An emerging method to noninvasively measure and identify vagal response markers to enable bioelectronic control of gastroparesis symptoms with gastric electrical stimulation

Background: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) can be a life-changing, device-based treatment option for drug-resistant nausea and vomiting associated with diabetic or idiopathic gastroparesis (GP). Despite over two decades of clinical use, the mechanism of action remains unclear. We hypothesize a vagal mechanism. New method: Here, we describe a noninvasive method to investigate vagal nerve involvement in GES therapy in 66 human subjects through the compound nerve action potential (CNAP). Results: Of the 66 subjects, 28 had diabetic GP, 35 had idiopathic GP, and 3 had postsurgical GP. Stimulus charge per pulse did not predict treatment efficacy, but did predict a significant increase in total symptom score in type 1 diabetics as GES stimulus charge per pulse increased (p < 0.01), representing a notable side effect and providing a method to identify it. In contrast, the number of significant left and right vagal fiber responses that were recorded directly related to patient symptom improvement. Increased vagal responses correlated with significant decreases in total symptom score (p < 0.05). Comparison with existing method(s): We have developed transcutaneous recording of cervical vagal activity that is synchronized with GES in conscious human subjects, along with methods of discriminating the activity of different nerve fiber groups with respect to conduction speed and treatment response. Conclusions: Cutaneous vagal CNAP analysis is a useful technique to unmask relationships among GES parameters, vagal recruitment, efficacy and side-effect management. Our results suggest that CNAP-guided GES optimization will provide the most benefit to patients with idiopathic and type 1 diabetic gastroparesis

The concept of "compartment allergy": prilocaine injected into different skin layers

We herein present a patient with delayed-type allergic hypersensitivity against prilocaine leading to spreading eczematous dermatitis after subcutaneous injections for local anesthesia with prilocaine. Prilocaine allergy was proven by positive skin testing and subcutaneous provocation, whereas the evaluation of other local anesthetics - among them lidocaine, articaine and mepivacaine - did not exhibit any evidence for cross-reactivity

Data-analysis strategies for image-based cell profiling

Image-based cell profiling is a high-throughput strategy for the quantification of phenotypic differences among a variety of cell populations. It paves the way to studying biological systems on a large scale by using chemical and genetic perturbations. The general workflow for this technology involves image acquisition with high-throughput microscopy systems and subsequent image processing and analysis. Here, we introduce the steps required to create high-quality image-based (i.e., morphological) profiles from a collection of microscopy images. We recommend techniques that have proven useful in each stage of the data analysis process, on the basis of the experience of 20 laboratories worldwide that are refining their image-based cell-profiling methodologies in pursuit of biological discovery. The recommended techniques cover alternatives that may suit various biological goals, experimental designs, and laboratories' preferences.Peer reviewe

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (second edition)

These guidelines are a consensus work of a considerable number of members of the immunology and flow cytometry community. They provide the theory and key practical aspects of flow cytometry enabling immunologists to avoid the common errors that often undermine immunological data. Notably, there are comprehensive sections of all major immune cell types with helpful Tables detailing phenotypes in murine and human cells. The latest flow cytometry techniques and applications are also described, featuring examples of the data that can be generated and, importantly, how the data can be analysed. Furthermore, there are sections detailing tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid, all written and peer-reviewed by leading experts in the field, making this an essential research companion

