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Objective: Our study aims to evaluate and compare the macular microvascular condition of the intravitreal Bevacizumab (IVB)-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) cases to the preterm cases without ROP and spontaneously regressed ROPs. Methods: It is a retrospective cohort of 50 premature neonates visited from 2016 to 2017 for ROP screening in Nikookari Eye Hospital and recalled for re-evaluation in 2022. These patients were classified into three groups based on their medical documents: 1. Preterm cases without ROP (PT), 2. Spontaneously regressed ROPs (SR), and 3. IVB-treated ROPs (IVB). All the included cases underwent a thorough ophthalmic exam, cyclo-refraction, Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, and macular optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The foveal thickness, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal vascular density (VD) were evaluated as the quantitative variables. Results: Twenty-five male and 25 female cases with a median age of 5.0 entered the study. Twenty-six eyes were evaluated in the PT group, 50 in the SR group, and 24 in the IVB group. The SR group consisted of 25 zone-2 and 25 zone-3 ROPs. In comparison, the IVB group consisted of 9 zone-1 and 15 zone-2 ROPs (p: < 001). Also, zone-2 cases were more advanced in the IVB group. The IVB-treated eyes demonstrated a significantly higher foveal superficial capillary plexus (SCP) VD than the others (28.5% vs. 23.1 and 22.9, respectively, in PT and SR, p:0.008). However, the parafoveal deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD was lower than the PT cases (48.5% vs. 53.4, p:0.034). The FAZ area was also smaller than the PT cases (0.113 vs.0.219 mm2, p:0.032). The FAZ area was significantly positively correlated with the foveal SCP and DCP VD and negatively correlated with parafoveal DCP VD (CC: -0.770, -0.719, 0.377, respectively, p: < 0.001). Conclusion: In the long term, although the IVB-treated ROP cases experience an excellent visual outcome comparable to those without ROP, they may show some macular microvascular changes. These changes might be related to the effect of IVB or the nature of more advanced stages of ROP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-voltage electric pulse rock-breaking technology has the potential to improve drilling speed significantly. Numerous mechanism studies and laboratory experiments have laid the foundation for developing high-voltage electric pulse rock-breaking technology. However, the mechanism of medium ion channels growing in three dimensions has yet to be fully understood. Based on this, the paper constructs a prediction model of the electrical breakdown trajectory in three dimensions using the finite difference method. The model considers the dielectric properties of the mineral particles inside the rock. The paper then simulates and analyzes the generation of plasma channels caused by the electrical breakdown of rock in space. This is done using the MATLAB numerical simulation software, in combination with the analysis of the electric rock-breaking circuits and the Probabilistic Development Model (PDM). The laboratory experiment on electric rock breaking verifies the prediction model for the trajectory of electrical breakdown. The research results show that the plasma channel generated by electric breakdown in rocks is a spatial curve that expands between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode. The breakdown points generated near the high-voltage electrode are more concentrated than those near the ground electrode, forming the primary fragmentation zone. The area near the ground electrode is the secondary fragmentation zone. The voltage difference between the high-voltage level and the grounding electrode significantly influences the crushing effect. A higher voltage leads to a more pronounced crushing effect at the high-voltage electrode. The research results have definite guiding significance for the engineering application of high-voltage pulse rock-breaking technology and the design of downhole drilling tools. Highlights: In this paper, a three-dimensional trajectory prediction model of electrical breakdown is established to study the electrical breakage of rock. The electric breakdown three-dimensional trajectory prediction model is utilized to simulate electrical breakdown in rock under various voltage amplitudes. The reliability of the three-dimensional trajectory prediction model is indirectly verified by the laboratory experiment with an electric pulse rock breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to identify the clinical and growth parameters associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous ileal perforation (SIP). Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study that compared clinical data before and after NEC/SIP onset in neonates, categorizing by any ROP and severe ROP (type 1/2) status. Results The analysis included 109 infants with surgical NEC/SIP. Sixty infants (60/109, 55%) were diagnosed with any ROP, 32/109 (29.3%) infants (22% type 1 and 7.3% type 2) with severe ROP. On univariate analysis, those with severe ROP (32/109, 39.5%) were of lower median gestational age (GA, 23.8 weeks [23.4, 24.6] vs. 27.3 [26.3, 29.0], p < 0.001), lower median birth weight (625 g [512, 710] vs. 935 [700, 1,180], p < 0.001) and experienced higher exposure to clinical chorioamnionitis (22.6 vs. 2.13%, p < 0.006), and later median onset of ROP diagnosis (63.0 days [47.0, 77.2] vs. 29.0 [19.0, 41.0], p < 0.001), received Penrose drain placement more commonly (19 [59.4%] vs. 16 [34.0%], p = 0.04), retained less residual small bowel (70.0 cm [63.1, 90.8] vs. 90.8 [72.0, 101], p = 0.007) following surgery, were exposed to higher FiO 2 7 days after birth (p = 0.001), received ventilation longer and exposed to higher FiO 2 at 2 weeks (p < 0.05) following NEC and developed acute kidney injury (AKI) more often (25 [86.2%] vs. 20 [46.5%], p = 0.002) than those without ROP. Those with severe ROP had lower length, weight for length, and head circumference z scores. In an adjusted Firth's logistic regression, GA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.35, 0.76]) and diagnosis at later age (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI: [1.03, 1.13]) was shown to be significantly associated with any ROP. Conclusion Infants who develop severe ROP following surgical NEC/SIP are likely to be younger, smaller, have been exposed to more O 2 , develop AKI, and grow poorly compared with those did not develop severe ROP. Key