A nomogram combining thoracic CT and tumor markers to predict the malignant grade of pulmonary nodules ≤3 cm in diameter

BackgroundWith the popularity of computed tomography (CT) of the thorax, the rate of diagnosis for patients with early-stage lung cancer has increased. However, distinguishing high-risk pulmonary nodules (HRPNs) from low-risk pulmonary nodules (LRPNs) before surgery remains challenging.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 1064 patients with pulmonary nodules (PNs) admitted to the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from April to December 2021. Randomization of all eligible patients to either the training or validation cohort was performed in a 3:1 ratio. Eighty-three PNs patients who visited Qianfoshan Hospital in the Shandong Province from January through April of 2022 were included as an external validation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression (forward stepwise regression) were used to identify independent risk factors, and a predictive model and dynamic web nomogram were constructed by integrating these risk factors.ResultsA total of 895 patients were included, with an incidence of HRPNs of 47.3% (423/895). Logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors: the size, consolidation tumor ratio, CT value of PNs, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels in blood. The area under the ROC curves was 0.895, 0.936, and 0.812 for the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated excellent calibration capability, and the fit of the calibration curve was good. DCA has shown the nomogram to be clinically useful.ConclusionThe nomogram performed well in predicting the likelihood of HRPNs. In addition, it identified HRPNs in patients with PNs, achieved accurate treatment with HRPNs, and is expected to promote their rapid recovery

Industrial Application of a Deep Purification Technology for Flue Gas Involving Phase-Transition Agglomeration and Dehumidification

A moist plume forms when the flue gas emitted from wet desulfurization equipment exits into the ambient air, resulting in a waste of water resources and visual pollution. In addition, sulfur trioxide (SO3), water with dissolved salts, and particles in the wet flue gas form secondary pollution in the surrounding atmosphere. In this study, a deep purification technology for flue gas involving phase-transition agglomeration and dehumidification (PAD) is proposed. This deep purification technology includes two technical routes: the integrated technology of phase-transition agglomeration and a wet electrostatic precipitator (PAW); and the integrated technology of phase-transition agglomeration and a mist eliminator (PAM). Industrial applications of PAW and PAM were carried out on 630 and 1000 MW coal-fired units, respectively. The results show that the average amount of recycled water obtained from wet flue gas by means of PAD is more than 4 g·(kg·°C)−1. Decreasing the wet flue gas temperature by 1.5–5.3 °C allows 5%–20% of the moisture in the flue gas to be recycled; therefore, this process could effectively save water resources and significantly reduce water vapor emissions. In addition, the moist plume is effectively eliminated. With the use of this process, the ion concentration in droplets of flue gas is decreased by more than 65%, the SO3 removal efficiency from flue gas is greater than 75%, and the removal efficiency of particulate matter is 92.53%. Keywords: Moist plume, Phase-transition agglomeration, Dehumidification, Dissolved salts, SO3, Particulate matte

Copolymerization of EDOT with Pyrrole on TiO₂ Semiconductor Films by One-Step Reaction, Structure-Dependent Electronic Properties, and Charge Conduction Models of the Composite Films

We used the photoexcited TiO₂ films to initiate the copolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with pyrrole, aiming to develop an organic/inorganic heterojunction. Specular reflection infrared spectroscopy analysis was used to monitor the process of polymerization and indicated that the copolymers directly grew on the TiO₂ substrate. Dissecting the copolymers with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the evolution of the valence-band electronic structures. Moreover, the resulting copolymer/TiO₂ heterojunctions were investigated using electrochemical impedence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Al/poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-<i>co</i>-pyrrole)/TiO₂/ITO heterojunction device that was prepared from the hybrid film exhibited a conspicuous rectification. The heterojunction device was also explored with respect to the conduction models

Research on the electrochemical degradation and hydrogen generation of Fraxinus mandshurica by polyoxometalate

The efficient utilization of wood waste is important for protecting the environment and solving the energy shortage problem. Taking Fraxinus mandshurica (FM) as an example, polyoxometalate (POM) was used as a catalyst for cyclic redox in an H-type electrolytic cell, where wood was oxidized to valuable small-molecule chemicals at the anode and hydrogen was generated at the cathode. The system successfully recycles energy, simultaneously converting biomass to chemical and electrical to hydrogen. Furthermore, the effects of various factors on the reaction were also investigated to obtain the optimal electrochemical conversion results for wood waste. At the optimal conditions, the FM degradation rate of 56.1%, with aromatic organic and carbonyl compounds as the main products, and the average Faraday efficiency of hydrogen generation can reach 93%, saving about 40% of energy consumption compared to water electrolysis at 0.1 A cm−2. Therefore, this electrochemical conversion method provides a new potential pathway for the application of wood waste.</p

Long non-coding RNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2: role and function in human cancers

Abstract. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a family of non-protein-coding RNAs that span a length of over 200 nucleotides. Research reports have illustrated that lncRNAs are involved in various cellular processes and that their abnormal expression leads to the occurrence and development of various tumors. Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) was first reported as an oncogene in colon cancer. LncRNA CCAT2 is abnormally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, glioma, and other tumors. In tumor tissues, abnormally overexpressed CCAT2 can affect cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, and other biological behaviors through endogenous RNAs mechanisms, various signaling pathways, transcriptional regulation, and other complex mechanisms. Additionally, the overexpression of CCAT2 is also closely related to the tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, survival time, and other prognostic factors, suggesting that it is a potential prognostic indicator. This article reviews the biological functions of CCAT2 and its mechanisms of action in tumors from previous studies. In this review, we attempt to provide a molecular basis for future clinical applications of lncRNA CCAT2

Low molecular weight heparin reduces arterial blood lactic acid content and increases estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with moderate Covid-19 pneumonia

Abstract. Background:. Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remains a serious health threat worldwide. We aimed to investigate whether low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) can promote organ function recovery in moderate Covid-19 pneumonia patients. Methods:. We initiated an LMWH protocol in Covid-19 patients with increased D-dimer, body mass index >30 kg/m2 or a history of diabetes from January 18, 2020 at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. In this retrospective study, we assigned moderate Covid-19 pneumonia patients admitted between January 18th and April 18, 2020 receiving the LMWH protocol to the LMWH group. Moderate patients who met the inclusion criteria but did not receive LMWH protocol were included in the control group by 1:2 propensity score matching. General clinical information, indicators for renal function, arterial blood gas analyses, arterial blood lactic acid content (mmol/L), and coagulation indexes at 0 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 11 days after admission were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results:. There were 41 patients in the LMWH group and 82 patients in the control group. General information in both groups were similar. Compared to the control group, the arterial blood lactic acid content (mmol/L) at day 11 (1.3 [1.1, 1.7] vs. 1.2 [0.9, 1.3], P = 0.016) was reduced in the LMWH group. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the LMWH group was higher than that in the control group at day 7 (108.54 [89.11, 128.17] vs. 116.85 [103.39, 133.47], P = 0.039) and day 11 (113.74 [94.49, 126.34] vs. 128.31 [112.75, 144.12], P = 0.003). The serum creatinine levels (Scr) in the LMWH group were lower than that in the control group at day 7 (62.13 [51.47, 77.64] vs. 55.49 [49.50, 65.75], P = 0.038) and day 11 (63.35 [50.17, 75.73] vs. 51.62 [44.62, 61.24], P = 0.005). Conclusions:. LMWH treatment can reduce arterial blood lactic acid levels and improve eGFR in moderate Covid-19 pneumonia patients. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to further investigate this issue. Trial registration:. ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2000034796