Magnetic Coherence Research Articles

The effect of alemtuzumab on neurodegeneration in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A five-year prospective mono-center study

BackgroundRelapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease. After two or more short courses of alemtuzumab (ALZ), an immune reconstitution is achieved, which long-term results in reduced disease activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of ALZ on measures of neurodegeneration (i.e., brain atrophy, and retinal layer thinning). MethodsWe designed an observational prospective mono-center study in RRMS patients initiating ALZ treatment. Patients were assessed at baseline (month 0) and thereafter annually for five years with clinical measures, synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), with a re-baseline SyMRI scan and an OCT exam 24 months after initiating ALZ. Persons with neurological symptoms but without evidence of neurological disease served as symptomatic controls (SCs, n = 27). ResultsForty-nine RRMS patients were included. Baseline median expanded disability status scale [2.0 (IQR 1.5)] was unchanged during follow-up, 71 % were progression-free, 33 % achieved no evidence of disease activity-3 (NEDA-3). Between baseline and month 60, SyMRI showed a reduction of brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) and grey matter (GM) volume in patients. The BPF reduction was greater in RRMS patients than in SCs (p < 0.05), and more pronounced in patients with high pre-baseline disease activity than in those without (p < 0.01). OCT showed significant thinning of macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (mGCIPL) and in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) in patients. In contrast, absolute values of white matter (WM) volume and myelin content (MyC) quantified by SyMRI, were stable or increased after re-baseline (month 24) and up to month 60, and this increase appeared limited to patients without high pre-baseline disease activity and to patients with NEDA-3 or disability worsening during follow-up. A strong positive correlation between WM volume and GM volume at baseline was lost after ALZ intervention for their delta values, i.e., change from re-baseline (month 24) to month 60. While the positive baseline correlation between WM volume and MyC increased for their delta values, the positive baseline correlation between GM volume and MyC changed to negative for their delta values. ConclusionWe showed that neurodegeneration continued in RRMS patients under ALZ treatment, but it appeared to be limited to BPF and GM, and more pronounced in patients with disease activity. Our data suggest that patients who respond to ALZ treatment show signs of remyelination. OCT and SyMRI have potential to quantify measures of neurodegeneration that is affected by treatment intervention in RRMS.

Coherent manipulation of giant birefringent Goos–Hänchen shifts by compton scattering using chiral atomic medium

A four level chiral medium is considered to analyze and investigate theoretically the reflection/transmission coefficients of right circularly polarized (RCP) beam and left circularly polarized (LCP) beam as well as their corresponding GH-shifts under the effect of compton scattering. Density matrix formalism is used for calculation of electric and magnetic probe fields coherence. The polarization and magnetization are calculated from probes coherence terms in the chiral medium. The electric and magnetic susceptibilities as well as chiral coefficients are related with polarization and magnetization. The refractive indices of RCP and LCP beams under compton scattering effect is modified from the electric/magnetic susceptibilities, chiral coefficients, mass and charge of electron as well as compton scattering angle. The giant positive and negative birefringent Goos–Hänchen (GH) shifts in reflection and transmission beams are investigated in this manuscript under Compton scattering effect. The RCP and LCP beams obey the normalization condition |R(+,-)|+|T(+,-)|=1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$|R^{(+,-)}|+|T^{(+,-)}|=1$$\\end{document} at the interface of a lossy chiral medium of |A(+,-)|≃0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$|A^{(+,-)}|\\simeq 0$$\\end{document} and a thin sheet of balsa wood under the effect of compton scattering angle, incident angle, probe field detuning, control field Rabi frequency, phases of electric and magnetic fields and phase of superposition states. Significant positive/negative giant GH-shifts in reflection and transmission beams are investigated. The results show potential applications in modification of cloaking devices, image coding, polarizing filters and LCD displays.

