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Abstract Neck pain due to cervical facet joint pain has a prevalence of 36–60% in chronic neck pain. Pulsed radiofrequency for such pain has been verified. After proper patient selection, pulsed radiofrequency of the cervical facet joints provide long-term pain relief in a routine clinical setting. In the patient selection, clinical and sagittal alignment parameters are rarely discussed for the outcome. In the present study, we analyzed the factors from the clinical data and sagittal alignment parameters and investigated the associated predictors of pulsed radiofrequency for cervical facet joint pain. There were 204 patients with cervical facet joint pain who received a medial branch block and pulsed radiofrequency between 2015 and 2020 after excluding patients with neurological symptoms and other confounding factors. The patients were classified into good and poor outcome groups based on the improvement of the pain score(visual analog scale). Clinical and radiological data were analyzed. Multivariable logistic model showed that the predictors were cervical lordosis including two methods (odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89–0.96 for C2–C7 Cobb angle; OR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88–0.95 for the angle measured by the Jackson method), ossification of the nuchal ligament, number of diseased facet joints, anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, and adjacent facet joint after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. With the results, we demonstrated that the outcome were related to cervical lordosis including two methods, formation of ossification of nuchal ligament, the number of diseased facet joints, post anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, and adjacent facet joint post anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. The corresponding optimal cutoff for discriminating a poor outcome was 7° for the C2–C7 Cobb angle and − 2° for the angle measured using the Jackson method.

Abstract Background The use of prehospital tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients with trauma has attracted considerable attention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide the best evidence for clinicians. Methods All related literature in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central) databases were searched systematically from their establishment to July 1, 2023. The outcome measures included 24-hour and 28–30-day mortality and adverse events (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, thrombotic events, and infection events). The Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials was used to evaluate the quality of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) was used to evaluate the risk of bias in non-RCTs. The required information size was estimated using trial sequential analysis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the evidence quality. Results Eleven studies (comprising 11,259 patients) were included; two of these were RCTs. The overall risks of bias were low in the RCTs. ROBINS-I risk of bias was Moderate in 3 studies, serious in 5 studies, and critical in 1 study. A significant reduction in 24-hour mortality was observed (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71–0.94). A subgroup analysis that included only RCTs revealed that prehospital TXA was associated with reduced 28–30-day mortality (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.97) and increased risks of thromboembolism (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03–1.44) and infection (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00–1.28) events. The blood products for transfusion decreased by 2.3 units on average (weighted mean difference [WMD], − 2.30; 95%CI, − 3.59 to − 1.01). Conclusions This updated systematic review showed that prehospital TXA reduced the 24-hour and 28–38-day mortality and blood transfusion but increased the risks of infection and thromboembolism in patients with trauma. Future RCTs with larger and more homogeneous samples will help verify our results.

This paper addresses the significant requirements in China's fusion engineering and investigates the preparation technology and performance characterization of high-performance tungsten-based materials used as PFMs. The rolled W–Y2Zr2O7 plate were prepared through sintering and subsequent rolling, and steady-state heat load assessment was conducted under fusion device working conditions. Additionally, the change in mechanical behavior of the rolled plates was investigated across different surfaces. The results also revealed that the rolling plate exhibited a DBTT between RT and 200 °C, with more superior mechanical properties along the RD direction. The flat-plate W–Y2Zr2O7/Cu components demonstrated the ability to withstand 1000 heat load cycles at 10 MW/m2 without cracking, indicating favorable thermo-mechanical performance as PFMs. These findings serve as a valuable reference for the fabrication of tungsten-based materials in fusion engineering.

Tungsten is the most promising plasma facing material for fusion reactors. Rolled W–Y2(Zr)O3 bulk material has been successfully produced in this study for future fusion engineering applications. The introduction of Zr is conducive to the refinement of the second phase particles. Nano-sized Y–Zr–O particles are observed in the powder and bulk samples. Related results show that the Y–Zr–O particle dispersion distribution improves the heat load resistance of W–Y2(Zr)O3 composite material. For four-point bend experiments in the same sampling direction, the DBTT of W–Y2(Zr)O3 composite materials is lower compared to the pure tungsten. For the same material, the DBTT of the material was selected for testing along the RD direction is lower compared to the material was selected for testing along the TD direction. Findings of this study provide suggestions for the subsequent industrial preparation of nanoscale particle-doped tungsten materials.

