Value of the modified Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in indicating the need for nutrition intervention and predicting overall survival in patients with malignant tumors in at least two organs.

BACKGROUND: Although the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is a reference standard used to assess a patient's nutrition status, it is cumbersome to administer. The aim of the present study was to estimate the value of a simpler and easier-to-use modified PG-SGA (mPG-SGA) to evaluate the nutrition status and need for intervention in patients with malignant tumors present in at least two organs. METHODS: A total of 591 patients (343 male and 248 female) were included from the INSCOC study. A Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the mPG-SGA and nutrition-related factors, with the optimal cut-off defined by a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The consistency between the mPG-SGA and PG-SGA was compared in a concordance analysis. A survival analysis was used to determine the effects of nutritional intervention among different nutrition status groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were applied to evaluate the association of the mPG-SGA with the all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mPG-SGA showed a negative association with nutrition-related factors. Individuals with an mPG-SGA ≥ 5 (rounded from 4.5) were considered to need nutritional intervention. Among the malnourished patients (mPG-SGA ≥ 5), the overall survival (OS) of those who received nutrition intervention was significantly higher than that of patients who did not. However, the OS was not significantly different in the better-nourished patients (mPG-SGA < 5). CONCLUSION: Our findings support that the mPG-SGA is a feasible tool that can be used to guide nutritional interventions and predict the survival of patients with malignant tumors affecting at least two organs.

Fast prediction of patient-specific organ doses in brain CT scans using support vector regression algorithm.

Objectives. This study aims to develop a method for predicting patient-specific head organ doses by training a support vector regression (SVR) model based on radiomics features and graphics processing unit (GPU)-calculated reference doses.Methods. In this study, 237 patients who underwent brain CT scans were selected, and their CT data were transferred to an autosegmentation software to segment head regions of interest (ROIs). Subsequently, radiomics features were extracted from the CT data and ROIs, and the benchmark organ doses were computed using fast GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The SVR organ dose prediction model was then trained using the radiomics features and benchmark doses. For the predicted organ doses, the relative root mean squared error (RRMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and coefficient of determination (R2) were evaluated. The robustness of organ dose prediction was verified by changing the patient samples on the training and test sets randomly.Results. For all head organs, the maximal difference between the reference and predicted dose was less than 1 mGy. For the brain, the organ dose was predicted with an absolute error of 1.3%, and theR2reached up to 0.88. For the eyes and lens, the organ doses predicted by SVR achieved an RRMSE of less than 13%, the MAPE ranged from 4.5% to 5.5%, and theR2values were more than 0.7.Conclusions. Patient-specific head organ doses from CT examinations can be predicted within one second with high accuracy, speed, and robustness by training an SVR using radiomics features.

High-resolution assessment of coal mining methane emissions by satellite in Shanxi, China.

Accurate assessment of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions is a prerequisite for defining baselines and assessing the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Such an endeavor is jeopardized, however, by large uncertainties in current CMM estimates. Here, we assimilated atmospheric methane column concentrations observed by the TROPOMI space borne instrument in a high-resolution regional inversion to estimate CMM emissions in Shanxi, a province representing 15% of the global coal production. The emissions are estimated to be 8.5 ± 0.6 and 8.6 ± 0.6 Tg CH4 yr-1 in 2019 and 2020, respectively, close to upper bound of current bottom-up estimates. Data from more than a thousand of individual mines indicate that our estimated emission factors increase significantly with coal mining depth at prefecture level, suggesting that ongoing deeper mining will increase CMM emission intensity. Our results show robustness of estimating CMM emissions utilizing TROPOMI images and highlight potential of monitoring methane leakages and emissions from satellites.

Quality assessment of transperineal ultrasound in Chinese tertiary medical centers: a multicenter study.

