Initial results of finger imaging using Photoacoustic Computed Tomography

We present a photoacoustic computed tomography investigation on a healthy human finger, to image blood vessels with a focus on vascularity across the interphalangeal joints. The cross-sectional images were acquired using an imager specifically developed for this purpose. The images show rich detail of the digital blood vessels with diameters between 100 $\mu$m and 1.5 mm in various orientations and at various depths. Different vascular layers in the skin including the subpapillary plexus could also be visualized. Acoustic reflections on the finger bone of photoacoustic signals from skin were visible in sequential slice images along the finger except at the location of the joint gaps. Not unexpectedly, the healthy synovial membrane at the joint gaps was not detected due to its small size and normal vascularization. Future research will concentrate on studying digits afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis to detect the inflamed synovium with its heightened vascularization, whose characteristics are potential markers for disease activity.Comment: 2 figure

Evaluation of a cheap ultrasonic stage for light source coherence function measurement, optical coherence tomography and dynamic focusing

We evaluate the performance of a cheap ultrasonic stage in setups related to optical coherence tomography. The stage was used in several configurations: (1) optical delay line in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) setup; (2) as a delay line measuring coherence function of a low coherence source (e. g. superluminescent diode) and (3) in a dynamic focusing arrangement. The results are as follows: the stage is suitable for coherence function measurement (coherence length up to 70 mu m) of the light source and dynamic focusing. We found it unsuitable for OCT due to an unstable velocity profile. Despite this, the velocity profile has a repeatable shape (4% over 1000 A-scans) and slight modifications to the stage promise wider applications

Quantifying bladder outflow obstruction in men:A comparison of four approximation methods exploiting large data samples

Introduction: A pressure flow study (PFS), part of the International Continence Society standard urodynamic test, is regarded gold standard for the classification and quantification of the urethral resistance (UR), expressed in the bladder outflow obstruction (BOO). For men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, the minimum urethral opening pressure (pmuo), found at the end of the passive urethral resistance relation is considered the relevant parameter describing BOO. However, in clinical practice, direct measurements of pmuo are easily confounded by terminal dribbling. For that reason, alternative methods were developed to derive pmuo, and thereby assess BOO using the maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) and the corresponding pressure (pdetQmax) instead. These methods were never directly compared against a large data set. With the increasing variety of treatments becoming available more precise grading of UR may become of relevance. The current study compares four well-known methods to approximate pmuo and examines the relation between pmuo and pdetQmax. Methods: In total, 1717 high-quality PFS of men referred with lower urinary tract symptoms between 2003 and 2020 without earlier lower urinary tract surgery were included. From these recordings, pmuo was calculated according to three one-parameter methods. In addition, a three-parameter method (3PM) was used, based on a fit through the lowest pressure flank of the pressure-flow plot. The estimated pmuo's were compared with a precisely assessed pmuo. A difference of &lt;10 cmH2O between an estimate and the actual pmuo was considered accurate. A comparison between the four approximation methods and the actual pmuo was visualized using a Bland–Altman plot. The differences between the actual and the estimated slope were assessed and dependency on pmuo was analyzed. Results: A total of 1717 studies were analyzed. In 55 (3.2%) PFS, 3PM analysis was impossible because all pressures after Qmax were higher than pdetQmax. The 3PM model was superior in predicting pmuo, with 75.9% of the approximations within a range of +10 or −10 cmH2O of the actual pmuo. Moreover, pmuo according to urethral resistance A (URA) and linearized passive urethral resistance relation (linPURR) appear equally reliable. Bladder outflow obstruction index (BOOI) was significantly less accurate when compared to all others. Bland–Altman analysis showed a tendency of BOOI to overestimate pmuo in men with higher grades of UR, while URA tended to underestimate pmuo in those cases. The slope between pmuo and pdetQmax-Qmax increased with larger pmuo, as opposed to the constant relation proposed within BOOI. Although significant differences were found, the clinical relevance of those differences is not known. Conclusion: Of the four methods to estimate pmuo and quantify BOO, 3PM was found the most accurate and BOOI the least accurate. As 3PM is not generally available and performance in lower quality PFS is unknown, linPURR is (for now) the most physiologically accurate.</p

