Rapid diagnostic method for transplutonium isotope production in high flux reactors

Transplutonium isotopes are scarce and need to be produced by irradiation in high flux reactors.However,their production is inefficient,and optimization studies are necessary.This study analyzes the physical nature of transplutonium isotope produc-tion using ^(252)Cf,^(244)Cm,^(242)Cm,and ^(238)Pu as examples.Traditional methods based on the Monte Carlo burnup calculation have the limitations of many calculations and cannot analyze the individual energy intervals in detail;thus,they cannot sup-port the refined evaluation,screening,and optimization of the irradiation schemes.After understanding the physical nature and simplifying the complexity of the production process,we propose a rapid diagnostic method for evaluating radiation schemes based on the concepts“single energy interval value(SEIV)”and“energy spectrum total value(ESTV)”.The rapid diagnostic method not only avoids tedious burnup calculations,but also provides a direction for optimization.The optimal irradiation schemes for producing ^(252)Cf,^(244)Cm,^(242)Cm,and ^(238)Pu are determined based on a rapid diagnostic method.Optimal irradiation schemes can significantly improve production efficiency.Compared with the initial scheme,the optimal scheme improved the production efficiency of ^(238)Pu by 7.41 times;^(242)Cm,11.98 times;^(244)Cm,65.20 times;and ^(252)Cf,15.08 times.Thus,a refined analysis of transplutonium isotope production is conducted and provides a theoretical basis for improving production efficiency.

Research Progress of Noninvasive Diagnostic Methods for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Distinguishing between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) and advanced liver fibrosis is the key for clinical diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Liver biopsy, which is widely used for diagnosis of liver diseases at present, has many drawbacks, such as being invasive, expensive and unstable. This article compares and summarizes the commonly used non-invasive diagnostic methods, including their diagnostic parameters, advantages and disadvantages, in order to provide a useful reference for the diagnosis of NASH.

Study of Failure Diagnostic Methods and Intelligent Diagnostic System for Reciprocating Compressors

Three categories of failure diagnostic methods for reciprocating compressors are classified according to the signals adopted by the diagnosis. They are parameter method, vibration method, and oil analysis method. In this paper, the applicable range and operational difficulties of these methods are discussed on the basis of analysis and induction upon normal failure. It is proposed that a compressor's normal failure can be divided into thermodynamical property failure and mechanical function failure. As to the former, the parameter method that takes a cylinder pressure signal as the main diagnostic signal may be applied; and as to the latter, the vibration signal frequency spectrum can be used to diagnose. At the same time, the structure of an intelligent diagnostic system based on neural networks is introduced, and its schematic is given.

Advances in Laboratory Diagnostic Methods for Duck Circovirus Infection

Duck circovirus infection is an immunosuppressive disease that is characterized by growth retardant and odd deaths. Its infection is usually combined with other pathogens, making the clinical diagnosis more difficult. With the rapid development of molecular biological and immunological technologies, the laboratory diagnostic methods for duck circovirus infection also advance greatly. The paper summarizes the research advances in various laboratory detection methods for duck cireovirus infection including PCR, nested PCR, multiple PCR, fluorescence quantitative PCR, LAMP, nucleic acid probe and ELISA, as well as their ad- vantages and shortages, aiming at providing reference for finding novel detection methods and for the diagnosis and comprehensive prevention and control.

A Diagnostic Method for Fog Forecasting Using Numerical Weather Prediction(NWP)Model Outputs

An attempt has been made in the present study to forecast fog with a diagnostic method using the outputs of global NWP model.The diagnostic method is based on the combination of thresholds of meteorological variables involved in fog formation.The thresholds are computed using the observations during fog.These thresholds are applied to the output of a global NWP model for forecasting fog.The occurrence of fog is a common phenomenon during winter season over the northern plains of India.The diagnostic method is used to predict fog occurrences over three stations in north India.The proposed method is able to predict both occurrences and non-occurrences of fog at all the three stations.It is found that 94%of the fog events forecasted by the model using the diagnostic method have been actually observed at the selected stations.The performance of method in predicting fog is found best over Delhi with the highest accuracy(0.61)and probability of detection(0.60).The study signifies that diagnostic approach based on the output of a global model is a useful tool for predicting fog over a single location.

Current advances in diagnostic methods of Acanthamoeba keratitis

Objective The objective of this article was to review the current advances in diagnostic methods for Acanthamoeba keratitis （AK）.Data sources Data used in this review were retrieved from PubMed （1970-2013）.The terms ＂Acanthamoeba keratitis＂ and ＂diagnosis＂ were used for the literature search.Study selection Data from published articles regarding AK and diagnosis in clinical trials were identified and reviewed.Results The diagnostic methods for the eight species implicated in AK were reviewed.Among all diagnostic procedures,corneal scraping and smear examination was an essential diagnostic method.Polymerase chain reaction was the most sensitive and accurate detection method.Culturing of Acanthamoeba was a reliable method for final diagnosis of AK.Confocal microscopy to detect Acanthamoeba was also effective,without any invasive procedure,and was helpful in the early diagnosis of AK.Conclusion Clinically,conjunction of various diagnostic methods to diagnose AK was necessary.

