Multi-modality measurement and comprehensive analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma using synchrotron-based microscopy and spectroscopy

The visualization and data mining of tumor multidimensional information may play a major role in the analysis of the growth,metastasis,and microenvironmental changes of tumors while challenging traditional imaging and data processing techniques.In this study,a general trans-scale and multi-modality measurement method was developed for the quantitative diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)using a combination of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography(PPCT),scanning transmission soft X-ray microscopy(STXM),and Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy(FTIR).Our experimental results reveal the trans-scale micro-morpho-logical HCC pathology and facilitate quantitative data analysis and comprehensive assessment.These results include some visualization features of PPCT-based tissue microenvironments,STXM-based cellular fine structures,and FTIR-based bio-macromolecular spectral characteris-tics during HCC tumor differentiation and proliferation.The proposed method provides multidimensional feature data support for constructing a high-accuracy machine learning algorithm based on a gray-level histogram,gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix,gray-level co-occurrence matrix,and back-propagation neural network model.Multi-dimensional information analysis and diagnosis revealed the morphological pathways of HCC pathological evolution and we explored the relationships between HCC-related feature changes in inflammatory microenviron-ments,cellular metabolism,and the stretching vibration peaks of biomolecules of lipids,proteins,and nucleic acids.Therefore,the proposed methodology has strong potential for the visualization of complex tumors and assessing the risks of tumor differentiation and metastasis.

Self-supported Fe_(x)Ni_(1-x)MoO_(4) with synergistic morphology and composition for efficient overall water splitting at large current density

Developing the high activity,low cost and robust large-current-density-based electrocatalysts is of great significance for the industrial electrolytic water splitting.However,the current range of most reported materials is small,which makes it difficult for them to play their roles in practical applications.Here,a self-supported amorphous FexNi1-xMo O4/IF treated with ammonium fluoride (AF_(0.1)-FNMO/IF) is synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method.With the help of NH4F,AF_(0.1)-FNMO/IF exhibits a vertically cross-linked nanosheet with spherical structure.Electrochemical measurement shows that AF_(0.1)-FNMO/IF affords a large current density ordeal and only need low overpotentials of 289 and 345 m V to reach a current response of 500 m A/cm ^(2)for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction,respectively,together with long-time stability (both at 500,1000 and 2000 m A/cm ^(2)) in 1.0 mol/L KOH solution.Using it as bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting,the current densities of 100,500,1000 and1500 m A/cm ^(2)are achieved at a cell voltage of 1.71,1.88,1.94 and 1.97 V with excellent durability,which is much better than that of most published electrodes.The work provides valuable insight for designing higher activity nickel iron-based molybdate catalysts with large current density.

Comparison of Positron Emission Tomography Using 2-[^18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and 3-deoxy-3-[^18F]-fluorothymidine in Lung Cancer Imaging

Background： The detection of solitary pulmonary nodules （SPNs） that may potentially develop into a malignant lesion is essential for early clinical interventions. However, grading classification based on computed tomography （CT） imaging results remains a significant challenge. The 2-[^18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose （^18F-FDG） positron emission tomography （PET）/CT imaging produces both false-positive and false-negative findings for the diagnosis of SPNs. In this study, we compared 18F-FDG and 3-deoxy-3-[^18F]-fluorothymidine （^18F-FLT） in lung cancer PET/CT imaging. Methods： The binding ratios of the two tracers to A549 lung cancer cells were calculated. The mouse lung cancer model was established （n = 12）, and micro-PET/CT analysis using the two tracers was performed. Images using the two tracers were collected from 55 lung cancer patients with SPNs. The correlation among the cell-tracer binding ratios, standardized uptake values （SUVs）, and Ki-67 proliferation marker expression were investigated. Results： The cell-tracer binding ratio for the A549 cells using the ^18F-FDG was greater than the ratio using 18F-FLT （P 〈 0.05）. The Ki-67 expression showed a significant positive correlation with the ^18F-FLT binding ratio （r = 0.824, P〈 0.01）. The tumor-to-nontumor uptake ratio of ^18F-FDG imaging in xenografts was higher than that of ^18F-FLT imaging. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the accuracy of ^18F-FDG for lung cancer were 89%, 67%, and 73%, respectively. Moreover, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the accuracy of ^18F-FLT for lung cancer were 71%, 79%, and 76%, respectively. There was an obvious positive correlation between the lung cancer Ki-67 expression and the mean maximum SUV of ^18F-FDG and ^18F-FLT （r = 0.658, P〈 0.05 and r = 0.724, P〈 0.01, respectively）. Conclusions： The ^18F-FDG uptake ratio is higher than that of ^18F-FLT in A549 cells at the cellular level.^18F-FLT imaging might be superior for the quantitative diagnosis of lung tumor tissue and could distinguish lung cancer nodules from other SPNs.

nfluence of Marital Status on the Quality of Life of Chinese Adult Patients with Epilepsy

