Bifocal diffractive lenses based on the aperiodic Kolakoski sequence.

In this work, we present a new family of Zone Plates (ZPs) designed using the self-generating Kolakoski sequence. The focusing and imaging properties of these aperiodic diffractive lenses coined Kolakoski Zone Plates (KZPs) are extensively studied. It is shown that under monochromatic plane-wave illumination, a KZP produces two main foci of the same intensity along the axial axis. Moreover, one of the corresponding focal lengths is double the other, property correlated with the involved aperiodic sequence. This distinctive optical characteristic is experimentally confirmed. We have also obtained the first images provided by these bifocal new diffractive lenses.

Multiplexed vortex beam-based optical tweezers generated with spiral phase mask.

The design and implementation of a multiplexed spiral phase mask in an experimental optical tweezers setup are presented. This diffractive optical element allows the generation of multiple concentric vortex beams with independent topological charges and without amplitude modulation. The generalization of the phase mask for multiple concentric vortices is also shown. The design for a phase mask of two multiplexed vortices with different topological charges is developed. We experimentally show the transfer of angular momentum to the optically trapped microparticles by enabling nearly independent orbiting dynamics around the optical axis within each vortex. The angular velocity of the confined particles versus the optical power in the focal region is also discussed for different combinations of topological charges.

P53 in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Pattern-Based Immunohistochemical Framework with Molecular Correlation.

p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been proposed as a surrogate for TP53 mutations in penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCC). We aimed to evaluate the performance of a pattern-based evaluation of p53 IHC in PSCC. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA testing, p16 and p53 IHC, and whole exome sequencing were performed in a series of 40 PSCC. p53 IHC was evaluated following a pattern-based framework and conventional p53 IHC evaluation. Out of 40 PSCC, 12 (30.0%) were HPV-associated, and 28 (70.0%) were HPV-independent. The agreement between the p53 IHC pattern-based evaluation and TP53 mutational status was almost perfect (k = 0.85). The sensitivity and accuracy of the pattern-based framework for identifying TP53 mutations were 95.5% and 92.5%, respectively, which were higher than the values of conventional p53 IHC interpretation (54.5% and 70.0%, respectively), whereas the specificity was the same (88.9%). In conclusions, the pattern-based framework improves the accuracy of detecting TP53 mutations in PSCC compared to the classical p53 IHC evaluation.

Differential etiopathogenic features of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

Two pathways have been described for vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (VSCC), one associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), and the other HPV-independent. We compared the etiopathogenic features of a series of VSCC from Mozambique, a sub-Saharan country with high prevalence of HPV and HIV, with those of Spain, a European country with low prevalence of HPV and HIV. All VSCC diagnosed at the two institutions from January 2018 to December 2020 were included (n = 35 and n = 41, respectively). HPV DNA detection and genotyping, and immunohistochemistry for p16 and p53 were performed. Tumors showing p16 positive staining and/or HPV DNA positivity were considered HPV-associated. 34/35 tumors (97%) from Mozambique and 8/41 (19%) from Spain were HPV-associated (P < .001). Mean age of the patients from Mozambique and Spain was 45 ± 12 and 72 ± 14, respectively (P < .001). No differences were found in terms of HPV genotypes or multiple HPV infection rates. 1/35 tumors (3%) from Mozambique and 29/41 (70%) from Spain showed abnormal p53 immunostaining (P < .001). In contrast with the predominance of HPV-independent VSCC affecting old women in Europe, most VSCC in sub-Saharan Africa are HPV-associated and arise in young women. This data may have important consequences for primary prevention of VSCC worldwide.

Optical multi-trapping by Kinoform m-Bonacci lenses.

Optical manipulation is interfacing disciplines in the micro and nanoscale, from molecular biology to quantum computation. Versatile solutions for increasingly more sophisticated technological applications require multiple traps with which to maneuver dynamically several particles in three dimensions. The axial direction is usually overlooked due to difficulties in observing particles away from an objective-lens focal plane, a normal element in optical tweezers, and in managing interparticle distances along the trapping beam propagating direction, where strong radiation pressure and shadowing effects compromise the simultaneous and stable confinement of the particles. Here, aperiodic kinoform diffractive lens based on the m-Bonacci sequence are proposed as a new trapping strategy. This lens provides split first-order diffractive foci whose separation depends on the generalized m-golden ratio. We show the extended manipulation capabilities of a laser tweezers system generated by these lens, in which concomitant trapping of particles in different focal planes takes place. Positioning particles in the axial direction with computer-controlled distances allows dynamic three-dimensional all-optical lattices, useful in a variety of microscale and nanoscale applications.

Management of the ENT consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic alert. Are ENT telephone consultations useful? / Gestión de la consulta de otorrinolaringología durante el estado de alarma por la pandemia del COVID-19. ¿Es útil la consulta telefónica en ORL?

