Pathways to clinical CLARITY: volumetric analysis of irregular, soft, and heterogeneous tissues in development and disease

AbstractThree-dimensional tissue-structural relationships are not well captured by typical thin-section histology, posing challenges for the study of tissue physiology and pathology. Moreover, while recent progress has been made with intact methods for clearing, labeling, and imaging whole organs such as the mature brain, these approaches are generally unsuitable for soft, irregular, and heterogeneous tissues that account for the vast majority of clinical samples and biopsies. Here we develop a biphasic hydrogel methodology, which along with automated analysis, provides for high-throughput quantitative volumetric interrogation of spatially-irregular and friable tissue structures. We validate and apply this approach in the examination of a variety of developing and diseased tissues, with specific focus on the dynamics of normal and pathological pancreatic innervation and development, including in clinical samples. Quantitative advantages of the intact-tissue approach were demonstrated compared to conventional thin-section histology, pointing to broad applications in both research and clinical settings.</jats:p

A Shell Model Study of the High Spin States of \u3csup\u3e88\u3c/sup\u3eY

Experiments were carried out at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory at Yale University using the 21MV ESTU Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator with the purpose of studying 88Y. A beam of 18O impinged at laboratory energies of 60, 65 and 70 MeV on a 600 μg/cm 2 74Ge target with a thick (10mg/cm 2) 197Au backing. This experiment was performed with the specific aim of accessing medium spin states of the nucleus of interest. A second experiment was undertaken to populate the nucleus of interest in higher spin states by impinging the same 18O beam on a thin 62 μg/cm 2 76Ge target with a 20 μg/cm2 carbon backing at a laboratory beam energy of 90 MeV. Gamma rays emitted following the decay of excited states in 88Y and other nuclei populated in the reactions were measured using the YRAST ball detector array, consisting of 10 Compton suppressed HPGe clover detectors. In conjunction with the experimental study presented here, nuclear shell model calculations using a truncated valence space have also been performed in an attempt to describe the single-particle make-up of the states observed. Preliminary results from these experiments and theoretical calculations are presented

High-Spin Study of the Shell Model Nucleus \u3csup\u3e88\u3c/sup\u3eY\u3csub\u3e49\u3c/sub\u3e

The near-yrast structure of the near-magic, odd-odd nucleus, 8839Y49, has been studied into the high-spin regime. Investigations were performed at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory, Yale University, using the 74Ge(18O,p3n) and 76Ge(18O,p5n) fusion-evaporation reactions at beam energies of 60 and 90 MeV, respectively. Gamma-ray energy coincidence analyses using both double (γ2) and triple (γ3) fold coincidences, together with angular correlation measurements, have been used to extend the previously reported level scheme to an excitation energy of 8.6 MeV and a spin and parity of 19(−). The presented level scheme is compared with predictions of a truncated valence space shell-model calculation, which assumes an inert 56Ni core with proton and neutron excitations allowed within the f5/2, p3/2, p1/2, and g9/2 single-particle states. The shell-model calculations show a reasonable comparison with the experimental data for the yrast, positive-parity states up to spin 18 ℏ, with larger variations evident for negative-parity states with spins greater than 16 ℏ. In spite of a significant increase in angular momentum input associated with the thin target 76Ge(18O,p5n) reaction channel, as compared to the backed target data using the 74Ge target, no additional discrete states were identified in the former data set, suggesting that the level scheme for this nucleus fragments significantly above the observed states, possibly indicating cross-shell excitations becoming dominant for I \u3e19 ℏ

Attenuated tubal and endometrial urocortin 1 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor expression in ectopic pregnancy

Fallopian tube (FT) and endometrial urocortin 1 (Ucn1) and CRH-receptor (CRH-R1/CRH-R2) expression were examined using quantitative-RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in non-pregnant and pregnant women (intrauterine, IUP; ectopic pregnancy, EP). Tubal Ucn1 mRNA expression was higher in luteal compared to follicular phase (P<0.01) and equivalent to follicular phase in FT from EP. Tubal CRH-R1/CRH-R2 mRNA was lower in luteal phase (P<0.05) and in FT from EP compared to follicular phase (P<0.01). Ucn1 mRNA was lower in endometrium from EP compared to IUP (P<0.05). CRH-R1 mRNA was higher in endometrium from EP compared to viable IUP (P<0.05). No differences were observed in CRH-R2 expression. CRH-R1 protein was primarily localised to epithelium of FT and endometrium. Quantitative analysis of tubal CRH-R1 protein expression reflected that seen at the mRNA level but endometrial expression was equivocal. The demonstration of attenuated tubal/endometrial Ucn1/CRH-R expression in EP further supports a role of the CRH-family in embryo implantation

Precise γ-ray intensity measurements in 10B

Precise electromagnetic transition matrix elements in 10Be and 10C have provided surprisingly stringent tests of modern ab initio calculations using realistic nuclear forces. The analog transition in 10B can further constrain these new calculations and probe the symmetry of the wave functions across the A=10 multiplet. We report on a careful measurement of the γ-ray intensities from states populated in the 10B(p,p) reaction at 10 MeV, including a determination of the key E2 branch from the J=2 T=1 state at 5164keV to the J=0 T=1 state at 1740keV of 0.16(4)%. \ua9 2012 American Physical Society

Oxygenated-Blood Colour Change Thresholds for Perceived Facial Redness, Health, and Attractiveness

Blood oxygenation level is associated with cardiovascular fitness, and raising oxygenated blood colouration in human faces increases perceived health. The current study used a two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) psychophysics design to quantify the oxygenated blood colour (redness) change threshold required to affect perception of facial colour, health and attractiveness. Detection thresholds for colour judgments were lower than those for health and attractiveness, which did not differ. The results suggest redness preferences do not reflect a sensory bias, rather preferences may be based on accurate indications of health status. Furthermore, results suggest perceived health and attractiveness may be perceptually equivalent when they are assessed based on facial redness. Appearance-based motivation for lifestyle change can be effective; thus future studies could assess the degree to which cardiovascular fitness increases face redness and could quantify changes in aerobic exercise needed to increase facial attractiveness