Morphological Correlates Research Articles

Deep Learning of Morphologic Correlations To Accurately Classify CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells by Diffraction Imaging Flow Cytometry.

The two major subtypes of human T cells, CD4+ and CD8+, play important roles in adaptive immune response by their diverse functions. To understand the structure-function relation at the single cell level, we isolated 2483 CD4+ and 2450 CD8+ T cells from fresh human splenocytes by immunofluorescent sorting and investigated their morphologic relations to the surface CD markers by acquisition and analysis of cross-polarized diffraction image (p-DI) pairs. A deep neural network of DINet-R has been built to extract 2560 features across multiple pixel scales of a p-DI pair per imaged cell. We have developed a novel algorithm to form a matrix of Pearson correlation coefficients by these features for selection of a support cell set with strong morphologic correlation in each subtype. The p-DI pairs of support cells exhibit significant pattern differences between the two subtypes defined by CD markers. To explore the relation between p-DI features and CD markers, we divided each subtype into two groups of A and B using the two support cell sets. The A groups comprise 90.2% of the imaged T cells and classification of them by DINet-R yields an accuracy of 97.3 ± 0.40% between the two subtypes. Analysis of depolarization ratios further reveals the significant differences in molecular polarizability between the two subtypes. These results prove the existence of a strong structure-function relation for the two major T cell subtypes and demonstrate the potential of diffraction imaging flow cytometry for accurate and label-free classification of T cell subtypes.

Evaluation of P40 and Napsin A in the Differential Diagnosis of Non Small Cell Bronchogenic Carcinoma on Small Lung Biopsies

BACKGROUND :- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality over word wide, Although the pathological diagnosis of lung carcinoma is limited as only small specimen available for diagnosis.the availability of targeted therapies has created a need for precise subtyping of non-small cell lung carcinoma . Several recent studies have demonstrated that the use of Immunohistochemical markers can be helpful in differentiating lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) from lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) not on surgically resected material but also on small biopsy samples and cytology.
 AIM (1) To classify the non small cell lung carcinoma into major categories like squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and adenocarcinoma (LAC) and other categories by applying immunohistochemicalmarker like p40 (truncated p63) and Napsin A
 (2) To analyse the sensitivity and specificity of p40 and Napsin A in light of histomorphology and/or other relevant immunohistochemical markers available, using appropriate statistical tests.
 Material and methods:- This study was a one and half year (18 months) prospective study from Jan 2017 to June 2018, conducted in department of pathology on patients attending the outpatient and inpatient department of TB and respiratory disease, a total of 210 bronchoscopic guided biopsies / transthoracic (CT/MRI /guided) small tissue biopsies from the patients suspected of lung malignancy were incorporated in the study. 20 corresponding resection specimens (wedge resection and lobectomy) were also included in the study for correlation of morphology and immunohistochemical findings on small biopsies.
 RESULTS:-In our study IHC for both p40 and napsin –A aided in subtyping of 71.9% cases of non small cell lung carcinoma and this diagnostic accuracy was found to be statistically significant with p-value < 0.05.,on statistical analysis we found that napsin-A had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 80%. Also, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were seen to be 88.0% and 81.8% respectively.
 

A Comparison Between the Performances of Verbal and Nonverbal Fluency Tests in Discriminating Between Mild Cognitive Impairments and Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Their Brain Morphological Correlates.

Background and PurposeVerbal and nonverbal fluency tests are the conventional methods for examining executive function in the elderly population. However, differences in impairments result in fluency tests in patients with mild cognitive impairments (MCIs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in neural correlates underlying the tests still necessitate concrete evidence.MethodsWe compared the test performances in 27 normal controls, 28 patients with MCI, and 20 with AD, and investigated morphological changes in association with the test performances using structural magnetic imaging.ResultsPatients with AD performed poorly across all the fluency tests, and a receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed that only category fluency test discriminated all the 3 groups. Association, category, and design fluency tests involved temporal and frontal regions, while letter fluency involved the cerebellum and caudate.ConclusionsCategory fluency is a reliable measure for screening patients with AD and MCI, and this efficacy might be related to morphological correlates that underlie semantic and executive processing.

