150 research outputs found
Dystrophic crisis event in Papas Lagoon, Araxos Cape, Western Greece in the summer 2012
A dystrophic crisis occurred in late June 2012 in the Lagoon of Papas, Araxos region, Western Greece (Ionian Sea) resulting in massive mortalities of aquatic organisms. The whole event was monitored through the basic aquatic physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) recorded before, during and after its occurrence. Although the phenomenon was manifested locally, it resulted in complete anoxia at the largest part of the lagoon which lasted ten days. Water quality of the entire lagoon was greatly affected by the dystrophic event and first signs of recovery were observed four months later
Reduced uptake of the proliferation-seeking radiotracer technetium-99m-labelled pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid in a 47-year-old woman with severe breast epithelial hyperplasia taking ibuprofen: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Recent studies have reported a risk reduction in the progression of benign breast disease to breast carcinoma through COX-2 pathways.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of severe epithelial hyperplasia in a 47-year-old woman with increased breast density submitted to scintimammography by the proliferation-imaging tracer Technetium-99m-labelled pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid, before and after an oral ibuprofen treatment for 4 weeks. The radiotracer uptake after ibuprofen intake was significantly reduced, both visually and by semi-quantitative analysis, based on a calculation of lesion-to-background ratios.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In proliferating breast lesions, scintigraphically displayed reduction in Technetium-99m-labelled pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake may indicate inhibition by ibuprofen in the pathway of malignant epithelial cell transformation.</p
Imaging in situ breast carcinoma (with or without an invasive component) with technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile scintimammography
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to retrospectively define specific features of the technetium-99m pentavalent dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-(V)DMSA) and technetium-99m 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-Sestamibi [(99m)Tc-MIBI]) distribution in ductal breast carcinoma in situ and lobular breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS/LCIS), in relation to mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients with suspicious palpation or mammographic findings were submitted preoperatively to scintimammography (a total of 72 patients with (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA and a total of 75 patients with (99m)Tc-Sestamibi, 45 patients receiving both radiotracers). Images were acquired at 10 min and 60 min, and were evaluated for a pattern of diffuse radiotracer accumulation. The tumor-to-background ratios were correlated (T-pair test) with mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics. RESULTS: Histology confirmed malignancy in 46/102 patients: 20/46 patients had DCIS/LCIS, with or without coexistent invasive lesions, and 26/46 patients had isolated invasive carcinomas. Diffuse (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA accumulation was noticed in 18/19 cases and (99m)Tc-Sestamibi in 6/13 DCIS/LCIS cases. Epithelial hyperplasia demonstrated a similar accumulation pattern. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each tracer were calculated. Solely for (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA, the tumor-to-background ratio was significantly higher at 60 min than at 10 min and the diffuse uptake was significantly associated with suspicious microcalcifications, with the cell proliferation index ≥ 40% and with c-erbB-2 ≥ 10%. CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-(V)DMSA showed high sensitivity and (99m)Tc-Sestamibi showed high specificity in detecting in situ breast carcinoma ((99m)Tc-(V)DMSA especially in cases with increased cell proliferation), and these radiotracers could provide clinicians with preoperative information not always obtainable by mammography
Software for full-color 3D reconstruction of the biological tissues internal structure
A software for processing sets of full-color images of biological tissue
histological sections is developed. We used histological sections obtained by
the method of high-precision layer-by-layer grinding of frozen biological
tissues. The software allows restoring the image of the tissue for an arbitrary
cross-section of the tissue sample. Thus, our method is designed to create a
full-color 3D reconstruction of the biological tissue structure. The resolution
of 3D reconstruction is determined by the quality of the initial histological
sections. The newly developed technology available to us provides a resolution
of up to 5 - 10 {\mu}m in three dimensions.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure
Trans synaptic assemblies link synaptic vesicles and neuroreceptors
Synaptic transmission is characterized by fast, tightly coupled processes and complex signaling pathways that require a precise protein organization, such as the previously reported nanodomain colocalization of pre and postsynaptic proteins. Here, we used cryo electron tomography to visualize synaptic complexes together with their native environment comprising interacting proteins and lipids on a 2 to 4 nm scale. Using template free detection and classification, we showed that tripartite trans synaptic assemblies subcolumns link synaptic vesicles to postsynaptic receptors and established that a particular displacement between directly interacting complexes characterizes subcolumns. Furthermore, we obtained de novo average structures of ionotropic glutamate receptors in their physiological composition, embedded in plasma membrane. These data support the hypothesis that synaptic function is carried by precisely organized trans synaptic units. It provides a framework for further exploration of synaptic and other large molecular assemblies that link different cells or cellular regions and may require weak or transient interactions to exert their functio
An Ontological Approach to Inform HMI Designs for Minimizing Driver Distractions with ADAS
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) are in-vehicle systems designed to enhance driving
safety and efficiency as well as comfort for drivers in the driving process. Recent studies have
noticed that when Human Machine Interface (HMI) is not designed properly, an ADAS can cause
distraction which would affect its usage and even lead to safety issues. Current understanding of
these issues is limited to the context-dependent nature of such systems. This paper reports the
development of a holistic conceptualisation of how drivers interact with ADAS and how such
interaction could lead to potential distraction. This is done taking an ontological approach to
contextualise the potential distraction, driving tasks and user interactions centred on the use of
ADAS. Example scenarios are also given to demonstrate how the developed ontology can be used
to deduce rules for identifying distraction from ADAS and informing future designs
Molecular and pathological signatures of epithelial–mesenchymal transitions at the cancer invasion front
Reduction of epithelial cell–cell adhesion via the transcriptional repression of cadherins in combination with the acquisition of mesenchymal properties are key determinants of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is associated with early stages of carcinogenesis, cancer invasion and recurrence. Furthermore, the tumor stroma dictates EMT through intensive bidirectional communication. The pathological analysis of EMT signatures is critically, especially to determine the presence of cancer cells at the resection margins of a tumor. When diffusion barriers disappear, EMT markers may be detected in sera from cancer patients. The detection of EMT signatures is not only important for diagnosis but can also be exploited to enhance classical chemotherapy treatments. In conclusion, further detailed understanding of the contextual cues and molecular mediators that control EMT will be required in order to develop diagnostic tools and small molecule inhibitors with potential clinical implications
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