Aim To establish a predictive nomogram for high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) in biopsy-naive patients based on the Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2), magnetic ...resonance imaging (MRI)-based prostate volume (PV), MRI-based PV-adjusted prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), and other classical parameters. Material and methods Between August 2014 and August 2015, 158 men who were eligible for analysis were included as the training cohort. A prediction model for HGPCa was built using backward logistic regression and was presented on a nomogram. The prediction model was evaluated by a validation cohort between September 2015 and March 2016 ( n =89). Histology of all lesions was obtained with MRI-directed transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided targeted and sectoral biopsy. Results The multivariate analysis revealed that patient age, PI-RADS v2 score, and adjusted PSAD were independent predictors for HGPCa. The most discriminative cut-off value for the logistic regression model was 0.33; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 83.3%, 87.4%, 88.4%, and 81.2%, respectively. The diagnostic performance measures retained similar values in the validation cohort (AUC=0.83). Conclusion The nomogram for forecasting HGPCa is effective and potentially reducing harm from unnecessary prostate biopsy and over-diagnosis.
In this work, diverse hollow nanoparticles of metal oxides and sulfides were prepared by simply laser ablating metal targets in properly chosen liquids. The Kirkendall voiding and the selective ...heating with an infrared laser were shown to work as two independent mechanisms for the formation of such hollow nanoparticles in only one- or two-step synthesis approaches. One of the prepared materials, ZnS hollow nanoparticles, showed high performance in gas sensing. The simple, fast, inexpensive technique that is proposed demonstrates very promising perspectives.
Abstract In this project, we examined peripheral δ-opioid receptor (DOR)-mediated anti-hyperalgesic responses in the context of an acute orofacial muscle pain condition in both male and female rats. ...We also investigated whether the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP), a downstream target of OR signaling, contributes to DOR-mediated anti-hyperalgesic responses. Local pretreatment of the masseter with a DOR agonist, d -Pen2 , d -Pen5 -enkephalin (DPDPE), dose-dependently attenuated capsaicin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in both male and female rats. However, there were sex differences in the potency of local DPDPE in that a 10-fold higher dose of DPDPE was required in female rats to produce the level of anti-hyperalgesia achieved in male rats. The sex differences in the DPDPE effect may not be fully explained by DOR expression level since there was no significant sex difference in DOR mRNA levels in trigeminal ganglia (TG). Finally, pretreatment of the masseter with the KATP antagonist, glibenclamide, significantly blocked the effects of DPDPE in male rats suggesting that the peripheral DOR effect is mediated by the KATP. These studies revealed novel information about sex differences with regards to peripherally localized DOR-mediated anti-hyperalgesia under an orofacial muscle pain condition.
We report on the controllable synthesis of diverse nanostructures using laser ablation of a metal target in a liquid medium. The nanodroplets generated by laser ablation react with the liquid and ...produce various nanostructures, such as hollow nanoparticles, core−shell nanoparticles, heterostructures, nanocubes, and ordered arrays. A millisecond laser with low power density is essential for obtaining such metal nanodroplets, while the target material, the reactivity of liquid medium, and the laser frequency are decisive for controlling the morphology and size of the nanostructures produced. This green and powerful technique can be extended to different material systems for obtaining various nanostructures.
Bedding materials are important for suckling buffalo calves. Treated dung has been used as a bedding material for dairy cows but the lack of an appropriate safety assessment limits its application. ...In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of treated dung (TD) as a bedding material for suckling calves by comparing TD with rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) bedding materials. The TD was prepared through high-temperature composting by Bacillus subtilis. Thirty-three newborn suckling buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis, 40.06 ± 5.79 kg) were randomly divided into 3 bedding material groups (TD, RH, and RS) and bedded with 1 of the 3 bedding materials for 60 d. We compared cost, moisture content, bacterial counts, and microbial composition of the 3 bedding materials, and investigated growth performance, health status, behavior, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters of bedded calves. The results showed that TD contained the fewest gram-negative bacteria and coliforms on d 1 and 30 and the lowest relative abundance of Staphylococcus throughout the experiment. The RH and TD bedding materials had the lowest cost. Calves in the TD and RS groups showed a higher dry matter intake, and final body weight and average daily gain in the TD and RS groups tended to be higher than in the RH group. Calves in the TD and RS groups had a lower disease incidence (diarrhea and fever), fewer antibiotic treatments, and lower fecal score than calves in the RH group. Higher contents of IgG, IgA, and IgM were observed in calves of the TD and RS groups than in calves of the RH group on d 10, indicating higher immune ability in TD and RS groups. Furthermore, TD bedding increased the butyric acid content in the calf's rumen, whereas RS bedding increased the acetate content, which might be attributed to the longer time and higher frequency of eating bedding material in the RS group. Considering all of the above indicators, we concluded that TD is the optimal bedding material for calves based on economics, bacterial count, microbial diversity, growth performance, and health status. Our findings provide a valuable reference for bedding material choice and calf farming.
