Deep learning based retinal OCT segmentation.

We look at the recent application of deep learning (DL) methods in automated fine-grained segmentation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the retina. We describe a new method combining fully convolutional networks (FCN) with Gaussian Processes for post processing. We report performance comparisons between the proposed approach, human clinicians, and other machine learning (ML) such as graph based approaches. The approach is demonstrated on an OCT dataset consisting of mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy from the University of Miami. The method is shown to have performance on par with humans, also compares favorably with the other ML methods, and appears to have as small or smaller mean unsigned error (equal to 1.06), versus errors ranging from 1.17 to 1.81 for other methods, and compared with human error of 1.10.

234U/238U activity ratio disequilibrium technique for studying uranium mobility in the Opalinus Clay at Mont Terri, Switzerland.

Mobility of naturally occurring 238U and 234U radionuclides was studied in a low permeability, reducing claystone formation (Opalinus Clay) near its contact with an overlying oxidising aquifer (Dogger Limestones) at Mont Terri, Switzerland. Our data point to a limited redistribution of U in some of the studied samples. Observed centimetre-scale U mobility is explained by slow diffusive transport of 234U in the pore waters of the Opalinus Clay driven by spatially variable in situ supply (by alpha-recoil) of 234U from the rock matrix. Metre-scale mobility is interpreted as a result of infiltration of meteoric water into the overlying aquifer which developed gradients of U concentration across the two rock formations. This triggered a slow in-diffusion of U with (234U/238U)>1 into the Opalinus Clay as attested by a clear-cut pattern of decreasing bulk rock (234U/238U) inwards the Opalinus Clay, away from the Dogger Limestones.

[The effect of frequent ejaculation on semen's parameters in men with inadequate fertility]. / Wplyw czestej ejakulacji na parametry nasienia u mezczyzn z obnizona plodnoscia.

The influence of frequent ejaculation on sperm quality in 96 men with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or oligoastenozoospermia was investigated. Ejaculates were produced by each patient in short period of time (4-6 hours). In oligozoospermic group (n = 31) semen characteristics were similar between two ejaculates. In asthenozoospermic group (n = 27) the motility and the total motile sperm count increased significantly in the second ejaculate (32.1% 5.6 vs. 48.0% +/- 7.1 and 36.7 mln +/- 5.6 vs. 47.8 mln +/- 7.6 respectively). Similarly in oligoasthenozoospermic group (n = 38) the motility and the total motile sperm count increased significantly in the second ejaculate (28.1% +/- 5.3 vs. 44.2% +/- 6.2 and 7.1 mln +/- 1.2 vs. 11.3 mln +/- 2.7 respectively). In three groups, pooling two ejaculates increased significantly the total motile sperm count by 58.1%-136.6% comparing to first ejaculate. Pooling two sequential ejaculates from subfertile men is a simple method to increase the quality of sperm for assisted reproduction techniques.

[Evaluation of intrauterine insemination after two different methods of sperm preparation in cases of oligospermia in stimulated cycles]. / Ocena porównawcza skutecznosci inseminacji domacicznej po dwóch róznych technikach przygotowania nasienia, w przypadku umiarkowanej oligozoospermii w cyklach stymulowanych.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a widely accepted method of infertility treatment in case of oligospermia. Sperm requires special preparation to avoid applying of active ingredients and abnormal cells to uterine cavity. In this paper authors compared the efficiency of IUI after swim-up sperm preparation on Menezo B2 medium, with IxaPrep technic sperm preparation. In our material there were no significant differences in received results in relation to sperm preparation method.

[Calcium-phosphorus-magnesium homeostasis in women with threatened abortion]. / Homeostaza wapniowo-fosforanowo-magnezowa u kobiet z poronieniem zagrazajacym.

One hundred twenty eight women were submitted to research including: 38 healthy not pregnant women, 40 healthy women in the first trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy (6-15 weeks) and 50 pregnant women with symptoms of threatened abortion (6-15 weeks). The following parameters were measured in serum: total Ca, Ca++, ionised inorganic phosphorus (Pi), magnesium (Mg), total protein and albumin and also total alkaline phosphatase activity (APt). Micromethods generally accepted in clinical laboratories were used. The study showed symptoms of threatened abortion are related to decreased concentrations of Pi, Mg, total protein and albumin and reduced activity of APt. Women who did not underwent miscarriage showed significantly higher Pi concentration compared to those who lost pregnancy, what might be of prognostic value. Threatened abortion was not considered to alter calcium homeostasis.

[Early amniocentesis in prenatal diagnosis]. / Wczesna amniocenteza w diagnostyce prenatalnej.

In the period 1990-1991 483 prenatal diagnosis were carried out. Of those in 111 (23%) the technique of early amniocentesis was used, i.e. between 12th and 14th weeks of gestation. In 23 cases the result of cytogenetical diagnosis was positive. The time necessary for obtaining the result did not differ from that of amniocentesis performed at 15-20 weeks of gestation. The cytogenetical examination was successful in all cases of early amniocentesis.