Predicting Collision Cross-Section Values for Small Molecules through Chemical Class-Based Multimodal Graph Attention Network.

Libraries of collision cross-section (CCS) values have the potential to facilitate compound identification in metabolomics. Although computational methods provide an opportunity to increase library size rapidly, accurate prediction of CCS values remains challenging due to the structural diversity of small molecules. Here, we developed a machine learning (ML) model that integrates graph attention networks and multimodal molecular representations to predict CCS values on the basis of chemical class. Our approach, referred to as MGAT-CCS, had superior performance in comparison to other ML models in CCS prediction. MGAT-CCS achieved a median relative error of 0.47%/1.14% (positive/negative mode) and 1.40%/1.63% (positive/negative mode) for lipids and metabolites, respectively. When MGAT-CCS was applied to real-world metabolomics data, it reduced the number of false metabolite candidates by roughly 25% across multiple sample types ranging from plasma and urine to cells. To facilitate its application, we developed a user-friendly stand-alone web server for MGAT-CCS that is freely available at https://mgat-ccs-web.onrender.com. This work represents a step forward in predicting CCS values and can potentially facilitate the identification of small molecules when using ion mobility spectrometry coupled with mass spectrometry.

Functional variation among mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissue sources.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly recognized for their regenerative potential. However, their clinical application is hindered by their inherent variability, which is influenced by various factors, such as the tissue source, culture conditions, and passage number. Methods: MSCs were sourced from clinically relevant tissues, including adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADMSCs, n = 2), chorionic villi-derived MSCs (CMMSCs, n = 2), amniotic membrane-derived MSCs (AMMSCs, n = 3), and umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs, n = 3). Passages included the umbilical cord at P0 (UCMSCP0, n = 2), P3 (UCMSCP3, n = 2), and P5 (UCMSCP5, n = 2) as well as the umbilical cord at P5 cultured under low-oxygen conditions (UCMSCP5L, n = 2). Results: We observed that MSCs from different tissue origins clustered into six distinct functional subpopulations, each with varying proportions. Notably, ADMSCs exhibited a higher proportion of subpopulations associated with vascular regeneration, suggesting that they are beneficial for applications in vascular regeneration. Additionally, CMMSCs had a high proportion of subpopulations associated with reproductive processes. UCMSCP5 and UCMSCP5L had higher proportions of subpopulations related to female reproductive function than those for earlier passages. Furthermore, UCMSCP5L, cultured under low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions, had a high proportion of subpopulations associated with pro-angiogenic characteristics, with implications for optimizing vascular regeneration. Conclusions: This study revealed variation in the distribution of MSC subpopulations among different tissue sources, passages, and culture conditions, including differences in functions related to vascular and reproductive system regeneration. These findings hold promise for personalized regenerative medicine and may lead to more effective clinical treatments across a spectrum of medical conditions.

Multifaceted roles and functions of SOX30 in human cancer.

SRY-box transcription factor 30 (SOX30) participates in tumor cell apoptosis in lung cancer. The occurrence of somatic SOX30 mutations, the expression signature of SOX30 in normal and cancer tissues, the correlation of SOX30 with immune cells and immune-related genes, and the clinical significance of SOX30 in various cancers have stimulated interest in SOX30 as a potential cancer biomarker. SOX30 influences drug sensitivity and tumor immunity in specific cancer types. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the latest research on the role of SOX30 in cancer by combining bioinformatics evidence and a literature review. We summarize recent research on SOX30 in cancer regarding somatic mutations, trials, transcriptome analysis, clinical information, and SOX30-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes. Additionally, we report on the diagnostic value of SOX30 mRNA expression levels across different cancer types. This review on the role of SOX30 in cancer progression may provide insights into possible research directions for SOX30 in cancer and a theoretical basis for guiding future studies.

Critical appraisal and assessment of bias among studies evaluating risk prediction models for in-hospital and 30-day mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: We systematically assessed prediction models for the risk of in-hospital and 30-day mortality in post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients. DESIGN: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: Searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and SinoMed for literature up to 31 August 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The included literature consists of studies in Chinese or English involving PCI patients aged ≥18 years. These studies aim to develop risk prediction models and include designs such as cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies or randomised controlled trials. Each prediction model must contain at least two predictors. Exclusion criteria encompass models that include outcomes other than death post-PCI, literature lacking essential details on study design, model construction and statistical analysis, models based on virtual datasets, and publications such as conference abstracts, grey literature, informal publications, duplicate publications, dissertations, reviews or case reports. We also exclude studies focusing on the localisation applicability of the model or comparative effectiveness. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent teams of researchers developed standardised data extraction forms based on CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies to extract and cross-verify data. They used Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) to assess the risk of bias and applicability of the model development or validation studies included in this review. RESULTS: This review included 28 studies with 38 prediction models, showing area under the curve values ranging from 0.81 to 0.987. One study had an unclear risk of bias, while 27 studies had a high risk of bias, primarily in the area of statistical analysis. The models constructed in 25 studies lacked clinical applicability, with 21 of these studies including intraoperative or postoperative predictors. CONCLUSION: The development of in-hospital and 30-day mortality prediction models for post-PCI patients is in its early stages. Emphasising clinical applicability and predictive stability is vital. Future research should follow PROBAST's low risk-of-bias guidelines, prioritising external validation for existing models to ensure reliable and widely applicable clinical predictions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023477272.

Directional surface reconstruction of C and S Co-Doped Co2VO4/CoP for the cooperative enhancement of hydrogen production via seawater electrolysis.

The endeavor to architect bifunctional electrocatalysts that exhibit both exceptional activity and durability heralds an era of boundless potential for the comprehensive electrolysis of seawater, an aspiration that, nevertheless, poses a substantial challenge. Within this work, we describe the precise engineering of a three-dimensional interconnected nanoparticle system named SCdoped Co2VO4/CoP (SCCo2VO4), achieved through a meticulously arranged hydrothermal treatment sequence followed by gas-phase carbonization and phosphorization. The resulting SCCo2VO4 electrode exhibits outstanding bifunctional electrocatalytic stability, attributed to the strategic anionic doping and abundant heterogeneous interfaces. Doping not only adjusts the electronic structure, enhancing electron transfer efficiency but also optimizes the surface-active sites. This electrode prodigiously necessitated an extraordinarily minimal overpotential of merely 92 and 350 mV to attain current densities of 10 and 50 mA cm-2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively, in 1 M KOH solution. Noteworthily, when integrated into an electrolyzer for the exhaustive splitting of seawater, the SCP-Co2VO4 manifested an exceptionally low cell voltage of 2.08 V@50 mA cm-2 and showcased a durability that eclipses that of most hitherto documented nickel-based bifunctional materials. Further elucidation through Density Functional Theory (DFT) analyses underscored that anion doping and the inherent heterostructure adeptly optimize the Gibbs free energy of intermediates comprising hydrogen, chlorine, and oxygen (manifested as OH, O, OOH) within the HER and OER paradigms, thus propelling the electrochemical kinetics of seawater splitting to unprecedented velocities. These revelations unfurl a pioneering design philosophy for the creation of cost-effective yet superior catalysts aimed at the holistic division of water molecules, charting a course towards the realization of efficient and sustainable hydrogen production methodologies.

Research on optimization algorithms for localization and capacity determination of chargers considering the spatiotemporal distribution of electric vehicles.

The optimized layout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers is not only crucial for users' convenience but also a key element in urban sustainable development, energy transition, and the promotion of new energy vehicles. In order to provide a basis for the problem of localization and capacity determination of chargers and compare the merits of several mainstream algorithms, this paper first establishes an optimization model with the objective of minimizing the total investment cost of all the chargers and the constraint of meeting the charging demands of all electric vehicles. Optimizations were performed using genetic algorithm (GA), surrogate optimization algorithm (SOA), and mixed integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm, respectively. In the case of using MILP, the original nonlinear optimization problem was transformed into a linear problem. In the planning of city-level EV chargers, MILP took 14182.57 s to calculate the minimum cost of 34.62 million yuan. After retaining only 10% of the original data amount, SOA took 87651.34 s to calculate the minimum cost of 3.01 million yuan. The results indicate that GA is prone to falling into local optima and is not suitable for large-scale optimization problems. SOA, on the other hand, requires significant memory consumption, so the issue of memory usage needs to be carefully considered when using it directly. Although MILP is only applicable to linear programming problems, it has the advantages of lower memory usage and higher reliability if the problem can be transformed into a linear one.

Biomechanical analysis of the tandem spinal external fixation in a multiple-level noncontiguous lumbar fractures model: a finite element analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of the tandem spinal external fixation (TSEF) for treating multilevel noncontiguous spinal fracture (MNSF) using finite element analysis and provide a theoretical basis for clinical application. Methods: We constructed two models of L2 and L4 vertebral fractures that were fixed with the TSEF and the long-segment spinal inner fixation (LSIF). The range of motion (ROM), maximum stresses at L2 and L4 vertebrae, the screws and rods, and the intervertebral discs of the two models were recorded under load control. Subsequently, the required torque, the maximum stress at L2 and L4 vertebrae, the screws and rods, and the intervertebral discs were analyzed under displacement control. Results: Under load control, the TSEF model reserved more ROM than the LSIF model. The maximum stresses of screws in the TSEF model were increased, while the maximum stresses of rods were reduced compared to the LSIF model. Moreover, the maximum stresses of L2 and L4 vertebrae and discs in the TSEF model were increased compared to the LSIF model. Under displacement control, the TSEF model required fewer moments (N·mm) than the LSIF model. Compared to the LSIF model, the maximum stresses of screws and rods in the TSEF model have decreased; the maximum stresses at L2 and L4 in the TSEF model were increased. In the flexion condition, the maximum stresses of discs in the TSEF model were less than the LSIF model, while the maximum stresses of discs in the TSEF model were higher in the extension condition. Conclusion: Compared to LSIF, the TSEF has a better stress distribution with higher overall mobility. Theoretically, it reduces the stress concentration of the connecting rods and the stress shielding of the fractured vertebral bodies.

GSTO1 aggravates EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis via deglutathionylation of NPM1 in lung adenocarcinoma.

Despite significantly improved clinical outcomes in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, all patients develop acquired resistance and malignancy on the treatment of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Understanding the resistance mechanisms is crucial to uncover novel therapeutic targets to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKI treatment. Here, integrated analysis using RNA-Seq and shRNAs metabolic screening reveals glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) as one of the key metabolic enzymes that is required for EGFR-TKIs resistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Aberrant upregulation of GSTO1 confers EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo dependent on its active-site cysteine 32 (C32). Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of GSTO1 restores sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs and synergistically enhances tumoricidal effects. Importantly, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) cysteine 104 is deglutathionylated by GSTO1 through its active C32 site, which leads to activation of the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, clinical data illustrates that GSTO1 level is positively correlated with NPM1 level, NF-κB-mediated transcriptions and progression of human lung adenocarcinoma. Overall, our study highlights a novel mechanism of GSTO1 mediating EGFR-TKIs resistance and malignant progression via protein deglutathionylation, and GSTO1/NPM1/AKT/NF-κB axis as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in lung adenocarcinoma.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides promote extramedullary stress erythropoiesis via ameliorating splenic glycolysis and EPO/STAT5 signaling-regulated macrophages.

Conventional treatments exhibit various side effects on chronic stress anemia. Extramedullary stress erythropoiesis is a compensatory mechanism, which may effectively counteract anemia. Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) are the main active ingredient found in Angelica sinensis and exhibit antioxidant and hematopoietic effects. However, the effects of ASP on extramedullary stress erythropoiesis remain to be unclear. Here, we demonstrated the protective effects of ASP on chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced decline in peripheral blood parameters such as RBC counts, HGB, HCT, and MCH, and the decline of BFU-E colony enumeration in the bone marrow. Meanwhile, ASP promoted extramedullary erythropoiesis, increasing cellular proliferation in the splenic red pulp and cyclin D1 protein expression, abrogating phase G0/G1 arrest of c-kit+ cells in mouse spleen. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry further revealed that ASP increased macrophage chemokine Ccl2 genetic expression and the number of F4/80+ macrophages in the spleen. The colony-forming assay showed that ASP significantly increased splenic BFU-E. Furthermore, we found that ASP facilitated glycolytic genes including Hk2, Pgk1, Pkm, Pdk1, and Ldha via PI3K/Akt/HIF2α signaling in the spleen. Subsequently, ASP declined pro-proinflammatory factor IL-1ß, whereas upregulating erythroid proliferation-associated genes Gdf15, Bmp4, Wnt2b, and Wnt8a. Moreover, ASP facilitated EPO/STAT5 signaling in splenic macrophages, thus enhancing erythroid lineage Gata2 genetic expression. Our study indicated that ASP may improve glycolysis, promoting the activity of splenic macrophages, subsequently promoting erythroid progenitor cell expansion. Additionally, ASP facilitates erythroid differentiation via macrophage-mediated EpoR/STAT5 signaling; suggesting it might be a promising strategy for stress anemia treatment.

Facile Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity-Modified Separator with Quite-Low Loading for Enhanced-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) using Li metals as anodes are conspicuous for high-energy-density energy-storage devices. However, the nonuniform deposition of Li+ ions leading to uncontrolled Li dendrite growth, which adversely affects electrochemical performance and safety, has impeded the practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, PIM-1, a type of polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), was utilized for surface engineering of conventional polyolefin separators. This process resulted in the formation of a continuous and homogeneous coating across the separator, facilitating uniform Li+ ion flux and deposition, and consequently reducing dendrite formation. Notably, the loading mass was quite low (0.6 g/m2) through the convenient dipping method. The intrinsic micropores and polar groups (cyano and ether groups) of PIM-1 greatly improved the electrolyte wettability and ionic conductivity of commercial polypropylene (PP) separators. And the PIM-1 coating guided Li+ flux to achieve uniform Li deposition. Moreover, the polar groups (cyano and ether groups) of PIM-1 are beneficial to the desolvation of Li+-solvates. As a result, the synergetic effect of uniform Li+ flux, desolvation, and enhanced mechanical strength of separators brings about considerable improvement in cycle life, suppression of Li dendrite, and Coulombic efficiency for LMBs. As this surface engineering is simple, relatively low-cost, and effective, this work provides fresh insights into separators for LMBs.

Amifostine loaded lipid-calcium carbonate nanoparticles as an oral drug delivery system for radiation protection.

Amifostine (AMF) as the first-line radiation protection drug, usually suffered from low compliance and short half-life upon clinical applications. The development of oral drug delivery system (DDS) for AMF is a promising solution. However, the inherent shortages of AMF present significant challenges in the design of suitable oral DDS. Here in this study, we utilized the ability of calcium ions to bind with AMF and prepared AMF loaded calcium carbonate (CC) core, CC/AMF, using phase transferred coprecipitation method. We further modified the CC/AMF using phospholipids to prepare AMF loaded lipid-calcium carbonate (LCC) hybrid nanoparticles (LCC/AMF) via a thin-film dispersion method. LCC/AMF combines the oral advantages of lipid nanoparticles with the drug-loading capabilities of CC, which was shown as uniform nano-sized formulation with decent stability in aqueous solution. With favorable intestinal transport and absorption effects, it effectively enhances the in vivo radiation protection efficacy of AMF through oral administration. More importantly, we further investigated the cellular accumulation profile and intracellular transport mechanism of LCC/AMF using MDCK and Caco-2 cell lines as models. This research not only alters the current administration method of AMF to enhance its convenience and compliance, but also provides insights and guidance for the development of more suitable oral DDS for AMF in the future.

Tropism-shifted AAV-PHP.eB-mediated bFGF gene therapy promotes varied neurorestoration after ischemic stroke in mice.

ABSTRACT: AAV-PHP.eB is an artificial adeno-associated virus (AAV) that crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neurons more efficiently than other AAVs when administered systematically. While AAV-PHP.eB has been used in various disease models, its cellular tropism in cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the tropism of AAV-PHP.eB for different cell types in the brain in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and evaluate its effectiveness in mediating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene therapy. Mice were injected intravenously with AAV-PHP.eB either 14 days prior to (pre-stroke) or 1 day following (post-stroke) transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Notably, we observed a shift in tropism from neurons to endothelial cells with post-stroke administration of AAV-PHP.eB-mNeonGreen (mNG). This endothelial cell tropism correlated strongly with expression of the endothelial membrane receptor lymphocyte antigen 6 family member A (Ly6A). Furthermore, AAV-PHP.eB-mediated overexpression of bFGF markedly improved neurobehavioral outcomes and promoted long-term neurogenesis and angiogenesis post-ischemic stroke. Our findings underscore the significance of considering potential tropism shifts when utilizing AAV-PHP.eB-mediated gene therapy in neurological diseases and suggest a promising new strategy for bFGF gene therapy in stroke treatment.

Distribution of active ingredients and quality control of Forsythia suspensa with AP-MALDI mass spectrometry imaging.

The fruits of Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa) have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for 2000 years. Currently, the quality control of F. suspensa strictly follows the instructions of Chinese Pharmacopeia, which mainly controls the content of forsythoside A, phillyrin, and volatile oil. In this study, air pressure MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (AP-MALDI MSI) was used to evaluate the quality of F. suspensa fruits and the distribution of dozens of active ingredients. The variation of active ingredients was measured for more than 30 batches of samples, regarding harvest time, cultivated environment, shelf-life, and habitat. Fifty-three active ingredients could be detected in F. suspensa fruits with AP-MALDI MSI. Seven active ingredients were upregulated, four ingredients downregulated, and 15 ingredients did not change in ripe fruits. A sharp variation of active ingredients in late September was observed for the Caochuan fruits harvested in 2019, which is closely related to the appearance of the ginger color of the pericarp under the microscope observation. The microscope observation is a reliable way to classify ripe and green fruits instead of outlook. Just considering forsythoside A and phillyrin, it is found that wild fruits are better than cultivated fruits, but cultivated fruits have high contents of other ingredients. The shelf-life of F. suspensa fruits is proposed to be 3 years, considering the 26 ingredients investigated. It was found that Luoning wild fruits are better than those from Caochuan with a new evaluation method. Mass spectrometry imaging is an easy, objective, and effective method to evaluate the quality of F. suspensa fruits.

Design and properties of ternary alkali-activated binder based on blast furnace slag, recycled powder and waste glass powder.

Ternary alkali-activated binder was prepared by blast furnace slag (GGBS), recycled powder (RP) and waste glass powder (WGP) using simplex centroid design method. By measuring the fluidity, setting time, drying shrinkage and mechanical property of specimen, the complementary effect of GGBS, RP and WGP was discussed. The reaction mechanism and microstructure were explored by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the addition of RP could significantly reduce the fluidity and setting time of paste, while WGP can obviously improve the rheological property and play a retarding role. The workability of paste can be effectively regulated by mixing RP and WGP together. Whether added alone or in combination, RP and WGP can effectively improve the shrinkage performance. In the ternary system, GGBS can be rapidly activated and form a skeleton structure. The fine RP particles can play a good role in filling the structure, and the pozzolanic reaction of WGP gradually occurs, which makes the microstructure more compact. The incorporation of GGBS, RP and WGP can promote the growth of hydration products, improve the density of microstructure, and form a certain complementary effect.

The Association Between Tumor Radiomic Analysis and Peritumor Habitat-Derived Radiomic Analysis on Gadoxetate Disodium-Enhanced MRI With Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis, often characterized by microvascular invasion (MVI). Radiomics and habitat imaging offer potential for preoperative MVI assessment. PURPOSE: To identify MVI in HCC by habitat imaging, tumor radiomic analysis, and peritumor habitat-derived radiomic analysis. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. SUBJECTS: Three hundred eighteen patients (53 ± 11.42 years old; male = 276) with pathologically confirmed HCC (training:testing = 224:94). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5 T, T2WI (spin echo), and precontrast and dynamic T1WI using three-dimensional gradient echo sequence. ASSESSMENT: Clinical model, habitat model, single sequence radiomic models, the peritumor habitat-derived radiomic model, and the combined models were constructed for evaluating MVI. Follow-up clinical data were obtained by a review of medical records or telephone interviews. STATISTICAL TESTS: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration, decision curve, Delong test, K-M curves, log rank test. A P-value less than 0.05 (two sides) was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Habitat imaging revealed a positive correlation between the number of subregions and MVI probability. The Radiomic-Pre model demonstrated AUCs of 0.815 (95% CI: 0.752-0.878) and 0.708 (95% CI: 0.599-0.817) for detecting MVI in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. Similarly, the AUCs for MVI detection using Radiomic-HBP were 0.790 (95% CI: 0.724-0.855) for the training cohort and 0.712 (95% CI: 0.604-0.820) for the test cohort. Combination models exhibited improved performance, with the Radiomics + Habitat + Dilation + Habitat 2 + Clinical Model (Model 7) achieving the higher AUC than Model 1-4 and 6 (0.825 vs. 0.688, 0.726, 0.785, 0.757, 0.804, P = 0.013, 0.048, 0.035, 0.041, 0.039, respectively) in the testing cohort. High-risk patients (cutoff value >0.11) identified by this model showed shorter recurrence-free survival. DATA CONCLUSION: The combined model including tumor size, habitat imaging, radiomic analysis exhibited the best performance in predicting MVI, while also assessing prognostic risk. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Development and validation of a novel screening tool for deep vein thrombosis in patients with spinal cord injury: A five-year cross-sectional study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presents a significant risk of complication in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), necessitating accurate screening methods. While the Caprini Risk Assessment Model (Caprini RAM) has seen extensive use for DVT screening, its efficacy remains under scrutiny. SETTING: First Affiliated Hospital of China University of Science and Technology. METHODS: We created and evaluated three nomograms for their effectiveness in DVT screening. Model 1 incorporated variables such as age, D-dimer level, red blood cell (RBC) counts, platelet counts, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, mode and level of injury, degree of impairments, and Caprini scores. Model 2 was derived from Caprini scores alone, and Model 3 focused on independent risk factors. We assessed these models using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA), employing bootstrap resampling tests (500 iterations) to determine their accuracy, discriminative ability, and clinical utility. Internal validation was performed on a separate cohort. Nomogram was established with well-fitted calibration curves for model 1, 2 and 3(AUC = 0.808, 0.751 and 0.797; 95%CI = 0.76-0.86, 0.70-0.80 and 0.75-0.84; respectively), indicating model 1 outperformed the others in prediction DVT risk, followed by model 3 and 2. These findings were consistent in the validation cohort, with DCA further corroborating our conclusions. CONCLUSION: A nomogram integrating clinical data with Caprini RAM provides a superior option for DVT screening in SCI patients within rehabilitation settings, outperforming Caprini RAM.

Long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for intrathoracic goiter up to 5 years: evaluated by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for intrathoracic goiter (ITG) over a follow-up period exceeding six months. METHODS: From 2017 to 2022, 22 patients (6 males, 16 females) with 24 ITGs treated with RFA at a single medical center were evaluated. All patients underwent ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before RFA. Follow-up CT/MRI was performed six months after the initial RFA and then every 6-12 months. The primary outcomes measured were the degree of extension, goiter volume, volume reduction rate (VRR), tracheal deviation, and tracheal lumen. Additionally, we assessed the outcomes of single-session RFA (n = 16) vs. multiple sessions (n = 8) on goiters and explored the correlation between ITG volume measurements obtained using ultrasonography and CT/MRI. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 12 months (interquartile range: 6-36.8 months). At the last follow-up, the nodule volume measured by CT/MRI had significantly decreased (76.2 vs. 24.6 mL; p < 0.05), with a VRR of 64.6%. Patients who underwent multiple RFA sessions showed a significantly higher VRR than the single-session patients (63.8 vs. 80.1%, p < 0.05). The intraclass correlation between goiter volumes measured using US and CT/MRI was moderate. CONCLUSION: This study affirms the long-term efficacy and safety of RFA for ITG, providing an alternative treatment for nonsurgical candidates. Multiple RFA sessions may be beneficial for achieving better volume reduction. Sole reliance on ultrasonography is inadequate; therefore, integrating CT/MRI is essential for accurate pre-RFA and follow-up assessments.

Intrathoracic goiters significantly impact both cosmetic appearance and induce numerous compressive symptoms.Radiofrequency ablation brought notable volume reduction and persistent, effective alleviation of compressive symptoms.Radiofrequency ablation presents a promising therapeutic modality with long-term benefits for patients with intrathoracic goiter.

Vertical InGaN Light-Emitting Diode with Hybrid Distributed Bragg Reflectors.

A vertical-type InGaN light-emitting diode with a resonant cavity was demonstrated with a 9 µm aperture size and a short cavity formed by hybrid distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). The approach involved designing epitaxial structures and utilizing an electrochemical etching process to convert heavily doped n-type gallium nitride (n+-GaN) layers into porous GaN layers as a porous-GaN DBR structure. Thirteen pairs of the conductive porous-GaN:Si/GaN:Si DBR structure provided a vertical current path in a vertical-type light-emitting diodes (LED) structure. The LED epitaxial layers were separated from sapphire for membrane-type LED structures through a laser lift-off process. During the free-standing membrane fabrication process, the dielectric DBR deposited on ITO/p-GaN:Mg layers was inverted from top to bottom, thereby establishing the concept of higher reflectivity for the bottom DBR compared to the porous-GaN DBR. The physical cavity length was reduced from about 2.3 µm for the LED membrane to 0.74 µm for the membrane-type LED with the embedded porous-GaN DBR structure. The divergent angles and line width of EL emission light were reduced from 124°/31.7 nm to 44°/3.3 nm due to the resonant cavity effect. The membrane-type LED structures with hybrid DBRs consisted of small divergent angles, narrow line width, and vertical current injection properties that have potential for directional emission light sources and vertical-cavity surface-emitting diode laser applications.

[Study on multiple organ injury induced by Haematitum in mice].

Haematitum is a commonly used mineral medicine. It is toxic, as recorded in the second volume of Chinese Materia Medica. Therefore, it should not be taken for a long time. In this study, the effects of Haematitum and calcined Haematitum on multiple organ injuries in mice were investigated, and the mechanism of the toxicity of the related organs was explored by metabolomics. The mice were randomly divided into the control group, Haematitum low-dose group(ZS-L group), Haematitum high-dose group(ZS-H group), and calcined Haematitum high-dose group(DZS-H group), with 12 mice in each group. Haematitum decoction was given by continuous intragastric administration for 10 days. Then the life situation was observed, and samples were taken to detect various indicators. The results showed that the ZS-H group showed obvious toxicity, with different degrees of toxicity damage in the intestinal tract,liver, spleen, and lung. ZS-L group had no toxic reaction. The toxicity of the DZS-H group was significantly reduced, and only the lung was damaged. Metabolomics technology was used to detect the lung tissue of mice in the control group and the ZS-H group, and a total of 15 kinds of significant difference metabolites were detected, mainly involved in choline metabolism in cancer, sphingolipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Immunohistochemical results showed that the INSIG1 protein expression level in the lung tissue of mice in the ZS-H group was significantly higher than that in the control group. In summary, large doses and long-time use of Haematitum decoction will cause a variety of organ damage, and the same dose of calcined Haematitum is less toxic than Haematitum. In addition, a low dose of Haematitum has no obvious toxic effect. The dysfunction of lipid metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism may be an important factor in Haematitum-induced pulmonary toxicity. This study provides a reference for further research on the mechanism of Haematitum pulmonary toxicity.