Low-Frequency Evolution Mechanism of Customized HEAs-Based Electromagnetic Response Modes Manipulated by Carbothermal Shock.

An emerging carbothermal shock method is an ultra-convenient strategy for synthesizing high-entropy alloys (HEAs), in which the intelligent combination of carbon support and HEAs can be serve as a decisive factor for interpreting the trade-off relationship between conductive gene and dielectric gene. However, the feedback mechanism of HEAs ordering degree on electromagnetic (EM) response in 2-18 GHz has not been comprehensively demystified. Herein, while lignin-based carbon fiber paper (L-CFP) as carbon support, L-CFP/FeCoNiCuZn-X with is prepared by carbothermal shock method. The reflection loss of -82.6 dB with thickness of 1.31 mm is achieved by means of pointing electron enrichment within L-CFP/FeCoNiCuZn HEAs heterointerfaces verified by theoretical calculations. Simultaneously, low-frequency evolution with high-intensity and broadband EM response relies on a "sacrificing" strategy achieved by construction of polymorphic L-CFP/semi-disordered-HEAs heterointerfaces. The practicality of L-CFP/FeCoNiCuZn-X in complex environments is given prominence to thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity, and electrocatalytic property. This work is of great significance for insightful mechanism analysis of HEAs in the application of electromagnetic wave absorption.

The effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on arsenic-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Microplastics are detrimental to the environment. However, the combined effects of microplastics and arsenic (As) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of polystyrene (PS) microplastics and As on HepG2 cells. The results showed that PS microplastics 20, 50, 200, and 500 nm in size were taken up by HepG2 cells, causing a decrease in cellular mitochondrial membrane potential. The results of lactate dehydrogenase release and flow cytometry showed that PS microplastics, especially those of 50 nm, enhanced As-induced apoptosis. In addition, transcriptome analysis revealed that TP53, AKT1, CASP3, ACTB, BCL2L1, CASP8, XIAP, MCL1, NFKBIA, and CASP7 were the top 10 hub genes for PS that enhanced the role of As in HepG2 cell apoptosis. Our results suggest that nano-PS enhances As-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, this study is important for a better understanding of the role of microplastics in As-induced hepatotoxicity.

Psychosocial resources moderate the association between stress and insomnia among patients with digestive system cancers.

This study explored the profiles of psychosocial resources combined with resilience and family care, and analyzed their moderating effects on the relationship between stress and insomnia in patients with digestive system cancers. A total of 366 patients were recruited to participate in this study from two tertiary hospitals in China. They were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale - 4 items, Insomnia Severity Index, Family Concern Index Questionnaire, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Latent profile analysis and the BCH (Bolck, Croon & Hagenaars) method were used to identify the subtypes and estimate the moderating role of psychosocial coping resources. About 62.3% of participants had insomnia symptoms. Insomnia was positively correlated to the stress (r = 0.25, P < 0.001). The latent classes were the low resources class (32.8%), the medium resources class (46.1%), and high resources class (21.1%). Among these, in low (estimate value = 0.563, P = 0.003) and medium (estimate value = 0.301, P = 0.029) resources class, stress had an effect on insomnia. There was no association between stress and insomnia in high resources class (estimate value = 0.165, P = 0.637). Stress might be associated with to insomnia problems, whereas patients with high psychosocial resources are more not vulnerable. Interventions to improve family function and resilience could contribute to easing the insomnia of patients with digestive system cancers.

A Mechanochemical-Assisted Synthesis of Boron, Nitrogen Co-Doped Porous Carbons as Metal-Free Catalysts.

A green and convenient solid-state method assisted by mechanical energy is employed for the synthesis of boron (B) and nitrogen (N) co-doped porous carbons (B,N-Cs). Glutamic acid (Glu) and boric acid (H3 BO3 ) are used as the N-containing carbon precursor and boron source, respectively. This method is easy to perform and proved to be efficient towards co-doping B and N into the carbon matrix with high contents of B (7 atom %) and N (10 atom %). By adjusting the molar ratio of H3 BO3 to Glu, the surface chemical states of B and N could be readily modulated. When increasing H3 BO3 dosage, the pore size of B,N-Cs could be tuned ranging from micropores to mesopores with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area up to 940 m2 g-1 . Finally, the B,N-Cs were applied as metal-free catalysts for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides, which outperform the N-doped carbon catalyst (NC-900) and the physically mixed catalyst of NC-900/B4 C. The enhanced activity is attributed to the cooperative effect between B and N sites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that BN3 in the B,N-Cs serves as a critical active site for the cooperative catalysis.

