Additional file 1 of Spontaneous regression of an isolated retinal astrocytic hamartoma in a newborn: a case report

Supplementary Material

Life Cycle Assessment of Polyol Fuel from Corn Stover via Fast Pyrolysis and Upgrading

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fossil energy consumption and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of polyol fuel produced via corn stover fast pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading based on life cycle assessment (LCA). The required material and energy inputs involved in the unit processes of LCA are taken from Aspen Plus simulation models established according to a demonstration plant with annual polyol output of 1000 tonnes. The eBalance software with a Chinese Life Cycle Database (CLCD) is employed to perform this task. The research results show the net fossil energy input (FEI) and the net global warming potential (GWP) of polyol fuel are respectively 0.760 MJ and 0.0444 kgCO_2,eq per MJ energy output under the proposed production pathway. Compared to petroleum-based gasoline and diesel, the net FEI of polyol fuel reduces by 42.9% and 42.2% respectively and the net GWP of polyol fuel decreases by 55.1% and 56.9% accordingly. Sensitivity analysis indicates the data uncertainty of the polyol yield and the electricity consumption for bio-oil production has significant impact on the GHG emissions. The polyol fuel is expected to partly replace petroleum-based fuels

Synergistic Effect of Hybrid Multilayer In₂Se₃ and Nanodiamonds for Highly Sensitive Photodetectors

Layered materials have rapidly established themselves as intriguing building blocks for next-generation photodetection platforms in view of their exotic electronic and optical attributes. However, both relatively low mobility and heavier electron effective mass limit layered materials for high-performance applications. Herein, we employed nanodiamonds (NDs) to promote the performance of multilayer In₂Se₃ photodetectors for the first time. This hybrid NDs–In₂Se₃ photodetector showed a tremendous promotion of photodetection performance in comparison to pristine In₂Se₃ ones. This hybrid devices exhibited remarkable detectivity (5.12 × 10¹² jones), fast response speed (less than 16.6 ms), and decent current on/off ratio (∼2285) simultaneously. These parameters are superior to most reported layered materials based photodetectors and even comparable to the state-of-the-art commercial photodetectors. Meanwhile, we attributed this excellent performance to the synergistic effect between NDs and the In₂Se₃. They can greatly enhance the broad spectrum absorption and promote the injection of photoexcited carrier in NDs to In₂Se₃. These results actually open up a new scenario for designing and fabricating innovative optoelectronic systems

Clinical Significance of Colonoscopy in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Polyps and Neoplasms: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Some authors have studied the relationship between the presence of polyps, adenomas and cancers of upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach and duodenum) and risk of colorectal polyps and neoplasms; however, the results are controversial, which may be due to study sample size, populations, design, clinical features, and so on. No meta-analysis, which can be generalized to a larger population and could provide a quantitative pooled risk estimate of the relationship, of this issue existed so far.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate risk of colorectal polyps or neoplasms in patients with polyps, adenomas or cancers in upper gastrointestinal tract comparing with controls. A search was conducted through PubMed, EMBASE, reference lists of potentially relevant papers, and practice guidelines up to 27 November 2013 without languages restriction. Odd ratios (ORs) were pooled using random-effects models.</p><p>Results</p><p>The search yielded 3 prospective and 21 retrospective case-control studies (n = 37152 participants). The principal findings included: (1) OR for colorectal polyps was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04–1.26) in the gastric polyps group comparing with control groups; (2) Patients with gastric polyps and neoplasms have higher risk (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.06–1.62], and 1.72 [95% CI, 1.42–2.09], respectively) of colorectal neoplasms comparing with their controls; and (3) Positive association was found between the presence of colorectal neoplasms and sporadic duodenal neoplasms (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.64–4.11).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Findings from present meta-analysis of 24 case-control studies suggest that the prevalence of colorectal polyps was higher in patients with gastric polyps than in those without gastric polyps, and the risk of colorectal neoplasms increases significantly in patients with gastric polyps, neoplasms, and duodenal neoplasms. Therefore, screening colonoscopy should be considered for patients with upper gastrointestinal polyps and neoplasms.</p></div

Image_4_Non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T abnormalities predict mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis.JPEG

