Automatic medical imaging segmentation via self-supervising large-scale convolutional neural networks.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a robust, large-scale deep learning model for medical image segmentation, leveraging self-supervised learning to overcome the limitations of supervised learning and data variability in clinical settings.

Methods And Materials: We curated a substantial multi-center CT dataset for self-supervised pre-training using masked image modeling with sparse submanifold convolution. We designed a series of Sparse Submanifold U-Nets (SS-UNets) of varying sizes and performed self-supervised pre-training.

Effect of abnormal placental cord insertion on hemodynamic change of umbilical cord in a tertiary center: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Our study aims to evaluate the umbilical vein (UV) hemodynamic change in the prenatal cohort of pregnancies diagnosed with abnormal placental cord insertion (aPCI).

Methods: From January 2022 to December 2022, the fetal umbilical cord insertion site was sonographically examined in singleton fetuses, and umbilical cord blood flow was calculated. The umbilical artery and UV Doppler flow indexes were assessed in cases of normal and abnormal cord insertion.

Multidimensional analysis of the flavor characteristics of yellow peach at different ripening stages: Chemical composition profiling and sensory evaluation.

The flavor evolution of yellow peaches during ripening was investigated using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), metabolomics, and electronic sensoristic techniques. Of the 41 volatiles quantified, 13 increased the intensity of the aroma based on the odor activity values (OAVs). Additionally, 142 non-volatile compounds were identified.

Transition state theoretical modelling of molecular diffusion within the narrow pores of brewsterite zeolite.

Context: Based on the transition state theory, a molecular diffusion model in the narrow channels of Brewsterite zeolite was established. In this model, the molecular interaction at the potential barrier was simplified to only consider the repulsive potential, so that the analytical relationship between the diffusion coefficient and the temperature and the Lennard-Jones interaction parameter was derived. We used the molecular dynamics method to simulate the diffusion of four molecules, CF, CH, Ar, and Ne, in Brewsterite zeolite and evaluated the rationality of the model.

A Comparison of Short-Term Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Pulsed Radiofrequency in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Objective: To compare the application effects of short-term peripheral nerve stimulation (st-PNS) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) technology in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 127 PHN patients from our hospital. Based on the treatment interventions received, patients were divided into a control group (n=63, treated with PRF) and an observation group (n=64, treated with st-PNS).

Exploration of an adaptive proton therapy strategy using CBCT with the concept of digital twins.

This study aims to develop a digital twin (DT) framework to achieve adaptive proton prostate stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with fast treatment plan selection and patient-specific clinical target volume (CTV) setup uncertainty. Prostate SBRT has emerged as a leading option for external beam radiotherapy due to its effectiveness and reduced treatment duration. However, interfractional anatomy variations can impact treatment outcomes.

Mitochondria-Nucleus Migration Probe for Ultrasensitive Monitoring of mtDNA Damage in Living Cells.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage is a prevalent phenomenon that has been proven to be implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases. However, the progressive attenuation of probe signals in response to mtDNA damage within living cells inherently limits the sensitivity and precision of current probes for detecting mtDNA damage. Herein, we employ an innovative organelle signal ratio imaging approach, utilizing the mitochondria-nucleus migration probe MCQ, to achieve unparalleled sensitivity in detecting mtDNA damage in living cells.

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis: Case report and literature review.

Introduction: This case report discusses the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis, and reviews the literature of similar cases, providing important reference for the diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease.

Case Presentation: Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare condition characterized by calcium deposition in the skin of the scrotum. We present a case of a 67-year-old male patient with idiopathic scrotal calcinosis, a rare condition characterized by calcium deposition in the skin of the scrotum.

T1-contrast enhanced MRI generation from multi-parametric MRI for glioma patients with latent tumor conditioning.

Background: Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are commonly used in MRI scans of patients with gliomas to enhance brain tumor characterization using T1-weighted (T1W) MRI. However, there is growing concern about GBCA toxicity. This study develops a deep-learning framework to generate T1-postcontrast (T1C) from pre-contrast multiparametric MRI.

Knockdown of the ZcVgR Gene Alters the Expression of Genes Related to Reproduction and Lifespan in Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) Under Extreme Heat Conditions.

Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) is an important migratory vegetable pest. Previous research has demonstrated that short-term high temperatures induce differential expression of the vitellogenin receptor (ZcVgR) gene, reducing the number of eggs laid and the lifespan of female Z. cucurbitae.