Aims
Echinocandin B (ECB) is a kind of lipopeptide antifungal antibiotic, as well as the key precursor of antifungal drug Anidulafungin. Its efficient bioproduction plays an important role in ...promoting the industrial production of Anidulafungin.
Methods and Results
In this study, methyl oleate and Tween 80 were firstly used to enhance the ECB fermentation by Aspergillus nidulans, the results showed that the ECB titre was significantly enhanced with the addition of methyl oleate and Tween 80. Among the lipids, methyl oleate was found to play a pivotal role in increasing the ECB titre to 2123 mg l−1, which was more than five times higher than that of the control. The addition of Tween 80 in the medium resulted in ECB titre increased to 2584 mg l−1. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine (NPN) assay indicated that Tween 80 could influence the cell membrane permeability of A. nidulans, and enhance the intracellular and extracellular substance exchange, therefore lead to the increasing of ECB titre.
Conclusions
Methyl oleate and Tween 80 are optimal carbon sources and surfactants for efficient ECB biosynthesis respectively.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Surfactant was used in ECB fermentation for the first time, which provided feasible ideas for optimizing the fermentation process of other fungi.
Previous studies have indicated that higher levels of food consumption are associated with fatty liver disease (FLD), but few studies have investigated the relationship between this disease and ...different dietary patterns. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and FLD in adults.
Dietary intakes of participants in the Tianjin were assessed via questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns, and FLD was defined as having a FLD diagnosis using liver ultrasonography. Relationships between dietary patterns and FLD were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Female participants in the highest quartile of high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores had a 2.19-fold greater risk (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40-3.46) of developing non-alcoholic FLD (NAFLD) than those in the lowest quartile after adjusting for confounding factors. No significant differences were found between any dietary pattern and NAFLD in males. In males, a significantly increasing trend of alcoholic FLD (AFLD) prevalence was associated with increasing high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores (P for trend = 0.03; odds ratio (OR), 2.08; 95% CI, 1.15-3.81) while an increased high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern score appeared protective against AFLD (P for trend = 0.02; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.29-1.00).
Our study demonstrates that high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of AFLD in males. We also show high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of NAFLD in females; but, interestingly, this pattern shows a favorable effect on AFLD in males.
Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is the preferred procedure for restoring vaginal vault prolapse. An assistant uses a vaginal manipulator to position and tension the vault such that the surgeon can ...dissect the bladder, rectum and vault to eventually suture a synthetic mesh used to suspend the vagina to the longitudinal anterior vertebral ligament. Vaginal vault manipulation requires application of high forces for long periods of time.
This work quantifies the task by measuring and analyzing the interaction forces and the workspace during vaginal vault manipulation. From the measurements we developed a uniaxial model, expressing the increase in interaction force and stiffness of the vagina. By adapting the model parameters, the difference in interaction force and stiffness between moderate and severe prolapse is predicted.
For moderate prolapse the average interaction force and stiffness start at 2.56 N and 0.11 N mm−1 in the tensionfree state, and go up to 20.14 N and 0.53 N mm−1 after complete insertion of the instrument. For severe degrees of prolapse, tissue interaction is much lower starting at 1.68 N and 0.06 N mm−1 while staying limited to 12.20 N and 0.30 N mm−1 at full extension.
Population data shows that the stage of prolapse and total vaginal length increase with age and parity. The interaction force and stiffness of the vagina are correlated with this degree of prolapse. By adapting the model parameters a good estimation of the tissue interaction is found for patients with mild and severe prolapse.
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