Characterization, identification, and detection of aerosol particles in their native atmospheric states remain a challenge. Recently, optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) has been developed ...and demonstrated for characterization of single, airborne particles. Such particles in different chemical groups have been characterized by OT-RS in recent years and many more are being studied. In this work, we collected single-particle Raman spectra measured using the OT-RS technique and began construction of a library of OT-RS fingerprints that may be used as a reference for potential detection and identification of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. We collected OT-RS fingerprints of aerosol particles from eight different categories including carbons, bioaerosols (pollens, fungi, vitamins, spores), dusts, biological warfare agent surrogates, etc. Among the eight categories, spectral fingerprints of six groups of aerosol particles have been published previously and two other groups are new. We also discussed challenges, limitations, and advantages of using single-particle optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy for aerosol-particle characterization, identification, and detection.
Introduction
Reliable information on stem cell toxicity and mobilization of stem cells for autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) after induction treatment with a combination of bendamustine, ...prednisone and bortezomib (BPV) is missing.
Materials and methods
A retrospective analysis of peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and autologous SCT was performed in 35 patients with MM who had received at least one cycle of a BPV-induction therapy consisting of bendamustine 60 mg/m
2
on days 1 and 2, bortezomib 1.3 mg/m
2
on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 and prednisone 100 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 8 and 11 between October 2008 and May 2014. The mobilization regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide 4 g/m
2
and G-CSF (2 × 5 μg/kg). Apheresis was started as soon as peripheral CD34
+
counts exceeded 20 × 10
6
/L with a harvest target of 8 × 10
6
CD34
+
/kg. The minimal accepted target was 2 × 10
6
CD34
+
/kg. The transplantation conditioning therapy consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m
2
.
Results
A median number of two (range 1–5) BPV cycles were given. The majority of patients (
n
= 31, 89 %) responded with two sCR, five nCR, 11 VGPR and 13 PR after BPV induction. Three patients had MR, and one SD. Stem cell mobilization and harvest were successful in all patients. In 19 of 35 patients (54 %), a single apheresis was sufficient to reach the target. The median number of aphereses was one (range 1–4), and the median CD34
+
cell-count/kg was 13.5 (range 3.2–33.1) × 106. All patients received an autologous SCT. Engraftment was successful in 34 of 35 patients. The median time to a leukocyte count >l × 10
9
/L was 11 days, and the time to untransfused platelet count of >50 × 10
9
/L was 13 days. Thirty-four patients (97 %) responded after the autologous SCT with 11 sCR, two CR, seven nCR, seven VGPR and seven PR. The progression-free survival at 18 months was 87 %, and overall survival was 92 %.
Conclusion
Stem cell mobilization and autologous SCT are feasible in MM patients who have received BPV-induction therapy .
•Laser spectroscopic characterization of single extraterrestrial dust particles using optical trapping-cavity ringdown and Raman spectroscopy.•Single-particle extinctions of single trapped ...extraterrestrial dust particles were measured using cavity ringdown spectroscopy.•Raman spectral features of chemical groups in individually trapped particles were characterized.•Demonstrated optical trapping cavity ringdown spectroscopy and optical trapping Raman spectroscopy techniques for extraterrestrial dust particles.
Earth's atmosphere contains interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), which are a key ingredient to understand planetary phenomena, yet the study of their physicochemical properties without external interferences at the single-particle level is limited. With the optical-trapping (OT) technique, a single dust particle can be stably trapped in air for subsequent characterization. We report on measurements of the single-particle extinction of trapped particles using cavity ringdown spectroscopy at ultraviolet wavelength around 308 nm. We also present Raman spectral features of chemical groups in individually trapped particles. Two simulants of extraterrestrial materials, (Martian and lunar analogs) along with carbon spheres and volcanic ashes were trapped and spectroscopically characterized. In addition to the on-trap measurements, the particles’ morphological and mineralogical information was obtained from off-trap measurements using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. This study demonstrates that the integration of OT with cavity ringdown and Raman spectroscopy provides a new tool to gain multimodal information on the physicochemical properties of single IDPs with minimum to no external interferences.
Fiber optics has been utilized in fiber optic, sensing technology, imaging optics, communications, etc. Fiber optic sensors have been developed to sense in many applications. In this thesis, fiber ...loop ringdown (FLRD) sensors were used to monitor two different physical sensors, such as gas flow and humidity. FLRD gas flow sensors were demonstrated. Two different sensor configurations were constructed to monitor airflow (AF). FLRD-AF sensor was based on micro-bending mechanism. The FLRD-AF sensor was able to detect AF in a range of 5 to 22.5 slpm. FLRD technique was also used to measure relative humidity (RH). A sensor was fabricated and replaced inside a chamber. The chamber provided with humidity reference and a humidity meter. The FLRD-RH was based on evanescent field mechanism. The RH and the temperature were monitored during the experiment. The FLRD-RH has a dynamic range of 4 to 100 %.
