Changes In Length Research Articles

Exploring the frequency degenerate range of the three-dimensional structured lights in selectively end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser

Three-dimensional (3D) structured light is a complex form of structured light characterized by ray-wave duality. The principle for generating 3D structured laser transverse modes has been well-established through numerous experiments. However, little research has been focused on the frequency degeneracy range during the process of obtaining these modes. In this work, we utilize a Radio-Frequency (RF) spectrum analyzer to record frequency signal data at different accidental degeneracies. By analyzing the variation of the frequency signal as the resonator length changes, we determined the exact degeneracy range. Near the 1/5 degeneracy cavity, the exact range was found to be from 18.20 mm to 18.10 mm. Near the 1/6 degeneracy cavity, the degenerate cavity length range was determined to be from 12.55 mm to 12.45 mm. This work demonstrates that monitoring the RF signal changes with the analyzer enables precise identification of the resonator’s fine cavity length and degeneracy range, based on ray-wave duality. It also introduces a novel method for evaluating the stability of 3D structured laser transverse modes in the frequency domain.

Gain of thermal tolerance through acclimation is quicker than the loss by de-acclimation in the freeze-tolerant potworm, Enchytraeus albidus.

Environmental temperature variation, naturally occurring or induced by climate change, leads organisms to evolve behavioural and physiological responses to handle thermal fluctuations. Among them, phenotypic plasticity is considered a fundamental response to natural thermal variations. Nevertheless, we know little about the rate of thermal acclimation responses and the physiological mechanisms underpinning phenotypic plasticity in freeze-tolerant invertebrates. We assessed the temporal dynamics of heat and cold tolerance plasticity in the freeze-tolerant potworm Enchytraeus albidus following thermal acclimation. Acclimation responses were investigated in worms cultured at 5 or 20 °C and acclimated for varying duration (hours to weeks) at the same temperature or relocated to the opposite temperature. The rate of phenotypic responses of thermal tolerance was evaluated by assessing survival after exposure to high and low stressful temperatures. Worms cultured at 5 °C were more cold tolerant and less heat tolerant than worms cultured at 20 °C. The plasticity of thermal tolerance in E. albidus varied in scope and response time according to both culture and acclimation temperatures: acclimation at 20 °C of worms cultured at 5 °C increased heat survival within a day and reduced cold tolerance in 5 days, while acclimation at 5 °C of worms cultured at 20 °C did not affect heat survival but considerably and quickly, within a day, increased cold tolerance. Effects of acclimation were also assessed on worm's membrane phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition and glycogen content and showed that improved tolerance was linked to changes in worm's membrane PLFA desaturation and chain length.

The Regulatory-associated protein of target of rapamycin 1B (RAPTOR 1B) interconnects with the photoperiod pathway to promote flowering in Arabidopsis.

The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, or floral transition, is a tightly regulated, energy-demanding process. In Arabidopsis, the interplay of light perception and circadian rhythms detects changes in photoperiod length, accelerating flowering under long days (LD). CONSTANS (CO), a transcription factor, upregulates FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in leaves during dusk. The FT protein then moves to the shoot apical meristem, triggering the floral transition. While light and circadian signals control CO protein levels, less is known about how the nutrients/energy sensing regulates the photoperiod pathway for flowering modulation in this process. In our study, we identify the contribution of the Regulatory-associated protein of target of rapamycin 1B (RAPTOR1B), a component of the nutrient-sensing TOR complex (TORC), in the induction of specific flowering genes under CO control. While transcription of CO remains unaffected in raptor1b mutants, a reduction in its protein levels at dusk is observed compared to the wild type. Remarkably, the mutant also exhibits compromised GIGANTEA (GI) protein levels, crucial for CO stabilization during dusk. Our results indicate that the interaction and colocalization of RAPTOR1B with GI in the nucleus might influence GI levels through an unknown posttranscriptional mechanism. Genetic crosses position RAPTOR1B upstream of CO and GI. This is supported by phenotypic and molecular analyses. Our findings demonstrate that RAPTOR1B, likely as part of TORC, contributes to the photoperiod pathway of the flowering network, ensuring the timely initiation of floral transition under LD conditions.

Skin tactile perception is associated with longitudinal gait performance in middle-aged and older Japanese community dwellers.

Skin tactile perception may indicate frailty in older adults. Although gait performance is crucial for diagnosing frailty, its association with skin tactile perception has not yet been explored. To examine the association between skin tactile perception and changes in step length, cadence, and gait speed in middle-aged and older adults. A longitudinal study (mean follow-up: 10.8 years) SETTING: Community-based survey PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,403 middle-aged and older adults (aged 40-79 years, 53.6 % men) from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging were included in this study. These participants completed the baseline survey (1997-2000) and at least two follow-up surveys (2000-2012), had no history of cerebrovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or Parkinson's disease, and had complete data with no outliers in skin tactile perception measurements. Skin tactile perception was assessed using a two-point discrimination test. Step length (cm), cadence (steps/min), and gait speed (m/min) were evaluated on an 11-m walkway at a usual speed. The mean age of participants was 56.4 years. After full adjustment, mixed-effects models with splines revealed that the association between skin tactile perception and gait parameters varied with age. In adults aged 60 and above, we observed non-linear relationships between skin tactile perception and gait parameters. A consistent inflection point around 10 mm in tactile perception was identified across different age groups and gait parameters. Among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Japanese adults, skin tactile perception was associated with changes in gait parameters, particularly in those aged 60 and above. The 10-mm threshold in tactile perception may serve as a critical indicator for predicting changes in gait performance. Skin tactile perception tests may prove clinically useful for screening patients at elevated risk of impaired gait performance.

Synergistic effect of defocus incorporated multiple segment glasses and repeated low level red light therapy against myopia progression

Defocus incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) lenses and repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) are used to retard myopia progression. However, it is currently unknown if there is a synergistic effect of the two interventions. In the current study, 190 school-aged children with myopia (380 eyes) were studied for the change in axial length (AL) over nearly one year of follow-up. Of 380 eyes, 170 eyes wore DIMS lenses, 80 eyes had RLRL therapy, and 130 eyes had both interventions (DIMS_RLRL) for myopia control. AL changes were calculated at each follow-up visit by subtracting the baseline measurements and normalized to yearly changes in mm. AL changes as a primary outcome were analyzed in a generalized linear mixed model to compare effect sizes of myopia control among three interventions while adjusting for age, sex, baseline axial length, and follow-up length. Participants had a mean age of 9.84 ± 2.63 years old, mean AL of 24.49 ± 1.20 mm, mean SER of -2.90 ± 2.08 diopters, and mean follow-up time of 301 ± 91 days. By the end of the study, the adjusted mean yearly axial change with combination therapy was − 0.13 mm, -0.04 mm for the eyes with RLRL alone, and 0.16 mm for the eyes with DIMS lenses alone (p < 0.0001). Combination therapy of DIMS and RLRL has significantly greater effect size in controlling myopia progression than either RLRL alone (p = 0.0009) or DIMS alone (p < 0.0001).

Toxicological effects and molecular metabolic of polystyrene nanoplastics on soybean (Glycine max L.): Strengthening defense ability by enhancing secondary metabolisms.

Nanoplastics, as emerging pollutants, have attracted worldwide concern for their possible environmental dangers. The ingestion and accumulation of nanoplastics in crops can contaminate the food chain and have unintended consequences for human health. In this study, we revealed the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 80nm) at different concentrations (0, 10, 100mgL-1) on soybean (Glycine max L.) seedling growth, antioxidant enzyme system and secondary metabolism. Using laser confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that the absorption and translocation of PS-NPs in soybean. Plant growth inhibition was observed by changes in plant height, root length, and leaf area after 7 days of exposure to PS-NPs. The effect of PS-NPs on photosynthetic characteristics was reflected by a significant reduction in total chlorophyll content at 10mgL-1. Activation of the antioxidant system was observed with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified a total of 159 secondary metabolites, and exposure to 10 and 100mgL-1 PS-NPs resulted in the production of 61 and 62 differential secondary metabolites. Metabolomics analysis showed that PS-NPs treatment altered the secondary metabolic profile of soybean leaves through the biosynthesis pathways of flavonoid, flavone flavonol, and isoflavones, which is expected to provide new insights into the tolerance mechanisms of plants to nanoplastics. Overall, the results of this study deepen our understanding of the negative impacts of nanoplastics in agricultural systems, which is crucial for assessing the risks of nanoplastics to ecological security.

