bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Pain During MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy
Authors: He Xin , Oshino Satoru , Hosomi Koichi , Kanemoto Manabu , Tani Naoki , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has become popular as an incisionless mode of neurosurgical treatment. However, head pain during sonication is common and its pathophysiology remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the characteristics of head pain occurring during MRgFUS thalamotomy.

METHODS:

Our study comprised 59 patients who answered questions about the pain they experienced during unilateral MRgFUS thalamotomy. The location and features of pain were investigated using a questionnaire including the numerical rating scale (NRS) to estimate maximum pain intensity and the Japanese version of the Short Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of pain. Several clinical factors were investigated for possible correlation with pain intensity.

RESULTS:

Forty-eight patients (81%) reported sonication-related head pain, and the degree of pain was severe (NRS score ≥ 7) in 39 patients (66%). The distribution of sonication-related pain was “localized” in 29 (49%) and “diffuse” in 16 (27%); the most frequent location was the “occipital” region. The pain features most frequently reported were those in the “affective” subscale of the Short Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire 2. Patients with diffuse pain had a higher NRS score and lower skull density ratio than did patients with localized pain. The NRS score negatively correlated with tremor improvement at 6 months post-treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Most patients in our cohort experienced pain during MRgFUS. The distribution and intensity of pain varied according to the skull density ratio, indicating that the pain might have had different origins. Our results may contribute to the improvement of pain management during MRgFUS.
Comparison of Perioperative Complications After Anterior–Posterior Versus Posterior–Anterior–Posterior Cervical Fusion: A Retrospective Review of 153 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Bakare Adewale A. , Varela Jesus R. , Moss Jonah R , Platt Andrew , O'Toole John E. , Fontes Ricardo B. V. , Traynelis Vincent C.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Although published data support the utilization of circumferential fusion to treat select cervical spine pathologies, it is unclear whether the posterior–anterior–posterior (PAP) fusion has increased risks compared with the anterior–posterior fusion.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the differences in perioperative complications between the 2 circumferential cervical fusion approaches.

METHODS:

One hundred fifty-three consecutive adult patients who underwent single-staged circumferential cervical fusion for degenerative pathologies from 2010 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into the anterior–posterior (n = 116) and PAP (n = 37) groups. The primary outcomes assessed were major complications, reoperation, and readmission.

RESULTS:

Although the PAP group was older (P = .024), predominantly female (P = .024), with higher baseline neck disability index (P = .026), cervical sagittal vertical axis (P = .001), and previous cervical operation rate (P < .00001), the major complication, reoperation, and readmission rates were not significantly different from the 360° group. Although the PAP group had higher urinary tract infection (P = .043) and transfusion (P = .007) rates, higher estimated blood loss (P = .034), and longer operative times (P < .00001), these differences were insignificant after the multivariable analysis. Overall, operative time was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR] 17.72, P = .042), atrial fibrillation (OR 158.30, P = .045), previous cervical operation (OR 5.05, P = .051), and lower baseline C1-7 lordosis (OR 0.93, P = .007). Higher estimated blood loss was associated with older age (OR 1.13, P = .005), male gender (OR 323.31, P = .047), and higher baseline cervical sagittal vertical axis (OR 9.65, P = .022).

CONCLUSION:

Despite some differences in preoperative and intraoperative variables, this study suggests both circumferential approaches have comparable reoperation, readmission, and complication profiles, all of which are high.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma in Neurofibromatosis Type 2: An International Multicenter Case Series of Response and Malignant Transformation Risk
Authors: Bin-Alamer Othman , Faramand Andrew , Alarifi Norah A. , Wei Zhishuo , Mallela Arka N. , Lu Victor M. , Nabeel Ahmed M. , Reda Wael A. , Tawadros Sameh R. , Abdelkarim Khaled , El-Shehaby Amr M.N. , Emad Reem M. , Peker Selcuk , Samanci Yavuz , Lee Cheng-chia , Yang Huai-che , Delabar Violaine , Mathieu David , Tripathi Manjul , Kearns Kathryn Nicole , Bunevicius Adomas , Sheehan Jason P. , Chytka Tomas , Liscak Roman , Moreno Nuria Martínez , Álvarez Roberto Martínez , Grills Inga S. , Parzen Jacob S. , Cifarelli Christopher P. , Rehman Azeem A. , Speckter Herwin , Niranjan Ajay , Lunsford L. Dade , Abou-Al-Shaar Hussam
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) related to neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are challenging tumors. The increasing use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) necessitates further investigations of its role and safety.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate tumor control, freedom from additional treatment (FFAT), serviceable hearing preservation, and radiation-related risks of patients with NF2 after SRS for VS.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective study of 267 patients with NF2 (328 VSs) who underwent single-session SRS at 12 centers participating in the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. The median patient age was 31 years (IQR, 21-45 years), and 52% were male.

