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Noninvasive extracellular pH (pHe) mapping with Biosensor Imaging of Redundant Deviation in Shifts (BIRDS) using MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has been demonstrated on 3T clinical MR scanners at 8 ×8×10 mm3 spatial resolution and applied to study various liver cancer treatments. Although pHe imaging at higher resolution can be achieved by extending the acquisition time, a postprocessing method to increase the resolution is preferable, to minimize the duration spent by the subject in the MR scanner. In this work, we propose to improve the spatial resolution of pHe mapping with BIRDS by incorporating anatomical information in the form of multiparametric MRI and using an unsupervised deep‐learning technique, Deep Image Prior (DIP). Specifically, we used high‐resolution T1, T2, and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) MR images of rabbits with VX2 liver tumors as inputs to a U‐Net architecture to provide anatomical information. U‐Net parameters were optimized to minimize the difference between the output super‐resolution image and the experimentally acquired low‐resolution pHe image using the mean‐absolute error. In this way, the super‐resolution pHe image would be consistent with both anatomical MR images and the low‐resolution pHe measurement from the scanner. The method was developed based on data from 49 rabbits implanted with VX2 liver tumors. For evaluation, we also acquired high‐resolution pHe images from two rabbits, which were used as ground truth. The results indicate a good match between the spatial characteristics of the super‐resolution images and the high‐resolution ground truth, supported by the low pixelwise absolute error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the fermentation process of dehulled flaxseed fermented milk was optimized by single factor test and response surface method, and its storage stability was studied by using dehulled flaxseed pure milk and whole milk as the main raw materials. The results showed that the optimum preparation conditions of solidified dehulled flaxseed fermented milk were as follows: the volume ratio of dehulled flaxseed pure mike Lo whole milk was 3:7, the sucrose addition was 74 g/L, the fermentation agent was 2. 3 g/L, the β-cyclodextrin addition was 2.0 g/L, the fermentation temperature was 42 °C, the fermentation time was 8 h. In addition, under the optimized conditions, the titratable acidity of fermented milk after 21 days of storage was 84 °T, pH 4. 3, water holding capacity was 84. 03%, viable count was 2.44 x 108 CFU/g, hardness was 1.07 N, elasticity was 0.63 mm, chewiness was 0.45 N, viscosity was 0.71 N, cohesiveness was 0.66. The coagulated fermented milk was milky while in color, uniform in texture, no whey precipitation, had the aroma of flaxseed and good stability. The results provided research ideas and data reference for the fermentation process and storage characteristics evaluation of plant-based fermented milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo study the similarities and differences of food safety indicators in the National Food Safety Standard and international standards, and to provide a reference for the development and management of canned food industry.MethodsSafety indicators in the relevant standards and regulations of canned food by China, Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), European Union (EU) and the United States were compared from the aspects of histamine, pollutant, biotoxin, food additive and others.ResultsIn terms of the limit of histamine, there were no provisions in the relevant laws and regulations of the United States, while China and CAC had set their limits in canned fish. In terms of the limits of pollutants, China's provisions were relatively comprehensive in all kinds of canned food and food contact materials than those in other countries. In terms of the limit of biotoxin, only China and the United States had clear requirements. In terms of the types of canned food, the types, functions and the requirements of additives, China, CAC and EU were similar, while the regulations of the United States were totally different.ConclusionProcess control is the essence of canned foods safety, which provides thoughts on the future standard setting and revision in China, and is also worth learning for the canned food manufacturing industry. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of pollutants in canned food, control the pollutant in raw materials and migration from processing equipment and food contact materials, and research on the safety of process parameters, and further establish and improve food safety risk control and traceability system.

