How Laser Physics Brought Optics to the World of Photonic Crystals

A brief review of authors’ research is presented. An emphasis is made on the photon localization in the helical structure of a chiral liquid crystal (CLC), which was first experimentally registered by the authors. An analysis of the spectral and lasing characteristics of distributed feedback (DF) lasers based on natural CLCs (type 1) and on chiral nematics (type 2) led to a conclusion that the model of photonic crystal is suitable to describe the lasing mechanism in type-2 CLC lasers, but not in type-1 ones. This conclusion is evidenced by the absence of lasing bands at the opposite edges of the selective reflection (SR) band; at the same time, the lasing line is located at its center. It is shown that if the SR band of the CLC overlaps the maximum of the laser dye fluorescence band, the lasing line coincides with the SR band center to an error of ±1 nm. If the layer thickness in the CLC lasers of both types does not exceed 50 мm, when a high-quality planar texture is retained and a low generation threshold is achieved, a significant difference between their optical characteristics takes place. Namely, the SR spectrum for a type-1 CLC laser is approximately described by a Lorentzian profile, whereas the contour of the SR spectrum for a type-2 CLC laser has a profile characteristic of the transmittance through multilayer dielectric mirrors. The origins of the differences between the optical and laser characteristics of the CLC lasers of both types have been analyzed from the viewpoint of two lasing models: DF and photonic-crystal ones.

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CNNM2-Related Disorders: Phenotype and Its Severity Were Associated With the Mode of Inheritance

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.699568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Han Zhang ◽

Ye Wu ◽

Yuwu Jiang

Keyword(s):

De Novo ◽

Serum Magnesium ◽

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Functional Studies ◽

Pathogenic Variants ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Domain Variations ◽

Type 3

CNNM2 (Cystathionine-β-synthase-pair Domain Divalent Metal Cation Transport Mediator 2) pathogenic variants have been reported to cause hypomagnesemia, epilepsy, and intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD). We identified two new cases with CNNM2 novel de novo pathogenic variants, c.814T>C and c.976G>C. They both presented with infantile-onset epilepsy with DD and hypomagnesemia refractory to magnesium supplementation. To date, 21 cases with CNNM2-related disorders have been reported. We combined all 23 cases to analyze the features of CNNM2-related disorders. The phenotypes can be classified into three types: type 1, autosomal dominant (AD) inherited simple hypomagnesemia; type 2, AD inherited hypomagnesemia with epilepsy and ID/DD; and type 3, autosomal recessive (AR) inherited hypomagnesemia with epilepsy and ID/DD. All five type 1 cases had no epilepsy or ID/DD; they all had hypomagnesemia, and three of them presented with symptoms secondary to hypomagnesemia. Fifteen type 2 patients could have ID/DD and seizures, which can be controlled with antiseizure medications (ASMs); their variations clustered in the DUF21 domain of CNNM2. All three type 3 patients had seizures from 1 to 6 days after birth; the seizures were refractory, and 1/3 had status epilepticus; ID/DD in these AR-inherited cases was more severe than that of AD-inherited cases; they all had abnormalities of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Except for one patient whose serum magnesium was the lower limit of normal, others had definite hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia could be improved after magnesium supplement but could not return to the normal level. Variations in the CBS2 domain may be related to lower serum magnesium. However, there was no significant difference in the level of serum magnesium among the patients with three different types of CNNM2-related disorders. The severity of different phenotypes was therefore not explained by decreased serum magnesium. We expanded the spectrum of CNNM2 variants and classified the phenotypes of CNNM2-related disorders into three types. We found that DUF21 domain variations were most associated with CNNM2-related central nervous system phenotypes, whereas hypomagnesemia was more pronounced in patients with CBS2 domain variations, and AR-inherited CNNM2-related disorders had the most severe phenotype. These results provide important clues for further functional studies of CNNM2 and provide basic foundations for more accurate genetic counseling.

