Preoperatively predicting vessels encapsulating tumor clusters in hepatocellular carcinoma:Machine learning model based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography

BACKGROUND Recently,vessels encapsulating tumor clusters(VETC)was considered as a distinct pattern of tumor vascularization which can primarily facilitate the entry of the whole tumor cluster into the bloodstream in an invasion independent manner,and was regarded as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To develop and validate a preoperative nomogram using contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT)to predict the presence of VETC+in HCC.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 190 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC who underwent CECT scanning and immunochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 34 at two medical centers.Radiomics analysis was conducted on intratumoral and peritumoral regions in the portal vein phase.Radiomics features,essential for identifying VETC+HCC,were extracted and utilized to develop a radiomics model using machine learning algorithms in the training set.The model’s performance was validated on two separate test sets.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis was employed to compare the identified performance of three models in predicting the VETC status of HCC on both training and test sets.The most predictive model was then used to constructed a radiomics nomogram that integrated the independent clinical-radiological features.ROC and decision curve analysis were used to assess the performance characteristics of the clinical-radiological features,the radiomics features and the radiomics nomogram.RESULTS The study included 190 individuals from two independent centers,with the majority being male(81%)and a median age of 57 years(interquartile range:51-66).The area under the curve(AUC)for the combined radiomics features selected from the intratumoral and peritumoral areas were 0.825,0.788,and 0.680 in the training set and the two test sets.A total of 13 features were selected to construct the Rad-score.The nomogram,combining clinicalradiological and combined radiomics features could accurately predict VETC+in all three sets,with AUC values of 0.859,0.848 and 0.757.Decision curve analysis revealed that the radiomics nomogram was more clinically useful than both the clinical-radiological feature and the combined radiomics models.CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the potential utility of a CECT-based radiomics nomogram,incorporating clinicalradiological features and combined radiomics features,in the identification of VETC+HCC.

miR-15b-5p targeting amyloid precursor protein is involved in the anti-amyloid eflect of curcumin in swAPP695-HEK293 cells

Curcumin exerts a neuroprotective effect on Alzheimer’s disease;however,it is not known whether microRNAs are involved in this protective effect.This study was conducted using swAPP695-HEK293 cells as an Alzheimer’s disease cell model.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were treated with 0,0.5,1,2,5,and 10μM curcumin for 24 hours.The changes in miR-15b-5p,miR-19a-3p,miR-195-5p,miR-101-3p,miR-216b-5p,miR-16-5p and miR-185-5p expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA and protein levels of amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were transfected with miR-15b-5p mimic,or treated with 1μM curcumin 24 hours before miR-15b-5p inhibitor transfection.The effects of curcumin on amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 levels were evaluated by western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Luciferase assays were used to analyze the interaction between miR-15b-5p and the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.The results show that amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βexpression were enhanced in swAPP695-HEK293 cells compared with HEK293 parental cells.Curcumin suppressed the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βand up-regulated the expression of miR-15b-5p in swAPP695-HEK293 cells.In addition,we found a negative association of miR-15b-5p expression with amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βlevels in the curcumin-treated cells.Luciferase assays revealed that miR-15b-5p impaired the luciferase activity of the plasmid harboring the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.These findings indicate that curcumin down-regulates the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βin swAPP695-HEK293 cells,which was partially mediated by miR-15b-5p via targeting of the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.

High RF power tests of the first 1.3 GHz fundamental power coupler prototypes for the SHINE project

The Shanghai High Repetition Rate XFEL and Extreme Light Facility(SHINE)project will use 6001.3 GHz fundamental power couplers,which are modified based on TTF-Ⅲ power couplers,for continuous-wave operation with input power up to approximately 7 kW.The first batch of 20 sets of 1.3 GHz coupler prototypes was fabricated from three domestic manufacturers for the SHINE project.To better characterize the radio frequency conditioning phenomena for validating the performance of power couplers,a room temperature test stand was designed,constructed,and commissioned for the SHINE 1.3 GHz power couplers.In addition,a horizontal test cryostat was built to test the 1.3 GHz superconducting cavities,fundamental power couplers,tuners,and other components as a set.The results of these tests indicate that the 1.3 GHz couplers are capable of handling up to 14 kW continuous waves.Herein,the main aspects of the radio frequency design and construction of the test stand,along with the test results of the high-power conditioning of the 1.3 GHz couplers,are described.

Design optimization of 3.9GHz fundamental power coupler for the SHINE project

The third harmonic superconducting cryomodule is being designed for the Shanghai High repetition rate XFEL and Extreme light facility(SHINE)project,which is under construction.In contrast to the European X-ray Free Electron Laser(E-XFEL)project,the 3.9 GHz cryomodules in the SHINE project will operate in the continuous wave regime with higher radio frequency average power for both cavities and couplers.We propose a 3.9 GHz fundamental power coupler with an adjustable antenna length,for satisfying the SHINE project requirements.Here,we describe the 3.9 GHz fundamental power coupler's design considerations and power requirements for various operating modes of the SHINE Linac.We also present the results of the radio frequency simulation and optimization,including the studies on multipacting and thermal analysis of the proposed 3.9 GHz coupler.

