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2025
AbstractSeveral emerging applications of silicon photonics, including sensing, ranging, and optical trapping, require fixed, well‐collimated beams that enable interaction with targets placed centimeters away from the chip. Generating such beams without using bulk‐optic lenses entails radiating lightwaves with diameters of hundreds of microns directly from the chip. Gratings with sufficiently low strength have so far only been shown in the silicon nitride platform using specialized shallow etch steps; in silicon‐on‐insulator the implementation becomes much more challenging due to the increased index contrast. Here, the first silicon‐on‐insulator grating capable of radiating such large beams is reported. Using a fully etched, double‐period subwavelength structure, with feature sizes compatible with deep‐ultraviolet lithography, a beam diameter in excess of , with a radiation efficiency, is experimentally demonstrated.- Book : ()
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2025
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2025
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2025
Abstract
Anisakis pegreffii and A. simplex (s.s.) are the two zoonotic anisakids infecting cetaceans as well as pelagic/demersal fish and squids. In European waters, A. pegreffii prevails in the Mediterranean Sea, while A. simplex (s.s.) in the NE Atlantic Ocean. Abiotic conditions likely play a significant role in shaping their geographical distribution. The Iberian Atlantic and Alboran Sea waters are sympatric areas of the two species. A total of 429 adults and L3 stage from both sympatric and allopatric areas were studied by a wide nuclear genotyping approach (including newly and previously found diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at nuclear DNA (nDNA) and microsatellite DNA loci) and sequenced at mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cox2. Admixture between the two species was detected in the sympatric areas studied by STRUCTURE Bayesian analysis; NEWHYBRIDS revealed different categories of hybridization between the two species, representing approximately 5%. A tendency for F1 female hybrids to interbreed with the parental species at the geographical distribution limits of both species was observed. This finding suggests that hybridization occurs when the two parental species significantly differ in abundance. Mitochondrial introgression of A. simplex (s.s.) in A. pegreffii from Mediterranean waters was also detected, likely as a result of past and/or paleo-introgression events. The high level of genetic differentiation between the two species and their backcrosses indicates that, despite current hybridization, reproductive isolation which maintains evolutionary boundaries between the two species, exists. Possible causes of hybridization phenomena are attempted, as well as their evolutionary and ecological implications, also considering a sea warming scenario in European waters.- Book : ()
- Pub. Date : 2025
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2025
Objective: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a progressive cardiovascular condition driven by the osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs), with no effective drug therapies currently available. Hence, our objective is to investigate the impact of thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) silencing on CAVD progression.Methods: In vitro experiments were employed using human primary VICs with TSP‐1 knockdown, cultured in osteogenic induction medium, and followed by analyses including western blot, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red staining, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. In vivo experiments used two murine models of CAVD to determine the role of TSP‐1 silencing on aortic valve calcification.Results: We observed that silencing of TSP‐1 reduced the osteogenic differentiation of VICs. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that TSP‐1 knockdown suppressed nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)–mediated inflammation during osteoblastic differentiation of VICs. Consistent findings were also observed in two murine models of CAVD.Conclusions: The present study has shown that TSP‐1 silencing could mitigate the development of CAVD by inhibiting NF‐κB‐mediated inflammation. We propose that targeting TSP‐1‐mediated NF‐κB pathway could provide a potential therapeutic method for treating CAVD.- Book : 2025(1)
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2025
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including genetics, environmental, and gut microbiota. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of the natural polyphenolic compound hydroxytyrosol (HT) in modulating dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The findings demonstrate that oral administration of HT significantly alleviated colitis symptoms, as evidenced by a reduction in the disease activity index and improvements in colonic pathology. HT was found to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhance antioxidant status, and mitigate oxidative stress. Furthermore, HT contributed to the restoration of the gut barrier by reinstating tight junction proteins, reducing the inflammatory marker lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and suppressing inflammation-related genes. This compound also modulated the NLRP3-Cas-1-GSDMD-IL-1β inflammatory pathway and inhibited the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) pathway, thereby alleviating colitis. Gut microbial analysis revealed that HT enriched the abundance of Bacteroidota and altered the balance between Bacteroidota and Firmicutes in mice. Correlation analysis between bacterial microbiota and inflammatory factors suggested that HT may alleviate colitis by modulating the relative abundance of Alistipes, Bacteroides, and unclassified_f__Muribaculaceae. These findings underscore the potential of HT as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of colitis.- Book : 14(7)
- Pub. Date : 2025
- Page : pp.1270-1270
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2025
Background and Objectives: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a well-established technique for evaluating myocardial perfusion and function in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. While conventional dual-detector SPECT scanners have limitations in spatial resolution and photon detection sensitivity, recent advancements, including full-ring solid-state cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors, offer enhanced image quality and improved diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to compare the performance of Veriton-CT, a full-ring CZT SPECT system, with GE Discovery 530c, a dedicated cardiac fixed-angle gamma camera, in myocardial perfusion imaging and their correlation with coronary angiography findings. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study that analyzed 21 patients who underwent MPI at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kauno Klinikos. A one-day stress–rest protocol using 99mTc-Sestamibi was employed, with stress testing performed via bicycle ergometry or pharmacological induction. MPI was first conducted using GE Discovery 530c (GE Health Care, Boston, MA, USA), followed by imaging on Veriton-CT, which included low-dose CT for attenuation correction. The summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), and summed difference score (SDS) were analyzed and compared between both imaging modalities. Coronary angiography results were retrospectively collected, and lesion-based analysis was performed to assess the correlation between imaging results and the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis (≥35% and ≥70% narrowing). Image quality and the certainty of distinguishing the inferior myocardial wall from extracardiac structures were also evaluated by two independent researchers with differing levels of experience. Results: Among the 14 patients included in the final analysis, Veriton-CT was more likely to classify MPI scans as normal (64.3%) compared to GE Discovery 530c (28.6%). Additionally, Veriton-CT provided a better assessment of the right coronary artery (RCA) basin, showing greater agreement with coronary angiography findings than GE Discovery 530c, although the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences in lesion overlap were observed for the left anterior descending artery (LAD) or left circumflex artery (LCx) basins. Furthermore, the image quality assessment revealed slightly better delineation of extracardiac structures using Veriton-CT (Spectrum Dynamics Medical, Caesarea, Israel), particularly when evaluated by an experienced researcher. However, no significant difference was observed when assessed by a less experienced observer. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Veriton-CT, with its full-ring CZT detector system, may offer advantages over fixed-angle gamma cameras in improving image quality and reducing attenuation artifacts in MPI. Although the difference in correlations with coronary angiography findings was not statistically significant, Veriton-CT showed a trend toward better agreement, particularly in the RCA basin. These results indicate that full-ring SPECT imaging could improve the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive MPI, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary invasive angiography. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are required to confirm these findings and evaluate the clinical impact of full-ring SPECT technology in myocardial perfusion imaging.- Book : 61(4)
- Pub. Date : 2025
- Page : pp.665-665
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2025
Background Research with neutrons is usually related to the use of fission-based research reactors or neutron spallation sources to offer neutron beams for science and industry. In recent years a novel way for the production of brilliant cold, thermal, and epithermal neutron beams has emerged with the availability of high current proton accelerator systems. These “High-Current Accelerator-driven Neutron Sources” (HiCANS) offer pulsed neutron beams with high peak brilliance close to present day neutron sources. Methods A project was launched at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science for the development, design and demonstration of such an innovative high-current accelerator driven neutron source termed “High-Brilliance neutron Source” (HBS). The aim of the project is to construct a scalable neutron source as a user facility. The basic technical components consist of i) a high current proton accelerator with a proton energy below 100 MeV, ii) a compact neutron target, moderator and reflector unit and iii) a neutron extracting, and transport system optimized for neutron beams with high brilliance to serve a suite of high performing instruments with epithermal, thermal and cold neutrons for various applications. Results and Conclusions The HBS project will offer open access and services to the various and changing demands the scientific and also the industrial community asks for. The project offers flexible solutions to a broadest scale of applications in science and industry. The conceptual design of HBS as well as the technical design was published recently in a series of reports as blueprint of a HiCANS facility. HBS will complement and develop further the landscape of high-end neutron facilities in Europe. In addition, HBS will allow intense training and preparation for experiments at the highest level at flagship European neutron sources such as the ILL or, in the future, at the ESS.- Book : 3()
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2025
Abstract
Although anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are considered the main entry criteria for a diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), many patients show different rate of ANA positivity and questionable diagnoses. Aim of the study was to revise the UCTD diagnoses and analyse the main predictors of evolution in a monocentric cohort. We retrospectively revised the diagnoses of 331 ANA positive patients, with at least one year of follow-up, classified as UCTD from 2009 and 2017. The diagnosis of UCTD was confirmed in 180 cases (54.4%). The evolution occurred in 18% of cases, after a follow-up of 6.9 (SD: 4.4) years. Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) (OR: 2.39), puffy hands (OR: 6.3), anti-ENA (OR: 2.34), anti-Topoisomerase I antibodies (OR: 4.93), rheumatoid factor (RF) (OR: 2.86) were associated with evolution. Evolution in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) occurred in 5 patients (2.78%) and associated with the addition of new autoantibodies, compared with other evolutions (p: 0.034; OR: 12; 95CI: 1.4–103.4). Evolution in Systemic Sclerosis and pSS was found in 14 (7.8%) and 8 cases (4.4%), respectively. Puffy hands and RF positivity as the predictors of SSc and pSS evolution, respectively. A confirmed diagnosis of UCTD, according with the available criteria, was assessed in about a half patients. The occurrence of puffy hands since the onset defines a patient with a potential evolution into SSc, while the addition of new specific autoantibodies represents a typical “fingerprint” of patients developing SLE.
Trial registration: Studio ANACTD np 1318.- Book : 25(1)
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2025
ABSTRACTObjectiveSurvivin is used to determine the prognosis and clinical features of premalignant and malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the expression of survivin isoforms and clinical outcomes in oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma.Materials and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study examined 119 cases, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), oral lichen planus (OLP), and healthy margins of lesions. For all lesions, survivin expression was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.ResultsThe expression of survivin‐∆EX3 and survivin‐2B were quantitatively and qualitatively higher in SCC and OLP cases than in healthy mucosa (p < 0.05). The mean expression of survivin‐∆EX3 in erosive OLP (4.95 ± 4.41) was higher than that in nonerosive OLP (2.13 ± 3.32, p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean expression of both genes was significantly higher in different grades of SCC compared to healthy mucosa (p < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between gene expressions (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe increased expression of survivin‐∆EX3 and survivin‐2B in OSCC correlates with tumor progression and advanced clinical stages, suggesting a potential prognostic role.- Book : 11(1)
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