The utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced intranodal magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL) in the investigation of primary lymphatic anomalies.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the technique of DCMRL to identify central lymphatic abnormalities in patients with primary lymphatic anomalies and discuss utility of the findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with primary lymphatic abnormalities underwent dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following injection of gadolinium directly into inguinal lymph nodes at a tertiary lymphovascular referral center. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 23 patients (82.1%). Pathological imaging findings included obstructed, hypoplastic, or absent lymphatic channels with collateralization/rerouting or reflux of flow, lymphangiectasia, lymphatic pseudoaneurysms, and lymph leaks. Protocol modifications for improved imaging are highlighted including technical aspects of lymph node injection, image acquisition and MRI parameters. In two patients, imaging findings warranted embolization of the abnormal lymphatic channels with subsequent symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: DCMRL has been shown to be a safe, reproducible technique in patients with primary lymphatic anomalies enabling imaging of the central lymphatic system.

Effects of exogenous amylolytic or fibrolytic enzymes inclusion on in vitro fermentation of lactating dairy cow diets in a dual-flow continuous-culture system.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of including exogenous amylolytic or fibrolytic enzymes in a diet for high-producing dairy cows on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Eight dual-flow continuous-culture fermentors were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. The treatments were control (CON), a xylanase and glucanase mixture (T1), an α-amylase mixture (T2), or a xylanase, glucanase, and α-amylase mixture (T3). Treatments were included at a rate of 0.008% of diet dry matter (DM) for T1 and T2 and at 0.02% for T3. All treatments replaced the equivalent amount of soybean meal in the diet compared with CON. All diets were balanced to have the same nutrient composition [30.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 16.1% crude protein (CP), and 30% starch; DM basis], and fermentors were fed 106 g/d divided into 2 feedings. At each feeding, T2 was pipetted into the respective fermentor and an equivalent amount of deionized water was added to each fermentor to eliminate potential variation. Experimental periods were 10 d (7 d for adaptation and 3 d for sample collection). Composite samples of daily effluent were collected and analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), NH3-N, and lactate concentrations, degradability of DM, organic matter, NDF, CP, and starch, and flow and metabolism of N. Samples of fermentor contents were collected from each fermentor at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding to determine kinetics of pH, NH3-N, lactate, and VFA concentrations over time. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.), and the repeated variable of time was included for kinetics measurements. Treatment did not affect mean pH, degradability, N flow and metabolism, or the concentrations of VFA, NH3-N, or lactate in the effluent samples. Treatment did not affect pH, acetate:propionate ratio, or the concentrations of lactate, NH3-N, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, or caproate. However, the concentration of total VFA tended to change at each time point depending upon the treatment, and T2 tended to have a greater proportion of 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate than CON, T1, or T3. As 2-methylbutyrate and isovalerate are branched-chain VFA that are synthesized from branched-chain amino acids, T2 may have an increased fermentation of branched-chain amino acids or decreased uptake by fibrolytic microorganisms. Although we did not observe changes in N metabolism due to the enzymes, there could be changes in microbial populations that utilize branched-chain VFA. Overall, the tested enzymes did not improve in vitro ruminal fermentation in the diet of high-producing dairy cows.

The Developmental Chronnecto-Genomics (Dev-CoG) study: A multimodal study on the developing brain.

Brain development has largely been studied through unimodal analysis of neuroimaging data, providing independent results for structural and functional data. However, structure clearly impacts function and vice versa, pointing to the need for performing multimodal data collection and analysis to improve our understanding of brain development, and to further inform models of typical and atypical brain development across the lifespan. Ultimately, such models should also incorporate genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying brain structure and function, although currently this area is poorly specified. To this end, we are reporting here a multi-site, multi-modal dataset that captures cognitive function, brain structure and function, and genetic and epigenetic measures to better quantify the factors that influence brain development in children originally aged 9-14 years. Data collection for the Developmental Chronnecto-Genomics (Dev-CoG) study (http://devcog.mrn.org/) includes cognitive, emotional, and social performance scales, structural and functional MRI, diffusion MRI, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and saliva collection for DNA analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation patterns. Across two sites (The Mind Research Network and the University of Nebraska Medical Center), data from over 200 participants were collected and these children were re-tested annually for at least 3 years. The data collection protocol, sample demographics, and data quality measures for the dataset are presented here. The sample will be made freely available through the collaborative informatics and neuroimaging suite (COINS) database at the conclusion of the study.

Multi-directional beam steering using diffractive neural networks.