Wood Chip Incorporation in Almond Orchard Planting Berms Increased Gravimetric Water Content, Soil CO2 Efflux, and Fine Root Length Density

Incorporation of chipped woody material into soil instead of burning or transporting wood chips (WCs) off-site is a practical solution to dispose of old orchard trees. In woody plants, the most external (fine) lateral roots are critical in acquiring water and nutrients and are the part of the root system that is most responsive to changes in the soil environment. Our objective was to measure the impact of pre-planting WC incorporation into the planting site on young almond tree root parameters such as root length density (root length per soil volume) and root architecture. We hypothesized that presence of decomposing WCs in soils in the years following planting leads to increased fine root length density and changes in root architecture that increase soil exploration per unit root biomass. Plum WCs were incorporated into the orchard soil 6 months before planting and three blocks were established with paired treatment and control (no WC) plots. Root traits, soil water content, soil bulk density, and soil CO2 efflux were measured in both the berm and alleyways twice in years 2 and 3 after planting. We found significant increases in standing root length density in planting berms with WC incorporation 2 and 3 years after trees were planted. This was due to an increase in root mass per soil volume rather than an increase in specific root length or a change in proportion of fine roots produced. Thus, although root foraging was increased in planting berms with WCs incorporated, this was not due to a change in root architectural traits.

Longitudinal Displacement for Left Ventricular Function Assessment

: Background: Quantitative evaluation of myocardial function traditionally relies on parameters such as ejection fraction and strain. Strain, reflecting the relative change in the length of a myocardial segment over the cardiac cycle, has been extensively studied in various cardiac pathologies over the past two decades. However, the absolute length change, or longitudinal displacement, of myocardial segments during the cardiac cycle has received limited attention. This study aims to evaluate longitudinal displacement in two separate groups: healthy athletes and patients with left ventricular dysfunction, providing new insights into myocardial function assessment. Methods: Echocardiographic examinations were performed on 30 healthy football players and 30 patients with left ventricular dysfunction using speckle-tracking imaging analysis. Global and regional peak longitudinal displacement values were calculated and compared with corresponding global and regional peak longitudinal strain measurements. A manual alternative for calculating global longitudinal strain was also proposed. Results: An inverse correlation was found between regional longitudinal displacement and regional longitudinal strain. Longitudinal displacement was maximal in the basal segments and lowest in the apex of the left ventricle, exhibiting a reversed basal-to-apical gradient (17.6 ± 3.5 mm vs. 11.5 ± 2.9 mm vs. 4.22 ± 1.7 mm in basal, mid, and apical segments, respectively; p &lt; 0.000001). Maximal longitudinal displacement was observed in the inferior and posterior walls of the left ventricle. In the 30 patients with left ventricular dysfunction, global longitudinal displacement was significantly lower than in healthy individuals (4.4 ± 1.7 mm vs. 11.7 ± 1.5 mm, p &lt; 0.000001). Global longitudinal displacement and global longitudinal strain showed a strong negative correlation (r = −0.72, p &lt; 0.000001). Manually calculated global longitudinal strain demonstrated good agreement with speckle-tracking-based global longitudinal strain. Conclusions: Peak longitudinal displacement can be used to evaluate both regional and global myocardial function, similarly to peak longitudinal strain. Unlike strain, longitudinal displacement exhibits a reversed basal-to-apical gradient, with the highest values at the base of the left ventricle and the lowest at the apex. Global and regional longitudinal displacement is significantly reduced in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Global longitudinal strain can be manually calculated using displacement measurements. Further studies are needed to evaluate peak longitudinal displacement in various cardiac pathologies.