Points Thirty percent of infants with NEC/SIP had severe ROP. Those with severe ROP had poor growth parameters before and after NEC/SIP. Risk factors based ROP prevention strategies are needed to have improved ophthalmic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Petroleum Machinery is the property of China Petroleum Machinery Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development of automation and intelligence in geological core drilling is not yet mature. The selection and improvement of drilling parameters rely mainly on experience, and adjustments are often made after drilling by evaluating the core, which introduces a lag and reduces the drilling efficiency. Therefore, this study first establishes a geological core drilling experiment platform to collect drilling data. Through the constructed geological core drilling experimental platform, the practical data at the drill bit can be directly obtained, solving the problem of the data from the surface equipment in the practical drilling differing from the practical data. Second, the back propagation (BP) algorithm is used to perform the ROP prediction, with weight on bit (WOB), torque (TOR), flow rate (Q), and rotation speed (RPM) as input parameters, and rate of penetration (ROP) as the output. Subsequently, correlation analysis is used to perform the feature parameter optimization, and the effects of bit wear and bit cutting depth on the experiment are considered. Finally, comparison with algorithms such as ridge regression, SVM and KNN shows that the ROP prediction model using the BP neural network has the highest prediction accuracy of 94.1%. The results provide a reference for ROP prediction and the automation of geological core drilling rigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Our study aims to evaluate and compare the macular microvascular condition of the intravitreal Bevacizumab (IVB)-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) cases to the preterm cases without ROP and spontaneously regressed ROPs. Methods It is a retrospective cohort of 50 premature neonates visited from 2016 to 2017 for ROP screening in Nikookari Eye Hospital and recalled for re-evaluation in 2022. These patients were classified into three groups based on their medical documents: 1. Preterm cases without ROP (PT), 2. Spontaneously regressed ROPs (SR), and 3. IVB-treated ROPs (IVB). All the included cases underwent a thorough ophthalmic exam, cyclo-refraction, Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, and macular optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The foveal thickness, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal vascular density (VD) were evaluated as the quantitative variables. Results Twenty-five male and 25 female cases with a median age of 5.0 entered the study. Twenty-six eyes were evaluated in the PT group, 50 in the SR group, and 24 in the IVB group. The SR group consisted of 25 zone-2 and 25 zone-3 ROPs. In comparison, the IVB group consisted of 9 zone-1 and 15 zone-2 ROPs (p:

Abstract Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a severe retinal disease in premature infants characterized by pathological neovascularization, obliteration of retinal vessels and increased vessel tortuosity. Currently, there are no completely satisfactory treatments for ROP. Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF), a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis, appears late in gestation and its deficiency may be linked to development of ROP. This study investigates the preclinical efficacy of PEDF protein alone or in combination with VEGF antagonists for treating ROP. The safety of PEDF protein in the rat eye was assessed using functional in vivo measurements and histology. The efficacy of intravitreal injections (IVI) of various treatments was evaluated in a rat oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) model using in vivo imaging and flatmount analyses. No functional or histological side‐effects were found in rat eyes after intravitreal PEDF protein injection. PEDF protein alone or combined with anti‐VEGF drugs significantly reduced pathological neovascularization and vessel obliteration, comparable to the effects of anti‐VEGF drugs alone. Regarding arterial tortuosity, treatment with a combination of PEDF, and VEGF antagonist was more effective than treatment with anti‐VEGF alone. IVI of PEDF protein is safe. PEDF protein alone or combined with VEGF antagonists shows similar efficacy in reducing pathological neovascularization and vessel obliteration as anti‐VEGF agents. Furthermore, only treatments involving PEDF protein, alone or with VEGF antagonists, significantly improved the quality of retinal vasculature. Thus, PEDF protein alone or combined with anti‐VEGF agents presents a promising alternative to current anti‐VEGF treatments for ROP.

The safety and efficiency of drilling engineering are greatly impeded by destructive vibrations of drill string in air drilling, such as stick-slip, bit-bounce and their coupled vibrations. To avoid or suppress these vibrations improving the stability of drilling operations, revealing the occurrence mechanisms of abovementioned harmful vibrations are indispensable by investigating dynamics characteristics of drill string system. In this paper, an axial-torsional coupled dynamics model that can capture the motion behaviors of bottom hole assembly (BHA) is established adopting the lumped parameter method. Subsequently, a rate of penetration (ROP) model appropriating for air drilling is obtained firstly by linear fitting means. Meanwhile, a novel discontinuous support model is established to describe the bit-formation interactions. Then, BHA dynamics are discussed using numerical simulations under different vibration scenarios: normal operation; stick-slip; bit-bounce; bit-bounce and stick-slip combination. Subsequently, in two drilling modes: the continuous and intermittent drilling, the vibration mitigation strategies and dynamics sensibility study of BHA are carried out based on the parametric analysis. The results show that increasing torsional stiffness of drill-pipes, appropriately adjusting rotation speed of top driven system and dynamic weight on bit (WOB) are deemed as an effective strategy suppressing or eliminating stick-slip and bit-bounce vibrations of BHA. Suggest that the rotation speed of top driven system and dynamic WOB are 5 rad/s and 3.5 kN, respectively. Finally, the constructed probability maps allow to driller to choose reasonable mechanical parameters, thereby realizing smooth drilling operation in the air drilling.

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics and surgical outcomes of late-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the status of fellow eyes. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive cases undergoing surgery for regressed ROP-related RRD and the fellow eyes between 2012-2022. Demographic data, fundus findings, retinal detachment characteristics, surgical procedures, and anatomic and functional outcomes were analyzed. Anatomic success was defined as retinal attachment after silicone oil removal at final follow-up. Results: Fifteen eyes of 14 patients with a history of regressed ROP underwent surgical repair for RRD at a mean age of 12 (range, 3-26) years. Primary surgical intervention yielded a 53% failure rate overall. This rate was 33% for scleral buckling (SB), 100% for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and 40% for combined SB-PPV surgery. Eyes with posterior cicatricial changes and/or proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) demonstrated a higher tendency for recurrence. The final anatomic success rate was 73% after a mean number of 2.3 (range, 1-5) surgeries. The chances of restoring useful vision diminished with repeated surgery despite the improvement in anatomic success. In the fellow eyes, peripheral retinal pathologies were universally observed, with posterior cicatricial changes noted in 33%. Conclusion: The study reveals a significant initial failure rate in surgical treatment of cases with late-onset RRD associated with regressed ROP, particularly in eyes with posterior cicatricial changes or PVR, suggesting the need for a combined surgical approach as an initial strategy in such high-risk cases. The consistent presence of retinal abnormalities in fellow eyes calls for proactive monitoring and potential prophylactic intervention.

Abstract Background Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential life-long visual impairment. Low fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels predict ROP. It is unknown if preventing the HbF decrease also reduces ROP. Methods BORN is an ongoing multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial investigating whether transfusing HbF-enriched cord blood-red blood cells (CB-RBCs) instead of adult donor-RBC units (A-RBCs) reduces the incidence of severe ROP (NCT05100212). Neonates born between 24 and 27 + 6 weeks of gestation are enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive adult donor-RBCs (A-RBCs, arm A) or allogeneic CB-RBCs (arm B) from birth to the postmenstrual age (PMA) of 31 + 6 weeks. Primary outcome is the rate of severe ROP at 40 weeks of PMA or discharge, with a sample size of 146 patients. A prespecified interim analysis was scheduled after the first 58 patients were enrolled, with the main purpose to evaluate the safety of CB-RBC transfusions. Results Results in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis are reported. Twenty-eight patients were in arm A and 30 in arm B. Overall, 104 A-RBC units and 49 CB-RBC units were transfused, with a high rate of protocol deviations. A total of 336 adverse events were recorded, with similar incidence and severity in the two arms. By per-protocol analysis, patients receiving A-RBCs or both RBC types experienced more adverse events than non-transfused patients or those transfused exclusively with CB-RBCs, and suffered from more severe forms of bradycardia, pulmonary hypertension, and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. Serum potassium, lactate, and pH were similar after CB-RBCs or A-RBCs. Fourteen patients died and 44 were evaluated for ROP. Ten of them developed severe ROP, with no differences between arms. At per-protocol analysis each A-RBC transfusion carried a relative risk for severe ROP of 1.66 (95% CI 1.06–2.20) in comparison with CB-RBCs. The area under the curve of HbF suggested that HbF decrement before 30 weeks PMA is critical for severe ROP development. Subsequent CB-RBC transfusions do not lessen the ROP risk. Conclusions The interim analysis shows that CB-RBC transfusion strategy in preterm neonates is safe and, if early adopted, might protect them from severe ROP. Trial registration Prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on October 29, 2021. Identifier number NCT05100212.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a severe retinal disease in premature infants characterized by pathological neovascularization, obliteration of retinal vessels and increased vessel tortuosity. Currently, there are no completely satisfactory treatments for ROP. Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF), a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis, appears late in gestation and its deficiency may be linked to development of ROP. This study investigates the preclinical efficacy of PEDF protein alone or in combination with VEGF antagonists for treating ROP. The safety of PEDF protein in the rat eye was assessed using functional in vivo measurements and histology. The efficacy of intravitreal injections (IVI) of various treatments was evaluated in a rat oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) model using in vivo imaging and flatmount analyses. No functional or histological side‐effects were found in rat eyes after intravitreal PEDF protein injection. PEDF protein alone or combined with anti‐VEGF drugs significantly reduced pathological neovascularization and vessel obliteration, comparable to the effects of anti‐VEGF drugs alone. Regarding arterial tortuosity, treatment with a combination of PEDF, and VEGF antagonist was more effective than treatment with anti‐VEGF alone. IVI of PEDF protein is safe. PEDF protein alone or combined with VEGF antagonists shows similar efficacy in reducing pathological neovascularization and vessel obliteration as anti‐VEGF agents. Furthermore, only treatments involving PEDF protein, alone or with VEGF antagonists, significantly improved the quality of retinal vasculature. Thus, PEDF protein alone or combined with anti‐VEGF agents presents a promising alternative to current anti‐VEGF treatments for ROP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose Methods Results Conclusion To investigate the refractive error profile and progression in infants with different stages of ROP, without ROP, and those who received laser treatment for ROP.This retrospective study included the data from 838 infants (baseline mean age 3.7 ± 5.4 months) who had premature birth. Among these, 433 infants had one of the stages of ROP and 405 had no ROP. Infants with ROP were sub‐divided into stage 1 (n = 76), stage 2 (n = 142), and stage 3 (n = 136) and aggressive posterior ROP, (APROP, n = 79). They were further categorized into those who received treatment (n = 213) and with no treatment for ROP (n = 220). Data from a subset of 117 infants was used to assess the 1‐year change in the refractive error. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) <−0.50 diopters (D). Eyes with retinal detachment were excluded.Higher percentage of myopia was found in infants with ROP (39.7%) than no‐ROP (19.8%), and it increased with severity of ROP: stage 1: 19.7%, stage 2: 33.8%, stage 3: 45.6%, and 59.5% in APROP. Percentage of myopia doubled in those who underwent treatment for ROP (54.5%) compared to no‐treatment group (25.5%). Mean (± SEM) change in SER after 1 year was significantly greater in infants with APROP −4.55 ± 1.38 D and stage 3 ROP −2.28 ± 0.57 D compared to other stages and no‐ROP.Myopia was found to be more prevalent in preterm infants in general, and more in the presence of ROP. Preterm infants without or with any form of ROP, particularly those with severe form of ROP and those who received treatment require meticulous periodic refractive error assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential life-long visual impairment. Low fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels predict ROP. It is unknown if preventing the HbF decrease also reduces ROP. Methods: BORN is an ongoing multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial investigating whether transfusing HbF-enriched cord blood-red blood cells (CB-RBCs) instead of adult donor-RBC units (A-RBCs) reduces the incidence of severe ROP (NCT05100212). Neonates born between 24 and 27 + 6 weeks of gestation are enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive adult donor-RBCs (A-RBCs, arm A) or allogeneic CB-RBCs (arm B) from birth to the postmenstrual age (PMA) of 31 + 6 weeks. Primary outcome is the rate of severe ROP at 40 weeks of PMA or discharge, with a sample size of 146 patients. A prespecified interim analysis was scheduled after the first 58 patients were enrolled, with the main purpose to evaluate the safety of CB-RBC transfusions. Results: Results in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis are reported. Twenty-eight patients were in arm A and 30 in arm B. Overall, 104 A-RBC units and 49 CB-RBC units were transfused, with a high rate of protocol deviations. A total of 336 adverse events were recorded, with similar incidence and severity in the two arms. By per-protocol analysis, patients receiving A-RBCs or both RBC types experienced more adverse events than non-transfused patients or those transfused exclusively with CB-RBCs, and suffered from more severe forms of bradycardia, pulmonary hypertension, and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. Serum potassium, lactate, and pH were similar after CB-RBCs or A-RBCs. Fourteen patients died and 44 were evaluated for ROP. Ten of them developed severe ROP, with no differences between arms. At per-protocol analysis each A-RBC transfusion carried a relative risk for severe ROP of 1.66 (95% CI 1.06–2.20) in comparison with CB-RBCs. The area under the curve of HbF suggested that HbF decrement before 30 weeks PMA is critical for severe ROP development. Subsequent CB-RBC transfusions do not lessen the ROP risk. Conclusions: The interim analysis shows that CB-RBC transfusion strategy in preterm neonates is safe and, if early adopted, might protect them from severe ROP. Trial registration: Prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on October 29, 2021. Identifier number NCT05100212. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics and surgical outcomes of late-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the status of fellow eyes. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive cases undergoing surgery for regressed ROP-related RRD and the fellow eyes between 2012-2022. Demographic data, fundus findings, retinal detachment characteristics, surgical procedures, and anatomic and functional outcomes were analyzed. Anatomic success was defined as retinal attachment after silicone oil removal at final follow-up. Results: Fifteen eyes of 14 patients with a history of regressed ROP underwent surgical repair for RRD at a mean age of 12 (range, 3-26) years. Primary surgical intervention yielded a 53% failure rate overall. This rate was 33% for scleral buckling (SB), 100% for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and 40% for combined SB-PPV surgery. Eyes with posterior cicatricial changes and/or proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) demonstrated a higher tendency for recurrence. The final anatomic success rate was 73% after a mean number of 2.3 (range, 1-5) surgeries. The chances of restoring useful vision diminished with repeated surgery despite the improvement in anatomic success. In the fellow eyes, peripheral retinal pathologies were universally observed, with posterior cicatricial changes noted in 33%. Conclusion: The study reveals a significant initial failure rate in surgical treatment of cases with late-onset RRD associated with regressed ROP, particularly in eyes with posterior cicatricial changes or PVR, suggesting the need for a combined surgical approach as an initial strategy in such high-risk cases. The consistent presence of retinal abnormalities in fellow eyes calls for proactive monitoring and potential prophylactic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Petroleum Machinery is the property of China Petroleum Machinery Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Within bioplastics, natural poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) stands out as fully biocompatible and biodegradable, even in marine environments; however, its high isotacticity and crystallinity limits its mechanical properties and hence its applications. PHB can also be synthesized with different tacticities via a catalytic ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐β‐butyrolactone (BBL), paving the way to PHB with better thermomechanical and processability properties. In this work, the catalyst family is extended based on aluminum phenoxy‐imine methyl catalyst [AlMeL2], that reveals efficient in the ROP of BBL, to the halogeno analogous complex [AlClL2]. As well, the impact on the ROP mechanism of different initiators is further explored with a particular focus in dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), a hardly studied initiator for the ROP of BBL. A thorough mechanistic study is performed that evidences the presence of two concomitant DMAP‐mediated mechanisms, that lead to either a DMAP or a crotonate end‐capping group. Besides, in order to increase the possibilities of PHB post‐polymerization functionalization, the introduction of a side‐chain functionality is explored, establishing the copolymerization of BBL with β‐allyloxymethylene propiolactone (BPLOAll), resulting in well‐defined P(BBL‐co‐BPLOAll) copolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) plays a crucial role in regulating oxygen sensing and adaptation at the cellular level, overseeing cellular oxygen homeostasis, erythrocyte production, angiogenesis, and mitochondrial metabolism. The hypoxia-sensitive HIF-1α subunit facilitates tissue adaptation to hypoxic conditions, including the stimulation of proangiogenic factors. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative vascular disease of the retina that poses a significant risk to prematurely born children. If untreated, ROP can lead to retinal detachment, severe visual impairment, and even blindness. The pathogenesis of ROP is not fully understood; however, reports suggest that premature birth leads to the exposure of immature ocular tissues to high levels of exogenous oxygen and hyperoxia, which increase the synthesis of reactive oxygen species and inhibit HIF expression. During the ischemic phase, HIF-1α expression is stimulated in the hypoxia-sensitive retina, causing an overproduction of proangiogenic factors and the development of pathological neovascularization. Given the significant role of HIF-1α in the development of ROP, considering it as a potential molecular target for therapeutic strategies appears justified. This review synthesizes information from the last six years (2018–2024) using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and BASE, focusing on the role of HIF-1α in the pathogenesis of ROP and its potential as a target for new therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant cause of blindness in preterm infants is retinal retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Early detection and intervention are essential for preventing visual loss. This study proposes an advanced approach for predicting ROP stages using deep learning algorithms and belief function theory. Three steps comprise the suggested technique: image pre-processing, feature extraction using deep learning models, and classification utilizing belief function theory. We used a dataset of 3720 retinal images from premature infants and achieved a classification accuracy of 95.57% for predicting ROP stages. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning algorithms and belief function theory in ROP diagnosis. This strategy can increase the efficacy and precision of ROP diagnosis, improving the treatment course for premature infants at risk of vision loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to develop into a widely implemented system that could reduce the dependence on qualified professionals/experts for screening the large at‑risk population, especially in the Indian scenario. Deep learning involves learning without being explicitly told what to focus on and utilizes several layers of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to create a robust algorithm that is capable of high‑complexity tasks. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are a subset of ANNs that are particularly useful for image processing as well as cognitive tasks. Training of these algorithms involves inputting raw human‑labeled data, which are then processed through the algorithm’s multiple layers and allow CNN to develop their own learning of image features. AI systems must be validated using different population datasets since the performance of the AI system would vary according to the population. Indian datasets have been used in AI‑based risk model that could predict whether an infant would develop treatment‑requiring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). AI also served as an epidemiological tool by objectively showing that a higher ROP severity was in Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that did not have the resources to monitor and titrate oxygen. There are rising concerns about the medicolegal aspect of AI implementation as well as discussion on the possibilities of catastrophic life‑threatening diseases like retinoblastoma and lipemia retinalis being missed by AI. Computer‑based systems have the advantage over humans in not being susceptible to biases or fatigue. This is especially relevant in a country like India with an increased rate of ROP and a preexisting strained doctor‑to‑preterm child ratio. Many AI algorithms can perform in a way comparable to or exceeding human experts, and this opens possibilities for future large‑scale prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Petroleum Machinery is the property of China Petroleum Machinery Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every cell constantly receives signals from its neighbours or the environment. In plants, most signals are perceived by RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASEs (RLKs) and then transmitted into the cell. The molecular switches RHO OF PLANTS (ROP) are critical proteins for polar signal transduction and regulate multiple cell polarity processes downstream of RLKs. Many ROP-regulating proteins and scaffold proteins of the ROP complex are known. However, the spatiotemporal ROP signalling complex composition is not yet understood. Moreover, how specificity is achieved in different ROP signalling pathways within one cell still needs to be determined. This review gives an overview of recent advances in ROP signalling and how specificity by downstream scaffold proteins can be achieved. The composition of the ROP signalling complexes is discussed, focusing on the possibility of the simultaneous presence of ROP activators and inactivators within the same complex to balance ROP activity. Furthermore, this review highlights the function of plant-specific ROP GUANINE NUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE FACTORS polarizing ROP signalling and defining the specificity of the initiated ROP signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a one-pot synthesis of well-defined A5B and A8B miktoarm star-shaped polymers where N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and various cyclic esters such as ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), lactide (LA) and glycolide (GA) were used for the synthesis. Miktopolymers were obtained by simultaneously carrying out atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of DMAEMA, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters, and click reaction between the azide group in gluconamide-based (GLBr5-Az) or lactonamide-based (GLBr8-Az) ATRP initiators and 4-pentyn-1-ol. The relatively low dispersity indices of the obtained miktoarm stars (Đ = 1.2–1.6) indicate that control over the polymerization processes was sustained despite almost complete monomers conversions (83–99%). The presence of salts from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in polymer solutions affects the phase transition, increasing cloud point temperatures (TCP) values. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) values increased with a decreasing number of average molecular weights of the hydrophobic fraction. Hydrolytic degradation studies revealed that the highest reduction of molecular weight was observed for polymers with PCL and PLGCL arm. The influence of the composition on the miktopolymers hydrophilicity was investigated via water contact angle (WCA) measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) disclosed that the number of arms and their composition in the miktopolymer affects its weight loss under the influence of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The German Retina.net ROP registry and its Europe‐wide successor, the EU‐ROP registry, collect data from patients treated for ROP. This analysis compares input parameters of these two registries to establish a procedure for joint analyses of different registry data using exemplary datasets from the two registries. Methods: Exemplary datasets from the two databases over a 1‐year period each (German Retina.net ROP Registry, 2011, 22 infants; EU‐ROP Registry, 2021, 44 infants) were compared. The parameters documented in the two databases were aligned and analysed regarding demographic parameters, treatment modalities, complications within first 24 h and retreatments. Results: The current analysis showed that data can be aligned for joint analyses with some adjustments within the data structure. The registry with more detailed data collection (EU‐ROP) needs to be reduced regarding granularity in order to align the different registries, as the registry with lower granularity determines the level of analyses that can be performed in a comparative approach. In the exemplary datasets, we observed that the overall most common ROP severity in both registries was zone II, 3+ (2011: 70.5%; 2021: 65%), with decreasing numbers of clock hours showing preretinal neovascularisations (2011: 10–12 clock hours in 29% of cases, 2021: 4–6 clock hours in 38%). The most prevalent treatment method was laser coagulation in 2011 (75%) and anti‐VEGF therapy in 2021 (86.1%). Within the anti‐VEGF group, all patients were treated with bevacizumab in 2011 and with ranibizumab in 2021. Retreatment rates were comparable in 2011 and 2021. Conclusion: Data from two different ROP registries can be aligned and jointly analysed. The analysis reveals a paradigm shift in treatment modalities, from predominantly laser to anti‐VEGF, and within the anti‐VEGF group from bevacizumab to ranibizumab in Germany. In addition, there was a trend towards earlier treatment in 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To analyze the incidence of sight-threatening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants in rural Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh from 2018 to 2021, and to analyze its association with birthweight (BW), gestational age (GA), and postconceptional age (PCA). Methods: Project Vision on Wheels is a free ROP screening and treatment program initiated by a tertiary eye care center in South India in June 2018 to screen preterm infants in rural areas in 11 centers in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by trained technicians. Infants with sight-threatening ROP were immediately shifted for vision-preserving laser. Results: Of the 18,117 infants screened from 2018 to 2021, 1046 infants underwent laser, with the majority being bigger and more mature when compared to Western data. There was a yearly increase in the number of infants with sight-threatening ROP in the lower BW, GA, and PCA categories. The timely detection of the condition by committed screening led to salvage of vision by timely laser in 100% of the treated babies in all the years. The incidence of sight-threatening ROP had a yearly decrease in higher BW, GA, and PCA categories. These trends were statistically significant (P = 0.001 for ROP and BW, P = 0.037 for ROP and GA, and P = 0.001 for ROP and PCA). Conclusion: The statistically significant trend of decreasing sight-threatening ROP in babies with higher BW, GA, and PCA and increasing treatable ROP in younger and smaller babies (with lower BWs, GAs, and PCAs) in rural India, over time, is a hitherto unreported finding. This is the first such study in rural Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh combined, with the largest data to date (as per MEDLINE search) to document this healthier trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to develop into a widely implemented system that could reduce the dependence on qualified professionals/experts for screening the large at-risk population, especially in the Indian scenario. Deep learning involves learning without being explicitly told what to focus on and utilizes several layers of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to create a robust algorithm that is capable of high-complexity tasks. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are a subset of ANNs that are particularly useful for image processing as well as cognitive tasks. Training of these algorithms involves inputting raw human-labeled data, which are then processed through the algorithm’s multiple layers and allow CNN to develop their own learning of image features. AI systems must be validated using different population datasets since the performance of the AI system would vary according to the population. Indian datasets have been used in AI-based risk model that could predict whether an infant would develop treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). AI also served as an epidemiological tool by objectively showing that a higher ROP severity was in Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that did not have the resources to monitor and titrate oxygen. There are rising concerns about the medicolegal aspect of AI implementation as well as discussion on the possibilities of catastrophic life-threatening diseases like retinoblastoma and lipemia retinalis being missed by AI. Computer-based systems have the advantage over humans in not being susceptible to biases or fatigue. This is especially relevant in a country like India with an increased rate of ROP and a preexisting strained doctor-to-preterm child ratio. Many AI algorithms can perform in a way comparable to or exceeding human experts, and this opens possibilities for future large-scale prospective studies.

