Automated Restarting Fast Proximal Gradient Descent Method for Single-View Cone-Beam X-ray Luminescence Computed Tomography Based on Depth Compensation

Single-view cone-beam X-ray luminescence computed tomography (CB-XLCT) has recently gained attention as a highly promising imaging technique that allows for the efficient and rapid three-dimensional visualization of nanophosphor (NP) distributions in small animals. However, the reconstruction performance is hindered by the ill-posed nature of the inverse problem and the effects of depth variation as only a single view is acquired. To tackle this issue, we present a methodology that integrates an automated restarting strategy with depth compensation to achieve reconstruction. The present study employs a fast proximal gradient descent (FPGD) method, incorporating L0 norm regularization, to achieve efficient reconstruction with accelerated convergence. The proposed approach offers the benefit of retrieving neighboring multitarget distributions without the need for CT priors. Additionally, the automated restarting strategy ensures reliable reconstructions without the need for manual intervention. Numerical simulations and physical phantom experiments were conducted using a custom CB-XLCT system to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method in resolving adjacent NPs. The results showed that this method had the lowest relative error compared to other few-view techniques. This study signifies a significant progression in the development of practical single-view CB-XLCT for high-resolution 3−D biomedical imaging

Temperature Effect of Nano-Structure Rebuilding on Removal of DWS mc-Si Marks by Ag/Cu MACE Process and Solar Cell

The absence of an effective texturing technique for diamond-wire sawn multi-crystalline silicon (DWS mc-Si) solar cells has hindered commercial upgrading from traditional multi-wire slurry sawn silicon (MWSS mc-Si) solar cells. In this work, we present a novel method for the removal of diamond-wire-sawn marks in a multi-crystalline silicon wafer based on metal assisted chemical etching process with Cu/Ag dual elements and nano-structure rebuilding (NSR) treatment to make a uniform inverted pyramid textured structure. The temperature effect of NSR solution was systematically analyzed. It was found that the size of the inverted pyramid structure and the reflectance became larger with the increase of the NSR treatment temperature. Furthermore, the prepared unique inverted pyramid structure not only benefited light trapping, but also effectively removed the saw-marks of the wafer at the same time. The highest efficiency of 19.77% was obtained in solar cells with an inverted pyramid structure (edge length of 600 nm) fabricated by NSR treatment at 50 °C for 360 s, while its average reflectance was 16.50% at a 400–900 nm wavelength range

Rs56288038 (C/G) in 3'UTR of IRF-1 Regulated by MiR-502-5p Promotes Gastric Cancer Development

Background/Aims: Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) has been shown to function as a transcriptional activator or repressor of a variety of target genes. However, its upstream, non-coding RNA-related regulatory capacity remains unknown. In this study, we focus on the miRNA-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′untranslated region (UTR) of IRF-1 to further investigate the functional relationship and potential diagnostic value of the SNPs and miRNAs among Chinese gastric cancer (GC) patients. Methods: We performed a case-control study with 819 GC patients and 756 cancer-free controls. Genotyping by realtime PCR assay, cell transfection, and the dual luciferase reporter assay were used in our study, and the 5-year overall survival rate and relapse-free survival rate in different groups were investigated. Results: We found that patients suffering from Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection were the susceptible population compared to controls. SNP rs56288038 (C/G) in IRF-1 3′UTR was involved in the occurrence of GC by acting as a tumor promoter factor. SNP rs56288038 (C/G) could be up-regulated by miR-502-5p, which caused a down-regulation of IRF-1 in cell lines and decreased apoptosis induced by IFN-γ. Carrying the G genotype was related to significantly low expression of IRF-1 and Hp infection, poor differentiation, big tumor size, invasion depth, as well as the high probability of metastasis, and moreover, the C/G SNP was associated with shorter survival of GC patients with five years of follow-up study. Conclusions: our findings have shown that the SNP rs56288038 (C/G) in IRF-1 3′UTR acted as a promotion factor in GC development through enhancing the regulatory role of miR-502-5p in IRF-1 expression

Clinical value of ALU concentration and integrity index for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer: A retrospective cohort trial

<div><p>CA125 amounts have a large overlap in ovarian cancer and benign diseases. We conducted a retrospective cohort trial to assess the clinical value of circulating cell-free DNA concentration and integrity index for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. A total of 150 patients were recruited. Plasma samples of 24 ovarian cancer patients, 12 benign ovarian cysts, and 12 healthy controls were assessed. By amplifying short ALU-115 repeat and long ALU-219 fragments, circulating cell-free DNA concentrations and integrity index were measured. Plasma ALU-219 fragment levels and integrity index were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer group compared with the benign disease and healthy control groups (p = 0.023 and p = 0.004, respectively). These findings indicated that plasma ALU-219 levels and integrity may have a clinical value in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.</p></div

Multiple Organ Lesions in a Case of Contamination With Multiple Radionuclides After 38 Years

The patient was contaminated with multiple radionuclides 38 years ago due to an accident. To investigate the effects of radionuclide contamination on humans, he has been followed up by examinations for many years. Long-term effects gradually emerge in these years. Lung cancer was diagnosed by medical examinations. Besides, chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia was indicated by gastroscopic biopsies, while colorectal polyps found by colonoscopy. All 13 colorectal polyps were removed, and radical surgery for lung cancer was performed. Fortunately, pathological examinations indicated that it was early lung cancer. The ground glass nodule (GGN) in left lung identified during the follow-up will be resected when needed. It is speculated that multiple manifestations of the patient may be related to radiation, and different lesions in the organs may be related to systemic adaptive response. However, longer follow-up is needed due to a lack of effective and direct evidence. This work is expected to provide experiences for similar patients’ treatment and follow-up

General information and inter-group analysis of ALU-115 /ALU-219 /CA-125.

<p>General information and inter-group analysis of ALU-115 /ALU-219 /CA-125.</p

CONSORT flow diagram of patient participation and follow up.

<p>CONSORT flow diagram of patient participation and follow up.</p

Amounts and integrity of plasma ALU.

<p>The numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the X axis refer to ovarian cancer, ovarian benign cyst and healthy control patients, respectively. Concentrations and integrity of plasma ALU in ovarian cancer patients were significantly higher than those of the ovarian benign cyst and healthy control groups.</p

General information and inter-group analysis of age and integrity index.

<p>General information and inter-group analysis of age and integrity index.</p