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Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant tumor with the highest incidence among women. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are currently used as the first-line methods for treating BC. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) in combination with sonosensitizers exerts a synergistic effect. The therapeutic effects of SDT depend on factors, such as the intensity, frequency, and duration of ultrasound, and the type and the biological model of sonosensitizer. Current reviews have focused on the possibility of using tumor-seeking sonosensitizers, sometimes in combination with different therapies, such as immunotherapy. This study elucidates the therapeutic mechanism of interaction between SDT and tissue as well as the current progress in medical applications of SDT to BC.

Background An extended cholecystectomy is generally recommended for patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) at stage T2 or above, and involves cholecystectomy and a limited hepatic resection. It is important to differentiate tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant liver tissues before surgery for surgical strategies decision making. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can provide functional information by depicting the diffusion of water in biological tissue and can be quantitated by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Our study aimed to evaluate feasibility of ADC and its standard deviation (ADCsd) to differentiate between tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant liver tissues in T3 staged resectable GBC. Methods A total of 41 consecutive patients with T3 staged resectable GBC were included in this retrospective study and divided into two sets with (n = 27) and without (n = 14) liver invasion. All patients underwent DWI at b-values of 0, 20, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 sec/mm2 with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner before surgery. Mean ADC and ADCsd of tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant liver tissues were measured on DWI, and were compared by Mann-Whitney U tests. If there was a significant difference in any derived parameter, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess performance of this parameter for differentiating tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant liver tissues. Results In the set with liver invasion, mean ADC and ADCsd of tumor-adjacent liver tissue were lower than those of tumor-distant liver tissue when b = 0, 800 sec/mm2, and b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2, respectively (all P-values sd at all b values had no statistical differences between tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant liver tissues (all P-values > 0.05). To differentiate tumor-adjacent from tumor-distant liver tissues in the set with liver invasion, AUCs of ADC were 0.687 (b = 0, 800 sec/mm2) and 0.680 (b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2), respectively; and those of ADCsd were 0.673 (b = 0, 800 sec/mm2) and 0.731 (b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2), respectively. Conclusions In patients with liver invasion by T3 staged GBC, ADC and ADCsd could have potential value in differentiating tumor-adjacent from tumor-distant liver tissues.

Background It is essential to accurately determine resectability of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) for treatment decision making. Previous studies revealed that CT-derived gross tumour volume (GTV) associates well with T category of ESCC, nodal metastases and N stage, treatment failure rate, and disease survival rate. This study aimed to explore whether anatomical distribution-based GTV of non-distant metastatic thoracic ESCC measured with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) could quantitatively determine the resectability. Methods 473 consecutive patients with biopsy-confirmed non-distant metastatic thoracic ESCC underwent contrast-enhanced CT were randomized into the training (TC, 376 patients) and validation (VC, 97 patients) cohorts. GTV was retrospectively measured on MDCT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non-distant metastatic ESCC resectability in TC. Subsequently, Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare GTV based on different anatomic distributions between patients of resectable and unresectable ESCCs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was to clarify if anatomical distribution-based GTV could help quantitatively determinate resectability. Unweighted Cohen’s Kappa tests in VC were to assess the performance of the previous models. Results Univariate analysis demonstrated that gender, anatomic distribution, cT stage, cN stage and GTV were related to resectability of non-distant metastatic ESCC (all P-values P 3, 22.89 cm3 and 22.58 cm3 to determine resectability with areas under the ROC curves of more than 0.9, respectively. Unweighted Cohen’s Kappa tests showed an excellent performance of the ROC models in the upper, middle and lower thoracic portions with Cohen k-values of 0.913, 0.879 and 0.871, respectively. Conclusions GTV and anatomic distribution of non-distant metastatic thoracic ESCC could be independent risk factors of resectability, and anatomical distribution-based GTV could well quantitatively determine resectability.

Multiple kernel methods less consider the intrinsic manifold structure of multiple kernel data and estimate the consensus kernel matrix with quadratic number of variables,which makes it vulnerable to the noise and outliers within multiple candidate kernels.This paper first presents the clustering method via kernelized local regression(CKLR).It captures the local structure of kernel data and employs kernel regression on the local region to predict the clustering results.Moreover,this paper further extends it to perform clustering via the multiple kernel local regression(CMKLR).We construct the kernel level local regression sparse coefficient matrix for each candidate kernel,which well characterize the kernel level manifold structure.We then aggregate all the kernel level local regression coefficients via linear weights and generate the consensus sparse local regression coefficient,which largely reduces the number of candidate variables and becomes more robust against noises and outliers within multiple kernel data.Thus,the proposed method CMKLR avoids the above two limitations.It only contains one additional hyper parameter for turning.Extensive experimental results show that the clustering performance of the proposed method on benchmark data set is better than that of 10 state-of-the-art multiple kernel clustering methods.

