ABSTRACT
Both feature representation and classifier performance are important factors that determine the performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. In order to improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers, a novel multiple empirical kernel mapping (MEKM) exclusivity regularized machine (ERM) ensemble classifier algorithm based on self-paced learning (SPL) is proposed, which simultaneously promotes the performance of both feature representation and the classifier. The proposed algorithm first generates multiple groups of features by MEKM to enhance the ability of feature representation, which also work as the kernel transform in multiple support vector machines embedded in ERM. The SPL strategy is then adopted to adaptively select samples from easy to hard so as to gradually train the ERM classifier model with improved performance. This algorithm is verified on a B-mode ultrasound dataset and an elastography ultrasound dataset, respectively. The results show that the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on B-mode ultrasound are (86.36±6.45)%, (88.15±7.12)%, and (84.52±9.38)%, respectively, and the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on elastography ultrasound are (85.97±3.75)%, (85.93±6.09)%, and (86.03±5.88)%, respectively. It indicates that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers with the potential for application.
Subject(s)
Humans , Algorithms , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Computers , Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted , Support Vector Machine , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The ‘equivalent-or-more-but-not-the-same-data’ provision in the Regulation on the Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of New Drug in Korea has served as the de facto data exclusivity term for any drug identical to a product subject to new drug reexamination. The legal debate that occurred between Abbott Korea and Hanmi in association with the approval of their sibutramine products, i.e., Reductil® vs. Slimmer®, showed why data exclusivity plays an important role to protect intellectual property of the innovator drug when incrementally modified drugs had to rely on the safety and efficacy data of the innovator drug for approval. The regulatory science and legal issues regarding the case of Reductil® vs Slimmer® were discussed, and the importance of data exclusivity was emphasized as a useful tool to protect intellectual property besides patent.
Subject(s)
Intellectual Property , Korea , MesylatesABSTRACT
Background: In Malaysia, the rates of mothers practising breastfeeding exclusively among babies at six months of age still do not achieve the Global Nutritional Targets 2025 which is 50%. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of breastfeeding intervention in improving breastfeeding outcomes. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used involving a purposive sample of 96 primigravidas (intervention group (IG) = 48, control group (CG) = 48) recruited at Hospital USM. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Assessment Questionnaire. Mothers in IG received the current usual care and two hours of an additional education programme on breastfeeding, breastfeeding booklet, notes from the module, and postnatal breastfeeding support in the first week of postpartum. Mothers in CG received the current usual care only. The mothers were assessed on the first and sixth week and then the fourth and sixth month of postpartum. Results: The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups on the fourth month postpartum (X2 = 5.671, P = 0.017) in practicing full breastfeeding. The breastfeeding duration rates of the IG were longer than those of the CG. However, the results showed only two follow-up weeks that were significant (week 6, X2 = 5.414, P = 0.020, month 4, X2 = 7.515, P = 0.006). There was a statistically significant difference between IG and CG as determined by one-way ANCOVA on the breastfeeding duration after controlling age and occupation, F (3, 82) = 6.7, P = 0.011. The test revealed that the breastfeeding duration among IG was significantly higher (20.80 ± 6.31) compared to CG (16.98 ± 8.97). Conclusions: Breastfeeding intervention can effectively increase breastfeeding duration and exclusivity outcomes among primiparous mother
ABSTRACT
The problem of pediatric drugs has been the challenges facing the world. The two most important issues are the lack of appropriate drug dosage forms for children and the safety and effectiveness data of drug use in children. How to encourage produc?tion enterprises to produce drug varieties,specifications and dosage forms suitable for children use,guide drug manufacturers to ob?tain drug use data are the most important work for pediatric drugs.Based on the literature home and abroad,we analyze the regulatory policies for the research and development(RD)and application of pediatric drugs in the USA,EU and Japan,which have made great efforts to encourage enterprises to conduct pediatric research. Their successful experiences are summarized and can be used as refer?ence for the establishment of the policies adaptive to the situation of China for the RD of pediatric drugs.
ABSTRACT
The problem of pediatric drugs has been the challenges facing the world. The two most important issues are the lack of appropriate drug dosage forms for children and the safety and effectiveness data of drug use in children. How to encourage production enterprises to produce drug varieties, specifications and dosage forms suitable for children use, guide drug manufacturers to obtain drug use data are the most important work for pediatric drugs.Based on the literature home and abroad, we analyze the regulatory policies for the research and development(RD) and application of pediatric drugs in the USA, EU and Japan, which have made great efforts to encourage enterprises to conduct pediatric research. Their successful experiences are summarized and can be used as reference for the establishment of the policies adaptive to the situation of China for the RD of pediatric drugs.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To concurrently administer constant toxic concentrations of Cd and Pb with graded concentrations of Ca and Mg using a rat model to determine their nephroprotective effects against Cd and Pb nephrotixicities. Study Design: Wistar rats were divided into five groups of four rats per group in metabolic cages. Group one was placed on tap water only, while group two to five were placed on a constant concentration of 0.327 mg/L lead and 0.079 mg/L cadmium concurrently with graded magnesium and calcium. Place and Duration of Study: The animal House of Pharmacology Department, Anatomy and Biochemistry laboratories, University of Jos, Nigeria, were used for treatments, histochemical and biochemical analyses respectively, between December 2013 and April 2014. Methodology: Their feed was mashed with the same water meant for each group. All the groups fed and freely drank from the water for a period of fourteen (14) days. Twenty-four hour (24h) urine samples were collected from the rats at their respective groups in the urine collector of the metabolic cages for fourteen days. The urine samples were kept frozen until needed for clinical analysis. At the termination of the experiments, the rats were humanely sacrificed, the kidneys identified and fixed in 10% formal saline for histopathological studies. Results: Kidney biomarkers in urine decreased, while urinary excretion of urea and creatinine increased as the concentrations of calcium and magnesium were elevated. The histopathological analyses show that there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between control and groups 4 and 5, but there was significant difference (P>0.05) between control and groups 2 and 3. Conclusion: Results suggest that calcium and magnesium could mitigate the nephrotoxicities induced by cadmium and lead. Therefore, good proportion of calcium and magnesium in the diet and water would enhance good health especially for those living in environments contaminated with heavy metals.
ABSTRACT
The United States is the first country that has introduced legislation designed to stimulate orphan drug research and development .In this paper , we analyze three major amendments of the Orphan Drug Act ( ODA) since 1983 and its incentive system .We then discuss the success of the ODA in encouraging orphan drug research and development and boosting the biopharmaceutical industry .Following that , we investigate the high price of orphan drugs caused by market exclusivity and drug repositioning .Finally, we draw experience from the ODA to make some suggestions on how orphan drug legislation can be devised in China with the aim of improving the health of rare -dis-ease patients and facilitating the development of Chinese biopharmaceutical industry .