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Abstract Background The accuracy of ultrasound in distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses is highly correlated with the experience of ultrasound physicians. In China, most of ultrasound differentiation is done by junior physicians. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules Risk (SRR) and IOTA Logistic Regression Model 2 (LR2) scoring systems in Chinese patients with adnexal masses. Methods Retrospective analysis of ovarian cancer tumor patients who underwent surgery at a hospital in China from January 2016 to December 2021. Screening patients with at least one adnexal mass on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two trained junior physicians evaluated each mass using the two scoring systems. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to test the diagnostic performance of each system. Results A total of 144 adnexal masses were retrospectively collected. Forty masses were histologically diagnosed as malignant. Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women had a much higher rate of malignant masses. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of the SRR was 97.5% (95% CI: 86.8 -99.9%), 82.7% (95% CI: 74.0 -89.4%), 68.4% (95% CI: 58.7 -76.8%) and 98.9% (95% CI: 92.5 -99.8%). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of the LR2 were 90.0% (95% CI: 76.5 -97.2%), 89.4% (95% CI: 81.9 -94.6%), 76.6% (95% CI: 65.0 -85.2%), and 95.9% (95% CI: 90.2 -98.3%). There was good agreement between two scoring systems, with 84.03% total agreement and a kappa value of 0.783 (95% CI: 0.70-0.864). The areas under the curve for predicting malignant tumours using SRR and LR2 were similar for all patients (P > 0.05 ). Conclusion The two scoring systems can effectively distinguish benign from malignant adnexal masses. Both scoring systems have high diagnostic efficacy, and diagnostic efficacy is stable, which can provide an important reference for clinical decision making.

Due to factors such as image acquisition equipment and geological environment, rock CT images have low resolution and unclear details. However, existing image super-resolution reconstruction methods are prone to losing details when characterizing high-density mineral particles and pores and cracks inside. To solve the above problems, an improved enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network (Real-ESRGAN) is used for super-resolution reconstruction of rock CT images. The sandstone of the 15th coal seam floor in Zhaozhuang Coal Mine, Shanxi Jincheng Anthracite Mining Group Co., Ltd. is selected as the research object to study the reconstruction performance of Real-ESRGAN under different image magnifications. It is compared with algorithms such as super-resolution convolutional neural network (SRCNN), super-resolution generative adversarial network (SRGAN), enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network (ESRGAN), and enhanced deep super-resolution network (EDSR). The experimental results show the following points. ① The high-resolution images reconstructed using Real-ESRGAN have clearer visual effects than the original CT images. The contours of cracks and high-density mineral particles in the reconstructed images are more prominent, greatly improving the visibility of the images. ② In terms of objective evaluation, the Real-ESRGAN algorithm achieves a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 36.880 dB and a structural similarity (SSIM) of 0.933 in the image after 2x super-resolution reconstruction. But as the magnification increases, the pores on the 6x super-resolution reconstructed image become blurry, with PSNR decreasing to 32.781 dB and SSIM reaching 0.896. ③ The porosity and throat length distribution ratio of the Real-ESRGAN reconstructed super-resolution image are very close to the original CT image, preserving important microstructural information of the rock.

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common chronic neurological disorder with a high risk of disability and no cure. Periodontitis is an infectious bacterial disease occurring in periodontal supporting tissues. Studies have shown that periodontitis is closely related to PD. However, direct evidence of the effect of periodontitis on PD is lacking. Here, we demonstrated that ligature-induced periodontitis with application of subgingival plaque (LIP-SP) exacerbated motor dysfunction, microglial activation, and dopaminergic neuron loss in 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mice. Results The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that LIP-SP induced oral and gut dysbiosis. Particularly, Veillonella parvula (V. parvula) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) from oral ligatures were increased in the fecal samples of MPTP + LIP-SP treated mice. We further demonstrated that V. parvula and S. mutans played crucial roles in LIP-SP mediated exacerbation of motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration in PD mice. V. parvula and S. mutans caused microglial activation in the brain, as well as T helper 1 (Th1) cells infiltration in the brain, cervical lymph nodes, ileum and colon in PD mice. Moreover, we observed a protective effect of IFNγ neutralization on dopaminergic neurons in V. parvula- and S. mutans-treated PD mice. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that oral pathogens V. parvula and S. mutans necessitate the existence of periodontitis to exacerbate motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration in MPTP-induced PD mice. The underlying mechanisms include alterations of oral and gut microbiota, along with immune activation in both brain and peripheral regions. Video Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) was defined as a rare disease in China due to its low prevalence. For a long time, interferon β was the only approved disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Since the first oral DMT was approved in 2018, DMT approval accelerated, and seven DMTs were approved within 5 years. With an increasing number of DMTs being prescribed in clinical practice, it is necessary to discuss the standardized MS treatment algorithms depending on the disease activity and DMT availability. In this review paper, more than 20 Chinese experts in MS have reviewed the therapeutic progress of MS in China and worldwide and discussed algorithms for treating relapsing MS (RMS) based on the available DMTs in China, providing insights for establishing the standardized RMS treatment algorithms in this country.

