Morphological Methods Research Articles

Quorum Sensing Molecule Autoinducer-2 Promotes Macrophage Classical Polarization and Exacerbates Periodontal Inflammation Via Nf-Κb Signalling.

The role of quorum sensing signaling in the immunoinflammatory response during the development of periodontitis is not yet known. This study aimed to explore the effect of Autoinducer-2, a quorum sensing signaling molecule, on macrophage phenotypic remodeling in the immune microenvironment of periodontitis, to further elucidate its mechanism and to discover inhibitors against periodontitis. Bioluminescence experiments and periodontitis model were used to demonstrate the association between periodontitis progression with AI-2. Next, AI-2 challenged macrophage was introduced to transcriptomic sequence and the immune profile was characterized in combination with flow cytometry, qPCR, and immunofluorescence. Activation of NF-κB signalling by AI-2 was confirmed by fluorescence co-localization and immunoblotting. Finally, morphological methods such as Micro-CT and HE, TRAP staining and immunological methods such as immunohistochemistry/fluorescence staining were used to assess the mechanisms by which AI-2 regulates periodontitis progression. AI-2 level was positively correlated with the progression of periodontitis stages and was significantly higher in periodontitis stage III and IV patients. AI-2 promotes macrophage classical polarization and facilitates the secretion of inflammatory factors in vitro, which is dependent on the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. AI-2 promotes alveolar bone resorption, but D-ribose acts as a quorum sensing inhibitor to alleviate macrophage classical polarization and attenuates alveolar bone resorption and inflammatory responses in periodontitis mice. Our study demonstrates that AI-2 promoted classical polarization of macrophage and exacerbated periodontal inflammation which could be reversed by D-ribose.

A Diagnostic Guide for Fusarium Fruit Rot of Pumpkin and Winter Squash

Fusarium fruit rot caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae is an important postharvest disease impacting the global production and storage of pumpkins and winter squash ( Cucurbita spp.). The pathogen infects fruit through wounds, causing water-soaked lesions that may become sunken, coalesce, and be covered by fine mycelial growth. F. solani is soilborne and can survive long term in soil and plant debris. Storage rots impact several Cucurbita spp. grown for long-term storage. F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae has two races and is the most commonly found Fusarium species infecting cucurbits. Identification includes morphologic and PCR-based methods. This guide outlines taxonomy, symptoms, isolation, and epidemiology and provides methods to identify the pathogen.

Expression of CDX2, CK20 and CK7 in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa in schoolchildren with CagA H. pylori-associated gastritis

Aim. To study the association of protein expression CDX2, CK20, CK7 in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa in schoolchildren with CagA H. pylori-associated gastritis. Material and methods. Gastroscopy was performed with the collection of biopsy material from the mucous membrane of the antrum and body of the stomach in 89 schoolchildren (7-17 years old) with gastroenterological complaints. The morphological method confirmed the diagnosis of gastritis and determined the presence of H. pylori. Gastric biopsies were examined immunohistochemically to identify the proteins CDX2, CK20, CK7 in the epithelium. Blood was also collected to determine the CagA strain of H. pylori using enzyme immunoassay. Results. In schoolchildren infected with CagA H. pylori, higher expression of CK7 was found in both parts of the stomach (in the body (p = 0.044), in the antrum (p = 0.014)) compared to uninfected children. Changes in the expression of CDX2 and CK20 in children infected with H. pylori CagA have not been established. CDX2 protein was detected more often among schoolchildren aged 12-17 years with H. pylori infection than in children without H. pylori (p = 0.062) and in children with CagA H. pylori (p = 0.017). In the group of younger children with CagA H. pylori, there were higher levels of CK7 expression in the epithelium of the antrum of the stomach, compared with uninfected children (p = 0.033). They also had higher CK7 in the body than in CagA H. pylori-associated gastritis in children of the older age group (p = 0.001). Boys with CagA H. pylori had the highest expression of CK7 in the gastric body, which was higher than in uninfected boys (p = 0.021). Conclusion. Thus, in children, the features of the association of CDX2, CK20, CK7 with CagA H. pylori-associated gastritis have been established, including depending on the age and gender of the child.

