bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal prediction of neoadjuvant treatment outcome by serial FDG PET and MRI in women with locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Kazerouni Anum S. , Peterson Lanell M. , Jenkins Isaac , Novakova-Jiresova Alena , Linden Hannah M. , Gralow Julie R. , Hockenbery David M. , Mankoff David A. , Porter Peggy L. , Partridge Savannah C. , Specht Jennifer M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To investigate combined MRI and 18F-FDG PET for assessing breast tumor metabolism/perfusion mismatch and predicting pathological response and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in women treated for breast cancer.

Methods

Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally-advanced breast cancer were imaged at three timepoints (pre, mid, and post-NAC), prior to surgery. Imaging included diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-) MRI and quantitative 18F-FDG PET. Tumor imaging measures included apparent diffusion coefficient, peak percent enhancement (PE), peak signal enhancement ratio (SER), functional tumor volume, and washout volume on MRI and standardized uptake value (SUVmax), glucose delivery (K1) and FDG metabolic rate (MRFDG) on PET, with percentage changes from baseline calculated at mid- and post-NAC. Associations of imaging measures with pathological response (residual cancer burden [RCB] 0/I vs. II/III) and RFS were evaluated.

Results

Thirty-five patients with stage II/III invasive breast cancer were enrolled in the prospective study (median age: 43, range: 31–66 years, RCB 0/I: N = 11/35, 31%). Baseline imaging metrics were not significantly associated with pathologic response or RFS (p > 0.05). Greater mid-treatment decreases in peak PE, along with greater post-treatment decreases in several DCE-MRI and 18F-FDG PET measures were associated with RCB 0/I after NAC (p < 0.05). Additionally, greater mid- and post-treatment decreases in DCE-MRI (peak SER, washout volume) and 18F-FDG PET (K1) were predictive of prolonged RFS. Mid-treatment decreases in metabolism/perfusion ratios (MRFDG/peak PE, MRFDG/peak SER) were associated with improved RFS.

Conclusion

Mid-treatment changes in both PET and MRI measures were predictive of RCB status and RFS following NAC. Specifically, our results indicate a complementary relationship between DCE-MRI and 18F-FDG PET metrics and potential value of metabolism/perfusion mismatch as a marker of patient outcome.
PROMISE: effect of protein supplementation on fat-free mass preservation after bariatric surgery, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Taselaar A. E. , Boes A. J. , de Bruin R. W. F. , Kuijper T. M. , Van Lancker K. , van der Harst E. , Klaassen R. A.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Protein malnutrition after bariatric surgery is a severe complication and leads to significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown that protein intake and physical activity are the most important factors in the preservation of fat-free mass during weight loss. Low protein intake is very common in patients undergoing bariatric surgery despite dietary counseling. Protein powder supplements might help patients to achieve the protein intake recommendations after bariatric surgery and could therefore contribute to preserve fat-free mass. This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled intervention study aims to assess the effect of a daily consumed clear protein powder shake during the first 6 months after bariatric surgery on fat-free mass loss in the first 12 months after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Methods and analysis

Inclusion will take place at the outpatient clinic of the bariatric expertise center for obesity of the Maasstad Hospital. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group before surgery. The intervention group will receive a clear protein powder shake of 200 ml containing 20 g of whey protein dissolved in water which should be taken daily during the first 6 months after LRYGB on top of their normal postoperative diet. The control group will receive an isocaloric, clear, placebo shake containing maltodextrine. Postoperative rehabilitation and physiotherapeutical guidance will be standardized and similar in both groups. Also, both groups will receive the same dietary advice from specialized dieticians. The main study parameter is the percentage of fat-free mass loss 6 months after surgery, assessed by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA).

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol, version 2 (February 20, 2022) has been approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committees United (MEC-U) (NL 80414.100.22). The results of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05570474. Registered on October 5, 2022.
3D sheep rumen epithelial structures driven from single cells in vitro
Authors: Xu Zebang , Xu Xinxin , Yang Bin , Mi Yuling , Wang Jiakun
Published: November 2023

Ruminants play a vital economic role as livestock, providing high-quality protein for humans. At present, 3D-cultured ruminant abomasum and intestinal organoids have been successfully established to study host and pathogen interaction. The rumen is a unique digestive organ of ruminants that occupies 70% of the volume of the digestive tract and its microbiota can decompose lignocellulose to support animal growth. Here we report a method for culturing rumen epithelial organoids. We found that single rumen epithelial cells form self-organized 3D structures representative of typical stratified squamous epithelium, which is similar to rumen epithelium. EGF, Noggin, Wnt3a, IGF-1, and FGF-10 significantly enhanced the seeding efficiency of organoids. Moreover, the inclusion of CHIR-99021, A83-01, SB202190, and Y-27632 is crucial for organoid formation and maintenance. Importantly, we demonstrate that rumen epithelial cells retain their ability to form organoids after passage, cryopreservation, and resuscitation. The rumen epithelial organoids express rumen cell type-specific genes, uptake fatty acids, and generate 2D cultures. In summary, our data demonstrate that it is feasible to establish organoids from single rumen epithelial cells, which is a novel in vitro system that may reduce the use of experimental animals.
Dynamical behavior of perturbed Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation through different techniques
Authors: Rehman Hamood Ur , Iqbal Ifrah , Mirzazadeh M. , Haque Salma , Mlaiki Nabil , Shatanawi Wasfi
Published: November 2023