CARM1-induced lncRNA NEAT1 synchronously activates MYCN and GalNAcT-I to accelerate the progression of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in progression of neuroblastoma (NB). LncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been shown to affect the development of multiple tumors. However, the effect of NEAT1 on NB remain unclear.

Bright "D-A-D" semiconducting small molecule aggregates for NIR-II fluorescence bioimaging guiding photothermal therapy.

Donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) semiconducting small molecule nanoparticles have emerged as high-performance NIR-II fluorophores for real-time bioimaging. However, due to their intrinsic defects in aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and "energy gap law", D-A-D semiconducting small molecule nanoparticles typically exhibit low NIR-II fluorescence quantum yields (QYs). Herein, both the strategies of aggregation induced emission (AIE) and intermolecular charge transfer (CT) have been incorporated into the design of new D-A-D semiconducting small molecules.

Perspective: Pathological transdifferentiation-a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation.

Pathological transdifferentiation, where differentiated cells aberrantly transform into other cell types that exacerbate disease rather than promote healing, represents a novel and significant concept. This perspective discusses its role and potential targeting in cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation. Current therapies mainly focus on mitigating early inflammatory response through proinflammatory cytokines and pathways targeting, including corticosteroids, TNF-α inhibitors, IL-1β monoclonal antibodies and blockers, IL-6 blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), along with modulating innate immune memory (trained immunity).

Realizing real-time optical molecular imaging in peripheral nerve tissue via Rhodamine B.

Background: Iatrogenic nerve injury is a consequential complication during surgery. Thus, real-time imaging of peripheral nerve (PN) possesses significant clinical implications. In recent years, the rapid advancements in optical molecular imaging (OMI) technology have provided essential technical foundations for the implementation of PN fluorescence imaging.

Application of β-Keto Acylpyrazoles as 2C Synthons in Asymmetric Cyclizations of -Hydroxychalcones: Stereoselective Construction of -3,4-Dihydrocoumarins.

An asymmetric tandem esterification/Michael addition reaction of β-keto acylpyrazoles with -hydroxychalcones has been established under the catalysis of a bifunctional squaramide-tertiary amine. A wide variety of biorelevant 3,4-dihydrocoumarin derivatives were generally obtained in high yields (up to 93%) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (>19:1 dr, up to 93% ee) under mild reaction conditions. This reaction represents the successful application of β-keto acylpyrazoles as 2C building blocks in catalytic asymmetric cyclizations.

SpyFixer enables efficient site-specific immobilization for protein-protein interaction analysis and antibody purification.

Traditional methods of protein immobilization often result in activity loss due to random coupling. This study introduces SpyFixer, a variant of SpyCatcher that achieves over 99% efficient site-specific protein immobilization. We applied SpyFixer on two platforms: bio-layer interferometry (BLI) for protein-protein interaction analysis and epoxy agarose resin for antibody purification.

Sub-acute stroke demonstrates altered beta oscillation and connectivity pattern in working memory.

Introduction: Working memory (WM) is suggested to play a pivotal role in relearning and neural restoration during stroke rehabilitation. Using EEG, this study investigated the oscillatory mechanisms of WM in subacute stroke.

Methods: This study included 48 first subacute stroke patients (26 good-recovery, 22 poor-recovery, based on prognosis after a 4-week period) and 24 matched health controls.

Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation alleviates NLRP3-related neuroinflammation induced by ischemic stroke via regulation of the Nespas/miR-383-3p/SHP2 pathway.

Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating brain injury in animal models. In this study, the effects and mechanisms of tFUS on ischemic stroke were explored in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. Low-intensity tFUS was administered to the ischemic hemisphere 24 h post-MCAO for seven consecutive days.

Manipulating C-C coupling pathway in electrochemical CO reduction for selective ethylene and ethanol production over single-atom alloy catalyst.

Manipulation C-C coupling pathway is of great importance for selective CO electroreduction but remain challenging. Herein, two model Cu-based catalysts, by modifying Cu nanowires with Ag nanoparticles (AgCu NW) and Ag single atoms (AgCu NW), respectively, are rationally designed for exploring the C-C coupling mechanisms in electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR). Compared to AgCu NW, the AgCu NW exhibits a more than 10-fold increase of C selectivity in CO reduction to ethanol, with ethanol-to-ethylene ratio increased from 0.