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of non-specific ST-segment and/or T-wave abnormalities in electrocardiography (ECG) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsAll patients who started PD between November 1, 2005, and February 28, 2017, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and CVM. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM.ResultsA total of 724 eligible PD patients were enrolled, including 401 (55.4%) men. In total, 153 (21.1%) patients died during a mean follow-up period of 27 (interquartile range, 13–41) months, and cardiovascular death was responsible for 84 of these deaths. The patients with non-specific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTAs) had lower overall and cardiovascular survival rates compared to those free from any ECG abnormalities. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, (NSSTTAs) are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM, the hazard ratios are 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.95; p = 0.017) and 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.52–5.37; p = 0.001), respectively.ConclusionNon-specific ST-T abnormalities can serve as risk markers of all-cause and CVM in PD patients.</p

Image_1_Non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T abnormalities predict mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis.JPEG

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of non-specific ST-segment and/or T-wave abnormalities in electrocardiography (ECG) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsAll patients who started PD between November 1, 2005, and February 28, 2017, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and CVM. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM.ResultsA total of 724 eligible PD patients were enrolled, including 401 (55.4%) men. In total, 153 (21.1%) patients died during a mean follow-up period of 27 (interquartile range, 13–41) months, and cardiovascular death was responsible for 84 of these deaths. The patients with non-specific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTAs) had lower overall and cardiovascular survival rates compared to those free from any ECG abnormalities. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, (NSSTTAs) are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM, the hazard ratios are 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.95; p = 0.017) and 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.52–5.37; p = 0.001), respectively.ConclusionNon-specific ST-T abnormalities can serve as risk markers of all-cause and CVM in PD patients.</p

Image_3_Non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T abnormalities predict mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis.JPEG

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of non-specific ST-segment and/or T-wave abnormalities in electrocardiography (ECG) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsAll patients who started PD between November 1, 2005, and February 28, 2017, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and CVM. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM.ResultsA total of 724 eligible PD patients were enrolled, including 401 (55.4%) men. In total, 153 (21.1%) patients died during a mean follow-up period of 27 (interquartile range, 13–41) months, and cardiovascular death was responsible for 84 of these deaths. The patients with non-specific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTAs) had lower overall and cardiovascular survival rates compared to those free from any ECG abnormalities. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, (NSSTTAs) are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM, the hazard ratios are 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.95; p = 0.017) and 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.52–5.37; p = 0.001), respectively.ConclusionNon-specific ST-T abnormalities can serve as risk markers of all-cause and CVM in PD patients.</p

Image_2_Non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T abnormalities predict mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis.JPEG

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of non-specific ST-segment and/or T-wave abnormalities in electrocardiography (ECG) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.MethodsAll patients who started PD between November 1, 2005, and February 28, 2017, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and CVM. The Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM.ResultsA total of 724 eligible PD patients were enrolled, including 401 (55.4%) men. In total, 153 (21.1%) patients died during a mean follow-up period of 27 (interquartile range, 13–41) months, and cardiovascular death was responsible for 84 of these deaths. The patients with non-specific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTAs) had lower overall and cardiovascular survival rates compared to those free from any ECG abnormalities. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, (NSSTTAs) are independent risk factors for all-cause mortality and CVM, the hazard ratios are 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.95; p = 0.017) and 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.52–5.37; p = 0.001), respectively.ConclusionNon-specific ST-T abnormalities can serve as risk markers of all-cause and CVM in PD patients.</p

Characteristics of the Case-control Studies Included in Meta-analysis.

<p>Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CA, colonic adenoma; CN, colonic neoplasm; CP, colonic polyps; CRA, colorectal adenoma; CRC, colorectal cancer; CRN, colorectal neoplasm; CRP, Colorectal polyp; DM, diabetes mellitus; EA, esophageal adenocarcinoma, EC, esophageal cancer; ESCC, esophageal squamous cell carcinomas; FGP, fundic gland polyps; GA, gastric adenoma; GC, gastric cancer; GN, gastric neoplasm; GP, gastric polyps; NA, not available; NSAID, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs; OR, odd ratios; SDA, sporadic duodenal adenomas; SDN, sporadic duodenal neoplasm.</p>a<p>defined as colorectal neoplasm with a diameter >1 cm, the presence of three or more neoplasm, adenoma with villous component, adenoma with high-grade dysplasia, or adenocarcinoma confirmed by a gastrointestinal pathologist;</p>b<p>the study reported only an adjusted OR but could offer no additional information;</p>c<p>including colonoscopy indications;</p>d<p>including colonoscopy examination, and endoscopist;</p>e<p>including BMI, smoking, DM, and use of aspirin or NSAID;</p>f<p>including BMI, smoking, alcohol, DM, and use of aspirin or NSAID;</p>g<p>including BMI, alcohol, smoking, DM and cholesterol level.</p

Study Selection Flow Chart.

<p>Study Selection Flow Chart.</p