Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience...Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience-dependent mechanisms.The pruning process involves multiple molecular signals and a series of regulatory activities governing the“eat me”and“don't eat me”states.Under physiological conditions,the interaction between glial cells and neurons results in the clearance of unnecessary synapses,maintaining normal neural circuit functionality via synaptic pruning.Alterations in genetic and environmental factors can lead to imbalanced synaptic pruning,thus promoting the occurrence and development of autism spectrum disorder,schizophrenia,Alzheimer's disease,and other neurological disorders.In this review,we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for synaptic pruning during neural development.We focus on how synaptic pruning can regulate neural circuits and its association with neurological disorders.Furthermore,we discuss the application of emerging optical and imaging technologies to observe synaptic structure and function,as well as their potential for clinical translation.Our aim was to enhance our understanding of synaptic pruning during neural development,including the molecular basis underlying the regulation of synaptic function and the dynamic changes in synaptic density,and to investigate the potential role of these mechanisms in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases,thus providing a theoretical foundation for the treatment of neurological disorders.展开更多
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions.Given that AD undermines the quality of life for millions and has an extended asymptomatic period...Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions.Given that AD undermines the quality of life for millions and has an extended asymptomatic period,exploring the full AD pathogenesis and seeking the optimal therapeutic solution have become critical and imperative.This allows researchers to intervene,delay,and potentially prevent AD progression.Several clinical imaging methods are utilized routinely to diagnose and monitor AD,such as magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI),positron emission tomography(PET),and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).Nevertheless,due to their intrinsic drawbacks and restrictions,such as radiation concerns,high cost,long acquisition time,and low spatial resolution,their applications in AD research are limited,especially at the cellular and molecular levels.In contrast,optical microscopic imaging methods overcome these limitations,offering researchers a variety of approaches with distinct advantages to explore AD pathology on diverse models.In this review,we provide a comprehensive overview of commonly utilized optical microscopic imaging techniques in AD research and introduce their contributions to image amyloid beta(Aβ)species.These techniques include fluorescence microscopy(FM),confocal microscopy(CM),two-photon fluorescence microscopy(TPFM),super-resolution microscopy(SRM),expansion microscopy(ExM),and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy(LSFM).In addition,we introduce some related topics,such as the development of near-infrared(NIR)Aβprobes,the Aβplaque hypothesis,and Aβoligomer hypothesis,and the roles of microglia and astrocytes in AD progression.We believe optical microscopic imaging methods continue to play an indispensable role in deciphering the full pathogenesis of AD and advancing therapeutic strategies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help phys...BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help physicians more accurately diagnose and treat diseases.Combining imaging methods to diagnose RAVF has rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old female patient presented with gross hematuria that had persisted for 10 days.The patient underwent ultrasound examinations of the kidneys and renal blood vessels,enhanced computed tomography,three-dimensional com-puted tomography angiography,and digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries.These revealed dilatation of the left renal vein and abnormal shunting between the left renal artery and vein.The patient was diagnosed with a left RAVF using combined multimodal imaging techniques.The patient was treated with left renal artery embolization immediately after renal arteriography.Hema-turia resolved following the left renal artery embolization without serious bleeding or other complications.The patient made a full recovery after one year of postoperative follow-up.CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging techniques complement each other when diagnosing RAVF,providing detailed diagnostic information that can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment.In addition,this case reminds the sonographer to pay more attention to the color doppler flow imaging and blood flow spectrum when examining the kidney,so as to avoid misdiagnosis of renal cystic lesions as renal cysts and missed diagnosis of RAVF.展开更多
Despite advancements in neuroimaging,false positive diagnoses of intracranial aneurysms remain a significant concern.This article examines the causes,prevalence,and implications of such false-positive diagnoses.We dis...Despite advancements in neuroimaging,false positive diagnoses of intracranial aneurysms remain a significant concern.This article examines the causes,prevalence,and implications of such false-positive diagnoses.We discuss how conditions like arterial occlusion with vascular stump formation and infundibular widening can mimic aneurysms,particularly in the anterior circulation.The article compares various imaging modalities,including computer tomography angiogram,magnetic resonance imaging/angiography,and digital subtraction angiogram,highlighting their strengths and limitations.We emphasize the im-portance of accurate differentiation to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.The potential of emerging technologies,such as high-resolution vessel wall ima-ging and deep neural networks for automated detection,is explored as promising avenues for improving diagnostic accuracy.This manuscript underscores the need for continued research and clinical vigilance in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.展开更多
The tumor microenvironment(TME)plays a critical role in the development and treatment of liver cancer,which ranks sixth in incidence and third in mortality worldwide,according to the“Global Cancer Statistics 2022”.H...The tumor microenvironment(TME)plays a critical role in the development and treatment of liver cancer,which ranks sixth in incidence and third in mortality worldwide,according to the“Global Cancer Statistics 2022”.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),the most common form of liver cancer,is heavily influenced by the TME,which affects tumor growth,invasion,metastasis,and the response to various treatments.Despite advancements in surgery,liver transplantation,targeted therapies,and immunotherapy,the complexity of the TME often limits treatment efficacy,especially in advanced-stage HCC cases.The TME consists of a dynamic interaction between tumor cells,immune cells,fibroblasts,blood vessels,and signaling molecules,all of which contribute to cancer progression and therapy resistance.Assessing the HCC TME is essential for designing effective,personalized treatments and improving patient outcomes.Recent research highlights the value of imaging technologies as non-invasive tools to evaluate the TME,offering new possibilities for more targeted therapies and better prognosis monitoring in HCC patients.展开更多
Feature selection(FS)plays a crucial role in medical imaging by reducing dimensionality,improving computational efficiency,and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.Traditional FS techniques,including filter,wrapper,and embed...Feature selection(FS)plays a crucial role in medical imaging by reducing dimensionality,improving computational efficiency,and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.Traditional FS techniques,including filter,wrapper,and embedded methods,have been widely used but often struggle with high-dimensional and heterogeneous medical imaging data.Deep learning-based FS methods,particularly Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs)and autoencoders,have demonstrated superior performance but lack interpretability.Hybrid approaches that combine classical and deep learning techniques have emerged as a promising solution,offering improved accuracy and explainability.Furthermore,integratingmulti-modal imaging data(e.g.,MagneticResonance Imaging(MRI),ComputedTomography(CT),Positron Emission Tomography(PET),and Ultrasound(US))poses additional challenges in FS,necessitating advanced feature fusion strategies.Multi-modal feature fusion combines information fromdifferent imagingmodalities to improve diagnostic accuracy.Recently,quantum computing has gained attention as a revolutionary approach for FS,providing the potential to handle high-dimensional medical data more efficiently.This systematic literature review comprehensively examines classical,Deep Learning(DL),hybrid,and quantum-based FS techniques inmedical imaging.Key outcomes include a structured taxonomy of FS methods,a critical evaluation of their performance across modalities,and identification of core challenges such as computational burden,interpretability,and ethical considerations.Future research directions—such as explainable AI(XAI),federated learning,and quantum-enhanced FS—are also emphasized to bridge the current gaps.This review provides actionable insights for developing scalable,interpretable,and clinically applicable FS methods in the evolving landscape of medical imaging.展开更多
With the reform and opening up entering a new era,China’s modern civilization and technology are“rolling forward”.In the medical field,innovative changes in radiology imaging technology have presented unprecedented...With the reform and opening up entering a new era,China’s modern civilization and technology are“rolling forward”.In the medical field,innovative changes in radiology imaging technology have presented unprecedented value opportunities in tumor diagnosis.Therefore,this article explores the classification of radiological imaging techniques,specifically including X-ray imaging,Computed Tomography(CT),Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI),Positron Emission Tomography(PET),and ultrasound imaging.Furthermore,it analyzes the practical application of these key technologies in tumor diagnosis and propose new ideas.In the end,the advantages and characteristics of radiology imaging technology are evaluated,and two limitations are also pointed out,which deserves profound reflection.展开更多
Optical imaging has been pivotal in biological research(e.g.,cellular/developmental biology)for over two centuries.Recent advances like super-resolution fluorescence and nonlinear optical microscopy enable nanoscale s...Optical imaging has been pivotal in biological research(e.g.,cellular/developmental biology)for over two centuries.Recent advances like super-resolution fluorescence and nonlinear optical microscopy enable nanoscale studies of live cells and animals,yet their application to marine mollusks-key marine ecosystem species,remains underexplored.This review summarizes optical imaging techniques and their use in investigating marine mollusks across molecular,cellular,tissue,and individual levels.It highlights promising avenues for novel imaging methods to unravel the structures and functions of these organisms in future research,with a focus on advancements in applying cutting-edge optical techniques across these hierarchical levels.Given optical imaging's significance in elucidating marine mollusks'ecological and genetic information,this field deserves substantial attention and support.The review aims to address existing gaps,providing researchers and practitioners with comprehensive insights to foster further progress in this domain.展开更多
Lung cancer(LC)is a major cancer which accounts for higher mortality rates worldwide.Doctors utilise many imaging modalities for identifying lung tumours and their severity in earlier stages.Nowadays,machine learning(...Lung cancer(LC)is a major cancer which accounts for higher mortality rates worldwide.Doctors utilise many imaging modalities for identifying lung tumours and their severity in earlier stages.Nowadays,machine learning(ML)and deep learning(DL)methodologies are utilised for the robust detection and prediction of lung tumours.Recently,multi modal imaging emerged as a robust technique for lung tumour detection by combining various imaging features.To cope with that,we propose a novel multi modal imaging technique named versatile scale malleable image integration and patch wise attention network(VSMI2−PANet)which adopts three imaging modalities named computed tomography(CT),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).The designed model accepts input from CT and MRI images and passes it to the VSMI2 module that is composed of three sub-modules named image cropping module,scale malleable convolution layer(SMCL)and PANet module.CT and MRI images are subjected to image cropping module in a parallel manner to crop the meaningful image patches and provide them to the SMCL module.The SMCL module is composed of adaptive convolutional layers that investigate those patches in a parallel manner by preserving the spatial information.The output from the SMCL is then fused and provided to the PANet module.The PANet module examines the fused patches by analysing its height,width and channels of the image patch.As a result,it provides an output as high-resolution spatial attention maps indicating the location of suspicious tumours.The high-resolution spatial attention maps are then provided as an input to the backbone module which uses light wave transformer(LWT)for segmenting the lung tumours into three classes,such as normal,benign and malignant.In addition,the LWT also accepts SPECT image as input for capturing the variations precisely to segment the lung tumours.The performance of the proposed model is validated using several performance metrics,such as accuracy,precision,recall,F1-score and AUC curve,and the results show that the proposed work outperforms the existing approaches.展开更多
The underlying electrophysiological mechanisms and clinical treatments of cardiovascular diseases,which are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,have gotten a lot of attention and been widely exp...The underlying electrophysiological mechanisms and clinical treatments of cardiovascular diseases,which are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,have gotten a lot of attention and been widely explored in recent decades.Along the way,techniques such as medical imaging,computing modeling,and artificial intelligence(AI)have always played significant roles in above studies.In this article,we illustrated the applications of AI in cardiac electrophysiological research and disease prediction.We summarized general principles of AI and then focused on the roles of AI in cardiac basic and clinical studies incorporating magnetic resonance imaging and computing modeling techniques.The main challenges and perspectives were also analyzed.展开更多
This study presents an advanced method for post-mortem person identification using the segmentation of skeletal structures from chest X-ray images.The proposed approach employs the Attention U-Net architecture,enhance...This study presents an advanced method for post-mortem person identification using the segmentation of skeletal structures from chest X-ray images.The proposed approach employs the Attention U-Net architecture,enhanced with gated attention mechanisms,to refine segmentation by emphasizing spatially relevant anatomical features while suppressing irrelevant details.By isolating skeletal structures which remain stable over time compared to soft tissues,this method leverages bones as reliable biometric markers for identity verification.The model integrates custom-designed encoder and decoder blocks with attention gates,achieving high segmentation precision.To evaluate the impact of architectural choices,we conducted an ablation study comparing Attention U-Net with and without attentionmechanisms,alongside an analysis of data augmentation effects.Training and evaluation were performed on a curated chest X-ray dataset,with segmentation performance measured using Dice score,precision,and loss functions,achieving over 98% precision and 94% Dice score.The extracted bone structures were further processed to derive unique biometric patterns,enabling robust and privacy-preserving person identification.Our findings highlight the effectiveness of attentionmechanisms in improving segmentation accuracy and underscore the potential of chest bonebased biometrics in forensic and medical imaging.This work paves the way for integrating artificial intelligence into real-world forensic workflows,offering a non-invasive and reliable solution for post-mortem identification.展开更多
