Reference Values For Future Studies Research Articles

The multi-peak point phenomenon of broadband microwave reflection caused by inhomogeneous plasma

Abstract During spacecraft re-entry, the challenge of measuring plasma sheath parameters directly contributes to difficulties in addressing communication blackout. In this work, we have discovered a phenomenon of multiple peaks in reflection data caused by the inhomogeneous plasma. Simulation results show that the multi-peak points fade away as the characteristic frequency is approached, resembling a series of gradually decreasing peaks. The positions and quantities of these points are positively correlated with electron density, yet they show no relation to collision frequency. This phenomenon is of significant reference value for future studies on the spatial distribution of plasmas, particularly for using microwave reflection signals in diagnosing the plasma sheath.

Research on frequency-variation square ratio in damage identification technique for single column platforms

This paper attempts to utilize lower order harmonics and modes of vibration consisting of “square ratios of frequency variations” as structural damage susceptibility characteristics. This is followed by the development of the frequency-based method. Firstly, this paper derives the theoretical formulation of the square ratio of frequency variation method. Secondly, a finite element model of a single column platform is established. Then the damage is simulated using the reduced modulus of elasticity to localize the damage. The result is shown to be feasible. Thirdly, a model of the offshore single column platform is constructed, and the damage is simulated using cracks on the column. The “frequency variation square ratio” is valid, so the method can be used in reality. This method is applied to the single column platform model, suitable for a beam structure. It is very effective for the single column damage identification at different damage levels, and can also initially locate the damage. This method has high practical application value and reference value for future studies.

On-Device Execution of Deep Learning Models on HoloLens2 for Real-Time Augmented Reality Medical Applications.

The integration of Deep Learning (DL) models with the HoloLens2 Augmented Reality (AR) headset has enormous potential for real-time AR medical applications. Currently, most applications execute the models on an external server that communicates with the headset via Wi-Fi. This client-server architecture introduces undesirable delays and lacks reliability for real-time applications. However, due to HoloLens2's limited computation capabilities, running the DL model directly on the device and achieving real-time performances is not trivial. Therefore, this study has two primary objectives: (i) to systematically evaluate two popular frameworks to execute DL models on HoloLens2-Unity Barracuda and Windows Machine Learning (WinML)-using the inference time as the primary evaluation metric; (ii) to provide benchmark values for state-of-the-art DL models that can be integrated in different medical applications (e.g., Yolo and Unet models). In this study, we executed DL models with various complexities and analyzed inference times ranging from a few milliseconds to seconds. Our results show that Unity Barracuda is significantly faster than WinML (p-value < 0.005). With our findings, we sought to provide practical guidance and reference values for future studies aiming to develop single, portable AR systems for real-time medical assistance.

Research on ecological evaluation of an enterprise open innovation community website

PurposeWhile providing users with important innovation resources, an enterprise's open innovation community also encounters numerous challenges. The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a set of evaluation systems that can identify the ecological characteristics of open innovation communities. The ultimate goal is to provide guidance for the construction and establishment of these communities.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, from the perspective of information ecology, according to the connotation requirements of the four information elements of “people, information, technology and environment” in the information ecosystem, this paper determines the evaluation indicators of enterprise's open innovation community from the aspects of integrity and dynamics. Then, based on the improved analytic hierarchy process, the weight of each index is calculated, and a complete evaluation system of open innovation community is established. Finally, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to conduct empirical research on Haier Open Partnership (HOPE) platform, analyze its ecological situation and existing problems and put forward the corresponding construction recommendations.FindingsThe application of HOPE platform shows that the evaluation index system built in this study has good applicability, and the whole research process and research method have certain reference value for future studies. At the same time, the study found that the HOPE platform has good ecological characteristics, but there are also some problems. This study can directly promote the construction of the platform.Originality/valueThis paper, for the first time, combines the information ecology theory with the open innovation community. The results demonstrate that the open innovation community is an information ecosystem, which can be evaluated ecologically. Furthermore, to ensure the calculation's scientific accuracy, the index weight is determined by constructing a judgment matrix based on expert questionnaires.

