Strangeon matter and strangeon stars in a linked bag model

Inspired by various astrophysical phenomenons, it was suggested that pulsar-like compact stars may in fact be strangeon stars, comprised entirely of strangeons (quark-clusters with three-light-flavor symmetry) and a small amount of electrons. To examine such possibilities, in this work we propose a linked bag model, which can be adopted for strong condensed matter in both 2-flavoured (nucleons) and 3-flavoured (hyperons, strangeons, etc.) scenarios. The model parameters are calibrated to reproduce the saturation properties of nuclear matter, which are later applied to hyperonic matter and strangeon matter. The obtained energy per baryon of strangeon matter is reduced if we adopt larger quark numbers inside a strangeon, which stiffens the equation of state and consequently increases the maximum mass of strangeon stars. In a large parameter space, the maximum mass and tidal deformability of strangeon stars predicted in the linked bag model are consistent with the current astrophysical constraints. It is found that the maximum mass of strangeon stars can be as large as $\sim 2.5M_\odot$, while the tidal deformability of a $1.4M_\odot$ strangeon star lies in the range of $180\lesssim \Lambda_{1.4} \lesssim 340$. More refined theoretical efforts as well as observational tests to these results are necessary in the future

Cost-effectiveness of active surveillance versus early surgery for thyroid micropapillary carcinoma based on diagnostic and treatment norms in China

ObjectivesIn this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness comparison of the active surveillance (AS) and early surgery (ES) approaches for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.MethodsWe performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model of PTMC we developed to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AS and ES. Our reference case was of a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with unifocal (<10 mm) PTMC. Relevant data were extracted after an extensive literature review, and the cost incurred in each state was determined using China Medicare data on payments for ES and AS. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at ¥242,928/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for any uncertainty in the model’s variables. Additional subgroup analyses were performed to determine whether AS was cost-effective when different initial monitoring ages were used.ResultsES exhibited an effectiveness of 5.2 QALYs, whereas AS showed an effectiveness of 25.8 QALYs. Furthermore, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for ES versus AS was ¥1,009/QALY. The findings of all sensitivity analyses were robust. Compared with ES, AS was found to be the cost-effective strategy at initial monitoring ages of 20 and 60 years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of ¥3,431/QALY and −¥1,316/QALY at 20 and 60 years, respectively. AS was a more cost-effective strategy in patients with PTMC aged more than 60.ConclusionsWith respect to the norms of the Chinese healthcare system, AS was more cost-effective for PTMC over lifetime surveillance than ES. Furthermore, it was cost-effective even when the initial monitoring ages were different. In addition, if AS is incorporated into the management plan for PTMC in China at the earliest possible stage, a predicted savings of ¥10 × 108/year could be enabled for every 50,000 cases of PTMC, which indicates a good economic return for future management programs. The identification of such nuances can help physicians and patients determine the best and most individualized long-term management strategy for low-risk PTMC

Biggerpicture: data-driven image extrapolation using graph matching

Filling a small hole in an image with plausible content is well studied. Extrapolating an image to give a distinctly larger one is much more challenging---a significant amount of additional content is needed which matches the original image, especially near its boundaries. We propose a data-driven approach to this problem. Given a source image, and the amount and direction(s) in which it is to be extrapolated, our system determines visually consistent content for the extrapolated regions using library images. As well as considering low-level matching, we achieve consistency at a higher level by using graph proxies for regions of source and library images. Treating images as graphs allows us to find candidates for image extrapolation in a feasible time. Consistency of subgraphs in source and library images is used to find good candidates for the additional content; these are then further filtered. Region boundary curves are aligned to ensure consistency where image parts are joined using a photomontage method. We demonstrate the power of our method in image editing applications

Application of a three-dimensional printed pelvic model in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer

IntroductionTo investigate the application value of a three-dimensional (3D) printed pelvic model in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer.MethodsClinical data of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical rectal cancer surgery in The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang City from May 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Patients were randomly divided into general imaging examination group (control group, n=25) and 3D printing group (observation group, n=25) by random number table method, and the perioperative situation of patients in the two groups was compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in general data between the two groups (p>0.05). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative time to locate inferior mesenteric artery, intraoperative time to locate left colic artery, first postoperative exhaust time and length of hospital stay in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); There were no significant differences in the total number of lymph nodes and complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).DiscussionThe application of 3D printed pelvic model in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer is conducive to understanding pelvic structure and mesenteric vascular anatomy, reducing intraoperative bleeding and shortening operation time, which is worthy of further clinical application

