Diagnosis and treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation with knee extensor device combined with rearrangement.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of combining knee extension mechanism (EM) with rearrangement in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four patients with RPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University were included. In this work, all patients received routine computed tomography (CT) examinations. In addition, the evaluation factors of EM combined with rearrangement therapy in RPD patients were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Lysholm and Kujula scores, femoral canal width, patellar canal width, patellar tilt angle (PTA), and lateral patellar displacement (LPD) were significantly increased at 1 and 3 years after treatment (p < 0.05). LPA was significantly decreased, while the tibial tuberosity trochlear groove of the femur (TT-TG) demonstrated no considerable differences (p > 0.05). The good rate of the short-term Insall-Salvati index was 78.6%, and that of the long-term Insall-Salvati index was 76.1%. The combination of the knee extension device and rearrangement therapy has a higher rate of short-term and long-term Insall-Salvati index (ISI) excellence. In addition, the range of motion of the knee joint increased significantly, and the Q Angle decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age and ISI were highly correlated with the evaluation of therapeutic effects in patients with RPD. CONCLUSIONS: EM combined with rearrangement in the treatment of RPD had positive short-term and long-term efficacy, high application value, and age, which can be popularized in clinical applications and have positive diagnostic value.

Excitation functions for fast neutron induced reactions on iron and lead.

Cross sections of the 54Fe(n,p)54Mn, 54Fe(n,α)51Cr, 56Fe(n,p)56Mn and 204Pb (n,2n)203Pb reactions induced by D-T neutrons were obtained with activation method and γ-ray spectrometry technique. Experimental values measured in this work are consistent with most of the previous literature data. These reactions cross sections were theoretically calculated by using the TALYS-1.96 and EMPIRE-3.2.3 codes from threshold up to 20 MeV, and significant discrepancies were found between calculated results and experiment data. In addition, experimental values are compared with evaluated nuclear data of the CENDL-3.2, ENDF/B-VIII.0, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1 and JEFF-3.3 libraries, and significant difference was found for the 54Fe(n,α)51Cr reaction in ENDF/B-VIII.0 library but not for other reactions.

Fast neutron induced reaction cross sections on natural manganese and tantalum.

The cross sections for the 55Mn(n,2n)54Mn, 181Ta(n,2n)180gTa, and 181Ta(n,p)181Hf reactions were measured to be 705.1 ± 26.1 mb at 14.0 MeV, 1362.7 ± 87.2 mb at 13.6 MeV, and 2.31 ± 0.09 mb at 13.6 MeV, respectively, by using an off-line γ-ray spectroscopic technique. The neutrons were produced via the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. The monitor reactions 27Al(n,α)24Na and 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb were used for neutron flux determination. The results from the present work were compared with those of the literature and the evaluated data from ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, CENDL-3.2, and BROND-3.1 libraries. Besides, the cross sections were also estimated with the TALYS-1.96 nuclear model code using different level density models for a better description of the present work and literature data. The present experimental results were found to be in good agreement with most of the available literature data and with the evaluated data.

[The value of nomogram for predicting microvascular invasion based on clinical and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging features].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of microvascular invasion (MVI) in China liver cancer staging system stage Ⅰa (CNLC Ⅰa) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and develop a nomogram for predicting MVI based on clinical and radiographic data. Methods: This retrospective study focused on CNLC Ⅰa HCC patients who underwent radical resection at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2016 to December 2020. Patients' clinical characteristics and laboratory test results and pre-surgery gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging results were collected. The clinical and radiographic risk factors for MVI were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and used for the construction of the predictive nomogram. The nomogram model was then internally validated, and its performance was assessed. Results: A total of 104 patients were divided into the MVI-positive group (n=28) and the MVI-negative group (n=76). Multivariate logistic regression analysis at the P<0.1 level identified serum alpha-ferroprotein >7 ng/ml, total bilirubin >21 µmol/L, prothrombin time >12.5 s, non-smooth margin, and incomplete or absent capsule as risk factors of MVI, based on which a nomogram model was built. The model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.867 (95% confidence interval, 0.791-0.944) in the internal validation. The sensitivity and specificity of the nomogram model were 0.786 and 0.829, respectively, with the prediction curve nearly overlapping the ideal curve. Based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, the predicted and real results were not significantly different (P=0.956). Conclusions: The probability of MVI of CNLC Ⅰa HCC can be objectively predicted by the monogram model that quantifies the clinical and radiographic risk factors. The model can also help clinicians select individualized surgical plans to improve the long-term prognosis of patients.

Genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome analyses reveal important epigenetic genes associated with valgus-varus deformity in broilers.

1. Valgus-varus deformity (VVD) is a common leg bone problem in broilers that causes serious economic losses to the breeding industry. The genetic aetiology of VVD is not clear, which restricts the genetic control of VVD.2. In this study, knee cartilage of 35-day-old VVD and normal broilers was sequenced by whole-genome bisulphite sequencing (WGBS). The unique whole-genome DNA methylation profile of VVD broilers was described, and the methylation data and transcription data were used for joint analysis.3. The mean methylation level of the VVD group was greater than that in the normal group. A total of 4315 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were detected from methylation data, with the highest DMR density on chromosomes 25, 27, 31 and 33. DMRs were mainly located in introns, which accounted for more than 60%, followed by promoter and exon regions.4. A total of 2326 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified from DMRs, including 1159 genes with upregulated DMRs, 936 genes with downregulated DMRs, and 231 genes with two types of DMRs.5. The ESPL1 gene may be an important epigenetic gene of VVD. The methylation of particular CpG17, CpG18 and CpG19 sites in the promoter region of the ESPL1 gene may hinder the binding of transcription factors and promoters and increase the expression of ESPL1.

[Analysis of management efficacy in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with antithrombotic therapy].

Objective: To evaluate different methods' efficacy of controlling acute bleeding and managing long-term menstruation in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) associated with antithrombotic therapy. Methods: The clinical data of 22 cases with HMB associated with antithrombotic therapy admitted to Peking University People's Hospital from January 2010 to August 2022 were analyzed, aged 39 years old (26-46 years). Changes in menstrual volume, hemoglobin (Hb), and quality of life were collected after control of acute bleeding and long-term menstrual management. Menstrual volume was assessed by pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC), and quality of life was assessed by menorrhagia multi-attribute scale (MMAS). Results: (1) Treatment of acute bleeding: of the 22 cases with HMB associated with antithrombotic therapy, 16 cases were treated in our hospital and 6 in other hospital for emergency bleeding; of the 16 cases treated in our hospital, 3 underwent emergency intrauterine Foley catheter balloon compression due to severe bleeding (Hb decreased by 20 to 40 g/L within 12 hours). Of the 22 cases with antithrombotic therapy-related HMB, 15 (including 2 cases with severe bleeding) underwent emergency aspiration or endometrial resection, and intraoperative placement of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) followed by a significant reduction in bleeding volume; 3 cases had controlled acute bleeding after rivaroxaban dose reduction and continued observation; 2 cases were given gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to control acute bleeding in other hospital, of which 1 case was temporarily treated with periodic blood transfusion, and the other one patient underwent total hysterectomy; and 2 cases had temporary amenorrhea with oral mifepristone after intrauterine balloon compression or oral norethindrone. (2) Long-term menstrual management: of the 22 cases with antithrombotic therapy-related HMB, 15 had LNG-IUS placement and 12 had LNG-IUS placement for 6 months, and menstrual volume was significantly reduced [PBAC scores were 365.0 (272.5-460.0) vs 25.0 (12.5-37.5), respectively; Z=4.593, P<0.001], Hb was significantly increased [91.5 g/L (71.8-108.2 g/L) vs 128.5 g/L (121.2-142.5 g/L); Z=4.695, P<0.001], and quality of life was significantly improved [MMAS scores were 415.0 (327.5-472.5) vs 580.0 (570.0-580.0), respectively; Z=-3.062, P=0.002] before placement compared with 6 months after placement. Three rivaroxaban dose reduction patients' PBAC scores decreased by 20 to 35 but remained >100, and perceived quality of life did not change significantly. Two cases with temporary amenorrhea treated with oral mifepristone felt significantly improved quality of life, and the MMAS scores increased by 220 and 180, respectively. Conclusion: Intrauterine Foley catheter balloon compression, aspiration or endometrial ablation could be used to control acute bleeding in patients with antithrombotic therapy-related HMB, and LNG-IUS for long-term management could reduce menstrual volume, increase hemoglobin, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Design and Optimization of a Nanoparticulate Pore Former as a Multifunctional Coating Excipient for pH Transition-Independent Controlled Release of Weakly Basic Drugs for Oral Drug Delivery.

