A nomogram based on genotypic and clinicopathologic factors to predict the non-sentinel lymph node metastasis in Chinese women breast cancer patients

BackgroundSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard treatment for breast cancer patients with clinically negative axilla. However, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is still the standard care for sentinel lymph node (SLN) positive patients. Clinical data reveals about 40-75% of patients without non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis after ALND. Unnecessary ALND increases the risk of complications and detracts from quality of life. In this study, we expect to develop a nomogram based on genotypic and clinicopathologic factors to predict the risk of NSLN metastasis in SLN-positive Chinese women breast cancer patients.MethodsThis retrospective study collected data from 1,879 women breast cancer patients enrolled from multiple centers. Genotypic features contain 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer susceptibility, therapy and prognosis. SNP genotyping was identified by the quantitative PCR detection platform. The genetic features were divided into two clusters by the mutational stability. The normalized polygenic risk score (PRS) was used to evaluate the combined effect of each SNP cluster. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was adopted to select the most useful predictive features, and RFE based on support vector machine (SVM) was used to reduce the number of SNPs. Multivariable logistic regression models (i.e., nomogram) were built for predicting NSLN metastasis. The predictive abilities of three types of model (based on only clinicopathologic information, the integrated clinicopathologic and all SNPs information, and integrated clinicopathologic and significant SNPs information) were compared. Internal and external validations were performed and the area under ROC curves (AUCs) as well as a series of evaluation indicators were assessed.Results229 patients underwent SLNB followed by ALND and without any neo-adjuvant therapy, 79 among them (34%) had a positive axillary NSLN metastasis. The LDA-RFE identified the characteristics including lymphovascular invasion, number of positive SLNs, number of negative SLNs and two SNP clusters as significant predictors of NSLN metastasis. Furthermore, the SVM-RFE selected 29 significant SNPs in the prediction of NSLN metastasis. In internal validation, the median AUCs of the clinical and all SNPs combining model, the clinical and 29 significant SNPs combining model, and the clinical model were 0.837, 0.795 and 0.708 respectively. Meanwhile, in external validation, the AUCs of the three models were 0.817, 0.815 and 0.745 respectively.ConclusionWe present a new nomogram by combining genotypic and clinicopathologic factors to achieve higher sensitivity and specificity comparing with traditional clinicopathologic factors to predict NSLN metastasis in Chinese women breast cancer. It is recommended that more validations are required in prospective studies among different patient populations

A Transfer Residual Neural Network Based on ResNet-50 for Detection of Steel Surface Defects

With the increasing popularity of deep learning, enterprises are replacing traditional inefficient and non-robust defect detection methods with intelligent recognition technology. This paper utilizes TL (transfer learning) to enhance the model’s recognition performance by integrating the Adam optimizer and a learning rate decay strategy. By comparing the TL-ResNet50 model with other classic CNN models (ResNet50, VGG19, and AlexNet), the superiority of the model used in this paper was fully demonstrated. To address the current lack of understanding regarding the internal mechanisms of CNN models, we employed an interpretable algorithm to analyze pre-trained models and visualize the learned semantic features of defects across various models. This further confirms the efficacy and reliability of CNN models in accurately recognizing different types of defects. Results showed that the TL-ResNet50 model achieved an overall accuracy of 99.4% on the testing set and demonstrated good identification ability for defect features

Present-Day Deformation of the Gyaring Co Fault Zone, Central Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Determined Using Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry

Because of the constant northward movement of the Indian plate and blockage of the Eurasian continent, the Qinghai−Tibet Plateau has been extruded by north−south compressive stresses since its formation. This has caused the plateau to escape eastward to form a large-scale east−west strike-slip fault and a north−south extensional tectonic system. The Karakorum−Jiali fault, a boundary fault between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes, plays an important role in the regional tectonic evolution of the Qinghai−Tibet Plateau. The Gyaring Co fault, in the middle of the Karakoram−Jiali fault zone, is a prominent tectonic component. There have been cases of strong earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater in this fault, providing a strong earthquake occurrence background. However, current seismic activity is weak. Regional geodetic observation stations are sparsely distributed; thus, the slip rate of the Gyaring Co fault remains unknown. Based on interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology, we acquired current high-spatial resolution crustal deformation characteristics of the Gyaring Co fault zone. The InSAR-derived deformation features were highly consistent with Global Positioning System observational results, and the accuracy of the InSAR deformation fields was within 2 mm/y. According to InSAR results, the Gyaring Co fault controlled the regional crustal deformation pattern, and the difference in far-field deformation on both sides of the fault was 3−5 mm/y (parallel to the fault). The inversion results of the back-slip dislocation model indicated that the slip rate of the Gyaring Co fault was 3−6 mm/y, and the locking depth was ~20 km. A number of v-shaped conjugate strike-slip faults, formed along the Bangong−Nujiang suture zone in the central and southern parts of the -Tibet Plateau, played an important role in regional tectonic evolution. V-shaped conjugate shear fault systems include the Gyaring Co and Doma−Nima faults, and the future seismic risk cannot be ignored