Background:Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter(SCU)is a highly aggressive and relatively uncommon malignant tumor of the urinary tract.Its frequency is quite low,and its prognosis is very bad when compared to other ca...Background:Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter(SCU)is a highly aggressive and relatively uncommon malignant tumor of the urinary tract.Its frequency is quite low,and its prognosis is very bad when compared to other cancers of the urinary system.SCU clinical reports are still hard to come by.MRI and PEI/CT imaging of ureteral sarcomatoid cancer is presented in this case to promote diagnostic awareness and comprehension of the imaging characteristics of this uncommon illness.Method:The patient had ureteral sarcomatoid cancer,which was verified by pathological investigation after ureteroscopic biopsy.The patient’s clinical information,imaging results,surgical outcomes,and pathological findings were gathered.A retrospective study was carried out in combinationwith pertinent national and international literature.Results:An 84-year-old female patient was admitted for“left flank discomfort lasting over one month.”MRI revealed an irregular soft tissue mass in the middle-lower segment of the left ureter.T2-weighted imaging showed an unevenly slightly hyperintense signal.Diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrated restricted diffusion.Contrastenhanced imaging exhibited heterogeneous enhancement.PET/CT demonstrated significantly increased fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism in the mass with secondary left upper urinary tract obstruction.Concurrent findings included a solitary metastatic lesion in hepatic segment S6 and multiple lymph node metastases along the left common iliac and external iliac arteries.Preoperative diagnosis suggested a malignant tumor of the ureter.The patient underwent left nephroureteroscopy with biopsy,and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma.Conclusion:Ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare,highly malignant,and aggressive tumor with nonspecific imaging features,typically presenting as an invasively growing mass.Diagnosis relies on postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical examination.MRI and PET/CT scans are valuable for preoperative localization and characterization,tumor staging,treatment planning,and postoperative follow-up.The prognosis is extremely negative.The main treatment option is radical surgery,although constant monitoring is necessary since early recurrence and metastases are frequent after surgery.展开更多
The level of glutathione(GSH)is significantly associated with numerous pathological processes,thus,real-time detection of the GSH level is of significance for early diagnosis of GSH-related diseases.Herein,we develope...The level of glutathione(GSH)is significantly associated with numerous pathological processes,thus,real-time detection of the GSH level is of significance for early diagnosis of GSH-related diseases.Herein,we developed in vivo second near-infrared(NIR-II)window fluorescence(FL)and ratiometric photoacoustic(RPA)dual-modality imaging of GSH using a GSH-activatable probe(LET-14).LET-14 was synthesized based on a rhodamine hybrid xanthene skeleton with a FL shielding 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonyl group that can be specifically cleaved by GSH,thus resulting in a markedly bathochromic-shift absorption,a 6.5-fold increase in NIR-II FL intensity(FL920)and a 13-fold increase in RPA signal(PA880/PA705)in vitro.Intriguingly,LET-14 exhibits good selectivity and sensitivity for NIR-II FL and RPA dual-modality imaging of GSH in 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model.Our findings develop an in vivo detection tool of GSH,which has great potential in the field of cancer diagnosis.展开更多
Vascular abnormalities are closely associated with the pathogenesis and progression of numerous diseases, such as thrombosis, tumors, and diabetes. Blood flow velocity serves as a critical biomarker for evaluating per...Vascular abnormalities are closely associated with the pathogenesis and progression of numerous diseases, such as thrombosis, tumors, and diabetes. Blood flow velocity serves as a critical biomarker for evaluating perfusion status. Quantitative detection of full-field blood flow variations in lesion areas holds significant scientific and clinical value for pathological studies,diagnosis, and intraoperative monitoring of related diseases. While laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI) enables full-field blood flow visualization, its reliance on frame-based sensors necessitates handling massive data volumes, leading to inherent trade-offs among spatiotemporal resolution, real-time performance, and quantitative capabilities. Leveraging the asynchronous dynamic sensing, high temporal sampling rate, and low data redundancy of event cameras, this study proposes a quantitative blood flow imaging method termed laser speckle event imaging(LSEI). Experiments using off-the-shelf event cameras demonstrate that LSEI achieves real-time blood flow imaging with minimal computational overhead compared to frame-based LSCI. Furthermore,we investigate the relationship between event data streams and flow velocity through spatial-temporal autocorrelation analysis,enabling quantitative measurements without compromising temporal or spatial resolution. In in vivo imaging experiments of mouse ear blood flow, LSEI exhibits superior imaging details and real-time performance over conventional methods. The proposed approach holds promise as an efficient tool for diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation, and research on vascular-related diseases.展开更多
The photoacoustic imaging of lipid is intrinsically constrained by the feeble nature of endogenous lipid signals,posing a persistent sensitivity challenge that demands innovative solutions.Although adopting high-effic...The photoacoustic imaging of lipid is intrinsically constrained by the feeble nature of endogenous lipid signals,posing a persistent sensitivity challenge that demands innovative solutions.Although adopting high-efficiency excitation and detection elements may improve the imaging sensitivity to a certain extent,the application of the elements is inevitably subject to various limitations in practical applications,particularly during in vivo imaging and endoscopic imaging.In this study,we propose a multi-combinatorial approach to enhance the sensitivity of lipid photoacoustic imaging.The approach involves wavelet transform processing of one-dimensional A-line signals,gradient-based denoising of two-dimensional B-scan images,and finally,threedimensional spatial weighted averaging of the data processed by the previous two steps.This method not only significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in distinguished feature regions of the image by around 10 dB,but also efficiently extracts weak signals with no distinct features in the original image.After processing with this method,the images acquired under single scanning were compared with those obtained under multiple scanning.The results showed highly consistent image features,with the structural similarity index increasing from 0.2 to 0.8,confirming the accuracy and reliability of the multi-combinatorial approach.展开更多
