Improving the Precision of Deep-Learning-Based Head and Neck Target Auto-Segmentation by Leveraging Radiology Reports Using a Large Language Model.

: The accurate delineation of primary tumors (GTVp) and metastatic lymph nodes (GTVn) in head and neck (HN) cancers is essential for effective radiation treatment planning, yet remains a challenging and laborious task. This study aims to develop a deep-learning-based auto-segmentation (DLAS) model trained on external datasets with false-positive elimination using clinical diagnosis reports. : The DLAS model was trained on a multi-institutional public dataset with 882 cases.

Simulation-free workflow for lattice radiation therapy using deep learning predicted synthetic computed tomography: A feasibility study.

Purpose: Lattice radiation therapy (LRT) is a form of spatially fractionated radiation therapy that allows increased total dose delivery aiming for improved treatment response without an increase in toxicities, commonly utilized for palliation of bulky tumors. The LRT treatment planning process is complex, while eligible patients often have an urgent need for expedited treatment start. In this study, we aimed to develop a simulation-free workflow for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-based LRT planning via deep learning-predicted synthetic CT (sCT) to expedite treatment initiation.

Deep Learning-Based Synthetic CT for Personalized Treatment Modality Selection Between Proton and Photon Therapy in Thoracic Cancer.

: Identifying patients' advantageous radiotherapy modalities prior to CT simulation is challenging. This study aimed to develop a workflow using deep learning (DL)-predicted synthetic CT (sCT) for treatment modality comparison based solely on a diagnostic CT (dCT). : A DL network, U-Net, was trained utilizing 46 thoracic cases from a public database to generate sCT images predicting planning CT (pCT) scans based on the latest dCT, and tested on 15 institutional patients.

Investigation on the proton range uncertainty with spectral CT-based virtual monoenergetic images.

Objective: The stopping power ratio (SPR) prediction error will contribute to the range uncertainty of proton therapy. Spectral CT is promising in reducing the uncertainty in SPR estimation. The purpose of this research is to determine the optimal energy pairs of SPR prediction for each tissue and to evaluate the dose distribution and range difference between the spectral CT with the optimal energy pairs method and the single energy CT (SECT) method.

End-to-End QA with Polymer Gel Dosimeter for Photon Beam Radiation Therapy.

With the complexity and high demands on quality assurance (QA) of photon beam radiation therapy, end-to-end (E2E) QA is necessary to validate the entire treatment workflow from pre-treatment imaging to beam delivery. A polymer gel dosimeter is a promising tool for three-dimensional (3D) dose distribution measurement. The purpose of this study is to design a fast "one delivery" polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom with a polymer gel dosimeter for the E2E QA test of the photon beam.

Dynamic Microbial Shifts and Signatures of Long-Term Remission in Allergic Rhinitis After an Herbal Formula Treatment.

A mixed Chinese herbal formula, Xiao-Qing-Long-Decoction (XQLD), may contribute to sustained remission in allergic rhinitis (AR), but it is unknown which factors determine such long-term effect. Here, we aimed to identify bacterial signatures associated with sustained remission. To this end, samples from AR patients at four different times were analyzed to compare the dynamic bacterial community and structure shifts.

Propionic Acid Targets the TLR4/NF-B Signaling Pathway and Inhibits LPS-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction: and Studies.

Intestinal barrier dysfunction contributes to the development of intestinal diseases. Propionic acid (PA), a metabolite generated by anaerobic fermentation of dietary fiber in the intestinal cavity, has been proved to exert anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of diseases. However, the exact role of PA in LPS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction is still unclear.

Correction to: Gut microbial characteristics of adult patients with allergy rhinitis.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Gut microbial characteristics of adult patients with allergy rhinitis.