The modern-day resurgence of machine learning has encouraged researchers to revisit older problem spaces from a new perspective. One promising avenue has been implementing deep neural networks to aid in the simulation of physical systems. In the field of optics, densely connected neural networks able to mimic wave propagation have recently been constructed. These diffractive deep neural networks (D2NN) not only offer new insights into wave propagation, but provide a novel tool for investigating and discovering multi-functional diffractive elements. In this paper, we derive an efficient GPU-friendly D2NN methodology based on Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction. We then use the implementation to virtually forge cascades of optical phase masks subject to different beam steering conditions. The input and output conditions we use to train each D2NN instance is based on commercial electro-optic modulated waveguide systems to encourage experimental follow-on. In total, we analyze the beam steering efficacy of 27 individual D2NN instances which explore different permutations of input sources, mask cascades, and output steering targets.

Artificial neural network discovery of a switchable metasurface reflector.

Optical materials engineered to dynamically and selectively manipulate electromagnetic waves are essential to the future of modern optical systems. In this paper, we simulate various metasurface configurations consisting of periodic 1D bars or 2D pillars made of the ternary phase change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). Dynamic switching behavior in reflectance is exploited due to a drastic refractive index change between the crystalline and amorphous states of GST. Selectivity in the reflection and transmission spectra is manipulated by tailoring the geometrical parameters of the metasurface. Due to the immense number of possible metasurface configurations, we train deep neural networks capable of exploring all possible designs within the working parameter space. The data requirements, predictive accuracy, and robustness of these neural networks are benchmarked against a ground truth by varying quality and quantity of training data. After ensuring trustworthy neural network advisory, we identify and validate optimal GST metasurface configurations best suited as dynamic switchable mirrors depending on selected light and manufacturing constraints.

Spectrally tunable chiral Bragg reflectors for on-demand beam generation.

We demonstrate the generation of spectrally tunable phase-dependent wavefronts, using the 2D Airy as the primary test case, via a polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) element. Specifically, we use a novel spatial light modulator (SLM) based projection system to photo-align the initial helix angle landscape of the PSCLC so that it imparts the appropriate cubic phase profile to the reflected beam. This element is spectrally selective, with a reflection bandwidth of ≈ 100 nm, and electrically tunable from λ = 530 nm to 760 nm. Under both green and red laser illumination, the element is shown to conditionally form an Airy beam depending on the position of the electrically tailored reflection band. We briefly demonstrate the generality of this approach by producing PSCLC elements which form a computer-generated hologram and a higher-order Mathieu beam.

Insight into hydrogen production through molecular simulation of an electrode-ionomer electrolyte system.

In this work, we examine metal electrode-ionomer electrolyte systems at high voltage (negative surface charge) and at high pH to assess factors that influence hydrogen production efficiency. We simulate the hydrogen evolution electrode interface investigated experimentally in the work of Bates et al. [J. Phys. Chem. C 119, 5467 (2015)] using a combination of first principles calculations and classical molecular dynamics. With this detailed molecular information, we explore the hypotheses posed in the work of Bates et al. In particular, we examine the response of the system to increased bias voltage and oxide coverage in terms of the potential profile, changes in solvation and species concentrations away from the electrode, surface concentrations, and orientation of water at reactive surface sites. We discuss this response in the context of hydrogen production.

Differentiation of human hair by colour and diameter using light microscopy, digital imaging and statistical analysis.

This research introduces and evaluates a novel method that offers the potential of providing objective criteria to forensic microscopical hair comparisons. The method combines hair diameter with numeric characterisations of red, green, and blue colour content as determined with the use of digital imaging at defined locations of the hair. Thirty hairs were collected from each of twenty participants, all with naturally coloured brown hair. The hairs were examined with an Olympus BX53® polarising light microscope and digital images were viewed with an Olympus DP72® camera under 400× magnification. Using Olympus cellSens™ Entry software, hair diameter was measured at 1000, 1500 and 2000 µm from the base of the root. The Olympus cellSens™ Entry software uses a red, green and blue (RGB) colour model to quantitatively define the colour of each pixel on an image based on its composition of these three principal colour components. This software was used to collect numerical characterisations of hair colour at each distance interval. The diameter and colour values for each hair were compared using discriminant analysis (DA) and principal component analysis. Although a large amount of intrapersonal variation was observed, the degree of interpersonal variation was greater and enabled the statistical model to differentiate between the hair samples from each participant. The DA model achieved sample reclassification with an error rate of 7.33%. A validation study was conducted on a subset of hair samples from which 18 of the 20 were correctly assigned to the participant from whom they originated. These results support the potential of this method to provide an objective addition to current microscopical hair comparison practices.