Aim: To analyze the incidence of sight-threatening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants in rural Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh from 2018 to 2021, and to analyze its association with birthweight (BW), gestational age (GA), and postconceptional age (PCA). Methods: Project Vision on Wheels is a free ROP screening and treatment program initiated by a tertiary eye care center in South India in June 2018 to screen preterm infants in rural areas in 11 centers in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by trained technicians. Infants with sight-threatening ROP were immediately shifted for vision-preserving laser. Results: Of the 18,117 infants screened from 2018 to 2021, 1046 infants underwent laser, with the majority being bigger and more mature when compared to Western data. There was a yearly increase in the number of infants with sight-threatening ROP in the lower BW, GA, and PCA categories. The timely detection of the condition by committed screening led to salvage of vision by timely laser in 100% of the treated babies in all the years. The incidence of sight-threatening ROP had a yearly decrease in higher BW, GA, and PCA categories. These trends were statistically significant (P = 0.001 for ROP and BW, P = 0.037 for ROP and GA, and P = 0.001 for ROP and PCA). Conclusion: The statistically significant trend of decreasing sight-threatening ROP in babies with higher BW, GA, and PCA and increasing treatable ROP in younger and smaller babies (with lower BWs, GAs, and PCAs) in rural India, over time, is a hitherto unreported finding. This is the first such study in rural Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh combined, with the largest data to date (as per MEDLINE search) to document this healthier trend.

Abstract Aim To conduct a comparative analysis of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in single- and multiple-born neonates. Methods In a retrospective evaluation of 521 premature neonates, encompassing singletons, twins, and triplets born at or before 34 weeks of gestational age with a birthweight of less than 2000 g and who completed the ROP screening program, between 2020 and 2023, in outpatient referral ROP screening clinic affiliated by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, were included. Neonates with the eligibility criteria were enrolled in the screening program from 28 days old age and followed up to discharge or treatment based on national ROP screening guideline. Data on ROP severity, outcome, treatment modality, and risk factors, including gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), sex, duration of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, oxygen supplementation, mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, method of delivery, and maternal and neonatal comorbidities, were extracted and compared between premature neonates from singleton and multiple births. Results The analysis of the ROP severity distribution revealed 238 neonates (45.7%) with low-risk (type 2 prethreshold ROP or less severe) ROP and 16 (3.1%) with high-risk (type I prethreshold ROP or more severe) ROP who underwent treatment. According to the comparative analysis of risk factors in neonates with ROP requiring treatment, multiple birth neonates exhibited significantly greater GA (27.50 ± 3.27 vs. 30.00 ± 2.00 vs. 31.14 ± 0.38 weeks, p = 0.032 for singletons, twins and triplets, respectively); greater BW (861.67 ± 274.62 vs. 1233.33 ± 347.75 vs. 1537.14 ± 208.86 g, p = 0.002); and shorter duration of NICU admission (60.17 ± 21.36 vs. 34.00 ± 12.17 vs. 12.00 ± 6.32 days, p = 0.001) and oxygen supplementation (47.33 ± 16.57 vs. 36.00 ± 8.49 vs. 4.60 ± 2.41 days, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between single-born neonates and multiple-born neonates regarding the prevalence of other risk factors. Multiple-born neonates with no ROP and low risk ROP showed significantly lower GA and BW compared to singletons (p

The development of automation and intelligence in geological core drilling is not yet mature. The selection and improvement of drilling parameters rely mainly on experience, and adjustments are often made after drilling by evaluating the core, which introduces a lag and reduces the drilling efficiency. Therefore, this study first establishes a geological core drilling experiment platform to collect drilling data. Through the constructed geological core drilling experimental platform, the practical data at the drill bit can be directly obtained, solving the problem of the data from the surface equipment in the practical drilling differing from the practical data. Second, the back propagation (BP) algorithm is used to perform the ROP prediction, with weight on bit (WOB), torque (TOR), flow rate (Q), and rotation speed (RPM) as input parameters, and rate of penetration (ROP) as the output. Subsequently, correlation analysis is used to perform the feature parameter optimization, and the effects of bit wear and bit cutting depth on the experiment are considered. Finally, comparison with algorithms such as ridge regression, SVM and KNN shows that the ROP prediction model using the BP neural network has the highest prediction accuracy of 94.1%. The results provide a reference for ROP prediction and the automation of geological core drilling rigs.

