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An 11-year-old intact female Pomeranian dog was referred for jaundice, anorexia, and vomiting. The blood analysis revealed increased alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was within the normal reference range. The radiography revealed no significant findings. On ultrasound, the gallbladder was enlarged with a markedly distended common bile duct (CBD) measuring up to 6 mm in diameter. The pancreas had an irregular contour, a hypoechoic peripheral rim, multiple hyperechoic foci with acoustic shadowing, and showed increased echogenicity of the adjacent mesentery. Based on these results, an extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to the presumed chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed. The computed tomography (CT) images showed a hypoattenuating pancreatic parenchyma compared to the liver in the early phase, as well as multiple calcifications. A laparotomy was performed to reserve the patency of the CBD. The histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While various appearances of exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma on CT have been reported in humans, CT features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma have not been well-established in dogs. The purpose of this report is to describe the atypical imaging features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma that are similar to those of chronic pancreatitis in a dog.

The intervertebral disc is an important mechanical structure that allows range of motion of the spinal column. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc – incited by aging, traumatic insult, genetic predisposition, or other factors – is often defined by functional and structural changes in the tissue, including excessive breakdown of the extracellular matrix, increased disc cell senescence and death, as well as compromised biomechanical function of the tissue. Intervertebral disc degeneration is strongly correlated with low back pain, which is a highly prevalent and costly condition, significantly contributing to loss in productivity and health care costs. Disc degeneration is a chronic, progressive condition, and current therapies are limited and often focused on symptomatic pain relief rather than curtailing the progression of the disease. Inflammatory processes exacerbated by cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are believed to be key mediators of disc degeneration and low back pain. In this review, we describe the contributions of TNF-α and IL-1β to changes seen during disc degeneration at both cellular and tissue level, as well as new evidence suggesting a link between infection of the spine and low back pain, and the emerging therapeutic modalities aimed at combating these processes.

Thrips are one of the most challenging pests in agricultural crops, including Chrysanthemum. In this study we tested via two plant assays whether solutions containing sticky rice germ oil (RGO) droplets could effectively trap thrips and lower thrips damage on Chrysanthemum. In the first assay, we additionally assessed the metabolomic effects of these RGO droplet sprays and thrips presence on plant chemistry via 1H NMR and headspace GC-MS on multiple timepoints to investigate which plant metabolites were affected by spraying and their potential relation to plant resistance against thrips. In the second assay, we tested the individual RGO solution constituents against thrips. Our results suggested that the adhesive RGO droplets were not effective as a physical trap as only three out of 600 adult thrips were caught at the achieved coverage. However, average thrips damage was still reduced up to 50% and no negative effects on plant growth were observed up to 25 days. Results from the second plant assay indicated that the individual constituents of the solution containing RGO droplets may have direct effects against thrips. Metabolomics analysis of sprayed leaves via headspace GC-MS and 1H NMR indicated that fatty acids and several volatile compounds such as 4(10)-thujene (sabinene), eucalyptol, cis-4-thujanol, and isocaryophyllene were highest on day 10, while sucrose, malic acid, o-Cymene, and 3-Methyl-2-butenoic acid were highest on day 25. Plants with thrips showed higher flavonoid, carbohydrate and glutamine acetic acid levels, and lower fatty acids and malic acid levels. RGO application increased the levels of fatty acids and alcohols present on top of and inside the Chrysanthemum leaves, while decreasing the concentrations of volatile compounds such as eucalyptol, chrysanthenone and eugenol in the Chrysanthemum leaves. Most interestingly, the thrips effect on the plant metabolome was no longer visible in RGO treated plants at the later harvesttime, suggesting that RGO application may overrule or prevent the metabolomic effects of thrips infestation. In conclusion, our study provides new information on how the application of a new plant-based plant protection product affects insect herbivores and alters crop phytochemistry for improved herbivore resistance.