Background： Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures and has significant psychological and social consequence for everyday living. Epilepsy affects various aspects of ones＇ social life. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of marital status on the quality of life of adult Chinese patients with epilepsy. Methods： This study surveyed 805 Chinese adults who have been clinically diagnosed with epilepsy for longer than 1 year in 11 hospitals in Beijing. In this survey, 532 （66.1%） participants were married. All of them completed the case report form with enquiries on demographic data, social factors, and illness. The marriage status of adult epileptic quality of life was the dependent variable, and demographic data and clinical data were independent variables, analyzed through the multiple linear regression analysis methods. The patients＇ quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in patients with Epilepsy-31 items （QOLIE-31） questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items （PHQ-9）, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items （GAD-7）. Results： The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores in the unmarried group （PHQ-9 = 6.0 and GAD-7 = 5.0） were significantly higher than that of the married group （PHQ-9 = 4.0 and GAD-7 =3.0）. The scores of married adult patients with epilepsy on QOLIE （61.8 ±15.3） and social function （70.9 ± 22.7） were higher than the scores of the unmarried patients aged between 20 and 44 years. The scores of married adult epileptics on the QOLIE （58,4 ± 14.6） and the energy/fatigue （62.1 ± 20.4） were higher than the scores of the unmarried patients （QOLIE = 58.4 ± 14.6 and the energy/fatigue = 62.1 ±20.4） aged between 45 and 59 years. For the adult epilepsy patients, depression, anxiety, seizures within the last year, disease course, medical expense category, and marriage＊ age are negatively correlated with the quality of life. Occupation, educational level, and average monthly income are closely related to the quality of life. Conclusions： Married adult epileptic patients have better quality of life than that of unmarried adult patients in young and middle-aged age groups. Unmarried adult patients with epilepsy are more anxious and depressed than married adult patients.

Whispering-gallery mode hexagonal micro-/nanocavity lasers [Invited]

Whispering-gallery-mode(WGM) hexagonal optical micro-/nanocavities can be utilized as high-quality(Q) resonators for realizing compact-size low-threshold lasers. In this paper, the progress in WGM hexagonal micro-/nanocavity lasers is reviewed comprehensively. High-Q WGMs in hexagonal cavities are divided into two kinds of resonances propagating along hexagonal and triangular periodic orbits, with distinct mode characteristics according to theoretical analyses and numerical simulations;however, WGMs in a wavelength-scale nanocavity cannot be well described by the ray model. Hexagonal micro-/nanocavity lasers can be constructed by both bottom-up and top-down processes, leading to a diversity of these lasers. The ZnO-or nitride-based semiconductor material generally has a wurtzite crystal structure and typically presents a natural hexagonal cross section. Bottom-up growth guarantees smooth surface faceting and hence reduces the scattering loss effectively.Laser emissions have been successfully demonstrated in hexagonal micro-/nanocavities synthesized with various materials and structures. Furthermore, slight deformation can be easily introduced and precisely controlled in top-down fabrication, which allows lasing-mode manipulation. WGM lasing with excellent singletransverse-mode property was realized in waveguide-coupled ideal and deformed hexagonal microcavity lasers.

Widely tunable single-mode lasers based on a hybrid square/rhombus-rectangular microcavity

Hybrid square/rhombus-rectangular lasers(HSRRLs) consisting of a Fabry–Perot(FP) cavity and a square/rhombus microcavity(SRM) are proposed and demonstrated for realizing single-mode lasing with a wide wavelength tuning range. The SRM is a deformed square microcavity with a vertex extended to the FP cavity to control the coupled mode field pattern in the FP cavity. Single-mode operation with a side-mode suppression ratio(SMSR) over 45.3 dB is realized, and a wide wavelength tuning range of 21 nm with SMSR >35 dB is further demonstrated by adjusting the injection currents of the SRM and the FP cavity simultaneously. Furthermore, a 3-dB modulation bandwidth of 14.1 GHz and an open-eye diagram at 35 Gb/s are demonstrated for the HSRRL.

nfluence of Occupational Status on the Quality of Life o Chinese Adult Patients with Epilepsy

Background： Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of occupational status on the quality of life of Chinese adult patients with epilepsy. Methods： This study surveyed 819 subjects clinically diagnosed with epilepsy for more than 1 year in 11 hospitals in Beijing; 586 were employed （71.55%）. All subjects completed the case report form with inquiries on demographic data, social factors, and illness. The patients＇ quality of life was assessed using the quality of life in patients with epilepsy-31 items （QOLIE-31） questionnaire. Results： The QOLIE-31 score in the employed group was significantly higher than that in the unemployed group. Furthermore, the scores in all the sections （overall quality of life, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, seizure worry, cognition, social function, and medication effects） of the employed group were higher than those of the unemployed group. Both the employed and unemployed groups achieved the highest difference in social function. The QOLIE-31 score of students was higher than those of farmers and workers. Both the students and workers scored higher in the quality of life compared with the adult peasants living with epilepsy. The students and farmers showed significant differences in QOL1E-31 score, cognition, emotional well-being, overall quality of life, energy/fatigue, and social function. In contrast, no significant difference was noted in seizure worry and medication effects across the three different kinds of occupation. Conclusion： Occupational status might affect the quality of life of Chinese adult patients with epilepsy, and social function is the most important contributing factor.

Relative intensity noise in high-speed hybrid square-rectangular lasers

Relative intensity noise(RIN) and high-speed modulation characteristics are investigated for an Al Ga In As/In P hybrid square-rectangular laser(HSRL) with square side length, rectangular length, and width of 15,300, and 2 μm, respectively. Single-mode operation with side-mode suppression larger than 40 dB has been realized for the HSRL over wide variation of the injection currents. In addition, the HSRL exhibits a 3 dB modulation bandwidth of 15.5 GHz, and an RIN nearly approaches standard quantum shot-noise limit 2 hv∕P=-164 dB∕Hz at high bias currents due to the strong mode selection of the square microcavity. With the increase of the DC bias current of the Fabry–Perot section, significantly enhanced modulation bandwidth and decreased RIN are observed.Furthermore, intrinsic parameters such as resonance frequency, damping factor, and modified Schawlow–Townes linewidth are extracted from the noise spectra.