Use of CT-derived radiomic features to preoperatively identify invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma in solitary pulmonary nodules ≤3 cm.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to utilize computed tomography (CT)-derived radiomics and various machine learning approaches to differentiate between invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) and invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (INMA) preoperatively in solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) ≤3 cm. Methods: A total of 538 patients with SPNs measuring ≤3 cm were enrolled, categorized into either the IMA group (n = 50) or INMA group (n = 488) based on postoperative pathology. Radiomic features were extracted from non-contrast-enhanced CT scans and identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. In constructing radiomics-based models, logistic regression, support vector machines, classification and regression trees, and k-nearest neighbors were employed. Additionally, a clinical model was developed, focusing on CT radiological features. Subsequently, this clinical model was integrated with the most effective radiomic model to create a combined model. Performance assessments of these models were conducted, utilizing metrics such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), DeLong's test, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results: The support vector machine approach showed superior predictive efficiency, with AUCs of 0.829 and 0.846 in the training and test cohorts, respectively. The clinical model had AUCs of 0.760 and 0.777 in the corresponding cohorts. The combined model had AUCs of 0.847 and 0.857 in the corresponding cohorts. Furthermore, compared to the radiomic model, the combined model significantly improved performance in both the training (DeLong test P = 0.045, NRI 0.206, IDI 0.024) and test cohorts (P = 0.029, NRI 0.125, IDI 0.032), as well as compared to the clinical model in both the training (P = 0.01, NRI 0.310, IDI 0.09) and test cohorts (P = 0.047, NRI 0.382, IDI 0.085). Conclusion: the combined model exhibited excellent performance in distinguishing between IMA and INMA in SPNs ≤3 cm.

Quantification of Intratumoral Heterogeneity: Distinguishing Histological Subtypes in Clinical T1 Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Pure Ground-Glass Nodules on Computed Tomography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To quantify intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) in clinical T1 stage lung adenocarcinoma presenting as pure ground-glass nodules (pGGN) on computed tomography, assessing its value in distinguishing histological subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ITH score was developed for quantitative measurement by integrating local radiomics features and global pixel distribution patterns. Diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing histological subtypes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) values. The ITH score's performance was compared to those of conventional radiomics (C-radiomics), and radiological assessments conducted by experienced radiologists. RESULTS: The ITH score demonstrated excellent performance in distinguishing lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) from other histological subtypes of clinical T1 stage lung adenocarcinoma presenting as pGGN. It outperformed both C-radiomics and radiological findings, exhibiting higher AUCs of 0.784 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.742-0.826) and 0.801 (95% CI: 0.739-0.863) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The AUCs of C-radiomics were 0.764 (95% CI: 0.718-0.810, DeLong test, p = 0.025) and 0.760 (95% CI: 0.692-0.829, p = 0.023) and those of radiological findings were 0.722 (95% CI: 0.673-0.771, p = 0.003) and 0.754 (95% CI: 0.684-0.823, p = 0.016) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed varying diagnostic efficacy across clinical T1 stages, with the highest efficacy in the T1a stage, followed by the T1b stage, and lowest in the T1c stage. CONCLUSION: The ITH score presents a superior method for evaluating histological subtypes and distinguishing LPA from other subtypes in clinical T1 stage lung adenocarcinoma presenting as pGGN.

On the role of organic matter composition in fresh-water kaolinite flocculation.

Organic matter has long been understood to affect fine sediment flocculation, yet the specific effects of different types of organic matter remain only partially understood. To address this knowledge gap, laboratory tank experiments were conducted in fresh water to investigate the sensitivity of kaolinite flocculation to varying organic matter species and contents. Three species of organic matter (xanthan gum, guar gum and humic acid) were investigated at varying concentrations. Results revealed a significant enhancement in kaolinite flocculation when organic polymers (xanthan gum and guar gum) were introduced. In contrast, the addition of humic acid had minimal influence on aggregation and floc structure. Notably, the nonionic polymer guar gum demonstrated greater efficacy in promoting the development of floc size compared to the anionic polymer, xanthan gum. We observed non-linear trends in the evolution of mean floc size (Dm) and boundary fractal dimension (Np) with increasing ratios of organic polymer concentration to kaolinite concentration. Initially, increasing polymer content facilitated the formation of larger and more fractal flocs. However, beyond a certain threshold, further increases in polymer content hindered flocculation and even led to the break-up of macro-flocs, resulting in the formation of more spherical and compact flocs. We further quantified the co-relationships between floc Np and Dm and found that larger Np values corresponded to larger Dm. These findings highlight the significant impact of organic matter species and concentrations on floc size, shape and structure, and shed light on the complex dynamics of fine sediment and associated nutrients and contaminants in fluvial systems.

[Identification and expression of uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase(UGT) gene family from Dendrobium officinale].

Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase(UGT) is a highly conserved protein in plants, which usually functions in secondary metabolic pathways. This study used the Hidden Markov Model(HMM) to screen out members of UGT gene family in the whole genome of Dendrobium officinale, and 44 UGT genes were identified. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the structure, phylogeny, and promoter region components of D. officinale genes. The results showed that UGT gene family could be divided into four subfamilies, and UGT gene structure was relatively conserved in each subfamily, with nine conserved domains. The upstream promoter region of UGT gene contained a variety of cis-acting elements related to plant hormones and environmental factors, indicating that UGT gene expression may be induced by plant hormones and external environmental factors. UGT gene expression in different tissues of D. officinale was compared, and UGT gene expression was found in all parts of D. officinale. It was speculated that UGT gene played an important role in many tissues of D. officinale. Through transcriptome analysis of D. officinale mycorrhizal symbiosis environment, low temperature stress, and phosphorus deficiency stress, this study found that only one gene was up-regulated in all three conditions. The results of this study can help understand the functions of UGT gene family in Orchidaceae plants and provide a basis for further study on the molecular regulation mechanism of polysaccharide metabolism pathway in D. officinale.

Survival benefit after neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy for stage II-III gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: A large population-based cohort study.

Objective: The standard treatment for stage II-III gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJA) remains controversial, and the role of radiotherapy (RT) in stage II-III GEJA is unclear. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognosis of different RT sequences and identify potential candidates to undergo neoadjuvant RT (NART) or adjuvant RT (ART). Materials and methods: In total, we enrolled 3,492 patients with resectable stage II-III GEJA from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, subsequently assigned to three categories: T1-2N+, T3-4N-, and T3-4N+. Survival curves were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method along with the log-rank test. We compared survival curves for NART, ART, and non-RT in the three categories. To further determine histological types impacting RT-associated survival, we proposed new categories by combining the tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage with Lauren's classification. Results: ART afforded a significant survival benefit in patients with T1-2N+ and T3-4N+ tumors. In addition, NART conferred a survival advantage in patients with T3-4N+ and T3-4 exhibiting the intestinal type. Notably, ART and NART were both valuable in patients with T3-4N+, although no significant differences between treatment regimens were noted. Conclusions: Both NART and ART can prolong the survival of patients with stage II-III GEJA. Nevertheless, the selection of NART or ART requires a concrete analysis based on the patient's condition.

Exceptional increases in fluvial sediment fluxes in a warmer and wetter High Mountain Asia.

Rivers originating in High Mountain Asia are crucial lifelines for one-third of the world's population. These fragile headwaters are now experiencing amplified climate change, glacier melt, and permafrost thaw. Observational data from 28 headwater basins demonstrate substantial increases in both annual runoff and annual sediment fluxes across the past six decades. The increases are accelerating from the mid-1990s in response to a warmer and wetter climate. The total sediment flux from High Mountain Asia is projected to more than double by 2050 under an extreme climate change scenario. These findings have far-reaching implications for the region's hydropower, food, and environmental security.

Prediction research on sedimentation balance of Three Gorges Reservoir under new conditions of water and sediment.

Influenced by climate change and human activities, especially the completion and operation of cascade reservoirs in the middle and lower reaches of Jinsha River since 2012, new changes have taken place in the water and sediment characteristics of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in recent years. In this paper, a one-dimensional unsteady water and sediment mathematical model of the main and tributary rivers of the TGR is established, and the main calculation parameters of the model are calibrated with the measured water and sediment data from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017. In view of the different combinations of inflow water and sediment that may occur in the TGR under the condition of new water and sediment, the long-term changes of sediment erosion and deposition and the balance of reservoir deposition in the TGR are studied using the model. The results show that: (1) Under the new conditions of water and sediment, the amount of sediment in the TGR accounts for only 14.8% and 35.8% of that in 1956-1990 and 2003-2012, respectively; (2) The variation process of water level, discharge and sediment concentration of each station along the route calculated by the model is basically consistent with the measured results, and the calculated values of total deposition amount and deposition distribution are also basically consistent with the measured results. The verification results of the model are in accordance with the measured values; (3) Under the water-sediment conditions during 1961-1970 and 1991-2000, the model predicted the estimates of 320 and 430 years for the TGR to reach a sedimentation balance, respectively. Under the new water-sediment conditions, it takes 560 years at most and 450 years at least to reach the sedimentation balance for the TGR, and the corresponding condition is the typical year with less water-less sediment and more water-more sediment, respectively. The research results of this paper can provide a new reference for the long-term safe operation and operation optimization of the TGR.

Chemokine CCL2 impairs spatial memory and cognition in rats via influencing inflammation, glutamate metabolism and apoptosis-associated genes expression- a potential mechanism for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder.

AIMS: To explore the role of chemokine CC motif ligand 2 (CCL2) in spatial memory and cognition impairment, and the underlying mechanisms focused on inflammatory, glutamate metabolistic and apoptotic- associated mRNA expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stereotaxic surgery was performed here to establish a rat model by bilateral intra-hippocampal injection of CCL2. Morris water maze (MWM) and Novel object recognition test (NORT) were used to assess the learning, memory and cognitive ability respectively. RT-PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory, glutamate metabolistic and apoptotic- associated indexes. Nissl and TUNEL staining were performed to observe the morphological changes of hippocampal CA1 zone and quantified the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons of CA1 zones respectively. KEY FINDINGS: We found CCL2 injured cognitive function in rats. Six days after CCL2 injection, we revealed the following obvious mRNA expression changes: (1) increasing of the neuroinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, CXCL-10, IL-6; (2) decreasing of the glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST and increasing of PAG; (3) increasing of the apoptotic genes caspase-8, caspase-3 and Bax, while decreasing the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Further, Nissl staining and TUNEL confirmed the injury of the structure of hippocampal CA1 zones and the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicated that CCL2 impaired spatial memory and cognition, the involving mechanisms may link to the up-regulation of mRNA expression of the three major pathological events: inflammation, excitotoxicity and neuronal apoptosis, which were involved in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Taken together, these findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy against CCL2.

Response of phytoplankton to banana cultivation: A case study of Lancang-Mekong River, southwestern China.

This study examined the possible effects of banana cultivation on phytoplankton biomass and community structure in southwest China along the Lancang-Mekong River. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected on March (dry season) and August (rainy season), and physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass and community structure were determined. The results indicated that the banana cultivation resulted in increases in sediment, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations at estuaries of Lancang-Mekong River branches. Cultivation decreased phytoplankton diversity, abundance and biomass, as well as changed the phytoplankton community structure at estuaries of branches. Sediment concentration (increased by cultivation) was considered as the dominant influence factor of phytoplankton biomass and community structure. However, at downstream sites (primary channel), banana cultivation did not cause (result from its huge flow) the significant changes in physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass or community structure.

Influence of turbid flood water release on sediment deposition and phosphorus distribution in the bed sediment of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Excessive phosphorus (P) loading was identified as an urgent problem during the post-Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) period. Turbid water with high suspended sediment loads has been periodically released during the flood season to mitigate sediment deposition in the TGR, but limited attention has been paid to its effect on the distribution of P in bed sediment within the reservoir. In this study, field surveys, historical monitoring data related to sediment deposition, and physiochemical properties and the fractional P content in the mainstream surface sediment and representative column sediment, were used to investigate the effect of turbid flood water release on P distribution in bed sediment. The results revealed that turbid flood water release could discharge approximately 20% of the suspended sediment inflow entering the TGR. Additionally, both the particle size of the inflow sediment and suspended sediment flux tended to decline, and the deposited sediment volume tended to constantly increase in the TGR at a rate of 0.117 billion tonnes per year between 2004 and 2016. The median particle size (MPS) was larger for surface sediment obtained in the flood season than for that obtained in the dry season, and the MPS tended to increase with an increase in the sediment depth from 0 to 20 cm. The total phosphorus (TP) content in sediment ranged from 2.6% to 17.5% lower in the flood water releasing period than in the non-flood water storing period. However, no consistent variation was detected for the vertical distribution of P fraction in the top 20 cm of bed sediment. Compared with lakes with slow deposition rates, the TGR showed a rapid sedimentation rate of >1.0 m/y, which mostly resulted in the uniform distribution of the surface sediment P fraction.