scholarly journals Deep learning to estimate gestational age from blind ultrasound sweeps of the gravid abdomen

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teeranan Pokaprakarn ◽  
Juan C Prieto ◽  
Joan T Price ◽  
Margaret P Kasaro ◽  
Ntazana Sindano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Test Set ◽  
Fetal Biometry ◽  
Rich Countries ◽  
Gestational Age Estimation

Background: Ultrasound is indispensable to gestational age estimation, and thus to quality obstetric care, yet high equipment cost and need for trained sonographers limit its use in low-resource settings. Methods: From September 2018 through June 2021, we recruited 4,695 pregnant volunteers in North Carolina and Zambia and obtained blind ultrasound sweeps (cineloops) of the gravid abdomen alongside standard fetal biometry. We trained a neural network to estimate gestational age from the sweeps and, in three test sets, assessed performance of the model and biometry against previously established gestational age. Results: In our main test set, model mean absolute error (MAE) was 3.9 days (standard error [SE] 0.12) vs. 4.7 days (SE 0.15) for biometry (difference -0.8 days; 95% CI -1.1, -0.5; p<0.001). Results were similar in North Carolina (difference -0.6 days, 95% CI -0.9, -0.2) and Zambia (-1.0 days, 95% CI -1.5, -0.5). Findings were supported in the test set of women who conceived by in vitro fertilization (model MAE 2.8 days [SE 0.28] vs. 3.6 days [SE 0.53] for biometry; difference -0.8 days, 95% CI -1.7, 0.2), and in the set of women from whom sweeps were collected by untrained users with low-cost, battery-powered devices (model MAE 4.9 days [SE 0.29] vs. 5.4 days [SE 0.28] for biometry; difference -0.6, 95% CI -1.3, 0.1). Conclusions: Our model estimated gestational age more accurately from blindly obtained ultrasound sweeps than did trained sonographers performing fetal biometry. These results presage a future where all pregnant people - not just those in rich countries - can access the diagnostic benefits of sonography.

scholarly journals INNOVATE GESTATIONAL AGE ESTIMATION MODEL FOR IRAQI FETUSES BASED ON ULTRASOUND IMAGES MEASUREMENTS

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Ahlam A. HUSSAIN ◽  
Ebtesam F. KANGER
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Estimation Model ◽  
Fetal Biometry ◽  
Obstetric Management ◽  
Gestational Age Estimation ◽  
Very High

Imaging by Ultrasound (US) is an accurate and useful modality for the assessment of gestational age (GA), estimation fetal weight, and monitoring the fetal growth during pregnancy, is a routine part of prenatal care, and that can greatly impact obstetric management. Estimation of GA is important in obstetric care, making appropriate management decisions requires accurate appraisal of GA. Accurate GA estimation may assist obstetricians in appropriately counseling women who are at risk of a preterm delivery about likely neonatal outcomes, and it is essential in the evaluation of the fetal growth and detection of intrauterine growth restriction. There are many formulas are used to estimate fetal GA in the world, but it's not specify for Iraqi population and leading to some error in GA estimation results, so the objective of this study is to innovate GA estimation model for Iraqi people. This study was performed in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Al- Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and AL- Alawiya Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, during 2019 on 200 pregnant women of singleton and normal pregnancies, fetal GA (20-40) weeks (W). The obtained dataset (fetal biometry), were utilized to create GA estimation model in Iraq using IBM SPSS Version 23 software package (IBM^® Software). The statistical analysis of proposed GA model showed, the correlation (R) of model is 0.987 it is very high value and this is a good result to obtain the best regression model. as well as the Std error of Estimation was 0.61095 this is very small value and indicate the best result. The significant of model P=0.000 That means the model, as a whole, is a significant fit to the data (because P < 0.05). Keywords: Ultrasound, Fetal Biometry, Estimation Gestational Age, SPSS.

