Imaging Features and Pathological Analysis of 43 Parotid Basal Cell Adenomas

Purpose. To investigate the correlation between sonographic and computed tomography and pathological features of basal cell adenomas (BCAs) of the parotid gland. Methods. This retrospective study included 41 patients (43 tumors) with BCAs. The tumors were divided into three types based on their location in the parotid gland and their imaging features. The features of the tumors were analyzed. Results. Imaging manifestations and corresponding pathological results of most BCAs of the parotid glands resembled those of benign parotid gland tumors. Malignant transformation occurred in membranous BCAs and in those with extensive cribriform structures. Type-II and type-III tumors accounted for 82.93% of the total proportion. Thirteen tumors showed cystic degeneration with 30.23%, among which type-III tumors could easily develop cystic degeneration. These cystic areas might correspond to cystic degeneration or focal necrosis. Cystic change was not dependent on the tumor size. The pathological features of the tumors were correlated to their imaging manifestations. Conclusion. Most BCAs of the parotid glands have imaging manifestations similar to those of benign parotid gland tumors. BCAs with extensive cribriform structures and of the membranous type can show malignant transformation and should be treated with caution in clinical practice.

The Teaching Method of Basketball Training Based on Intelligent Network Multimedia Technology

In the traditional sports basketball teaching, people gradually find that the simple use of body language and oral language as the carrier of teaching sports skills and theoretical knowledge has certain limitations. Therefore, we begin to focus on the combination of network multimedia technology (NMT) and basketball training teaching (BTT). This article mainly studies the teaching method of basketball training based on NMT. This article expounds the concept and function of multimedia teaching, puts forward suggestions on BTT methods based on NMT, and studies the making method of multimedia basketball training (MBT) courseware. Through the questionnaire survey and experimental research, this article analyzes the influence of MBT on basketball teaching, the effectiveness of multimedia basketball students’ mastery, the evaluation results of MBT, and the evaluation of experimental group students on MBT. In this study, 100 students were selected as the experimental objects, a group of 50 people for the basic basketball action test, one group had a period of multimedia basketball teaching, and the other group still carried on according to the traditional basketball teaching method. The results show that in the experiment of MBT, the total proportion of the experimental group is 56.61% and the control group is 33.72%; the experimental group is 57.28% and the control group is 42.35%; the experimental group is 63.26% and the control group is 32.79%; and the experimental group is 70.56% and 37% in the control group.

Mires in Europe—Regional Diversity, Condition and Protection

In spite of the worldwide largest proportional loss of mires, Europe is a continent with important mire diversity. This article analyses the condition and protection status of European mire ecosystems. The overview is based on the system of European mire regions, representing regional variety and ecosystem biodiversity. We combined peatland distribution data with land cover maps of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service as well as with the World Database on Protected Areas to assess the extent of degraded peatlands and the proportion of peatlands located in protected areas in each European mire region. The total proportion of degraded peatlands in Europe is 25%; within the EU it is 50% (120,000 km2). The proportion of degradation clearly increases from north to south, as does the proportion of peatlands located within protected areas. In more than half of Europe’s mire regions, the target of at least 17% of the area located in protected areas is not met with respect to peatlands. Data quality is discussed and the lessons learned from Europe for peatland conservation are presented.

Change in cardiovascular risk assessment tool and updated Norwegian guidelines for cardiovascular disease in primary prevention increase the population proportion at risk: the Tromsø Study 2015–2016

AimsTo compare the population proportion at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using the Norwegian NORRISK 1 that predicts 10-year risk of CVD mortality and the Norwegian national guidelines from 2009, with the updated NORRISK 2 that predicts 10-year risk of both fatal and non-fatal risk of CVD and the Norwegian national guidelines from 2017.MethodsWe included participants from the Norwegian population-based Tromsø Study (2015–2016) aged 40–69 years without a history of CVD (n=16 566). The total proportion eligible for intervention was identified by NORRISK 1 and the 2009 guidelines (serum total cholesterol ≥8 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg) and NORRISK 2 and the 2017 guidelines (serum total cholesterol ≥7 mmol/L, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ≥5 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg).ResultsThe total proportion at high risk as defined by a risk score was 12.0% using NORRISK 1 and 9.8% using NORRISK 2. When including single risk factors specified by the guidelines, the total proportion eligible for intervention was 15.5% using NORRISK 1 and the 2009 guidelines and 18.9% using NORRISK 2 and the 2017 guidelines. The lowered threshold for total cholesterol and specified cut-off for LDL cholesterol stand for a large proportion of the increase in population at risk.ConclusionThe population proportion eligible for intervention increased by 3.4 percentage points from 2009 to 2017 using the revised NORRISK 2 score and guidelines.

