| 1. |
- Birney, Ewan, et al.
(author)
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Identification and analysis of functional elements in 1% of the human genome by the ENCODE pilot project
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 447:7146, s. 799-816
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the generation and analysis of functional data from multiple, diverse experiments performed on a targeted 1% of the human genome as part of the pilot phase of the ENCODE Project. These data have been further integrated and augmented by a number of evolutionary and computational analyses. Together, our results advance the collective knowledge about human genome function in several major areas. First, our studies provide convincing evidence that the genome is pervasively transcribed, such that the majority of its bases can be found in primary transcripts, including non-protein-coding transcripts, and those that extensively overlap one another. Second, systematic examination of transcriptional regulation has yielded new understanding about transcription start sites, including their relationship to specific regulatory sequences and features of chromatin accessibility and histone modification. Third, a more sophisticated view of chromatin structure has emerged, including its inter-relationship with DNA replication and transcriptional regulation. Finally, integration of these new sources of information, in particular with respect to mammalian evolution based on inter- and intra-species sequence comparisons, has yielded new mechanistic and evolutionary insights concerning the functional landscape of the human genome. Together, these studies are defining a path for pursuit of a more comprehensive characterization of human genome function.
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| 2. |
- Luo, Yifei, et al.
(author)
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Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors
- 2023
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In: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 17:6, s. 5211-5295
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Almgren, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Contrast Variation SANS Investigation of Composition Distributions in Mixed Surfactant Micelles
- 2007
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In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-6106 .- 1520-5207. ; 111:25, s. 7133-7141
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Small angle neutron scattering measurements have been performed on three systems (HFDeP-d5-C (N-1(1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluorodecanoyl)pyridinium-d5 chloride)/C16PC in 63 mM NaCl; HFDeP-d5-C/C12PC in 200 mM NaCl, and as an example of an ideally mixed system, SDS/SDS-d25 in 200 mM NaCl) contg. micelles formed in a binary mixt. of surfactants, in order to investigate the compn. distribution of the mixed micelles. The exptl. data were collected varying the contrast between the av. scattering length d. of micelles and aq. solvent by changing the H2O/D2O ratio. Anal. of data includes a model-independent approach-the indirect Fourier transformation method and direct modeling-simultaneous fit at all contrasts by the scattering from micelles of equal size and shape with compn. distribution and an effective interaction. It has earlier been shown (Almgren, M.; Garamus, V. M. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 11348) that for micelles of equal size, independent of the compn., and with negligible intermicellar interactions, the scattered intensity at zero angle varies quadratically with the contrast, with the min. intensity at the nominal match point proportional to s2, the variance of the micelle compn. distribution. Within the regular soln. framework, the compn. distribution and its variance are uniquely defined by the value of the interaction parameter and the micelle aggregation no. At 25 DegC, the first system gave s = 0.37, corresponding to a broad, bimodal compn. distribution, the second s = 0.22, a broad distribution with a shallow min. at the midpoint. For SDS/SDS-d25, we found s = 0.006 +- 0.030, which is a smaller value than that of the binominal compn. distribution expected for an ideally mixed system.
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| 5. |
- Appleton, Katherine Marie, et al.
(author)
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A mobile phone app for the provision of personalized food-based information in an eating-out situation : development and initial evaluation
- 2019
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In: JMIR Formative Research. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 2561-326X. ; 3:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Increasing pressure from governments, public health bodies, and consumers is driving a need for increased food-based information provision in eating-out situations. Meals eaten outside the home are known to be less healthy than meals eaten at home, and consumers can complain of poor information on the health impact and allergen content of meals eaten out.Objective: This paper aimed to describe the development and early assessment of a mobile phone app that allows the provision of accurate personalized food-based information while considering individual characteristics (allergies, diet type, and preferences) to enable informed consumer choice when eating out.Methods: An app was designed and developed to address these requirements using an agile approach. The developed app was then evaluated at 8 public engagement events using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire and qualitative feedback.Results: Consideration of the literature and consultation with consumers revealed a need for information provision for consumers in the eating-out situation, including the ability to limit the information provided to that which was personally relevant or interesting. The app was designed to provide information to consumers on the dishes available in a workplace canteen and to allow consumers the freedom to personalize the app and choose the information that they received. Evaluation using the SUS questionnaire revealed positive responses to the app from a range of potential users, and qualitative comments demonstrated broad interest in its use.Conclusions: This paper details the successful development and early assessment of a novel mobile phone app designed to provide food-based information in an eating-out situation in a personalized manner.