Abstract Biochar can potentially reduce heavy metals (HMs) mobility and bioavailability during composting. However, siderophores secreted by functional microbes might lead to the re-mobilization of metals like Cu and Zn. Therefore, this study intended to explore the impacts of Mikania micrantha Kunth (MM) and MM-derived biochar (MMB) in the reduction of Cu and Zn bioavailability, and siderophore-related gene abundances during composting. Compared with MM and corn straw (CS) composts, a significant decline was noticed in the extractable and reducible Cu [(2.3 mg kg−1 + 12.1 mg kg−1), and (3.3 mg kg−1 + 14.6 mg kg−1)], and Zn [(103.1 mg kg−1 + 110.1 mg kg−1), and (109.6 mg kg−1 + 117.2 mg kg−1)] in MMB and corn straw biochar (CSB) composts, respectively. Besides, the lowest relative abundance of HMs-resistant bacteria particularly Corynebacterium (0.40%), Pseudomonas (0.46%), and Enterobacter (0.47%), was noted in MMB compost. Also, a significant increase in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis abundance (5.77%) accompanied by a reduction in the abundance of clusters related to siderophore transport, and siderophore transmembrane transporter activity was detected in MMB compost. Multivariate analysis labeled temperature, moisture content, total organic carbon, Corynebacterium, and Bacillus as the primary factors significantly correlated with the Cu and Zn bioavailability (− 0.90 ≤ r ≤ 0.90, P

Background: Previous research showed that plant-based diets were correlated with male-productive health, but evidence regarding the association of this diet with teratozoospermia remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between plant-based diets and teratozoospermia odds. Methods: We conducted a case-control study involving 146 patients with teratozoospermia and 581 healthy controls in the infertility clinics of the Center for Reproductive Medicine during June and December 2020. To evaluate dietary data for the included participants, a validated food frequency questionnaire was utilized. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the development of teratozoospermia related to the plant-based diets were employed using unconditional logistic regression. Results: Higher adherence to the overall plant-based diet index (PDI) was inversely associated with the odds of teratozoospermia (OR T3 vs. T1 = 0.56; 95 % CI = 0.33–0.94). Additionally, greater adherence to the healthful PDI (hPDI) was correlated with a lower odds of teratozoospermia (OR T3 vs. T1 = 0.56; 95 % CI = 0.34–0.90), whereas the null association of unhealthful PDI (uPDI) with teratozoospermia was observed (OR T3 vs. T1 = 1.15; 95 % CI = 0.70–1.91). Interestingly, uPDI was positively associated with the odds of teratozoospermia among men with age

Understanding the paleoenvironment and phytogeographical history of the Tibetan Plateau, China relies on discovering new plant fossils. The Qaidam Basin has long been regarded as an ideal ‘field laboratory’ to investigate the paleoclimate and paleobiological evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau. However, fossil angiosperms from the Qaidam Basin are rare, and our knowledge of its paleovegetation is poor. Here, we report fossil leaves and fruits of Betulaceae found from the Oligocene Shangganchaigou Formation of northwestern Qaidam Basin (Huatugou area). Comparative morphological analysis led us to assign the fruits to the Betula subgenus Betula and the leaves to Carpinus grandis. These findings, together with other reported fossil plants from the same locality, reveal a close floristic linkage between the Qaidam Basin and Europe during the Oligocene. The northern pathway of this floristic exchange may have crossed through the Qaidam Basin during the late Paleogene. This floristic linkage may have been facilitated by the continuous narrowing of the Turgai Strait and stronger westerlies, which transported moisture and provided favorable climatic conditions. Indeed, fossil plants collected from the Qaidam Basin suggest that during the Oligocene this region had warm and humid deciduous broad-leaf forest, which differs from the region’s modern vegetation and indicates that the Qaidam Basin may have been a suitable region for these plants to flourish and spread during the Oligocene.

