Polarized multispectral imaging in a rigid endoscope based on elastic light scattering spectroscopy

Elastic light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) is widely utilized to investigate cellular structures in cultured cells and various tissues. However, few imaging systems, especially endoscopic imaging systems, can implement LSS. It is the aim of this work to create a polarized multispectral imaging system based around a rigid endoscope to detect micrometer sized particles using LSS. The instrument first validated with different sized mono-disperse polystyrene microspheres, then an image is reconstructed based on LSS which shows the differentiation of different sized microspheres. Finally a preliminary experiment is conducted to demonstrate its capability to discriminate different types of cells

Pampean-grassland heterogeneity on the intersection of science, art, and culture

Since prehistoric times, temperate grasslands have provided favorable habitat for human subsistence. Ease of exploitation, however, has caused that temperate grasslands are among the most destroyed terrestrial ecosystems. The region known as the Pampas or Rio de la PlataGrasslands, extending over some 750,000 sq. km in central eastern Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, comprises the largest temperate grassland area in the southern hemisphere. Flat topography, humid temperate climate, grassy natural vegetation, and absence of large native herbivores have conditioned multiple aspects of human life in the region, like patterns of population settlement, techniques for acquisition and transportation of goods, aesthetic preferences, and social structure. In this article, we present some writers inspired by the Pampas, we briefly summarize the main results of scientific research on the drivers of vegetation physiognomy and heterogeneity in the Pampas, based on the invaluable floristic database compiled by Professor Rolando J. C. León, and we sketch one of Professor León´s scientific-historic tours to the Pampas. Finally, we call attention to currently threats to the persistence of Pampean Grassland.Fil: Perelman, S.B.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Omacini, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Tognetti, Pedro Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Batista, William B.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentin

Reliability and Reproducibility of DNA Profiling from Degraded Samples in Forensic Genetics

Forensic DNA analysis is widely used to determine kinship and the identity of evidence from the crime scene and it is especially important in the identification of human remains after different types of exposure (water, heat, etc.). Currently, there are no official recommendations for forensic scientists as to which bones and tissues are the most reliable among degraded DNA samples. Since 2014 more than 350 fragments of unidentified corpses have been examined in the Forensic Biological Department (Republic Bureau of Forensic Medicine, Kazan, Russia). Based on our experience, the most reliable and reproducible DNA profiles are obtained from lower limber bones (in 90% cases), muscles (in 85% cases) and ribs (in 80% cases). However, we discovered a new source of DNA – the odontoid process of the 2nd cervical vertebra, which contains a high amount of DNA with a better state of preservation than many other bones. According to our results, when a complete skeleton or unidentified corpse is found, it is advisable to provide bones with soft tissue remnants in the absence of deeply embedded putrefactive changes. When working at the crime scene, special attention should be paid to separating small bones and fragments from skeletal remains

A Novel Translocation Breakpoint within the BPTF Gene Is Associated with a Pre-Malignant Phenotype

Partial gain of chromosome arm 17q is an abundant aberrancy in various cancer types such as lung and prostate cancer with a prominent occurrence and prognostic significance in neuroblastoma – one of the most common embryonic tumors. The specific genetic element/s in 17q responsible for the cancer-promoting effect of these aberrancies is yet to be defined although many genes located in 17q have been proposed to play a role in malignancy. We report here the characterization of a naturally-occurring, non-reciprocal translocation der(X)t(X;17) in human lung embryonal-derived cells following continuous culturing. This aberrancy was strongly correlated with an increased proliferative capacity and with an acquired ability to form colonies in vitro. The breakpoint region was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to the 17q24.3 locus. Further characterization by a custom-made comparative genome hybridization array (CGH) localized the breakpoint within the Bromodomain PHD finger Transcription Factor gene (BPTF), a gene involved in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. Interestingly, this translocation led to elevation in the mRNA levels of the endogenous BPTF. Knock-down of BPTF restricted proliferation suggesting a role for BPTF in promoting cellular growth. Furthermore, the BPTF chromosomal region was found to be amplified in various human tumors, especially in neuroblastomas and lung cancers in which 55% and 27% of the samples showed gain of 17q24.3, respectively. Additionally, 42% percent of the cancer cell lines comprising the NCI-60 had an abnormal BPTF locus copy number. We suggest that deregulation of BPTF resulting from the translocation may confer the cells with the observed cancer-promoting phenotype and that our cellular model can serve to establish causality between 17q aberrations and carcinogenesis

Comparative effectiveness of intensity modulated radiation therapy to 3-dimensional conformal radiation in locally advanced lung cancer: pathological and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has better normal-tissue sparing compared with 3-dimensional conformal radiation (3DCRT). We sought to assess the impact of radiation technique on pathological and clinical outcomes in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC) treated with a trimodality strategy. METHODS: Retrospective review of LANSCLC patients treated from August 2012 to August 2018 at Sheba Medical Center, Israel. The trimodality strategy consisted of concomitant chemoradiation to 60 Gray (Gy) followed by completion surgery. The planning target volume (PTV) was defined by co-registered PET/CT. Here we compare the pathological regression, surgical margin status, local control rates (LC), disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between 3DCRT and IMRT. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 74 patients with mean age 62.9 years, male in 51/74 (69%), adenocarcinoma in 46/74 (62.1%), stage 3 in 59/74 (79.7%) and chemotherapy in 72/74 (97.3%). Radiation mean dose: 59.2 Gy (SD ± 3.8). Radiation technique : 3DCRT in 51/74 (68.9%), IMRT in 23/74 (31%). Other variables were similar between groups.Major pathological response (including pathological complete response or less than 10% residual tumor cells) was similar: 32/51 (62.7%) in 3DCRT and 15/23 (65.2%) in IMRT, p=0.83. Pathological complete response (pCR) rates were similar: 17/51 (33.3%) in 3DCRT and 8/23 (34.8%) in IMRT, p=0.9. Surgical margins were negative in 46/51 (90.1%) in 3DCRT vs. 17/19 (89.4%) in IMRT (p=1.0).The 2-year LC rates were 81.6% (95% CI 69-89.4%); DFS 58.3% (95% CI 45.5-69%) and 3-year OS 70% (95% CI57-80%). Comparing radiation techniques, there were no significant differences in LC (p=0.94), DFS (p=0.33) and OS (p=0.72). CONCLUSION: When used to treat LANSCLC in the neoadjuvant setting, both IMRT and 3DCRT produce comparable pathological and clinical outcomes. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study validates the real-world effectiveness of IMRT compared to 3DCRT

Realistic optical cell modeling and diffraction imaging simulation for study of optical and morphological parameters of nucleus

Coherent light scattering presents complex spatial patterns that depend on morphological and molecular features of biological cells. We present a numerical approach to establish realistic optical cell models for generating virtual cells and accurate simulation of diffraction images that are comparable to measured data of prostate cells. With a contourlet transform algorithm, it has been shown that the simulated images and extracted parameters can be used to distinguish virtual cells of different nuclear volumes and refractive indices against the orientation variation. These results demonstrate significance of the new approach for development of rapid cell assay methods through diffraction imaging.ECU Open Access Publishing Support Fun

Mesothelioma and asbestosis in a young woman following occupational asbestos exposure: Short latency and long survival: Case Report

A 27-year-old female white-collar worker was diagnosed in 1998 with mesothelioma eight and one-half years following first exposure as a bystander to debris in a site in which asbestos-containing building materials were being dismantled and rebuilding work took place. Prodromal back pain had been present for a year and a half. She underwent extrapleural pneumectomy and received an intrapleural infusion of cisplatin post-operatively. Exposure to asbestos was verified by contemporary reports and lung biopsy, which demonstrated asbestos bodies and microscopic interstitial fibrosis -conforming evidence for asbestosis. The patient is alive and well 12 years after diagnosis and 14 years after onset of symptoms. The combination of an extremely short latency period and long survival following occupational exposure to asbestos dust is unique

Relationship between performance status and satisfaction with fentanyl pectin nasal spray