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| 6. |
- Chen, Hanwei, et al.
(author)
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Tumor Volumes Measured From Static and Dynamic F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan : Comparison of Different Methods Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging as the Criterion Standard
- 2014
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In: Journal of computer assisted tomography. - 0363-8715 .- 1532-3145. ; 38:2, s. 209-215
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of calculating the primary tumor volumes using a gradient-based method and fixed threshold methods on the standardized uptake value (SUV) maps and the net influx of FDG (Ki) maps from positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) images. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer were recruited, and dynamic PET-CT scan and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The maps of Ki and SUV were calculated from PET-CT images. The tumor volumes were calculated using a gradient-based method and a fixed threshold method at 40% of maximal SUV or maximal Ki. Four kinds of volumes, VOLKi-Gra (from the Ki maps using the gradient-based method), VOLKi-40% (from the Ki maps using the threshold of 40% maximal Ki), VOLSUV-Gra (from the SUV maps using the gradient-based method), and VOLSUV-40% (from the SUV maps using the threshold of 40% maximal SUV), were acquired and compared with VOLMRI (the volumes acquired on T2-weighted images) using the Pearson correlation, paired t test, and similarity analysis. Results: Eighteen patients were studied, of which 4 had poorly defined tumors (PDT). The positron emission tomography-derived volumes were as follows: VOLSUV-40%, 2.1 to 41.2 cm(3) (mean [SD], 12.3 [10.6]); VOLSUV-Gra, 2.2 to 28.1 cm(3) (mean [SD], 13.2 [8.4]); VOLKi-Gra, 2.4 to 17.0 cm(3) (mean [SD], 9.5 [4.6]); and VOLKi-40%, 2.7 to 20.3 cm(3) (mean [SD], 12.0 [6.0]). The VOLMRI ranged from 2.9 to 18.1 cm(3) (mean [SD], 9.1 [3.9]). The VOLKi-Gra significantly correlated with VOLMRI with the highest correlation coefficient (PDT included, R = 0.673, P = 0.002; PDT excluded, R = 0.841, P < 0.001) and presented no difference from VOLMRI (P = 0.672 or 0.561, respectively, PDT included and excluded). The difference between VOLKi-Gra and VOLMRI was also the smallest. Conclusions: The tumor volumes delineated on the Ki maps using the gradient-based method are more accurate than those on the SUV maps and using the fixed threshold methods.
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| 7. |
- Dai, Ting, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of Fast Fluid Dynamics with Different Turbulence Models for Simulating Airflow and Pollutant Dispersion Around Buildings
- 2023
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In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Building Energy and Environment. - : Springer Nature. ; , s. 51-59
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fast fluid dynamics (FFD) could provide efficient airflow and concentration simulation. The commonly used turbulence model in FFD was RNG k- ε turbulence model which solved two transport equations to obtain eddy viscosity. To improve computing speed, this investigation implemented no turbulence model, Smagorinsky model and dynamic Smagorinsky model which calculated eddy viscosity without solving equation in FFD in an open-source program, OpenFOAM. By simulating single-building case and comparing with experiment and CFD, this study assessed accuracy and efficiency of FFD with those turbulence models. Compared with CFD, FFD improved computing speed without reducing accuracy. The simulation of FFD without turbulence model was fast but inaccurate. FFD with Smagorinsky model increased computing speed while ensuring the same accuracy as RNG k- ε turbulence model. FFD with dynamic Smagorinsky model provided accurate results with high efficiency. This investigation suggested FFD with dynamic Smagorinsky model for outdoor airflow and pollutant dispersion studies.