Efficient Visible-to-NIR Spectral Conversion for Polycrystalline Si Solar Cells and Revisiting the Energy Transfer Mechanism from Ce3+ to Yb3+ in Lu3Al5O12 Host.

The so-called Shockley-Queisser converting efficiency limit of Si solar cells is believed to be surpassed by using the spectral converter. However, searching for efficient spectral converting materials is still a challenging task. In this paper, efficient visible-to-NIR spectral conversion for polycrystalline Si solar cells has been demonstrated in Ce3+ and Yb3+ codoped Lu3Al5O12. Moreover, the underlying energy transfermechanism from Ce3+ to Yb3+ is systematically re-investigated by the detailed excitation and emission spectra as well as fluorescent decay curves, and our results demonstrate that fast metal-to-metal charge transfer from Ce3+ to nearby Yb3+ is the dominant energy transfermechanism. Finally, we provide new evidence that Ce4+-Yb2+ charge-transfer state is responsible for the relatively low quantum efficiency of NIR emission in Ce3+ and Yb3+ codoped system.

[Quantitative Analysis of Dimethoate Pesticide Residues in Honey by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy].

The feasibility of a combination method of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology and linear regression algorithm was investigated for rapid quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in honey. The total of 30 samples was applied in the experiment with dimethoate pesticide residues range from 1 ppm to 10 ppm. The samples were divided into calibration set (20) and prediction set (10). The substrate of Klarite with an inverted pyramidal structure was adopted for improvement of the relative intensity of the majority of Raman shift peaks. The comparative analysis was carried out between SERS spectra of dimethoate pesticide residues in honey samples and conventional Raman spectra of dimethoate standard sample. And four characteristic Raman shift peaks at the wavenumbers of 867, 1 065, 1 317 and 1 453 cm(-1) were found, which were related with the vibrational information of dimethoate molecule. The relationship was developed by linear regression algorithm between the intensity of Raman shift and the concentration of dimethoate pesticide residues. The 10 new samples in the prediction set were applied to evaluate the performance of the models. By comparison, the optimal model was obtained with the characteristic Raman shift peak of 867 cm(-1). The higher correlation coefficient of prediction of 0.984 and lower root mean square error of prediction of 0.663 ppm were obtained. The detection limit of this method was 2 ppm, which was close to the maximum levels of pesticide residue detection limits. Experimental results showed that it was feasible to rapidly analyze quantitative of pesticide residues in honey with the combination method of SERS technology and linear regression algorithm. Compared with the conventional method coupled with the suitable pretreatment, the combination method of SERS technology and linear regression method could analyze the dimethoate pesticide residues in honey, and it also provided an optional method for rapid quantitative analysis pesticide residues in other agricultural products.

Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Fatigue, Motor Function and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Dietary astaxanthin supplementation has been demonstrated to have many beneficial and health-promoting effects. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on fatigue, cognition, and exercise efficiency. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 346 healthy participants were included. The random effects model and pooled standardized mean difference (SMDs) were used according to Hedge's g for the meta-analysis, and a meta-regression was also conducted. The results of the two existing studies showed a positive trend for astaxanthin in subjective fatigue relief. The effects of astaxanthin supplementation for 8-12 weeks on cognitive accuracy were marginally significant (SMD: .12; 95% CI: -.02-.26) and on reaction time was not significant (SMD: -.08; 95% CI: -.26 to .10). Remarkably, astaxanthin supplementation combined with regular training could enhance the fat oxidation (SMD: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.24-3.89), and significantly improve the physical performance (SMD: .62; 95% CI: .17-1.06). The subgroup analysis further showed significantly greater benefits when performing the aerobic exercises performance (SMD: .45; 95% CI: .13-.76), when the dose was ≥ 20 mg (SMD: .37; 95% CI: .11-.63), and when the supplementation duration was > 12 weeks (SMD: .66; 95% CI: .13-.63). We conclude that astaxanthin supplementation could significantly enhance aerobic exercise efficiency, especially at higher doses and for longer durations. Further studies based on large sample sizes are imperatively warranted.

