Low temperature and high magnetic field spectroscopic ellipsometry system

We report on the design and implementation of a spectral ellipsometer at near-infrared wavelength (700-1000 nm) for samples placed in high magnetic fields (up to 14 T) at low temperatures (~4.2 K). The main optical components are integrated in a probe, which can be inserted into a conventional long-neck He dewar and has a very long free-space optical path (~1.8 m×2). A polarizer-sample-(quarter-wave plate)-rotating analyzer configuration was employed. Two dielectric mirrors, one before and one after the sample in the optical path, helped to reflect the light back to the analyzer and a two-axis piezo-driven goniometer under the sample holder was used to control the direction of the reflected light. Functional test results performed on an intrinsic GaAs wafer and analysis on the random error of the system are shown. We obtained both amplitude and phase ellipsometric spectra simultaneously and observed helicity transformation at energies near the GaAs exciton transitions in the phase spectra. Significant shifts of them induced by magnetic fields were observed and fitted with a simple model. This system will allow us to study the collective magneto-optical response of materials and spatial dispersive exciton-polariton related problems in high external magnetic fields at low temperatures

Bevacizumab Dose Affects the Severity of Adverse Events in Gynecologic Malignancies

In this retrospective study, we investigated adverse events and outcomes in patients treated with bevacizumab for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers at a single hospital. We determined the cumulative incidences of various bevacizumab-related adverse events and the correlation between dose and adverse event incidences. We analyzed data from 154 patients that received 251 rounds of bevacizumab as first-line, first salvage, >2 salvage treatments. Adverse events of any grade were observed in 121 (78.6%) patients; at least one grade 3 or 4 adverse event occurred in 32 (20.8%) patients. The two most common events were proteinuria (38.3%) and hypertension (33.8%). The first-line treatment group displayed significantly higher frequencies of hypertension (52.7% vs. 18.9% vs. 15.5%, p < 0.001), wound complications (9.1% vs. 0% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.010), arthralgia (29.1% vs. 11.3% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.003), and reduced range of joint motion (14.5% vs. 5.7% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.046), compared to those in the first and >2 lines salvage groups, respectively (Kruskal–Wallis test). The cumulative incidences of all grades and grades 3/4 of hypertension cumulative incidence plateaued at around 30% for all grades and 10% for grades 3 and 4, at bevacizumab doses above 8080 and 3510 mg, respectively. The proteinuria cumulative incidence plateaued at around 35% for all grades and 3% for grades 3 and 4, at bevacizumab doses above 11,190 and 4530 mg, respectively. We concluded that, in this realistic clinical population, different kinds and higher cumulative incidences of adverse events were observed compared to those reported in previous clinical trials. Moreover, bevacizumab doses showed cumulative toxicity and plateau effects on hypertension and proteinuria

Modification of physicochemical and mechanical properties of a new bio-based gelatin composite films through composition adjustment and instantizing process

The production of a new bio-based bovine gelatin (BG) film with incorporation of pea protein isolate (PPI), psyllium gum (PSY) and tragacanth (TRA) gum, and plasticized with glycerol, was completed via a two-stage fluidized bed agglomeration and casting techniques. Fluidization technique was used as a novel method to prepare instant film-forming powder (IFFP) in order to improve the films’ physicochemical, mechanical and handling properties. The incorporation of PSY, TRA, and PPI greatly improved the physicochemical, thermal and mechanical properties of the film as compared to control films. Composite films containing high glycerol concentration displayed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in tensile strength (TS) and melting point (Tm) values. The FTIR and DSC results showed that PSY, TRA and PPI interacted effectively with gelatin. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed film surfaces without any cracks. The results demonstrated the miscibility and compatibility of the employed plasticizer (glycerol), polysaccharides (PSY and TRA) and protein (PPI) in composite films. Gelatin-based composite film containing 0.65 g glycerol (w/w, based on 5 g IFFP), 15.0 g gelatin, 3.0 g PPI, and 1.0 g of TRA/PSY (30:70 ratio, mL/mL) possessed the best characteristics in terms of MC, TS, Tm, and swelling properties as determined by response surface methodology

Validation study of a Chinese version of Partners in Health in Hong Kong (C-PIH HK)

“The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1315-5."Background The Partners in Health (PIH) scale is a measure designed to assess the generic knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and impacts of self-management. A cross-cultural adaptation of the PIH for use in Hong Kong was evaluated in this study. This paper reports the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of PIH (C-PIH[HK]). Method A 12-item PIH was translated using forward–backward translation technique and reviewed by individuals with chronic diseases and health professionals. A total of 209 individuals with chronic diseases completed the scale. The construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability were evaluated in two waves. Results The findings in Wave 1 (n = 73) provided acceptable psychometric properties of the C-PIH(HK) but supported the adaptation of question 5 to improve the cultural relevance, validity, and reliability of the scale. An adapted version of C-PIH(HK) was evaluated in Wave 2. The findings in Wave 2 (n = 136) demonstrated good construct validity and internal consistency of C-PIH(HK). A principal component analysis with Oblimin rotation yielded a 3-factor solution, and the Cronbach’s alphas of the subscales ranged from 0.773 to 0.845. Participants were asked whether they perceived the self-management workshops they attended and education provided by health professionals as useful or not. The results showed that the C-PIH(HK) was able to discriminate those who agreed and those who disagreed related to the usefulness of individual health education (p < 0.0001 in all subscales) and workshops (p < 0.001 in the knowledge subscale) as hypothesized. The test–retest reliability was high (ICC = 0.818). Conclusion A culturally adapted version of PIH for use in Hong Kong was evaluated. The study supported good construct validity, discriminate validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of the C-PIH(HK)

Natural Product Chemistry of Gorgonian Corals of Genus Junceella—Part II

The structures, names, bioactivities, and references of 81 new secondary metabolites obtained from gorgonian corals belonging to the genus Junceella are described in this review. All compounds mentioned in this review were obtained from sea whip gorgonian corals Junceella fragilis and Junceella juncea, collected from the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific Ocean

Cardiovascular outcomes and hospitalizations in Asian patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: a population-based study.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have known associations with cardiotoxicity. However, a representative quantification of the adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular attendances amongst Asian users of ICI has been lacking. This retrospective cohort study identified all ICI users in Hong Kong, China, between 2013-2021. All patients were followed up until the end of 2021 for the primary outcome of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke). Patients with prior diagnosis of any component of MACE were excluded from all MACE analyses. In total, 4324 patients were analysed (2905 (67.2%) males; median age 63.5 years old (interquartile range 55.4-70.7 years old); median follow-up 1.0 year (interquartile range 0.4-2.3 years)), of whom 153 were excluded from MACE analyses due to prior events. MACE occurred in 116 (2.8%) with an incidence rate (IR) of 1.7 [95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.0] events per 100 patient-years; IR was higher within the first year of follow-up (2.9 [2.3, 3.5] events per 100 patient-years). Cardiovascular hospitalization(s) occurred in 188 (4.4%) with 254 episodes (0.5% of all episodes) and 1555 days of hospitalization (1.3% of all hospitalized days), for whom the IR of cardiovascular hospitalization was 5.6 [4.6, 6.9] episodes per 100 person-years with 52.9 [39.8, 70.3] days' stay per 100 person-years. Amongst Asian users of ICI, MACE was uncommon, and a small proportion of hospitalizations was cardiovascular in nature. Most MACE and cardiovascular hospitalizations occurred during the first year after initiating ICI. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Biomechanical investigation of flexor digitorum tendons in trigger finger patients using sonography

Trigger finger (TF) has generally been ascribed to primary changes in the first annular (A1) pulley. Repeated friction between the A1 pulley and flexor digitorum tendons could result in swelling of soft tissues, and thus it has been speculated that TF affects tendons’ biomechanical behaviors. However, the pathology mechanism related to these behaviors remains unclear. The purposes of this study are to understand (1) the variations in the morphologies of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) between normal fingers and TFs, (2) the differences in the biomechanical behaviors of the FDP and FDS between normal fingers and TFs in various finger flexion positions, and (3) the effect of various finger positions on the biomechanical behaviors of the FDP and FDS