RESULTS:

A total of 328 tumors underwent SRS during a median follow-up time of 59 months (IQR, 23-112 months). At 10 and 15 years, the tumor control rates were 77% (95% CI: 69%-84%) and 52% (95% CI: 40%-64%), respectively, and the FFAT rate were 85% (95% CI: 79%-90%) and 75% (95% CI: 65%-86%), respectively. At 5 and 10 years, the serviceable hearing preservation rates were 64% (95% CI: 55%-75%) and 35% (95% CI: 25%-54%), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, age (hazards ratio: 1.03 [95% CI: 1.01-1.05];P= .02) and bilateral VSs (hazards ratio: 4.56 [95% CI: 1.05-19.78];P= .04) were predictors for serviceable hearing loss. Neither radiation-induced tumors nor malignant transformation were encountered in this cohort.

CONCLUSION:

Although the absolute volumetric tumor progression rate was 48% at 15 years, the rate of FFAT related to VS was 75% at 15 years after SRS. None of the patients with NF2-related VS developed a new radiation-related neoplasm or malignant transformation after SRS.
Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia Secondary to Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Leduc William , Mathieu David , Adam Elizabeth , Ferreira Raphaëlle , Iorio-Morin Christian
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

The efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the relief of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is well established. Much less is known, however, about the benefit of SRS for multiple sclerosis (MS)–related TN (MS-TN).

OBJECTIVE:

To compare outcomes in patients who underwent SRS for MS-TN vs classical/idiopathic TN and identify relative risk factors for failure.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective, case-control study of patients who underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery at our center for MS-TN between October 2004 and November 2017. Cases were matched 1:1 to controls using a propensity score predicting MS probability using pretreatment variables. The final cohort consisted of 154 patients (77 cases and 77 controls). Baseline demographics, pain characteristics, and MRI features were collected before treatment. Pain evolution and complications were obtained at follow-up. Outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meir estimator and Cox regressions.

RESULTS:

There was no statistically significant difference between both groups with regards to initial pain relief (modified Barrow National Institute IIIa or less), which was achieved in 77% of patients with MS and 69% of controls. In responders, 78% of patients with MS and 52% of controls eventually had recurrence. Pain recurred earlier in patients with MS (29 months) than in controls (75 months). Complications were similarly distributed in each group and consisted, in the MS group, of 3% of new bothersome facial hypoesthesia and 1% of new dysesthesia.

CONCLUSION:

SRS is a safe and effective modality to achieve pain freedom in MS-TN. However, pain relief is significantly less durable than in matched controls without MS.
The Drosophila AWP1 ortholog Doctor No regulates JAK/STAT signaling for left–right asymmetry in the gut by promoting receptor endocytosis
Authors: Lai Yi-Ting , Sasamura Takeshi , Kuroda Junpei , Maeda Reo , Nakamura Mitsutoshi , Hatori Ryo , Ishibashi Tomoki , Taniguchi Kiichiro , Ooike Masashi , Taguchi Tomohiro , Nakazawa Naotaka , Hozumi Shunya , Okumura Takashi , Aigaki Toshiro , Inaki Mikiko , Matsuno Kenji
Published: March 2023

Many organs of Drosophila show stereotypical left–right (LR) asymmetry; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we have identified an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-binding protein, AWP1/Doctor No (Drn), as a factor required for LR asymmetry in the embryonic anterior gut. We found that drn is essential in the circular visceral muscle cells of the midgut for JAK/STAT signaling, which contributes to the first known cue for anterior gut lateralization via LR asymmetric nuclear rearrangement. Embryos homozygous for drn and lacking its maternal contribution showed phenotypes similar to those with depleted JAK/STAT signaling, suggesting that Drn is a general component of JAK/STAT signaling. Absence of Drn resulted in specific accumulation of Domeless (Dome), the receptor for ligands in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, in intracellular compartments, including ubiquitylated cargos. Dome colocalized with Drn in wild-type Drosophila. These results suggest that Drn is required for the endocytic trafficking of Dome, which is a crucial step for activation of JAK/STAT signaling and the subsequent degradation of Dome. The roles of AWP1/Drn in activating JAK/STAT signaling and in LR asymmetric development may be conserved in various organisms.
FGF signaling regulates salivary gland branching morphogenesis by modulating cell adhesion
Authors: Ray Ayan T. , Soriano Philippe
Published: March 2023

Loss of FGF signaling leads to defects in salivary gland branching, but the mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain largely unknown. We disrupted expression of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 in salivary gland epithelial cells and found that both receptors function coordinately in regulating branching. Strikingly, branching morphogenesis in double knockouts is restored by Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 (Fgfr1/2) knock-in alleles incapable of engaging canonical RTK signaling, suggesting that additional FGF-dependent mechanisms play a role in salivary gland branching. Fgfr1/2 conditional null mutants showed defective cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, both of which have been shown to play instructive roles in salivary gland branching. Loss of FGF signaling led to disordered cell-basement membrane interactions in vivo as well as in organ culture. This was partially restored upon introducing Fgfr1/2 wild-type or signaling alleles that are incapable of eliciting canonical intracellular signaling. Together, our results identify non-canonical FGF signaling mechanisms that regulate branching morphogenesis through cell-adhesion processes.
Myosin-X recruits lamellipodin to filopodia tips
Authors: Popović Ana , Miihkinen Mitro , Ghimire Sujan , Saup Rafael , Grönloh Max L. B. , Ball Neil J. , Goult Benjamin T. , Ivaska Johanna , Jacquemet Guillaume
Published: March 2023

