Ubiquitous volume rendering in the web platform

176 p.The main thesis hypothesis is that ubiquitous volume rendering can be achieved using WebGL. The thesis enumerates the challenges that should be met to achieve that goal. The results allow web content developers the integration of interactive volume rendering within standard HTML5 web pages. Content developers only need to declare the X3D nodes that provide the rendering characteristics they desire. In contrast to the systems that provide specific GPU programs, the presented architecture creates automatically the GPU code required by the WebGL graphics pipeline. This code is generated directly from the X3D nodes declared in the virtual scene. Therefore, content developers do not need to know about the GPU.The thesis extends previous research on web compatible volume data structures for WebGL, ray-casting hybrid surface and volumetric rendering, progressive volume rendering and some specific problems related to the visualization of medical datasets. Finally, the thesis contributes to the X3D standard with some proposals to extend and improve the volume rendering component. The proposals are in an advance stage towards their acceptance by the Web3D Consortium

Ubiquitous volume rendering in the web platform

176 p.The main thesis hypothesis is that ubiquitous volume rendering can be achieved using WebGL. The thesis enumerates the challenges that should be met to achieve that goal. The results allow web content developers the integration of interactive volume rendering within standard HTML5 web pages. Content developers only need to declare the X3D nodes that provide the rendering characteristics they desire. In contrast to the systems that provide specific GPU programs, the presented architecture creates automatically the GPU code required by the WebGL graphics pipeline. This code is generated directly from the X3D nodes declared in the virtual scene. Therefore, content developers do not need to know about the GPU.The thesis extends previous research on web compatible volume data structures for WebGL, ray-casting hybrid surface and volumetric rendering, progressive volume rendering and some specific problems related to the visualization of medical datasets. Finally, the thesis contributes to the X3D standard with some proposals to extend and improve the volume rendering component. The proposals are in an advance stage towards their acceptance by the Web3D Consortium

Papel de las vesículas extracelulares en el diagnóstico y patogenia del colangiocarcinoma

99 p.El colangiocarcinoma (CCA) incluye un grupo heterogéneo de cánceres biliares con mal pronóstico y que se relacionan con diversos factores de riesgo como la presencia de colangitis esclerosante primaria (PSC). No existen biomarcadores no invasivos sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico diferencial de PSC, CCA y carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC). En los últimos años, las vesículas extracelulares (EVs) han surgido como importantes herramientas en la búsqueda de biomarcadores para diversas patologías y como importantes reguladores en la progresión de múltiples enfermedades. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo principal determinar posibles biomarcadores proteicos presentes en EVs de suero que permitan diagnosticar PSC, CCA y HCC. Se aislaron EVs de suero de pacientes, así como EVs derivadas de células de CCA humano y colangiocitos humanos (NHC), y se caracterizó su morfología (mediante microscopía electrónica), tamaño/concentración (mediante nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)) y presencia la de marcadores proteicos de EVs CD63, CD81 y CD9 (por immnunoblot). El análisis del contenido proteico de EVs de suero por espectrometría de masas (MS) reveló la presencia de biomarcadores sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico diferencial de PSC, CCA y HCC. Además, la determinación del contenido proteico de EVs secretadas por células de CCA humano mediante MS identificó el enriquecimiento en diversas proteínas oncogénicas relacionadas con la progresión tumoral del CCA en comparación con EVs derivadas de NHC. Por último, se identificaron proteínas humanas en EVs de suero de ratones con implantes orto-tópicos de CCA humano, indicando que los tumores de CCA son capaces de secretar EVs que pueden ser detectadas en suero y participar en su patogenia. Por tanto, estos datos indican que las EVs de suero albergan biomarcadores diagnósticos para la PSC, CCA y HCC y que las EVs secretadas por las células de CCA pueden participar en la patogenia de este tumor

Papel de las vesículas extracelulares en el diagnóstico y patogenia del colangiocarcinoma