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| 8. |
- Dai, Ting, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of fast fluid dynamics with different turbulence models for predicting outdoor airflow and pollutant dispersion
- 2022
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In: Sustainable cities and society. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-6707. ; 77, s. 103583-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fast fluid dynamics (FFD) could provide informative and efficient airflow and concentration simulation. The commonly used turbulence model in FFD was Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-epsilon turbulence model which solved two transport equations to obtain eddy viscosity. To reduce this part of time and further improve computing speed, this investigation implemented no turbulence model, Smagorinsky model and dynamic Smagorinsky model which calculated eddy viscosity without solving equation in FFD in an open-source program, OpenFOAM. By simulating several outdoor cases of varying complexity and comparing with experiment and CFD, this study assessed the accuracy and computing efficiency of FFD with four turbulence models. Compared with CFD, FFD greatly improved the computing speed without reducing accuracy. The simulation of FFD without turbulence model was fast but inaccurate. FFD with Smagorinsky model increased the computing speed while ensuring the same accuracy as RNG k-epsilon turbulence model. FFD with dynamic Smagorinsky model provided accurate results with high efficiency. Computation errors arose mainly from inaccurate prediction of turbulence dispersion. The computing cost was associated with the number of transport equations and calculation method of model coefficient. This investigation recommended the use of FFD with dynamic Smagorinsky model for outdoor airflow and pollutant dispersion studies.
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| 9. |
- Deng, Min, et al.
(author)
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Genome-wide association analyses in Han Chinese identify two new susceptibility loci for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2013
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:6, s. 697-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To identify susceptibility genes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 506 individuals with sporadic ALS and 1,859 controls of Han Chinese ancestry. Ninety top SNPs suggested by the current GWAS and 6 SNPs identified by previous GWAS were analyzed in an independent cohort of 706 individuals with ALS and 1,777 controls of Han Chinese ancestry. We discovered two new susceptibility loci for ALS at 1q32 (CAMK1G, rs6703183, P-combined = 2.92 x 10(-8), odds ratio (OR) = 1.31) and 22p11 (CABIN1 and SUSD2, rs8141797, P-combined = 2.35 x 10(-9), OR = 1.52). These two loci explain 12.48% of the overall variance in disease risk in the Han Chinese population. We found no association evidence for the previously reported loci in the Han Chinese population, suggesting genetic heterogeneity of disease susceptibility for ALS between ancestry groups. Our study identifies two new susceptibility loci and suggests new pathogenic mechanisms of ALS.
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| 10. |
- Deng, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Significance of Photosynthetic Characters in the Evolution of Asian Gnetum (Gnetales)
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Plant Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-462X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gnetum is a genus in the Gnetales that has a unique but ambiguous placement within seed plant phylogeny. Previous studies have shown that Gnetum has lower values of photosynthetic characters than those of other seed plants, but few Gnetum species have been studied, and those that have been studied are restricted to narrow taxonomic and geographic ranges. In addition, the mechanism underlying the lower values of photosynthetic characters in Gnetum remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the photosynthetic characters of a Chinese lianoid species, i.e., Gnetum parvifolium, and co-occurring woody angiosperms growing in the wild, as well as seedlings of five Chinese Gnetum species cultivated in a greenhouse. The five Gnetum species had considerably lower values for photosynthesis parameters (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance) than those of other seed plant representatives. Interrelated analyses revealed that the low photosynthetic capacity may be an intrinsic property of Gnetum, and may be associated with its evolutionary history. Comparison of the chloroplast genomes (cpDNAs) of Gnetum with those of other seed plant representatives revealed that 17 coding genes are absent from the cpDNAs of all species of Gnetum. This lack of multiple functional genes from the cpDNAs probably leads to the low photosynthetic rates of Gnetum. Our results provide a new perspective on the evolutionary history of the Gnetales, and on the ecophysiological and genomic attributes of tropical biomes in general. These results could also be useful for the breeding and cultivation of Gnetum.
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| 11. |
- Hao, Lijun, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle NOx and CO2 Emissions Based on OBD Data
- 2023
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In: Atmosphere. - 2073-4433. ; 14:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Controlling NOx and CO2 emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) is receiving increasing attention. Accurate measurement of HDDV NOx and CO2 emissions is the prerequisite for HDDV emission control. Vehicle emission regulations srecommend the measurement of NOx and CO2 emissions from vehicles using an emission analyzer, which is expensive and unsuitable to measure a large number of vehicles in a short time. The on-board diagnostics (OBD) data stream of HDDVs provides great convenience for calculating vehicle NOx and CO2 emissions by providing the engine fuel flow rate, NOx sensor output, and air mass flow. The calculated vehicle NOx and CO2 emissions based on the OBD data were validated by testing a heavy-duty truck’s emissions on the chassis dynamometer over the CHTC-HT driving cycle, showing that the calculated NOx and CO2 emissions based on the OBD data are consistent with the measured results by the emission analyzer. The calculated vehicle fuel consumptions based on the OBD data were close to the calculated results based on the carbon balance method and the measured results by the fuel flowmeter. The experimental results show that accessing vehicle NOx and CO2 emissions based on the OBD data is a convenient and applicable method.
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| 12. |
- Huang, Zi-Nan, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of the stress field in the reactor vessel of the China Initiative Accelerator Driven System during postulated ULOF and UTOP transients
- 2023
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In: Annals of Nuclear Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4549 .- 1873-2100. ; 194
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The China Initiative Accelerator Driven System (CiADS) was proposed by China Academy of Science since 2015. The subcritical reactor in CiADS is a liquid Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) cooled fast reactor. When the reactor core is in operation, the LBE coolant will directly contact and corrode the inner surface of reactor vessel. Due to the high temperature, the corrosion will be more severe. If the stress on the reactor vessel exceeds the limit, the plastic deformation will occur, leading to the generation and expansion of defects and cracks, and the safety of the reactor will be affected. Therefore, evaluating the stress field of the reactor vessel under different operating conditions is a very important research project. In this paper, the finite element analysis software ADINA was applied to analyze the reactor vessel in CiADS, and the ASME Code was used as stress assessment standards. We can preliminarily prove that the stress assessments of the vessel during the postulated Unprotected Loss of Flow (ULOF) accidents satisfy the requirements of ASME Code. The limit reactivity insertion to protect the vessel from plastic deformation is 0.58$ in the postulated Unprotected Transient over Power (UTOP) accidents based on our current results. Therefore, we can preliminarily conclude that the current material selection and structural design of the reactor vessel in CiADS could survive most of the postulated transient accidents considering the stress effect.
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| 13. |
- Jiang, Di, 1983, et al.
