A Transparent Photoresist Made of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Embedded Acrylic Resin with a Tunable Refractive Index for UV-Imprint Lithography

Transparent photoresists with a high refractive index(RI)and high transmittance in visible wavelengths have promising functionalities in optical fields.This work reports a kind of tunable optical material composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in acrylic resin with a high RI for ultraviolet(UV)-imprint lithography.The hybrid film exhibits a tunable RI of up to 1.67(589 nm)after being cured by UV light,while maintaining both a high transparency of over 98%in the visible light range and a low haze of less than 0.05%.The precision machining of optical microstructures can be imprinted easily and efficiently using the hybrid resin,which acts as a light guide plate(LGP)to guide the light from the side to the top in order to conserve the energy of the display device.These preliminary studies based on both laboratory and commercial experiments pave the way for exploiting the unparalleled optical properties of nanocomposite resins and promoting their industrial application.

Method for evaluation of geological strength index of carbonate cliff rocks:Coupled hyperspectral-digital borehole image technique

The deterioration of unstable rock mass raised interest in evaluating rock mass quality.However,the traditional evaluation method for the geological strength index(GSI)primarily emphasizes the rock structure and characteristics of discontinuities.It ignores the influence of mineral composition and shows a deficiency in assessing the integrity coefficient.In this context,hyperspectral imaging and digital panoramic borehole camera technologies are applied to analyze the mineral content and integrity of rock mass.Based on the carbonate mineral content and fissure area ratio,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient are calculated to improve the GSI evaluation method.According to the results of mineral classification and fissure identification,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient increase with the depth of rock mass.The rock mass GSI calculated by the improved method is mainly concentrated between 40 and 60,which is close to the calculation results of the traditional method.The GSI error rates obtained by the two methods are mostly less than 10%,indicating the rationality of the hyperspectral-digital borehole image coupled evaluation method.Moreover,the sensitivity of the fissure area ratio(Sr)to GSI is greater than that of the strength reduction factor(a),which means the proposed GSI is suitable for rocks with significant fissure development.The improved method reduces the influence of subjective factors and provides a reliable index for the deterioration evaluation of rock mass.

Spectral purification improves monitoring accuracy of the comprehensive growth evaluation index for film-mulched winter wheat

In order to further improve the utility of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)remote-sensing for quickly and accurately monitoring the growth of winter wheat under film mulching, this study examined the treatments of ridge mulching,ridge–furrow full mulching, and flat cropping full mulching in winter wheat.Based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method, four agronomic parameters (leaf area index, above-ground biomass, plant height, and leaf chlorophyll content) were used to calculate the comprehensive growth evaluation index (CGEI) of the winter wheat, and 14 visible and near-infrared spectral indices were calculated using spectral purification technology to process the remote-sensing image data of winter wheat obtained by multispectral UAV.Four machine learning algorithms, partial least squares, support vector machines, random forests, and artificial neural network networks(ANN), were used to build the winter wheat growth monitoring model under film mulching, and accuracy evaluation and mapping of the spatial and temporal distribution of winter wheat growth status were carried out.The results showed that the CGEI of winter wheat under film mulching constructed using the FCE method could objectively and comprehensively evaluate the crop growth status.The accuracy of remote-sensing inversion of the CGEI based on the ANN model was higher than for the individual agronomic parameters, with a coefficient of determination of 0.75,a root mean square error of 8.40, and a mean absolute value error of 6.53.Spectral purification could eliminate the interference of background effects caused by mulching and soil, effectively improving the accuracy of the remotesensing inversion of winter wheat under film mulching, with the best inversion effect achieved on the ridge–furrow full mulching area after spectral purification.The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for the use of UAV remote-sensing to monitor the growth status of winter wheat with film mulching.

Fabrication of UV-Curing Linalool-Polysiloxane Hybrid Films with High Refractive Index and Transparency

In this article,a series of high refractive indices(1.50-1.53)thiol phenyl polysiloxane(TPS)were synthesized via hydrolytic sol-gel reaction.The Fourier transform infrared spectra(FT-IR)and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra(NMR)results showed that TPS conformed to the predicted structures.Natural terpene linalool was exploited as photocrosslinker to fabricate UV-curing linalool-polysiloxane hybrid films(LPH)with TPS via photoinitiated thiol-ene reaction.LPH rapidly cured under UV irradiation at the intensity of 80 mW/cm^(2) in 30 s,exhibiting good UV-curing properties.The optical transmittance of LPH in the wavelength of 300-800 nm was over 90%,exhibiting good optical transparency.The water contact angle and water vapor permeability results showed that the introduction of phenyl groups enhance the hydrophobicity and water vapor barrier properties of LPH.The results indicated the potential of LPHs in the applications of optical functional coatings.

Three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index and choroidal thickness in fellow eyes of acute and chronic primary angle-closure using swept-source optical coherence tomography

AIM:To compare the three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index(CVI)and choroidal thickness between fellow eyes of acute primary angle-closure(F-APAC)and chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma(F-CPACG)and the eyes of normal controls.METHODS:This study included 37 patients with unilateral APAC,37 with asymmetric CPACG without prior treatment,and 36 healthy participants.Using swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT),the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness and three-dimensional CVI were measured and compared globally and sectorally.Pearson’s correlation analysis and multivariate regression models were used to evaluate choroidal thickness or CVI with related factors.RESULTS:The mean subfoveal CVIs were 0.35±0.10,0.33±0.09,and 0.29±0.04,and the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness were 315.62±52.92,306.22±59.29,and 262.69±45.55μm in the F-APAC,F-CPACG,and normal groups,respectively.All macular sectors showed significantly higher CVIs and choroidal thickness in the F-APAC and F-CPACG eyes than in the normal eyes(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences between the F-APAC and F-CPACG eyes.In the peripapillary region,the mean overall CVIs were 0.21±0.08,0.20±0.08,and 0.19±0.05,and the mean overall choroidal thickness were 180.45±54.18,174.82±50.67,and 176.18±37.94μm in the F-APAC,F-CPACG,and normal groups,respectively.There were no significant differences between any of the two groups in all peripapillary sectors.Younger age,shorter axial length,and the F-APAC or F-CPACG diagnosis were significantly associated with higher subfoveal CVI and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The fellow eyes of unilateral APAC or asymmetric CPACG have higher macular CVI and choroidal thickness than those of the normal controls.Neither CVI nor choroidal thickness can distinguish between eyes predisposed to APAC or CPACG.A thicker choroid with a higher vascular volume may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary angle-closure glaucoma.

Association between the cumulative triglyceride-glucose index and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation

BACKGROUND Triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index values are a new surrogate marker for insulin resistance.This study aimed to explore the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and atrial fibrillation(AF)recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA).METHODS A total of 576 patients with AF who underwent RFCA at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were included in this study.The participants were grouped based on cumulative TyG index values tertiles within 3 months after ablation.Cox regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to determine the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and AF recurrence.The predictive value of all risk factors was assessed by receiver operating curve analysis.RESULTS There were 375 patients completed the study(age:63.23±10.73 years,64.27%male).The risk of AF recurrence increased with increasing cumulative TyG index values tertiles.After adjusting for potential confounders,patients in the medium cumulative TyG index group[hazard ratio(HR)=4.949,95%CI:1.778–13.778,P=0.002]and the high cumulative TyG index group(HR=8.716,95%CI:3.371–22.536,P<0.001)had a higher risk of AF recurrence than those in the low cumulative TyG index group.The restricted cubic spline regression model also showed an increased risk of AF recurrence with increasing cumulative TyG index values.When considering cumulative TyG index values,left atrial diameter,and lactate dehydrogenase levels as a comprehensive factor,the model could effectively predict AF recurrence after RFCA[area under the curve(AUC)=0.847,95%CI:0.797–0.897,P<0.001].CONCLUSIONS Cumulative TyG index values were a risk factor for AF recurrence after RFCA.Monitoring longitudinal TyG index values may assist with optimized for risk stratification and outcome prediction for AF recurrence.

