Myofibroblastic tumour in the liver of a cat-A case report

This study presents a case of a primary hepatic myofibroblastic tumour in a 15-year-old European Shorthair female cat. The cat showed a gradual increase in liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), and an abdominal ultrasound revealed a tumour located within the left lateral lobe of the liver. The tumour was surgically excised and sent for histopathology. Histopathological examination showed that the tumour was composed of homogeneous fusiform cells with low mitotic count, crowded within the perisinusoidal, portal and interlobular spaces, and entrapment of hepatocytes and bile ducts. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumour cells expressed vimentin and & alpha;-SMA, and were negative to desmin and cytokeratins. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical features, as well as some similarities with analogous entities in humans and animals, the tumour was classified as a myofibroblastic neoplasm originating from the liver

Wideband spectral emission measurements from laser-produced plasma EUV/SXR source based on a double gas puff target

We present spectral emission characteristics from laser-plasma EUV/SXR sources produced by irradiation of < 1 J energy laser pulse on eleven different double stream gas puff targets, with most intense electronic transitions identified in the spectral range from 1 nm to 70 nm wavelength which corresponds to photon energy from 18 eV to 1240 eV. The spectra were obtained using grazing incidence and transmission spectrographs from laser-produced plasma emission, formed by the interaction of a laser beam with a double stream gas puff target. Laser pulses with a duration of 4 ns and energy of 650 mJ were used for the experiment. We present the results obtained from three different spectrometers in the wavelength ranges of SXR (1-5.5 nm), SXR/EUV (4-15.5 nm), and EUV (10-70 nm). In this paper, detailed information about the source, gas targets under investigation, the experimental setup, spectral measurements and the results are presented and discussed. Such data may be useful for the identification of adequate spectral emissions from gasses in the EUV and SXR wavelength ranges dedicated to various experiments (i.e. broadband emission for the X-ray coherence tomography XCT) or may be used for verification of magnetohydrodynamic plasma codes

Physico-Chemical Surface Modifications of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Radiation and EUV-Induced Nitrogen Plasma

In this work, the effect of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and the combination of EUV radiation and low-temperature nitrogen plasma on the physico-chemical properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surfaces were presented. The laser-plasma EUV source based on a double gas puff target was used in this experiment to irradiate PEEK surfaces with nanosecond pulses of EUV radiation and to produce low-temperature plasma through the photoionization of nitrogen with EUV photons. The changes in surface morphology on irradiated polymer samples were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical changes of the PEEK surfaces were analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). EUV radiation and nitrogen plasma treatment caused significant changes in the topography of modified PEEK&rsquo;s surfaces and an increase in their average roughness. Strong chemical decomposition, appearance of new functional groups as well as incorporation of nitrogen atoms up to ~17 at.% on the PEEK&rsquo;s surface were observed

Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Tumours of Small Pet Mammals—Retrospective Study of 256 Cases (2014–2021)

Since small mammals are gaining popularity as pets in Poland, the number of tumour samples submitted for histopathological examination is quite high. This study was a retrospective analysis of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumours in small pet mammals submitted for histopathology in 2014–2021. The analysis included 256 tumours sampled from 103 guinea pigs, 53 rats, 43 pet rabbits, 21 ferrets, 17 hamsters, 8 degus, 5 African pygmy hedgehogs, 3 Mongolian gerbils and 3 chinchillas. Tumours were diagnosed based on routine histopathology, with additional immunohistochemistry when necessary. The results of this study revealed that the vast majority of cutaneous tumours in guinea pigs were benign, with a predominance of lipoma. Adnexal tumours constituted a significant percentage of cutaneous tumours in guinea pigs (24.3%, with the most common being trichofolliculoma), pet rabbits (46.5%, with the most common being trichoblastoma), ferrets (33.3%, mostly derived from sebaceous glands), hamsters (52.9%, with the most common being trichoepithelioma) and gerbils (66.7%, scent gland epithelioma). Soft tissue sarcomas were a predominant group of tumours in rats (52.8%, with the most common being fibrosarcoma), African pygmy hedgehogs (100%), degus (87.5%) and chinchillas (66.7%). Melanocytic tumours were only sporadically seen in small mammal pets. Mast cell tumours were diagnosed only in ferrets, while epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed only in a hamster and a degu. In summary, malignant tumours constitute a significant percentage of cutaneous tumours in many species of small mammal pets. Therefore, each cutaneous tumour should be sampled for further cytologic or histopathologic diagnosis

Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Tumours of Small Pet Mammals&mdash;Retrospective Study of 256 Cases (2014&ndash;2021)

Since small mammals are gaining popularity as pets in Poland, the number of tumour samples submitted for histopathological examination is quite high. This study was a retrospective analysis of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumours in small pet mammals submitted for histopathology in 2014&ndash;2021. The analysis included 256 tumours sampled from 103 guinea pigs, 53 rats, 43 pet rabbits, 21 ferrets, 17 hamsters, 8 degus, 5 African pygmy hedgehogs, 3 Mongolian gerbils and 3 chinchillas. Tumours were diagnosed based on routine histopathology, with additional immunohistochemistry when necessary. The results of this study revealed that the vast majority of cutaneous tumours in guinea pigs were benign, with a predominance of lipoma. Adnexal tumours constituted a significant percentage of cutaneous tumours in guinea pigs (24.3%, with the most common being trichofolliculoma), pet rabbits (46.5%, with the most common being trichoblastoma), ferrets (33.3%, mostly derived from sebaceous glands), hamsters (52.9%, with the most common being trichoepithelioma) and gerbils (66.7%, scent gland epithelioma). Soft tissue sarcomas were a predominant group of tumours in rats (52.8%, with the most common being fibrosarcoma), African pygmy hedgehogs (100%), degus (87.5%) and chinchillas (66.7%). Melanocytic tumours were only sporadically seen in small mammal pets. Mast cell tumours were diagnosed only in ferrets, while epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed only in a hamster and a degu. In summary, malignant tumours constitute a significant percentage of cutaneous tumours in many species of small mammal pets. Therefore, each cutaneous tumour should be sampled for further cytologic or histopathologic diagnosis

Nanoimaging using soft X-ray and EUV laser-plasma sources

In this work we present three experimental, compact desk-top imaging systems: SXR and EUV full field microscopes and the SXR contact microscope. The systems are based on laser-plasma EUV and SXR sources based on a double stream gas puff target. The EUV and SXR full field microscopes, operating at 13.8 nm and 2.88 nm wavelengths are capable of imaging nanostructures with a sub-50 nm spatial resolution and short (seconds) exposure times. The SXR contact microscope operates in the “water-window” spectral range and produces an imprint of the internal structure of the imaged sample in a thin layer of SXR sensitive photoresist. Applications of such desk-top EUV and SXR microscopes, mostly for biological samples (CT26 fibroblast cells and Keratinocytes) are also presented. Details about the sources, the microscopes as well as the imaging results for various objects will be presented and discussed. The development of such compact imaging systems may be important to the new research related to biological, material science and nanotechnology applications

Nanoimaging using soft X-ray and EUV laser-plasma sources

In this work we present three experimental, compact desk-top imaging systems: SXR and EUV full field microscopes and the SXR contact microscope. The systems are based on laser-plasma EUV and SXR sources based on a double stream gas puff target. The EUV and SXR full field microscopes, operating at 13.8 nm and 2.88 nm wavelengths are capable of imaging nanostructures with a sub-50 nm spatial resolution and short (seconds) exposure times. The SXR contact microscope operates in the “water-window” spectral range and produces an imprint of the internal structure of the imaged sample in a thin layer of SXR sensitive photoresist. Applications of such desk-top EUV and SXR microscopes, mostly for biological samples (CT26 fibroblast cells and Keratinocytes) are also presented. Details about the sources, the microscopes as well as the imaging results for various objects will be presented and discussed. The development of such compact imaging systems may be important to the new research related to biological, material science and nanotechnology applications

