Fast and low-dose medical imaging generation empowered by hybrid deep-learning and iterative reconstruction.

Fast and low-dose reconstructions of medical images are highly desired in clinical routines. We propose a hybrid deep-learning and iterative reconstruction (hybrid DL-IR) framework and apply it for fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fast positron emission tomography (PET), and low-dose computed tomography (CT) image generation tasks. First, in a retrospective MRI study (6,066 cases), we demonstrate its capability of handling 3- to 10-fold under-sampled MR data, enabling organ-level coverage with only 10- to 100-s scan time; second, a low-dose CT study (142 cases) shows that our framework can successfully alleviate the noise and streak artifacts in scans performed with only 10% radiation dose (0.61 mGy); and last, a fast whole-body PET study (131 cases) allows us to faithfully reconstruct tumor-induced lesions, including small ones (<4 mm), from 2- to 4-fold-accelerated PET acquisition (30-60 s/bp). This study offers a promising avenue for accurate and high-quality image reconstruction with broad clinical value.

Natural deep eutectic characteristics of honey improve the bioactivity and safety of traditional medicines.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Honey, an important additive with natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) characteristics, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the quality-improving effects of honey on Astragali Radix (Mikvetch Root) (RA) as an example. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Decoctions of raw RA, fried RA, honey-fried RA, and a man-made- honey-fried RA were prepared and compared in cell-based bioactivity tests, chemical composition tests, as well as a bioavailability test with calycosin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside. RESULTS: The addition of honey increased the concentrations of active compounds and their oral bioavailability, provided protection against acetylation, and consequently increased their bioactivity. These changes were also observed when a pure NADES-mimicking honey was used. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a potential explanation as to why honey has long been used as traditional medicine additives and rationalize the application of honey and honey-like substance in producing pharmaceuticals.