To develop a novel logistic regression model based on liver/spleen volumes and portal vein diameter measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting oesophagogastric variceal bleeding (OVB) secondary to HBV cirrhosis.One hundred eighty-five consecutive cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B undergoing abdominal contrast-enhanced MRI were randomly divided into training cohort (n = 130) and validation cohort (n = 55). Spleen volume, total liver volume, four liver lobe volumes, and diameters of portal venous system were measured on MRI. Ratios of spleen volume to total liver and to individual liver lobe volumes were calculated. In training cohort, univariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses were to determine independent predictors. Performance of the model for predicting OVB constructed based on independent predictors from training cohort was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and was validated by Kappa test in validation cohort.OVB occurred in 42 and 18 individuals in training and validation cohorts during the 2 years' follow-up, respectively. An OVB prediction model was constructed based on the independent predictors including right liver lobe volume (RV), left gastric vein diameter (LGVD) and portal vein diameter (PVD) (odds ratio = 0.993, 2.202 and 1.613, respectively; p-values0.001 for all). The logistic regression model equation (-0.007 × RV + 0.79 × LGVD + 0.478 × PVD-6.73) for predicting OVB obtained excellent performance with an area under ROC curve of 0.907. The excellent performance was confirmed by Kappa test with K-value of 0.802 in validation cohort.The novel logistic regression model can be reliable for predicting OVB.• Patients with oesophagogastric variceal bleeding are mainly characterized by decreased right lobe volume, and increased spleen volume and diameters of portal vein system. • The right liver lobe volume, left gastric vein diameter and portal vein diameter are the independent predictors of oesophagogastric variceal bleeding. • The novel model developed based on the independent predictors performed well in predicting oesophagogastric variceal bleeding with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.907.

To evaluate the long-term efficacy of Coflex dynamic stabilization device in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.The clinical and imaging data of 73 patients undergoing Coflex dynamic stabilization surgery from July 2008 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had a minimum of 8 years of follow-up. Clinical data were used to assess the clinical efficacy, and radiographic parameters were measured for evaluation of ASD.56 Patients were followed up for 107.6 ± 13.3 months. The visual analogue scale of pain (VAS), Owestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA) improved significantly after surgery. At 6 months after surgery and the last follow-up, lumbar range of motion (ROM) was significantly lower than that before surgery (P 0.001). ROM was slightly increased at the last follow-up compared with that 6 months after operation (P 0.05). ROM of adjacent segments increased at 6 months and at the last follow-up compared with that before surgery (P 0.05). At 6 months after surgery, intervertebral space height (ISH) and intervertebral foramen height (IFH) of implanted segment was significantly higher than that before surgery (P 0.05). At the last follow-up, there was a decrease in ISH and IFH (P 0.05). During the follow-up period, a total of 11 patients (19.6%) experienced complications and 6 patients (10.7%) underwent secondary surgery.Coflex interspinous process dynamic stabilization is effective in the long-term treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, the ISH and IFH of implanted segment could be increased in a short period of time.

To evaluate the value of renal diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the diagnosis of early diabetic nephropathy (DN) in a rat model. Forty male Zucker diabetic fatty rats that spontaneously developed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 20 age-matched nondiabetic lean Zucker rats were included. Renal DKI scans and histological examinations were performed on the rats in batches at the end of the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th week after DM model was built. Based on renal histopathological appearance, included animals were divided into three groups: a nondiabetic control group, a DM group without DN, and an early DN group. Mean kurtosis (MK) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of renal cortex and medulla were analyzed statistically. MK values of renal cortex and medulla tended to increase from the control group to the early DN group, respectively, while MD values tended to decrease. The cutoff MD and MK values of renal cortex and medulla showed different values in discriminating early DN from controls. Among them, cutoff MK value of medulla of 0.62 was the best parameter (sensitivity, 93.9%; specificity, 96.4%; and area under the curve, 0.95). For discriminate early DN from DM without DN and DM without DN from controls, cutoff MK value of renal cortex or medulla achieved an area under the curve of 0.76–0.85. MR DKI may be valuable for the noninvasive detection of early DN, and MK value might serve as a more sensitive biomarker of early DN than MD value. • In this article, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) was used to detect the changes in the kidneys due to early diabetic nephropathy (DN). • MR DKI may be valuable for the noninvasive detection of early DN. • The mean kurtosis values of renal cortex and medulla might serve as a more sensitive biomarker of early DN than the mean diffusivity values.