Bioavailability of weakly basic drugs may be disrupted by dramatic pH changes or unexpected pH alterations in the gastrointestinal tract. Conventional organic acids or enteric coating polymers cannot address this problem adequately because they leach out or dissolve prematurely, especially during controlled release applications. Thus, a non-leachable, multifunctional terpolymer nanoparticle (TPN) made of cross-linked poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA)-polysorbate 80-grafted-starch (PMAA-PS 80-g-St) was proposed to provide pH transition-independent release of a weakly basic drug, verapamil HCl (VER), by a rationally designed bilayer-coated controlled release bead formulation. The pH-responsive PMAA and cross-linker content in the TPN was first optimized to achieve the largest possible increase in medium uptake alongside the smallest decrease in drug release rate at pH 6.8, relative to pH 1.2. Such TPNs maintained an acidic microenvironmental pH (pHm) when loaded in ethylcellulose (EC) films, as measured using pH-indicating dyes. Further studies of formulations revealed that with the 1:2 VER:TPN ratio and 19% coating weight gain, bilayer-coated beads maintained a constant release rate over the pH transition and exhibited extended release up to 18 h. These results demonstrated that the multifunctional TPN as a pHm modifier and pH-dependent pore former could overcome the severe pH-dependent solubility of weakly basic drugs.

Excitation functions for fast-neutron induced reactions on zinc.

Cross sections of the 64Zn(n, p)64Cu, natZn(n, x)67Cu, 66Zn(n, 2n)65Zn and 70Zn(n, 2n)69mZn reactions have been measured by using the activation technique at 14.0 MeV neutron energy. The neutrons were produced via the 3H(d, n)4He reaction. The present experimental data illustrated satisfactory agreement with most of the previously reported experimental data. Experimental data are compared with evaluated nuclear data of the CENDL-3.2, ENDF/B-VIII.0, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1 and JEFF-3.3 libraries. Besides, these excitation functions were calculated by using theoretical model of the TALYS-1.96 code from thresholds up to 20 MeV. A group set of parameters was obtained which better reproduce the experimental data than the default parameters.

Activation cross sections for reactions induced by 14 MeV neutrons on natural titanium.

Cross sections for the neutrons around 14 MeV interaction with natural titanium were precisely measured by neutron activation and off-line measurement technique. The fast neutrons were produced by 3H(d,n)4He reaction and the neutron energy was obtained by using the cross section ratio method of 90Zr(n,2n)89Zr to 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb reactions. Experimental cross sections have been acquired for natTi(n,x)46Sc, natTi(n,x)47Sc, 50Ti(n,x)47Ca and 48Ti(n,x)48Sc reactions. The measured cross section data are compared with the experimental data available in the previous literature and evaluated nuclear data from the ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1, CENDL-3.2 and FENDL-3.2b libraries. Furthermore, excitation functions for these reactions were calculated by using the theoretical model based on Talys-1.96 code with default and adjusted parameters. Within experimental error, evaluated nuclear data are mostly consistent with experimental data. The excitation function with adjusted parameters can roughly reproduce the experimental data.

The slow de-implementation of non-evidence-based treatments in low back pain hospital care-Trends in treatments using Dutch hospital register data from 1991 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and has an excessive societal burden. Accumulating evidence has shown that some medical approaches such as imaging in absence of clear indications, medication and some invasive treatments may contribute to the problem rather than alleviating it. OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of de-implementation of non-evidence-based hospital treatments for LBP care in the Netherlands in the last three decades. METHODS: Using a register-based population-level observational study with Dutch hospital data, providing a nearly complete coverage of hospital admissions in the Netherlands in 1991-2018, we assessed five frequently applied non-evidence-based hospital treatments for LBP. Time trends in treatment use (absolute and per 100,000 inhabitants) were plotted and analysed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The use of bed rest for non-specific LBP and hernia nuclei pulposi, and discectomy for spinal stenosis decreased 91%, 81% and 86% since the availability of evidence/guidelines, respectively. De-implementation, beyond 84%, was reached after 18 and 17 years for bed rest for non-specific LBP and discectomy respectively, while it was not reached after 28 years for bed rest for hernia nuclei pulposi. For spinal fusion and invasive pain treatment, there was an initial increase followed by a reduction. Overall, these treatments reduced by 85% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands, de-implementation of five non-recommended hospital LBP treatments, if at all, took several decades. Although de-implementation was substantial, slow de-implementation has likely resulted in considerable waste of resources and avoidable harm to many patients in Dutch hospitals. SIGNIFICANCE: Medically intensive approaches to low-back pain care contribute to the high societal burden of this disease. There have been calls to avoid such care. Using Dutch hospital data, we showed that de-implementation of five non-recommended hospital low-back pain treatments, if at all, took several decades (i.e. ≥17 years) after availability of evidence and guidelines. Slow de-implementation has likely resulted in considerable waste of resources and avoidable harm to hospital patients; better ways for de-implementation of non-evidence-based care are needed.