P-1740. Impact of a System Wide Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Bundle to Improve Guideline Directed Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the common reasons for antibiotic use across healthcare settings. Across an eleven-hospital system, common urinary pathogens (E. coli, Proteus species, and Klebsiella species) had greater than 80% coverage with cefazolin, which was within 0-8% of ceftriaxone coverage based on the local antibiograms. With increased risk of C. difficile infection and resistance development seen with ceftriaxone, cefazolin was promoted as first line for empiric UTI coverage.Table 1:Outcomes Methods An interrupted time series analysis was performed comparing a pre-intervention group to two phases of stewardship intervention (figure 1). The first intervention included an updated guideline, education, and pharmacist intervention upon order verification recommending guideline directed therapy. Guideline directed options and guideline non-compliant options are highlighted on green and red respectively, on figure 3. The second intervention was cascade reporting (figure 2) for urine culture Enterobacterales susceptibility, which was implemented across sites between 9/2023-1/2024. A generalized linear model with Poisson link was fit to the data. Compliant orders were regressed vs. the denominator of all UTI orders. Multiple models were considered, and the final model selection was based on likelihood ratio testing and the rule of parsimony.Figure 1:Interrupted Time-SeriesWhite = pre-intervention; light gray = intervention 1; dark gray = intervention 2 Results In the four pre-intervention months, guideline compliance across the system was 38.1% (1674/4393), compared to 61.9% (6749/10,903) after intervention 1 was implemented (table 1). The final model suggested that intervention 1 was associated with a nearly 1.5-fold increase in compliance which was sustained over time and suggested that the compliance rate over time increased modestly at around 5% per quarter (figure 1). There was no change in length of stay, risk adjusted length of stay, or 30-day all-cause readmission (table 1).Figure 2:Microbiology Cascade Reporting Workflow Conclusion Guideline update, education, and frontline pharmacist intervention were significantly impactful in improving guideline directed treatment for UTIs. Cascade reporting on urine cultures may help reinforce guideline directed therapy but did not result in substantially different compliance rates from education with frontline pharmacist intervention.Figure 3:Percent of Patients with Empiric Guideline Directed Therapy Orders Disclosures Nathaniel J. Rhodes, PharmD MS, Apothecademy, LLC: Advisor/Consultant

Adaptive Fresnel lens: basic theory

We present a design for an adaptive Fresnel lens. The focal length can be altered by rotating two components relative to each other, each comprising modified cylindrical lenses wound into spirals. The main light-ray-direction change is due to transmission through pairs of parallel cylindrical lenses whose focal lengths have equal magnitude but opposite signs. Shifting the cylindrical lenses relative to each other perpendicular to the common cylinder-axis direction changes the directions of transmitted light rays, and by designing each component to be one long, thin, cylindrical lens whose focal length changes along its length and is bent into a suitable spiral, rotation of the components relative to each other shifts the cylindrical lenses as required. Adding the thickness profiles of the two parts of a cylindrical Alvarez–Lohmann lens to those of the two cylindrical lenses significantly improves the optical performance. We support our construction with raytracing simulations and discuss potential applications.