The objective of this work is to investigate the perturbed Gerdjikov–Ivanov (GI) equation along spatio-temporal dispersion which explains the dynamics of soliton dispersion and evolution of propagation distance in optical fibers, photonic crystal fibers (PCF), and metamaterials. The algorithms, namely hyperbolic extended function method and generalized Kudryashov’s method, are constructed to obtain the new soliton solutions. The dark, bright, periodic, and singular solitons are derived of the considered equation with the appropriate choice of parameters. These results are novel, confirm the stability of optical solitons, and have not been studied earlier. The explanation of evaluated results is given by sketching the various graphs in 3D, contour and 2D plots by using Maple 18. Graphical simulations divulge that varying the wave velocity affects the dynamical behaviors of the model. In summary, this research adds to our knowledge on how the perturbed GI equation with spatio-temporal dispersion behaves. The obtained soliton solutions and the methods offer computational tools for further analysis in this field. This work represents an advancement in our understanding of soliton dynamics and their applications in photonic systems.
Accurate digital quantification of tau pathology in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Pansuwan Tanrada , Quaegebeur Annelies , Kaalund Sanne S. , Hidari Eric , Briggs Mayen , Rowe James B. , Rittman Timothy
Published: November 2023

The development of novel treatments for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is hindered by a knowledge gap of the impact of neurodegenerative neuropathology on brain structure and function. The current standard practice for measuring postmortem tau histology is semi-quantitative assessment, which is prone to inter-rater variability, time-consuming and difficult to scale. We developed and optimized a tau aggregate type-specific quantification pipeline for cortical and subcortical regions, in human brain donors with PSP. We quantified 4 tau objects (‘neurofibrillary tangles’, ‘coiled bodies’, ‘tufted astrocytes’, and ‘tau fragments’) using a probabilistic random forest machine learning classifier. The tau pipeline achieved high classification performance (F1-score > 0.90), comparable to neuropathologist inter-rater reliability in the held-out test set. Using 240 AT8 slides from 32 postmortem brains, the tau burden was correlated against the PSP pathology staging scheme using Spearman’s rank correlation. We assessed whether clinical severity (PSP rating scale, PSPRS) score reflects neuropathological severity inferred from PSP stage and tau burden using Bayesian linear mixed regression. Tufted astrocyte density in cortical regions and coiled body density in subcortical regions showed the highest correlation to PSP stage (r = 0.62 and r = 0.38, respectively). Using traditional manual staging, only PSP patients in stage 6, not earlier stages, had significantly higher clinical severity than stage 2. Cortical tau density and neurofibrillary tangle density in subcortical regions correlated with clinical severity. Overall, our data indicate the potential for highly accurate digital tau aggregate type-specific quantification for neurodegenerative tauopathies; and the importance of studying tau aggregate type-specific burden in different brain regions as opposed to overall tau, to gain insights into the pathogenesis and progression of tauopathies.
Deep histopathology genotype–phenotype analysis of focal cortical dysplasia type II differentiates between the GATOR1-altered autophagocytic subtype IIa and MTOR-altered migration deficient subtype IIb
Authors: Honke Jonas , Hoffmann Lucas , Coras Roland , Kobow Katja , Leu Costin , Pieper Tom , Hartlieb Till , Bien Christian G. , Woermann Friedrich , Cloppenborg Thomas , Kalbhenn Thilo , Gaballa Ahmed , Hamer Hajo , Brandner Sebastian , Rössler Karl , Dörfler Arnd , Rampp Stefan , Lemke Johannes R. , Baldassari Sara , Baulac Stéphanie , Lal Dennis , Nürnberg Peter , Blümcke Ingmar
Published: November 2023

Focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCDII) is the most common cause of drug-resistant focal epilepsy in children. Herein, we performed a deep histopathology-based genotype–phenotype analysis to further elucidate the clinico-pathological and genetic presentation of FCDIIa compared to FCDIIb. Seventeen individuals with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of FCD ILAE Type II and a pathogenic variant detected in brain derived DNA whole-exome sequencing or mTOR gene panel sequencing were included in this study. Clinical data were directly available from each contributing centre. Histopathological analyses were performed from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples using haematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemistry for NF-SMI32, NeuN, pS6, p62, and vimentin. Ten individuals carried loss-of-function variants in the GATOR1 complex encoding genes DEPDC5 (n = 7) and NPRL3 (n = 3), or gain-of-function variants in MTOR (n = 7). Whereas individuals with GATOR1 variants only presented with FCDIIa, i.e., lack of balloon cells, individuals with MTOR variants presented with both histopathology subtypes, FCDIIa and FCDIIb. Interestingly, 50% of GATOR1-positive cases showed a unique and predominantly vacuolizing phenotype with p62 immunofluorescent aggregates in autophagosomes. All cases with GATOR1 alterations had neurosurgery in the frontal lobe and the majority was confined to the cortical ribbon not affecting the white matter. This pattern was reflected by subtle or negative MRI findings in seven individuals with GATOR1 variants. Nonetheless, all individuals were seizure-free after surgery except four individuals carrying a DEPDC5 variant. We describe a yet underrecognized genotype–phenotype correlation of GATOR1 variants with FCDIIa in the frontal lobe. These lesions were histopathologically characterized by abnormally vacuolizing cells suggestive of an autophagy-altered phenotype. In contrast, individuals with FCDIIb and brain somatic MTOR variants showed larger lesions on MRI including the white matter, suggesting compromised neural cell migration.
Chitobiose exhibited a lipid-lowering effect in ob/ob−/− mice via butyric acid enrolled liver–gut crosstalk
Authors: Zhuang Xinye , Zhao Mengyao , Ji Xiaoguo , Yang Sihan , Yin Hao , Zhao Liming
Published: November 2023

