Localized Refractive index sensing by integrated photonic crystal waveguide with edge cavity

We have designed a highly compact refractive-index sensing device consisted of edge cavity-waveguide coupling structure in photonic crystal. The edge cavity is designed by engineering the spatial distribution of the cutoff frequency of edge modes. The edge cavity modes and the waveguide modes are coupled by a point defect between them. At critical coupling, a sharp anti-peak of the transmittance through the waveguide is observed. As the refractive index of the gas changes, the resonant wavelength of the edge cavity is changed, which in turn changes the wavelength of the transmittance anti-peak. The sensitivity of the anti-peak wavelength versus the refractive index is as large as 40 nm/RIU, and the footprint of the device is as small as 40 $\mu m^{2}$. Because the sensing mechanism is based on highly localized resonant mode at the edge, spatial distribution of refractive index near to the sensing device can be detected. The form of the imported and exported optical signal are both photonic waveguide modes, so that the sensing device could be directly integrated with photonic circuit.Comment: 5 figure

Parotid gland oncocytoma mimicking local malignancy of Warthin’s tumour on contrast-enhanced ultrasound

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Is ultrasound combined with computed tomography useful for distinguishing between primary thyroid lymphoma and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

Introduction: The aim of the study is to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound combined with computed tomography (CT) for distinguishing between primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Material and methods: The investigation was conducted retrospectively in 80 patients from January 2000 to July 2018. All patients underwent pathological tests to be classified into one of two groups: PTL group and HT group. The cut-off value of CT density was determined using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of diagnosis for thyroid by CT alone, ultrasound alone, and the combination of CT plus ultrasound were calculated. Results: Of the 80 study patients, 27 patients were PTL and 53 patients were HT. Mean CT density had a sensitivity of 90.6% and a specificity of 88.9% at a cut-off value of 53.5 HU, with area under the curve (AUC) 0.88. Ultrasound combined with CT had the highest specificity, accuracy, and PPV compared with CT alone and ultrasound alone (p value < 0.05). Conclusions: Features such as extremely hypoechogenicity, enhanced posterior echo, cervical lymphadenopathy in ultrasound image, and linear high-density strand signs, and very low density in CT imaging have high sensitivity and specificity in thyroid lymphoma. Therefore, ultrasound combined with CT may be useful for distinguishing between PTL and HT.

Radiofrequency ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma close to the thyroid capsule versus far from the thyroid capsule: a retrospective study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) close to the thyroid capsule. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study of 202 patients with PTMC who underwent RFA close to the thyroid capsule and 80 patients with PTMC who underwent RFA far from the thyroid capsule between June 2015 and December 2022. The follow-up time after RFA, change in size of tumour, location, thyroid function, the rates of PTMC disappearance, and complications were evaluated. Results: A total of 202 patients with PTMC close to the thyroid capsule and 80 patients with PTMC far from the thyroid capsule successfully treated with RFA were studied. The thyroid function including free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) showed no changes after RFA for one months in both groups. The tumour size was increased at 1, 3, and 6 months after RFA compared with pre-operative RFA in both groups. The tumour size was decreased at 12 and 24 months after RFA compared with pre-operative RFA both in both group. Seventy-nine PTMC close to the thyroid capsule and 30 PTMC far from the thyroid capsule completely disappeared as assessed by ultrasound examination. Eighty-four PTMC patients close to the thyroid capsule and 34 PTMC patients far from the thyroid capsule had minor complications after RFA treatment. The complication rates between the 2 groups were similar. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided RFA seems to be an effective and safe method for patients with PTMC close to the thyroid capsule