Shear wave velocity exhibits significant beat-to-beat variability in atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Shear wave elastography (SWE), by measuring the propagation velocity of naturally occurring myocardial shear waves after mitral valve closure (MVC), provides real-time insights into myocardial stiffness. Previous studies have focused solely on patients with regular heart rhythm and investigated the impact of steady state loading conditions on shear wave velocities (SWV). However, the effect of beat-to-beat variations in loading due to changes in cardiac cycle length (CL) remains unknown. Purpose To investigate if SWV are influenced by beat-to-beat changes in cardiac CL. Methods 30 consecutive patients were included: 20 with persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (Afib) and 10 in sinus rhythm (SR). Conventional transthoracic echocardiographic images and high frame rate images (1133±90 fps) were obtained. For SWE, 5-10 consecutive cardiac cycles were recorded from parasternal long axis views. Offline analysis of SWV after MVC was performed by drawing an M-mode line along the interventricular septum and semi-automatically measuring the spatiotemporal slope of the wavefront on the M-mode displays, which were color coded for tissue acceleration (Figure A). Beat-to-beat relative variability in SWV and CL was assessed as: (highest value–lowest value)/highest valuex100%. Percentage variation from the mean value per patient was calculated as: (measured value-mean value)/mean valuex100%. The SWV variability index was calculated by normalizing the SWV measured after the longest cardiac cycle (SWVmaxRR) to the SWV measured after the shortest cardiac cycle (SWVminRR) using the formula: (SWVmaxRR- SWVminRR)/SWVmaxRRx100%. Multiple linear regression identified variables associated with the SWV variability index. Results Patients with Afib were older (72±8 years vs. 58±9 years, p&amp;lt;0.001), with a larger left atrial volume index (LAVi) and a lower ejection fraction (EF). Significant differences were observed between patients with and without Afib in CL relative variability (43.0±10.5% vs. 4.2±3.3%, p&amp;lt;0.0001; Figure B) and SWV relative variability (41.8±13.9% vs. 20.2±8.4%, p&amp;lt;0.0001; Figure C). There was a moderate correlation between SWV and CL when normalized to the mean value per patient (r=0.5026, p&amp;lt;0.0001; Figure D). Univariate linear regression analysis showed that age (p=0.001), EF (p=0.03), LAVi (p=0.03), and CL relative variability (p&amp;lt;0.001) were significantly associated with the SWV variability index. In the multivariate model, only CL relative variability remained significantly associated with the SWV variability index (β=0.42; p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions Afib leads to greater beat-to-beat variability in SWV measurements compared to SR, with moderate positive correlation between SWV and CL. We hypothesize that a longer filling time leads to increased preload, which is then reflected in higher end-diastolic stiffness of the myocardium. Invasive studies would be desirable to investigate this phenomenon further.

Impact of repeated low-level red-light therapy on axial length, refraction, and macular retinal blood flow density in adolescents with mild to moderate myopia.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy on stabilizing axial elongation and refractive changes in adolescents with mild to moderate myopia. In addition, we also examined whether RLRL therapy affects retinal blood flow density in the macular region, a factor previously unstudied in this context. Conducted at a single clinical site, this retrospective, single-arm study followed participants over six months, with assessments at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcomes included axial length and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) changes. Secondary assessments included retinal blood flow density (superficial and deep macular layers), white-to-white corneal diameter, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal curvature, light sensitivity, and peripheral retinal thickness. There were 32 enrolled participants (mean age = 11.5 ± 1.72) in the current study. The spherical equivalent (SER) remained relatively stable over the first three months, but it significantly improved at six months, changing from -2.39 ± 2.21 D at baseline to -2.01 ± 2.12 D (P < 0.05). However, the axial length also showed minimal variation across follow-up visits, indicating stable eye growth with no substantial elongation throughout the study period. Furthermore, RLRL therapy resulted in stable measurements across primary and secondary outcomes (all P > 0.05), with no significant changes over the six months. There were no obvious side effects following the treatment. Low-energy red light therapy shows promise as a non-invasive approach for stabilizing myopia in adolescents, with no observed compromise to retinal blood flow density. Further longitudinal research is needed to validate these findings and support clinical recommendations for myopia management.

Digging into the Cause of Abnormal Patellar Kinematics After Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy via a Quantitative Study on In Vivo Soft Tissue Functional Changes

The biomechanical mechanism of postoperative patellofemoral joint (PFJ) complications after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) has not been investigated. This study was to determine the length changes in the patellar tendon (PT), medial patellotibial ligament (MPTL), medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), and quadriceps moment arm (QMA) during staircase motion before and after OWHTO. Computed tomography (CT) scans of 15 patients’ lower extremities were used to reconstruct three-dimensional models, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee and hip joints was used to mark the soft tissue footprints. Then, such soft tissue lengths were quantified by a dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS). Additionally, function scores were used to assess patient outcome changes. The results showed that there was a contraction of the PT after OWHTO due to its adhesion to the osteotomy site, causing PT length to be negatively correlated to the open-wedge angle. In addition, the shortening of the MPTL and QMA caused patellar instability and an imbalance in the strength of the lower extremities. Additionally, most knee function scores improved after OWHTO, except the Feller scores. Multiple methods should be considered to optimize surgical procedures, postoperative rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