Ras proteins are integral to the mediation of signaling cascades to downstream effectors, regulating a multitude of cellular processes. Mutations within Ras and its associated signaling pathways are implicated in various human pathologies, including inflammatory disorders and malignancies. The immune checkpoint proteins, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligands PD-L1, along with Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), are pivotal in facilitating tumor immune escape. While the influence of oncogenic Ras on PD-L1 expression is extensively documented, the regulatory role of KRas in IDO1 expression remains inadequately understood. In the current study, we demonstrate that IDO1 and PD-L1 expressions are differentially regulated in KRas-mutant cancers. Treatment with the KRasG12C-specific inhibitor, ARS-1620, significantly increased IDO1 expression, which inversely correlated with PD-L1 expression in the KRasG12C-mutant H358 cell line. Notably, IDO1 expression was slightly diminished in KRas-mutant patients with lung and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Experimental data revealed that IFN-γ induces IDO1 expression; however, this induction is attenuated in the presence of constitutively active KRas. These findings suggest that KRas signaling negatively regulates IDO1 expression while enhancing PD-L1 expression. Moreover, the induction of IDO1 expression following KRas inhibition appears to operate independently of the MAPK pathway. Our results propose that concurrent targeting of KRas and IDO1 could potentiate therapeutic efficacy in KRas-mutant cancers, overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.

The purpose of this study was to elicit preferences for the 'format' and 'content' of tobacco treatment among college student smokers, using an online discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey. A DCE survey, supplemented with a think-aloud method, was conducted among 54 college students who smoked combustible cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. Conditional logistic regression models were constructed to determine optimal profiles of treatment. Cutting down nicotine rather than quitting 'cold turkey' (P < 0.001) and two-way communication (P < 0.001) were viewed as the most critical attributes for the intervention 'format'; changing behaviors rather than social groups/peers (P < 0.001) and autonomy (P < 0.001) were viewed as the most critical attributes for the intervention 'content'. Some preferences varied based on smoking subgroups. Combustible cigarette users preferred interventions with a longer time commitment (P < 0.05) and without nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) (P < 0.001). Think-aloud data supported the DCE findings and further revealed a strong desire for cutting down nicotine and keeping social groups/peers and misconceptions regarding NRTs. Our study findings can guide tobacco treatment tailored to college students. These treatments should be tailored to specific smoker subgroups.

We investigate the response of multi-layer epitaxial graphene and chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown single-layer graphene to strong terahertz (THz) fields. Contrary to theoretical predictions of strong nonlinear response, the transmitted fields exhibit no harmonic generation, indicating that the nonlinear response is limited by fast electron thermalization due to carrier–carrier scattering. The fast electron heating gives rise to large THz transmission enhancement (> 15%) in single-layer CVD graphene at high THz fields ( E _THz > 10 kV cm ^−1 ). The nonlinear effects exhibit non-Drude behavior in the THz conductivity, where THz fields induce extreme non-equilibrium electron distributions.

Leber congenital amaurosis is caused by mutations in RPE65 and leads to retinal degeneration in children. Here, the authors show that in vivo base editing can prolong the survival of cone photoreceptors and rescue their function in a mouse model of the disease.

