Focusing and imaging with increased numerical apertures through multimode fibers with micro-fabricated optics

The use of individual multimode optical fibers in endoscopy applications has the potential to provide highly miniaturized and noninvasive probes for microscopy and optical micromanipulation. A few different strategies have been proposed recently, but they all suffer from intrinsically low resolution related to the low numerical aperture of multimode fibers. Here, we show that two-photon polymerization allows for direct fabrication of micro-optics components on the fiber end, resulting in an increase of the numerical aperture to a value that is close to 1. Coupling light into the fiber through a spatial light modulator, we were able to optically scan a submicrometer spot (300 nm FWHM) over an extended region, facing the opposite fiber end. Fluorescence imaging with improved resolution is also demonstrated.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Dynamic alterations in monocyte numbers, subset frequencies and activation markers in acute and convalescent COVID-19 individuals

Monocytes are thought to play an important role in host defence and pathogenesis of COVID-19. However, a comprehensive examination of monocyte numbers and function has not been performed longitudinally in acute and convalescent COVID-19. We examined the absolute counts of monocytes, the frequency of monocyte subsets, the plasma levels of monocyte activation markers using flowcytometry and ELISA in seven groups of COVID-19 individuals, classified based on days since RT-PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV2 infection. Our data shows that the absolute counts of total monocytes and the frequencies of intermediate and non-classical monocytes increases from Days 15–30 to Days 61–90 and plateau thereafter. In contrast, the frequency of classical monocytes decreases from Days 15–30 till Days 121–150. The plasma levels of sCD14, CRP, sCD163 and sTissue Factor (sTF)—all decrease from Days 15–30 till Days 151–180. COVID-19 patients with severe disease exhibit higher levels of monocyte counts and higher frequencies of classical monocytes and lower frequencies of intermediate and non-classical monocytes and elevated plasma levels of sCD14, CRP, sCD163 and sTF in comparison with mild disease. Thus, our study provides evidence of dynamic alterations in monocyte counts, subset frequencies and activation status in acute and convalescent COVID-19 individuals

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions

Molecular parameters for the gas phase molecules SbO and SbP

Franck–Condon factors and r-centroids, which are very closely related to relative vibrational transition probabilities, were evaluated by the numerical integration procedure for the bands of the A2Π3/2 – X2Π3/2, C2Σ – X2Π3/2 and D2Π – X2Π systems of the isotopic SbO molecule and for the B1Π – X1Σ+ system of the isotopic SbP molecule, using a suitable potential

Heavy mineral distribution and provenance of Vaippar basin sediments, southeast coast of India

179-184Auger samples have been collected from 18 stations of Vaippar river, its tributaries and beach for heavy mineral distribution and provenance studies. The heavy mineral distribution varies from 3.14 to 27.31% in the river sediments and 62.83% in the beach. While the absence of glaucophane characterise the upstream sediments, the abnormal increase of zircon, opaque, epidote, muscovite, topaz and tremolite signifies the beach. The upstream sediments are dominated by colourless garnet while the downstream sediments are enriched with pink garnet. The results of Q-mode factor analysis indicate the metamorphic and plutonic assemblages like granulites, gneisses and granites as source rocks for the Vaippar basin sediments. It also evidences the contribution from off-shore source to the Vaippar beach

Identification and characterization of Tobacco streak virus, as a new causative agent of necrosis disease of Anthurium

194-200Tobacco streak virus (TSV) was detected from Anthurium samples collected from Anthurium variety Medioria Red from College of Horticulture, Bangalore, India grown under polyhouse cultivation. Sap inoculation of the samples expressing positive reaction through direct antigen coating-enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (DAC-ELISA) produced both localized and systemic infection. The localized infection produced circular necrotic lesions on the leaves of cowpea cv. C152 plants. The samples were also confirmed through dot blot immunibinding assay (DIBA), which showed positive reaction by producing circular, purple coloured spot against TSV specific antibody. Further molecular characterization of TSV through RT-PCR with coat protein gene specific primers produced amplicon size of 929 bp pertaining to RNA3 region. The basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) analysis of coat protein gene through National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database had nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarity of 97.6 to 98.8 % and 94.9 to 97.4 %, respectively with known strains of TSV from India. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences Confirmed the Anthurium strain of TSV forms single subgroup with other crop of Indian isolates. This study provides important clues about spread of TSV. To the best of our knowledge it is the first detailed study of TSV infecting Anthurium

JSCS–3688 Original scientific paper Molecular parameters for the gas phase molecules SbO and SbP

Abstract: Franck–Condon factors and r-centroids, which are very closely related to relative vibrational transition probabilities, were evaluated by the numerical integration procedure for the bands of the A2Π3/2 – X2Π3/2, C2Σ – X2Π3/2 and D2Π – X2Π systems of the isotopic SbO molecule and for the B1Π – X1Σ + system of the isotopic SbP molecule, using a suitable potential