A Report on the Tabanus Species Tabanus rufofrater in Mithun (Bos frontalis)

Background: Mithun (Bos frontalis) experience infestations from various ectoparasites, including several types of flies that cause painful bites, stress, blood loss and transmit a range of microorganisms. In the Mithun-inhabited forested regions of Phek, Nagaland, the Tabanus fly is particularly prevalent. Methods: Researchers studied Tabanus flies infesting free-range mithun in Phek District, Nagaland. The flies were collected and processed at the ICAR-NRC on Mithun in Nagaland. Both morphological (using stereoscopic microscopes) and molecular methods (employing ribosomal and mitochondrial gene markers) were utilized for identification. Additionally, DNA barcoding was done at Eurofins Genomics India Pvt. Ltd. to further ascertain the flies’ identities. Climate attributes (Temperature, Rainfall and Humidity) was recorded during the study. Result: Through morphological and molecular investigations, it was conclusively determined to be Tabanus rufofrater. The highest occurrence of Tabanus rufofrater encounters takes place between May and August, aligning with the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, before gradually declining thereafter. The prevalence of Tabanus rufofrater attacks peaks from May to August, coinciding with the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods and subsequently decreases.

The Miskolc Method: Modelling the Evolution of a Natural City with Recursive Algorithms Using Simulated Morphogenesis

This article explores the application of procedural design methods in urban morphology, drawing inspiration from the innovative work of the Architectural Workshop of Miskolc in Hungary during the late 20th century. This study presents a generative approach termed “Simulated Morphogenesis” (or the “Miskolc Method”), which models organic city growth by analysing historical urban tissues and applying recursive algorithms to simulate natural urban development. The method leverages advanced generative tools, such as Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper, to model the step-by-step growth of Central European cities, with a particular focus on Miskolc. By incorporating controlled randomness into the algorithmic processes, the method captures the complexity of organic urban growth while maintaining structured development. The Miskolc Method emphasizes the importance of continuity and context, allowing for the “healing” of urban fabric discontinuities or the generation of new urban structures. This article demonstrates how this approach, while rooted in geometrical analysis, offers a valuable foundation for preliminary urban planning. The findings are relevant for understanding the morphogenesis of cities and provide a flexible framework applicable to various urban contexts globally.

Wide Area VISTA Extra-galactic Survey (WAVES): Unsupervised star-galaxy separation on the WAVES-Wide photometric input catalogue using UMAP and hdbscan

Abstract Star-galaxy separation is a crucial step in creating target catalogues for extragalactic spectroscopic surveys. A classifier biased towards inclusivity risks including high numbers of stars, wasting fibre hours, while a more conservative classifier might overlook galaxies, compromising completeness and hence survey objectives. To avoid bias introduced by a training set in supervised methods, we employ an unsupervised machine learning approach. Using photometry from the Wide Area VISTA Extragalactic Survey (WAVES)-Wide catalogue comprising 9-band u - Ks data, we create a feature space with colours, fluxes, and apparent size information extracted by ProFound. We apply the non-linear dimensionality reduction method UMAP (Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection) combined with the classifier hdbscan to classify stars and galaxies. Our method is verified against a baseline colour and morphological method using a truth catalogue from Gaia, SDSS, GAMA, and DESI. We correctly identify 99.75% of galaxies within the AB magnitude limit of Z = 21.2, with an F1 score of 0.9971 ± 0.0018 across the entire ground truth sample, compared to 0.9879 ± 0.0088 from the baseline method. Our method’s higher purity (0.9967 ± 0.0021) compared to the baseline (0.9795 ± 0.0172) increases efficiency, identifying 11% fewer galaxy or ambiguous sources, saving approximately 70,000 fibre hours on the 4MOST instrument. We achieve reliable classification statistics for challenging sources including quasars, compact galaxies, and low surface brightness galaxies, retrieving 92.7%, 84.6%, and 99.5% of them respectively. Angular clustering analysis validates our classifications, showing consistency with expected galaxy clustering, regardless of the baseline classification.