The subtypes of developmental coordination disorder

Aim: To identify subtypes in a large group of children clinically diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) based on their pattern of motor, cognitive, and visual-motor abilities. Method: Standardized scores for verbal IQ, total IQ, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) balance, MABC-2 manual dexterity, MABC-2 ball skills, and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Tests of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI), Motor Coordination (Beery-MC), and Visual Perception (Beery-VP) were used. The NbClust complete procedure was used to best partition the data on 98 children (84 males, 14 females, mean [SD] age: 8 years [2 years 1 month]) into clusters. Deviation contrasts, multivariate analysis of variance, and post hoc comparisons were used to characterize the clusters. Results: Four clusters were revealed: two clusters with a broad motor skill problem, one with relatively preserved visual-motor integration and Beery-MC skills, and a second with abnormal ball skills, balance, and Beery-MC skills. A third cluster with more specific gross-motor problems, and a fourth with relatively preserved ball skills but low Beery-MC and performance IQ, were identified. Balance scores were 'at risk' or 'abnormal' in all four clusters. Interpretation: DCD is a heterogeneous condition. However, subtypes can be discriminated on the basis of more severe difficulties in fine-motor performance, gross-motor performance, or both. There was evidence for generalized motor impairments in around half of all children. Importantly, at least borderline level reduced balance was evident in each subtype. What this paper adds: Four subtypes were identified in a large clinical group of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Subtypes were based on motor, cognitive, and visual-motor abilities. There was evidence of generalized motor impairments in around 50% of children with DCD. A generalized balance problem is present across all subtypes of DCD

Ample evidence for fish sentience and pain

The majority of commentaries are supportive of our position on the scepticism that muddies the waters surrounding fish pain and sentience. There is substantial empirical evidence for pain in fish. Animals’ experience of pain cannot be compared to artificial intelligence (AI) because AI can only mimic responses to nociceptive input on the basis of human observations and programming. Accepting that fish are sentient would not be detrimental to the industries reliant on fish. A more proactive discussion between scientists and stakeholders is needed to improve fish welfare for the benefit of all

Fish sentience denial: Muddying the waters

Recent empirical studies have reported evidence that many aquatic species, including fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, have the capacity for nociception and pain, and that their welfare should be taken into consideration. Some sceptics, rejecting the precautionary principle, have denied that any study demonstrates pain or other aspects of sentience in fish. This target article discusses some of the scientific shortcomings of these critiques through a detailed analysis of a study exploring nociception and analgesia in larval zebrafish

Differential In Vitro Immortalization Capacity of Eleven, Probable High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types

Epidemiological studies identified 12 high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types and 8 probable/possible hrHPV types that display different cancer risks. Functional studies on transforming properties of hrHPV are mainly limited to HPV16 and -18, which induce immortalization of human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) by successive bypass of two proliferative life span barriers, senescence and crisis. Here, we systematically compared the in vitro immortalization capacities, as well as influences on p53, pRb, hTERT, growth behavior, and differentiation capacity, of nine hrHPV types (HPV16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -45, -51, -52, and -59), and two probable hrHPV types (HPV66 and -70). By retroviral transduction, the respective E6/E7 coding sequences were expressed in HFKs from two or three independent donors. Reduced p53 levels and low-level hTERT expression in early-passage cells, as seen in HPV16-, -31-, -33-, and -35-, and to a lesser extent HPV18-transduced HFKs, was associated with continuous growth and an increased immortalization capacity. Less frequent immortalization by HPV45 and -51 and immortalization by HPV66 and -70 was preceded by an intervening period of strongly reduced growth (crisis) without prior increase in hTERT expression. Immortalization by HPV59 was also preceded by a period crisis, despite the onset of low hTERT expression at early passage. HPV52 triggered an extended life span but failed to induce immortality. Variations in p53 and pRb levels were not correlated with differences in alternative E6/E7 mRNA splicing in all hrHPV-transduced HFKs. On collagen rafts, transductants showed disturbed differentiation reminiscent of precancerous lesions. In conclusion, in vitro oncogenic capacities differ between the established hrHPV types, and both some established and probable hrHPV types display weak or moderate immortalization potential

Effects of suramin on hormone release by cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

Abstract Suramin is a polyanionic compound which has been used in the treatment of trypanosomiasis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), while preliminary success h

Comparison of contact patterns relevant for transmission of respiratory pathogens in Thailand and the Netherlands using respondent-driven sampling

Understanding infection dynamics of respiratory diseases requires the identification and quantification of behavioural, social and environmental factors that permit the transmission of these infections between humans. Little empirical information is available about contact patterns within real-world social networks, let alone on differences in these contact networks between populations that differ considerably on a socio-cultural level. Here we compared contact network data that were collected in the Netherlands and Thailand using a similar online respondent-driven method. By asking participants to recruit contact persons we studied network links relevant for the transmission of respiratory infections. We studied correlations between recruiter and recruited contacts to investigate mixing patterns in the observed social network components. In both countries, mixing patterns were assortative by demographic variables and random by total numbers of contacts. However, in Thailand participants reported overall more contacts which resulted in higher effective contact rates. Our findings provide new insights on numbers of contacts and mixing patterns in two different populations. These data could be used to improve parameterisation of mathematical models used to design control strategies. Although the spread of infections through populations depends on more factors, found similarities suggest that spread may be similar in the Netherlands and Thailand