The Photonic Lantern

Photonic lanterns are made by adiabatically merging several single-mode cores into one multimode core. They provide low-loss interfaces between single-mode and multimode systems where the precise optical mapping between cores and individual modes is unimportant.Comment: 45 pages; article unchanged, accepted for publication in Advances in Optics and Photonic

A novel alternatively spliced isoform of the mu-opioid receptor: functional antagonism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Opioids are the most widely used analgesics for the treatment of clinical pain. They produce their therapeutic effects by binding to μ-opioid receptors (MORs), which are 7 transmembrane domain (7TM) G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and inhibiting cellular activity. However, the analgesic efficacy of opioids is compromised by side-effects such as analgesic tolerance, dependence and opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). In contrast to opioid analgesia these side effects are associated with cellular excitation. Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain these phenomena, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying tolerance and OIH remain poorly understood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We recently discovered a new human alternatively spliced isoform of MOR (MOR1K) that is missing the N-terminal extracellular and first transmembrane domains, resulting in a 6TM GPCR variant. To characterize the pattern of cellular transduction pathways activated by this human MOR1K isoform, we conducted a series of pharmacological and molecular experiments. Results show that stimulation of MOR1K with morphine leads to excitatory cellular effects. In contrast to stimulation of MOR1, stimulation of MOR1K leads to increased Ca²⁺levels as well as increased nitric oxide (NO) release. Immunoprecipitation experiments further reveal that unlike MOR1, which couples to the inhibitory Gα_i/ocomplex, MOR1K couples to the stimulatory Gα_scomplex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The major MOR1 and the alternative MOR1K isoforms mediate opposite cellular effects in response to morphine, with MOR1K driving excitatory processes. These findings warrant further investigations that examine animal and human MORK1 expression and function following chronic exposure to opioids, which may identify MOR1K as a novel target for the development of new clinically effective classes of opioids that have high analgesic efficacy with diminished ability to produce tolerance, OIH, and other unwanted side-effects.</p

A Multi-Core Fibre Photonic Lantern-Based Spectrograph for Raman Spectroscopy

[EN] We report on the development of a compact (volume approximate to 100 cm(3)), multimode diffraction-limited Raman spectrograph and probe designed to be compact as possible. The spectrograph uses 'off the shelf' optics, a custom 3D-printed two-part housing and harnesses a multi-core fibre (MCF) photonic lantern (multimode to few-mode converter), which slices a large 40 mu m multimode input into a near-diffraction-limited 6 mu m aperture. Our unique design utilises the hexagonal geometry of our MCF, permitting high multimode collection efficiency with near-diffraction-limited performance in a compact design. Our approach does not require a complex reformatter or mask and thus preserves spectral information and throughput when forming the entrance slit of the spectrograph. We demonstrate the technology over the interval 800 nm to 940 nm (200 cm(-1) to 2000 cm(-1)) with a resolution of 0.3 nm (4 cm(-1)), but other spectral regions and resolutions from the UV to the near infrared are also possible. We demonstrate the performance of our system by recording the Raman spectra of several compounds, including the pharmaceuticals paracetamol and ibuprofen.This work was supported in part by the University of Sydney under Grant SREI 2020 and in part by JBH's ARC Laureate Fellowship under Grant FL140100278.Betters, CH.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.; Sukkarieh, S.; Gris-Sánchez, I.; Leon-Saval, SG. (2020). A Multi-Core Fibre Photonic Lantern-Based Spectrograph for Raman Spectroscopy. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters. 32(7):395-398. https://doi.org/10.1109/LPT.2020.2976599S39539832

Semiquantitative interpretation of anticardiolipin and antiβ2glycoprotein I antibodies measured with various analytical platforms: communication from the ISTH SSC subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid antibodies

Background Antiβ2glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) and anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM show differences in positive/negative agreement and titers between solid phase platforms. Method specific semiquantitative categorization of titers could improve and harmonize the interpretation across platforms. Aim To evaluate the traditionally 40/80 units thresholds used for aCL and aβ2GPI for categorization into moderate/high positivity with different analytical systems, and to compare with alternative thresholds. Material and methods aCL and aβ2GPI thresholds were calculated for two automated systems (chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and multiplex flow immunoassay (MFI)) by ROC-curve analysis on 1108 patient samples, including patients with and without APS, and confirmed on a second population (n=279). Alternatively, regression analysis on diluted standard material was applied to identify thresholds. Thresholds were compared to 40/80 threshold measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated. Results Threshold levels of 40/80 units show poor agreement between ELISA and automated platforms for classification into low/moderate/high positivity, especially for aCL/aβ2GPI IgG. Agreement for semiquantitative interpretation of aPL IgG between ELISA and CLIA/MFI improves with alternative thresholds. LR for aPL IgG increase for thrombotic and obstetric APS based on 40/80 thresholds for ELISA and adapted thresholds for the other systems, but not for IgM. Conclusion Use of 40/80 units as medium/high thresholds is acceptable for aCL/aβ2GPI IgG ELISA, but not for CLIA and MFI. Alternative semiquantitative thresholds for non-ELISA platforms can be determined by a clinical approach or by using monoclonal antibodies. Semiquantitative reporting of aPL IgM has less impact on increasing probability for APS