Chitobiose (COS2) efficiently lowers lipids in vivo and facilitates butyric acid enrichment during human fecal fermentation. However, whether COS2 can interact with butyric acid to generate a hypolipidemic effect remains unclear. This study examined the hypolipidemic mechanism of COS2 involving butyric acid, which could alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results revealed that COS2 administration modulated the β-oxidation pathway in the liver and restructured the short chain fatty acids in the fecal of ob/ob−/− mice. Moreover, the hypolipidemic effect of COS2 and its specific accumulated metabolite butyric acid was verified in sodium oleate-induced HepG2 cells. Butyric acid was more effective to reverse lipid accumulation and up-regulate β-oxidation pathway at lower concentrations. Furthermore, structural analysis suggested that butyric acid formed hydrogen bonds with key residues in hydrophilic ligand binding domains (LBDs) of PPARα and activated the transcriptional activity of the receptor. Therefore, the potential mechanism behind the lipid-lowering effect of COS2 in vivo involved restoring hepatic lipid disorders via butyric acid accumulation and liver–gut axis signaling.

Graphical Abstract
Intraoperative cardiac arrest caused by unexpected vasospastic angina requiring prolonged resuscitation using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report
Authors: Sugita Shinji , Obata Masanobu , Hasunuma Fumihiko , Sakamoto Atsuhiro
Published: November 2023

Background

Vasospastic angina (VSA) occurring during surgery is rare but can lead to sudden intraoperative cardiac arrest.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old man with hypertension, and no history of coronary artery disease, displayed an abrupt ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG) during laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery under general anesthesia. Subsequently, ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred, with a finding suggesting ischemic myocardial contracture by transesophageal echocardiography. VF was refractory to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was introduced. Spontaneous circulation resumed 77 min post-cardiac arrest. VSA was confirmed through the patient’s clinical course and coronary angiography. Subsequently, VA ECMO was terminated, and the patient was discharged uneventfully.

Conclusions

Extracorporeal CPR may be a valuable alternative to extended resuscitation for refractory ventricular arrhythmias by VSA.
Recurrent artery of Heubner infarction: a complication after clipping of anterior communicating artery aneurysm
Authors: Atallah Oday , Almealawy Yasser F. , Wawi Omar , Maurya Ved , Rahman Md Moshiur , Agrawal Amit
Published: November 2023

Recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) infarction is a potential complication following the surgical clipping of anterior communicating artery (A-comm) aneurysms. RAH plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the basal ganglia and anterior limb of the internal capsule. Understanding the pathogenesis, prognosis, and surgical result of RAH infarction is critical for providing the best care for patients. The literature study produced case reports and retrospective research on topics including the RAH infarct and A-comm aneurysm clipping. The importance of recognizing and controlling the risk of a RAH infarction in relation to A-comm aneurysm clipping is emphasized in this research. RAH infarction following clipping of an A-comm aneurysm has a complex pathophysiology, and by learning more about its causes, prognosis, and surgical results, medical personnel may better assist their patients. While further study is needed to overcome the obstacles highlighted here, the information presented here lays the groundwork for future research and adds to what is already known about the topic.
Evaluation of adding magnesium sulphate to intrathecal bupivacaine in lower limb orthopedic surgery
Authors: Solanki Nilesh M. , Bhimani Maulik P. , Mistry Nirmal S. , Rajan Diya
Published: November 2023

Background

A subarachnoid block is the cheaper and widely used regional block for lower limb surgery. Postoperative pain occurs after lower limb orthopedic surgery from moderate to severe. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. All patients were assessed for onset and duration of sensory and motor block, total duration of analgesia, and postoperative pain relief.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal bupivacaine with magnesium undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery.

