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Obesity has become a global public health problem, and its relationship with gastrointestinal diseases has become a major concern. The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel index to assess the distribution and content of visceral fat, and this study aimed to investigate the association between VAI and bowel habits (chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset was used for the cross-sectional survey. Bowel habits and IBD were defined by self-report. Multiple logistic regression models were used to test the linear association of VAI with bowel habits and IBD. Fitted smoothed curves and threshold effects analyses were used to characterize nonlinear relationships. This cross-sectional study included 10,391 adults (≥ 20 years). After adjusting for covariates, there was a significant negative association between VAI and chronic constipation (OR [95% CI]: 0.97 [0.95, 1.00]) but no significant association with IBD (OR [95% CI]: 0.97 [0.87, 1.07]). Additionally, there was a nonlinear association between VAI and chronic diarrhea with a breakpoint of 3.08, with a positive correlation between the two on the left side of the breakpoint and no statistical significance on the right side. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests showed that maintaining sleep health was associated with a low risk of chronic constipation. Elevated VAI levels were negatively associated with chronic constipation, and elevated levels were positively associated with chronic diarrhea at VAI < 3.08. This reminds us that maintaining moderate levels of visceral fat may prevent the onset of chronic constipation and circumvent the risk of chronic diarrhea. Notably, maintaining healthy sleep may play a positive role in reducing chronic constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Observational studies have demonstrated an association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and thyroid dysfunction (TD). However, the causal relationship between PSC and TD remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal associations and specific direction between these two conditions. Gaining insight into the potential causal relationship between PSC and TD is valuable for elucidating the pathogenesis of PSC and for devising innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of PSC and its associated complications. Methods: We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal association between PSC and TD, such as autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), thyroid cancer (TC), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), among others. PSC was the exposure variable, while TD was the outcome variable. To identify suitable instrumental variables (IVs), we utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets to select potential candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The primary statistical approach employed was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, which was complemented by a series of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results by estimating heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results: We found that the causal associations between genetically predicted PSC and Graves' disease (GD), hyperthyroidism (IVW OR=1.230, 95%CI: 1.089-1.389, P=0.001; IVW OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P=0.000) were statistically significant. The reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic susceptibility to hyperthyroidism (P=0.000) and hypothyroidism (p=0.028) might be the risk of PSC. There was no statistically significant causal association observed between PSC and other TD (IVW P>0.05), with the exception of GD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism as determined through bidirectional two-sample analysis. To ensure the reliability of our findings, additional sensitivity analyses were conducted, including the leave-one-out (LOO) test, heterogeneity test, and pleiotropic test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its inflammatory and often progressive subtype nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have emerged as significant contributors to hepatic morbidity worldwide. The pathophysiology of NAFLD/NASH is multifaceted, variable, and remains incompletely understood. The pivotal role of liver-resident and recruited macrophages in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH is widely acknowledged as a crucial factor in innate immunity. The remarkable plasticity of macrophages enables them to assume diverse activation and polarization states, dictated by their immunometabolism microenvironment and functional requirements. Recent studies in the field of immunometabolism have elucidated that alterations in the metabolic profile of macrophages can profoundly influence their activation state and functionality, thereby influencing various pathological processes. This review primarily focuses on elucidating the polarization and activation states of macrophages, highlighting the correlation between their metabolic characteristics and the transition from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Additionally, we explore the potential of targeting macrophage metabolism as a promising therapeutic approach for the management of NAFLD/NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver malignancy worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis. Sophisticated molecular mechanisms and biological characteristics need to be explored to gain a better understanding of HCC. The role of metabolites in cancer immunometabolism has been widely recognized as a hallmark of cancer in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies have focused on metabolites that are derived from carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, because alterations in these may contribute to HCC progression, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury during liver transplantation (LT), and post-LT rejection. Immune cells play a central role in the HCC microenvironment and the duration of IR or rejection. They shape immune responses through metabolite modifications and by engaging in complex crosstalk with tumor cells. A growing number of publications suggest that immune cell functions in the TME are closely linked to metabolic changes. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the primary metabolites in the TME and post-LT metabolism and relate these studies to HCC development, IR injury, and post-LT rejection. Our understanding of aberrant metabolism and metabolite targeting based on regulatory metabolic pathways may provide a novel strategy to enhance immunometabolism manipulation by reprogramming cell metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative inflammatory status in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC), we performed a singlecenter study to assess it. Method: We studied a total of 164 patients with PHC undergoing PD surgery (with or without allogeneic venous replacement) from January 2018 to April 2022. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) was the most important peripheral immune index in predicting the prognosis according to XGBoost analysis. The optimal cutoff value of SII for OS was calculated according to Youden index based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the cohort was divided into Low SII group and High SII group. Demographic, clinical data, laboratory data, follow-up data variables were obtained and compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier curves, univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine the association between preoperative inflammation index, nutritional index and TNM staging system with OS and DFS respectively. Results: The median follow-up time was 16 months (IQR 23), and 41.4% of recurrences occurred within 1 year. The cutoff value of SII was 563, with a sensitivity of 70.3%, and a specificity of 60.7%. Peripheral immune status was different between the two groups. Patients in High SII group had higher PAR, NLR than those in Low SII group (P <0.01, <0.01, respectively), and lower PNI (P <0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly poorer OS and DFS (P < 0.001, <0.001, respectively) in patients with high SII. By using the multivariable Cox regression model, high SII (HR, 2.056; 95% CI, 1.082-3.905, P=0.028) was significant predictor of OS. Of these 68 high-risk patients who recurrence within one year, patients with widespread metastasis had lower SII and worse prognosis (P <0.01). Conclusion: High SII was significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with PHC. However, in patients who recurrence within one year, SII was lower in patients at TNM stage III. Thus, care needs to be taken to differentiate those highrisk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is an indicator of systemic immune-nutritional condition and is a well-known prognostic biomarker in cancer patients. This study aims to reflect the correlation between the preoperative PNI and prognosis in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: Medical records of patients with BRPC after PD between Jan 2011 and Dec 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The preoperative PNI was calculated, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained based on the preoperative PNI and the 1-year survival rate. Patients were divided into two groups (High-PNI and Low-PNI) following the best cut-off value of the preoperative PNI, and demographic and pathologic findings were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors in recurrence and long-term survival. Results: The best cut-off value for the preoperative PNI was 44.6 (sensitivity: 62.46%; specificity: 83.33%; area under the curve: 0.724). Patients in the low-PNI group had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (P=0.008) and overall survival (P=0.009). The preoperative PNI (P=0.009) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.04) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. The preoperative PNI (P=0.001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.04), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.04) were independent risk factors for long-term survival in patients. Conclusion: The preoperative PNI, lymph node metastasis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for recurrence and long-term survival in patients with BRPC. The preoperative PNI might be an indicator that can predict BRPC patients’ recurrence and survival. Patients with high-PNI would benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the spatial heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in pancreatic cancer (PC) remains challenging. Methods: In this study, we performed spatial transcriptomics (ST) to investigate