The measurement of diabetic foot ulcers is important for the success in diabetic foot ulcer management. At present, it lacks the accurate and convenient measurement tools in clinical. In recent ...years, artificial intelligence technology has demonstrated the potential application value in the field of image segmentation and recognition. This study aims to construct an intelligent measurement model of diabetic foot ulcers based on the deep learning method, and to conduct preliminary verification.
The data of 1 042 diabetic foot ulcers clinical samples were collected. The ulcers and color areas were manually labeled, of which 782 were used as the training data set and 260 as the test data set. The Mask RCNN ulcer tissue color semantic segmentation and RetinaNet scale digital scale target detection were used to build a model. The training data set was input into the model and iterated. The test data set was used to verify the intelligent measurement model.
This study established an intelligent measurement model of diabetic foot ulcers based on deep learning. The mean average precision@.5 intersection over union (mAP@.5IOU) of the color region segmentation in the training set and the test set were 87.9% and 63.9%, respectively; the mAP@.5IOU of the ruler scale digital detection in the training set and the test set were 96.5% and 83.4%, respectively. Compared with the manual measurement result of the test sample, the average error of the intelligent measurement result was about 3 mm.
The intelligent measurement model has good accuracy and robustness in measuring the diabetic foot ulcers. Future research can further optimize the model with larger-scale data samples.
Based on a concept of a smooth and steady landing of fragile objects without destruction
via
a soft cushion, we have developed a model for the soft landing of deformable lipid giant unilamellar ...vesicles (GUVs) on solid surfaces. The foundation for a successful soft landing is a solid substrate with a two-layer coating, including a bottom layer of positively charged lysozymes and an upper lipid membrane layer. We came to a clear conclusion that anionic GUVs when sedimented on a surface, the vesicle rupture occurs upon the direct contact with the positively charged lysozyme layer due to the strong coulombic interactions. In contrast, certain separation distances was achieved by the insertion of a soft lipid membrane cushion between the charged GUVs and the lysozyme layer, which attenuated the coulombic force and created a mild buffer zone, ensuring the robust capture of GUVs on the substrate without their rupture. The non-covalent bonding facilitated a fully reversible stimuli-responsive capture/release of GUVs from the biomimetic solid surface, which has never been demonstrated before due to the extreme fragility of GUVs. Moreover, the controllable capture/release of cells has been proven to be of vital importance in biotechnology, and similarity the present approach to capture/release cells is expected to open the previously inaccessible avenues of research.
The controllable capture/release of lipid giant unilamellar vesicles is achieved and is expected to open the previously inaccessible avenues of research.
Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) represents a major problem for patient safety worldwide.
To demonstrate the prevalence, causative agents, and risk factors for HCAI in Chinese hospitals.
A ...one-day point-prevalence survey was conducted in 52 Chinese hospitals between October 2014 and March 2015. A web-based software system was developed for data entry and management.
Among 53,939 patients surveyed, the prevalence of patients with at least one HCAI was 3.7%. Of 2182 HCAI episodes, the most frequently occurring types were lower respiratory tract infections (47.2%), followed by urinary tract infection (12.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (11.0%), and surgical site infection (6.2%). The prevalence of patients with at least one HCAI in critical care units was highest (17.1%). Device-associated infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and central catheter-associated bloodstream infection, accounted for only 7.9% of all HCAIs. The most frequently isolated micro-organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa 206 infections (9.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii 172 infections (7.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 160 infections (7.3%), and Escherichia coli 145 infections (6.6%). Of the survey patients (18,206/53,939), 33.8% were receiving at least one antimicrobial agent at the time of the survey. Risk factors for HCAI included older age (≥80 years), male gender, days of hospital admission, admission into a critical care unit, and device utilization.
Our study suggests that the overall prevalence of HCAI in surveyed Chinese hospitals was lower than that reported from most European countries and the USA. More attention should be given to the surveillance and prevention of non-device-associated HCAI in China.