Objective: To characterize DNA methylation (DNAm) differences between sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy control (HC) individuals enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Methods: Using whole blood, we characterized longitudinal differences in DNAm between sporadic PD patients (n = 196) and HCs (n = 86) enrolled in PPMI. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was used to conduct gene expression analyses for genes mapped to differentially methylated cytosine‐guanine sites (CpGs). Results: At the time of patient enrollment, 5,178 CpGs were differentially methylated (2,683 hypermethylated and 2,495 hypomethylated) in PD compared to HC. Of these, 579 CpGs underwent significant methylation changes over 3 years. Several differentially methylated CpGs were found near the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily E member 1 (CYP2E1) gene. Additionally, multiple hypermethylated CpGs were associated with the N‐myc downregulated gene family member 4 (NDRG4) gene. RNA‐Seq analyses showed 75 differentially expressed genes in PD patients compared to controls. An integrative analysis of both differentially methylated sites and differentially expressed genes revealed 20 genes that exhibited hypomethylation concomitant with overexpression. Additionally, 1 gene, cathepsin H (CTSH), displayed hypermethylation that was associated with its decreased expression. Interpretation: We provide initial evidence of alterations in DNAm in blood of PD patients that may serve as potential epigenetic biomarker of disease. To evaluate the significance of these changes throughout the progression of PD, additional profiling at longer intervals and during the prodromal stages of disease will be necessary. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1162–1172 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensitive and simple method for detecting Cu2+ in the water source was proposed by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) based on the Ag@SiO2/Au core–shell composite. The Ag@SiO2 SERS tag was synthesized by a simple approach, in which Ag nanoparticles were first embedded with Raman reporter PATP and next coated with a SiO2 shell. The Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles had strong stability even in a high-concentration salty solution, and there were no changes to their properties and appearance within one month. The Ag@SiO2/Au composite was fabricated through a controllable self-assemble process. L-cysteine was decorated on the surface of a functionalized Ag@SiO2/Au composite, as the amino and carboxyl groups of it can form coordinate covalent bond with Cu2+, which shows that the Ag@SiO2/Au composite labelled with L-cysteine has excellent performance for the detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media. In this study, the SERS detection of Cu2+ was carried out using Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles, and the limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1 mg/L was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has a remarkable impact on function and participation. Subsequently, the caregivers of individuals with SMA are impacted as well. Providers and the SMA community should be aware of the presence of and likely expectations for the existence of caregiver burden. Methods: The Assessment of Caregiver Experience with Neuromuscular Disease (ACEND) quantifies caregivers' perceptions of function and quality of life pertaining to time, finance and emotion. Analyses were conducted among SMA types and ambulatory and ventilatory status. Participants with SMA had varying ranges of function and were on pharmaceutical treatment. Total ACEND score, longitudinal change in total ACEND score, total quality of life (QOL) score, change in total QOL score and subdomains for QOL, including time, emotion and finance, were all explored. Results: Overall, the ACEND demonstrated discriminant validity and some observed trends. Total ACEND scores improved for caregivers of those with SMA 2, remained stable longitudinally for caregivers of those with SMA 1 and 3 and were not influenced by ventilation status. The caregivers of individuals with SMA 1 had the lowest total quality of life (QOL) score, as did the caregivers of non-ambulatory individuals and those requiring assisted ventilation. Longitudinally, there were no changes in total QOL between caregivers of individuals with different SMA types or ambulatory or ventilation status. There were some differences in emotional needs, but no differences in financial impact between the caregivers of individuals with different types of SMA or ambulatory and ventilatory status. Conclusions: With this information enlightening the presence of caregiver burden and expected changes in burden with pharmaceutical treatment, providers, third party payors and the SMA community at large can better assist, equip and empower those providing the necessary assistance to enable the lives of those with SMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern era, patients often resort to the internet for answers to their health-related concerns, and clinics face challenges to providing timely response to patient concerns. This has led to a need to investigate the capabilities of AI chatbots for ophthalmic diagnosis and triage. In this in silico study, 80 simulated patient complaints in ophthalmology with varying urgency levels and clinical descriptors were entered into both ChatGPT and Bard in a systematic 3-step submission process asking chatbots to triage, diagnose, and evaluate urgency. Three ophthalmologists graded chatbot responses. Chatbots were significantly better at ophthalmic triage than diagnosis (90.0% appropriate triage vs. 48.8% correct leading diagnosis; p < 0.001), and GPT-4 performed better than Bard for appropriate triage recommendations (96.3% vs. 83.8%; p = 0.008), grader satisfaction for patient use (81.3% vs. 55.0%; p < 0.001), and lower potential harm rates (6.3% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.010). More descriptors improved the accuracy of diagnosis for both GPT-4 and Bard. These results indicate that chatbots may not need to recognize the correct diagnosis to provide appropriate ophthalmic triage, and there is a potential utility of these tools in aiding patients or triage staff; however, they are not a replacement for professional ophthalmic evaluation or advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the safety management of steel-truss-bridge construction, an evaluation method based on the improved DEMATEL–ISM was proposed to analyze the risk factors involved in such construction. Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is a method for systematic factor analysis that utilizes graph-theory and -matrix tools, allowing for the assessment of the existence and strength of relationships between elements by analyzing the logical and direct impact relationships among various elements in a system. The distinctive feature of Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) is the decomposing of complex systems into several subsystems (elements) and constructing the system into a multi-level hierarchical structural model through algebraic operations. Specifically, triangular fuzzy numbers are introduced initially to improve the direct influence matrix in the DEMATEL method, thereby reducing the subjectivity of expert evaluations. The degree of influence, influenced degree, centrality degree, and causality degree of each influencing factor are determined and ranked based on the above analysis. In response to the characteristics of top-push construction, 20 key factors were selected from four aspects: "human, material, environment, and management". The top five identified influencing factors are displacement during pushing (X10), safety-management qualification (X18), local buckling (X14), overturning of steel beams (X13), and collision with bridge piers during guide beam installation (X7). Subsequently, corresponding solutions were proposed for different influencing factors. The results of the study offer targeted measures to enhance the safety management of steel truss bridge construction and provide a reference for accident prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]