UBR4 deficiency causes male sterility and testis abnormal in Drosophila

IntroductionIt has been established that UBR4 encodes E3 ubiquitin ligase, which determines the specificity of substrate binding during protein ubiquitination and has been associated with various functions of the nervous system but not the reproductive system. Herein, we explored the role of UBR4 on fertility with a Drosophila model.MethodsDifferent Ubr4 knockdown flies were established using the UAS/GAL4 activating sequence system. Fertility, hatchability, and testis morphology were studied, and bioinformatics analyses were conducted. Our results indicated that UBR4 deficiency could induce male sterility and influent egg hatchability in Drosophila.ResultsWe found that Ubr4 deficiency affected the testis during morphological analysis. Proteomics analysis indicated 188 upregulated proteins and 175 downregulated proteins in the testis of Ubr4 knockdown flies. Gene Ontology analysis revealed significant upregulation of CG11598 and Sfp65A, and downregulation of Pelota in Ubr4 knockdown flies. These proteins were involved in the biometabolic or reproductive process in Drosophila. These regulated proteins are important in testis generation and sperm storage promotion. Bioinformatics analysis verified that UBR4 was low expressed in cryptorchidism patients, which further supported the important role of UBR4 in male fertility.DiscussionOverall, our findings suggest that UBR4 deficiency could promote male infertility and may be involved in the protein modification of UBR4 by upregulating Sfp65A and CG11598, whereas downregulating Pelota protein expression

Risk Factors in Predicting Prognosis of Neonatal Bacterial Meningitis—A Systematic Review

Background: Neonatal bacterial meningitis is a severe infection with high mortality and morbidity. It is necessary to identify factors associated with a high risk of a poor prognosis so that we can prevent them with more appropriate treatments. This study was performed to summarize the prognostic factors known to predict adverse outcomes in neonatal bacterial meningitis.Methods: The Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched for studies of prognostic risk factors in neonates with bacterial meningitis. Studies published from the initiation of the database to April 30th, 2017 were included. The quality of cohort studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The quality of cross-section studies was assessed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale. Each prognostic factor known to cause adverse outcomes is summarized.Results: Sixteen studies were identified, including 7 cohort studies and 9 cross section studies. Seizure and high protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) predict a poor prognosis in this disease. Coma, the need for ventilation support, and leukopenia also had some value for predicting poor prognoses. A bulging anterior fontanelle was valuable for predicting mortality. Low CSF glucose levels, thrombocytopenia, gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks and an altered sensorium were correlated with a poor prognosis. A birth weight < 2500 g, early onset meningitis and positive CSF cultures were correlated with mortality.Conclusions: This study provides a preliminary exploration of prognostic factors in neonatal bacterial meningitis and thereby fills some of the gaps in the study of prognoses in this disease. These prognostic factors can be used to predict and estimate outcomes in neonatal bacterial meningitis. Without a meta-analysis, the reliability of these factors cannot be assured. In addition, these results emphasize that there is an urgent need for a standardized protocol for follow-up and well-designed prognostic studies in neonatal bacterial meningitis

Interventions for treating depression after stroke

Background: Depression is an important consequence of stroke that impacts on recovery yet is often not detected or inadequately treated. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2004. Objectives: To determine whether pharmaceutical, psychological, or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) of depression in patients with stroke can improve outcome. Search strategy: We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group (last searched October 2007) and the Cochrane Depression Anxiety and Neurosis Group (last searched February 2008). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2006), EMBASE (1980 to May 2006), CINAHL (1982 to May 2006), PsycINFO (1967 to May 2006) and other databases. We also searched reference lists, clinical trials registers, conference proceedings and dissertation abstracts, and contacted authors, researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing pharmaceutical agents with placebo, or various forms of psychotherapy or ECT with standard care (or attention control), in patients with stroke, with the intention of treating depression. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors selected trials for inclusion and assessed methodological quality; three review authors extracted, cross-checked and entered data. Primary analyses were the prevalence of diagnosable depressive disorder at the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included depression scores on standard scales, physical function, death, recurrent stroke and adverse effects. Main results: Sixteen trials (17 interventions), with 1655 participants, were included in the review. Data were available for 13 pharmaceutical agents, and four trials of psychotherapy. There were no trials of ECT. The analyses were complicated by the lack of standardised diagnostic and outcome criteria, and differing analytic methods. There was some evidence of benefit of pharmacotherapy in terms of a complete remission of depression and a reduction (improvement) in scores on depression rating scales, but there was also evidence of an associated increase in adverse events. There was no evidence of benefit of psychotherapy. Authors' conclusions: A small but significant effect of pharmacotherapy (not psychotherapy) on treating depression and reducing depressive symptoms was found, as was a significant increase in adverse events. More research is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of such treatments

A Review on Direct Electrochemistry of Catalase for Electrochemical Sensors

Catalase (CAT) is a heme enzyme with a Fe(III/II) prosthetic group at its redox centre. CAT is present in almost all aerobic living organisms, where it catalyzes the disproportionation of H2O2 into oxygen and water without forming free radicals. In order to study this catalytic mechanism in detail, the direct electrochemistry of CAT has been investigated at various modified electrode surfaces with and without nanomaterials. The results show that CAT immobilized on nanomaterial modified electrodes shows excellent catalytic activity, high sensitivity and the lowest detection limit for H2O2 determination. In the presence of nanomaterials, the direct electron transfer between the heme group of the enzyme and the electrode surface improved significantly. Moreover, the immobilized CAT is highly biocompatible and remains extremely stable within the nanomaterial matrices. This review discusses about the versatile approaches carried out in CAT immobilization for direct electrochemistry and electrochemical sensor development aimed as efficient H2O2 determination. The benefits of immobilizing CAT in nanomaterial matrices have also been highlighted