An evaluation of ureteral diameter ratio and vesicoureteral reflux index in the treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux

Objective:Vesicoureteral reflux(VUR)index is a simple,validated tool that reliably predicts significant improvement and spontaneous resolution of primary reflux in children.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the ureter diameter ratio(UDR)and VUR index(VURx)of patients treated with endoscopic injection(EI)and ureteroneocystostomy(UNC)methods in the pediatric age group due to primary VUR.Methods:Patients under the age of 18 years old who underwent EI and UNC with the diagnosis of primary VUR between January 2011 and September 2021 were determined as the participants.The UDR was assessed using voiding cystourethrography,and the VURx score was determined prior to treatment based on hospital records included in the study.Results:A total of 255 patients,60(23.5%)boys and 195(76.5%)girls,with a mean age of 76.5(range 13.0e204.0)months,were included in the study.EI was applied to 130(51.0%)patients and UNC was applied to 125(49.0%)patients due to primary VUR.The optimum cut-off for the distal UDR was obtained as 0.17 with sensitivity and specificity of 73.0%and 63.0%,respectively.The positive and negative predictive values were 66.0%and 70.0%,respectively.Conclusion:When the UDR and VURx score are evaluated together for the surgical treatment of primary VUR in the pediatric age group,it is thought that it may be useful in predicting the clinical course of the disease and evaluating surgical treatment options.

Assessment on eco-environmental quality of the Yellow River Basin by considering desertification index

Desertification has had a significant impact on the ecological environment of the Yellow River Basin(YRB)in China.However,previous studies on the evaluation of the ecological environment quality(EEQ)in the YRB have paid limited attention to the indicator of desertification.It is of great significance to incorporate the desertification index into the spatiotemporal assessment of the EEQ in the YRB in order to protect the ecological environment in the region.In this study,based on multi-source remote sensing data from 91 cities in the YRB,this article proposes a desertification remote sensing ecological index(DRSEI)model,which builds upon the traditional Remote Sensing Ecological Index(RSEI)model,to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in the EEQ in the YRB from 2001 to 2021.Furthermore,using the geographic detector(GD),and geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR)model,the study assesses the impact of human and natural factors on the EEQ in the YRB.The research findings indicate that:(1)Compared to the traditional RSEI,the improved DRSEI shows a decreasing trend in the evaluation results of the EEQ.Among the 24 cities,the change in DRSEI exceeds 0.05 compared to RSEI,accounting for 26.37%of the YRB.The remaining 67 cities have changes within a range of less than 0.05,accounting for 73.63%of the YRB.(2)The results of the GD for individual and interactive effects reveal that rainfall and elevation have significant individual and interactive effects on the EEQ.Furthermore,after the interaction with natural factors,the explanatory power of human factors gradually increases over time.The spatial heterogeneity results of GTWR demonstrate that rainfall has a strong direct positive impact on the EEQ,accounting for 98.90%of the influence,while temperature exhibits a more pronounced direct inhibitory effect,accounting for 76.92%of the influence.Human activities have a strong negative impact on the EEQ and a weak positive impact.

A robust triaxial localization method of AE source using refraction path

Acoustic emission(AE)localization algorithms based on homogeneous media or single-velocity are less accurate when applied to the triaxial localization experiments.To the end,a robust triaxial localization method of AE source using refraction path is proposed.Firstly,the control equation of the refraction path is established according to the sensor coordinates and arrival times.Secondly,considering the influence of time-difference-of-arrival(TDOA)errors,the residual of the governing equation is calculated to estimate the equation weight.Thirdly,the refraction points in different directions are solved using Snell’s law and orthogonal constraints.Finally,the source coordinates are iteratively solved by weighted correction terms.The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method are verified by pencil-lead breaking experiments.The simulation results show that the new method is almost unaffected by the refraction ratio,and always holds more stable and accurate positioning performance than the traditional method under different ratios and scales of TDOA outliers.