Highly efficient Cu(II) capture by salicylaldoxime functionalized magnetic polydopamine core-shell hybrids: Behavior and mechanism.

Functionalized magnetic nanocomposites were considered as promising adsorbents owing to their abundant functional groups and ease of separation properties. Herein, we combined the solvothermal method with molecular copolymerization to synthesize a salicylaldoxime-grafted magnetic polydopamine (SMP) core-shell hybrid and exploited it for Cu(II) adsorption. The physicochemical properties of SMP were comprehensively studied by SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, XPS, and VSM measurements. The results manifested that polydopamine acts as a bridge connecting magnetic iron oxide and salicylaldoxime to fabricated core-shell hybrids with rich functional groups. The batch experimental results showed that the Cu(II) adsorption was consumingly pH-reliant behavior, while adsorption data fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal model well, and the adsorption process achieved equilibrium within 60 min. Moreover, SMP exhibited remarkable anti-interference and can be recycled for 5 times with an inconspicuous decrease in adsorption performance. Importantly, salicylaldoxime functionalization endowed SMP with maximum Cu(II) adsorption capacity of 141.24 mg/g at pH 6.0 and 25 °C as compared with pure MP. Based on FT-IR and XPS study, the main adsorption mechanisms were proposed with a synergistic effect including a strong chemical chelation and partial Cu(II) reduction. Importantly, this strategy can be extended to multifunctional magnetic composites for Cu-contaminated wastewater cleanup.

Linking stigma to social isolation among colorectal cancer survivors with permanent stomas: the chain mediating roles of stoma acceptance and valuable actions.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with permanent stomas might be at higher risk of social isolation, and stigma can play an important role in the development of social isolation. However, the underlying psychological mechanisms are understudied. The current study examined how stoma acceptance and valuable actions mediated the relationships between stigma and social isolation among CRC survivors with permanent stomas. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 303 CRC survivors with permanent stomas. The chain mediation models were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS to explore the pathways through which stigma can be associated with CRC survivors' social isolation, mediated by stoma acceptance and valuable actions. RESULTS: The results indicated that higher stigma was related to lower stoma acceptance, less personal values enactment, and higher social isolation, as well as lower objective social connectedness and subjective social belongingness among CRC survivors with permanent stomas. Additionally, the mediational analyses revealed that stoma acceptance and valuable actions jointly mediated the relationships between stigma and social isolation. CONCLUSION: Social isolation among CRC survivors during the adjustment to both stoma and stigma may be alleviated through tailored interventions that improve stoma acceptance and valuable actions. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The chain mediating roles of stoma acceptance and valuable actions highlight that tailored interventions, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, can be targeted for this population, considering this population's unique needs.

Different expression patterns of DNA methyltransferases during horse testis development.

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are important epigenetic modification during spermatogenesis. To further evaluate the pattern of DNMTs in horse testes during development, we investigated the expression and localization of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b at different time points. The qRT-PCR results showed that DNMT1 expression was maintained in testes tissue from 6-month-old (0.5y) to 2-year-old (2y) of age and decreased after 3-year-old (3y) (P < 0.01). The expression levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b peaked in testes tissue at 3y (P < 0.01). At 4-year-old (4y), the expression of DNMT3a and DNMT3b was decreased and became similar to that at 0.5y. Immunofluorescence of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b on testis samples confirmed the differential expression and localization of these three DNA methylation transferases during horse development. Further molecular biological studies are needed to understand the implications of the expression patterns of these DNMTs in horse testes.

Differences in toxicity induced by the various polymer types of nanoplastics on HepG2 cells.

The problem of microplastics (MPs) contamination in food has gradually come to the fore. MPs can be transmitted through the food chain and accumulate within various organisms, ultimately posing a threat to human health. The concentration of nanoplastics (NPs) exposed to humans may be higher than that of MPs. For the first time, we studied the differences in toxicity, and potential toxic effects of different polymer types of NPs, namely, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS) on HepG2 cells. In this study, PET-NPs, PVC-NPs, and PS-NPs, which had similar particle size, surface charge, and shape, were prepared using nanoprecipitation and emulsion polymerization. The results of the CCK-8 assay showed that the PET-NPs and PVC-NPs induced a decrease in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and their lowest concentrations causing significant cytotoxicity were 100 and 150 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the major cytotoxic effects of PET-NPs and PVC-NPs at high concentrations may be to induce an increase in intracellular ROS, which in turn induces cellular damage and other toxic effects. Notably, our study suggested that PET-NPs and PVC-NPs may induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. However, no relevant cytotoxicity, oxidative damage, and apoptotic toxic effects were detected in HepG2 cells with exposure to PS-NPs. Furthermore, the analysis of transcriptomics data suggested that PET-NPs and PVC-NPs could significantly inhibit the expression of DNA repair-related genes in the p53 signaling pathway. Compared to PS-NPs, the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes were down-regulated to a greater extent by PET-NPs and PVC-NPs. In conclusion, PET-NPs and PVC-NPs were able to induce higher cytotoxic effects than PS-NPs, in which the density and chemical structure of NPs of different polymer types may be the key factors causing the differences in toxicity.

Optimizing the preparation of paraffin sections from stallion testes.

The preparation of paraffin sections is an important experimental technique in animal histological research, and key factors that determine the quality of a section include the dehydration time, waxing time, and drying temperature of the paraffin section. Paraffin sections obtained from testis tissue of adult horses exhibited higher quality with clear tissue structure and complete cell morphology after they underwent gradient dehydration for 6 hours, were immersed in wax for 60 minutes, and were dried in a 75-degree oven for 15 minutes. The detailed, optimized procedures that are developed in the current study may simplify histological experiments and research on equine testes.

Strongly enhancing photostimulated luminescence by doping Tm3+ in Sr3SiO5: Eu2+.

We report a large enhancement of yellow photostimulated luminescence (PSL) by codoping Tm3+ in Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ upon infrared stimulation at 980 nm after pre-exposure in Ultraviolet light. The initial PSL intensity and light storage capacity are enhanced by a factor of 33 and 2, respectively, for Tm3+ concentration at 0.0004. The thermoluminescence spectra indicate that codoping Tm3+ generates a trap peaking at 385 K. The trap is much more sensitive to infrared light than the original one, so that the light storage period of the material is beyond tens of days with the minimum detectable infrared power density only 54 µW/cm2.

Mechanistic investigation of mercury sorption by Brazilian pepper biochars of different pyrolytic temperatures based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and flow calorimetry.

We investigated the mechanisms of Hg sorption onto biochars produced from Brazilian pepper (BP; Schinus terebinthifolius) at 300, 450, and 600 °C using different analytical techniques. The Hg sorption capacity of BP300, BP450, and BP600 was 24.2, 18.8, and 15.1 mg g(-1) based on Langmuir isotherm. FTIR data suggested the participation of phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in Hg sorption by biochars. XPS analysis showed that 23-31% and 77-69% of sorbed Hg was associated with carboxylic and phenolic hydroxyl groups in biochars BP300-450, whereas 91% of sorbed Hg was associated with a graphite-like domain on an aromatic structure in BP600 biochar, which were consistent with flow calorimetry data. Based on flow calorimetry, sorption of K and Ca onto biochar was exchangeable with the molar heat of sorption of 3.1 kJ mol(-1). By comparison, Hg sorption was via complexation with functional groups as it was not exchangeable by K or Ca with molar heat of sorption of -19.7, -18.3, and -25.4 kJ mol(-1) for BP300, BP450, and BP600. Our research suggested that Hg was irreversibly sorbed via complexation with phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in low temperature biochars (BP300 and BP450) and graphite-like structure in high temperature biochar (BP600).

[Detection of reducing sugar content of potato granules based on wavelet compression by near infrared spectroscopy].

