Laser-induced surface phonons and their excitation of nanostructures

We report on the generation of surface phonons up to the GHz range utilizing laser interference techniques and analysis based on knife-edge and diffraction methods. Appropiate structure design also gives a route towards more complex SAW optics. Further, we are developing a new detection method based on scanning probe microscopy

Epithelioid glioblastomas stratify into established diagnostic subsets upon integrated molecular analysis

Epithelioid glioblastoma (eGBM) is a newly defined and rare GBM variant in the current WHO 2016 classification. BRAF V600E mutation is overrepresented in these tumors and there is known some morphological overlap with anaplastic epithelioid PXA (ePXA). In order to further elucidate this diagnostic category, we molecularly characterized 64 pediatric and adult examples initially diagnosed as "eGBM." Tumors were analyzed using array based methylation and direct sequencing of the BRAF and TERT genes. Our results demonstrated considerable molecular and clinical heterogeneity among eGBM cohort. Methylation patterns, copy number alterations, and mutational analysis data, in combination with clinical findings disclosed three different, well established tumor subtypes: (i) PXA-like tumors with favorable prognosis, predominantly in children and young adults (38), (ii) IDHwt GBM-like tumors with poor prognosis, mainly occurring in older adults, albeit with more frequent BRAF mutations (17), and (iii) RTK1 pediatric GBM-like neoplasms of intermediate prognosis in children and young adults, associated with chromothripsis and frequent PDGFRA amplifications (9). We conclude that the histopathologically defined eGBM do not represent a single diagnostic entity, but rather at least three molecularly and biologically distinct categories. Therefore, additional molecular testing through genome-wide molecular profiling is recommended to further stratify these rare cases

The Neuroanatomy of Transgender Identity: Mega-Analytic Findings From the ENIGMA Transgender Persons Working Group

Background: In contrast to cisgender persons, transgender persons identify with a different gender than the one assigned at birth. Although research on the underlying neurobiology of transgender persons has been accumulating over the years, neuroimaging studies in this relatively rare population are often based on very small samples resulting in discrepant findings. Aim: To examine the neurobiology of transgender persons in a large sample. Methods: Using a mega-analytic approach, structural MRI data of 803 non-hormonally treated transgender men (TM, n = 214, female assigned at birth with male gender identity), transgender women (TW, n = 172, male assigned at birth with female gender identity), cisgender men (CM, n = 221, male assigned at birth with male gender identity) and cisgender women (CW, n = 196, female assigned at birth with female gender identity) were analyzed. Outcomes: Structural brain measures, including grey matter volume, cortical surface area, and cortical thickness. Results: Transgender persons differed significantly from cisgender persons with respect to (sub)cortical brain volumes and surface area, but not cortical thickness. Contrasting the 4 groups (TM, TW, CM, and CW), we observed a variety of patterns that not only depended on the direction of gender identity (towards male or towards female) but also on the brain measure as well as the brain region examined. Clinical Translation: The outcomes of this large-scale study may provide a normative framework that may become useful in clinical studies. Strengths and Limitations: While this is the largest study of MRI data in transgender persons to date, the analyses conducted were governed (and restricted) by the type of data collected across all participating sites. Conclusion: Rather than being merely shifted towards either end of the male-female spectrum, transgender persons seem to present with their own unique brain phenotype. Mueller SC, Guillamon A, Zubiaurre-Elorza L, et al. The Neuroanatomy of Transgender Identity: Mega-Analytic Findings From the ENIGMA Transgender Persons Working Group. J Sex Med 2021;18:1122–1129