DNA topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) reportedly plays a crucial role in several cancers, however, the precise regulatory role of TOP2A in metastatic characteristics of glioma is still poorly understood. Herein, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms by which TOP2A affects the metastatic phenotypes of glioma. We observed that a high level of TOP2A expression was dramatically linked with inferior survival in glioma patients while silencing of TOP2A impaired glioma cell proliferation and aggressiveness. TOP2A was found to directly interact with β-catenin and facilitated its translocation into the nucleus. Mechanistically, TOP2A effectively induced glioma cell growth and invasion in a β-catenin-dependent manner. Overall, we pinpoint TOP2A as a critical activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma, promoting cell growth, migration, and invasion.

To evaluate feasibility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at different b-values to differentiate between tumor, tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant tissues in rectal adenocarcinoma (RA).Seventy consecutive patients with RA undergoing preoperative diffusion-weighted imaging were retrospectively enrolled. ADCs of tumor, proximal tumor-adjacent tissue (PTA) and tumor-distant tissue (PTD), and distal tumor-adjacent tissue (DTA) and tumor-distant tissue (DTD) were calculated with b-values of 0 and 800 sec/mmMean ADC of tumor was lower than those of PTA, PTD, DTA and DTD; and mean ADCs of PTA and DTA were lower than those of PTD and DTD at all b-values, respectively (all P-values 0.001). ADC cut-offs of 1.089 × 10ADC can help differentiate between tumor, tumor-adjacent and tumor-distant tissues in RA.

To investigate the regulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in SA- and JA-dependent systemic defense pathways in tomato seedlings damaged by cotton bollworm. The lower two leaves of four-leaf tomato plant seedlings were treated with cotton bollworms. The upper leaves were then removed at various time points and assessed for systemic changes in H2O2 levels, enzyme activity and defense-related genes expression. Wild-type seedlings, def-5 mutant seedlings (deficient in JA accumulation) and transgenic nahG seedlings(deficient in SA content) were constructed at four-leaf stage. Wild-type plants were further treated with dimethylthiourea (DMTU) and 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester (DHC). Bollworm feeding in the lower leaves induced rapid systemic accumulation of H2O2 in the upper leaves. H2O2 accumulation further increased activities for SA- and JA-dependent enzymes including proteinase inhibitors (PIs), pathogenesis-related gene 1 (PR-1), cathepsin D inhibitor (CDI), β-1,3-glucanse (BGL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Furthermore, H2O2 accumulation enhanced mRNA expression of BGL-2, PR-1, PI, CDI and PPO genes. Suppression of H2O2 accumulation using H2O2 scavengers substantially diminished these effects. mRNA expression of PR-1 was not induced in transgenic nahG plants. SA- and JA-dependent signaling pathways are involved in the tomato systemic defense responses to herbivores, and that H2O2 generation is required for both systemic pathways.

A novel filtering balun is proposed in this letter. The filtering balun consists of three half-wavelength uniform-impedance microstrip resonators. Each resonator is coupled to external port through tapped line. Two resonators (called output resonators) connected to balanced output ports are in parallel coupled to the third resonator (called input resonator) connected to the unbalanced input port. The coupling locations have equal-magnitude and out-of-phase voltages, which provides balanced output signals. To improve the isolation performance, a microstrip stub is used to introduce coupling between the output resonators and an isolation resistor is added between the symmetrical position of the microstrip stub and the ground. The isolation resistor can obviously improve isolation performance and has no effect on the balanced output signals. The design is discussed in detail and a prototype filtering balun with center frequency of 2.4 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results have good agreement with the simulated ones, which confirms the novel filtering balun and the design method.

This paper discusses linear quadratic Nash game of stochastic singular time-delay systems governed by Itô’s differential equation. Sufficient condition for the existence of Nash strategies is given by means of linear matrix inequality for the first time. Moreover, in order to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed theory, stochastic H2∕H∞control with multiple decision makers is discussed as an immediate application.

This Letter presents a compact microstrip diplexer. The high-frequency signal path is constructed by two electrically-coupling half-wavelength resonators, its external coupling adopts the tapped line structure. The low-frequency signal path is formed by two magnetically-coupling quarter-wavelength resonators, its external coupling is accomplished by microstrip coupling lines, which are formed from the tapped line structure and resonator of the high-frequency signal paths. The novel combination of the two signal path removes the need of T-junction in conventional diplexers. Meantime, the coupling strength of the two pass bands at the input port can be separately designed. A diplexer with Chebyshev frequency response at both signal paths with the central frequencies of 1.8/2.4 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured. The measured results give a good agreement with the simulated ones, which verifies the effectiveness of the diplexer.