Telomere length and chronological age across the human lifespan: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 414 study samples including 743,019 individuals.

Telomere attrition is a proposed hallmark of aging. To evaluate the association of telomere length (TL) with chronological age across the human lifespan, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 414 study samples comprising 743,019 individuals aged 0-112 years. We examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, and evaluated the impact of various biological and methodological factors including sex, health status, tissue types, DNA extraction procedures, and TL measurement methods. The pooled corrected correlation between TL and age from cross-sectional samples was -0.19 (95%CI: -0.22 to -0.15), which weakened with increased chronological age (β=0.003, p<0.001). Z-score change rates of TL across the lifespan showed a gradual decrease in shortening rate until around age 50 and remained at a relatively stable rate towards the elderly period. A greater attrition rate was observed in longitudinal than cross-sectional evaluations. For TL measured in base pairs, the median change rate of TL was -23bp/year in cross-sectional samples and -38bp/year in longitudinal samples. Methodological factors including TL measurement methods and tissue types impacted the TL-age correlation, while sex or disease status did not. This meta-analysis revealed the non-linear shortening trend of TL across the human lifespan and provides a reference value for future studies. Results also highlight the importance of methodological considerations when using TL as an aging biomarker.

Calculations of term energies, radiative transition wavelengths and Auger electron energies for resonances of F4+

In this work, the saddle-point variation combined with complex-rotation methods are used to calculate term energies, radiative transition wavelengths and Auger transition energies of the 1s2s22p2 (2S, 2P, 2D, 4P), 1s2s22p3p (2S, 2P, 2D), 1s2s2p3 (2,4S°, 2,4P°, 2,4D°), and 1s2p4 (2S, 2P, 2D, 4P) resonances for F4+. The present term energies, radiative rates, radiative transition wavelengths, Auger rates and corresponding transition energies agree well with the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculation results listed in the literature. Other transition data in this work are expected to offer reference values for future studies.

In vivo multi-parameter mapping of the habenula using MRI

The habenula is a small, epithalamic brain structure situated between the mediodorsal thalamus and the third ventricle. It plays an important role in the reward circuitry of the brain and is implicated in psychiatric conditions, such as depression. The importance of the habenula for human cognition and mental health make it a key structure of interest for neuroimaging studies. However, few studies have characterised the physical properties of the human habenula using magnetic resonance imaging because its challenging visualisation in vivo, primarily due to its subcortical location and small size. To date, microstructural characterization of the habenula has focused on quantitative susceptibility mapping. In this work, we complement this previous characterisation with measures of longitudinal and effective transverse relaxation rates, proton density and magnetisation transfer saturation using a high-resolution quantitative multi-parametric mapping protocol at 3T, in a cohort of 26 healthy participants. The habenula had consistent boundaries across the various parameter maps and was most clearly visualised on the longitudinal relaxation rate maps. We have provided a quantitative multi-parametric characterisation that may be useful for future sequence optimisation to enhance visualisation of the habenula, and additionally provides reference values for future studies investigating pathological differences in habenula microstructure.

Elucidating the mitochondrial function of murine lymphocyte subsets and the heterogeneity of the mitophagy pathway inherited from hematopoietic stem cells.

