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An otherwise healthy 72-year-old Chinese patient diagnosed with exudative age-related macular degeneration and decreased vision in left eye was fully investigated. The retrospective analysis of past multimodal imaging revealed bilateral severe choroidal neovascularization and choroiditis associated with a positive tuberculin skin testing and interferon-gamma release assay (QuantiFERON-TB Gold – Cellestis®, Chadstone, VIC, Australia) suggestive of latent ocular tuberculosis. The variable presentation and tests’ results interpretation represent the greatest limitations in understanding and treating intraocular TB (IOTB). This may present without any other systemic symptoms, the intraocular tissues are of limited access to biopsies and other tests, including imaging and immunological tests, are of relative value. This case highlights how variable may be the presentation of IOTB, which can be easily misdiagnosed leading to a delayed treatment and worse prognosis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ability of the Sentinel-5P TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) to derive accurate geometrical features of lofted aerosol layers, selecting the Mediterranean Basin as the study area. Comparisons with ground-based correlative measurements constitute a key component in the validation of passive and active satellite aerosol products. For this purpose, we use ground-based observations from quality-controlled lidar stations reporting to the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). An optimal methodology for validation purposes has been developed and applied using the EARLINET optical profiles and TROPOMI aerosol products, aiming at the in-depth evaluation of the TROPOMI aerosol layer height (ALH) product for the period 2018 to 2022 over the Mediterranean Basin. Seven EARLINET stations were chosen, taking into consideration their proximity to the sea, which provided 63 coincident aerosol cases for the satellite retrievals. In the following, we present the first validation results for the TROPOMI/S5P ALH using the optimized EARLINET lidar products employing the automated validation chain designed for this purpose. The quantitative validation at pixels over the selected EARLINET stations illustrates that the TROPOMI ALH product is consistent with the EARLINET lidar products, with a high correlation coefficient R = 0.82 (R = 0.51) and a mean bias of -0.51 +/- 0.77 km and -2.27 +/- 1.17 km over ocean and land, respectively. Overall, it appears that aerosol layer altitudes retrieved from TROPOMI are systematically lower than altitudes from the lidar retrievals. High-albedo scenes, as well as low-aerosol-load scenes, are the most challenging for the TROPOMI retrieval algorithm, and these results testify to the need to further investigate the underlying cause. This work provides a clear indication that the TROPOMI ALH product can under certain conditions achieve the required threshold accuracy and precision requirements of 1 km, especially when only ocean pixels are included in the comparison analysis. Furthermore, we describe and analyse three case studies in detail, one dust and two smoke episodes, in order to illustrate the strengths and limitations of the TROPOMI ALH product and demonstrate the presented validation methodology. The present analysis provides important additions to the existing validation studies that have been performed so far for the TROPOMI S5P ALH product, which were based only on satellite-to-satellite comparisons., "Panhellenic Infrastructure for Atmospheric Composition and Climate Change" project MIS 5021516, European Commission European Space Agency European Commission, SIROCCO project EXCELLENCE/1216/0217, AQ-SERVE project - Republic of Cyprus INTEGRATED/0916/0016, European Commission, Federal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF), EU H2020 EXCELSIOR project, European Research Council (ERC) under Community's Horizon 2020 research and innovation framework programme (ERC) 725698

Study question To compare the ploidy status of embryos originated from zygotes with absence of pronuclei (0PN) with those developing from normal two pronuclei (2PN) fertilization. Summary answer We did not find significant differences in euploidy rates between blastocysts from 0PN and 2PN zygotes. What is known already Information regarding the ploidy number of 0PN zygotes, even when the pronuclei number is assessed by time-lapse microscope coupled incubators, is still insufficient. Because of this, embryos originating from 0PN zygotes are usually discarded or individualized in order not to include them in first transfers. Even more, abnormal fertilization is considered as a proxy of poor embryo quality. Study design, size, duration A retrospective observational study from March 2016 and December 2021 including 80 PGT-A cycles in which at least one of the blastocysts studied developed from oocytes in which pronuclei were not seen at the time of fertilization check. Participants/materials, setting, methods 307 blastocysts were studied, of which 115 originated from 0PN and 192 from 2PN zygotes. Pronuclear number was assessed 16-20 h after insemination. Zygotes with 0PN were cultured separately from 2PN ones of the same cohort. After extended culture, a biopsy was performed and the material obtained was genetically studied using Next Generation Sequencing. Statistical comparisons were made with Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests. Significance level was set at P Main results and the role of chance No differences were observed in euploidy rates between the 2PN and 0PN groups [55.2% (106/193) VS 43.5% (50/115)]. In aneuploid embryos originating from 2PN zygotes, a similar amount of trisomies and monosomies was observed (56 and 56 respectively). In contrast, aneuploid embryos from 0PN oocytes showed a greater number of trisomies than monosomies (55 and 35 respectively, P Limitations, reasons for caution Non-visualization of pronuclei in oocytes that later generate normal diploid blastocysts may be due to a faster or slower cell cycle progression. Modifications in the daily fertilization check schedules of busy laboratories should also be considered. Wider implications of the findings Contrary to expectations, aneuploid embryos from 0PN oocytes showed a greater number of trisomies than monosomies. A significant fraction of the embryos generated from 0PN zygotes were actually diploid, with similar quality and outcome results than 2PN ones. This makes them perfectly usable in IVF routines. Trial registration number Not applicable

