Homing on Track: Rare cell detection methods to study homing of leukemic and normal hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation. A relatively small number of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells lies at the basis of the entire cascade of progressively more mature progenitor cells of the different hematopoietic lineages, culminating in the formation of mature, functional blood cells (Figure 1.1). The regulation of hematopoiesis relies on complex interactions between hematopoietic cells and stromal cells, growth factors and their receptors, extracellular matrix molecules and cellcell interactions through specialized cell adhesion molecules. The sites where hematopoietic stem cens can find just the right mixture of these regulatory interactions are refcncd to as niches. During mammalian embryogenesis the hematopoietic system originates from mcsodermally derived cells localized in the yolk-sac. At a later stage in the development of the fetus totipotent hematopoietic stem cells are predominantly found in the liver. Still later, hematopoiesis shifts to the spleen and the bone marrow. The spleen then gradually becomes a less important hematopoietic organ, so that at birth hematopoiesis in humans is almost exclusively situatcd in the bone marrow

Connaissances ichtyologiques sous forme emblématique: le cas du sargus

Medieval and Early Modern Studie

Connaissances ichtyologiques sous forme emblématique: le cas du sargus

Medieval and Early Modern Studie

Identification of novel citramalate biosynthesis pathways in Aspergillus niger

FWN – Publicaties zonder aanstelling Universiteit Leide

Differential suppression of background mammalian lysosomal β-galactosidase increases the detection sensitivity of LacZ-marked leukemic cells

A method is described for the detection of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase-expressing leukemic cells in ex vivo bone marrow samples. 4-Methylumbelliferyl-β-D-galactopyranoside is used as a substrate in a kinetic assay. D-Galactose is used to suppress endogenous lysosomal β-galactosidase activity, yielding a sixfold increase in sensitivity. With this assay, the detection limit is one leukemic cell per 104 normal bone marrow cells

Connecting Semantic Building Information Models and Robotics: An application to 2D LiDAR-based localization

This paper proposes a method to integrate the rich semantic data-set provided by Building Information Modeling (BIM) with robotics world models, taking as use case indoor semantic localization in a large university building. We convert a subset of semantic entities with associated geometry present in BIM models and represented in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data format to a robot-specific world model representation. This representation is then stored in a spatial database from which the robot can query semantic objects in its immediate surroundings. The contribution of this work is that, from this query, the robot’s feature detectors are configured and used to make explicit data associations with semantic structural objects from the BIM model that are located near the robot’s current position. A graph-based approach is then used to localize the robot, incorporating the explicit map-feature associations for localization. We show that this explainable model-based approach allows a robot equipped with a 2D LiDAR and odometry to track its pose in a large indoor environment for which a BIM model is available

Sustainable employability of Dutch urologists under pressure

With an expected increase of urological patients of 40% in the years to come, it is of importance that urologists remain sustainably employable. This is why we have investigated the sustainable employability of urologists and residents in the Netherlands with a questionnaire. Job satisfaction is high (78%), but the workload is also perceived as high (56%). 45% of urologists wants to work less and 20% of urologists are considering quitting. 16% temporarily (partially) stops working due to signs of burnout. Women experience more work pressure-related complaints than men. Despite the high job satisfaction, the sustainable employability of urologists is under pressure. Attention to the prevention of burnout and better regulation of the workload is desirable.</p

Robot-assisted Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-radioguided Salvage Surgery in Recurrent Prostate Cancer Using a DROP-IN Gamma Probe: The First Prospective Feasibility Study

Background: It has been proven that intraoperative prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioguidance is valuable for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) lesions during open surgery. Rapid extension of robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery has increased the need to make PSMA-radioguided surgery (RGS) robot-compliant.Objective: To evaluate whether the miniaturized DROP-IN gamma probe facilitates translation of PSMA-RGS to robotic surgery in men with recurrent PCa.Design, setting, and participants: This prospective feasibility study included 20 patients with up to three pelvic PCa recurrences (nodal or local) on staging PSMA positron emission tomography (PET) after previous curative-intent therapy.Surgical procedure: Robot-assisted PSMA-RGS using the DROP-IN gamma probe was carried out 19-23 h after intravenous injection of (99m)technetium PSMA-Investigation & Surgery (Tc-99m-PSMA-I&S).Measurements: The primary endpoint was the feasibility of robot-assisted PSMA-RGS. Secondary endpoints were a comparison of the radioactive status (positive or negative) of resected specimens and final histopathology results, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response following PSMA-RGS, and complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.Results and limitations: Using the DROP-IN probe, 19/21 (90%) PSMA-avid lesions could be resected robotically. On a per-lesion basis, the sensitivity and specificity of robot-assisted PSMA-RGS was 86% and 100%, respectively. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction of >50% and a complete biochemical response (PSA <0.2 ng/ml) were seen in 12/18 (67%) and 4/18 (22%) patients, respectively. During follow-up of up to 15 mo,* Corresponding author. Department of Urology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam 1066 CX, The Netherlands. Tel. +31 205126988. E-mail address: [email protected] (H.A. de Barros