Efficacy of metformin targets on cardiometabolic health in the general population and non-diabetic individuals: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND: Metformin shows beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health in diabetic individuals. However, the beneficial effects in the general population, especially in non-diabetic individuals are unclear. We aim to estimate the effects of perturbation of seven metformin targets on cardiometabolic health using Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: Genetic variants close to metformin-targeted genes associated with expression of the corresponding genes and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level were used to proxy therapeutic effects of seven metformin-related drug targets. Eight cardiometabolic phenotypes under metformin trials were selected as outcomes (average N = 466,947). MR estimates representing the weighted average effects of the seven effects of metformin targets on the eight outcomes were generated. One-sample MR was applied to estimate the averaged and target-specific effects in 338,425 non-diabetic individuals in UK Biobank. FINDINGS: Genetically proxied averaged effects of five metformin targets, equivalent to a 0.62% reduction of HbA1c level, was associated with 37.8% lower risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46-0.84), lower levels of body mass index (BMI) (β = -0.22, 95% CI = -0.35 to -0.09), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β = -0.19, 95% CI = -0.28 to -0.09) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels (β = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.39 to -0.19). One-sample MR suggested that the seven metformin targets showed averaged and target-specific beneficial effects on BMI, SBP and DBP in non-diabetic individuals. INTERPRETATION: This study showed that perturbation of seven metformin targets has beneficial effects on BMI and blood pressure in non-diabetic individuals. Clinical trials are needed to investigate whether similar effects can be achieved with metformin medications. FUNDING: Funding information is provided in the Acknowledgements

Modification effect of changes in cardiometabolic traits in association between kidney stones and cardiovascular events

BackgroundsWhether longitudinal changes in metabolic status influence the effect of kidney stones on cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclarified. We investigated the modification effect of status changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the association of kidney stones with risk of incident CVD events.MethodsWe performed a prospective association and interaction study in a nationwide cohort including 129,172 participants aged ≥ 40 years without CVDs at baseline and followed up for an average of 3.8 years. Kidney stones information was collected by using a questionnaire and validated by medical records. The repeated biochemical measurements were performed to ascertain the metabolic status at both baseline and follow-up.Results4,017 incident total CVDs, 1,413 coronary heart diseases (CHDs) and 2,682 strokes were documented and ascertained during follow-up. Kidney stones presence was significantly associated with 44%, 70% and 31% higher risk of CVDs, CHDs and stroke, respectively. The stratified analysis showed significant associations were found in the incident and sustained MetS patients, while no significant associations were found in the non-MetS at both baseline and follow-up subjects or the MetS remission ones, especially in women. For the change status of each single component of the MetS, though the trends were not always the same, the associations with CVD were consistently significant in those with sustained metabolic disorders, except for the sustained high blood glucose group, while the associations were consistently significant in those with incident metabolic disorders except for the incident blood pressure group. We also found a significant association of kidney stone and CVD or CHD risk in the remain normal glucose or triglycerides groups; while the associations were consistently significant in those with incident metabolic disorders except for the incident blood pressure group. We also found a significant association of kidney stone and CVD or CHD risk in the remain normal glucose or triglycerides groups.ConclusionsA history of kidney stones in women with newly developed MetS or long-standing MetS associated with increased risk of CVD. The mechanisms link kidney stones and CVD risk in the metabolic and non-metabolic pathways were warranted for further studies

The Relative Body Weight Gain From Early to Middle Life Adulthood Associated With Later Life Risk of Diabetes: A Nationwide Cohort Study

AimTo determine the effect of decade-based body weight gain from 20 to 50 years of age on later life diabetes risk.Methods35,611 non-diabetic participants aged ≥ 50 years from a well-defined nationwide cohort were followed up for average of 3.6 years, with cardiovascular diseases and cancers at baseline were excluded. Body weight at 20, 30, 40, and 50 years was reported. The overall 30 years and each 10-year weight gain were calculated from the early and middle life. Cox regression models were used to estimate risks of incident diabetes.ResultsAfter 127,745.26 person-years of follow-up, 2,789 incident diabetes were identified (incidence rate, 2.18%) in 25,289 women (mean weight gain 20-50 years, 7.60 kg) and 10,322 men (7.93 kg). Each 10-kg weight gain over the 30 years was significantly associated with a 39.7% increased risk of incident diabetes (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.47); weight gain from 20-30 years showed a more prominent effect on the risk of developing diabetes before 60 years than that of after 60 years (Hazard ratio, HR = 1.084, 95% CI [1.049-1.121], P <0.0001 vs. 1.015 [0.975-1.056], P = 0.4643; PInteraction=0.0293). It showed a stable effect of the three 10-year intervals weight gain on risk of diabetes after 60 years (HR=1.055, 1.038, 1.043, respectively, all P < 0.0036).ConclusionsThe early life weight gain showed a more prominent effect on developing diabetes before 60 years than after 60 years; however, each-decade weight gain from 20 to 50 years showed a similar effect on risk developing diabetes after 60 years