Abstract Background The MeltPro TB assay (MeltPro) is a molecular rapid diagnostic test designed for detecting resistance to antituberculosis drugs. However, the performance of MeltPro as an initial diagnostic test for simultaneously detecting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and drug resistance has not been evaluated. This study aims to assess the performance of MeltPro as initial diagnostic test for simultaneous detection of MTB and drug resistance in clinical samples from patients with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1283 patients with presumptive PTB from two clinical centers, out of which 875 were diagnosed with PTB. The diagnostic accuracy of MeltPro, Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert), and MGIT 960 for PTB detection was evaluated. Rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), streptomycin (STR), and fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance were detected using MeltPro, with Xpert and/or the broth microdilution plate method (MYCOTB) results as references. Results For the diagnosis of PTB, MeltPro showed a sensitivity of 69.0%, which was similar to Xpert (72.7%; P > 0.05) and higher than MGIT (58.1%; P 0.05). In smear-negative patients, MeltPro's sensitivity was 50.9%, similar to Xpert (56.5%; P > 0.05), and higher than MGIT (33.1%; P

Abstract Understanding the molecular interaction between ligand and receptor is important for providing the basis for the development of regenerative drugs. Although it has been reported that extracellular phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1) can promote the neurite outgrowth of motoneurons, the Pgk1-interacting neural receptor remains unknown. Here we show that neural membranous Enolase-2 exhibits strong affinity with recombinant Pgk1-Flag, which is also evidently demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy. The 325th-417th domain of Pgk1 interacts with the 405th-431st domain of Enolase-2, but neither Enolase-1 nor Enolase-3, promoting neurite outgrowth. Combining Pgk1 incubation and Enolase-2 overexpression, we demonstrate a highly significant enhancement of neurite outgrowth of motoneurons through a reduced p-P38-T180/p-Limk1-S323/p-Cofilin signaling. Collectively, extracellular Pgk1 interacts neural membrane receptor Enolase-2 to reduce the P38/Limk1/Cofilin signaling which results in promoting neurite outgrowth. The extracellular Pgk1-specific neural receptor found in this study should provide a material for screening potential small molecule drugs that promote motor nerve regeneration.

Purpose The risk of thromboembolic events is elevated in patients with nephrotic syndrome, and warfarin use has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Indobufen, a selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor, is currently being evaluated for the prevention of thromboembolic events in nephrotic syndrome. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of indobufen with that of warfarin in patients with nephrotic syndrome.Materials and methods This multicenter, randomized, three-arm, open-label, parallel controlled trial involved a total of 180 adult patients with nephrotic syndrome from four centers in China. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg indobufen (bid), 200 mg indobufen (bid), and 3 mg warfarin (qd) daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints included thromboembolic and bleeding events, while laboratory results and adverse events constituted secondary endpoints.Results No thromboembolic events occurred in the high-/low-dose indobufen and warfarin groups. Moreover, the use of a low dose of indobufen significantly reduced the risk of minor bleeding events compared with warfarin use (2% versus 18%, p

Abstract Estrogen receptor α (ERα) serves as an essential therapeutic predictor for breast cancer (BC) patients and is regulated by epigenetic modification. Abnormal methylation of cytosine phosphoric acid guanine islands in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene promoter could silence or decrease ERα expression. In ERα‐negative BC, we previously found snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), a zinc‐finger transcriptional factor, recruited lysine‐specific demethylase 1 to the promoter to transcriptionally suppress ERα expression by demethylating histone H3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2). However, the role of SNAI2 in ERα‐positive BC remains elusive. In this study, we observed a positive correlation between SNAI2 and ESR1 methylation, and SNAI2 promoted ESR1 methylation by recruiting DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B) rather than DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in ERα‐positive BC cells. Subsequent enrichment analysis illustrated that ESR1 methylation is strongly correlated with cell adhesion and junction. Knocking down DNMT3B could partially reverse SNAI2 overexpression‐induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, high DNMT3B expression predicted poor relapse‐free survival and overall survival in ERα‐positive BC patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the novel mechanisms of the ESR1 methylation mediated with the SNAI2/DNMT3B complex and enhanced awareness of ESR1 methylation's role in promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition in BC.