Valgus-varus deformity induced abnormal tissue metabolism, inflammatory damage and apoptosis in broilers.

1. This study explored the tissue metabolic status and the relationship with inflammation in valgus-valgus deformity (VVD) broilers with increasing age.2. Tissue and blood from VVD and healthy broilers were collected at two, four and five weeks old. A fully automated biochemical analyser, real-time PCR, HE staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect tissue metabolic indexes, mRNA levels of inflammation and apoptosis cytokines in immune organs, histological changes and serum inflammation and immune-related protein contents in VVD broilers.3. The results showed that VVD increased the levels of total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase at five weeks of age, aspartate aminotransferase, urea and creatine kinase in blood at two weeks of age. It upregulated the gene expression of inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NF-κB and TGF-ß and apoptotic factors FAS, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and 9 in immune organs; increased levels of serum proteins TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 and decreased levels of serum immunoglobulins IgY and CD3+.4. In addition, with increasing age, IL-10 gene expression gradually increased in the BF and decreased in the spleen.5. In conclusion, VVD broilers have disorders of liver and kidney metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis of immune organs and increased levels of serum inflammatory factor proteins.

Thick target yields of proton induced reactions on natural molybdenum.

This work presents the thick target production yields of 94gTc, 95gTc, 95mTc, 96m+gTc, 99mTc and 99Mo radionuclides produced by 8.0-18.0MeV proton induced reactions on natural molybdenum targets. The measurements were carried out at the superconducting linear accelerator of the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences by using the stacked-foil activation technique. In addition, the proton beam current was determined by the natTi(p,x)48V monitor reaction. The obtained results were compared with the available literature data from EXFOR database, the calculation results using our fitted experimental cross-sections data and the theoretical calculations predicted by TALYS-1.95 and FLUKA-2020.0. Our measurements are in good agreement with the calculations results using our fitted data. Besides, our data have similar trends with the theoretical calculations predicted by TALYS-1.95 and FLUKA-2020.0 although there are discrepancies between them for the radionuclides 94gTc, 99mTc and 99Mo.

Deficiency in DDR1 Induces Pulmonary Hypertension and Impaired Alveolar Development.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifaceted condition characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, which can result in right ventricular dysfunction and failure. Disorders of lung development can present with secondary PH, which is a leading cause of mortality in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor 1) is a collagen-binding receptor that regulates tissue fibrosis and inflammation and controls cellular growth and migration. However, the roles of DDR1 in lung development or the pathogenesis of PH are unknown. Studying mice with a DDR1 deletion (Ddr1-/-), we have noted 35% mortality between 1 and 4 months of age, and we demonstrate that DDR1 deficiency results in reduced right ventricular contractility and muscularization of distal pulmonary arteries, consistent with PH. Pathology analysis revealed enlarged alveolar spaces in Ddr1-/- mice by Postnatal Day 7, consistent with impaired alveolar development. Gene expression analysis showed that Ddr1-/- mice have reduced concentrations of alveologenesis factors and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers. Mechanistic studies in vitro confirmed that DDR1 mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, and growth of alveolar epithelial cells. Taken together, these data suggest that DDR1 plays important roles mediating alveolarization during lung development. Our studies also describe a new model of spontaneous PH and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in mice.

miR-181a-5p can inhibit the proliferation and promote the differentiation of chicken primary myoblasts.

