Robert Henry Wilson

SignificanceShort-wave infrared (SWIR) light has recently gained popularity in tissue spectroscopy and imaging applications for a wide range of biomedical applications, primarily due to advancements in hardware (e.g., cameras).AimWe aim to provide a detailed review of SWIR-based biomedical optics studies from the past decade, during which there has been a proliferation of SWIR-based tissue-optics studies.ApproachWe report literature occurring after the publication of our previous (2015) review of this space, describing next-generation SWIR-based techniques that hold significant promise for enhanced in vivo tissue characterization and clinical translation.ResultsInterest from the biophotonics field in SWIR technology is typically attributable to (1) the capability of SWIR light to provide greater sensitivity to chromophores such as water and lipids, with absorption peaks not as prominent in the visible-to-near-infrared (VIS-NIR) spectral region, and (2) the potential for SWIR photons to penetrate through superficial tissue layers due to lower scattering in the SWIR than in the VIS-NIR, as well as substantially reduced attenuation from hemoglobin and melanin.ConclusionThis review of emerging SWIR biophotonic technologies illustrates the rapid growth in the use of SWIR light for in vivo tissue spectroscopy and imaging.

SignificanceAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder with cerebrovascular alterations contributing to cognitive decline. Assessing cerebrovascular changes in mouse models that mimic the human condition of late-onset, sporadic AD is important for better human applicability.AimTo assess cerebrovascular changes in three mouse models: (1) 3xTg-AD; (2) the humanized amyloid-beta knock-in (hAβ-KI) mouse model of late-onset, sporadic AD; and (3) age-matched wild-type mice.ApproachWe measured resting-state cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neurovascular coupling (NVC) using laser speckle imaging (LSI) and performed ex vivo analyses of gene expression and cerebrovascular structure using bulk ribonucleic acid sequencing and confocal microscopy, respectively.ResultsOur study identifies specific cerebrovascular alterations in the hAβ-KI mouse model, including increased resting-state CBF, a shift toward smaller blood vessel diameters, impaired NVC, and transcriptomic changes related to metabolism and inflammation. Notably, we found that the increased resting-state CBF was primarily associated with female hAβ-KI mice.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that the hAβ-KI mouse model exhibits cerebrovascular alterations that warrant further investigation to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Expanding these studies could enhance our understanding of cerebrovascular alterations in AD and support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on injury rates experienced by athletes of the National Basketball Association (NBA). We hypothesized that there would be a change in the incidence rates of sports-related injuries on return to play post-lockdown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing data retrieved from Pro Sports Transactions Archive. This database records all transactions occurring in the NBA, including injuries, trades, signings, and waivings. Information about all injuries to players in the NBA over the last 10 years were collected. All injury descriptions in the dataset were stratified by key anatomical locations and the dataset was shortened to the eight most common. These specific locations were selected due to higher injury rates overall comparatively to the rest of the body. We then compared basketball players who played after the COVID-19 NBA suspension to a propensity score generated control group before the suspension. They were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), regions of the country and positions played. The study outcome variable was the injuries stratified into 4 different groups. Demographics for every player injured (height, weight, years played, and birth dates) were collected from Basketball Reference, in line with publicly available information from the NBA. Results: We compared 789 players during the post-suspension to 3,945 match controlled pre- suspension players. The mean age of players was 27.1± 5 years, mean BMI was 25.0± 1.2. The eight most common injuries were knee, ankle, back, hamstring, shoulder, calf, groin, and elbow injuries. Prior to propensity score matching, the rates of the three most common were: knee (pre-suspension: 33.79%; postsuspension: 36.88%), ankle (pre: 27.28%; post: 26.62%), back (pre: 18.52%, post: 14.45%) (p-value: 0.022). Following propensity score matching, the results are as follows: knee (pre-suspension: 29.89%; post-suspension: 36.88%), ankle (pre: 27.10%; post: 26.62%), back (pre: 19.06%, post: 14.45%) (p-value: <0.001). Conclusions: Our study concluded that among the three most common injuries, the knee was noted to have a statistically significant increase post the COVID-19 NBA suspension. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of players who suffered back and ankle injuries [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Accurate, prompt classification of burn wound severity is crucial for patient care. We use non-contact multispectral spatial frequency domain imaging technology coupled with machine learning algorithms to categorize millimeter-wave radiation burns in a preclinical model.