Mitochondria are mainly involved in ATP production to meet the energy demands of cells. Researchers are increasingly recognizing the important role of mitochondria in the differentiation and activation of hematopoietic cells, but research on how mitochondrial metabolism influence different subsets of lymphocyte at different stages of differentiation and activation are yet to be carried out. In this work, the mitochondrial functions of lymphocytes were compared at different differentiation and activation stages and included CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells as well as their subsets. For this purpose, a complete set of methods was used to comprehensively analyze mitophagy levels, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the mitochondrial mass (MM) of subsets of lymphocytes. It is expected that this will provide a complete set of standards, and drawing the mitochondrial metabolic map of lymphocyte subsets at different stages of differentiation and activation. Of all lymphocytes, B cells had a relatively high mitochondrial metabolic activity which was evident from the higher levels of mitophagy, ROS, MMP and MM, and this reflected the highly heterogeneous nature of the mitochondrial metabolism in lymphocytes. Among the B cell subsets, pro-B cells had relatively higher levels of MM and MMP, while the mitochondrial metabolism level of mature B cells was relatively low. Similarly, among the subsets of CD4+ T cell, a relatively higher level of mitochondrial metabolism was noted for naive CD4+ T cells. Finally, from the CD8+ T cell subsets, CD8+ Tcm had relatively high levels of MM and MMP but relatively low ones for mitophagy, with effector T cells displaying the opposite characteristics. Meanwhile, the autophagy-related genes of lymphoid hematopoietic cells including hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed, which preliminarily showed that these cells were heterogeneous in the selection of mitophagy related Pink1/Park2, BNIP3/NIX and FUNDC1 pathways. The results showed that compared with CD4+ T, CD8+ T and NK cells, B cells were more similar to long-term hematopoietic stem cell (LT-HSC) and short-term hematopoietic stem cell (ST-HSC) in terms of their participation in the Pink1/Park2 pathway, as well as the degree to which the characteristics of autophagy pathway were inherited from HSC. Compared with CLP and B cells, HSC are less involved in BNIP3/NIX pathway. Among the B cell subsets, pro-B cells inherited the least characteristics of HSC in participating in Pink1/Park2 pathway compared with pre-B, immature B and immature B cells. Among CD4+ T cell subsets, nTreg cells inherited the least characteristics of HSC in participating in Pink1/Park2 pathway compared with naive CD4+ T and memory CD4+ T cells. Among the CD8+ T cell subsets, compared with CLP and effector CD8+ T cells, CD8+ Tcm inherit the least characteristics of HSC in participating in Pink1/Park2 pathway. Meanwhile, CLP, naive CD4+ T and effector CD8+ T were more involved in BNIP3/NIX pathway than other lymphoid hematopoietic cells. This study is expected to provide a complete set of methods and basic reference values for future studies on the mitochondrial functions of lymphocyte subsets at different stages of differentiation and activation in physiological state, and also provides a standard and reference for the study of infection and immunity based on mitochondrial metabolism.

Identification and Characterization of Domains Responsible for Cell Wall Binding, Self-Assembly, and Adhesion of S-layer Protein from Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074.

Lactobacillus S-layer protein (SLP) is a biologically active protein on the cell surface. To further elucidate the structures and functions of SLP in Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074, this study was conducted to identify the functional domains of SLP which is responsible for cell wall anchoring, self-assembly, and adhesion. The gene (slpA) of L. acidophilus CICC 6074 SLP was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and speculated functional domains. Fusion proteins of C-terminal truncations from SLP were exogenously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). FITC-labeling N-terminal truncations of SLP were synthesized. The C-terminal domain was more likely to be the binding region, and the cell wall-anchored receptor of SLP was teichoic acid. Furthermore, N-terminal truncations could self-assemble to milk fat globule membrane polar lipid liposomes observed using a fluorescence microscope. Notably, SAN1 (region 32-55) of N-terminal truncations was mainly responsible for the adhesion of SLP to HT-29 cells. These results showed that SLP played a crucial role in the functions of L. acidophilus CICC 6074, which might be of significant reference value for future studies.

Salivary film thickness and MUC5B levels at various intra-oral surfaces

ObjectivesIn this study, we investigated the salivary film thickness and the MUC5B levels at various intra-oral locations in healthy volunteers, with a focus on the palate. Besides, measurements of the palatal surface area were included to explore the possible relationships between the palatal surface area and the palatal salivary film and MUC5B levels.Materials and methodsThe salivary film thickness was determined using filter strips, which were pressed to the mucosal surfaces of five different intra-oral locations; conductance was then analysed using a Periotron. After elution of the strips, the MUC5B levels at various intra-oral locations were determined using ELISA. The palatal surface area was measured using an intra-oral scanner. The surface area was subsequently calculated using the software.ResultsThe anterior tongue had the thickest salivary film and also the highest levels of MUC5B, while the anterior palate had the thinnest salivary film and lowest MUC5B levels. There was no association between the palatal surface area and the salivary film thickness of the palate.ConclusionThe salivary film and MUC5B levels are unequally distributed over the intra-oral regions of the soft tissues. The lack of association between the palatal surface area and the salivary film thickness indicates that a larger surface area is not associated with a relative thinner palatal salivary film.Clinical relevanceThe results of the current study increase our understanding of saliva distribution in the oral cavity and could be used as reference values for future studies.

