The European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System as a Remedy for the Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment of Thyroid Cancer: Results from the EUROCRINE Surgical Registry.

BACKGROUND: The European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) aims to reduce the overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer (TC) by guiding the selection of nodules for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). This study sought to validate EU-TIRADS nodule selection criteria using data from EUROCRINE, an extensive international endocrine surgery registry. METHOD: We reviewed indications for FNAB among patients with TC compared to those with benign disease who underwent surgery between March 2020 and March 2022, considering preoperative EU-TIRADS scores and dominant nodule size (FNAB is recommended in Category 5 (˃10 mm or ˂10 mm with suspicious lymph nodes), 4 (˃15 mm), and 3 (˃20 mm)). Patients were categorized into three risk groups: minimal risk (patients with papillary microcarcinoma), high risk (patients with pT3b stage or higher, pN1b, or pM1), and low-moderate risk (all other patients). We conducted a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the EU-TIRADS. RESULTS: We analyzed 32,008 operations. Approximately 68% of the surgical records included EU-TIRADS classifications. The EU-TIRADS exhibited diagnostic accuracy across high-volume sites, with a median ROC Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 0.752, indicating its effectiveness in identifying malignancy. Among the cases, 7907 patients had TC. Notably, 55% of patients with TC underwent FNAB despite not initially meeting the EU-TIRADS criteria. These patients were distributed across the minimal- (58%), low-moderate- (36%), and high-risk (5.8%) categories. Of the patients with TC recommended for FNAB, 78% were deemed low-moderate risk, 21% high risk, and only 0.7% minimal risk. CONCLUSION: The EU-TIRADS offers effective preoperative malignancy risk stratification. Promoting the proper use of the EU-TIRADS in clinical practice is essential to mitigate the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low-risk TC.

Vagococcus: An under-recognized and emerging cause of antibiotic-resistant infection.

Vagococcus, a bacterium generally isolated from fish and domestic animals, is a rarely reported human pathogen whose clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility remain uncertain. In this case report we describe a 19-year-old active-duty military sailor who suffered a blast injury to the left foot from a firework explosion. The injury was complicated by a polymicrobial wound infection that included Vagococcus fluvialis. Vagococcus spp. infections in humans are often associated with skin and soft tissue infection, including those resulting from trauma or blast injuries. This case serves to highlight this pathogen's role in causing invasive infections and as well as the importance of recognizing its clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance profiles.

Prophylactic Antibiotic Use for Penetrating Trauma in Prolonged Casualty Care: A Review of the Literature and Current Guidelines.

ABSTRACT: Prolonged casualty care (PCC), previously known as prolonged field care, is a system to provide patient care for extended periods of time when evacuation or mission requirements surpass available capabilities. Current guidelines recommend a 7-10-day course of ertapenem or moxifloxacin, with vancomycin if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is suspected, for all penetrating trauma in PCC. Data from civilian and military trauma have demonstrated benefit for antibiotic prophylaxis in multiple types of penetrating trauma, but the recommended regimens and durations differ from those used in PCC, with the PCC guidelines generally recommending broader coverage. We present a review of the available civilian and military literature on antibiotic prophylaxis in penetrating trauma to discuss whether a strategy of broader coverage is necessary in the PCC setting, with the goal of optimizing patient outcomes and antibiotic stewardship, while remaining cognizant of the challenges of moving medial material to and through combat zones. Empiric extended gram-negative coverage is unlikely to be necessary for thoracic, maxillofacial, extremity, and central nervous system trauma in most medical settings. However, providing the narrowest appropriate antimicrobial coverage is challenging in PCC due to limited resources, most notably delay to surgical debridement. Antibiotic prophylaxis regimen must be determined on a case-by-case basis based on individual patient factors while still considering antibiotic stewardship. Narrower regimens, which focus on matching up the site of infection to the antibiotic chosen, may be appropriate based on available resources and expertise of treating providers.When resources permit in PCC, the narrower cefazolin-based regimens (with the addition of metronidazole for esophageal or abdominal involvement, or gross contamination of CNS trauma) likely provide adequate coverage. Levofloxacin is appropriate for ocular trauma. Ideally, cefazolin and metronidazole should be carried by medics in addition to first-line antibiotics (moxifloxacin and ertapenem).

Effects of lifestyle-related risk factors on life expectancy: A comprehensive model for use in early prevention of premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases.