Portable multi-focal visual evoked potential diagnostics for multiple sclerosis/optic neuritis patients

PurposeMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), where the immune system targets and damages the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, inhibiting axonal signal transmission. Demyelinating optic neuritis (ON), a common MS symptom, involves optic nerve damage. We’ve developed NeuroVEP, a portable, wireless diagnostic system that delivers visual stimuli through a smartphone in a headset and measures evoked potentials at the visual cortex from the scalp using custom electroencephalography electrodes.MethodsSubject vision is evaluated using a short 2.5-min full-field visual evoked potentials (ffVEP) test, followed by a 12.5-min multifocal VEP (mfVEP) test. The ffVEP evaluates the integrity of the visual pathway by analyzing the P100 component from each eye, while the mfVEP evaluates 36 individual regions of the visual field for abnormalities. Extensive signal processing, feature extraction methods, and machine learning algorithms were explored for analyzing the mfVEPs. Key metrics from patients’ ffVEP results were statistically evaluated against data collected from a group of subjects with normal vision. Custom visual stimuli with simulated defects were used to validate the mfVEP results which yielded 91% accuracy of classification.Results20 subjects, 10 controls and 10 with MS and/or ON were tested with the NeuroVEP device and a standard-of-care (SOC) VEP testing device which delivers only ffVEP stimuli. In 91% of the cases, the ffVEP results agreed between NeuroVEP and SOC device. Where available, the NeuroVEP mfVEP results were in good agreement with Humphrey Automated Perimetry visual field analysis. The lesion locations deduced from the mfVEP data were consistent with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography findings.ConclusionThis pilot study indicates that NeuroVEP has the potential to be a reliable, portable, and objective diagnostic device for electrophysiology and visual field analysis for neuro-visual disorders.

Impact of the magnetic horizon on the interpretation of the Pierre Auger Observatory spectrum and composition data

The flux of ultra-high energy cosmic rays reaching Earth above the ankle energy (5 EeV) can be described as a mixture of nuclei injected by extragalactic sources with very hard spectra and a low rigidity cutoff.Extragalactic magnetic fields existing between the Earth and the closest sources can affect the observed CR spectrum by reducing the flux of low-rigidity particles reaching Earth. We perform a combined fit of the spectrum and distributions of depth of shower maximum measured with the Pierre Auger Observatory including the effect of this magnetic horizon in the propagation of UHECRs in the intergalactic space.We find that, within a specific range of the various experimental and phenomenological systematics, the magnetic horizon effect can be relevant for turbulent magnetic field strengths in the local neighbourhood in which the closest sources lieof order Brms ≃ (50–100) nG (20 Mpc/ds)( 100 kpc/Lcoh)1/2, with ds the typical intersource separation and Lcoh the magnetic field coherence length. When this is the case,the inferred slope of the source spectrum becomes softer and can be closer to the expectations of diffusive shock acceleration, i.e., ∝ E-2.An additional cosmic-ray population with higher source density and softer spectra, presumably also extragalactic and dominating the cosmic-ray flux at EeV energies, is also required to reproduce the overall spectrum and composition results for all energies down to 0.6 EeV.

Mechanochemical Tailoring of Lignin Structure: Influence of Different Particle Sizes in the Organosolv Process.

The autocatalyzed ethanolic organosolv process is gaining increasing attention for the sulfur-free isolation of lignin, which is subsequently used as a renewable substitute for various fossil-based applications. For the first time, the mechanochemical influence of seven different particle sizes of two different biomasses on the respective organosolv lignin structure is examined. Wine pruning (Pinot Noir) and wine pomace (Accent) are used for organosolv process with particle sizes ranging from 2.0-1.6mm to less than 0.25mm. As particle size decreases, the weight-average molecular weight increases, while the total phenol content decreases significantly. Additionally, the distribution of the lignin-typical monolignols and relevant substructures, as determined by two-dimensional heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectra single quantum coherence (HSQC), is observed. The degree of grinding of the biomass has a clear chemical-structural influence on the isolated HG and HGS organosolv lignins. Therefore, it is crucial to understand this influence to apply organosolv lignins in a targeted manner. In the future, particle size specifications in the context of the organosolv process should be expressed in terms of distribution densities rather than in terms of a smaller than specification.

Unveiling sustainable synergy and ageing stability of bio-oils from cotton gin trash and plastic waste co-liquefaction for an integrated waste-to-energy solution

Co-liquefaction is an emerging technology aimed at enhancing bio-oil yield and quality, compensating for decrease in feedstock, increasing productivity, and adding revenue to bio-refineries. This study delves into the influence of plastic waste (PW) types during co-liquefaction with cotton gin trash (CGT) on the yield and quality of the produced crude oil. Various plastics, including PLA (polylactic acid), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PS (polystyrene), were investigated in a mixing ratio of 2:1 (CGT/plastic waste) at 320 °C and 2 hours in supercritical ethanol (ScEtOH), without catalyst, to produce energy-dense bio-oil under optimised conditions. The study presents the suitability of different types of plastic waste for co-feeding with CGT, along with their synergistic and antagonistic effects on product fraction yield (oil, solid, and gas), and oil energy yield. High bio-oil yields of 54.5 wt%, 53.7 wt%, and 43.1 wt% were achieved during co-liquefaction of CGT with PLA, PET and PVA, respectively. Bio-oil with the highest Higher Heating Values (HHV) was achieved through the co-liquefaction of CGT with PVA (30.6 MJ/kg) and PS (31.5 MJ/kg). The solid fractions obtained from co-liquefying CGT with PLA and PVA contained 46.9 wt% and 55.1 wt% carbon, respectively, making them potential sustainable sources for soil amendment. Furthermore, the bio-oils were characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), two-dimensional nuclear magnetic spectroscopy-heteronuclear single quantum coherence (2D‐NMR-HSQC), elemental analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess their quality and stability. Solid residues were characterised to understand the extent of plastic degradation and their suitable applications. The results indicate that the co-liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass with plastics represents a viable and promising approach for improving bio-oil quality and extending its shelf life.

Current challenges in imaging the mechanical properties of tissue engineered grafts

The mechanical performance of tissue-engineered grafts is crucial in determining their functional properties, integration with native tissue and long-term repair outcome post-implantation. To date, most approaches for testing the mechanical properties of tissue-engineered grafts are non-sterile and invasive. There is an urgent need to develop novel sterile approaches for online monitoring mechanical properties of engineered tissues in order to ensure these engineered products meet the desired mechanical strength prior to implantation. In this paper, we overview various approaches for mechanical testing of engineered tissues, which span from traditional methods to medical imaging concepts in magnetic resonance elastography, ultrasound elastography, and optical coherence elastography. We focused on the applicability of these methods to the manufacturing of tissue-engineered products online, e.g., if such approach provides a sterile monitoring capacity and is capable of defining mechanical heterogeneity in engineered tissues throughout their growth in vitro in real-time. The review delves into various imaging modalities that employ distinct methods for inducing displacement within the sample, utilizing either strain-based or shear wave-based approaches. This displacement can be achieved through external stimulation or by harnessing ambient vibrations. Subsequently, the imaging process captures and visualizes the resultant displacement. We specifically highlight the advantages of novel non-invasive imaging methods such as ultrasound elastography and optical coherence elastography to assess the mechanical properties of engineered tissues in vitro, as well as their potential applications in cancer study, drug screening and the in vivo evaluation of the engineered tissues.

Long-term Evolution of Relativistic Unmagnetized Collisionless Shocks

We study a relativistic collisionless electron–positron shock propagating into an unmagnetized ambient medium using 2D particle-in-cell simulations of unprecedented duration and size. The shock generates intermittent magnetic structures of increasingly larger size as the simulation progresses. Toward the end of our simulation, at around 26,000 plasma times, the magnetic coherence scale approaches λ ∼ 100 plasma skin depths, both ahead and behind the shock front. We anticipate a continued growth of λ beyond the time span of our simulation, as long as the shock accelerates particles to increasingly higher energies. The post-shock field is concentrated in localized patches, which maintain a local magnetic energy fraction ε B ∼ 0.1. Particles randomly sampling the downstream fields spend most of their time in low field regions (ε B ≪ 0.1) but emit a large fraction of the synchrotron power in the localized patches with strong fields (ε B ∼ 0.1). Our results have important implications for models of gamma-ray burst afterglows.

Persistent magnetic coherence in magnets.

When excited, the magnetization in a magnet precesses around the field in an anticlockwise manner on a timescale governed by viscous magnetization damping, after which any information carried by the initial actuation seems to be lost. This damping appears to be a fundamental bottleneck for the use of magnets in information processing. However, here we demonstrate the recall of the magnetization-precession phase after times that exceed the damping timescale by two orders of magnitude using dedicated two-colour microwave pump-probe experiments for a Y3Fe5O12 microstructured film. Time-resolved magnetization state tomography confirms the persistent magnetic coherence by revealing a double-exponential decay of magnetization correlation. We attribute persistent magnetic coherence to a feedback effect, that is, coherent coupling of the uniform precession with long-lived excitations at the minima of the spin-wave dispersion relation. Our finding liberates magnetic systems from the strong damping in nanostructures that has limited their use in coherent information storage and processing.

