1.Preliminary study on thyroid ultrasound image restoration algorithm based on deep learning
Min ZHANG ; Chiming NI ; Jiaheng WEN ; Ziye DENG ; Haishan XU ; Haiya LOU ; Mei PAN ; Qiang LI ; Ling ZHOU ; Chuanju ZHANG ; Yu LING ; Jiaoni WANG ; Juanping CHEN ; Gaoang WANG ; Shiyan LI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2023;32(6):515-522
Objective:To explore the feasibility of deep learning-based restoration of obscured thyroid ultrasound images.Methods:A total of 358 images of thyroid nodules were retropectively collected from January 2020 to October 2021 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and the images were randomly masked and restored using DeepFillv2. The difference in grey values between the images before and after restoration was compared, and 6 sonographers (2 chief physicians, 2 attending physicians, 2 residents) were invited to compare the rate of correctness of judgement and detection of image discrepancies. The ultrasound features of thyroid nodules (solid composition, microcalcifications, markedly hypoechoic, ill-defined or irregular margins, or extrathyroidal extensions, vertical orientation and comet-tail artifact) were extracted according to the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS). The consistency of ultrasound features of thyroid nodules before and after restoration were compared.Results:The mean squared error of the images before and after restoration ranged from 0.274 to 0.522, and there were significant differences in the rate of correctness of judgement and detection of image discrepancies between physicians of different groups(all P<0.001). The overall accuracy rate was 51.95%, the overall detection rate was 1.79%, there were significant differences also within the chief physicians and resident groups (all P<0.001). The agreement rate of all ultrasound features of the nodules before and after image restoration was higher than 70%, over 90% agreement rate for features such as solid composition and comet-tail artifact. Conclusions:The algorithm can effectively repair obscured thyroid ultrasound images while preserving image features, which is expected to expand the deep learning image database, and promote the development of deep learning in the field of ultrasound images.
2.Mechanism of Modified Tianwang Buxindan on Skin of Sleep-deprived Mice Through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Juanping CHEN ; Yuan PENG ; Xuemin HONG ; Li YANG ; Bo XU ; Chong ZHANG ; Xuelin GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):120-128
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Tianwang Buxindan (MTBD) on the skin of sleep-deprived (SD) mice and investigate its mechanism. MethodSixty 2-month-old female Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a vitamin C (VC, 0.08 g·kg-1), and MTBD low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (6.5, 12.5, 25 g·kg-1). Except for the blank group, the other groups were subjected to SD mouse model induction (using multiple platform water environment method for 18 hours of sleep deprivation daily from 15:00 to next day 9:00), continuously for 14 days, and caffeine (CAF, 7.5 mg·kg-1) was injected intraperitoneally from the 2nd week onwards, continuously for 7 days. While modeling, the blank group and the model group were administered with normal saline (0.01 mL·g-1), and the other groups received corresponding drugs for treatment. On the day of the experiment, general observations were recorded (such as body weight, spirit, fur, and skin). After sampling, skin tissue pathological changes were observed under an optical microscope using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining methods. Skin thickness and skin moisture content were measured. Biochemical assay kits were used to detect skin hydroxyproline (HYP) content, skin and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β levels in mice. Western blot was used to detect skin tissue type Ⅰ collagen (ColⅠ), type Ⅲ collagen (ColⅢ), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB protein expression. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed varying degrees of changes. In general, signs of aging such as reduced body weight (P<0.01), listlessness, dull fur color, and formation of wrinkles on the skin appeared. Tissue specimen testing revealed skin thinning, flattening of the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ), and reduced collagen fibers under the optical microscope. Skin thickness and moisture content decreased, skin tissue HYP content significantly decreased (P<0.01), skin and serum SOD activity significantly decreased (P<0.01), and MDA content significantly increased (P<0.01). Serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels significantly increased (P<0.01). Skin ColⅠ, ColⅢ, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, Nrf2, and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and NF-κB expression increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the VC group and the MTBD low-dose group showed increased skin moisture content, HYP content, SOD activity, and ColⅠ, ColⅢ, p-PI3K/PI3K protein expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased serum MDA content (P<0.05). In addition, a decrease in serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels was detected in the MTBD low-dose group (P<0.05), while the above indicators in the MTBD medium- and high-dose groups improved (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSleep deprivation accelerates the aging process of the skin in SD model mice. MTBD can improve this phenomenon, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.