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(1) Background: This study aimed to establish a nomogram model for predicting the overall survival (OS) of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. (2) Methods: Patients with MTC in the SEER database from 2004 to 2015 were included and divided into a modeling group and an internal validation group. We also selected MTC patients from our center from 2007 to 2019 to establish an external validation group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen for significant independent variables and to establish a nomogram model. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) curves were plotted to evaluate the influence of the predictors. The C-indexes, areas under the curves (AUCs), and calibration curves were plotted to validate the predictive effect of the model. (3) Results: A total of 1981 MTC patients from the SEER database and 85 MTC patients from our center were included. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age, tumor size, N stage, and M stage were significant factors, and a nomogram model was established. The C-index of the modeling group was 0.792, and the AUCs were 0.811, 0.825, and 0.824. The C-index of the internal validation group was 0.793, and the AUCs were 0.847, 0.846, and 0.796. The C-index of the external validation group was 0.871, and the AUCs were 0.911 and 0.827. The calibration curves indicated that the prediction ability was reliable. (4) Conclusions: A nomogram model based on age, tumor size, N stage, and M stage was able to predict the OS of MTC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays have a wide range of applications. Controlling the position of the seed layers (ZnO films) and the nanorod morphology plays an essential role in the fabrication of the sensors and the fulfilment of specific sensing properties, while the patterning of seed layers and controlling the NR morphology have mostly been studied separately. In this study, a focused ion beam was employed to decompose spin-coated zinc acetate films for the precise positioning of the seed layers. The resulting ZnO films were used to hydrothermally grow vertical ZnO NRs that process a high responsivity of 1.24 × 106 A/W at a bias voltage of 5 V. Moreover, this approach provides the following advantages: (1) the carbon to zinc ratio of the zinc acetate film decreased from 4:1 to 1:18.9 after irradiation, demonstrating the efficient decomposition; (2) a patterned ZnO film can be obtained with a low irradiation dose of 1000 μC/cm2; and (3) the seed layer can be utilized directly for vertical nanorod growth without annealing. The morphology of NRs is characterized, and the nanorods grown on seed layers under different treatment conditions had different X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak patterns. Furthermore, the UV–vis absorption spectra of the nanorods were measured. Finally, we examined the rapid patterning of the ZnO thin films. We propose a simple and efficient approach for the decomposition of zinc acetate into patterned ZnO; this provides an integrated solution for ZnO film positioning and the vertical growth of ZnO NRs, which could also offer an approach and inspiration for ultraviolet (UV) detection and ideas for the localized growth of other ZnO nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX) stand out as promising anode materials for aqueous batteries due to the extensive "interlayer" spaces, theoretically providing ample ion storage sites and efficient ion diffusion channels. However, the efficient development and utilization of "interlayer" spaces remains unsatisfactory. This study presents a proof-of-concept strategy to activate the interlayer storage capabilities of a BiOBr-based electrode through a straightforward solid-solution iodine method. The incorporation of iodine into BiOBr matrix could enhance the preferred (110) crystal orientation, serving as direct entrances to the ion diffusion channels and enabling increased interaction with OH−, thereby potentially optimizing the utilization of "interlayer" spaces. Furthermore, the iodine is conducive to accelerating the charge transfer dynamics. Consequently, the BiOBr 0 · 87 I 0.13 electrode exhibits a high specific capacity (187.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1) and outstanding rate performance (153.1 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1). This work levers interlayer storage of layered materials, providing a framework for maximizing utilization of "interlayer" spaces in charge storage and reaction dynamics. • BiOX with ample layered space and diffusion channels are promising for anode. • The solid-solution I levers the interlayer storage activity of BiOBr electrode. • The incorporation of I into BiOBr enhances the preferred (110) crystal orientation. • The (110) crystal orientation provides a direct pathway for ion diffusion channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the femoral neck system (FNS) and inverted triangle cannulated screws (ITCS) for the treatment of Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures., Methods: The clinical data of 59 patients with Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fractures treated between May 2019 and November 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into FNS group (28 cases) and ITCS group (31 cases) according to the different internal fixation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, body mass index, cause of injury, smoking history, alcohol abuse history, Pauwels angle, Garden classification, AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, and time from injury to operation between the two groups ( P >0.05). The operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, extra assisted reduction procedures (Kirschner wire prying reduction or open reduction), hospitalization stay, and early complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Garden index and Haidukewych score were used to evaluate fracture reduction. Fracture healing time, lateral thigh irritation, time of partial or total weight-bearing postoperatively, shortening length and degree of femoral neck, change of caput-collum-diaphysis (CCD) angle (the difference of CCD angle between immediate after operation and last follow-up), incidence of osteonecrosis of femoral head and revision surgery were recorded and compared between the two groups. Hip joint function were evaluated by Harris score., Results: The operation time of FNS group was significantly shorter than ITCS group, and the incision length was significantly longer than ITCS group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, assisted reduction, Garden index, Haidukewych score, and hospitalization stay between the two groups ( P >0.05). All the incisions healed by first intention. There were 2 deep vein thrombosis in the FNS group and 1 pulmonary infection and 1 deep vein thrombosis in the ITCS group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of early postoperative complications (7.1% vs. 6.5%) between the two groups ( P =1.000). Patients in both groups were followed up 3-14 months, and there was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups ( t =-0.553, P =0.582). The fracture healing time, Harris score, and the partial weight-bearing time after operation of the FNS group were significantly better than those of the ITCS group ( P <0.05). However, there was no significant difference in total weight-bearing time between the two groups ( Z =-1.298, P =0.194). No lateral thigh irritation was found in the FNS group, while 10 patients in the ITCS group had lateral thigh irritation, and the incidence between the two groups (0 vs. 32.3%) was significant ( P =0.001). At last follow-up, the shortening length and degree of femoral neck and the change of CCD angle in FNS group were significantly less than those in ITCS group ( P <0.05). There was no patient with osteonecrosis of femoral head or reoperation in the FNS group, while 4 patients in the ITCS group underwent reoperation (including 2 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head). However, the incidences (0 vs. 6.5%; 0 vs. 12.9%) between the two groups were not significant ( P =0.493; P =0.114)., Conclusion: Using FNS to treat Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture is simple as well as able to reduce the shortening of the femoral neck and the change of the CCD angle. Also, FNS is conducive to the recovery of hip joint function, which should be considered as a new choice for the treatment of young femoral neck fracture patients.