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Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology 2019A smartphone microscope adapter is an alternative to a permanently mounted camera, which often requires a specially designed light path as well as a computer system for...
BACKGROUND
A smartphone microscope adapter is an alternative to a permanently mounted camera, which often requires a specially designed light path as well as a computer system for data storage and network connectivity. A common disadvantage of these adapters is that they need to be repeatedly mounted and dismounted; this is inconvenient during serial observations.
PURPOSE
The study purpose is to develop and test a semi-permanent microscope adapter.
METHODS
Our prototype was designed using three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design software and was 3D printed for testing. Two tests were designed to quantify the workflow improvement by measuring the time required to complete specific movements, which simulated the actions of capturing photographs by using an adapter and a slit-lamp biomicroscope. Our prototype was the experimental adapter, and two commercially available products were used as references. A single-shot test measured the average time required to complete a photographing cycle, in which a single photograph was recorded. A multiple-shot test measured the time required to complete cycles in which a different number of photographs were captured; thus, the time required specifically for the preparation phase of photographing was determined. Both tests were performed by 4 researchers.
RESULTS
The average time required to complete a cycle using our prototype in single-shot test was significantly shorter than that using one of the references. For the other reference, significances were shown in 2 testers' results. In the multiple-shot test, the linear regression analysis also showed that the preparation phase of our prototype was significantly shorter than the preparation phase of the two commercially available products ( < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The semi-permanent design may improve the workflow of photography using smartphone adapters, thereby reducing the time and effort required for preparing devices, particularly when making multiple consecutive observations or when the targets disappear fast.
PubMed: 31198670
DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_19_18 -
International Journal of Impotence... Mar 2020To date, no effective medical approach for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to ischemic priapism (IP) has been described. The aim of this study was...
To date, no effective medical approach for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to ischemic priapism (IP) has been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidant effects of pirfenidone (PFD) on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP. Forty-eight male albino rats aged 8-10 months, with mean weights of 410 ± 18.6 g were randomized into four groups (n = 12 in each group): no IP (group 1); IP for 1 h, followed by intracavernosal pressure (ICP) measurements using electrical cavernous nerve stimulation (CNS) (group 2); IP for 1 h, followed by ICP measurements using electrical CNS 6 weeks later (group 3); and IP for 1 h, oral PFD (30 mg/kg once daily) treatment by oral gavage, followed by ICP measurements using electrical CNS 6 weeks later (group 4). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione levels were measured spectrophotometrically. In a histological evaluation, cavernosal collagen/smooth muscle ratios were calculated. The intracavernosal pressure values of group 1 were higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05) but similar to those of group 4 (p > 0.05). The mean MDA level was significantly higher in group 3, as compared with that in group 4 (p = 0.004). The mean collagen/smooth muscle ratio in groups 1-4 was 24%, 42%, 65%, and 48%, respectively. Physiological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations of the PFD effect on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP were the strengths and the lack of molecular and immunohistochemical analysis were the limitations of this study. In this study, we examined the effects of PFD on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP. We found that PFD reduced cavernosal fibrotic activity and improved erectile function. We conclude that PFD may represent a new treatment option in IP treatment.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Electric Stimulation; Fibrosis; Ischemia; Male; Photomicrography; Priapism; Pyridones; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar
PubMed: 31186550
DOI: 10.1038/s41443-019-0152-9 -
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery :... Jul 2019Osteochondromas are common, benign surface tumors of bone, composed of the cartilage-capped bone confluent with the medullary canal of the metaphyseal bone....
Osteochondromas are common, benign surface tumors of bone, composed of the cartilage-capped bone confluent with the medullary canal of the metaphyseal bone. Extraskeletal osteochondromas have the same gross appearance and histologic characteristics as a typical osteochondroma but do not have any boney attachment to the surrounding osseous structures. They are rare and most frequently reported in the middle-age and older adults. We present the first case of an extraskeletal osteochondroma of the foot reported in a teenager. Our patient was a 17-year-old male complaining of a slow-growing mass along the medial border of the great toe that he first noted at the age of 14 years. The increasing size of the mass and frequency of complaints with shoe wear prompted medical attention. Imaging studies showed an ossified 1-cm boney mass with trabecular detail, located on the medial aspect of the great toe at the level of the interphalangeal joint, without any connection to the surrounding structures. An excisional biopsy revealed a well-circumscribed, easily removable mass, which proved to be an extraskeletal osteochondroma both clinically and histologically.