Radioactive Seed Implantation for the Treatment of Mediastinal Malignant Tumors and Lymph Node Metastases in 43 Cases

Background and objective The locations of mediastinal malignant tumor lesions are deep and occult, and are close to the pericardium, trachea, or major vessels. Therefore, the possibility of surgical resection is slim, and cryoablation and thermal ablation are restricted. In current study, image and life quality data were compared before and after 125I seeding therapy to investigate its safety and clinical effects. Methods From July 2010 to July 2011, a 43-patient follow-up of pathologically confirmed cancers, including 21 cases of primary mediastinal squamous lung cancer, 9 cases of primary esophagus cancer, and 13 cases of lymph node metastases were completed. Among these, 18 cases presented with tracheal stenosis >50%, 9 cases had esophageal obstruction, and 9 cases had superior vena cava reflux disorder. Each lesion was implanted with 10 to 60 pieces of 125I particles, with an average of 30.79±14.23. CT data at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after therapy were obtained to evaluate the local lesion outcome. The quality of life of the patients as well as survival data was also recorded. Results The overall success rate of the operation was 100%. The longest time of follow-up was 12 months. At 6 months, 37 patients were alive, and the half-year survival rate was 85.0%. In terms of local lesions, 30 cases of PR and 7 cases of NC were found. The clinical effective rate was 81.08%, and the clinical beneficial rate was 100%. At 12 months after therapy, 31 patients were alive, and the one-year survival rate was 60.5%. In terms of local lesions, 16 cases of CR, 7 cases of PR, 2 cases of NC, and 6 cases of PD were found. The clinical effective rate was 74.19%, and the clinical beneficial rate was 80.65%. The KPS score increased after the treatment (P=0.000). Three cases of pneumothorax presented after treatment, and no severe complications, such as vessel, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve, or pericardiocentesis injuries, were found. Conclusion Radiation seed implantation in mediastinal malignant tumors is a relatively safe technique with high success rate, considerable efficacy, and clear clinical value in advanced cancer treatment

Identification and functional characterization of a novel surfactant protein A2 mutation (p.N207Y) in a Chinese family with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious disorder with a high mortality rate worldwide. It is characterized by irreversible scarring of the lung parenchyma resulting from excessive collagen production by proliferating fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Previous studies have revealed that mutations in surfactant protein‐related genes and telomerase complex genes are crucial underlying genetic factors. Methods In this study, we enrolled a family with IPF from the central southern region of China. Whole‐exome sequencing was employed to explore candidate genes in this family. Real‐time PCR and western blotting were used to study the functions of the identified mutations in vitro. Results A novel mutation (NM_001098668.4: c.619A>T; NP_001092138.1: p.N207Y) in surfactant protein A2 (SFTPA2,), having not been previously reported to be a mutation, was identified and co‐separated with all affected individuals in the IPF family. Functional research further revealed that the novel mutation affects the secretion of SFTPA2 protein and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress as well as apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion We are confident that this novel mutation (NM_001098668.4: c.619A>T; NP_001092138.1: p.N207Y) in SFTPA2 is the genetic mutation of the IPF family. Our study not only confirms the importance of SFTPA2 in IPF but also expands the spectrum of SFTPA2 mutations and contributes to the genetic diagnosis and counseling of IPF patients