Modal noise mitigation in a photonic lantern fed near-IR spectrograph

Recently we have demonstrated the potential of a hybrid astrophotonic device, consisting of a multi-core fiber photonic lantern and a 3D waveguide reformatting component, to efficiently reformat the multimode point spread function of a telescope to a diffracted limited pseudo-slit. Here, we report on an investigation into the potential of this device to mitigate modal noise-one of the main hurdles of multi-mode fiber-fed spectrographs. The modal noise performance of the photonic reformatter and other fiber feeds was assessed using a bench-Top spectrograph based on an echelle grating. In a first method of modal noise quantification, we used broadband light as the input, and assessed the modal noise performance based on the variations in the normalized spectrum as the input coupling to the fiber feed is varied. In a second method, we passed the broadband light through an etalon to generate a source with spectrally narrow peaks. We then used the spectral stability of these peaks as the input coupling to the fiber feed was varied as a proxy for the modal noise. Using both of these approaches we found that the photonic reformatter could significantly reduce modal noise compared to the multi-mode fiber feed, demonstrating the potential of photonic reformatters to mitigate modal noise for applications such as near-IR radial velocity measurements of M-dwarf stars. </p

Phenolic compound profile by UPLC-MS/MS and encapsulation with chitosan of Spondias mombin L. fruit peel extract from Cerrado hotspot-Brazil

8openInternationalInternational coauthor/editorTaperebá (Spondias mombin L.) is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado that has shown important characteristics such as a significant phenolic compound content and biological activities. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity in taperebá peel extract, as well as microencapsulating the extract with chitosan and evaluating the stability of the microparticles. The evaluation of the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by UPLC-MS/MS. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods. The microparticles were obtained by spray drying and were submitted to a stability study under different temperatures. In general, the results showed a significant content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results of UPLC-MS/MS demonstrated a significant content of polyphenols in taperebá peel, highlighting the high content of ellagic acid and quercetin compounds. There was significant retention of phenolic compounds when microencapsulated, demonstrating high retention at all evaluated temperatures. This study is the first to microencapsulate the extract of taperebá peel, in addition to identifying and quantifying some compounds in this fruitopenBrito, Giovanna Oliveira de; Reis, Bruna Cabral; Ferreira, Eduardo A; Vilela Junqueira, Nilton T; Sá-Barreto, Lívia C L; Mattivi, Fulvio; Vrhovsek, Urska; Gris, Eliana FortesBrito, G.O.D.; Reis, B.C.; Ferreira, E.A.; Vilela Junqueira, N.T.; Sá-Barreto, L.C.L.; Mattivi, F.; Vrhovsek, U.; Gris, E.F

Clinical evidence for high-risk CE-marked medical devices for glucose management: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis, within the Coordinating Research and Evidence for Medical Devices (CORE-MD) project, evaluating CE-marked high-risk devices for glucose management. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified interventional and observational studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of eight automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, two implantable insulin pumps, and three implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. We meta-analysed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AID systems with other treatments. RESULTS A total of 182 studies published between 2009 and 2024 were included, comprising 166 studies on AID systems, six on insulin pumps, and 10 on CGM devices; 26% reported industry funding; 18% were pre-market; 37% had a comparator group. Of the studies identified, 29% were RCTs, 24% were non-randomized trials, and 47% were observational studies. The median (interquartile range) sample size was 48 (28-102), age 34.8 (14-44.2) years, and study duration 17.5 (12-26) weeks. AID systems lowered glycated haemoglobin by 0.5 percentage points (absolute mean difference [MD] = -0.5; 21 RCTs; I2 = 86%) and increased time in target range for sensor glucose level by 13.4 percentage points (MD = 13.4; 14 RCTs; I2 = 90%). At least one safety outcome was assessed in 71% of studies. CONCLUSIONS High-risk devices for glucose monitoring or insulin dosing, in particular AID systems, improve glucose control safely, but evidence on diabetes-related end-organ damage is lacking due to short study durations. Methodological heterogeneity highlights the need for developing standards for future pre- and post-market investigations of diabetes-specific high-risk medical devices