Medical image segmentation has important auxiliary significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Most of existing medical image segmentation solutions adopt convolutional neural networks (CNNs). ...Althought these existing solutions can achieve good image segmentation performance, CNNs focus on local information and ignore global image information. Since Transformer can encode the whole image, it has good global modeling ability and is effective for the extraction of global information. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid feature extraction network, into which CNNs and Transformer are integrated to utilize their advantages in feature extraction. To enhance low-dimensional texture features, this paper also proposes a multi-dimensional statistical feature extraction module to fully fuse the features extracted by CNNs and Transformer and enhance the segmentation performance of medical images. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method achieves better results in brain tumor segmentation and ventricle segmentation than state-of-the-art solutions.
To summarise clinical trials that compared the incidence of coronary abnormality between intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) plus corticosteroid therapy and IVIG therapy alone, and to determine the ...overall efficacy and safety of IVIG plus corticosteroid therapy for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease.
Although use of IVIG as initial therapy has been established in Kawasaki disease, the role of corticosteroids therapy is controversial.
Medline, The Cochrane Library, The Clinical Trials, and Embase Database were searched for published clinical studies up to 31 March 2012. Studies that compare the efficacy of IVIG plus corticosteroid with that of IVIG in treating Kawasaki disease were included. The coronary outcome and adverse events were analysed by meta-analysis.
9 clinical studies with a total of 1011 patients were identified. Meta-analysis of the 9 studies showed that IVIG plus corticosteroid therapy significantly reduced the risk of coronary abnormality (OR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.46). Similar results were observed in subgroup analyses of randomised controlled studies (OR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.5), studies focused on patients with a high risk of IVIG resistance (OR: 0.2; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.36) and studies with blinded-endpoint manner (OR: 0.32; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.55). There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe adverse events between the IVIG plus corticosteroid group, and the IVIG group (OR: 1.24; 95% CI 0.33 to 4.67).
Combination of corticosteroid with the conventional regimen of IVIG as an initial treatment strategy could reduce the risk of coronary abnormality.
The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the intrarenal blood pressure (BP) regulation system after renal denervation (RDN) guided by renal nerve stimulation (RNS). Twenty-one dogs ...were randomized to receive RDN at strong (SRA group, n = 7) or weak (WRA group, n = 7) BP-elevation response sites identified by RNS or underwent RNS only (RNS-control, RSC, n = 7). After 4 weeks of follow-up, renal sympathetic components, the main components of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the major transporters involved in sodium and water reabsorption were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Compared with RSC treatment, RDN therapy significantly reduced renal norepinephrine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels, decreased the renin content and inhibited the onsite generation of angiotensinogen. Moreover, the expression of exciting axis components, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II and angiotensin II type-1 receptor, was downregulated, while protective axis components for the cardiovascular system, including ACE2 and Mas receptors, were upregulated in both WRA and SRA groups. Moreover, RDN reduced the abundance of aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-2 in kidneys. Although RDN had a minimal effect on overall NKCC2 expression, its activation (p-NKCC2) and directional enrichment in the apical membrane (mNKCC2) were dramatically blunted. All these changes were more obvious in the SRA group than WRA group. Selective RDN guided by RNS effectively reduced systemic BP by affecting the renal neurohormone system, as well as the sodium and water transporter system, and these effects at sites with a strong BP response were more superior.
Fish oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are widely distributed in the body such as heart and brain.
and
...experiments showed that unsaturated fatty acids may have effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, protecting vascular endothelial cells, thrombosis inhibition, modifying autonomic nerve function, improving left ventricular remodeling, and regulating blood lipid. Given the relevance to public health, there has been increasing interest in the research of potential cardioprotective effects of fish oil. Accumulated evidence showed that fish oil supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, and, in specific, it may have potential benefits in improving the prognosis of patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, or heart failure; however, some studies yielded inconsistent results. In this article, we performed an updated systematical review in order to provide a contemporary understanding with regard to the effects of fish oil on cardiovascular diseases.
This meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between serum uric acid levels and the efficacy of uric acid-lowering therapies on clinical outcomes among patients with heart failure with ...preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).AimsThis meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between serum uric acid levels and the efficacy of uric acid-lowering therapies on clinical outcomes among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).A comprehensive literature search was conducted through October 21, 2023, across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The pooled effect sizes were estimated and presented with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on various factors, including sample size (<1,000 vs. ≥1,000), follow-up duration (<2 years vs. ≥2 years), study quality (assessed by a score of <7 vs. ≥7), ethnicity (Non-Asian vs. Asian), study design (prospective vs. retrospective), type of heart failure (HF) (acute vs. chronic), presence of hyperuricemia (yes or no), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) thresholds (≥45% vs. ≥50%), and the type of uric acid-lowering therapy (traditional vs. novel).MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted through October 21, 2023, across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The pooled effect sizes were estimated and presented with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on various factors, including sample size (<1,000 vs. ≥1,000), follow-up duration (<2 years vs. ≥2 years), study quality (assessed by a score of <7 vs. ≥7), ethnicity (Non-Asian vs. Asian), study design (prospective vs. retrospective), type of heart failure (HF) (acute vs. chronic), presence of hyperuricemia (yes or no), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) thresholds (≥45% vs. ≥50%), and the type of uric acid-lowering therapy (traditional vs. novel).The analysis included a total of 12 studies. Elevated serum uric acid levels were significantly linked to an increased risk of all-cause mortality relative risk (RR): 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.37, P = 0.004 and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (RR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.42-2.04, P < 0.001) in HFpEF patients. Subgroup analyses confirmed this association, particularly in non-Asian populations, those with chronic HFpEF, and studies with a follow-up duration of two years or more. Additionally, higher uric acid levels were associated with an increased risk of HF-related hospitalization hazard ratio (HR): 1.61, 95% CI: 1.12-2.34, P = 0.011. Regarding treatment, uric acid-lowering therapy did not show a significant effect on reducing mortality in HFpEF patients. However, it was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization due to HF (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.91, P < 0.001).ResultsThe analysis included a total of 12 studies. Elevated serum uric acid levels were significantly linked to an increased risk of all-cause mortality relative risk (RR): 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.37, P = 0.004 and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (RR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.42-2.04, P < 0.001) in HFpEF patients. Subgroup analyses confirmed this association, particularly in non-Asian populations, those with chronic HFpEF, and studies with a follow-up duration of two years or more. Additionally, higher uric acid levels were associated with an increased risk of HF-related hospitalization hazard ratio (HR): 1.61, 95% CI: 1.12-2.34, P = 0.011. Regarding treatment, uric acid-lowering therapy did not show a significant effect on reducing mortality in HFpEF patients. However, it was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization due to HF (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.91, P < 0.001).The findings of this study highlight the prognostic significance of serum uric acid levels in HFpEF and suggest that uric acid-lowering therapy may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of HF hospitalizations. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which uric acid-lowering therapy confers its potential benefits.ConclusionThe findings of this study highlight the prognostic significance of serum uric acid levels in HFpEF and suggest that uric acid-lowering therapy may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of HF hospitalizations. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which uric acid-lowering therapy confers its potential benefits.
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) concentration and atrial fibrosis and to determine whether plasma TGF-β1 concentration is an ...independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation.We included 98 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation, including 38 with paroxysmal AF (AF group) and 60 with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (control group). We compared their preablation serum concentration of biomarkers and clinical and echocardiographic findings.Serum TGF-β1 concentrations, type-III procollagen N-terminal peptides (PIIINP), type-IV procollagen (IV-C), and laminin (LN) were significantly higher in the AF group than in the control group; however, there was no correlation between their concentrations and left atrial diameter (LAD). The area of the low-voltage zone positively correlated with TGF-β1 and PIIINP concentrations, but not with LAD. Atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF and AFL/AT) recurrence was observed in 15 patients (39.4%) at mean 241.4 ± 68.5 days of follow-up 12 months after ablation. Regression analysis revealed that TGF-β1 was a major risk factor for AF recurrence (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.17; P = .02).Serum TGF-β1 concentration is an independent predictor of AF recurrence in patients with paroxysmal AF and may help identify patients likely to have better outcomes after catheter ablation.
Atrial inflammation and fibrosis have long been considered culprits in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Prior clinical studies showed that corticosteroid therapy is beneficial in patients ...with AF. Here we sought to determine whether prednisone treatment prevents atrial tachypacing (ATP) induced atrial fibrosis.Dogs were randomized into the sham, ATP, ATP + low-dose prednisone (ALP), and ATP + high-dose prednisone (AHP) groups. After 6 days of recovery from surgery, dogs were subjected to ATP at 400 beats per minute for 4 weeks while being treated with prednisone (15 or 40 mg/day) or a placebo. Pacemakers were not activated in the sham group.Compared with the ATP group, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1 and connective tissue growth factor were significantly reduced in the ALP and AHP groups. Fluorescence assays showed that reactive oxygen species formation in the right atrium was suppressed in the ALP and AHP groups compared with the ATP group. The protein level of NADPH oxidase 2 was reduced in the ALP and AHP groups' versus ATP group, while NOX4 and NOX5 were unchanged. ATP-induced downregulation of BH4 and eNOS uncoupling in the atria was partially restored in the prednisone-treated groups.Our study demonstrated that atrial fibrosis induced by ATP were suppressed by prednisone. Low-dose prednisone was also effective in suppressing the development of atrial fibrosis.
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathological process in multiple cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI). Abnormal cardiac fibroblast (CF) activity is a key event in cardiac ...fibrosis. Although the Notch signaling pathway has been reported to play a vital role in protection from cardiac fibrosis, the exact mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis and protection from it have not yet been elucidated. Similarly, Hif1α and the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway have been shown to participate in cardiac fibrosis. The RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway has been reported to be an upstream pathway of Hif1α in several pathophysiological processes. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of notch3 on CF activity and its relationship with the RhoA/ROCK/Hif1α signaling pathway. Using
in vitro
experiments, we demonstrated that notch3 inhibited CF proliferation and fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT) and promoted CF apoptosis. A knockdown of notch3 using siRNAs had the exact opposite effect. Next, we found that notch3 regulated CF activity by negative regulation of the RhoA/ROCK/Hif1α signaling pathway. Extending CF-based studies to an
in vivo
rat MI model, we showed that overexpression of notch3 by the Ad-N3ICD injection attenuated the increase of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, and Hif1α levels following MI and further prevented MI-induced cardiac fibrosis. On the basis of these results, we conclude that notch3 is involved in the regulation of several aspects of CF activity, including proliferation, FMT, and apoptosis, by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK/Hif1α signaling pathway. These findings are significant to further our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis and to ultimately identify new therapeutic targets for cardiac fibrosis, potentially based on the RhoA/ROCK/Hif1α signaling pathway.
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