Background: Although recent studies have indicated that intestinal microbiota dweller are involved in the pathogenesis of allergy rhinitis (AR), the influence of gut microbiota on AR adult has not been fully elucidated yet. Hence, we carried out this study to uncover the distinctive bacterial taxa that differentiate allergy rhinitis patients from healthy individuals. Feces samples from thirty three AR patients and thirty one healthy individuals were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Spatial Uniformity Assessment of Particles Distributed in a Spherical Fuel Element Using a Non-Destructive Approach.

In many manufacturing procedures, a large number of identical particles need to be disseminated uniformly into a given space. The uniformity of the spatial distribution of the particles can be critical to the properties of the final products. We proposed an image processing-based non-destructive technique to evaluate the particles' spatial uniformity in a spherical space imaged with computed tomography.

Difference of Liver and Kidney Metabolic Profiling in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Rats between Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment.

Acupuncture and moxibustion proved to be very effective in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). According to the Chinese traditional medicine theory, chronic diseases have an influence on the function of liver and kidney. However, there is little research to demonstrate this theory.

The Application of Auriculotherapy to the Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Auriculotherapy has been extensively used for chronic spontaneous urticaria in China. However, the evidence of its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria is insufficient. Hence, we conducted this study to compare auriculotherapy or auriculotherapy joint treatment with Western medicine for the cure of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Knockdown of PYCR1 inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer.

Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) is an enzyme involved in cell metabolism, which has been shown to be up-regulated in cancers. However, the functions of PYCR1 in prostate cancers (PCa) are still largely unknown. In the present study, we found that PYCR1 was highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues and then knocked down PYCR1 in PCa cell lines (DU145, PC-3 and LNCap) via lentivirus-mediated gene delivery and analyzed its biological function.

MYO6 knockdown inhibits the growth and induces the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by decreasing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and PRAS40.

Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among males around the world. Myosin VI (MYO6), as a motor protein, has been reported to be implicated in cancer-related cell migration and cellular functions. To investigate the role of MYO6 in prostate cancer, immunohistochemical analysis was firstly applied to prostate cancer tissues and revealed that MYO6 was closely related with the Gleason score in prostate cancer.

Efficacy and safety of Yinchenwuling powder for hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness and adverse effects of Yinchenwuling powder (YCWLP) in the treatment of hyperlipidemia using Meta-analysis.

Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of YCWLP for hyperlipidemia published in any language prior to February 2015. Two reviewers independently identified articles, extracted data, assessed quality, and cross-checked the results.

Chinese Herbal Medicine as an Adjunctive Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used as an adjunctive therapy for breast cancer, while its efficacy remains unexplored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CHM combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer. The study results showed that CHM combined with chemotherapy significantly increased tumor response and KPS as compared to using chemotherapy alone (RR = 1.

Randomized trial of acupoints herbal patching in Sanfu Days for asthma in clinical remission stage.

Background: Although China has a long history of using acupoints herbal patching (acupoints herbal patching means applying herbal patch on special acupoints to stimulate skin to form blisters, hyperemia, and even suppuration) in Sanfu Days (Sanfu Days are supposed to be the three hottest days in a year which is calculated by the ancient calendar) for the treatment of asthma, there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness and safety issues. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of acupoints herbal patching compared with placebo in participants with asthma in clinical remission stage.

Methods: We enrolled participants with asthma in clinical remission stage, above 13 years old and both genders in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-control trial at clinical center, School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupoints herbal patching, as compared with placebo, when added to guidelines-based therapy.

CHOP deficiency results in elevated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and kidney injury.

C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) is an important mediator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced cell and organ injury. Here we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with ER stress and elevated CHOP. We postulated that CHOP(-/-) mice would be protected against LPS-induced-AKI.

Protective effect of a polysaccharide from stem of Codonopsis pilosula against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

In this study, we purified a homogeneous polysaccharide (S-CPPA1) with a molecular weight (Mw) of 133.2 kDa from the stem of Codonopsis pilosula for the first time. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis identified that S-CPPA1 contained glucose, galactose, and arabinose with a molar ratio of 10.