With the expansion of peanut planting area year by year,film mulching cultivation has become increasingly important in peanut production due to its unique advantages in enhancing both yield per unit area and overall e...With the expansion of peanut planting area year by year,film mulching cultivation has become increasingly important in peanut production due to its unique advantages in enhancing both yield per unit area and overall economic benefits.Based on the varietal characteristics of‘Zhouhua 5’and addressing practical issues in peanut production,this paper summarized key techniques for high-yield and high-efficiency film mulching cultivation of this variety.These techniques cover all critical stages,including land preparation and fertilization,seed preparation,sowing methods,field management,and timely harvesting,providing technical guidance for varietal promotion and peanut production.展开更多
Generative Adversarial Networks(GANs)have become valuable tools in medical imaging,enabling realistic image synthesis for enhancement,augmentation,and restoration.However,their integration into clinical workflows rais...Generative Adversarial Networks(GANs)have become valuable tools in medical imaging,enabling realistic image synthesis for enhancement,augmentation,and restoration.However,their integration into clinical workflows raises concerns,particularly the risk of subtle distortions or hallucinations that may undermine diagnostic accuracy and weaken trust in AI-assisted decision-making.To address this challenge,we propose a hybrid deep learning framework designed to detect GAN-induced artifacts in medical images,thereby reinforcing the reliability of AI-driven diagnostics.The framework integrates low-level statistical descriptors,including high-frequency residuals and Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix(GLCM)texture features,with high-level semantic representations extracted from a pre-trained ResNet18.This dual-stream approach enables detection of both pixel-level anomalies and structural inconsistencies introduced by GAN-based manipulation.We validated the framework on a curated dataset of 10,000 medical images,evenly split between authentic and GAN-generated samples across four modalities:MRI,CT,X-ray,and fundus photography.To improve generalizability to real-world clinical settings,we incorporated domain adaptation strategies such as adversarial training and style transfer,reducing domain shift by 15%.Experimental results demonstrate robust performance,achieving 92.6%accuracy and an F1-score of 0.91 on synthetic test data,and maintaining strong performance on real-world GAN-modified images with 87.3%accuracy and an F1-score of 0.85.Additionally,the model attained an AUC of 0.96 and an average precision of 0.92,outperforming conventional GAN detection pipelines and baseline Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)architectures.These findings establish the proposed framework as an effective and reliable solution for detecting GAN-induced hallucinations in medical imaging,representing an important step toward building trustworthy and clinically deployable AI systems.展开更多
Currently,the number of patients with myopia is increasing rapidly across the globe.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with its long history and rich experience,has shown promise in effectively managing and treating th...Currently,the number of patients with myopia is increasing rapidly across the globe.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with its long history and rich experience,has shown promise in effectively managing and treating this condition.Nevertheless,considering the vast amount of research that is currently being conducted,focusing on the utilization of TCM in the management of myopia,there is an urgent requirement for a thorough and comprehensive review.The review would serve to clarify the practical applications of TCM within this specific field,and it would also aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that are at play,providing a deeper understanding of how TCM principles can be effectively integrated into modern medical practices.Here,some modern medical pathogenesis of myopia and appropriate TCM techniques studies are summarized in the prevention and treatment of myopia.Further,we discussed the potential mechanisms and the future research directions of TCM against myopia.Identifying these mechanisms is crucial for understanding how TCM can be effectively utilized in this context.The combination of various TCM methods or the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine is of great significance for the prevention and control of myopia in the future.展开更多
Network-on-Chip(NoC)systems are progressively deployed in connecting massively parallel megacore systems in the new computing architecture.As a result,application mapping has become an important aspect of performance ...Network-on-Chip(NoC)systems are progressively deployed in connecting massively parallel megacore systems in the new computing architecture.As a result,application mapping has become an important aspect of performance and scalability,as current trends require the distribution of computation across network nodes/points.In this paper,we survey a large number of mapping and scheduling techniques designed for NoC architectures.This time,we concentrated on 3D systems.We take a systematic literature review approach to analyze existing methods across static,dynamic,hybrid,and machine-learning-based approaches,alongside preliminary AI-based dynamic models in recent works.We classify them into several main aspects covering power-aware mapping,fault tolerance,load-balancing,and adaptive for dynamic workloads.Also,we assess the efficacy of each method against performance parameters,such as latency,throughput,response time,and error rate.Key challenges,including energy efficiency,real-time adaptability,and reinforcement learning integration,are highlighted as well.To the best of our knowledge,this is one of the recent reviews that identifies both traditional and AI-based algorithms for mapping over a modern NoC,and opens research challenges.Finally,we provide directions for future work toward improved adaptability and scalability via lightweight learned models and hierarchical mapping frameworks.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31760290,82160688the Key Development Areas Project of Ganzhou Science and Technology,No.2022B-SF9554(all to XL)。
文摘Synaptic pruning is a crucial process in synaptic refinement,eliminating unstable synaptic connections in neural circuits.This process is triggered and regulated primarily by spontaneous neural activity and experience-dependent mechanisms.The pruning process involves multiple molecular signals and a series of regulatory activities governing the“eat me”and“don't eat me”states.Under physiological conditions,the interaction between glial cells and neurons results in the clearance of unnecessary synapses,maintaining normal neural circuit functionality via synaptic pruning.Alterations in genetic and environmental factors can lead to imbalanced synaptic pruning,thus promoting the occurrence and development of autism spectrum disorder,schizophrenia,Alzheimer's disease,and other neurological disorders.In this review,we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for synaptic pruning during neural development.We focus on how synaptic pruning can regulate neural circuits and its association with neurological disorders.Furthermore,we discuss the application of emerging optical and imaging technologies to observe synaptic structure and function,as well as their potential for clinical translation.Our aim was to enhance our understanding of synaptic pruning during neural development,including the molecular basis underlying the regulation of synaptic function and the dynamic changes in synaptic density,and to investigate the potential role of these mechanisms in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases,thus providing a theoretical foundation for the treatment of neurological disorders.
