Estimating Cell Count and Distribution in Labeled Histological Samples Using Incremental Cell Search

Cell proliferation is critical to the outgrowth of biological structures including the face and limbs. This cellular process has traditionally been studied via sequential histological sampling of these tissues. The length and tedium of traditional sampling is a major impediment to analyzing the large datasets required to accurately model cellular processes. Computerized cell localization and quantification is critical for high-throughput morphometric analysis of developing embryonic tissues. We have developed the Incremental Cell Search (ICS), a novel software tool that expedites the analysis of relationships between morphological outgrowth and cell proliferation in embryonic tissues. Based on an estimated average cell size and stain color, ICS rapidly indicates the approximate location and amount of cells in histological images of labeled embryonic tissue and provides estimates of cell counts in regions with saturated fluorescence and blurred cell boundaries. This capacity opens the door to high-throughput 3D and 4D quantitative analyses of developmental patterns

Estimating Cell Count and Distribution in Labeled Histological Samples Using Incremental Cell Search

Cell proliferation is critical to the outgrowth of biological structures including the face and limbs. This cellular process has traditionally been studied via sequential histological sampling of these tissues. The length and tedium of traditional sampling is a major impediment to analyzing the large datasets required to accurately model cellular processes. Computerized cell localization and quantification is critical for high-throughput morphometric analysis of developing embryonic tissues. We have developed the Incremental Cell Search (ICS), a novel software tool that expedites the analysis of relationships between morphological outgrowth and cell proliferation in embryonic tissues. Based on an estimated average cell size and stain color, ICS rapidly indicates the approximate location and amount of cells in histological images of labeled embryonic tissue and provides estimates of cell counts in regions with saturated fluorescence and blurred cell boundaries. This capacity opens the door to high-throughput 3D and 4D quantitative analyses of developmental patterns

Plan de negocio para la creaci?n de una cl?nica especializada en medicina intervencionista en Lima Norte

La presente tesis tiene por objetivo el desarrollo de un plan de negocio para la creaci?n de una cl?nica especializada en medicina intervencionista en Lima Norte. La medicina intervencionista realiza procedimientos m?nimamente invasivos para: realizar diagn?sticos, apoyar a la cirug?a habitual o sustituir a la cirug?a convencional; tiene menores complicaciones, usa anestesia local, recuperaci?n pronta del paciente; por ello genera menores costos globales. Existen pocos especialistas y centros de medicina intervencionista a nivel nacional; ninguna en Lima Norte; adem?s hay 9,403 pacientes al a?o sin acceso ni oportunidad a estos procedimientos intervencionistas. Se plantea propuestas de valor para cada grupo de clientes identificados: Los m?dicos tratantes, las IPRESS, las IAFAS y los pacientes. El plan estrat?gico tiene 3 etapas: la primera enfocada a las IAFAS p?blicas y ser aliado del m?dico tratante; se plantea ser centro de referencia y excelencia en la tercera etapa. Asimismo, se plantea liderazgo en costos, una pol?tica de "cero complicaciones?, servicio post venta. El personal necesario para el funcionamiento de la cl?nica es: M?dico Radi?logo, Tecn?logo M?dico, enfermera, t?cnica de enfermer?a, asistente administrativo y ejecutivo comercial, finalmente la evaluaci?n financiera del plan de negocio es rentable

miR-26a mediates LC-PUFA biosynthesis by targeting the Lxrα-Srebp1 pathway in the marine teleost Siganus canaliculatus

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently shown to be important regulators of lipid metabolism. However, the mechanisms of miRNA-mediated regulation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis in vertebrates remain largely unknown. Herein, we for the first time addressed the role of miR-26a in LC-PUFA biosynthesis in the marine rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus. The results showed that miR-26a was significantly down-regulated in liver of rabbitfish reared in seawater and in S. canaliculatus hepatocyte line (SCHL) incubated with the LC-PUFA precursor α-linolenic acid (ALA), suggesting that miR-26a may be involved in LC-PUFA biosynthesis due to its abundance being regulated by factors affecting LC-PUFA biosynthesis. Opposite patterns were observed in the expression of liver X receptor α (lxrα) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (srebp1), as well as the LC-PUFA biosynthesis related genes (Δ4 fads2, Δ6Δ5 fads2 and elovl5) in SCHL cells incubated with ALA. Luciferase reporter assays revealed rabbitfish lxrα as a target of miR-26a, and overexpression of miR-26a in SCHL cells markedly reduced protein levels of Lxrα, Srebp1 and Δ6Δ5 Fads2 induced by the agonist T0901317. Moreover, increasing endogenous Lxrα by knockdown of miR-26a facilitated Srebp1 activation and concomitant increased expression of genes involved in LC-PUFA biosynthesis, and consequently promoted LC-PUFA biosynthesis both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate a critical role of miR-26a in regulating LC-PUFA biosynthesis through targeting the Lxrα-Srebp1 pathway and provide new insights into the regulatory network controlling LC-PUFA biosynthesis and accumulation in vertebrates

