Numerical investigation of terahertz polarization-independent multiband ultrahigh refractive index metamaterial by bilayer metallic rectangular ring structure

Multiband high index of refraction can be realized by thin ring-type terahertz metamaterials composed of multilayer coupled unit cells. We have focused on the numerical investigation of this type of a metamaterial. By drastically decreasing the diamagnetic effect with a thin metallic structure in the unit cell and by increasing the effective permittivity through strong capacitive coupling, a bandwidth of 1.5 THz with an index of more than 24 can be achieved using a single-layer thin brick-type metamaterial. The refractive index peak is 35. Then, we design a ring-type metamaterial structure, achieving a refractive index of 91 at about 0.45 THz, which is due to a decrease in the diamagnetic effect with smaller area surrounded by toroidal currents. Based on the coupling effects of double layer ring-type metamaterials or single-layer double ring-type structures, the refractive index peaks reach 43.2 and 18.68 at 0.43 THz and 0.92 THz, respectively. A three-layer ring-type metamaterial structure is proposed to obtain three band high index metamaterials.

Multiband high index of refraction can be realized by thin ring-type terahertz metamaterials composed of multilayer coupled unit cells.     

Real-time in vivo imaging of surface-modified liposomes to evaluate their behavior after pulmonary administration

Our previous study demonstrated that surface modification of liposomes using polyvinyl alcohol with a hydrophobic anchor (PVA-R) achieved sustained absorption from the lung after pulmonary administration and prolonged the pharmacological effects of the model peptide drug. In the present study, the behavior of PVA-R-modified liposomes in the lung and whole body was monitored using a real-time in vivo imaging system. Subsequently, the influence of surface modification with PVA-R on liposomal behavior in lung tissue was examined. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used as a near-infrared label of PVA-R-modified liposomes and was used to observe their dynamic behavior using non-invasive in vivo imaging (IVIS® imaging system) after pulmonary administration to rats. PVA-R-modified submicron-sized liposomes (ssLips) induced long-term retention in the lung compared with unmodified liposomes. Moreover, liposome association with alveolar macrophages (NR8383) was decreased by PVA-R modification in vitro. Therefore, PVA-R modification may prevent rapid elimination of ssLips by macrophages, thereby increasing retention in the lung.     

Relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. This study included 245 joints of 152 patients with temporomandibular disorders with anterior disc displacement; of these, 129 joints had joint pain whereas 116 joints had no joint pain. MRI was used to evaluate the reduction of anterior disc displacement, joint effusion, mandible condylar morphology, bone marrow oedema of the mandibular condyle, and signal intensity of the posterior disc attachment (PDA) on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images. The odds ratio (OR) for each MRI variable for the pain group versus the no pain group was computed using logistic regression analysis. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations between TMJ pain and all MRI findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations with joint effusion (P = 0.03, OR 2.21), bone marrow oedema (P < 0.001, OR 11.75), and signal intensity of the PDA (P < 0.001, OR 6.21). These results suggest that bone marrow oedema, high signal intensity of the PDA on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images, and joint effusion, in descending order of influence, are factors related to TMJ pain.     

A new implementation of EN1839 method T mixture preparation to prepare calibration gas mixtures for anesthetic gas monitors

In this study different mixtures from anesthetic liquids vapours in air and O₂—sevoflurane/air, sevoflurane/O₂ and isoflurane/O₂—were prepared according to EN1839 method T. The gases mixtures were used to calibrate anesthetic gas monitors. The targeted concentrations (TCs) from sevoflurane and isoflurane in air and O₂ were 0 vol%, 0.15 vol%, 0.7 vol%, 1 vol%, 1.5 vol%, 2.5 vol%, 5 vol%, 6 vol% and 8 vol%. The values of liquids, air and O₂ flow rates which are corresponding theoretically to the TCs were calculated. The results showed that the measured concentrations by anesthetic gas monitor are in good agreement with TCs. Full validation was performed to assure the suitability of the method for preparing gas mixtures to calibrate anesthetic gas monitors. Linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, method robustness and uncertainty of measurement results were evaluated in the validation study. The results indicated that the method is valid for the purpose of analysis.