Study question Do women aged 40 or older have the same reproductive outcome using ICSI or cIVF when male factor infertility is not present? Summary answer Women aged 40 or older with non-male factor partners achieved similar reproductive outcomes either with ICSI or cIVF. What is known already Although initially proposed to treat couples with severe male factor infertility, ICSI has become the preferred tool to treat patient populations others than initially intended. Many studies and international forums, however, have alerted that its overuse is not free due to its safety, cost and time-consuming concerns. Moreover, it was noted that it does not increase clinical outcomes even in cases of compromised oocyte factor such as poor responder patients or few oocytes retrieved. However, there is still no information regarding its use in the group of patients of advanced reproductive age. Study design, size, duration Retrospective cohort study including 412 women aged 40 or older with non-male factor infertility performing ICSI or cIVF between May 2015 and October 2017. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients underwent ICSI (n = 109) or cIVF (n = 303) according to medical indication. The decision to use ICSI in non-male factor patients was merely operational, with the objective of evaluating oocyte maturity.Those cycles with own oocytes, non-male factor and fresh embryo transfers were included. Semen samples were considered normal following the World Health Organization fifth edition sperm parameters values, and prepared by density gradient selection. Main results and the role of chance The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes included ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage and implantation rates. Statistical significance was denoted by P No differences between ICSI and cIVF groups were observed regarding clinical pregnancy [16.5% (18/109) vs. 20.8% (63/303)], ongoing pregnancy [9.2% (10/109) vs. 7.9% (24/303)], miscarriage [41.2% (7/17) vs. 46,5% (20/43)], and implantation rates [11.3% (17/151) vs. 9.9% (50/506)]. Limitations, reasons for caution These results need confirmation with a bigger population size. As with any retrospective study, the potential for residual confounding exists. Wider implications of the findings These data suggest that ICSI offers no clinical benefit for women aged 40 and older with non-male factor infertility, beyond oocyte maturation classification. Trial registration number not applicable

En este artículo se argumenta que la teoría de la planificación presentada por Scott Shapiro en su libro Legalidad ofrece una explicación mixta del fenómeno jurídico. Por una parte, pretende desentrañar la naturaleza del derecho, mediante un análisis conceptual que reconstruya fielmente el punto de vista interno. Por otra parte, Shapiro propone una explicación funcional del derecho que trasciende la pers- pectiva de los participantes. Ambas explicaciones iluminan aspectos diferentes de la práctica jurídica y, por ello, son complementarias.

Papayannis enfoca sus objeciones en dos puntos primordiales de la Escuela de Toronto —a la que pertenece Martín Hevia y sostiene en su libro Reasonableness and Responsibility—. El primero es el énfasis en la bilateralidad de las relaciones de derecho privado; y el segundo es que las normas referidas a la celebración y el cumplimiento de los contratos o a la compensación de los daños que nos causamos unos a otros expresan un modo de ordenación adecuada para los asuntos privados. En conclusión, Papayannis sostiene que Hevia no logra mostrar que su teoría se distinga de modo relevante de las concepciones libertarias en lo que hace al derecho contractual.

We introduce an automated aerosol type classification method, called Source Classification Analysis (SCAN). SCAN is based on predefined and characterized aerosol source regions, the time that the air parcel spends above each geographical region, and a number of additional criteria. The output of SCAN is compared with two independent aerosol classification methods, which use the intensive optical parameters from lidar data: (1) the Mahalanobis distance automatic aerosol type classification (MD) and (2) a neural network aerosol typing algorithm (NATALI). In this paper, data from the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) have been used. A total of 97 free tropospheric aerosol layers from four typical EARLINET stations (i.e., Bucharest, Kuopio, Leipzig, and Potenza) in the period 2014–2018 were classified based on a 3β+2α+1δ lidar configuration. We found that SCAN, as a method independent of optical properties, is not affected by overlapping optical values of different aerosol types. Furthermore, SCAN has no limitations concerning its ability to classify different aerosol mixtures. Additionally, it is a valuable tool to classify aerosol layers based on even single (elastic) lidar signals in the case of lidar stations that cannot provide a full data set (3β+2α+1δ) of aerosol optical properties; therefore, it can work independently of the capabilities of a lidar system. Finally, our results show that NATALI has a lower percentage of unclassified layers (4 %), while MD has a higher percentage of unclassified layers (50 %) and a lower percentage of cases classified as aerosol mixtures (5 %).