Abstract Background Ketamine, a multimodal dissociative anesthetic drug, is widely used as an analgesic following traumatic injury. Although ketamine may produce anti-inflammatory effects when administered after injury, the immunomodulatory properties of intravenous (IV) ketamine in a non-inflammatory condition are unclear. In addition, most preclinical studies use an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of ketamine, which limits its clinical translation as patients usually receive an IV ketamine infusion after injury. Methods Here, we administered sub-anesthetic doses of a single IV ketamine infusion (0, 10, or 40 mg/kg) to male and female Sprague–Dawley rats over a 2-h period. We collected blood samples at 2- and 4-h post-ketamine infusion to determine plasma inflammatory cytokine levels using multiplex immunoassays. Results The 10 mg/kg ketamine infusion reduced spontaneous locomotor activity in male and female rats, while the 40 mg/kg infusion stimulated activity in female, but not male, rats. The IV ketamine infusion produced dose-dependent and sex-specific effects on plasma inflammatory cytokine levels. A ketamine infusion reduced KC/GRO and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in both male and female rats, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in female rats, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in male rats. However, most cytokine levels returned to control levels at 4-h post-infusion, except for IL-6 levels in male rats and TNF-α levels in female rats, indicating a different trajectory of certain cytokine changes over time following ketamine administration. Conclusions The current findings suggest that sub-anesthetic doses of an IV ketamine infusion may produce sex-related differences in the effects on peripheral inflammatory markers in rodents, and further research is warranted to determine potential therapeutic effects of an IV ketamine infusion in an inflammatory condition.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0) and assess the childbirth experiences of Chinese women. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong from July 2020 to February 2021. In total, 975 mothers, who could read traditional Chinese and gave birth in 2020 or 2021, were included in the analysis. Data were fitted into the model proposed by the original developers using the confirmatory factor analysis. The data were then randomly split into training and validation sets for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Childbirth experiences were assessed. Factor structure, internal construct validity, internal consistency, and known-group validity were assessed. Results The originally proposed CEQ2.0 model showed a poor fit. An exploratory factor analysis identified a revised four-factor model (CEQ2.0-R) on a randomly split sample, which showed a satisfactory fit (CFI=0.912; TLI=0.884; SRMR=.053; RMSEA=0.072) on the other split sample. The revised scale comprised 13 items and four domains: (1)“Own capacity” (6 items), (2) “General support” (3 items), (3) “Perceived safety” (2 items), and (4) “Professional support” (2 items). CEQ2.0-R showed high internal construct validity and reliability. It can differentiate between participants with different characteristics, including parity, oxytocin augmentation, and companionship during labour. The childbirth experiences of the participants were merely positive, and participants reported that more support from midwives is needed. Conclusions CEQ2.0-R can adequately describe the childbirth experiences of women in Hong Kong. The questionnaire is easy to be administer and can be used to assess several domains of the childbirth experiences. It may be useful to evaluate the aspects of support needed during childbirth.

Although ketamine, a multimodal dissociative anesthetic, is frequently used for analgesia and treatment-resistant major depression, molecular mechanisms of ketamine remain unclear. Specifically, differences in the effects of ketamine on neuroplasticity-related proteins in the brains of males and females need further investigation. In the current study, adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats with an indwelling jugular venous catheter received an intravenous ketamine infusion (0, 10, or 40 mg/kg, 2-h), starting with a 2 mg/kg bolus for ketamine groups. Spontaneous locomotor activity was monitored by infrared photobeams during the infusion. Two hours after the infusion, brain tissue was dissected to obtain the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), hippocampus including the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus, and amygdala followed by Western blot analyses of a transcription factor (c-Fos), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK). The 10 mg/kg ketamine infusion suppressed locomotor activity in male and female rats while the 40 mg/kg infusion stimulated activity only in female rats. In the mPFC, 10 mg/kg ketamine reduced pERK levels in male rats while 40 mg/kg ketamine increased c-Fos levels in male and female rats. Female rats in proestrus/estrus phases showed greater ketamine-induced c-Fos elevation as compared to those in diestrus phase. In the amygdala, 10 and 40 mg/kg ketamine increased c-Fos levels in female, but not male, rats. In the hippocampus, 10 mg/kg ketamine reduced BDNF levels in male, but not female, rats. Taken together, the current data suggest that subanesthetic doses of intravenous ketamine infusions produce differences in neuroplasticity-related proteins in the brains of male and female rats.

Flaviviruses use a ~70 nucleotide stem-loop structure called stem-loop A (SLA) at the 5’ end of the RNA genome as a promoter for RNA synthesis by the viral polymerase NS5. Here the authors describe the structures of dengue and Zika virus SLAs, identify the SLA-binding site on NS5, and propose models for how NS5 recognizes the RNA promoter.

