Development of a Nomogram Based on Clinicopathological and Biological Features to Predict Neck Lymph Node Metastasis in Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Clinicopathological and biological features are associated with neck lymph node metastasis (LNM) of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC). However, there is no complete nomogram combining multiple factors that can be used to accurately predict the neck LNM status for HSCC patients. Purpose: To guide the selection of surgical methods and radiotherapy areas for hypopharyngeal cancer. In this study, a nomogram was developed to combine these risk factors to predict neck LNM and guide the treatment of HSCC. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 117 patients (training cohort, 64 patients;trial cohort, 53 patients). Biological characteristics of HSCC patients were assessed using immunohistochemical staining, and data of patient age, gender, and preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan reports were collected. Significant risk factors in univariate analysis were further identified to be independent variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis, which were then incorporated in and presented with a nomogram by using the rms package in R software. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves were used to validate the discrimination and accuracy in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, and clinical usefulness was verified in decision curve analysis curves. Results: All variables with P-values < 0.2 in the univariate analysis were selected for multivariate logistic regression analysis to further identify independent risk factors for neck LNM. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables with P-values < 0.2 were identified as independent risk factors and then used to construct the nomogram. In total, five independent predictors, including the maximum tumor diameter in CT, tumor cell differentiation, LNM status in CT, Stathmin1 expression level, and lymphatic vessel invasion were included in the nomogram. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.916 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.833 - 1.000) and AUC of 0.928 (95% CI, 0.864 - 1.000) in internal validation and the external validation. Conclusions: Both the internal validation in the training cohort and the external validation in the validation cohort showed that the nomogram had good discrimination, accuracy, and excellent clinical usefulness. The nomogram based on clinicopathological and biological features developed in this study has strong predictive power and could be used to predict neck LNM of HSCC in clinical practice.

Research on fractal characteristics of primary phase morphology in semi-solid A356 alloy

Semi-solid slurry of A356 alloy was prepared by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring, and the fractal characteristics of morphology in semi-solid primary phase was researched. The fractal dimensions of primary phase morphology in the semi-solid A356 alloy were calculated by the program written to calculate the fractal dimensions of box-counting in the image of solid phase morphology in semi-solid metal slurry. The results indicated that the morphology of primary phase in semi-solid A356 prepared by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring is characterized by fractal dimension, and the primary phase morphology obtained by the different processing parameters has different fractal dimensions. The morphology of primary phase at the different position of ingot has different fractal dimensions, which reflected the effect of solidified conditions at different positions in the same ingot on the morphology of semi-solid primary phase. Solidification of semi-solid alloy is a course of change in fractal dimension.

Defective NH_(2)-UiO-66(Zr) effectively converting CO_(2) into cyclic carbonate under ambient pressure,solvent-free and co-catalyst-free conditions

In this study,a series of metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)NH_(2)-UiO-66-x HAc catalysts were synthesized by solvothermal method using acetic acid(HAc)as a modulator,and were applied to the cycloaddition of CO_(2)and epichlorohydrin(EPIC)under ambient pressure.Influences of the modulation by HAc on morphologies and structures of the MOFs are demonstrated via PXRD,FESEM,FTIR,N_(2)adsorption-desorption,XPS and ^(1)H NMR characterizations.The results show that the MOFs containing mesoporous pores can be prepared by adjusting the concentration of HAc.By optimizing the amount of HAc added,the specific surface area of NH_(2)-UiO-66-8 HAc is as high as 879.17 m^(2)·g^(-1),which is 28.3%higher than that of the original MOFs.And the evaluation of catalytic performance showed that HAc modulation enhanced the activity of NH_(2)-UiO-66-x HAc under mild conditions.The exposure of Lewis acid sites,increased specific surface area and porosity via the modulation of HAc defective ligand can be supposed the key factors to determine the enhanced catalytic activities.In addition,considering the influence of gas concentration on the reaction,the concept of TOP(Turnover of Pressure,defined as the mass of conversions of a unit mass catalyst under unit pressure and unit time)was first proposed in this article.