Liquor Flavour Is Associated With the Physicochemical Property and Microbial Diversity of Fermented Grains in Waxy and Non-waxy Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) During Fermentation

The fermentation process of Chinese Xifeng liquor involves numerous microbes. However, the sources of microbes in fermented grain and the link between liquor flavour and physicochemical properties and microbial diversity during fermentation still remain unknown. Herein, two waxy (JiNiang 2 [JN-2] and JinNuo 3 [JN-3]) and four non-waxy (JiZa 127 [JZ-127], JinZa 34 [JZ-34], LiaoZa 19 [LZ-19], and JiaXian [JX]) sorghum varieties were selected for the comprehensive analysis of the relationship between liquor flavour and the physicochemical properties and microbial diversity of fermented grains. Results showed that ethyl acetate was the main flavour component of JZ-127, JZ-34, and JX, whereas ethyl lactate was mainly detected in JN-2, JN-3, and LZ-19. Ethyl lactate accounted for half of the ethyl acetate content, and JX exhibited a higher liquor yield than the other sorghum varieties. The fermented grains of waxy sorghum presented higher temperature and reducing sugar contents but lower moisture and starch contents than their non-waxy counterparts during fermentation. We selected JN-3 and JX sorghum varieties to further investigate the microbial changes in the fermented grains. The bacterial diversity gradually reduced, whereas the fungal diversity showed nearly no change in either JN-3 or JX. Lactobacillus was the most abundant bacterial genus, and its level rapidly increased during fermentation. The abundance of Lactobacillus accounted for the total proportion of bacteria in JX, and it was higher than that in JN-3. Saccharomyces was the most abundant fungal genus in JX, but its abundance accounted for a small proportion of fungi in JN-3. Four esters and five alcohols were significantly positively related to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria; Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidia; Bacillales, Bacteroidales, and Rhodospirillales; and Acetobacter, Pediococcus, and Prevotella_7. This positive relation is in contrast with that observed for Firmicutes, Bacilli, Lactobacillales, and Lactobacillus. Meanwhile, Aspergillus was the only fungal microorganism that showed a significantly negative relation with such compounds (except for butanol and isopentanol). These findings will help in understanding the fermentation mechanism and flavour formation of fermented Xifeng liquor.

Immediate-Release Formulations Produced via Twin-Screw Melt Granulation: Systematic Evaluation of the Addition of Disintegrants

The current study evaluated the effect of location and amount of various superdisintegrants on the properties of tablets made by twin-screw melt granulation (TSMG). Sodium-croscarmellose (CCS), crospovidone (CPV), and sodium starch glycolate (SSG) were used in various proportions intra- and extra-granular. Tabletability, compactibility, compressibility as well as friability, disintegration, and dissolution performance were assessed. The extra-granular addition resulted in the fasted disintegration and dissolution. CPV performed superior to CCS and SSG. Even if the solid fraction (SF) of the granules was lower for CPV, only a minor decrease in tabletability was observed, due to the high plastic deformation of the melt granules. The intra-granular addition of CPV resulted in a more prolonged dissolution profile, which could be correlated to a loss in porosity during tableting. The 100% intra-granular addition of the CPV resulted in a distinct decrease of the disintegration efficiency, whereas the performance of SSG was unaffected by the granulation process. CCS was not suitable to be used for the production of an immediate-release formulation, when added in total proportion into the granulation phase, but its efficiency was less impaired compared to CPV. Shortest disintegration (78 s) and dissolution (Q80: 4.2 min) was achieved with CPV extra-granular. Using CPV and CCS intra-granular resulted in increased disintegration time and Q80. However, at a higher level of appx. 500 s and appx. 15 min, only SSG showed a process and location independent disintegration and dissolution performance.

Nutrition and indoor cycling: A cross-sectional analysis of carbohydrate intake for online racing and training

Cycling is a sport characterised by high training load and adequate nutrition is essential for training and race performance. With increased popularity of indoor trainers, cyclists have a unique opportunity to practice and implement key nutritional strategies. This study aimed to assess carbohydrate intake and nutrition knowledge of cyclists training or racing in this unique scenario for optimising exercise nutrition. A mixed-methods approach consisting of a multiple-pass self-report food recall and questionnaire was used to determine total carbohydrate intake pre, during and post training or racing using a stationary trainer and compared to current guidelines for endurance exercise. Sub-analyses were also made for higher ability cyclists (>4.W.kg−1 functional threshold power), races vs. non-races and ‘key’ training sessions. Mean CHO intake pre and post ride was 0.7±0.6 and 1.0±0.8 g.kgBM−1 and 39.3±27.5 g.h−1 during. Carbohydrate intake was not different for races (pre/during/post, p=0.31, 0.23, 0.18 respectively), ‘key sessions’ (p=0.26, 0.89, 0.98), or higher ability cyclists (p=0.26, 0.76, 0.45). The total proportion of cyclists who failed to meet CHO recommendations was higher than those who met guidelines (pre=79%, during=86%, post=89%). Cyclists training or racing indoors do not meet current CHO recommendations for cycling performance. Due to the short and frequently high-intensity nature of some sessions, opportunity for during exercise feeding may be limited or unnecessary.