Combining style generative adversarial networks with particle swarm optimisation-support vector regression to design affective social robot for public health intervention

In order to improve the attractiveness of social robot serving health interventions in public workspace, we propose a product design method with the combination of Style-generative adversarial network (StyleGAN) model and particle swarm optimisation-support vector regression (PSO-SVR). This paper aims to explore the modelling generation method of social robots for health intervention based on artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC) and a mapping model between the shape characteristics and users’ visual perception based on Kansei Engineering (KE). Firstly, to address the defects of typical KE over-reliance on existing samples, we introduce the StyleGAN model in AIGC to learn and train existing robots’ shape samples and generate new robots’ shape sample images. Secondly, the morphological deconstruction method is used to deconstruct the shape features of the new robot sample. Factor analysis (FA) is also used to reduce dimension and cluster emotional words and establish a Likert scale between the shape features of robots and users’ emotional vocabulary. Finally, particle swarm optimisation-support vector regression (PSO-SVR) is used to establish a mapping model between the shape features of social robots and the emotional images of users, thus obtaining the most attractive shape combination scheme. The research results showed that the StyleGAN model in AIGC can be used to assist industrial designers in creative expression and provide rich sample sources for KE; and the PSO-SVR of machine learning can be used to build a mapping model among users’ visual feelings, emotional images and shape features. In the end, we designed an attractive social robot for public health intervention.

Identification of New Cultivar and Different Provenances of Dendrocalamus brandisii (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) Using Simple Sequence Repeats Developed from the Whole Genome.

Dendrocalamus brandisii is a high-quality bamboo species that can be used for both bamboo shoots and wood. The nutritional components and flavors of D. brandisii vary from different geographical provenances. However, the unique biological characteristics of bamboo make morphological classification methods unsuitable for distinguishing them. Although the new cultivar 'Manxie No.1' has significant differences in the branch characteristics and the color of shoot sheaths compared to the D. brandisii, it still lacks precise genetic information at the molecular level. This study identified 231,789 microsatellite markers based on the whole genome of D. brandisii and analyzed their type composition and distribution on chromosomes in detail. Then, using TP-M13-SSR fluorescence-labeling technology, 34 pairs of polymorphic primers were screened to identify the new cultivar 'Manxie No.1' and 11 different geographical provenances of D. brandisii. We also constructed DNA fingerprinting profiles for them. At the same time, we mapped six polymorphic SSRs to the gene of D. brandisii, among which SSR673 was mapped to DhB10G011540, which is related to plant immunity. The specific markers selected in this study can rapidly identify the provenances and the new cultivar of D. brandisii and help explore candidate genes related to some important traits.

Species identification and pollination biology of an economically important true halophyte, Salicornia brachiata Roxb.

Members of the genus Salicornia have gained a global attraction due to their ability to thrive under high saline conditions and as potential candidates in saline agriculture. However, it has been a taxonomically challenging genus for decades since the members show plastic responses to extreme environmental conditions and due to incongruences between morphological and molecular identification methods. While only a handful of commercially grown Salicornia species are fully described, most of the species including S. brachiata, a native species in the Indian sub-continent, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are poorly described. With the potentials in adapting S. brachiata in saline agriculture, the aim of this study was to establish a morphology and DNA barcode-based species delineation system and to study pollination biology for future crop improvement projects. Tentatively identified S. brachiata plant samples were collected from two populations in Sri Lanka and completely described. GenBank lacked authenticated barcode data for S. brachiata except for one chloroplast genome to which the matK sequence obtained in the present study matched with 100 % identity. For the first time, well defined sequences of three barcode regions, ITS, ETS and matK, of S. brachiata were made available for accurate species identification. Reproductive dynamics in different parts of the inflorescence was studied. A facultative xenogamous mating system was recorded for the first time in the genus and while the lower florets in the cladode showed a preference towards outcrossing, the upper florets displayed adaptations for selfing. Data could be effectively utilized in future Salicornia breeding programs.

Preliminary study on Cyclocodon lancifolius leaf blight and screening of Bacillus subtilis as a biocontrol agent.

This study aimed to identify the pathogen responsible for leaf blight in Cyclocodon lancifolius, investigate its biological characteristics, and identify effective synthetic fungicides. Additionally, this study examined changes in physiological and biochemical indices of leaves following pathogen infection and screened biocontrol bacteria that inhibit the pathogen growth, providing a scientific basis for preventing and managing leaf blight in C. lancifolius. Pathogens were isolated from the interface of healthy and infected leaf tissues and identified through morphological and molecular biological methods. Amplification and sequencing of three genomic DNA regions-internal transcribed spacer region, translation elongation factor 1-α, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of ribosomal DNA-were performed, followed by the construction of a phylogenetic tree. The biological characteristics of pathogens under various temperature and pH conditions and different nitrogen and carbon sources were analyzed using the mycelial growth rate method. The antifungal effects of 13 chemical agents were evaluated using the poisoned medium method and mycelial growth rate method. Changes in physiological and biochemical indicators post-infection were also assessed. An antagonistic experiment was conducted to screen for biocontrol bacteria. A total of 29 potential pathogenic strains were isolated from infected leaf tissues, with Koch's Postulates confirming Stemphylium lycopersici as a key pathogen causing the disease. Growth analysis of S. lycopersici revealed optimal growth at 20°C and pH 6, with lactose or maltose serving as the most suitable carbon source and histidine as the preferred nitrogen source. Among the 13 synthetic fungicides tested, strain DHY4 exhibited the greatest sensitivity to 400 g/L flusilazole. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels between treated and control groups 3 days post-inoculation. The biocontrol strain DYHS2, identified as a strain of Bacillus subtilis, demonstrated an inhibition rate of 51.80% against S. lycopersici in dual-culture experiments and showed a relative inhibition rate of 78.82% in detached leaf assays. These findings provide valuable insights into the newly identified causal agent of leaf blight in C. lancifolius and its biological characteristics, underscoring the potential of B. subtilis DYHS2 and synthetic fungicides such as flusilazole as effective disease management strategies.

Unexpected diversity and novel lineages in the cosmopolitan genus Nanomia (Cnidaria: Siphonophorae: Physonectae)

Integrated use of molecular and morphological methods reveals unexpected diversity in the cosmopolitan siphonophore genus Nanomia. Species delimitation analyses based on COI and 16S sequences suggest up to three distinct lineages in addition to the previously accepted Nanomia bijuga (Delle Chiaje, 1844) and N. cara A. Agassiz, 1865. Here, we describe the North Pacific Nanomia septata sp. n., previously confused with both N. cara and N. bijuga, and provide improved morphological characters for the identification of these three Nanomia species. Phylogenetic analyses suggest two additional, hitherto undescribed clades from Japanese and Chinese waters, respectively, but the lack of morphological material prevents describing these putative species. The geographic distribution of molecularly and/or morphologically verified observations confirm a warm circumglobal distribution for N. bijuga and a boreal North Atlantic distribution for N. cara. Interestingly, four distinct lineages occur in the North Pacific, sometimes in close proximity. These contrasting patterns of distribution raise questions about pelagic speciation processes.Nanomia septata sp. n.: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DAF15EA3-AFEA-4AE8-984F-BDFBCFE7E514urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:478049FC-F672-4D34-ABAE-CF4345EC64D7

Identification of cotton non-pathogenic fungal agent isolates based on morphological and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method

In this study, morphological and MALDI-TOF MS identification and comparison of non-pathogenic fungal species isolated from diseased root, leaf and boll tissues of cotton plants were carried out. For this purpose, surveys were conducted in Bağlar, Sur, Çınar, Bismil, Yenişehir, Ergani, Eğil, Kayapınar and Silvan districts of Diyarbakır province where cotton production is intensive between June and September 2020 and 2021. 209 samples of plants showing typical fungal disease symptoms were collected from 75 different cotton production areas. A total of 171 fungal isolates were obtained by isolation, culture and purification procedures from diseased plant tissues in the samples. The 20 isolates that were negative in the pathogenicity test in the main host were identified and compared by morphological (traditional) and MALDI-TOF MS methods. According to the results, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus minisclerotigenes, Penicillium nalgıovense, Chaetomium globosum, Dichotomopilus funicola, Arthroderma gloria, Pseudogmnoacus pannorum, Tichophyton interdigitale, and Penicillium sp. Penicillium sp. were found to be intensively colonized in different parts of cotton such as leaves, bolls and roots. Again, it was determined that the most common species among the total saprophyte isolates was Aspergillus niger with a high similarity rate.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Anthracnose on Canna indica L. in Guangxi, China.