Baseline characteristics and outcomes of children with cancer in the English-speaking Caribbean: A multinational retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: English-speaking Caribbean (ESC) childhood cancer outcomes are unknown. PROCEDURE: Through the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI), we established a multicenter childhood cancer database across seven centers in six ESC countries. Data managers entered patient demographics, disease, treatment, and outcome data. Data collection commenced in 2013, with retrospective collection to 2011 and subsequent prospective collection. RESULTS: A total of 367 children were diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 with a median age of 5.7 years (interquartile range 2.9-10.6 years). One hundred thirty (35.4%) patients were diagnosed with leukemia, 30 (8.2%) with lymphoma, and 149 (40.6%) with solid tumors. A relative paucity of children with brain tumors was seen (N = 58, 15.8%). Two-year event-free survival (EFS) for the cohort was 48.5% ± 3.2%; 2-year overall survival (OS) was 55.1% ± 3.1%. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Wilms tumor (WT) experienced better 2-year EFS (62.1% ± 6.4% and 66.7% ± 10.1%), while dismal outcomes were seen in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 22.7 ± 9.6%), rhabdomyosarcoma (21.0% ± 17.0%), and medulloblastoma (21.4% ± 17.8%). Of 108 deaths with known cause, 58 (53.7%) were attributed to disease and 50 (46.3%) to treatment complications. Death within 60 days of diagnosis was relatively common in acute leukemia [13/98 (13.3%) ALL, 8/26 (30.8%) AML]. Despite this, traditional prognosticators adversely impacted outcome in ALL, including higher age, higher white blood cell count, and T-cell lineage. CONCLUSIONS: ESC childhood cancer outcomes are significantly inferior to high-income country outcomes. Based on these data, interventions for improving supportive care and modifying treatment protocols are under way. Continued data collection will allow evaluation of interventions and ensure maximal outcome improvements.

Interferon beta overexpression attenuates adipose tissue inflammation and high-fat diet-induced obesity and maintains glucose homeostasis.

The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing, raising health concerns regarding obesity-related complications. Chronic inflammation has been characterized as a major contributor to the development of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders. The purpose of the current study is to assess whether the overexpression of interferon beta (IFNß1), an immune-modulating cytokine, will attenuate high-fat diet-induced adipose inflammation and protect animals against obesity development. Using hydrodynamic gene transfer to elevate and sustain blood concentration of IFNß1 in mice fed a high-fat diet, we showed that the overexpression of Ifnß1 gene markedly suppressed immune cell infiltration into adipose tissue, and attenuated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Systemically, IFNß1 blocked adipose tissue expansion and body weight gain, independent of food intake. Possible browning of white adipose tissue might also contribute to blockade of weight gain. More importantly, IFNß1 improved insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. These results suggest that targeting inflammation represents a practical strategy to block the development of obesity and its related pathologies. In addition, IFNß1-based therapies have promising potential for clinical applications for the prevention and treatment of various inflammation-driven pathologies.

Versatile supercontinuum generation in parabolic multimode optical fibers.

We demonstrate that the pump's spatial input profile can provide additional degrees of freedom in tailoring at will the nonlinear dynamics and the ensuing spectral content of supercontinuum generation in highly multimoded optical fibers. Experiments and simulations carried out at 1550 nm indicate that the modal composition of the input beam can substantially alter the soliton fission process as well as the resulting Raman and dispersive wave generation that eventually lead to supercontinuum in such a multimode environment. Given the multitude of conceivable initial conditions, our results suggest that it is possible to pre-engineer the supercontinuum spectral content in a versatile manner.

The Role of Sulfur Dioxide in Stratospheric Aerosol Formation Evaluated Using In-Situ Measurements in the Tropical Lower Stratosphere.

Stratospheric aerosols (SAs) are a variable component of the Earth's albedo that may be intentionally enhanced in the future to offset greenhouse gases (geoengineering). The role of tropospheric-sourced sulfur dioxide (SO2) in maintaining background SAs has been debated for decades without in-situ measurements of SO2 at the tropical tropopause to inform this issue. Here we clarify the role of SO2 in maintaining SAs by using new in-situ SO2 measurements to evaluate climate models and satellite retrievals. We then use the observed tropical tropopause SO2 mixing ratios to estimate the global flux of SO2 across the tropical tropopause. These analyses show that the tropopause background SO2 is about 5 times smaller than reported by the average satellite observations that have been used recently to test atmospheric models. This shifts the view of SO2 as a dominant source of SAs to a near-negligible one, possibly revealing a significant gap in the SA budget.