Background: Patients with breakthrough pain in cancer (BTPc) experience impaired activities of daily living and quality of life. Both function and satisfaction with treatment can impact patients' abilities to use products, and likely impact response to therapies. Objective: This exploratory analysis examined the relationship between functional status and satisfaction with ability to use fentanyl pectin nasal spray (FPNS) for BTPc. Methods: Treatment satisfaction data were analyzed from a multicenter, open-label, long-term study using FPNS for managing BTPc in patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade ≤ 2. Satisfaction with ease of use, convenience, and reliability of FPNS were assessed on three-question, four-point scales (1 = not satisfied, 2 = not satisfied or dissatisfied, 3 = satisfied, 4 = very satisfied) at the end of 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. For each domain, percentage of patients who reported being "satisfied or very satisfied" (score 3 or 4) with FPNS was analyzed based on ECOG grade. Results: Overall, > 90 % of patients with ECOG 0-2 reported being satisfied or very satisfied with FPNS across all three domains. Differences in patient satisfaction with FPNS by ECOG grade were clinically small though statistically significant (ease of use: p = 0.0022, convenience: p = 0.0057, and reliability: p = 0.0012). Conclusion: The FPNS device was well accepted irrespective of ECOG grade (0-2). Statistically, patients with higher performance status (lower ECOG grades) reported higher satisfaction scores, though effect size was small. Results imply the FPNS device provides a high level of usability irrespective of functional status, which is likely to promote use and thus likelihood of success in controlling BTPc.Introducción: los pacientes con dolor irruptivo oncológico (BTPc) experimentan un deterioro de las actividades de la vida diaria y de la calidad de vida. Tanto la función como la satisfacción con el tratamiento pueden afectar a las capacidades de los pacientes para utilizar fármacos e impactar en sus respuestas a los mismos. Objetivo: este análisis exploratorio examina la relación entre el estado funcional y la satisfacción con la capacidad de usar el aerosol nasal de pectina de fentanilo (FPNS) para BTPc. Métodos: se analizaron datos de satisfacción del tratamiento de un estudio multicéntrico, abierto, a largo plazo usando FPNS para el tratamiento del BTPc en pacientes con Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grado ≤ 2. Fueron evaluados la satisfacción con la facilidad de uso, comodidad y fiabilidad de FPNS en escalas tres preguntas y cuatro puntos (1 = nada satisfecho, 2 = no satisfecho o insatisfecho, 3 = satisfecho, 4 = muy satisfecho) al final de 1, 4, 8 y 12 semanas. Para cada dominio, el porcentaje de pacientes que informaron estar "satisfechos o muy satisfechos" (puntuación de 3 o 4) con FPNS se analizó basado en el grado ECOG. Resultados: en general, el 90 % de los pacientes con ECOG 0-2 dijo haber estado satisfecho o muy satisfecho con la FPNS en los tres dominios. Diferencias en la satisfacción del paciente con FPNS por grado ECOG fueron clínicamente pequeñas pero estadísticamente significativas (facilidad de uso: p = 0,0022, conveniencia: p = 0,0057 y fiabilidad: p = 0,0012). Conclusión: el dispositivo FPNS fue bien aceptado independientemente del grado ECOG (0-2). Estadísticamente, los pacientes con status de rendimiento superior (grados menores ECOG) informaron mayores puntuaciones de satisfacción, aunque el tamaño del efecto fue pequeño. Los resultados demuestran que el dispositivo FPNS proporciona un alto nivel de usabilidad independientemente del estado funcional, y que es probable que promover el uso y por lo tanto la probabilidad de éxito en el control de BTPc

Unlearning chronic pain: A randomized controlled trial to investigate changes in intrinsic brain connectivity following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Chronic pain is a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon. Implicit learning mechanisms contribute to the development of chronic pain and to persistent changes in the central nervous system. We hypothesized that these central abnormalities can be remedied with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Specifically, since regions of the anterior Default Mode Network (DMN) are centrally involved in emotional regulation via connections with limbic regions, such as the amygdala, remediation of maladaptive behavioral and cognitive patterns as a result of CBT for chronic pain would manifest itself as a change in the intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) between these prefrontal and limbic regions. Resting-state functional neuroimaging was performed in patients with chronic pain before and after 11-week CBT (n = 19), as well as a matched (ages 19–59, both sexes) active control group of patients who received educational materials (n = 19). Participants were randomized prior to the intervention. To investigate the differential impact of treatment on intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC), we compared pre–post differences in iFC between groups. In addition, we performed exploratory whole brain analyses of changes in fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF). The course of CBT led to significant improvements in clinical measures of pain and self-efficacy for coping with chronic pain. Significant group differences in pre–post changes in both iFC and fALFF were correlated with clinical outcomes. Compared to control patients, iFC between the anterior DMN and the amygdala/periaqueductal gray decreased following CBT, whereas iFC between the basal ganglia network and the right secondary somatosensory cortex increased following CBT. CBT patients also had increased post-therapy fALFF in the bilateral posterior cingulate and the cerebellum. By delineating neuroplasticity associated with CBT-related improvements, these results add to mounting evidence that CBT is a valuable treatment option for chronic pain