     

Effect of Colchicine on Myocardial Injury Induced by Trypanosoma cruzi in Experimental Chagas Disease

BackgroundThe hallmark of Chagas disease (CD) is multifocal myocarditis and extensive fibrosis. We investigated the potential effect of colchicine on myocardial remodeling in experimental CD.Methods and ResultsOne hundred Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into noninfected untreated control (CG), noninfected control treated with colchicine (COLG 0.4 mg kg^?1 d^?1 by gavage), infected (IG), and infected treated with colchicine (ICOLG, 0.4 mg kg^?1 d^?1) groups. The interstitial collagen volume fraction (ICVF) was evaluated by videomorphometry with picrosirius red staining. The gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 were examined with the use of zymography. Myocarditis was described according to the Dallas criteria. Statistical comparisons were performed with parametric analysis of variance and Tukey test. ICVF (%) accumulation was attenuated in infected colchicine-treated animals in the left (CG 0.81 ± 0.13, COLG 0.85 ± 0.13, IG: 1.35 ± 0.31,* ICOLG 1.06 ± 0.19; *P < .05 compared with ICOLG) and right ventricles (CG 1.4 ± 0.36, COLG 1.26 ± 0.14, IG 1.97 ± 0.058,* ICOLG: 1.52 ± 0.23; *P < .05 compared with ICOLG). A significant increase in MMP-2 enzymatic activity (UA) was observed in ICOLG (17,432.8*) compared with GC (3731.6), COLG (2,792.6), and IG (4,286.3; *P < .001). In IG, 66% of animals had myocarditis compared with only 49% in ICOLG.ConclusionsColchicine had a protective effect on myocardium, indicated by decreased interstitial myocardial fibrosis, increased intensity of MMP-2, and attenuated myocardial inflammation.     

A probabilistic approach to evaluate salivary microbiome in forensic science when the Defense says: `It is my twin brother'

Salivary microbiota profiles may represent a valid contribution to forensic investigation when standard DNA genotyping methods fail. Starting from questioned and control materials in the form of saliva, the evidence can be expressed by means of a distance between those materials taking into account specific aspects of the microbiota composition. The value of the evidence for forensic discrimination purposes is quantified by means of a Bayes’ factor, that allows one to overcome the major limitations and pitfalls of intuition connected to the use of cut-off values as a mean of decision.     

探测器矩阵相对响应检测方法

目的 检测放疗剂量分布测量探测器矩阵的相对响应以保证剂量分布测量结果的准确可靠。方法 通过平移矩阵使相邻两个探测单元接受相同辐射,可以获得相邻探测单元之间的相对响应,结合递归算法可以获得各个探测单元相对于参考探测单元的相对响应。同时,通过设置参考步骤,将不同测试步骤的测量数据修正到参考步骤,修正了检测过程中辐射条件变化和探测单元响应变化对相对响应结果的影响。结果 根据对32×32探测器矩阵的实际检测,表明被检测的探测器矩阵各个探测单元相对于参考探测单元的相对响应变化范围为0.896~1.077,相对响应结果的不确定度为0.8%(k=2)。结论 在无需已知辐射野剂量分布的前提下,本方法可以方便快捷地准确获得探测器矩阵各个探测单元的相对响应关系,为探测器矩阵的性能评价提供了基础方法,相同的思路还可用于其他用于不同测量目的的探测器矩阵相对响应关系的确定。     

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Biomarkers in Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Primary Chemoradiotherapy

Recent studies suggest that the treatment response and survival from head and neck tumours can be stratified according to biomarker status, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV) status and p16 expression, but the evidence for predictive biomarkers in anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) remains limited. The aim of this study was to determine which biomarkers were associated with locoregional recurrence (LRR), overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) in ASCC. A systematic search was undertaken of the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science databases using validated terms for ASCC, biomarkers and prognosis. Biomarkers were included in the meta-analysis if they were reported by at least four studies and provided sufficient data to permit the calculation of survival effect estimates. HPV status, p16, p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis and were reported by 17 retrospective cohort studies describing 1635 patients. When compared with HPV-negative tumours, HPV-positive tumours were associated with reduced LRR (pooled hazard ratio = 0.27 [95% confidence interval 0.16–0.48]; P < 0.001), improved overall survival (hazard ratio =0.26 [0.12–0.59]; P = 0.001) and DFS (hazard ratio = 0.33 [0.16–0.70]; P = 0.003). Likewise, p16-positive tumours were associated with reduced LRR (hazard ratio = 0.26 [0.13–0.52]; P < 0.001), improved overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.44 [0.24–0.81]; P = 0.009) and DFS (hazard ratio = 0.44 [0.23–0.83]; P = 0.012) when compared with p16-negative tumours. HPV-positive/p16-positive tumours had improved overall survival when compared with HPV-negative/p16-negative tumours (hazard ratio = 0.27 [0.15–0.48], P < 0.001), but not HPV-negative/p16-positive tumours (hazard ratio = 0.64 [0.21–1.90]; P = 0.421). p53 mutation was associated with worse DFS (hazard ratio = 1.63 [1.33–2.01]; P = 0.003). There was no association between EGFR status and any survival outcome. HPV status, p16 and p53 expression are of prognostic utility in ASCC. Future studies should prospectively validate these findings with a view to conducting subsequent randomised controlled trials where patients are stratified according to biomarker status and randomised to different treatment regimens.