Journal of biological methods最新文献

Background: Low vision, a condition characterized by significant visual impairment, poses considerable challenges to individuals' daily functioning and quality of life. Magnification techniques play a pivotal role in mitigating these challenges by enhancing visual acuity and enabling better access to printed materials, digital interfaces, and environmental cues.

Objective: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of magnification strategies employed in low-vision rehabilitation. The review encompasses optical aids, such as magnifiers, telescopes, and microscopic devices, as well as electronic aids, including closed-circuit televisions, screen magnification software, and portable handheld devices. In addition, it explores the integration of magnification techniques with other assistive technologies and adaptive strategies to optimize functional vision. Furthermore, the article discusses emerging trends in magnification technology, including advancements in digital image processing, augmented reality, and wearable devices, which hold promise for further enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals with low vision.

Conclusion: Understanding the diverse array of magnification options and their applications is crucial for eye care professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and individuals with low vision, enabling them to effectively navigate the visual challenges associated with this condition and promote greater inclusion and autonomy in daily activities.

Background: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has emerged as an effective surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study evaluated how the adoption of HoLEP in a general urology clinic influenced clinical and procedural volume.

Objective: To better understand the practice ramifications of HoLEP adoption, we analyzed the changes to a general urologist's patient demographics and practice patterns after the addition of HoLEP to their surgical repertoire.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic health records 30 months before and after the introduction of HoLEP to examine changes in a general urologist's patient population. Pearson's Chi-squared test and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 4390 unique patients were seen over a period of 5-years, with 2052 seen before and 2338 after the introduction of HoLEP. The mean distance from patients' residence zip codes to the treatment center remained statistically unchanged (pre-HoLEP: 32.52 ± 152.42 miles, post-HoLEP: 29.65 ± 141.79 miles, p=0.9896). Among those who underwent HoLEP, prostate sizes were comparable between patients residing in the same county and those coming from different counties (96.42 ± 3.24 cc vs. 104.52 ± 4.34 cc, p=0.141). Surgical volume rose from 355 to 1018 cases with a concordant increase in other BPH-related surgeries, marked by an inflection point at the time of HoLEP's introduction.

Conclusion: There was an increase in clinical and surgical volume to an established general urologist's practice after HoLEP was offered. Most patients continued to be drawn from the initial catchment area, potentially reflecting previously unmet treatment needs for patients with large prostate glands.

Background: Dentin is a mineralized tissue characterized by a complex network of dentinal tubules, whose arrangement significantly influences the mechanical and physiological properties of teeth.

Objective: This study investigated the influence of the microstructural symmetry of dentinal tubules in two orthogonal sections of the crown of human molar and premolar teeth.

Methods: The effect of symmetry on the microstructure of dentin sections was studied for two orthogonal sections of the human molar and premolar crown. The symmetry of local zones of tooth sections was first examined using a set of methods: optical, electrical, and ion-diffusion techniques. The methods used have different resolutions and display both the general properties of the dentin structure and the properties that are specifically revealed by an individual method. It is shown that dentinal tubules originate from the center of the cusps of both molars and premolars, forming S-shaped fiber bundles presenting an axial-radial symmetry.

Results: The dentinal tubules were shown to originate from the center of the cusps in both molar and premolar teeth, forming S-shaped fiber bundles with axial-radial symmetry. These bundles were arranged along axes, extending from the pulp toward the centers of the cusps of the tooth crown. Within these zones, distinct optical patterns resembling conoscopic figures in the form of a "Maltese cross" were observed. This indicates a highly ordered architecture composed of optically anisotropic uniaxial tubules. The optical data were correlated well with findings obtained by electrometric and ion diffusion methods, including dentinal tubule staining.

Conclusion: The polarization optical is a valuable tool for studying various regional organizations of dentinal tubules in dentin.

Background: Large bifrontal defects pose unique reconstruction challenges due to their complex curvature and mechanical requirements. This case demonstrated how computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) enabled precise single-piece polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) implant fabrication, thereby overcoming traditional limitations.

