No abstract

To address the issues of the relatively small size of brain tumor image datasets, severe class imbalance, and low precision in existing segmentation algorithms for brain tumor images, this study proposes a two-stage segmentation algorithm integrating convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and conventional methods. Four modalities of the original magnetic resonance images were first preprocessed separately. Next, preliminary segmentation was performed using an improved U-Net CNN containing deep monitoring, residual structures, dense connection structures, and dense skip connections. The authors adopted a multiclass Dice loss function to deal with class imbalance and successfully prevented overfitting using data augmentation. The preliminary segmentation results subsequently served as the a priori knowledge for a continuous maximum flow algorithm for fine segmentation of target edges. Experiments revealed that the mean Dice similarity coefficients of the proposed algorithm in whole tumor, tumor core, and enhancing tumor segmentation were 0.9072, 0.8578, and 0.7837, respectively. The proposed algorithm presents higher accuracy and better stability in comparison with some of the more advanced segmentation algorithms for brain tumor images.

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is mainly extracted from tea, onions, and apples. It has the underlying neuroprotective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. A systematic review and meta-analysis were used to assess quercetin’s efficacy and possible mechanisms in treating focal cerebral ischemia. Compared with the control group, twelve studies reported a remarkable function of quercetin in improving the neurological function score (NFS) ( P < 0.05 ), and twelve studies reported a significant effect on reducing infarct volume ( P < 0.05 ). Moreover, two and three studies showed that quercetin could alleviate blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain water content, respectively. The mechanisms of quercetin against focal cerebral ischemia are diverse, involving antioxidation, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammation, and calcium overload reduction. On the whole, the present study suggested that quercetin can exert a protective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. Although the effect size may be overestimated because of the quality of studies and possible publication bias, these results indicated that quercetin might be a promising neuroprotective agent for human ischemic stroke. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD 42021275656.