1. Myoblast proliferation and differentiation is one of the most important biological processes in the development of skeletal muscle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in this process.2. In this study, the expression level of miR-181a-5p was detected, which found that miR-181a-5p was expressed differently in different tissues, different embryonic ages, and different differentiation stages of primary myoblasts in Gushi chickens.3. The effect of miR-181a-5p was further investigated on chicken primary myoblasts (CPMs). The results of cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and cell cycle showed that miR-181a-5p could inhibit the proliferation of CPM. The miR-181a-5p promoted the expression of MYOD, MYOG, and MYHC. MYHC protein immunofluorescence experiments showed that miR-181a-5p increased the area of myotubes.4. In total, 63 potential target genes of miR-181a-5p in mRNA transcriptome data analysis were identified. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on these target genes, and ASNS, SMYD1, and FOS were found to play regulatory roles in biological processes such as muscle development. It was speculated that miR-181a-5p played a role in myoblast development through these genes.5. In conclusion, miR-181a-5p can inhibit the proliferation of chicken myoblasts and promote the differentiation of chicken myoblasts. This study laid the foundation for further research on the regulatory mechanism of miR-181a-5p in the development of skeletal muscle and the formation of excellent meat quality traits in Gushi chicken.

PD-L1 assessment in cytology samples predicts treatment response to checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Testing for tumor programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression was initially developed with histology specimens in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, cytology specimens are widely used for primary diagnosis and biomarker studies in clinical practice. Limited clinical data exist on the predictiveness of cytology-derived PD-L1 scores for response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS: We reviewed all NSCLC specimens clinically tested at the University Health Network (UHN) for PD-L1 with 22C3pharmDx, from 01/2013 to 04/2021. Treatment outcomes in patients treated with single agent ICI therapy were reviewed and compared according to cytology- and histology-derived PD-L1 scores. RESULTS: We identified 494 and 1942 unique patients with cytology- and histology-derived tumor proportion scores, respectively, during the study period. Informative testing rates were 95 % vs 98 % for cytology and histology, respectively. Clinical data were available for 152 patients treated with single agent ICI: 61 cytology and 91 histology. Overall response rates (ORR) were similar for cytology and histology (36 % vs 34 %; p = 0.23), as well as median progression free survival (PFS) (4.9 vs 4.2 months; p = 0.99) and overall survival (23.4 vs 19.7 months; p = 0.99). The results remained similar even after adjusting for PD-L1 expression levels and line of ICI treatment (PFS HR 1.15; 95 %CI 0.78-1.70; p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment outcomes to single agent ICI based on cytology-derived PD-L1 scores were comparable to histology controls. Our results support PD-L1 biomarker testing on both cytology and histology specimens.

[Establishment of a culture system for human nasal mucosa organoids with controllable differentiation].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a culture system for human nasal mucosal organoids with controllable differentiation to reproduce the structure and function of the source tissue through staged expansion-differentiation culture. METHODS: Fresh samples of surgically resected middle turbinate and nasal polyp tissues were collected, from which the nasal mucosa epithelial cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion and filtration for continuous culture at the air-liquid interface for expansion (EO group) or staged culture for expansion and differentiation (DO group). Immunohistochemical staining was used to characterize the structure, cellular composition and ciliary function of nasal mucosal organoids in the two groups. The secretion function of the differentiated nasal mucosal organoids in DO group was evaluated using PAS staining. RESULTS: Both of the two organoid culture systems yielded vacuolar or solid spherical 3D organoids, and their diameters increased progressively with time. On day 16 of culture, more vacuolar organoids occurred in DO group, while more solid spherical organoids were seen in EO group, and the proportion of vacuoles was significantly greater in DO group than in EO group [(54.67±13.26)% vs (21.67±8.57)%, P < 0.05]. Short tandem repeat (STR) test of the nasal mucosal organoids and the source tissue showed a 100% match between them. On day 21 of culture, scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the nasal mucosal organoids identified ultrastructure of cilia in DO group and short villi structure in most of the organoids in EO group. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for P63 (basal cells), ß-tubulin (ciliated columnar cells), and MUC5AC (goblet cells) in the organoids. Compared with those in EO group, the organoids in DO group showed significantly greater percentages of ciliated cells [(7.95±1.81)% vs (27.04±5.91)%, P < 0.05] and goblet cells [(14.46±0.93)% vs (39.85±5.43)%, P < 0.05) with a similar percentage of basal cells [(56.91±14.12)% vs (53.42±15.77)%, P > 0.05]. The differentiated nasal mucosal organoids in DO group were positively stained for glycogen. CONCLUSION: The staged expansion-differentiation culture method allows more stable and prolonged growth of the cultured cells in vitro to produce organoids with controllable differentiation closely resembling the morphological structure and functions (ciliary function and secretory function) of the source tissue.