Case presentation: A 25-year-old male who had undergone bifrontal decompressive craniectomy suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. The autologous bone flap had been temporarily stored in a subcutaneous fat area of the abdomen for 3 months to preserve its viability. A secondary cranioplasty was then performed using titanium miniplates and self-tapping screws for final fixation. After 2 years, the patient developed empyema and a brain abscess; the infected bone flap was removed. A skull computed tomography (CT) scan was conducted, and a prosthesis was created from PMMA by employing CAD. In the sagittal plane, the defect extended from the frontal bone and surpassed the coronal suture, while in the coronal plane, it reached the temporal region on both sides. The prosthesis was fabricated through rapid prototyping based on CT scan images. Surgery was performed using a patient-specific prosthesis that adequately covered the defect area. Facial aesthetics were restored, and no complications occurred. The patient was followed clinically and radiologically for 1 year, during which no postoperative complications or signs of implant-related issues were observed.

Conclusion: This CAD/CAM single-piece PMMA implant successfully restored large bifrontal defects, suggesting that it may find broader applications in complex cranioplasties and could achieve improved outcomes.

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) represents a complex, multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical and imaging presentations. These manifestations tend to be clinically perplexing, necessitating additional tests. In cases where a malignancy is suspected or obstructive symptoms are present, surgical management may be required. Histopathologically, HT is hallmarked by significant lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland, typically with prominent germinal centers, small lymphocytes, centrocytes, centroblasts, plasma cells, and occasionally immunoblasts. The degree of fibrosis varies, giving the gland a lobulated appearance and, in some cases, resulting in a fibrous variant, which, biochemically, is usually accompanied by hypothyroidism.

Objective: This review provided a diagnostic and differential approach to HT, highlighting the utility of histopathological examination.

Conclusion: Histopathological analysis helps broaden the diagnostic and therapeutic horizon in individuals with HT.

Background: Anoikis is a form of programmed cell death triggered by the detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix. Anoikis resistance represents a critical factor in tumor metastasis, and elucidating the mechanisms by which epithelial cancer cells evade this process may provide a molecular insight for effectively targeting metastatic progression.

Methods: Presented here are an experimental workflow and a detailed protocol to examine anoikis sensitivity in tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. We described a detachment-induced anoikis model, a three-dimensional spheroid culture system, and an in vivo circulating tumor cell assay, by using the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 as a model system. We detailed the cell culture conditions, materials, and sample preparation, and the evaluation and quantification of anoikis. Together, these methods provide a comprehensive approach for investigating anoikis resistance.

Conclusion: This protocol offers valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying anoikis resistance and may facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Background: Recovery pulse rate (RPR) and other cardiovascular indices - such as heart rate variability and blood pressure recovery - are underutilized tools in assessing autonomic and cardiovascular adaptability to orthostasis. While orthostatic hypotension is well-documented, the prognostic significance of delayed heart rate recovery and impaired autonomic compensation remains insufficiently explored. Emerging evidence suggests that abnormal RPR may predict cardiovascular morbidity and autonomic dysfunction; however, standardized clinical guidelines for its interpretation are lacking. Bridging this gap could enhance early detection of dysautonomia and cardiovascular risk stratification.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the pattern of RPR and cardiovascular function indices in healthy young female adults following 10 min of upright standing.

Methods: This study evaluated post-orthostatic cardiovascular indices, including RPR measured at two intervals: 10 - 20 s and 21 - 31 s after returning to a reclining sitting position. A total of 35 healthy females were selected for the study, and appropriate inclusion was duly considered. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and other parameters were measured at baseline, after 10 min of standing, and after returning to a reclining sitting position using standard procedures. The first and second RPRs were calculated as the difference between the orthostatic pulse rate and the pulse rate measured during the two intervals, respectively, after returning to a reclining sitting position.

Results: There was no significant difference between the first and second RPRs. Among the cardiovascular parameters, only systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure measured after the second RPR were significantly higher than baseline values. In addition, neither the first nor the second RPR correlated with body weight, height, or body mass index.

Conclusion: No significant difference was found in autonomic response during the 10 - 20 s and 21 - 31 s post-orthostatic periods in young adult females. Incorporating RPR and related indices into clinical practice provides a non-invasive, cost-effective method to identify and monitor autonomic and cardiovascular dysfunction. This can guide therapeutic strategies, such as fluid management, exercise rehabilitation, or pharmacological interventions, tailored to improve autonomic balance and cardiovascular resilience.