Topics: Adolescent; Hallux; Humans; Male; Osteochondroma; Photomicrography; Radiography; Soft Tissue Neoplasms
PubMed: 31079982
DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.11.028 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Jul 2019Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves a proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and loss of pericytes. There is a link among the action of protein kinase C (PKC) and...
PURPOSE
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves a proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and loss of pericytes. There is a link among the action of protein kinase C (PKC) and insulin signaling. Thus, we investigated the differences between these cells in insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation in DR.
METHODS
Retinas were removed from streptozotocin-induced diabetic or healthy rats, and IR expression levels were compared by immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. In vitro assays also were performed in order to determine the expressions of phosphorylated IR in both cells cultured under 5.5 or 25 mM glucose by immunoblot. Cell viability was determined in both cells cultured under different concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a PKC activator. To determine the involvement of the PI3 kinase pathway of IR, PMA with or without wortmannin-induced changes in Akt was also analyzed.
RESULTS
Immunoreactivity to the IR was decreased in diabetic retina. High glucose (25 mM) increased phosphorylated IR levels in endothelial cells but not in pericytes. PMA (1 nM or higher) induced death of pericytes, while endothelial cells were increased. PMA increased phosphorylated Akt in endothelial cells and decreased in pericytes. Wortmannin suppressed the PMA-induced phosphorylation of Akt in endothelial cells.
CONCLUSIONS
The different responses to 25 mM glucose and PMA were observed between retinal endothelial cells and pericytes. Thus, IR phosphorylation is likely important for retinal vascular cells to survive in diabetic retina.
Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetic Retinopathy; Endothelium, Vascular; Male; Phosphorylation; Photomicrography; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptor, Insulin; Retinal Vessels
PubMed: 31025213
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04324-z -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2019The effects of crude ethanol derived leaf extract Trichodesma indicum (Linn) (Ex-Ti) and their chief derivatives were accessed on the survival and development of the...
The effects of crude ethanol derived leaf extract Trichodesma indicum (Linn) (Ex-Ti) and their chief derivatives were accessed on the survival and development of the dengue mosquito Ae. aegypti also their non-toxic activity against mosquito predator. T. indicum is recognized to be the vital weed plant and a promising herb in the traditional ayurvedic medicine. In this study, the GC-MS chromatogram of Ex-Ti showed higher peak area percentage for cis-10-Heptadecenoic acid (21.83%) followed by cycloheptadecanone (14.32%). The Ex-Ti displayed predominant mortality in larvae with 96.45 and 93.31% at the prominent dosage (200 ppm) against III and IV instar. Correspondingly, sub-lethal dosage against the enzymatic profile of III and IV instar showed downregulation of α,β-carboxylesterase and SOD protein profiles at the maximum concentration of 100 ppm. However, enzyme level of GST as well as CYP450 increased significantly dependent on sub-lethal concentration. Likewise, fecundity and hatchability of egg rate of dengue mosquito decreased to the sub-lethal concentration of Ex-Ti. Repellent assay illustrates that Ex-Ti concentration had greater protection time up to 210 min at 100 ppm. Also, activity of Ex-Ti on adult mosquito displayed 100% mortality at the maximum dosage of 600, 500 and 400 ppm within the period of 50, 60 and 70 min, respectively. Photomicrography screening showed that lethal dosage of Ex-Ti (100 ppm) produced severe morphological changes with dysregulation in their body parts as matched to the control. Effects of Ex-Ti on the Toxorhynchites splendens IV instar larvae showed less mortality (43.47%) even at the maximum dosage of 1500 ppm as matched to the chemical pesticide Temephos. Overall, the present research adds a toxicological valuation on the Ex-Ti and their active constituents as a larvicidal, repellent and adulticidal agents against the global burdening dengue mosquito.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Boraginaceae; Carboxylesterase; Culicidae; Dengue; Female; Fertility; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Insect Repellents; Larva; Mosquito Vectors; Pesticides; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 30977009
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04870-3 -
AMB Express Apr 2019Studies of morphological measurements from the outgrowth of cells to a network of hyphae have been extended from Candida albicans (Nagy et al. in Appl Microbiol...