Canna indica L., a well-known wetland plant (Lei et al. 2023), was found with leaf spots in a planting area (∼667 m2) in Tiandong, Guangxi, China, in June 2022. 5500 plants were affected by this disease. Symptoms began as yellow lesions, and then developed brown sub-ellipsoid spots with yellow borders, then gradually expanded and encompassed the entire leaves until leaves wilted. 18 diseased leaves were collected and cut into small pieces (3 ×3 mm) from the brown margins. The pieces were moistened with 75% ethanol for 10 seconds, disinfected with 2% NaClO for two minutes and rinsed with sterile water three times. Pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28°C for four days. 15 isolates with similar morphological characterizations were isolated and purified (about 68% isolation frequency) from 18 diseased leaves. Three isolates (CI1-1, CI1-2 and CI1-3) were selected for further morphological and molecular identification. Fungi mycelia on PDA were grayish white initially, and became dark gray after seven days. Conidia were hyaline, guttulate, unicellular, cylindrical, and averaged 15.09 × 5.72 μm. To confirm the identification, genomic DNA was extracted from mycelium of the three isolates, and the partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, intergenic region of apn2 and MAT1-2-1 (ApMAT), fragments of actin (ACT), glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase (CHS-1), and β-tubulin (TUB2) genes were amplified, sequenced and submitted to GenBank (ITS: OR501461 to OR501463; ApMat: OR684455-OR684457; ACT: OR765956-OR765958; GAPDH: OR779527-OR779529; CHS-1: OR797622-OR797624; TUB2: OR820537-OR820539). The sequences of the three isolates were 99%-100% identical (ApMat, 882/882 bp; ACT, 228/230 bp; GAPDH, 278/280 bp; CHS-1, 298/299 bp and TUB2, 298/299 bp) with those of Colletotrichum fructicola isolate ICMP18581 (JQ807838, FJ907426, JX010033, JX009866 and JX010405) (Liu et al. 2015). Compared with C. fructicola isolate ICMP18581 (JX010165), the ITS sequence identities were 94% (556/594 bp). A Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MEGA v. 10.1.5 based on the concatenation of multiple sequences. Based on these results, the three isolates were identified as C. fructicola. Pathogenicity tests of three isolates were conducted on nine one-year-old seedlings. Three leaves per plant (six sites per leaf) were inoculated with the adjusted conidial suspension of each isolate. Ten μl suspension (106 conidia/ml) was dripped on each inoculation site without wounding. Three additional plants were inoculated with sterile water as negative controls. All plants were covered with plastic bags sprayed with sterile water, and cultured in a light incubator at 28°C, with 14:10 h light/dark cycle. After five days, dark-brown spots (0.1-1.4cm×0.2-1.6cm) appeared on the leaves of experimental groups, while no lesions were found in the controls. The pathogen was reisolated from the symptomatic leaves and confirmed as C. fructicola based on molecular and morphological methods, fulfilling Koch's hypothesis. C. fructicola has been reported in various ornamental plants (Silva-Cabral et al. 2019, Guarnaccia et al. 2021, Sun et al. 2020). This is the first report of C. fructicola causing anthracnose on C. indica in China, according to literature analysis. The findings will help growers to prevent and control this pathogen, and improve the landscape effect.

Research on Evaluation and Prediction Methods of Cognitive Intentions for Product Morphological Features

The morphological characteristics of a product serve as essential carriers for conveying design intentions. These characteristics directly affect users’ comprehension of the product’s functions and proper usage, which are critical to the safety of product utilization and the overall comfort of the user experience. Incorporating prior experience to predict users’ cognitive intentions regarding product form characteristics can provide valuable evaluation and decision-making references for design. This approach effectively reduces product development risks and contributes to enhancing user acceptance and experience. The study established intention discrimination indicators for form characteristics, covering six dimensions: functional orientation, behavioral intention, recognizability, cognitive load, attention distribution, and experiential feeling. Combining multidimensional scaling (MDS) and systematic clustering, samples were screened, and the morphological decomposition method was used to categorize and extract form characteristic categories and feature factors. The entropy weight method was applied to assign weights to the feature categories, and a feedforward neural network (FNN) was employed to construct a prediction model for cognitive intentions regarding product form characteristics. The model was tested using leave-one-out cross-validation, yielding a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0089 and an R correlation coefficient of 0.9998, indicating high reliability. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of this method were validated through a case study on earthquake science experience facilities.

