Overall proportion of brain MRIs increased across 2006-2012 from 0.25%-0.33% but decreased in 2016 to 0.16% (P$1.2 million.Metal artifacts are considered a major challenge in computed tomography (CT) as these adversely affect the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Several approaches have been developed to address this problem. The present study explored the clinical potential of a novel photon-counting detector (PCD) CT system in reducing metal artifacts in head CT scans. In particular, we studied the recovery of an oral tumor region located under metal artifacts after correction. Three energy thresholds were used to group data into three bins (bin 1 low-energy, bin 2 middle-energy, and bin 3 high-energy) in the prototype PCD CT system. selleck kinase inhibitor Three types of physical phantoms were scanned on the prototype PCD CT system. First, we assessed the accuracy of iodine quantification using iodine phantoms at varying concentrations. Second, we evaluated the performance of material decomposition (MD) and virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) using a multi-energy CT phantom. Third, we designed an ATOM phantom with metal insertions to verify the ef energy levels. The PCD-based multi-energy CT imaging has immense potential to maximize the contrast of the target tissue and reduce metal artifacts simultaneously. We believe that it would open the door to novel applications for the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases.A tropical storm (TS) Roanu occurred in northern Sri Lanka in 2016, which transported northwards along the west coast of the Bay of Bengal (BoB). During the development of the TS, ocean eddies on its track had an important effect on the intensity of Roanu. The dynamic mechanism was investigated with multisource reanalysis and Argo float data in this study. The results show that ocean eddies were the main reason why Roanu first enhanced, weakened, and then enhanced again. Warm eddy W1 supports the initial development of the TS, cold eddy C1 weakens Roanu, and warm eddy W2 continues to support Roanu. On May 19, 2016, the maximum average latent heat flux over W1 was 260.85 w/m2, while that of C1 was only 200.71 w/m2. After the passage of Roanu, the tropical cyclone heat potential (TCHP) of eddies significantly decreased. The TCHP of W1, W2, C1 and C2 decreased by 20.95 kJ/cm2, 11.07 kJ/cm2, 29.82 kJ/cm2, 9.31 kJ/cm2, respectively. The mixed layer of warm eddies deepened much more than that of cold eddies, supporting Roanu development. In addition, changes in potential vorticity (PV) values caused by the disturbance of eddies may also reflect changes in the TS intensity. This study offers new insights on the influence of ocean eddies in regulating the development of tropical cyclone (TC) in the BoB.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of scriptaid during pre-maturation (PIVM) and/or maturation (IVM) on developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were submitted to PIVM for 6 h in the presence or absence of scriptaid. COCs were distributed into five groups T1-IVM for 22 h, T2-PIVM for 6 h and IVM for 22 h, T3-PIVM with scriptaid for 6 h and IVM for 22 h, T4-PIVM for 6 h and IVM with scriptaid for 22 h, and T5-PIVM with scriptaid for 6 h and IVM with scriptaid for 22 h. Nuclear maturation, gene expression, cumulus cells (CCs) expansion, and embryo development and quality were evaluated. At the end of maturation, all groups presented the majority of oocytes in MII (P>0.05). Only HAT1 gene was differentially expressed (P0.05). In conclusion, presence of scriptaid in PIVM and/or IVM did not improve developmental competence or embryo quality.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) are antimalarial drugs recently reported to be active against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is causing the global COVID-19 pandemic. In an emergency response to the pandemic, we aimed to develop a quantitation method for HCQ, its metabolites desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ) and bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ), and AZM in human plasma.

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop the method. Samples (20 μL) are extracted by solid-phase extraction and injected onto the LC-MS/MS system equipped with a PFP column (2.0 × 50 mm, 3 μm). ESI+ and MRM are used for detection. Ion pairs m/z 336.1→247.1 for HCQ, 308.1→179.1 for DHCQ, 264.1→179.1 for BDCQ, and 749.6→591.6 for AZM are selected for quantification. The ion pairs m/z 342.1→253.1, 314.1→181.1, 270.1→181.1, and 754.6→596.6 are selected for the corresponding deuterated internal standards (IS) HCQ-d4, DHCQ-d4, BDCQ-d4, and AZM-d5. The less abundant IS itation of HCQ, DHCQ, BDCQ, and AZM in human plasma was developed and validated for clinical studies requiring fast turnaround time and small samples volume.

Google Classroom (GC) is a free web-based instructional platform rarely used for nursing student education. The acceptance, intention to use, and learning outcomes of GC remain unclear in Taiwan. We sought to identify the technology acceptance level and factors affection the intention to use GC. We also explored how integrating GC into traditional teaching affects learning satisfaction and academic achievement among nursing students in Taiwan.

In this randomized controlled study, based on a technology acceptance framework, 74 nursing students were randomly assigned in clusters to experimental (n = 39) and control (n = 35) groups during the spring semester of 2018. In Weeks 3-18, each member of the experimental group received one hour of traditional and GC teaching per week. The control group received two hours of traditional teaching per week. Both groups were asked to complete questionnaires to evaluate learning satisfaction and academic achievement during weeks 10 (mid-semester) and 18 (end-of-semester)ditional methods-resulted in similar learning satisfaction and academic achievement when compared to traditional learning. More research is needed to explore the effectiveness of blended learning through the GC platform with different courses and ethnic groups.

The experimental group demonstrated high acceptance of GC. Playfulness and usefulness positively influenced nursing students’ intention to use GC. Blended learning-in combination with GC and traditional methods-resulted in similar learning satisfaction and academic achievement when compared to traditional learning. More research is needed to explore the effectiveness of blended learning through the GC platform with different courses and ethnic groups.