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This study aimed to evaluate the association between the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio and the risk of osteoporosis in older adults. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 7,465 individuals aged 60 and above from the 2005–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The TC/HDL-C ratio was calculated and divided into quartiles. Osteoporosis was defined by self-reported physician diagnosis or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association between the TC/HDL-C ratio and osteoporosis prevalence. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore non-linear associations and threshold effects. Among the participants, 1,608 had osteoporosis. A higher TC/HDL-C ratio was inversely associated with osteoporosis (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.99, p = 0.02). The analysis revealed a U-shaped association (p for nonlinearity = 0.005) with a threshold at 4.66. Below this threshold, the TC/HDL-C ratio was negatively associated with osteoporosis (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72–0.94, p = 0.010), while no significant association was observed above the threshold. In sex-specific analyses, a U-shaped relationship was found in women, with a threshold at 4.35 (p for nonlinearity = 0.0016), but no significant association was found in men. The TC/HDL-C ratio demonstrates a U-shaped association with osteoporosis risk in older adults, particularly in women. Further longitudinal studies are required to validate these findings and determine optimal lipid management strategies for osteoporosis prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid industrialization and urbanization in China have exacerbated air pollution, particularly PM2.5, posing significant threats to public health. This study focused on Lianyungang, an industrial city, to analyze the spatiotemporal variations in PM2.5 concentrations from 2000 to 2023 and identify the influencing factors. Utilizing high-resolution PM2.5 data from the ChinaHighPM2.5 dataset and ERA5 meteorological data, the study employed Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis to capture spatial variability and the Bayesian Estimator of Abrupt Change Seasonal and Trend (BEAST) to assess long-term trends and abrupt changes. The key findings include a marked seasonal pattern, with higher PM2.5 levels during the winter months and lower concentrations in the summer, primarily driven by temperature, humidity, and precipitation. A significant decline in PM2.5 levels was observed after 2014, following the implementation of pollution control measures. The study underscores the importance of continued environmental regulation and green technology adoption in mitigating air pollution in rapidly industrializing cities. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of PM2.5 trends and highlights the critical role of natural and human factors, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers aiming to improve air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated duct is an atmospheric structure characterized by abnormal refractive index gradients, which can significantly affect the performance of radar, communication, and other systems by capturing a portion of electromagnetic waves. The South China Sea (SCS) is a high-incidence area for elevated duct, so conducting detection and forecasts of the elevated duct in the SCS holds important scientific significance and practical value. This paper attempts to utilize remote sensing techniques for extracting elevated duct information. Based on GPS sounding data, a lapse rate formula (LRF) model and an empirical formula (EF) model for the estimation of the cloud top height of Stratocumulus were obtained, and then remote sensing retrieval methods of elevated duct were established based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing data. The results of these two models were compared with results from the elevated duct remote sensing retrieval model developed by the United States Naval Postgraduate School. It is shown that the probability of elevated duct events was 79.1% when the presence of Stratocumulus identified using GPS sounding data, and the trapping layer bottom height of elevated duct well with the cloud top height of Stratocumulus, with a correlation coefficient of 0.79, a mean absolute error of 289 m, and a root mean square error of 598 m. Among the different retrieval models applied to MODIS satellite data, the LRF model emerged as the optimal remote sensing retrieval method for elevated duct in the SCS, showing a correlation coefficient of 0.51, a mean absolute error of 447 m, and a root mean square error of 658 m between the trapping layer bottom height and the cloud top height. Consequently, the encouraging validation results demonstrate that the LRF model proposed in this paper offers a novel method for diagnosing and calculating elevated ducts information over large-scale marine areas from remote sensing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The prognostic value of interim 18F-FDG PET/CT (I-PET) for follicular lymphoma (FL) is controversial, and may be related to the lack of strict standards in terms of age, chemotherapy regimen, and evaluation criteria in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of I-PET in adult FL patients treated with R-CHOP. Methods: I-PET was performed in 30 adult FL patients after treatment with 3–5 cycles of R-CHOP. PET/CT images were assessed using the Deauville 5-point scale (D-5PS) criteria. Baseline PET/CT (B-PET) was performed in 24 of the patients with FL before treatment. The PET/CT image parameters, such as the SUVmax, TLG, and tMTV, were recorded. The prognostic values of sex, age, grade, Ann Arbor stage, LDH level, and I-PET were evaluated. Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression showed that sex, age, grade, Ann Arbor stage, LDH, and I-PET using the D-5PS criteria could not predict the PFS of adult patients with FL treated with R-CHOP (P>0.05). ROC curve analysis evaluated the predictive values of SUVmax, TLG, and tMTV in B-PET and I-PET and showed that none of them was predictive of PFS in adult FL patients (P>0.05). However, the variation in SUVmax (∆SUVmax) was predictive of PFS in adult FL patients (AUC=0.83, P=0.040), and the cutoff threshold was 4.85. Conclusions: I-PET using the D-5PS criteria cannot predict the PFS of adult FL patients treated with R-CHOP. However, the ∆SUVmax between B-PET and I-PET is applicable for the prognosis of adult patients with FL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer gel plugging is an effective technique for gas mobility control in flue gas flooding reservoirs. However, the performance of polymer gels is extremely susceptible to the injected flue gas. A reinforced chromium acetate/partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) gel, using thiourea as the oxygen scavenger and nano-SiO2 as the stabilizer, was formulated. The related properties were evaluated systematically, including gelation time, gel strength, and long-term stability. The results indicated that the degradation of polymers was effectively suppressed by oxygen scavengers and nano-SiO2. The gel strength would be increased by 40% and the gel kept desirable stability after aging for 180 days at elevated flue gas pressures. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) revealed that nano-SiO2 was adsorbed on polymer chains by hydrogen bonding, which improved the homogeneity of gel structure and thus enhanced the gel strength. Besides, the compression resistance of gels was studied by creep and creep recovery tests. The failure stress of gel with the addition of thiourea and nanoparticles could reach up to 35 Pa. The gel retained a robust structure despite extensive deformation. Moreover, the flow experiment indicated that the plugging rate of reinforced gel still maintained up to 93% after flue gas flooding. It is concluded that the reinforced gel is applicable for flue gas flooding reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer gels are potential plugging agents for gas mobility control in flue gas flooding reservoirs. However, the influence of flue gas on performances of polymer gels have not been clearly clarified so far. In this study, the effect mechanism of flue gas on chromium acetate/partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) gel system has been elucidated in detail. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and polymer rheological tests demonstrated that CO2 composed in flue gas altered the HPAM configuration by the decrease of hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and polymer viscosity. Moreover, CO2 delayed the chromium acetate cyclic trimer dissociating into linear trimer and retarded the cross-linking process, which weakened the gelation performance and gel strength. The O2 composed in flue gas led to polymer degradation and seriously impaired the gel long-term stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that the breakage of Cr-O bond and the disruption of gel network structure were induced by the comprehensive effect of O2 and CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To validate a total-body PET-guided deep progressive learning reconstruction method (DPR) for low-dose 18F-FDG PET imaging. Methods: List-mode data from the retrospective study (n = 26) were rebinned into short-duration scans and reconstructed with DPR. The standard uptake value (SUV) and tumor-to-liver ratio (TLR) in lesions and coefficient of variation (COV) in the liver in the DPR images were compared to the reference (OSEM images with full-duration data). In the prospective study, another 41 patients were injected with 1/3 of the activity based on the retrospective results. The DPR images (DPR_1/3(p)) were generated and compared with the reference (OSEM images with extended acquisition time). The SUV and COV were evaluated in three selected organs: liver, blood pool and muscle. Quantitative analyses were performed with lesion SUV and TLR, furthermore on small lesions (≤ 10 mm in diameter). Additionally, a 5-point Likert scale visual analysis was performed on the following perspectives: contrast, noise and diagnostic confidence. Results: In the retrospective study, the DPR with one-third duration can maintain the image quality as the reference. In the prospective study, good agreement among the SUVs was observed in all selected organs. The quantitative results showed that there was no significant difference in COV between the DPR_1/3(p) group and the reference, while the visual analysis showed no significant differences in image contrast, noise and diagnostic confidence. The lesion SUVs and TLRs in the DPR_1/3(p) group were significantly enhanced compared with the reference, even for small lesions. Conclusions: The proposed DPR method can reduce the administered activity of 18F-FDG by up to 2/3 in a real-world deployment while maintaining image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plectin, a scaffolding protein overexpressed in tumor cells, plays a significant role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation, invasion, and migration. However, the use of L-type peptides for targeting plectin is hindered by their limited stability and retention. We designed a D-type plectin-targeting peptide ( D PTP) and developed a novel single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) probe for HCC imaging. The D PTP targeting ability was evaluated in vitro using flow cytometry and ex vivo fluorescence imaging. 99m Tc radiolabeling was performed using tricine and ethylenediamine- N , N '-diacetic acid (EDDA) as coligands after modification with 6-hydrazino nicotinamide (HYNIC) at the N termini of D PTP. The radiochemical purity (RCP), in vitro stability, and binding affinity of the prepared 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP were analyzed. Tumor uptake, metabolic stability, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP were investigated and compared with those of 99m Tc-labeled L-type PTP ( 99m Tc-HYNIC-PTP) in HCC tumor-bearing mice. D PTP could be efficiently radiolabeled with 99m Tc using the HYNIC/tricine/EDDA system with a high RCP and good in vitro stability. Compared with the L-type PTP, D PTP exhibited improved targeting ability, and 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP displayed higher tumor uptake, better metabolic stability, longer blood circulation time, and lower kidney retention, resulting in superior imaging performance and biodistribution in vivo . 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP has great potential as a novel SPECT probe for diagnosing HCC.

Purpose: Compared with PET/CT or PET/MRI, SPECT/CT is cheaper and more readily accessible. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of 99m Tc-HYNIC-PSMA SPECT/CT in detecting primary tumors and metastases in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa)., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 31 patients with pathologically proven PCa was performed at Shanghai General Hospital from November 2020 to November 2021. Planar whole-body imaging was performed on all patients with a SPECT/CT scan of PSMA-positive regions 3-4 h after intravenous injection of 740 MBq 99m Tc-HYNIC-PSMA. Positive PSMA uptake lesions were evaluated, and SUVmean and SUVmax were measured in each lesion. Associations between SPECT/CT parameters and clinicopathologic factors (tPSA and Gleason Score) were analyzed. The diagnostic capability of SPECT/CT parameters, tPSA, and GS in distant metastatic detection was evaluated by logistic regression., Results: The SUVmean and SUVmax of the high-risk stratification subgroups (tPSA>20 ng/ml, GS ≥8, and tPSA >20 ng/ml and GS≥8) were higher than those of the low-moderate risk stratification subgroups, with sensitivities of 92% and 92%, respectively. Neither SPECT/CT parameters (SUVmean, SUVmax) nor clinicopathologic factors (tPSA, GS) had high sensitivity (80%, 90%, 80%, and 90%, respectively, P <0.05) in distant metastatic prediction. For both the guideline tPSA level (20 ng/ml) and the cut-off level (84.3 ng/ml), the difference in the distant metastasis detection rate between the low predicted tPSA group and the high predicted tPSA group was statistically significant (0% vs . 47.62%, P = 0.005; 9.09% vs . 88.89%, P = 0.000, respectively). Twenty patients with pathological 99mTc-PSMA avid only in the prostate beds underwent radical prostatectomy. Seven of them underwent lymph node dissection, a total of 35 lymph nodes were removed, and no lymph nodes were detected with metastasis, which was consistent with 99m Tc-HYNIC-PSMA SPECT/CT., Conclusion: 99m Tc-HYNIC-PSMA SPECT/CT is effective in the risk stratification and distant metastasis detection of primary PCa patients. It is of great value in guiding treatment strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wang, Zhao, Qiao, Sun, Zhao and Xing.)