The feasibility was explored in determination of reducing sugar content of potato granules based on wavelet compression algorithm combined with near-infrared spectroscopy. The spectra of 250 potato granules samples were recorded by Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer in the range of 4000- 10000 cm-1. The three parameters of vanishing moments, wavelet coefficients and principal component factor were optimized. The optimization results of three parameters were 10, 100 and 20, respectively. The original spectra of 1501 spectral variables were transfered to 100 wavelet coefficients using db wavelet function. The partial least squares (PLS) calibration models were developed by 1501 spectral variables and 100 wavelet coefficients. Sixty two unknown samples of prediction set were applied to evaluate the performance of PLS models. By comparison, the optimal result was obtained by wavelet compression combined with PLS calibration model. The correlation coefficient of prediction and root mean square error of prediction were 0.98 and 0.181%, respectively. Experimental results show that the dimensions of spectral data were reduced, scarcely losing effective information by wavelet compression algorithm combined with near-infrared spectroscopy technology in determination of reducing sugar in potato granules. The PLS model is simplified, and the predictive ability is improved.

Exosomal miRNA analysis provides new insights into exposure to nanoplastics and okadaic acid.

As an emerging environmental pollutant, nanoplastics (NPs) have attracted wide attention in terms of their impact on the ecological environment and human health. Currently, researches on the cytotoxicity of NPs mainly focus on oxidative stress, damage to the cell membrane and organelles, induction of immune response and genotoxicity. Okadaic acid (OA) is the main component of diarrheal shellfish toxin. Based on the previous combined toxicity exploration of polystyrene (PS) NPs and (OA) to human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells, cell-derived exosomes were extracted and exosomal miRNA profiles were analyzed for the first time in this study. The results showed that the composition of miRNAs varied after the exposure of NPs and OA. Specifically, the expression of miR-1-3p in both PS-Exo and PS-OA-Exo was significantly reduced. And the expression of miR-1248 was upregulated most significantly by comparing the DE miRNAs between PS-Exo and PS-OA-Exo. MiR-1-3p and miR-1248 may be the key genes for the combined toxicity of NPs and OA. After analysis, we found that both the decreased expression of miR-1-3p and the increased expression of miR-1248 can increase the expression of FN1 and affect DNA replication, which was surprisingly consistent with the results of our previous cytotoxicity studies. Since exosomal miRNAs are selectively encapsulated by donor cell, we speculate that the changes of exosomal miRNAs may due to the synchronous changes of intracellular environment and the downregulation of intracellular FN1 may be attributed to decreased expression of miR-1-3p and increased expression of miR-1248 in donor cells. Accordingly, we come to the conclusion that the changes of miRNAs in the exosomes derived from AGS cells after environmental stimulation could reflect the biological effects of donor cells.

PDMS/magnetic lignin sponge for oil/water separation.

Recyclable, non-toxic, and degradable biological substrates contribute significantly to super-wetting surfaces. In this work, we prepared magnetic micro-nano super-hydrophobic surfaces through a robust solution with magnetic modified lignin particles as the supporting structure. A novel PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane)/magnetic lignin particle (lignin@Fe3O4)/PDA sponge composite was fabricated. Through dopamine (DA) self-polymerization, covalent deposition of magnetic lignin (ML), and PDMS silane modification, the magnetic super-hydrophobic polyurethane sponge composite (Sponge-P) was synthesized so that the Fe3O4 nanoscale microspheres wrapped with microscale lignin magnetic particles adhered to the sponge surface tighter and were barely dislodged. The as-prepared Sponge-P displayed excellent flexibility and a water contact angle of up to 152.2°. The super-hydrophobic sponge prepared with the proposed method was acid-base stable (pH = 2-12), self-cleaning, and suitable for high-salinity seawater. The magnetic super-hydrophobic sponge has good oil-water separation ability and can absorb 43 times its own weight of oil. In the meantime, due to the introduction of magnetic materials into lignin, we not only constructed micro-nanostructures to improve the surface super-hydrophobicity, but also made Sponge-P have the function of magnetic recovery, which has a unique advantage in treating oily wastewater.

Efficacy of a Mixed Peroxyorganic Acid Antimicrobial Wash Solution against Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, or Listeria monocytogenes on Cherry Tomatoes.