Classification of Arcobacter species using variational autoencoders

Arcobacter (formerly classified as Campylobacter spp.) are curved-to helical, Gram-negative, aerobic/microaerobic bacteria increasingly recognized as human and animal pathogens. In collaboration with Lincoln and Purdue University, we report the first experimental result of laser-based classification method of bacterial colonies of these species. This technology is based on elastic light scatter (ELS) phenomena where incident laser interacts with the whole volume of the colony and generates a unique fingerprint laser pattern. Here we report a novel development and application of deep learning algorithm to classify the scatter patterns of Arcobacter species using variational autoencoders (VAE). VAE creates set of normal distributions. Each of these distributions are responsible for certain properties of the original images. We used VAE to identify features in the features space for several hundred images which includes size of the colony based on scatter size, intensity of the image, and, the number of rings within the image, and so on. Thus each sample within our image database can be coded with sets of features that facilitates fast preliminary search for similar images allowing clustering of similar patterns in feature space. In addition, such initial selection could assist in identifying non-bacterial scatter patterns (i.e. bubbles or dust spots in the agar), or doublets where two colonies are overlapping during the acquisition time thus removing non-biological artifacts prior to analysis. An interesting result was that while VAE created far more realistic synthetic images closer to the original image, a simple autonencoder resulted in better cluster separation

Morphological, molecular, and histopathological studies on Hadjelia truncata from Columba livia domestica and its role as an environmental biological indicator

Pigeons are a cosmopolitan group of birds with abundant and large populations associated with human activities. This study focused on determining parasitic infections within domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Forty-eight pigeons were examined for infections, of which 29.16% were infected with a nematode parasite, identified as Hadjelia truncata (Habronematidae), under the koilin layer of their gizzards. The population of nematodes in infected gizzards did not exceed 20 adult worms. DNA from the gizzard worms was extracted and subjected to PCR using primers that amplify the partial 18S rDNA and cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COX I) regions. Identification of this parasite based on microscopic study revealed the presence of trilobed lips with cephalic papillae and amphidial pores, as well as other characteristic features. In males, spicules were unequal with the presence of six pedunculated pairs of caudal papillae (4 pre- and 2 post-anal) and a tail surrounded with caudal ala. In females, the vulva was a rounded aperture located in front of the posterior end of the esophagus and uteri, which was filled with numerous embryonated eggs. DNA Sequences from partial 18S rDNA were homologous to sequences obtained from H. truncata in GenBank with a high percentage of identity. DNA sequences from mitochondrial gene COX I, however, were unique, and they were the first sequenced for H. truncata, since no sequences for this taxon were previously available in GenBank. Histopathological examination revealed enlargement of infected gizzards in comparison to non-infected ones, with the presence of necrosis and interstitial infiltration in the koilin layer. Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co) were measured using inductivity-coupled plasma in tissues (liver, muscles, and gizzards) from infected and non-infected pigeons as well as their parasites. Results showed different affinities of metals to tissues. Recovered parasites can minimize element concentration from their pigeon tissues. In Saudi Arabia, this study was considered the first report identifying pigeon nematodes and evaluating of the effects of their pathogenicity on the animals’ welfare, as well as their application as a useful tool for monitoring environmental pollution

Proc. SPIE Volume 5694- Spectral Imaging: Instrumentation, Applications, and Analysis III (2005) AOTF-based system for image cytometry

This paper describes a simple, inexpensive multispectral imaging system for image cytometry applications. The system is based on an acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF), a monochrome CCD camera, and a research-grade fluorescence microscope. The selected TeO2 AOTF has a 10x10 mm 2 entrance aperture and operates within the spectral range of 447–750 nm. The bandpass of the filter varies between 1.4 nm at 450 nm and 5.1 nm at 690 nm. The control software works within the environment of a popular image-acquisition and-processing package Image Pro-Plus, making this system easy to integrate with many existing fluorescence microscopes and cameras. Since image-cytometry applications do not require very high spatial resolution, AOTF-based systems may become an interesting alternative to more complex and expensive LCTF or pushbroom methods

TheRoyal Microscopical Society Journal of Microscopy, Vol. 210, Pt 2May 2003, pp. 158--165

this report, we demonstrate a new algorithm designed to extract quantitative structural information about individual collagen fibres (orientation, length and diameter) from 3D backscattered-light confocal images of collagen gels. The computed quantitative data allowed us to create surface-rendered 3Dimages of the investigated sampl