Deep learning-based inpainting of saturation artifacts in optical coherence tomography images

Limited by the dynamic range of the detector,saturation artifacts usually occur in optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging for high scattering media.The available methods are difficult to remove saturation artifacts and restore texture completely in OCT images.We proposed a deep learning-based inpainting method of saturation artifacts in this paper.The generation mechanism of saturation artifacts was analyzed,and experimental and simulated datasets were built based on the mechanism.Enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial networks were trained by the clear–saturated phantom image pairs.The perfect reconstructed results of experimental zebrafish and thyroid OCT images proved its feasibility,strong generalization,and robustness.

术前临床及原发肿瘤超声影像学特征对散发性甲状腺髓样癌侧颈淋巴结转移预测分析

目的:探讨散发性甲状腺髓样癌(sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma,sMTC)患者侧颈淋巴结转移的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析2011年2月至2017年3月期间就诊于天津医科大学肿瘤医院94例MTC患者的临床及超声特征资料,采用Fisher’s精确检验及Logistic回归分析侧颈淋巴结转移的危险因素。结果:单因素Logistic分析显示,性别(F=5.234,P=0.022)、术前降钙素水平(F=21.327,P<0.001)、最大径(F=5.875,P=0.015)、位置(F=6.088,P=0.014)、肿物性质(F=5.224,P=0.047)、形状(F=8.754,P=0.003)、边缘(F=15.971,P<0.001)均与侧颈区淋巴结转移有显著性差异;多因素分析显示男性、术前降钙素>319 pg/mL、位于上极、边缘不规则、低回声是影响MTC侧颈区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论:男性、术前降钙素>319 pg/mL、位于上极、边缘不规则、低回声与MTC患者侧颈淋巴结转移显著相关,且随着危险因素个数的增多,发生侧颈淋巴结转移概率增加。

Risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a study of 1,587 patients

Objective: The purposes of this study were to identify risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis and to examine the association between BRAF^(V600E) status and clinical features in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC).Methods: A total of 1,587 patients with PTMC, treated in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January2011 to March 2013, underwent retrospective analysis. We reviewed and analyzed factors including clinical results, pathology records, ultrasound results, and BRAF^(V600E) status.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that gender(male) [odds ratio(OR) = 1.845, P = 0.000], age(< 45 years)(OR = 1.606, P = 0.000), tumor size(> 6 mm)(OR = 2.137, P = 0.000), bilateralism(OR = 2.011, P = 0.000) and extrathyroidal extension(OR = 1.555, P = 0.001) served as independent predictors of central lymph node metastasis(CLNM).Moreover, CLNM(OR = 29.354, P = 0.000) served as an independent predictor of lateral lymph node metastasis(LLNM). Among patients with a solitary primary tumor, those with tumor location in the lower third of the thyroid lobe or the isthmus were more likely to experience CLNM(P < 0.05). Univariate analyses indicated that CLNM, LLNM, extrathyroidal extension, and multifocality were not significantly associated with BRAF^(V600E) mutation.Conclusions: The present study suggested that prophylactic neck dissection of the central compartment should be considered in patients with PTMC, particularly in men with tumor size greater than 6 mm, age less than 45 years, extrathyroidal extension, and tumor bilaterality. Among patients with PTMC, BRAF^(V600E) mutation is not significantly associated with prognostic factors. For a better understanding of surgical management of PTMC and the risk factors, we recommend multicenter research and long-term follow-up.

Computing payment for ecosystem services in watersheds: An analysis of the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion in China

Payment for ecosystem services （PES） has attracted considerable attention as an economic incentive for promoting natural resource management recently. As emphasis has been placed on using the incentive-based mechanism by the central government, rapid progress on PES research and practice has been achieved. However PES still faces many difficulties. A key issue is the lack of a fully-fledged theory and method to clearly define the design scope, accounting and feasibility of PES criteria. An improved watershed criteria model was developed in light of research on PES practices in China, investigations on the water source area for the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion and ecosystem services outflows theory. The basic principle of assessment is the direct and opportunity cost for ecological conservation and environmental protection in the water source area deduct nationally-financed PES and internal effect. Then the scope and the criteria methods were determined, and internal effect was put forward to define benefits brought from water source area. Finally, Shiyan City, which is the main water source area for the Project of Water Diversion, was analyzed by this model and its payment was calculated. The results showed that： （1） during 2003–2050, the total direct cost and opportunity cost would reach up to 262.70 billion and 256.33 billion Chinese Yuan （CNY, 2000 constant prices）, i.e., 50.61% and 49.38% of total cost, respectively; （2） Shiyan City would gain 0.23, 0.06 and 0.03 CNY/m3 in 2014–2020, 2021–2030, and 2031–2050, respectively.

Efficient activation of peroxymonosulfate by hollow cobalt hydroxide for degradation of ibuprofen and theoretical study

Hollow microsphere structure cobalt hydroxide(h-Co(OH)2) was synthesized via an optimized solvothermal-hydrothermal process and applied to activate peroxymonosulfate(PMS) for degradation of a typical pharmaceutically active compound,ibuprofen(IBP).The material characterizations confirmed the presence of the microscale hollow spheres with thin nanosheets shell in h-Co(OH)2,and the crystalline phase was assigned to a-Co(OH)2.h-Co(OH)2 could efficiently activate PMS for radicals production,and 98.6% of IBP was degraded at 10 min.The activation of PMS by h-Co(OH)2 was a pHindependent process,and pH 7 was the optimum condition for the activation-degradation system.Scavenger quenching test indicated that the sulfate radical(SO4^·-) was the primary reactive oxygen species for IBP degradation,which contributed to 75.7%.Fukui index(f^-) based on density functional theory(DFT) calculation predicted the active sites of IBP molecule for SO4^·- attack,and then IBP degradation pathway was proposed by means of intermediates identification and theoretical calculation.The developed hollow Co(OH)2 used to efficiently activate PMS is promising and innovative alternative for organic contaminants removal from water and wastewater.