Analytical model for the IPACT dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithm for EPONs

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Aberration-free ultra-thin flat lenses and axicons at telecom wavelengths based on plasmonic metasurfaces

The concept of optical phase discontinuities is applied to the design and demonstration of aberration-free planar lenses and axicons, comprising a phased array of ultrathin subwavelength spaced optical antennas. The lenses and axicons consist of radial distributions of V-shaped nanoantennas that generate respectively spherical wavefronts and non-diffracting Bessel beams at telecom wavelengths. Simulations are also presented to show that our aberration-free designs are applicable to high numerical aperture lenses such as flat microscope objectives

Resveratrol regulates neuro-inflammation and induces adaptive immunity in Alzheimer’s disease

BACKGROUND: Treatment of mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects (N = 119) for 52 weeks with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol (up to 1 g by mouth twice daily) attenuates progressive declines in CSF Aβ40 levels and activities of daily living (ADL) scores. METHODS: For this retrospective study, we examined banked CSF and plasma samples from a subset of AD subjects with CSF Aβ42 <600 ng/ml (biomarker-confirmed AD) at baseline (N = 19 resveratrol-treated and N = 19 placebo-treated). We utilized multiplex Xmap technology to measure markers of neurodegenerative disease and metalloproteinases (MMPs) in parallel in CSF and plasma samples. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo-treated group, at 52 weeks, resveratrol markedly reduced CSF MMP9 and increased macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), interleukin (IL)-4, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2. Compared to baseline, resveratrol increased plasma MMP10 and decreased IL-12P40, IL12P70, and RANTES. In this subset analysis, resveratrol treatment attenuated declines in mini-mental status examination (MMSE) scores, change in ADL (ADCS-ADL) scores, and CSF Aβ42 levels during the 52-week trial, but did not alter tau levels. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these data suggest that resveratrol decreases CSF MMP9, modulates neuro-inflammation, and induces adaptive immunity. SIRT1 activation may be a viable target for treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0150485

Diffusion restriction in a superficial breast lesion

Objective: To report the imaging findings of a 22-year-old Asian woman with a freely movable retro-areolar nodule in the right breast, first noticed after a holiday in The Philippines. Material and methods: We preformed clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound with color Doppler imaging. A differential diagnosis of epidermal inclusion cyst, complex cyst, well demarcated carcinoma and echinococcus cyst was proposed. For further differential diagnosis, a MRI of the breasts was performed on a 1.5 superconducting system, with a bilateral breast coil. T2- and T1 weighted images, followed by axial echo-planar diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) were performed with b values of 0, 500, and 1000 mm(2)/s (trace images and ADC maps). Results: The high signal intensity on T2 weighted images confirmed the cystic character of the lesion. The high signal intensity on T1 FS weighted images can be seen in complex cysts and inclusion cysts, but is less likely in an echinococcus cyst. On DW-MRI there is a marked diffusion restriction in the nodule, which can be seen in complex cysts and inclusion cysts. A well demarcated carcinoma is less likely, unless a tumour with a very high cellularity. Because neither carcinoma nor echinococcus cyst could be ruled out, a surgical excision was performed. Pathological examination revealed normal squamous epithelium with stratification and lamellated keratin, consistent with an epidermal inclusion cyst. Conclusion: We argue that in selected cases DW-MRI can be useful to narrow the differential diagnosis and notable differentiate epidermal inclusion cysts from echinococcus cysts