the gene expression features across one normal pancreatic tissue, PC tissue, adjacent tumor tissue, and tumor stroma. We divided 18,075 spatial spots into 22 clusters with t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding based on gene expression profiles. The biological functions and signaling pathways involved in each cluster were analyzed with gene set enrichment analysis. Results: The results revealed that KRT13+FABP5+ malignant cell subpopulation had keratinization characteristics in the tumor tissue. Fibroblasts from adjacent tumor tissue exhibited a tumor-inhibiting role such as "B-cell activation" and "positive regulation of leukocyte activation." The FGG+CRP+ inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts replaced the islets in tumor stroma. During PC progression, the damage to pancreatic structure and function was heavier in the pancreatic exocrine (AMYA2+PRSS1+) than in the endocrine (INS+GCG+). Conclusion: Our results revealed the spatial heterogeneity of dynamic changes and highlighted the significance of impaired exocrine function in PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative inflammatory status plays an important role in the prognosis of malignancy. We sought to explore the value of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers in predicting long-term outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method: Patients who underwent LT for HCC in our hospital between January 2010 and June 2020 were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were obtained. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of inflammatory biomarkers. The effectiveness of inflammatory biomarkers in predicting outcomes was analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. Results: A total of 218 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 53.9 ± 8.5 years. The AUC of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) for overall survival (OS) were 0.741, 0.731, 0.756, 0.746, and 0.749, respectively. Cox proportional hazards model indicated that SIRI > 1.25 was independently associated with low OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.258, P = 0.024]. PLR > 82.15 and SIRI > 0.95 were independently associated with low disease-free survival (HR = 1.492, P = 0.015; and HR = 1.732, P = 0.008, respectively). In the survival analysis, the prognosis of patients with high preoperative SIRI and PLR was significantly worse (P < 0.001). Conclusion: SIRI and PLR were useful prognostic markers for predicting patients with HCC after LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA), originating from the common bile duct, is greatly associated with a dismal prognosis. A series of different studies based on cancer classification have been developed, aimed to optimize therapy and predict and improve prognosis. In this study, we explored and compared several novel machine learning models that might lead to an improvement in prediction accuracy and treatment options for patients with dCCA. Methods: In this study, 169 patients with dCCA were recruited and randomly divided into the training cohort (n = 118) and the validation cohort (n = 51), and their medical records were reviewed, including survival outcomes, laboratory values, treatment strategies, pathological results, and demographic information. Variables identified as independently associated with the primary outcome by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, the random survival forest (RSF) algorithm, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were introduced to establish the following different machine learning models and canonical regression model: support vector machine (SVM), SurvivalTree, Coxboost, RSF, DeepSurv, and Cox proportional hazards (CoxPH). We measured and compared the performance of models using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, integrated Brier score (IBS), and concordance index (C-index) following cross-validation. The machine learning model with the best performance was screened out and compared with the TNM Classification using ROC, IBS, and C-index. Finally, patients were stratified based on the model with the best performance to assess whether they benefited from postoperative chemotherapy through the log-rank test. Results: Among medical features, five variables, including tumor differentiation, T-stage, lymph node metastasis (LNM), albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), were used to develop machine learning models. In the training cohort and the validation cohort, C-index achieved 0.763 vs. 0.686 (SVM), 0.749 vs. 0.692 (SurvivalTree), 0.747 vs. 0.690 (Coxboost), 0.745 vs. 0.690 (RSF), 0.746 vs. 0.711 (DeepSurv), and 0.724 vs. 0.701 (CoxPH), respectively. The DeepSurv model (0.823 vs. 0.754) had the highest mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) than other models, including SVM (0.819 vs. 0.736), SurvivalTree (0.814 vs. 0.737), Coxboost (0.816 vs. 0.734), RSF (0.813 vs. 0.730), and CoxPH (0.788 vs. 0.753). The IBS of the DeepSurv model (0.132 vs. 0.147) was lower than that of SurvivalTree (0.135 vs. 0.236), Coxboost (0.141 vs. 0.207), RSF (0.140 vs. 0.225), and CoxPH (0.145 vs. 0.196). Results of the calibration chart and decision curve analysis (DCA) also demonstrated that DeepSurv had a satisfactory predictive performance. In addition, the performance of the DeepSurv model was better than that of the TNM Classification