Histological tissue classification with a novel statistical filter-based convolutional neural network.

Deep networks have been of considerable interest in literature and have enabled the solution of recent real-world applications. Due to filters that offer feature extraction, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is recognized as an accurate, efficient and trustworthy deep learning technique for the solution of image-based challenges. The high-performing CNNs are computationally demanding even if they produce good results in a variety of applications. This is because a large number of parameters limit their ability to be reused on central processing units with low performance. To address these limitations, we suggest a novel statistical filter-based CNN (HistStatCNN) for image classification. The convolution kernels of the designed CNN model were initialized by continuous statistical methods. The performance of the proposed filter initialization approach was evaluated on a novel histological dataset and various histopathological benchmark datasets. To prove the efficiency of statistical filters, three unique parameter sets and a mixed parameter set of statistical filters were applied to the designed CNN model for the classification task. According to the results, the accuracy of GoogleNet, ResNet18, ResNet50 and ResNet101 models were 85.56%, 85.24%, 83.59% and 83.79%, respectively. The accuracy was improved by 87.13% by HistStatCNN for the histological data classification task. Moreover, the performance of the proposed filter generation approach was proved by testing on various histopathological benchmark datasets, increasing average accuracy rates. Experimental results validate that the proposed statistical filters enhance the performance of the network with more simple CNN models.

Marginal Maternal Zinc Deficiency Produces Liver Damage and Altered Zinc Transporter Expression in Offspring Male Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate how zinc deficiency and supplementation affect liver markers including autotaxin, kallistatin, endocan, and zinc carrier proteins ZIP14 and ZnT9 in rats exposed to maternal zinc deficiency. Additionally, the study aimed to assess liver tissue damage through histological examination. A total of forty male pups were included in the research, with thirty originating from mothers who were given a zinc-deficient diet (Groups 1, 2, and 3), and the remaining ten born to mothers fed a standard diet (Group 4). Subsequently, Group 1 was subjected to a zinc-deficient diet, Group 2 received a standard diet, Group 3 received zinc supplementation, and Group 4 served as the control group without any supplementation. Upon completion of the experimental phases of the study, all animals were sacrificed under general anesthesia, and samples of liver tissue were obtained. The levels of autotaxin, kallistatin, endocan, ZIP 14, and ZnT9 in these liver tissue samples were determined using the ELISA technique. In addition, histological examination was performed to evaluate tissue damage in the liver samples. In the group experiencing zinc deficiency, both endocan and autotaxin levels increased compared to the control group. With zinc supplementation, the levels of endocan and autotaxin returned to the values observed in the control group. Similarly, the suppressed levels of kallistatin, ZIP14, and ZnT9 observed in the zinc deficiency group were reversed with zinc supplementation. Likewise, the reduced levels of kallistatin, ZIP14, and ZnT9 seen in the zinc deficiency group were rectified with zinc supplementation. Moreover, the application of zinc partially ameliorated the heightened liver tissue damage triggered by zinc deficiency. This study is the pioneering one to demonstrate that liver tissue dysfunction induced by a marginal zinc-deficient diet in rats with marginal maternal zinc deficiency can be alleviated through zinc supplementation.

The relationship between beta cell activation and SLC30A8/ZnT8 levels of the endocrine pancreas and maternal zinc deficiency in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Zinc, which is found in high concentrations in the ß-cells of the pancreas, is also a critical component for the endocrine functions of the pancreas. SLC30A8/ZnT8 is the carrier protein responsible for the transport of zinc from the cytoplasm to the insulin granules. The aim of this study was to investigate how dietary zinc status affects pancreatic beta cell activation and ZnT8 levels in infant male rats born to zinc-deficient mothers. METHODS: The study was performed on male pups born to mothers fed a zinc-deficient diet. A total of 40 male rats were divided into 4 equal groups. Group 1: In addition to maternal zinc deficiency, this group was fed a zinc-deficient diet. Group 2: In addition to maternal zinc deficiency, this group was fed a standard diet. Group 3: In addition to maternal zinc deficiency, this group was fed a standard diet and received additional zinc supplementation. Group 4: Control group. Pancreas ZnT8 levels were determined by ELISA method and insulin-positive cell ratios in ß-cells by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The highest pancreatic ZnT8 levels and anti-insulin positive cell ratios in the current study were obtained in Group 3 and Group 4. In our study, the lowest pancreatic ZnT8 levels were obtained in Group 1 and Group 2, and the lowest pancreatic anti-insulin positive cell ratios were obtained in Group 1. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study; in rats fed a zinc-deficient diet after maternal zinc deficiency has been established shows that ZnT8 levels and anti-insulin positive cell ratios in pancreatic tissue, which is significantly suppressed, reach control values with intraperitoneal zinc supplementation.

A new definition about the relationship of intercellular fluid in the brain with the mandibular and parotid lymph nodes.

