Diagnostic value of supersonic shear impulse elastography for malignant cervical lymph nodes: a Bayesian analysis

Yuxuan Qiu,Zhichao Xing,Qianru Yang,Yan Luo 대한초음파의학회 2022 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.41 No.2

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of supersonic impulse (SSI) elastography in differentiating malignant and benign cervical lymph nodes.Methods: The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched until December 1, 2020. Two different reviewers checked the studies and extracted the data. The diagnostic yields were quantitatively synthesized using a Bayesian bivariate model with an integrated nested Laplace approximation in R.Results: In total, 590 patients with 892 cervical lymph nodes who underwent SSI elastography were included. The total prevalence of malignancy was 33.7% (301/892), and the four elastic modulus values (mean, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation) were significantly different between malignant and benign lymph nodes. For the mean elastic modulus, the summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 0.720 (95% credible interval [CrI], 0.592 to 0.824) and 0.877 (95% CrI, 0.727 to 0.969), respectively. The estimated area under the curve (AUC) was 0.845 (95% CrI, 0.672 to 0.914). For the maximum elastic modulus, the sensitivity and specificity were estimated to be 0.809 (95% CrI, 0.698 to 0.899) and 0.816 (95% CrI, 0.643 to 0.924), respectively. The estimated AUC was 0.834 (95% CrI, 0.579 to 0.938). The minimum and standard deviation of the elastic modulus and the outcomes of the positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and risk difference were also calculated.Conclusion: SSI elastography is an acceptable imaging technique for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes, and it can play a complementary role today. Both maximum and mean elastic modulus values should be taken into consideration to make a clinical judgment.

Simulation of Permeation of Saturated Cement Paste Based on a New Meso-scale Pore Network Model

Yong Zhou,Yuxuan Yang,Bigya Gyawali,Weiping Zhang 한국콘크리트학회 2021 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.15 No.5

This paper presents the simulation of the permeation of saturated cement paste based on a novel pore network model. First, a 2D hydration model of cement particles was developed by extending the work of Zheng et al. 2005 to provide the background for the network construction. Secondly, the establishment of the pore network model and simulation of permeation of saturated cement paste were carried out. The irregular pores between any two hydrated cement particles were linearized with clear distances as the diameters of pores. The straight tubular pores were interconnected with one another to form the network model. During this process, the weighted Voronoi diagram was employed to operate on the graphical expression of the hydrated cement particles. Water permeation in saturated cement paste was simulated to verify the pore network model. Finally, the factors including water-cement ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time and cement particle size that would influence water permeation were numerically investigated.

The role of CTNNB1 and LEF1 in feather follicles development of Anser cygnoides and Anser anser

Yue Sun,Yuxuan Zhou,Petunia Msuthwana,Jing Liu,Chang Liu,Cornelius Tlotliso Sello,Yupu Song,Ziqiang Feng,Shengyi Li,Wei Yang,Yunpeng Xu,Xiaomin Yan,Chuanghang Li,Yujian Sui,Jingtao Hu,Yongfeng Sun 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.7

Background Wingless-types/beta-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin) signaling pathway is one of the most extensively studied transcriptional cascades involved in various types of organogenesis including embryonic and postnatal development. Downy feather quantity is primarily affected by follicular development and gene regulations. Objective This research was aimed to investigate the role of catenin beta-1(CTNNB1) and lymphoid enhancerbinding factor-1 (LEF1) on feather follicles development at different developmental stages. Methods Fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemical methods were used in Anser cygnoides and Anser anser embryos (E12, E13 E18, and E28) and after birth gosling stages (G18, G48, G88) for gene expression analysis. Results CTNNB1 and LEF1 genes were expressed in Anser cygnoides and Anser anser at different embryonic and after-birth gosling developmental stages and the expression levels were significantly different in different stages (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of CTNNB1 and LEF1 genes reached the highest level at D88 in Anser cygnoides, while the highest expression levels were at D18 and D88 in Anser anser, and the expression levels of CTNNB1 genes at D88 in all embryonic stages were significantly lower than after-birth stages. CTNNB1 and LEF1 protein expression were the highest at E12 and E28 for Anser cygnoides feather follicles development. While at a similar stage for Anser anser, the expression of CTNNB1 and LEF1 protein was the highest at D48 and D18. Protein expression at embryonic stages was in the epidermis (E) and the hair basal plate (P), the expression site for after-birth stages was in the dermal papilla (DP). Conclusion Our study illustrated that CTNNB1 and LEF1 has an impact on Anser cygnoides and Anser anser feather follicles growth and development.