Summary: Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) show clinical signs of accelerated ageing. Causative mechanisms remain unknown and hypotheses range from the (essentially untreatable) amplified-chromosomal-instability explanation, to potential actions of individual supernumerary chromosome-21 genes. The latter explanation could open a route to therapeutic amelioration if the specific over-acting genes could be identified and their action toned-down. Methods: Biological age was estimated through patterns of sugar molecules attached to plasma immunoglobulin-G (IgG-glycans, an established “biological-ageing-clock”) in n = 246 individuals with DS from three European populations, clinically characterised for the presence of co-morbidities, and compared to n = 256 age-, sex- and demography-matched healthy controls. Isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) models of full and partial trisomy-21 with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and two kinase inhibitors were studied prior and after differentiation to cerebral organoids. Findings: Biological age in adults with DS is (on average) 18.4–19.1 years older than in chronological-age-matched controls independent of co-morbidities, and this shift remains constant throughout lifespan. Changes are detectable from early childhood, and do not require a supernumerary chromosome, but are seen in segmental duplication of only 31 genes, along with increased DNA damage and decreased levels of LaminB1 in nucleated blood cells. We demonstrate that these cell-autonomous phenotypes can be gene-dose-modelled and pharmacologically corrected in hiPSCs and derived cerebral organoids. Using isogenic hiPSC models we show that chromosome-21 gene DYRK1A overdose is sufficient and necessary to cause excess unrepaired DNA damage. Interpretation: Explanation of hitherto observed accelerated ageing in DS as a developmental progeroid syndrome driven by DYRK1A overdose provides a target for early pharmacological preventative intervention strategies. Funding: Main funding came from the “Research Cooperability” Program of the Croatian Science Foundation funded by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Efficient Human Resources 2014–2020, Project PZS-2019-02-4277, and the Wellcome Trust Grants 098330/Z/12/Z and 217199/Z/19/Z (UK). All other funding is described in details in the “Acknowledgements”.

Summary: Background: Accurate identification of ovarian cancer (OC) is of paramount importance in clinical treatment success. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a potentially reliable assistant for the medical imaging recognition. We systematically review articles on the diagnostic performance of AI in OC from medical imaging for the first time. Methods: The Medline, Embase, IEEE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library databases were searched for related studies published until August 1, 2022. Inclusion criteria were studies that developed or used AI algorithms in the diagnosis of OC from medical images. The binary diagnostic accuracy data were extracted to derive the outcomes of interest: sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), and Area Under the Curve (AUC). The study was registered with the PROSPERO, CRD42022324611. Findings: Thirty-four eligible studies were identified, of which twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis with a pooled SE of 88% (95%CI: 85–90%), SP of 85% (82–88%), and AUC of 0.93 (0.91–0.95). Analysis for different algorithms revealed a pooled SE of 89% (85–92%) and SP of 88% (82–92%) for machine learning; and a pooled SE of 88% (84–91%) and SP of 84% (80–87%) for deep learning. Acceptable diagnostic performance was demonstrated in subgroup analyses stratified by imaging modalities (Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or Computed Tomography), sample size (≤300 or >300), AI algorithms versus clinicians, year of publication (before or after 2020), geographical distribution (Asia or non Asia), and the different risk of bias levels (≥3 domain low risk or < 3 domain low risk). Interpretation: AI algorithms exhibited favorable performance for the diagnosis of OC through medical imaging. More rigorous reporting standards that address specific challenges of AI research could improve future studies. Funding: This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82073647 to Q-JW and No. 82103914 to T-TG), LiaoNing Revitalization Talents Program (No. XLYC1907102 to Q-JW), and 345 Talent Project of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University (No. M0268 to Q-JW and No. M0952 to T-TG).