Genotypic Differences in Maize Root Morphology in Response to Low-Nitrogen Stress

The root system plays an important role in the efficient absorption of nitrogen (N), but there is limited understanding of the growth characteristics of maize roots of different genotypes and their dynamic response to N supply. In this study, landraces in the 1950s and modern hybrids, modern hybrids and their parents, inbred lines with different N efficiency and standard inbred line B73 were used, combined with the dynamic culture method, to observe the dynamic changes in root growth under long-term N stress conditions. The results showed that there were genotypic differences in the response of maize roots to low N. Low N enhances root growth earlier than the increases in shoot-to-root dry matter allocation. With the extension of low N stress, the root biomass of each genotype basically increased significantly from 3 to 6 days and then was gradually reversed by high N on the 12th day. As for shoot biomass, 11 genotypes began to decrease significantly from 6 to 9 days after low-N stress. The total axial root length, primary root length, seminal root length, and the first and second whorl crown root length of seven genotypes were increased more or less under low N. With the extension of N stress, the number of third and fourth whorl crown roots decreased significantly, which indicated that regulation of root elongation is earlier than that of crown root initiation. As the degree of low-N stress increased, the trend of total lateral root length changes in different genotypes could be divided into three categories, indicating that the response of lateral root growth to low-N stress is genotype-dependent. With the advancement of the breeding process, the roots of modern hybrids become smaller but more responsive to low-N stress. The root phenotypes of Zhengdan958 and Xianyu335 come from different genetic models. Compared with embryonic roots, the crown roots of B73 have a more active role in adapting to low-N stress. Shoot N concentration may reflect plant internal N status, which plays a regulatory role in root morphogenesis.

The Association of Genetic Variants Within the Type XII Collagen and Tenascin C Genes with Knee Joint Laxity Measurements

Background/Objectives: Types I, V, and XI collagen gene variants have been reported to associate with measurements of knee joint laxity and/or absolute knee ligament length changes. Type XII collagen and tenascin C are also ligament structural proteins whose expression is regulated by mechanical loading. This study investigated whether COL12A1 and TNC variants are associated with knee laxity and/or ligament length changes. Methods: Genu recurvatum, anterior–posterior tibial translation, external–internal tibial rotation, and ligament length changes were measured in 128 healthy participants. They were genotyped for COL12A1 (rs970547) and TNC (rs1061494, rs2104772, rs1138545). Results: Both the COL12A1 AA and TNC rs1061494 TT genotypes were associated with decreased external (p = 0.007, p = 0.010) and internal (p = 0.025, p = 0.002) rotation, as well as slack (p = 0.033, p = 0.014), in the dominant leg. Both genotypes, together with sex, weight, and/or COL1A1 genotypes, explained 26% and 32% of the variance in external and internal rotation, respectively. The TNC genotype, sex, and BMI explained 23% of the variance in slack. The COL12A1 AA and the TNC rs1061494 TT genotypes were associated with smaller changes in the MCL (aMCL: COL12A1 p = 0.009, TNC p = 0.045; iMCL: COL12A1 p = 0.004, TNC p = 0.043; pMCL: COL12A1 p = 0.003, TNC p = 0.067; aDMCL: COL12A1 p = 0.007, TNC p = 0.020; pDMCL: COL12A1 p = 0.007, TNC p = 0.023) and/or LCL (COL12A1 p = 0.652, TNC p = 0.049) lengths within the dominant knee. The TNC rs1061494 CC genotype was associated with larger changes in the non-dominant anterior (p = 0.021) and posterior (p &lt; 0.001) ACL bundle lengths. Conclusions: These findings suggest that COL12A1 and TNC variants are associated with internal–external tibial rotation and knee ligament length changes in healthy individuals.