Fasting pyloric diameter and distensibility by functional endoluminal imaging probe in unsedated healthy volunteers.

Recent studies with functional endoluminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP® ) measure physiologic characteristics of the pylorus. EndoFLIP® has the potential to select optimal candidates for gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM). Normative values of the pylorus using EndoFLIP® have not been established. Twenty-four healthy volunteers (20-56years old; 15 females) underwent unsedated, transoral EndoFLIP® measurements of the pylorus after 8h of fasting. Measurements of diameter (DM), balloon pressure, and distensibility index (DI) of the pylorus were obtained twice over 5min at 40, 50, and 60ml balloon distensions. Pyloric DM at 40, 50, and 60ml balloon distensions were 13.0±2.5, 14.3±1.8, and 17.2±2.0mm, respectively. DM with 60ml distension was notably higher than with 40 and 50ml distensions. Pyloric DI at 40, 50, and 60ml distensions were 10.9±4.8, 11.3±5.8, and 11.1±4.3mm2 /mm Hg, respectively (p=0.86). Linear regression and Bland-Altman plots showed similar distribution of the DM and DI during the second minute compared with the full 5-min measurements at 50ml distension, as well as between two sequential measurements using 50ml distension. With 50ml balloon distension, intraindividual coefficients of variation (COVintra ) for DM and DI were 13.8% and 29.6%, respectively, and interindividual COV (COVinter ) were 12.6% and 51.3%, respectively. Similar reproducibility was obtained with 40ml balloon distension. Unsedated EndoFLIP® can be used to characterize human fasting pyloric diameter and distensibility, with best performance observed with 40ml and 50ml distensions and data collection during the second minute. Normative values reported serve as reference values for future studies.

A Two-year Outcome of Various Techniques of Discectomy On Complications: A Multicentric Retrospective Study

Objective: Various techniques of performing lumbar discectomy are prevalent, each having its rationale and claimed benefits. The authors ventured to assess the total complication rate of lumbar discectomy as well as the complication rates of individual complications, namely CSF leaks, superficial wound infections, deep wound infections, recurrence rates, re-operation rates, and wrong level surgery.Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients operated using open discectomy (OD), microdiscectomy (MD), microendoscopic discectomy (MED), interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD), transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), and Destandau techniques (DT) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The inclusion criteria were age&gt;15 years, failed conservative treatment for 4-6 weeks, and the involvement of a single lumbar level.Results: There is no statistically significant association between surgical technique and complications. The total complication rate was 12.89% in 946 operated cases. The most common complication was recurrence (5.81%), followed by re-operation (3.69%), CSF leak (1.90%), wrong level surgery (0.63%), superficial infection (0.52%) and deep infection (0.31%). There were minor differences in the incidence of complications between techniques.Conclusion: This is the first study to compare the complication rates of all the prevalent discectomy techniques across the globe in 946 patients. Although there were minor differences in incidences of complications between individual techniques, there was no statistical significance. The various rates of individual complications provide a reference value for future studies related to complications following discectomy.

Qualitative and Quantitative Changes in Total Lipid Concentration and Lipid Fractions in Liver Tissue of Periparturient German Holstein Dairy Cows of Two Age Groups.