基金supported by NIH(R01AG055413),(R01AG085562),(R21AG059134),(R21AG078749),and(S10OD028609)awards(C.R.).NIH Office of the Director,National Institute on Aging.
文摘Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions.Given that AD undermines the quality of life for millions and has an extended asymptomatic period,exploring the full AD pathogenesis and seeking the optimal therapeutic solution have become critical and imperative.This allows researchers to intervene,delay,and potentially prevent AD progression.Several clinical imaging methods are utilized routinely to diagnose and monitor AD,such as magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI),positron emission tomography(PET),and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).Nevertheless,due to their intrinsic drawbacks and restrictions,such as radiation concerns,high cost,long acquisition time,and low spatial resolution,their applications in AD research are limited,especially at the cellular and molecular levels.In contrast,optical microscopic imaging methods overcome these limitations,offering researchers a variety of approaches with distinct advantages to explore AD pathology on diverse models.In this review,we provide a comprehensive overview of commonly utilized optical microscopic imaging techniques in AD research and introduce their contributions to image amyloid beta(Aβ)species.These techniques include fluorescence microscopy(FM),confocal microscopy(CM),two-photon fluorescence microscopy(TPFM),super-resolution microscopy(SRM),expansion microscopy(ExM),and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy(LSFM).In addition,we introduce some related topics,such as the development of near-infrared(NIR)Aβprobes,the Aβplaque hypothesis,and Aβoligomer hypothesis,and the roles of microglia and astrocytes in AD progression.We believe optical microscopic imaging methods continue to play an indispensable role in deciphering the full pathogenesis of AD and advancing therapeutic strategies.
文摘BACKGROUND Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula(RAVF)is a clinically rare condition and frequently missed and misdiagnosed.Multimodal imaging techniques can pro-vide more detailed diagnostic information to help physicians more accurately diagnose and treat diseases.Combining imaging methods to diagnose RAVF has rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old female patient presented with gross hematuria that had persisted for 10 days.The patient underwent ultrasound examinations of the kidneys and renal blood vessels,enhanced computed tomography,three-dimensional com-puted tomography angiography,and digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries.These revealed dilatation of the left renal vein and abnormal shunting between the left renal artery and vein.The patient was diagnosed with a left RAVF using combined multimodal imaging techniques.The patient was treated with left renal artery embolization immediately after renal arteriography.Hema-turia resolved following the left renal artery embolization without serious bleeding or other complications.The patient made a full recovery after one year of postoperative follow-up.CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging techniques complement each other when diagnosing RAVF,providing detailed diagnostic information that can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment.In addition,this case reminds the sonographer to pay more attention to the color doppler flow imaging and blood flow spectrum when examining the kidney,so as to avoid misdiagnosis of renal cystic lesions as renal cysts and missed diagnosis of RAVF.
文摘Despite advancements in neuroimaging,false positive diagnoses of intracranial aneurysms remain a significant concern.This article examines the causes,prevalence,and implications of such false-positive diagnoses.We discuss how conditions like arterial occlusion with vascular stump formation and infundibular widening can mimic aneurysms,particularly in the anterior circulation.The article compares various imaging modalities,including computer tomography angiogram,magnetic resonance imaging/angiography,and digital subtraction angiogram,highlighting their strengths and limitations.We emphasize the im-portance of accurate differentiation to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.The potential of emerging technologies,such as high-resolution vessel wall ima-ging and deep neural networks for automated detection,is explored as promising avenues for improving diagnostic accuracy.This manuscript underscores the need for continued research and clinical vigilance in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82360132the First Hospital of Lanzhou University,No.ldyyyn2020-14.
文摘The tumor microenvironment(TME)plays a critical role in the development and treatment of liver cancer,which ranks sixth in incidence and third in mortality worldwide,according to the“Global Cancer Statistics 2022”.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),the most common form of liver cancer,is heavily influenced by the TME,which affects tumor growth,invasion,metastasis,and the response to various treatments.Despite advancements in surgery,liver transplantation,targeted therapies,and immunotherapy,the complexity of the TME often limits treatment efficacy,especially in advanced-stage HCC cases.The TME consists of a dynamic interaction between tumor cells,immune cells,fibroblasts,blood vessels,and signaling molecules,all of which contribute to cancer progression and therapy resistance.Assessing the HCC TME is essential for designing effective,personalized treatments and improving patient outcomes.Recent research highlights the value of imaging technologies as non-invasive tools to evaluate the TME,offering new possibilities for more targeted therapies and better prognosis monitoring in HCC patients.