Background Delayed wound healing is a potention complication after Achilles tendon suture repair and occurs for various reasons. The conventional treatment for delayed wound healing is open surgery, but patients face long recovery times and postoperative care is difficult. Case Presentation This report presents three patients who were seen at our institute from April 2008 to October 2017 due to long‐term non‐healing wounds after surgery. All three patients had undergone surgery at least 2 months previously. We performed endoscopic surgery on these patients. After the operation, patients received less antibiotics and simpler care than would be required for conventional open surgery. There is no need to keep the wound open after the operation or perform wound cleaning for multiple times at the same time, which can reduce healing time. At the last follow up, all postoperative scores among the patients were significantly improved compared to before surgery. The Achilles tendon total rupture scores were excellent and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores were satisfactory, indicating improvements in Achilles tendon function and movement in patients after surgery. Conclusion Our case reports demonstrate that arthroscopic treatment for delayed wound healing after Achilles tendon suture repair is satisfactory and reliable; frequent opening of the wound for cleaning is not required after the operation, thus reducing the healing time.

Background and AimsEpidemiological evidence on the relation between one-carbon metabolism (OCM) micronutrients intake and ovarian cancer (OC) survival are limited and conflicting. We evaluated the aforementioned associations in a prospective cohort-the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study.MethodsA total of 635 newly diagnosed OC patients aged 18–79 y were enrolled in the present study. Dietary intake related to one-carbon metabolism, including methionine, vitamins B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, choline, and betaine, was assessed using a validated 111-item food frequency questionnaire. Deaths were ascertained until March 31, 2021, via medical records and active follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for these aforementioned associations.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 37.2 months (interquartile: 24.7–50.2 months), 114 deaths were identified. We observed an improved survival with the highest compared with the lowest tertile of dietary vitamin B6 (HR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.32–0.84, P-trend

BackgroundSurgery is an effective choice for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, there is no clear consensus regarding the best choice among the surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to conduct a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing treatment outcomes to provide high-quality evidences regarding which is the best surgery for CP.MethodsA systematic search of the PubMed (MEDLINE), SCIE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CDSR databases were performed to identify studies comparing surgeries for CP from the beginning of the databases to May 2020. Pain relief and mortality were the primary outcomes of interest.ResultsTen studies including a total of 680 patients were identified for inclusion. PPPD had a better postoperative short-term pain relief and quality of life (QOL), but a worse pancreatic exocrine function deficiency and high morbidity. Berne had a significant postoperative long-term pain relief and mortality with a lower risk of pancreatic exocrine function deficiency.ConclusionThe main surgical procedures including the PPPD, Beger procedure, Frey modification and Berne modification can efficaciously treat CP. The Berne modification may be first choice with better efficacy and less complications in pancreatic function, but the impact of postoperative QOL cannot be ignored. Furthermore, when the CP patients have a mass in the pancreatic head which cannot be distinguished from pancreatic cancer, the only legitimate choice should be PPPD or classical pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Although neurological complications after the administration of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are rare, they might result in long-term morbidity. This study was designed to determine the risk of peripheral nervous system (PNS) adverse events after the administration of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies were systematically searched in databases, and 15 cohort studies were included in the synthesis. Among all PNS adverse events, only Bell’s palsy and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) had sufficient data and were included for further analysis. Individuals who received mRNA vaccines had a higher risk of Bell’s palsy than the unvaccinated group, and the risk of Bell’s palsy after BNT162b2 was significantly higher than after mRNA-1273. Regarding GBS, no significant difference in the risk was observed between BNT162b2 and the unvaccinated group, but BNT126b2 introduced a higher risk of post-vaccinated GBS than mRNA-1273. In conclusion, PNS adverse events, especially Bell’s palsy, should be carefully observed after mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. With the opportunity of vaccination campaigns on such a large scale, further investigation and surveillance of post-vaccination neurological adverse events should also be established.