in C-index, mean AUC, and IBS (0.746 vs. 0.598, 0.823 vs. 0.613, and 0.132 vs. 0.186, respectively) in the training cohort. Patients were stratified and divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the DeepSurv model. In the training cohort, patients in the high-risk group would not benefit from postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.519). In the low-risk group, patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy might have a better prognosis (p = 0.035). Conclusions: In this study, the DeepSurv model was good at predicting prognosis and risk stratification to guide treatment options. AFR level might be a potential prognostic factor for dCCA. For the low-risk group in the DeepSurv model, patients might benefit from postoperative chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of social media and the ubiquity of the Internet, recent years have witnessed the rapid development of online video advertising among publishers and advertisers. Video advertising, as a new type of advertisement, has gained significant research attention from both academia and industry, coinciding with the ever‐growing volume of online videos. In this research, we provide a comprehensive survey of online video advertising in the fields of social science and computer science. We investigate state‐of‐the‐art articles from 1990 to the present and provide a new taxonomy of extant research topics based on these articles. We also highlight the factors that cause advertising to affect people and the most popular video advertising techniques used in computer science. Finally, on the basis of the analytics of the surveyed papers, future challenges are identified and potential solutions to these are discussed. This article is categorized under:Algorithmic Development > MultimediaApplication Areas > Internet and Web‐Based Applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of accelerated Fe-rich precipitation caused by Ag addition on the refinement of solidified microstructure and the improvement of electrical, mechanical, and magnetic properties of Cu–10Fe alloys was systematically investigated. Firstly, the quadruple refinement of Cu grains, micron-sized primary Fe-rich spheres and dendrites, and nano-sized Fe-rich precipitates in as-cast Cu–10Fe alloys was induced by the accelerated Fe-rich precipitation. Secondly, the saturation magnetization of as-cast Cu–10Fe alloys was improved, which is mainly dominated by the accelerated precipitation of micron-sized Fe-rich spheres and dendrites, rather than that of nano-sized Fe-rich precipitates. Moreover, the yield strength of cold-rolled Cu–10Fe alloys was increased, which can be attributed to the accelerated precipitation of nano-sized Fe-rich phases and their pinning effect on dislocation movement during cold-rolling. In the end, the synergistic enhancement of strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity of aged Cu–10Fe alloys was obtained by Ag addition, which guides the preparation of high-performance Cu–Fe alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left-sided portal hypertension is usually found in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with spleno-mesenterico-portal (S-M-P) confluence resection. This study is to explore the outcomes of S-M-P confluence reconstruction after resection by using bifurcated allogeneic vein. Methods: Clinicopathologic data of patients who underwent extensive PD with SM-P confluence resection for carcinoma of pancreatic head/uncinate process in our hospital between December 2011 and August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and clinical outcomes of vein reconstruction after resection were analyzed. Results: Of the 37 patients enrolled, S-M-P reconstruction by bifurcated allogeneic vein was performed in 24 cases (group 1) and simply splenic vein ligation in 13 cases (group 2). Items including pathological results, blood loss, and complications were comparable between the two groups, operation time was longer in group 1 (573.8 vs. 479.2 min, p = 0.018). Significantly decreased platelet count (205.9 vs. 133.1 × 109 /L, p = 0.001) and increased splenic volume (270.9 vs. 452.2 ml, p < 0.001) were observed in group 2 at 6 months after operation. The mean splenic hypertrophy ratio was 1.06 in group 1 and 1.63 in group 2, respectively (p < 0.001). There were four patients with varices were found in group 2, none in group 1. Conclusions: Without increased complications, reconstructing S-M-P confluence by bifurcated allogeneic vein after resection may help to avoid left-sided portal hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypermethylation of gene promoters plays an important role in tumorigenesis. The present study aimed to identify and validate promoter methylation-driven genes (PMDGs) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Based on GSE49149 and the PDAC cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), differential analyses of promoter methylation, correlation analysis, and Cox regression analysis were performed to identify PMDGs. The promoter methylation level was assessed by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP) in paired tumor and normal tissues of 72 PDAC patients. KaplannMeier survival analyses were performed to evaluate the clinical value of PMDGs. Results: In GSE49149, the -value of the dipeptidyl peptidase like 6 (DPP6) promoter was significantly higher