Morbidity and premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases can be largely prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle at the earliest possible age. However, tools designed for the early identification of those at risk among young adults are lacking. We developed and validated a multivariable model for the prediction of life expectancy, allowing the early identification of apparently healthy adults at risk of lifestyle-related diseases. We used a cross-sectional approach to calculate life expectancy using data from 38,481 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2014), aged ≥20 years. A multivariable logistic model was used to quantify the impact of risk factors on mortality. The model included the following lifestyle-related mortality risk factors as predictors: smoking, diet, physical activity, and body mass index. The presence of the following chronic diseases was considered: diabetes, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and malignant neoplasms. The model showed a good predictive ability; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve measure was 0.846 (95% uncertainty interval 0.838-0.859). Life expectancy was determined using the life table method and the period life tables for the US population as the baseline. The results of this model underscore the importance of lifestyle-related risk factors in life expectancy. The difference between life expectancy for 30-year-old individuals with lifestyle characteristics ranked in 90% and 10% of their gender and age groups was 23 years for males and 18 years for females, whereas in 75% and 25%, it was 14 years for males and 10 years for females. In addition to early risk identification, the model estimates the deferred effect of lifestyle and the impact of lifestyle changes on life expectancy. Thus, it can be used in early prevention to demonstrate the potential risks and benefits of complex lifestyle modifications for educational purposes or to motivate behavioral changes.

Refractory Osteomyelitis in a Military Service Member Resolved With Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Refractory osteomyelitis is typically defined as a chronic infection that persists or recurs despite definitive surgical management and antibiotic therapy. Cases often involve complex wounds or fractures and can be challenging to treat, resulting in multiple courses of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and numerous surgeries over periods of months to years. Adjuncts to improve resolution of these complicated infections are sorely needed. Here, we describe the case of a 47-year-old active duty military member who sustained an open right ankle fracture during a skydiving accident that was subsequently complicated by refractory osteomyelitis. The patient failed more than three courses of combined medical and surgical management over a 9-month period before undergoing adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), ultimately resulting in resolution of the infection. Adjunctive HBOT for treatment of conditions such as refractory osteomyelitis may be an underutilized resource in part because of a general paucity of high-quality data in the literature supporting its use, as well as a relative lack of availability of this resource. Nonetheless, the overall accumulating body of evidence indicates that the use of adjunctive HBOT in select patients with refractory osteomyelitis is safe and effective and further research may be warranted given its relevance and potential impact to military populations.

Doxycycline Prophylaxis for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Naval Special Warfare Trainees, United States1.

In 2015, several severe cases of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) among US Naval Special Warfare trainees prompted the introduction of doxycycline prophylaxis during the highest-risk portion of training, Hell Week. We performed a retrospective analysis of the effect of this intervention on SSTI incidence and resulting hospital admissions during 2013-2020. In total, 3,371 trainees underwent Hell Week training during the study period; 284 SSTIs were diagnosed overall, 29 of which led to hospitalization. After doxycycline prophylaxis was introduced, admission rates for SSTI decreased from 1.37 to 0.64 admissions/100 trainees (p = 0.036). Overall SSTI rates remained stable at 7.42 to 8.86 SSTIs/100 trainees (p = 0.185). Hospitalization rates per diagnosed SSTI decreased from 18.4% to 7.2% (p = 0.009). Average length of hospitalization decreased from 9.01 days to 4.33 days (p = 0.034). Doxycycline prophylaxis was associated with decreased frequency and severity of hospitalization for SSTIs among this population.

Temperature-dependent Fermi surface probed by Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in topological semimetal candidates DyBi and HoBi.

Rare earth-based monopnictides are among the most intensively studied groups of materials in which extremely large magnetoresistance has been observed. This study explores magnetotransport properties of two representatives of this group, DyBi and HoBi. The extreme magnetoresistance is discovered in DyBi and confirmed in HoBi. At [Formula: see text] K and in [Formula: see text] T for both compounds, magnetoresistance reaches the order of magnitude of [Formula: see text]. For both materials, standard Kohler's rule is obeyed only in the temperature range from 50 to 300 K. At lower temperatures, extended Kohler's rule has to be invoked because carrier concentrations and mobilities strongly change with temperature and magnetic field. This is further proven by the observation of a quite rare temperature-dependence of oscillation frequencies in Shubnikov-de Haas effect. Rate of this dependence clearly changes at Néel temperature, reminiscent of a novel magnetic band splitting. Multi-frequency character of the observed Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations points to the coexistence of electron- and hole-type Fermi pockets in both studied materials. Overall, our results highlight correlation of temperature dependence of the Fermi surface with the magnetotransport properties of DyBi and HoBi.