Quantum coherence and Rényi mutual information in Heisenberg XYZ system under non-uniform field

We investigate the thermal and magnetic quantum coherence in the Heisenberg XYZ system. To accomplish this, we employ three measures: the L1 norm coherence, the relative entropy coherence, and the Rényi mutual information (RMI). By performing these measures, we can accurately describe the quantum behaviors of the Heisenberg XYZ system. During the process of characterization, we have found both similarities and distinctive properties. Under a non-uniform field, the magnetic field can enhance the RMI for different coefficients α. All of the analytical and numerical results are described in details.

Magnetic resonance coherence pathway unraveling

Efficiently acquiring multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging data is crucial for patient comfort and clinical throughput. Developing scan acceleration methods tailored for specific applications drastically improves the value of an MRI examination. Here, we propose a novel method to control the aliasing of simultaneously acquired images of multiple spin echo coherence pathways with the goal of producing high quality multi-contrast images from a single acquisition. Modulating the radiofrequency phase of several pulses applied in brief succession also uniquely modulates the phase of spin echo coherence pathways. A method, termed magnetic resonance coherence pathway unraveling (MR-CPU), to control the aliasing of simultaneously acquired coherence pathway images is developed here along with parallel imaging-based reconstruction methods to separate them. MR-CPU was validated in phantom experiments and tested in vivo. High levels of correlation between reference pathway images and MR-CPU-derived coherence pathway images were found from the phantom experiments. Minimal artifacts arising from the separation of the overlapped coherence pathway images were observed in vivo. MR-CPU provides a novel mechanism through which to acquire and separate multiple overlapped coherence pathway images, thus adding to the diagnostic potential of an MRI exam without the penalty of additional scan time.

Imaging Modalities for Evaluating Lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a progressive condition. Its therapy aims to reduce edema, prevent its progression, and provide psychosocial aid. Nonsurgical treatment in advanced stages is mostly insufficient. Therefore-in many cases-surgical procedures, such as to restore lymph flow or excise lymphedema tissues, are the only ways to improve patients' quality of life. Imaging modalities: Lymphoscintigraphy (LS), near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging-also termed indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography (ICG-L)-ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL), computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are standardized techniques, which can be utilized in lymphedema diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up. Conclusions: The combined use of these imaging modalities and self-assessment questionnaires deliver objective parameters for choosing the most suitable surgical therapy and achieving the best possible postoperative outcome.

Evidence for ground state coherence in a two-dimensional Kondo lattice

Kondo lattices are ideal testbeds for the exploration of heavy-fermion quantum phases of matter. While our understanding of Kondo lattices has traditionally relied on complex bulk f-electron systems, transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers have recently emerged as simple, accessible and tunable 2D Kondo lattice platforms where, however, their ground state remains to be established. Here we present evidence of a coherent ground state in the 1T/1H-TaSe2 heterobilayer by means of scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy at 340 mK. Our measurements reveal the existence of two symmetric electronic resonances around the Fermi energy, a hallmark of coherence in the spin lattice. Spectroscopic imaging locates both resonances at the central Ta atom of the charge density wave of the 1T phase, where the localized magnetic moment is held. Furthermore, the evolution of the electronic structure with the magnetic field reveals a non-linear increase of the energy separation between the electronic resonances. Aided by ab initio and auxiliary-fermion mean-field calculations, we demonstrate that this behavior is inconsistent with a fully screened Kondo lattice, and suggests a ground state with magnetic order mediated by conduction electrons. The manifestation of magnetic coherence in TMD-based 2D Kondo lattices enables the exploration of magnetic quantum criticality, Kondo breakdown transitions and unconventional superconductivity in the strict two-dimensional limit.

Controversial Issues of the Mechanism of Crystalline Lens Accommodation and the Rationale the Hydraulic Component in its Implementation