Myosin-X (MYO10), a molecular motor localizing to filopodia, is thought to transport various cargo to filopodia tips, modulating filopodia function. However, only a few MYO10 cargoes have been described. Here, using GFP-Trap and BioID approaches combined with mass spectrometry, we identified lamellipodin (RAPH1) as a novel MYO10 cargo. We report that the FERM domain of MYO10 is required for RAPH1 localization and accumulation at filopodia tips. Previous studies have mapped the RAPH1 interaction domain for adhesome components to its talin-binding and Ras-association domains. Surprisingly, we find that the RAPH1 MYO10-binding site is not within these domains. Instead, it comprises a conserved helix located just after the RAPH1 pleckstrin homology domain with previously unknown functions. Functionally, RAPH1 supports MYO10 filopodia formation and stability but is not required to activate integrins at filopodia tips. Taken together, our data indicate a feed-forward mechanism whereby MYO10 filopodia are positively regulated by MYO10-mediated transport of RAPH1 to the filopodium tip.
A atuação dos tribunais de contas estaduais na definição dos gastos educacionais: Entre a mudança institucional e a produção de desigualdades regulatórias
Authors: Machado Gabriel Santana , Dias Peres Ursula
Published: March 2023

As previsões federais de vinculação de recursos para Manutenção e Desenvolvimento do Ensino (MDE) na Constituição Federal e a sua tipificação na Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação (LDB) levaram à redução das desigualdades educacionais entre os entes federativos, contudo, os Tribunais de Contas podem produzir posicionamentos sobre as despesas com MDE que alteram normas federais. Os objetivos deste artigo são identificar o posicionamento dos tribunais acerca da definição dessas despesas, verificar se estas alteram as previsões da norma federal e identificar a natureza da mudança institucional que realizam, assim como as implicações para as desigualdades na regulamentação do financiamento da educação. Para isso, foram analisados os instrumentos normativos dos tribunais. Os resultados demonstram que os tribunais podem criar tipificações das normas federais sem suprimi-las, produzindo mudanças institucionais do tipo layering. Essas mudanças ampliam as desigualdades regulatórias do financiamento da educação, na medida em que cada governo estadual passa a dispor de novos parâmetros de gastos com MDE.
Neurological involvement, immune response, and biomarkers in Kawasaki disease along with its pathogenesis, therapeutic and diagnostic updates
Authors: Amir Omniat , Prajjwal Priyadarshi , Inban Pugazhendi , Gadam Srikanth , Aleti Soumya , Sunasra Rayyan Rafik , Gupta Karan , Elhag Mustafa , Mahmoud Mohammed , Alsir Omklthoum
Published: March 2023

Kawasaki disease is an acute, febrile disease that is not typically fatal if treated and affects infants and children more commonly. More than 80% of the afflicted patients are under the age of four. This disease most commonly affects coronary arteries. In a minority of cases, Aneurysms can burst or produce thrombosis, and they can cause infarction. The distinctive redness in the palms and soles of the feet might result from a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to a cross-reactive or recently discovered antigen (s). Autoantibodies against epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells are produced as a result of subsequent macromolecule synthesis and polyclonal white blood cell activation, which intensifies the redness. Kawasaki disease's clinical manifestations range from oral skin disease to the blistering of the mucosa, symptoms involving the hands and the feet, skin disease of the palms and soles, a desquamative rash, and cervical lymphatic tissue enlargement (so it is also referred to as tissue layer lymphatic tissue syndrome). Most untreated patients develop some vessel sequelae, from well-organized coronary inflammation to severe arterial blood vessel dilatation to giant artery aneurysms with rupture or occlusion, infarction, and thrombosis. With human gamma globulin administration, reasonable standards of medical care, and the use of analgesics, the speed of symptomatic progression and inflammatory artery changes are reduced. In this review, we have covered the immunology of Kawasaki disease, its biomarkers, and the neurological manifestations of this multisystem illness. We have also included a discussion on its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.
Multimorbidity research in Sub-Saharan Africa: Proceedings of an interdisciplinary workshop
Authors: Banda Gift T. , Bosire Edna , Bunn Christopher , Chandler Clare I.R. , Chikumbu Edith , Chiwanda Jonathan , Dixon Justin , Ferrand Rashida A. , Kengne Andre-Pascal , Limbani Felix , Mendenhall Emily , Morton Ben , Moshabela Mosa , Peer Nasheeta , Salimu Sangwani , Silman Alan , Simiyu Ibrahim G. , Spencer Stephen A. , Tamuhla Tsaone , Tiffin Nicki , Yongolo Nateiya M. ,   on behalf of the workshop contributors (listed in the acknowledgements)
Published: March 2023

