Prediction of real-time cine-MR images during MRI-guided radiotherapy of liver cancer using a GAN-ConvLSTM network.

Background: Respiratory motion during radiotherapy (RT) may reduce the therapeutic effect and increase the dose received by organs at risk. This can be addressed by real-time tracking, where respiration motion prediction is currently required to compensate for system latency in RT systems. Notably, for the prediction of future images in image-guided adaptive RT systems, the use of deep learning has been considered.

Robust large-scale clustering based on correntropy.

With the explosive growth of data, how to efficiently cluster large-scale unlabeled data has become an important issue that needs to be solved urgently. Especially in the face of large-scale real-world data, which contains a large number of complex distributions of noises and outliers, the research on robust large-scale real-world data clustering algorithms has become one of the hottest topics. In response to this issue, a robust large-scale clustering algorithm based on correntropy (RLSCC) is proposed in this paper, specifically, k-means is firstly applied to generated pseudo-labels which reduce input data scale of subsequent spectral clustering, then anchor graphs instead of full sample graphs are introduced into spectral clustering to obtain final clustering results based on pseudo-labels which further improve the efficiency.

Psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures of self-management for cancer survivors: a systematic review protocol using COSMIN methodology.

Introduction: Self-management is an important strategy for cancer survivors. Evaluating self-management is essential for planning nursing interventions that promote self-management and for measuring the contribution of nursing to health outcomes. Many patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been designed and used to assess self-management in cancer survivors.

Multifunctions of dual Zn/Mg ion co-implanted titanium on osteogenesis, angiogenesis and bacteria inhibition for dental implants.

Unlabelled: In order to improve the osseointegration and long-term survival of dental implants, it is urgent to develop a multifunctional titanium surface which would simultaneously have osteogeneic, angiogeneic and antibacterial properties. In this study, a potential dental implant material-dual Zn/Mg ion co-implanted titanium (Zn/Mg-PIII) was developed via plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The Zn/Mg-PIII surfaces were found to promote initial adhesion and spreading of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) via the upregulation of the gene expression of integrin α1 and integrin β1.

Nano-thick calcium oxide armed titanium: boosts bone cells against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Since the use of systemic antibiotics for preventing acute biomaterial-associated infections (BAIs) may build up bacterial resistance and result in huge medical costs and unpredictable mortality, new precaution strategies are required. Here, it demonstrated that titanium armed with a nano-thick calcium oxide layer was effective on averting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in rabbits. The calcium oxide layer was constructed by, firstly, injecting of metallic calcium into titanium via a plasma immersion ion implantation process, and then transforming the outer most surface into oxide by exposing to the atmosphere.

Antibacterial activity, osteogenic and angiogenic behaviors of copper-bearing titanium synthesized by PIII&D.

Cu-bearing biomaterials have drawn considerable interest in hard tissue replacement. However, a better compromise between the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of incorporated copper is still required. In this work, two types of Cu-bearing surfaces were obtained on Ti by altering the processing parameters during PIII&D.

Influence of sulfur content on bone formation and antibacterial ability of sulfonated PEEK.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is desirable in orthopedic and dental applications because its mechanical properties are similar to those of natural bones but the bioinertness and inferior osteoconduction of PEEK have hampered many clinical applications. In this work, PEEK is sulfonated by concentrated sulfuric acid to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) network. A hydrothermal treatment is subsequently conducted to remove the residues and the temperature is adjusted to obtain different sulfur concentrations.

Balancing the Osteogenic and Antibacterial Properties of Titanium by Codoping of Mg and Ag: An in Vitro and in Vivo Study.

To simultaneously enhance the osteogenic and antibacterial properties of titanium, we introduced magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), or both by using the plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) technique, producing three PIII sample groups, namely, Mg-doped titanium (Mg-PIII), Ag-doped titanium (Ag-PIII), and Mg and Ag codoped titanium (Mg/Ag-PIII). The in vitro antibacterial efficacy of Mg/Ag-PIII group was about 7-10% higher than that of Ag-PIII. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that osteogenic property of Mg/Ag PIII group was better than that of Ag-PIII or Mg-PIII.

Zn/Ag micro-galvanic couples formed on titanium and osseointegration effects in the presence of S. aureus.

Titanium implants possessing simultaneous osseointegration and antibacterial ability are desirable. In this work, three types of Zn/Ag micro-galvanic couples are fabricated on titanium by plasma immersion ion implantation to investigate the osseointegration and antibacterial effects as well as the involved mechanisms. The in vitro findings disclose enhanced proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and gene expressions of the rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs), as well as good antibacterial ability on all three micro-galvanic couples.

Calcium Plasma Implanted Titanium Surface with Hierarchical Microstructure for Improving the Bone Formation.

Introducing hierarchical microstructure and bioactive trace elements simultaneously onto the surface of titanium implant is a very effective way to improve the osseointegration between bone and implant. In this work, hierarchical topography was prepared on Ti surface via acid etching and sandblasting (SLA) to form micropits and microcavities then underwent Ca plasma immersion ion implantation (Ca-PIII) process. The surface wettability and roughness did not change obviously before and after Ca-PIII process.

Antimicrobial and osteogenic properties of silver-ion-implanted stainless steel.

Prevention of implant loosening and infection is crucial to orthopedic and dental surgeries. In this work, the surface of stainless steel (SS) was modified by silver-sourced plasma immersion ion implantation (Ag-PIII). Metallic silver nanoparticles with various diameters and distributions were fabricated on the SS surfaces after treatment with Ag-PIII for 0.

Graphene film-functionalized germanium as a chemically stable, electrically conductive, and biologically active substrate.

As a microelectronics material, germanium (Ge) has attracted wide interest for semiconductor devices (like biosensors) since its usage to build the first transistor. In this study, large-area monolayer graphene film was directly in situ deposited on a Ge substrate by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The aim of this study is to explore whether a graphene overlayer on Ge can influence its surface properties.

In vitro and in vivo anti-biofilm effects of silver nanoparticles immobilized on titanium.

Prevention of periprosthetic infection (PPI) by inhibiting biofilm formation on prostheses is crucial to orthopedic surgery. In this work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are fabricated in situ and immobilized on titanium by silver plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The anti-biofilm activity rendered by the immobilized Ag NPs is assessed using Staphylococcus epidermidis, a biofilm producing strain, in vitro and in vivo.

Synergistic effects of dual Zn/Ag ion implantation in osteogenic activity and antibacterial ability of titanium.

Zinc (Zn) and silver (Ag) are co-implanted into titanium by plasma immersion ion implantation. A Zn containing film with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) possessing a wide size distribution is formed on the surface and the corrosion resistance is improved due to the micro-galvanic couples formed by the implanted Zn and Ag. Not only are the initial adhesion, spreading, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs observed from the Zn/Ag implanted Ti in vitro, but also bacteria killing is achieved both in vitro and in vivo.

Osteogenic activity and antibacterial effect of zinc ion implanted titanium.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used as orthopedic and dental implants. In this work, zinc (Zn) was implanted into oxalic acid etched titanium using plasma immersion ion implantation technology. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the surface morphology and composition of Zn-implanted titanium.

Scale-similarity model for Lagrangian velocity correlations in isotropic and stationary turbulence.

A scale-similarity model for Lagrangian two-point, two-time velocity correlations (LVCs) in isotropic turbulence is developed from the Kolmogorov similarity hypothesis. It is a second approximation to the isocontours of LVCs, while the Smith-Hay model is only a first approximation. This model expresses the LVC by its space correlation and a dispersion velocity.

Coagulation factor XIII-A Val34Leu polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in a Chinese Han population.

There are controversial data regarding the impact of coagulation factor XIII A subunit (FXIII-A) Val34Leu polymorphism in the pathogeneric of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Assuming this genetic factor is associated with the thrombotic process, we explored the role of FXIII-A Val34Leu in CAD and MI in a Chinese Han population. We recruited 195 consecutive patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography as well as a group of 203 controls.

Comparison of NMR simulations of porous media derived from analytical and voxelized representations.

We develop and compare two formulations of the random-walk method, grain-based and voxel-based, to simulate the nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) response of fluids contained in various models of porous media. The grain-based approach uses a spherical grain pack as input, where the solid surface is analytically defined without an approximation. In the voxel-based approach, the input is a computer-tomography or computer-generated image of reconstructed porous media.

[Association of the MspI polymorphism of cytochrome P4501A1 gene and smoking to the susceptibility to coronary artery disease].

Objective: To investigate the association of MspI polymorphism of Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene and smoking to the susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: The genotypes of CYP1A1 MspI site were detected using the methods of polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 349 cases with CAD and 404 non-CAD as controls. CAD diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiograms.

Polymorphisms in the coagulation factor VII gene and the risk of myocardial infarction in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Objective: To investigate whether coagulation factor VII (FVII) polymorphisms play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or myocardial infarction (MI) in a series of Hans.

Methods: The Arg(353)Gln and HVR4 polymorphisms of FVII gene were determined in 374 patients undergoing selective coronary angiography by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.

Results: The FVII genotype distribution was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Polymorphisms in the genes for coagulation factor II, V, VII in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms in the genes for coagulation factor II, V, VII could predispose an individual to increase risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or myocardial infarction (MI) in Chinese.

Methods: We screened coagulation factor II(G20210A),V(G1691A),VII (R353Q and HVR4) genotype in 374 patients undergoing coronary angiography by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.

Results: The R353Q and HVR4 genotype of the factor VII distribution was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

[Association of coagulation factor V, VII gene polymorphisms with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To study the distribution of coagulation factor V(FV), VII(FVII) gene polymorphisms in Chinese Han population and the association of the polymorphisms with coronary heart disease(CHD).

Methods: Genotypes of FV FVII were typed in 234 CHD patients and 210 controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Selected coronary angiography was performed in 234 CHD patients.