This study was carried out to reveal the relationship of the brain with both the mandibular lymph node (MLN) and parotid lymph node (PLN) by the hyperspectral fluorescence imaging techniques of Qdot 800 (QD) nanoparticles using in vivo. This relationship of the brain with both lymph nodes offers the preliminary morphological definition of lymphatic drainage. QD was injected into the left parietal brain lobe of each rat at a depth of 2.50 mm. In 65% of the rats that were imaged in vivo, signals were received first from the right MLN and PLN, and then from the left MLN and PLN. In contrast, in two female rats, the first signal was received from the right PLN. There was no difference between the female and male rats overall. The most noteworthy finding of this study was that the tracer injected into the left parietal lobe reached the right mandibular and parotid lymph nodules earlier. This result indicates a different and unknown pathway in the brain that communicates with the lymph nodes. Moreover, this study shows that these lymph nodes pathways can be used in the treatment of diseases such as brain trauma, cerebral edema, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Effect of Botulinum Toxin in Experimental Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.

Purpose: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is the most common cause of gastric outlet obstruction in the first month of life. Botulinum toxin (BT) is a neurotoxin produced by clostridium botulinum, which causes paralysis in skeletal muscles. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BT in the experimental pyloric stenosis model. Methods: The study protocol was approved by the Selcuk University Medical Faculty Ethics Committee (2017/20). We performed an experimental study using 32 Wistar-Albino newborn rats. Rats were divided randomly into four groups with six rats in both control (C), and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride group, and 10 rats in each sham (S), and BT group. 100 mg/kg per day L-NAME was applied to all groups intraperitoneally for 14 days from birth except control group. 0.2 mL saline and 20 U/kg BT was injected by surgery to S and BT groups, respectively, at 21 days from birth. After 35 days all rats were sacrificed and biopsies were performed from pyloric muscle for histopathological examination. The results were evaluated with the "one-way ANOVA" test. Results: Total and circular muscle thickness of the groups were compared. The total muscle thickness of the L-NAME group was significantly higher than the control group (P = .031). Comparing the circular muscle thickness of botox group (BTG) with control group (CG) and L-NAME GROUP (LNG), muscle thickness was significantly smaller (P < .001, P < .001). The total muscle thickness of BTG was significantly different between LNG (P < .001). Conclusions: Hypertrophy of pylor in an experimental model was reduced by BT injection in this study. We think that Botox injection through endoscopic or interventional radiological methods may be an alternative method for surgery.

Inhibition of corneal neovascularization by topical and subconjunctival tigecycline.

Objective. To investigate the effects of topical and subconjunctival tigecycline on the prevention of corneal neovascularization. Materials and Methods. Following chemical burn, thirty-two rats were treated daily with topical instillation of 1 mg/mL tigecycline (group 1) or subconjunctival instillation of 1 mg/mL tigecycline (group 3) for 7 days. Control rats received topical (group 2) or subconjunctival (group 4) 0.9% saline. Digital photographs of the cornea were taken on the eighth day after treatment and analyzed to determine the percentage area of the cornea covered by neovascularization. Corneal sections were analyzed histopathologically. Results. The median percentages of corneal neovascularization in groups 1 and 3 were 48% (95% confidence interval (CI), 44.2-55.8%) and 33.5% (95% CI, 26.6-39.2%), respectively. The median percentages of corneal neovascularization of groups 1 and 3 were significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, resp.). Histologic examination of samples from groups 1 and 3 showed lower vascularity than that of control groups. Conclusion. Topical and subconjunctival administration of tigecycline seems to be showing promising therapeutic effects on the prevention of corneal neovascularization. Furthermore, subconjunctival administration of tigecycline is more potent than topical administration in the inhibition of corneal neovascularization.

Correlation between proteinuria level and renal morphology with special reference to electron microscopy in kidney donors.

The aims of this study were to evaluate whether there is a correlation between protein level in urine and renal morphology in kidney transplant donors, as well as to detect the role of electron microscopy. For this purpose, kidney biopsies of 10 donors with urine protein levels were evaluated. Seven patients were female and three were male. Two had physiologic proteinuria (< 150 mg/24h), four had non-significant proteinuria (150-300 mg/24h), and three had significant (> 300 mg/24h) proteinuria. Serum creatinine levels were in normal ranges in all patients except for one who had a slight increase (1.76 mg/dL). Seven cases were reported to have normal or nonspecific light microscopic findings. Two of those seven cases had physiologic proteinuria, three had non-significant proteinuria, and two had significant proteinuria. One case had IgA nephropathy with significant proteinuria. One donor had early stage focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with non-significant proteinuria, and one donor had focal interstitial fibrosis with normal urine protein level. There was no statistically significant difference between score means of ultrastructural morphology of the six patients with same patients' light microscopic results and score means of light microscopic results with urine protein levels of all patients. However, there was a significant difference between score means of ultrastructural morphology with urine protein levels of those six patients. In conclusion, urine protein levels and light microscopic findings did not always reflect the detailed morphology alone and together. Therefore, combining with electron microscopic examination could be more beneficial in relieving problems occurring in long-term prognoses.