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Clinical significance of intramammary arterial calcifications in diabetic women

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp0402163m ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 163-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zorica Milosevic ◽

Jelica Bjekic ◽

Stanko Radulovic ◽

Branislav Goldner

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Control Group ◽

Duration Of Diabetes ◽

Diabetic Macroangiopathy ◽

Indirect Sign ◽

Significant Difference

Background. It is well known that intramammary arterial calcifications diagnosed by mammography as a part of generalized diabetic macroangiopathy may be an indirect sign of diabetes mellitus. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intramammary arterial calcifications, the patient?s age when the calcifications occur, as well as to observe the influence of diabetic polineuropathy, type, and the duration of diabetes on the onset of calcifications, in comparison with nondiabetic women. Methods. Mammographic findings of 113 diabetic female patients (21 with type 1 diabetes and 92 with type 2), as well as of 208 nondiabetic women (the control group) were analyzed in the prospective study. The data about the type of diabetes, its duration, and polineuropathy were obtained using the questionnaire. Statistical differences were determined by Mann-Whitney test. Results. Intramammary arterial calcifications were identified in 33.3% of the women with type 1 diabetes, in 40.2% with type 2, and in 8.2% of the women from the control group, respectively. The differences comparing the women with type 1, as well as type 2 diabetes and the controls were statistically significant (p=0.0001). Women with intramammary arterial calcifications and type 1 diabetes were younger comparing to the control group (median age 52 years, comparing to 67 years of age, p=0.001), while there was no statistically significant difference in age between the women with calcifications and type 2 diabetes (61 years of age) in relation to the control group (p=0.176). The incidence of polineuropathy in diabetic women was higher in the group with intramammary arterial calcifications (52.3%) in comparison to the group without calcifications (26.1%), (p=0.005). The association between intramammary arterial calcifications and the duration of diabetes was not found. Conclusion. The obtained results supported the theory that intramammary arterial calcifications, detected by mammography could serve as markers of co-existing diabetes mellitus and therefore should be specified in radiologic report in case of their early development.

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Aggregation activity of blood formed elements in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

10.14341/2072-0351-5518 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 49-53

Author(s):

Boris Il'ich Kuznik ◽

Yury Antonovich Vitkovskiy ◽

Marina Yur'evna Zakharova ◽

Natalya Nikolaevna Klyuchereva ◽

Olga Sergeevna Rodnina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Platelet Aggregation ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Erythrocyte Adhesion ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

Aggregation Activity ◽

Spontaneous Platelet Aggregation

Aims. To assess differences in blood formed elements aggregation activity in patients with type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2) diabetes mellitus(DM). Materials and methods. We studied blood samples from 88 patients with T1 and T2 DM. Platelet aggregation activity was assessed bymeans of ?Biola? aggregometer; we also determined platelet-lymphocyte and leucocyte-erythrocyte adhesion intensity. Results. We show that spontaneous platelet aggregation is markedly increased in patients with T1DM but remains normal or slightlyelevated in case of T2DM. In blood from patients with T2DM platelet aggregation in response to ADP, epinephrine, ristomycineand contact with collagen was generally increased, whereas in T1DM we often observed its secondary reduction. Data on plateletlymphocyteadhesion in T1DM is controversial, but in T2DM this process seems to be significantly suppressed. Quantity of leucocyteerythrocyteaggregates was sharply increased in both T1DM and T2DM. Conclusion. We've determined significant difference in blood formed elements aggregation activity between patients with T1 and T2 DM.

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IM-03 IMMUNOLOGICAL SUBTYPES OF GLIOBLASTOMA BASED ON TUMOR INFILTRATING CELLS

Neuro-Oncology Advances ◽

10.1093/noajnl/vdz039.052 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii12-ii12

Author(s):

Kushihara Yoshihiro ◽

Syota Tanaka ◽

Erika Yamasawa ◽

Tsukasa Koike ◽

Taijun Hana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

T Cell ◽

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Gene Set ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract To discover novel biological targets in glioblastoma, genomic and immunological analysis were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set. The RNA-seq data of 156 primary glioblastoma cases were subjected to CIBERSORT to detect tumor infiltrating cell fractions. Principal component analysis was performed on this data to detect factors that strongly contribute to the first principal component, and hierarchical clustering was performed. Survival curves were compared for each of the derived clusters. Finally, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) using HALLMARK Gene Set was performed. In the principal component analysis, we detected seven factors (NK cells resting, T cell regulatory, NK cells activated, Macrophage type 0, T cell gamma delta, Macrophage type 2, Macrophage type 1) which strongly contribute to the first principal component. Based on these seven factors, hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in T cell regulatory (Treg), Macrophage type 0 (M0), Macrophage type 2 (M2) and Macrophage type 1 (M1) clusters. There was no significant difference between these groups in CD8 T cell. M2 and M1 clusters displayed better OS with a significant difference. TNFA signaling via NFκB in Treg group, IFNα response, IFNγ response and ALLOGRAFT response in M2 group, G2M CHECKPOINT, GLYCOLYSIS, WNTβ catenin signaling, MITOTIC SPINDLE and TGFβ signaling in M1 group were upregulated. In conclusion, tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma can be divided into 4 immunological subtypes, Treg, M0, M1, and M2. Because of the contribution of innate immunity for shaping the tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma, immunotherapies targeting these innate immune cells are anticipated.

