On the Inversion of Light Scattering Data into Information on Aerosol Properties

The Backus-Gilbert inversion technique was applied to scattering data and calculated examples were given to ascertain its ability to recover the aerosol properties with no a-priori assumptions. In order to cheque this inversion procedure as well as other techniques (such as Daves' and Herman's et al.), a controlled experiment was performed. The experiment dealt with spherical particles the Mie scattering curves of which was measured by use of a dye-laser. These curves were used to accurately determine the refractive index of the particles. Mixtures of three different known sizes were then prepared and the scattering intensity vs. wavelength was measured at 90 deg scattering angle. The mixtures contained also various known relative concentrations of the three sizes. The analysis of the measured results will be shown and discussed

Investigation of laser frequency stabilization

Frequency stabilization of far infrared lase

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and cancer prognosis: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies

Background Although neutrophils have been linked to the progression of cancer, uncertainty exists around their association with cancer outcomes, depending on the site, outcome and treatments considered. We aimed to evaluate the strength and validity of evidence on the association between either the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or tumour-associated neutrophils (TAN) and cancer prognosis. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to 29 May 2020 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies on neutrophil counts (here NLR or TAN) and specific cancer outcomes related to disease progression or survival. The available evidence was graded as strong, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak or uncertain through the application of pre-set GRADE criteria. Results A total of 204 meta-analyses from 86 studies investigating the association between either NLR or TAN and cancer outcomes met the criteria for inclusion. All but one meta-analyses found a hazard ratio (HR) which increased risk (HR > 1). We did not find sufficient meta-analyses to evaluate TAN and cancer outcomes (N = 9). When assessed for magnitude of effect, significance and bias related to heterogeneity and small study effects, 18 (9%) associations between NLR and outcomes in composite cancer endpoints (combined analysis), cancers treated with immunotherapy and some site specific cancers (urinary, nasopharyngeal, gastric, breast, endometrial, soft tissue sarcoma and hepatocellular cancers) were supported by strong evidence. Conclusion In total, 60 (29%) meta-analyses presented strong or highly suggestive evidence. Although the NLR and TAN hold clinical promise in their association with poor cancer prognosis, further research is required to provide robust evidence, assess causality and test clinical utility

The identification of established modifiable mid-life risk factors for cardiovascular disease which contribute to cognitive decline: Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA)

INTRODUCTION: We explored how different chronic diseases, risk factors, and protective factors highly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are associated with dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Korean elders, with a focus on those that manifest in mid-life. METHODS: A CVD-free cohort (n = 4289) from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging was selected to perform Cox mixed-effects proportional hazard regressions. Eighteen control variables with strong associations to CVD were chosen as explanatory variables, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score cut-off for dementia and MCI were used as outcome variables. RESULTS: The statistically significant (P < 0.05) adverse factors that contribute in developing dementia were age (aHR 1.07, 1.05-1.09), Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) (aHR 1.17, 1.12-1.23), diagnosis with cerebrovascular disease (aHR 3.73, 1.81-7.66), living with diabetes (aHR 2.30, 1.22-4.35), and living with high blood pressure (HBP) (aHR 2.05, 1.09-3.87). In contrast, the statistically significant protective factors against developing dementia were current alcohol consumption (aHR 0.67, 0.46-0.99), higher educational attainment (aHR 0.36, 0.26-0.56), and regular exercise (aHR 0.37, 0.26-0.51). The factors with a statistically significant adverse association with progression to MCI were age (aHR 1.02, 1.01-1.03) and CESD-10 (aHR 1.17, 1.14-1.19). In contrast, the statistically significant protective factors against developing MCI were BMI (aHR 0.96, 0.94-0.98), higher educational attainment (aHR 0.33, 0.26-0.43), and regular exercise (aHR 0.83, 0.74-0.92). CONCLUSION: In lieu of the protective factor of MCI and dementia, implementing regular exercise routine well before mid-life and cognitive decline is significant, with adjustments made for those suffering from health conditions, so they can continue exercising despite their morbidity. Further attention in diabetes care and management is needed for patients who already show decline in cognitive ability as it is likely that their MCI impacts their ability to manage their existing chronic conditions, which may adversely affect their cognitive ability furthermore

Changing Dose of Progesterone Results in Sudden Changes in Frequency of Luteinizing Hormone Pulses and Secretion of 17β-Estradiol in Bovine Females

