Digital Camera Control for Faster Inspection

Digital Camera Control Software (DCCS) is a computer program for controlling a boom and a boom-mounted camera used to inspect the external surface of a space shuttle in orbit around the Earth. Running in a laptop computer in the space-shuttle crew cabin, DCCS commands integrated displays and controls. By means of a simple one-button command, a crewmember can view low- resolution images to quickly spot problem areas and can then cause a rapid transition to high- resolution images. The crewmember can command that camera settings apply to a specific small area of interest within the field of view of the camera so as to maximize image quality within that area. DCCS also provides critical high-resolution images to a ground screening team, which analyzes the images to assess damage (if any); in so doing, DCCS enables the team to clear initially suspect areas more quickly than would otherwise be possible and further saves time by minimizing the probability of re-imaging of areas already inspected. On the basis of experience with a previous version (2.0) of the software, the present version (3.0) incorporates a number of advanced imaging features that optimize crewmember capability and efficiency

Self Concept of Academic Ability and Reading Proficiency

Brookover and associates (1962, 1964, 1965) have investigated the nature of self-concept and its effects, and relationships, to the academic achievement. Results reported indicate that there is a direct relationship between self-concept and academic achievement

A new software for automated counting of glistenings in intraocular lenses in vivo

AIM: To assess the performance of a bespoke software for automated counting of intraocular lens (IOL) glistenings in slit-lamp images. METHODS: IOL glistenings from slit-lamp-derived digital images were counted manually and automatically by the bespoke software. The images of one randomly selected eye from each of 34 participants were used as a training set to determine the threshold setting that gave the best agreement between manual and automatic grading. A second set of 63 images, selected using randomised stratified sampling from 290 images, were used for software validation. The images were obtained using a previously described protocol. Software-derived automated glistenings counts were compared to manual counts produced by three ophthalmologists. RESULTS: A threshold value of 140 was determined that minimised the total deviation in the number of glistenings for the 34 images in the training set. Using this threshold value, only slight agreement was found between automated software counts and manual expert counts for the validating set of 63 images (κ=0.104, 95%CI, 0.040-0.168). Ten images (15.9%) had glistenings counts that agreed between the software and manual counting. There were 49 images (77.8%) where the software overestimated the number of glistenings. CONCLUSION: The low levels of agreement show between an initial release of software used to automatically count glistenings in in vivo slit-lamp images and manual counting indicates that this is a non-trivial application. Iterative improvement involving a dialogue between software developers and experienced ophthalmologists is required to optimise agreement. The results suggest that validation of software is necessary for studies involving semi-automatic evaluation of glistenings

Computational analysis of TP53 mutational landscape unveils key prognostic signatures and distinct pathobiological pathways in head and neck squamous cell cancer

Background: Mutations of the tumour-suppressor gene TP53 are the most frequent somatic genomic alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, it is not yet clear whether specific TP53 mutations bear distinct clinical and pathophysiological significance in different HNSCC subgroups. Methods: A systematic bioinformatics appraisal of TP53 mutations was performed on 415 HNSCC cases available on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The following features were analysed and correlated with known clinicopathological variables: mutational profile of TP53, location (within secondary structure and predicted domains of p53 protein) and well-known hotspot mutations. Interactome–genome–transcriptome network analysis highlighted different gene networks. An algorithm was generated to develop a new prognostic classification system based on patients’ overall survival. Results: TP53 mutations in HNSCCs exhibited distinct differences in different anatomical sites. The mutational profile of TP53 was an independent prognostic factor in HNSCC. High risk of death mutations, identified by our novel classification algorithm, was an independent prognostic factor in TCGA HNSCC database. Finally, network analysis suggested that distinct p53 molecular pathways exist in a site- and mutation-specific manner. Conclusions: The mutational profile of TP53 may serve as an independent prognostic factor in HNSCC patients, and is associated with distinctive site-specific biological networks

Modulation of Neuropathic and Inflammatory Pain by the Endocannabinoid Transport Inhibitor AM404 [N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide]

The endocannabinoid system may serve important functions in the central and peripheral regulation of pain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the endocannabinoid transport inhibitor AM404 [N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide] on rodent models of acute and persistent nociception (intraplantar formalin injection in the mouse), neuropathic pain (sciatic nerve ligation in the rat), and inflammatory pain (complete Freund's adjuvant injection in the rat). In the formalin model, administration of AM404 (1-10 mg/kg i.p.) elicited dose-dependent antinociceptive effects, which were prevented by the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716A; 1 mg/kg i.p.) but not by the CB2 antagonist SR144528 (1 mg/kg i.p.) or the vanilloid antagonist capsazepine (30 mg/kg i.p.). Comparable effects were observed with UCM707 [N-(3-furylmethyl)-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide], another anandamide transport inhibitor. In both the chronic constriction injury and complete Freund's adjuvant model, daily treatment with AM404 (1-10 mg/kg s.c.) for 14 days produced a dose-dependent reduction in nocifensive responses to thermal and mechanical stimuli, which was prevented by a single administration of rimonabant (1 mg/kg i.p.) and was accompanied by decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric-oxide synthase in the sciatic nerve. The results provide new evidence for a role of the endocannabinoid system in pain modulation and point to anandamide transport as a potential target for analgesic drug development

Wild grape-associated yeasts as promising biocontrol agents against Vitis vinifera fungal pathogens