文摘Feature selection(FS)plays a crucial role in medical imaging by reducing dimensionality,improving computational efficiency,and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.Traditional FS techniques,including filter,wrapper,and embedded methods,have been widely used but often struggle with high-dimensional and heterogeneous medical imaging data.Deep learning-based FS methods,particularly Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs)and autoencoders,have demonstrated superior performance but lack interpretability.Hybrid approaches that combine classical and deep learning techniques have emerged as a promising solution,offering improved accuracy and explainability.Furthermore,integratingmulti-modal imaging data(e.g.,MagneticResonance Imaging(MRI),ComputedTomography(CT),Positron Emission Tomography(PET),and Ultrasound(US))poses additional challenges in FS,necessitating advanced feature fusion strategies.Multi-modal feature fusion combines information fromdifferent imagingmodalities to improve diagnostic accuracy.Recently,quantum computing has gained attention as a revolutionary approach for FS,providing the potential to handle high-dimensional medical data more efficiently.This systematic literature review comprehensively examines classical,Deep Learning(DL),hybrid,and quantum-based FS techniques inmedical imaging.Key outcomes include a structured taxonomy of FS methods,a critical evaluation of their performance across modalities,and identification of core challenges such as computational burden,interpretability,and ethical considerations.Future research directions—such as explainable AI(XAI),federated learning,and quantum-enhanced FS—are also emphasized to bridge the current gaps.This review provides actionable insights for developing scalable,interpretable,and clinically applicable FS methods in the evolving landscape of medical imaging.
文摘With the reform and opening up entering a new era,China’s modern civilization and technology are“rolling forward”.In the medical field,innovative changes in radiology imaging technology have presented unprecedented value opportunities in tumor diagnosis.Therefore,this article explores the classification of radiological imaging techniques,specifically including X-ray imaging,Computed Tomography(CT),Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI),Positron Emission Tomography(PET),and ultrasound imaging.Furthermore,it analyzes the practical application of these key technologies in tumor diagnosis and propose new ideas.In the end,the advantages and characteristics of radiology imaging technology are evaluated,and two limitations are also pointed out,which deserves profound reflection.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(T2421003/22327802/41806142)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Foundation(2025A1515011484/2022A1515011845)+1 种基金Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics(ZDSYS20210623092006020)Medical-Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Foundation of Shenzhen University(2023YG033).
文摘Optical imaging has been pivotal in biological research(e.g.,cellular/developmental biology)for over two centuries.Recent advances like super-resolution fluorescence and nonlinear optical microscopy enable nanoscale studies of live cells and animals,yet their application to marine mollusks-key marine ecosystem species,remains underexplored.This review summarizes optical imaging techniques and their use in investigating marine mollusks across molecular,cellular,tissue,and individual levels.It highlights promising avenues for novel imaging methods to unravel the structures and functions of these organisms in future research,with a focus on advancements in applying cutting-edge optical techniques across these hierarchical levels.Given optical imaging's significance in elucidating marine mollusks'ecological and genetic information,this field deserves substantial attention and support.The review aims to address existing gaps,providing researchers and practitioners with comprehensive insights to foster further progress in this domain.
基金supported by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the work of Nayef Alqahtani is supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research,Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research,King Faisal University,Saudi Arabia(Grant KFU251882).
文摘Lung cancer(LC)is a major cancer which accounts for higher mortality rates worldwide.Doctors utilise many imaging modalities for identifying lung tumours and their severity in earlier stages.Nowadays,machine learning(ML)and deep learning(DL)methodologies are utilised for the robust detection and prediction of lung tumours.Recently,multi modal imaging emerged as a robust technique for lung tumour detection by combining various imaging features.To cope with that,we propose a novel multi modal imaging technique named versatile scale malleable image integration and patch wise attention network(VSMI2−PANet)which adopts three imaging modalities named computed tomography(CT),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).The designed model accepts input from CT and MRI images and passes it to the VSMI2 module that is composed of three sub-modules named image cropping module,scale malleable convolution layer(SMCL)and PANet module.CT and MRI images are subjected to image cropping module in a parallel manner to crop the meaningful image patches and provide them to the SMCL module.The SMCL module is composed of adaptive convolutional layers that investigate those patches in a parallel manner by preserving the spatial information.The output from the SMCL is then fused and provided to the PANet module.The PANet module examines the fused patches by analysing its height,width and channels of the image patch.As a result,it provides an output as high-resolution spatial attention maps indicating the location of suspicious tumours.The high-resolution spatial attention maps are then provided as an input to the backbone module which uses light wave transformer(LWT)for segmenting the lung tumours into three classes,such as normal,benign and malignant.In addition,the LWT also accepts SPECT image as input for capturing the variations precisely to segment the lung tumours.The performance of the proposed model is validated using several performance metrics,such as accuracy,precision,recall,F1-score and AUC curve,and the results show that the proposed work outperforms the existing approaches.
基金the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.820RC625)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82060332)。
文摘The underlying electrophysiological mechanisms and clinical treatments of cardiovascular diseases,which are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,have gotten a lot of attention and been widely explored in recent decades.Along the way,techniques such as medical imaging,computing modeling,and artificial intelligence(AI)have always played significant roles in above studies.In this article,we illustrated the applications of AI in cardiac electrophysiological research and disease prediction.We summarized general principles of AI and then focused on the roles of AI in cardiac basic and clinical studies incorporating magnetic resonance imaging and computing modeling techniques.The main challenges and perspectives were also analyzed.
基金funded by Umm Al-Qura University,Saudi Arabia under grant number:25UQU4300346GSSR08.