As life expectancies rise globally, the number of people living with multiple chronic health conditions – commonly referred to as ‘multimorbidity’ – is rising. Multimorbidity has been recognised as especially challenging to respond to in countries whose health systems are under-funded, fragmented, and designed primarily for acute care, including in sub-Saharan Africa. A growing body of research in sub-Saharan Africa has sought to better understand the particular challenges multimorbidity poses in the region and to develop context-sensitive responses. However, with multimorbidity still crystallising as a subject of enquiry, there remains considerable heterogeneity in conceptualising multimorbidity across disciplines and fields, hindering coordinated action. In June 2022, 60 researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders with regional expertise from nine sub-Saharan African countries gathered in Blantyre, Malawi to discuss ongoing multimorbidity research across the region. Drawing on insights from disciplines including epidemiology, public health, clinical medicine, anthropology, history, and sociology, participants critically considered the meaning, singular potential, and limitations of the concept of multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. The workshop emphasised  the need to move beyond a disease-centred concept of multimorbidity to one foregrounding patients’ values, needs, and social context; the importance of foregrounding structures and systems rather than behaviour and lifestyles; the value of a flexible (rather than standard) definition of multimorbidity; and the need to leverage local knowledge, expertise, resources, and infrastructure. The workshop further served as a platform for exploring opportunities for training, writing, and ongoing collaboration.
Cryptic presentation of cryptococcal osteomyelitis in an apparently immunocompetent individual
Authors: Subramony Hariharan , Raghavan Balagurunathan , Subbaiyan Eswer , Hegde Manjunatha Gajanana , Ramanathan Kartik
Published: March 2023

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection seen in immunocompromised individuals. It is caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus and predominantly affects the lungs and central nervous system. Immunocompetent individuals very rarely develop bone involvement and only a few cases of cryptococcal osteomyelitis in patients without other comorbid conditions have been described. Only one other case of pelvic involvement, which was accompanied by lymphopaenia, has been reported. We describe the case of a 42-year-old immunocompetent man with cryptococcal hip osteomyelitis.
Multiple renal and liver cysts in a Siberian hybrid tiger
Authors:   Sunway Lost World Theme Park, No. 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1, Sunway City Perak, Ipoh, 31159 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, Fraser Charisha , Zulhisam Atiqah ,   Department of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Akmal Mohd Noor ,   Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Zamri-Saad Mohd ,   Department of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Salleh Annas ,   Department of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,   Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia
Published: March 2023

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disease commonly reported in cats, but rarely in big cats. It is associated with formation of cysts in the kidneys. This article describes the clinical, pathology and immunohistochemistry findings of PKD in a Siberian hybrid tiger. A 16-year-old female captive Siberian hybrid tiger showed inappetence, weight loss, polyuria, and polydipsia. Within six months, its body weight and hydration status were progressively declining. Although hematology parameters were normal, serum creatinine and urea levels were elevated. Ultrasonography of the kidneys showed the presence of cysts. The animal was euthanized and necropsied, revealing multiple cysts in both kidneys and liver. These samples were subjected to histopathology using routine stain, special histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. The cysts were lined by various types of epithelial cells. Most renal tubular epithelium showed severe vacuolar degeneration, accompanied by bacterial colonies in the renal pelvis. Masson’s trichrome stain demonstrated presence of mesenchymal stroma at the periphery of the cysts in the kidneys and liver. Immunohistochemistry showed different staining intensity of β-catenin, E-cadherin, and vimentin in the various parts of renal tubules, suggesting the involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. The tiger was diagnosed with PKD based on clinical and pathological examination. This is the first report of PKD in a tiger, potentially useful for future study in wildlife medicine and conservation.
Over 250 W low noise core-pumped single-frequency all-fiber amplifier
Authors: Tao Yue , Jiang Man , Liu Liu , Li Can , Zhou Pu , Jiang Zongfu
Published: March 2023

A high-power linearly-polarized all-fiber single-frequency amplifier at 1 µm based on tandem core-pumping is demonstrated by using a large-mode-area Ytterbium-doped fiber with a core diameter of 20 µm, which nicely balances the stimulated Brillouin scattering effect, thermal load, and output beam quality. A maximum output power of more than 250 W with a corresponding slope efficiency of >85% is achieved at the operating wavelength of 1064 nm without being constrained by the saturation and nonlinear effects. Meanwhile, a comparable amplification performance is realized with a lower injection signal power of the wavelength near the peak gain of the Yb-doped fiber. The polarization extinction ratio and the M2 factor of the amplifier are respectively measured to be >17 dB and 1.15 under the maximal output power. In addition, by virtue of the single-mode 1018 nm pump laser, the intensity noise of the amplifier under maximal output power is measured to be comparable to that of the single-frequency seed laser at frequencies higher than 2 kHz, except for the emergence of parasitic peaks that can be eliminated by optimizing the driving electronics of the pump lasers, while the deterioration of the amplification process to the frequency noise and linewidth of the laser is negligible. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power of a single-frequency all-fiber amplifier based on the core-pumping scheme.
Propagation characteristics of single and multilayer Ga:ZnO in the epsilon near zero region
Authors: Dwivedi Ranjeet , Toudert Johann
Published: March 2023