scholarly journals Can trans-cerebellar diameter supersede other fetal biometry in measuring gestational age? A prospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rintu George ◽  
Umamageswari Amirthalingam ◽  
Mohamed Rafi Kathar Hussain ◽  
Vigneshwar Aditiya ◽  
A. M. Anand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Radiology Department ◽  
Fetal Head ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Femur Length ◽  
Fetal Biometry ◽  
Biparietal Diameter ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Gestational Age Estimation

Abstract Background Estimation of gestational age plays a pivotal role in day to day clinical practice for appropriate management of newborn. The trans-cerebellar diameter can predict gestational age in cases of variations of fetal head shape such as dolichocephaly and brachycephaly or even when fetus is in posterior position. Trans-cerebellar diameter (TCD) may be useful in gestational age estimation. Aim and methodology To determine the accuracy of trans-cerebellar diameter in the estimation of gestational age of fetus and comparing the conventional parameters like head circumference, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length in the measurement of gestational age. This is a prospective, cross-sectional analytical study done in the Radiology Department in those patients who were referred to the department for a routine antenatal ultra-sonogram checkup. Results Comparison of trans-cerebellar diameter with gestational age derived from last menstrual period indicates that there is a linear relationship throughout the gestational ages. There is a strong correlation of trans-cerebellar diameter with other conventional parameters namely biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference of which Femur length correlates well with the trans-cerebellar diameter. Correlation of transcerebellar diameter with gestational age shows a R2 of 0.995 (p value < 0.001). Conclusion Trans-cerebellar diameter is best in estimation of gestational age when compared to biparietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference. The regression formula derived from trans-cerebellar diameter measurement can be applied to determine the gestational age of fetus.

scholarly journals Sonographic Correlation of Gestational Age with Fetal Kidney Length

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Sandhya Hemraj ◽  
Sally M Abraham ◽  
US Vinayaka ◽  
G Ravichandra ◽  
Devdas Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Age Estimation ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
P Value ◽  
Fetal Kidney ◽  
Fetal Biometry ◽  
Kidney Length ◽  
Gestational Age Estimation

ABSTRACT Background Gestational age estimation is one of the most important information conveyed by a sonologist when performing an obstetric ultrasound examination. The traditional fetal biometric parameters, such as biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length (FL), and abdominal circumference become increasingly unreliable for accurate gestational age estimation with advancing pregnancy, especially in 3rd trimester. This study was conducted to assess the role of fetal kidney length (KL) as an alternate parameter to assess gestational age in 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Aim To assess relationship between sonographic gestational age and fetal KL between 18 and 39 weeks of gestation. Settings and design Prospective, cross-sectional, single operator study conducted over a period of 1 year in a medical college hospital. Materials and methods Three hundred singleton pregnant women between 18 and 39 weeks of gestation were subjected to antenatal ultrasound. In addition to routine fetal biometry, measurements of fetal KL were made by noting distance between upper and lower poles of each kidney on a sagittal section of the fetal abdomen. The right and left KLs were averaged to obtain a single value for the purpose of statistical analysis. Statistical analysis Statistical analysis is done using SAS 9.2, SPSS 15.0, Stata 10.1, Med Calc 9.0.1, Systat 12.0, and R environment version 2.11.1. Fetal KL was expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Linear regression analysis was used to establish a relationship between sonographic gestational age in weeks and fetal KL. Level of significance was expressed as p value. Results A strong statistical correlation was found between sonographic gestational age and fetal KL. Nomograms and growth curves were constructed to correlate gestational age with fetal KL. Conclusion Fetal KL measurements can be used as alternate method of estimating gestational age in women with uncertain last menstrual periods (LMPs) and presenting late in the gestation for safe confinement. In fetal macrocephaly, hydrocephalus, short-limb dysplasias, and when fetal head is engaged, these measurements are valuable alternate parameters to assess gestational age since they are simple, not time-consuming, easy to identify, and measure. How to cite this article Hemraj S, Abraham SM, Acharya D, Ravichandra G, Vinayaka US. Sonographic Correlation of Gestational Age with Fetal Kidney Length. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2016;7(2):37-41.