Results

One hundred patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group M: Intrathecal 3 ml (15 mg) of 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.2 ml (50 mg) of preservative-free 25% of magnesium sulphate. Group B: Intrathecal 3 ml (15 mg) of 0.5% bupivacaine + 0.2 ml preservative-free 0.9% normal saline. The mean time that occurred for the sensory blockade at T10 was 2.49 ± 0.49 min in group B, while it was 4.13 ± 0.74 min in group BM (p value < 0.0001). The mean of the total duration of the sensory block in group B was 139.5 ± 32.01 min, while it was 366.4 ± 30.12 min in group BM (p value < 0.0001). The time taken for the onset of motor block in group B was 5.28 ± 1.31 min, while it was 7.86 ± 1.19 min in group BM (p value < 0.0001). The mean total duration of the motor block in group B was 136.3 ± 8.19 min, while it was 336.5 ± 37.08 min in group BM (p value < 0.0001). The total duration of analgesia in group B was 141.4 ± 14.85 min, while it was 365.9 ± 44.91 min in group BM (p value < 0.0001). The mean dose required for rescue analgesia in group B was 2.2 ± 1.14, while in group BM was 1.28 ± 0.96 (p value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The addition of 50 mg magnesium sulphate in intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine significantly prolongs the extended duration of sensory, motor blockade, and total duration of analgesia for patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery.
Clinical efficacy of local infiltration of lidocaine and tranexamic acid application in tonsillar region on postoperative pain and bleeding during tonsillectomy: prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study
Authors: Aboelsuod Mohamed Abdelgawad Abdelhalim , Abdalla Abdalla Mohamed , Ahmed Ismail Mohamed Abdelgawad , Seyam Sameh Hamdy , Hassan Ahmed Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Background

Anesthetic techniques are designed to minimize intraoperative surgical bed bleeding which is a major problem that may interfere with precision, surgery duration, or postoperative wound healing. The main reason for reoperation and/or mortality in children who have had tonsillectomies is post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. We evaluate the local application effect of tranexamic acid and lidocaine local infiltration in the tonsillar bed during tonsillectomy surgery on postoperative analgesia and bleeding.

Results

FLACC scores showed a statistically significant reduction in the first 24 h in group T (P < 0.05). Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage was significantly minimized in group T. No complications were recorded following the local application of tranexamic acid and local lidocaine infiltration inside the tonsil bed.

Conclusions

Local infiltration of lidocaine provides adequate postoperative analgesia, and tranexamic acid application during tonsillectomy surgery minimizes postoperative bleeding and shortens surgery duration.

Trial registration

This study was preregistered with the Clinical Trials Registry (NCT05817474).
Photocatalytic degradation of azithromycin formulation in aqueous solution by doped titanium dioxide/fiberglass-rubberized silicone photocatalytic membrane
Authors: Lupu Giovanina-Iuliana , Orbeci Cristina , Bobirică Constantin , Bobirică Liliana , Lazăr Elena Sorana , Pandele-Cusu Jeanina , Verziu Marian Nicolae , Pîrvu Cristian , Irodia Roberta-Geanina
Published: November 2023

The objective of this work was to develop a novel photocatalytic membrane for the photocatalytic degradation of azithromycin formulation from aqueous solutions which, in addition to a high photocatalytic activity, should have a good mechanical and physico-chemical stability over time. Thus, the Nb-TiO2 and Nb-Fe-TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by the solution combustion synthesis method, and then they were manually embedded in a fiberglass – rubberized silicone support. The mineralogical, morphological, and structural characterization of the obtained materials showed that both niobium and iron replace titanium in the titanium dioxide network, thus confirming the synthesis of new photocatalysts. The results of the photocatalytic oxidation tests showed a good photocatalytic activity of the developed photocatalytic membranes (degradation efficiency of up to 70% in the first 15 min of irradiation), this being on the one hand attributed to the increase of the specific surface of the photocatalyst by introducing niobium into the photocatalyst structure, and on the other hand due to the triggering of the Fenton photo oxidation mechanism due to the presence of trivalent iron in the photocatalyst structure. Also, the results indicated an excellent mechanical and physico-chemical resistance of the photocatalytic membranes, they are being practically inert to the harsh conditions in the photocatalytic reactor.
The identification, goals and principles of difficult-to-treat inflammatory arthritis: a consensus statement
Authors: El Miedany Yasser , Abu-Zaid Mohammed Hassan , El Gaafary Maha , Mansour Mona , Elwy Mohamed , Palmer Deborah , Fathi Nihal , Hassan Waleed , Mortada Mohamed , Eissa Mervat , Tabra Samar Abdelhamed , Galal Salwa , Fouad Nermeen , Ibrahim Rehab Ali , Medhat Basma , Adel Yasmin , Ghaleb Rasha , Saber Sally , Gadallah Naglaa , Elwakil Walaa
Published: November 2023

Background

Despite the recent advances in the management of inflammatory arthritis, a considerable proportion of arthritis patients remain symptomatic. This cohort has recently been identified as ‘difficult to treat’ (D2T). In view of the limited evidence base, management of these patients has been a challenge particularly in view of its associated significant economic health burden. A better understanding of the D2T may help recognise or develop new therapeutic targets and facilitate earlier intervention in the disease course to prevent the progression of such condition.

The aim of this work is to address the unmet needs in the management of D2T arthritis and develop a comprehensive approach towards the identification and proper assessment of those patients.

Results

At the completion of round 3 Delphi process, a total of 20 items were obtained and divided into 5 domains. From 88.9 to 100% of respondents agreed with the recommendations (ranks 7–9). All 20 of the clinical standards that the scientific committee identified were agreed upon in terms of wording, recommendation grade, and level of evidence (i.e. 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed).

