Computational cytometer based on magnetically modulated coherent imaging and deep learning.

Detecting rare cells within blood has numerous applications in disease diagnostics. Existing rare cell detection techniques are typically hindered by their high cost and low throughput. Here, we present a computational cytometer based on magnetically modulated lensless speckle imaging, which introduces oscillatory motion to the magnetic-bead-conjugated rare cells of interest through a periodic magnetic force and uses lensless time-resolved holographic speckle imaging to rapidly detect the target cells in three dimensions (3D). In addition to using cell-specific antibodies to magnetically label target cells, detection specificity is further enhanced through a deep-learning-based classifier that is based on a densely connected pseudo-3D convolutional neural network (P3D CNN), which automatically detects rare cells of interest based on their spatio-temporal features under a controlled magnetic force. To demonstrate the performance of this technique, we built a high-throughput, compact and cost-effective prototype for detecting MCF7 cancer cells spiked in whole blood samples. Through serial dilution experiments, we quantified the limit of detection (LoD) as 10 cells per millilitre of whole blood, which could be further improved through multiplexing parallel imaging channels within the same instrument. This compact, cost-effective and high-throughput computational cytometer can potentially be used for rare cell detection and quantification in bodily fluids for a variety of biomedical applications

Producer profiles, production characteristics and mastitis control applications at dairy herds in Konya, Burdur and Kirklareli provinces, Turkey

In order to investigate the producer & production characteristics and disease control applications at Turkish dairy herds, an interview survey was carried out in randomly selected 91 dairy herds out of 1684 Turkish Dairy Breeding Association herds in Burdur, Kirklareli and Konya provinces in July 2004. The study depicted that percentages of producers having education level higher than primary school, and not having any job training relate to dairy farming were 21% and 79% respectively. The majority of the producers did not follow innovations (46%) and, was not aware of somatic cell counts and subclinical mastitis (93-97%), and the European Union's regulations related to dairy farming (76%). Amongst the producers interviewed, 13% used antiseptic when cleaning udder and 37% dried udder after washing. The percentage of producers using post milking teat dip, dry cow therapy, vaccination against mastitis, California Mastitis Test (CMT), and regularly keeping records for clinical cases were 18%, 62%, 29%, 15% and 20% respectively. The findings differed amongst the provinces and between the herd sizes. For majority of the questions the differences amongst the provinces were found to be significant at p<0.05. However, the statistical associations between the herd size were not statistically significant at, p<0.05. The study concluded that the producers in general, applied well-known methods for treatment and control of mastitis, but had lack in knowledge related to basic rules of hygiene applications and disease preventions. These problems are likely to have strong links with the level of formal education and job training of the producers. These findings emphasise that improvements in education and job training of the dairy farmers are as important as the efforts to improve farm size during the process of Turkey's integration to the European Union

Financial losses due to lameness in dairy herds in Burdur, Kirklareli and Konya Provinces Turkey

The objective of the study was to estimate the lameness induced total and avoidable financial losses in modern dairy herds. For this purpose, a prospective longitudinal observation study was carried out in 87 randomly selected dairy herds from 1684 Turkish Dairy Breeding Association (TDBA) herds in Burdur, Konya and Kirklareli provinces between October 2003 and September 2004. The incidence rate of lameness in Burdur, Kirklareli and Konya provinces and weighted average of all were 13.7%; 13.4%, 5.6% and 10.2% respectively. The target incidence rate was calculated to be 6.6%. Financial losses from each cases of lameness were estimated as 271TL/case for mild cases (interdigital dermatitis), 343TL/case for intermediate cases (digital diseases), 509TL/case for the severe cases (sole ulcer) and 382TL/case for the weighted mean of all the disease forms. The mean financial loss for the average dairy enterprise was estimated to be 865TL of which 589TL (68%) was the avoidable losses. The study concluded that lameness causes severe financial losses in dairy herds. However, majority of these losses can be avoided by the dairy farmers

Incidence of Endemic Diseases in Dairy Herds in Burdur, Konya, and Kirklareli Provinces in Turkey

