Cell viability and noninvasive in vivo MRI tracking of 3D cell encapsulating self-assembled microcontainers.

Several molecular therapies require the implantation of cells that secrete biotherapeutic molecules and imaging the location and microenvironment of the cellular implant to ascertain its function. We demonstrate noninvasive in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of self-assembled microcontainers that are capable of cell encapsulation. Negative contrast was obtained to discern the microcontainer with MRI; positive contrast was obtained in the complete absence of background signal. MRI on a clinical scanner highlights the translational nature of this research. The microcontainers were loaded with cells that were dispersed in an extracellular matrix, and implanted both subcutaneously and in human tumor xenografts in SCID mice. MRI was performed on the implants, and microcontainers retrieved postimplantation showed cell viability both within and proximal to the implant. The microcontainers are characterized by their small size, three dimensionality, controlled porosity, ease of parallel fabrication, chemical and mechanical stability, and noninvasive traceability in vivo.

Effects of an early intervention on maternal post-traumatic stress symptoms and the quality of mother-infant interaction: The case of preterm birth

Preterm birth may represent a traumatic situation for both parents and a stressful situation for the infant, potentially leading to difficulties in mother-infant relationships. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an early intervention on maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms, and on the quality of mother-infant interactions, in a sample of very preterm infants and their mothers. Half of the very preterm infants involved in the study (n=26) were randomly assigned to a 3-step early intervention program (at 33 and 42 weeks after conception and at 4 months' corrected age). Both groups of preterm infants (with and without intervention) were compared to a group of full-term infants. The impact of the intervention on maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms was assessed 42 weeks after conception and when the infants were 4 and 12 months of age. The impact of the intervention on the quality of mother-infant interactions was assessed when the infants were 4 months old. Results showed a lowering of mothers' posttraumatic stress symptoms between 42 weeks and 12 months in the group of preterm infants who received the intervention. Moreover, an enhancement in maternal sensitivity and infant cooperation during interactions was found at 4 months in the group with intervention. In the case of a preterm birth, an early intervention aimed at enhancing the quality of the mother-infant relationship can help to alleviate maternal post-traumatic stress symptoms and may have a positive impact on the quality of mother-infant interactions.

Genotype and environment interaction on soybean yield in Mato Grosso State, Brazil

The objective of this work was to investigate the genotype-environment interaction in Mato Grosso State, MT. The relative importance of locations, years, sowing dates and cultivars and their interactions was analyzed from data collected in regional yield trials performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications, from 1994-1995 through 1999-2000, in nine locations and two sowing dates. Individual and pooled analyses of variance over years and locations were performed. Complementary analyses of variances partitioned MT State in two main and five smaller regions, respectively: North and South of Cuiabá; and MT-South-A (Pedra Preta area), MT-South-B (Rondonópolis and Itiquira), MT-East (Primavera do Leste and Campo Verde), MT-Central (Nova Mutum, Lucas do Rio Verde and Sorriso) and MT-Parecis (Campo Novo dos Parecis and Sapezal). Locations are relatively more important than years for yield testing soybeans in the MT State, therefore, investment should be made in increasing locations rather than years to improve experimental precision. Partitioning the MT State into regions has little impact on soybean yield testing results and, consequently, on the efficiency of the soybean breeding program in the State. Breeding genotypes with broad adaptation for the MT State is an efficient strategy for cultivar development.

The DNA-binding domain (DBD) is essential for NR2E3 dimerization and interaction with Crx