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the time course according to which changes in circulating concentrations of progesterone influence pulsatile secretion of LH and secretion of 17β-estradiol. Our working hypothesis was that changing the dose of progesterone would result in changes in frequency of LH pulses and secretion of 17β-estradiol within 72 h. Five days after behavioral estrus, thirty-three cows were randomly assigned to one of five groups: 1) control, no treatment (CONT, n = 5); 2) treatment with two progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices (PRIDs) for 11 days (2PRID, 5-6 ng/ml plasma progesterone, n = 7); 3) treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 11 days (0.5PRID, 1-2 ng/ml plasma progesterone, n = 7); 4) treatment with 2 PRIDs for 8 days followed by treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 3 days (2-0.5PRID, n = 7); and 5) treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 8 days followed by treatment with 2 PRIDs for 3 days (0.5-2PRID, n = 7). Cows subject to PRID treatments received injections of prostaglandin F2 on Days 1 and 2 (Day 0 = day of initiation of PRID treatments, fifth day of the estrous cycle in CONT cows) to lyse the existing corpus luteum. Cows were bled for 12 h at 15-min intervals on Day 7.5 of the treatment period (twelfth day of the estrous cycle in CONT cows). The dose of progesterone was changed on Day 8 in cows that were assigned to the 2-0.5PRID and 0.5-2PRID groups, and blood collections continued an additional 72 h to characterize profiles of circulating concentrations of LH and 17β-estradiol. Cows treated with a 0.5 PRID had a greater (p \u3c 0.05) number of LH pulses and higher (p \u3c 0.05) concentrations of 17β-estradiol throughout the entire blood collection period than cows in the 2PRID and CONT groups. An increase in the number of LH pulses was detected within 6 h after the change from the high to the low dose of progesterone (2-0.5PRID), and frequency of LH pulses was similar to that of cows in the 0.5PRID group for the remainder of the period of blood collection. LH pulse frequency declined within 6 h after the shift from the low to the high dose of progesterone (0.5-2PRID) and was similar to that of cows in the 2PRID group by 12 h after the dose was changed. Within 6 h after the dose of progesterone was changed, circulating concentrations of 17p-estradiol increased (p \u3c 0.05) in cows shifted from the high to low dose (2-0.5PRID) and declined (p \u3c 0.05) after the dose of progesterone was changed from low to high (0.5-2PRID). We conclude that changing the circulating concentrations of progesterone concurrently affects frequency of pulsatile LH release and secretion of 17β-estradiol within 6-24 h

Changing Dose of Progesterone Results in Sudden Changes in Frequency of Luteinizing Hormone Pulses and Secretion of 17β-Estradiol in Bovine Females

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the time course according to which changes in circulating concentrations of progesterone influence pulsatile secretion of LH and secretion of 17β-estradiol. Our working hypothesis was that changing the dose of progesterone would result in changes in frequency of LH pulses and secretion of 17β-estradiol within 72 h. Five days after behavioral estrus, thirty-three cows were randomly assigned to one of five groups: 1) control, no treatment (CONT, n = 5); 2) treatment with two progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices (PRIDs) for 11 days (2PRID, 5-6 ng/ml plasma progesterone, n = 7); 3) treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 11 days (0.5PRID, 1-2 ng/ml plasma progesterone, n = 7); 4) treatment with 2 PRIDs for 8 days followed by treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 3 days (2-0.5PRID, n = 7); and 5) treatment with a 0.5 PRID for 8 days followed by treatment with 2 PRIDs for 3 days (0.5-2PRID, n = 7). Cows subject to PRID treatments received injections of prostaglandin F2 on Days 1 and 2 (Day 0 = day of initiation of PRID treatments, fifth day of the estrous cycle in CONT cows) to lyse the existing corpus luteum. Cows were bled for 12 h at 15-min intervals on Day 7.5 of the treatment period (twelfth day of the estrous cycle in CONT cows). The dose of progesterone was changed on Day 8 in cows that were assigned to the 2-0.5PRID and 0.5-2PRID groups, and blood collections continued an additional 72 h to characterize profiles of circulating concentrations of LH and 17β-estradiol. Cows treated with a 0.5 PRID had a greater (p \u3c 0.05) number of LH pulses and higher (p \u3c 0.05) concentrations of 17β-estradiol throughout the entire blood collection period than cows in the 2PRID and CONT groups. An increase in the number of LH pulses was detected within 6 h after the change from the high to the low dose of progesterone (2-0.5PRID), and frequency of LH pulses was similar to that of cows in the 0.5PRID group for the remainder of the period of blood collection. LH pulse frequency declined within 6 h after the shift from the low to the high dose of progesterone (0.5-2PRID) and was similar to that of cows in the 2PRID group by 12 h after the dose was changed. Within 6 h after the dose of progesterone was changed, circulating concentrations of 17p-estradiol increased (p \u3c 0.05) in cows shifted from the high to low dose (2-0.5PRID) and declined (p \u3c 0.05) after the dose of progesterone was changed from low to high (0.5-2PRID). We conclude that changing the circulating concentrations of progesterone concurrently affects frequency of pulsatile LH release and secretion of 17β-estradiol within 6-24 h

Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Manipulates Follicles in Beef Females

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is produced by cells surrounding the egg in the follicle. If VEGF is inhibited, ovulation does not occur. Understanding how VEGF regulates follicle development may allow for manipulation of estrous cycles. In previous studies in our laboratory, blocking the actions of VEGF decreased activation of early stage follicles in neonatal rat ovary cultures. Therefore, we hypothesized inhibition of VEGF actions would also inhibit follicle activation in bovine ovarian cortical cultures. Inhibition of VEGF did inhibit follicle progression, thus regulation of VEGF may be a way to manipulate follicle development and more accurately time ovulation

Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Manipulates Follicles in Beef Females

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is produced by cells surrounding the egg in the follicle. If VEGF is inhibited, ovulation does not occur. Understanding how VEGF regulates follicle development may allow for manipulation of estrous cycles. In previous studies in our laboratory, blocking the actions of VEGF decreased activation of early stage follicles in neonatal rat ovary cultures. Therefore, we hypothesized inhibition of VEGF actions would also inhibit follicle activation in bovine ovarian cortical cultures. Inhibition of VEGF did inhibit follicle progression, thus regulation of VEGF may be a way to manipulate follicle development and more accurately time ovulation