High mammographic density (MD) and excess weight are both associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Classically defined percentage density measures tend to increase with reduced weight due to disproportionate loss of breast fat, however the effect of weight loss on artificial intelligence-based density scores is unknown. We investigated an artificial intelligence-based density method, reporting density changes in 46 women enrolled in a weight-loss study in a family history breast cancer clinic, using a volumetric density method as a comparison.&#xD;&#xD;Methods: We analysed data from women who had weight recorded and mammograms taken at the start and end of the 12-month weight intervention study. MD was assessed at both time points using a deep learning model trained on expert estimates of percent density called pVAS, and the volumetric density software VolparaTM.&#xD;&#xD;Results: Mean (standard deviation) weight of participants at the start and end of the study was 86.0 (12.2) and 82.5 (13.8) respectively; mean (standard deviation) pVAS scores were 35.8 (13.0) and 36.3 (12.4), and Volpara volumetric percent density scores were 7.05 (4.4) and 7.6 (4.4).The Spearman rank correlation between reduction in weight and change in density was 0.17 (-0.13 to 0.43, p=0.27) for pVAS and 0.59 (0.36 to 0.75, p<0.001) for Volpara volumetric percent density.&#xD;&#xD;Conclusion: pVAS percentage density measurements were not significantly affected by change in weight. Percent density measured with Volpara increased as weight decreased, driven by changes in fat volume.&#xD.

Objective&#xD;Low-dose interior tomography integrates low-dose CT (LDCT) with region-of-interest (ROI) imaging which finds wide application in radiation dose reduction and high-resolution imaging. However, the combined effects of noise and data truncation pose great challenges for accurate tomographic reconstruction. This study aims to develop a novel reconstruction framework that achieves high-quality ROI reconstruction and efficient extension of recoverable region to provide innovative solutions to address coupled ill-posed problems.&#xD;Approach&#xD;We conducted a comprehensive analysis of projection data composition and angular sampling patterns in low-dose interior tomography. Based on this analysis, we proposed two novel deep learning-based reconstruction pipelines: (1) Deep Projection Extraction-based Reconstruction (DPER) that focuses on ROI reconstruction by disentangling and extracting noise and background projection contributions using a dual-domain deep neural network; and (2) DPER with Progressive extension (DPER-Pro) that enhances DPER by a progressive "coarse-to-fine" strategy for missing data compensation, enabling simultaneous ROI reconstruction and extension of recoverable regions. The proposed methods were rigorously evaluated through extensive experiments on simulated torso datasets and real CT scans of a torso phantom.&#xD;Main Results&#xD;The experimental results demonstrated that DPER effectively handles the coupled ill-posed problem and achieves high-quality ROI reconstructions by accurately extracting noise and background projections. DPER-Pro extends the recoverable region while preserving ROI image quality by leveraging disentangled projection components and angular sampling patterns. Both methods outperform competing approaches in reconstructing reliable structures, enhancing generalization, and mitigating noise and truncation artifacts.&#xD;Significance&#xD;This work presents a novel decoupled deep learning framework for low-dose interior tomography that provides a robust and effective solution to the challenges posed by noise and truncated projections. The proposed methods significantly improve ROI reconstruction quality while efficiently recovering structural information in exterior regions, offering a promising pathway for advancing low-dose ROI imaging across a wide range of applications.&#xD.

We propose a data-driven method for approximating real-valued functions on smooth manifolds, building on the Diffusion Maps framework under the manifold hypothesis. Given pointwise evaluations of a function, the method constructs a smooth extension to the ambient space by exploiting diffusion geometry and its connection to the heat equation and the Laplace-Beltrami operator. To address the computational challenges of high-dimensional data, we introduce a dimensionality reduction strategy based on the low-rank structure of the distance matrix, revealed via singular value decomposition (SVD). In addition, we develop an online updating mechanism that enables efficient incorporation of new data, thereby improving scalability and reducing computational cost. Numerical experiments, including applications to sparse CT reconstruction, demonstrate that the proposed methodology outperforms classical feedforward neural networks and interpolation methods in terms of both accuracy and efficiency.

MTV is increasingly recognized as an accurate estimate of disease burden, which has prognostic value, but its implementation has been hindered by the time-consuming need for manual segmentation of images. Automated quantitation using AI-driven approaches is promising. AI-driven automated quantification significantly reduces labor-intensive manual segmentation, improving consistency, reproducibility, and feasibility for routine clinical practice. AI-enhanced radiomics provides comprehensive characterization of tumor biology, capturing intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity beyond what conventional volumetric metrics alone offer, supporting improved patient stratification and therapy planning. AI-driven segmentation of normal organs improves radioligand therapy planning by enabling accurate dose predictions and comprehensive organ-based radiomics analysis, further refining personalized patient management.

To develop and validate a non-invasive deep learning model that integrates voxel-level radiomics with multi-sequence MRI to predict microsatellite instability (MSI) status in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC). This two-center retrospective study included 375 patients with pathologically confirmed EC from two medical centers. Patients underwent preoperative multiparametric MRI (T2WI, DWI, CE-T1WI), and MSI status was determined by immunohistochemistry. Tumor regions were manually segmented, and voxel-level radiomics features were extracted following IBSI guidelines. A dual-channel 3D deep neural network based on the Vision-Mamba architecture was constructed to jointly process voxel-wise radiomics feature maps and MR images. The model was trained and internally validated on cohorts from Center I and tested on an external cohort from Center II. Performance was compared with Vision Transformer, 3D-ResNet, and traditional radiomics models. Interpretability was assessed with feature importance ranking and SHAP value visualization. The Vision-Mamba model achieved strong predictive performance across all datasets. In the external test cohort, it yielded an AUC of 0.866, accuracy of 0.875, sensitivity of 0.833, and specificity of 0.900, outperforming other models. Integrating voxel-level radiomics features with MRI enabled the model to better capture both local and global tumor heterogeneity compared to traditional approaches. Interpretability analysis identified glszm_SizeZoneNonUniformityNormalized, ngtdm_Busyness, and glcm_Correlation as top features, with SHAP analysis revealing that tumor parenchyma, regions of enhancement, and diffusion restriction were pivotal for MSI prediction. The proposed voxel-level radiomics and deep learning model provides a robust, non-invasive tool for predicting MSI status in endometrial carcinoma, potentially supporting personalized treatment decision-making.

Computed tomography (CT) remains the primary modality for assessing renal tumors; however, tumor identification and segmentation rely heavily on manual interpretation by clinicians, which is time-consuming and subject to inter-observer variability. The heterogeneity of tumor appearance and indistinct margins further complicate accurate delineation, impacting histopathological classification, treatment planning, and prognostic assessment. There is a pressing clinical need for an automated segmentation tool to enhance diagnostic workflows and support clinical decision-making with results that are reliable, accurate, and reproducible. This study developed a fully automated pipeline based on the DeepMedic 3D convolutional neural network for the segmentation of kidneys and renal tumors through multi-scale feature extraction. The model was trained and evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation on a dataset of 382 contrast-enhanced CT scans manually annotated by experienced physicians. Image preprocessing included Hounsfield unit conversion, windowing, 3D reconstruction, and voxel resampling. Post-processing was also employed to refine output masks and improve model generalizability. The proposed model achieved high performance in kidney segmentation, with an average Dice coefficient of 93.82 ± 1.38%, precision of 94.86 ± 1.59%, and recall of 93.66 ± 1.77%. In renal tumor segmentation, the model attained a Dice coefficient of 88.19 ± 1.24%, precision of 90.36 ± 1.90%, and recall of 88.23 ± 2.02%. Visual comparisons with ground truth annotations confirmed the clinical relevance and accuracy of the predictions. The proposed DeepMedic-based framework demonstrates robust, accurate segmentation of kidneys and renal tumors on CT images. With its potential for real-time application, this model could enhance diagnostic efficiency and treatment planning in renal oncology.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been increasingly understood as a disorder of network-level functional dysconnectivity. However, previous brain connectome studies have primarily relied on node-centric approaches, neglecting critical edge-edge interactions that may capture essential features of network dysfunction. This study included resting-state functional MRI data from 838 MDD patients and 881 healthy controls (HC) across 23 sites. We applied a novel edge-centric connectome model to estimate edge functional connectivity and identify overlapping network communities. Regional functional diversity was quantified via normalized entropy based on community overlap patterns. Neurobiological decoding was performed to map brain-wide relationships between functional diversity alterations and patterns of gene expression and neurotransmitter distribution. Comparative machine learning analyses further evaluated the diagnostic utility of edge-centric versus node-centric connectome representations. Compared with HC, MDD patients exhibited significantly increased functional diversity within the prefrontal-striatal-thalamic reward circuit. Neurobiological decoding analysis revealed that functional diversity alterations in MDD were spatially associated with transcriptional patterns enriched for inflammatory processes, as well as distribution of 5-HT1B receptors. Machine learning analyses demonstrated superior classification performance of edge-centric models over traditional node-centric approaches in distinguishing MDD patients from HC at the individual level. Our findings highlighted that abnormal functional diversity within the reward processing system might underlie multi-level neurobiological mechanisms of MDD. The edge-centric connectome approach offers a valuable tool for identifying disease biomarkers, characterizing individual variation and advancing current understanding of complex network configuration in psychiatric disorders.