Environmental predictors impact microbial-based postmortem interval (PMI) estimation models within human decomposition soils.

Microbial succession has been suggested to supplement established postmortem interval (PMI) estimation methods for human remains. Due to limitations of entomological and morphological PMI methods, microbes are an intriguing target for forensic applications as they are present at all stages of decomposition. Previous machine learning models from soil necrobiome data have produced PMI error rates from two and a half to six days; however, these models are built solely on amplicon sequencing of biomarkers (e.g., 16S, 18S rRNA genes) and do not consider environmental factors that influence the presence and abundance of microbial decomposers. This study builds upon current research by evaluating the inclusion of environmental data on microbial-based PMI estimates from decomposition soil samples. Random forest regression models were built to predict PMI using relative taxon abundances obtained from different biological markers (bacterial 16S, fungal ITS, 16S-ITS combined) and taxonomic levels (phylum, class, order, OTU), both with and without environmental predictors (ambient temperature, soil pH, soil conductivity, and enzyme activities) from 19 deceased human individuals that decomposed on the soil surface (Tennessee, USA). Model performance was evaluated by calculating the mean absolute error (MAE). MAE ranged from 804 to 997 accumulated degree hours (ADH) across all models. 16S models outperformed ITS models (p = 0.006), while combining 16S and ITS did not improve upon 16S models alone (p = 0.47). Inclusion of environmental data in PMI prediction models had varied effects on MAE depending on the biological marker and taxonomic level conserved. Specifically, inclusion of the measured environmental features reduced MAE for all ITS models, but improved 16S models at higher taxonomic levels (phylum and class). Overall, we demonstrated some level of predictability in soil microbial succession during human decomposition, however error rates were high when considering a moderate population of donors.

Accuracy of the Pore Morphology Method in Modeling Fluid Saturation in 3D Fibrous Domains

Accuracy of the Pore Morphology Method in Modeling Fluid Saturation in 3D Fibrous Domains

Molecular diagnosis of E.coliO157:H7 Which Isolated from Children with Diarrhea by using Multiplex PCR

A total of 96 stool samples were collected from children with bloody diarrhea from two hospitals in Baghdad. All samples were surveyed and examined for the presence of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 and differentiate it from other Non -Sorbitol Fermenting Escherichia coli (NSF E. coli). The Bacterial isolates were identifed by using morphological diagnostic methods, Samples were cultured on liquid enrichment medium, incubated at 37C? for 24 hrs, and then cultured on Cefixime Tellurite -Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (CT- SMAC). 32 non-sorbitol fermenting bacterial isolates were obtained of which 11 were identified as Escherichia coli by using traditional biochemical tests and API20E diagnostic system without differentiation between serotype O157:H7 and other NSF E. coli isolates . Four special biochemical tests were done for serotype O157:H7 differentiation from other NSF bacteria. Only 3 isolates belonging to the serotype O157:H7 were obtained . Latex agglutination test for O157 and H7 showed that the 3 isolates gave positive results with both tests. The Bacterial isolates were identifed by using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (MPCR) technology for the presence or absence of 4 genes (Stx1, Stx2, hlyA and eaeA) that encode for main virulence factors to diagnose E. coli O157:H7 isolated By using specific primers in MPCR . The result showed that one E. coli O157:H7 isolates contain all 4 genes , other isolates contain 3 genes: Stx2, hlyA &amp; eaeA.

Spontaneous imbibition in thin anisotropic fibrous media: Experiments and numerical modeling

In this study, we investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of wetting saturation during spontaneous imbibition in anisotropic fibrous porous media using both experimental and numerical methods. We present a novel experimental approach to systematically study spontaneous imbibition in these media, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of how microstructure influences wicking performance. The experimental method, which exhibits high reproducibility, was used to validate the numerical model. The numerical model was parameterized using only the porosity and filament diameter of the porous media in conjunction with the material properties of the imbibing fluid. The essential capillary saturation curve for the numerical model was derived using the pore morphology method. The numerical results effectively replicated the experimental results. Our experimental and numerical observations revealed a diffusive wetting front within the porous media, which progressively expanded and decelerated during the imbibition process. The results highlight the significant influence of filament size on the wetting saturation dynamics and the height of the wetting front during spontaneous imbibition.

