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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is prevalent around the world and is associated with poor prognosis. OSCC is typically diagnosed from tissue biopsy sections by pathologists who rely on their empirical experience. Deep learning models may improve the accuracy and speed of image classification, thus reducing human error and workload. Here we developed a custom-made deep learning model to assist pathologists in detecting OSCC from histopathology images. We collected and analyzed a total of 2,025 images, among which 1,925 images were included in the training set and 100 images were included in the testing set. Our model was able to automatically evaluate these images and arrive at a diagnosis with a sensitivity of 0.98, specificity of 0.92, positive predictive value of 0.924, negative predictive value of 0.978, and F1 score of 0.951. Using a subset of 100 images, we examined whether our model could improve the diagnostic performance of junior and senior pathologists. We found that junior pathologists were able to delineate OSCC in these images 6.26 min faster when assisted by the model than when working alone. When the clinicians were assisted by the model, their average F1 score improved from 0.9221 to 0.9566 in the case of junior pathologists and from 0.9361 to 0.9463 in the case of senior pathologists. Our findings indicate that deep learning can improve the accuracy and speed of OSCC diagnosis from histopathology images.

In magnetic confinement fusion (MCF), the plasma always exhibits an anisotropic temperature distribution, which may impact not only the plasma dynamics but also the nuclear reaction process. Here, through theoretical derivations and self-consistent particle-in-cell simulations with the newly-developed nuclear reaction and alpha particle energy deposition calculation modules, we find that, if considering the plasma has an anisotropic temperature distribution, the fusion energy gain factor (Q) of MCF is significantly modified, where both the deuteron–triton nuclear reactivity and the alpha particle energy deposition fraction are heavily influenced. The simulation results show that, under the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) condition, if the plasma temperature anisotropy ratio can reach 0.1, i.e., the plasma perpendicular temperature component is one-tenth of its parallel component corresponding to the ambient magnetic field direction, the Q-value of ITER can be increased from the originally-designed 5 to about 10, with doubled enhancement.

In this paper, a compact torus (CT) injector system is designed for experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST). The injector system consists of a coaxial electrode and four pulsed power systems and generates self-organized CT with high density and velocity. In addition, the performance of EAST-CTI is evaluated using a series of diagnostics systems. The experimental results show that the velocity, electron density, and number of particles of the CT are 56.0 km/s, 8.73 × 1020 m-3, and 2.4 × 1018, respectively. The detailed description and experimental results are presented in this paper.

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-jdr-10.1177_00220345211009474 for Automated Radiographic Evaluation of Adenoid Hypertrophy Based on VGG-Lite by J.L. Liu, S.H. Li, Y.M. Cai, D.P. Lan, Y.F. Lu, W. Liao, S.C. Ying and Z.H. Zhao in Journal of Dental Research

Jujube cultivars were first introduced into the United States in 1908. Budwoods of over 30 cultivars were imported from 1908 to 1918. Unfortunately, most of them were lost after the USDA Chico Introduction Station was closed in the 1950s. Researchers working with jujubes predicted its high potential, especially in the Southwestern United States. So far, jujube-related research is very limited. Jujubes are distributed widely in the U.S., from Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. to Florida; and from Florida and Georgia, westward through Arkansas, Texas, and New Mexico out to California. They adapt well to the climate and soil conditions in the Southwest and fruit well. Commercial production is limited, but interest is growing. Nurseries have not been able to meet the market demands in recent years, and only a few cultivars are commercially available. Both growers and consumers demand more cultivar selections to extend the season and to satisfy different uses from consumers. With jujubes' late-spring start-up, they are also a good alternative crop in areas that suffer late-spring frosts. Because more consumers are concerned about the health benefits of fruit, jujubes are gaining attention again. Also, the Asian population is growing fast, especially near big cities, and their demand for jujubes is high. Researchers need to introduce and evaluate jujube cultivars and recommend more cultivars with varied maturity dates and uses to growers and consumers. More American-style jujube products are another key factor in promoting jujubes. With its nutritious fruit, wide adaption, early fruiting, and drought tolerance, jujube production could become an industry in the U.S. within 15-20 years.

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) is native to China and widespread in Japan and Korea. Persimmon is a good source of nutrition components and traditionally used for medicinal purposes. The aim of this work is to determine the flavonoid content in the pulp of 51 persimmon cultivars including 36 astringent and 15 non-astringent cultivars at the ripe stage of maturity. The flavonoid content varied widely among cultivars from 38.71 to 1870.69 mg 100 g-1 DW with an average of 419.16 mg 100 g-1 DW. The flavonoid content in 'Songbenzaosheng' and 'Yichuanling' was higher than that of the other cultivars. 'Zhudahuang' and 'Luoyangjingmian' had lower levels of flavonoids. Flavonoid content in different cultivars mainly distributed in 209.19-891.81 mg 100 g-1 DW in astringent cultivars and 136.52-315.39 mg 100 g-1 DW in non-astringent cultivars.