Fatty liver syndrome (FLS) is a common disease in high-producing dairy cows. Studies in humans suggest that the different hepatic lipid fractions play a role in this context. In dairy cows, little is known about the composition of fat stored in the liver, its periparturient dynamics, and the effect of cows' age. Therefore, our goal was to generate primary data in healthy cows to serve as reference values for future studies. Eight healthy German Holstein cows (2nd lactation, n = 3; ≥3rd lactation, n = 5) were examined 14 d antepartum and 7, 28, and 42 d postpartum. The examinations included clinical assessment, liver biopsy, blood sampling, and recording of milk yield. Total lipids (TL) in liver tissue were measured gravimetrically. The TL were separated into lipid fractions (triacylglycerol, TAG; phospholipids, PL; non-esterified fatty acids, NEFA; and cholesterol esters) using thin-layer chromatography, followed by gas chromatography for fatty acid determination. Concentrations of NEFA, ß-hydroxybutyrate, and cholesterol were analyzed in blood. Concentrations of TL, TAG, NEFA, and cholesterol esters in liver tissue and NEFA in blood increased in the periparturient period. The older cows had higher hepatic TL, TAG, and PL concentrations, higher relative hepatic concentrations of TAG in TL, higher NEFA concentrations in blood, a greater decrease in body condition, and higher milk yields between d 9 and 40 than the younger cows. We proposed that due to higher milk yield, older cows mobilized and deposited more fat in the liver, and the increase in hepatic TAG concentration was longer-lasting than in younger cows. Higher levels of structural lipids (PL) in older cows could be explained by higher demand for storage of TAG and cholesterol esters in lipid droplets or for the export of TAG via very-low-density lipoproteins. Results show that hepatic fat storage is a reversible process and does not necessarily cause clinical disease. Nevertheless, older cows have a more sustained and greater increase in hepatic TAG concentration, which may explain their increased risk of FLS. The results are limited in their extrapolation due to the small sample size and thereby possible selection bias but present a valuable basis for future studies.

A 2-Year Outcomes and Complications of Various Techniques of Lumbar Discectomy: A Multicentric Retrospective Study

Various techniques of performing lumbar discectomy are prevalent, each having its rationale and claimed benefits. The authors ventured to assess the perioperative factors, outcomes, and complications of each procedure and compare among them with 946 patients contributed by 10 centers and operated by experienced surgeons. This was a retrospective study of patients operated using open discectomy, microdiscectomy, microendoscopic discectomy, interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy, transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy, and Destandau techniques with a follow-up of minimum 2 years. The inclusion criteria were age >18 years, failed conservative treatment for 4-6 weeks, and the involvement of a single lumbar level. There was a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score of back, leg, and Oswestry Disability Index scores postoperatively across the board, with no significant difference between them. Minimally invasive procedures (microendoscopic discectomy, interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy, transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy, and Destandau techniques) had shorter operation time, hospital stay, better cosmesis, and decreased blood loss compared with open procedures (open discectomy and microdiscectomy). The overall complication rate was 10.1%. The most common complication was recurrence (6.86%), followed by reoperation (4.3%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (2.24%), wrong level surgery (0.74%), superficial infection (0.62%), and deep infection (0.37%). There were minor differences in incidence of complications between techniques. Although minimally invasive techniques have some advantages over the open techniques in the perioperative factors, all the techniques are effective and provide similar pain relief and functional outcomes at the end of 2 years. The various rates of individual complications provide a reference value for future studies.

Radiographic Analysis of the Sagittal Alignment of Spine and Pelvis in Asymptomatic Indian Population.

Study DesignThis is a descriptive observational study.PurposeThe objective of this study is to analyze and document the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in normal Indian adult volunteers and compare these parameters with the study population of other races and ethnicities.Overview of LiteratureGiven the importance of the spinopelvic parameters, there is a need to describe the parameters differentially in relation to the ethnicity of the studied individual. Very few reports have defined the normal physiological value. Ethnic differences are a significant factor not only when describing the anthropometric data but also when applying the findings to a different ethnic group. We have compared these values with other races and ethnicities so that we can know whether the principles of spinal fixation can be applied globally.MethodsIn total, 100 participants were studied by using their anteroposterior and lateral radiographic images of whole of pelvic and spinal area. Additionally, various spinal and pelvic parameters were also measured. Subsequently, the outcomes were analyzed with respect to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). The correlation between different parameters and differences in these parameters between Indians and other races/ethnicities along with population groups were also analyzed.ResultsThere was a significant increase in thoracic kyphosis (TK) from T1–T12 and T4–T12 with increasing age. Lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral translation (sagittal vertical axis), and pelvic tilt were significantly higher among females. Additionally, sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence, C7 sagittal offset, and T9 sagittal offset were also higher in females. TK (T4–T12 and T1–T12), LL, SS, and pelvic incidence showed a significant correlation with BMI. As compared to European population, TK, segmental LL, and sacral translation were found to be significantly lesser in Indian population.ConclusionsThere is a statistically significant difference between Indians and other races/ethnicities and population groups with respect to TK, LL, and sacral translation. The values obtained can be considered as the physiological normal values for Indian population. Importantly, these values can serve as the reference values for future studies.