Effect of a 3-month L-carnitine supplementation and resistance training program on circulating markers and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite that can be produced by the gut microbiota from L-carnitine (LC), have been associated with bone mineral density (BMD). Because LC supplementation can improve bone density and microstructural properties in animal models, this study aimed to examine the effects of 12 weeks of LC supplementation on BMD and selected blood markers involved in bone metabolism of postmenopausal women participating in a resistance training (RT) program. METHODS: Twenty-seven postmenopausal women, who had not been treated for osteoporosis, with a total T-score above - 3.0 and no diet differences completed 12 weeks of RT. The participants' diets were supplemented with either 1 g of LC-L-tartrate and 3 g of leucine per day (LC group) or 4 g of leucine per day as a placebo (PLA group), in a double-blind fashion. RESULTS: After the intervention in the LC group, plasma total carnitine and serum decorin levels were higher than the corresponding preintervention values (p = 0.040 and p = 0.042, respectively). Moreover, plasma TMAO and serum SPARC levels were higher in the LC group than the corresponding postintervention values in the PLA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). No changes in the BMD were observed after 3 months of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of LC supplementation during RT program increased plasma TMAO levels and appeared to affect signaling molecules, as indicated by the increase in the resting SPARC and decorin levels, with no significant modification in the BMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05120011).

Current Status Regarding Immunosuppressive Treatment in Patients after Renal Transplantation.

Renal transplantation is now the best treatment for end-stage renal failure. To avoid rejection and prolong graft function, organ recipients need immunosuppressive therapy. The immunosuppressive drugs used depends on many factors, including time since transplantation (induction or maintenance), aetiology of the disease, and/or condition of the graft. Immunosuppressive treatment needs to be personalised, and hospitals and clinics have differing protocols and preparations depending on experience. Renal transplant recipient maintenance treatment is mostly based on triple-drug therapy containing calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, and antiproliferative drugs. In addition to the desired effect, the use of immunosuppressive drugs carries risks of certain side effects. Therefore, new immunosuppressive drugs and immunosuppressive protocols are being sought that exert fewer side effects, which could maximise efficacy and reduce toxicity and, in this way, reduce both morbidity and mortality, as well as increase opportunities to modify individual immunosuppression for renal recipients of all ages. The aim of the current review is to describe the classes of immunosuppressive drugs and their mode of action, which are divided by induction and maintenance treatment. An additional aspect of the current review is a description of immune system activity modulation by the drugs used in renal transplant recipients. Complications associated with the use of immunosuppressive drugs and other immunosuppressive treatment options used in kidney transplant recipients have also been described.

Fatal septic shock due to disseminated coccidioidomycosis: a case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States and regions of Latin America. Disseminated disease occurs in < 1% of cases. Septic shock is even rarer, with high mortality despite therapy. We describe two cases of coccidioidal septic shock. Both patients were older men of Filipino ancestry presenting with respiratory failure and vasopressor-dependent shock. Antifungal drugs were initiated after failure to improve with empiric antibiotics; in both, Coccidioides was isolated from respiratory cultures. Despite aggressive care, both patients ultimately died of their infections. We provide a review of the published literature on this topic. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the 33 reported cases of coccidioidal septic shock occurred in men (88%) of non-white race and ethnicity (78%). The overall mortality rate was 76%. All survivors received amphotericin B as part of their treatment. Coccidioidomycosis-related septic shock is a rare disease with poor outcomes; delays in diagnosis and treatment are common. Improved diagnostic testing for coccidioidomycosis could enhance recognition of this disease in the future. Although data are limited, early treatment with amphotericin B in cases of coccidioidal septic shock may reduce mortality.

Incidence of Respiratory Pathogens in Naval Special Warfare Sea, Air, and Land Team Candidates With Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema.

BACKGROUND: Swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) is a respiratory condition frequently seen among Naval Special Warfare (NSW) trainees. The incidence of positive respiratory panel (RP) findings in trainees with a diagnosis of SIPE currently is unknown. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does a significant difference exist in the incidence of respiratory pathogens in nasopharyngeal samples of NSW candidates with SIPE and a control group? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical information from NSW Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) team candidates with a diagnosis of SIPE over a 12-month period. Candidates who demonstrated the common signs and symptoms of SIPE underwent a nasopharyngeal swab and RP test for common respiratory pathogens. SIPE diagnoses were supported by two-view chest radiography. RP tests were obtained for a selected control group of first-phase trainees without SIPE. RESULTS: Forty-five of 1,048 SEAL team candidates received a diagnosis of SIPE (4.3%). Five had superimposed pneumonia. Thirty-six of 45 showed positive results for at least one microorganism on the RP (80%). In the study group, human rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) was the most frequently detected organism (37.8%), followed by coronavirus OC43 (17.8%), and parainfluenza virus type 3 (17.8%). Sixteen of 68 candidates from the control group showed positive RP (24%) findings. Patients with SIPE and positive RP results reported dyspnea (94%), pink frothy sputum (44%), and hemoptysis (36%) more frequently than the control participants with positive RP results. Those who reported respiratory infection symptoms in both the study and control groups showed higher incidences of positive RP results (P = .046). INTERPRETATION: We observed that 80% of trainees with a diagnosis of SIPE showed positive results on a point-of-care RP. This positivity rate was significantly higher than that of RP test results from the control cohort. These findings suggest an association between colonization with a respiratory pathogen and the development of SIPE in NSW candidates.

