Investigating the Z-scan technique for quantifying circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) extracted from blood plasma as a potential biomarker for various cancers.

The Z-scan technique is a nonlinear optical method that has found applications in characterizing various materials, particularly those exhibiting nonlinear optical response (NLOR). This study applies the continuous wave (CW) Z-scan technique to examine the NLOR in terms of the nonlinear optical phase shifts(ΔΦ0) exhibited by the ccfDNA extracted from blood plasma samples collected from a group constituting 30 cancer-diagnosed patients and another group constituting 30 non-diagnosed individuals. The cancer group exhibited significantly higherΔΦ0versus incident power slopes compared to the non-cancer group (0.34 versus 0.12) providing a clear distinction between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the results indicates a clear separation between cancer and non-cancer groups, along with a 94% accuracy rate of the data. The Z-scan results are corroborated by spectrophotometric analysis, revealing a consistent trend in the concentration values of ccfDNA samples extracted from both cancerous and non-cancerous samples, measuring 3.24 and 1.41 respectively. Additionally, more sensitive fluorometric analyses of the respective samples demonstrate significantly higher concentrations of ccfDNA in the cancer group, further affirming the correlation with the Z-scan results. The study suggests that the Z-scan technique holds promise as an effective method for cancer detection, potentially contributing to improved oncology diagnosis and prognosis in the future.

An Ensemble Learning Method for Detection of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Polarized Hyperspectral Microscopic Imaging.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a high mortality rate. In this study, we developed a Stokes-vector-derived polarized hyperspectral imaging (PHSI) system for H&E-stained pathological slides with HNSCC and built a dataset to develop a deep learning classification method based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). We use our polarized hyperspectral microscope to collect the four Stokes parameter hypercubes (S0, S1, S2, and S3) from 56 patients and synthesize pseudo-RGB images using a transformation function that approximates the human eye's spectral response to visual stimuli. Each image is divided into patches. Data augmentation is applied using rotations and flipping. We create a four-branch model architecture where each branch is trained on one Stokes parameter individually, then we freeze the branches and fine-tune the top layers of our model to generate final predictions. Our results show high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, indicating that our model performed well on our dataset. Future works can improve upon these results by training on more varied data, classifying tumors based on their grade, and introducing more recent architectural techniques.

Polarized Hyperspectral Microscopic Imaging for Zebrafish.

Zebrafish is a well-established animal model for developmental and disease studies. Its optical transparency at early developmental stages is ideal for tissue visualization. Interaction of light with zebrafish tissues provides information on their structure and properties. In this study, we developed a microscopic imaging system for improving the visualization of unstained zebrafish tissues on tissue slides, with two different setups: polarized light imaging and polarized hyperspectral imaging. Based on the polarized light imaging setup, we collected the RGB images of Stokes vector parameters (S0, S1, S2, and S3), and calculated the Stokes vector derived parameters: the degree of polarization (DOP), the degree of linear polarization (DOLP)). We also calculated Stokes vector data based on the polarized hyperspectral imaging setup. The preliminary results demonstrate that Stokes vector data in two imaging setups (polarized light imaging and polarized hyperspectral imaging) are capable of improving the visualization of different types of zebrafish tissues (brain, muscle, skin cells, blood vessels, and yolk). Using the images collected from larval zebrafish samples by polarized light imaging, we found that DOP and DOLP could show clearer structural information of the brain and of skin cells, muscle and blood vessels in the tail. Furthermore, DOP and DOLP parameters derived from images collected by polarized hyperspectral imaging could show clearer structural information of skin cells developing around yolk as well as the surrounding blood vessel network. In addition, polarized hyperspectral imaging could provide complementary spectral information to the spatial information on Stokes vector data of zebrafish tissues. The polarized light imaging & polarized hyperspectral imaging systems provide a better insight into the microstructures of zebrafish tissues.

Biochar facilitated Biological CO2 conversion to C2-C6 alcohols and fatty acids.

Microbial CO2 utilization reduces the carbon footprint, providing economic potential. Biochar, rich in minerals and trace metals, can enhance microbial activity. This study investigates poultry litter and switchgrass biochars produced at 350 and 700 °C (PLB350, PLB700, SGB350 and SGB700, respectively) affect CO2 conversion to C2-C6 alcohols and acids by Clostridium muellerianum P21, C. ragsdalei P11 and C. carboxidivorans P7. Fermentations were in 250-mL bottles containing H2:CO2:N2 (60:20:20) shaken at 125 rpm and 37 °C. SGB350 increased alcohol titers by 1.1-2.1 fold, and PLB350 enhanced acid concentrations by 1.2-1.7 fold compared to the control without biochar. About 2.0-3.3 fold more ethanol was formed by strain P11 compared to strains P7 and P21 with SGB350. However, strain P21 produced 2.4-fold more butanol than strain P7 with SGB350, including unique hexanol production. These results highlight the potential of biochar in enhancing C2-C6 alcohol production from CO2, thereby boosting process feasibility.

Corrigendum: The mycoremediation potential of the armillarioids: a comparative genomics analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1189640.].

Polarized hyperspectral microscopic imaging system for enhancing the visualization of collagen fibers and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Significance: Polarized hyperspectral microscopes with the capability of full Stokes vector imaging have potential for many biological and medical applications. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate polarized hyperspectral imaging (PHSI) for improving the visualization of collagen fibers, which is an important biomarker related to tumor development, and improving the differentiation of normal and tumor cells on pathologic slides. Approach: We customized a polarized hyperspectral microscopic imaging system comprising an upright microscope with a motorized stage, two linear polarizers, two liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs), and a compact SnapScan hyperspectral camera. The polarizers and LCVRs worked in tandem with the hyperspectral camera to acquire polarized hyperspectral images, which were further used to calculate four Stokes vectors: S0, S1, S2, and S3. Synthetic RGB images of the Stokes vectors were generated for the visualization of cellular components in PHSI images. Regions of interest of collagen, normal cells, and tumor cells in the synthetic RGB images were selected, and spectral signatures of the selected components were extracted for comparison. Specifically, we qualitatively and quantitatively investigated the enhanced visualization and spectral characteristics of dense fibers and sparse fibers in normal stroma tissue, fibers accumulated within tumors, and fibers accumulated around tumors. Results: By employing our customized polarized hyperspectral microscope, we extract the spectral signatures of Stokes vector parameters of collagen as well as of tumor and normal cells. The measurement of Stokes vector parameters increased the image contrast of collagen fibers and cells in the slides. Conclusions: With the spatial and spectral information from the Stokes vector data cubes (S0, S1, S2, and S3), our PHSI microscope system enhances the visualization of tumor cells and tumor microenvironment components, thus being beneficial for pathology and oncology.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a 56-Year-Old Man With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common form of acute leukemia, is an aggressive lethal hematological malignancy that mainly occurs in older adults with a slightly higher predominance in males. It is prompted by the clonal expansion of immature myeloid blasts in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or extramedullary tissues. Leukostasis in AML is a critical medical condition mainly affecting the lungs and brain and arises when tissue perfusion is compromised due to the clustering of white blood cells (WBCs) within the microvasculature. Cardiac involvement in this condition is exceptionally uncommon. Here, we present a case of a 56-year-old man, recently diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia M4 and leukostasis, who developed acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction six days after presentation and in whom emergent coronary angiography showed proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery lesion with a large clot obstructing the flow and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) I flow, and urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was done; thromboaspiration and drug-coated balloon angioplasty were performed with good angiographic results. Antiplatelet (aspirin and clopidogrel) and anticoagulation (enoxaparin) were started immediately before PCI. Emergent leukapheresis was initiated in addition to hydroxyurea with complete resolution of chest pain. Four days post PCI, the patient developed right-sided hemiparesis with an evident infarct on a CT scan of the brain, and he also developed acute limb ischemia involving the distal right foot. Five days post PCI, the patient had a sudden sustained ventricular tachycardia followed immediately by asystole, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was done for 25 minutes but with no response.

Pharmacy and neighborhood-level variation in cash price of diabetes medications in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes medications place significant financial burden on patients but less is known about factors affecting cost variation. OBJECTIVE: To examine pharmacy and neighborhood factors associated with cost variation for diabetes drugs in the US. RESEARCH DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND MEASURES: We used all-payer US pharmacy data from 45,874 chain and independent pharmacies reflecting 7,073,909 deidentified claims. We divided diabetes drugs into insulins, non-insulin generic medications, and brand name medications. Generalized linear models, stratified by pharmacy type, identified pharmacy and neighborhood factors associated with higher or lower cash price-per-unit (PPU) for each set of drugs. RESULTS: Cash PPU was highest for brand name therapies ($149.4±203.2), followed by insulins ($42.4±25.0), and generic therapies ($1.3±4.4). Pharmacy-level price variation was greater for non-insulin generic therapies than insulins or brand name therapies. Chain pharmacies had both lower prices and lesser variation compared with independent pharmacies. CONCLUSIONS: Cash prices for diabetes medications in the US can vary considerably and that the greatest degree of price variation occurs in non-insulin generic therapies.

