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Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare and highly aggressive tumor. However, the prognosis of UTUC is rarely predicted accurately due to the lack of reliable biomarkers. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been found to be correlated with several types of cancer. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between CRP levels and prognosis in UTUC. A computerized search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and CBM databases to identify clinical studies that have evaluated the association between preoperative CRP levels and prognosis of UTUC. The prognostic outcomes included recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). We extracted and synthesized corresponding hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) using Review Manager 5.3 software. We identified 7 retrospective cohort studies including a total of 1,919 patients and analyzed these studies using univariate and multivariate models. Our meta-analysis results revealed that RFS and CSS were significantly different between patients with elevated CRP levels and those with low CRP levels (P<0.0001 and P<0.00001, respectively); however, that was not the case for OS (P=0.22) in the multivariate or the univariate model. The pooled HR of RFS was 2.90 (95% CI: 1.87-4.51, P<0.00001) in the univariate analysis and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.26-1.97, P<0.0001) in the multivariate analysis. The pooled HRs of CSS were 2.78 (95% CI: 1.75-4.43, P<0.0001) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.32-2.03, P<0.00001) in the univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. However, the pooled HRs of OS were not significant in the univariate [1.24 (95% CI: 0.72-2.15, P=0.43)] or the multivariate analysis [1.24 (95% CI: 0.88-1.75, P=0.22)]. In conclusion, our meta-analysis results suggested that CRP level may be a prognostic predictor in UTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures and properties of Wn (n = 2-14) clusters were studied by using the density functional theory (DFT) at LSDA level. The most stable structures of Wn (n = 2-14) clusters with global minimum were determined. The average binding energy (Eb), the first and second difference of total energy (DE, D2E), the vertical detachment energy (VDE), and the HOMO-LUMO gap versus the size were also discussed. The abrupt decrease of VDE and HOMO-LUMO gap at size n = 8 and 10 implied that tungsten clusters of W8 and W10 appeared to have metallic features. These changes were also accompanied by the delocalization of electron charge density and the strong hybridization between 5d and 6s orbits in W8 and W10 clusters. Our results are in good agreement with the available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the equilibrium geometries and electronic properties of Ben and BenLi clusters, up to n = 15, by using density-functional theory(DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The lowest-energy structures of Ben and Ben Li clusters were determined. The results indicate that a single lithium impurity enhances the stability and chemical reactivity of the beryllium clusters. It finds that the geometries of the host clusters change significantly after the addition of the lithium atom for n [?]8. The lithium impurity prefers to be on the periphery of beryllium clusters, and occupies vertex sites. Both Be4 Li, Be9Li, and Be13 Li were found to be particularly stable with higher average binding energy, local peaks of second-order energy difference and fragmentation energies. For all the Ben Li clusters studied, we found charge transfers from the Li to Be site and co-existence of covalent and metallic bonding characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the clinical and non-contrast computed tomography (CT) features of patients with benign pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs) with a solid component ≤ 5 mm and their development trends via follow-up CT. Methods We retrospectively collected 436 data from patients who had SSNs with a solid component ≤ 5 mm, including 69 with absorbable benign SSNs (AB-SSNs), 70 with nonabsorbable benign SSNs (NB-SSNs), and 297 with malignant SSNs (M-SSNs). Models 1, 2, and 3 for distinguishing the different types of SSNs were then developed and validated. Results Patients with AB-SSNs were younger and exhibited respiratory symptoms more frequently than those with M-SSNs. The frequency of nodules detected during follow-up CT was in the following order: AB-SSNs > NB-SSNs > M-SSNs. NB-SSNs were smaller than M-SSNs, and ill-defined margins were more frequent in AB-SSNs than in NB-SSNs and M-SSNs. Benign SSNs exhibited irregular shape, target sign, and lower CT values more frequently compared to M-SSNs, whereas the latter demonstrated bubble lucency more commonly compared to the former. Furthermore, AB-SSNs showed more thickened interlobular septa and satellite lesions than M-SSNs and M-SSNs had more pleural retraction than AB-SSNs (all p

Abstract Objective To investigate the dynamic changes during follow-up computed tomography (CT), histological subtypes, gene mutation status, and surgical prognosis for different morphological presentations of solitary lung adenocarcinomas (SLADC). Materials and methods This retrospective study compared dynamic tumor changes and volume doubling time (VDT) in 228 patients with SLADC (morphological types I–IV) who had intermittent growth during follow-ups. The correlation between the morphological classification and histological subtypes, gene mutation status, and surgical prognosis was evaluated. Results Among the 228 patients, 66 (28.9%) were classified as type I, 123 (53.9%) as type II, 16 (7%) as type III, and 23 (10.1%) as type IV. Type I had the shortest VDT (254 days), followed by types IV (381 days) and III (501 days), and then type II (993 days) (p

Substance use disorders (SUD) can lead to serious health problems, and there is a great interest in developing new treatment methods to alleviate the impact of substance abuse. In recent years, the ketogenic diet (KD) has shown therapeutic benefits as a dietary therapy in a variety of neurological disorders. Recent studies suggest that KD can compensate for the glucose metabolism disorders caused by alcohol use disorder by increasing ketone metabolism, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms and indicating the therapeutic potential of KD in SUD. Additionally, SUD often accompanies increased sugar intake, involving neural circuits and altered neuroplasticity similar to substance addiction, which may induce cross-sensitization and increased use of other abused substances. Reducing carbohydrate intake through KD may have a positive effect on this. Finally, SUD is often associated with mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, glia dysfunction, and gut microbial disorders, while KD may potentially reverse these abnormalities and serve a therapeutic role. Although there is much indirect evidence that KD has a positive effect on SUD, the small number of relevant studies and the fact that KD leads to side effects such as metabolic abnormalities, increased risk of malnutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms have led to the limitation of KD in the treatment of SUD. Here, we described the organismal disorders caused by SUD and the possible positive effects of KD, aiming to provide potential therapeutic directions for SUD.

Abstract Allergic rhinitis (AR) threatens patient survival. CD4+ T cells play key roles in AR progression. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of cell differentiation. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanism of the lncRNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in AR. Expression levels of MALAT1, microRNA (miR)‐135b‐5p, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), and GATA‐binding protein 3 (GATA‐3) in the nasal mucosa of AR patients were quantified. CD4+ T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and treated with ovalbumin (OVA) and Th2 inducers. After MALAT1 and miR‐135b‐5p levels changed in CD4+ T cells, the proportion of IL‐4‐expressing cells and the levels of IL‐4 and GATA‐3 in OVA‐induced CD4+ T cells were determined. Binding relationships among MALAT1, miR‐135b‐5p, and GATA‐3 were predicted and verified. Rescue experiments were performed to confirm the role of the MALAT1/miR‐135b‐5p/GATA‐3 axis in Th2 differentiation of CD4+ T cells. MALAT1, IL‐4, and GATA‐3 expression was upregulated, whereas miR‐135b‐5p expression was downregulated, in patients with AR. MALAT1 knockdown or miR‐135b‐5p overexpression in CD4+ T cells notably decreased the proportion of IL‐4‐expressing cells and downregulated GATA‐3 and IL‐4 expression in OVA‐induced CD4+ T cells. MALAT1 and GATA‐3 exhibited competitive binding toward miR‐135b‐5p. MALAT1 facilitated CD4+ T cell Th2 differentiation via the miR‐135b‐5p/GATA‐3 axis. MALAT1 facilitated AR development by facilitating CD4+ T cell Th2 differentiation via the miR‐135b‐5p/GATA‐3 axis. This study may provide guidance for clinical treatment of AR.

The geometries and electronic properties of Fe(MgO)n are systematically investigated by the density functional theory. The results show that the doped Fe atom is prone to bond with the O atom, and Fe almost does not disturb the frame of (MgO)n. The second-order energy difference, the fragmentation energies and the electron affinities show that Fe(MgO)4 and Fe(MgO)6 possess relatively higher stabilities. The HOMO-LUMO gaps of Fe(MgO)n decrease obviously as compared with (MgO)n. Almost equal unpaired electrons of the 3d state of the Fe atom in Fe(MgO)n result in a nearly equal magnetic moment of Fe(MgO)n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In clinical practice, a number of delayed diagnoses of localized pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma (L-PLADC) mimicking pneumonia have been identified due to the lack of knowledge regarding the radiological findings associated with this condition. Here, we defined L-PLADC as a special type of lung adenocarcinoma that presents as a focal consolidation involving

Abstract Background Pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma (PLADC) with different ranges might exhibit different imaging and clinicopathological features. This study divided PLADC into localized PLADC (L-PLADC) and diffuse PLADC (D-PLADC) based on imaging and aimed to clarify the differences in clinical, imaging, and pathologic characteristics between the two new subtypes. Results The data of 131 patients with L-PLADC and 117 patients with D-PLADC who were pathologically confirmed and underwent chest computed tomography (CT) at our institute from December 2014 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. Patients with L-PLADC were predominantly female, non-smokers, and without respiratory symptoms and elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level, whereas those with D-PLADC were predominantly male, smokers, and had respiratory symptoms and elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level (all p

Abstract Background Necrotic pulmonary lesions manifest as relatively low-density internally on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). However, using CT to differentiate malignant and benign necrotic pulmonary lesions is challenging, as these lesions have similar peripheral enhancement. With the introduction of dual-energy spectral CT (DESCT), more quantitative parameters can be obtained and the ability to differentiate material compositions has been highly promoted. This study investigated the use of kVp-switching DESCT in differentiating malignant from benign necrotic lung lesions. Methods From October 2016 to February 2019, 40 patients with necrotic lung cancer (NLC) and 31 with necrotic pulmonary mass-like inflammatory lesion (NPMIL) were enrolled and underwent DESCT. The clinical characteristics of patients, CT morphological features, and DESCT quantitative parameters of lesions were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors differentiating NPMIL from NLC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance of single-parameter and multiparametric analyses. Results Significant differences in age, C-reactive protein concentration, the slope of the spectral curve from 40 to 65 keV (K40–65 keV) of necrosis in non-contrast-enhanced scanning (NCS), arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP), effective atomic number of necrosis in NCS, and iodine concentration (IC) of the solid component in VP were observed between groups (all p

BackgroundBased on the “seed and soil” theory proposed by previous studies, we aimed to develop and validate a combined model of machine learning for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with peripheral lung adenocarcinoma (PLADC).MethodsRadiomics models were developed in a primary cohort of 390 patients (training cohort) with pathologically confirmed PLADC from January 2016 to August 2018. The patients were divided into the LNM (−) and LNM (+) groups. Thereafter, the patients were subdivided according to TNM stages N0, N1, N2, and N3. Radiomic features from unenhanced computed tomography (CT) were extracted. Radiomic signatures of the primary tumor (R1) and adjacent pleura (R2) were built as predictors of LNM. CT morphological features and clinical characteristics were compared between both groups. A combined model incorporating R1, R2, and CT morphological features, and clinical risk factors was developed by multivariate analysis. The combined model’s performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. An internal validation cohort containing 166 consecutive patients from September 2018 to November 2019 was also assessed.ResultsThirty-one radiomic features of R1 and R2 were significant predictors of LNM (all P < 0.05). Sex, smoking history, tumor size, density, air bronchogram, spiculation, lobulation, necrosis, pleural effusion, and pleural involvement also differed significantly between the groups (all P < 0.05). R1, R2, tumor size, and spiculation in the combined model were independent risk factors for predicting LNM in patients with PLADC, with area under the ROC curves (AUCs) of 0.897 and 0.883 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The combined model identified N0, N1, N2, and N3, with AUCs ranging from 0.691–0.927 in the training cohort and 0.700–0.951 in the validation cohort, respectively, thereby indicating good performance.ConclusionCT phenotypes of the primary tumor and adjacent pleura were significantly associated with LNM. A combined model incorporating radiomic signatures, CT morphological features, and clinical risk factors can assess LNM of patients with PLADC accurately and non-invasively.

