julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Enabling Multiphoton and Second Harmonic Generation Imaging in Paraffin-Embedded and Histologically Stained Sections
2016-03-28

Nonlinear microscopy, namely multiphoton imaging and second harmonic generation (SHG), is an established noninvasive technique useful for the imaging of extracellular matrix (ECM). Typically, measurements are performed in vivo on freshly excised tissues or biopsies. In this article, we describe the effect of rehydrating paraffin-embedded sections on multiphoton and SHG emission signals and the acquisition of nonlinear images from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections before and after a destaining protocol. Our results reveal that bringing tissue sections to a physiological state yields a significant improvement in nonlinear signals, particularly in SHG. Additionally, the destaining of sections previously processed with H&E staining significantly improves their SHG emission signals during imaging, thereby allowing sufficient analysis of collagen in these sections. These results are important for researchers and pathologists to obtain additional information from paraffin-embedded tissues and archived samples to perform retrospective analysis of the ECM or gain additional information from rare samples.
MP34-08 LIMITATION OF NEEDLE DEVIATION DURING TRIANGULATED PERCUTANEOUS RENAL ACCESS: INITIAL EXPERIENCE WITH A NOVEL SIMPLE DEVICE
2016-03-28

You have accessJournal of UrologySurgical Technology & Simulation: Instrumentation & Technology III1 Apr 2016MP34-08 LIMITATION OF NEEDLE DEVIATION DURING TRIANGULATED PERCUTANEOUS RENAL ACCESS: INITIAL EXPERIENCE WITH A NOVEL SIMPLE DEVICE Ahmad Tawfik, Usama El-ashry, Yasser Farahat, and Mohamed Abo El-enen Ahmad TawfikAhmad Tawfik More articles by this author , Usama El-ashryUsama El-ashry More articles by this author , Yasser FarahatYasser Farahat More articles by this author , and Mohamed Abo El-enenMohamed Abo El-enen More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.02.1566AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES For triangulated percutaneous renal access (PRA), non-intended mediolateral deviation of Chiba needle is common under oblique fluoroscopy. We aimed to limit this deviation after proper alignment with target calyx (vertical fluoroscopy), providing only one needle-movement plane (cephalocaudal; under oblique fluoroscopy). METHODS •Device consists of radiolucent cylinder (12x2cm). Starting from edge 2 longitudinally placed opposing and parallel 6cm radiopaque lines (ROLs) are placed over the cylinder wall. In line with the ROLs, a longitudinal tunnel (6x0.2cm) and an opposite hole allowing Chiba needle passes diagonally from the tunnel exiting from the hole. During PRA, the tunnel is aligned with target calyx (under vertical fluoroscopy where the two ROLs are placed over each other i.e appear as one line pointing to the desired calyx), cylinder is fixed to patients’ back by silk-sutures (the needle freely moves only within the tunnel cephalocaudally, fixation of cylinder will prevent needle’s meidolateral drifts, while the hole acts as fulcrum) and the puncture is monitored simply under oblique fluoroscopy (for angle/depth) •Study design: four junior urologists (still on mentored practice training) did both 20 non-device assisted and 20 device assisted PRA. The fluoroscopic time (FT) required getting inside the calyx, number of needle re-adjustment trials (NRATs) and access-related complications were monitored. RESULTS Mean FT and median NRATs decreased after device-assistance (47±10.7seconds and 0 trials) in comparison to 76.2±14.7seconds and 4 trials without device-assistance (p<0.05). PRA-failures (taken-over by mentors) were 5% and 25% with and without device-assistance. CONCLUSIONS For junior urologists, current device stabilized the needle during triangulated PRA allowing minimal or no unintended mediolateral deviation during targeting the desired calyx. © 2016FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 195Issue 4SApril 2016Page: e474 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2016MetricsAuthor Information Ahmad Tawfik More articles by this author Usama El-ashry More articles by this author Yasser Farahat More articles by this author Mohamed Abo El-enen More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...
Relativistic tidal effects in nonstandard Kerr spacetime
2016-03-29

Astrophysical phenomena involving massive black holes (BHs) in close binaries\\nare expected to leave detectable signatures in the electromagnetic and\\ngravitational-wave spectrum. Such imprints may provide precious information to\\nprobe the space-time around rotating BHs and to reveal new insights on the\\nnature of gravity in the strong-field regime. To support this observational\\nwindow, it is crucial to develop suitable tests to verify the predictions of\\nGeneral Relativity. In this framework, the metric recently proposed by\\nJohannsen and Psaltis parametrizes strong-field deviations from a Kerr\\nspace-time in a theory-independent way. In the following, we make use of this\\napproach to describe the tidal field produced by spinning BHs. We compute the\\ngravito-magnetic and gravito-electric tidal tensors for particles moving on\\nequatorial circular geodesics, comparing our results with those obtained in the\\nstandard General Relativity scenario. Our calculations show significant\\ndifferences even for distances far form the last stable orbit, which may affect\\nthe evolution of the binary and leave detectable signatures. We test our\\nframework computing quasiequilibrium sequences of BH-white dwarf systems by\\nmeans of the affine model, for different binary configurations.\\n
Measuring skin penetration by confocal Raman microscopy (CRM): correlation to results from conventional experiments
2016-03-29