Lignin Modification for Enhanced Performance of Polymer Composites.

The biopolymer lignin, which is heterogeneous and abundant, is usually present in plant cell walls and gives them rigidity and strength. As a byproduct of the wood, paper, and pulp manufacturing industry, lignin ranks as the second most prevalent biopolymer worldwide, following cellulose. This review paper explores the extraction, modification, and prospective applications of lignin in various industries, including the enhancement of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, biomedical applications such as vanillin production, fuel development, carbon fiber composites, and the creation of nanomaterials for food packaging and drug delivery. The structural characteristics of lignin remain undefined due to its origin, separation, and fragmentation processes. This comprehensive overview encompasses state-of-the-art techniques, potential applications, diverse extraction methods, chemical modifications, carbon fiber utilization, and the extraction of vanillin. Moreover, the review focuses on the utilization of lignin-modified polymer blends across multiple manufacturing sectors, providing insights into the advantages and limitations of this innovative approach for the development of environmentally friendly materials.

Outcomes of Heart Transplant Donation After Circulatory Death.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation using donation after circulatory death (DCD) allografts is increasingly common, expanding the donor pool and reducing transplant wait times. However, data remain limited on clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare 6-month and 1-year clinical outcomes between recipients of DCD hearts, most of them recovered with the use of normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), and recipients of donation after brain death (DBD) hearts. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study of all adult heart-only transplants from January 2020 to January 2023. Recipient and donor data were abstracted from medical records and the United Network for Organ Sharing registry, respectively. Survival analysis and Cox regression were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 385 adults (median age 57.4 years [IQR: 48.0-63.7 years]) underwent heart-only transplantation, including 122 (32%) from DCD donors, 83% of which were recovered with the use of NRP. DCD donors were younger and had fewer comorbidities than DBD donors. DCD recipients were less often hospitalized before transplantation and less likely to require pretransplantation temporary mechanical circulatory support compared with DBD recipients. There were no significant differences between groups in 1-year survival, incidence of severe primary graft dysfunction, treated rejection during the first year, or likelihood of cardiac allograft vasculopathy at 1 year after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest single-center comparison of DCD and DBD heart transplantations to date, outcomes among DCD recipients are noninferior to those of DBD recipients. This study adds to the published data supporting DCD donors as a safe means to expand the heart donor pool.

Early Assessment of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Risk Among Recipients of Hepatitis C Virus-infected Donors in the Current Era.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of hearts from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors has increased substantially in recent years following development of highly effective direct-acting antiviral therapies for treatment and cure of HCV. Although historical data from the pre-direct-acting antiviral era demonstrated an association between HCV-positive donors and accelerated cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in recipients, the relationship between the use of HCV nucleic acid test-positive (NAT+) donors and the development of CAV in the direct-acting antiviral era remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a retrospective, single-center observational study comparing coronary angiographic CAV outcomes during the first year after transplant in 84 heart transplant recipients of HCV NAT+ donors and 231 recipients of HCV NAT- donors. Additionally, in a subsample of 149 patients (including 55 in the NAT+ cohort and 94 in the NAT- cohort) who had serial adjunctive intravascular ultrasound examination performed, we compared development of rapidly progressive CAV, defined as an increase in maximal intimal thickening of ≥0.5 mm in matched vessel segments during the first year post-transplant. In an unadjusted analysis, recipients of HCV NAT+ hearts had reduced survival free of CAV ≥1 over the first year after heart transplant compared with recipients of HCV NAT- hearts. After adjustment for known CAV risk factors, however, there was no significant difference between cohorts in the likelihood of the primary outcome, nor was there a difference in development of rapidly progressive CAV. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support larger, longer-term follow-up studies to better elucidate CAV outcomes in recipients of HCV NAT+ hearts and to inform post-transplant management strategies.