In this study, we propose an approach to the synthesis of new biodegradable polymer materials based on renewable raw feedstock (betulin) and derivatives of hydroxycarboxylic acids using a catalyst/catalytic system (γ-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3/TBHP) that is safe for health and the environment. The resulting polymers are linear thermoplastic polymers that undergo collapse upon melting in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Moreover, these polymers demonstrate non-toxicity towards a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The polycondensation of betulin with butyl lactate is particularly noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Improving water use efficiency in crops is a significant challenge as it involves balancing water transpiration and CO2 uptake through stomatal pores. This study investigates the role of SlROP9, a tomato Rho of Plants protein, in guard cells and its impact on plant transpiration. The results reveal that SlROP9 null mutants exhibit reduced stomatal conductance while photosynthetic CO2 assimilation remains largely unaffected. Notably, there is a notable decrease in whole-plant transpiration in the rop9 mutants compared to the wild type, especially during noon hours when the water pressure deficit is high. The elevated stomatal closure observed in rop9 mutants is linked to an increase in reactive oxygen species formation. This is very likely dependent on the respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) NADPH oxidase and is not influenced by abscisic acid (ABA). Consistently, activated ROP9 can interact with RBOHB in both yeast and plants. In diverse tomato accessions, drought stress represses ROP9 expression, and in Arabidopsis stomatal guard cells, ABA suppresses ROP signaling. Therefore, the phenotype of the rop9 mutants may arise from a disruption in ROP9-regulated RBOH activity. Remarkably, large-scale field experiments demonstrate that the rop9 mutants display improved water use efficiency without compromising fruit yield. These findings provide insights into the role of ROPs in guard cells and their potential as targets for enhancing water use efficiency in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study experimentally examines the effect of the addition of mixed gas (C 2 H 6 + C 2 H 4): (CO + H 2) = 1:5 on the explosion characteristics of methane (volume fractions of 7%, 9.5%, and 11%) The explosion pressure, rate of increase in explosion pressure and time to reach the maximum explosion pressure are monitored. The mole fraction of radicals, sensitivity of CH 4 , and rate of production (ROP) are then calculated. The results show that the addition of mixed gas has the greatest impact on the explosion characteristics of the 7% methane mixture. For methane mixture of 7%, 9.5% and 11%, R1, R107 and R104, respectively, have the greatest impact on the methane sensitivity. The impact on the methane sensitivity in descending order is 7% > 9.5% > 11%. R1 (H + O 2 = O + OH) was the most promoting and primary reaction for the consumption of O 2 and the production of OH. • Adding a mixed gas has the greatest impact on the explosive reaction of a 7% methane mixture. • When the volume fraction of CH 4 is 7%, the O· radical molar fraction peaked at 1.6% mixed gas. • The order of the impact on the sensitivity to the CH 4 volume is 7% > 9.5% > 11%. • R1 (H + O 2 =O + OH) is the most effective in promoting and inhibiting the ROPs of O 2 and OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To search the low dosage of anti-VEGF best for primary therapies on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in terms of success rate. We searched Medline(Pubmed), Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases only for randomized controlled trials that had been reported as of March 3, 2023. We included studies that used bevacizumab, aflibercept and conbercept for ROP with comparable cohorts and treatment criteria. This study was performed according the pre-specified protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021270077) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis checklist. Those with animal and cell experiments, non-randomized case-control, or single case report were excluded. Frequentist network meta-analyses determined the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) of the success rate of each dose range group and compared pairs of treatments via STATA 15. Since non-RCT research were excluded, aflflibercept and conbercept studies were excluded. Therefore, only 6 bevacizumab studies were included in final meta-analysis: Inconsistency was not detected in this study via global inconsistent model test, loop inconsistency and local inconsistent model test (p > 0.05). In addition, a consistent model test has been passed in this study (p > 0.05). Little bias was detected via funnel plot. Since bevacizumab adult standard dose of single-injection is 1.25 mg, the concentration groups were converted according to the proportion of adult standard dose, such as 1/2, [1/5, 1/6.25], [1/10, 1/12.5], [1/19.8, 1/78.1], [1/156.3, 1/625]. The SUCRA of [1/10, 1/12.5] dose group were the best of largest probability to achieve success. However, [1/156.3, 1/625] dose group was the worst dose to achieve success in the five dose groups. The success rate ranking of league chart in this study is that [1/10, 1/12.5] > [1/5, 1/6.25] > 1/2 ≈ [1/19.8, 1/78.1] > [1/156.3, 1/625]. [1/10, 1/12.5] were the best dosage ranges to achieve maximal medicine success. [1/156.3, 1/625] was the worst ineffective in the five dose ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides, namely cyclohexene oxide (CHO), propylene oxide (PO), and tert-butyl glycidyl ether (tBuGE) catalyzed by Group 13 (Al, Ga, In) metal initiators is reported. These polymerization reactions were performed under solvent-free conditions and in the presence of chloroform (CHCl3) and toluene. InCl3 was the most efficient catalyst for the polymerization in the presence of CHCl3, and monomer loading up to 10,000 equivalents. It was observed that though the polymerization rate was slow in the presence of a solvent, the polymerization was much more controlled than in solvent-free conditions, producing exceptionally high molecular weights with narrow dispersities. The highest molecular weight of the polymer attained was 136.3 kg/mol, with CHO as the monomer. The order of reactivity for the epoxides was found to be CHO > tBuGE > PO. The polymerization reaction proceeds through an activated chain-end mechanism as established from the MALDI-TOF analysis of the polymer. These polymers were found to be atactic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection and timely cure of ocular disease play a vital role to avoid irreversible vision issues in daily life. The technique fundus assessment utilizes color fundus photography, which is a very effective tool though it is expensive. Since rare symptoms of the disease are detected at the initial stage of the disease, still automated and optimized models are in urgent need for the detection of the ocular disease. Additionally, existing systems focus on image-level detection for the treatment of eyes without association employing the left and right eye information. Although they concentrate only on one or two features of the ocular disease at a time. Taking into consideration severity detection and multilabel categorization plays a vital role in ocular disease detection. So, we develop a framework to detect the disease in the early phase. And then apply the classification model for the multilabel classification of the disease. our proposed experimental result proves that the proposed Custom net model provides 99.15% of accuracy compared to the existing baseline model such as Vgg16, 19, Resnet-50 and Inception V3. The performance optimization of the proposed model is evaluated on the public datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]