We numerically investigated the propagation characteristics of Ga:ZnO (GZO) thin films embedded in a ZnWO4 background in the epsilon near zero (ENZ) region. We found that, for GZO layer thickness ranging between 2 - 100 nm (∼ 1/600 - 1/12 of ENZ wavelength), such structure supports a novel non-radiating mode with its real part of effective index lower than surrounding refractive index or even less than 1. Such a mode has its dispersion curve lying to the left of the light line in the background region. However, the calculated electromagnetic fields display non-radiating nature contrary to the Berreman mode, because the transverse component of the wave vector is complex, ensuring a decaying field. Furthermore, while the considered structure supports confined and highly lossy TM modes in the ENZ region, no TE mode is supported. Subsequently, we studied the propagation characteristics of a multilayer structure constituting an array of GZO layers in the ZnWO4 matrix considering the modal field’s excitation using the end-fire coupling. Such a multilayer structure is analyzed using high-precision rigorous coupled-wave analysis and shows strong polarization selective and resonant absorption/emission, the spectral location and bandwidth of which can be tuned by judiciously selecting the thickness of the GZO layer and other geometrical parameters.
Parametric waveform synthesis: a scalable approach to generate sub-cycle optical transients
Authors: Mainz Roland E. , Rossi Giulio Maria , Scheiba Fabian , Silva-Toledo Miguel A. , Yang Yudong , Cirmi Giovanni , Kärtner Franz X.
Published: March 2023

The availability of electromagnetic pulses with controllable field waveform and extremely short duration, even below a single optical cycle, is imperative to fully harness strong-field processes and to gain insight into ultrafast light-driven mechanisms occurring in the attosecond time-domain. The recently demonstrated parametric waveform synthesis (PWS) introduces an energy-, power- and spectrum-scalable method to generate non-sinusoidal sub-cycle optical waveforms by coherently combining different phase-stable pulses attained via optical parametric amplifiers. Significant technological developments have been made to overcome the stability issues related to PWS and to obtain an effective and reliable waveform control system. Here we present the main ingredients enabling PWS technology. The design choices concerning the optical, mechanical and electronic setups are justified by analytical/numerical modeling and benchmarked by experimental observations. In its present incarnation, PWS technology enables the generation of field-controllable mJ-level few-femtosecond pulses spanning the visible to infrared range.
Airy beam light sheet microscopy boosted by deep learning deconvolution
Authors: Stockhausen Anne , Rodriguez-Gatica Juan Eduardo , Schweihoff Jens , Schwarz Martin Karl , Kubitscheck Ulrich
Published: March 2023

Common light sheet microscopy comes with a trade-off between light sheet width defining the optical sectioning and the usable field of view arising from the divergence of the illuminating Gaussian beam. To overcome this, low-diverging Airy beams have been introduced. Airy beams, however, exhibit side lobes degrading image contrast. Here, we constructed an Airy beam light sheet microscope, and developed a deep learning image deconvolution to remove the effects of the side lobes without knowledge of the point spread function. Using a generative adversarial network and high-quality training data, we significantly enhanced image contrast and improved the performance of a bicubic upscaling. We evaluated the performance with fluorescently labeled neurons in mouse brain tissue samples. We found that deep learning-based deconvolution was about 20-fold faster than the standard approach. The combination of Airy beam light sheet microscopy and deep learning deconvolution allows imaging large volumes rapidly and with high quality.
Deep learning based image quality improvement of a light-field microscope integrated with an epi-fluorescence microscope
Authors: Nakatani Noriyuki , Shinke Ryo , Quan Xiangyu , Murata Takashi , Matoba Osamu
Published: March 2023

Light-field three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence microscopes can acquire 3D fluorescence images in a single shot, and followed numerical reconstruction can realize cross-sectional imaging at an arbitrary depth. The typical configuration that uses a lens array and a single image sensor has the trade-off between depth information acquisition and spatial resolution of each cross-sectional image. The spatial resolution of the reconstructed image degrades when depth information increases. In this paper, we use U-net as a deep learning model to improve the quality of reconstructed images. We constructed an optical system that integrates a light-field microscope and an epifluorescence microscope, which acquire the light-field data and high-resolution two-dimensional images, respectively. The high-resolution images from the epifluorescence microscope are used as ground-truth images for the training dataset for deep learning. The experimental results using fluorescent beads with a size of 10 µm and cultured tobacco cells showed significant improvement in the reconstructed images. Furthermore, time-lapse measurements were demonstrated in tobacco cells to observe the cell division process.
Embedded Silicon Gratings for High-efficiency Light-Chip Coupling to Thin Film Silicon Nitride Waveguides
Authors: Rawat Pravin , Nambiar Siddharth , P Venkatachalam , Singh Radhakant , Selvaraja Shankar Kumar
Published: March 2023