Studies of morphological measurements from the outgrowth of cells to a network of hyphae have been extended from Candida albicans (Nagy et al. in Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 98(11):5185-5194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-014-5696-5 , 2014) to invasive conidiospores of Aspergillus fumigatus upon treatment with antifungal agents. The understanding of mycelial processes is important to optimize industrial processes such as fermentation and contributes to the fight against pathogenic fungi. This brief study combines TLS with digital image analysis. The TLS system was adapted to get information related to the adherence and growth dynamics of filamentous fungi. This approach was used earlier to distinguish among subphases of bacterial and fungal infections of mammal cells by detecting Mycoplasma infection in cell cultures causing serious damages in cell cultures. We describe changes in adherence, germination of spores, and hyphal growth of A. fumigatus, taking place in the absence and presence of amphotericin B (AMB) and voriconazole (VRC). These growth parameters were measured by TLS in CO incubator under physiological Photomicrography by TLS and extended for a longer period of time up to several weeks combined with image analysis represents a comfortable and reliable means to characterize the growth dynamism of A. fumigatus. The most important observation of medical importance related to the pathomechanism of VRC was that it did not adhere to conidiospores, i.e. that it did not contribute to the attachment of spores to the growth surface, and did not prevent germination but delayed hypha protrusion and elongation. In contrast AMB adhered to conidia, inhibited germination, hypha elongation and branching. It was concluded that AMB was efficient against the therapy of growth but not against the prevention of fungal infection.
PubMed: 30945013
DOI: 10.1186/s13568-019-0769-6 -
Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and... 2019Malaria during pregnancy may threaten the mother's health and cause serious structural damage to the internal architecture of the placenta, which subsequently affects...
BACKGROUND
Malaria during pregnancy may threaten the mother's health and cause serious structural damage to the internal architecture of the placenta, which subsequently affects the pregnancy outcome. A better understanding of the impact of malaria parasites on the placenta morphology is crucial for better management of pregnant women and their babies.
AIM
To assess by stereology the histomorphology of selected placental structures in placenta malaria compared with normal placentae at term.
METHOD
A total of 10 placentae comprising 5 controls and 5 cases were selected from 50 placentae that were collected at term (38 weeks ± 2 weeks) from the maternal delivery suit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Blood from the placentae was collected for both rapid diagnostic test and microscopic examinations. Samples collected were examined for parasites, after which they were classified as study group ( positive) or control ( negative). Stereological quantification using systematic uniform random sampling technique with test point and intersection counting of photomicrographs were employed to estimate the mean volume densities of syncytial knots, syncytial necrosis, foetal capillaries, and intervillous spaces of the placentae on a total of 1,600 photomicrographs.
RESULTS
Out of the fifty placental samples from the maternal side tested for six representing 12% were found to be infected with the parasite by both rapid diagnostic test and microscopy. On stereological assessment, the mean volume density of syncytial knots was significantly higher in the placental malaria group compared with the control placentae at term (P = 0.0080), but foetal capillaries (P = 0.7813), intervillous spaces (P = 0.8078), and syncytial necrosis (P = 0.8249) were not significantly different.
CONCLUSION
This preliminary result indicates that placental malaria may cause significant increase in the syncytial knots but not foetal capillaries, intervillous spaces, or syncytial necrosis. This finding signifies early maturation of the placenta and may be crucial in understanding perinatal outcomes.
Topics: Female; Humans; Malaria; Photomicrography; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
PubMed: 30940990
DOI: 10.1155/2019/2094560 -
Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences Feb 2019The increasing incidences of cancer at the global scale have recently resulted in the invention of various biotechnology approaches among which the oncolytic virotherapy...
