A streamlined U-Net convolution network for medical image processing.

Background: Image segmentation is crucial in medical diagnosis, helping to identify diseased areas in images for more accurate diagnoses. The U-Net model, a convolutional neural network (CNN) widely used for medical image segmentation, has limitations in extracting global features and handling multi-scale pathological information. This study aims to address these challenges by proposing a novel model that enhances segmentation performance while reducing computational demands.

Negative Prognostic Factors and Clinical Improvement Prediction Modeling for ESWT in Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques.

Background: The efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for treating shoulder calcific tendinitis can be influenced by various prognostic factors. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with the failure of ESWT for symptom relief and to evaluate the predictive capability of the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm of artificial intelligence techniques in this context.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with persistent shoulder pain attributed to calcific tendinitis who underwent ESWT after failed conservative treatment between January 1998 and December 2022.

Investigating macro marine litter and beach cleanliness along Southern Vietnam beaches.

Plastic contamination is a major issue for marine ecosystems, with macro-litter posing a growing threat globally. This study assesses macro-marine litter on Vung Tau beaches, Southern Vietnam, providing baseline data for marine litter pollution and identifying critical action plans for plastic control. Survey results showed litter density ranging from 0.

Gasification-MILD combustion technology with ash-sludge recirculation for reducing multi-phase net dioxin discharges from a waste incineration.

This study addresses the challenge of reducing "net" toxic pollutant discharge, specifically dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), while minimizing the energy consumption and costs associated with detoxification. Our research focuses on reintroducing fly ash and scrubber sludge (ASR) into a hazardous waste thermal treatment system equipped with gasification-intense low oxygen dilution (GASMILD) and an advanced air pollution control system (APCS). This approach yielded a remarkable PCDD/F removal efficiency exceeding 99.

Exploring cigarette butts pollution in Vung Tau beaches: A case study in Vietnam.

Cigarette butts (CBs), alongside other plastic items, are widely recognized as a significant source of marine litter in coastal areas worldwide. This research is the first to examine CB pollution, offering valuable insights into its impact across various beaches in Vung Tau, Vietnam. A total of 512 CBs were collected, with an average density of 0.

Comparative Analysis of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Bisphosphonate, and Wharton Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Preserving Bone and Cartilage Integrity and Modulating IL31, IL33, and BMP2 in the Cartilage of Ovariectomized Rat Model.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic inflammatory bone disease characterized by reduced bone structure and strength, leading to increased fracture risk. Effective therapies targeting both bone and cartilage are limited. This study compared the therapeutic effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), bisphosphonate (Aclasta), and human Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) in a rat model of OP.

Deciphering the Liaison Between Fine Particulate Matter Pollution, Oxidative Stress, and Prostate Cancer: Where Are We Now?

Prostate cancer (PCa), a highly prevalent cancer in men worldwide, is projected to rise in the coming years. As emerging data indicate the carcinogenic effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in lung cancer and other site-specific cancers, there is an urgent need to evaluate the relationship between this environmental risk factor and PCa as a potential target for intervention.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats.

Global pollution stems from the degradation of plastic waste, leading to the generation of microplastics (MPs). While environmental pollutants increase the risk of developing hypertension and kidney disease, the effects of MP exposure on these conditions in children remain unclear. Resveratrol, a phenolic compound known for its antihypertensive and renoprotective properties, has gained attention as a potential nutraceutical.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Interobserver Reliability of Rotator Cuff Tear Detection with Ultrasonography are Improved with Attentional Deep Learning.

Purpose: Improve the accuracy of one-stage object detection by modifying the YOLOv7 with Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), known as YOLOv7-CBAM, which can automatically identify torn or intact rotator cuff tendon to assist physicians in diagnosing rotator cuff lesions through ultrasound.

Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, patients who experienced shoulder pain for over 3 months and had both ultrasound and MRI examinations were categorized into torn and intact group. To ensure balanced training, we included the same number of patients on both groups.

Influence of Renewable Nano-AlO on Engine Characteristics and Health Impact under Variable Injection Timings and Excess Air Coefficients.

Nano-AlO derived from recyclable sources emerges as a promising sustainable solution for enhancing diesel engine efficiency while mitigating emissions. However, a lack of an in-depth understanding of the health hazard aspect still challenges its commercial applications. To this end, nano-AlO/diesel (NAD) blends prepared via ultrasonic homogenization were experimentally and analytically investigated under various injection timings and excess air coefficients to explore the potential of nano-AlO for balancing energy performance and emissions.

A Biomechanical Evaluation of Distal Tilting Implants in All-on-Four Rehabilitation with Mild Mandibular Resorption: A Finite Element Analysis Study.

The geometry of implants plays a crucial role in the success of All-on-Four treatments for the lower jaw. This study builds upon prior research by evaluating the biomechanical performance of implant-supported prostheses in full-arch fixed dental restorations, specifically focusing on different implant lengths and connection types in cases of mild atrophic resorption of the mandible. Four groups were analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA): We utilized 13 or 18 mm posterior 17-degree tilting implants, each paired with two kinds of abutment connections.