Investigation of the Temperature Effect on Electrical Characteristics of Al/SiO2/n++-Si RRAM Devices.

In this work, we investigate the effect of temperature on the electrical characteristics of Al/SiO2/n++-Si RRAM devices. We study the electroforming process and show that forming voltage and time-to-breakdown are well described by Weibull distribution. Experimental current-voltage characteristics of Al-SiO2-(n++Si) structures are presented and discussed at different temperatures. We show that some intermediate resistance states can be observed at higher temperatures. In our analysis, we identify Space Charge Limited Conduction (SCLC) as the dominating transport mechanism regardless of the operating temperature.

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Thymic Epithelial Tumours Revealed Pathogenic Variants in KIT, ERBB2, KRAS, and TP53 in 30% of Thymic Carcinomas.

A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) could revolutionise their treatment. We evaluated thymomas and thymic carcinomas by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of somatic or germline single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in genes commonly mutated in solid tumours. In total, 19 thymomas and 34 thymic carcinomas were analysed for nonsynonymous SNVs in 15 genes by targeted NGS (reference genome: hg19/GRCh37). Ten SNVs in TP53 (G154V, R158P, L194H, R267fs, R273C, R306 *, Q317 *), ERBB2 (V773M), KIT (L576P), and KRAS (Q61L) considered somatic and pathogenic/likely pathogenic were detected in 10 of 34 (29.4%) thymic carcinomas. No somatic SNVs confirmed as pathogenic/likely pathogenic were found in thymomas. Rare SNVs of uncertain or unknown functional and clinical significance, to our knowledge not reported previously in TETs, were found in ERBB2 (S703R), KIT (I690V), and FOXL2 (P157S) in 3 of 19 (16%) thymomas. The most frequent germline SNVs were TP53 P72R (94% TETs), ERBB2 I655V (40% TETs), and KIT M541L (9% TETs). No significant difference in median disease-free survival (DFS) was found between thymic carcinoma patients with and without pathogenic SNVs (p = 0.190); however, a trend toward a longer DFS was observed in the latter (16.0 vs. 30.0 months, respectively). In summary, NGS analysis of TETs revealed several SNVs in genes related to the p53, AKT, MAPK, and K-Ras signalling pathways. Thymic carcinomas showed greater genetic dysregulation than thymomas. The germline and rare SNVs of uncertain clinical significance reported in this study add to the number of known genetic alterations in TETs, thus extending our molecular understanding of these neoplasms. Druggable KIT alterations in thymic carcinomas have potential as therapeutic targets.

Analysis of Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Children with Down Syndrome in the Context of Lipid and Oxidative Stress Parameters.

Introduction: The risk of obesity in children with Down syndrome is high. Undoubtedly, proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of excess body weight and is associated with a reduction of metabolic complications. The aim of the study was to assess the problem of disturbances in the nutritional status and eating habits of children with DS. Methods: A total of 39 patients were included in the study. The nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric tests and Dual X-ray Absorptiometry. Eating habits were assessed using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Blood samples were taken to determine the oxidative stress and lipid parameters. Results: Obesity was recognized in 15% of subjects and 23% were overweight. Children that were overweight were characterized by higher levels of triglycerides, atherogenic index of plasma, and apoA2 and apoE levels. Fat mass, fat mass/height2 index, and visceral fat mass correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and advanced oxidative protein product level. The analysis of the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire showed that children struggling with being overweight were more interested in food compared to those with normal body weight. A positive correlation was identified between waist circumference and food interest categories. Insufficient consumption of dairy products, vegetables, whole grain products, as well as fruits, seeds, nuts, and fatty fish was noted. Patients were less likely to consume products that are a good source of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusions: In children with Down syndrome and obesity, disturbances in lipid and oxidative stress parameters are observed. Abnormal eating habits in all children with Down syndrome regardless of their nutritional status were noted. Proper nutritional education, nutritional control, and management of metabolic problems are essential in this group of patients.