Actuality and underlying mechanisms of systemic immuneinflammation index and geriatric nutritional risk index prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma

This editorial contains comments on the article“Correlation between preoperative systemic immune inflammation index,nutritional risk index,and prognosis of radical resection of liver cancer”in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.It pointed out the actuality and importance of the article and focused primarily on the underlying mechanisms making the systemic immuneinflammation index(SII)and geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)prediction features valuable.There are few publications on both SII and GNRI together in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and patient prognosis after radical surgery.Neutrophils release cytokines,chemokines,and enzymes,degrade extracellular matrix,reduce cell adhesion,and create conditions for tumor cell invasion.Neutrophils promote the adhesion of tumor cells to endothelial cells,through physical anchoring.That results in the migration of tumor cells.Pro-angiogenic factors from platelets enhance tumor angiogenesis to meet tumor cell supply needs.Platelets can form a protective film on the surface of tumor cells.This allows avoiding blood flow damage as well as immune system attack.It also induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells that is critical for invasiveness.High SII is also associated with macro-and microvascular invasion and increased numbers of circulating tumor cells.A high GNRI was associated with significantly better progression-free and overall survival.HCC patients are a very special population that requires increased attention.SII and GNRI have significant survival prediction value in both palliative treatment and radical surgery settings.The underlying mechanisms of their possible predictive properties lie in the field of essential cancer features.Those features provide tumor nutrition,growth,and distribution throughout the body,such as vascular invasion.On the other hand,they are tied to the possibility of patients to resist tumor progression and development of complications in both postoperative and cancer-related settings.The article is of considerable interest.It would be helpful to continue the study follow-up to 2 years and longer.External validation of the data is needed.

Antecedent Precipitation Index to Estimate Soil Moisture and Correlate as a Triggering Process in the Occurrence of Landslides

Landslides are highly dangerous phenomena that occur in different parts of the world and pose significant threats to human populations. Intense rainfall events are the main triggering process for landslides in urbanized slope regions, especially those considered high-risk areas. Various other factors contribute to the process;thus, it is essential to analyze the causes of such incidents in all possible ways. Soil moisture plays a critical role in the Earth’s surface-atmosphere interaction systems;hence, measurements and their estimations are crucial for understanding all processes involved in the water balance, especially those related to landslides. Soil moisture can be estimated from in-situ measurements using different sensors and techniques, satellite remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and indicators to index moisture conditions. Antecedent soil moisture can significantly impact runoff for the same rainfall event in a watershed. The Antecedent Precipitation Index (API) or “retained rainfall,” along with the antecedent moisture condition from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is generally applied to estimate runoff in watersheds where data is limited or unavailable. This work aims to explore API in estimating soil moisture and establish thresholds based on landslide occurrences. The estimated soil moisture will be compared and calibrated using measurements obtained through multisensor capacitance probes installed in a high-risk area located in the mountainous region of Campos do Jordão municipality, São Paulo, Brazil. The API used in the calculation has been modified, where the recession coefficient depends on air temperature variability as well as the climatological mean temperature, which can be considered as losses in the water balance due to evapotranspiration. Once the API is calibrated, it will be used to extrapolate to the entire watershed and consequently estimate soil moisture. By utilizing recorded mass movements and comparing them with API and soil moisture, it will be possible to determine thresholds, thus enabling anticipation of landslide occurrences.

Systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophilto-lymphocyte ratio,and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To investigate systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and plateletto-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)levels in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:This retrospective study included 141 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM):45 without diabetic retinopathy(NDR),47 with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),and 49 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).Complete blood counts were obtained,and NLR,PLR,and SII were calculated.The study analysed the ability of inflammatory markers to predict DR using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.The relationships between DR stages and SII,PLR,and NLP were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:The average NLR,PLR,and SII were higher in the PDR group than in the NPDR group(P=0.011,0.043,0.009,respectively);higher in the NPDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all);and higher in the PDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all).In the ROC curve analysis,the NLR,PLR,and SII were significant predictors of DR(P<0.001 for all).The highest area under the curve(AUC)was for the PLR(0.929 for PLR,0.925 for SII,and 0.821 for NLR).Multivariate regression analysis indicated that NLR,PLR,and SII were statistically significantly positive and independent predictors for the DR stages in patients with DM[odds ratio(OR)=1.122,95%confidence interval(CI):0.200–2.043,P<0.05;OR=0.038,95%CI:0.018–0.058,P<0.05;OR=0.007,95%CI:0.001–0.01,P<0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION:The NLR,PLR,and SII may be used as predictors of DR.

Estimating the Drought-Induced Yield Loss for Winter Wheat in a Semi-Arid Region of the Southern United States Using a Drought Index

The economy of most rural locations in the semi-arid region of Llano Estacado in the southern United States is predominantly based on agriculture, primarily beef and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. This region is prone to drought and is projected to experience a drier climate. Droughts that coincide with the critical phenological phases of a crop can be remarkably costly. Although drought cannot be prevented, its losses can be minimized through mitigation measures if it is predicted in advance. Predicting yield loss from an imminent drought is an important need of stakeholders. One way to fulfill this need is using an agricultural drought index, such as the Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID). Being plant physiology-based, ARID can represent drought-yield relationships accurately. This study developed an ARID-based yield model for predicting the drought-induced yield loss for winter wheat in this region by accounting for its phenological phase-specific sensitivity to water stress. The reasonable values of the drought sensitivity coefficients of the yield model indicated that it could reflect the phenomenon of water stress decreasing the winter wheat yields in this region reasonably. The values of the various metrics used to evaluate the model, including Willmott Index (0.86), Nash-Sutcliffe Index (0.61), and percentage error (26), indicated that the yield model performed fairly well at predicting the drought-induced yield loss for winter wheat. The yield model may be useful for predicting the drought-induced yield loss for winter wheat in the study region and scheduling irrigation allocation based on phenological phase-specific drought sensitivity.

OFDM with Generalized Cascade Index Modulation for Secure Communications

Cascade index modulation(CIM) is a recently proposed improvement of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation(OFDM-IM) and achieves better error performance.In CIM, at least two different IM operations construct a super IM operation or achieve new functionality. First, we propose a OFDM with generalized CIM(OFDM-GCIM) scheme to achieve a joint IM of subcarrier selection and multiple-mode(MM)permutations by using a multilevel digital algorithm.Then, two schemes, called double CIM(D-CIM) and multiple-layer CIM(M-CIM), are proposed for secure communication, which combine new IM operation for disrupting the original order of bits and symbols with conventional OFDM-IM, to protect the legitimate users from eavesdropping in the wireless communications. A subcarrier-wise maximum likelihood(ML) detector and a low complexity log-likelihood ratio(LLR) detector are proposed for the legitimate users. A tight upper bound on the bit error rate(BER) of the proposed OFDM-GCIM, D-CIM and MCIM at the legitimate users are derived in closed form by employing the ML criteria detection. Computer simulations and numerical results show that the proposed OFDM-GCIM achieves superior error performance than OFDM-IM, and the error performance at the eavesdroppers demonstrates the security of D-CIM and M-CIM.