In this paper, we deal with the Nash differential games of stochastic singular systems governed by Itô-type equation in finite-time horizon and infinite-time horizon, respectively. Firstly, the Nash differential game problem of stochastic singular systems in finite time horizon is formulated. By applying the results of stochastic optimal control problem, the existence condition of the Nash strategy is presented by means of a set of cross-coupled Riccati differential equations. Similarly, under the assumption of the admissibility of the stochastic singular systems, the existence condition of the Nash strategy in infinite-time horizon is presented by means of a set of cross-coupled Riccati algebraic equations. The results show that the strategies of each players interact.

To study conductor damage induced by different patterns of string pulley in process of tension stringing, damage experiment is performed on string pulleys with multi wheels and single wheel. Damages occurred on conductor by two different kinds of string pulleys are analyzed. Results show that there are no significant decrements in strength of conductor with trapezoidal conductor when it is passing through different patterns of string pulley. It indicates that damages on conductor with trapezoidal conductor caused by both types of string pulley are similar. It is also found that average strength of conductor with circular conductor decreases 1.60% and 2.99% when conductor is passing through string pulley with single wheel and multi wheels over twenty times. It is concluded that strength damage on conductor with circular conductor induced by multi wheels is a little larger than that by single wheel

Singular systems are a class of more generalized dynamic systems with a wide application background, which appeared in large number of practical system models, such as the power systems, economic systems, constrained robots, electronic networks and aerospace systems, so its research has important theoretical and practical value. This chapter attempts to extend the differential game theory study of Markov jump linear systems discussed in Chap. 3 to stochastic Markov jump singular systems, which covers the saddle point equilibrium theory of two person zero-sum games, the Nash equilibrium theory and Stackelberg game theory of two person nonzero-sum game, and the existence conditions, strategy design methods and algorithms of the equilibrium strategies are analyzed.

This chapter mainly introduces applications of stochastic differential game theory for Markov jump linear systems to finance and insurance. Firstly, a risk minimization problem is considered in a continuous-time Markovian regime switching financial model modulated by a continuous-time, finite-state, Markov chain.

In this chapter, we will use the results of stochastic differential games for Markov jump linear systems and Markov jump singular systems to investigate the stochastic H2/H∞ robust control problem.

This chapter investigated the stochastic differential game theory of discrete-time markov jump linear systems, in which the state equation is described by Ito’s stochastic algebraic equation.

This chapter mainly discussed the stochastic differential game theory of continuous-time Markov jump linear systems.

This chapter introduces the theory of deterministic and stochastic differential games, including the dynamic optimization techniques, (stochastic) differential games and their solution concepts, which will lay a foundation for later study.

Aim To determine whether diameters of the left gastric vein (LGV) and its originating vein are associated with endoscopic grades of esophageal varices. Methods Ninety-eight liver cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) portography, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for grading esophageal varices were enrolled. Diameters of the LGV and its originating vein – the splenic vein (SV) or portal vein (PV) – were measured on MR imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the association of the diameters with the endoscopic grades. Results Univariate analysis showed that the SV was predominantly the originating vein of the LGV, and diameters of the LGV and SV were associated with grades of esophageal varices. Diameters of the LGV (P = 0.023, odds ratio [OR] = 1.583) and SV (P = 0.012, OR = 2.126) were independent risk factors of presence of the varices. Cut-off LGV diameters of 5.1 mm, 5.9 mm, 6.6 mm, 7.1 mm, 7.8 mm and 5.8 mm; or cut-off SV diameters of 7.3 mm, 7.9 mm, 8.4 mm, 9.5 mm, 10.7 mm and 8.3 mm, could discriminate grades 0 from 1, 0 from 2, 0 from 3, 1 from 3, 2 from 3, and 0–1 from 2–3, respectively. Conclusion Diameters of the LGV and SV are associated with endoscopic grades of esophageal varices.

Conductor scheme is one of most key issues in the design of the transmission lines project, and it is significant for the construction cost and safe operation of transmission lines project. It can be aslo concluded from analysis on application of existing conductor that the appropriate decrease of number of bundle conductor and increase of the conductor cross-section will reduce lines loss, which has remarkable social-economic benefits. In this paper, the economic analysis of large cross-section conductor is conducted based on ±800kV DC Project. Some useful suggestions are given.