文摘This study presents an advanced method for post-mortem person identification using the segmentation of skeletal structures from chest X-ray images.The proposed approach employs the Attention U-Net architecture,enhanced with gated attention mechanisms,to refine segmentation by emphasizing spatially relevant anatomical features while suppressing irrelevant details.By isolating skeletal structures which remain stable over time compared to soft tissues,this method leverages bones as reliable biometric markers for identity verification.The model integrates custom-designed encoder and decoder blocks with attention gates,achieving high segmentation precision.To evaluate the impact of architectural choices,we conducted an ablation study comparing Attention U-Net with and without attentionmechanisms,alongside an analysis of data augmentation effects.Training and evaluation were performed on a curated chest X-ray dataset,with segmentation performance measured using Dice score,precision,and loss functions,achieving over 98% precision and 94% Dice score.The extracted bone structures were further processed to derive unique biometric patterns,enabling robust and privacy-preserving person identification.Our findings highlight the effectiveness of attentionmechanisms in improving segmentation accuracy and underscore the potential of chest bonebased biometrics in forensic and medical imaging.This work paves the way for integrating artificial intelligence into real-world forensic workflows,offering a non-invasive and reliable solution for post-mortem identification.
文摘Background:Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the ureter(SCU)is a highly aggressive and relatively uncommon malignant tumor of the urinary tract.Its frequency is quite low,and its prognosis is very bad when compared to other cancers of the urinary system.SCU clinical reports are still hard to come by.MRI and PEI/CT imaging of ureteral sarcomatoid cancer is presented in this case to promote diagnostic awareness and comprehension of the imaging characteristics of this uncommon illness.Method:The patient had ureteral sarcomatoid cancer,which was verified by pathological investigation after ureteroscopic biopsy.The patient’s clinical information,imaging results,surgical outcomes,and pathological findings were gathered.A retrospective study was carried out in combinationwith pertinent national and international literature.Results:An 84-year-old female patient was admitted for“left flank discomfort lasting over one month.”MRI revealed an irregular soft tissue mass in the middle-lower segment of the left ureter.T2-weighted imaging showed an unevenly slightly hyperintense signal.Diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrated restricted diffusion.Contrastenhanced imaging exhibited heterogeneous enhancement.PET/CT demonstrated significantly increased fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism in the mass with secondary left upper urinary tract obstruction.Concurrent findings included a solitary metastatic lesion in hepatic segment S6 and multiple lymph node metastases along the left common iliac and external iliac arteries.Preoperative diagnosis suggested a malignant tumor of the ureter.The patient underwent left nephroureteroscopy with biopsy,and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma.Conclusion:Ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare,highly malignant,and aggressive tumor with nonspecific imaging features,typically presenting as an invasively growing mass.Diagnosis relies on postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical examination.MRI and PET/CT scans are valuable for preoperative localization and characterization,tumor staging,treatment planning,and postoperative follow-up.The prognosis is extremely negative.The main treatment option is radical surgery,although constant monitoring is necessary since early recurrence and metastases are frequent after surgery.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82372116,U23A2097)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2022A1515010620)+2 种基金Shenzhen Medical Research Fund(Nos.B2302047,A2302047)Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(No.JCYJ20220818095806014)Research Team Cultivation Program of Shenzhen University(No.2023QNT019).
文摘The level of glutathione(GSH)is significantly associated with numerous pathological processes,thus,real-time detection of the GSH level is of significance for early diagnosis of GSH-related diseases.Herein,we developed in vivo second near-infrared(NIR-II)window fluorescence(FL)and ratiometric photoacoustic(RPA)dual-modality imaging of GSH using a GSH-activatable probe(LET-14).LET-14 was synthesized based on a rhodamine hybrid xanthene skeleton with a FL shielding 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonyl group that can be specifically cleaved by GSH,thus resulting in a markedly bathochromic-shift absorption,a 6.5-fold increase in NIR-II FL intensity(FL920)and a 13-fold increase in RPA signal(PA880/PA705)in vitro.Intriguingly,LET-14 exhibits good selectivity and sensitivity for NIR-II FL and RPA dual-modality imaging of GSH in 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model.Our findings develop an in vivo detection tool of GSH,which has great potential in the field of cancer diagnosis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.12572210)the Scientific Instrument Developing Project of Shenzhen University (Grant Nos.2023YQ011,2024YQ001)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission Project—Stable Support (General Project)(Grant No.20231120175055001)。
文摘Vascular abnormalities are closely associated with the pathogenesis and progression of numerous diseases, such as thrombosis, tumors, and diabetes. Blood flow velocity serves as a critical biomarker for evaluating perfusion status. Quantitative detection of full-field blood flow variations in lesion areas holds significant scientific and clinical value for pathological studies,diagnosis, and intraoperative monitoring of related diseases. While laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI) enables full-field blood flow visualization, its reliance on frame-based sensors necessitates handling massive data volumes, leading to inherent trade-offs among spatiotemporal resolution, real-time performance, and quantitative capabilities. Leveraging the asynchronous dynamic sensing, high temporal sampling rate, and low data redundancy of event cameras, this study proposes a quantitative blood flow imaging method termed laser speckle event imaging(LSEI). Experiments using off-the-shelf event cameras demonstrate that LSEI achieves real-time blood flow imaging with minimal computational overhead compared to frame-based LSCI. Furthermore,we investigate the relationship between event data streams and flow velocity through spatial-temporal autocorrelation analysis,enabling quantitative measurements without compromising temporal or spatial resolution. In in vivo imaging experiments of mouse ear blood flow, LSEI exhibits superior imaging details and real-time performance over conventional methods. The proposed approach holds promise as an efficient tool for diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation, and research on vascular-related diseases.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC2402400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82027803,62275062)+7 种基金the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Optical Imaging Technology(2020B121201010)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee under Grant(JCYJ20220818101417039)the Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular lmaging(ZDSY20130401165820357)the Shenzhen Medical Research Fund(D2404002)the Project of Shandong Innovation and Startup Community of High-end Medical Apparatus and Instruments(2023-SGTTXM-002 and 2024-SGTTXM-005)the Shandong Province Technology Innovation Guidance Plan(Central Leading Local Science and Technology Development Fund)(YDZX2023115)the Taishan Scholar Special Funding Project of Shandong Provinceand the Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials and Medical Devices in Weihai(ZL202402).