Conclusion

D2T inflammatory arthritis remains a relevant clinical challenge, despite the endorsement of the treat-to-target approach and the availability of a broad range of targeted arthritis medications. This study provided a comprehensive definition of the condition to facilitate the identification of this patients’ group. It also highlighted the goals and principles aiming at providing an effective framework for D2T assessment, closely monitor and set up a strategy to intervene in standard clinical practice.
Parent Quality of Life After Disclosure of Pediatric Oncology Germline Sequencing Results
Authors: Howard Sharp Katianne M. , Li Chen , Lu Zhaohua , Clark Mary Egan , Jurbergs Niki , Ouma Annastasia , Harrison Lynn , Gerhardt Elsie , Taylor Leslie , Hamilton Kayla V. , McGee Rose B. , Nuccio Regina , Hines-Dowell Stacy , Gattuso Jami S. , Pritchard Michelle , Mandrell Belinda N. , Tercyak Kenneth P. , Nichols Kim E. , Johnson Liza-Marie
Published: November 2023

Characterized parents' distress following germline genomic sequencing for children with cancer.
Standardized In Vitro Models of Human Adipose Tissue Reveal Metabolic Flexibility in Brown Adipocyte Thermogenesis
Authors: Cero Cheryl , Shu Weiguo , Reese Amy L , Douglas Diana , Maddox Michael , Singh Ajeet P , Ali Sahara L , Zhu Alexander R , Katz Jacqueline M , Pierce Anne E , Long Kelly T , Nilubol Naris , Cypess Raymond H , Jacobs Jonathan L , Tian Fang , Cypess Aaron M
Published: November 2023

Functional human brown and white adipose tissue (BAT and WAT) are vital for thermoregulation and nutritional homeostasis, while obesity and other stressors lead, respectively, to cold intolerance and metabolic disease. Understanding BAT and WAT physiology and dysfunction necessitates clinical trials complemented by mechanistic experiments at the cellular level. These require standardized in vitro models, currently lacking, that establish references for gene expression and function. We generated and characterized a pair of immortalized, clonal human brown (hBA) and white (hWA) preadipocytes derived from the perirenal and subcutaneous depots, respectively, of a 40-year-old male individual. Cells were immortalized with hTERT and confirmed to be of a mesenchymal, nonhematopoietic lineage based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting and DNA barcoding. Functional assessments showed that the hWA and hBA phenocopied primary adipocytes in terms of adrenergic signaling, lipolysis, and thermogenesis. Compared to hWA, hBA were metabolically distinct, with higher rates of glucose uptake and lactate metabolism, and greater basal, maximal, and nonmitochondrial respiration, providing a mechanistic explanation for the association between obesity and BAT dysfunction. The hBA also responded to the stress of maximal respiration by using both endogenous and exogenous fatty acids. In contrast to certain mouse models, hBA adrenergic thermogenesis was mediated by several mechanisms, not principally via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Transcriptomics via RNA-seq were consistent with the functional studies and established a molecular signature for each cell type before and after differentiation. These standardized cells are anticipated to become a common resource for future physiological, pharmacological, and genetic studies of human adipocytes.
The Big (Genetic) Sort? A Research Note on Migration Patterns and Their Genetic Imprint in the United Kingdom
Authors: Furuya Shiro , Liu Jihua , Sun Zhongxuan , Lu Qiongshi , Fletcher Jason M.
Published: November 2023

This research note reinvestigates Abdellaoui et al.’s (2019) findings that genetically selective migration may lead to persistent and accumulating socioeconomic and health inequalities between types (coal mining or non–coal mining) of places in the United Kingdom. Their migration measure classified migrants who moved to the same type of place (coal mining to coal mining or non–coal mining to non–coal mining) into “stay” categories, preventing them from distinguishing migrants from nonmigrants. We reinvestigate the question of genetically selective migration by examining migration patterns between places rather than place types and find genetic selectivity in whether people migrate and where. For example, we find evidence of positive selection: people with genetic variants correlated with better education moved from non–coal mining to coal mining places with our measure of migration. Such findings were obscured in earlier work that could not distinguish nonmigrants from migrants.
Automated quantification of macular edema in patients with diabetic macular edema and their response to anti-VEGF: A study protocol
Authors: Sharma Soumya , nagrale Prachee
Published: November 2023

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is the fastest-growing chronic condition. Diabetes mellitus can lead to a variety of complications, all of which have a significant impact on medical care expenditures as well as patient life span and wellbeing. The most prevalent microvascular ocular sequel of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR), causing diffuse retinal edema from extensive capillary leakage and localized edema from microaneurysm leakage. A dilated capillary segment is also seen. It has been observed that the fluid first accumulates between the inner nuclear layers and the outer plexiform layer. Later, it may infiltrate the inner plexiform and nerve fiber layers, causing edema and affecting the retina’s total thickness. The fovea takes on a cystoid appearance on optical coherence tomography due to central fluid accumulation, and cystoid macular edema can be seen. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medication is a cornerstone of DME treatment. Research has shown that drugs that attach to soluble VEGF can repair the blood-retinal barrier, alleviate macular edema, and enhance vision for the majority of DME patients. Ranibizumab is the only FDA-approved drug for DME, but bevacizumab is often used off-label and an FDA request for aflibercept is still pending. Regular injections are necessary for effective treatment, but new findings suggest that this requirement lessens after a year. The study aims to evaluate the impact of intravitreal Anti-VEGF injection by measuring the alterations in macular edema and relating it to the visual results. CTRI reference Number – REF/2023/07/071019
CEO Activism and Firm Value
Authors: Mkrtchyan Anahit , Sandvik Jason , Zhu Vivi Z.
Published: November 2023