New opportunities of using artificial intelligence on the example of predicting clinical and morphological correlations and genealogical determinations of prostate cancer (systematic review)

New opportunities of using artificial intelligence on the example of predicting clinical and morphological correlations and genealogical determinations of prostate cancer (systematic review)

FROM Si NANOWIRES TO Ge NANOCRYSTALS FOR VIS-NIR-SWIR SENSORS AND NON-VOLATILE MEMORIES: A REVIEW

"Nanocrystalline Si and Ge are ofhigh interestfor integrated Si photonics related to light emission, opticul sensors, photodetectors, solar energy harvesting and conversion devices, and also forfloating gate non-volatile memories (NVMs). In this review, we have focused on nanocrystalline porous Si (nc-PS) with extension to Si nanodots, and Ge nanocrystals (NCs)Zquantum dots (QDs)/nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in oxides (SiCh, TiCE, HfCh, AI2O3). The great asset ofnc-PS is its intense photoluminescence in VIS at room temperature (RT), while Ge NCs/NPs embedded in oxides show high photosensitivity in VISNIR-SWIR in the spectral photocurrent up to 1325 nm at RT. Ge NCs/NPs/QDsfloating gate NVMs present high memory performance, the retention characteristics corresponding to the state of the art for NCs floating gate NVMs. We prove the relevance of controlling the preparation parametersfor obtainingfilms with targetedphotoluminescence, photosensitivity and charge storage properties for applications, e.g. VIS-NIR-SWIR optical sensors and photodetectors, and electronic and photoelectric NVMs. We evidence the correlation of preparation conditions, morphology, composition and crystalline structure with optical, electrical, photoelectrical and charge storage properties and also evidence the contribution ofquantum confinement effect, localized States and trapping centers."

Correlation of clinical manifestations and condylar morphology of patients with temporomandibular degenerative joint diseases

ABSTRACT Objective To study the correlation between condylar morphology and clinical manifestations in patients with degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods A total of 175 joints of 131 patients with DJD were included. Data on patients’ basic information and symptoms were collected and analyzed. Condylar morphology was evaluated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The correlation between the condylar morphology and clinical manifestations was analyzed. Results The prevalence of joint noises, clicks, and crepitus was 93/175 (53%), 73/175 (42%), and 20/175 (11%), respectively. Condylar anteroposterior diameter and condylar height were correlated with pain. There was a correlation between the shape of the condyle in the sagittal plane and joint noise. Conclusion Condylar morphology and clinical features of DJD were correlated to some extent.

Exploration and morphologic variation of Iris wild species with ornamental potential

Abstract Nowadays, the flower industry is growing so fast that its development requires introducing new varieties to the flower market. Iran is the habitat of numerous species of wild plants that are among the valuable genetics in the breeding process. The identification of native Iris species, investigation of morphological diversity, and distribution method have a significant effect on the introduction of this flower as new and superior cultivars cut flower and bedding plant. The documentation of the most important habitats of Iris in Arak province, identification of morphological characteristics and correlation determination of morphological traits are the most important aims of this research. The results showed that there is a correlation between some of the traits. The highest positive correlation was related to the height of flower and length of the leaf, length of the flowering stem and the length of the leaf and the height of the flower and the length of the flowering stem. The ecotypes of Iris sp. were divided into six groups. Based on the results of the cluster diagram, the bulbous species were separated from rhizome species. Generally, due to the color diversity of Iris sp. and unique beauty of the flowers and the resistance of the native species, they can be used as native foundations. Due to the prominent traits such as high durability of Iris meda, odor of I. hymernospatha Subsp. leptoneura and color diversity of I. persica, I. songarica and height of I. spuria, they can be used to introduce new ornamental species. Iris spuria is the most suitable genotype because of the high height, large flower, high durability, and beautiful flower.

PAN-CANCER INTEGRATIVE HISTOLOGY-GENOMIC ANALYSIS VIA INTERPRETABLE MULTIMODAL DEEP LEARNING

The rapidly emerging field of deep learning-based computational pathology has demonstrated promise in developing objective prognostic models from histology whole slide images. However, most prognostic models are either based on histology or genomics alone and do not address how histology and genomics can be integrated to develop joint image-omic prognostic models. Additionally identifying explainable morphological and molecular descriptors from these models that govern such prognosis is of interest. We used multimodal deep learning to integrate gigapixel whole slide pathology images, RNA-seq abundance, copy number variation, and mutation data from 5,720 patients across 14 major cancer types. Our interpretable, weakly-supervised, multimodal deep learning algorithm is able to fuse these heterogeneous modalities for predicting outcomes and discover prognostic features from these modalities that corroborate with poor and favorable outcomes via multimodal interpretability. We compared our model with unimodal deep learning models trained on histology slides and molecular profiles alone, and demonstrate performance increase in risk stratification on 9 out of 14 cancers. In addition, we analyze morphologic and molecular markers responsible for prognostic predictions across all cancer types. All analyzed data, including morphological and molecular correlates of patient prognosis across the 14 cancer types at a disease and patient level are presented in an interactive open-access database (this http URL) to allow for further exploration and prognostic biomarker discovery. To validate that these model explanations are prognostic, we further analyzed high attention morphological regions in WSIs, which indicates that tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte presence corroborates with favorable cancer prognosis on 9 out of 14 cancer types studied.