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to evaluate a new organic mixed peroxyacid solution produce wash composed of a combination of organic acids (lactic acid and one or more fruit acids) and hydrogen peroxide for activity against foodborne pathogens. The mixed peroxyacid was challenged against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in suspension or on the surface of dip-inoculated cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes were also treated with 8 ppm of free chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite. When tested against planktonic cells of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in pure culture for 120 s, these pathogens were reduced by 7.5 and 7.1 log CFU/mL, respectively, by the 0.40% peroxyacid solution, and L. monocytogenes was decreased by 5.0 log CFU/mL by the 0.80% solution. When cherry tomatoes were dip inoculated and treated with 8 ppm of free chlorine, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 populations decreased by 2.5 and 2.6 log CFU/g, respectively; these reductions were not significantly different from those obtained after sterile water rinses. However, the 1.0% peroxyacid solution reduced the same microorganisms by 3.8 and 3.4 log CFU/g, respectively, which was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the reductions achieved by the 2-min sterile water rinse. For tomatoes dip inoculated with L. monocytogenes, populations were reduced by 3.5 log CFU/g by the 1.0% peroxyacid solution, which was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than reductions achieved by 8 ppm of free chlorine (2.6 log CFU/g) or sterile water (1.7 log CFU/g). These results indicate that this peroxyacid combination is an effective organic antimicrobial agent for preventing cross-contamination during the washing of cherry tomatoes and can inactivate S. enterica, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes by up to 3.8, 3.4, and 3.5 log CFU/g, respectively.

When experiencing a surgery: Gastrointestinal cancer patients' longitudinal trajectories in psychological stress and their association with quality of recovery.

Objective: Surgical treatment, particularly for gastrointestinal cancer, is a burdensome prospect for many patients. Psychological stress is a common complaint; however, little is known about its patterns in perioperative patients. This study aimed to identify distinct trajectories of perioperative stress and explore antecedent factors and hospitalization outcomes among different trajectories in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted on 203 patients with gastrointestinal surgical cancer at a specialized oncology hospital in China. Psychological stress was assessed at five perioperative time points (1-3 days before surgery; 1-3 days, 4-6 days, 7-9 days after surgery, and before discharge). A growth mixture model was used to analyze the potential stress trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the characteristics associated with different trajectories. Results: Three stress trajectories were identified: recovery class (RC, 60.6%), chronic class (CC, 29.5%), and deterioration class (DC, 9.9%). Compared with CC, RC exhibited a shorter length of stay and better recovery quality, and was related to employment, low illness perception, and positive coping; DC reported lower recovery quality from 7 to 9 days after surgery to discharge and was associated with poor education level, history of surgery, stoma, smoking, and preoperative insomnia. Conclusions: Most surgical patients were insulated from stress due to psychosocial resources, and thus displayed good recovery. However, many patients had moderate stress that did not improve or worsen over the perioperative period, which still needs to be screened and provided with early stress management.

Applications of IMAT in cervical esophageal cancer radiotherapy: a comparison with fixed-field IMRT in dosimetry and implementation.

This study aimed to compare fixed-field, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (f-IMRT) with intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) treatment plans in dosimetry and practical application for cervical esophageal carcinoma. For ten cervical esophageal carcinoma cases, f-IMRT plan (seven fixed-fields) and two IMAT plans, namely RA (coplanar 360° arcs) and RAx (coplanar 360° arcs without sectors from 80° to 110°, and 250° to 280°), were generated. DVHs were adopted for the statistics of above parameters, as well as conformal index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), dose-volumetric parameters of normal tissues, total accelerator output MUs and total treatment time. There were differences between RAx and f-IMRT, as well as RA in PTV parameters such as HI, V(95%) and V(110%), but not in CI. RAx reduced lung V5 from (50.9% ± 9.8% in f-IMRT and (51.4% ± 10.8% in RA to (49.3% ± 10.4% in RAx (p < 0.05). However, lung V30, V40, V50 and MLD increased in RAx. There was no difference in the mean heart dose in three plans. Total MU was reduced from 1174.8 ± 144.6 in f-IMRT to 803.8 ± 122.2 in RA and 736.2 ± 186.9 in RAx (p < 0.05). Compared with f-IMRT, IMAT reduced low dose volumes of lung and total MU on the basis of meeting clinical requirements.