Values for the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire in the general elderly population: A Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry

BackgroundJapanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) is widely used as a patient-based evaluation tool for lumbar spine disease in Japan. However, there are currently few established JOABPEQ reference values for the general population.This study proposes population-based reference values for JOABPEQ using a randomly sampled Japanese cohort. MethodsRegistered citizens of 50–89 years old were targeted for this survey. We established 8 groups based on age (50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's) and gender (male and female) after random sampling from the basic resident registry of Obuse town in 2014. A total of 414 participants (202 males and 212 females) were enrolled for calculations of average JOABPEQ scores for each age and gender group. We also evaluated for correlations between JOABPEQ domain scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for low back pain. ResultsMedian reference JOABPEQ scores stratified by age and gender were determined in this study. Lumbar function, walking ability, and social life function deteriorated significantly with age in both genders, with remarkable declines for the social life function domain. VAS scores for low back pain were not significantly correlated with JOABPEQ item scores. ConclusionsThis first resident cohort of Japanese individuals determined median JOABPEQ scores by age and gender, which might serve as reference values for future studies.

Development of image quality related reference doses called acceptable quality doses (AQD) in paediatric CT exams in Qatar

ObjectivesTo describe first experience of integrating assessment of image quality in paediatric X-ray computed tomography (CT) with analysis of the radiation dose indices to develop reference doses called acceptable quality dose (AQD).MethodsImage quality was scored by the radiologists at a tertiary care hospital in Qatar on a scale of 0 to 4 using the recently published scoring criteria. The patients undergoing head, chest and abdomen CT were divided in different weight groups as follows: < 5 kg, 5–< 15 kg, 15–< 30 kg, 30–< 50 kg, 50–< 80 kg and > 80 kg. The images that were clinically acceptable (score of 3) were included for assessment of median values of CTDIvol and DLP to obtain AQDs in different weight groups.ResultsAfter initial training in image quality scoring of CT images of 49 patients by three radiologists, the study on 715 patients indicated 665 studies (93%) were clinically acceptable as per scoring criteria. The median CTDIvol values for the above weight groups were 16, 20, 22, 22, 27 and 27 mGy and the median DLP values for these weight groups were 271, 377, 463, 486, 568 and 570 mGy cm, respectively, for head CT. Similar values are presented for chest and abdomen CTs.ConclusionsThe first ever experience of starting with image quality assessment and integrating it with analysis of dose indices to obtain AQD values shall provide a workable model for others and values for comparison within the facility and in other facilities leading to optimisation.Key Points• The first study to integrate image quality assessment with analysis of patient dose indices shows feasibility for routine practice in other centres.• The values of acceptable quality dose (AQD) were provided for head, chest and abdomen CT of children divided into weight groups rather than age. They shall act as reference values for future studies.• Verification of our findings on proportional increase in exposure parameters (CTDIvol and DLP) with weight by other investigators shall be helpful.

T cell cytokines in the diagnostic of early-onset sepsis.