Natural Bioactive Compounds As Adjuvant Therapy For Hepatitis C Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moema S. Santana ◽  
Rute Lopes ◽  
Isabela H. Peron ◽  
Carla R. Cruz ◽  
Ana M. M. Gaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Acute Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Cost Of Production

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is a significant global health burden, which causes acute or chronic hepatitis. The acute hepatitis C is generally asymptomatic and progresses to cure, while persistent infection can progress to chronic liver disease and extrahepatic manifestations. Standard treatment is expensive, poorly tolerated, and has variable sustained virologic responses amongst the different viral genotypes. New therapies involve direct acting antivirals; however, it is also very expensive and may not be accessible for all patients worldwide. In order to provide a complementary approach to the already existing therapies, natural bioactive compounds are investigated as to their several biologic activities, such as direct antiviral properties against hepatitis C, and effects on mitigating chronic progression of the disease, which includes hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activities; additionally, these compounds present advantages, as chemical diversity, low cost of production and milder or inexistent side effects. Objective: To present a broad perspective on hepatitis C infection, the chronic disease, and natural compounds with promising anti-HCV activity. Methods: This review consists of a systematic review study about the natural bioactive compounds as a potential therapy for hepatitis C infection. Results: The quest for natural products have yielded compounds with biologic activity, including viral replication inhibition in vitro, demonstrating antiviral activity against hepatitis C. Conclusion: One of the greatest advantages of using natural molecules from plant extracts is the low cost of production, not requiring chemical synthesis, which can lead to less expensive therapies available to low and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Generation of High-Yield, Functional Oligodendrocytes from a c-myc Immortalized Neural Cell Line, Endowed with Staminal Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1124
Author(s):  
Mafalda Giovanna Reccia ◽  
Floriana Volpicelli ◽  
Eirkiur Benedikz ◽  
Åsa Fex Svenningsen ◽  
Luca Colucci-D’Amato
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Neural Cell ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Neuronal Marker ◽  
Differentiation Status

Neural stem cells represent a powerful tool to study molecules involved in pathophysiology of Nervous System and to discover new drugs. Although they can be cultured and expanded in vitro as a primary culture, their use is hampered by their heterogeneity and by the cost and time needed for their preparation. Here we report that mes-c-myc A1 cells (A1), a neural cell line, is endowed with staminal properties. Undifferentiated/proliferating and differentiated/non-proliferating A1 cells are able to generate neurospheres (Ns) in which gene expression parallels the original differentiation status. In fact, Ns derived from undifferentiated A1 cells express higher levels of Nestin, Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and glial fibrillary protein (GFAP), markers of stemness, while those obtained from differentiated A1 cells show higher levels of the neuronal marker beta III tubulin. Interestingly, Ns differentiation, by Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (bFGF) withdrawal, generates oligodendrocytes at high-yield as shown by the expression of markers, Galactosylceramidase (Gal-C) Neuron-Glial antigen 2 (NG2), Receptor-Interacting Protein (RIP) and Myelin Basic Protein (MBP). Finally, upon co-culture, Ns-A1-derived oligodendrocytes cause a redistribution of contactin-associated protein (Caspr/paranodin) protein on neuronal cells, as primary oligodendrocytes cultures, suggesting that they are able to form compact myelin. Thus, Ns-A1-derived oligodendrocytes may represent a time-saving and low-cost tool to study the pathophysiology of oligodendrocytes and to test new drugs.

scholarly journals Designing of an Advanced Compression Bioreactor with an Implementation of a Low-Cost Controlling System Connected to a Mobile Application

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 915
Author(s):  
Gözde Dursun ◽  
Muhammad Umer ◽  
Bernd Markert ◽  
Marcus Stoffel
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Experimental Information ◽  
Raspberry Pi ◽  
Tissue Constructs ◽  
Cost Controlling ◽  
Controlling System ◽  
And Control ◽  
Tissue Models