Development and initial evaluation of the Hearing Aid Attribute and Feature Importance Evaluation (HAFIE) questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a novel questionnaire aimed at providing a structured, evidence-based methodology for hearing aid recommendation and selection using self-reported importance ratings for different modern hearing aid features. DESIGN: The initial questionnaire items were created through a concept mapping approach that involved input from hearing aid users. Hearing care professional focus groups (n = 10) were conducted to assess questionnaire content and design, and to guide modifications. Validation of this initial 34-item version of the questionnaire was conducted using an anonymous online survey tool (Qualtrics). Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the dataset, using principal axis factoring. Questionnaire reliability and inter-item correlation were assessed. Items with low factor loading and high cross-loading were removed. STUDY SAMPLE: Two hundred and eighteen adult participants with a self-reported hearing loss (median age = 48 years, range = 18-95 years) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis and item removal resulted in a 28-item questionnaire. Three factors were identified, dividing the hearing aid features into the subscales: "Advanced connectivity & streaming", "Physical attributes & usability", and "Sound quality & intelligibility". CONCLUSION: This study has resulted in a patient-oriented questionnaire that allows clinicians to gather patient input in a structured manner.

The mycoremediation potential of the armillarioids: a comparative genomics analysis.

Genes involved in mycoremediation were identified by comparative genomics analysis in 10 armillarioid species and selected groups of white-rot Basidiomycota (14) and soft-rot Ascomycota (12) species to confine the distinctive bioremediation capabilities of the armillarioids. The genomes were explored using phylogenetic principal component analysis (pPCA), searching for genes already documented in a biocatalysis/biodegradation database. The results underlined a distinct, increased potential of aromatics-degrading genes/enzymes in armillarioids, with particular emphasis on a high copy number and diverse spectrum of benzoate 4-monooxygenase [EC:1.14.14.92] homologs. In addition, other enzymes involved in the degradation of various monocyclic aromatics were more abundant in the armillarioids than in the other white-rot basidiomycetes, and enzymes involved in the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were more prevailing in armillarioids and other white-rot species than in soft-rot Ascomycetes. Transcriptome profiling of A. ostoyae and A. borealis isolates confirmed that several genes involved in the degradation of benzoates and other monocyclic aromatics were distinctively expressed in the wood-invading fungal mycelia. Data were consistent with armillarioid species offering a more powerful potential in degrading aromatics. Our results provide a reliable, practical solution for screening the likely fungal candidates for their full biodegradation potential, applicability, and possible specialization based on their genomics data.

Randomized controlled trial of urinE chemiStry guided aCute heArt faiLure treATmEnt (ESCALATE): Rationale and design.

Diuresis to achieve decongestion is a central aim of therapy in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). While multiple clinical trials have investigated initial diuretic strategies for a designated period of time, there is a paucity of evidence to guide diuretic titration strategies continued until decongestion is achieved. The use of urine chemistries (urine sodium and creatinine) in a natriuretic response prediction equation accurately estimates natriuresis in response to diuretic dosing, but a randomized clinical trial is needed to compare a urine chemistry-guided diuresis strategy with a strategy of usual care. The urinE chemiStry guided aCute heArt faiLure treATmEnt (ESCALATE) trial is designed to test the hypothesis that protocolized diuretic therapy guided by spot urine chemistry through completion of intravenous diuresis will be superior to usual care and improve outcomes over the 14 days following randomization. ESCALATE will randomize and obtain complete data on 450 patients with acute heart failure to a diuretic strategy guided by urine chemistry or a usual care strategy. Key inclusion criteria include an objective measure of hypervolemia with at least 10 pounds of estimated excess volume, and key exclusion criteria include significant valvular stenosis, hypotension, and a chronic need for dialysis. Our primary outcome is days of benefit over the 14 days after randomization. Days of benefit combines patient symptoms captured by global clinical status with clinical state quantifying the need for hospitalization and intravenous diuresis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04481919.

Cultivar difference characterization of kiwifruit wines on phenolic profiles, volatiles and antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant activity and volatiles of kiwifruit wine with different flesh colors were investigated in this study. Green (Guichang and Xuxiang), red (Donghong and Hongyang), and yellow (Jinyan) kiwifruits were analyzed to determine their alcohol content, phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity, and aroma composition. The results showed that Hongyang and Donghong wines had higher antioxidant activity and content of antioxidant substances. Hongyang wine possessed the most abundance of polyphenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and catechins were the main polyphenols of kiwi wines. The 101 aromatic components were detected, Xuxiang wine possessed 64 aromatic compounds, Donghong and Hongyang wines had the higher esters compositions, 79.87%, and 78.0% respectively. From PCA (Principal Component Analysis), the volatile substances of kiwi wine with the same flesh color were similar. Five kinds of kiwi wines shared 32 kinds of volatile compounds, these compounds may be the core volatiles in kiwi wine. Therefore, the color of kiwi flesh can impact wine flavor, with Hongyang and Donghong kiwis owning red flesh being the most suitable for producing kiwi wine which would be a new milestone to the wine manufactures.