Background: Transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) is a vital examination method for diagnosing pelvic floor diseases. However, the quality of TPUS largely relies on the operator's experience, and there is a lack of studies on the evaluation of TPUS quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the quality of TPUS examinations in Chinese tertiary medical centers. Methods: This multicenter study conducted in 44 Chinese tertiary medical centers recruited postpartum women between September 2020 and September 2021. All participants underwent a standardized inquiry and TPUS examination. The participating centers were required to submit 5 parts of ultrasound data to the National Ultrasound Quality Control Center: 2-dimensional images at rest, 2-dimensional images at strain; 4-dimensional images of the levator ani hiatus; 4-dimensional images of the levator ani muscle; and 4-dimensional images of the anal sphincter. Quality assessment was performed by 2 experts with more than 5 years of experience in TPUS, and the reasons for nonqualification were stated. Results: In this study, 31 hospitals that were distributed across 20 provinces in China were included, submitting 2,251 cases in total. The overall qualified rate ranged from 12.00% to 86.92%. In each part, the qualified rate of 2-dimensional images at rest, 2-dimensional images at straining, levator ani hiatus, levator ani muscle, and anal sphincter was 94.27% (2,122/2,251), 78.54% (1,768/2,251), 85.52% (1,925/2,251), 93.03% (2,094/2,251), and 88.09% (1,983/2,251), respectively. Most of the nonqualified images belonged to 2-dimensional images at strain, and the errors in image acquisition (221/483, 45.76%) and measurement (262/483, 54.24%) were the main reasons for nonqualification. For levator ani hiatus images, error in image acquisition (275/326, 84.36%) was the main reason for nonqualification. Reconstruction error was the most common reason for nonqualification for levator ani muscle (133/157, 84.71%) and anal sphincter images (133/268, 49.63%). Conclusions: This multicenter study assessed the quality of TPUS in tertiary medical centers in China and identified the common reasons for nonqualification in each part. These findings can aid in forming the basis for quality control management and training for TPUS.

Use of a Deep-Learning Algorithm to Guide Novices in Performing Focused Assessment With Sonography in Trauma.

This quality improvement study compares the diagnostic quality and completion time between ultrasonography operators guided by artificial intelligence vs those without such assistance.

Is Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy) Using Sulfur Hexafluoride Microbubbles (SonoVue) Sufficient for the Assessment of Fallopian Tube Patency? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of HyCoSy using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles for fallopian tubal patency assessment in infertile females. Twenty-four studies, including 1358 females with 2661 detected fallopian tubes published from January 2003 to May 2019, were identified. The pooled sensitivity was 93% (95% CI: 90-95%), while the specificity was 90% (95% CI: 87-92%). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.96 (95% CI: 94-98%). The specificity of the four-dimensional HyCoSy subgroup was higher than the 2D/3D subgroup; an increased dose of contrast agent did not affect the specificity, with only a slightly reduced sensitivity.

Web Log Analysis and Security Assessment Method Based on Data Mining.

Web content mining describes the classification, clustering, and attribute analysis of a large number of text documents and multimedia files on the web. Special tasks include retrieval of data from the Internet search engine tool W; structured processing and analysis of web data. Today's blog analysis has security concerns. We do experiments to investigate its safety. Through experiments, we draw the following conclusions: (1) Web log extraction can use efficient data mining algorithms to systematically extract logs from web servers, then determine the main access types or interests of users, and then to a certain extent, based on the discovered user patterns, analyze the user's access settings and behavior. (2) No matter in the test set or the mixed test set, the curve value of deep mining is very stable, the curve value has been kept at 0.95, and the curve value of fuzzy statistics method and quantitative statistics method is stable within the interval of 0.90-095. The results also show that the data mining method has the highest identification accuracy and the best security performance. (3) Web usage analysis requires data abstraction for pattern discovery. This data abstraction can be achieved through data preprocessing, which introduces different formats of web server log files and how web server log data is preprocessed for web usage analysis. One of the most critical parts of the web mining field is web log mining. Web log mining can use powerful data mining algorithms to systematically mine the logs in the web server and then learn the user's access or preferred interests and then conduct a certain degree of user preferences and behavior patterns according to the discovered user patterns. Based on the above analysis, the current web log analysis is faced with security problems. We conduct experiments to study to verify the security performance of web logs and draw conclusions through experiments.

Differential responses of bloom-forming Ulva intestinalis and economically important Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis to marine heatwaves under changing nitrate conditions.