(1) Background: Bioreactors mimic the natural environment of cells and tissues by providing a controlled micro-environment. However, their design is often expensive and complex. Herein, we have introduced the development of a low-cost compression bioreactor which enables the application of different mechanical stimulation regimes to in vitro tissue models and provides the information of applied stress and strain in real-time. (2) Methods: The compression bioreactor is designed using a mini-computer called Raspberry Pi, which is programmed to apply compressive deformation at various strains and frequencies, as well as to measure the force applied to the tissue constructs. Besides this, we have developed a mobile application connected to the bioreactor software to monitor, command, and control experiments via mobile devices. (3) Results: Cell viability results indicate that the newly designed compression bioreactor supports cell cultivation in a sterile environment without any contamination. The developed bioreactor software plots the experimental data of dynamic mechanical loading in a long-term manner, as well as stores them for further data processing. Following in vitro uniaxial compression conditioning of 3D in vitro cartilage models, chondrocyte cell migration was altered positively compared to static cultures. (4) Conclusion: The developed compression bioreactor can support the in vitro tissue model cultivation and monitor the experimental information with a low-cost controlling system and via mobile application. The highly customizable mold inside the cultivation chamber is a significant approach to solve the limited customization capability of the traditional bioreactors. Most importantly, the compression bioreactor prevents operator- and system-dependent variability between experiments by enabling a dynamic culture in a large volume for multiple numbers of in vitro tissue constructs.

scholarly journals Light Cross-Linkable Marine Collagen for Coaxial Printing of a 3D Model of Neuromuscular Junction Formation

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Borja Sanz ◽  
Ane Albillos Sanchez ◽  
Bonnie Tangey ◽  
Kerry Gilmore ◽  
Zhilian Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Zoonotic Disease Transmission ◽  
And Migration

Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that modulates cell adhesion, growth, and migration, and has been utilised in tissue engineering applications. However, the common terrestrial sources of collagen carry the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and there are religious barriers to the use of bovine and porcine products in many cultures. Marine based collagens offer an attractive alternative and have so far been under-utilized for use as biomaterials for tissue engineering. Marine collagen can be extracted from fish waste products, therefore industry by-products offer an economical and environmentally sustainable source of collagen. In a handful of studies, marine collagen has successfully been methacrylated to form collagen methacrylate (ColMA). Our work included the extraction, characterization and methacrylation of Red Snapper collagen, optimisation of conditions for neural cell seeding and encapsulation using the unmodified collagen, thermally cross-linked, and the methacrylated collagen with UV-induced cross-linking. Finally, the 3D co-axial printing of neural and skeletal muscle cell cultures as a model for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation was investigated. Overall, the results of this study show great potential for a novel NMJ in vitro 3D bioprinted model that, with further development, could provide a low-cost, customizable, scalable and quick-to-print platform for drug screening and to study neuromuscular junction physiology and pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Fabrication, Characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Mesoporous β-Tricalcium Phosphate Using the Spray Drying Method

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Henni Setia Ningsih ◽  
Leonhard Tannesia ◽  
Hsiang-Ho Chen ◽  
Shao-Ju Shih
Keyword(s):  
Spray Drying ◽  
Tricalcium Phosphate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Average Pore ◽  
Calcination Temperatures ◽  
Future Demands

Mesoporous beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has recently attracted significant interest as an artificial bone tissue in orthopedics. However, a scalable process is required to meet future demands. Spray drying is one of the potential synthesis methods owing to its low cost and scalable production. In this study, various mesoporous β-TCP powders were calcined in the range of 800 to 1100 °C, with particle sizes ranging from ~0.3 to ~1.8 μm, specific surface areas from ~16 to ~64 m2/g, and average pore sizes of 3 nm. Except for the 800 °C calcined powder, the other β-TCP powders (calcination temperatures of 900, 1000, and 1100 °C) exhibited no cytotoxicity. These results indicate that spray-dried mesoporous β-TCP powders were obtained. Finally, the corresponding formation mechanisms are discussed.

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