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) rapidly increased over the past decades. However, little evidence exists about the effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on MetS in children and adolescents. Objective: This study aims to assess the association between long-term ambient air pollution and the prevalence of MetS in a large population of Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: In 2013, a total of 9,897 children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years were recruited from seven provinces/municipalities in China. MetS was defined based on the recommendation by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Satellite based spatio-temporal models were used to estimate exposure to ambient air pollution (including particles with diameters ≤1.0 µm (PM1), ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), and ≤10 µm (PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)). Individual exposure was calculated according to 94 schools addresses. After adjustment for a range of covariates, generalized linear mixed-effects models were utilized to evaluate the associations between air pollutants and the prevalence of MetS and its components. In addition, several stratified analyses were examined according to sex, weight status, outdoor physical activity time, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 2.8%. The odds ratio of MetS associated with a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 was 1.20 (95%CI: 0.99, 1.46), 1.31 (95%CI: 1.05, 1.64), 1.32 (95%CI: 1.08, 1.62), and 1.33 (95%CI: 1.03, 1.72), respectively. Regarding the MetS components, we observed associations between all pollutants and abdominal obesity. In addition, long-term PM1 and NO2 exposures were associated with the prevalence of elevated fasting blood glucose. Stratified analyses detected that the associations between air pollutants and the prevalence of MetS were stronger in boys (Pinteraction

BACKGROUND:In this research, an meta-analysis was performed for assessment of the associations between O6-methyguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter hypermethylation possessing low-grade intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), cervical cancer (CC), and clinicopathological characters of CC. METHODS:Literature selection were conducted through searching PubMed, Web of science, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases (up to November 2018). An assessment of associations between MGMT methylation and LSIL, HSIL, CC risk and clinicopathological characteristics was performed through pooled odds ratios (ORs) with relevant 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses, meta-regressions and Galbraith plots were conducted to conduct an exploration on the possible sources of heterogeneity. The genome-wide DNA methylation array studies were extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases for validation of these outcomes. RESULTS:In this meta-analysis of 25 published articles, MGMT hypermethylation gradually elevated the rates among control group (12.16%), LSIL (20.92%), HSIL (36.33%) and CC (41.50%) specimens. MGMT promoter methylation was significant associated with the increased risk of LSIL by 1.74-fold (P

This paper presents a simple but workable constitutive model for the stress–strain relationship of sandy soil during the process of tunneling construction disturbance in coastal cities. The model was developed by linking the parameter K and internal angle φ of the Duncan–Chang model with the disturbed degree of sand, in which the effects of the initial void ratio on the strength deformation property of sands are considered using a unified disturbance function based on disturbed state concept theory. Three cases were analyzed to investigate the validity of the proposed constitutive model considering disturbance. After validation, the proposed constitutive model was further incorporated into a 3D finite element framework to predict the soil deformation caused by shield construction. It was found that the simulated results agreed well with the analytical solution, indicating that the developed numerical model with proposed constitutive relationship is capable of characterizing the mechanical properties of sand under tunneling construction disturbance.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of real-time elastography as a method for detecting prostate cancer.Material and Methods: Relevant studies applying real-time elastography as the diagnostic modality and biopsy as the reference standard, published by March 1, 2018 were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. Two independent reviewers inspected all these articles to confirm the matching of the inclusion criteria. One reviewer with methodological expertise extracted the data from the included studies. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were used to obtain overall estimates. Randomized effect method, meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed.Results: Twenty-four studies out of 1156 identified articles met the inclusion criteria. Three groups were set: analysisby patient (Group 1), by core (Group 2), and by image (Group 3) and subgroups set in Group 1. The pooled estimate ofreal-time elastography sensitivity/ specificity/ DOR calculated with the identical P-value 0.00. Within subgroups "Asia" and"PSA>=10 ng/ml", the pooled sensitivity, specificity and DOR were 0.83, 0.65 (p=0.01, I2=73.40%; p=0.02, I2=69.5%), 0.80, 0.82 (p=0.66, I2=0.00%; p=0.58, I2=0.00%) and 20.2, 8.67 (p=0.09, I2=54.2%; p=0.20, I2=35.5%), respectively. In these three groups, the areas under the SROC curve were 0.7417, 0.9246, and 0.6213 independently.Conclusions: Real-time elastography is a promising, reliable modality for the non-invasive diagnosis of patients with prostate cancer. The diagnostic accuracy of real-time elastography correlates tightly to the presence of higher PSA level and may help avoid unnecessary biopsy. It seems to be a useful tool in systemic biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]