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Global sagittal spinal alignment in patients with degenerative low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery ◽

10.1177/2309499019885190 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 230949901988519

Author(s):

Hiroto Kobayashi ◽

Kenji Endo ◽

Yasunobu Sawaji ◽

Yuji Matsuoka ◽

Hirosuke Nishimura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sacral Slope ◽

Low Grade ◽

Spinal Alignment ◽

Sagittal Spinal Alignment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis ◽

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis ◽

Type 3

Purpose: Global sagittal spinal alignment undergoes changes on the basis of sagittal malalignment (trunk inclined forward) in natural degenerative progression. We hypothesized that this change would associate with the disease state of the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS). This study aimed to evaluate the global sagittal spinal alignment of low-grade DS by classifying in accordance with sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Methods: The DS group was classified into three types according to the adult spinal deformity classification: type 1, SVA < 40 mm; type 2, 40 mm ≤ SVA < 95 mm; and type 3, 95 mm ≤ SVA. Age and sagittal spinal parameters (thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI)) were compared among three types. Results: There were statistically significant differences in age, LL, PI, and PT among the three types. In comparison between two types, there was a statistically significant difference between type 1 and type 2 and between type 1 and type 3, but not between type 2 and type 3 in these parameters. PI tended to increase as the type increases. Furthermore, there was significant difference between types 1 and 3. Conclusion: We evaluated the features of the DS types classified by sagittal alignment. Large PI is one of the risk factors for SVA deterioration of DS. PI may be involved in the onset and progression of DS.

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Patterns and Determinants of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner Use among Adults with Diabetes in Queensland, Australia

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2012/659419 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Chi-Wai Lui ◽

Jo Dower ◽

Maria Donald ◽

Joseph R. Coll

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Care Service ◽

Health Care Service ◽

Large Population ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Complementary And Alternative

There is evidence that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among people with diabetes. The role of CAM in the treatment or management of diabetes is an emerging health issue given the potential side effects and benefits associated with the use of this kind of medicine. This paper examined patterns and determinants of CAM practitioner use in Queensland, Australia, using a large population-based sample of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The study found that within a 12-month period, 7.7% of people with diabetes used the services of CAM practitioners alongside or as a complement to conventional health care service. Younger age, female gender, a higher education, having private health insurance, and engagement in preventive health behaviours are significant predictors of individuals who are more likely to visit a CAM practitioner. There was no significant difference in CAM practitioner use between people with type 1, type 2 insulin requiring, or type 2 noninsulin requiring diabetes. The findings highlight the need for further research on the role of CAM in the prevention and management of diabetes.

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Analysis of the Characteristics and Number of Bicycle–Passenger Conflicts at Bus Stops for Improving Safety

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11195263 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (19) ◽

pp. 5263 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xingchen Yan ◽

Tao Wang ◽

Jun Chen ◽

Xiaofei Ye ◽

Zhen Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Video Recording ◽

Longitudinal Direction ◽

Percentage Error ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Conflict Duration ◽

Passenger Volume ◽

Bus Stops ◽

Type 3

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of bicycle–passenger conflicts at bus stops and develop a model to predict the number of conflicts accurately. This paper investigated the traffic flow operation at bus stops by video recording. Duration and distribution characteristics of bicycle–passenger conflicts were statistically analyzed. Then four types of conflicts defined based on evasive behavior (cyclist yielding as Type 1, cyclist bypassing as Type 2, passenger yielding as Type 3, and passenger bypassing as Type 4) were compared. A generalized event count (GEC) model was established for bicycle–passenger conflict estimation and analysis. The main results indicated that: (1) The average conflict duration was 1.716 s, whilst 60.9% of conflicts existed near the accesses of bus stops in longitudinal direction; (2) Type 1 conflict was significantly different from Type 2, 3, and 4 conflicts in duration, whilst the three had no significant difference; (3) the proposed GEC model showed good performance in predicting bicycle–passenger conflicts, with 15.71% of mean-absolute-percentage-error and 0.8772 of R2; and (4) bicycle volume, bus passenger volume, and passenger crossing time were critical factors impacting the number of bicycle–passenger conflicts. Finally, transport agencies may consider installing separations and crosswalks to improve the safety of the stop area.

