Clinical Application of an Artificial Intelligence System for Diagnosing Thyroid Disease Based on a Computer Neural Network Deep Learning Model.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a stereoscopic neural learning network through deep learning and construct an artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis system for the prediction of benign and malignant thyroid diseases, as well as repeatedly verified the diagnosis system and adjusted the data, in order to develop a type of AI-assisted thyroid diagnosis software with a low false negative rate and high sensitivity for clinical practice. Patients and Methods: From July 2020 to April 2023, A total of 36 patients with thyroid nodules in our hospital were selected for diagnosis of thyroid nodules based on the Expert Consensus on Thyroid Ultrasound; samples were taken by aspiration biopsy or surgically and sent for pathological diagnosis. The ultrasonic diagnosis results were compared with the pathological results, a database was established based on the ultrasonic diagnostic characteristics and was entered in the AI-assisted diagnosis software for judgment of benign and malignant conditions. The data in the software were corrected based on the conformity rate and the reasons for misjudgment, and the corrected software was used to evaluate the benign and malignant conditions of the 36 patients, until the conformity rate exceeded 90%. Results: The initial conformity rate of the AI software for identifying benign and malignant conditions was 88%, while that of the software utilizing the database was 94%. Conclusion: We established a stereoscopic neural learning network and construct an AI diagnosis system for the prediction of benign and malignant thyroid diseases, with a low false negative rate and high sensitivity for clinical practice.

Cd isotope fractionation in a soil-rice system: Roles of pH and mineral transformation during Cd immobilization and migration processes.

Cd speciation in soil and its transport to rice roots are influenced by the soil pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and mineral transformation; however, the immobilization and migration of Cd in soil-rice systems with different pH values under distinct water regimes remain unclear. This study used Cd isotope fractionation, soil physical analysis, and root gene quantification to elucidate the immobilization and transport of Cd in different soil-rice systems. In drainage soils, the high soil pH enhanced the transformation and magnitude of negative fractionation of Cd from MgCl2 extract to FeMn oxide-bound pool; however, it favored Cd uptake and root-to-grain transport. Compared with drainage regimes, the flooding regimes shifted fractionation toward heavy isotopes from MgCl2-extracted Cd to FeMn oxide-bound Cd in acidic soils (∆114/110CdMgCl2 extract - FeMn oxide-bound Cd = -0.09 ± 0.03 ‰) and to light isotopes from MgCl2-extracted Cd to carbonate-bound Cd in neutral and alkaline soils (∆114/110CdMgCl2 extract - carbonate-bound Cd = 0.29-0.40 ‰). The submerged soils facilitated the forming of carbonate and poorly crystalline minerals (such as ferrihydrite), which were transformed into highly crystalline forms (such as goethite). These results demonstrated that the dissolution-precipitation process of iron oxides was essential for controlling soil Cd availability under flooding regimes, and the relative contribution of carbonate minerals to Cd immobilization was promoted by a high soil pH. Flooding regimes induced lower expressions of OsNRAMP1 and OsNRAMP5 to limit the uptake of light Cd isotopes from MgCl2-extract pool, whereas a teeter-totter effect on gene expression patterns in roots (including those of OsHMA3 and OsHMA2) limited the transport of heavy Cd isotopes from root to grain. These findings demonstrate that flooding regimes could exert multiple effects on soil Cd immobilization and Cd transport to grain. Moreover, alkaline soil was conducive to forming carbonate minerals to sequester Cd.

Eight Aging-Related Genes Prognostic Signature for Cervical Cancer.

