Edge-aware Multi-task Network for Integrating Quantification Segmentation and Uncertainty Prediction of Liver Tumor on Multi-modality Non-contrast MRI

Simultaneous multi-index quantification, segmentation, and uncertainty estimation of liver tumors on multi-modality non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (NCMRI) are crucial for accurate diagnosis. However, existing methods lack an effective mechanism for multi-modality NCMRI fusion and accurate boundary information capture, making these tasks challenging. To address these issues, this paper proposes a unified framework, namely edge-aware multi-task network (EaMtNet), to associate multi-index quantification, segmentation, and uncertainty of liver tumors on the multi-modality NCMRI. The EaMtNet employs two parallel CNN encoders and the Sobel filters to extract local features and edge maps, respectively. The newly designed edge-aware feature aggregation module (EaFA) is used for feature fusion and selection, making the network edge-aware by capturing long-range dependency between feature and edge maps. Multi-tasking leverages prediction discrepancy to estimate uncertainty and improve segmentation and quantification performance. Extensive experiments are performed on multi-modality NCMRI with 250 clinical subjects. The proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art by a large margin, achieving a dice similarity coefficient of 90.01$\pm$1.23 and a mean absolute error of 2.72$\pm$0.58 mm for MD. The results demonstrate the potential of EaMtNet as a reliable clinical-aided tool for medical image analysis

trans-Bis(5,5-diphenyl­hydantoinato-κN 3)bis­(propane-1,2-diamine-κ2 N,N′)nickel(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Ni(pht)2(pn)2] (pht is 5,5-diphenyl­hydantoinate and pn is propane-1,2-diamine) or [Ni(C15H11N2O2)2(C3H10N2)2], contains one-half [Ni(pht)2(pn)2] mol­ecule. The NiII atom is situated on a crystallographic center of inversion and shows a distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry. A three-dimensional network structure is assembled by inter- and intra­molecular N—H⋯O=C inter­actions

Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Polyacrylonitrile Carbon Nanostructure Microspheres for Supercapacitor Application

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon nanostructure microspheres (CNM) with the average particle size of 200 nm were prepared in the range of 500 to 800°C. The precursors of CNM were obtained through soap-free emulsion polymerization followed by freeze drying, oxidative stabilization, and half-carbonization. KOH was employed as the activation agent of the precursor material, and the ratio between KOH and the precursor was selected as 2 : 1. The element content, pore structure, nitrogen-containing functional groups, and microstructure characterization were characterized via elemental analysis, N2 adsorption at low temperature, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical properties were examined as well. The results revealed that the CNM displayed specific surface area as high as 2134 m2/g and the total pore volume could reach 2.01 cm3/g when the activation temperature was 700°C. Furthermore, its specific capacitance in 3 M KOH and 1 M organic electrolyte could reach 311 F/g and 179 F/g, respectively. And, also, abundant functional groups of N-5 and N-6 were rich in the surface of the material, which could cause Faraday reaction and got the increasing specific capacitance via improvement of the wettability of the electrode material

Research progress in biological activities and mechanisms of theabrownin

Tea is beneficial to human health, which is rich in tea pigments with important biological activities. Theabrownin, derived from theaflavins and thearubigins by oxidative polymerization, mainly distributes in semi-fermented oolong tea, and completely fermented black tea and dark tea. As a kind of macromolecular substance, theabrownin cannot be directly absorbed by the gut, but it can directly interact with intestinal microbiota to regulate and maintain the homeostasis of intestinal flora. Theabrownin has multiple physiological roles via modulating the gut microbiota, including inhibiting hepatic cholesterol production, promoting the catabolism of cholesterol and triglyceride, and promoting energy metabolism in adipose tissues, thereby improving lipid metabolism. Theabrownin can also directly influence the gut absorption of glucose to improve carbohydrate metabolism and maintain blood glucose homeostasis. Theabrownin plays an anti-tumor role by inducing apoptosis and regulating gene expression in tumor cells. Theabrownin also plays an anti-inflammatory role via participating in the regulation of the immune cell differentiation and the levels of inflammatory factors. This review summarizes the formation process, the extraction procedures, and the chemical structure of theabrownin, and reviews the effects and mechanisms of theabrownin on intestinal microbiota, lipid metabolism, blood glucose homeostasis, cancer and inflammation

Toward a mechanistic understanding of microfluidic droplet-based extraction and separation of lanthanides

Droplet-based microfluidic extraction is a promising way for effective lanthanides extraction due to its outstanding mass transfer performance. The separation process can be greatly enhanced with the droplet-based microfluidic extraction technique. However, the interactions between mass transfer, microfluidic dynamics and extraction kinetics are still unclear, which has hindered further manipulation on microfluidic extraction to boost extraction performance. In this study, the mechanisms of microfluidic droplet-based extraction and separation intensification of lanthanides are for the first time unveiled by using a numerical simulation model. The limiting factors for the performance of droplet-based microfluidic extraction are identified through a model-based parametric analysis. The numerical analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of droplet-based microfluidic extraction systems and offer operation and optimization guidelines for future research in this area