in tumor compared with normal samples (0.50 vs. 0.24, P<0.001). In the PDAC cohort of TCGA, the methylation level of the DPP6 promoter was negatively correlated with mRNA expression (r==0.54, P<0.001). In amultivariate Cox regression analysis, hypermethylation of the DPP6 promoter was an independent risk factor for PDAC (hazard ratio (HR) = 543.91, P=0.002). The results of BSP revealed that the number of methylated CG sites in the DPP6 promoter was greater in tumor samples than in normal samples (7.43 vs. 2.78, P<0.001). Themethylation level of the DPP6 promoter wasmoderately effective at distinguishing tumor from normal samples (area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.74, P<0.001). Hypermethylation of the DPP6 promoter was associated with poor overall (HR = 3.61, P<0.001) and disease-free (HR = 2.01, P=0.016) survivals for PDAC patients. Conclusion: These results indicate that DPP6 promoter methylation is a potential prognostic biomarker for PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter presents a superpixel-based dual window RX (SPDWRX) anomaly detection (AD) algorithm that uses superpixel segmentation (SPS) to adaptively determine the dual window for local RX (LRX) detection, rather than using a fixed dual window. The main premise of SPDWRX is to first divide the hyperspectral image into multiple superpixels and then extend the minimum bounding rectangle to determine the background of each superpixel. Finally, LRX AD is conducted on each pixel in the same superpixel using the same background. Furthermore, a fine SPS method is proposed based on the entropy rate superpixel to quickly obtain uniform superpixels. The experimental results show that the proposed SPDWRX method can significantly improve the detection speed and slightly improve the detection performance, and the modified SPS can further improve the detection performance of SPDWRX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna was design for embedded in LCD display module attempt to pass analogue power transfer at 13.56MHz used for EMV@ (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) contactless payment transaction. However it was found that magnetic fields seems to seriously interfere by the display if antenna located behind the display module although increasing magnetic field strength of transmitter. As gradually built up the understanding of magnetic field interaction with LCD panel we find that is difficult to pass EMV@ contactless specification by antenna optimized design only if there's no display modification. The antenna structure proposed in this paper has been designed and simulated with frequency solver CST 2018. Finally, we proposed a total solution, an optimized NFC antenna transmitter embedded with a modified LCD structure that can pass EMV@ contactless analogue power transfer criteria within specific testing volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Intestinal perforation is a rare complication after liver transplantation. This study was designed to calculate the incidence and investigate the outcomes of intestinal perforation in adult liver transplant patients. Materials and methods: The clinical records of liver transplant recipients between January 2014 and June 2016 were obtained. The incidence of intestinal perforation was calculated, and high risk factors were analyzed. Results: The mean operative time was 8.5 h (range: 6-11 h). The mean portal vein occlusion time was 66.5 min (range: 58-72 min), and the mean cold ischemia time was 7.9 h (range: 6.5-9.5 h). Four (2.7%) patients developed intestinal perforation from 9 to 14 days postliver transplant. All perforations were single and repaired by interrupted silk sutures. Two patients uneventfully recovered, but intestinal perforation recurred in two other patients. Simple repair was undertaken in one patient, and terminal ileum resection and ileostomy were performed in the other patient. There were no perioperative deaths. Conclusion: The incidence of intestinal perforation after liver transplantation is low. Prompt diagnosis and treatment should be carried out to reduce comorbidities and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A moderate insufflation pressure and deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) have been recommended in laparoscopic surgery in consideration of the possible reduction in splanchnic perfusion due to the CO2-pneumoperitoneum. Since the liver is the major organ for rocuronium metabolism, the question of whether NMB of rocuronium would change with the variation of liver perfusion during pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery merits investigation. Methods: In this prospective study, a total of sixty female patients scheduled for either selective laparoscopic gynaecological surgery (group laparoscopy) or laparotomy for gynaecological surgery (group control) were analyzed. Rocuronium was administered with closed-loop feedback infusion system, which was also applied to monitor NMB complied with good clinical research practice (GCRP). The onset time, clinical duration, and recovery index were measured. Hepatic blood flow was assessed by laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasonography before insufflation/after entering the abdominal cavity (T1), 5 min after insufflation in the Trendelenburg position/5 min after skin incision (T2), 15 min after insufflation in the Trendelenburg position/15 min after skin incision (T3), 30 min after insufflation in the Trendelenburg position/30 min after skin incision (T4), and 5 min after deflation/before closing the abdomen (T5) in group laparoscopy/group control respectively. The relationship between the clinical duration of rocuronium and portal venous blood flow was analyzed using linear or quadratic regression. Result: The clinical duration and RI of rocuronium were both prolonged significantly in group laparoscopy (36.8 ± 8. 