A dataset comprising four micro-computed tomography scans of freshly fixed and museum earthworm specimens

Background: Although molecular tools are increasingly employed to decipher invertebrate systematics, earthworm (Annelida: Clitellata: ‘Oligochaeta’) taxonomy is still largely based on conventional dissection, resulting in data that are mostly unsuitable for dissemination through online databases. In order to evaluate if micro-computed tomography (μCT) in combination with soft tissue staining techniques could be used to expand the existing set of tools available for studying internal and external structures of earthworms, μCT scans of freshly fixed and museum specimens were gathered. Findings: Scout images revealed full penetration of tissues by the staining agent. The attained isotropic voxel resolutions permit identification of internal and external structures conventionally used in earthworm taxonomy. The μCT projection and reconstruction images have been deposited in the online data repository GigaDB and are publicly available for download. Conclusions: The dataset presented here shows that earthworms constitute suitable candidates for μCT scanning in combination with soft tissue staining. Not only are the data comparable to results derived from traditional dissection techniques, but due to their digital nature the data also permit computer-based interactive exploration of earthworm morphology and anatomy. The approach pursued here can be applied to freshly fixed as well as museum specimens, which is of particular importance when considering the use of rare or valuable material. Finally, a number of aspects related to the deposition of digital morphological data are briefly discussed

Micro-computed tomography scan and virtual histological slide data for the land planarian Obama otavioi (Platyhelminthes)

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud We investigated whether images obtained through X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for morphological studies of soft-bodied land planarians. μCT is non-invasive and provides true-to-scale three-dimensional imagery at high resolution. We compared μCT-based images of a recently described land planarian species of Obama otavioi (Platyhelminthes) with those obtained from light microphotography of histological sections, most of which were also digitized at high magnification.\ud \ud \ud Findings\ud The specimens studied were collected in 2012. Subsequent μCT-based images of the stained body of a paratype show nearly all morphological features provided by traditional histology, with the exception of particularly minute structures, smaller than 5 μm, such as the sensory pits and single muscle fibers, which are best visible on traditional histological sections. Because the technique is non-destructive, the scanned specimen is preserved without damage. The raw and derivative μCT data and virtual histological sections are freely available in GigaDB.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud The μCT datasets of these stained soft-bodied organisms reveal images of external and internal structures that support previous taxonomic studies. This technique can be particularly important for non-destructively revealing internal details of whole museum specimens at a faster rate than histology alone. High-resolution virtual histological slides also allow further searches for new, previously unstudied morphological features. The use of X-ray equipment with higher resolution can enable smaller sensory organ and muscle fiber details to be seen. The image sets, μCT-based images and digitized histological slides can be disseminated without the constraints of specimen loans.Instituto de Botânica da Secretaria do Meio Ambiente do Estado de São\ud Paulo licensed the fieldwork. Marcos Santos Silva, Ana Laura Almeida and\ud Amanda Cseh helped with sampling. Ana Cristina Vasconcellos made\ud histological sections. José Ernesto Belizario and Beatriz Viana dos Santos\ud provided support with obtaining virtual histological slides (USP Proc.\ud 2012.1.17660.1.0). Beka Buckman kindly read the manuscript for English\ud improvement. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, Proc. 2014/13661-8)\ud provided financial support to FC. This work was also supported by the\ud Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University

Screening breast ultrasound: past, present, and future.

© American Roentgen Ray Society. OBJECTIVE. This article discusses breast ultrasound for the detection of breast cancer in the screening environment, as well as strategies for integrating screening breast ultrasound, including automated breast ultrasound. CONCLUSION. Breast density is an increasingly pertinent issue in breast cancer diagnosis. Breast density results in a decrease in the sensitivity of mammography for cancer detection, with a significant increase in the risk of breast cancer. Ultrasound detects additional cancers

Role of novel cardiac biomarkers for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognostication among patients with heart failure