Инструментальная и морфологическая оценка изменений стромы роговицы мыши в динамике посттравматического восстановления

Relevance. Around the world, corneal blindness caused by impaired transparency is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Damage to the cornea can also lead to the development of opacities. The pathogenesis of corneal opacities is based on pathomorphological changes in the corneal stroma. To explore the therapeutic potential of biomedical products and develop new treatments, a standardized and reproducible in vivomodel of corneal stromal injury is needed. In experimental ophthalmology, mouse models of various corneal injuries are widely used, but the dynamics of posttraumatic restoration of the ultrastructural organization of the stroma have been little studied. Purpose. To evaluate structural and functional changes in the corneal stroma of mice in the dynamics of post-traumatic recovery. Material and methods. Injury to the corneal stroma was performed using a sharp 33G needle in the form of a tunnel defect in the thickness of the cornea of C57BL/6 mice. The presence of post-traumatic damage and the dynamics of corneal recovery were assessed using instrumental methods (biomicroscopy of the anterior segment of the eye with a fluorescein test, optical coherence tomography (OCT) before, immediately after the injury, and after 2 and 4 weeks after injury. Transmission electron microscopy was performed using a JEM 1400 electron microscope. Morphometry of digital images was performed using Image J software, calculating the minimum nearest interfibrillar distance, diameter and fibril density. Results. The formation of a corneal stromal wound was confirmed by the development of reactive edema according to OCT data and the accumulation of fluorescein in all damaged corneas. 2 weeks after the injury, complete epithelization of the wound surface was observed. According to OCT data, 2 weeks after the injury, an increase in corneal thickness by 34% and an increase in the opacity index by 1.5 times were recorded compared to a healthy cornea. By the 4th week of observation, the corneal thickness and opacity index remained at a high level in the injured cornea. After the formation of injury to the corneal stroma, a decrease in the diameter of collagen fibrils, an increase in fibril density and the shortest nearest interfibrillar distance were revealed throughout the observation period. onclusion. A mechanical model of corneal trauma performed using a sharp 33-gauge needle induces the formation of stable stromal opacities. Instrumental and morphological research methods did not reveal stromal restoration during the entire observation period (4 weeks). Key words: corneal trauma, optical coherence tomography, corneal thickness, corneal transparency, corneal morphology, corneal fibrils

No clinically relevant relationship between different quantitative measurement methods of the lateral femoral condyle morphology on lateral radiographs in anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients.

To clarify whether different methods of quantifying lateral femoral condyle (LFC) bone morphology as risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on lateral radiographs should be considered as individual risk factors and to assess inter- and intraobserver reliability. We retrospectively reviewed 487 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction at our institution. Routine lateral radiographs of the injured knees were utilized to measure the following parameters: LFC ratio (LFCR), height of LFC to anteroposterior diameter ratio (HAPR), femur tibia size ratio (FTSR), tibia to posterior femoral condyle ratio (TPFCR) and Porto ratios (XY/AB; B/AB; B/XY). Malrotated radiographs were excluded. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to identify relationships. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for inter- and intraobserver reliability for two raters. Fifty-eight patients were included. Means and standard deviations for LFCR were 63.7% ± 2.8%, HAPR 0.35 ± 0.02, FTSR 1.23 ± 0.07, TPFCR 2.99 ± 0.28, XY/AB 0.41 ± 0.08, B/AB 1.20 ± 0.06 and B/XY 3.05 ± 0.58. Significant correlations were observed between FTSR and XY/AB (r = 0.425), B/AB (r = 0.582) and TPFCR (r = -0.326), between XY/AB and HAPR (r = -0.309) and B/XY (r = -0.933) and between TPFCR and B/AB (r = 0.302). Intraobserver agreement was excellent for LFCR, HAPR, FTSR, TPFCR and B/AB and good for XY/AB and B/XY. Interobserver agreement varied from poor for XY/AB and B/XY, good for HAPR, B/AB, FTSR and TPFCR to excellent for LFCR. Different methods of quantifying LFC bone morphology should be considered as individual risk factors, characterized by good to excellent intraobserver reliability, but highly variable interobserver reliability. Level III.