Confocal Raman microscopy has become an advancing technique in the characterization of drug transport into the skin. In this study the skin penetration of a local anesthetic from a semisolid preparation was investigated. Furthermore, the effect of the chemical enhancers propylene glycol and POE-23-lauryl ether on its penetration was investigated. The results show that confocal Raman microscopy may provide detailed information on the penetration of APIs into the skin and may elucidate their distribution within the skin with high resolution. The results of the CRM analysis are fully in line with those of conventional permeation and penetration experiments.
Typhoid fever surveillance in africa program (TSAP): Constructing a geospatial sampling frame for random sampling of households
2016-03-29

Background: Household sampling is used for cost-efficient, in-depth population-based investigations, including the assessment of healthcare utilization. Probability sampling requires a comprehensive sampling frame (household list), which did not exist at sites of the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP) in Pikine/Senegal, Pietermaritzburg/South Africa, and Wad Medani/Sudan. Here we describe the methodology of constructing a geospatial sampling frame. Methods & Materials: Sites were diverse in population size, population density, area size, and administratively-identified subareas. They varied in topography, vegetation, and composition of formal/informal settlements and single-/multi-story structures. We used high-resolution GoogleEarthPro® satellite imageries for manually enumerating (pinpointing) structures to construct a sampling frame at each site. Hand-held satellite maps and global positioning system (GPS) devices were utilized by interviewers for rapidly, precisely locating structures (households); structures were selected randomly and weighted proportional to the population size of each subarea (weighted-stratified sampling). The methodology was evaluated for accuracy by calculating ranges and quartiles of distances between GPS coordinates of original (as per sampling frame) and enrolled structures. Results: A total of 46510, 63008, and 32794 structures were enumerated at sites in Senegal, South Africa, and Sudan, respectively. The fabrication of satellite maps, including the selection and pictorialization of structures, took approximately two to three weeks by site. We found that 87% (517/592), 56% (1,098/1,963) and 86% (471/549) of distances were <2.5 meters at the site in Senegal, South Africa, and Sudan, respectively. Calculations revealed furthermore that 59% of distances in rural, 57% in semi-urban and 50% in urban subareas of South Africa were <2.5 meters. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that satellite imageries are a simple, precise instrument for creating a sampling frame at certain TSAP-sites. Hand-held satellite maps and GPS devices allowed for the rapid, accurate location of selected structures. Some limitations remain. Correctly locating structures can be challenging for clustered, interlaced structures since interfering factors (obstructive/reflective structures, multi-story buildings, environmental diversity) may impact on the precision of GPS readings. Geospatial frames require constant updating, but could provide an approach for population-based investigations at probability samples of households in settings that are uncensused and lack longitudinal recording of socio-demographic and vital statistics.
Spatial–Numerical and Ordinal Positional Associations Coexist in Parallel
2016-03-30

There is evidence for a systematic association of numbers and space. A prominent finding supporting this notion is the spatial-numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect describing relatively faster responses to smaller numbers using a left-hand key and to larger numbers using a right-hand key. However, the assumption of the SNARC effect reflecting spatial-numerical associations was challenged recently. A working memory account was proposed suggesting that not numbers per se but their position in a memorized sequence is associated with space. Yet, there is also first evidence suggesting that this ordinal position and the SNARC effect may not be mutually exclusive. In the present study, we further examined the relationship between the ordinal position and the SNARC effect. We manipulated the number of items in the memorized ordered sequence and the number range employed. Results revealed both a significant ordinal position effect, but also a significant SNARC effect, substantiating the view that both effects are not mutually exclusive but may co-exist. Furthermore, we found that the SNARC effect was reduced when numbers ranging from 1 to 10 versus numbers ranging from 1 to 9 were employed. Thus, our results question a pure working memory account for the SNARC effect. Additionally, they highlight the critical role of the number range employed in research about the SNARC effect.
Oxygen availability and spreading depolarizations provide complementary prognostic information in neuromonitoring of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients
2016-03-30

