Stability analysis of second order pulsed Raman laser in dispersion managed systems

8siWavelength tunable synchronous pulse sources are highly desirable for spectroscopy and optical diagnostics. The common method to generate short pulses in the fiber is the use of nonlinear induced spectral broadening which result in soliton shaping in anomalous dispersion regime. However, to generate ultra-short pulses, broadband gain mechanism is also required. In recent years, Raman fiber lasers have retrieved strong interest due to their capability of serving as pump sources in gain-flattened amplifiers for optical communication systems. The fixed-wavelength Raman lasers have been widely studied in the last years, but recently, much focus has been on the multi wavelength tunable Raman fiber lasers which generate output Stokes pulses in a broad wavelength range by so called cascaded stimulated Raman scattering. In this paper we investigate synchronous 1st and 2nd order pulsed Raman lasers that can achieve frequency spacing of up to 1000cm-1 that is highly desired for CARS microscopy. In particular, analytical and numerical analysis of pulsed stability derived for Raman lasers by using dispersion managed telecom fibers and pumped by 1530nm fiber lasers. We show the evolution of the 1st and 2nd order Stokes signals at the output for different pump power and SMF length (determines the net anomalous dispersion) combinations. We investigated the stability of dispersion managed synchronous Raman laser up to second order both analytically and numerically. The results show that the stable 2nd order Raman Stokes pulses with 0.04W to 0.1W peak power and 2ps to 3.5ps pulse width can be achieved in dispersion managed systemopenopenS. K. Kalyoncu; S. Gao; E.K. Tien; Y. Huang; D. Yildirim; E. Adas; S. Wabnitz; O. BoyrazS. K., Kalyoncu; S., Gao; E. K., Tien; Y., Huang; D., Yildirim; E., Adas; Wabnitz, Stefan; O., Boyra

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES - IMPLICATIONS FROM TREASURE DATABASE

EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) -- JUN 01-04, 2022 -- Copenhagen, DENMARK[Abstract Not Available]European Alliance Assoc Rheumato

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FIRST PREFERRED BIOLOGICAL DMARD AND THE DRUG SURVIVAL IN GERIATRIC AND YOUNGER ADULT POPULATION WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: TREASURE REAL-LIFE DATA

EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) -- JUN 01-04, 2022 -- Copenhagen, DENMARK[Abstract Not Available]European Alliance Assoc Rheumato

Note on the special fillet fatty acid composition of the dwarf carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in thermal Lake Hévíz, Hungary

Fatty acid (FA) composition of the fillet and the intestinal content of dwarf common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in Lake Hévíz was determined in wintertime collected samples and results were compared to widespread literature data on carp. Fillet FA profile of the thermally adapted (28 oC) Hévíz dwarf carps differed from profiles originated from divergent culture and feeding conditions in the overall level of saturation. Fillet myristic acid proportions largely exceeded all literature data in spite of poor dietary supply. Fillet fatty acid results indicate the effects of thermal adaptation (high saturation level) and the correlative effects of feed components rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with special respect to docosahexaenoic acid. With the application of discriminant factor analysis the Hévíz sample was accurately differentiated from the literature data on carp fillet fatty acid profile, mostly based on C14:0, C18:1 n9, C18:2 n6, C20:1 n9 and C20:4 n6 FAs. In summary, fillet FA profile suggested thermal adaptation, location specificity and the ingestion of algal and bacterial material

The Portuguese Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) score and its measurement equivalence in three countries: validation study using Rasch Models

© 2018, The Author(s). Purpose: The Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) score assesses seven impact domains of interest for people with RA. This study aimed to test patients’ understanding of the Portuguese RAID and evaluate its cross-cultural validity for use in Portugal. Methods: This was a mixed methods study comprising two phases: (i) cognitive debriefing to determine patient’s comprehension of the Portuguese RAID and (ii) cross-cultural validation using Rasch analysis. Construct validity was determined by fit to the model, invariance culture (compared with France and UK datasets) and evidence of convergent and divergent validity. Results: Patients’ input (n = 38) led to minor changes in the phrasing of two items to ensure conceptual equivalence between the Portuguese and the original RAID. In Rasch analysis (n = 288), two items ‘Sleep’ and ‘Physical well-being’ in the Portuguese dataset did not adequately fit the model specifications, suggesting multidimensionality (sleep—not necessarily associated with RA) and redundancy (physical well-being overlapping with functional disability). Despite the imperfections, the scale had high internal consistency, evidence of convergent and divergent validity and invariance to culture (compared to France n = 195 and UK n = 205 datasets). The scale was well targeted for patients with different levels of disease impact. Conclusions: The RAID has been successfully adapted into Portuguese and it can be used with confidence in clinical practice. Further research will be required to ensure it captures the full range of sleep problems in RA. Meanwhile, data across the three countries (Portugal, France and the UK) are comparable except for the two items (sleep and physical well-being)