OBJECTIVE: To describe how the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC hospitals were managed during the COVID-19 state of alert and to analyse the results obtained to assess the usefulness of telephone consultations in our specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 16, the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC Hospitals began telephone consultations. Due to the disparity in the actions of the different department members, the decision was made to create a protocol to manage these consultations which started to be implemented March 23. RESULTS: During the study period, 1054 patients were attended in the consultations of both departments; 663 (62.9%) were first visits and 391 (37.10%) were successive visits. Twenty-one percent (229) of the consultations could be resolved by telephone, 10.82% (114) required face-to-face care, 57.40% (605) were indicated for an on-demand check-up depending on their disease course, and 10.05% (106) of the patients could not be reached by telephone. DISCUSSION: The state of alarm caused by COVID-19 has been a determining factor in how we undertake our care work. In the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC Hospitals we decided to carry out consultations by telephone as an alternative to the traditional consultation. During this period, we have observed that up to 21.73% of the consultations could be dealt with by telephone. CONCLUSION: The telephone consultation seems to be a very useful tool to attend our patients avoiding the risk of COVID-19 infection during the state of alarm. Furthermore, according to the data analysed and the different studies, it seems a good alternative to the traditional consultation in selected patients.

[Management of the ENT consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic alert. Are ENT telephone consultations useful?] / Gestión de la consulta de otorrinolaringología durante el estado de alarma por la pandemia del COVID-19. ¿Es útil la consulta telefónica en ORL?

Objective: To describe how the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC hospitals were managed during the COVID-19 state of alert and to analyse the results obtained to assess the usefulness of telephone consultations in our specialty. Material and methods: From March 16, the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC Hospitals began telephone consultations. Due to the disparity in the actions of the different department members, the decision was made to create a protocol to manage these consultations which started to be implemented March 23. Results: During the study period, 1054 patients were attended in the consultations of both departments; 663 (62.9%) were first visits and 391 (37.10%) were successive visits. Twenty-one percent (229) of the consultations could be resolved by telephone, 10.82% (114) required face-to-face care, 57.40% (605) were indicated for an on-demand check-up depending on their disease course, and 10.05% (106) of the patients could not be reached by telephone. Discussion: The state of alarm caused by COVID-19 has been a determining factor in how we undertake our care work. In the ENT and Head and Neck departments of the HMM and HVC Hospitals we decided to carry out consultations by telephone as an alternative to the traditional consultation. During this period, we have observed that up to 21.73% of the consultations could be dealt with by telephone. Conclusion: The telephone consultation seems to be a very useful tool to attend our patients avoiding the risk of COVID-19 infection during the state of alarm. Furthermore, according to the data analysed and the different studies, it seems a good alternative to the traditional consultation in selected patients.

Atypical cytological changes mimicking SIL of the uterine cervix in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients treated with busulfan.

BACKGROUND: Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a common procedure in hematological disorders and is preceded by a conditioning regimen that usually includes busulfan. The immunosuppression caused by the conditioning regimen and graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence and, consequently, with an increased risk of cervical cancer (CC) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs)-the precursors of CC. A gynecological check-up that includes CC screening is recommended in these patients. METHODS: All female recipients of allo-HSCT undergo routine gynecological check-up that includes CC screening. Cervical samples were obtained for liquid-based cytology and HPV testing. Cytology smears were stained with the Papanicolaou (Pap) technique. A colposcopy evaluation was performed if any abnormal result in the screening tests was obtained. RESULTS: Among 15 women undergoing gynecological examination at 1 year after allo-HSCT who had received a conditioning regimen that included busulfan, 4 (26.7%) showed atypical squamous cells in the Pap smear, suggesting high-grade SIL. The abnormalities were identified from 136 to 271 days after allo-HSCT. In all cases, HPV testing was negative, and colposcopy examination was normal. The cytological abnormalities regressed in 3 of the women after 1 year but persisted in 1 woman at day 382 after allo-HSCT. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment-related atypia mimicking SIL is a common finding in allo-HSCT recipients who have received busulfan, particularly in the first year after the procedure. However, atypical changes may persist for more than 1 year. Clinical information, HPV testing, and colposcopy examination are critical to prevent misdiagnosis and overtreatment in these patients.

An unusual type of biliar cyst: A case report.

 We present the case of a 56-yr-old woman with vague abdominal pain of approximately 5 months duration. An ultrasound study showed moderate dilation of the common bile duct. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography confirmed a cystic dilatation of the right hepatic duct with intra and extra hepatic component. The patient underwent right hepatectomy and complete excision of the cyst. Microscopically, the cyst wall was formed by fibrous tissue with mild acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate, the inner surface showed a single layer of columnar epithelium and extensive squamous metaplasia without atypia, wich expressed p63 and high molecular weight cytoqueratin (34BE12).