The technology and properties of sponge city permeable bricks prepared using refractory waste

Jieguang Song,Xueqing Yang,Ping Chen,Rongjin Liu,Deping Luo,Yuxuan Wei,Wenjin Yao,Jingjing Liu,Qing Zeng 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2021 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.22 No.4

With the widespread development of sponge city projects across the country, the use of industrial permeable bricks hasincreased dramatically. My country produces a large amount of refractory waste and pollutes the environment seriously. Wasterefractory insulation bricks are used as the main raw materials, and a small amount of auxiliary raw materials are added toprepare sponge urban permeable bricks through forming and sintering processes. Through performance tests, such asporosity, flexural strength, and water permeability coefficient, the effect of process parameters on the performance ofpermeable bricks is studied, the process parameters of using refractory waste are comprehensively optimized to preparesponge urban permeable bricks, and permeable bricks are prepared for the industrialization of high-quality industrial solidwaste. Brick provides reference. Through the experimental results and analysis, the following conclusions are drawn: the rawmaterial ratio of refractory brick waste: binder: foaming agent: sintering aid is 80:10:1:9. Slurry water mill foaming occurswhen the water to material ratio is 0.5, the ball milling speed is 80 r/min, and the ball milling time is 2 h; the foaming effectand molding performance are better. In the drying stage, drying at 45 oC for 12 h has the best molding effect. The sinteringsystem at 1,300 oC and holding time of 1 h has the best sintering performance. After optimizing the process, the porosity ofthe permeable bricks can reach 48.4%, the water permeability coefficient is 2.1×10^-2 cm/s, the national permeable brick hasA-level standard, and the compressive strength is 26.8 MPa.

Principle Issues and Future Prospect on Sliding Arc Ablation of Metal Rail

Cong Haoxi,Zhou Yang,Zhaori Getu,Wang Yuxuan,Wei Haobo,Liu Zhaoling,Wang Jian,Zhang Li,Liu Hongshun,Li Qingmin 대한전기학회 2024 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.19 No.3

Arc ablation occurs when the armature passes over the surface of metal rail. Ablation not only seriously afects the service life, but also may cause the failure to launch. In this paper, the research status of sliding arc ablation technology is summarized from the mechanism of sliding arc ablation, the characterization method of sliding arc ablation degree, and the enhanced design of materials or structures. Three key issues that need to be further solved are listed: the infuence mechanism of sliding arc ablation on microstructure and properties of metal materials, the service properties evaluation and quantitative characterization methods of metal material, as well as the modifed and enhanced design of materials or structures. In response to those problems, eforts are needed to improve the awareness of sliding arc ablation with the theoretical basis and characterization methods, as well as guide the improvement and strengthening of rail design.

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Risk of Skin Cancers in Men: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis Involving 7,479,852 Subjects

Lu Yi Patrick.,Fan Shujun,Liang Zhen,Song Yuxuan,Liu Kang,Zhou Kechong,Wang Xiao,Kang Jiaqi,Yang Yongjiao,Liu Xiaoqiang 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.4