This study searched for aging-related genes (ARGs) to predict the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer (CC). All data were obtained from Molecular Signatures Database, Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Integration, and Genotype Organization Expression. The R software was used to screen out the differentially expressed ARGs (DE-ARGs) between CC and normal tissues. A protein-protein interaction network was established by the DE-ARGs. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted on the first extracted Molecular Complex Detection component, and a prognostic model was constructed. The prognostic model was further validated in the testing set and GSE44001 dataset. Prognosis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves, and accuracy of the prognostic model was assessed by receiver operating characteristic area under the curve analysis. An independent prognostic analysis of risk score and some clinicopathological factors of CC was also performed. The copy-number variant (CNV) and single-nucleotide variant (SNV) of prognostic ARGs were analyzed by the BioPortal database. A clinical practical nomogram was established to predict individual survival probability. Finally, we carried out cell experiment to further verify the prognostic model. An eight-ARG prognostic signature for CC was constructed. High-risk CC patients had significantly shorter overall survival than low-risk patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve validated the good performance of the signature in survival prediction. The Figo_stage and risk score served as independent prognostic factors. The eight ARGs mainly enriched in growth factor regulation and cell cycle pathway, and the deep deletion of FN1 was the most common CNV. An eight-ARG prognostic signature for CC was successfully constructed.

Fabrication of a SnO2-Sb electrode with TiO2 nanotube array as the middle layer for efficient electrochemical oxidation of amaranth dye.

Efficient, stable, and easily producible electrodes are useful for treating dye wastewater through electrochemical oxidation. In this study, an Sb-doped SnO2 electrode with TiO2 nanotubes as the middle layer (TiO2-NTs/SnO2-Sb) was prepared through an optimized electrodeposition process. Analyses of the coating morphology, crystal structure, chemical state, and electrochemical properties revealed that tightly packed TiO2 clusters provided a larger surface area and more contact points, which is conducive to reinforcing the binding of SnO2-Sb coatings. Compared with a Ti/SnO2-Sb electrode without a TiO2-NT interlayer, the catalytic activity and stability of the TiO2-NTs/SnO2-Sb electrode significantly improved (P < 0.05), as reflected by the 21.8% increase in the amaranth dye decolorization efficiency and 200% increase in the service life. The effects of current density, pH, electrolyte concentration, initial amaranth concentration, and the interaction between various combinations of parameters on the electrolysis performance were investigated. Based on response surface optimization, the maximum decolorization efficiency of the amaranth dye could reach 96.2% within 120 min under the following set of optimized parameter values: 50 mg L-1 amaranth concentration, 20 mA cm-2 current density, and 5.0 pH. A potential degradation mechanism of the amaranth dye was proposed based on the experimental results of a quenching test, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study provides a more sustainable method for fabricating SnO2-Sb electrodes with TiO2-NT interlayers to treat refractory dye wastewater.

Amino-Functionalized Ionic-Liquid-Grafted Covalent Organic Frameworks for High-Efficiency CO2 Capture and Conversion.

Rationally integrating desired functional components into a composite material can endow the tailored function to achieve the corresponding purpose. This is the first case where a series of [AeImBr]X%-TAPT-COFs (X = 0, 17, 33, 50, 67, 83, 100) were fabricated by chemically integrating the amino-functionalized imidazole ionic liquid (NH2-IL) onto channel walls of mesoporous covalent organic framework materials ([HO]X%-TAPT-COFs). By virtue of the polar groups (amino groups) and abundant imidazole cations of NH2-IL and its microporous nature, the obtained [AeImBr]X%-TAPT-COFs exhibit higher CO2 capture activity than [HO]X%-TAPT-COFs. Correspondingly, the CO2 equilibrium capture capacity increases from 62.6 to 117.4 mg/g, which is crucial to the storage of enough CO2 around the catalytic active sites. Additionally, the synergistic effect of -NH2 and Br- in NH2-IL can also improve the cycloaddition reaction rate. The characteristics of [AeImBr]X%-TAPT-COFs contribute to the efficient generation of cyclic carbonate through heterogeneously catalyzing CO2-epoxide cycloaddition without any solvents and cocatalysts. Specifically, [AeImBr]83%-TAPT-COF has a CO2 equilibrium capture capacity of 117.4 mg/g and cyclochloroallyl carbonate yield of 99.1%. As a result of the use of the chemical grafting method, [AeImBr]X%-TAPT-COFs possess excellent stability and cycle life. The equilibrium capture capacity and cyclochloroallyl carbonate yield reach 112.7 mg CO2/g adsorbent and 95.0% at the eighth cycle.

