Clinical analysis of transurethral holmium laser enucleation in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with prostatic inflammation: A prospective research study

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with prostatic inflammation (PI).MethodsWe prospectively collected and followed up data on patients with BPH who underwent HoLEP at the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University between July 2021 and July 2022. According to the postoperative pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups: BPH without PI group (BPH group) and BPH with PI group. Statistical analysis was performed on clinical data, including age and body mass index (BMI), prostate volume (PV), postoperative residual urine volume (PVR), preoperative serum total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), serum-free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA), preoperative and postoperative maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) before and 3 months after surgery, quality of life index (QoL) before and 3 months after surgery, and postoperative complications.ResultsA total of 41 patients were included in this study, including 16 in the BPH group and 25 in the BPH with PI group. There were no significant differences in preoperative age, BMI, PV, PVR, tPSA, fPSA, and f/tPSA between the BPH and BPH with PI groups (P > 0.05). The preoperative mean Qmax of the BPH and BPH with PI groups were 9.44 ± 2.449 and 7.52 ± 2.946 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] ml/s, mean IPSS were 17.75 ± 5.335 and 24.24 ± 5.861 (mean ± SD), and mean QoL were 4.13 ± 0.806 and 4.48 ± 0.8 (mean ± SD), respectively. The postoperative mean Qmax of the BPH and BPH with PI groups were 20.38 ± 4.787 and 14.32 ± 3.827 (mean ± SD) ml/s, mean IPSS were 2.69 ± 1.25 and 5.84 ± 3.579 (mean ± SD), and mean QoL were 0.13 ± 0.342 and 0.92 ± 0.759 (mean ± SD), respectively. In both groups, Qmax significantly increased (P < 0.05) and IPSS and QoL significantly decreased after HoLEP (P < 0.05). Before and after surgery, the Qmax in the BPH with PI group was lower than that in the BPH group, and the IPSS and QoL levels in the BPH with PI group were higher than those in the BPH group (P < 0.05). Compared with the BPH group, the increase in Qmax in the BPH with PI group was smaller and the decrease in IPSS was larger (P < 0.05), but the variation in QoL was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionImprovements in Qmax, IPSS, and QoL in BPH patients with PI after HoLEP surgery were lower than those in BPH patients alone. PI may be a predictor of a worse response to surgical treatment. However, more multicenter randomized controlled trials with larger samples and long-term follow-up are needed to verify this

Estimation of NO2 emission strengths over Riyadh and Madrid from space from a combination of wind-assigned anomalies and machine learning technique

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution provides valuable information for quantifying NOx emissions and exposures. This study presents a comprehensive method to estimate average tropospheric NO2 emission strengths derived from three-year (April 2018 – March 2021) TROPOMI observations by combining a wind-assigned anomaly approach and a Machine Learning (ML) method, the so-called Gradient Descent. This combined approach is firstly applied to the Saudi Arabian capital city Riyadh, as a test site, and yields a total emission rate of 1.04×1026 molec./s. The ML-trained anomalies fit very well with the wind-assigned anomalies with an R2 value of 1.0 and a slope of 0.99. Hotspots of NO2 emissions are apparent at several sites where the cement plant and power plants are located and over areas along the highways. Using the same approach, an emission rate of 1.80×1025 molec./s is estimated in the Madrid metropolitan area, Spain. Both the estimate and spatial pattern are comparable to the CAMS inventory.We also acknowledge the project of Joint R&D and Talents Program funded by the Qingdao Sino-German Institute of Intelligent Technologies (kh0100020213319) and the project of Transnational Interoperability Rules and Solution Patterns in Collaborative Production Networks based on IDS and GAIA-X funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, PRC (SQ2021YFE010470)

Response of Electric Field in Terrestrial Magnetosphere to Interplanetary Shock

Electric field impulses generated by interplanetary shocks can cause a series of dynamic processes in the Earth's magnetosphere and were previously explained by either fast-mode wave propagation or flow related to compression of the magnetopause. Based on a Space Weather Modeling Framework simulation, we suggest a new scenario in which the evolution of the impulse is due to both the propagation of the fast-mode wave and the compression of the magnetopause, which can explain the simulation and observations in previous related studies. The onset of the electric field impulse is determined by the propagation of the fast-mode wave in the magnetosphere while the peak of the impulse is determined by the propagation of the compression of the magnetopause. The new understanding of the impulse is important for the generation of subsequent ultralow frequency waves through the coupling of the fast-mode to Alfv&eacute;n waves and field line resonances and related radiation-belt electron acceleration. &nbsp;</p