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are affecting the survival of macroalgae. However, little is known regarding how the impacts of MHWs are regulated by nitrogen availability. In this study, we investigated the physiological and genetic responses of a green-tide macroalga Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus and a commercially cultivated macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Bory) E.Y. Dawson, Acleto & Foldvik under different nitrate conditions to simulated MHWs. Under nitrogen limited conditions (LN), heatwaves did not significantly affect biomass or Fv/Fm of U. intestinalis although it led to an earlier biomass decline due to more reproduction events, and meanwhile an upregulation in genes related to TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation was detected, supporting sporulation. Under nitrogen replete conditions (HN), heatwaves did not change biomass, Fv/Fm or photosynthetic pigments but reduced reproduction rate along with insignificant change of oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle related genes. Meanwhile, genes related to photosynthesis and glutathione metabolism were upregulated. Regarding G. lemaneiformis, heatwaves reduced its Fv/Fm and photosynthetic pigments content, leading to bleaching and death, and photosynthesis-related genes were also downregulated at LN. Fv/Fm was improved and photosynthesis-related genes were up-regulated by the combination of nitrogen enrichment and heatwaves, whereas G. lemaneiformis remained bleached and died by day 12. Therefore, U. intestinalis could survive heatwaves through shifting to micropropagules at LN and protecting its photosynthesis at HN. In contrast, G. lemaneiformis died of bleaching when suffering heatwaves regardless of nitrogen availability. These findings suggest that in future oceans with eutrophication and MHWs, the harmful alga U. intestinalis may have more advantages over the economic alga G. lemaneiformis.

Epidemiological Features, Risk Factors, and Disease Burden of Respiratory Viruses among Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Xiamen, China.

Well-established surveillance and monitoring systems for respiratory viruses need to be improved, and epidemiological data on respiratory viruses in China are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses among hospitalized children aged ≤2 years with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in Xiamen, China, from October 2014 to September 2017. The clinical records of 7,248 children hospitalized for ARTIs were retrospectively analyzed. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (22.3%) was the most common virus among hospitalized children aged ≤2 years, followed by parainfluenza (5.0%), adenovirus (3.5%), and influenza (1.7%). RSV-infected children had a higher disease burden, including a higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (12.7%) and higher hospital charges ($635.36). Particularly, infants aged <6 months had the highest risk of RSV infection (odds ratio = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-2.9) and a higher ICU admission rate (12.1% vs. 4.5%, 4.6%) and hospital cost ($923.3 vs. $785.5, $811.7) than the other age groups. Therefore, infants aged 0-6 months, particularly premature infants and children with congenital diseases, should receive more attention. There is an urgent need to develop effective immunization strategies to protect these infants during the first 6 months of life and in the RSV season.

De novo Creation and Assessment of a Prognostic Fat-Age-Inflammation Index "FAIN" in Patients With Cancer: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background and Aims: Malnutrition is highly prevalent and is related to multiple impaired clinical outcomes in cancer patients. This study aimed to de novo create an objective, nutrition-related index specially for prognostic purposes in oncology populations. Methods: We performed a multicenter cohort study including 14,134 cancer patients. The prognostic impact for each baseline characteristic was estimated by calculating Harrell's C-index. The optimal parameters reflecting the nutritional and inflammatory impact on patients' overall survival were selected to develop the fat-age-inflammation (FAIN) index. The associations of the FAIN with the nutritional status, physical performance, quality of life, short-term outcomes and mortality of patients were comprehensively evaluated. Independent external validation was performed to further assess the prognostic value of the FAIN. Results: The study enrolled 7,468 men and 6,666 women with a median age of 57 years and a median follow-up of 42 months. The FAIN index was defined as: (triceps skinfold thickness + albumin) / [age + 5 × (neutrophil count/lymphocyte count)]. There were significant associations of the FAIN with the nutritional status, physical performance, quality of life and short-term outcomes. The FAIN also showed better discrimination performance than the Nutritional Risk Index, the Prognostic Nutritional Index and the Controlling Nutritional Status index (all P < 0.05). In multivariable-adjusted models, the FAIN was independently associated with a reduced death hazard both as a continuous variable (HR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.47-0.68) and per one standard deviation (HR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.78-0.88). External validation in a multicenter lung cancer cohort (n = 227) further confirmed the prognostic value of the FAIN. Conclusions: This study created and assessed the prognostic FAIN index, which might act as a feasible option to monitor the nutritional status and help develop intervention strategies to optimize the survival outcomes of cancer patients.

Fat mass assessment using the triceps skinfold thickness enhances the prognostic value of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria in patients with lung cancer.