A prospective longitudinal observation study was carried out with 150 randomly selected dairy herds from among 1684 Turkish Dairy Breeding Association (TDBA) herds in Burdur, Konya, and Kirklareli provinces. The herds were stratified as small scale (less than 11 milking cows) and medium-large scale ( more than 10 milking cows). The survey was conducted between October 2003 and September 2004, and each herd was visited at least once per month. As the weighted average of 3 provinces, the most frequent events were fertility disorders (30.2%) and udder diseases (28.3%), followed by puerperal disorders (18.3%) and locomotor system disorders (10.0%). There was, however, wide variation in the incidence rates of several diseases between the provinces, and the differences in the incidence rates of most of the disease categories between the provinces were statistically significant at P < 0.05. Incidence rates for diseases in all disease categories were higher in small-scale herds than in medium-large scale herds; however, the differences in the incidence rates of metabolic and locomotor system disorders between herd sizes were not statistically significant at P < 0.05

Relationship between theoretically calculated lumo energies and cathodic peak potentials of some 2-benzylbenzoxazole derivatives

Cathodic peak potentials of various bioactive 2-benzylbenzoxazole derivatives were measured by cyclicvoltammetry and correlated with the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital calculated at the level of Extended Huckel molecular orbital theory

Major biological activities and protein profiles of skin secretions of Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus ivanbureschi

WOS: 000450015000005Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the total protein amounts, protein profiles, in vitro cytotoxicities, antimicrobial activities and hemolytic effects of skin secretions of the Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus ivanbureschi. Methods: Skin secretions were obtained, clarified, supernatants snap-frozen then lyophilized. Total protein amounts were determined by BCA assay kit. Protein profiles were revealed by the SDS-PAGE. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity were determined by using MTT assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Hemolytic effects were measured on rabbit red blood cells. Results: Lissotriton vulgaris and T. ivanbureschi skin secretions have totally 18 and 20 protein fractions. IC50 values were detected between 1.40 and 40.28 mu g/mL. The MIC results were found between 7.8 and 250 mu g/mL. Lissotriton vulgaris skin secretion showed low hemolytic effect while T. ivanbureschi skin secretion showed high hemolytic effect. Conclusion: This study is the first report showing the potential of L. vulgaris and T. ivanbureschi skin secretions for cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and hemolytic activity as an alternative therapeutic approach for traditional uses. Further studies need to focus on purification of the active components from these skin secretions and mode of action on cancer cell lines and microorganisms as anti-agents.Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114Z599, 10.13039/501100004410]; Ege University Scientific Research Project CommissionEge University [2015-FEN-004]This work was partly supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under Grant 114Z599 (Funder Id: 10.13039/501100004410) and Ege University Scientific Research Project Commission (Project no: 2015-FEN-004). We would like to express our gratitude to AREL (Research and Education Laboratory, Ege University School of Medicine) for their support laboratory facilities during the study

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CATHODIC PEAK POTENTIALS AND THEORETICALLY CALCULATED LUMO ENERGIES OF SOME 2-PHENYL BENZOXAZOLE DERIVATIVES

Cathodic peak potentials (E(p,c)) of twentyseven microbiologically active 2-phenyl-benzoxazole derivatives containing both electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on benzoxazole kernel and on phenyl moiety were measured by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile. The E(p,c) values were in the range of -2.8 V to -3.10 V except for those compounds which contained -NO2 substituent at position-5. Those benzoxazole derivatives possessing a NO2 group all had substantially lower reduction peak potentials, ranging from -1.60 to -1.80 V versus Ag-degrees/Ag+. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies of these molecules were calculated by adopting the Huckel molecular orbital (HMO) approach. A linear relationship was found to be existing between the measured E(p,c) values and the calculated LUMO energies

A Rare Case: Sporadic Bladder Paraganglioma

Paraganglioma is a rare tumor which originates from paraganglia tissue from neural crest. Bladder paraganglioma is suggested to be from crommaffin cells by the remains of the embryological cells. In this report, we aimed to discuss the literature by a case of bladder paraganglioma. A 39 year old male applied to our clinic with gross hematuria. A 2x2 cm mass was revealed in urinary ultrasound. Paraganglioma was found in the resection specimen and partial cystectomy was performed to the patient. A six month follow up revealed no recurrences. Even though bladder paraganglioma is a rare disease, it should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(4.000): 794-799