3 min; 12.8 ± 5.5 min) compared to group control (29.0 ± 5.8 min; 9.8 ± 4.0 min) (P < 0.0001; P = 0.018). A significant decrease was found in portal venous blood flow during the entire pneumoperitoneum period in group laparoscopy compared with group control (P < 0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the clinical duration of rocuronium and portal venous blood flow (Y = 51.800-0.043X + (1.86E-005) X²; r² = 0.491; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Rocuronium-induced NMB during laparoscopic gynaecological surgery might be prolonged due to the decrease in portal venous blood flow induced by CO2-pneumoperitoneum. Less rocuronium could be required to achieve a desirable NMB in laparoscopic gynaecological surgery. Trial registration: ChiCTR. Registry number: ChiCTR-OPN-15007524. Date of registration: December 4, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subpixel rendering (SPR) technology is a method for improving visual resolution includes sub-pixel arrangement and rendering algorithm. In this paper, we present a novel rendering algorithm to improve image sharpness. The algorithm dynamically references the adjacent image data including saturation (S) and luminance (V). Then the sequence for rendering the image data is calculated by S, V and pre-determined weighting factors P. Meanwhile, the weighting factors for most sub-pixel arrangements are optimized by minimizing the root mean square error (RMSE) from the original image data. The algorithm is finally exemplified on a 8" 424 ppi LCD display. It shows that the proposed method reduces both the color fringing artifact and blurring in sub-pixelrendered images and keeps the same resolution perception in comparison with conventional RGB stripe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite successful approaches to preserve organs, tissues, and isolated cells, the maintenance of stem cell viability and function in body fluids during storage for cell distribution and transportation remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to characterize urine-derived stem cells (USCs) after optimal preservation of urine specimens for up to 24 hours. A total of 415 urine specimens were collected from 12 healthy men (age range 20--54 years old). About 6x104 cells shed off from the urinary tract system in 24 hours. At least 100 USC clones were obtained from the stored urine specimens after 24 hours and maintained similar biological features to fresh USCs. The stored USCs had a "rice grain" shape in primary culture, and expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface markers, high telomerase activity, and normal karyotypes. Importantly, the preserved cells retained bipotent differentiation capacity. Differentiated USCs expressed myogenic specific proteins and contractile function when exposed to myogenic differentiation medium, and they expressed urothelial cell-specific markers and barrier function when exposed to urothelial differentiation medium. These data demonstrated that up to 75% of fresh USCs can be safely persevered in urine for 24 hours and that these cells stored in urine retain their original stem cell properties, indicating that preserved USCs could be available for potential use in cell-based therapy or clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and subjective indicators and methods for comparing the effects of three-dimensional display technologies on viewer discomfort, fatigue, and satisfaction based on human factors were proposed. Based on 7 indicators (including VA, diopter, pupil size, IOP, HFC, CSV and CFF) and the ergonomic evaluation, the conclusion that PR and deadzone-free AS displays are better than SG displays could be drawn. In the meantime, a relationship between the visual discomfort/fatigue indicators and causes of physiological feedbacks was inferred from analyzing the experimental data and consulting with the ophthalmologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of far-infrared assisted heat pump drying on water state and water absorption isotherm of squid were investigated. Squid (Illex illecebrosus) fillets were dried in a heat pump (HP) dryer, alone or assisted with far-infrared radiation (FIR), with the power of 500 and 2000 W, at 50°C and air flow rate of 0.8 m s-1. The relaxation time (T2) of the low field NMR spectrum presented four peaks indicating four different species ([image omitted], [image omitted], [image omitted] and [image omitted]) distributed in the squid muscle. The relaxation time (T2) changes under three drying treatments followed the same pattern. The peak height of components with [image omitted] and [image omitted] drastically decreased with increasing dehydration time, whereas drying did not affect [image omitted] and [image omitted]. Moreover, the attenuation degree of [image omitted] or [image omitted] was the greatest in squids under HP + 20FIR treatment followed by HP + 5FIR, while the degree