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) remains a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. Yet, currently available biological parameters have not proven to be accurate enough to predict EOS reliably. This study aimed to determine serum concentrations of 13 cytokines in umbilical cord blood and evaluate their diagnostic value for EOS. A prospective single-center study that included analysis of umbilical cord blood of term and preterm neonates who were born from March 2017 to November 2017. Using ELISA analysis, 13 cytokines were simultaneously quantified and correlated with the development of EOS. Four hundred and seventy-four neonates were included, of which seven met the criteria for culture-positive EOS. Interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.001), IL-9 (p = 0.003), and IL-21 (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in neonates with EOS compared to controls. Sensitivity and specificity for IL-6, IL-9, and IL-21 at the defined cut-off points were 85.7 and 77.3%, 71.4 and 62.5%, and 71.4 and 52.0%, respectively. In neonates with EOS, IL-9 and IL-21 are significantly elevated and may be employed in the diagnostic of EOS. However, diagnostic accuracy remains lower than with IL-6. Values of 13 T cell cytokines may be used as reference values for future studies in neonates. Interleukin-9 (IL-9) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) are significantly elevated in neonates with early-onset sepsis. IL-9 and IL-21 have been shown to play a specific role in neonatal sepsis. Neonatal reference values were generated for several cytokines. IL-9 and IL-21 might be attractive biomarkers for neonatal sepsis in future. This study is likely to promote further research in this area. Values of several T cell cytokines may be used as reference values for future studies in neonates.

Evaluation of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Eyes Based on Dual-Wavelength Autofluorescence Imaging in South Indian Population.

PurposeTo estimate macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values across different age groups in the South Indian population across various spatial profiles using dual-wavelength autofluorescence.MethodsSixty eyes of 31 healthy subjects underwent MPOD measurement with Spectralis HRA+OCT. The average MPOD and macular pigment optical volume (MPOV) at 1°, 2°, and 6° radii, the mean MPOD in the classical Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid, and the spatial profiles of two different age groups across 12 plots covering the radial sectors were recorded.ResultsThe mean age was 39.1 ± 12.7 years. The mean MPOD and MPOV values were 0.38 ± 0.11 and 787.95 ± 225.13 at 1° eccentricity, 0.23 ± 0.08 and 2000 ± 708.24 at 2° eccentricity, and 0.05 ± 0.02 and 4335 ± 2007.71 at 6° eccentricity, respectively. In the ETDRS grid, the mean MPOD was found to be highest in the central sector and lowest in the inferior peripheral ring. We also found that along the radial sectors the lower quadrants tended to have low MPOD as compared to the upper quadrants. Subjects 40 years of age or older had significantly higher averaged MPOD in certain areas (–15° to 15° and 75° to 105°) along the radial sectors than subjects less than 40 years of age.ConclusionsThis study establishes a reference value for future studies of diseased eyes in the South Indian population.Translational RelevanceOur study is unique in that it reports MPOD among the South Indian population across different age groups, as well as the distribution of MPOD in all nine zones of the classical ETDRS grid and various spatial profiles covering the 30° radial sectors centered on the fovea.

The Vocalist in the Crib: the Flexibility of Respiratory Behaviour During Crying in Healthy Neonates

To evaluate the flexibility of respiratory behavior during spontaneous crying using an objective analysis of temporal measures in healthy neonates. A total of 1,375 time intervals, comprising breath cycles related to the spontaneous crying of 72 healthy, full-term neonates (35 females) aged between two and four days, were analyzed quantitatively. Digital recordings (44 kHz, 16 bit) of cries emitted in a spontaneous, pain-free context were obtained at the University Children's Hospital Wurzburg. The amplitude-by-time representation of PRAAT: doing phonetics by computer (38) was used for the manual segmentation of single breath-cycles involving phonation. Cursors were set in these time intervals to mark the duration of inspiratory (IPh) and expiratory phases (EPh), and double-checks were carried out using auditory analyses. A PRAAT script was used to extract temporal features automatically. The only intervals analyzed were those that contained an expiratory cry utterance embedded within preceding and subsequent inspiratory phonation (IP). Beyond the reliable identification of IPh and EPh, this approach also guaranteed inter-individual and inter-utterance homogenization with respect to inspiratory strength and an unconstructed vocal tract. Despite the physiological constraints of the neonatal respiratory system, a high degree of flexibility in the ratio of IPh/EPh was observed. This ratio changed hyperbolically (r = 0.71) with breath-cycle duration. Descriptive statistics for all the temporal measures are reported as reference values for future studies. The existence of respiratory exploration during the spontaneous crying of healthy neonates is supported by quantitative data. From a clinical perspective, the data demonstrate the presence of a high degree of flexibility in the respiratory behavior, particularly neonates' control capability with respect to variable cry durations. These data are discussed in relation to future clinical applications.