In this study, we report on the retrieval of aerosol extinction profiles from ground-based scattered sunlight multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements, carried out at Athens, Greece. It is the first time that aerosol profiles are retrieved from MAX-DOAS measurements in Athens. The reported aerosol vertical distributions at 477 nm are derived from the oxygen dimer (O4) differential-slant-column-density observations at different elevation angles by applying the BRemen Optimal estimation REtrieval for Aerosol and trace gaseS (BOREAS) retrieval algorithm. Four case studies have been selected for validation purposes; the retrieved aerosol profiles and the corresponding aerosol optical depths (AODs) from the MAX-DOAS are compared with lidar extinction profiles and with sun-photometric measurements (Aerosol Robotic Network, AERONET, observations), respectively. Despite the different approach of each method regarding the retrieval of the aerosol information, the comparison with the lidar measurements at 532 nm reveals a very good agreement in terms of vertical distribution, with r>0.90 in all cases. The AODs from the MAX-DOAS and the sun photometer (the latter at 500 nm) show a satisfactory correlation (with 0.45 < r < 0.7 in three out of the four cases). The comparison indicates that the MAX-DOAS systematically underestimates the AOD in the cases of large particles (small Ångström exponent) and for measurements at small relative azimuthal angles between the viewing direction and the sun. Better agreement is achieved in the morning, at large relative azimuthal angles. Overall, the aerosol profiles retrieved from MAX-DOAS measurements are of good quality; thus, new perspectives are opened up for assessing urban aerosol pollution on a long-term basis in Athens from continuous and uninterrupted MAX-DOAS measurements.

The analysis of aerosol microphysical properties profiles at different European stations is made in the framework of the ChArMEx/EMEP 2012 field campaign (9–11 July 2012). During and in support to this campaign, five lidar ground-based stations (Athens, Barcelona, Bucharest, Évora and Granada) performed 72 h of continuous lidar and collocated and coincident sun-photometer measurements. Therefore it was possible to retrieve volume concentration profiles with the Lidar Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC). Results indicated the presence of a mineral dust plume affecting the Western Mediterranean region (mainly Granada station) whereas a different aerosol plume was observed over the Balkans area. LIRIC profiles showed a predominance of coarse spheroid particles above Granada, as expected for mineral dust, and an aerosol plume composed mainly of fine and coarse spherical particles above Athens and Bucharest. Due to the exceptional characteristics of the ChArMEx database, the analysis of the microphysical properties profiles temporal evolution was also possible. An in depth analysis was performed mainly at Granada station because of the availability of continuous lidar measurements and frequent AERONET inversion retrievals. The analysis at Granada was of special interest since the station was affected by mineral dust during the complete analyzed period. LIRIC was found to be a very useful tool for performing continuous monitoring of mineral dust, allowing for the analysis of the dynamics of the dust event in the vertical and temporal coordinates. Results obtained here illustrate the importance of having collocated and simultaneous advanced lidar and sun-photometer measurements in order to characterize the aerosol microphysical properties both in the vertical and temporal coordinates at a regional scale. In addition, this study revealed that the use of the depolarization information as input in LIRIC in the stations of Bucharest, Évora and Granada was crucial for the characterization of the aerosol types and their distribution in the vertical column, whereas in stations lacking of depolarization lidar channels ancillary information was needed. Results obtained were also used for the validation of different mineral dust models. In general, the models better forecast the vertical distribution of the mineral dust than the column integrated mass concentration, which was underestimated in most of the cases.

Purpose: To describe the patterns on near-infrared fundus autofluorescence in eyes affected by early age-related macular degeneration. Design: Cross-sectional observational case series. Participants: A total of 84 eyes of 84 patients suffering from early age-related macular degeneration (>63 μm but Methods: Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, infrared reflectance, short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, and near-infrared fundus autofluorescence. Eyes were classified according to different patterns of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence. Main outcome was definition of relative prevalence and features of each near-infrared fundus autofluorescence pattern; secondary outcomes were correlation between near-infrared fundus autofluorescence and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence and between near-infrared fundus autofluorescence patterns and best-corrected visual acuity. Results: Four different patterns of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence identified: normal foveal signal (Pattern A, 7%); normal foveal signal with hyperautofluorescent/hypoautofluorescent spots not involving the fovea (Pattern B, 65.5%); hyperautofluorescent/hypoautofluorescent spots involving the fovea (Pattern C, 15.5%); patchy pattern (Pattern D, 12%). best-corrected visual acuity was lower in eyes with foveal signal alteration (Patterns C and D). Conclusion: Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence pattern in early age-related macular degeneration might be suggestive of visual function deterioration when the fovea is involved. Longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.