of HP only treated samples was the smallest. The sorption data were fitted to ten models, and the Modified Mizrahi model gave better predictions than the other models. Also, both water adsorption and thermogravimetric analysis indicated HP dried squids had higher equilibrium moisture contents followed by HP + 5FIR and HP + 20FIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To study the characteristics of uveitis occurring during intravenous cidofovir treatment for CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied ten cases (16 eyes) of uveitis in patients with CMV retinitis treated with intravenous cidofovir. All the patients had ophthalmologic examinations and, if required, fundus angiographies. The median follow-up was eight months. RESULTS: Uveitis occurred after a mean of 8.5 infusions of cidofovir (range 2-17). All ten patients were on protease inhibitors. The mean CD4+ cell count was 92 ± 51/μl and the median viral load was 3.9 log. All the eyes with uveitis had healed CMV retinitis. The first examination of the involved eyes showed inflammation of the anterior chamber (100%), vitritis (50%), posterior synechiae (75%), and low intraocular pressure (94%). Uveitis did not relapse in the seven patients who stopped cidofovir, whereas it relapsed in two of the three patients who did not stop treatment. At the end of follow-up, permanent posterior synechiae were present in 69% of the involved eyes. COMMENTS: Cidofovir therapy necessitates slit-lamp surveillance, especially in patients on HAART. Cidofovir-related uveitis requires a local steroid treatment, but if possible, cidofovir should be withdrawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a very important issue to reduce computer storage and calculation time for matrix in solving scattering field by making use of geometric and physical symmetric features of a scattering body. A general definition for the symmetric and anti-symmetric structure is given by applying the group theory in, mathematics and a general method for treating the electromagnetic scattering problems with symmetry is proposed. An example for applying the theory mentioned above is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study of the characteristics of electromagnetic (EM) scattering on dielectric fractal surface. How the characteristics can be obtained; Methodology used; Results from the study.

Presents information on the improved least mean square (LMS) adaptive algorithm with varying stepsize, highlighting the problem and formulations of the algorithm. Experiments used to test the validity of the novel method.

In this paper, we propose a novel analytical method for moiré phenomenon in autostereoscopic displays. First, the simulation model of 3D moiré pattern has been developed. Secondly, compute the CSF (Contrast Sensitivity Function) for each spatial frequency of simulated moiré. Finally, applying the threshold of human visual response to the analyzed results, the visibility of the moiré pattern is able to be predicted in advance. With the proposed algorithm, it is more accurate and effective to design moiré-free 3D display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigo naturalis (IN) is a traditional Chinese medicine, named Qing-Dai, which is extracted from indigo plants and has been used to treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China and Japan. Though there are notable effects of IN on colitis, the mechanisms remain elusive. Regarding the significance of alterations of intestinal flora related to IBD and the poor water solubility of the blue IN powder, we predicted that the protective action of IN on colitis may occur through modifying gut microbiota. To investigate the relationships of IN, colitis, and gut microbiomes, a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice colitis model was tested to explore the protective effects of IN on macroscopic colitis symptoms, the histopathological structure, inflammation cytokines, and gut microbiota, and their potential functions. Sulfasalazine (SASP) was used as the positive control. Firstly, because it was a mixture, the main chemical compositions of indigo and indirubin in IN were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The clinical activity score (CAS), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining results, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results in this study showed that IN greatly improved the health conditions of the tested colitis mice, ameliorated the histopathological structure of the colon tissue, down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines. The results of 16S rDNA sequences analysis with the Illumina MiSeq platform showed that IN could modulate the balance of gut microbiota, especially by down-regulating the relative quantity of Turicibacter and up-regulating the relative quantity of Peptococcus. The therapeutic effect of IN may be closely related to the anaerobic gram-positive bacteria of Turicibacter and Peptococcus. The inferred metagenomes from 16S data using PICRUSt demonstrated that decreased metabolic genes, such as through biosynthesis of siderophore group nonribosomal peptides, non-homologous end-joining, and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis of lacto and neolacto series, may maintain microbiota homeostasis during inflammation from IN treatment in DSS-induced colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]