Purpose:NR2E3 (PNR) is an orphan nuclear receptor essential for proper photoreceptor determination and differentiation. In humans, mutations in NR2E3 have been associated with the recessively inherited enhanced short wavelength sensitive (S-) cone syndrome (ESCS) and, more recently, with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). NR2E3 acts in concert with the transcription factors Crx and Nrl to repress cone-specific genes and activate rod-specific genes. NR2E3 and Crx have been shown to physically interact by their DNA-binding domain (DBD), which may also be implicated in the dimerization process of the nuclear receptor. However, neither NR2E3 homodimerization nor NR2E3/Crx complex formation has been investigated in detail. Methods:In this present work, we analyzed the dimerization of the NR2E3 protein and its interaction with Crx by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET2) which utilizes Renilla luciferase (hRluc) protein and its substrate DeepBlueC as an energy donor and a mutant green fluorescent protein (GFP2) as the acceptor. We investigated, on whole intact cells, the role of NR2E3 DBD-mutations in dimerization and association with Crx. Results:We clearly showed that NR2E3 formed homodimers in HEK-293T cells. Moreover, all causative NR2E3 mutations present in the DBD of the protein showed an alteration in dimerization, except for the R76Q and the R104W mutants. Interestingly, the adRP-linked G56R mutant was the only DBD-NR2E3 mutant that showed a correct interaction with Crx. Finally, we observed a decrease in rhodospin gene transactivation for all DBD-NR2E3 mutants tested and no potentiation for the adRP-linked G56R mutant. In addition, the p.G56R mutant enhanced the transrepression of M-opsin promoter, while all other DBD-NR2E3 mutants did not repress M-opsin transactivation. Conclusions:A defect, either in the dimer formation or in the interaction of NR2E3 with Crx, leads to abnormal transcriptional activity on rhodopsin and M-opsin promoter and to an atypical retinal development; while the titration of Crx by p.G56R-NR2E3 leads to low levels of rhodopsin and M-opsin expression and may be responsible for the strong adRP phenotype.

Direct comparison of 3D spiral vs. Cartesian gradient-echo coronary magnetic resonance angiography.

While 3D thin-slab coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has traditionally been performed using a Cartesian acquisition scheme, spiral k-space data acquisition offers several potential advantages. However, these strategies have not been directly compared in the same subjects using similar methodologies. Thus, in the present study a comparison was made between 3D coronary MRA using Cartesian segmented k-space gradient-echo and spiral k-space data acquisition schemes. In both approaches the same spatial resolution was used and data were acquired during free breathing using navigator gating and prospective slice tracking. Magnetization preparation (T(2) preparation and fat suppression) was applied to increase the contrast. For spiral imaging two different examinations were performed, using one or two spiral interleaves, during each R-R interval. Spiral acquisitions were found to be superior to the Cartesian scheme with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) (both P < 0.001) and image quality. The single spiral per R-R interval acquisition had the same total scan duration as the Cartesian acquisition, but the single spiral had the best image quality and a 2.6-fold increase in SNR. The double-interleaf spiral approach showed a 50% reduction in scanning time, a 1.8-fold increase in SNR, and similar image quality when compared to the standard Cartesian approach. Spiral 3D coronary MRA appears to be preferable to the Cartesian scheme. The increase in SNR may be "traded" for either shorter scanning times using multiple consecutive spiral interleaves, or for enhanced spatial resolution.

3D noise power spectrum applied on clinical mdct scanners: effects of reconstruction algorithms and reconstruction filters

The noise power spectrum (NPS) is the reference metric for understanding the noise content in computed tomography (CT) images. To evaluate the noise properties of clinical multidetector (MDCT) scanners, local 2D and 3D NPSs were computed for different acquisition reconstruction parameters.A 64- and a 128-MDCT scanners were employed. Measurements were performed on a water phantom in axial and helical acquisition modes. CT dose index was identical for both installations. Influence of parameters such as the pitch, the reconstruction filter (soft, standard and bone) and the reconstruction algorithm (filtered-back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)) were investigated. Images were also reconstructed in the coronal plane using a reformat process. Then 2D and 3D NPS methods were computed.In axial acquisition mode, the 2D axial NPS showed an important magnitude variation as a function of the z-direction when measured at the phantom center. In helical mode, a directional dependency with lobular shape was observed while the magnitude of the NPS was kept constant. Important effects of the reconstruction filter, pitch and reconstruction algorithm were observed on 3D NPS results for both MDCTs. With ASIR, a reduction of the NPS magnitude and a shift of the NPS peak to the low frequency range were visible. 2D coronal NPS obtained from the reformat images was impacted by the interpolation when compared to 2D coronal NPS obtained from 3D measurements.The noise properties of volume measured in last generation MDCTs was studied using local 3D NPS metric. However, impact of the non-stationarity noise effect may need further investigations.

Shoulder pathology: estimating dominant upper-limb activity using 3D kinematic sensors.