Early arteriosclerosis and its risk factors in subjects with prediabetes and new-onset diabetes

Background: We aimed to investigate early arteriosclerosis and its risk factors in populations with prediabetes and new-onset diabetes. Materials and methods: A total of 148 participants who did not have diabetes mellitus were assigned to three groups through an oral glucose tolerance test: the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group; the impaired glucose regulation, also known as prediabetes group and the new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus group. The insulin resistance index was assessed using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). An ELISA was used to determine the level of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). An arteriosclerosis detector was used to measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI). The baPWV, ABI, and FGF21 were used to assess early arteriosclerosis. Results: Significant differences in age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fa sting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG), 2-h insulin (2hINS), and HOMA-IR were found between the NGT group and the prediabetes and new-onset diabetes groups. All of the above, except 2hINS, showed an increasing trend. Moreover, the FGF21 was higher in the new-onset diabetes group than in the NGT group. The baPWV was higher in the new-onset diabetes group than in the other two groups, but no s ignificant difference was noted in the ABI. Age, SBP, diastolic blood pressure, FPG, 2hPG, and FGF21 were positively correlated with the baPWV. In addition, FPG, SBP, FGF21, and HOMA-IR were independent risk factors for the baPWV. Conclusions: Patients with prediabetes and new-onset diabetes may have more significant early arteriosclerosis. The blood glucose level and insulin resistance index may be independent risk factors for early arteriosclerosis

Can targeted defense elicitation improve seaweed aquaculture?

Diseases increasingly threaten aquaculture of kelps and other seaweeds. At the same time, protection concepts that are based upon application of biocides are usually not applicable, as such compounds would be rapidly diluted in the sea, causing ecological damage. An alternative concept could be the application of immune stimulants to prevent and control diseases in farmed seaweeds. We here present a pilot study that investigated the effects of oligoalginate elicitation on juvenile and adult sporophytes of Saccharina japonica cultivated in China and on adult sporophytes of Saccharina latissima cultivated in Germany. In two consecutive years, treatment with oligoalginate clearly reduced the detachment of S. japonica juveniles from their substrate curtains during the nursery stage in greenhouse ponds. Oligoalginate elicitation also decreased the density of endobionts and the number of bacterial cells on sporophytes of S. latissima that were cultivated on sea-based rafts. However, the treatment increased the susceptibility of kelp adults to settlement of epibionts (barnacles in Germany and filamentous algal epiphytes in China). In addition, oligoalginate elicitation accelerated the aging of S. japonica adults. Based upon these findings, oligoalginate elicitation could be a feasible way to provide “environmentally friendly” protection of kelp juveniles in nurseries. The same treatment causes not only beneficial, but also unwanted effects in adult kelp sporophytes. Therefore, it is not recommended as a treatment after the juvenile stage is completed. Future tests with other elicitors and other cultivated seaweed species may allow for the development of more feasible applications of targeted defense elicitation in seaweed aquaculture

Association between dietary fiber intake and incidence of depression and anxiety in patients with essential hypertension

(1) Background: Our previous study found that the dietary fiber supplement in patients with hypertension increased SCFA-producers, Bifidobacterium and Spirillum in the gut microbiota, which may be associated with improvement of depression and anxiety through the gut–brain axis. However, only a few studies have explored the association between dietary fiber intake (DFI) and the incidence of depression and anxiety in hypertensive patients. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in one comprehensive hospital and one community clinic aimed at understanding the status of DFI and the association between DFI and incidences of depression and anxiety in hypertensive patients. Levels of DFI were obtained through a two-24 h diet recall. According to the levels of DFI from low to high, the participants were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups. The Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short form v1.0-Depression 8b and Anxiety 8a were used to assess patients’ levels of depression and anxiety. (3) Results: A total of 459 hypertensive patients were recruited and the daily DFI was 10.4 g. The incidences of hypertension combined with depression and anxiety were 19.6% and 18.5%, respectively. Regression analysis showed statistically significant associations between DFI and depression (B = −0.346, p = 0.001) and anxiety score (B = −0.565, p < 0.001). In logistic regression, after the covariates were adjusted, DFI was associated with the incidence of depression in Q3 (OR 2.641, 95% CI 1.050–6.640) and with that of anxiety in Q1 (OR 2.757, 95% CI 1.035–7.346), compared with Q4. (4) Conclusions: A higher consumption of DF was a protective factor for depression and anxiety in hypertensive patients