Charge-Trapping-Induced Hysteresis Effects in Highly Doped Silicon Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Structures.

It is shown that a simple metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structure with highly doped silicon substrate can exhibit current-voltage hysteresis effects related to sudden rises and drops in the flowing electric current. Experimental current-voltage characteristics of Al-SiO2-(n++Si) structures are presented and discussed. Their analysis shows that the ohmic and shallow traps assisted space-charge limited conduction (SCLC) are the dominating transport mechanisms. Sudden rises and drops in the flowing current, leading to the current-voltage hysteresis effects, are attributed to tunneling through deep traps in the oxide. Based on inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS), the energy levels of the deep traps and their position in the oxide are evaluated.

Incidence of thyroid nodules in early stage autosomal polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease. Defect in cilia-mediated signaling activity is a crucial factor leading to cyst formation. Hence, ADPKD is regarded as a systemic disorder with multiple extrarenal complications, including cysts in other organs, for instance, the liver, pancreas, spleen, or ovaries. Interestingly, loss-of-function of primary cilia has been recently found to contribute to a malignant transformation from degenerated thyroid follicles. However, the increased incidence of thyroid nodules in ADPKD patients has not yet been fully confirmed. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of thyroid lesions in patients with ADPKD in comparison to previous population studies. Moreover, we aimed to investigate if the pace of the disease progression is associated with a higher prevalence of thyroid lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 49 early-stage ADPKD patients recruited from our center, we performed ultrasonography of the thyroid glands, and laboratory evaluation of thyroids function. We compared the results with population studies. RESULTS: Twenty-three individuals had solid, cystic-solid, or cystic lesions revealed in the ultrasonography and 2 patients had a positive past medical history for thyroidectomy due to nodular goiter. In 10 patients out of the 23, only minor cysts with no clinical significance were found and 13 out of the 23 patients had solid or cystic-solid lesions, which occurred to be benign based on three years of follow-up or the biopsy of the nodule. CONCLUSIONS: We found no increased incidence of thyroid gland lesions in early ADPKD patients in comparison to previous population studies. Plausibly, mechanisms other than defective cilia signaling are involved in the risk for focal thyroid lesions formation. Moreover, the rate of progression of kidney function decline seems to be not accompanied by the higher incidence of thyroid pathology.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic kidney disease CKD patients on intermittent hemodialysis IHD are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and carry a risk of developing severe symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immunity induced by two doses of mRNA vaccines, the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna (mRNA-1273) COVID-19 vaccine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 281 patients from five dialysis centers in northern Poland. Within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of the vaccine, a blood sample was collected for an evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Thirty to forty-five days after the second dose of the vaccine, a blood sample was taken to evaluate humoral and cellular response. RESULTS: Patients with stage 5 CKD on IHD were characterized by a considerable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced seroconversion rate. The strongest factors influencing the antibodies AB level after vaccination were a pre-vaccination history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, age, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio NLR, neutrophil absolute count, and the hemoglobin level. Cellular immunity was higher in patients with a pre-vaccination history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cellular immunity depended on the albumin level. Positive cellular response to vaccination was a positive factor reducing all-cause mortality, except for COVID-19 mortality (no such deaths were reported during our follow-up). Cellular immunity and humoral immunity were positively mutually dependent. High levels of albumin and hemoglobin, low neutrophil count, and a reduced NLR, translated into better response to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage 5 CKD on IHD were characterized by a considerable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced seroconversion rate and a good rate of cellular immunity. The factors that change with exacerbating inflammation and malnutrition (albumin, hemoglobin, neutrophil count, the NLR) affected the efficacy of the vaccination.

Passive Photonic Integrated Circuits Elements Fabricated on a Silicon Nitride Platform.

The fabrication processes for silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits evolved from microelectronics components technology-basic processes have common roots and can be executed using the same type of equipment. In comparison to that of electronics components, passive photonic structures require fewer manufacturing steps and fabricated elements have larger critical dimensions. In this work, we present and discuss our first results on design and development of fundamental building blocks for silicon nitride integrated photonic platform. The scope of the work covers the full design and manufacturing chain, from numerical simulations of optical elements, design, and fabrication of the test structures to optical characterization and analysis the results. In particular, technological processes were developed and evaluated for fabrication of the waveguides (WGs), multimode interferometers (MMIs), and arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), which confirmed the potential of the technology and correctness of the proposed approach.