Purpose: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the association between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) use and skin cancers and we also examined whether down-expression of the PDE5A gene was related to worse prognosis for malignant melanoma (MM) patients. Materials and Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrails.gov databases were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between PDE5Is use and risk of skin cancers. Cumulative meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were also conducted. Survival outcomes were analyzed online. Results: After pooling all 8 eligible studies comprising 7,479,852 subjects, we found that PDE5Is use was significantly associated with slightly increased risk of developing MM (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.21, I2=67.1%), basal cell carcinoma (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.19, I2=49.6%), and squamous cell carcinoma (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.13, I2=0.0%). Totally, PDE5Is increased the risk of developing skin cancers (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.17, I2=70.8%). TSA results showed that the sample size was enough to reach a positive conclusion. Conclusions: The use of PDE5Is may be slightly associated with increased risk of developing skin cancers. There should be a balance between drug benefits and potential safety issues. However, the pooled results should be considered tentative until confounding factors such as sun exposure and lifestyle are well-controlled in further studies.

Comparative analysis of metabolites and in vitro hypoglycemic activity of Taiwanofungus camphoratus cultured using various methods

Ming YongFei,Li Yin,Chu JianZhi,Zhou XiaoShuang,Huang YuXuan,Yang ShuDe,Mu YueJun,Wang Lin,Zhang Rui,Cheng XianHao 한국응용생명화학회 2024 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.67 No.-

Taiwanofungus camphoratus has attracted much attention because it can abundantly produce various active substances that exhibit blood-sugar lowering, immunity improving, and antioxidant properties. Currently, T. camphoratus is cultured using four main methods: cutting wood culture, solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and dish culture. T. camphoratus produces different metabolites under different culture methods. In this study, nontargeted metabolomics was used to compare the metabolites of T. camphoratus produced under these four culture methods. Principal component analysis and supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to analyze the differences in the metabolites. Moreover, in vitro hypoglycemic activity of T. camphoratus extracts produced under four culture methods was compared by assessing their ability to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase. A total of 186 metabolites were identified. In total, 127 metabolites were common under the four culture methods. Under solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and cutting wood culture, 12, 1, and 4 metabolites were unique, respectively. The differential metabolites produced by T. camphoratus under four culture methods were mainly triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and fatty acid compounds. α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase activity inhibition was the best using T. camphoratus extract obtained under cutting wood culture; the inhibition rates were 55.97%, 51.96%, and 78.02%, respectively, which were comparable to those exhibited by 0.001, 3, and 12 mg/mL acarbose (positive control). The metabolites produced by T. camphoratus and α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase inhibitory activities were different under the four culture methods. Cutting wood culture exhibited the best enzyme inhibitory activity. This study provided a theoretical basis for further use and development of various culture methods for the rational production of active metabolites of T. camphoratus . Taiwanofungus camphoratus has attracted much attention because it can abundantly produce various active substances that exhibit blood-sugar lowering, immunity improving, and antioxidant properties. Currently, T. camphoratus is cultured using four main methods: cutting wood culture, solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and dish culture. T. camphoratus produces different metabolites under different culture methods. In this study, nontargeted metabolomics was used to compare the metabolites of T. camphoratus produced under these four culture methods. Principal component analysis and supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to analyze the differences in the metabolites. Moreover, in vitro hypoglycemic activity of T. camphoratus extracts produced under four culture methods was compared by assessing their ability to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase. A total of 186 metabolites were identified. In total, 127 metabolites were common under the four culture methods. Under solid-state fermentation, submerged fermentation, and cutting wood culture, 12, 1, and 4 metabolites were unique, respectively. The differential metabolites produced by T. camphoratus under four culture methods were mainly triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and fatty acid compounds. α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase activity inhibition was the best using T. camphoratus extract obtained under cutting wood culture; the inhibition rates were 55.97%, 51.96%, and 78.02%, respectively, which were comparable to those exhibited by 0.001, 3, and 12 mg/mL acarbose (positive control). The metabolites produced by T. camphoratus and α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and sucrase inhibitory activities were different under the four culture methods. Cutting wood culture exhibited the best enzyme inhibitory activity. This study provided a theoretical basis for further use and development of various culture methods for the rational production of active metabolites of T. camphoratus.