Biomarker potential of nuclear Nrf2 activation in the ABC subtype of diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma characterized by distinct subtypes and heterogeneous treatment outcomes. Oxidative stress and the dysregulation of related regulatory genes are prevalent in DLBCL, prompting an investigation into the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling pathway and associated genes. The present study assessed pathological specimens and clinical data from 43 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL, comparing the associations and correlations between the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3B) and nitrotyrosine and the activated B-cell (ABC) and germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtypes of DLBCL using immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis software.

Effects of urinary organophosphate flame retardants in susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children.

Our previous studies have revealed a correlation between urinary phthalates (PAE) metabolites and parabens and PM exposure and susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school-age children. Our goal was to examine the relationships between urinary organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites and the susceptibility to ADHD in the same cohort of children. We recruited 186 school children, including 132 with ADHD and 54 normal controls, living in southern Taiwan to investigate five OPFRs (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP)) and five OPFR metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-chloroethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BCEP), di-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (DBEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) in urine.

Challenges for Family Caregivers of Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study.

Family caregivers of persons with mild cognitive impairment attempt to understand the behavioural and functional changes exhibited by their relative. However, how caregivers respond to initial changes and changes over time has not been explored. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of family caregivers responding to changes in their relative's memory, behaviours, and physical functions over 2 years.

Health-Care Utilisation and Costs of Transition from Paliperidone Palmitate 1-Monthly to 3-Monthly Treatment for Schizophrenia: A Real-World, Retrospective, 24-Month Mirror-Image Study.

Introduction: Poor adherence to antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia is a leading cause of relapse and functional deterioration. Long-acting injectable paliperidone may reduce relapse risks, health-care utilisation, and health-care costs in these patients.

Methods: In this 24-month mirror-image study, we compared health-care utilization and costs before and after the initiation of paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) treatment in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The relationship between cardiovagal baroreflex and cerebral autoregulation in postural orthostatic tachycardia disorder using advanced cross-correlation function.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) presents excessive orthostatic tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance. POTS is a common and therapeutically challenging condition affecting numerous people worldwide. As many disease entities can be confused with POTS, it becomes critical to identify this syndrome.

Revolutionizing microorganism inactivation: Magnetic nanomaterials in sustainable photocatalytic disinfection.

The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and the demand for sustainable water purification methods have spurred research into advanced disinfection, with photocatalysis as a promising approach. This study explores magnetic nanomaterials as catalysts in photocatalytic processes for microorganism inactivation. Magnetic nanoparticles and composites, due to their unique properties, are promising for enhancing photocatalytic disinfection.

Effect of Purified Resveratrol Butyrate Ester Monomers against Hypertension after Maternal High-Fructose Intake in Adult Offspring.

Background: Offspring hypertension arising from adverse maternal conditions can be mitigated through dietary nutritional supplementation, including resveratrol. Previously, we identified derivatives of resveratrol butyrate ester (RBE), specifically 3,4'-di-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED2) and 3-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED4), demonstrating their superior antioxidant capabilities compared to RBE itself. This study sought to assess the protective impact of maternal supplementation with ED2 or ED4 on offspring hypertension in a rat model subjected to a high-fructose (HF) diet during pregnancy and lactation.

Study of the Characteristics of BaSrTiMnO-Film Resistance Random Access Memory Devices.

In this study, BaSrTiMnO ceramics were fabricated by a novel ball milling technique followed by spin-coating to produce thin-film resistive memories. Measurements were made using field emission scanning electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes, X-ray diffractometers, and precision power meters to observe, analyze, and calculate surface microstructures, roughness, crystalline phases, half-height widths, and memory characteristics. Firstly, the effect of different sintering methods with different substitution ratios of Mn for Ti was studied.

Clinical, sonographic, and molecular changes in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder following extracorporeal shockwave therapy: a prospective case-control study.

Background: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is the primary treatment for calcific tendinitis of the shoulders, but what are the effects of clinical, sonographic, and molecular markers following ESWT in treating calcific tendinitis of the shoulder?

Methods: Twenty-eight patients were categorized into radiodense and radiolucent subgroups. In addition, clinical assessments included the visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant-Murley (CM) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, sonographic evaluation, and serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The participants completed a 1-year follow-up.

Association of antipsychotic formulations with sudden cardiac death in patients with schizophrenia: A nationwide population-based case-control study.

The aim of this study was to clarify the association between various antipsychotic formulations-oral-daily antipsychotics (OAPs), long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs), and their combination-and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We conducted a nationwide population-based case-control study using data from 2011 to 2020 from the National Health Insurance Research Database and multiple-cause-of-death data from Taiwan. The study included patients with a new diagnosis of schizophrenia who were followed for SCD occurrence until 2020.

Safety and Tolerability of Anti-microRNA-328 Ophthalmic Solution, SHJ002, in Pediatric Subjects: First-in-Human Clinical Study.

Purpose: microRNA-328 has been reported as a risk factor for myopia development. SHJ002 is an antisense for microRNA-328, and SHJ002 was formulated as ophthalmic solution for a novel microRNA therapy. We aimed to investigate the safety and tolerability of SHJ002 ophthalmic solution in children.