In this study, the composition and content of vitamin D and its esters in 108 human milk samples from different lactation stages (colostrum on days 0–7, transition milk on days 8–15 , and mature milk after day 16) were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). The results showed that human milk contained 4 kinds of vitamin D and 20 kinds of vitamin D esters, 16, 18 and 14 kinds of vitamin D esters being found in colostrum, transition milk and mature milk, respectively. During the whole lactation period, the average contents of vitamin D2 and 25(OH)-D3 in colostrum were highest, 26.83 and 160.67 ng/L, respectively; the average content of vitamin D3 in transition milk was highest, 119.87 ng/L; and the average content of 1,25(OH)2-D3 in mature milk was highest, 1.82 ng/L. The average contents of vitamin D esters in colostrum, transition milk and mature milk were 11.89, 10.73 and 11.47 ng/L, respectively, and the content of vitamin D2 tetradecenoate (C14:1) was highest throughout the lactation period. Through partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), colostrum, transition milk and mature milk could be well separated, indicating that the types and contents of vitamin D and vitamin D esters in human milk change from colostrum to mature milk. There was a correlation between different vitamin D esters. This study could provide data support for the development of infant formula.

Abstract Background Antibodies against myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG-Abs) associated disease (MOGAD) has been recognized as a disease entity. Optic neuritis (ON) is the most common symptom in MOGAD. To demonstrate the differences in retinal microvascular characteristics between patients with MOGAD-ON and aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) positive ON. Methods In a prospective study, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were used to measure retinal and microvascular parameters. Results Twenty-six MOGAD-ON eyes, 40 AQP4-ON eyes, and 60 control eyes were included in the study. The thickness of RNFL and GCC in MOGAD-ON eyes was significantly lower than that of HC (p

Purpose: Lipidomics is an important tool for triaging exposed individuals, and helps early adoption of prevention and control strategies. The purpose of this study was to screen significantly perturbed lipids between pre- and post-irradiation of human plasma samples after total body irradiation (TBI) and explore potential radiation biomarkers for early radiation classification. Methods: Plasma samples were collected before and after irradiation from 22 hospitalized cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) prepared for bone marrow transplantation. Acute total-body γ irradiation was performed at doses of 0, 4, 8, and 12 Gy. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was utilized. Self-paired studies before and after irradiation were performed to screen potential lipid categorization markers and markers of dose-response relationships for radiation perturbation in humans. Based on the screened potential markers, a human TBI dose estimation model was developed. Results: In total, 426 individual lipids from 14 major classes were quantified and 152 potential biomarkers with categorical characteristics were screened. A total of 80 lipids (32 TGs, 29 SMs, 9 FAs, 5 CEs, 5 PIs) were upregulated at 4 Gy, and a total of 91 lipids (39 SMs, 18 TGs, 15 HexCers, 7 CEs, 6 Cers, 3 LacCers, 2 LPEs, 1 PI) were upregulated at 12 Gy. Comparison of the ROC curves between the non-exposed and exposed groups at different doses showed AUC values ranging from 0.807 to 0.876. The metabolic pathways of potential lipid markers are mainly sphingolipid and glycerolipid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation and biosynthesis. Among the 13 dose-dependent radiosensitive lipids, CE (20:5), CE (18:1) and PI (18:2/18:2) were gradually incorporated into the TBI dose estimation model. Conclusion: This study suggested that it was feasible to acquire quantitative lipid biomarker panels using targeted lipidomics platforms for rapid, high-throughput triage. Lipidomics strategies for radiation biodosimetry in humans were established with lipid biomarkers with good dose-response relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exciton-driven strong light–matter interactions in two-dimensional materials have displayed their advantages in applications in optoelectronics and photonics. However, the large exciton binding energy prohibits the efficient separation of photoexcited electron–hole pairs and is unfavorable for the application of photoelectrics and photovoltaics. Here, based on density-functional theory with the many-body perturbation method, we study the evolution of quasiparticle band structure, exciton, and optical properties with biaxial strain in 2D Hittorf's phosphorene. The pristine and +1% strained Hittorf's phosphorene are direct-band-gap semiconductors with the valence band maximal and the conduction band minimal located at the X point. When strain is approaching +2%, the conduction band minimal changes from the X point to the Γ point, resulting in a transition to the indirect band gap. This kind of indirect band gap persists to +5%. For the optical gap, we observe a modulation threshold of 0.33 eV over a +5% strain range. It is revealed that a p–n junction with efficient electron–hole excitation and separation is naturally formed in inhomogeneously strained 2D membrane. The transition from direct-band-gap to indirect-band-gap semiconductor, the strongly enhanced exciton lifetime, and the spatial separation of photoexcited electron–hole pairs under a moderate electric field will further inhibit the recombination. Together with the efficient visible light absorption which guarantees the absorption of solar spectra, these findings provide an effective avenue toward solar energy harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issue of roadway support failure in narrow coal pillars under dual-lane layout, this study takes the 4309 working face of Changping Coal Mine as the engineering background and employs theoretical calculations, numerical simulations, and on-site monitoring to investigate the instability mechanisms of narrow coal pillars under dual-lane conditions and to optimize technical solutions. The results indicate that the internal stress distribution within the coal pillar is influenced by the advanced support stress, and as the working face advances, the gradually increasing advanced support pressure causes the vertical stress peak within the coal pillar to shift away from the goaf area. Computational analysis reveals that the vertical stress in the top region of a 6 m narrow coal pillar is 38% higher than that in the bottom region, with an average stress of 16 MPa in the coal pillar. The asymmetric high-level stress concentration within the coal pillar significantly affects its stability. A UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) model was established to compare four simulation schemes with cut-off angles of 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°. Based on the analysis of damage parameters and fracture distribution in the narrow coal pillar roadway, it was concluded that the stability is best when the cut-off angle is 10°. The dense drilling cut-off unloading technology was applied to the 4309 working face of the Changping Mine based on the aforementioned research. On-site monitoring results show that the relative deformation of the roof and bottom plates and the two sides of the test section were controlled within 267 mm and 198 mm, respectively, effectively resolving the deformation and instability issues of the narrow coal pillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]