Transcriptomic analyses of regenerating adult feathers in chicken

Transcriptome Expression Data. Table of mapped reads to Galgal4 transcripts for all 15 data sets. FPKM (Fragments per kilobase of exon per million fragments mapped): normalized transcript abundance values for each gene in the indicated tissues. (CSV 1314 kb

Investigation of diode-pumped Nd:GdVO4 and Nd:GdYVO4 solid-state lasers

Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are under continuous development following the practical demand for compact, high power, as well as pulsed laser sources. In this thesis, general lasing characteristics of two newly developed solid-state gain media, Nd:GdVO4 and Nd:GdYVO4 have been studied. The investigation covers the operation of the lasers in the continuous-wave, passive Q-switching and mode-locking modes, respectively.DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (EEE

Planar waveguide laser optimization and characterization employing real-time beam quality measurement

We present a methodology for optimizing the output radiance and characterizing a planar waveguide laser utilizing a technique offering "real time" beam quality measurement. This approach is applicable to lasers in general employing the simultaneous measurement and comparison of a re-imaged cavity-mode beam-waist (near-field) and the power distribution in the far-field (specifically in the Fourier plane of a lens). This approach provides the laser’s beam parameter product, and hence M2 beam propagation factor. Exploiting this technique we optimized the performance of a quasi-four-level Nd:YAG planar waveguide laser with an extended stable-cavity configuration, whilst characterizing the in-plane thermal lens. This laser produced a record radiance level of >9 TW/m2/sr for this 946 nm transition, with an effective thermal lens focal length >400 mm at all incident pump powers up to the maximum level of 87 W

Differential associations between simple physical performance tests with global and specific cognitive functions in cognitively normal and mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional cohort study of Asian community-dwelling older adults

10.1186/s12877-022-03434-4BMC GERIATRICS22

Heat and Acupuncture to Manage Osteoarthritis of the Knee (HARMOKnee): Protocol for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of most prevalent and fastest-growing causes of pain, impaired mobility, and poor quality of life in the rapidly aging population worldwide. There is a lack of high-quality evidence on the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly acupuncture, and a lack of KOA practice guidelines that are tailored to unique population demographics and tropical climates. ObjectiveOur HARMOKnee (Heat and Acupuncture to Manage Osteoarthritis of the Knee) trial aims to address these gaps by evaluating the short- and medium-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture with heat therapy in addition to standard care, compared to standard care alone. Through a robust process and economic evaluation, we aim to inform evidence-based practice for patients with KOA to facilitate the large-scale implementation of a comprehensive and holistic model of care that harmonizes elements of Western medicine and TCM. We hypothesize that acupuncture with heat therapy as an adjunct to standard care is clinically more effective than standard care alone. MethodsA multicenter, pragmatic, parallel-arm, single-blinded, effectiveness-implementation hybrid randomized controlled trial will be conducted. We intend to recruit 100 patients with KOA randomized to either the control arm (standard care only) or intervention arm (acupuncture with heat therapy, in addition to standard care). The inclusion criteria are being a community ambulator and having primary KOA, excluding patients with secondary arthritis or previous knee replacements. The primary outcome measure is the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score at 6 weeks. Secondary outcome measures include psychological, physical, quality of life, satisfaction, and global outcome measures at 6, 12, and 26 weeks. A mixed method approach through an embedded process evaluation will facilitate large-scale implementation. An economic evaluation will be performed to assess financial sustainability. ResultsPatient enrollment has been ongoing since August 2022. The recruitment process is anticipated to conclude by July 2024, and the findings will be analyzed and publicized as they are obtained. As of November 6, 2023, our patient enrollment stands at 65 individuals. ConclusionsThe findings of our HARMOKnee study will contribute substantial evidence to the current body of literature regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for KOA. Additionally, we aim to facilitate the creation of standardized national guidelines for evidence-based practice that are specifically tailored to our unique population demographics. Furthermore, we seek to promote the adoption and integration of acupuncture and heat therapy into existing treatment models. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05507619; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05507619 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/5435

Conserved regulatory switches for the transition from natal down to juvenile feather in birds

The transition from natal downs for heat conservation to juvenile feathers for simple flight is a remarkable environmental adaptation process in avian evolution. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanism for this primary feather transition is mostly unknown. Here we conducted time-ordered gene co-expression network construction, epigenetic analysis, and functional perturbations in developing feather follicles to elucidate four downy-juvenile feather transition events. We report that extracellular matrix reorganization leads to peripheral pulp formation, which mediates epithelial-mesenchymal interactions for branching morphogenesis. α-SMA (ACTA2) compartmentalizes dermal papilla stem cells for feather renewal cycling. LEF1 works as a key hub of Wnt signaling to build rachis and converts radial downy to bilateral symmetry. Novel usage of scale keratins strengthens feather sheath with SOX14 as the epigenetic regulator. We show that this primary feather transition is largely conserved in chicken (precocial) and zebra finch (altricial) and discuss the possibility that this evolutionary adaptation process started in feathered dinosaurs