Joint synthesis and registration network for deformable MR-CBCT image registration for neurosurgical guidance.

Objective.The accuracy of navigation in minimally invasive neurosurgery is often challenged by deep brain deformations (up to 10 mm due to egress of cerebrospinal fluid during neuroendoscopic approach). We propose a deep learning-based deformable registration method to address such deformations between preoperative MR and intraoperative CBCT.Approach.The registration method uses a joint image synthesis and registration network (denoted JSR) to simultaneously synthesize MR and CBCT images to the CT domain and perform CT domain registration using a multi-resolution pyramid. JSR was first trained using a simulated dataset (simulated CBCT and simulated deformations) and then refined on real clinical images via transfer learning. The performance of the multi-resolution JSR was compared to a single-resolution architecture as well as a series of alternative registration methods (symmetric normalization (SyN), VoxelMorph, and image synthesis-based registration methods).Main results.JSR achieved median Dice coefficient (DSC) of 0.69 in deep brain structures and median target registration error (TRE) of 1.94 mm in the simulation dataset, with improvement from single-resolution architecture (median DSC = 0.68 and median TRE = 2.14 mm). Additionally, JSR achieved superior registration compared to alternative methods-e.g. SyN (median DSC = 0.54, median TRE = 2.77 mm), VoxelMorph (median DSC = 0.52, median TRE = 2.66 mm) and provided registration runtime of less than 3 s. Similarly in the clinical dataset, JSR achieved median DSC = 0.72 and median TRE = 2.05 mm.Significance.The multi-resolution JSR network resolved deep brain deformations between MR and CBCT images with performance superior to other state-of-the-art methods. The accuracy and runtime support translation of the method to further clinical studies in high-precision neurosurgery.

Activation cross sections for 13.6 MeV neutron induced reactions on natural tin.

Cross sections of the  112Sn(n,x)111In,  114Sn(n,2n)113Sn,  natSn(n,x)117mSn and  124Sn(n,2n)123gSn reactions have been measured by using the activation technique at 13.6 MeV neutron energy. The neutrons were produced via the  3H(d,n)4He reaction. The present experimental data illustrated satisfactory agreement with most of the available literature data. Experimental data are compared with the corresponding evaluated nuclear data from the ENDF/B-VIII.0, JENDL-4.0/HE, BROND-3.1, CENDL-3.2 and JEFF-3.3 libraries, and the agreement are generally acceptable. Besides, different nuclear level density models have been used for the estimation of the desired excitation functions with TALYS-1.95 code.

A novel 27-bp indel in the intron region of the YBX3 gene is associated with growth traits in chickens.

1. The DNA/RNA binding protein YBX3 is associated with gene transcription, DNA repair, and the progression of various diseases and is highly conserved from bacteria to humans.2. The following experiment found a 27-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the intron region of the YBX3 gene through resequencing. In cross-designed, F2 resource groups, the indel was significantly associated with broiler weight and body size at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age and several other traits (semi evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), semi evisceration rate (SER), evisceration rate (ER), head weight (HW), claw weight (CLW), wing weight (DWW), gizzard weight (GW), pancreas weight (PW), chest muscle weight (CMW), leg weight (LW), leg muscle weight (LMW), shedding weight (SW), carcase weight (CW) and pectoral area (PA)) (P < 0.05).3. The insertion-insertion (II) genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth traits and carcase traits, whereas the values associated with the insertion-deletion (ID) genotype were the lowest in the F2 reciprocal cross chickens.4. The mutation sites were genotyped in 3611 individuals from 13 different chicken breeds and cross-designed F2 resource groups. The II genotype is the most important in commercial broilers, and the I allele frequency observed in these breeds was relatively high. However, there is still considerable potential in breeding dual-purpose chickens and commercial laying hens.5. The mRNA expression of the YBX3 gene in tissues from different breeds and developmental stages demonstrated that the 27-bp indel may affect the entire development process of poultry by affecting muscle development. These findings are beneficial for elucidating the function of the YBX3 gene and facilitating enhanced production in the chicken industry.