Novel aggregated multiposition noncontact mapping of atrial tachycardia in humans: From computational modeling to clinical validation.

A novel aggregated multiposition noncontact mapping (AMP-NCM) algorithm is proposed to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to computationally determine an accuracy threshold and to compare the accuracy and clinical utility of AMP-NCM to gold standard contact mapping. In a cellular automata model, the number of catheter positions and chamber coverage were varied to establish accuracy requirements for clinically relevant AMP-NCM. This guided the clinical study protocol. In a prospective cohort of patients with atrial tachycardia (AT), noncontact mapping (NCM) recordings from a single position (SP) and multiple positions were compared to contact mapping with a high-density multipolar catheter using morphology and timing differences of reconstructed signals. Identification of AT mechanisms and ablation targets using both AMP-NCM and contact mapping were randomly evaluated by 5 blinded reviewers. AMP-NCM accuracy was asymptotic at 60 catheter positions in computational modeling. Twenty patients (age 65 ± 12 years; 19 male) with 26 ATs (5 focal, 21 reentrant) were studied. Morphologic correlation of signals derived from AMP-NCM was significantly better than those from SP-NCM compared to contact signals (median 0.93 vs 0.76; P <.001). AMP-NCM generated maps more rapidly than contact mapping (3 ± 1 minutes vs 13 ± 6 minutes; P <.001) and correctly diagnosed AT mechanisms in 25 of 26 maps (96%). Overall, 80% of arrhythmia mechanisms were correctly identified using AMP-NCM by blinded reviewers. Once 60 catheter positions were achieved, AMP-NCM successfully diagnosed mechanisms of AT and identified treatment sites equal to gold standard contact mapping in 3 minutes of procedural time.

A Study Protocol to Assess the Correlation of Endometrial Morphology with Concerned Hormone Levels in Patients of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Background: Abnormal-uterine-bleeding (AUB) is caused due to numerous systemic or functional etiologies. Patients may come with metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, intermenstrual bleeding and polymenorrhea. The underlying pathology can be ascertained by histological variations of endometrium considering the age, the phase of menstrual cycle and the use of any exogenous hormones. This study aims to assess the correlation between endometrial changes and concerned hormone levels.&#x0D; Methodology: This will be a Prospective study conducted for two years in Histopathology Department of Pathology, JNMC, Wardha. Total 65 female patients with complaint of irregular uterine bleeding will be included in this study. The histomorphology patterns of endometrial lesions will be studied and classified according to WHO classification. The collected data will be analysed using appropriate statistical methods.&#x0D; Results: A Significant correlation is expected between endometrial changes and concerned hormone levels.&#x0D; Conclusion: Conclusion will be drawn from the results obtained from the study.

Cyto-morphological features of parathyroid lesions: Fine-needle aspiration cytology series from an endocrine tumor referral center.

Descriptions of parathyroid cell cyto-morphology are limited. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with immunocytochemistry (ICC) or biochemical PTH measurements may help verify the parathyroid origin in extraordinary cases, although these methods are nowadays largely replaced by imaging techniques. We collected all available FNAC reports of parathyroid lesions from our department spanning 20 years, to characterize the clinical use of parathyroid FNAC, and to assess morphological correlates between cytology and subsequent histopathology. Twenty-eight cases with assessable cytological smears were found, of which 21 cases were surgically resected and 20 available for histological review (15 adenomas, 2 carcinomas, 2 atypical tumors and a single case with secondary hyperplasia). FNAC was predominantly performed to localize the diseased gland in cases with inconclusive imaging, in cases with a suspicion of intrathyroidal localization or in cases with persistent hypercalcemia following unsuccessful surgery. The diagnosis was verified using either PTH ICC and/or PTH measurements for most cases, and the procedure affected the clinical decision-making for the majority of patients in this selected cohort. Cytological differences between parathyroid adenomas and carcinomas were found, as only carcinomas showed pleomorphism with irregular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Morphologically, no correlations to predominant cell types or growth patterns visualized at histological investigations among adenomas were noted, and biopsy artifacts were evident in 40% of cases. Parathyroid FNAC could be considered as a complementary analysis for a small group of selected patients, but benefits have to be weighed against the risk of biopsy artifacts in histological preparations.