To explore the clinical outcomes of anatomical double-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with double suture anchor technique in treating patellofemoral instability in ...adolescent. Methods: Twenty-five young people with patellofemoral instability (25 knees) in our department from January 2013 to December 2014 were enrolled for this study. All patients were performed anatomical double-bundle MPFL reconstruction with arthroscopic-assisted suture anchors technique in the patella, and fixed in the femoral socket with absorbable interference screw. All patients are evaluated by different methods, including patient's satisfaction, patellar apprehension test, recurrent subluxation/dislocation, CT assessment of bone tunnel and patellar tilt angle. Lysholm scores, Tegner scores and Kujala scores were recorded at the final follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up was 24 (range 20-40) months. All cases were observed in negative patellar apprehension test. Infection, recurrent subluxation/dislocati
Abstract The leucine-rich repeat kinase–2 ( LRRK2 ) gene has been regarded as 1 of the most common genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesized that LRRK2 -susceptible allele(s) for PD ...might pose a risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we screened 12 LRRK2 gene variants in 2 independent cohorts from southwestern China (341 AD patients and 435 normal individuals) and eastern China (297 AD patients and 384 normal individuals), to discern the potential association between this gene and AD. No variant was identified to be associated with AD in either case-control sample. As both of the cohorts were of Han Chinese origin, we combined the LRRK2 variant data for the 2 sample sets together (a total of 638 AD patients and 819 normal individuals) and still found no association between the LRRK2 gene and AD, suggesting that LRRK2 gene variants may not affect the development of AD in Han Chinese individuals.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) synthesizes polymethylated polysaccharides that form complexes with long chain fatty acids. These complexes, referred to as methylglucose lipopolysaccharides (MGLPs), ...regulate fatty acid biosynthesis in vivo, including biosynthesis of mycolic acids that are essential for building the cell wall. Glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase (GpgP, EC 5.4.2.1), encoded by Rv2419c gene, catalyzes the second step of the pathway for the biosynthesis of MGLPs. The molecular basis for this dephosphorylation is currently not understood. Here, we describe the crystal structures of apo-, vanadate-bound, and phosphate-bound MtbGpgP, depicting unliganded, reaction intermediate mimic, and product-bound views of MtbGpgP, respectively. The enzyme consists of a single domain made up of a central β-sheet flanked by α-helices on either side. The active site is located in a positively charged cleft situated above the central β-sheet. Unambiguous electron density for vanadate covalently bound to His11, mimicking the phosphohistidine intermediate, was observed. The role of residues interacting with the ligands in catalysis was probed by site-directed mutagenesis. Arg10, His11, Asn17, Gln23, Arg60, Glu84, His159, and Leu209 are important for enzymatic activity. Comparison of the structures of MtbGpgP revealed conformational changes in a key loop region connecting β1 with α1. This loop regulates access to the active site. MtbGpgP functions as dimer. L209E mutation resulted in monomeric GpgP, rendering the enzyme incapable of dephosphorylation. The structures of GpgP reported here are the first crystal structures for histidine-phosphatase-type GpgPs. These structures shed light on a key step in biosynthesis of MGLPs that could be targeted for development of anti-tuberculosis therapeutics.
Background: Molecular basis for the dephosphorylation step in biosynthesis of methyl glucose lipopolysaccharides (MGLPs) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is unknown.
Results: Structures of unliganded, vanadate-bound, and phosphate-bound glycosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase (GpgP) reveal pivotal conformational changes in enzyme during dephosphorylation.
Conclusion: Dimerization and maneuvers of Loop2 play essential roles during dephosphorylation.
Significance: We present first structures of histidine phosphatase-type GpgP and explain the mechanism of catalysis.
A small number of primate species including snub-nosed monkeys (colobines), geladas (papionins) and humans live in multilevel societies (MLSs), in which multiple one-male polygamous units (OMUs) ...coexist to form a band, and non-breeding males associate in bachelor groups. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the papionin MLS appears to have evolved through internal fissioning of large mixed-sex groups, whereas the colobine MLS evolved through the aggregation of small, isolated OMUs. However, how agonistic males maintain tolerance under intensive competition over limited breeding opportunities remains unclear. Using a combination of behavioural analysis, satellite telemetry and genetic data, we quantified the social network of males in a bachelor group of golden snub-nosed monkeys. The results show a strong effect of kinship on social bonds among bachelors. Their interactions ranged from cooperation to agonism, and were regulated by access to mating partners. We suggest that an 'arms race' between breeding males' collective defence against usurpation attempts by bachelor males and bachelor males' aggregative offence to obtain reproductive opportunities has selected for larger group size on both sides. The results provide insight into the role that kin selection plays in shaping inter-male cohesion which facilities the evolution of multilevel societies. These findings have implications for understanding human social evolution, as male–male bonds are a hallmark of small- and large-scale human societies.
Copy number variations (CNVs) belong to mutations in the genome level with loci in the region of genic or intergenic. It is through different effects (such as position effect and dose effect) that ...influence complex traits and diseases. Deleted in Malignant Brain Tumors 1 (
DMBT1
) gene is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich super family. In cattle, this gene has been associated with the susceptibility to bovine tuberculosis. In this study, a new CNV was found in
DMBT1
gene of Chinese cattle breeds and tested in two different Chinese cattle breeds (Jiaxian red and Pinan) for frequency distribution analysis. Besides, the body size data such as body length, body height, chest girth, chest width, rump length, and rump girth for Jiaxian (JX) and Pinan (PN) cattle were collected and associated with the newly identified CNV. The CNV was significantly associated with the body length and chest girth of JX cattle, and the rump length of PN cattle (
P
< 0.05). Furthermore, the expression profile of the
DMBT1
gene was tested in calves’ tissues and the myoblasts differentiation. It was found that the
DMBT1
gene expression was high in tuberculosis susceptible tissues (liver and lungs) at the calf stage and high in myoblast early differentiation. These tests were done using the qPCR method. As the result, the CNV of
DMBT1
gene could be used as a candidate marker for bovine growth and health in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding.
Copper is an essential element in living systems and plays an important role in human physiology; therefore, methods to detect the concentration of copper ions in living organisms are important. ...Herein, we report a highly water-soluble naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe that can be used for the detection of Cu
2+
. The probe, BNQ, has high selectivity and sensitivity. The fluorescence intensity of the probe at 520 nm was visible to the naked eye under a UV lamp; upon the gradual addition of Cu
2+
, there was a colour change from green to nearly colourless. Furthermore, the detection limit of BNQ for Cu
2+
was 45.5 nM. The detection mechanism was investigated using a Job's plot and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, owing to great biocompatibility, we were able to successfully use BNQ to detect Cu
2+
in living HeLa cells with low toxicity.
Probe BNQ was successfully used for detection of exogenous Cu
2+
in cells using a rare ESDPT sensing mechanism.
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