Fiber optics has been utilized in fiber optic, sensing technology, imaging optics, communications, etc. Fiber optic sensors have been developed to sense in many applications. In this thesis, fiber ...loop ringdown (FLRD) sensors were used to monitor two different physical sensors, such as gas flow and humidity. FLRD gas flow sensors were demonstrated. Two different sensor configurations were constructed to monitor airflow (AF). FLRD-AF sensor was based on micro-bending mechanism. The FLRD-AF sensor was able to detect AF in a range of 5 to 22.5 slpm. FLRD technique was also used to measure relative humidity (RH). A sensor was fabricated and replaced inside a chamber. The chamber provided with humidity reference and a humidity meter. The FLRD-RH was based on evanescent field mechanism. The RH and the temperature were monitored during the experiment. The FLRD-RH has a dynamic range of 4 to 100 percent.
The objective of this research was to measure the labial bone thickness (LBT) in relation to the 6 anterior maxillary teeth at different levels along the long axis and the distance between ...cementoenamel junction and bone crest (CEJ-BC) based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans retrieved from patients of Arab ethnicity and identify any association with patients’ characteristics.
A total of 100 CBCT scans were evaluated by one calibrated examiner. The thickness of the labial bone was measured perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the alveolar crest (LBT-1, LBT-3, and LBT-5, respectively) and CEJ-BC using a medical imaging viewer.
CBCT scans of 58 female patients and 42 male patients with a mean age of 39.7 ± 9.5 years were included. A high variation of CEJ-BC was observed (range, 0.55-3.90 mm). Statistically significant higher CEJ-BC values were associated with men and increased age (>50 years). The overall means of LBT-1 were 0.76 ± 0.26, 0.79 ± 0.26, and 0.83 ± 0.37 mm; LBT-3: 0.92 ± 0.36, 1.05 ± 0.46, and 1.03 ± 0.48 mm; LBT-5: 1.17 ± 0.52, 0.80 ± 0.45, and 0.81 ± 0.40 mm for central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines, respectively. The LBT was <1 mm in 74.2% of all maxillary anterior teeth, with central incisors showing the highest predilection (85% with LBT <1 mm). No significant association between LBT and patient characteristics was observed.
The CEJ-BC distance is greater in men and increases with age, particularly in those aged 50 years and older. The LBT in the 6 maxillary anterior teeth is predominantly thin (<1 mm) and has no correlation to age or sex. An increased LBT was observed at a 3-mm level when compared with LBT-1 and LBT-5. Such variability should be taken into consideration when planning for implant placement.
Ectopic permanent molar is a condition in which the permanent tooth deviates from its normal path of eruption. The etiology of this eruption anomaly is multifactorial, with both general and local ...factors. The principal results suggest that a valid indicator of irreversible consequences is the degree of impaction of the first permanent molar. Self-correction is most common between the ages of 7 and 8, after which help may be required. Accordingly, early management can assist in preventing subsequent potential challenges that could interfere with maintaining a balanced occlusion. Several variables, including the degree of mesial tilting, the level of root resorption, and the condition of the second primary molar, may be crucial in choosing the most effective method of treatment. Interproximal wedging and distal tipping are the two basic therapeutic strategies for ectopic permanent molars. Additionally, the use of fixed or removable appliances might also be required. Delaying treatment until a later stage is not recommended because early diagnosis and treatment are essential for optimal management. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ectopic permanent molars, including their prevalence, etiologic factors, self-correction rates, clinical implications for adjacent teeth, and various treatment techniques, that emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention in the successful management of ectopic permanent molars. In addition, it highlights the importance of future research into the contributing variables of irreversible ectopic molar outcomes.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and its resulting disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread to millions of people worldwide. Preliminary data ...from organ transplant recipients have shown reduced seroconversion rates after the administration of different SARS-CoV-2 vaccination platforms. However, it is unknown whether different vaccination platforms provide different levels of protection against SARS-CoV-2. To answer this question, we prospectively studied 431 kidney and liver transplant recipients (kidney: n = 230; liver: n = 201) who received either the ChAdOx1 vaccine (n = 148) or the BNT-162b2 vaccine (n = 283) and underwent an assessment of immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G spike antibody levels. The primary objective of the study is to directly compare the efficacy of two different vaccine platforms in solid organ transplant recipients by measuring of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the RBD of the spike protein (anti-RBD) two weeks after first and second doses. Our secondary endpoints were solicited specific local or systemic adverse events within 7 days after the receipt of each dose of the vaccine. There was no difference in the primary outcome between the two vaccine platforms in patients who received two vaccine doses. Unresponsiveness was mainly linked to diabetes. The rate of response after the first dose among younger older patients was significantly larger; however, after the second dose this difference did not persist (p = 0.079). Side effects were similar to those that were observed during the pivotal trials.
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