Clinical validation of MR-generated synthetic CT by MRCAT for brain tumor radiotherapy.

Objective: MRI is an emerging modality in radiotherapy (RT). Accuracy synthetic CT is the prerequisite for implementing MR-only RT planning. This study validated the commercial algorithm of MR for calculating attenuation (MRCAT) in terms of image quality and dosimetric agreement.

Fermented By-Products of Banana Wine Production Improve Slaughter Performance, Meat Quality, and Flavor Fingerprint of Domestic Chicken.

This study aimed to compare the effects of incorporating fermented feed into daily diets on the slaughter performance, meat quality, and flavor compounds of 120 domestic chickens over a 140-day period. A total of five groups (n = 24), including the control group (CK) of the Guangxi Partridge chickens received a standard base diet. The other four groups were provided with pellets that had been added with 10% fermented banana peel (Pe-10), 20% fermented banana peel (Pe-20), 10% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-10), and 20% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-20).

Quantitative texture analysis using machine learning for predicting interpretable pulmonary perfusion from non-contrast computed tomography in pulmonary embolism patients.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is life-threatening and requires timely and accurate diagnosis, yet current imaging methods, like computed tomography pulmonary angiography, present limitations, particularly for patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast agents. We aimed to develop a quantitative texture analysis pipeline using machine learning (ML) based on non-contrast thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans to discover intensity and textural features correlated with regional lung perfusion (Q) physiology and pathology and synthesize voxel-wise Q surrogates to assist in PE diagnosis.

Methods: We retrospectively collected Tc-labeled macroaggregated albumin Q-SPECT/CT scans from patients suspected of PE, including an internal dataset of 76 patients (64 for training, 12 for testing) and an external testing dataset of 49 patients.

MICFOA: A Novel Improved Catch Fish Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy for Solving Global Problems.

Catch fish optimization algorithm (CFOA) is a newly proposed meta-heuristic algorithm based on human behaviors. CFOA shows better performance on multiple test functions and clustering problems. However, CFOA shows poor performance in some cases, and there is still room for improvement in convergence accuracy, getting rid of local traps, and so on.

A novel coumarin-naphthalimide-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for efficiently monitoring of hydrazine in environmental water.

A novel coumarin-naphthalimide-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, called XPT, was synthesized with the aim of achieving high sensitivity and anti-interference for NH detection. The probe XPT consists of coumarin species and naphthalimide species, which act as the energy donor and acceptor, respectively. The phthalimide group functions as the recognition unit for NH.

A clinical-radiomics nomogram for the prediction of the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Objective: To develop a model that integrates radiomics features and clinical factors to predict upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: 104 decompensated cirrhosis patients with UGIB and 104 decompensated cirrhosis patients without UGIB were randomized according to a 7:3 ratio into a training cohort ( = 145) and a validation cohort ( = 63). Radiomics features of the abdominal skeletal muscle area (SMA) were extracted from the cross-sectional image at the largest level of the third lumbar vertebrae (L3) on the abdominal unenhanced multi-detector computer tomography (MDCT) images.

Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and chronic low back pain.

Background: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has become a major public health problem globally. However, no studies have specifically examined the relationship between SSB intake and chronic low back pain (CLBP). Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between SSB intake and the risk of CLBP.

In situ electro-generated Ni(OH) synergistic with Cu cathode to promote direct ammonia oxidation to nitrogen.

To solve the problem of low removal rate and poor N selectivity in direct electrochemical ammonia oxidation (EAO), commercial Ni foam and Cu foam were used as anode and cathode of the EAO system, respectively. The coupling effect between the cathode and anode promoted nitrogen cycling during the reaction process, which improved N selectivity of the reaction system and promoted it to achieve a high ammonia removal rate. This study showed that the thin Ni(OH) with oxygen vacancy formed on the surface of Ni foam anode played an effective role in the dimerization of intermediate products in ammonia oxidation to form N.

Two-Dimensional SnS Mediates NiFe-LDH-Layered Electrocatalyst toward Boosting OER Activity for Water Splitting.

NiFe-layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDHs), as promising electrocatalysts, have received significant research attention for hydrogen and oxygen generation through water splitting. However, the slow oxidation kinetics of NiFe-LDH, due to the limited number of active sites and the low conductivity, hinders the improvement of the water-splitting efficiency. Therefore, to overcome the obstacles, two-dimensional (2D) SnS was first explored to tailor the prepared NiFe-LDH via the hydrothermal method.

Distribution pattern of dissolved organic matter in pore water of sediments from three typical areas of western Lake Taihu and its environmental implications.

The migration, transformation, and accumulation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in pore water of sediment cores play a pivotal role in lacustrine carbon cycling. In order to understand the dynamics of DOM in the sediments of large shallow eutrophic lakes, we examined the vertical profiles of DOM and the benthic fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in sediment cores located in algae accumulated, dredged, and central areas of eutrophic Lake Taihu, China. Optical properties showed the significant influence of terrestrial inputs on the DOM components of pore water in the algae accumulated area but an abundant accumulation of autochthonous DOM in the central area.

MDCT Imaging of Volvulus Complicated with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Secondary to a Large Diverticulum of Jejunum in an Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: A large jejunal diverticulum has been reported as a possible cause of volvulus and acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) in adults. A large diverticulum of the small bowel complicated with volvulus has been reported before in literature. However, imaging findings of a large diverticulum of the small bowel complicated with both volvulus and AMI on MDCT are rarely described and reported.

Study on Quality Change and Processing Suitability Evaluation of the Low-Temperature Vacuum Frying of Bananas.

The banana quality evaluation system is not sufficiently mature in China and cannot meet the demand of producing high-quality processed banana products. In order to screen banana varieties suitable for low-temperature vacuum frying and extend the banana deep processing industry chain, banana slices from 15 varieties planted in China were prepared by low-temperature vacuum-frying (VF) technology in the present study. After factor analysis on 20 indicators of sensory, flavor, nutritional and processing quality from different varieties of banana slices, comprehensive quality evaluation models were constructed for banana slices.

What is the degree of social disability risk in China under the background of the aging population? Social disability risk measurement index system design and evaluation research based on China.

Objective: The impact of the aging population in China varies between regions. It is because regions with different resource endowments, such as those related to economy, population, and medical care, have different degrees of disability risk in the face of the increases in the disabled and semi-disabled older population caused by the overall aging of the population. This study aimed to construct an evaluation system to monitor and measure the degree of social disability risk in different regions in China and to evaluate and compare the degree of social disability risk in different regions using empirical data.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis uncovers gene networks regulating fruit quality and volatile compounds in mango cultivar 'Tainong' during postharvest.

Mango is one of the most economically important fruit; however, the gene regulatory mechanism associated with ripening and quality changes during storage remains largely unclear. This study explored the relationship between transcriptome changes and postharvest mango quality. Fruit quality patterns and volatile components were obtained using headspace gas chromatography and ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS).

A hierarchical hub location model for the integrated design of urban and rural logistics networks under demand uncertainty.

This paper contributes to the integrated design issue of urban and rural logistics networks under demand uncertainty. A hierarchical hub location model is proposed, which minimizes the expected total system cost by optimizing the locations, number and capacities of "urban-town‒village" hierarchical logistics hubs. The interactions among the logistics hubs and among the hub‒and‒spoke connections, as well as the hub capacity constraints are explicitly considered in the presence of logistics demand uncertainty.

Development of Green Banana Fruit Wines: Chemical Compositions and In Vitro Antioxidative Activities.

This study aimed to develop functional fruit wines using whole fruit, pulp, and peels from green bananas. The boiled banana homogenates were mixed with cane sugar before wine fermentation. Quality parameters, phenolic compounds, flavor components, and antioxidative properties of the green banana peel wine (GBPW), green banana pulp wine (GBMW), and whole banana wine (GBW) were determined.

A retrospective study on effectiveness of combined recombinant human interferon-α-1b, interleukin-2, and thalidomide for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in various disease states.

Background: Interferon-α-1b, interleukin-2 combined with thalidomide (ITI) improved the outcome and prognosis of some acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, but the cases was insufficient. This study observed the efficacy and safety of this regimen in the treatment of numbers of AML patients in various disease states.

Methods: Starting in January 2014, patients with AML (n=188) were treated with ITI regimen, including 60 refractory/relapses patients in group A, 40 patients in group B remained minimal residual disease-positive (MRD) or changed from negative to positive again after consolidation therapy, and 88 patients in group C with initial complete remission of AML received the ITI treatment after routine consolidation therapy.

Quantifying nitrate pollution sources of shallow groundwater and related health risks based on deterministic and Monte Carlo models: A study in Huaibei mining area, Huaibei coalfield, China.

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is a global environmental concern. As a result, accurate identification of potential sources for such pollution is of critical significance to the effective control of groundwater quality. In this study, forty-nine shallow groundwater samples were collected from the Huaibei mining area.

Air travel choice, online meeting and passenger heterogeneity - An international study on travellers' preference during a pandemic.

This study empirically identifies business travellers' preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic across different regions. A stated preference study was conducted during April to June 2021 on respondents in the U.S.

Warming Enhances the Co-Metabolism Effect During the Decomposition of Sediment Organic Carbon in Eutrophic Lakes.

Warming has been affecting carbon cycling in freshwater ecosystems throughout recent decades. However, how the co-metabolism effect (CE) during the decomposition of sediment organic carbon (SOC) in eutrophic lakes responds to warming remains understudied. A 33-day experiment was conducted to examine the mechanisms that underpin the CE in lacustrine sediments.

Study on Effects of Cyclophosphamide Combined with Vinorelbine in Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer and Anteroposterior Changes in MRI.

Objective: To explore the effects of cyclophosphamide combined with vinorelbine in advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and anteroposterior changes in MRI.

Methods: The clinical data of 90 patients with advanced SCLC admitted to our hospital from April 2020 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the control group and the study group according to the order of admission, with 45 cases in each group.

The effect of online meeting and health screening on business travel: A stated preference case study in Hong Kong.

This study quantifies the effects of health control measures at the airport on passenger behaviour related to business travel. A stated preference survey was conducted over potential air travellers in Hong Kong in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Panel latent class models were estimated to understand passenger preference toward new travel requirements given the applicability of online meeting.

Betacyanins and Anthocyanins in Pulp and Peel of Red Pitaya ( cv. Jindu), Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, Lipid Reducing, and Cytotoxic Effects.

This study aimed to promote red pitaya fruit parts as alternate sources of nutraceuticals. The red pitaya of Chinese origin was determined for its efficacy, where the fruit extracts were evaluated based on the selected antioxidative properties, lipid-reducing capacity, and cytotoxicity. The betanin, total betacyanins, total anthocyanins, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the red pitaya pulp and peel extracts were determined by spectrophotometric analyses.

Defective UiO-66-NH Functionalized with Stable Superoxide Radicals toward Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction with High Faradaic Efficiency.

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to NH is limited by low Faradaic efficiency (FE). Herein, defective UiO-66-NH functionalized with quite stable superoxide radicals (O) is developed as a highly active NRR catalyst. The experimental and computational results show that one linker per Zr node is missed and two Zr atoms are exposed in the defective UiO-66-NH.

Alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolic profile of PM exposure-induced thyroid dysfunction rats.

Fine particulate matter (PM) has drawn more and more interest due to its adverse effects on health. Thyroid has been demonstrated to be the key organ impacted by PM. However, the mechanisms for PM exposure-induced thyrotoxicity remain unclear.