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Comparison of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated lesions produced by co-infection between two genotypes of PCV2 and two genotypes of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.066290-0 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 95 (11) ◽

pp. 2486-2494 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Changhoon Park ◽

Hwi Won Seo ◽

Su-Jin Park ◽

Kiwon Han ◽

Chanhee Chae

Keyword(s):

Porcine Circovirus Type ◽

Porcine Circovirus Type 2 ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Associated Lesions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Concurrent Infections

The objective of this study was to compare the virulence and pathogenicity of a combination of concurrent infections of two genotypes of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and two genotypes of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in terms of PCV2 viraemia, and PCV2-associated lesions and antigens in co-infected pigs. Pigs with PCV2a (or 2b)/type 1 (or type 2) PRRSV had significantly (P<0.05) higher mean clinical respiratory scores and lower average daily weight gain compared with pigs with PCV2a (or 2b). Co-infection induced significantly lower levels of anti-PCV2 and anti-PRRSV IgG antibodies than infection with one genotype alone, regardless of the genotype of the two viruses. Pigs with PCV2a (or 2b)/type 2 PRRSV had significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of PCV2 viraemia, more severe PCV2-associated lesions, and more PCV2 DNA within the lesions compared with pigs with PCV2a (or 2b)/type 1 PRRSV. However, there was no significant difference in these parameters in pigs with PCV2a/type 2 PRRSV or PCV2b/type 2 PRRSV. The results of this study demonstrate significant differences in the virulence and pathogenicity of type 1 and type 2 PRRSV but no significant differences in the virulence and pathogenicity of PCV2a and PCV2b with respect to the production of PCV2-associated lesions.

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Serum IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-βLevels in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Age-Matched Healthy Controls

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/718946 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Azam Roohi ◽

Mina Tabrizi ◽

Farzaneh Abbasi ◽

Asal Ataie-Jafari ◽

Behrouz Nikbin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Serum Levels ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Low Grade ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Type 2 Diabetic Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Type 1 Diabetic Patients ◽

Type 2 Diabetic

Type 1 diabetes is recognized as an autoimmune inflammatory disease and low grade inflammation is also observed in type 2 diabetic patients. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a new player in inflammation. Th17 cells, as the main source of IL-17, require transforming growth factorβ(TGF-β) and interleukin 23 (IL-23). The aim of this study was to investigate serum IL-17, IL-23 and TGF-βlevels in diabetic patients and controls. In this case-control study, serum levels of IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-βwere measured in 24 type 1 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls using the ELISA method. Simultaneously, the same methodology was used to compare serum concentration of these three cytokines in 38 type 2 diabetic patients and 40 healthy controls. There was no significant difference between serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 cytokines between cases and controls. However, TGF-βwas significantly lower in type 1 diabetic patients (P<0.001). Serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels demonstrate no association with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but, in line with previous studies, TGF-βlevels were lower in type 1 diabetic patients.

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Interleukin-18 and CD30 serum levels in patients with moderate-severe depression

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1080/096293502900000131 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 265-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Rosaria Alba Merendino ◽

Antonio Enrico Di Rosa ◽

Giuseppe Di Pasquale ◽

Paola Lucia Minciullo ◽

Carmela Mangraviti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Interleukin 18 ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Significant Difference ◽

First Time ◽

Helper Type

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the T-cell-helper type 1 response, is a new member of the family of cytokines produced in the brain. CD30 is a marker of T-cell-helper type 2 lymphocytes. We evaluated IL-18 and CD30 serum levels in 10 patients affected by moderate-severe depression (MSD). We demonstrated for the first time that serum IL-18 levels of MSD patients were significantly higher than those of healthy donors. On the contrary, no significant difference was found between serum CD30 levels of MSD patients compared with those of healthy donors. These data strengthen the hypothesis that MSD disease is associated with an inflammatory response, mainly T-cell-helper type 1, and suggest an important role for IL-18 in the pathophysiology of MSD.

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