Successional dynamics of low C/N activated sludge system under salinity shock: Performance, nitrogen removal pathways, microbial community, and assembly.

Limited carbon (low C/N) and salinity stress affect the stability of wastewater treatment plants. However, the effect of salinity shock on activated sludge systems with low C/N ratio wastewater remains unclear. An anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic sequencing batch reactor treating low C/N wastewater was established to investigate the effects of salinity shock on system performance, nitrogen removal pathways, microbial community, interactions, and assembly. The results showed that the effluent COD concentration could maintain a stable level, and the average COD removal efficiency was 94.9%. However, total nitrogen removal was significantly inhibited. With the addition of salinity, efficiencies of total nitrogen removal and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification decreased from 91.4 to 73.8% to 86.7 and 39.7%, respectively; however, nitrite reduction capacity increased by 25.4%. After removing salinity, ammonia oxidation capacity further deteriorated, evidenced by the increase in effluent NH4+-N from 8.0 to 11.8 mg/L. During the salinity shock, partial nitrification became the main nitrogen removal pathway because of the inhibition of Nitrospira and high nitrite accumulation ratio (>99.0%). Molecular ecological network analysis indicated that increased competition, decreased total modules, and disappearance of keystone taxa were related to the deterioration of ammonia oxidation capacity and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Moreover, the abundant denitrification module and increased denitrifiers contributed to the increase in nitrite reduction capacity. Salinity shock under low C/N conditions resulted in a stronger stochastic community assembly. This study provided information that can help enable stable operations for treating low C/N wastewater.

Shifts of bacterial community and molecular ecological network in activated sludge system under ibuprofen stress.

The major objectives of this study were to explore the long-term effects of ibuprofen (IBP) on nutrient removal, community compositions, and microbial interactions of the activated sludge system. The results showed that 1 mg/L IBP had no inhibitory effects on the removal of organic matters and nutrients. IBP significantly reduced the microbial diversity and changed the bacterial community structure. Some denitrifiers (Denitratisoma and Hyphomicrobium) increased significantly, while NOB (Nitrospira) significantly decreased under IBP stress (P < 0.05). Furthermore, molecular ecological network analysis indicated that IBP reduced the overall network size and links, but led to a closer network with more efficient communication, which might be the strategy of microbes to survive under the stress of IBP and further maintain the performance stability. Different phylogenetic populations had different responses to IBP, as a closer subnetwork with more synergistic relations was observed in Chloroflexi and a looser subnetwork with more competitive relationships was detected in Proteobacteria. The topological roles of nodes significantly changed, and the putative keystone species decreased under the stress of IBP. This study broadens our knowledge of the long-term effects of IBP on the microbial community structure and the interactions between species in the activated sludge system.

Highly effective removal of Cu(II) in aqueous solution by using mesoporous TiO2.

Mesoporous TiO2 has been prepared by a brief and simple sol-gel processing and applied for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior of mesoporous TiO2 for Cu(II) was investigated using batch experiments. Results showed that the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm were more accurate to describe the kinetics process and adsorption isotherm. Mesoporous TiO2 adsorbent displayed excellent Cu(II) adsorption efficiency (195.52mg g-1). The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. It was also found that mesoporous TiO2 could be used at least seven times without obvious loss of its original adsorption efficiency. Therefore, the obtained mesoporous TiO2 could be employed as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removal of Cu(II) from contaminated effluents.

Hepatocellular carcinoma-targeted effect of configurations and groups of glycyrrhetinic acid by evaluation of its derivative-modified liposomes.

BACKGROUND: There are abundant glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) receptors on the cellular membrane of hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The receptor binding effect might be related to the structure of the guiding molecule. GA exists in two stereoisomers with C3-hydroxyl and C11-carbonyl active groups. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the HCC-targeted effect and the configurations and groups of GA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Different GA derivatives (18ß-GA, 18α-GA, 3-acetyl-18ß-GA [3-Ace-GA] and 11-deoxy-18ß-GA [11-Deo-GA]) were used to investigate the targeting effect of GA's configurations and groups on HCC cells. The EC50 values of competition to binding sites and the ratio of specific binding in HepG2 cells showed that 18ß-GA and 3-Ace-GA demonstrated significant competitive effect with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled GA. Then, the GA derivatives were distearoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)-PEGylated. 18ß-GA-, 18α-GA-, 3-Ace-GA-and 11-Deo-GA-modified liposomes were prepared and characterized by size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, leakage and membrane stability. Evaluation on the cellular location in vitro and tumor targeting in vivo was carried out. Compared to common long-circulation liposome (PEG-Lip), more 18ß-GA- and 3-Ace-GA-modified liposomes aggregated around HepG2 cells in vitro in short time and transferred into HCC tumors in vivo for a longer time. CONCLUSION: The ß-configuration hydrogen atom on C18 position of GA played the most important role on the targeting effect. C11-carbonyl and C3-hydroxy groups of GA have certain and little influence on targeting action to HCC, respectively. In general, GA might be a promising targeting molecule for the research on liver diseases and hepatoma therapy.

SUMOylation alterations are associated with multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may markedly reduce the efficacy of its chemotherapeutic treatment. However, the mechanism regulating the development of MDR in these tumors remains unknown. Given the emerging role of small ubiquitin­like modifier (SUMO)ylation in tumorigenesis, the possibility that it may also be involved in MDR development was investigated. The expression of SUMO­1 was first analyzed using immunohistochemistry in 20 cases of HCC. Nuclear SUMO­1 immunostaining was observed to be significantly increased in HCC specimens compared with matched adjacent non­neoplastic controls. To further investigate the potential role of SUMOylation in MDR in HCC, a multidrug­resistant HCC cell line, HepG2/R, was established by exposing HCC cells to gradually increasing concentrations of 5­fluorouracil. Western blot analysis revealed that the total levels of SUMO­1­conjugated proteins were markedly increased in HepG2/R cells compared with parental HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the expression of ubiquitin­like modifier activating enzyme 2 and sentrin­specific protease 1, important enzymes in the SUMOylation cascade, were markedly upregulated in the HepG2/R cell line. These findings support the hypothesis that SUMOylation is important in the development of MDR in HCC.

Critical role of TRPC6 channels in the development of human renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common tumor arising from the cells in the lining of tubules in the kidney. Some members of the Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) family of channel proteins have demonstrated a role in the proliferation of some types of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPC6 in the development of human RCC. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate TRPC6 expression in 1932 and ACHN cells. Immunohistochemical techniques were applied to study TRPC6 expression in 60 cases of RCC primary tissue samples and 10 cases of corresponding normal renal tissues. To inhibit TRPC6 activity or expression, RNA interference was used. The effects of TRPC6 channels on RCC cell viability and cell cycle progression were investigated by MTT and flow cytometry. TRPC6 was expressed in 1932 and ACHN cells. TRPC6 protein was detected in 73.3% of RCC samples, and there was a significant difference compared with the normal renal samples (30%) (p<0.05). Moreover the level of TRPC6 expression was associated with RCC Fuhrman grade (p<0.01). Blockade of TRPC6 channels in ACHN cells suppressed basal cell proliferation and partially inhibited HGF-induced cell proliferation. Furthermore, inhibition of TRPC6 channels expression prolonged the transition through G2/M phase in ACHN cells. In summary, expression of TRPC6 is markedly increased in RCC specimens and associated with RCC histological grade. TRPC6 plays an important role in ACHN cells proliferation.