Giant cell arteritis presenting as scalp necrosis

The differential of scalp ulceration in older patients should include several causes, such as herpes zoster, irritant contact dermatitis, ulcerated skin tumors, postirradiation ulcers, microbial infections, pyoderma gangrenosum, and giant cell arteritis. Scalp necrosis associated with giant cell arteritis was first described in the 1940s. The presence of this dermatological sign within giant cell arteritis represents a severity marker of this disease, with a higher mean age at diagnosis, an elevated risk of vision loss and tongue gangrene, as well as overall higher mortality rates, in comparison to patients not presenting this manifestation. Even though scalp necrosis due to giant cell arteritis is exceptional, a high level of suspicion must be held for this clinical finding, in order to initiate prompt and proper treatment and avoid blindness

Design of an Annular Linear Induction Pump for Nuclear Space Applications

Abstract. The United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology is supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in evaluating space mission power, propulsion systems and technologies to support the implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). NASA will need increased power for propulsion and for surface power applications to support both robotic and human space exploration missions. As part of the Fission Surface Power Technology Project for the development of nuclear reactor technologies for multi-mission spacecrafts, an Annular Linear Induction Pump, a type of Electromagnetic Pump for liquid metals, able to operate in space has to be designed. Results of such design work are described as well as the fundamental ideas behind the development of an optimized design methodology. This project, which is a collaboration between Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), involves the use of theoretical, computational and experimental tools for multi-physics analysis as well as advanced engineering design methods and techniques

ThicknessTool: automated ImageJ retinal layer thickness and profile in digital images

To develop an automated retina layer thickness measurement tool for the ImageJ platform, to quantitate nuclear layers following the retina contour. We developed the ThicknessTool (TT), an automated thickness measurement plugin for the ImageJ platform. To calibrate TT, we created a calibration dataset of mock binary skeletonized mask images with increasing thickness masks and different rotations. Following, we created a training dataset and performed an agreement analysis of thickness measurements between TT and two masked manual observers. Finally, we tested the performance of TT measurements in a validation dataset of retinal detachment images. In the calibration dataset, there were no differences in layer thickness between measured and known thickness masks, with an overall coefficient of variation of 0.00%. Training dataset measurements of immunofluorescence retina nuclear layers disclosed no significant differences between TT and any observer's average outer nuclear layer (ONL) (p = 0.998), inner nuclear layer (INL) (p = 0.807), and ONL/INL ratio (p = 0.944) measurements. Agreement analysis showed that bias between TT vs. observers' mean was lower than between any observers' mean against each other in the ONL (0.77 ± 0.34 µm vs 3.25 ± 0.33 µm) and INL (1.59 ± 0.28 µm vs 2.82 ± 0.36 µm). Validation dataset showed that TT can detect significant and true ONL thinning (p = 0.006), more sensitive than manual measurement capabilities (p = 0.069). ThicknessTool can measure retina nuclear layers thickness in a fast, accurate, and precise manner with multi-platform capabilities. In addition, the TT can be customized to user preferences and is freely available to download

Issues with the Specificity of Immunological Reagents for NLRP3: Implications for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Contradictory data have been presented regarding the implication of the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in the Western world. Recognizing that antibody specificity may explain this discrepancy and in line with recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines requiring authentication of key biological resources, the specificity of anti-NLRP3 antibodies was assessed to elucidate whether non-immune RPE cells express NLRP3. Using validated resources, NLRP3 was not detected in human primary or human established RPE cell lines under multiple inflammasome-priming conditions, including purported NLRP3 stimuli in RPE such as DICER1 deletion and Alu RNA transfection. Furthermore, NLRP3 was below detection limits in ex vivo macular RPE from AMD patients, as well as in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE from patients with overactive NLRP3 syndrome (Chronic infantile neurologic cutaneous and articulate, CINCA syndrome). Evidence presented in this study provides new data regarding the interpretation of published results reporting NLRP3 expression and upregulation in RPE and addresses the role that this inflammasome plays in AMD pathogenesis

Mathematical and Computational Initiatives from the University of Buenos Aires to Contribute to Decision-Making in the Context of COVID-19 in Argentina. REVIEW

