Mucin-producing tumors of the ovary--preoperative differentiation between metastatic ovarian mucinous carcinoma and primary mucinous malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features for preoperatively discriminating  primary ovarian mucinous malignant tumors (POMTs) and metastatic mucinous carcinomas involving the ovary (MOMCs). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 61 patients with 22 POMTs and 49 MOMCs, which were pathologically proved between November 2014 to Jane 2023. The clinical and MRI features were evaluated and compared between POMTs and MOMCs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the significant variables between the two groups, which were then incorporated into a predictive nomogram, and ROC curve analysis was subsequently carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance. RESULTS: 35.9% patients with MOMCs were discovered synchronously with the primary carcinomas; 25.6% patients with MOMCs were bilateral, and all of the patients with POMTs were unilateral. The biomarker CEA was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.002). There were significant differences in the following MRI features: tumor size, configuration, enhanced pattern, the number of cysts, honeycomb sign, stained-glass appearance, ascites, size diversity ratio, signal diversity ratio. The locular size diversity ratio (p = 0.005, OR = 1.31), and signal intensity diversity ratio (p = 0.10, OR = 4.01) were independent predictors for MOMCs. The combination of above independent criteria yielded the largest area under curve of 0.922 with a sensitivity of 82.3% and specificity of 88.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MOMCs were more commonly bilaterally and having higher levels of CEA, but did not always had a malignant tumor history. For ovarian mucin-producing tumors, the uniform locular sizes and signal intensities were more predict MOMCs.

In Situ Forming Gel Polymer Electrolyte for High Energy-Density Lithium Metal Batteries.

In situ forming gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is one of the most feasible ways to improve the safety and cycle performances of lithium metal batteries with high energy density. However, most of the in situ formed GPEs are not compatible with high-voltage cathode materials. Here, this work provides a novel strategy to in situ form GPE based on the mechanism of Ritter reaction. The Ritter reaction in liquid electrolyte has the advantage of appropriate reaction temperature and no additional additives. The polymer chains are cross-linked by amide groups with the formation of GPE with superior electrochemical properties. The GPE has high ionic conductivity (1.84 mS cm-1 ), wide electrochemical stability window (>5.25 V) and high lithium ion transference number (≈0.78), compatible with high-voltage cathode materials. The Li|LiNi0.6 Co0.2 Mn0.2 O2 batteries with in situ formed GPE show excellent long-term cycle stability (93.4%, 300 cycles). The density functional theory calculation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results verify that the amide and nitrile groups are beneficial for stabilizing cathode structure and promoting uniform Li deposition on Li anode. Furthermore, the in situ formed GPE exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in Graphite|LiMn2 O4 and Graphite|LiNi0.5 Co0.2 Mn0.3 O2 pouch batteries. This approach is adaptable to current battery technologies, which will be sure to promote the development of high energy-density lithium-ion batteries.

Synovial sarcoma in the prevertebral space can mimic malignant neurogenic neoplasm: Case report and literature review.

Synovial sarcoma, a rare malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis, accounts for approximately 5%-10% of all primary soft-tissue malignancies worldwide. Typically affecting adolescents and young adults, it primarily manifests near the joints of the lower extremities. This study aimed to demonstrate that this tumor can also affect the prevertebral space. A 32-year-old male patient presented at our outpatient clinic with a 2-month history of upper limb numbness and a 1-month complaint of palpable neck mass. Imaging studies revealed a bulky, lobulated, and heterogeneous mass exhibiting heterogeneous enhancement. Furthermore, the mass caused expansion of the neuroforamen in the neck, initially suggesting a diagnosis of malignant schwannoma. However, a histopathologic examination suggested synovial sarcoma. The article provided a comprehensive review of the clinical, pathological, and radiological features of this condition. Additionally, it explored current treatment options and prognoses by referencing relevant literature.

Derivation of copper water quality criteria in Bohai Bay for the protection of local aquatic life and the ecological risk assessment.

Developing effective marine water quality criteria (WQC) is crucial for controlling marine contamination and protecting marine life. The WQC for copper is urgently needed due to the toxicity and widespread of copper contamination. In this work, both short-term water quality criteria (SWQC) and long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) under 10 % effect endpoints were derived by using the model averaging of species sensitivity distribution (SSD10) method for Bohai Bay. The WQC values were obtained directly from the hazardous concentration for 5 % of species (HC5) values, which removes the influence of arbitrary assessment factor (AF). Modifications to the acute-chronic ratio (ACR) strategies and the inclusion of the test toxicity data of local species also improved the accuracy and applicability of the WQC values. The derived SWQC and LWQC were 2.21 and 0.45 µg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the overall risk level of copper in Bohai Bay was evaluated by using the risk quotient (RQ) method, and the results showed it was at a moderate-low level. This study provides a new approach for the derivation of the WQC for Cu and the risk assessment of Bohai Bay, which is essential for the protection of local aquatic life and provides guidance to the establishment of the national WQC.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Weighted Imaging-Based Histogram in Predicting Mesenchymal Transition High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings in predicting mesenchymal transition (MT) high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with HGSOC were enrolled from May 2017 to December 2020, who underwent pelvic MRI including DWI (b = 0,1000 s/mm2) before surgery, and were assigned to the MT HGSOC or non-MT HGSOC group according to histopathology results. Clinical characteristics and MRI features including DWI-based histogram metrics were assessed and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the significant variables associated with MT HGSOC - these variables were then incorporated into a predictive nomogram, and ROC curve analysis was subsequently carried out to evaluate diagnostic performance. RESULTS: A total of 81 consecutive patients were recruited for pelvic MRI before surgery, including 37 (45.7%) MT patients and 44 (54.3%) non-MT patients. At univariate analysis, the features significantly related to MT HGSOC were identified as absence of discrete primary ovarian mass, pouch of Douglas implants, ovarian mass size, tumor volume, mean, SD, median, and 95th percentile apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (all p < 0.05). At multivariate analysis, the absence of discrete primary ovarian mass {odds ratio (OR): 46.477; p = 0.025}, mean ADC value ≤ 1.105 (OR: 1.023; p = 0.009), and median ADC value ≤ 1.038 (OR: 0.982; p = 0.034) were found to be independent risk factors associated with MT HGSOC. The combination of all independent criteria yielded the largest AUC of 0.82 with a sensitivity of 83.87% and specificity of 66.67%, superior to any of the single predictor alone (p ≤ 0.012). The predictive C-index nomogram performance of the combination was 0.82. CONCLUSION: The combination of absence of discrete primary ovarian mass, lower mean ADC value, and median ADC value may be helpful for preoperatively predicting MT HGSOC.

Role of collateral flow in infarct border zone extent and contractile function in patients with chronic coronary total occlusion.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of data regarding the border zone parameters in patients with chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO). We investigated the border zone extent and contractile function and their associations with collateral flow. METHODS: CTO patients (n = 47) and sex- and age-matched volunteers (n = 15) were prospectively enrolled and underwent cardiac MRI examinations to acquire cine and late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images. Myocardial peak strain (PS) and the time to PS were determined at the segmental level and global level. Infarct, border zone, adjacent, and remote regions were defined according to the transmural extent of infarction (TEI) by LGE at each segment. Angiographic collateral flow was evaluated using the Rentrop grading system. RESULTS: CTO patients with well-developed collateral flow had a higher TEI in border zone regions compared to patients with poorly developed collateral flow (p = 0.02). Conversely, CTO patients with poorly developed collaterals showed a higher TEI in infarct regions (p < 0.01). Enhanced border function, characterized by greater PS and earlier time to PS, was noted in well-developed collaterals (all p < 0.05). In the multivariate linear analyses, the level of collateral flow was an independent predictor of the border zone extent (ß = 0.40, p = 0.02) and contractile function (radial: ß = -0.42, p = 0.02; circumferential: ß = 0.39, p = 0.02; and longitudinal: ß = 0.47, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In CTO patients, the presence of well-developed collateral flow was closely linked to a greater extent of LGE and contractile function in border zone regions. Our findings shed light on the cardiac MRI-based pathophysiological underpinning in border zone regions, which could offer complementary and prognostic information in clinical practice.

Comparison of embryo implantation potential between time-lapse incubators and standard incubators: a randomized controlled study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the potential clinical benefits of embryo culture and assessment in a time-lapse incubator compared with a standard incubator using static assessment? DESIGN: This large multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled study included 1224 participants randomly assigned (1:1) to the time-lapse or standard incubator group. In all patients one or two embryos were transferred on day 3. The primary outcome was the implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative implantation rate, live birth rate in the first embryo transfer cycle and cumulative live birth rate. RESULTS: Among 1224 participants recruited, 1182 underwent embryo transfer. The number of successfully implanted embryos in the first transfer cycle was significantly higher in the time-lapse incubator group (time-lapse group: 52.35%, standard incubator group: 47.11%, P = 0.014). The implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle was still significantly higher in the time-lapse group than the standard incubator group after adjusting for age, body mass index, medical centre and embryo status (relative risk 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.20, P = 0.020). However, the cumulative implantation rate, live birth rate in the first embryo transfer cycle and cumulative live birth rate were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle was significantly improved in the time-lapse group, but the effect of the time-lapse system on the cumulative implantation rate or cumulative live birth rate was not significant. The embryo assessment method offered by time-lapse systems rather than an undisturbed environment may play an important role in improving the implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle. These results are only applicable to young patients.

Ultrashort time-to-echo T2* and T2* relaxometry for evaluation of lumbar disc degeneration: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To compare potential of ultrashort time-to-echo (UTE) T2* mapping and T2* values from T2*-weighted imaging for assessing lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD),with Pfirrmann grading as a reference standard. METHODS: UTE-T2* and T2* values of 366 lumbar discs (L1/2-L5/S1) in 76 subjects were measured in 3 segmented regions: anterior annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus (NP), and posterior annulus fibrosus. Lumbar intervertebral discs were divided into 3 categories based on 5-level Pfirrmann grading: normal (Pfirrmann grade I),early disc degeneration (Pfirrmann grades II-III), and advanced disc degeneration (Pfirrmann grades IV-V). Regional differences between UTE-T2* and T2* relaxometry and correlation with degeneration were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: UTE-T2* and T2*value correlated negatively with Pfirrmann grades (P < 0.001). In NP, correlations with Pfirrmann grade were high with UTE-T2* values (r = - 0.733; P < 0.001) and moderate with T2* values (r = -0.654; P < 0.001). Diagnostic accuracy of detecting early IVDD was better with UTE-T2* mapping than T2* mapping (P < 0.05),with receiver operating characteristic analysis area under the curve of 0.715-0.876. CONCLUSIONS: UTE-T2* relaxometry provides another promising magnetic resonance imaging sequence for quantitatively evaluate lumbar IVDD and was more accurate than T2*mapping in the earlier stage degenerative process.

Differentiation Between Solitary Pulmonary Inflammatory Lesions and Solitary Cancer Using Gemstone Spectral Imaging.

BACKGROUND: The distinction between solitary inflammatory lesion and solitary lung cancer remains a challenge because of their considerable overlapping computed tomography (CT) imaging features. PURPOSE: This study aimed to verify whether spectral CT parameters can differentiate solitary lung cancer from solitary inflammatory lesions and to find their correlations with lesion size. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with solitary lung lesions were included in our study. All of them underwent enhanced CT scans with Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) mode, which was one of the dual-energy imaging technologies. According to maximum diameter (Dmax) of the lesion, regions of interest were collected and divided into inflammatory (group I: <3 cm [IA], n = 17; ≥3 cm [IB], n = 14) and cancer groups (group II: <3 cm [IIA], n = 20; ≥3 cm [IIB], n = 27). Computed tomography values (HU40keV, HU70keV), effective atomic number (Zeff), iodine concentration (IC), normalized IC (NIC), and spectral curve slopes (λ30, λ40) of each region of interest were calculated. The NIC was defined as the IC ratio of the lesion to the descending aorta. Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup (I vs II, IA vs IIA, IB vs IIB) and intragroup (IA vs IB, IIA vs IIB) comparisons, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. Correlation analysis was applied to find the relationship between Dmax and GSI parameters. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between GSI parameters and Dmax in the inflammatory group, whereas inverse correlations were found in the cancer group. Gemstone spectral imaging parameters (except HU70keV) of group IIA were significantly higher than those of group IIB. There were significant differences in HU40keV, IC, NIC, λ30, and λ40 between groups IB and IIB under both arterial and venous phase (P values < 0.05), whereas the area under the curve for λ30 under venous phase was largest, and sensitivity and specificity were 96.32% and 85.71%, respectively. However, only HU40keV and HU70keV values under the arterial phase of IIA were significantly higher than those of IA. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative parameters of GSI demonstrated an inverse correlation with the lesion size of solitary lung cancer, and GSI parameters can be new ways to differentiate solitary lung cancer from solitary inflammatory lesions.

Visualization of the renal vein filled with contrast agent may indicate the renal vein injury during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) or percutaneous nephrostomy. The mechanism of misplacement of a nephrostomy tube into the vascular system is seldom investigated. One type of the possible mechanism is that the puncture needle penetrates a major intrarenal tributary of the renal vein and enters the collecting system. However, the guidewire is located outside the collecting system near the large branches of renal vein or perforates into the renal vein. The dilation is performed and causes a large torn injury. Subsequently, the nephrostomy tube is placed inside the vessel when radiological monitoring is not used. However, there is no imaging evidence and the scene of procedure is not demonstrated. This paper reports two cases of visualization of the renal vein filled with contrast agent during PCNL. The findings may be good evidence to support the step of renal vein injury in patients with intravenous nephrostomy tube misplacement. CASE PRESENTATION: We presented two cases with visualization of the renal vein filled with contrast agent during PCNL. In the process of injecting the contrast agent through the puncture needle, we could see the renal vein. Moreover, it was identified that the puncture needle tip was not on the optimal position. The position of puncture needle tip lay outside the collecting system, which was close to the calyceal infundibulum and branches of renal vein. CONCLUSIONS: Visualization of the renal vein filled with contrast agent may be good evidence to verify the renal vein injury in patients with intravenous nephrostomy tube misplacement during PCNL or percutaneous nephrostomy. The suboptimal location of the puncture needle tip and visualization of the renal vein filled with contrast agent indicate the renal vein injury. One type of mechanism of intravenous nephrostomy tube misplacement is as following. Firstly, the guidewire stays outside the collecting system. Subsequently, dilatation directed by the guidewire results in the injury of the vein. Then, the nephrostomy tube migrates into the venous system due to prompt tube inserting and the direction of the sheath and/or the guidewire to the injured vein.

Impact of visceral adipose tissue on the accuracy of T-staging by CT in colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Accuracy of preoperative T-staging for colon cancer remains disappointing and may potentially influenced by patients' individual characteristics including visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We sought to clarify the impact of VAT on the accuracy of T-staging by CT. METHODS: This study of 216 consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery was conducted in a single cancer center, to control other potentially confounding factors. Patients were divided into accurate- and mis-staging groups according to the comparison between preoperative CT-defined (cT) and postoperative pathologic T-stages (pT). Patients' individual characteristics, including CT-based VAT at L2/L3 level, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, present of bowel obstruction and pathologic subtype, were compared between the two groups. Association between VAT and mis-staging was assessed using multivariate logistic regression to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: Of the 216 patients, 84 (39%) were mis-staged by CT. The mean VAT in accurate-staging group was significantly higher than that in mis-staging group (146.8 ±â€¯66.1 cm2 vs 98.1 ±â€¯44.7 cm2, P < 0.001), with an optimal cutoff point of 122 cm2 for predicting mis-staging. After partial adjustment, a lower VAT (< 122 cm2, P < 0.001) and proximal location of tumor (P = 0.004) were independent factors associated with higher probability of mis-staging. Compared to VAT ≥ 122 cm2 as the reference, VAT < 122 cm2 exhibited an odds ratio of 2.701 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.618-3.907) for the probability of mis-staging. CONCLUSION: A lower-VAT is associated with an increased probability of inaccurate clinical T-staging in colon cancer.

The safety and efficacy of amrubicin in the treatment of previously untreated extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) has been known to be rapid progression and relapse, despite highly sensitive to chemotherapy. Amrubicin (AMR), a third-generation synthetic anthracycline, was accepted as a feasible alternative compared with the standard first-line chemotherapy for previously untreated ED-SCLC. While, the efficacies of these amrubicin-based regimens are unsatisfactory. Aim: Our meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of first-line therapy comparing AMR and chemotherapy in patients with ED-SCLC. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for eligible trials updated on November 2018. Randomized-controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety of AMR in ED-SCLC were included, of which the interested results were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). Results: A total of 6 randomized controlled trials were included in this analysis. There are no significant differences in OS (OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.66-1.60, P=0.91), PFS (OR=1.2, 95% CI=10.77-1.88, P=0.41) or ORR (OR=1.31, 95% CI=0.90-1.92, P=0.16) with AMR (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.76-1.05, P=0.17). The most common treatment-related AEs in the AMR group are leukopenia (OR=3.13, 95% CI=1.22-7.99, P=0.02) and neutropenia (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.38-7.65, P=0.007). Fatigue, anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea the difference between the two groups had no statistical significance. Conclusion: The results of our analysis indicated that AMR therapy demonstrated non-inferiority to the standard first-line chemotherapy for previously untreated ED-SCLC. Whether it can be accepted as an alternative regimen to the standard first-line chemotherapy is still warranted.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of hypoechoic hepatic hemangioma in clinical practice.

AIM: To investigate the specific findings and characteristics of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in hypoechoic hepatic hemangioma. METHODS: A total of 101 lesions in 83 patients were included. Analysis was made of the relationship between tumor size and CEUS enhance patterns in arterial phase, portal phase and delayed phase, phase changes, echoic changes in perfusion regression stage and filling defect. RESULTS: CEUS showed a lesion detection rate of 92.7%. In regression stage, only 46.5% lesions were fully filled. Enhancement of the lesions was categorized into Pattern I, peripheral nodular enhancement and centripetal filling (68.3%); Pattern II, peripheral ring enhancement and centripetal filling (27.7%); and Pattern III, overall rapid enhancement (4.0%). The most common phase changes were "fast-in slow-out" (74.3%). More than half (61.4%) lesions were hyperechoic in regression stage. Among all the lesions, 4 (3.9%) lesions regressed to hypo-echo in portal phase and 2(2.0%) in delayed phase). The frequent enhancement in tumors >3.0 cm was of Pattern I or II, "fast-in slow-out" or "slow-in slow-out" phase change, and hyperechoic or isoechoic change in perfusion regression stage, but in those ≤3.0 cm, the enhancement was of Pattern III, "fast-in fast-out" phase change and hypoechoic change in perfusion regression stage. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The percentage of lesions with complete filling on CEUS in the larger hypoechoic hepatic hemangiomas was significantly lower than that of smaller ones (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS has high diagnostic value in hypoechoic hepatic hemangiomas mainly characterized by peripheral nodular or ring enhancement, centripetal filling, and "fast-in slow-out" and "slow-in slow-out" phase changes.

Autogeny, Fecundity, and Other Life History Traits of Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Shanghai, China.

Culex pipiens molestus Forskål is common in subterranean and aboveground environments in Shanghai, China. However, little is known about its autogeny, fecundity, and other life history traits. In this study, Cx. p. molestus larvae were collected from four different types of underground parking lots and artificially maintained, without blood feeding, in a laboratory. Life history traits parameters were recorded from the F0 to F9 generation. Culex pipiens molestus from Shanghai can autogenously persist for at least 10 generations, and some females can develop more than one egg batch without blood feeding (oviposition rate in Lot C was >100% in some generations). The average number of eggs per raft produced autogenously ranged from 36.94 to 42.19. The average generation time (GT) ranged from 20.06 to 21.30 d, and the pre-oviposition time (POT) ranged from 2.17 to 12.68 d among the generations. Culex pipiens molestus from the four groups had different autogeny, fecundity, and longevity patterns. This variability may result from genetic polymorphism caused by co-occurrence with other Culex pipiens subspecies (Diptera: Culicidae).

MRI-based nomogram estimates the risk of recurrence of primary nonmetastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors after curative resection.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of the recurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors help with prognosis, guide follow-up, and avoid futile treatments. PURPOSE: To investigate whether MRI features could preoperatively estimate the recurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and to refine a novel prognostic model through developing a nomogram incorporating various MRI features. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: In all, 81 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed nonmetastatic PNETs. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES: 1.5 T MR, including T1 -weighted, T2 -weighted, and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences. ASSESSMENT: Qualitative and quantitative MRI features of PNET were assessed by three experienced radiologists. STATISTICAL TESTS: Uni- and multivariable analyses for recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model. The MRI-based nomogram was then designed based on multivariable logistic analysis in our study and the performance of the nomogram was validated according to C-index, calibration, and decision curve analyses. RESULTS: MRI features, including tumor size (hazard ratio [HR]: 14.131; P = 0.034), enhancement pattern (HR: 21.821, P = 0.032), and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (HR: 0.055, P = 0.038) were significant independent predictors of RFS at multivariable analysis. The performance of the nomogram incorporating various MRI features (with a C-index of 0.910) was improved compared with that based on tumor size, enhancement pattern, and ADC alone (with C-index values of 0.672, 0.851, and 0.809, respectively). The calibration curve of the nomogram exhibited perfect consistency between estimation and observation at 0.5, 1, and 2 years after surgery. The decision curve showed that a nomogram incorporating three features had more favorable clinical predictive usefulness than any single feature. DATA CONCLUSION: MRI features can be considered effective recurrence predictors for PNETs after surgery. The preliminary nomogram incorporating various MRI features could assess the risk of recurrence in PNETs and may be used to optimize individual treatment strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:397-409.

Upgrading traditional liquid electrolyte via in situ gelation for future lithium metal batteries.

High-energy lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are expected to play important roles in the next-generation energy storage systems. However, the uncontrolled Li dendrite growth in liquid electrolytes still impedes LMBs from authentic commercialization. Upgrading the traditional electrolyte system from liquid to solid and quasi-solid has therefore become a key issue for prospective LMBs. From this premise, it is particularly urgent to exploit facile strategies to accomplish this goal. We report that commercialized liquid electrolyte can be easily converted into a novel quasi-solid gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) via a simple and efficient in situ gelation strategy, which, in essence, is to use LiPF6 to induce the cationic polymerization of the ether-based 1,3-dioxolane and 1,2-dimethoxyethane liquid electrolyte under ambient temperature. The newly developed GPE exhibits elevated protective effects on Li anodes and has universality for diversified cathodes including but not restricted to sulfur, olivine-type LiFePO4, and layered LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2, revealing tremendous potential in promoting the large-scale application of future LMBs.

The diagnosis of coronary plaque stability by multi-slice computed tomography coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomographic angiography is a robust non-invasive method to assess coronary artery disease (CAD) and analyze coronary plaque stability, especially for the non-calcified plaques. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential characteristics between the unstable coronary plaques and the stable coronary plaques using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). METHODS: Sixty patients with coronary heart disease (37 unstable plaques and 31 stable plaques) were included. The napkin ring thickness, napkin-ring sign, plaque CT attenuation and degree of lumen stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic performances of MSCT were determined to predict the unstable plaques. The difference was statistically significant if P<0.05. RESULTS: The napkin ring thickness of the unstable plaques was thinner than that of the stable plaques (P<0.05). The napkin-ring sign was more frequently observed in the unstable group (89.2%) than the stable group (22.6%, P<0.05). The average CT value of the unstable plaques (26.8±17.8 HU) was lower than that of the stable plaques (68.5±25.5 HU, P<0.05). The unstable plaques had more severe lumen stenosis or occlusion (70.3%) than the stable plaques (41.9%, P<0.05). The measurable napkin ring thickness of the plaques with a cutoff value of 0.8 mm and an accuracy of 89.5% was one independent factor to predict unstable plaques. The optimal combined threshold of the napkin-ring sign and/or the plaque CT value of 53 HU with an accuracy of 80.9% was to predict unstable plaques. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal combined threshold of the napkin-ring sign and/or the plaque CT value ≤53 HU may be a good indicator to predict the unstable plaques in patients with CAD. The subgroup of measurable napkin ring thickness of the non-calcified plaques may also be an independent factor to predict the unstable plaques in patients with CAD.

Assembling gold nanoparticles into flower-like structures by complementary base pairing of DNA molecules with mediation by apoferritins.

Apoferritin caged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were assembled into flower-like structures by precise base pairing of the attached DNA molecules. The key step was to use the eight hydrophilic channels through the apoferritin to control the exact number and locations of the DNA molecules that grafted onto the caged AuNP.

[Repeated superovulation induction after failure in previous IVF-ET cycles with the ultra-long protocol: Analysis of outcomes of clinical pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical outcomes of repeated superovulation induction in patients with adenomyosis or moderate to severe pelvic endometriosis after failure in previous IVF-ET cycles with the ultra-long protocol. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 37 patients with adenomyosis or moderate to severe pelvic endometriosis in our center from 2009 to 2013, who underwent repeated IVF-ET after failure in the previous cycles with the ultra-long protocol, namely by injection of 2－6 ampoules of 3.75 mg gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a). All the patients met the following requirements: hCG-negative at 14 days after transfer, within 3－7 days after menstruation, and properly down-regulated serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (<10 mIU/ml), luteinizing hormone (LH) (<10 mIU/ml), estradiol (E2) (<30 pg/ml), follicle diameter (<10 mm) and endometrial thickness, and received GnRH (Gonal-F, Serono) for ovulation induction. We compared the clinical and laboratory data and pregnancy outcomes between the first and repeated cycles before and after ovulation induction. RESULTS: The repeated cycles, as compared with previous ones, showed significant increases in the antral follicle count (AFC) on the first day of stimulation (7.55 ± 1.86 vs 6.45 ± 2.5, P<0.05), number of follicles =≥14 mm in diameter on the hCG trigger day (7.81 ± 3.6 vs 5.56 ± 3.68, P<0.05), level of E2 (ï¼»2 362.15 ± 1 210.49ï¼½ vs ï¼»1 749.22 ± 1 139.44ï¼½ pg/ml, P<0.05), and numbers of oocytes retrieved (7.51 ± 3.23 vs 4.78 ± 3.41, P<0.05) and embryos transferred (2.00 ± 0.33 vs 1.50 ± 0.67, P<0.05), exhibited a remarkably reduction in the dose of GnRH (ï¼»1 791.65 ± 1 889.41ï¼½ vs ï¼»3 439.56 ± 1 836.53ï¼½ IU, P<0.05), and achieved a clinical pregnancy rate of 62.16%. CONCLUSIONS: With proper reduction of the FSH, LH and E2 levels and follicle diameter, repeated superovulation induction for IVF-ET can improve the ovarian response and pregnancy outcomes of the patients with adenomyosis or moderate to severe pelvic endometriosis after failure in the previous IVF-ET cycles with the ultra-long protocol.

A GC-MS urinary quantitative metabolomics analysis in depressed patients treated with TCM formula of Xiaoyaosan.

Xiaoyaosan, one of the best-known traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, has been widely used in China for the treatment of mental disorders such as depression. Although both clinical application and animal experiments indicate that Xiaoyaosan has an obvious antidepressant effect, the mechanism still remains unclarified, and there are few studies quantitatively measured the biomarkers of Xiaoyaosan treatment by metabolomics to determination. In this study, 25 depressed patients and 33 healthy volunteers were recruited. A GC-MS based metabolomics approach and the multivariate statistical methods were used for analyzing the urine metabolites of depressed patients before and after treatment compared with healthy controls. Then the biomakers through metabolomics determination were carried out the quantitative analysis. In total, 5 metabolites were identified as the potential diseased and therapeutic biomarkers of depression and Xiaoyaosan. Alanine, citrate and hippurate levels were significantly increased in the urine samples from depressed patients compared with healthy controls, while phenylalanie and tyrosine levels were significantly decreased. However, after Xiaoyaosan treatment for 6 weeks, phenylalanie and tyrosine levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) and alanine, citrate and hippurate levels significantly decreased (p<0.05). Xiaoyaosan has a good priority on the treatment of depression and the ability to adjust the neurotransmitters to obtain the best treated response and also could regulate the metabolism of amino acids and promote to produce energy meet the needs of the body.