Abstract Background Sexualised drug use, known as ‘chemsex’ or ‘chemfun,’ is the practice of intentionally using illicit drugs before or during sexual activates to enhance sexual arousal and pleasure. International and local data have both suggested that chemsex is common among men who have sex with men (MSM). Chemsex is generally seen with the engagement of risky sexual activities and therefore poses a threat regarding the potentially increased spread of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections. However, little work has been done on the primary prevention of chemsex among MSM. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop and evaluate an interactive internet-based intervention in reducing the sexual harms of chemsex among MSM in Hong Kong, Methods A two-armed, randomised, parallel-group trial with a three-month follow-up period will be conducted. 250 MSM aged 18 years or the above will be recruited through local non-governmental organisations, social media and by snowballing in Hong Kong. Participants will be randomly allocated into either the intervention (n = 125) or control group (n = 125). The interactive internet-based intervention will be developed based on the theory of planned behaviours. Participants in the control group will receive a web-based intervention without any sexual health information and without any interactive components. The primary outcomes will be self-efficacy in refusing risky sexual behaviours and chemsex, as measured by the Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Sexual Safety and the Condom Self-Efficacy Scale. Subjects in both groups will be evaluated at baseline and 3 months after baseline. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first interactive internet-based intervention to specifically target chemsex among MSM. This project can help in the development and testing of culturally relevant health promotion programmes that reduce chemsex among MSM. Using an online delivery mode, the intervention is capable of reaching a large population of targets at a relatively low cost and thus has the potential to reduce the public health burden of chemsex and other risky sexual behaviours among MSM in a cost-effective manner. Trial registration International standard randomized controlled trial number (ISRCTN) registry: ISRCTN20134522 registered on 17 March 2021.

The pore habits of gas hydrate in natural sediment matrices provide essential clues for understanding physical (mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, and electrical) properties of hydrate-bearing sediments, yet there are no tools that can directly visualize the pore habits of natural gas hydrate other than indirect interpretation based on core-scale or field-scale observations. A significant challenge is to obtain a mini-core from pressure cores retrieved from natural reservoirs for high-resolution micro-CT (computed tomography) scans while maintaining pressure and temperature conditions required for stability of gas hydrate during all operational steps including manipulation, cutting, transferring, sub-coring and CT scanning. We present a new set of tools for pore-scale micro-CT imaging of natural hydrate-bearing sediments while maintaining pressure and temperature control. The tests with laboratory-prepared cores and pressure cores successfully demonstrate the capability of this set of tools to subsample a mini-core from pressure cores, transfer the mini-core to an X-ray transparent core holder, and conduct micro-CT scans. Successfully obtained CT images prove the functionality of this set of tools.

Abstract At the time of writing of this article, there have been over 110 million cases and 2.4 million deaths worldwide since the start of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, postponing millions of non-urgent surgeries. Existing literature explores the complexities of rationing medical care. However, implications of non-urgent surgery postponement during the COVID-19 pandemic have not yet been analyzed within the context of the four pillars of medical ethics. The objective of this review is to discuss the ethics of elective surgery cancellation during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy. This review hypothesizes that a more equitable decision-making algorithm can be formulated by analyzing the ethical dilemmas of elective surgical care during the pandemic through the lens of these four pillars. This paper’s analysis shows that non-urgent surgeries treat conditions that can become urgent if left untreated. Postponement of these surgeries can cause cumulative harm downstream. An improved algorithm can address these issues of beneficence by weighing local pandemic stressors within predictive algorithms to appropriately increase surgeries. Additionally, the potential harms of performing non-urgent surgeries extend beyond the patient. Non-maleficence is maintained through using enhanced screening protocols and modifying surgical techniques to reduce risks to patients and clinicians. This model proposes a system to transfer patients from areas of high to low burden, addressing the challenge of justice by considering facility burden rather than value judgments concerning the nature of a particular surgery, such as cosmetic surgeries. Autonomy can be respected by giving patients the option to cancel or postpone non-urgent surgeries. However, in the context of limited resources in a global pandemic, autonomy is not absolute. Non-urgent surgeries can ethically be postponed in opposition to the patient’s preference. The proposed algorithm attempts to uphold the four principles of medical ethics in rationing non-urgent surgical care by building upon existing decision models, using additional measures of resource burden and surgical safety to increase health care access and decrease long-term harm as much as possible. The next global health crisis will undoubtedly present its own unique challenges. This model may serve as a comprehensive starting point in determining future guidelines for non-urgent surgical care.