Multidimensional query processing algorithm by dimension transformation.

Multidimensional query processing is an important access pattern for multidimensional scientific data. We propose an in-memory multidimensional query processing algorithm for dense data using a higher-dimensional array. We developed a new array system namely a Converted two-dimensional Array (C2A) of a multidimensional array of dimension n ([Formula: see text]) where the n dimensions are transformed into 2 dimensions. Using the C2A, we design and analyze less complex algorithms that show improve performance for data locality and cache miss rate. Therefore, improved performance for data retrieval is achieved. We demonstrate algorithms for single key and range key queries for both Traditional Multidimensional Array(TMA) and C2A. We also compare the performance of both schemes. The cost of index computation gets high when the number of dimensions increases in a TMA but the proposed C2A based algorithm shows less computation cost. The cache miss rate is also lower for in C2A based algorithm than TMA based algorithm. Theoretical and experimental results show that the performance of C2A based algorithm outperforms the TMA-based algorithms.

Structural properties and anti-inflammatory activity of purified polysaccharides from Hen-of-the-woods mushrooms (Grifola frondosa).

Grifola frondosa is an edible medicinal mushroom that has been proven to have a variety of health benefits. The main active ingredients of this mushroom are polysaccharides. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used to obtain crude Grifola frondosa polysaccharides (GFPs). Then, purified GFP was obtained after purification. The optimum extraction conditions were an extraction time of 71 min, an extraction temperature of 90°C in a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:37 g/mL, and an ultrasonic power of 500 W. GFP was purified using DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100. The structural characterization of GFP was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography (IC), and ultraviolet (UV) visible photometry. The morphology of GFP was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Congo red testing. In addition, the administration of GFP in oxazolone (OXZ)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice was found to prevent weight loss. Different doses of GFP (80, 160, and 320 mg/kg body weight) were used, and sulfapyridine (SASP) was used as a positive control (370 mg/kg body weight) for the treatment of OXZ-induced UC. After treatment, the mice were killed, and blood and colon tissue samples were collected. GFP was found to prevent decreases in colon length and the levels of leukocytes, platelets, and neutrophils in UC mice. Moreover, GFP also decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1 ß], increased IL-10, and reduced colon injury in UC mice. The results showed that Under these conditions, the predicted polysaccharide yield was 21.72%, and the actual extraction rate was 21.13%. The polysaccharide composition (molar ratio) was composed of fucose (0.025), glucosamine hydrochloride (0.004), galactose (0.063), glucose (0.869), and mannose (0.038). GFP was also found to have a typical absorption peak, and the GFP extracted using the ultrasound-assisted extraction protocol was mainly ß-glucan. These results indicate that ultrasound-assisted extraction of GFP could reduce OXZ-induced intestinal inflammation as a promising candidate for the treatment of UC, with the potential for development as a food supplement to improve intestinal diseases.

Efficacy of bortezomib desensitization among heart transplant candidates.

Allosensitization is prevalent in heart transplant candidates and is associated with prolonged waiting times and poor outcomes following transplantation. We analyzed the efficacy of a desensitization regimen consisting of plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and bortezomib among 25 consecutive sensitized waitlisted candidates at our center from 2016 to 2021. Following desensitization therapies, all C1q negative antibodies were removed from a candidate's unacceptable antigen list. There was a significant decrease in the median number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (21-15, p = .001) but not class II antibodies (7-6.5, p = .07). There was a significant corresponding decrease in median calculated panel reactive antibodies for class I (90%-74%, p = .004) but not class II (74.5%-75.5%, p = .30). Following desensitization, 76% of patients were transplanted at a median of 91 days. One-year survival following transplant was 89% with a 33% rate of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). In conclusion, a bortezomib desensitization protocol was modestly effective for class I antibodies and allowed successful transplant in most cases when combined with selective crossing of C1q negative antigens.