(author)
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A flexible and stackable 3D interconnect system using growth-engineered carbon nanotube scaffolds
- 2017
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In: Flexible and Printed Electronics. - : IOP Publishing. - 2058-8585. ; 2:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- One of the critical challenges for realizing flexible electronic systems for a wide range of applications is the development of materials for flexible and stackable interconnects. We propose and demonstrate a three-dimensional (3D)interconnect structure embedded in a polymeric substrate using metal-coated carbon nanotube (CNT)scaffolds. By using two different underlayer materials for the catalyst, onestep synthesis of a dual-height CNT interconnect scaffold was realized. The CNT scaffolds serve as flexible cores for both annular metal through-substrate-vias and for horizontal metal interconnect. The 3D-CNT network was fabricated on a silicon substrate, and once the scaffolds were covered by metal, they were embedded in a polymer serving as a flexible substrate after peel-off from the silicon substrate. The 3D-CNT interconnect network was exposed to mechanical bending and stretching tests while monitoring its electrical properties. Even after 300 cycles no significant increase of resistances was found. Electrically there is a trade-off between flexibility and conductivity due to the surface roughness of the scaffold. However, this is to some extent alleviated by the metalized sidewalls giving the horizontal wires a cross-sectional area larger than indicated by their footprint. For gold wires 200 nm thick, measurements indicated a resistivity of 18 μΩ.cm, a value less than one order of magnitude larger than that of bulk gold, and a value that is expected to improve as technology improves. The mechanical properties of the metalized scaffolds were simulated using a finite element model. The potential scale-up capability of the proposed 3D-CNT network was demonstrated by the stacking of two such polymer-embedded interconnect systems.
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| 14. |
- Jiang, Di, 1983, et al.
(author)
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Embedded Fin-Like Metal/CNT Hybrid Structures for Flexible and Transparent Conductors
- 2016
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In: Small. - : Wiley. - 1613-6810 .- 1613-6829. ; 12:11, s. 1521-1526
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, an embedded fin-like metal-coated carbon nanotube (Fin-M/CNT) structure is demonstrated for flexible and transparent conductor wire applications. Embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane polymeric substrate, Fin-M/CNT wires with a minimum width of 5 μm and a minimum pitch of 10 μm have been achieved. Direct current resistances of single Fin-M/CNT wires, where the supporting CNT structures have been covered by Ti/Al/Au metal coatings of different thicknesses, have been measured. The high aspect ratio of the fin-like structures not only improves the adhesion between the wires and the polymeric substrate, but also yields a low resistance at a small surface footprint. In addition, transparent Fin-M/CNT grid lines with hexagonal patterns, with a sheet resistance of as low as 45 Ω sq−1, have been achieved at an optical transmittance of 88%. The robustness of the Fin-M/CNT structures has been demonstrated in bending tests up to 500 cycles and no significant changes in wire resistances are observed.
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| 15. |
- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of radiation-induced xerostomia : validation of the xerostomia questionnaire in Chinese patients with head and neck cancer
- 2021
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In: Cancer Nursing. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 44:2, s. E68-E75
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Xerostomia is a common complication in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) during and after radiotherapy. The lack of a simply-administered and well-validated self-reported instrument has hampered the assessment and management of xerostomia for research and clinical purposes in China.Objective This study aimed to evaluate the content validity and psychometric properties of the Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ) in Chinese patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy.Methods This psychometric evaluation study enrolled 80 patients and was conducted in 2 stages: translation and evaluation of content validity and psychometric evaluation. Cognitive interviews (n = 10) were conducted using the Participant Interview Form. The psychometric evaluation (n = 80) included score distribution, homogeneity (interitem and item-total correlations), factor structure (exploratory factor analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), criterion-related validity (person correlation), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations).Results Content validity was supported by cognitive interviews. The factor analysis resulted in a 1-factor solution with strong factor loadings (0.84-0.91) that explained 75.6% of the total variance. The internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach’s α of .95. The XQ correlated strongly with other measures of xerostomia (0.70-0.80), which supports criterion-related validity. The test-retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92).Conclusions The result provides evidence for the validity and reliability of the XQ in a sample of Chinese patients with HNC.Implications for Practice The XQ can be used in both clinical practice and research as a valuable tool to screen for problems with xerostomia, monitor the xerostomia level, and evaluate the effects of treatment and interventions among patients with HNC.
