Optimization of fs-laser-induced voxels in nonlinear materials via over-correction of spherical aberration.

In this Letter, over-correction of spherical aberration is used to counteract nonlinear effects such as Kerr self-focusing and plasma effects, resulting in more spherical and small-sized femtosecond laser-inscribed voxels within nonlinear materials. By strategically redirecting marginal focusing rays toward the beginning of the laser modification zone, the induced plasma prevents any rays from causing a structural modification beyond this zone, irrespective of any focus elongation caused by nonlinear effects. The method has been effectively validated across a range of materials, including ZnS, ZnSe, BIG, GeS, and SiO.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a French version of the perceived personal control questionnaire as an outcome measure instrument for genetic counseling.

The perceived personal control (PPC) questionnaire serves as an instrument to assess the concept of PPC, which refers to a person's perception of their ability to achieve positive outcomes while avoiding the negative effects of a given situation. Developed and used as a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in genetic counseling, the PPC questionnaire has been translated and validated in several languages, but not in French. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate a French version of the PPC questionnaire to evaluate genetic counseling services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC).

Preclinical Evaluation of AZD6422, an Armored Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Targeting CLDN18.2 in Gastric, Pancreatic, and Esophageal Cancers.

Purpose: Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a surface membrane protein that is crucial for maintaining tight junctions in gastric mucosal cells and is highly expressed in gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers.

Femtosecond laser writing of robust waveguides in optical fibers with enhanced photosensitivity.

We report the femtosecond laser writing of meter-long optical waveguides inscribed through the coating of specifically designed optical fibers. In order to improve the material photosensitivity and to ensure non-guiding optical fibers for subsequent laser processing of the waveguiding core, a depressed refractive index core design is implemented by co-doping a large portion of the optical fiber with germanium oxide and fluorine. The enhanced photosensitivity provided by further deuterium loading these fibers allows laser-writing of large refractive index contrast waveguides over wide cross sections.

Acceptability and Feasibility of the Telehealth Bariatric Behavioral Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Before Bariatric Surgery: A Single-Case Experimental Study (Part I).

Background: Physical activity (PA) can play an important role in optimizing metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) outcomes. However, many MBS patients have difficulty increasing PA, necessitating the development of theory-driven counseling interventions. This study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of the TELEhealth BARIatric behavioral intervention (TELE-BariACTIV) trial protocol/methods and intervention, which was designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in adults awaiting MBS and (2) estimate the effect of the intervention on MVPA.

Effects of sources and routes of administration of vitamins A, D and copper on postnatal status of these micronutrients in piglets.

Twenty-six nulliparous sows were fed conventional gestation and lactation diets supplemented ( = 13) or not ( = 13) with extra daily supplements of 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25-OH-D3; 4 ĸIU), β-carotene (24 ĸIU), and copper ()-proteinate (45 mg) from day 90 of gestation to 21 d of lactation (). In each litter, 10 piglets were divided into 5 pairs received, at 2 () and 8 d () of age, one of the five combinations of micronutrient sources and routes of administration ( = 260 piglets total). These neonatal treatments (= 26 pairs or 52 piglets each) consisted of oral vitamin D3, retinol acetate and CuSO (); oral 25-OH-D3, β-carotene, and Cu proteinate (); exposure to ultraviolet light (), oral retinol palmitate and Cu gluconate (); intramuscular vitamin D3 and retinyl propionate and oral Cu acetate (); oral saline ().

Efficacy and pharmacodynamic effect of anti-CD73 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies in combination with cytotoxic therapy: observations from mouse tumor models.

CD73 is a cell surface 5'nucleotidase (NT5E) and key node in the catabolic process generating immunosuppressive adenosine in cancer. Using a murine monoclonal antibody surrogate of Oleclumab, we investigated the effect of CD73 inhibition in concert with cytotoxic therapies (chemotherapies as well as fractionated radiotherapy) and PD-L1 blockade. Our results highlight improved survival in syngeneic tumor models of colorectal cancer (CT26 and MC38) and sarcoma (MCA205).

Effects of high levels of zinc oxide and dietary zinc/copper ratios on the metabolism of iron in weaned pigs.

The present study compares the use different levels of dietary zinc oxide and zinc/copper ratios on the metabolism of iron (Fe) in weaned pigs. Two experiments were conducted using 120 and 160 weanling piglets (7.96 ± 1.

A Systematic Review and Critical Assessment of Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Tools Incorporating a Polygenic Risk Score for the General Population.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the form of a polygenic risk score (PRS) have emerged as a promising factor that could improve the predictive performance of breast cancer (BC) risk prediction tools. This study aims to appraise and critically assess the current evidence on these tools. Studies were identified using Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to November 2022 and were included if they described the development and/ or validation of a BC risk prediction model using a PRS for women of the general population and if they reported a measure of predictive performance.

The Transtheoretical model's processes of change in the heart of a physical activity intervention: A series of n-of-1.

The objectives were a) to test whether a Processes of Change (POC)-personalized Transtheoretical model (TTM)-based intervention could increase physical activity (PA) among inactive adults, and b) to examine whether the intervention increased the level of TTM theoretical constructs. The following hypotheses were formulated: 1) PA levels will be significantly higher during and after the intervention in comparison to baseline measures; 2) the level of targeted POCs will increase during the intervention; 3) non targeted POCs will stay stable, and 4) self-efficacy and decisional balance levels will increase during the intervention. A series of N-of-1 with A (1 to 2-week)-B(10-week)-A'(2-week) design were conducted with 12 inactive adults.