With the arrival of the pandemic in Argentina in March 2020, a working group of scientists from two institutes belonging to the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires and CONICET, together with colleagues from different academic institutions in the country, decided to put forth our experience and knowledge in data science and associated disciplines, towards helping with decision-making in the context of COVID-19. Data analysis within Argentina and other countries, scenario simulation, as well as rapid response projects- mainly in the province of Buenos Aires- were all within the scope of our aim. This review article outlines some of the activities carried out by our team throughout these pandemic months.publishedVersionFil: Arrar, Mehrnoosh. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Arrar, Mehrnoosh. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina.Fil: Arrar, Mehrnoosh. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Belloli, Laouen Mayal Louan. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales.; Argentina.Fil: Belloli, Laouen Mayal Louan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina.Fil: Belloli, Laouen Mayal Louan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Bianco, Ana María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Bianco, Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Bianco, Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina.Fil: Boechi, Leonardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Boechi, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Boechi, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina.Fil: Castro, Rodrigo Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Castro, Rodrigo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Castro, Rodrigo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Duran, Guillermo Alfredo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Calculo; Argentina.Fil: Duran, Guillermo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Duran, Guillermo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Cálculo; Argentina.Fil: Etchenique, Roberto Argentino. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Etchenique, Roberto Argentino. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina.Fil: Fernández, Natalia Brenda. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Fernández, Natalia Brenda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional; Argentina.Fil: Ferrer, Luciana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Ferrer, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Garbervetsky, Diego David. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Garbervetsky, Diego David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Goldsmit, Rodrigo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Grillo, Carolina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Kamienkowsk, Juan E. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Kamienkowsk, Juan E. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Laciana, Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Laciana, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Lanzarotti, Esteban. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Lanzarotti, Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Lozano, Mario Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina.Fil: Lozano, Mario Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Maidana, Rodrigo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. esFil: Mendiluce, Mauricio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Minoldo, Sol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina.Fil: Pepino, Leonardo Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Pepino, Leonardo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Pecker Marcosig, Ezequiel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Pecker Marcosig, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Puerta, Ezequiel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Puerta, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina.Fil: Quiroga, Rodrigo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina.Fil: Quiroga, Rodrigo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Solovey, Guillermo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Solovey, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Calculo; Argentina.Fil: Valdora, Marina Silvia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Valdora, Marina Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Calculo; Argentina.Fil: Zapatero, Mariano. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Zapatero, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación; Argentina

26th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2017): Part 3 - Meeting Abstracts - Antwerp, Belgium. 15–20 July 2017

This work was produced as part of the activities of FAPESP Research,\ud Disseminations and Innovation Center for Neuromathematics (grant\ud 2013/07699-0, S. Paulo Research Foundation). NLK is supported by a\ud FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship (grant 2016/03855-5). ACR is partially\ud supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Ocular Delivery of Therapeutic Agents by Cell-Penetrating Peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides with the ability to translocate through the cell membrane to facilitate their cellular uptake. CPPs can be used as drug-delivery systems for molecules that are difficult to uptake. Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the structural and physiological complexity of the eye. CPPs may be tailored to overcome this challenge, facilitating cellular uptake and delivery to the targeted area. Retinal diseases occur at the posterior pole of the eye; thus, intravitreal injections are needed to deliver drugs at an effective concentration in situ. However, frequent injections have risks of causing vision-threatening complications. Recent investigations have focused on developing long-acting drugs and drug delivery systems to reduce the frequency of injections. In fact, conjugation with CPP could deliver FDA-approved drugs to the back of the eye, as seen by topical application in animal models. This review summarizes recent advances in CPPs, protein/peptide-based drugs for eye diseases, and the use of CPPs for drug delivery based on systematic searches in PubMed and clinical trials. We highlight targeted therapies and explore the potential of CPPs and peptide-based drugs for eye diseases

Giant cell arteritis presenting as scalp necrosis

The differential of scalp ulceration in older patients should include several causes, such as herpes zoster, irritant contact dermatitis, ulcerated skin tumors, postirradiation ulcers, microbial infections, pyoderma gangrenosum, and giant cell arteritis. Scalp necrosis associated with giant cell arteritis was first described in the 1940s. The presence of this dermatological sign within giant cell arteritis represents a severity marker of this disease, with a higher mean age at diagnosis, an elevated risk of vision loss and tongue gangrene, as well as overall higher mortality rates, in comparison to patients not presenting this manifestation. Even though scalp necrosis due to giant cell arteritis is exceptional, a high level of suspicion must be held for this clinical finding, in order to initiate prompt and proper treatment and avoid blindness

Giant cell arteritis presenting as scalp necrosis

The differential of scalp ulceration in older patients should include several causes, such as herpes zoster, irritant contact dermatitis, ulcerated skin tumors, postirradiation ulcers, microbial infections, pyoderma gangrenosum, and giant cell arteritis. Scalp necrosis associated with giant cell arteritis was first described in the 1940s. The presence of this dermatological sign within giant cell arteritis represents a severity marker of this disease, with a higher mean age at diagnosis, an elevated risk of vision loss and tongue gangrene, as well as overall higher mortality rates, in comparison to patients not presenting this manifestation. Even though scalp necrosis due to giant cell arteritis is exceptional, a high level of suspicion must be held for this clinical finding, in order to initiate prompt and proper treatment and avoid blindness

AICAR suppresses TNF-α-induced complement factor B in RPE cells

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Although its precise cause remains elusive, dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and dysregulation of complement have been implicated in its pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of an AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induction of complement factor B (CFB) in RPE cells. We found that AICAR inhibited TNF-α-induced CFB expression in ARPE-19 and human primary RPE cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Treatment of cells with dipyridamole, which blocks AICAR cellular uptake abolished these effects. In contrast, the adenosine kinase inhibitor, 5-iodotubericidin, which inhibits the conversion of AICAR to the direct activator of AMPK, ZMP, did not reverse the effects on TNF-α-induced CFB expression, suggesting AMPK-independent effects. Indeed, knockout of AMPK in RPE cells using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 did not abolish the inhibitory effects of AICAR on RPE CFB expression. Collectively, our results suggest that AICAR can suppress TNF-α-induced CFB expression in RPE cells in an AMPK-independent mechanism, and could be used as a therapeutic target in certain complement over-activation scenarios