1. Mutations in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are significantly associated with reproductive performance in mammals and the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphic sites and elucidate the association between genotypes in BMP15 and GDF9 and egg production. 2. Polymorphisms in BMP15 exon1 and GDF9 exon2 were detected by DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Three SNPs were detected in each of BMP15 (A111G, C231T and C34T) and GDF9 (G593A, T824C and C896T). C34T leads to the substitution of Leu by Phe, which was predicted to affect protein function. 3. Results of the association analysis indicated that C34T had an effect on total egg production at 300 d of age (EN) and age at first laying (AFE). G593A affected EN and both C231T and C896T influenced AFE. The TGC1TGC1 diplotype in BMP15 had the highest EN. 4. In conclusion, EN may be significantly improved by marker-assisted selection of the BMP15 genotypes in maternal lines of Shaobo hens.

Congenital cataract is caused by reduced transparency of the lens resulting from metabolic disorders during the fetal period. The disease shows great heterogeneity both clinically and genetically. We identified a 4-generation ethnic Han Chinese family affected by autosomal dominant congenital perinuclear cataract. The patients underwent full clinical and ophthalmologic examinations to rule out any concomitant disorders. Blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Potential mutations in the candidate gene alpha A crystallin (CRYAA) were screened. Prenatal diagnosis was then provided for a fetus of the affected proband by chorionic villus sampling. In all patients, DNA sequencing of the CRYAA gene revealed a novel 3-bp deletion mutation in exon 3 (c.246_248delCGC), which led to deletion of codon 117 encoding arginine (p.117delR) in the peptide chain. The same mutation was not found among unaffected and healthy individuals. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that although the c.246_248delCGC is an 'in-frame' mutation, removal of arginine resulted in a significant change in the protein structure. The fetus did not possess this mutation and was confirmed to be healthy at 1-year follow-up. A novel disease-causing mutation, c.246_248delCGC (p.117delR), of the CRYAA gene has been identified in a Chinese family with autosomal-type perinuclear congenital cataracts. This is also the first report of prenatal diagnosis of this type of congenital cataract.

Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused mainly by deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. In the present study, we analyzed MUT gene mutations in 3 Chinese couples with a birth history of isolated MMA. We also provided prenatal diagnoses for the detected mutation. Exons and exon-intron boundaries of the MUT gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Prenatal genetic diagnoses were performed by chorionic villus sampling after the genotypes of parents were determined. Six heterozygous mutations in the MUT gene were identified in the 3 families, including c.1880A>G (p.H627R) and IVS9-1G>A for family 1, c.1741C>T (p.R581X) and c.729insTT (p.D244fX39) for family 2, and c.616C>T (p.Q206X) and c.1280G>A (p.G427D) for family 3. Among these, c.616C>T (p.Q206X), c.1280G>A (p.G427D), IVS9-1G>A, and c.1741C>T (p.R581X) were novel mutations. These mutations were not detected in 100 normal controls. The fetus in pedigree 3 was free of the mutations carried by the parents, while the fetuses in pedigrees 1 and 2 were heterozygous mutation carriers. All 3 families decided to continue with their pregnancies and the neonates did not show any symptoms of MMA after birth. Our results indicated that mutations in the MUT gene are the primary cause of isolated MMA, and that most mutations were novel. For families with early-onset isolated MMA, direct sequencing of the MUT gene is crucial for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and identification of carriers.

The interface in unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced β-spodumene matrix composite (UD-Cf/β-spodumene) significantly affected the thermal conductivity characteristics and mechanical properties due to the presence of a multi-layer interface. The mechanical and thermal properties of UD-Cf/β-spodumene composites with and without a multi-layer interface have been studied. The measured thermal conductivities, flexural strength and fracture toughness of composites with a multi-layer interface were much better than those composites with a clear interface. Interfacial layers with a multi-layer morphology originated from the diffusion of lithium from the β-spodumene matrix to the surface of the carbon fiber, which led to the formation of graphite intercalation compounds. The mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of UD-Cf/β-spodumene hot pressed at 1350 and 1400 °C were enhanced due to the textured interfacial microstructure and high thermal conductivity of graphite intercalation compounds. The textured interface decomposed at 1450 °C, resulting in the formation of a “strong” interface. Inevitably, the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity decreased.

North Xinjiang belongs to an alpine region with high altitude. Almost no Chinese jujube was grown 10 years ago in this severely-cold area. However, scientists have developed cultivars of Chinese jujube suitable for this region. As a consequence, the Chinese jujube cultivation increased very fast in recent years and high quality fresh jujube was successfully produced there. The present article reported the growing history and current situation of Chinese jujube industry in Xinjiang, and the practical cultivation techniques for Chinese jujube in North Xinjiang.

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in fruits, flowers and leaves of 105 Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) cultivars was determined with the HPLC method. The cAMP contents showed a wide variation in mature fruits between cultivars ranging from 43.02 to 429.22 µg/g, and 69.5% cultivars had over 200 µg/g with the highest cAMP content of fruits in ‘Chuanlingzao’. Of different organs, leaves had the highest cAMP content and there was no cAMP detected in flowers. During ripening, the highest content of cAMP in fruits occurred at the mature stage. The results indicate that Chinese jujube leaves and mature fruits are good resources of cAMP. This study provides important information for efficient and effective processing of this resource.

Horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting is a well established production route for aluminium alloy ingots; however, the ingots may suffer from inhomogeneous microstructures and serious macrosegregation due to the unbalanced cooling condition and gravitational effect. The present study considers the HDC casting of 7075 aluminium alloy ingot under the influence of a low frequency electromagnetic field (LFEF). Temperature measurement is employed to analyse the effect of LFEF on the HDC casting process. Surface topography and structure observation are conducted to analyse the effect of LFEF on the surface and interior quality of the HDC ingot. The results show that the LFEF can effectively uniformalise the thermal distribution, flatten the sump shape, improve the ingot surface quality, promote a transition from columnar/feathery to equiaxed dendritic growth and has a distinct grain refining effect.

A new continuous severe plastic deformation (SPD) procedure integrating conventional rolling with equal-channel angular deformation (designated CR-ECA deformation procedure) was investigated. Experimental results show that the SPD procedure has the capacity of realizing continuous SPD processing of long-size work-pieces with good surface qualities. Numerical simulations by using finite element code DEFORM-3D show that the number of roller pairs had significant influences on the the CR-ECA deformation procedure. As the number of roller pairs changed from 1 to 2, 3 and 4, the effective strain increased by 10.1 %, 10.1 % and 16.1 %; the output velocity increased by 10.8 %, 15.9 % and 14.4 %; the torque of the primary feeding roller decreased by 19.0 %, 34.7 % and 45.6 %; the total torque increased by 7.0 %, 11.8 % and 13.4 %; and the energy consumption used for making unit volume work-piece subjected to unit effective straining decreased by 12.2 %, 15.0 % and 19.4 %.

We studied the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on angiogenesis in the ischemic boundary area after focal cerebral ischemia. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h. A single dose of VIP was given via i.c.v. injection at the beginning of reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to assay angiogenesis and brain levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, respectively. In addition, the expression of VEGF and its receptors (flt-1 and flk-1), as well as endothelial proliferation, was measured using rat brain microvascular endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed significant (P

The influences of the low frequency electromagnetic field on the horizontal direct chill casting process were investigated experimentally. Ingots of 2024 aluminum alloy with a cross size of 40 mm×200 mm were produced by the conventional horizontal chill casting process and low frequency electromagnetic horizontal chill casting process respectively. The as-cast structures and the mechanical property of the ingots were examined. The results showed that the low frequency electromagnetic field could substantially refine the microstructures and pronouncedly reduce the macrosegregation in the horizontal direct chill casting process. Moreover, the surface quality of the ingot was prominently improved by the low frequency electromagnetic field. The fracture strength and elongation percentage of the ingot was increased with the low frequency electromagnetic field.

BACKGROUND: Total steroidal saponins of Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis (TSSP) have been widely used in China for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). But until now, the main active constituents and the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological actions on uterine activity have not been described. METHODS: Total steroidal saponins were extracted with EtOH and purified by chromatography. In vitro isometric contraction studies were performed using myometrial strips from estrogen-primed or pregnant rats. Intracellular calcium was monitored under a confocal microscope using Fluo-3 AM-loaded myometrial cells. RESULTS: TSSP dose-dependently induced phasic myometrial contractions in vitro. Experiments with calcium channel blockers or kinase inhibitors demonstrated that the TSSP-stimulated myometrial contraction was mediated by an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) via influx of extracellular calcium and release of intracellular calcium. Through bioassay-guided separation, it was found that total spirostanol saponins exhibited contractile activity in myometrium and Pennogenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PARG) was identified as the active ingredient of TSSP. Furthermore, the contractile response of rat myometrium to PARG was significantly enhanced with advancing pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that myometrial contractility stimulated by TSSP results from [Ca(2+)](i) increase and supports the possibility that some spirostanol gylcosides may represent a new type of contractile agonist for the uterus.