Neuromodulation represents a cutting edge class of both invasive and non-invasive therapeutic methods which alter the activity of neurons. Currently, several different techniques have been developed - or are currently being investigated – to treat a wide variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Recently, in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that neuromodulation can also induce myelination, meaning that it could hold potential as a therapy for various demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis and progressive multifocal leukencepalopathy. These findings come on the heels of a paradigm shift in the view of myelin's role within the nervous system from a static structure to an active co-regulator of central nervous system plasticity and participant in neuron-mediated modulation. In the present review, we highlight several of the recent findings regarding the role of neural activity in altering myelination including several soluble and contact-dependent factors that seem to mediate neural activity-dependent myelination. We also highlight several considerations for neuromodulatory techniques, including the need for further research into spatiotemporal precision, dosage, and the safety and efficacy of transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation, an emerging neuromodulation technology. As the field of neuromodulation continues to evolve, it could potentially bring forth methods for the treatment of demyelinating diseases, and as such, further investigation into the mechanisms of neuron-dependent myelination as well as neuro-imaging modalities that can monitor myelination activity is warranted.

Summary: An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary energy level and 1,3-diacylglycerol (DAG) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in broilers. A 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial arrangement was used in this study with Cobb standard or reduced levels of dietary energy and inclusion of DAG at 0 or 0.1%. For the standard-energy group, ME was formulated to 3,000, 3,100, and 3,150 kcal/kg for starter (day 0–7), grower (day 8–21), and finisher (day 22–42) periods, respectively. In the reduced-energy diet, ME was reduced by 75 kcal/kg for each period. A total of 640 1-day-old Cobb500 male broilers were randomly placed into 4 treatments with 8 replicate pens of 20 birds each. At day 43, 8 birds from each pen were selected for carcass yield. A reduction of dietary energy decreased (P

Abstract Background Notably, both international and local studies have found a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and risky sexual behaviours, such as condomless anal sex, substance misuse in conjunction with sex (‘chemsex’) and group sex, among men who have sex with men (MSM) dating application (app) users. Although the use of dating apps is an emerging sexual risk factor, little effort has been expended on the promotion of safe sex and good sexual health among the users of those apps. Therefore, the aim of the proposed study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive web-based intervention in improving the sexual health of MSM dating app users in Hong Kong. Methods A two-armed randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Chinese MSM dating app users will be recruited and randomly allocated into either the intervention (n = 200) or control group (n = 200). Subjects in the intervention group will receive the web-based intervention containing interactive content that (1) encourages a positive attitude towards consistent condom use and HIV/STI testing and negative attitude towards chemsex and group sex; (2) positions condom use and regular HIV/STI testing as normative; and (3) targets improved perceived self-efficacy concerning condom use and negotiation and HIV/STI testing. The control group will receive only web-based information without sexual health components. Subjects in both groups will be evaluated at baseline and three and 6 months after baseline. The primary outcome will be the frequency of condomless anal sex in the past 3 months. Discussion The proposed study will aid development of culturally relevant health promotion programmes aimed at minimising the potential harm of dating app use and promoting the sexual health of MSM dating app users. The web-based intervention, if found successful, will have important clinical and policy implications, as it can be adopted by the government and non-governmental organisations targeting MSM. Moreover, the proposed intervention can reach many MSM at relatively low cost, and thus has the potential to check the burgeoning HIV/STI epidemic among MSM in Hong Kong in a cost-effective manner. Trial registration International standard randomized controlled trial number (ISRCTN) registry: ISRCTN16681863 registered on 28 April 2020.