Reduced waiting times by preference-based allocation of patients to nursing homes

Objectives: The long waiting times for nursing homes can be reduced by applying advanced waiting-line management. In this article, we implement a preference-based allocation model for older adults to nursing homes, evaluate the performance in a simulation setting for 2 case studies, and discuss the implementation in practice.Design: Simulation study.Setting and Participants: Older adults requiring somatic nursing home care, from an urban region (Rotterdam) and a rural region (Twente) in the Netherlands.Methods: Data about nursing homes and capacities for the 2 case studies were identified. A set of preference profiles was defined with aims regarding waiting time preferences and flexibility. Guidelines for implementation of the model in practice were obtained by addressing the tasks of all stakeholders. Thereafter, the simulation was run to compare the current practice with the allocation model based on specified outcome measures about waiting times and preferences.Results: We found that the allocation model decreased the waiting times in both case studies. Compared with the current practice policy, the allocation model reduced the waiting times until placement by at least a factor of 2 (from 166 to 80 days in Rotterdam and 178 to 82 days in Twente). Moreover, more of the older adults ended up in their preferred nursing home and the aims of the distinct preference profiles were satisfied.Conclusions and Implications: The results show that the allocation model outperforms commonly used waiting-line policies for nursing homes, while meeting individual preferences to a larger extent. Moreover, the model is easy to implement and of a generic nature and can, therefore, be extended to other settings as well (eg, to allocate older adults to home care or daycare). Finally, this research shows the potential of mathematical models in the care domain for older adults to face the increasing need for cost-effective solutions.</p

Building generic anatomical models using virtual model cutting and iterative registration

Article deposited according to publisher policy posted on SHERPA/RoMEO, 30/07/2010.YesFunding provided by the Open Access Authors Fund

The molecular landscape of Asian breast cancers reveals clinically relevant population-specific differences

Abstract: Molecular profiling of breast cancer has enabled the development of more robust molecular prognostic signatures and therapeutic options for breast cancer patients. However, non-Caucasian populations remain understudied. Here, we present the mutational, transcriptional, and copy number profiles of 560 Malaysian breast tumours and a comparative analysis of breast cancers arising in Asian and Caucasian women. Compared to breast tumours in Caucasian women, we show an increased prevalence of HER2-enriched molecular subtypes and higher prevalence of TP53 somatic mutations in ER+ Asian breast tumours. We also observe elevated immune scores in Asian breast tumours, suggesting potential clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Whilst HER2-subtype and enriched immune score are associated with improved survival, presence of TP53 somatic mutations is associated with poorer survival in ER+ tumours. Taken together, these population differences unveil opportunities to improve the understanding of this disease and lay the foundation for precision medicine in different populations

The commissioning of the CUORE experiment: the mini-tower run

CUORE is a ton-scale experiment approaching the data taking phase in Gran Sasso National Laboratory. Its primary goal is to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay in 130Te using 988 crystals of tellurim dioxide. The crystals are operated as bolometers at about 10 mK taking advantage of one of the largest dilution cryostat ever built. Concluded in March 2016, the cryostat commissioning consisted in a sequence of cool down runs each one integrating new parts of the apparatus. The last run was performed with the fully configured cryostat and the thermal load at 4 K reached the impressive mass of about 14 tons. During that run the base temperature of 6.3 mK was reached and maintained for more than 70 days. An array of 8 crystals, called mini-tower, was used to check bolometers operation, readout electronics and DAQ. Results will be presented in terms of cooling power, electronic noise, energy resolution and preliminary background measurements