We investigate the increasingly common practice of chief executive officers (CEOs) taking public stances on social and political issues (CEO activism). We find that CEO activism stems from a CEO’s personal ideology and its alignment with investor, employee, and customer ideologies. We show that CEO activism results in positive market reactions. Furthermore, firms with CEO activism realize increased shareholdings from investors with a greater liberal leaning, who rebalance their portfolios toward these firms. Our results suggest that investors’ socio-political preferences are an important channel through which CEO activism affects equity demand and stock prices. Notably, CEOs are less likely to be fired when their activist stances generate positive market responses.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4971 .
Symptomatic postoperative compressive pneumocephalus after cholecystectomy
Authors: Benamar Zaky Mehdi , Huet Camille , Rousseau Maxime , Docquier Léa , Andres Emmanuel , Bilbaut Pascal , Lorenzo-Villalba Noel
Published: November 2023

A 75-year-old woman with a history of chronic hydrocephalus due to stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius was examined at the emergency department for altered mental status. There was placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 1970 complicated by meningitis, leading to removal of the material and ventriculociternostomy as definitive treatment in 2004. About one month previously, she had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy complicated by an intra-abdominal collection. Clinical examination at the emergency department revealed a Glasgow score of 8 (E3 V1 M4). In the emergency department the patient presented a tonic-clonic seizure before a cerebral CT scan was performed showing a massive compressive pneumocephalus, then a second seizure. The patient was finally admitted to the neurosurgery department and underwent surgery.
The lasting effects of long COVID on students' school experience
Authors: Lepkowska Dorothy
Published: November 2023

New research has found that long COVID has a lasting impact on children and young people's school experience. Dorothy Lepkowska explains
The challenges ahead: Looking to a positive future
Authors: Sutton Sallyann
Published: November 2023

Sallyann Sutton shares some of the key messages from the annual SAPHNA conference 2023, which took place mid-September.
Key Concepts in Advertising: Puffery
Authors: Richards Jef I.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Key Concepts in Advertising articles provide short lectures on important concepts to help understand advertising's place in society, culture, history, and the economy. This article focuses on puffery , a term frequently used to describe exaggerations in advertising but which has a specific legal meaning. The article reviews the definition and application of this term to help readers grasp the legal aspects of the concept. It also provides some examples to illustrate the application of this term.
Enhanced symbol capacity and loss budget employing joint channel coded modulation in DMT-WDM-PON
Authors: He Hailian , Ming Jun , Song Junyuan , Wen Yuyao , Guo Dong , Xin Xiangjun , Gao Ran , Li Zhipei , Pan Xiaolong , Dong Ze
Published: November 2023

A joint channel coded modulation scheme based on symbol division multiplexing (SDM) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated in a 100-Gb/s discrete multi-tone wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (DMT-WDM-PON) with enhanced symbol capacity and system power loss budget. The SDM was performed through low-density parity check (LDPC) coded quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) following the optimized many-to-one mapping rule. By time domain multiplexing all four 6-bit/symbol 64QAM symbols together onto the same complex constellation point, the produced SDM-16QAM can achieve a 50% symbol capacity gain compared to the typical 16QAM with the same symbol rate. For low-latency intention, the fifth-generation new radio standard LDPC code with ultra-short code length and flexible code rate is structured to provide high signal transmission reliability and a robust mechanism within both intra- and inter-SDM symbols, supporting the iterative SDM de-multiplexing. The SDM significantly reduces the QAM orders and widens the constellation Euclidean distance, which can optimize the signal launch fiber power and reduce the resolution requirements for optoelectronic and electronic components, thus leading to apparent enhancement of the power loss budget to serve more optical network units. The experimental results show that a 4.11-dB power loss budget gain can be achieved including 1.25-dB superior receiver power sensitivity and 2.86-dB improvement of launch fiber power in the proposed DMT-WDM-PON over 20-km fiber transmission.
Exploring the impact of longitudinal modulation on the twisting angle in Pancharatnam-Berry phase-based waveguides
Authors: Arumugam Stree Vithya , Jisha Chandroth P. , Marrucci Lorenzo , Alberucci Alessandro , Nolte Stefan
Published: November 2023

A circularly polarized (CP) beam propagating in a rotated anisotropic material acquires an additional phase delay proportional to the local rotation angle. This phase delay is a particular kind of geometric phase, the Pancharatnam-Berry phase (PBP), stemming from the path of the beam polarization on the Poincaré sphere. A transverse gradient in the geometric phase can thus be imparted by inhomogeneous rotation of the material, with no transverse gradient in the dynamic phase. A waveguide based upon this principle can be induced when the gradient accumulates in propagation, the latter requiring a longitudinal rotation in the optic axis synchronized with the natural rotation of the light polarization. Here, we evaluate numerically and theoretically the robustness of PBP-based waveguides, in the presence of a mismatch between the birefringence length and the external modulation. We find that the mismatch affects mainly the polarization of the quasi-mode, while the confinement is only slightly perturbed.
High-performance visible−near-infrared photodetector based on the N2200/Sb2Se3 nanorod arrays organic-inorganic hybrid heterostructure
Authors: Ma Haiya , Zhang Yusong , Duan Yanjun , Hu Mingxin , Zhang Yiran , Wang Lixin , Guo Yingnan , Li Zhiqiang , Yang Lin
Published: November 2023