Thin film silicon nitride (<150 nm) waveguide has emerged as a dominant ultra-low-loss platform for many loss-critical applications. While thin-film silicon nitride propagation loss is a crucial characteristic, coupling light between an optical fiber and the waveguide is still challenging. While the larger mode size of the decoupled thin waveguide offers better coupling than a highly-confined waveguide, the coupling efficiency is still sub-optimal. The poor diffraction efficiency of such thin films limits the scope of implementing standalone surface gratings. We demonstrate an efficient way to couple into thin film silicon nitride waveguides using amorphous silicon strip gratings. The high contrast gratings provide an efficient means to boost the directionality from thin films leading to an enhanced coupling performance. In addition, we incorporate a bottom reflector to further improve the coupling. We present an optimal design for uniform strip gratings with a maximum coupling efficiency of -1.7 dB/coupler. We achieved a maximum coupling efficiency of -0.28 dB/coupler by engineering the scattering strength along the grating through apodization. We experimentally demonstrate the highest coupling efficiency reported yet of -2.22 dB/coupler and -1.84 dB/coupler for uniform and apodized grating couplers in the C-L band, offering $>75 nm$ of 3dB bandwidth. We present a detailed design strategy, simulation, fabrication and characterization data on the effect of various parameters on the coupling.
Two-beam phase correlation spectroscopy: a label-free holographic method to quantify particle flow in biofluids
Authors: Yu Lan , Wang Yu , Wang Yang , Zhuo Kequn , Liu Min , Nienhaus G. Ulrich , Gao Peng
Published: March 2023

We introduce two-beam phase correlation spectroscopy (2B-ΦCS) as a label-free technique to measure the dynamics of flowing particles; e.g., in vitro or in vivo blood flow. 2B-ΦCS combines phase imaging with correlation spectroscopy, using the intrinsic refractive index contrast of particles against the fluid background in correlation analysis. This method starts with the acquisition of a time series of phase images of flowing particles using partially coherent point-diffraction digital holographic microscopy. Then, phase fluctuations from two selected circular regions in the image series are correlated to determine the concentration and flow velocity of the particles by fitting pair correlation curves with a physical model. 2B-ΦCS is a facile procedure when using a microfluidic channel, as shown by the measurements on flowing yeast microparticles, polymethyl methacrylate microparticles, and diluted rat blood. In the latter experiment, the concentration and average diameter of rat blood cells were determined to be (4.7±1.9)×106  μL−1 and 4.6±0.4  μm, respectively. We further analyzed the flow of mainly red blood cells in the tail vessels of live zebrafish embryos. Arterial and venous flow velocities were measured as 290±110  μm s−1 and 120±50  μm s−1, respectively. We envision that our technique will find applications in imaging transparent organisms and other areas of the life sciences and biomedicine.
Thioflavin S Staining and Amyloid Formation Are Unique to Mixed Tauopathies
Authors: Fiock Kimberly L. , Betters Ryan K. , Hefti Marco M.
Published: March 2023

Tau phosphorylation, aggregation, and toxicity are the main drivers of neurodegeneration in multiple tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau. Although aggregation and amyloid formation are often assumed to be synonymous, the ability of tau aggregates in different diseases to form amyloids in vivo has not been systematically studied. We used the amyloid dye Thioflavin S to look at tau aggregates in mixed tauopathies such as AD and primary age-related tauopathy, as well as pure 3R or 4R tauopathies such as Pick’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration. We found that aggregates of tau protein only form thioflavin-positive amyloids in mixed (3R/4R), but not pure (3R or 4R), tauopathies. Interestingly, neither astrocytic nor neuronal tau pathology was thioflavin-positive in pure tauopathies. As most current positron emission tomography tracers are based on thioflavin derivatives, this suggests that they may be more useful for differential diagnosis than the identification of a general tauopathy. Our findings also suggest that thioflavin staining may have utility as an alternative to traditional antibody staining for distinguishing between tau aggregates in patients with multiple pathologies and that the mechanisms for tau toxicity may differ between different tauopathies.
Local and global reward learning in the lateral frontal cortex show differential development during human adolescence
Authors: Wittmann Marco K. , Scheuplein Maximilian , Gibbons Sophie G. , Noonan MaryAnn P.
Published: March 2023

Reward-guided choice is fundamental for adaptive behaviour and depends on several component processes supported by prefrontal cortex. Here, across three studies, we show that two such component processes, linking reward to specific choices and estimating the global reward state, develop during human adolescence and are linked to the lateral portions of the prefrontal cortex. These processes reflect the assignment of rewards contingently to local choices, or noncontingently, to choices that make up the global reward history. Using matched experimental tasks and analysis platforms, we show the influence of both mechanisms increase during adolescence (study 1) and that lesions to lateral frontal cortex (that included and/or disconnected both orbitofrontal and insula cortex) in human adult patients (study 2) and macaque monkeys (study 3) impair both local and global reward learning. Developmental effects were distinguishable from the influence of a decision bias on choice behaviour, known to depend on medial prefrontal cortex. Differences in local and global assignments of reward to choices across adolescence, in the context of delayed grey matter maturation of the lateral orbitofrontal and anterior insula cortex, may underlie changes in adaptive behaviour.
Regulation of sleep by cholinergic neurons located outside the central brain in Drosophila
Authors: Jones Joseph D. , Holder Brandon L. , Eiken Kiran R. , Vogt Alex , Velarde Adriana I. , Elder Alexandra J. , McEllin Jennifer A. , Dissel Stephane
Published: March 2023