Progress of Triglyceride Glucose Index in Lesion Severity and Prognosis of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background: In response to the escalating burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) worldwide, exacerbated by lifestyle changes and socioeconomic shifts, acute coronary syndromes (ACS) stand out as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The pivotal role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, independent of traditional risk factors, has garnered significant interest. Objective: This review aims to synthesize the recent advancements in the utilization of the triglyceride glucose index (TyG index) as a biomarker for assessing the severity and predicting the prognosis of ACS lesions. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, incorporating keywords such as “triglyceride glucose index”, “TyG index”, “acute coronary syndrome”, “cardiovascular disease”, “insulin resistance”, “coronary artery calcification”, “SYNTAX score”, “Gensini score”, and “major adverse cardiac events”. Studies were included from the inception of each database up to July 2024. Selection criteria encompassed observational studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic value of the TyG index in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Ultimately, 46 publications met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed in accordance with established guidelines. Results: Evidence suggests that the TyG index, reflecting insulin resistance, blood glucose, and lipid levels, is significantly associated with lesion severity in ACS, including coronary artery calcification, SYNTAX score, and Gensini score. Moreover, it demonstrates predictive power for major adverse cardiovascular events, underscoring its potential as a valuable tool in clinical decision-making. Conclusion: The review highlights the emerging role of the TyG index in the assessment and prognosis of ACS, advocating for its incorporation into clinical practice as a complement to existing diagnostic modalities. However, the establishment of standardized reference ranges and further validation across diverse populations are warranted to refine its applicability in personalized medicine. The interdisciplinary approach is essential to advance our understanding of the complex interplay between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, paving the way for the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts long-term outcomes of patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma after curative pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND The prognostic nutritional index(PNI),a marker of immune-nutrition balance,has predictive value for the survival and prognosis of patients with various cancers.AIM To explore the clinical significance of the preoperative PNI on the prognosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma(AC)patients who underwent curative pancreaticoduodenectomy.METHODS The data concerning 233 patients diagnosed with ACs were extracted and analyzed at our institution from January 1998 to December 2020.All patients were categorized into low and high PNI groups based on the cutoff value determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.We compared disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)between these groups and assessed prognostic factors through univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS The optimal cutoff value for the PNI was established at 45.3.Patients with a PNI≥45.3 were categorized into the PNI-high group,while those with a PNI<45.3 were assigned to the PNI-low group.Patients within the PNI-low group tended to be of advanced age and exhibited higher levels of aspartate transaminase and total bilirubin and a lower creatinine level than were those in the PNI-high group.The 5-year OS rates for patients with a PNI≥45.3 and a PNI<45.3 were 61.8%and 43.4%,respectively,while the 5-year DFS rates were 53.5%and 38.3%,respectively.Patients in the PNI-low group had shorter OS(P=0.006)and DFS(P=0.012).In addition,multivariate analysis revealed that the PNI,pathological T stage and pathological N stage were found to be independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS.CONCLUSION The PNI is a straightforward and valuable marker for predicting long-term survival after pancreatoduodenectomy.The PNI should be incorporated into the standard assessment of patients with AC.

Research Progress of Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer has gradually risen to become the second most common cancer threatening men’s health, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as the main screening indicator for prostate cancer, has the defects of low specificity and insufficient diagnostic efficacy. As a novel inflammatory index based on neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has recently become a more powerful biomarker for predicting the occurrence and progression of various malignancies. SII reflects the systemic inflammatory response of prostate cancer patients in a more balanced manner, and has higher predictive value than neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). High SII values are often associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis. This article reviews the research progress of SII in prostate cancer, in order to provide guidance for clinical practice.

Developments in the study of Chinese herbal medicine's assessment index and action mechanism for diabetes mellitus

In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),based on various pathogenic symptoms and the‘golden chamber’medical text,Huangdi Neijing,diabetes mellitus falls under the category‘collateral disease’.TCM,with its wealth of experience,has been treating diabetes for over two millennia.Different antidiabetic Chinese herbal medicines re-duce blood sugar,with their effective ingredients exerting unique advantages.As well as a glucose lowering effect,TCM also regulates bodily functions to prevent diabetes associated complications,with reduced side effects compared to western synthetic drugs.Chinese herbal medicine is usually composed of polysaccharides,saponins,al-kaloids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.These active ingredients reduce blood sugar via various mechanism of actions that include boosting endogenous insulin secretion,enhancing insulin sensitivity and adjusting key enzyme activity and scavenging free radicals.These actions regulate glycolipid metabolism in the body,eventually achiev-ing the goal of normalizing blood glucose.Using different animal models,a number of molecular markers are available for the detection of diabetes induction and the molecular pathology of the disease is becoming clearer.Nonetheless,there is a dearth of scientific data about the pharmacology,dose-effect relationship,and structure-activity relationship of TCM and its constituents.Further research into the efficacy,toxicity and mode of action of TCM,using different metabolic and molecular markers,is key to developing novel TCM antidiabetic formulations.