The increasing level of hazardous residues in the environment and food chains has led the European Union to restrict the use of chemical fungicides. Thus, exploiting new natural antagonistic microorganisms against fungal diseases could serve the agricultural production to reduce pre- and post-harvest losses, to boost safer practices for workers and to protect the consumers' health. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the antagonistic potential of epiphytic yeasts against Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus carbonarius, and Penicillium expansum pathogen species. In particular, yeast isolation was carried out from grape berries of Vitis vinifera ssp sylvestris populations, of the Eurasian area, and V. vinifera ssp vinifera cultivars from three different farming systems (organic, biodynamic, and conventional). Strains able to inhibit or slow the growth of pathogens were selected by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The most effective antagonist yeast strains were subsequently assayed for their capability to colonize the grape berries. Finally, possible modes of action, such as nutrients and space competition, iron depletion, cell wall degrading enzymes, diffusible and volatile antimicrobial compounds, and biofilm formation, were investigated as well. Two hundred and thirty-one yeast strains belonging to 26 different species were isolated; 20 of them, ascribed to eight species, showed antagonistic action against all molds. Yeasts isolated from V. vinifera ssp sylvestris were more effective (up to 50%) against B. cinerea rather than those isolated from V. vinifera ssp vinifera. Six strains, all isolated from wild vines, belonging to four species (Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora clermontiae, and Pichia kluyveri) revealed one or more phenotypical characteristics associated to the analyzed modes of antagonistic action

Clinical and procedural outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for de novo lesions involving the ostial left circumflex coronary artery

Background: Percutaneous treatment for ostial left circumflex artery (LCx) lesions is known to be associated with suboptimal results. Aims: The present study aims to assess the procedural and long-term clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for de novo ostial LCx lesions overall and according to the coronary revascularization strategy. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PCI with second generation drug eluting stents or drug coated balloons for de novo ostial LCx lesions in three high-volume Italian centers between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. The primary endpoint was target-vessel revascularization (TVR) at 2 years. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), target lesion revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, all-cause death, and repeat revascularization. Results: A total of 366 patients were included in the analysis with a median follow-up of 901 (IQR: 450−1728) days. 79.5% of the patients were male, 33.6% were diabetic, 49.7% had a previous PCI, and 23.1% a prior surgical revascularization. Very ostial LCx stenting was performed in 34.1%, crossover from left main to LCx in 17.3%, and a two-stent strategy in 48.6% of cases, respectively. In the overall population, the incidence of TVR at 2 years was 19.0% while MACCE rate was 25.7%. No major differences in clinical outcomes were found according to the stenting strategy. Use of intracoronary imaging was associated with fewer MACCE (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25−1.13, p = 0.01), while the diameter of the stent implanted in the ostial LCx was associated with less TVR (HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25−0.75, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Percutaneous revascularization of the ostial LCx is associated with a high rate of TVR, regardless of the stenting strategy. Intracoronary imaging and proper stent sizing may reduce the failure rates

Gender-Specific Outcomes in TAVI with Self-Expandable Valves: Insights from a Large Real-World Registry

Background/Objectives: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries and imposes an increasing burden on aging populations. Although transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has transformed the treatment of severe AS, current guidelines do not differentiate management based on gender. This study aimed to investigate gender-based differences in procedural complications and one-year clinical outcomes in patients treated with next-generation self-expandable TAVI devices. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter international registry included 3862 consecutive patients who received either the ACURATE neo or Evolut R/Pro valve. Patients were stratified by gender; propensity score matching (PSM) adjusted for baseline differences. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or stroke at one year. Secondary endpoints included major vascular complications, major or life-threatening bleeding and acute kidney injury (AKI). Results: Of 3353 patients included (64.5% female), women were older (82.3 ± 5.6 vs. 81.1 ± 6.2 years, p < 0.001) and had higher STS scores (5.2 ± 3.9 vs. 4.5 ± 3.4%, p < 0.001). In the unmatched population, major vascular complications occurred in 7.7% of females versus 4.1% of males (p < 0.001), life-threatening bleeding in 2.8% vs. 1.4% (p = 0.016) and AKI in 8.5% vs. 5.7% (p = 0.009). After PSM, the primary endpoint was more frequent in females (9.4% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.014), largely driven by stroke (2.8% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.024), while overall mortality was similar (11.3% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.264). Conclusions: Despite comparable long-term survival, female patients undergoing TAVI with self-expandable valves experience higher rates of procedural complications, notably stroke and major vascular events. These findings underscore the need for tailored procedural strategies to improve outcomes in female patients

Comparison of Mid-Term Prognosis in Intermediate-to-Low-Risk Contemporary Population with Guidelines-Oriented Age Cutoff

Background: Current European guidelines support transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in intermediate-to-low-risk patients ≥75 years-old, but its prognostic relevance is unknown. Methods: Intermediate-to-low-risk (The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score <8%) patients enrolled in the HORSE registry were included. We compared the populations aged under 75 with those over 75. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 2685 patients were included: 280 (8.6%) < 75 and 2405 ≥ 75 years. Through a mean follow-up of 437 ± 381 days, 198 (8.2%) and 23 (8.2%) patients died in the two arms without statistically significant differences (log-rank p = 0.925). At Cox regression analysis, age did not predict the occurrence of all-cause death, neither as a continuous variable (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.04, p = 0.294) nor dichotomizing according to the prespecified cutoff of 75 years (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.63–1.51, p = 0.924). Time-to-event ROC curves showed low accuracy of age to predict all-cause mortality (area under the curve of 0.54 for both 1-year and 2-year outcomes). Conclusions: TAVI has comparable benefits across age strata for intermediate-to-low-risk patients. The age cutoff suggested by the current guidelines is not predictive of the risk of adverse events during hospital stays or of all-cause mortality through a mid-term follow-up