Canadian Healthcare Professionals' Views and Attitudes toward Risk-Stratified Breast Cancer Screening.

Given the controversy over the effectiveness of age-based breast cancer (BC) screening, offering risk-stratified screening to women may be a way to improve patient outcomes with detection of earlier-stage disease. While this approach seems promising, its integration requires the buy-in of many stakeholders. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed Canadian healthcare professionals about their views and attitudes toward a risk-stratified BC screening approach.

Effects of dietary zinc/copper ratios on the metabolism of zinc and copper in weaned pigs.

This study compared the effects of different dietary zinc/copper ratios on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) metabolism in weaned pigs. One hundred and sixty piglets (7.81 ± 0.

Ultrafast laser writing of arbitrary long low-loss waveguides in optical fibers.

We propose an innovative femtosecond laser writing approach, based on a reel-to-reel configuration, allowing the fabrication of arbitrary long optical waveguides in coreless optical fibers directly through the coating. We report few meters long waveguides operating in the near-infrared (near-IR) with propagation losses as low as 0.055 ± 0.

Multimodal Biomarkers That Predict the Presence of Gleason Pattern 4: Potential Impact for Active Surveillance.

Purpose: Latent grade group ≥2 prostate cancer can impact the performance of active surveillance protocols. To date, molecular biomarkers for active surveillance have relied solely on RNA or protein. We trained and independently validated multimodal (mRNA abundance, DNA methylation, and/or DNA copy number) biomarkers that more accurately separate grade group 1 from grade group ≥2 cancers.

Enhancing Evanescent Wave Coupling of Near-Surface Waveguides with Plasmonic Nanoparticles.

Evanescent field excitation is a powerful means to achieve a high surface-to-bulk signal ratio for bioimaging and sensing applications. However, standard evanescent wave techniques such as TIRF and SNOM require complex microscopy setups. Additionally, the precise positioning of the source relative to the analytes of interest is required, as the evanescent wave is critically distance-dependent.

A DNA copy number alteration classifier as a prognostic tool for prostate cancer patients.

Background: Distinguishing between true indolent and potentially life-threatening prostate cancer is challenging in tumours displaying clinicopathologic features associated with low or intermediate risk of relapse. Several somatic DNA copy number alterations (CNAs) have been identified as potential prognostic biomarkers, but the standard cytogenetic method to assess them has a limited multiplexing capability.

Methods: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) targeting 14 genes was optimised to survey 448 tumours of patients with low or intermediate risk (Grade Group 1-3, Gleason score ≤7) who underwent radical prostatectomy.

Risk-Stratified Breast Cancer Screening Incorporating a Polygenic Risk Score: A Survey of UK General Practitioners' Knowledge and Attitudes.

A polygenic risk score (PRS) quantifies the aggregated effects of common genetic variants in an individual. A 'personalised breast cancer risk assessment' combines PRS with other genetic and nongenetic risk factors to offer risk-stratified screening and interventions. Large-scale studies are evaluating the clinical utility and feasibility of implementing risk-stratified screening; however, General Practitioners' (GPs) views remain largely unknown.

Toward low-loss mid-infrared GaO-BaO-GeO optical fibers.

The development of efficient and compact photonic systems in support of mid-infrared integrated optics is currently facing several challenges. To date, most mid-infrared glass-based devices are employing fluoride or chalcogenide glasses (FCGs). Although the commercialization of FCGs-based optical devices has rapidly grown during the last decade, their development is rather cumbersome due to either poor crystallization and hygroscopicity resilience or poor mechanical-thermal properties of the FCGs.

Effects of dietary zinc oxide levels on the metabolism of zinc and copper in weaned pigs.

This study compared different dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) levels on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) metabolism in weaned pigs. One hundred twenty weaned piglets (7.96 ± 1.

Submucosal Necrotic Nodule of the Colon: An Enigmatic Entity Potentially Related to Anisakis Infection.

Context.—: Discrete submucosal necrotic nodules may rarely manifest as colon polyps.

Objective.

Examining interprofessional collaboration in oncogenetic service delivery models for hereditary cancers: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: In a context of limited genetic specialists, collaborative models have been proposed to ensure timely access to high quality oncogenetic services for individuals with inherited cancer susceptibility. Yet, extensive variability in the terminology used and lack of a clear understanding of how interprofessional collaboration is operationalised and evaluated currently constrains the development of a robust evidence base on the value of different approaches used to optimise access to these services. To fill in this knowledge gap, this scoping review aims to systematically unpack the nature and extent of collaboration proposed by these interventions, and synthesise the evidence available on their implementation, effectiveness and economic impact.

Near-infrared quantum cutting luminescence in Pr/Yb doped lead bismuth borate glass.

In this paper, thermally stable lead-bismuth-borate glasses were doped with 0.5 mol% of Pr ions at several concentration levels of Yb ions. Structural characterizations were performed via Raman, differential scanning calorimetry, optical absorption and fluorescence spectra.