The present study evaluated whether fat mass assessment using the triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness provides additional prognostic value to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework in patients with lung cancer (LC). We performed an observational cohort study including 2672 LC patients in China. Comprehensive demographic, disease and nutritional characteristics were collected. Malnutrition was retrospectively defined using the GLIM criteria, and optimal stratification was used to determine the best thresholds for the TSF. The associations of malnutrition and TSF categories with survival were estimated independently and jointly by calculating multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Malnutrition was identified in 808 (30·2 %) patients, and the best TSF thresholds were 9·5 mm in men and 12 mm in women. Accordingly, 496 (18·6 %) patients were identified as having a low TSF. Patients with concurrent malnutrition and a low TSF had a 54 % (HR = 1·54, 95 % CI = 1·25, 1·88) greater death hazard compared with well-nourished individuals, which was also greater compared with malnourished patients with a normal TSF (HR = 1·23, 95 % CI = 1·06, 1·43) or malnourished patients without TSF assessment (HR = 1·31, 95 % CI = 1·14, 1·50). These associations were concentrated among those patients with adequate muscle mass (as indicated by the calf circumference). Additional fat mass assessment using the TSF enhances the prognostic value of the GLIM criteria. Using the population-derived thresholds for the TSF may provide significant prognostic value when used in combination with the GLIM criteria to guide strategies to optimise the long-term outcomes in patients with LC.

Assessment of reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata and its processed products in male mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Chinese name: Fuzi), the root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., is a representative medicine for restoring yang and rescuing patient from collapse. However, less studies had been reported on the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity of Fuzi. According to the principle of reducing toxicity and preserving efficiency, only processed products of Fuzi are commonly applied in clinic, including Baifupian, Heishunpian and Danfupian. However, whether processing could alleviate the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity of Fuzi had not been revealed. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the effect and possible mechanism of Fuzi and its processed products on reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity in male mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extracts of Fuzi and its processed products (Baifupian, Heishunpian and Danfupian, 5.85 g/kg) were administrated by gavage once daily for fourteen consecutive days. The reproductive toxicity was evaluated by testis weight, testis ratio, testis histopathology, sperm count, sperm viability rate and sperm deformity rate. The genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay and micronucleus test in sperm, peripheral blood cell and bone marrow cell. Possible mechanisms of attenuating toxicity by processing were analyzed by detecting the level of testosterone, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT). RESULTS: Fuzi significantly caused different degrees of reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity, specifically reducing the weight and testicular coefficient of testis, causing obvious pathological changes in testicular tissue, reducing sperm count and sperm viability rate, increasing sperm deformity rate and DNA damage in sperm/peripheral blood cells/bone marrow cells. Moreover, Fuzi decreased the level of testosterone, SOD, GSH and CAT, while increased the level of MDA in serum. Notably, the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced by the processed products, especially Heishunpian and Danfupian, were significantly lowered compared to Fuzi. Processing could increase the level of testosterone, SOD, GSH, CAT and decrease the level of MDA compared to Fuzi. CONCLUSION: Fuzi and its processed products had reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity, but the toxicity of processed products was significantly weakened compared to Fuzi. The protective mechanism of processing to reduce the toxicity of Fuzi might be related to increasing the level of testosterone and decreasing oxidative stress.

Chinese public's knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived controllability of COVID-19 and their associations with emotional and behavioural reactions, social participation, and precautionary behaviour: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused enormous stress among the public in China. Intellectual input from various aspects is needed to fight against COVID-19, including understanding of the public's emotion and behaviour and their antecedents from the psychological perspectives. Drawing upon the cognitive appraisal theory, this study examined three cognitive appraisals (i.e., perceived severity, perceived controllability, and knowledge of COVID-19) and their associations with a wide range of emotional and behavioural outcomes among the Chinese public. METHODS: Participants were 4607 citizens (age range: 17-90 years, Mage = 23.71 years) from 31 provinces in China and they took part in a cross-sectional survey online. RESULTS: The results showed that the public's emotional and behavioural reactions were slightly affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. Moreover, the public had limited participation in the events regarding COVID-19 but actively engaged in precautionary behaviour. In addition, results of structural equation model with latent variables revealed that the three appraisals were differentially related to the outcome variables (i.e., negative emotion, positive emotion, sleep problems, aggression, substance use, mobile phone use, social participation, and precautionary behaviour). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the utility of cognitive appraisal, as a core process of coping stress, in explaining the public's emotion and behaviour in the encounter of public health concern. Practically, the findings facilitate the government and practitioners to design and deliver targeted intervention programs to the public.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Yohimbine Analogues by an Organocatalytic and Pot-Economic Strategy.

An efficient and one-pot method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of pentacyclic indole derivatives with the yohimbane skeleton via a sequence of asymmetric Michael-Michael-Mannich-reduction-amidation-Bischler-Napieralski-reduction reactions with a high diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The seven-step reaction sequence, which generates five bonds and five stereocenters, can be conducted with a pot-economic synthetic strategy and one-pot operation in good yields. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of two products were confirmed by X-ray crystallography analysis.