Background: TOYOPEARL MX-Trp-650M is a mixed-mode resin (Tosoh Bioscience, Japan), which mediates both cation exchange and hydrophobic interactions. While mixed-mode resins are generally effective at removing antibody aggregates, reports specifically evaluating the application of MX-Trp-650M for this purpose remain limited. A previous study suggested that effective separation of monomeric and aggregated antibodies using MX-Trp-650M was achieved only under dual-gradient elution with pH and salt.

Objective: This study aimed to further evaluate MX-Trp-650M's aggregate separation potential under various elution conditions.

Methods: In an antibody purification case where aggregates were the predominant byproducts, both Capto MMC ImpRes and MX-Trp-650M were evaluated as the first polishing step following Protein A capture. Aggregate separation was monitored and assessed using native gel electrophoresis and size-exclusion chromatography-high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results: MX-Trp-650M marginally outperformed Capto MMC ImpRes and achieved excellent aggregate clearance under either salt or pH mono-gradient elution.

Conclusion: Combining the results from prior studies, the current data confirm the strong aggregate separation capability of MX-Trp-650M. The results also suggest that the optimal elution conditions for efficacious separation may vary across different antibody purification scenarios.

Background: Asthma presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, impacting millions and posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it afflicts roughly 5.4 million individuals. Severe asthma, incurring over 50% of total expenditures, tends to lead to frequent exacerbations and preventable emergency admissions. Traditional diagnostic methods, primarily based on clinical history, can result in delays and misdiagnoses, culpable for over 1,200 deaths annually, 90% of which are considered preventable with timely intervention.

Objective: To address this issue, we developed Exhale-Dx™, a point-of-care breath test platform that provides a non-invasive, user-friendly solution for asthma diagnosis and monitoring. Exhale-Dx™ captures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath, reflecting real-time metabolic and inflammatory markers of lung function. By analyzing these personalized breath signatures, clinicians and patients can detect exacerbations up to three days in advance, thus facilitating early and targeted interventions to reduce emergency care utilization. The system integrates capnographic waveforms, asthma control scores, and clinical lung function data, offering a comprehensive diagnostic profile.

Methods: Using Exhale-Dx™ data, we developed the Asthma Diagnostic Enhanced Neural Architecture (ADENA), an advanced deep neural network that leverages VOC biomarkers and lung function data to enhance diagnostic precision.

Results: ADENA achieved exceptional performance, delivering 98.7% accuracy, an F1 score of 0.98, and a low mean squared error of 0.065. The deconvolution analysis further confirmed the model's ability to detect significant physiological differences between asthmatic and non-asthmatic profiles.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that VOC analysis combined with advanced neural networks could accurately distinguish asthmatic profiles, highlighting their potential for early, non-invasive interventions in respiratory health diagnostics.

Background: The antimicrobial activity of Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia herba-alba Asso. against various pathogens is differentiated by using different organic solvents and aqueous solution and in terms of pollen grain traits. The similarities and dissimilarities were analyzed by simple linear regressions and in terms of Pearson correlation coefficients.

Objective: The present study evaluated the potential antibacterial activity of A. absinthium L. and A. herba-alba Asso. extracts by using various organic and aqueous solvents. The tested bacteria included pathogenic strains: Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods: Different affinities were observed for the studied organic solvents in addition to aqueous ones. A comparative analysis was conducted, focusing morphological, anatomical, and palynological characteristics. The similarity parameter was obtained. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for both plant extracts were analyzed using the analysis of variance, while Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for plant traits.

Results: Butanol emerged as the predominant organic solvent extract for both species whereas chloroform and diethyl ether exhibited a broad antibacterial spectrum for A. absinthium L. and A. herba alba Asso. MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration values were confirmed by using butanol and diethyl ether extracts of A. absinthium L. and butanol and chloroform extracts of A. herba alba Asso. against the tested pathogenic bacteria. The results highlight the potential of these extracts as alternative natural antibacterial agents.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that using successive organic plant extractions can help identify the most effective extract that can serve as a source of alternative medicine due to its various active natural components.