文摘The photoacoustic imaging of lipid is intrinsically constrained by the feeble nature of endogenous lipid signals,posing a persistent sensitivity challenge that demands innovative solutions.Although adopting high-efficiency excitation and detection elements may improve the imaging sensitivity to a certain extent,the application of the elements is inevitably subject to various limitations in practical applications,particularly during in vivo imaging and endoscopic imaging.In this study,we propose a multi-combinatorial approach to enhance the sensitivity of lipid photoacoustic imaging.The approach involves wavelet transform processing of one-dimensional A-line signals,gradient-based denoising of two-dimensional B-scan images,and finally,threedimensional spatial weighted averaging of the data processed by the previous two steps.This method not only significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in distinguished feature regions of the image by around 10 dB,but also efficiently extracts weak signals with no distinct features in the original image.After processing with this method,the images acquired under single scanning were compared with those obtained under multiple scanning.The results showed highly consistent image features,with the structural similarity index increasing from 0.2 to 0.8,confirming the accuracy and reliability of the multi-combinatorial approach.
基金Supported by Zhoukou Key Science and Technology Research Project(20200816).
文摘With the expansion of peanut planting area year by year,film mulching cultivation has become increasingly important in peanut production due to its unique advantages in enhancing both yield per unit area and overall economic benefits.Based on the varietal characteristics of‘Zhouhua 5’and addressing practical issues in peanut production,this paper summarized key techniques for high-yield and high-efficiency film mulching cultivation of this variety.These techniques cover all critical stages,including land preparation and fertilization,seed preparation,sowing methods,field management,and timely harvesting,providing technical guidance for varietal promotion and peanut production.
基金supported and funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University(IMSIU)(grant number IMSIU-DDRSP2601).
文摘Generative Adversarial Networks(GANs)have become valuable tools in medical imaging,enabling realistic image synthesis for enhancement,augmentation,and restoration.However,their integration into clinical workflows raises concerns,particularly the risk of subtle distortions or hallucinations that may undermine diagnostic accuracy and weaken trust in AI-assisted decision-making.To address this challenge,we propose a hybrid deep learning framework designed to detect GAN-induced artifacts in medical images,thereby reinforcing the reliability of AI-driven diagnostics.The framework integrates low-level statistical descriptors,including high-frequency residuals and Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix(GLCM)texture features,with high-level semantic representations extracted from a pre-trained ResNet18.This dual-stream approach enables detection of both pixel-level anomalies and structural inconsistencies introduced by GAN-based manipulation.We validated the framework on a curated dataset of 10,000 medical images,evenly split between authentic and GAN-generated samples across four modalities:MRI,CT,X-ray,and fundus photography.To improve generalizability to real-world clinical settings,we incorporated domain adaptation strategies such as adversarial training and style transfer,reducing domain shift by 15%.Experimental results demonstrate robust performance,achieving 92.6%accuracy and an F1-score of 0.91 on synthetic test data,and maintaining strong performance on real-world GAN-modified images with 87.3%accuracy and an F1-score of 0.85.Additionally,the model attained an AUC of 0.96 and an average precision of 0.92,outperforming conventional GAN detection pipelines and baseline Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)architectures.These findings establish the proposed framework as an effective and reliable solution for detecting GAN-induced hallucinations in medical imaging,representing an important step toward building trustworthy and clinically deployable AI systems.
基金supported by Healthy China initiative of Traditional Chinese Medicine(No.889042).
文摘Currently,the number of patients with myopia is increasing rapidly across the globe.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),with its long history and rich experience,has shown promise in effectively managing and treating this condition.Nevertheless,considering the vast amount of research that is currently being conducted,focusing on the utilization of TCM in the management of myopia,there is an urgent requirement for a thorough and comprehensive review.The review would serve to clarify the practical applications of TCM within this specific field,and it would also aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that are at play,providing a deeper understanding of how TCM principles can be effectively integrated into modern medical practices.Here,some modern medical pathogenesis of myopia and appropriate TCM techniques studies are summarized in the prevention and treatment of myopia.Further,we discussed the potential mechanisms and the future research directions of TCM against myopia.Identifying these mechanisms is crucial for understanding how TCM can be effectively utilized in this context.The combination of various TCM methods or the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine is of great significance for the prevention and control of myopia in the future.
文摘Network-on-Chip(NoC)systems are progressively deployed in connecting massively parallel megacore systems in the new computing architecture.As a result,application mapping has become an important aspect of performance and scalability,as current trends require the distribution of computation across network nodes/points.In this paper,we survey a large number of mapping and scheduling techniques designed for NoC architectures.This time,we concentrated on 3D systems.We take a systematic literature review approach to analyze existing methods across static,dynamic,hybrid,and machine-learning-based approaches,alongside preliminary AI-based dynamic models in recent works.We classify them into several main aspects covering power-aware mapping,fault tolerance,load-balancing,and adaptive for dynamic workloads.Also,we assess the efficacy of each method against performance parameters,such as latency,throughput,response time,and error rate.Key challenges,including energy efficiency,real-time adaptability,and reinforcement learning integration,are highlighted as well.To the best of our knowledge,this is one of the recent reviews that identifies both traditional and AI-based algorithms for mapping over a modern NoC,and opens research challenges.Finally,we provide directions for future work toward improved adaptability and scalability via lightweight learned models and hierarchical mapping frameworks.