Clustered star formation at early evolutionary stages

Context. The process of high-mass star formation during the earliest evolutionary stages and the change over time of the physical and chemical properties of individual fragmented cores are still not fully understood. Aims. We aim to characterize the physical and chemical properties of fragmented cores during the earliest evolutionary stages in the very young star-forming regions ISOSS J22478+6357 and ISOSS J23053+5953. Methods. NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array 1.3 mm data are used in combination with archival mid- and far-infrared Spitzer and Herschel telescope observations to construct and fit the spectral energy distributions of individual fragmented cores. The radial density profiles are inferred from the 1.3 mm continuum visibility profiles, and the radial temperature profiles are estimated from H2CO rotation temperature maps. Molecular column densities are derived with the line fitting tool XCLASS. The physical and chemical properties are combined by applying the physical-chemical model MUlti Stage ChemicaL codE in order to constrain the chemical timescales of a few line-rich cores. The morphology and spatial correlations of the molecular emission are analyzed using the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) method. Results. The mid-infrared data show that both regions contain a cluster of young stellar objects. Bipolar molecular outflows are observed in the CO 2−1 transition toward the strong millimeter (mm) cores, indicating protostellar activity. We find strong molecular emission of SO, SiO, H2CO, and CH3OH in locations that are not associated with the mm cores. These shocked knots can be associated either with the bipolar outflows or, in the case of ISOSS J23053+5953, with a colliding flow that creates a large shocked region between the mm cores. The mean chemical timescale of the cores is lower (~20 000 yr) compared to that of the sources of the more evolved CORE sample (~60 000 yr). With the HOG method, we find that the spatial emission of species that trace the extended emission and of shock-tracing molecules are well correlated within transitions of these groups. Conclusions. Clustered star formation is observed toward both regions. Comparing the mean results of the density and temperature power-law index with the results of the original CORE sample of more evolved regions, it appears that neither change significantly from the earliest evolutionary stages to the hot molecular core stage. However, we find that the 1.3 mm flux, kinetic temperature, H2 column density, and core mass of the cores increase in time, which can be traced both in the M/L ratio and the chemical timescale, τchem.

COLLECTIVE HOUSING FORM IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DISPERSED CITY: BANJA LUKA CASE STUDY

&amp;lt;jats:p&amp;gt;The paper discusses how the dispersed urban form of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is related to the collective housing form that emerged during the 20th and 21st centuries. The morphological study resulted in the typological patterns of collective housing form based on the relationship between the house and open space and follows its transformation during the period. It was based on a qualitative analysis of the figure/ground ratio and its configuration, and the correlation of morphology results to distinct economic issues and architectural paradigms. The research confirmed that open space was continually and significantly present in collective housing form in all typological patterns. The diffuseness and openness on the housing scale contributed to the dispersity of urban form on a larger scale.&amp;lt;/jats:p&amp;gt;

Abstract 9862: Correlation of Lipoprotein(a) and Plaque Morphology in Very Young Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Background: Levels of lipoprotein (Lp) (a) are a useful marker for risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases. This genetic biomarker is suggestive of patient predisposition to an acute coronary event. Its correlation with the plaque morphology is yet to be explored with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Aim: To study the correlation of Lp(a) levels and plaque morphology in very young (&lt;35 years) patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome(ACS). Methods: A prospective, single-centre, observational study was conducted at a tertiary-care centre. Very young patients with acute coronary syndrome and fit for OCT guided invasive coronary angiography were included. Lp(a) levels were compared between healthy controls and these very young ACS patients. Correlation of Lp(a) levels and plaque characteristics in very young ACS patients was done using OCT imaging. Results: A total of 80 subjects were enrolled in the study. Out of these 40 were very young ACS and 40 were age matched healthy controls. Mean levels of Lp(a) were 28.10±13.96 nmol/l and 61.20±55.88 nmol/l in healthy controls and very young patients with ACS respectively (p=0.022). In very young patients, plaque rupture and erosion were the mechanism of acute coronary syndrome in 67.5% and 32.5% patients, respectively. Among very young ACS patients, those with Lp(a) levels &lt;75 nmol/l had a mean thin cap fibroatheroma thickness of 96.89±65.52 μm and those with Lp(a) levels ≥75 nmol/l had a mean thin cap fibroatheroma thickness of 67.85±53.80 μm (p=0.158). Conclusion: It was revealed that patients with higher Lp(a) levels had lesser thickness of fibrous cap on OCT imaging compared with lower levels of Lp(a). Lp(a) levels were independently associated with ACS in very young (&lt;35 years) patients, with plaque rupture being the commonest mechanism. Hence, we conclude that higher Lp(a) levels predispose to ACS at a very young age associated with lowering of fibrous cap thickness.