Fungal strain PA-2 was isolated from infected poplar leaves from the Ping'an District, Haidong City of Qinghai Province, China. Based on the culture characteristics and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of its 16S rDNA, the strain was identified as Aureobasidium pullulans. The culture and metabolites of strain PA-2 showed high herbicidal potential to five tested weeds Galium aparine var. tenerum, Chenopodium album, Malva crispa, Polygonum lapathifolium and Avena fatua. For the in vitro test, 5 days after the detached leaves were inoculated with PA-2 culture, all leaves infected by the hyphae and became black and rotten. For the in vivo test, a metabolite filtrate of PA-2 culture was sprayed over the living weed plants, and five days after inoculation, the weed plants became withered and necrotic. Seven days after inoculation, the fresh weight reductions of G. aparine var. tenerum, C. album, M. crispa, P. lapathifolium and A. fatua were 87.25, 78.46, 82.25, 62.11, and 80.27%, respectively. Galium aparine var. tenerum and M. crispa exhibited significant reductions in fresh weight. The bio-safety test on the five crops showed no significant plant height reductions, which was also observed for wheat (Triticum aestivum), faba bean (Vicia faba), and barley (Hordeum vulgare). By contrast, oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and pea (Pisum sativum) exhibited light spots but no significant reductions in plant height. These results indicated that A. pullulans could be a potential microbial herbicide for the control of the target weeds in crops. Optimization of the carbon and nitrogen sources for cultural media and substances for solid-state fermentation indicated that PA-2 had better colony growth and spore production with the optimal carbon source of glucose (C4), nitrogen source of soybean flour (N2), and the optimal substance was wheat bran. The results in this study provide useful information for the development of A. pulluans PA-2 as an herbicide for bio-control of the weed.

Accumulating evidence indicates that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which directly regulates mRNA, is closely related to multiple biological processes and the progression of different malignancies, including breast cancer (BC). Studies of the aberrant expression of m6A mediators in BC revealed that they were associated with different BC subtypes and functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, stemness, the cell cycle, migration, and metastasis, through several factors and signaling pathways, such as Bcl-2 and the PI3K/Akt pathway, among others. Several regulators that target m6A have been shown to have anticancer effects. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) was identified as the first m6A demethylase, and a series of inhibitors that target FTO were reported to have potential for the treatment of BC by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. However, the exact mechanism by which m6A modifications are regulated by FTO inhibitors remains unknown. m6A modifications in BC have only been preliminarily studied, and their mechanisms require further investigation.

Abstract To investigate the value of decomposed short-time digital volume pulse (DVP) signals in discerning systemic vascular anomaly in diabetic patients, demographic and anthropometric parameters, serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were obtained from 29 healthy adults (Group 1) and 29 age-matched type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (Group 2). Six-second DVP signals from right index finger acquired through photoplethysmography were decomposed using ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Using one intrinsic mode function (IMF5), stiffness index (SI) and instantaneous energy of maximal energy (fEmax) were obtained. Other indicators of arterial stiffness, including electrocardiogram-pulse wave velocity of foot (ECG-PWVfoot), crest time (CT) and crest time ratio (CTR), were obtained from the testing subjects for comparison. The mean body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, HbA1c and fasting blood sugar levels were higher in Group 2 than those in Group 1, whereas values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower in Group 2 than those in Group 1. SI and fEmax were significantly higher in Group 2 than those in Group 1. Moreover, fEmax was positively associated with HbA1c concentration, CT and SI in Group 2 (p

Ferroelectric-Hf1-xZrxO2 FETs on silicon on insulator (SOI) are modeled and demonstrated with improvement on subthreshold swing (SS) and hysteresis (VT-shift), which is based on the capacitance matching concept. The minimum reverse SS = 45 mV/dec and 52 mV/dec are obtained experimentally for SOI and bulk-Si, respectively. The steep SS range (