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| 16. |
- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Effects of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics in patients with head and neck cancer radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands : a randomized controlled trial
- 2022
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In: BMC Oral Health. - : BioMed Central. - 1472-6831. ; 22:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Xerostomia and changes in saliva characteristics are common side-effects in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy, which negatively impact their oral health. However, there are no consensus standards for intervention to manage these problems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics at a 1-year follow-up of patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands.METHODS: The CONSORT guidelines for a randomized controlled trial were used. Participants with a low overall dose to major salivary glands were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive program, which included three steps: face-to-face education; face-to-face coaching at 1 month post-radiotherapy; and four telephone coaching sessions at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months post-radiotherapy. The face-to-face education consisted of oral hygiene instruction, oral self-care strategies, facial and tongue muscle exercises, and salivary gland massage. Adherence to the intervention was evaluated using a questionnaire completed during the 9 months follow-up. The control group received usual care. The unstimulated saliva flow rate and xerostomia were assessed in both groups.RESULTS: A total of 79 participants (40 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group) completed the 12 months follow-up. The intervention group achieved significantly greater relief from xerostomia than the control group after 3 months (intervention group: 35.1 ± 5.9 versus control group: 38.0 ± 5.9, P = 0.027) and 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 18.5 ± 4.1 versus control group: 22.8 ± 4.3, P < 0.001). A higher unstimulated saliva flow rate was observed in the intervention group than the control group at 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 0.16 ± 0.08 versus control group: 0.12 ± 0.07, P = 0.035). Adherence to the intervention was generally good.CONCLUSION: This integrated supportive program with good adherence relieved xerostomia and had a positive effect on unstimulated saliva flow rate among patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands during the 12 months of follow-up.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100051876 (08/10/2021), retrospectively registered.
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| 17. |
- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Experiences of xerostomia after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer : A qualitative study.
- 2018
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 27:1-2, s. e100-e108
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the experiences of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is the most commonly occurring complication during and following radiotherapy. It can persist for several months or years and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. DESIGN: This was a qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 participants. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. RESULTS: Analysis of the manifest content identified five categories: communication problems, physical problems, psychosocial problems, treatment problems and relief strategies. The latent content was formulated into a theme: due to lack of information from professionals, the patients had to find their own solutions for their problems. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia is not only a biophysical symptom but also has a profound effect on the emotional, intellectual and sociocultural dimensions of life. The majority of patients continued to suffer from xerostomia and its associated symptoms after radiotherapy, in part, because of a lack of professional support, including the inability of nurses to provide oral health care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses need to be knowledgeable about the effects of radiotherapy on oral mucosa and about appropriate interventions. The healthcare system requires a symptom management platform for radiation-induced complications, to help patients, their families and healthcare professionals obtain information about self-care, treatments and relief strategies.
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| 18. |
- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Perforated Vesicles as Intermediate Structures in the Transition from Vesicles to Micelles in Dilute Aqueous Systems Containing Long Chain Alcohols and Ionic Surfactants.
- 2009
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In: Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0193-2691 .- 1532-2351. ; 30:6, s. 802-808
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Morphologies of aggregates in mixtures of long chain alcohols (n-decanol, n-dodecanol, and oleyl alcohol) and cationic surfactants (cetylpyridinium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and chloride) in dilute aqueous salt solutions were investigated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. In all cases elongated micellar structures transformed into vesicles with increasing alcohol concentration. Perforated bilayer structures were clearly identified in systems with oleyl alcohol and CTAB, in particular in 0.100 M NaBr. Increasing the salt concentration to 0.200 M other aggregates dominated composed of threadlike, probably branched, and interconnected micelles. A gradual evolution of morphologies was observed with increasing alcohol content at the lower salt concentration: thread-like micelles (developing branching to some extent), perforated vesicles, coexisting perforated and smooth bilayer structures, only smooth bilayers, and finally also inverted strucutures.