SPIE Digital Library Proceedings

Biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy (RP) has a limited ability to predict prostate cancer (PC) progression, leading to overtreatment, decreased quality of life, and additional expenses. Previously, we established that one-third of men with BCR in our group experienced low-risk recurrences that were safely observed without treatment. Our retrospective cohort analysis of 407 BCR patients post RP validates the use of PSA doubling time (DT) kinetics to direct active observation (AO) versus treatment following RP. The primary outcome was no need for treatment according to the predictive value of models of ROC analysis. The secondary outcome was PC-specific mortality (PCSM) according to Kaplan–Meier analysis. A total of 1864 men underwent RP (June 2002–September 2019); 407 experienced BCR (PSA > 0.2 ng/dL, ×2), with a median follow-up of 7.6 years. In adjusted regression analysis, initial PSADT > 12 months and increasing DT were significant predictors for AO (p < 0.001). This model (initial PSADT and DT change) was an excellent predictor of AO in ROC analysis (AUC = 0.83). No patients with initial PSADT > 12 months and increasing DT experienced PCSM. In conclusion, the combination of PSADT > 12 months and increasing DT was an excellent predictor of AO. This is the first demonstration that one-third of BCRs are at low risk of PCSM and can be managed without treatment via DT kinetics.

Skin color is a major area of study in dermatology, and more broadly, renewed emphasis has recently been placed on identifying disparities in accuracy of clinical technologies such as pulse oximeters among patients with different skin tones.^{1 – 4} Pigmentation elements, such as melanin, hemoglobin, and carotenoids, selectively absorb light at specific wavelengths; the remainder of the light can be scattered back to the surface to be detected by the eye as a “skin color.” This detected “color” is a combination of the spectrum of the incident light, the specular and diffuse reflectance of the tissue, and the spectral response of the eye. Colorimetric measurements of the skin, which rely on diffusely backscattered light, can provide information about the relative amounts of these absorbing components in the skin. The use of skin colorimetry has been common for the past 50 years to characterize reactivity of normal skin to light (e.g., tanning and erythema) and to diagnose and monitor conditions, such as port-wine stain and skin cancer.²

A personal account of all ranks of the Yeomanry regiment, by a soldier who served in Sinai, Palestine and Syria. The Yeomanry regiments were originally raised in 1794, as a part of the volunteer forces, it was administered by the Home Office until 1855 when the War Office took over. The Yeomanry is most part consisted of the 'Yeoman of England, with noblemen and gentlemen as officers'. Wilson often touches upon the daunting conditions which were the ever-present background to the campaigns in which he took part. A likeable and remarkable character of the old yeoman class, his letters and correspondence notes the elation, dejection, of tedium and anxiety of desert warfare.

October 31st was the date set for the renewed attack against Gaza but, for the Gloucester Hussars and Fifth Mounted Brigade the lull in the campaign ended with a move forward to Gamli – a point midway between Gaza and Beersheba – on 3rd October 1917. From Gamli front line patrols had several encounters with the enemy. On one of these occasions (16th October) Lieutenant Wilson’s troop ambushed a Turkish cavalry patrol and he was awarded the Military Cross for this action. The Fifth Mounted Brigade was in reserve when the general advance began on 31st October. Allenby’s 20th Corps of Infantry took Beersheba on schedule while the 21st Corps stormed the Gaza defences. The entire Desert Mounted Corps swept round to the north of Beersheba and spearheaded the pursuit along the coastal plain – taking Huj with what is considered to be the last cavalry charge engaged in by the British Army.