(1) Background: Microwave ablation (MWA) is a common tumor ablation surgery. Because of the high temperature of the ablation antenna, it is strongly destructive to surrounding vital tissues, resulting in high professional requirements for clinicians. The method used to carry out temperature observation and damage prediction in MWA is significant; (2) Methods: This work employs numerical study to explore temperature distribution of typical tissues in MWA. Firstly, clinical MWA based on isolated biological tissue is implemented. Then, the Pennes models and microwave radiation physics are established based on experimental parameters and existing related research. Initial values and boundary conditions are adjusted to better meet the real clinical materials and experimental conditions. Finally, clinical MWA data test this model. On the premise that the model is matched with clinical MWA, fat and bone are deduced for further heat transfer analysis. (3) Results: Numerical study obtains the temperature distribution of biological tissue in MWA. It observes the heat transfer law of ablation antenna in biological tissue. Additionally, combined with temperature threshold, it generates thermal damage of biological tissues and predicts the possible risks in MWA; (4) Conclusions: This work proposes a numerical study of typical biological tissues. It provides a new theoretical basis for clinically thermal ablation surgery.

LEO satellite networks can provide seamless real-time data communication for all kinds of users,which developed rapidly in recent years.At the mean time,the massive payload data down-link system of space data sources,such as remote sensing satellites,still make use of traditional storage and forward mode.The real-time performance of space mission data will be improved effectively,if such satellites are connected to LEO satellite networks equipped with inter satellite links.However,it is necessary to design a specialized satellite network load balancing routing algorithm.Satellite parallel edge-disjoint multipath routing protocol (SPEMR) was designed for remote sensing satellite real-time down-link applications.OPNET simulation results indicate that the performance degradation index(DI) of the multipath scheme implemented by SPEMR is 0.32,which is only 32% of the TLR and 21% of the traditional DSP scheme.It is demonstrated that SPEMR has the better capability of transmitting massive data in real time.

Lower Cretaceous black shales in coastal southeastern China are of significance to the geological study of the Tethys and Pacific realms and to hydrocarbon exploration of southeastern China and East China Sea. However, the stratigraphic correlation, distribution patterns and hydrocarbon potential of the black shales have not been well constrained so far. In this study, the zircon U–Pb ages, organic petrologic and geochemical analyses were performed for representative outcrop sections in the region. Zircon U–Pb ages demonstrate that the Lower Cretaceous black shales in coastal southeastern China can be divided into two regional-scale sets. The first set was deposited during the early stage of the Early Cretaceous (K11, Berriasian–Hauterivian). The second set was deposited during the late stage of the Early Cretaceous (K12), and might extend to the Taiwan Strait. Detailed organic geochemical analyses including organic matter abundance, type and maturity of the Lower Cretaceous black shales demonstrate that the organic matter abundance of the sources reached medium to good quality by the hydrocarbon source rock standards, and the average TOC values and the chloroform bitumen “A” of the K11 black shales are higher. The type of organic matter is mainly type III, type II can also be found from the K12 black shales. The thermal maturity of most samples is high to overmature. A relatively comprehensive hydrocarbon resource evaluation indicates that favorable regions are in the northern Guangdong Province for the K11 and in the coastal region of Zhejiang Province and the western Fujian Province for the K12. Sedimentology studies on the Shipu section for the K11 black shales illuminated that the K12 black shales in coastal southeastern China were mainly deposited during transgressive period. The relative sea level changes controlled the sequential development pattern of the K12 black shales.

Abstract The effects of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and open liver resection (OLR) on oncological outcomes for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CCLM) remain inconclusive. Major databases were searched from January 1992 to October 2016. Effects of LLR vs OLR were determined. The primary endpoints were oncological outcomes. In total, 32 eligible non-randomized studies with 4697 patients (LLR: 1809, OLR: 2888) were analyzed. There were higher rates of clear surgical margins (OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.32 to 2.05, p