A meta-analysis on the relation between fluid intelligence and reading/mathematics: Effects of tasks, age, and social economics status.

This study aimed to determine the relations between fluid intelligence (Gf) and reading/mathematics and possible moderators. A meta-analysis of 680 studies involving 793 independent samples and more than 370,000 participants found that Gf was moderately related to reading, r = .38, 95% CI [.36, .39], and mathematics, r = .41, 95% CI [.39, 44]. Synthesis on the longitudinal correlations showed that Gf and reading/mathematics predicted each other in the development even after controlling for initial performance. Moderation analyses revealed the following findings: (a) Gf showed stronger relations to mathematics than to reading, (b) within reading or mathematics, Gf showed stronger relations to complex skills than to foundational skills, (c) the relations between Gf and reading/mathematics increased with age, and (d) family social economic status (SES) mostly affected the relations between Gf and reading/mathematics in the early development stage. These findings, taken together, are partially in line with the investment theory but are more in line with the intrinsic cognitive load theory, mutualism theory, and the gene-SES interaction hypothesis of cognition and learning. More importantly, these findings imply an integration model of these theories from an educational and developmental perspective: Children may rely on Gf to learn reading and mathematics early on, when high family SES can boost the effects of Gf on reading/mathematics performance. As children receive more formal schooling and gain more learning experiences, their reading and mathematics improvement may promote their Gf development. During development, the negative effects of low family SES on the relations between Gf and reading/mathematics may be offset by education/learning experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Acetabular Labral Reconstruction With Autologous Tendon Tissue in a Porcine Model: In Vivo Histological Assessment and Gene Expression Analysis of the Healing Tissue.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular labral reconstruction with autologous tendons is the preferred method for treating a severely damaged labrum. However, the healing process of implants remains unknown. Similar to the human acetabular labrum, the porcine acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilage-like tissue. PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize the histological healing process and gene expression profile of implants in a porcine model of acetabular labral reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Eighteen pigs were included in this study. The pigs underwent unilateral acetabular labral reconstruction. A 1.0 cm-long defect was made at the site of the anterior (cranial) dorsal labrum, which was repaired using an autologous mesogluteus tendon. The pigs were sacrificed at 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively. The implants were subjected to histological assessment and gene expression analysis. The cell phenotype of the implants was visualized using paraffin-embedded sections. RESULTS: Macroscopic observations revealed that at 12 weeks, 8 of 9 implants partially filled the labral defect; by contrast, at 24 weeks, 6 of 9 implants fully filled and 3 implants partially filled the labral defects. Oval- or round-shaped fibrochondrocytes were found in the implants at 12 and 24 weeks. The matrix staining results showed that proteoglycan and collagen types 1 and 2 were more evident in the implants at 24 weeks than at 12 weeks. Gene expression analysis results revealed that COL2A1 and COL3A1 were expressed by the implants to a higher extent at 24 weeks than at 12 weeks; COL2A1 and COL3A1 were also expressed to a higher extent in the implants than in the native tendon. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results of histological assessment and gene expression analysis, autologous tendon tissue for acetabular labral reconstruction can fully or partially fill labral defects and converts to fibrocartilage, which is rich in proteoglycan and collagen types 1 and 2, at 24 weeks in a porcine model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Autologous tendon tissue can be considered as a viable option for acetabular labral reconstruction.

[Establishing a minimum data set of soil quality assessment for cold-waterlogged paddy field in Fujian Province, China].

The yields of cold-waterlogged (CW) paddy fields widely spreading in Jiangnan mountainous areas are moderate or low but have a high potential to be increased. Based on data including 41 soil characteristics of 17 pairs of typical surface soils of cold-waterlogged paddy field and non cold-waterlogged (NCW) paddy field at a neighboring landscape unit in Fujian Province, various index differences of soil properties and causes between CW paddy field and NCW paddy field were systematically studied, and a minimum data set (MDS) of soil quality assessment for CW paddy field was established by principal component analysis. By pair analysis, soil characteristics of CW paddy field showed that the content of organic matter increased by 31.7%, but the microbial biomass C decreased by 37.8%, which belonged to active soil organic matter component. The content of ferrous iron (Fe2+) increased by 177.0%, but the available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) decreased by 52.3% and 22.8%, respectively. Catalase and invertase activities increased by 58.3% and 22. 1%, but phosphatase, nitrate reductase activities and microflora decreased by 47. 8%, 66.6% and 29.8%-46.0%, respectively. The sand content increased about 8.0%, but the water immersed bulk density decreased by 25.8%. There were significant differences of indices for 28 of all 41 soil characteristics. Five principal components cumulatively exhibiting about 78.5% contribution were concluded from the 28 soil characteristics to reflect characteristics related to soil biochemistry, active organic nitrogen, reducing barriers, physical and chemical nutrients, respectively. Eventually, correlation analysis combined with expert experience method were applied to optimize MDS containing six factors for soil quality assessments, including C/N, bacteria, microbial biomass N, total reducing agents, physical sand and total P.

