Hubble Meets Webb: Image-to-Image Translation in Astronomy.

This work explores the generation of James Webb Space Telescope (JWSP) imagery via image-to-image translation from the available Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data. Comparative analysis encompasses the Pix2Pix, CycleGAN, TURBO, and DDPM-based Palette methodologies, assessing the criticality of image registration in astronomy. While the focus of this study is not on the scientific evaluation of model fairness, we note that the techniques employed may bear some limitations and the translated images could include elements that are not present in actual astronomical phenomena. To mitigate this, uncertainty estimation is integrated into our methodology, enhancing the translation's integrity and assisting astronomers in distinguishing between reliable predictions and those of questionable certainty. The evaluation was performed using metrics including MSE, SSIM, PSNR, LPIPS, and FID. The paper introduces a novel approach to quantifying uncertainty within image translation, leveraging the stochastic nature of DDPMs. This innovation not only bolsters our confidence in the translated images but also provides a valuable tool for future astronomical experiment planning. By offering predictive insights when JWST data are unavailable, our approach allows for informed preparatory strategies for making observations with the upcoming JWST, potentially optimizing its precious observational resources. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to apply image-to-image translation for astronomical sensor-to-sensor translation.

Pediatric Nasal Chondromesenchymal Tumors: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Nasal chondromesenchymal tumors (NCMT) are rare benign neoplasms that usually present in children <1 year of age. They can display rapid growth and significant local bony remodeling that can mimic a malignant process. Of the ∼50 published cases to date, few have documented the need for neurosurgical intervention. We herein report a NCMT in an infant treated with a staged cranial and transnasal approach, as well as summarize the available literature on this pathology. CASE REPORT: A newborn male with a compromised airway was noted to have a large sinonasal lesion. After stabilization, MRI demonstrated a 4-cm enhancing mass with diffuse sinus involvement and significant extension into the anterior cranial fossa, with displacement of the optic apparatus and hypothalamic pituitary axis. After an initial biopsy, the patient underwent a bifrontal craniofacial approach at 2 months of age, followed by a second-stage transnasal endoscopic approach at 15 months which resulted in a complete resection. There were no neurosurgical complications. Pathology was consistent with a NCMT. DISCUSSION: Although rare, neurosurgical involvement is critical for the treatment of NCMTs with intracranial extension. Staged cranial and endonasal endoscopic approaches may be needed for complete resection of such lesions.

Escape of about five per cent of Lyman-alpha photons from high-redshift star-forming galaxies.

The Lyman-alpha (Lyalpha) emission line is the primary observational signature of star-forming galaxies at the highest redshifts, and has enabled the compilation of large samples of galaxies with which to study cosmic evolution. The resonant nature of the line, however, means that Lyalpha photons scatter in the neutral interstellar medium of their host galaxies, and their sensitivity to absorption by interstellar dust may therefore be greatly enhanced. This implies that the Lyalpha luminosity may be significantly reduced, or even completely suppressed. Hitherto, no unbiased empirical test of the escaping fraction (f(esc)) of Lyalpha photons has been performed at high redshifts. Here we report that the average f(esc) from star-forming galaxies at redshift z = 2.2 is just 5 per cent by performing a blind narrowband survey in Lyalpha and Halpha. This implies that numerous conclusions based on Lyalpha-selected samples will require upwards revision by an order of magnitude and we provide a benchmark for this revision. We demonstrate that almost 90 per cent of star-forming galaxies emit insufficient Lyalpha to be detected by standard selection criteria. Both samples show an anti-correlation of f(esc) with dust content, and we show that Lyalpha- and Halpha-selection recovers populations that differ substantially in dust content and f(esc).

A Review of Hard Palate Fracture Repair Techniques.

PURPOSE: Hard palate trauma is a relatively infrequent occurrence compared with other craniofacial injuries. Several techniques of hard palate fracture repair have been described. To date, there is no consensus on the optimal management of this type of fracture. The purpose of this study was to compile and analyze studies describing hard palate fracture repair techniques with outcomes data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed for articles describing hard palate fracture repair techniques. RESULTS: Eight articles were ultimately included in the review. Of the collective 310 fractures reported, postoperative malocclusion occurred in 21 of 235 cases (8.9%) and other complications occurred in 13 of 299 cases (4.3%). The most important variability in technique was the method of palatal vault stabilization. Three studies described wiring techniques, 3 described internal fixation techniques, and 2 described external fixation techniques. Studies describing internal fixation techniques reported higher rates of wound complications. Proponents of rigid internal fixation believe that this technique provides better fracture reduction. External fixation techniques appear to impart low rates of wound complications, but their overall effectiveness remains in question. CONCLUSIONS: Hard palate fractures are associated with high rates of malocclusion and wound complications. The most established methods of palatal vault stabilization are closed reduction with wiring and internal plate fixation. Depending on the fracture type, patient comorbidities, and associated injuries, either technique might be preferable in a given circumstance.

