METHODS: To overcome these limitations, our research introduces the ALLDet classifier, an innovative tool employing deep transfer learning for the automated analysis and categorization of ALL from White Blood Cell (WBC) nuclei images. Our investigation encompassed the evaluation of nine state-of-the-art pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models, namely VGG16, VGG19, ResNet50, ResNet101, DenseNet121, DenseNet201, Xception, MobileNet, and EfficientNetB3. We augmented this approach by incorporating a sophisticated contour-based segmentation technique, derived from the Chan-Vese model, aimed at the meticulous segmentation of blast cell nuclei in blood smear images, thereby enhancing the accuracy of our analysis.
RESULTS: The empirical assessment of these methodologies underscored the superior performance of the EfficientNetB3 model, which demonstrated exceptional metrics: a recall specificity of 98.5%, precision of 95.86%, F1-score of 97.16%, and an overall accuracy rate of 97.13%. The Chan-Vese model's adaptability to the irregular shapes of blast cells and its noise-resistant segmentation capability were key to capturing the complex morphological changes essential for accurate segmentation.
CONCLUSION: The combined application of the ALLDet classifier, powered by EfficientNetB3, with our advanced segmentation approach, emerges as a formidable advancement in the early detection and accurate diagnosis of ALL. This breakthrough not only signifies a pivotal leap in leukemia diagnostic methodologies but also holds the promise of significantly elevating the standards of patient care through the provision of timely and precise diagnoses. The implications of this study extend beyond immediate clinical utility, paving the way for future research to further refine and enhance the capabilities of artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics.
METHODS: To gain a more comprehensive picture on how these markers can modulate BC risk, alone or in conjunction, we performed simultaneous measurements of LTL and mtDNA copy number in up to 570 BC cases and 538 controls from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. As a first step, we measured LTL and mtDNA copy number in 96 individuals for which a blood sample had been collected twice with an interval of 15 years.
RESULTS: According to the intraclass correlation (ICC), we found very good stability over the time period for both measurements, with ICCs of 0.63 for LTL and 0.60 for mtDNA copy number. In the analysis of the entire study sample, we observed that longer LTL was strongly associated with increased risk of BC (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.58-4.65, p = 3.07 × 10- 4 for highest vs. lowest quartile; OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.57-6.55, p = 1.41 × 10- 3 as a continuous variable). We did not find any association between mtDNA copy number and BC risk; however, when considering only the functional copies, we observed an increased risk of developing estrogen receptor-positive BC (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.05-5.80, p = 0.04 for highest vs. lowest quartile).
CONCLUSIONS: We observed a very good correlation between the markers over a period of 15 years. We confirm a role of LTL in BC carcinogenesis and suggest an effect of mtDNA copy number on BC risk.
OBJECTIVE: The study reports the antioxidant properties and the protective effects of turmeric against carbofuran (CF)-induced toxicity in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant potential was determined by using free radicals scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, designated as control, turmeric (100 mg/kg/day), CF (1 mg/kg/day) and turmeric (100 mg/kg/day) + CF (1 mg/kg/day) treatments. All of the doses were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. The biological activity of the turmeric and CF was determined by using several standard biochemical methods.
RESULTS: Turmeric contains high concentrations of polyphenols (8.97 ± 0.15 g GAEs), flavonoids (5.46 ± 0.29 g CEs), ascorbic acid (0.06 ± 0.00 mg AEs) and FRAP value (1972.66 ± 104.78 μM Fe2+) per 100 g of sample. Oral administration of CF caused significant changes in some of the blood indices, such as, mean corpuscular volume, corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet distribution width and induced severe hepatic injuries associated with oxidative stress, as observed by the significantly higher lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels when compared to control, while the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes (including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly suppressed in the liver tissue.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Turmeric supplementation could protect against CF-induced hematological perturbations and hepatic injuries in rats, plausibly by the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of LPO to confer the protective effect.