Multimodal neuromonitoring in neurocritical care increasingly includes electrocorticography to measure epileptic events and spreading depolarizations. Spreading depolarization causes spreading depression of activity (=isoelectricity) in electrically active tissue. If the depression is long-lasting, further spreading depolarizations occur in still isoelectric tissue where no activity can be suppressed. Such spreading depolarizations are termed isoelectric and are assumed to indicate energy compromise. However, experimental and clinical recordings suggest that long-lasting spreading depolarization-induced depression and isoelectric spreading depolarizations are often recorded outside of the actual ischemic zones, allowing the remote diagnosis of delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here, we analyzed simultaneous electrocorticography and tissue partial pressure of oxygen recording in 33 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. Multiple regression showed that both peak total depression duration per recording day and mean baseline tissue partial pressure of oxygen were independent predictors of outcome. Moreover, tissue partial pressure of oxygen preceding spreading depolarization was similar and differences in tissue partial pressure of oxygen responses to spreading depolarization were only subtle between isoelectric spreading depolarizations and spreading depressions. This further supports that, similar to clustering of spreading depolarizations, long spreading depolarization-induced periods of isoelectricity are useful to detect energy compromise remotely, which is valuable because the exact location of future developing pathology is unknown at the time when the neurosurgeon implants recording devices.
Composite biasing in Monte Carlo radiative transfer
2016-03-30

Biasing or importance sampling is a powerful technique in Monte Carlo radiative transfer, and can be applied in different forms to increase the accuracy and efficiency of simulations. One of the drawbacks of the use of biasing is the potential introduction of large weight factors. We discuss a general strategy, composite biasing, to suppress the appearance of large weight factors. We use this composite biasing approach for two different problems faced by current state-of-the-art Monte Carlo radiative transfer codes: the generation of photon packages from multiple components, and the penetration of radiation through high optical depth barriers. In both cases, the implementation of the relevant algorithms is trivial and does not interfere with any other optimisation techniques. Through simple test models, we demonstrate the general applicability, accuracy and efficiency of the composite biasing approach. In particular, for the penetration of high optical depths, the gain in efficiency is spectacular for the specific problems that we consider: in simulations with composite path length stretching, high accuracy results are obtained even for simulations with modest numbers of photon packages, while simulations without biasing cannot reach convergence, even with a huge number of photon packages.
Detecting a Cortical Fingerprint of Parkinson's Disease for Closed-Loop Neuromodulation
2016-03-30

Recent evidence suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in Parkinson's disease (PD) mediates its clinical effects by modulating cortical oscillatory activity, presumably via a direct cortico-subthalamic connection. This observation might pave the way for novel closed-loop approaches comprising a cortical sensor. Enhanced beta oscillations (13-35 Hz) have been linked to the pathophysiology of PD and may serve as such a candidate marker to localize a cortical area reliably modulated by DBS. However, beta-oscillations are widely distributed over the cortical surface, necessitating an additional signal source for spotting the cortical area linked to the pathologically synchronized cortico-subcortical motor network. In this context, both cortico-subthalamic coherence and cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) have been studied in PD patients. Whereas, the former requires invasive recordings, the latter allows for non-invasive detection, but displays a rather distributed cortical synchronization pattern in motor tasks. This distributed cortical representation may conflict with the goal of detecting a cortical localization with robust biomarker properties which is detectable on a single subject basis. We propose that this limitation could be overcome when recording CMC at rest. We hypothesized that-unlike healthy subjects-PD would show CMC at rest owing to the enhanced beta oscillations observed in PD. By performing source space analysis of beta CMC recorded during resting-state magnetoencephalography, we provide preliminary evidence in one patient for a cortical hot spot that is modulated most strongly by subthalamic DBS. Such a spot would provide a prominent target region either for direct neuromodulation or for placing a potential sensor in closed-loop DBS approaches, a proposal that requires investigation in a larger cohort of PD patients.
Platelet bound oxLDL shows an inverse correlation with plasma anaphylatoxin C5a in patients with coronary artery disease
2016-03-30

Both oxidized lipids as well as the complement system contribute to atherothrombosis. The expression of complement receptors correlates with the expression of platelet activation markers, and platelet bound oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) modulates platelet function. In the present study, we investigated the relationship of markers of complement activation, the anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Two hundred and seven patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed in this study. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, plasma levels of oxLDL, C3a, and C5a were measured. Moreover, we assessed platelet bound oxLDL by flow cytometry. The overall level of C5a in the troponin negative group (stable angina (SA) and unstable angina (UA)) compared to the troponin positive group (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)) did not differ significantly (62.7 ± 32.4 ng/ml versus 65.8 ± 40.3 ng/ml). While C5a and C3a showed a significant correlation with each other (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), there was no statistically significant relationship between C3a and platelet bound oxLDL (r = 0.06, p = 0.37). Furthermore, plasma oxLDL did not correlate with either C3a or C5a. However, we observed a moderate, yet significant negative correlation between plasma C5a and platelet bound oxLDL (r = -0.15, p = 0.04). Partial correlation analysis correcting for the presence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), troponin status or the subgroups SA, UA, NSTEMI, or STEMI did not alter this correlation substantially. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis of human platelets showed increased expression of C5aR and P-selectin after in vitro stimulation with oxLDL. In conclusion, the complement anaphylatoxin C5a shows an inverse correlation with platelet bound oxLDL. The relationship of oxidized lipids to particular complement components may add to the platelet-lipid interplay in atherogenesis and trigger future clinical and mechanistic studies.
Rational quintics in the real plane
2016-03-30