Sleep is a complex and plastic behavior regulated by multiple brain regions and influenced by numerous internal and external stimuli. Thus, to fully uncover the function(s) of sleep, cellular resolution of sleep-regulating neurons needs to be achieved. Doing so will help to unequivocally assign a role or function to a given neuron or group of neurons in sleep behavior. In the Drosophila brain, neurons projecting to the dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB) have emerged as a key sleep-regulating area. To dissect the contribution of individual dFB neurons to sleep, we undertook an intersectional Split-GAL4 genetic screen focusing on cells contained within the 23E10-GAL4 driver, the most widely used tool to manipulate dFB neurons. In this study, we demonstrate that 23E10-GAL4 expresses in neurons outside the dFB and in the fly equivalent of the spinal cord, the ventral nerve cord (VNC). Furthermore, we show that 2 VNC cholinergic neurons strongly contribute to the sleep-promoting capacity of the 23E10-GAL4 driver under baseline conditions. However, in contrast to other 23E10-GAL4 neurons, silencing these VNC cells does not block sleep homeostasis. Thus, our data demonstrate that the 23E10-GAL4 driver contains at least 2 different types of sleep-regulating neurons controlling distinct aspects of sleep behavior.
Ultrasound versus fluoroscopy as imaging guidance for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arabzadeh Bahri Razman , Maleki Saba , Shafiee Arman , Shobeiri Parnian
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To determine whether the outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UG-PCNL), an alternative to traditional fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (FG-PCNL), are comparable.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was carried out to discover investigations comparing UG-PCNL to FG-PCNL, and accordingly, a meta-analysis of those studies was performed. The primary outcomes included the stone-free rate (SFR), overall complications based on Clavien-Dindo classification, duration of surgery, duration of patients’ hospitalization, and hemoglobin (Hb) drop during the surgery. All statistical analyses and visualizations were implemented utilizing R software.

Results

Nineteen studies, including eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and eleven observational cohorts, comprising 3016 patients (1521 UG-PCNL patients) and comparing UG-PCNL with FG-PCNL met the inclusion criteria of the current study. Considering SFR, overall complications, duration of surgery, duration of hospitalization, and Hb drop, our meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between UG-PCNL and FG-PCNL patients, with p-values of 0.29, 0.47, 0.98, 0.28, and 0.42, respectively. Significant differences were discovered between UG-PCNL and FG-PCNL patients in terms of the length of time they were exposed to radiation (p-value< 0.0001). Moreover, FG-PCNL had shorter access time than UG-PCNL (p-value = 0.04).

Conclusion

UG-PCNL provides the advantage of requiring less radiation exposure while being just as efficient as FG-PCNL; thus, this study suggests prioritizing the use of UG-PCNL.
The principles of recovery-oriented mental health services: A review of the guidelines from five different countries for developing a protocol to be implemented in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Subandi M. A. , Nihayah Maryama , Marchira Carla R. , Tyas Trihayuning , Marastuti Ariana , Pratiwi Ratri , Mediola Fiddina , Herdiyanto Yohanes K. , Sari Osi Kusuma , Good Mary-Jo D. , Good Byron J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Recovery-oriented mental health service has become the focus of global change in mental health services. Most of North industrialized countries have adopted and implemented this paradigm in the last two decades. Only recently that some developing countries are trying to follow this step. In Indonesia’s case, there has been little attention to developing a recovery orientation by mental health authorities. The aim of this article is to synthesize and analyze the recovery-oriented guidelines from five industrialized countries that we can use as a primary model for developing a protocol to be implemented in community health centre in Kulonprogo District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Method

We used a narrative literature review by searching for guidelines from many different sources. We found 57 guidelines, but only 13 from five countries met the criteria, including five guidelines from Australia, one from Ireland, three from Canada, two from the UK, and two from the US. To analyze the data, we used an inductive thematic analysis to explore the themes of each principle as described by the guideline.

Result

The results of the thematic analysis revealed seven recovery principles, including (1) cultivating positive hope, (2) establishing partnerships and collaboration, (3) ensuring organizational commitment and evaluation, (4) recognizing the consumer’s rights, (5) focusing on person-centeredness and empowerment, (6) recognizing an individual’s uniqueness and social context, and (7) facilitating social support,. These seven principles are not independent, rather they are interrelated and overlap each other.

Conclusion

The principle of person-centeredness and empowerment is central to the recovery-oriented mental health system, while the principle of hope is also essential to embracing all the other principles. We will adjust and implement the result of the review in our project focusing on developing recovery-oriented mental health service in the community health center in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We hope that this framework will be adopted by the central government in Indonesia and other developing countries.
Adversarial confound regression and uncertainty measurements to classify heterogeneous clinical MRI in Mass General Brigham
Authors: Leming Matthew , Das Sudeshna , Im Hyungsoon
Published: March 2023