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is a suitable candidate for a broadband photodetector owing to its remarkable optoelectronic properties. Achieving a high-performance self-powered photodetector through a desirable heterojunction still needs more efforts to explore. In this work, we demonstrate a broadband photodetector based on the hybrid heterostructure of Sb2Se3 nanorod arrays (NRAs) absorber and polymer acceptor (P(NDI2OD-T2), N2200). Owing to the well-matched energy levels between N2200 and Sb2Se3, the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes in N2200/Sb2Se3 hybrid heterostructure is greatly inhibited. The photodetector can detect the wavelength from 405 to 980 nm, and exhibit high responsivity of 0.39 A/W and specific detectivity of 1.84 × 1011 Jones at 780 nm without bias voltage. Meanwhile, ultrafast response rise time (0.25 ms) and fall time (0.35 ms) are obtained. Moreover, the time-dependent photocurrent of this heterostructure-based photodetector keeps almost the same value after the storge for 40 days, indicating the excellent stability and reproducibility. These results demonstrate the potential application of a N2200/Sb2Se3 NRAs heterojunction in visible−near-infrared photodetectors.
Polarization-insensitive tunable multifocal liquid crystal microlens array with dual lens modes
Authors: Antony Mareena , Nawaz Rab , Wang Yu-Wu , Hsu Che-Ju , Huang Chi-Yen
Published: November 2023

Microlens has significant applications in integrated micro-optical systems. Recently, multifocal microlens arrays are expected to extend the depth of field for imaging systems and realize a highly efficient laser beam homogenizer. This work presents what we believe to be a novel approach for developing a tunable multifocal liquid crystal microlens array (TMLCMA), which can be operated in convex and concave modes through voltage control schemes. The TMLCMA is manufactured using nematic liquid crystals (LCs) with negative dielectric anisotropy, in conjunction with a triple-electrode structure consisting of top large-hole, middle small-hole array, and bottom planar electrodes. When a voltage is applied, the axially symmetric fringing electric field induced by the large-hole electrode causes the focal length of the microlens to gradually and radially change from the TMLCMA border toward the center. The gradient in the change of focal length is electrically tunable. The calculated spatial potential distributions qualitatively explain the multifocal characteristic and dual lens modes of the TMLCMA. The LC molecules in each microlens are reoriented in an axially symmetrical form, resulting in a polarization-insensitive TMLCMA. The imaging functions of the TMLCMA operated with dual lens modes are shown through practical demonstrations. The simple fabrication and versatile function make the developed TMLCMA highly promising for various optical system applications.
Strategy for reducing the effect of surface fluctuation in the classification of aluminum alloy via data transfer and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Jing , Ding Yu , Hu Ao , Chen Wenjie , Wang Yufeng , Zhao Meiling , Shu Yan
Published: November 2023

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) plays an increasingly important role in the classification and recycling of aluminum alloys owing to its outstanding elemental analysis performance. For LIBS measurements with sample surface fluctuations, consistently and exactly maintaining the laser and fiber focus points on the sample surface is difficult, and fluctuations in the focus severely affect the stability of the spectrum. In this study, a data transfer method is introduced to reduce the effect of spectral fluctuations on the model performance. During the experiment, a focal point is placed on the sample surface. Then, keeping experimental conditions unchanged, the three-dimensional platform is only moved up and down along the z-axis by 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 2.5 mm, respectively. Eleven spectral datasets at different heights are collected for analysis. The KNN model is used as the base classifier, and the accuracies of the 11 datasets, from the lowest to the highest, are 11.48%, 19.71%, 30.57%, 45.71%, 53.57%, 88.28%, 52.57%, 21.42%, 14.42%, 14.42%, and 14.42%. To improve predictive performance, the difference in data distribution between the spectra collected at the sample surface and those collected at other heights is reduced by data transfer. Feature selection is introduced and combined with data transfer, and the final accuracies are 78.14%, 82.28%, 80.14%, 89.71%, 91.85%, 98.42%, 94.28%, 92.42%, 82.14%, 78.57%, and 73.71%. It can be seen that the proposed method provides a new feasible and effective way for the classification of aluminum alloys in a real detection environment.
Electroluminescence and temperature-dependent time-resolved photoluminescence of monolithically integrated triple-wavelength InGaN-based LED
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyu , Zhou Shengjun
Published: November 2023

Here, we propose a monolithically integrated triple-wavelength InGaN-based LED structure and conduct comprehensive research on its emission dynamics under electrical and optical excitation. Through experimental and numerical analyses, a carrier transport and a recombination process can be manipulated in bandgap-engineered multiple quantum wells (MQWs), thus realizing the manipulation of emission properties. A rational triple-wavelength LED structure is heteroepitaxially grown, which shows excellent color stability versus injected currents. Furthermore, utilizing the temperature-dependent time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), triple-wavelength peaks display different TRPL decay behaviors. Especially, an anomalous three-stage decay phenomenon is found for a low-energy peak measured at 10 K, accompanied by a decay profile transition with the increasing temperature. The underlying mechanisms are revealed and correlated with carrier localization, interaction between different QWs, and competition between radiative and nonradiative recombination.
Super-resolution stimulated Raman scattering microscopy enhanced by quantum light and deconvolution
Authors: Gong Li , Lin Shulang , Huang Zhiwei
Published: November 2023

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy is a powerful tool for label-free chemical contrast bio-imaging. However, its spatial resolution is limited by diffraction; its noise level is also fundamentally limited by the shot noise due to the quantum nature of light. In this work, we apply the squeezed light technique associated with the deconvolution method to achieve quantum-enhanced super-resolution SRS microscopy. To generate squeezed pump light, we design a unique cascaded scheme by using two nonlinear crystals, in which the second-harmonic generation (SHG) from the first crystal is used to boost the SHG of the second crystal sequentially. Such a cascaded light squeezed scheme suppresses the shot noise down to 89.7% (1 dB), which can be readily applied to the existing conventional SRS microscopy. We combine the squeezed light-controlled SRS with the Richardson–Lucy deconvolution method to break the diffraction limit by improving the spatial resolution of ∼2.2-fold compared to conventional SRS imaging. We realize the quantum-enhanced super-resolution SRS imaging in a variety of samples (e.g., oleic acid, porcine muscle tissue), suggesting the potential of squeezed light SRS with deconvolution for label-free super-resolution chemical imaging in biological and biomedical systems.
Electron-beam-driven anomalous Doppler effects in Smith–Purcell radiation
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqiuyan , Zhang Tianyu , Zhang Zhuocheng , Xu Xingxing , Liu Diwei , Duan Zhaoyun , Wei Yanyu , Gong Yubin , Wong Liang Jie , Hu Min
Published: November 2023

The interaction between electrons and matter is an effective means of light emission, through mechanisms including Cherenkov radiation and Smith–Purcell radiation (SPR). In this study, we show that the superlight inverse Doppler effects can be realized in reverse Smith–Purcell radiation excited by a free electron beam with a homogeneous substrate. In particular, we find that two types of anomalous SPR exist in the homogenous substrate: special SPR and reverse SPR. Our results reveal that the electron velocity can be tuned to simultaneously excite different combinations of normal SPR, special SPR, and reverse SPR. The proposed manifold light radiation mechanism can offer greater versatility in controlling and shaping SPR.
Defining the minimal components of the influenza A virus replication machinery via an in vitro reconstitution system
Authors: Zhu Zihan , Fan Haitian , Fodor Ervin
Published: November 2023

During influenza A virus infection, the viral RNA polymerase transcribes the viral negative-sense segmented RNA genome and replicates it in a two-step process via complementary RNA within viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes. While numerous viral and host factors involved in vRNP functions have been identified, dissecting the roles of individual factors remains challenging due to the complex cellular environment in which vRNP activity has been studied. To overcome this challenge, we reconstituted viral transcription and a full cycle of replication in a test tube using vRNPs isolated from virions and recombinant factors essential for these processes. This novel system uncovers the minimal components required for influenza virus replication and also reveals new roles of regulatory factors in viral replication. Moreover, it sheds light on the molecular interplay underlying the temporal regulation of viral transcription and replication. Our highly robust in vitro system enables systematic functional analysis of factors modulating influenza virus vRNP activity and paves the way for imaging key steps of viral transcription and replication.
Using normative modeling and machine learning for detecting mild traumatic brain injury from magnetoencephalography data
Authors: Itälinna Veera , Kaltiainen Hanna , Forss Nina , Liljeström Mia , Parkkonen Lauri
Published: November 2023

New biomarkers are urgently needed for many brain disorders; for example, the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is challenging as the clinical symptoms are diverse and nonspecific. EEG and MEG studies have demonstrated several population-level indicators of mTBI that could serve as objective markers of brain injury. However, deriving clinically useful biomarkers for mTBI and other brain disorders from EEG/MEG signals is hampered by the large inter-individual variability even across healthy people. Here, we used a multivariate machine-learning approach to detect mTBI from resting-state MEG measurements. To address the heterogeneity of the condition, we employed a normative modeling approach and modeled MEG signal features of individual mTBI patients as deviations with respect to the normal variation. To this end, a normative dataset comprising 621 healthy participants was used to determine the variation in power spectra across the cortex. In addition, we constructed normative datasets based on age-matched subsets of the full normative data. To discriminate patients from healthy control subjects, we trained support-vector-machine classifiers on the quantitative deviation maps for 25 mTBI patients and 20 controls not included in the normative dataset. The best performing classifier made use of the full normative data across the entire age and frequency ranges. This classifier was able to distinguish patients from controls with an accuracy of 79%. Inspection of the trained model revealed that low-frequency activity in the theta frequency band (4–8 Hz) is a significant indicator of mTBI, consistent with earlier studies. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using normative modeling of MEG data combined with machine learning to advance diagnosis of mTBI and identify patients that would benefit from treatment and rehabilitation. The current approach could be applied to a wide range of brain disorders, thus providing a basis for deriving MEG/EEG-based biomarkers.