A Preliminary Study on Dependence of Mercury Distribution on the Degree of Coalification in Ningwu Coalfield, Shanxi, China

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic trace element emitted from coal conversion and utilization. Samples with different coal ranks and gangue from Ningwu Coalfield are selected and investigated in this study. For understanding dependence of mercury distribution characteristics on coalification degree, Pearson regression analysis coupled with Spearman rank correlation is employed to explore the relationship between mercury and sulfur, mercury and ash in coal, and sequential chemical extraction method is adopted to recognize the Hg speciation in the samples of coal and gangue. The measured results show that Hg is positively related to total sulfur content in coal and the affinity of Hg to different sulfur forms varies with the coalification degree. Organic sulfur has the biggest impact on Hg in peat, which becomes weak with increasing the coalification degree from lignite to bituminous coal. Sulfate sulfur is only related to Hg in peat or lignite as little content in coal. However, the Pearson linear correlation coefficients of Hg and pyritic sulfur are relatively high with 0.479 for lignite, 0.709 for sub-bituminous coal and 0.887 for bituminous coal. Hg is also related to ash content in coal, whose Pearson linear correlation coefficients are 0.504, 0.774 and 0.827 respectively, in lignite, sub-bituminous coal and bituminous coal. Furthermore, Hg distribution is directly depended on own speciation in coal. The total proportion of F2 + F3 + F4 is increased from 41.5% in peat to 87.4% in bituminous coal, but the average proportion of F5 is decreased from 56.8% in peat to 12.4% in bituminous coal. The above findings imply that both Hg and sulfur enrich in coal largely due to the migration from organic state to inorganic state with the increase of coalification degree in Ningwu Coalfield.

Ethological methods for the selection of young pigs for herd replacement

Ethologists have identified many aspects of animal behaviour, and their research experience can be used in agricultural production for the selection of animals with necessary behavioural qualities. The purpose of the study was to find labour saving and effective methods for the selection of young pigs for herd replacement, including identification of their behavioural characteristics in the context of industrial pork production. The method for the selection of young animals based on the viability index of newborn piglets was compared with other method, which takes into account the independent attachment of piglets to the front three pairs of sow teats. It was found that the probability of independent attachment of a piglet to anterior teats has a positive and high correlation with its viability index, with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. Piglets that occupied the front three pairs of teats during the suckling period significantly (P≤0.001) exceeded the rest in weight at the 21st and at the 60th days by 22.7% and 5.4%, respectively. When assessing the behavioural reactions of piglets weaned from sows in an artificially created stress conditions, groups of piglets resistant and not resistant to psychological (emotional) stress were selected for subsequent observation. Moreover, it was found that among the sows obtained from stress-resistant piglets, the superiority in fertility during the first insemination and the total proportion of farrowing was 11.1 p.p., in terms of multiple fertility – 2.6 piglets (P≤0.05) or 33.3%, and in terms of the share of those transferred to the main herd – 27.8 p.p. in comparison with the group of unstable ones. Based on the obtained results, the use of an ethological method for selecting piglets for herd replacement was substantiated, taking into account the independent attachment to anterior teats and an express method for selecting piglets based on their resistance to psychological stress

Clinical study of pulmonary CT lesions and associated bronchiectasis in 115 convalescent patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in China

A total of 115 convalescent inpatients with COVID-19 were enrolled. According to the results of scans of lung lesions via computed tomography (CT), the patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups. The clinical data of the patients were collected, including age, gender, finger pulse oxygen pressure, ventricular rate, body temperature, etc. The correlation between the clinical indicators and the lesions of high-resolution CT (HRCT) and bronchiectasis was analyzed. Among the 115 patients, 82 had no bronchiectasis and 33 had bronchiectasis. The bronchodilation-prone layers mainly included the left and right lower lobe of the lung. The probability of branching in the inflamed area was greater than that in the noninflamed area in patients with COVID-19. There were significant differences in gender, CT lesion range, and number of incidents of bronchiectasis between noninflamed and inflamed areas (P < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in age, total proportion of CT lesions, volume of CT lesions, and total number of patients with bronchiectasis among the three groups (P < 0.05). CT lesion range was positively correlated with the total number of patients with bronchiectasis and patient age (respectively, r = 0.186, P < 0.05; r = 0.029, P < 0.05). The lesion range in HRCT images of lungs in patients with COVID-19 is correlated with bronchodilation. The larger the lesion, the higher the probability of bronchiectasis and the more incidents of bronchiectasis.