In this work, we introduce a novel deep learning architecture, MUCRAN (Multi-Confound Regression Adversarial Network), to train a deep learning model on clinical brain MRI while regressing demographic and technical confounding factors. We trained MUCRAN using 17,076 clinical T1 Axial brain MRIs collected from Massachusetts General Hospital before 2019 and demonstrated that MUCRAN could successfully regress major confounding factors in the vast clinical dataset. We also applied a method for quantifying uncertainty across an ensemble of these models to automatically exclude out-of-distribution data in AD detection. By combining MUCRAN and the uncertainty quantification method, we showed consistent and significant increases in the AD detection accuracy for newly collected MGH data (post-2019; 84.6% with MUCRAN vs. 72.5% without MUCRAN) and for data from other hospitals (90.3% from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and 81.0% from other hospitals). MUCRAN offers a generalizable approach for deep-learning-based disease detection in heterogenous clinical data.
Fingerprints, barcode sequences and quasi-phylogenies–Tools for analysing polyphonic music
Authors: Rambold Gerhard , Neubacher Dieter , Schießl Siegfried
Published: March 2023

A data flow is presented for visualising the evolution of elementary structures of polyphonic music from early Baroque to late Romantic, using quasi-phylogenies based on fingerprint diagrams and barcode sequence data of 2-tuples of consecutive vertical pitch class sets (pcs). The present methodological study, which sees itself as a proof of concept for a data-driven approach, uses examples of music from the Baroque, the Viennese School and the Romantic era to show that such quasi-phylogenies can be generated from multi-track MIDI (v. 1) files that largely correspond to the eras and the chronology of compositions and composers. The method presented is considered to have the potential to support the analysis of a wide range of musicological questions. In the context of collaborative work on quasi-phylogenies of polyphonic music, a public data archive could be established that provides multi-track MIDI files with contextual data.
Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported anxiety in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Spain: A cross-sectional Ibero-American study
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela , Miguez Fernanda Garcia Gabira , Enríquez-Martinez Oscar G. , Pereira Taisa S. S. , Lopez Karen Villaseñor , Huancahuire-Vega Salomon , Martins Marcia C. T. , Pacheco Sandaly O. S. , Pacheco Fabio J. , López Maria P. M. , Molina Maria del Carmen Bisi
Published: March 2023

The present study evaluated the factors associated with the perception of anxiety during the first wave of covid-19 in Ibero-American countries. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 5.845 participants of both sexes, over 18 years of age, and residents of four Latin American countries–Argentina (16.7%), Brazil (34.5%), Mexico (11.1%), and Peru (17.5%), and one European country–Spain (20.1%). Data were collected in 2020, between April 1st and June 30th in Spain and between July 13th and September 26th in the Latin American countries. We used an online questionnaire with sociodemographic, lifestyle, self-reported anxiety, and covid-19 related questions. The chi-square statistical test and Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the factors associated with self-reported anxiety. The presence of self-reported anxiety was found in 63.8% of the participants during the isolation period. The association occurred mainly in women (OR:1.52; CI: 1.3–1.7), those aged 18 to 29 years (OR: 1.51; CI: 1.2–1.9) and 30 to 49 years (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3–1.9), residents of Argentina (OR: 1.55 CI: 1.2–1.9), Brazil (OR: 2.38; CI: 2.0–2.8) and Mexico (OR: 1.52; CI: 1.2–1.9), those who gained weight (OR:1.71 CI: 1.5–1.9) or lost weight (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.2–1.6), and those who reported having slept more (OR: 1.56; CI: 1.3–1.8) or less (OR: 2.89; CI: 2.5–3.4). We conclude that the prevalence of self-reported anxiety in Ibero-American countries was high during the period studied, highlighting a higher likelihood of its occurrence in Brazil, in those who began to sleep less and gained weight.
The clinical characteristics, etiologic pathogens and the risk factors associated with dehydration status among under-five children hospitalized with acute diarrhea in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR
Authors: Vorlasane Latdavanh , Luu Mai Ngoc , Tiwari Ranjit , Imoto Atsuko , Sato Miho , Huy Nguyen Tien , Kamiya Yasuhiko , Moji Kazuhiko
Published: March 2023

Background

Acute diarrhea is a common health problem in children, especially those under five years of age (U5). The mortality rate due to acute diarrhea among U5 children accounted for 11% in Lao PDR in 2016. No study has been done to investigate the etiologic pathogens of acute diarrhea and the risk factors associated with dehydration status among U5 children hospitalized with acute diarrhea in this region.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, etiological agents and associated factors of dehydration status of acute diarrhea among hospitalized U5 children in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed paper-based medical records with available stool examination results of 33 U5 children hospitalized with acute diarrhea in Savannakhet Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR between Jan. 2018 and Dec. 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to describe clinical characteristics and etiologic agents of acute diarrhea of the children. Nonparametric test, Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to determine the risk factors associated with level of dehydration of the participants.

Results

Vomiting was the most common symptom (66.6%), followed by fever (60.6%). Dehydration was found in 48.4% of subjects. Rotavirus was the most common identified pathogen with a prevalence of 55.5%. Bacterial enteric infection was identified in 15.1% of patients. There is a significantly higher prevalence of dehydration among children with acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus compared to those with negative rotavirus testing (70.0% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Rotavirus was the most prevalent pathogen of acute diarrhea among U5 children. Pediatric patients with acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus had a higher prevalence of dehydration compared to those with negative rotavirus testing.