Grades of Below-the-Ankle Arterial Occlusive Disease following the Angiosome Perfusion: A New Morphological Assessment and Correlations with the Inframalleolar GVG Stratification in CLTI Patients

To assess a specific classification of the foot atherosclerotic disease concerning the angiosomal source arteries, the connected foot arches and attached collaterals for Rutherford 5, CLTI patients. To compare eventual analogies of this novel grading system with previously reported GLASS/GVG inframalleolar patterns of occlusive disease (P0-P2). A series of 336 ischemic feet (221 diabetics) were selected and retrospectively analyzed. For each angiographic pattern of inframalleolar atherosclerotic disease, 4 severity classes of targeted angiosomal artery path (TAAP), associating 4 other classes concerning linked foot arches (LFA) and collaterals occlusive disease were described. By associating the 4 TAAP with the 4 others parallel LFA and collaterals classes, 4 novel anatomical "Grades" (A-D) of occlusive disease were described. Limb salvage was studied between groups of diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Using a primary endovascular approach, limb preservation comparison of grade A/B proved without significance for diabetics (P=0.032) and non-diabetics (P=0.226). Comparison in diabetics and/or non-diabetics between A/C (P=0.045 and 0.046), A/D (P=0.027 and 0.030,B/C (P=0.009 and 0.038), and B/D (P=0.006 and P=0.042), as well as C/D groups (P=0.048 and P=0.034) proved ponderous. Parallel analysis of similar grades (A/A, B/B, etc.) with, or without diabetes appeared without significance (P > 0.05). Further comparison between grades A+B (assigned as P0/GVG), versus C (P1), and D (P2), proved significant (P < 0.0001). The present grading system proposes a useful correlation between the severity of foot angiosomal arteries, arches, and collaterals disease and limb salvage, confirming the clinical significance of P0-P2 GVG severity score. This analysis also points the limits of EVT to be probably avoided in grade D patients.

Holistic Characterization of a Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Model Using Integrated Molecular Imaging.

A more complete and holistic view on host-microbe interactions is needed to understand the physiological and cellular barriers that affect the efficacy of drug treatments and allow the discovery and development of new therapeutics. Here, we developed a multimodal imaging approach combining histopathology with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and same section imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to study the effects of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in the liver of a mouse model using the S. Typhimurium strains SL3261 and SL1344. This approach enables correlation of tissue morphology and specific cell phenotypes with molecular images of tissue metabolism. IMC revealed a marked increase in immune cell markers and localization in immune aggregates in infected tissues. A correlative computational method (network analysis) was deployed to find metabolic features associated with infection and revealed metabolic clusters of acetyl carnitines, as well as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen species, which could be associated with pro-inflammatory immune cell types. By developing an IMC marker for the detection of Salmonella LPS, we were further able to identify and characterize those cell types which contained S. Typhimurium.

Hyperexcitability and brain morphological differences in mice lacking the cystine/glutamate antiporter, system xc.

System xc- (Sxc- ) is a heteromeric antiporter (L-cystine/L-glutamate exchanger) expressed predominately on astrocytes in the central nervous system. Its activity contributes importantly to the maintenance of the ambient extracellular glutamate levels, as well as, to cellular redox homeostasis. Since alterations in glutamate levels and redox modifications could cause structural changes, we analyzed gross regional morphology of thionin-stained brain sections and cellular and subcellular morphology of Golgi-Cox stained layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary motor cortex (PM1) of mice naturally null for SLC7A11 (SLC7A11sut/sut )-the gene that encodes the substrate specific light chain (xCT) for Sxc- . Intriguingly, in comparison to age- and sex-matched wild-type (SLC7A11+/+ ) littermate controls, we found morphologic changes-including increased dendritic complexity and mushroom spine area in males and reduced corpus callosum and soma size in females-that have previously been described, in each case, as morphological correlates of excitability. Consistent with this, we found that both male and female SLC7A11sut/sut mice had lower convulsive seizure thresholds and greater seizure severity than their sex-matched wild-type (SLC7A11+/+ ) littermates after acute challenge with two pharmacologically distinct chemoconvulsants: the Glu receptor agonist, kainic acid (KA), or the GABAA receptor antagonist, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). These results suggest that the loss of Sxc- signaling in males and females perturbs excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in vivo, potentially through its regulation of cellular and subcellular morphology.

Molecules with ALMA at Planet-forming Scales (MAPS). IX. Distribution and Properties of the Large Organic Molecules HC3N, CH3CN, and c-C3H2

Abstract The precursors to larger, biologically relevant molecules are detected throughout interstellar space, but determining the presence and properties of these molecules during planet formation requires observations of protoplanetary disks at high angular resolution and sensitivity. Here, we present 0.″3 observations of HC3N, CH3CN, and c-C3H2 in five protoplanetary disks observed as part of the Molecules with ALMA at Planet-forming Scales (MAPS) Large Program. We robustly detect all molecules in four of the disks (GM Aur, AS 209, HD 163296, and MWC 480) with tentative detections of c-C3H2 and CH3CN in IM Lup. We observe a range of morphologies—central peaks, single or double rings—with no clear correlation in morphology between molecule or disk. Emission is generally compact and on scales comparable with the millimeter dust continuum. We perform both disk-integrated and radially resolved rotational diagram analysis to derive column densities and rotational temperatures. The latter reveals 5–10 times more column density in the inner 50–100 au of the disks when compared with the disk-integrated analysis. We demonstrate that CH3CN originates from lower relative heights in the disks when compared with HC3N, in some cases directly tracing the disk midplane. Finally, we find good agreement between the ratio of small to large nitriles in the outer disks and comets. Our results indicate that the protoplanetary disks studied here are host to significant reservoirs of large organic molecules, and that this planet- and comet-building material can be chemically similar to that in our own solar system. This paper is part of the MAPS special issue of the Astrophysical Journal Supplement.

Hydrogen-free Cu: Amorphous-C: N Coating on TC4 Titanium Alloy: The Role of Gas Ratio on Mechanical and Antibacterial Potency

Ti-6Al-4V alloy, also called TC4, substrates are sputter-deposited by Cu: amorphous-C: N (Cu:a-C:N) thin coatings using planar magnetron sputtering physical vapor deposition device. Mixtures of argon and nitrogen at different ratios are selected as the sputtering atmosphere, and no hydrocarbon gas is used. Correlation of microstructure, morphology, surface properties, antibacterial characteristics, and mechanical performance of the coatings to the N2/Ar ratio are discussed. The outcomes from Raman spectroscopy confirm the construction of the DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) phase in the microstructure of the coatings. The thin coatings synthesized at higher N2/Ar ratios show more increased amount of sp 3 hybridization, improved wettability, higher internal stress, and enhanced mechanical properties, i.e., higher hardness. However, these are accompanied by lower antibacterial performance. Plastic hardness (H) value of the thin coatings increased from about 2 GPa to 13 GPa by increasing N2/Ar ratio. However, bacterial reduction percent of the thin coatings decreased from 100 to 65% as N2/Ar ratio increased. The resultant outcomes reveal the critical role of the N2/Ar ratio on tailoring the antibacterial properties of Cu: a-C: N thin coatings as well as mechanical ones.

Histopathological Findings in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Patients with COVID-19

Introduction/ObjectiveAmidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we have learned that other organs, aside from the lungs, are affected by the virus. Tissue damage has been documented both clinically and histologically in multiple systems including the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal distress may be correlated with histopathologic findings. Studies have shown direct infection of epithelial cells in the GI tract in patients with the disease. The objective of this study is to identify specific histologic alterations that are present in patients with COVID-19.Methods/Case ReportAt our institution, a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate all COVID-positive patients who underwent any gastrointestinal procedure within 30 days after their positive test. The time frame included January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Chart reviews were performed to document radiographic studies, endoscopic findings, histopathologic analysis, and clinical symptoms.Results (if a Case Study enter NA)A total of 26 patients met our criteria for inclusion in the study. The cohort consisted of 10 males and 16 females ranging in age from 13 to 78 years. Tissue was sent for histologic analysis in 19 of these individuals. Tubular adenomas (13), chronic gastritis (11), and prominent intestinal lymphoid aggregates (7) were the most common pathologic findings (Table 1).ConclusionThese findings suggest that the histopathologic findings rendered from GI procedures of patients with COVID-19 may be non-specific and may not reveal any morphologic correlate to the clinical signs and symptoms. We propose that histopathological abnormalities identified from GI samples of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients must be correlated with clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and imaging when available.