Early and accurate Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis is critical for effective intervention, but it is still challenging due to neurodegeneration's slow and complex progression. Recent studies in brain imaging analysis have highlighted the crucial roles of deep learning techniques in computer-assisted interventions for diagnosing brain diseases. In this study, we propose AlzFormer, a novel deep learning framework based on a space-time attention mechanism, for multiclass classification of AD, MCI, and CN individuals using structural MRI scans. Unlike conventional deep learning models, we used spatiotemporal self-attention to model inter-slice continuity by treating T1-weighted MRI volumes as sequential inputs, where slices correspond to video frames. Our model was fine-tuned and evaluated using 1.5 T MRI scans from the ADNI dataset. To ensure the anatomical consistency of all the MRI data, All MRI volumes were pre-processed with skull stripping and spatial normalization to MNI space. AlzFormer achieved an overall accuracy of 94 % on the test set, with balanced class-wise F1-scores (AD: 0.94, MCI: 0.99, CN: 0.98) and a macro-average AUC of 0.98. We also utilized attention map analysis to identify clinically significant patterns, particularly emphasizing subcortical structures and medial temporal regions implicated in AD. These findings demonstrate the potential of transformer-based architectures for robust and interpretable classification of brain disorders using structural MRI.

Precise implant placement in the anterior and posterior maxilla often presents challenges due to variable bone and soft tissue anatomy. Many clinicians elect a freehand surgical approach because conventional surgical guides may not always be easy to design, fabricate, or utilize. Guided surgery has been proven to have advantages over freehand surgical protocols and therefore, the present study proposed utilizing the nasopalatine canal (NPC) as an anatomical reference and point of fixation for a novel rotational path surgical template during computer-aided implant surgery (CAIS). The present digital workflow combined artificial intelligence (AI) facilitated cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) software bone segmentation of the maxillary arch to assess the NPC and surrounding hard tissues, to design and fabricate static surgical guides to precisely place implants. After rotational engagement of the maxillary buccal undercuts, each novel surgical guide incorporated the NPC for fixation with a single pin to achieve initial stability. 22 consecutive patients requiring maxillary reconstruction received 123 implants (7 fully and 15 partially edentulous) utilizing a fully-guided surgical protocol to complete 4 overdenture and 18 full-arch fixed restorations. 12 patients required extensive maxillary bone augmentation before implant placement. 13 patients required delayed loading based on bone density and 9 patients were restoratively loaded within 24 to 96 hours post-surgery, accomplished with the use of photogrammetry for the fabrication of 3D-printed restorations. The initial implant success rate was 98.37% and 100% initial prosthetic success. The use of the NPC for fixation of surgical guides did not result in any neurovascular post-operative complications. The novel template concept can improve surgical outcomes using a bone-borne template design for implant-supported rehabilitation of the partial and fully edentulous maxillary arch. Preliminary case series confirmed controlled placement accuracy with limited risk of neurovascular complications for full-arch overdenture and fixed restorations. NPC is a vital maxillary anatomic landmark for implant planning, with an expanded role for the stabilization of novel surgical guide designs due to advancements in AI bone segmentation.