99 p.El colangiocarcinoma (CCA) incluye un grupo heterogéneo de cánceres biliares con mal pronóstico y que se relacionan con diversos factores de riesgo como la presencia de colangitis esclerosante primaria (PSC). No existen biomarcadores no invasivos sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico diferencial de PSC, CCA y carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC). En los últimos años, las vesículas extracelulares (EVs) han surgido como importantes herramientas en la búsqueda de biomarcadores para diversas patologías y como importantes reguladores en la progresión de múltiples enfermedades. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo principal determinar posibles biomarcadores proteicos presentes en EVs de suero que permitan diagnosticar PSC, CCA y HCC. Se aislaron EVs de suero de pacientes, así como EVs derivadas de células de CCA humano y colangiocitos humanos (NHC), y se caracterizó su morfología (mediante microscopía electrónica), tamaño/concentración (mediante nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)) y presencia la de marcadores proteicos de EVs CD63, CD81 y CD9 (por immnunoblot). El análisis del contenido proteico de EVs de suero por espectrometría de masas (MS) reveló la presencia de biomarcadores sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico diferencial de PSC, CCA y HCC. Además, la determinación del contenido proteico de EVs secretadas por células de CCA humano mediante MS identificó el enriquecimiento en diversas proteínas oncogénicas relacionadas con la progresión tumoral del CCA en comparación con EVs derivadas de NHC. Por último, se identificaron proteínas humanas en EVs de suero de ratones con implantes orto-tópicos de CCA humano, indicando que los tumores de CCA son capaces de secretar EVs que pueden ser detectadas en suero y participar en su patogenia. Por tanto, estos datos indican que las EVs de suero albergan biomarcadores diagnósticos para la PSC, CCA y HCC y que las EVs secretadas por las células de CCA pueden participar en la patogenia de este tumor

Photometric Stereo-Based Defect Detection System for Steel Components Manufacturing Using a Deep Segmentation Network

This paper presents an automatic system for the quality control of metallic components using a photometric stereo-based sensor and a customized semantic segmentation network. This system is designed based on interoperable modules, and allows capturing the knowledge of the operators to apply it later in automatic defect detection. A salient contribution is the compact representation of the surface information achieved by combining photometric stereo images into a RGB image that is fed to a convolutional segmentation network trained for surface defect detection. We demonstrate the advantage of this compact surface imaging representation over the use of each photometric imaging source of information in isolation. An empirical analysis of the performance of the segmentation network on imaging samples of materials with diverse surface reflectance properties is carried out, achieving Dice performance index values above 0.83 in all cases. The results support the potential of photometric stereo in conjunction with our semantic segmentation network

Water Uptake Behavior and Young Modulus Prediction of Composites Based on Treated Sisal Fibers and Poly(Lactic Acid)

The main aim of this work was to study the effect of sisal fiber surface treatments on water uptake behavior of composites based on untreated and treated fibers. For this purpose, sisal fibers were treated with different chemical treatments. All surface treatments delayed the water absorption of fibers only for a short time of period. No significant differences were observed in water uptake profiles of composites based on fibers with different surface treatments. After water uptake period, tensile strength and Young modulus values of sisal fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were decreased. On the other hand, composites based on NaOH + silane treated fibers showed the lowest diffusion coefficient values, suggesting that this treatment seemed to be the most effective treatment to reduce water diffusion rate into the composites. Finally, Young modulus values of composites, before water uptake period, were predicted using different micromechanical models and were compared with experimental data.The authors are grateful for the financial support from the Basque Country Government in the frame of Consolidated Groups (IT-776-13) and Elkartek 2015 FORPLA3D project. Technical and human support provided by SGIker (Universidad del Pais Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO), Gobierno Vasco-Eusko Jaurlaritza (GV/EJ), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Science Foundation (ESF)) is also gratefully acknowledged

Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatobiliary Malignancies

Primary hepatobiliary malignancies include a heterogeneous group of cancers with dismal prognosis, among which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and hepatoblastoma (HB) stand out. These tumors mainly arise from the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes (bile duct epithelial cells) or hepatoblasts (embryonic liver progenitor cells), respectively. Early diagnosis, prognosis prediction and effective therapies are still a utopia for these diseases. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-enclosed spheres secreted by cells and present in biological fluids. They contain multiple types of biomolecules, such as proteins, RNA, DNA, metabolites and lipids, which make them a potential source of biomarkers as well as regulators of human pathobiology. In this review, the role of EVs in the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary cancers and their potential usefulness as disease biomarkers are highlighted. Moreover, the therapeutic value of EV regulation is discussed and future directions on basic and clinical research are indicated.Spanish Ministries of Economy and Competitiveness [JB (FIS PI12/00380, FIS PI15/01132 and Miguel Servet Programme CON14/00129); MP (FIS PI14/00399, FIS PI17/00022) and Ramon y Cajal Programme RYC-2015-17755] cofinanced by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); ISCIII [CIBERehd: JB, LB, and MP], Spain; Diputacion Foral Gipuzkoa (JB: DFG15/010, DFG16/004), BIOEF (Basque Foundation for Innovation and Health Research: EiTB Maratoia BIO15/CA/016/BD to JB); Department of Health of the Basque Country (JB: 2013111173 and 2017111010; MP: 2015111100), and AECC Scientific Foundation (JB). AL and PO were funded by the Basque Government

Cold-Atmospheric Plasma Induces Tumor Cell Death in Preclinical In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Human Cholangiocarcinoma

Through the last decade, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic option for cancer treatment. Recently, we have set up a potentially safe atmospheric pressure plasma jet device that displays antitumoral properties in a preclinical model of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare and very aggressive cancer emerging from the biliary tree with few efficient treatments. In the present study, we aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of CAP towards CCA in both an in vivo and in vitro context. In vivo, using subcutaneous xenografts into immunocompromised mice, CAP treatment of CCA induced DNA lesions and tumor cell apoptosis, as evaluated by 8-oxoguanine and cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, respectively. The analysis of the tumor microenvironment showed changes in markers related to macrophage polarization. In vitro, the incubation of CCA cells with CAP-treated culture media (i.e., plasma-activated media, PAM) led to a dose response decrease in cell survival. At molecular level, CAP treatment induced double-strand DNA breaks, followed by an increased phosphorylation and activation of the cell cycle master regulators CHK1 and p53, leading to cell cycle arrest and cell death by apoptosis. In conclusion, CAP is a novel therapeutic option to consider for CCA in the future

Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatobiliary Malignancies

Primary hepatobiliary malignancies include a heterogeneous group of cancers with dismal prognosis, among which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and hepatoblastoma (HB) stand out. These tumors mainly arise from the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes (bile duct epithelial cells) or hepatoblasts (embryonic liver progenitor cells), respectively. Early diagnosis, prognosis prediction and effective therapies are still a utopia for these diseases. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-enclosed spheres secreted by cells and present in biological fluids. They contain multiple types of biomolecules, such as proteins, RNA, DNA, metabolites and lipids, which make them a potential source of biomarkers as well as regulators of human pathobiology. In this review, the role of EVs in the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary cancers and their potential usefulness as disease biomarkers are highlighted. Moreover, the therapeutic value of EV regulation is discussed and future directions on basic and clinical research are indicated

Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma Present Specific RNA Profiles in Serum and Urine Extracellular Vesicles Mirroring the Tumor Expression: Novel Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises a group of heterogeneous biliary cancers with dismal prognosis. The etiologies of most CCAs are unknown, but primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a risk factor. Non-invasive diagnosis of CCA is challenging and accurate biomarkers are lacking. We aimed to characterize the transcriptomic profile of serum and urine extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with CCA, PSC, ulcerative colitis (UC), and healthy individuals. Serum and urine EVs were isolated by serial ultracentrifugations and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and immunoblotting. EVs transcriptome was determined by Illumina gene expression array [messenger RNAs (mRNA) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)]. Differential RNA profiles were found in serum and urine EVs from patients with CCA compared to control groups (disease and healthy), showing high diagnostic capacity. The comparison of the mRNA profiles of serum or urine EVs from patients with CCA with the transcriptome of tumor tissues from two cohorts of patients, CCA cells in vitro, and CCA cellsderived EVs, identified 105 and 39 commonly-altered transcripts, respectively. Gene ontology analysis indicated that most commonly-altered mRNAs participate in carcinogenic steps. Overall, patients with CCA present specific RNA profiles in EVs mirroring the tumor, and constituting novel promising liquid biopsy biomarkers