From a topological viewpoint, a rational curve in the real projective plane is generically a smoothly immersed circle and a finite collection of isolated points. We give an isotopy classification of generic rational quintics in <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-struck upper R double-struck upper P squared"> <mml:semantics> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:mi mathvariant="double-struck">R</mml:mi> <mml:mi mathvariant="double-struck">P</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\\mathbb {RP}^2</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> in the spirit of Hilbert’s 16th problem.
Protection of Nitrate-Reducing Fe(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria from UV Radiation by Biogenic Fe(III) Minerals
2016-03-30

Due to the lack of an ozone layer in the Archean, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reached early Earth's surface almost unattenuated; as a consequence, a terrestrial biosphere in the form of biological soil crusts would have been highly susceptible to lethal doses of irradiation. However, a self-produced external screen in the form of nanoparticular Fe(III) minerals could have effectively protected those early microorganisms. In this study, we use viability studies by quantifying colony-forming units (CFUs), as well as Fe(II) oxidation and nitrate reduction rates, to show that encrustation in biogenic and abiogenic Fe(III) minerals can protect a common soil bacteria such as the nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms Acidovorax sp. strain BoFeN1 and strain 2AN from harmful UVC radiation. Analysis of DNA damage by quantifying cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) confirmed the protecting effect by Fe(III) minerals. This study suggests that Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms, as would have grown in association with mafic and ultramafic soils/outcrops, would have been able to produce their own UV screen, enabling them to live in terrestrial habitats on early Earth.
The Location of Creativity and U.S. Companies in Germany
2016-03-30

This article analyzes how far U.S. companies locate subsidiaries in need of highly skilled staff in state locations in Germany that have a high ranking of creativity. Such locations should provide an especially attractive location for certain “creative” staff, which should be of special interest to U.S. companies in need of highly skilled staff. Analyzing U.S. companies that were established since the year 2000 and with more than fifty staff, we find support for our propositions that nonmanufacturing and organizationally higher rank subsidiaries with a need for urban infrastructure and connectedness are located in creative states in Germany.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Bacterial Infections
2016-03-31

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) comprise monocytic and granulocytic innate immune cells with the capability of suppressing T- and NK-cell responses. While the role of MDSCs has been studied in depth in malignant diseases, the understanding of their regulation and function in infectious disease conditions has just begun to evolve. Here we summarize and discuss the current view how MDSCs participate in bacterial infections and how this knowledge could be exploited for potential future therapeutics.
The (Un)Clear Effects of Invalid Retro-Cues
2016-03-31

Studies with the retro-cue paradigm have shown that validly cueing objects in visual working memory long after encoding can still benefit performance on subsequent change detection tasks. With regard to the effects of invalid cues, the literature is less clear. Some studies reported costs, others did not. We here revisit two recent studies that made interesting suggestions concerning invalid retro-cues: One study suggested that costs only occur for larger set sizes, and another study suggested that inclusion of invalid retro-cues diminishes the retro-cue benefit. New data from one experiment and a reanalysis of published data are provided to address these conclusions. The new data clearly show costs (and benefits) that were independent of set size, and the reanalysis suggests no influence of the inclusion of invalid retro-cues on the retro-cue benefit. Thus, previous interpretations may be taken with some caution at present.
Magnetoencephalography in Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation
2016-03-31

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive neurophysiological technique used to study the cerebral cortex. Currently, MEG is mainly used clinically to localize epileptic foci and eloquent brain areas in order to avoid damage during neurosurgery. MEG might, however, also be of help in monitoring stroke recovery and rehabilitation. This review focuses on experimental use of MEG in neurorehabilitation. MEG has been employed to detect early modifications in neuroplasticity and connectivity, but there is insufficient evidence as to whether these methods are sensitive enough to be used as a clinical diagnostic test. MEG has also been exploited to derive the relationship between brain activity and movement kinematics for a motor-based brain-computer interface. In the current body of experimental research, MEG appears to be a powerful tool in neurorehabilitation, but it is necessary to produce new data to confirm its clinical utility.