Systemic inflammatory response index is a predictor of prognosis in gastric cancer patients: Retrospective cohort and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)has been demonstrated to make a significant difference in assessing the prognosis of patients with different solid neoplasms.However,research is needed to ascertain the accuracy and reliability of applying the SIRI to patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer sur-gery.AIM To validate the applicability of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients and evaluate the clinical contribution of preoperative SIRI levels to predicting long-term tumor outcomes in patients,who received robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.METHODS Initially,an exhaustive retrieval was performed in the PubMed,the Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies.Subsequently,a meta-analysis was executed on 6 cohort studies iden-tifying the value of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients.Additionally,the clinical data of 161 patients undergoing robotic radical gastric cancer surgery were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate their clinicopathological characteristics and relevant laboratory indicators.The association between preoperative SIRI levels and 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)was assessed.RESULTS The findings demonstrated an extensive connection between SIRI values and the outcome of patients with gastric cancer.Preoperative SIRI levels were identified as an independent hazard feature for both OS and DFS among those who received robotic surgery for gastric cancer.SIRI levels in gastric cancer patients were observed to be associated with the presence of comorbidities,T-stage,carcinoembryonic antigen levels,the development of early serious postoperative complications,and the rate of lymph node metastasis.CONCLUSION SIRI values are correlated with adverse in the gastric cancer population and have the potential to be utilized in predicting long-term oncological survival in patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.

The influences of canopy temperature measuring on the derived crop water stress index

Crop water stress index(CWSI)is widely used for efficient irrigation management.Precise canopy temperature(T_(c))measurement is necessary to derive a reliable CWSI.The objective of this research was to investigate the influences of atmospheric conditions,settled height,view angle of infrared thermography,and investigating time of temperature measuring on the performance of the CWSI.Three irrigation treatments were used to create different soil water conditions during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 winter wheat-growing seasons.The CWSI was calculated using the CWSI-E(an empirical approach)and CWSI-T(a theoretical approach)based on the T_(c).Weather conditions were recorded continuously throughout the experimental period.The results showed that atmospheric conditions influenced the estimation of the CWSI;when the vapor pressure deficit(VPD)was>2000 Pa,the estimated CWSI was related to soil water conditions.The height of the installed infrared thermograph influenced the T_(c)values,and the differences among the T_(c)values measured at height of 3,5,and 10 m was smaller in the afternoon than in the morning.However,the lens of the thermometer facing south recorded a higher T_(c)than those facing east or north,especially at a low height,indicating that the direction of the thermometer had a significant influence on T_(c).There was a large variation in CWSI derived at different times of the day,and the midday measurements(12:00-15:00)were the most reliable for estimating CWSI.Negative linear relationships were found between the transpiration rate and CWSI-E(R^(2)of 0.3646-0.5725)and CWSI-T(R^(2)of 0.5407-0.7213).The relations between fraction of available soil water(FASW)with CWSI-T was higher than that with CWSI-E,indicating CWSI-T was more accurate for predicting crop water status.In addition,The R^(2)between CWSI-T and FASW at 14:00 was higher than that at other times,indicating that 14:00 was the optimal time for using the CWSI for crop water status monitoring.Relative higher yield of winter wheat was obtained with average seasonal values of CWSI-E and CWSI-T around 0.23 and 0.25-0.26,respectively.The CWSI-E values were more easily influenced by meteorological factors and the timing of the measurements,and using the theoretical approach to derive the CWSI was recommended for precise irrigation water management.