Colorimetric detection of sulfide based on target-induced shielding against the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles.

Colorimetric recognition and sensing of sulfide with high sensitivity was proposed based on target-induced shielding against the peroxidase-like activity of bare gold nanoparticles. Significant features of the new assay system are its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The recognition of sulfide by bare gold nanoparticles can be fulfilled in a few seconds and the assay can be accomplished in about 10 min. Furthermore, the new assay system does not require surface modification of GNPs to obtain the specificity for sulfide, and a salt-induced aggregation step is not needed. The detection limit of this method for sulfide was 80 nM. These features make this sensor a potentially powerful tool for the quantitative determination of sulfide in water samples.

[Assessment of facial skeletal growth and response to implanted functional appliance therapy with three-dimensional images].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the facial skeletal growth and response to implanted functional appliance therapy with three-dimensional images. METHODS: Eleven male Beagle dogs (7 months old and in late mixed dentition) were randomly divided into four groups: implanted functional appliance group, semi-implanted functional appliance group, modified Forsus(TM) group and the control group. After the appliances were inserted in the experimental groups for 4, 8, 12 weeks and 4 weeks after the appliances were removed, the facial skeleton and teeth of the Beagle dogs digital information was obtained by using spiral computed tomography, then Mimics 8.1 software and a kind of retro-engineering software called qualify V8.0 were used to establish three-dimensional facial skeletal and dental images of the Beagle dogs. Three-dimensional structure changes of the facial skeleton and teeth in each group at different stages were assessed by the Bjork method, i.e. the superimposition technique based on the "best fit" of anterior cranial base structure and mandible metallic implants. RESULTS: Mandibles in the groups with implanted functional appliance, semi-implanted functional appliance, and modified ForsusTM were obviously displaced forward, while the growth of the maxilla was inhibited in some degree. The displacement of upper teeth in the group with implanted functional appliance was not obvious, while the distal movement of upper teeth in the group with semi-implanted functional appliance and modified ForsusTM was significant compared with that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The implanted functional appliance can significantly stimulate the growth of the mandible and avoid the unwanted movement of teeth which is frequently found in other functional appliances. Supported by Wenzhou International Cooperative Research Project (Grant No. B00260027).

Risk assessment of renal cell carcinoma using alkaline comet assay.

BACKGROUND: DNA damage induced by mutagens has been associated with an individual's susceptibility to cancer. METHODS: In the current study, which involved 193 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and 193 controls, DNA damage before mutagen induction (baseline), after benzo(alpha)pyrene dio epoxide (BPDE) treatment, and after gamma-radiation induction were assayed by comet assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Olive tail moments were used as DNA damage parameters. The 5 variables that were analyzed for their associations with RCC risk were baseline, BPDE-induced, gamma-radiation-induced, net BPDE-induced (BPDE-induced subtract baseline), and net gamma-radiation-induced (gamma-radiation-induced subtract baseline) Olive tail moments. RESULTS: Significantly higher Olive tail moments were observed in cases compared with controls at baseline (1.95 vs 1.65; P = .008), after BPDE induction (3.10 vs 2.38; P < .001), and after gamma-radiation induction (4.25 vs 3.47; P < .001). The net BPDE-induced and gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage was also found to be significantly higher in cases compared with controls (P < .001 for both mutagens). Using the 75th percentile Olive tail moments in the controls as the cutoff point, the authors found that high levels of baseline DNA damage, BPDE-induced DNA damage, and gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage were associated with significantly increased risks of RCC, with odds ratios of 1.96 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.26-3.06), 2.70 (95% CI, 1.72-4.23), and 3.13 (95% CI, 1.99-4.92), respectively. Similarly, net BPDE-induced and net gamma-radiation-induced DNA damages were also found to be significantly associated with elevated risks of RCC. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that both baseline and mutagen-induced DNA damages assessed by comet assay are associated with an increased risk of RCC.