Variable Responsive Wettability Films via Electrospinning Induced by Solvents

Three kinds of interesting distinct wettability films are fabricated by a facile electrospinning technique. The films are composites of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and polystyrene but different precursor solvents. By taking advantage of the conformational changes of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) chains and polystyrene chains in different solvents, the films exhibit responsive wettability variation to temperature

The Effect of Molecular Isomerism on the Barrier Properties of Polyimides: Perspectives from Experiments and Simulations

A novel carbazole-containing diamine (M-2,7-CPDA) isomer of our previously reported diamine 2,7-CPDA, has been synthesized using a two-step synthesis. Compared with 2,7-CPDA, the substituted position of amino is changed from para to meta for M-2,7-CPDA. The two diamines were polymerized with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) to prepare two isomeric polyimides (M-2,7-CPPI and 2,7-CPPI), respectively. The effects of para/meta isomerism on microstructures and gas barrier performances of the two isomeric polyimides were studied by positron annihilation test, X-ray diffraction and molecular simulation. The results display that meta-connected M-2,7-CPPI has less ordered chain structure and weaker hydrogen bonding than para-connected 2,7-CPPI, which leads to loose chain stacking and thereby increased free volumes of M-2,7-CPPI. The higher free volumes promote the solubility and diffusivity of gas in M-2,7-CPPI. As a result, the meta-linked M-2,7-CPPI shows a lower gas barrier than its para-linked analog. The work provides guidance for the design and synthesis of high-performance barrier polymers

Serum Vitamin D Concentrations, Time to Pregnancy, and Pregnancy Outcomes among Preconception Couples: A Cohort Study in Shanghai, China

Background: The role of vitamin D in reproductive health is still unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), among preconception couples, on fecundity, and the associations between 25(OH)D concentrations before and during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: 200 preconception couples attempting to conceive were recruited and were followed-up until childbirth. Time to pregnancy was collected via telephone every two months or obtained via a questionnaire during pregnancy. Blood samples were collected to measure serum 25(OH)D levels from both partners at enrollment and from women during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Results: Couples had higher conception rates within six months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.72, 95% CI: 1.16, 11.9) and reduced time to pregnancy (adjusted fecundability ratio (aFR): 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.23) if male partners had sufficient 25(OH)D compared with insufficient 25(OH)D. Compared to pregnant women with insufficient 25(OH)D in the third trimester of pregnancy, sufficient 25(OH)D was associated with reduced odds of anemia (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.82), longer gestational age (β: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.01) and newborns’ higher ponderal index (β: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.19). Conclusions: Sufficient serum 25(OH)D levels among preconception men or during pregnancy were associated with better reproductive health

A Co\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e nano-needle mesh for highly efficient, high-flux emulsion separation

A Co3O4 nano-needle steel mesh was prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent calcination method. The mesh is superhydrophilic in air and superoleophobic low-adhesive underwater. More importantly, the mesh exhibits outstanding chemical stability even in strongly basic and high-concentration salt solutions, which accomplishes the separation of alkaline and saline oil-in-water emulsions with high efficiency (above 99%) and high flux (2000 L m−2 h−1)

New understanding and exploration direction of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit Basin, Niger

Based on the seismic and drilling data, casting thin sections, geochemical analysis of oil and rock samples, and hydrocarbon generation history simulation, the hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics and exploration direction of Termit superimposed marine—continental rift basin are discussed. The Termit basin is superimposed with two-phase rifts (Early Cretaceous and Paleogene). The subsidence curves from two wells on the Trakes slope in the east of the basin show high subsidence rate in the Late Cretaceous, which is believed to be high deposition rate influenced by transgression. However, a weak rift may also be developed. The depositional sequences in the Termit basin were controlled by the Late Cretaceous marine transgression cycle and the Paleogene lacustrine transgression cycle, giving rise to two types of superimposed marine—continental “source-sink” deposits. The marine and continental mixed source rocks developed universally in the whole basinduring the marine transgression period, and are overlaid by the Paleogene Sokor 1 reservoir rocks and Sokor 2 caprocks developed during the lacustrine transgression period, forming the unique superimposed marine—continental basin in WCARS. The early low geothermal gradient in the Termit basin resulted in the late hydrocarbon generated by the source rock of Upper Cretaceous Yogou in Paleogene. Mature source rock of Upper Cretaceous Donga developed in the Trakes slope, so that the double-source-supply hydrocarbon and accumulation models are proposed for the Trakes slope in which formed the oil fields. Due to virtue of the newly proposed hydrocarbon accumulation model and the exploration activities in recent years in the Termit superimposed marine—continental rift basin, an additional effective exploration area of about 2500 km2 has been confirmed in the east of the basin. It is believed that potential domains such as Sokor 1, Donga and Upper Cretaceous lithologic traps in the southeast of the basin are key expected targets for exploration and frontier evaluation in future