BackgroundCarotid plaque presence is associated with cardiovascular risk, even among asymptomatic individuals. While deep learning has shown promise for carotid plaque phenotyping in patients with advanced atherosclerosis, its application in population-based settings of asymptomatic individuals remains unexplored. MethodsWe developed a YOLOv8-based model for plaque detection using carotid ultrasound images from 19,499 participants of the population-based UK Biobank (UKB) and fine-tuned it for external validation in the BiDirect study (N = 2,105). Cox regression was used to estimate the impact of plaque presence and count on major cardiovascular events. To explore the genetic architecture of carotid atherosclerosis, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of the UKB and CHARGE cohorts. Mendelian randomization (MR) assessed the effect of genetic predisposition to vascular risk factors on carotid atherosclerosis. ResultsOur model demonstrated high performance with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity exceeding 85%, enabling identification of carotid plaques in 45% of the UKB population (aged 47-83 years). In the external BiDirect cohort, a fine-tuned model achieved 86% accuracy, 78% sensitivity, and 90% specificity. Plaque presence and count were associated with risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over a follow-up of up to seven years, improving risk reclassification beyond the Pooled Cohort Equations. A GWAS meta-analysis of carotid plaques uncovered two novel genomic loci, with downstream analyses implicating targets of investigational drugs in advanced clinical development. Observational and MR analyses showed associations between smoking, LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and odds of carotid atherosclerosis. ConclusionsOur model offers a scalable solution for early carotid plaque detection, potentially enabling automated screening in asymptomatic individuals and improving plaque phenotyping in population-based cohorts. This approach could advance large-scale atherosclerosis research. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=131 SRC="FIGDIR/small/24315675v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (33K): [email protected]@27a04corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18cef18org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a53d8f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGRAPHICAL ABSTRACT.C_FLOATNO ASCVD - Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, CVD - Cardiovascular disease, PCE - Pooled Cohort Equations, TP- true positive, FN - False Negative, FP - False Positive, TN - True Negative, GWAS - Genome-Wide Association Study. C_FIG CLINICAL PERSPECTIVECarotid ultrasound is a well-established method for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis with potential to improve cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals. Deep learning could automate plaque screening and enable processing of large imaging datasets, reducing the need for manual annotation. Integrating such large-scale carotid ultrasound datasets with clinical, genetic, and other relevant data can advance cardiovascular research. Prior studies applying deep learning to carotid ultrasound have focused on technical tasks-plaque classification, segmentation, and characterization-in small sample sizes of patients with advanced atherosclerosis. However, they did not assess the potential of deep learning in detecting plaques in asymptomatic individuals at the population level. We developed an efficient deep learning model for the automated detection and quantification of early carotid plaques in ultrasound imaging, primarily in asymptomatic individuals. The model demonstrated high accuracy and external validity across population-based cohort studies. Predicted plaque prevalence aligned with known cardiovascular risk factors. Importantly, predicted plaque presence and count were associated with future cardiovascular events and improved reclassification of asymptomatic individuals into clinically meaningful risk categories. Integrating our model predictions with genetic data identified two novel loci associated with carotid plaque presence--both previously linked to cardiovascular disease--highlighting the models potential for population-scale atherosclerosis research. Our model provides a scalable solution for automated carotid plaque phenotyping in ultrasound images at the population level. These findings support its use for automated screening in asymptomatic individuals and for streamlining plaque phenotyping in large cohorts, thereby advancing research on subclinical atherosclerosis in the general population.