Retrospective analysis of technical success rate and procedure-related complications of 867 percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsies of lung lesions.

AIM: To investigate the technical success rate and procedure-related complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy of lung lesions and to identify the factors that are correlated with the occurrence of procedure-related complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single- institution retrospective study of 867 consecutive CT-guided needle biopsies of lung lesions performed on 772 patients in a tertiary cancer centre. The technical success rate and complications were correlated with patient, lung lesion, and procedure-related variables. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 87.2% and the mortality rate was 0.12%. Of the 867 total biopsies 25.7% were associated with pneumothorax, and 6.5% required chest tube drainage. The haemothorax rate was 1.8%. There was positive correlation between the development of pneumothorax and smaller lesion diameter (p<0.001), longer transparenchymal distance (p<0.001), and prone position (p=0.027). There was positive correlation between the need for chest tube placement and longer transparenchymal distance (p=0.007) and smaller lesion diameter (p=0.018). Lesions in the left lower lobe had the lowest rates of pneumothorax (p=0.008) and chest tube drainage (p=0.018). Patients whose pneumothoraces were diagnosed on the follow-up chest X-ray, but not on the immediate post-procedural CT scan had significantly higher requirement for chest tube drainage (p=0.039). CONCLUSION: CT-guided lung biopsy has a high rate of technical success and a low rate of major complications. The present study has revealed several variables that can be used to identify high-risk procedures. A post-procedural chest X-ray within hours after the procedure is highly recommended to identify high-risk patients who require chest tube placement.

On the origin of extraordinary cyclic strengthening of the austenitic stainless steel Sanicro 25 during fatigue at 700°C.

The origin of the extraordinary strengthening of the highly-alloyed austenitic stainless steel Sanicro 25 during cyclic loading at 700°C was investigated by use of advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Along with substantial change of dislocation structure, nucleation of two distinct populations of nanoparticles was revealed. Fully coherent Cu-rich nanoparticles were observed homogeneously dispersed with high density along with nanometer-sized incoherent NbC carbides precipitating on dislocations during cyclic loading. Probe-corrected HAADF STEM imaging was used to characterize the atomic structure of nanoparticles. Compositional analysis was conducted using both EELS and high spatial resolution EDS. High temperature exposure induced precipitation of a high density of coherent Cu-rich nanoparticles while strain-induced nucleation of incoherent NbC nanoparticles leads to retardation of dislocation movement. The pinning effects and associated obstacles to dislocation motion prevent recovery and formation of the localized low-energy cellular structures. As a consequence, the alloy exhibits remarkable cyclic hardening at elevated temperature.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and wastewater ponds, Part II: Developmental, physiological, morphological and behavioural effects of ingestion of secondary clarified effluent water.

Rather than migrating, mallard ducks may choose to overwinter in northern cities on open-water thermal refuges, such as municipal wastewater treatment ponds, which in Edmonton, Canada, stay ≥10°C during frigid winter months. Refuging mallards spend appreciable time daily on these ponds and hydrate using secondary clarified municipal wastewater (SCEW). We aimed to determine if SCEW ingestion affected mallard health. To this end, we gavaged newly hatched mallards (domesticated Pekin strain) over their first month with SCEW, as well as water representing negative and positive controls (municipal tap water, and the primary active ingredient from birth control pills, 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), respectively). The gavage of SCEW did not affect mass of the body, liver, spleen or heart, but was associated with small increases in beak and wing chord length. In the positive control, EE2 gavage caused similar responses, but also increased tarsus and phallus length. The increases likely owed to the stimulatory effects of estrogenic substances on bone and phallus development. For the biotransformation enzyme CYP2H1, gene expression was numerically increased by both SCEW and EE2. In terms of behavior, SCEW and EE2 gavage reduced two infrequently detected behaviours, pecking and resting alone. Our results suggest that SCEW ingestion would be unlikely to cause any overt health effects in adults, but may evoke subtle, covert effects nevertheless.

Inducing RNA interference in the arbovirus vector, Culicoides sonorensis.

