Optimizing CT Esophagography: Ex Vivo Study on Contrast Ratios, Image Quality, and Dual-Energy Benefits.

This study aimed to optimize CT esophagography by identifying effective oral contrast dilution ratios and exploring the advantages of dual-energy CT (DECT) over conventional CT for improving image quality. Ex vivo experiments using iodine contrast agents (320-400 mgI/mL) at 21 dilution ratios were scanned at three voltages, with additional dual-energy scans generating various reconstruction images. Image quality was assessed both objectively and subjectively.

Enhancing the Opportunistic Bone Status Assessment Using Radiomics Based on Dual-Energy Spectral CT Material Decomposition Images.

Unlabelled: The dual-energy spectral CT (DEsCT) employs material decomposition (MD) technology, opening up novel avenues for the opportunistic assessment of bone status. Radiomics, a powerful tool for elucidating the structural and textural characteristics of bone, aids in the detection of mineral loss. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficacy of bone status assessment using both bone density measurements and radiomics models derived from MD images and to further explore the clinical value of radiomics models.

VDMNet: A Deep Learning Framework with Vessel Dynamic Convolution and Multi-Scale Fusion for Retinal Vessel Segmentation.

Retinal vessel segmentation is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring ophthalmic and systemic diseases. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) enables detailed imaging of the retinal microvasculature, but existing methods for OCTA segmentation face significant limitations, such as susceptibility to noise, difficulty in handling class imbalance, and challenges in accurately segmenting complex vascular morphologies. In this study, we propose VDMNet, a novel segmentation network designed to overcome these challenges by integrating several advanced components.

Association Between Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution with Risk of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents in Northern and Central Taiwan.

Introduction: The present study investigated the relationship between air pollution, specifically PM and PM, and childhood and adolescent obesity in northern and central Taiwan. Previous research has shown a positive correlation between air pollution and pediatric obesity, but no study has been conducted in Taiwan. We used data from the K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education, and the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network to analyze the association between PM and PM exposures and obesity rates among elementary and junior high school students.

Circulating Tumor DNA Combining with Imaging Analysis for Lesion Detection of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Children.

Background: The detection of mutations from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) represents a promising enrichment technique. In this retrospective study, the significance of ctDNA and imaging in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) monitoring was first examined, and the broader role of ctDNA in monitoring LCH was additionally explored.

Methods: First, data visualization and survival analysis models were used to generalize the concordance between cfBRAF molecular response and radiographic response on clinical outcomes.

Levo-Stepholidine as a Potential Cognitive Enhancer: Insights into Executive Function and Memory Improvements.

Background/objectives: Levo-Stepholidine (-SPD), a compound extracted from Chinese herbs, has the potential to treat psychotic disorders where cognitive deficits are a critical challenge. -SPD displays a D1R agonism/D2R antagonism pharmacological profile, and its effect on cognitive function is still vague and lacks comprehensive study. Here, we investigated the impact of l-SPD on two core indexes of executive function, working memory and response inhibition, and learning and memory.

Next-Generation Sequencing of Chinese Children with Congenital Hearing Loss Reveals Rare and Novel Variants in Known and Candidate Genes.

Hearing loss (HL) is the most common disorder in newborns with a highly heterogeneous genetic background. Despite significant progress in screening and identifying genes related to congenital hearing loss, there are still candidate genes implicated in HL that remain undiscovered. We investigated HL in 43 Chinese families by segregating bilateral sensorineural HL via whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing.

Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Critical Molecular Networks Linking Intestinal-System Diseases to Colorectal Cancer Progression.

: Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently co-occurs with intestinal system diseases (ISDs), yet their molecular interplay remains poorly understood. We employed a comprehensive bioinformatics approach to elucidate shared genetic signatures and pathways between CRC and ISDs. : We systematically analyzed 12 microarray and RNA-seq datasets encompassing 989 samples across seven ISDs and CRC.

Association Between Lead Exposure and Red Blood Cell Folate Concentrations in U.S. Children Aged 2-17 Years: An Analysis of Data from NHANES 2007-2018.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of low blood lead levels (BLLs) on the red blood cell folate concentrations in U.S. children aged 2-17 years.

A Study on the Mechanisms Influencing Older Adults' Willingness to Use Digital Displays in Museums from a Cognitive Age Perspective.

As older adults age, changes in their physiological, psychological, and cognitive functions often lead to inherent anxiety and fear regarding the use of digital technologies. Cognitive age, reflecting an older adult's mental perception of their chronological age, is a crucial moderating factor in shaping their willingness and behavior towards technology adoption. However, the mechanisms through which cognitive age impacts the behavior of older adults within the realm of digital technology utilization remain unclear.

The More Realism, the Better? How Does the Realism of AI Customer Service Agents Influence Customer Satisfaction and Repeat Purchase Intention in Service Recovery.

Nowadays, human customer service is increasingly being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) customer service agents. Service recovery plays a crucial role in shaping consumer experiences and business profitability. The realism of AI agents can significantly impact users' attitudes and behaviors.

Comprehensive Analysis of Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Original-Cut Potato Chips in the Chinese Market.

This study investigates the Chinese market's physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of 14 original-cut potato chip brands. Color characteristics, compositional analysis, sugar content, acrylamide levels, and textural properties were examined alongside sensory evaluations. Significant variations were observed across all the parameters.

Determination of Bioactive Components in Chrysanthemum Tea (Gongju) Using Hyperspectral Imaging Technique and Chemometrics.

The bioactive components of chrysanthemum tea are an essential indicator in evaluating its nutritive and commercial values. Combining hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with key wavelength selection and pattern recognition methods, this study developed a novel approach to estimating the content of bioactive components in chrysanthemums, including the total flavonoids (TFs) and chlorogenic acids (TCAs). To determine the informative wavelengths of hyperspectral images, we introduced a variable similarity regularization term into particle swarm optimization (denoted as VSPSO), which can focus on improving the combinatorial performance of key wavelengths and filtering out the features with higher collinearity simultaneously.