Molecular Screening Strategy to Identify a Non-invasive Delivery Mechanism for the Treatment of Middle Ear Disorders.

Middle ear ailments include a broad range of pathological conditions. Otitis media is the leading middle ear disease of childhood, which incurs significant health care resources in developed countries and, in developing countries, causes significant mortality and morbidity. Recurrent and chronic infections of the middle ear lead to the prolonged presence of inflammatory factors and cellular infiltrates resulting in temporary hearing loss. However, long-term alteration of the middle ear space can pose the risk of permanent damage to the delicate ear structures and cause tissue remodeling. While the etiopathogenesis of middle ear diseases is multifactorial, targeting the biological mechanisms and molecular networks that drive disease development is critical. Yet, a pivotal step in realizing the potential of molecular therapies is the development of methods for local drug delivery, since systemic application risks side effects. Utilizing bacteriophage display in the rat, we discovered rare peptides that are able to transit the intact tympanic membrane from the external canal to the middle ear cavity by an active process. An in vitro assay demonstrated that transport occurs across the tympanic membranes of humans and that the peptides cross the membrane independent of phage. Transport of phage, which is ~900 nm in length, suggests that these peptides could non-invasively deliver drug packages or gene therapy vectors into the middle ear.

Optimisation of peptides that actively cross the tympanic membrane by random amino acid extension: a phage display study.

Local treatment of middle ear (ME) disease currently requires surgical penetration of the tympanic membrane (TM). We previously discovered 12-mer peptides that are actively transported across the intact TM, a process that could be used for non-invasive drug delivery into the ME. To optimise transport and provide further understanding of the peptides transport mechanism, we extended two of the candidate peptides by six additional amino acids at random, and screened the resulting 18-mers libraries on TMs of rats with active bacterial otitis media (OM) for transport efficiency using phage display. Six identified peptides were individually tested in vivo for trans-TM transport to verify the tissue specificity. Three exhibited enhanced transport compared to their parent 12-mer scaffold, with the best showing an approximately nine-fold increase. Sequence analysis revealed anchor residues and structural features associated with enhanced transport. This included the prominent display of conserved sequence motifs at the extended free ends of the predicted peptide structures.

Otolaryngology in Critical Care.

Diseases affecting the ear, nose, and throat are prevalent in intensive care settings and often require combined medical and surgical management. Upper airway occlusion can occur as a result of malignant tumor growth, allergic reactions, and bleeding events and may require close monitoring and interventions by intensivists, sometimes necessitating surgical management. With the increased prevalence of immunocompromised patients, aggressive infections of the head and neck likewise require prompt recognition and treatment. In addition, procedure-specific complications of major otolaryngologic procedures can be highly morbid, necessitating vigilant postoperative monitoring. For optimal outcomes, intensivists need a broad understanding of the pathophysiology and management of life-threatening otolaryngologic disease.

Active Transport of Peptides Across the Intact Human Tympanic Membrane.

We previously identified peptides that are actively transported across the intact tympanic membrane (TM) of rats with infected middle ears. To assess the possibility that this transport would also occur across the human TM, we first developed and validated an assay to evaluate transport in vitro using fragments of the TM. Using this assay, we demonstrated the ability of phage bearing a TM-transiting peptide to cross freshly dissected TM fragments from infected rats or from uninfected rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. We then evaluated transport across fragments of the human TM that were discarded during otologic surgery. Human trans-TM transport was similar to that seen in the animal species. Finally, we found that free peptide, unconnected to phage, was transported across the TM at a rate comparable to that seen for peptide-bearing phage. These studies provide evidence supporting the concept of peptide-mediated drug delivery across the intact TM and into the middle ears of patients.

Pectus excavatum in children with laryngomalacia.

BACKGROUND: Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital laryngeal anomaly and is associated with several disorders including gastric reflux, sleep apnea, hypotonia and failure to thrive. Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity affecting 1-300/1000 individuals. Though many authors presume a relationship between PE and laryngomalacia, there is no published data to establish this association. GOAL: To test the hypothesis that patients referred to our pediatric otolaryngology clinic for evaluation of laryngomalacia exhibit higher rates of PE than the general population. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospectively enrolled children who presented with laryngomalacia (January 2008-June 2012) to a tertiary care, hospital based, pediatric otolaryngology practice. Each chart was examined for a concurrent diagnosis of pectus deformity. RESULTS: Of the 137 laryngomalacia patients, 9 (6.6%) had documented PE. This represents a significantly increased rate of PE when compared to children without laryngomalacia (p = 0.001). Four of the 9 children with PE underwent supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia, a significantly greater proportion than the 9/128 of the children with isolated laryngomalacia who underwent supraglottoplasty (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an association between laryngomalacia and PE. Pediatric otolaryngologists should be cognizant of this relationship, though further studies are needed to elucidate the nature of this association.