Associations between the use of red yeast rice preparations and adverse health outcomes:An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

Background:Red yeast rice(RYR),a natural lipid-lowering agent,is widely used in clinical practice.However,the existing meta-analyses concerning the safety of RYR preparations have yielded inconsistent results,and the credibility of the evidence has not been quantified.Objective:This study was designed to evaluate the existing evidence and offer a comprehensive understanding of the associations between the use of RYR preparations and various adverse health outcomes.Search strategy:Seven literature databases were searched from inception to May 5,2023,using medical subject headings and free-text terms(e.g.,“red yeast rice,”“Xuezhikang,”and“Zhibitai”).Inclusion criteria:Meta-analyses that investigated and quantitatively estimated associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were included in this study.Data extraction and analysis:Two researchers independently extracted data using a standardized data collection table;any disagreements were resolved by consulting a third researcher.Based on the participant,intervention,comparator and outcome(PICO)framework in each eligible meta-analysis,a series of unique associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were determined.The associations’effect estimates were re-evaluated using random-effect models.Results:Fifteen meta-analyses,comprising 186(164 unique)randomized controlled trials,were identified.Based on A Mea Surement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews version 2,3(20%)and 12(80%)of these meta-analyses had low and critically low confidence,respectively.A total of 61 unique associations between the use of RYR preparations and adverse health outcomes were extracted from eligible metaanalyses.Based on the random-effect models,10(16.4%)associations indicated a significant protective effect of RYR preparations against adverse health outcomes,while 5(8.2%)indicated an increased risk of adverse health outcomes related to uric acid,alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels.The other 46(75.4%)associations showed no significant difference between the use of RYR preparations and control treatments.Regarding the credibility of the evidence,21(34.4%),34(55.7%)and 6(9.8%)associations showed moderate,low and very low credibility,respectively.Conclusion:The evidence examined in this study suggests that RYR preparations are safe;however,the credibility of the evidence was not high.Further high-quality evidence is required.

Epidemiological characteristics of central nervous system tumors in children: a 5-year review of 3180 cases from Beijing Tiantan Hospital

Background:To describe the epidemiological characteristics of central nervous system(CNS)tumors in children,based on the neurosurgery department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2019,3180 children were histopathologically diagnosed with CNS tumors based on the 2016 World Health Organization(WHO)classification of tumors.Patients were 0 to 15 years old.We analyzed age-related gender preferences,tumor locations,and the histological grades of the tumors.In addition,the epidemiological characteristics of the five most common intracranial tumors were compared to the previous studies.Results:In this study,intracranial and spinal tumors account for 96.4%(3066)and 3.6%(114)of all tumors,with a preponderance of supratentorial tumors(57.9%).Among all pediatric patients,low-grade tumors comprise 67.1%(2135).The integral gender ratio of males to females is 1.47:1 and the average age of patients is 7.59 years old.The five most common intracranial tumors are craniopharyngioma(15.4%),medulloblastoma(14.3%),pilocytic astrocytoma(11.8%),diffuse astrocytoma(9.8%),and anaplastic ependymoma(4.8%).Conclusions:Due to the lack of national data on childhood brain tumors,we used a large nationally representative population sample based on the largest pediatric neurosurgery center in China.We analyzed the data of the past 5 years,reflecting the incidence of CNS tumors in Chinese children to a certain extent,and laying a data foundation for subsequent clinical studies.

CsPbI_(2)Br epitaxial shell for efficient PbS quantum dot solar cells

Lead sulfide quantum dots(PbS QDs)are promising candidates for high-performance solar cells due to their tunable bandgaps and low-cost solution processing.However,low carrier mobility and numerous surface defects restrict the performance of the fabricated solar cells.Herein,we report the synthesis of novel PbS-perovskite core-shell QDs to solve the low carrier mobility problem of PbS QDs via a facile hot injection method.CsPbI_(2)Br shell enabled strain-free epitaxial growth on the surface of PbS QDs because of 98%lattice match.Our results demonstrate a significant improvement in the photoluminescence and stability of the synthesized PbS-CsPbI_(2)Br QDs upon shell formation,attributed to the effective suppression of surface defects by the epitaxial shell of CsPbI_(2)Br.As a result,the obtained solar cell based on PbS-CsPbI_(2)Br core-shell QD exhibits a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 8.43%,two times higher than that of pristine PbS QDs.Overall,the construction of PbS-CsPbI_(2)Br core-shell structures represent a promising strategy for advancing the performance of PbS QDs-based optoelectronic devices.