Comparison of different noninvasive diagnostic methods for biliary atresia: a meta-analysis

Background:This study was undertaken to retrospectively analyze the accuracy of different methods in differentiating biliary atresia from neonatal jaundice.Methods:A search was made in MEDLINE,and the Web of Science for relevant original articles published in English;methodological quality of the included studies was also assessed.Two reviewers extracted data independently.Studies were pooled,summary receiver operating characteristics curve and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)with corresponding confi dence intervals were calculated.Results:For diagnosis of biliary atresia,ultrasonography(US),hepatic scintigraphy(HBS),and magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRCP)had a pooled sensitivity of 74.9%(range:70.4%-79.1%),93.4%(range:90.3%-95.7%)and 89.7%(range:84.8%-93.4%),a specificity of 93.4%(range:91.4%-95.1%),69.2%(range:65.1%-73.1%)and 64.7%(range:58.0%-71.0%),a positive likelihood ratio of 12.16(range:6.41-23.08),3.01(range:2.15-4.20)and 3.10(range:1.59-6.06),a negative likelihood ratio of 0.23(range:0.13-0.38),0.13(range:0.06-0.25)and 0.16(range:0.06-0.44),DOR of 72.56(range:27.34-192.58),29.88(range:12.82-69.64)and 32.48(range:8.22-128.29),with an area under the curve of 0.96,0.91,and 0.92,and Q value of 0.90,0.85,and 0.85,respectively.Conclusions:US,HBS and MRCP can be very useful for the diagnostic work-up of neonatal cholestasis.To improve the sensitivity and specificity,several additional measures can be used.

Development and refinement of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for managing patients with cardiogenic stroke:An arduous journey

Cardioembolic stroke,referred to as cardiogenic stroke,is a clinical syndrome in which emboli from the heart pass through the circulatory system and cause cerebral artery embolism and corresponding brain dysfunction.Compared to other subtypes of ischemic stroke,cardiogenic stroke presents with more etiologies,greater severity,worse prognosis,and a higher recurrence rate.In this minireview,we provide new insights into the etiological classification,diagnostic methods,and interventions of cardiogenic stroke.

Current Status of Objectification of Four Diagnostic Methods on Constitution Recognition of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine(CM)has thousands of years of experience in prevention of diseases.As for CM,people's constitution is closely related to their health status,thus recognition of CM constitution is the fundamental and core contentof research on constitution types.With development of technologies such as sensors,arificial intelligence and big data,objectification of the four diagnostic methods of CM has gradually matured,bringing changes in the mindset and innovations in technical means for recognition of CM constitution.This paper presents a systematic review of the latest research trends in constitution recognition based on objectification of diagnostic methods in CM.

Salivary metabolites are promising noninvasive biomarkers of druginduced liver injury

BACKGROUND Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)is one of the most common adverse events of medication use,and its incidence is increasing.However,early detection of DILI is a crucial challenge due to a lack of biomarkers and noninvasive tests.AIM To identify salivary metabolic biomarkers of DILI for the future development of noninvasive diagnostic tools.METHODS Saliva samples from 31 DILI patients and 35 healthy controls(HCs)were subjected to untargeted metabolomics using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.Subsequent analyses,including partial least squares-discriminant analysis modeling,t tests and weighted metabolite coexpression network analysis(WMCNA),were conducted to identify key differentially expressed metabolites(DEMs)and metabolite sets.Furthermore we utilized least absolute shrinkage and selection operato and random fores analyses for biomarker prediction.The use of each metabolite and metabolite set to detect DILI was evaluated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves.RESULTS We found 247 differentially expressed salivary metabolites between the DILI group and the HC group.Using WMCNA,we identified a set of 8 DEMs closely related to liver injury for further prediction testing.Interestingly,the distinct separation of DILI patients and HCs was achieved with five metabolites,namely,12-hydroxydodecanoic acid,3-hydroxydecanoic acid,tetradecanedioic acid,hypoxanthine,and inosine(area under the curve:0.733-1).CONCLUSION Salivary metabolomics revealed previously unreported metabolic alterations and diagnostic biomarkers in the saliva of DILI patients.Our study may provide a potentially feasible and noninvasive diagnostic method for DILI,but further validation is needed.

Delayed diagnosis in inflammatory bowel disease:Time to consider solutions

In this editorial,we discuss a recently published manuscript by Blüthner et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology,with a specific focus on the delayed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).IBD,which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,is a chronic intestinal disorder.A time lag may exist between the onset of inflammation and the appearance of signs and symptoms,potentially leading to an incorrect or delayed diagnosis,a situation referred to as the delayed diagnosis of IBD.Early diagnosis is crucial for effective patient treatment and prognosis,yet delayed diagnosis remains common.The reasons for delayed diagnosis of IBD are numerous and not yet fully understood.One key factor is the nonspecific nature of IBD symptoms,which can easily be mistaken for other conditions.Additionally,the lack of specific diagnostic methods for IBD contributes to these delays.Delayed diagnosis of IBD can result in numerous adverse consequences,including increased intestinal damage,fibrosis,a higher risk of colorectal cancer,and a decrease in the quality of life of the patient.Therefore,it is essential to diagnose IBD promptly by raising physician awareness,enhancing patient education,and developing new diagnostic methods.

Pivotal role of exosomes in diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in a new era of precision medicine

In this editorial we comment on the article published by Ning et al,“Role of exosomes in metastasis and therapeutic resistance in esophageal cancer”.Esophageal cancer(EC)represents a significant global health concern,being the seventh most common and sixth in terms of mortality worldwide.Despite the advances in therapeutic modalities,the management of patients with EC remains challenging,with a 5-year survival rate of only 25%and a limited eligibility for curative surgery due to its late diagnosis.Conventional screening methods are impractical for the early detection of EC,given their either invasive or insensitive nature.The advent of liquid biopsy,with a focus on circulating tumor cells,circulating tumor DNA,and exosomes,heralds a non-invasive avenue for cancer detection.Exosomes,small vesicles involved in intercellular communication,are highlighted as potential biomarkers for EC diagnosis and prognosis.Along with a diverse cargo encompassing various types of RNA,DNA molecules,proteins,and metabolites,exosomes emerge as key players in tumorigenesis,tumor development,and metastasis.Their significance extends to carrying distinctive biomarkers,including microRNAs(miRNAs),long non-coding RNAs,and circular RNAs,underscoring their potential diagnostic and prognostic value.Furthermore,exosomes may be utilized for therapeutic purposes in the context of EC treatment,serving as efficient delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents such as chemotherapeutic medicines and miRNAs.In this editorial we delve into the applications of exosomes for the early detection and treatment of EC,as well as the future perspectives.

Comparisons of Methods for Pregnancy Diagnosis in Female Poodles

In this study, five 2 -4 years old healthy female poodles were selected and mated after spontaneous estrus for pregnancy diagnosis with external observa- tion, human chorionic gonadotropin colloidal gold rapid test strips （human early pregnancy test strips）, ultrasonic diagnosis and blood routine examination. Accord- ing to the results, female dogs showed abdominal circumference increment and mammogenesis from a month post-mating to parturition and lactated before parturi- tion. At 5, 6, 7, 15, 25 and 35 d post-mating, pregnancy diagnosis with human chorionic gonadotropin colloidal gold rapid test strips showed negative results. Hu- man early pregnancy test strips can not be used for pregnancy diagnosis in female dogs. Currently, ultrasonic method is the most accurate method to diagnose preg- nancy in female dogs, and the optimal diagnosis time is the 30th d post-mating. External observation and blood routine examination can be used as auxiliary methods to diagnose pregnancy in female dogs.

An Assessment of Awareness of Specialists in Adequate Diagnostics of Chronic Pancreatitis in Kazakhstan

Our national center of gastroenterology provides highly specialized care, including chronic pancreatitis. Another area of our activities is educational programs, including postgraduate and fellows’ courses. Thereby, we have noted significant gaps in the knowledge of the specialists that involved in the chronic pancreatitis management. The most critical downsides are related to insufficient attention to etiology and risk factors, using outdated classifications, the lack of knowledge in arsenal of diagnostic techniques, polypharmacy or application of low level of evidence treatment methods. Finally, we have made amendments in the National Clinical Protocol in Chronic Pancreatitis [1], updated the State Educational Standard for residents of the gastroenterological profile [2]. The aim of the study was the analysis of the basic knowledge among different specialists in the management of chronic pancreatitis (CP) around the country. This qualitative study consists of two parts, including focus group interviews followed by interviews with the specialists across the country, which was conducted during the period 2015-2018. In this paper, we present results of diagnostic approaches at the different levels of medical care. The general practitioners have noted the absence of modern methods of laboratory and visual diagnostics in their routine practice, therefore explaining the plenty of the complicated forms. Another issue is the low specialist’s adherence to clinical guidelines, poor knowledge of the risk factors and overestimation of the clinical presentation value except malnutrition symptoms. On the other hand, surgeons and other specialists are not ready to implement modern diagnostic tools and methods in their practice. Obviously, in accordance with the results of our study, our educational center should conduct a number of training activities, as well as develop new algorithms for medical care specialists.