Background: Current guidelines for diagnosis and management of heart failure (HF) rely on clinical findings and natriuretic peptide values, but evidence suggests that recently identified cardiac biomarkers may aid in early detection of HF and improve risk stratification. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of multiple biomarkers in patients with HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Methods: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (pMMP-9), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using single-molecule counting technology in 200 patients with varying stages of HF. Plasma detection with cross-sectional associations of biomarkers across all HF stages, and advanced-therapy and transplant-free survival were assessed using multivariate analysis and Cox regression analyses, respectively. Results: NTproBNP, pMMP-9, IL-6 were elevated in early, asymptomatic stages of HF, and increased with HF severity. Higher circulating levels of combined IL-6, NTproBNP, and cTnI predicted significantly worse survival at 1500-day follow-up. Cox regression analysis adjusted for ACC/AHA HF stages demonstrated that a higher concentration of IL-6 and cTnI conferred greater risks in terms of time to death, implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), or heart transplantation. Conclusion: Biomarkers of inflammation, LV remodeling, and myocardial injury were elevated in HF and increased with HF severity. Patients had a significantly higher risk of serious cardiac events if multiple biomarkers were elevated. These findings support measuring NTproBNP, cTnI and IL-6 among patients with HF and LVSD for diagnostic and prognostic purposes

Entre el Cartucho y el Bronx en Bogotá: ¿territorios del miedo o expresiones de injusticia socioespacial?

La conurbación entre Bogotá D.C y el municipio de Soacha es un fenómeno que se ha constituido como un hecho generador de múltiples problemas públicos, que se relacionan con la población de ambos territorios y requieren articulación interadministrativa para ser manejados de forma adecuada. En este trabajo se propone un análisis de la realidad del territorio conurbado y los instrumentos de planeación relacionados con la zona de conurbación Bogotá-Soacha. En términos metodológicos se realiza un proceso de revisión cualitativa influenciada por el análisis del discurso; así, se abordan instrumentos de planeación del ordenamiento territorial de Bogotá y Soacha y los planes de desarrollo de Bogotá, Soacha y Cundinamarca en el periodo 2000-2019. A partir de la lectura de cada documento se extraen unidades de análisis discursivas que permiten profundizar en el análisis que se quiere desarrollar. Además, para complementar el desarrollo metodológico se aborda la problemática de movilidad y conectividad en el territorio conurbado, principalmente entre Bosa, Ciudad Bolívar y Soacha. Entre los hallazgos principales del documento están la ausencia de articulación interadministrativa para la solución de problemas públicos en la zona conurbada y las dificultades que tiene la población para identificar cuál es la autoridad que ejerce un rol efectivo de acción en el territorio conurbado. El trabajo se plantea como una contribución inicial a las problemáticas generadas por la conurbación y propone estudios futuros que desarrollen con mayor profundidad otros aspectos que se relacionen con esta dinámica urbano-regional.The conurbation between Bogotá D.C. and the municipality of Soacha is a phenomenon that has become a generator of multiple public problems, which are related to the population of both territories and require inter-administrative articulation to be adequately managed. This paper presents an analysis about the reality of the conurbated territory and the planning instruments related to the Bogotá-Soacha conurbation zone. In methodological terms, a process of qualitative review is carried out influenced by the analysis of the discourse; thus, the planning documents of the territorial planning of Bogotá and Soacha and the development plans of Bogotá, Soacha and Cundinamarca in the period 2000-2019 are approached. From the analysis of each of these documents, units of discursive analysis are extracted allowing to deepen in the analysis aimed to be developed. In addition, to complement the methodological development, the problems of mobility and connectivity in the urban territory are addressed, mainly between Bosa, Ciudad Bolívar and Soacha. Among the main findings of the document are the absence of inter-administrative coordination for the solution of public problems in the urban area and the difficulties that the population faces in identifying the authority that plays an effective role of action in the urban territory. The work is proposed as an initial contribution to the problems generated by the conurbation and proposes future studies that develop other aspects related to this urban-regional dynamic in more detail.MaestríaMetodología de análisis cualitativ