Estimation of NO2_{2} emission strengths over Riyadh and Madrid from space from a combination of wind-assigned anomalies and a machine learning technique

Nitrogen dioxide (NO$_{2}$) air pollution provides valuable information for quantifying NOx (NOx = NO +NO$_{2}$) emissions and exposures. This study presents a comprehensive method to estimate average tropospheric NO$_{2}$emission strengths derived from 4-year (May 2018–June 2022) TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) observations by combining a wind-assigned anomaly approach and a machine learning (ML) method, the so-called gradient descent algorithm. This combined approach is firstly applied to the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh, as a test site, and yields a total emission rate of 1.09×1026 molec. s−1. The ML-trained anomalies fit very well with the wind-assigned anomalies, with an R2 value of 1.0 and a slope of 0.99. Hotspots of NO2 emissions are apparent at several sites: over a cement plant and power plants as well as over areas along highways. Using the same approach, an emission rate of 1.99×1025 molec. s−1 is estimated in the Madrid metropolitan area, Spain. Both the estimate and spatial pattern are comparable with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) inventory. Weekly variations in NO$_{2}$emission are highly related to anthropogenic activities, such as the transport sector. The NO$_{2}$emissions were reduced by 16 % at weekends in Riyadh, and high reductions were found near the city center and in areas along the highway. An average weekend reduction estimate of 28 % was found in Madrid. The regions with dominant sources are located in the east of Madrid, where residential areas and the Madrid-Barajas airport are located. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, the NO$_{2}$emissions decreased by 21 % in March–June 2020 in Riyadh compared with the same period in 2019. A much higher reduction (62 %) is estimated for Madrid, where a very strict lockdown policy was implemented. The high emission strengths during lockdown only persist in the residential areas, and they cover smaller areas on weekdays compared with weekends. The spatial patterns of NO$_{2}$emission strengths during lockdown are similar to those observed at weekends in both cities. Although our analysis is limited to two cities as test examples, the method has proven to provide reliable and consistent results. It is expected to be suitable for other trace gases and other target regions. However, it might become challenging in some areas with complicated emission sources and topography, and specific NO$_{2}$decay times in different regions and seasons should be taken into account. These impacting factors should be considered in the future model to further reduce the uncertainty budget

Estimation of NO2 emission strengths over Riyadh and Madrid from space from a combination of wind-assigned anomalies and a machine learning technique

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution provides valuable information for quantifying NOx (NOx = NO + NO2) emissions and exposures. This study presents a comprehensive method to estimate average tropospheric NO2 emission strengths derived from 4-year (May 2018–June 2022) TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) observations by combining a wind-assigned anomaly approach and a machine learning (ML) method, the so-called gradient descent algorithm. This combined approach is firstly applied to the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh, as a test site, and yields a total emission rate of 1.09×1026 molec. s−1. The ML-trained anomalies fit very well with the wind-assigned anomalies, with an R2 value of 1.0 and a slope of 0.99. Hotspots of NO2 emissions are apparent at several sites: over a cement plant and power plants as well as over areas along highways. Using the same approach, an emission rate of 1.99×1025 molec. s−1 is estimated in the Madrid metropolitan area, Spain. Both the estimate and spatial pattern are comparable with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) inventory.We wish to acknowledge the Joint R&D and Talents Program project, funded by the Qingdao Sino-German Institute of Intelligent Technologies (grant no. kh0100020213319); the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; and the Open Access Publishing Fund of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for their support

Nanoparticle-Based Systems for T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents

Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents play a vital role in diagnosing diseases, demand for new MRI contrast agents, with an enhanced sensitivity and advanced functionalities, is very high. During the past decade, various inorganic nanoparticles have been used as MRI contrast agents due to their unique properties, such as large surface area, easy surface functionalization, excellent contrasting effect, and other size-dependent properties. This review provides an overview of recent progress in the development of nanoparticle-based T1-weighted MRI contrast agents. The chemical synthesis of the nanoparticle-based contrast agents and their potential applications were discussed and summarized. In addition, the recent development in nanoparticle-based multimodal contrast agents including T1-weighted MRI/computed X-ray tomography (CT) and T1-weighted MRI/optical were also described, since nanoparticles may curtail the shortcomings of single mode contrast agents in diagnostic and clinical settings by synergistically incorporating functionality