Effect of Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Radiation and EUV Induced, N2 and O2 Based Plasmas on a PEEK Surface’s Physico-Chemical Properties and MG63 Cell Adhesion

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), due to its excellent mechanical and physico-chemical parameters, is an attractive substitute for hard tissues in orthopedic applications. However, PEEK is hydrophobic and lacks surface-active functional groups promoting cell adhesion. Therefore, the PEEK surface must be modified in order to improve its cytocompatibility. In this work, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and two low-temperature, EUV induced, oxygen and nitrogen plasmas were used for surface modification of polyetheretherketone. Polymer samples were irradiated with 100, 150, and 200 pulses at a 10 Hz repetition rate. The physical and chemical properties of EUV and plasma modified PEEK surfaces, such as changes of the surface topography, chemical composition, and wettability, were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and goniometry. The human osteoblast-like MG63 cells were used for the analysis of cell viability and cell adhesion on all modified PEEK surfaces. EUV radiation and two types of plasma treatment led to significant changes in surface topography of PEEK, increasing surface roughness and formation of conical structures. Additionally, significant changes in the chemical composition were found and were manifested with the appearance of new functional groups, incorporation of nitrogen atoms up to ~12.3 at.% (when modified in the presence of nitrogen), and doubling the oxygen content up to ~25.7 at.% (when modified in the presence of oxygen), compared to non-modified PEEK. All chemically and physically changed surfaces demonstrated cyto-compatible and non-cytotoxic properties, an enhancement of MG63 cell adhesion was also observed

Imaging of Cell Structures Using Optimized Soft X-ray Contact Microscopy

This work is to study the relationship between the exposure conditions and the quality of cell imaging with soft X-ray contact microscopy (SXCM). It is a crucial step in the efficient visualization of cell structures. Three different human cell lines: DU145 prostate carcinoma cells, HCC38 breast cancer cells, and Poietics mesenchymal stem cells were used to establish the optimal exposure conditions in SXCM. The image quality depended on the soft X-ray (SXR) absorbed energy and photoresist development conditions. At lower SXR energy (200 or 400 SXR pulses), sharp cell edges, membrane projections, and cell&ndash;cell connections were visible. In contrast, higher energy (600 or 800 SXR pulses) allowed observation of the cytoskeleton and the nucleus in a cell type-dependent manner (the influence of cell thickness and internal complexity was noted)

Multiparametric Evaluation of Post-MI Small Animal Models Using Metabolic ([18F]FDG) and Perfusion-Based (SYN1) Heart Viability Tracers

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with myocardial infarction (MI) being one of the crucial components, wreak havoc in developed countries. Advanced imaging technologies are required to obtain quick and widely available diagnostic data. This paper describes a multimodal approach to in vivo perfusion imaging using the novel SYN1 tracer based on the fluorine-18 isotope. The NOD-SCID mice were injected intravenously with SYN1 or [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) radiotracers after induction of the MI. In all studies, the positron emission tomography&ndash;computed tomography (PET/CT) technique was used. To obtain hemodynamic data, mice were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Finally, the biodistribution of the SYN1 compound was performed using Wistar rat model. SYN1 showed normal accumulation in mouse and rat hearts, and MI hearts correctly indicated impaired cardiac segments when compared to [18F]-FDG uptake. In vivo PET/CT and MRI studies showed statistical convergence in terms of the size of the necrotic zone and cardiac function. This was further supported with RNAseq molecular analyses to correlate the candidate function genes&rsquo; expression, with Serpinb1c, Tnc and Nupr1, with Trem2 and Aldolase B functional correlations showing statistical significance in both SYN1 and [18F]-FDG. Our manuscript presents a new fluorine-18-based perfusion radiotracer for PET/CT imaging that may have importance in clinical applications. Future research should focus on confirmation of the data elucidated here to prepare SYN1 for first-in-human trials