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| 19. |
- Jiang, Nan
(author)
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Radiation-Induced Xerostomia in Chinese Patients with Head and Neck Cancer – An Explorative and Interventional study
- 2021
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Radiation-induced xerostomia is a common oral complication of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy (RT). This can lead to a series of functional oral disorders, particularly dental caries, and ultimately negatively affect their oral health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Aims: The overall aim of this thesis was to understand the living experience of radiation-induced xerostomia and to determine the effects of an integrated supportive program based on multicomponent oral care strategies in Chinese patients with HNC.Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to describe how patients (13 men and 7 women) with HNC experienced radiation-induced xerostomia (Ⅰ). A cross-sectional study of patients (n=80) with HNC was conducted to accomplish the validation of the Chinese version of the xerostomia questionnaire (XQ) (Ⅱ). A randomized controlled trial (n=79) was conducted to determine the effect of an integrated supportive program (with a combination of face-to-face health education and coaching sections) on xerostomia, saliva characteristics (Ⅲ), oral health, and HRQoL (IV).Results: Five categories emerged from the manifest content of the interviews: communication problems, physical problems, psychosocial problems, treatment problems, and relief strategies. The meaning underlying these categories formed a theme, which was the latent content of the interview: Due to lack of information regarding xerostomia, patients had to find their own ways to deal with the problem (Ⅰ). The Chinese version of XQ was a unidimensional scale (1-factor solution explained 75.6 of the total variance) and had good psychometric properties with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.95), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92), and good criterion-related validity and content validity (Ⅱ). The integrated supportive program showed significant inter-group differences in xerostomia (P=0.046), unstimulated saliva flow rate (P=0.035), plaque index (P=0.038), Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (P=0.002), and Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Head & Neck (P=0.001) over the 12-month follow-up, with better outcomes in the intervention group (Ⅲ & Ⅳ).Conclusion: This thesis contributes knowledge regarding the experiences of living with xerostomia from a patient perspective, noting that xerostomia has a profound impact on a patient's physical, psychological, and social quality of life. There is lack of assessment tools for xerostomia in the Chinese population, and the Chinese version of XQ proved to be a valid and simple self-administered tool to measure and monitor the xerostomia level in patients with HNC. The integrated supportive program with multicomponent oral care strategies demonstrated positive effects on relieving xerostomia, increasing unstimulated saliva flow rate, and improving their oral health and HRQoL. These findings provide a basis for improvement in the management of xerostomia and oral health of Chinese patients with HNC through the integration of oral care in nursing.
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| 20. |
- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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Stochastic Backpropagation for Coherent Optical Communications
- 2011
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In: European Conference and Exposition on Optical Communications, ECOC. - Washington, D.C. : OSA. - 2162-2701. - 9781557529312 - 9781557529312
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present stochastic backpropagation, a novel maximum a posteriori detection method for coherent optical communication. The proposed detector is shown to outperform conventional backpropagation in a scenario where nonlinear phase noise is the dominant impairment.
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- Jiang, Nan, et al.
(author)
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The effects of an integrated supportive programme on oral health in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy : A randomized controlled trial
- 2024
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In: International Journal of Dental Hygiene. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1601-5029 .- 1601-5037.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study determines the effect of an integrated 12-month follow-up support programme on the oral health of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who received radiotherapy (RT).METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive programme, which included face-to-face education and telephone coaching. The control group received usual care. After a clinical dental examination, the prevalence of caries, gingival inflammation and plaque were registered. Oral health impact profile (OHIP)-14 and the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults were used to evaluate oral health in both groups.RESULTS: A total of 79 participants completed a 12-month follow-up. The intervention group had lower caries increment between baseline and the 12-month follow-up compared with controls, although this was not statistically significant. After 12 months, the intervention group had statistically significant better outcomes in the plaque index (p = 0.038) and the OHIP-14 (p = 0.002) than the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups concerning gingival index. However, the intervention group reported an overall better state of teeth (p = 0.034) and gums after 12 months (p = 0.042).CONCLUSIONS: The integrated supportive programme showed positive effects on improving oral health in patients with HNC regarding plaque control, the state of teeth and gums and oral health-related quality of life during the 12-month follow-up.
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