Changes in Axial Length in Patients of Acute Retinal Necrosis Undergoing Vitrectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose To observe the changes in the axial length (AL) in patients of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) undergoing vitrectomy and investigate the correlated factors. Methods Retrospective case series. Patients diagnosed as ARN undergoing vitrectomy with silicone oil (SO) tamponade, and with attached retina more than one year after silicone oil removal (SOR) were included. Medical records and AL measured by Zeiss IOLMaster 700 were reviewed before vitrectomy, before SOR, and one year after SOR. Residual retinal index, a parameter reflecting the residual retinal area after vitrectomy was analyzed based on the ultra-wide-field fundus imaging. The AL change (ΔAL) was calculated and clinical factors related to ΔAL were investigated. Results In total, 45 eyes from 45 patients were included. The AL at pre-vitrectomy and pre-SOR was 23.84 ± 1.45 and 23.53 ± 1.53 mm among all 45 eyes, with a ΔAL of 0.31 ± 0.62 mm (p < 0.001). Among the 22 eyes with AL measured at one year after SOR, the AL at pre-SOR and one-year post-SOR was 23.82 ± 1.60 and 23.16 ± 0.79 mm, with a ΔAL of 0.67 ± 1.58 mm (p < 0.001). After excluding highly myopic eyes, the ΔAL was 0.31 ± 0.59 mm (n = 42, p < 0.001) between pre-vitrectomy and pre-SOR, and 0.22 ± 0.32 mm (n = 20, p = 0.001) between pre-SOR and one-year post-SOR. Multivariable regression analysis revealed the variable that remained independently associated with ΔAL between pre-SOR and one-year post-SOR was the residual retinal index (β = –0.568, p = 0.006). Conclusion For ARN patients undergoing vitrectomy, AL decreased significantly both post-vitrectomy and post-SOR. The refractive shift should be considered before intraocular lens implantation.

Real-world outcomes of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments lenses on retarding axial elongation in myopic children and adolescents

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the effect of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lenses on myopia progression and axial elongation in a clinical population.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using clinical data from 489 and 156 patients aged 3 to 17 years old who were prescribed DIMS and single vision (SV) lenses, respectively at the Optometry Clinic of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University between July 2018 and August 2019. The study included patients with previous myopia control interventions. The changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured and normalized to annual changes. The correlation between age at baseline and annual change in AL was also examined.ResultsThe total change in SER and AL after DIMS were −0.94 ± 0.79D and 0.55 ± 0.40 mm, respectively with an average wearing period of 31.98 ± 9.97 months. The normalized annual changes in SER and AL in DIMS wearers were significantly smaller than those in SV wearers (DIMS; SER change vs. AL changes; −0.38 ± 0.32D vs. 0.22 ± 0.16 mm. SV; −0.45 ± 0.41D vs. 0.29 ± 0.20 mm, p &amp;lt; 0.05). Patients with a history of myopia control had greater myopia progression after wearing DIMS lenses. There was a significant negative correlation between age at baseline and annual change in AL (correlation coefficient, r = −0.61, p &amp;lt; 0.001), suggesting that myopia progression was faster in children with a younger age of onset. A small proportion of patients (2.7%) experienced a clinically significant axial shortening (total change in AL:−0.13 ± 0.07 mm) after wearing DIMS lenses more than 2 years.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that DIMS lenses could retard axial elongation, with the effect sustained with increased duration of lens wear. However, patients with previous myopia control experienced greater myopia progression after wearing DIMS lenses. The study also highlighted the potential for axial length shortening in a small proportion of patients after the DIMS lens wear. These findings underscore the importance of adherence to intervention in achieving optimal treatment efficacy. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to optimize the use of optical interventions in myopia control.

Comparing the Palmar Radiocarpal Artery Vascularized Bone Graft with Alternatives for Unstable Scaphoid Nonunions: A Retrospective Analysis.