The increasing incidences of cancer at the global scale have recently resulted in the invention of various biotechnology approaches among which the oncolytic virotherapy is a new strategy for the treatment of multiple tumors. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) based vectors are one of the most studied oncolytic agents, worldwide. Moreover, syngeneic animal models are the principal parts of the oncolytic virotherapies investigation. The effects of a dual fluorescent γ34.5 deleted vector-HSV-GR- on three mouse tumor cell lines were studied in this work. We previously generated a dual fluorescent labeled oncolytic HSV-HSV-GR- (both copies of γ34.5 were inactivated by insertion of two distinct fluorescent dyes, GFP and mCherry) in our laboratory; subsequently, they were used as oncolytic viruses. The three 4T1, TC-1, and CT26 cell lines were infected with HSV-GR. The infection efficacy and the elimination potency of HSV-GR were analyzed by photomicrography and flow cytometry methods. HSV-GR showed a significant efficiency to infect the cell lines examined. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that HSV-GR infected 89.3%, 86.1%, and 92.4% of 4T1, TC-1, and CT26 cells, respectively. Moreover, propidium iodide (PI) staining of infected cells indicated that HSV-GR could kill 27.9%, 21.2%, and 21.3% of 4T1, TC-1, and CT26 cells, respectively. Interestingly, HSV-GR infected cells were capable of expressing both GFP and mCherry at the same time. The promising effects of the oncolytic virus HSV-GR in the mouse syngeneic tumor cell system have shed more light on the therapeutic potential of this anti-cancer approach.
PubMed: 30936930
DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.251850 -
Fungal Biology Apr 2019Cultivating arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in vitro is an efficient way to produce material for industry and research. However, such artificial growing conditions...
Cultivating arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in vitro is an efficient way to produce material for industry and research. However, such artificial growing conditions may impose selective pressure on fungi grown in vitro over many generations. We hypothesized that isolates subjected to long term propagation in vitro may develop increasingly ruderal traits. We proposed a predictive framework for the effect of in vitro cultivation on asymbiotic AM fungal traits. Using photomicrography and image processing, we analyzed morphology and growth traits for 14 isolates representing an in vitro cultivation gradient from 0 to >80 generations in vitro. We investigated the range of trait variation among asymbiotic growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus isolates (Rhizoglomus irregulare). Spore dormancy was strongly associated with in vitro cultivation. We observed extremely high levels of inter-isolate variation for most fungal traits, but this was not related to time in vitro. Our results indicate that intra-specific diversity may have a strong ecological role in AM fungal communities.
Topics: Biological Variation, Population; Hyphae; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Microscopy; Mycorrhizae; Spores, Fungal
PubMed: 30928039
DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2019.01.005 -
Journal of Applied Oral Science :... Feb 2019Sources of calcium and phosphate have been added to dental restorative materials to improve their anticaries effect.
BACKGROUND
Sources of calcium and phosphate have been added to dental restorative materials to improve their anticaries effect.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of adding calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) to resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) on the physico-mechanical properties, ion release, and enamel demineralization. Material and Methods: Specimens were fabricated for each experimental group: RMGIC without CaGP (Control), RMGIC with 1, 3 and 9% CaGP. To determine the release of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), six specimens were immersed in demineralization and remineralization solutions for 15 days. In another experimental trial, the following physico-mechanical properties were evaluated at time intervals of 1 and 7 days after fabrication: compressive strength (n=12), diametral tensile strength (n=12), surface hardness of material (n=6) and the degree of conversion of monomers (n=8). To study enamel demineralization, specimens (n=12) were attached to enamel blocks and submitted to pH-cycling. Subsequently, surface and cross-sectional hardness and the concentration of F, Ca and P in enamel were determined.
RESULTS
The addition of CaGP to RMGIC led to higher mean release of F, Ca and P when compared with control (p<0.001). Mechanical properties were within the range of those of the ionomer cements after addition of 1% and 3% CaGP. The degree of conversion did not differ between groups at the 1st and the 7th day (p>0.439). The addition of 3% and 9% CaGP reduced mineral loss and increased F, Ca and P in the enamel when compared with control (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The addition of 3% CaGP in RMGIC increased the release of F, P and Ca, reduced enamel demineralization, and maintained the physico-mechanical properties within the parameters for this material.
Topics: Calcium; Compressive Strength; Dental Enamel; Fluorides; Glass Ionomer Cements; Glycerophosphates; Hardness Tests; Humans; Materials Testing; Phosphates; Photomicrography; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Resin Cements; Surface Properties; Time Factors; Tooth Demineralization
PubMed: 30810634
DOI: 10.1590/1678-7757-2018-0188