Introduction. Quantification of daily upper-limb activity is a key determinant in evaluation of shoulder surgery. For a number of shoulder diseases, problem in performing daily activities have been expressed in terms of upper-limb usage and non-usage. Many instruments measure upper-limb movement but do not focus on the differentiations between the use of left or right shoulder. Several methods have been used to measure it using only accelerometers, pressure sensors or video-based analysis. However, there is no standard or widely used objective measure for upper-limb movement. We report here on an objective method to measure the movement of upper-limb and we examined the use of 3D accelerometers and 3D gyroscopes for that purpose. Methods. We studied 8 subjects with unilateral pathological shoulder (8 rotator cuff disease: 53 years old ± 8) and compared them to 18 control subjects (10 right handed, 8 left handed: 32 years old ± 8, younger than the patient group to be almost sure they don_t have any unrecognized shoulder pathology). The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder Score (DASH) questionnaires were completed by each subject. Two modules with 3 miniature capacitive gyroscopes and 3 miniature accelerometers were fixed by a patch on the dorsal side of the distal humerus, and one module with 3 gyroscopes and 3 accelerometers were fixed on the thorax. The subject wore the system during one day (8 hours), at home or wherever he/she went. We used a technique based on the 3D acceleration and the 3D angular velocities from the modules attached on the humerus. Results. As expected, we observed that for the stand and sit postures the right side is more used than the left side for a healthy right-handed person(idem on the left side for a healthy left-handed person). Subjects used their dominant upper-limb 18% more than the non-dominant upper-limb. The measurements on patients in daily life have shown that the patient has used more his non affected and non dominant side during daily activity if the dominant side = affected shoulder. If the dominant side affected shoulder, the difference can be showed only during walking period. Discussion-Conclusion. The technique developed and used allowed the quantification of the difference between dominant and non dominant side, affected and unaffected upper-limb activity. These results were encouraging for future evaluation of patients with shoulder injuries, before and after surgery. The feasibility and patient acceptability of the method using body fixed sensors for ambulatory evaluation of upper limbs kinematics was shown.

Estimating traveltimes and groundwater flow patterns using 3D time-lapse crosshole ERT imaging of electrical resistivity fluctuations induced by infiltrating river water

The infiltration of river water into aquifers is of high relevance to drinking-water production and is a key driver of biogeochemical processes in the hyporheic and riparian zone, but the distribution and quantification of the infiltrating water are difficult to determine using conventional hydrological methods (e.g., borehole logging and tracer tests). By time-lapse inverting crosshole ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) monitoring data, we imaged groundwater flow patterns driven by river water infiltrating a perialpine gravel aquifer in northeastern Switzerland. This was possible because the electrical resistivity of the infiltrating water changed during rainfall-runoff events. Our time-lapse resistivity models indicated rather complex flow patterns as a result of spatially heterogeneous bank filtration and aquifer heterogeneity. The upper part of the aquifer was most affected by the river infiltrate, and the highest groundwater velocities and possible preferential flow occurred at shallow to intermediate depths. Time series of the reconstructed resistivity models matched groundwater electrical resistivity data recorded on borehole loggers in the upper and middle parts of the aquifer, whereas the resistivity models displayed smaller variations and delayed responses with respect to the logging data. in the lower part. This study demonstrated that crosshole ERT monitoring of natural electrical resistivity variations of river infiltrate could be used to image and quantify 3D bank filtration and aquifer dynamics at a high spatial resolution.

Scanning electron microscopy of the interaction between Cryptococcus magnus and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on papaya fruit

The objective of this work was to investigate possible modes of action of the yeast Cryptococcus magnus in controlling anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) on post harvested papaya fruits. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the effect of the yeast on inoculations done after harvest. Results showed that C. magnus is able to colonize wound surfaces much faster than the pathogen, outcompeting the later for space and probably for nutrients. In addition, C. magnus produces a flocculent matrix, which affects hyphae integrity. The competition for space and the production of substances that affect hyphae integrity are among the most important modes of action of this yeast.

Phosphorylation regulates the microtubule-destabilizing activity of stathmin and its interaction with tubulin.

Stathmin is a regulator of microtubule dynamics which undergoes extensive phosphorylation during the cell cycle as well as in response to various extracellular factors. Four serine residues are targets for protein kinases: Ser-25 and Ser-38 for proline-directed kinases such as mitogen-activated protein kinase and cyclin-dependent protein kinase, and Ser-16 and Ser-63 for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. We studied the effect of phosphorylation on the microtubule-destabilizing activity of stathmin and on its interaction with tubulin in vitro. We show that triple phosphorylation on Ser-16, Ser-25, and Ser-38 efficiently inhibits its activity and prevents its binding to tubulin.