We compared the radiographic union and magnitude of humpback deformity correction when using different vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) and nonvascularized bone grafts (NVBGs) in the treatment of unstable scaphoid nonunions (USNUs). This was a retrospective radiographic review of 93 patients with an USNU treated between 2013 and 2022 at a single center by a single surgeon. Inclusion criteria included skeletally mature patients with radiographic evidence of an USNU resulting from failure of either nonsurgical or operative treatment. There were three treatment groups. Two groups were treated with either a palmar radiocarpal artery (PRCA) VBG or a 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular (1,2 IC-SRA) VBG. The third group comprised patients who were treated with a heterogeneous mix of NVBGs. Patients were followed radiographically at regular intervals until they were deemed healed or underwent a salvage procedure because of treatment failure. Measurements of carpal and scaphoid alignment were then repeated on the final imaging series and compared to preoperative measurements. Ninety patients were included in the final analysis. PRCA VBG had the highest radiographic union rate, followed by 1,2 IC-SRA VBG and finally NVBGs. PRCA VBG had a significantly higher rate of union than NVBGs. Scapholunate angle change and scaphoid length change were greatest with PRCA VBG. These differences were statistically significant for the former when compared with 1,2 IC-SRA VBG and NVBGs and for the latter when compared with the 1,2 IC-SRA VBG in both univariate and multivariable analyses. PRCA VBG had the highest radiographic union rate compared with alternative grafts as well as providing the greatest degree of humpback deformity correction in the treatment of USNUs. Therapeutic IV.

Controllable tip exposure of ultramicroelectrodes coated by diamond-like carbon via direct microplasma jet for enhanced stability and fidelity in single-cell recording

Precise and long-term electroanalysis at the single-cell level is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of brain diseases. The reliable protection in areas outside the signal acquisition points at sharp ultramicroelectrode (UME) tips has a significant impact on the sensitivity, fidelity, and stability of intracellular neural signal recording. However, it is difficult for existing UMEs to achieve controllable exposure of the tip functional structure, which affects their ability to resist environmental interference and shield noise, resulting in unsatisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and signal fidelity of intracellular recordings. To address this issue, we chose a dense and electrochemically stable diamond-like carbon (DLC) film as the UME protection coating and developed a method to precisely control the exposed degree of the functional structure by directly fixed-point processing of the UME tip by the strong site-selectivity and good controllability of the atmospheric microplasma jet. By analyzing the interaction between the microplasma jet and the UME tip, as well as the changes in the removal length and microstructure of UME tips with processing time, the exposed tip length was precisely controlled down to the submicron scale. Biocompatibility experiments, electrochemical aging tests and real-time intracellular pH recording experiments have demonstrated that the DLC-UME with effective tip protection processed by microplasma jet has the potential to enable long-term detection of intracellular high-fidelity signals.

Cryogenic Suction-A Major Salt Scaling Mechanism in Highway Concrete

Combined salt and frost attack is a major durability problem in concrete highway pavements in the state of Michigan, USA, where road-salts are used extensively for ice melting purposes. Previous studies have shown that continuous measurement of length-change during a freeze-thaw cycle is an effective tool in indentifying frost mechanisms. In this study the focus was to evaluate the cryogenic suction effect on frost expansion. The net frost expansion (linear dilation) was determined by monitoring the change in length of air-entrained concrete specimens undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle between 20 °C and -20 °C. Two dilation processes were found during freezing, an initial dilation at the freezing point (independent of surface exposure liquid), and a subsequent dilation, which is only found when a salt solution is present on the surface. Specimen expansion continues during the entire freezing period, including a 3 hour ramp at constant temperature (-20 °C). This secondary dilation dominates when the surface is exposed to a deicer solution. At constant temperature below initial freezing point, cryogenic suction of surface liquid (i.e., 3% salt solution) was found to be a major factor in sub-zero liquid transport that causes frost expansion in concrete. During this process, air voids are being filled as well and air is being displaced. Some air near the surface can escape. This was observed at -20 °C where escaping air was trapped in the liquid surface layer.