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major disease burden. Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) has been studied extensively in the context of cancer and the regulation of different types of stem cells, but the role of Wip1 in cardiac adaptation to MI is unknown. We investigated the significance of Wip1 in a mouse model of MI. Methods: The study began in June 2014 and was completed in July 2016. We compared Wip1-knockout (Wip1-KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice to determine changes in cardiac function and survival in response to MI. The heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) ratio and cardiac function were measured before MI. Mouse MI was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia. After MI, survival of the mice was observed for 4 weeks. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography. The HW/BW ratio was analyzed, and cardiac hypertrophy was measured by wheat germ agglutinin staining. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to determine the infarct size. Gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the levels of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (stat3) and phosphor-stat3 (p-stat3) were also analyzed by Western blotting. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank test, unpaired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. Results: Wip1-KO mice had a marginally increased HW/BW ratio and slightly impaired cardiac function before LAD ligation. After MI, Wip1-deficient mice exhibited increased mortality (57.14% vs. 29.17%; n = 24 [WT], n = 35 [Wip1-KO], P< 0.05), increased cardiac hypertrophy (HW/BW ratio: 7 days: 7.25 ± 0.36 vs. 5.84 ± 0.18, n = 10, P< 0.01, and 4 weeks: 6.05 ± 0.17 vs. 5.87 ± 0.24, n = 10, P > 0.05; cross-sectional area: 7 days: 311.80 ± 8.29 vs. 268.90 ± 11.15, n = 6, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 308.80 ± 11.26 vs. 317.00 ± 13.55, n = 6, P > 0.05), and reduced cardiac function (ejection fraction: 7 days: 29.37 ± 1.38 vs. 34.72 ± 1.81, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 19.06 ± 2.07 vs. 26.37 ± 2.95, P< 0.05; fractional shortening: 7 days: 13.72 ± 0.71 vs. 16.50 ± 0.94, P< 0.05, and 4 weeks: 8.79 ± 1.00 vs. 12.48 ± 1.48, P< 0.05; n = 10 [WT], n = 15 [Wip1-KO]). H&E staining revealed a larger infarct size in Wip1-KO mice than in WT mice (34.79% ± 2.44% vs. 19.55% ± 1.48%, n = 6, P< 0.01). The expression of IL-6 and p-stat3 was downregulated in Wip1-KO mice (IL-6: 1.71 ± 0.27 vs. 4.46 ± 0.79, n = 6, P< 0.01; and p-stat3/stat3: 1.15 ± 0.15 vs. 1.97 ± 0.23, n = 6, P< 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that Wip1 could protect the heart from MI-induced ischemic injury.

Understanding the unusual physiological mechanisms that enable drought tolerance in xerophytes will be of considerable benefit because of the potential to identify novel and key genetic elements for future crop improvements. These plants are interesting because they are well-adapted for life in arid zones; Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, for example, is a typical xerophytic shrub that inhabits central Asian deserts, accumulating substantial levels of sodium (Na+) in its succulent leaves while growing in soils that contain very low levels of this ion. The physiological importance of this unusual trait to drought adaptations remains poorly understood, however. Thus, 2-week-old Z. xanthoxylum plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl (Na) for 7 days in this study in order to investigate their drought tolerance, leaf osmotic potential (Ψs) related parameters, anatomical characteristics, and transpiration traits. The results demonstrated that NaCl treatment significantly enhanced both the survivability and durability of Z. xanthoxylum plants under extreme drought conditions. The bulk of the Na+ ions encapsulated in plants was overwhelmingly allocated to leaves rather than roots or stems under drought conditions; thus, compared to the control, significantly more Na+ compared to other solutes such as K+, Ca2+, Cl-, sugars, and proline accumulated in the leaves of NaCl-treated plants and led to a marked decrease (31%) in leaf Ψs. In addition, the accumulation of Na+ ions also resulted in mesophyll cell enlargement and leaf succulence, enabling the additional storage of water; Na+ ions also reduced the rate of water loss by decreasing stomatal density and down-regulating stomatal aperture size. The results of this study demonstrate that Z. xanthoxylum has evolved a notable ability to utilize Na+ ions to lower Ψs, swell its leaves, and decrease stomatal aperture sizes, in order to enable the additional uptake and storage of water and mitigate losses. These distinctive drought adaption characteristics mean that the xerophytic plant Z. xanthoxylum presents a fascinating case study for the potential identification of important and novel genetic elements that could improve crops. This report provides insights on the eco-physiological role of sodium accumulation in xerophytes adapted to extremely arid habitats.