535 research outputs found
In vivo endoscopic autofluorescence microspectro-imaging of bronchi and alveoli
Fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) is a new technique that can
be used during a bronchoscopy to analyze the nature of the human bronchial and
alveolar mucosa fluorescence microstructure. An endoscopic fibered confocal
fluorescence microscopy system with spectroscopic analysis capability was
developed allowing real-time, simultaneous images and emission spectra
acquisition at 488 nm excitation using a flexible miniprobe that could be
introduced into small airways. This flexible 1.4 mm miniprobe can be introduced
into the working channel of a flexible endoscope and gently advanced through
the bronchial tree to the alveoli. FCFM in conjunction with bronchoscopy is
able to image the in vivo autofluorescence structure of the bronchial mucosae
but also the alveolar respiratory network outside of the usual field of view.
Microscopic and spectral analysis showed that the signal mainly originates from
the elastin component of the bronchial subepithelial layer. In non smokers, the
system images the elastin backbone of the aveoli. In active smokers, a strong
autofluorescence signal appears from alveolar macrophages. The FCFM technique
appears promising for in vivo exploration of the bronchial and alveolar
extracellular matrix
IN VIVO CONFOCAL MICROENDOSCOPY: FROM THE PROXIMAL BRONCHUS DOWN TO THE PULMONARY ACINUS
In vivo endoscopic microscopy aims to provide the clinician with a tool to assess architecture and morphology of a living tissue in real time, with an optical resolution similar to standard histopathology. To date, available microendoscopic devices use the principle of fluorescence confocal microscopy, and thereby mainly analyse the spatial distribution of specific endogenous or exogenous fluorophores. Fluorescence microendoscopes devoted to respiratory system exploration use a bundle of optical fibres, introduced into the working channel of the bron- choscope. This miniprobe can be applied in vivo onto the bronchial inner surface or advanced into a distal bron- chiole down to the acinus, to produce in situ, in vivo microscopic imaging of the respiratory tract in real time. Fluorescence confocal microendoscopy has the capability to image the epithelial and subepithelial layers of the pro- ximal bronchial tree, as well as the more distal parts of the lungs, from the terminal bronchioles down to the alveolar ducts and sacs. Potential applications include in vivo microscopic assessment of early bronchial cancers, bronchial wall remodelling evaluation and diffuse peripheral lung disease exploration, as well as in vivo diagnosis of peripheral lung nodules. The technique has also the potential to be coupled with fluorescence molecular imaging. This chapter de- scribes the capabilities and possible limitations of confocal microendoscopy for proximal and distal lung exploration
Enhancing shopping experiences in smart retailing
The retailing market has undergone a paradigm-shift in the last decades, departing from its traditional form of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores towards online shopping and the establishment of shopping malls. As a result, “small” independent retailers operating in urban environments have suffered a substantial reduction of their turnover. This situation could be presumably reversed if retailers were to establish business “alliances” targeting economies of scale and engage themselves in providing innovative digital services. The SMARTBUY ecosystem realizes the concept of a “distributed shopping mall”, which allows retailers to join forces and unite in a large commercial coalition that generates added value for both retailers and customers. Along this line, the SMARTBUY ecosystem offers several novel features: (i) inventory management of centralized products and services, (ii) geo-located marketing of products and services, (iii) location-based search for products offered by neighboring retailers, and (iv) personalized recommendations for purchasing products derived by an innovative recommendation system. SMARTBUY materializes a blended retailing paradigm which combines the benefits of online shopping with the attractiveness of traditional shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. This article provides an overview of the main architectural components and functional aspects of the SMARTBUY ecosystem. Then, it reports the main findings derived from a 12 months-long pilot execution of SMARTBUY across four European cities and discusses the key technology acceptance factors when deploying alike business alliances
Ready, Set, BABY Live Virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Education for COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unforeseen challenges
in the delivery of lactation training, education, and
skilled support worldwide. The World Health Organization
(WHO) has developed global recommendations for the protection,
promotion, and support of breastfeeding when
COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed (World Health
Organization, 2020). This interim guidance, which is
grounded in the best available clinical evidence and epidemiology,
brings attention to the importance of integrating
breastfeeding education and skilled lactation support into the
COVID-19 pandemic response (Gribble, 2018; UNICEF,
2020)
A Leishmania secretion system for the expression of major ampullate spidroin mimics
Spider major ampullate silk fibers have been shown to display a unique combination of relatively high fracture strength and toughness compared to other fibers and show potential for tissue engineering scaffolds. While it is not possible to mass produce native spider silks, the potential ability to produce fibers from recombinant spider silk fibers could allow for an increased innovation rate within tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this pilot study, we improved upon a prior fabrication route by both changing the expression host and additives to the fiber pulling precursor solution to improve the performance of fibers. The new expression host for producing spidroin protein mimics, protozoan parasite Leishmania tarentolae, has numerous advantages including a relatively low cost of culture, rapid growth rate and a tractable secretion pathway. Tensile testing of hand pulled fibers produced from these spidroin-like proteins demonstrated that additives could significantly modify the fiber’s mechanical and/or antimicrobial properties. Cross-linking the proteins with glutaraldehyde before fiber pulling resulted in a relative increase in tensile strength and decrease in ductility. The addition of ampicillin into the spinning solution resulted in the fibers being able to inhibit bacterial growth
Virulence Potential of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated From Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A new paradigm
OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to assess the virulence potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from diabetic foot ulcers and to discriminate noninfected from infected ulcers
Shopping for Ecological Indices? On the Use of Incidence-Based Species Compositional Similarity Measures
β-diversity has been under continuous debate, with a current need to better understand the way in which a new wave of measures work. We assessed the results of 12 incidence-based β-diversity indices. Our results of gradual species composition overlap between paired assemblages considering progressive differences in species richness show the following: (i) four indices (β-2, β-3, β-3.s, and βr) should be used cautiously given that results with no shared species retrieve results that could be misinterpreted; (ii) all measures conceived specifically as partitioned components of species compositional dissimilarities ought to be used as such and not as independent measures per se; (iii) the non-linear response of some indices to gradual species composition overlap should be interpreted carefully, and further analysis using their results as dependent variables should be performed cautiously; and (iv) two metrics (βsim and βsor) behave predictably and linearly to gradual species composition overlap. We encourage ecologists using measures of β-diversity to fully understand their mathematical nature and type of results under the scenario to be used in order to avoid inappropriate and misleading inferences
Shopping for Ecological Indices? On the Use of Incidence-Based Species Compositional Similarity Measures
β-diversity has been under continuous debate, with a current need to better understand the way in which a new wave of measures work. We assessed the results of 12 incidence-based β-diversity indices. Our results of gradual species composition overlap between paired assemblages considering progressive differences in species richness show the following: (i) four indices (β-2, β-3, β-3.s, and βr) should be used cautiously given that results with no shared species retrieve results that could be misinterpreted; (ii) all measures conceived specifically as partitioned components of species compositional dissimilarities ought to be used as such and not as independent measures per se; (iii) the non-linear response of some indices to gradual species composition overlap should be interpreted carefully, and further analysis using their results as dependent variables should be performed cautiously; and (iv) two metrics (βsim and βsor) behave predictably and linearly to gradual species composition overlap. We encourage ecologists using measures of β-diversity to fully understand their mathematical nature and type of results under the scenario to be used in order to avoid inappropriate and misleading inferences
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