Purpose: To consider controversial issues of the mechanism of crystalline lens accommodation and to justify the hydraulic component in its implementation.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Theories of the mechanism of accommodation and its assessment according to ultrasound biomicroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and optical coherence tomography were analyzed. For the first time, the features of accommodative activation of intraocular fluid exchange in the closed hydrostatic system of the lens with the participation of mechanosensitive aquaporins were considered. When substantiating the hydraulic component in the mechanism of the crystalline lens accommodation, special emphasis was placed on the rapid decrease in pressure in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye during contraction of the meridional portion of the ciliary muscle.&#x0D; Results: Analysis of various theories of accommodation has shown that mechanism of the crystalline lens its implementation continues to be discussed to this day. For the first time, the lens was considered as a unique closed hydrostatic system in which the pressure level is established through ultrafiltration and diffusion of intraocular fluid with the participation of aquaporins. Aquaporins form ion channels in the capsule, cuboidal epithelial cells, lens fibers and are mechanosensitive receptor proteins. The opening and closing of ion channels regulates the potassium-sodium pump, directed transport and exchange of intraocular fluid in the lens. The hydrostatic balance between the pressure in the crystalline lens and the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye is ensured by the crystalline lens capsule. The capsular bag of the crystalline lens can be considered as a curved diaphragm that separates two hydrostatic systems with different levels of pressure. Due to the hydrostatic buffering effect, the IOP level does not affect the crystalline lens, but it responds to a rapid decrease. This decrease in pressure in the anterior and posterior chambers is realized through the tension of the scleral spur by the meridional portion of the ciliary muscle and the activation of the valve mechanism of the scleral sinus. The greater the decrease in pressure, the more convex the crystalline lens takes on and increases its refraction.&#x0D; Conclusion: The presence of a hydraulic component in the mechanism of crystalline lens accommodation allows us to understand how the contraction of the small ciliary muscle can change the shape and refractive power of the large crystalline lens.

Dacryostenosis: Clinical Evaluation, Surgical Management and Long-Term Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort

Dacryostenosis, a chronic ophthalmologic condition characterized by partial or total obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system, has been the subject of in-depth scrutiny in the medical literature. This article aims to comprehensively investigate dacryostenosis from a clinical and surgical perspective, providing a comprehensive analysis of its etiology, clinical manifestations, and available treatment options. Through a critical review of the current literature and presentation of data from a prospective cohort of patients, we explore state-of-the-art diagnostic modalities, such as magnetic resonance dacryocystography and optical coherence tomography, which have revolutionized the evaluation of dacryostenosis. Regarding surgical management, traditional techniques, such as dacryocystorhinostomy, are discussed, together with the latest innovations, such as endoscopic dacryoplasty and intranasal balloon dilatation. A detailed comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques is presented, along with their success rates and associated complications. Finally, long-term outcomes are examined, including improvement in patients' quality of life, symptom reduction, and durability of surgical interventions. This article provides a comprehensive view of dacryostenosis, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to its management and the pivotal role of surgery in restoring tear function and ocular well-being.

High diagnostic accuracy of T2FLAIR at 3 T in the detection of optic nerve head edema in acute optic neuritis.

Optic nerve head edema (ONHE) detected by fundoscopy is observed in one-third of patients presenting optic neuritis (ON). While ONHE is an important semiological feature, the correlation between ONHE and optic nerve head MRI abnormalities (ONHMA), sometimes called "optic nerve head swelling," remains unknown. Our study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI sequence in detecting ONHE in patients with acute ON. In the present single-center study, data were extracted from two prospective cohort studies that consecutively included adults with a first episode of acute ON treated between 2015 and 2020. Two experienced readers blinded to study data independently analyzed imaging. A senior neuroradiologist resolved any discrepancies. The primary judgment criterion of ONHMA was assessed as optic nerve head high signal intensity on gadolinium-enhanced T2FLAIR MRI sequence. Its diagnostic accuracy was evaluated with both the gold standard of ONHE on fundus photography (FP) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickening on optic coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 102 patients were included, providing 110 affected and 94 unaffected optic nerves. Agreement was high between the different modalities: 92% between MRI and FP (k= 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.88) and 93% between MRI and OCT (k= 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.87). MRI sensitivity was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.70-0.93) and specificity was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.97) when compared with the FP. Optic nerve head high T2FLAIR signal intensity corresponds indeed to the optic nerve head edema diagnosed by the ophthalmologists. MRI is a sensitive tool for detecting ONHE in patients presenting acute ON. In patients with optic neuritis the high T2FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) signal intensity of the optic nerve head corresponds indeed to optic nerve head edema, which is a useful feature in optic neuritis etiological evaluation and treatment. Optic nerve head edema is a prominent clinical feature of acute optic neuritis and is usually diagnosed during dilated or non-dilated eye fundus examination. Agreement was high between magnetic resonance imaging, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography. Optic nerve head high T2 fluid attenuation inversion recovery signal intensity is a promising detection tool for optic nerve head edema in patients presenting acute optic neuritis.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of optic neuritis in Taiwan - a hospital-based cohort study.

Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory disease of optic nerve. The distinct etiologies of ON significantly influence its clinical manifestation, neuroimaging findings, and visual outcomes. However, the clinical characteristics might be influenced by the racial differences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of various types of ON at a Taiwanese tertiary center. This cohort study analyzed 163 patients who received treatment and continued following-up for ON between 2015 and 2022. We selected patients who had been tested for anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab). The participants were classified into four groups on the basis of their etiologies, specifically (1) multiple sclerosis (MS)-related, (2) AQP4-Ab-positive, (3) MOG-Ab-positive, or (4) idiopathic ON. The researchers recorded the patients' clinical characteristics, treatment course, magnetic resonance imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and visual outcomes. MOG-Ab-positive group had higher percentages of disk swelling and pain with eye movement. Long optic nerve and perineural enhancement are the hallmarks of MOG-Ab-related ON. The ON relapse rate was higher in AQP4-Ab-positive group. Although members of AQP4-Ab-positive group received immediate steroid pulse therapy, these patients experienced the worst visual outcomes. Moreover, a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was noted in AQP4-Ab-positive group. MS group had a higher incidence of extra-optic nerve lesions. Multivariate regression identified pretreatment visual acuity and RNFL thickness as the important factors affecting visual outcomes. This cohort study identified the clinical features of different types of ON. Patients with AQP4-Ab-positive ON had poorer visual outcomes, which may be attributed to multiple relapses and profound nerve damage, as revealed by OCT findings. Patients with MOG-Ab-positive ON displayed long optic nerve enhancement but had more favorable prognoses. Thus, antibody-based classification facilitates treatment and prognosis in ON.

Elucidating Individual Magnetic Contributions in Bi-Magnetic Fe3 O4 /Mn3 O4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles by Polarized Powder Neutron Diffraction.

Heterogeneous bi-magnetic nanostructured systems have had a sustained interest during the last decades owing to their unique magnetic properties and the wide range of derived potential applications. However, elucidating the details of their magnetic properties can be rather complex. Here, a comprehensive study of Fe3 O4 /Mn3 O4 core/shell nanoparticles using polarized neutron powder diffraction, which allows disentangling the magnetic contributions of each of the components, is presented. The results show that while at low fields the Fe3 O4 and Mn3 O4 magnetic moments averaged over the unit cell are antiferromagnetically coupled, at high fields, they orient parallel to each other. This magnetic reorientation of the Mn3 O4 shell moments is associated with a gradual evolution with the applied field of the local magnetic susceptibility from anisotropic to isotropic. Additionally, the magnetic coherence length of the Fe3 O4 cores shows some unusual field dependence due to the competition between the antiferromagnetic interface interaction and the Zeeman energies. The results demonstrate the great potential of the quantitative analysis of polarized neutron powder diffraction for the study of complex multiphase magnetic materials.

Structural, Magnetic, Electric and Optical Coherences in Self-Organized Ensembles of Nematic Domains

Structural, Magnetic, Electric and Optical Coherences in Self-Organized Ensembles of Nematic Domains

Multiple Bioimaging Applications Based on the Excellent Properties of Nanodiamond: A Review.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are emerging as a promising candidate for multimodal bioimaging on account of their optical and spectroscopic properties. NDs are extensively utilized for bioimaging probes due to their defects and admixtures in their crystal lattice. There are many optically active defects presented in NDs called color centers, which are highly photostable, extremely sensitive to bioimaging, and capable of electron leap in the forbidden band; further, they absorb or emit light when leaping, enabling the nanodiamond to fluoresce. Fluorescent imaging plays a significant role in bioscience research, but traditional fluorescent dyes have some drawbacks in physical, optical and toxicity aspects. As a novel fluorescent labeling tool, NDs have become the focus of research in the field of biomarkers in recent years because of their various irreplaceable advantages. This review primarily focuses on the recent application progress of nanodiamonds in the field of bioimaging. In this paper, we will summarize the progress of ND research from the following aspects (including fluorescence imaging, Raman imaging, X-ray imaging, magnetic modulation fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, cathodoluminescence imaging, and optical coherence tomography imaging) and expect to supply an outlook contribution for future nanodiamond exploration in bioimaging.