Failure Behavior and Surrounding Soil Stress Responses of Suction Anchor in Low-Strength Muddy Clay

Anchorage failure of a suction anchor is more likely to occur in low-strength muddy clay. This paper focuses on the failure behaviors of suction anchors and muddy clay stress responses. The centrifugal model test was used to study the loading processes of suction anchors with various pulling angles. Firstly, the multi-stage developing process of anchoring force was analyzed according to the test results. Numerical modeling was used to validate the test results. The displacement of the suction anchor and muddy clay soil were analyzed using the numerical results. Then, the numerical and testing results were compared to analyze the horizontal soil pressure responses around the suction anchors. It was found that the change in loading direction affected the distribution and development of soil stress. The horizontal soil resistance played a crucial role in improving the bearing capacity. The soil stress variation and anchor displacement revealed that the suction anchors exhibited multi-attitude coupling movement during the inclined pulling. The vertical pulling suction anchor showed shear–slip failure behaviors, while the inclined pulling suction anchors showed compression–shear–slip coupling failure behaviors. The results of this study provide insight into the interaction mechanism between suction anchors and muddy clay, serving as a reference for the design and application of suction anchors

Identification and characterization of the RcTCP gene family and its expression in response to abiotic stresses in castor bean

Abstract Background The TCP (teosinte branched1/cincinnata/proliferating cell factor) family plays a prominent role in plant development and stress responses. However, TCP family genes have thus far not been identified in castor bean, and therefore an understanding of the expression and functional aspects of castor bean TCP genes is lacking. To identify the potential biological functions of castor bean (RcTCP) TCP members, the composition of RcTCP family members, their basic physicochemical properties, subcellular localizations, interacting proteins, miRNA target sites, and gene expression patterns under stress were assessed. Results The presence of 20 RcTCP genes on the nine chromosomes of castor bean was identified, all of which possess TCP domains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between RcTCP genes and Arabidopsis AtTCP genes, suggesting potential functional similarity. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that RcTC01/02/03/10/16/18 are all localized in the nucleus. Protein interaction analysis revealed that the interaction quantity of RcTCP03/06/11 proteins is the highest, indicating a cascade response in the functional genes. Furthermore, it was found that the promoter region of RcTCP genes contains a large number of stress-responsive elements and hormone-induced elements, indicating a potential link between RcTCP genes and stress response functions. qRT-PCR showed that all RcTCP genes exhibit a distinct tissue-specific expression pattern and their expression is induced by abiotic stress (including low temperature, abscisic acid, drought, and high salt). Among them, RcTCP01/03/04/08/09/10/14/15/18/19 genes may be excellent stress-responsive genes. Conclusion We discovered that RcTCP genes play a crucial role in various activities, including growth and development, the stress response, and transcription. This study provides a basis for studying the function of RcTCP gene in castor

How to Decide the Iodine Content in Salt for a Country&mdash;China as an Example

Globally, many countries have implemented universal salt iodization to prevent and control iodine deficiency disorders. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimal iodine content in salt and to adjust it in a timely manner. This article aims to establish a process for selecting, deciding, and evaluating the iodine content in salt for China and, if possible, providing references for other countries. Information on salt intake, water iodine, and iodine stability in salt was collected. A field investigation was carried out in different populations in four provinces. Iodine intake was calculated and the appropriate iodine content for salt preliminarily obtained, then verified for suitability with 2020 China National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Surveillance data. In total, 2837 children, 1660 adults, and 2145 pregnant women were enrolled, and their iodine intake from food was 3.7&ndash;96.1, 60.0&ndash;156.0 and 65.0&ndash;112.0 &micro;g/d, respectively. After calculation, when the iodine content in salt was 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg, for children and adults, the total iodine intake ranged from 173.4 to 253.5 &micro;g/d and 230.3 to 379.8 &micro;g/d, respectively. When the iodine content in salt was 30 and 35 mg/kg, for pregnant women, the total iodine intake was 296.8&ndash;408.9 &micro;g/d, which was between the recommended nutrient intake and tolerable upper intake level. Therefore, in China, the iodine content in salt in the general population can be preset as 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg, and that in pregnant women 30 and 35 mg/kg, with a variation of &plusmn;5 mg/kg based on the automatic spraying technique used in the salt processing plant. Iodine nutritional status was then evaluated according to the preset iodine content in the salt, and it reached the appropriate level for the different populations. The iodine content in salt in China was decided and verified, and the procedure of selecting the iodine content in salt was established for the reference of different countries