macular edema (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.46-0.79) than the nonstatin group, as well as lower rates of interventions such as retinal laser treatment (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.77), intravitreal injection (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.89), and vitrectomy (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48-0.69), along with a smaller number of the interventions (retinal lasers: rate ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.59-0.64; intravitreal injections: rate ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.61-0.76; and vitrectomies: rate ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.46-0.63). Statin therapy was also associated with lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.77-0.85), new-onset diabetic neuropathy (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82-0.89), and new-onset diabetic foot ulcers (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.68-0.78).
Statin therapy was associated with a decreased risk of diabetic retinopathy and need for treatments for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.
To investigate the efficacy and safety of fractionated boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for recurrent head and neck (H&N) cancer after photon radiation therapy.
In this prospective phase 1/2 ...trial, 2-fraction BNCT with intravenous L-boronophenylalanine (L-BPA, 400 mg/kg) was administered at a 28-day interval. Before each fraction, fluorine-18-labeled-BPA-positron emission tomography was conducted to determine the tumor/normal tissue ratio of an individual tumor. The prescription dose (D80) of 20 Gy-Eq per fraction was selected to cover 80% of the gross tumor volume by using a dose volume histogram, while minimizing the volume of oral mucosa receiving >10 Gy-Eq. Tumor responses and adverse effects were assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1 and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0, respectively.
Seventeen patients with a previous cumulative radiation dose of 63-165 Gy were enrolled. All but 2 participants received 2 fractions of BNCT. The median tumor/normal tissue ratio was 3.4 for the first fraction and 2.5 for the second, whereas the median D80 for the first and second fraction was 19.8 and 14.6 Gy-Eq, respectively. After a median follow-up period of 19.7 months (range, 5.2-52 mo), 6 participants exhibited a complete response and 6 exhibited a partial response. Regarding acute toxicity, 5 participants showed grade 3 mucositis and 1 participant showed grade 4 laryngeal edema and carotid hemorrhage. Regarding late toxicity, 2 participants exhibited grade 3 cranial neuropathy. Four of six participants (67%) receiving total D80 > 40 Gy-Eq had a complete response. Two-year overall survival was 47%. Two-year locoregional control was 28%.
Our results suggested that 2-fraction BNCT with adaptive dose prescription was effective and safe in locally recurrent H&N cancer. Modifications to our protocol may yield more satisfactory results in the future.
Current treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is the conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor (CTURBT), but the en bloc transurethral resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) ...has been gaining more attraction in recent years considering better specimen integrity. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of ERBT versus CTURBT. Trials were collected from an online database. The primary outcomes included identification of detrusor muscle in specimen, residual tumor, 3, 12, and 24-month recurrence rates and same-site recurrence rate. A total of 31 trials were included. The ERBT group had a higher rate of identification of detrusor muscle in specimens (
= 0.003) and lower residual tumor (
< 0.001). Other than that, lower rates of 3-month (
= 0.005) and 24-month recurrence rate (
< 0.001), same-site recurrence rate (
< 0.001) and complications were also observed. For perioperative outcomes, shorter hospitalization time (HT) (
< 0.001), and catheterization time (CT) (
< 0.001) were also revealed in the ERBT group. No significant difference was found in operative time (OT) (
= 0.93). The use of ERBT showed better pathological outcomes and fewer complications, so it could be considered a more effective treatment option for NMIBC.
PDF
