Rowefloyd5328

The intrinsically low spatial resolution of positron emission tomography (PET) leads to image quality degradation and inaccurate image-based quantitation. Recently developed supervised super-resolution (SR) approaches are of great relevance to PET but require paired low- and high-resolution images for training, which are usually unavailable for clinical datasets. In this paper, we present a self-supervised SR (SSSR) technique for PET based on dual generative adversarial networks (GANs), which precludes the need for paired training data, ensuring wider applicability and adoptability. The SSSR network receives as inputs a low-resolution PET image, a high-resolution anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) image, spatial information (axial and radial coordinates), and a high-dimensional feature set extracted from an auxiliary CNN which is separately-trained in a supervised manner using paired simulation datasets. The network is trained using a loss function which includes two adversarial loss terms, a cycle consistency term, and a total variation penalty on the SR image. We validate the SSSR technique using a clinical neuroimaging dataset. We demonstrate that SSSR is promising in terms of image quality, peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, contrast-to-noise ratio, and an additional no-reference metric developed specifically for SR image quality assessment. Comparisons with other SSSR variants suggest that its high performance is largely attributable to simulation guidance. PURPOSE The combination of an anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) or anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody with platinum-based chemotherapy can improve outcomes for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) compared with chemotherapy alone. For patients receiving these new treatment regimens, it is important that toxicities be managed effectively. A particular challenge can be determining the etiology of an event, especially when there are overlapping symptoms that can be attributed to either immunotherapy or to platinum-based chemotherapy. Here, we evaluate adverse events (AEs) reported in clinical trials of combination therapy with an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 (anti-PD-[L]1) immunotherapy and chemotherapy to provide information on toxicity management. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the literature focused on randomized controlled trials of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy combined with platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic NSCLC and SCLC. RESULTS Eleven reports from 9 randomized studies evaluating pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer were identified. Immune-mediated AEs and infusion reactions occurred more commonly in patients who received anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone; however, there was no evidence of unexpected or unanticipated toxicity with these combinations. CONCLUSION Combinations of anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy with platinum-based chemotherapy regimens improve outcomes for patients with NSCLC and SCLC, and toxicity is generally manageable. Strategies for appropriate workup of AEs to allow clinicians to make informed decisions regarding causality and treatment modifications when appropriate are an important element of management of patients receiving an anti-PD-(L)1 agent combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Since tobacco remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, emphasis needs to be given to preventive approaches to tobacco consumption. Environmental and policy strategies with fear appeals are important contributors to reductions in smoking prevalence. check details Fear appeals are persuasive messages-often using graphic and emotionally evocative imagery and language-that attempt to scare their audiences into tobacco cessation. While the intentions of fear appeals are benign, their effects are not necessarily so; here, we argue that some fear appeals carry a significant risk of backfiring by eliciting nocebo effects among its viewers. In this context, it is important to recognize that there is currently no justification for disregarding potential nocebo effects. Therefore, we should improve our understanding of nocebo effects in the field of preventive medicine, as well as the impact of strategies aimed at mitigating their negative health effects. Despite the role of melatonin in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and seasonal-reproduction, the present study investigated, for the first time, the potential role of melatonin on testicular blood flow (TBF) in goats. Twelve sexually mature male Shiba goats were exposed to a single s.c. injection of either melatonin suspended in one ml of corn oil (melatonin group; 36 mg/goat; n = 5) or one ml of corn oil (control group; n = 7). Monitoring the changes in TBF was done one week before (W-1), at the time of injection (W0), and once a week for 8 weeks after injection using color-pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. Concentrations of FSH, LH, inhibin, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Melatonin and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. Moreover, semen collection and evaluation of some sperm parameters were performed once a week. Results revealed decreases (P  less then  0.05) in the Doppler indices (resistive index, pulsatility index) of the testicular arteries from W2 till W6 in the melatonin group. FSH, LH, and inhibin concentrations did not change between the two groups, while T, E2, IGF-1, NO, and melatonin concentrations increased (P  less then  0.05) in the melatonin group compared to the control. Estradiol and NO concentrations increased (P  less then  0.05), coinciding with decreases in the values of Doppler indices. Notable (P  less then  0.05) improvements in most parameters of semen quality were seen in the melatonin group. In conclusion, melatonin induced a stimulatory effect on TBF in Shiba goats and possibly, it could be a potential to improve male goats fertility.