Biting midges in the genus Culicoides are important vectors of arboviral diseases, including epizootic haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue and most likely Schmallenberg, which cause significant economic burdens worldwide. Research on these vectors has been hindered by the lack of a sequenced genome, the difficulty of consistent culturing of certain species and the absence of molecular techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we report the establishment of RNAi as a research tool for the adult midge, Culicoides sonorensis. Based on previous research and transcriptome analysis, which revealed putative small interfering RNA pathway member orthologues, we hypothesized that adult C. sonorensis midges have the molecular machinery needed to perform RNA silencing. Injection of control double-stranded RNA targeting green fluorescent protein (dsGFP), into the haemocoel of 2-3-day-old adult female midges resulted in survival curves that support virus transmission. dsRNA injection targeting the newly identified C. sonorensis inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (CsIAP1) orthologue resulted in a 40% decrease of transcript levels and 73% shorter median survivals as compared with dsGFP-injected controls. These results reveal the conserved function of IAP1. Importantly, they also demonstrate the feasibility of RNAi by dsRNA injection in adult midges, which will greatly facilitate studies of the underlying mechanisms of vector competence in C. sonorensis.

Modifications to a commercially available linear mass spectrometer for mass-resolved microscopy with the pixel imaging mass spectrometry (PImMS) camera.

RATIONALE: Imaging mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique capable of accessing a large volume of spatially resolved, chemical data from two-dimensional samples. Probing the entire surface of a sample simultaneously requires a detector with high spatial and temporal resolutions, and the ability to observe events relating to different mass-to-charge ratios. METHODS: A commercially available time-of-flight mass spectrometer, designed for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) analysis, was combined with the novel pixel imaging mass spectrometry (PImMS) camera in order to perform multi-mass, microscope-mode imaging experiments. A number of minor modifications were made to the spectrometer hardware and ion optics so that spatial imaging was achieved for a number of small molecules. RESULTS: It was shown that a peak width of Δm50 % < 1 m/z unit across the range 200 ≤ m/z ≤ 800 can be obtained while also achieving an optimum spatial resolution of 25 µm. It was further shown that these data were obtained simultaneously for all analytes present without the need to scan the experimental parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the capability of multi-mass, microscope-mode imaging to reduce the acquisition time of spatially distributed analytes such as multi-arrays or biological tissue sections. It also shows that such an instrument can be commissioned by effecting relatively minor modifications to a conventional commercial machine.

Characterizing spatial uncertainty when integrating social data in conservation planning.

Recent conservation planning studies have presented approaches for integrating spatially referenced social (SRS) data with a view to improving the feasibility of conservation action. We reviewed the growing conservation literature on SRS data, focusing on elicited or stated preferences derived through social survey methods such as choice experiments and public participation geographic information systems. Elicited SRS data includes the spatial distribution of willingness to sell, willingness to pay, willingness to act, and assessments of social and cultural values. We developed a typology for assessing elicited SRS data uncertainty which describes how social survey uncertainty propagates when projected spatially and the importance of accounting for spatial uncertainty such as scale effects and data quality. These uncertainties will propagate when elicited SRS data is integrated with biophysical data for conservation planning and may have important consequences for assessing the feasibility of conservation actions. To explore this issue further, we conducted a systematic review of the elicited SRS data literature. We found that social survey uncertainty was commonly tested for, but that these uncertainties were ignored when projected spatially. Based on these results we developed a framework which will help researchers and practitioners estimate social survey uncertainty and use these quantitative estimates to systematically address uncertainty within an analysis. This is important when using SRS data in conservation applications because decisions need to be made irrespective of data quality and well characterized uncertainty can be incorporated into decision theoretic approaches.

The health status and health service needs of primary caregivers of cancer survivors: a mixed methods approach.

This study aimed to measure the health status and care needs of people who provide informal care to cancer survivors in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 24 cancer professionals to identify the care needs of caregivers. In addition, we conducted a postal survey measuring the health and well-being [36-item short-form health survey (SF-36)] and health service utilisation of 98 primary caregivers of a random sample of cancer survivors, 2-20 years post-treatment. Interviews indicated that caregivers' needs were largely unmet. In particular, there appeared to be a need in relation to statutory healthcare provision, information, psychological support and involvement in decision-making. There were no significant differences between survivors and caregivers in terms of mental health scores; and caregivers performed better on physical health domains compared with cancer survivors. Compared with UK norms and norms for caregivers of other chronic conditions, cancer caregivers had substantially lower scores on each SF-36 health domain. Cancer may impact negatively on an informal caregiver's health long after treatment has ended. Providing appropriate and cancer-specific information may alleviate difficulties and improve health and well-being. Specific concentration should be given to the development and delivery of information support for caregivers of post-treatment cancer survivors.

Adenomatous polyposis in a young jamaican male of african descent.

We report a case of adenomatous polyposis in a 20-year old African Jamaican male. This is to highlight the importance of aggressively investigating unexplained recurrent anaemia in the young and the impact of psychosocial issues that arise in managing such a patient.