Beliefs and preferences regarding biological treatments for severe asthma

Background: Severe asthma is a serious condition with a significant burden on patients' morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Some biological therapies targeting the IgE and interleukin-5 (IL5) mediated pathways are now available. Due to the lack of direct comparison studies, the choice of which medication to use varies. We aimed to explore the beliefs and practices in the use of biological therapies in severe asthma, hypothesizing that differences will occur depending on the prescribers’ specialty and experience. Methods: We conducted an online survey composed of 35 questions in English. The survey was circulated via the INterasma Scientific Network (INESNET) platform as well as through social media. Responses from allergists and pulmonologists, both those with experience of prescribing omalizumab with (OMA/IL5) and without (OMA) experience with anti-IL5 drugs, were compared. Results: Two hundred eighty-five (285) valid questionnaires from 37 countries were analyzed. Seventy-on percent (71%) of respondents prescribed biologics instead of oral glucocorticoids and believed that their side effects are inferior to those of Prednisone 5 mg daily. Agreement with ATS/ERS guidelines for identifying severe asthma patients was less than 50%. Specifically, significant differences were found comparing responses between allergists and pulmonologists (Chi-square test, p < 0.05) and between OMA/IL5 and OMA groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Uncertainties and inconsistencies regarding the use of biological medications have been shown. The accuracy of prescribers to correctly identify asthma severity, according to guidelines criteria, is quite poor. Although a substantial majority of prescribers believe that biological drugs are safer than low dose long-term treatment with oral steroids, and that they must be used instead of oral steroids, every effort should be made to further increase awareness. Efficacy as disease modifiers, biomarkers for selecting responsive patients, timing for outcomes evaluation, and checks need to be addressed by further research. Practices and beliefs regarding the use of asthma biologics differ between the prescriber's specialty and experience; however, the latter seems more significant in determining beliefs and behavior. Tailored educational measures are needed to ensure research results are better integrated in daily practice

Characterization and outcomes of 414 patients with primary SS who developed haematological malignancies

Objective: To characterize 414 patients with primary SS who developed haematological malignancies and to analyse how the main SS- and lymphoma-related features can modify the presentation patterns and outcomes. Methods: By January 2021, the Big Data Sjögren Project Consortium database included 11 966 patients fulfilling the 2002/2016 classification criteria. Haematological malignancies diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification were retrospectively identified. Results: There were 414 patients (355 women, mean age 57 years) with haematological malignancies (in 43, malignancy preceded at least one year the SS diagnosis). A total of 376 (91%) patients had mature B-cell malignancy, nearly half had extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) (n = 197), followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n = 67), nodal MZL lymphoma (n = 29), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) (n = 19) and follicular lymphoma (FL) (n = 17). Rates of complete response, relapses and death were 80%, 34% and 13%, respectively, with a 5-year survival rate of 86.5% after a mean follow-up of 8 years. There were significant differences in age at diagnosis (younger in MALT, older in CLL/SLL), predominant clinical presentation (glandular enlargement in MALT lymphoma, peripheral lymphadenopathy in nodal MZL and FL, constitutional symptoms in DLBCL, incidental diagnosis in CLL/SLL), therapeutic response (higher in MALT lymphoma, lower in DLBCL) and survival (better in MALT, nodal MZL and FL, worse in DLBCL). Conclusion: In the largest reported study of haematological malignancies complicating primary SS, we confirm the overwhelming predominance of B-cell lymphomas, especially MALT, with the salivary glands being the primary site of involvement. This highly-specific histopathological scenario is linked with the overall good prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of nearly 90%

Investigating International Time Trends in the Incidence and Prevalence of Atopic Eczema 1990-2010: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

The prevalence of atopic eczema has been found to have increased greatly in some parts of the world. Building on a systematic review of global disease trends in asthma, our objective was to study trends in incidence and prevalence of atopic eczema. Disease trends are important for health service planning and for generating hypotheses regarding the aetiology of chronic disorders. We conducted a systematic search for high quality reports of cohort, repeated cross-sectional and routine healthcare database-based studies in seven electronic databases. Studies were required to report on at least two measures of the incidence and/or prevalence of atopic eczema between 1990 and 2010 and needed to use comparable methods at all assessment points. We retrieved 2,464 citations, from which we included 69 reports. Assessing global trends was complicated by the use of a range of outcome measures across studies and possible changes in diagnostic criteria over time. Notwithstanding these difficulties, there was evidence suggesting that the prevalence of atopic eczema was increasing in Africa, eastern Asia, western Europe and parts of northern Europe (i.e. the UK). No clear trends were identified in other regions. There was inadequate study coverage worldwide, particularly for repeated measures of atopic eczema incidence. Further epidemiological work is needed to investigate trends in what is now one of the most common long-term disorders globally. A range of relevant measures of incidence and prevalence, careful use of definitions and description of diagnostic criteria, improved study design, more comprehensive reporting and appropriate interpretation of these data are all essential to ensure that this important field of epidemiological enquiry progresses in a scientifically robust manner

BUILDING BRIDGES FOR INNOVATION IN AGEING : SYNERGIES BETWEEN ACTION GROUPS OF THE EIP ON AHA

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The outcomes and impact of synergies are using the Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the EIP on AHA (MAFEIP). Eight proposals for synergies have been approved by the Task Force: Five cross-cutting synergies which can be used for all current and future synergies as they consider overarching domains (appropriate polypharmacy, citizen empowerment, teaching and coaching on AHA, deployment of synergies to EU regions, Responsible Research and Innovation), and three cross-cutting synergies focussing on current Action Group activities (falls, frailty, integrated care and chronic respiratory diseases).Peer reviewe