Current understanding of coronary artery calcification

Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease （CHD） and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC--intimal and medial calcification, and each of them have specific risk factors. Several theories about the mechanism of vascular calcification have been put forward, and we currently believe that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process. CAC can usually be found in patients with severe CHD, and this asymptomatic phenomenon make early diagnosis of CAC important. Coronary computed tomographic angiography is the main noninvasive tool to detect calcified lesions. Measurement of coronary artery calcification by scoring is a reasonable metric for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk. To date, effective medical treatment of CAC has not been identified. Several strategies of percutaneous coronary interven- tion have been applied to CHD patients with CAC, but with unsatisfactory results. Prognosis of CAC is still a major problem of CHD pa- tients. Thus, more details about the mechanisms of CAC need to be elucidated in order to improve the understanding and treatment of CAC.

A Study of the Technique of Western Blot for Diagnosis of Lyme Disease caused by Borrelia afzelii in China

Objective To study the technique of Western blot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia afzelii in China and to establish the standard criteria by operational procedure. Methods FP1, which is the representative strain of B. afzelii in China, was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, electro transfer and irnmunoblotting assays. The molecular weights of the protein bands of FP1 were analyzed by Gel-Pro analysis software. In a study using 451 serum samples （159 patients with Lyme disease and 292 controls）, all observed bands were recorded. The accuracy of the WB as a diagnostic test was established by using the ROC curve and Youden index. Results Criteria for a positive diagnosis of Lyme disease were established as at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspB, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P14 in the IgG test and at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P41 in the IgM test. For IgG criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 69.8%, 98.3%, and 0.681, respectively; for IgM criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 47%, 94.2%, and 0.412, respectively.

Clinical Intelligent Diagnosis Path Based on the Chief Complaint

Goals of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)include precision,accuracy,and recognition by clinical practice.Establishment of a diagnosis and treatment system that closely conforms to the principle-method-recipe-medicines system and derivation of an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan should be considerations of TCM.Artificial intelligence research based on computer technology is one of the effective ways to solve this problem.In the research of intelligent diagnosis path,reflecting the characteristics of the overall view and dialectical treatment of TCM such as"Combination of four diagnostic methods""overall examination""combination of disease and syndrome"and"treatment individualized to patient,season and locality"are key for successful research of artificial intelligence in TCM diagnosis or recognition by clinical practice.

Diagnostic performance of different specimens in detecting enterovirus A71 in children with hand,foot and mouth disease

Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD)is a major public health problem among children in the Asia-Pacific region.The optimal specimen for HFMD virological diagnosis remains unclear.Enterovirus A71(EV-A71)neutralizing antibody titres detected in paired sera were considered the reference standard for calculating the sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value of throat swabs,rectal swabs,stool,blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)by RT-PCR or ELISA assay.In this study,clinical samples from 276 HFMD patients were collected for analysing the sensitivity of different kind of specimens.Our results showed that stool had the highest sensitivity(88%,95%CI:74%–96%)and agreement with the reference standard(91%).The order of diagnostic yield for EV-A71 infection was stool samplerectal swab>throat swab>blood sample>CSF sample,and using a combination of clinical samples improved sensitivity for enterovirus detection.The sensitivity of ELISA for IgM antibody detection in sterile-site specimens was significantly higher than that of RT-PCR(serum/plasma:62%vs.2%,CSF:47%vs.0%)(P<0.002).In conclusion,our results suggest that stool has the highest diagnostic yield for EV-A71-infected HFMD.If stool is unavailable,rectal swabs can be collected to achieve a similar diagnostic yield.Otherwise,throat swabs may be useful in detecting positive samples.Although IgM in blood or CSF is diagnostically accurate,it lacks sensitivity,missing 40%–50%of cases.The higher proportion of severe cases and shorter interval between onset and sampling contributed to the increase in congruency between clinical testing and the serological reference standard.

DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT FOR RETROSTERNAL THYROID MASS

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Diagnosis and Prevention of Colibacillosis in Chickens

The characteristics of chicken colibacillosis are introduced from the aspects of pathogen,epidemiology,clinical symptoms and necropsy,and clinical comprehensive diagnosis and laboratory diagnosis methods are given.The disease is distinguished from diseases with similar symptoms such as chicken chlamydia,chicken streptococcus,chicken necrotic enteritis,broiler ascites syndrome and chicken paratyphoid infections.Eventually,the preventive and therapeutic measures against the disease are put forward.