Debranched Lentil Starch-Sodium Alginate-Based Encapsulated Particles of GG: Morphology, Structural Characterization, In Vitro Release Behavior, and Storage Stability.

Starches with different degrees of debranching (DBS30, DBS60, and DBS90) and sodium alginate were used as the wall material for encapsulating particles of GG (LGG). The structural characteristics of these encapsulated particles were examined, along with the impact of varying levels of debranching on the encapsulation efficiency, the in vitro release of LGG under the simulated gastrointestinal environment, and the storage stability of the encapsulated particles. The results revealed a transformation in the crystalline polymorph from C- to B+V-type following debranching and retrogradation.

The Effect of Ice-Binding Protein from sp. AY30 (LeIBP) on the Physicochemical Quality and Microstructure of Largemouth Bass During Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

This study investigated the effect of various concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.

Integrated Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Mechanism of Flavonoid Synthesis During Low-Temperature Storage of Sweet Corn Kernels.

Sweet corn is a globally important food source and vegetable renowned for its rich nutritional content. However, post-harvest quality deterioration remains a significant challenge due to sweet corn's high sensitivity to environmental factors. Currently, low-temperature storage is the primary method for preserving sweet corn; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear.

Structure Elucidation and Immunostimulatory Activity Evaluation of a Galactoglucan from Hance.

Hance has a medicinal history of thousands of years in treating cough, diabetes, and gastrointestinal system diseases, and it is also a medicine food homology (MFH) plant in China. To evaluate the pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from the rhizomes of , polysaccharides were initially obtained by hot-water extraction and the ethanol precipitation method. A homogenous polysaccharide designated as AOP-w was isolated by a DE-52 column.

Chemical and Biological Investigations of Antiviral Agents Against Plant Viruses Conducted in China in the 21st Century.

Research into the biology of plant viruses, their mechanisms of pathogenicity, and the induction of host resistance has laid a solid foundation for the discovery of antiviral agents and their targets and the development of effective control technologies. Additionally, recent advancements in fields such as chemical biology, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology have provided valuable methods and tools for the design of antiviral drugs, the synthesis of drug molecules, assessment of their activity, and investigation of their modes of action. Compared with drug development for human viral diseases, the control of plant viral diseases presents greater challenges, including the cost-benefit of agents, simplification of control technologies, and the effectiveness of treatments.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae): Characterization, Phylogeny, and Genetic Diversity Analysis.

: is a species belonging to the Cyprinidae family. The objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of its evolutionary history and genetic characteristics. : The complete mitochondrial genome of .

Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genome of (Astacidea: Cambaridae) and Its Phylogenetic Implications.

Background: is an endangered freshwater crayfish in China, belonging to the genus Cambaroides, that can act as a complementary host for paragonimus. The objective of this study was to examine the complete mitochondrial genome characteristics and their evolutionary relationships within the Astacidea.

Methods: The analysis of gene rearrangements and evolutionary relationships was conducted through the sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of .

A Pan-Cancer Analysis of the Oncogenic Role of CD276 in Human Tumors.

: B7 homolog 3 protein (B7-H3, also known as CD276) is a member of the B7 family that has been found to be associated with the growth and progression of a variety of tumors, but no pan-cancer evaluations of CD276 have been performed so far. In this study, we aimed to perform a pan-cancer analysis of the oncogenic role of CD276 in human tumors; : We used a series of databases to perform a pan-cancer analysis of CD276, including the expression level of CD276 in pan-cancer and its relationship to tumor progression, patient survival duration, the immune cell infiltration within the tumor, and the potential signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms associated with CD276; : We found that CD276 was a potential biomarker for the prognosis of most cancers. The high expression of CD276 was associated with tumor progression, leading to poor survival.

Identification of Antisense RNA NRAS-AS and Its Preliminary Exploration of the Anticancer Regulatory Mechanism.

Objective: To explore the influence of NRAS-AS on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion ability of HCC cells, as well as its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A double-stranded cDNA library for liver cancer cells was constructed, and identified NRAS-AS through High-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, chain-specific fluorescent quantitative PCR, and RACE. NRAS-AS's effects on HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells and gene expression were evaluated.

Data Poisoning Attack on Black-Box Neural Machine Translation to Truncate Translation.

Neural machine translation (NMT) systems have achieved outstanding performance and have been widely deployed in the real world. However, the undertranslation problem caused by the distribution of high-translation-entropy words in source sentences still exists, and can be aggravated by poisoning attacks. In this paper, we propose a new backdoor attack on NMT models by poisoning a small fraction of parallel training data.

Joint User Association, Power Allocation and Beamforming for NOMA-Based Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Networks.

This paper investigated a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)-based integrated satellite-terrestrial network (ISTN), where each user can select to access a terrestrial base station (BS) or the satellite according to the capacity of BS and their individual transmission requirements. A two-stage algorithm is proposed to solve the achievable sum rate maximizing resource optimization problem. In the first stage, user associations are determined based on individual preference lists and the backhaul capacities of the access points (APs).

Quantum Circuit Architecture Search on a Superconducting Processor.

Variational quantum algorithms (VQAs) have shown strong evidence to gain provable computational advantages in diverse fields such as finance, machine learning, and chemistry. However, the heuristic ansatz exploited in modern VQAs is incapable of balancing the trade-off between expressivity and trainability, which may lead to degraded performance when executed on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) machines. To address this issue, here, we demonstrate the first proof-of-principle experiment of applying an efficient automatic ansatz design technique, i.