Abstract The Reactor Experiment for Neutrino Oscillation (RENO) experiment has been taking data using two identical liquid scintillator detectors since August 2011. The experiment has observed the disappearance of reactor neutrinos in their interactions with free protons, followed by neutron capture on hydrogen (n-H). Based on 1500 live days of data taken with 16.8 GW th reactors at the Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant in Korea, the near (far) detector observes 567690 (90747) electron antineutrino candidate events with the n-H data. This provides an independent measurement of neutrino mixing angle θ 13 and a consistency check on the validity of the result obtained from the data with neutron capture on Gadolinium (n-Gd). Furthermore, it provides an important cross-check on the systematic uncertainties of the n-Gd measurement. Based on a rate-only analysis, we obtain sin2 2θ 13 = 0.086 ± 0.008(stat.) ± 0.014(syst.). The combination of this result with that of n-Gd is also reported.

In order to meet the energetic demands of cell-to-cell signaling, increases in local neuronal signaling are matched by a coordinated increase in local blood flow, termed neurovascular coupling. Multiple different signals from neurons, astrocytes, and pericytes contribute to this control of blood flow. Previously, several groups demonstrated that inhibition/ablation of glutamate transporters attenuates the neurovascular response. However, it was not determined if glutamate transporter activation was sufficient to increase blood flow. Here, we used multiphoton imaging to monitor the diameter of fluorescently labeled cortical arterioles in anesthetized C57/B6J mice. We delivered vehicle, glutamate transporter substrates, or a combination of a glutamate transporter substrate with various pharmacologic agents via a glass micropipette while simultaneously visualizing changes in arteriole diameter. We developed a novel image analysis method to automate the measurement of arteriole diameter in these time-lapse analyses. Using this workflow, we first conducted pilot experiments in which we focally applied L-glutamate, D-aspartate, or L-threo-hydroxyaspartate (L-THA) and measured arteriole responses as proof of concept. We subsequently applied the selective glutamate transport substrate L-THA (applied at concentrations that do not activate glutamate receptors). We found that L-THA evoked a significantly larger dilation than that observed with focal saline application. This response was blocked by co-application of the potent glutamate transport inhibitor, L-(2S,3S)-3-[3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzoylamino]benzyloxy]-aspartate (TFB-TBOA). Conversely, we were unable to demonstrate a reduction of this effect through co-application of a cocktail of glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists. These studies provide the first direct evidence that activation of glutamate transport is sufficient to increase arteriole diameter. We explored potential downstream mechanisms mediating this transporter-mediated dilation by using a Ca2+ chelator or inhibitors of reversed-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange, nitric oxide synthetase, or cyclo-oxygenase. The estimated effects and confidence intervals suggested some form of inhibition for a number of these inhibitors. Limitations to our study design prevented definitive conclusions with respect to these downstream inhibitors; these limitations are discussed along with possible next steps. Understanding the mechanisms that control blood flow are important because changes in blood flow/energy supply are implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders and are used as a surrogate measure of neuronal activity in widely used techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

PurposeThere are several means of synthetic computed tomography (sCT) generation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-only planning; however, much of the research omits large pelvic treatment regions and female anatomical specific methods. This research aimed to apply four of the most popular methods of sCT creation to facilitate MRI-only radiotherapy treatment planning for male and female anorectal and gynecological neoplasms. sCT methods were validated against conventional computed tomography (CT), with regard to Hounsfield unit (HU) estimation and plan dosimetry.Methods and MaterialsPaired MRI and CT scans of 40 patients were used for sCT generation and validation. Bulk density assignment, tissue class density assignment, hybrid atlas, and deep learning sCT generation methods were applied to all 40 patients. Dosimetric accuracy was assessed by dose difference at reference point, dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters, and 3D gamma dose comparison. HU estimation was assessed by mean error and mean absolute error in HU value between each sCT and CT.ResultsThe median percentage dose difference between the CT and sCT was

Low-cost flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are attracting considerable attention because of the rapid development of wearable smart electronics, such as wearable health monitoring systems, and flexible energy storage and harvesting systems. In the present study, we developed ultrathin, flexible, and high-performance EMI shielding materials using Ag nanocrystals (NCs) through low-cost, room-temperature wet chemical processes conducted at atmospheric pressure. Sequential ligand-exchange and reduction processes not only substantially reduced the distance between the Ag NCs but also induced intensive metallic fusion of the Ag NCs, resulting in large-scale three-dimensional interconnected conductive pathways. The fused Ag NC thin films exhibited high electrical conductivity (∼24,000 S/cm for a film ∼800 nm thick) and outstanding mechanical stability, offering stable EMI shielding performance over 1000 cycles of various mechanical deformations, including twisting, crumpling, and folding. In addition, compared with most previously reported solution-based materials, our Ag NC thin films demonstrated an excellent EMI shielding effectiveness value of ∼60 dB in the X-band range 8.2–12.2 GHz at much thinner thickness (∼1.3 μm). With the advantages of easy processing, good mechanical flexibility, and high-performance EMI shielding, the fused NC thin films developed in the present work represent innovative potential EMI shielding materials for next-generation wearable smart electronics.

Vaccine equity holds the key to ending the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Yet most prior work on vaccine equity has compared vaccine uptake across neighborhoods with varying sociodemographic composition or assessed whether vaccine disparity across neighborhoods has diminished over time. Researchers seldom examine the extent to which vaccination helps reduce inequalities in the prevalence of COVID-19 across neighborhoods. Using administrative data from the City of Toronto, the authors compare the vaccine trajectories of neighborhoods with low, moderate, and high COVID-19 rates. The authors also examine whether disparities in COVID-19 rates have narrowed or widened as vaccinations have become more available. By mid-June 2021, differences in vaccination rates by neighborhoods’ COVID-19 levels were small, but disparities in COVID-19 rates across neighborhoods persisted. Equality in vaccination rates is not a silver bullet to reducing inequalities in COVID-19 infections across neighborhoods with varying sociodemographic characteristics and likely variations in exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Abstract Background Performing spinal anaesthesia using the conventional popping method with a 27-gauge (27G) spinal needle is technically difficult. In this study, we compared the aspiration and conventional popping method for spinal anaesthesia using 27G Quincke-type needles. Methods This prospective, randomized study enrolled 90 patients, aged 19 to 65 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III, who were undergoing spinal anaesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups using a computer-generated random number table: patients receiving spinal anaesthesia using the aspiration method, in which the needle is advanced with continuous aspiration, or the conventional popping method. The primary outcome measure was the success rate of the first attempt to perform dural puncture. Number of attempts and passages, withdrawal cases, successful attempt time, total procedure time, and actual depth of dural puncture were recorded. Results Eighty-eight patients were included in the study. In the aspiration group, the success rate of first attempt for dural puncture was 93.3%, compared with 72.1% in the popping group (P = 0.019). Success involving needle withdrawal was recorded in 4 (8.9%) patients in the aspiration group and 13 (30.2%) in the popping group (P = 0.024). In the popping group, the number of attempts was significantly higher (P = 0.044), and total procedure time was significantly longer (P = 0.023). Actual depths of dural puncture were deeper in the popping group than in the aspiration group (P = 0.019). Conclusions The aspiration method using a 27G Quincke-type needle offers clinical benefits for dural puncture compared with the conventional popping method for spinal anaesthesia. Trial registration Clinical research information service number: KCT0002815 , registered 21/Apr/2018. Retrospectively registered.