Implementation Manual — 3D Engineered Models for Highway Construction: The Iowa Experience; RB33-014, 2015

3D engineered modeling is a relatively new and developing technology that can provide numerous benefits to owners, engineers, contractors, and the general public. This manual is for highway agencies that are considering or are in the process of switching from 2D plan sets to 3D engineered models in their highway construction projects. It will discuss some of the benefits, applications, limitations, and implementation considerations for 3D engineered models used for survey, design, and construction. Note that is not intended to cover all eventualities in all states regarding the deployment of 3D engineered models for highway construction. Rather, it describes how one state—Iowa—uses 3D engineered models for construction of highway projects, from planning and surveying through design and construction.

Comparison of 3D segmented gradient-echo and steady-state free precession coronary MRI sequences in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare two state-of-the-art coronary MRI (CMRI) sequences with regard to image quality and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with known CAD were examined with a navigator-gated and corrected free-breathing 3D segmented gradient-echo (turbo field-echo) CMRI sequence and a steady-state free precession sequence (balanced turbo field-echo). CMRI was performed in a transverse plane for the left coronary artery and a double-oblique plane for the right coronary artery system. Subjective image quality (1- to 4-point scale, with 1 indicating excellent quality) and objective image quality parameters were independently determined for both sequences. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of significant (> or = 50% diameter) coronary artery stenoses were determined as defined in invasive catheter X-ray coronary angiography. RESULTS: Subjective image quality was superior for the balanced turbo field-echo approach (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs 2.3 +/- 1.0 for turbo field-echo; p < 0.001). Vessel sharpness, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were all superior for the balanced turbo field-echo approach (p < 0.01 for signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio). Of the 103 segments, 18% of turbo field-echo segments and 9% of balanced turbo field-echo segments had to be excluded from disease evaluation because of insufficient image quality. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of significant coronary artery stenoses in the evaluated segments were 92%, 67%, 85%, respectively, for turbo field-echo and 82%, 82%, 81%, respectively, for balanced turbo field-echo. CONCLUSION: Balanced turbo field-echo offers improved image quality with significantly fewer nondiagnostic segments when compared with turbo field-echo. For the detection of CAD, both sequences showed comparable accuracy for the visualized segments.

Reconstrução de maquetes 3D e manipulação da arquitetura de espécies perenes cultivadas no Brasil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo indicar algumas possíveis manipulações ecofisiológicas, com base em experimentos de arquitetura de plantas. Plantas de erva-mate, seringueira e videira foram caracterizadas no campo e no laboratório, e suas maquetes 3D foram reconstruídas com os programas V-Plants e PlantGLViewer. Indicações sobre a análise de crescimento e impactos ambientais, com a aplicação de diversas simulações, foram discutidas.

Horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex dynamics in acute vestibular neuritis and viral labyrinthitis: evidence of otolith-canal interaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic properties of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (h-VOR) in the acute stage of two common labyrinthine diseases that provoke severe attacks of vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus: vestibular neuritis (vestibular loss alone) and viral labyrinthitis (cochleovestibular loss). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients were investigated: 42 were diagnosed with vestibular neuritis and 21 with viral labyrinthitis. The h-VOR function was evaluated by conventional caloric and impulsive testing. A simplified model of vestibular function was used to analyze the vestibulo-ocular response to rotational stimulation. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference in h-VOR characteristics between the two pathologies. Patients with vestibular neuritis exhibited a strong horizontal semicircular canal deficit, but no h-VOR asymmetry between the two rotational directions. In contrast, patients with viral labyrinthitis demonstrated moderate canal paresis and a marked h-VOR deficit in rotation toward the affected ear. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that the h-VOR dynamic asymmetry that occurs after an acute unilateral inner ear lesion is not due to canal dysfunction alone, but involves complex adaptive changes in the central VOR that may implicate the otolith system. Based on histopathologic and clinical differences in the two pathologies reported in the literature, we postulate that this otolith-canal interaction is mainly linked to the loss of saccular function.