Macroscopic and microscopic techno-economic analyses highlighting aspects of 5G transport network deployments

Photonic Network Communications - 5G networks will comprise multiple, versatile infrastructures at finest granularity consisting of multiple disaggregated pools of network, compute and storage...     

On‐Chip Super‐Resolution Imaging with Fluorescent Polymer Films

Wide field‐of‐view (FOV), label‐free, super‐resolution imaging is demonstrated using a specially designed waveguide chip that can illuminate a sample with multicolor evanescent waves travelling along different directions. The method is enabled by a polymer fluorescent film that emits over a broad wavelength range. Its polygonal geometry ensures coverage over all illumination directions, enabling high‐fidelity image reconstruction while minimizing distortion and image blurring. By frequency shifting and iterative stitching of different spatial frequencies in Fourier space, the reconstruction of 2D samples is achieved without distortion over wide FOVs. The fabrication process is facile and compatible with conventional semiconductor‐fabrication methods. The super‐resolution chip (SRC) can thus be produced with high yield, offering opportunities for potential conjunction of super‐resolution techniques integrated optical circuits or for the development of single‐use diagnostic kits.     

The application of Taguchi method to determine the optimum blend of unifloral honeys to most closely match thyme honey quality

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of four blossom honey types (orange, chestnut, heather and cotton) on a group of quality characteristics of thyme-type based mixture preparations. Mixture ratios were prepared at 0%, 50% and 100% per blossom honey-type and then were blended with thyme honey in parts 1:1. The melissopalynological, sensory and physicochemical quality characteristics for each blend were monitored. A three-level, four-factor orthogonal array according to the Taguchi method was utilised to plan the experiments maintaining the thyme component as a 'slack-variable' to contain the number of performed trials. Subsequent anova treatment revealed that only a pure orange-type blend favours the simultaneous maximisation of aroma ( P  < 0.05) and the minimisation of electrical conductivity ( P  < 0.05). Finally, there was a significant effect of chestnut-type blend content on microscopical and physicochemical characteristics ( P  < 0.05), nevertheless, their corresponding signal-to-noise ratios are maximised only at a concentration of zero value.     

The sensory attributes of cakes containing large numbers of low sugar raisins, as evaluated by consumers and a trained sensory panel

The sensory attributes of cakes, containing a greater number of low sugar raisins (LSR) than that normally used, were evaluated by two different groups of trained and untrained panellists. The purpose of this sensory evaluation was to find out whether such bakery products were more attractive to consumers than normal cakes and could be further promoted in the market. Cakes containing LSR and additional lemon peel scored more poorly than cakes containing only raisins, both in terms of taste and overall preference. Cakes containing only LSR had good sensory characteristics and could be considered as competitive products when compared with similar products already on the market. Young people found cakes with raisins tasty, but they did not consume them readily. The special advantages of these cakes are their natural ingredients, raisins with lower amount of sugars, good taste and high quality, all of which should be emphasized to make them attractive in the market.     

Postnatal Protein Intake as a Determinant of Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function in Mice—A Pilot Study

Sarcopenia is characterised by an age-related decrease in the number of muscle fibres and additional weakening of the remaining fibres, resulting in a reduction in muscle mass and function. Many studies associate poor maternal nutrition during gestation and/or lactation with altered skeletal muscle homeostasis in the offspring and the development of sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the musculoskeletal physiology in offspring born to mouse dams fed a low-protein diet during pregnancy was altered and whether any physiological changes could be modulated by the nutritional protein content in early postnatal stages. Thy1-YFP female mice were fed ad libitum on either a normal (20%) or a low-protein (5%) diet. Newborn pups were cross-fostered to different lactating dams (maintained on a 20% or 5% diet) to generate three groups analysed at weaning (21 days): Normal-to-Normal (NN), Normal-to-Low (NL) and Low-to-Normal (LN). Further offspring were maintained ad libitum on the same diet as during lactation until 12 weeks of age, creating another three groups (NNN, NLL, LNN). Mice on a low protein diet postnatally (NL, NLL) exhibited a significant reduction in body and muscle weight persisting up to 12 weeks, unlike mice on a low protein diet only prenatally (LN, LNN). Muscle fibre size was reduced in mice from the NL but not LN group, showing recovery at 12 weeks of age. Muscle force was reduced in NLL mice, concomitant with changes in the NMJ site and changes in atrophy-related and myosin genes. In addition, μCT scans of mouse tibiae at 12 weeks of age revealed changes in bone mass and morphology, resulting in a higher bone mass in the NLL group than the control NNN group. Finally, changes in the expression of miR-133 in the muscle of NLL mice suggest a regulatory role for this microRNA in muscle development in response to postnatal diet changes. Overall, this data shows that a low maternal protein diet and early postnatal life low-protein intake in mice can impact skeletal muscle physiology and function in early life while postnatal low protein diet favours bone integrity in adulthood.     

Vitamin D–VDR Novel Anti-Inflammatory Molecules—New Insights into Their Effects on Liver Diseases

There is consistent evidence that vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with liver dysfunction, disease severity, and poor prognosis in patients with liver disease. Vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) contribute to the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. The presence of genetic variants of vitamin D- and VDR-associated genes has been associated with liver disease progression. In our recent work, we summarized the progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in vitamin D–VDR signaling and discussed the functional significance of VDR signaling in specific cell populations in liver disease. The current review focuses on the complex interaction between immune and liver cells in the maintenance of liver homeostasis and the development of liver injury, the interplay of vitamin D and VDR in the development and outcome of liver disease, the role of vitamin D- and VDR-associated genetic variants in modulating the occurrence and severity of liver disease, and the therapeutic value of vitamin D supplementation in various liver diseases. The association of the vitamin D–VDR complex with liver dysfunction shows great potential for clinical application and supports its use as a prognostic index and diagnostic tool.     

Pituitary–Adrenal Responses and Glucocorticoid Receptor Expression in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19

The hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis was described as the principal component of the stress response 85 years ago, along with the acute-phase reaction, and the defense response at the tissue level. The orchestration of these processes is essential since systemic inflammation is a double-edged sword; whereas inflammation that is timely and of appropriate magnitude is beneficial, exuberant systemic inflammation incites tissue damage with potentially devastating consequences. Apart from its beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic effects, cortisol exerts a significant immunoregulatory role, a major attribute being that it restrains the excessive inflammatory reaction, thereby preventing unwanted tissue damage. In this review, we will discuss the role of the HPA axis in the normal stress response and in critical illness, especially in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, a chapter will be dedicated to the findings from clinical studies in critical illness and COVID-19 on the expression of the mediator of glucocorticoid actions, the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR).