Visualisation of ectomycorrhizal rhizomorph structure using laser scanning confocal microscopy

A method for the observation of the three-dimensional structure of intact ectomycorrhizal rhizomorphs is described. The method is based on a combination of clearing the material with KOH followed by staining with congo red and subsequent imaging under a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The images obtained are of a much higher three-dimensional resolution than those obtained previously by use of conventional light microscopical techniques. The structure of highly differentiated and undifferentiated rhizomorphs is described. Applications of the method are briefly discussed

Outcome after Hybrid Outflow Interventions for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

Background and Aims: Because chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is often associated with multilevel arterial disease, it usually requires revascularization at different sites of the limb vasculature. We aim to assess the outcome of the hybrid interventions including open surgical revascularization together with outflow segment percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Material and Methods: This study included all hybrid outflow-PTA interventions (n = 80) on patients suffering from CLTI performed in Helsinki University Hospital between 2003 and 2015. Follow-up ended on 31 December 2019. Patient data were prospectively collected into our vascular registry and scrutinized retrospectively. Thirty-one patients (39%) suffered from rest pain (Rutherford category IV) and 49 patients (61%) had ischemic ulcers (Rutherford category V-VI). The most common open surgical procedure was femoral endarterectomy (n = 63, 79%) and the most common endovascular procedure was superficial femoral artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 65, 81%). Mean follow-up time was 56 months (range: 4 days-183 months). Results: Limb salvage was at 30 days-92%, at 1 year-91%, and at 5 and 10 years-86%. Survival and amputation-free survival were at 30 days-93% and 86%, at 1 year-80% and 76%, at 5 years-51% and 48%, and at 10 years-21% and 21%. Wound healing at 3, 6, and 12 months was 48%, 71%, and 87%. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was at 30 days-97%, at 1 year-88%, at 5 years-72%, and at 10 years-66%. Conclusion: Hybrid outflow revascularization is an important tool in the vascular surgeon's armamentarium for treatment of patients with multilevel arterial disease causing chronic limb-threatening ischemia.Peer reviewe

City Avoidance in the Early Phase of Psychosis: A Neglected Domain of Assessment and a Potential Target for Recovery Strategies.

Background: A considerable amount of research has explored the link between living in an urban environment during childhood and the increased risk to develop psychosis. However, the urban milieu is more than a risk factor as it is also a place for socialization and enrichment. The aims of the current study were to explore, in a large sample of early psychosis (EP) patients, their pattern of use of the city, their perception when exposed to various critical stressors, and their sensitivity to diverse forms of stimuli. Methods: We sent a questionnaire (based on previous work conducted in a group of patients, including video-recorded walk-along in the city and a literature review) to 305 EP patients and to 220 medical students. Results: Response rate in patients was low (38%). City avoidance and negative perceptions towards the urban environment increased in patients after onset of psychosis. Patients' tendency to avoid city center correlates with both problematic social interactions and stimuli perceived as unpleasant. Patients seemed less likely to enjoy urban spaces considered as relaxing, suggesting a lower capacity to benefit from positive aspects of this environment. Conclusions: The development of psychosis influences the way EP patients perceive the city and their capacity to feel at ease in the urban environment, leading to a high rate of city avoidance. Considering the possible influence of city avoidance on social relations and the recovery process, the development of strategies to help patients in this regard may have a significant effect on their recovery process

Digital pulse-shape discrimination of fast neutrons and gamma rays

Discrimination of the detection of fast neutrons and gamma rays in a liquid scintillator detector has been investigated using digital pulse-processing techniques. An experimental setup with a 252Cf source, a BC-501 liquid scintillator detector, and a BaF2 detector was used to collect waveforms with a 100 Ms/s, 14 bit sampling ADC. Three identical ADC's were combined to increase the sampling frequency to 300 Ms/s. Four different digital pulse-shape analysis algorithms were developed and compared to each other and to data obtained with an analogue neutron-gamma discrimination unit. Two of the digital algorithms were based on the charge comparison method, while the analogue unit and the other two digital algorithms were based on the zero-crossover method. Two different figure-of-merit parameters, which quantify the neutron-gamma discrimination properties, were evaluated for all four digital algorithms and for the analogue data set. All of the digital algorithms gave similar or better figure-of-merit values than what was obtained with the analogue setup. A detailed study of the discrimination properties as a function of sampling frequency and bit resolution of the ADC was performed. It was shown that a sampling ADC with a bit resolution of 12 bits and a sampling frequency of 100 Ms/s is adequate for achieving an optimal neutron-gamma discrimination for pulses having a dynamic range for deposited neutron energies of 0.3-12 MeV. An investigation of the influence of the sampling frequency on the time resolution was made. A FWHM of 1.7 ns was obtained at 100 Ms/s.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research

Monopole-Driven Shell Evolution below the Doubly Magic Nucleus Sn132 Explored with the Long-Lived Isomer in Pd126

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β-Decay Half-Lives of 76;77Co, 79;80Ni, and 81Cu: Experimental Indication of a Doubly Magic 78Ni

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Identification of a millisecond isomeric state in 129Cd81 via the detection of internal conversion and Compton electrons

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