Through the eyes into the brain, using artificial intelligence

INTRODUCTION@#Detection of neurological conditions is of high importance in the current context of increasingly ageing populations. Imaging of the retina and the optic nerve head represents a unique opportunity to detect brain diseases, but requires specific human expertise. We review the current outcomes of artificial intelligence (AI) methods applied to retinal imaging for the detection of neurological and neuro-ophthalmic conditions.@*METHOD@#Current and emerging concepts related to the detection of neurological conditions, using AI-based investigations of the retina in patients with brain disease were examined and summarised.@*RESULTS@#Papilloedema due to intracranial hypertension can be accurately identified with deep learning on standard retinal imaging at a human expert level. Emerging studies suggest that patients with Alzheimer's disease can be discriminated from cognitively normal individuals, using AI applied to retinal images.@*CONCLUSION@#Recent AI-based systems dedicated to scalable retinal imaging have opened new perspectives for the detection of brain conditions directly or indirectly affecting retinal structures. However, further validation and implementation studies are required to better understand their potential value in clinical practice.

Research progress of trimethylamine-N-oxide in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO),metabolites of the intestinal microflora,is a newly discovered risk factor for cardiovascular disease.The intestinal flora converted choline and L-carnitine into trimethylamine in the food.Trimethylamine is oxidized to TMAO in liver enzymes.Lowering TMA can stimulate macrophages to reverse cholesterol transport and inhibit atherogenesis.TMAO poietin-monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is a tool for cholesterol metabolism and reverse cholesterol transpor,lowering FMO3 can slow the gallbladder's secretion of bile,delay intestinal absorption of cholesterol,and limit the synthesis of oxidized cholesterol and cholesterol esters.TMAO in the blood can up regulate scavenger receptors in macrophages,and promote accumulation of cholesterol and formation of foam cells in macrophages,thereby promoting vascular plaque formation and promote the inflammatory response by MAPK and nuclear factor kappa B pathway.TMAO concentrates on affecting cholesterol metabolism,increasing insulin resistance,promoting platelet aggregation,increasing thrombosis,promoting vascular inflammatory response and directly leading to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.Lowering TMAO levels can potentially prevent or treat atherosclerotic related diseases and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.The intestinal flora of the TMA/FMO3/TMAO pathway is the major pathway regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation.