MH-STRALP: A scoring system for prognostication in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency and early assessment of its outcomes is vital for treatment decisions.

Aim: To develop a new scoring system to predict its prognosis.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 692 patients with UGIB were enrolled from two centers and divided into a training ( = 591) and a validation cohort ( = 101).

Preparation, Characterization, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Mn@SiO Nanowires.

The deposition time was controlled to prepare Mn nanowires of different lengths and diameters on templates of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) with different pore sizes. The surface of as-prepared Mn nanowires was modified with SiO using the sol-gel method to improve their dispersion in aqueous solution. The effects of the diameter and length of the as-prepared Mn nanowires coated with SiO on the relaxivity were investigated.

Preparation, characterization, and magnetic resonance imaging of Fe nanowires.

A facile template method was employed to synthesize Fe nanowires of different sizes, dimensions. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to explore their morphology, structure, composition, and magnetic properties. The surface of as-prepared Fe nanowires was modified with SiO by sol-gel method to improve the dispersion of as-prepared Fe nanowires in aqueous solution.

Spin-orbit splitting and piezoelectric properties of Janus GeXY (X ≠ Y = P, As, Sb and Bi).

The coexistence of spin-orbit coupling and piezoelectricity in a single material may have potential application in multifunctional devices, including spintronics, nanorobotics and piezotronics. Spin-orbit coupling provides a new means to manipulate electron's spin without an additional external magnetic field, while piezoelectricity refers to the interplay between mechanical stresses and electric polarization. Using first-principles calculations, the structural, electronic, optical, spin, and piezoelectric properties of the Janus GeXY (X ≠ Y = P, As, Sb, and Bi) monolayers were systematically investigated.

Local Corrosion Behaviors in the Coarse-Grained Heat-Affected Zone in a Newly Developed Zr-Ti-Al-RE Deoxidized High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel.

Oxide metallurgy technology can improve the microstructure of a coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) but introduces extra inclusions. Local corrosion behavior of the CGHAZ of a Zr-Ti-Al-RE deoxidized steel was investigated in this work using theoretical calculations and experimental verification. The modified inclusions have a (Zr-Mg-Al-Ca-RE)O core claded by a CaS and TiN shell.

A new technique for separating platelet-rich plasma by a copolymer device － without a centrifugation process.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is beneficial for clinical applications in various medical fields. Although commercial PRP preparation kits are already available in the market, most of these kits employ centrifugation.

Methods: We used a new cationic copolymer coating on a polyurethane (PU) sponge to promote platelet separation from the blood.

Hsa_Circ_0098181 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Sponging miR-18a-3p and Targeting PPARA.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and its incidence is still high in China. This study aimed to investigate the circular RNAs (circRNAs) involved in the development of HCC and elucidate the mechanism. RNA sequencing found 72 downregulated circRNAs and 88 upregulated circRNAs in human HCC tissues, including hsa_circ_0098181, hsa_circ_0072309, hsa_circ_0000831, and hsa_circ_0000231.

Janus GaSeTe/InSSe heterostructures: tunable electronic, optical, and photocatalytic properties.

Vertically stacking two-dimensional materials into van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures (HS) is deemed to be an effective strategy to tailor their physical properties and enrich their applications in modern nanoelectronics. Here, we study the geometry, electronic, and optical properties of Janus GaSeTe/InSSe heterostructures by using first-principles calculations. We consider four models of GaSeTe/InSSe heterostructures with an alternative chalcogen atom layer sequence and five potential stacking configurations, and find that the most energy favorable stacking pattern is AB stacking for each model.

Fe/Mn multilayer nanowires as dual mode T -T magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

To overcome the negative contrast limitations, and to improve the sensitivity of the magnetic resonance signals, the mesoporous silica coated Fe/Mn multilayered nanowires (NWs) were used as a T -T dual-mode contrast agents (CAs). The single component Fe and Mn NWs, and Fe/Mn multilayer NWs were synthesized by electrodeposition in the homemade anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with the aperture of about 30 nm. The structural characterization and morphology of single component and multisegmented NWs was done by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.

Multi-Segmented Nanowires: A High Tech Bright Future.

In the last couple of decades, there has been a lot of progress in the synthesis methods of nano-structural materials, but still the field has a large number of puzzles to solve. Metal nanowires (NWs) and their alloys represent a sub category of the 1-D nano-materials and there is a large effort to study the microstructural, physical and chemical properties to use them for further industrial applications. Due to technical limitations of single component NWs, the hetero-structured materials gained attention recently.

Structural characterization of self-assembled chain like Fe-FeOx Core shell nanostructure.

One of the big challenge of studying the core-shell iron nanostructures is to know the nature of oxide shell, i.e., whether it is γ-FeO (Maghemite), FeO (Magnetite), α-FeO (Hematite), or FeO (Wustite).

Value of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography in differentiating between gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is a valuable device to diagnose and determine the malignant potential of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) as early as possible when making clinical therapeutic decisions. This study aimed to estimate the ability of CH-EUS to discriminate between GIST and benign submucosal lesions (SML) and to predict their malignant potential.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were screened.

Negative differential resistance, perfect spin-filtering effect and tunnel magnetoresistance in vanadium-doped zigzag blue phosphorus nanoribbons.

We investigate the electronic and transport properties of vanadium-doped zigzag blue phosphorus nanoribbons by first-principles quantum transport calculations. We study the spin-dependent transport properties and obtain current-voltage curves showing obvious spin polarization and negative differential behaviors. These interesting transport behaviors can be explained by the band structure of the vanadium-doped zigzag blue phosphorus nanoribbons.

Half-metallic and magnetic semiconducting behaviors of metal-doped blue phosphorus nanoribbons from first-principles calculations.

We investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of substitutional metal atom impurities in two-dimensional (2D) blue phosphorene nanoribbons using first-principles calculations. In impure zigzag blue phosphorene nanoribbons (zBPNRs), a metal atom substitutes for a P atom at position "A/B". The V-"B"structure shows half-metallic properties, while the Mn-"A/B", V-"A", Fe-"B", and Cr-"A/B" structures show magnetic semiconductor properties.

Systemic immune-inflammation index for predicting prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Aim: To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1383 cases with CRC was performed following radical surgery. SII was calculated with the formula SII = (P × N)/L, where P, N, and L refer to peripheral platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, respectively.

Motility characteristics in the transition zone in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) patients.

Background: Defects in distal oesophageal peristalsis was thought to be an indication of incomplete bolus transit (BT). However, the role of transition zone (TZ) defects in the BT in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients needs clarification. The aim of this study was to assess the TZ defects in GORD patients and to explore the relationship between TZ defects and BT.

Gastric Mucinous Cancer Histology: Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Value.

MC tended toward worse tumor biological behavior and long-term survival outcome compared to WMDC. Moreover, MC also showed worse clinicopathological features and survival outcome in some selected patients. For these reasons, MC should be deemed as a special histological type of gastric cancer with worse clinicopathological features and survival outcome.

CD44, Sonic Hedgehog, and Gli1 Expression Are Prognostic Biomarkers in Gastric Cancer Patients after Radical Resection.

Aim. CD44 and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling are important for gastric cancer (GC). However, the clinical impact, survival, and recurrence outcome of CD44, Shh, and Gli1 expressions in GC patients following radical resection have not been elucidated.

Survival prognosis and clinicopathological features of the lymph nodes along the left gastric artery in gastric cancer: implications for D2 lymphadenectomy.

The Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines (third edition) have assigned No. 7 station left gastric artery lymph nodes (LNs) to the D1 range of lymphatic dissection. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics, survival impact, and appropriateness of ascribing No.

MicroRNA-370 Attenuates Hepatic Fibrogenesis by Targeting Smoothened.

Background And Aims: Recent research shows that abnormal expression of microRNA plays an important role in the process of hepatic fibrosis . miR-370 has been reported to be involved in liver function and is suppressed during hepatic carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-370 in hepatic fibrosis.

A new pN staging system based on both the number and anatomic location of metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer.

Background: Our aim was to establish a new pN staging system for gastric cancer based on the number and location of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) and to compare it with other systems.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prognostic data of 521 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative resection. Survival analyses were used to establish a pN staging system that considers both the number and location of MLNs and to compare discriminatory ability and monotonicity of gradients (linear trend χ (2) score), homogeneity ability (likelihood ratio test), and prognostic stratification ability (Akaike information criterion) between Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) systems.

Structure-property relationships of symmetrical and asymmetrical azobenzene derivatives as gelators and their self-assemblies.

Two different series of symmetrical and asymmetrical azobenzenes containing terminal cholesteryl/adamantyl derivatives (SAC/SAA and AAC) with varying spacer lengths (alkyl chains) have been developed. The gelation and aggregation of these derivatives were studied relative to structural motifs, spacer lengths, solvent affinity, temperatures and light conditions. Among these derivatives, the cholesteryl derivatives that have short alkyl chains (<3) act as efficient gelators in a variety of solvents.

Bacterial adhesion to antibiotic-loaded guided tissue regeneration membranes - a scanning electron microscopy study.

Background/purpose: Bacterial contamination of sites undergoing guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy may reduce the efficiency of periodontal regeneration. This study compared bacterial adhesion onto various GTR membranes incorporated with antibiotics.

Methods: Three barrier membranes, including expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane, collagen membrane, and glycolide fiber membrane, were loaded with tetracycline or amoxicillin.

Projection of the dental workforce from 2011 to 2020, based on the actual workload of 6762 dentists in 2010 in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Planning of the dental workforce, especially the number of dentists, requires the data of actual dental workloads. This study attempts to make projections of the dental workforce from 2011 to 2020, based on a survey of the actual workload of 6762 dentists in 2010.

Methods: In 2010, a database of 11,449 current dentists was retrieved from the file of Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan.

Burning mouth syndrome: a review and update.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by the presence of burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of clinically apparent mucosal alterations. It occurs more commonly in middle-aged and elderly women and often affects the tongue tip and lateral borders, lips, and hard and soft palate. In addition to a burning sensation, the patients with BMS may also complain unremitting oral mucosal pain, dysgeusia, and xerostomia.