To compare the stochastic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and the grey system GM(1,1) model to predict the hepatitis B incidence in Qianan. Considering the Box-Jenkins modeling and GM(1,1) model approach, hepatitis B incidence was collected monthly from 2004 to 2011, a SARIMA model and a gray system GM(1,1) model were fit. Then, these models were used for calculating hepatitis B incidence for the last 6 observations compared with observed data. The constructed models were performed to predict the monthly incidence rate in 2013. The model SARIMA(0,1,1)(0,1,1)12 and was established finally and the residual sequence was a white noise sequence. Using Excel 2003 to establish the gray system GM(1,1) model of hepatitis B incidence and evaluating the accuracy of the mode as well as forecasting. By posterior-error-test (C=0.435, p=0.821) and residual test, the model accuracy was qualified. It was necessary and practical to apply the approach of ARIMA model in fitting time series to predict hepatitis within a short lead time. The prediction results showed that the hepatitis B incidence in 2013 had a slight upward trend.

The main objective of this study is to identify the stochastic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict the pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in Qianan. Considering the Box-Jenkins modeling approach, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was collected monthly from 2004 to 2010. The model ARIMA(0,1,1)12 was established finally and the residual sequence was a white noise sequence. Then, this model was used for calculating dengue incidence for the last 6 observations compared with observed data, and performed to predict the monthly incidence in 2011. It is necessary and practical to apply the approach of ARIMA model in fitting time series to predict pulmonary tuberculosis within a short lead time.

The limiting width-thickness ratio of 2A12 angle Aluminum Alloy under axial compression is discussed using guide for design of transmission tower by American society of civil engineers, Chinese Technical regulation of design for tower and pole structure of overhead transmission line (DL/T5154-2002) and Chinese code for design of steel structures (GB50017-2003). The results show that the formula of Chinese code for design of steel structures about limiting width-thickness ratio is reasonable. And there is unreasonable in Chinese technical regulation of design for tower and pole structure of overhead transmission line and guide for design of transmission tower by American society of civil engineers about the formula of limiting width-thickness ratio. Some useful suggestions are given.

To investigate the appropriate inclined angles, spacing between caliper and square steel satisfying the requirement of caliper switching mechanism and the appropriate tooth parameters, the relation of inclined angles of caliper and meshing force is analyzed. And the hardness parameters of caliper and square steel are also analyzed. The appropriate tooth parameters are determined based on hardness parameters of caliper and square steel and tooth parameters of caliper.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of hospitalization that is characterized by a sudden loss of renal excretory function and associated with the subsequent development of chronic kidney disease, poor prognosis, and increased mortality. Although the pathophysiology of renal functional impairment in the setting of AKI remains poorly understood, previous studies have identified changes in renal hemodynamics, perfusion, and oxygenation as key factors in the development and progression of AKI. The early assessment of these changes remains a challenge. Many established approaches are not applicable to humans because of their invasiveness. Functional renal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers an alternative assessment tool that could be used to evaluate renal morphology and function noninvasively and simultaneously. Thus, the purpose of this review is to illustrate the principle, application, and role of the techniques of functional renal MR imaging, including blood oxygen level-dependent imaging, arterial spin labeling, and diffusion-weighted MR imaging, in the management of AKI. The use of gadolinium in MR imaging may exacerbate renal impairment and cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Therefore, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging will not be discussed in this paper.

Purpose: To study the risk grade of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with conventional MR imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: The abdominal MR images with DWI of 23 patients with pathologically proven GISTs during January 2010 to May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The conventional MR imaging findings and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the tumors related to the risk grade were analyzed. Results: In the 23 patients, there were 13 patients with high-risk, 5 with medium-risk, 5 with low-risk, and 0 with very low-risk GISTs. Most of the conventional MR findings of the tumors did not correlate with the risk grade. The only exception to this was the correlation between risk grade and the enhancement degree of the tumor after Gd-DTPA. The ADC values were, respectively, (1.04 ± 0.13) × 10−3 mm2·s−1, (1.59 ± 0.06) × 10−3 mm2·s−1 and (1.94 ± 0.08) × 10−3 mm2·s−1 (P < 0.05) in the high-, medium-, and low-risk grade groups. The ADC values of GISTs decreased with the increase of the risk grade of the tumors (r = −0.957; P < 0.05). Conclusion: DWI can be used to assess the risk grade of GISTs, but conventional MR imaging is of limited use. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012; 36:1395–1401. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.