Real-time correction of chromatic aberration in optical fluorescence microscopy.

Multi-color fluorescence imaging is a powerful tool for studying the spatial relationships and interactions among sub-cellular structures in biological specimens. However, if improperly corrected, geometrical distortions caused by mechanical drift, refractive index mismatch, or chromatic aberration can lead to lower image resolution. In this paper, we present an extension of the image processing framework of Scipion by integrating a protocol called OFM Corrector, which corrects geometrical distortions in real-time using a B-spline-based elastic continuous registration technique. Our proposal provides a simple strategy to overcome chromatic aberration by digitally re-aligning color channels in multi-color fluorescence microscopy images, even in 3D or time. Our method relies on a geometrical calibration, which we do with fluorescent beads excited by different wavelengths of light and subsequently registered to get the elastic warp as a reference to correct chromatic shift. Our software is freely available with a user-friendly GUI and can be broadly used for various biological imaging problems. The paper presents a valuable tool for researchers working in light microscopy facilities.

Perfil de pacientes con enfermedades minoritarias en Galicia. Perspectiva desde la medicina interna / Clinical profile of patients with rare diseases. An approach from Internal Medicine

Objetivos: Las enfermedades minoritarias constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de patologías de baja prevalencia, con un origen genético en la mayoría de los casos y frecuentemente asociadas a un retraso en su diagnóstico y notable morbi-mortalidad. Conocer las características clínicas y el grado de complejidad asistencial de los pacientes con enfermedades minoritarias que acuden a las consultas de medicina interna en Galicia podría facilitar una atención más eficaz y eficiente. Material y métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, transversal y multicéntrico en pacientes con enfermedad de baja prevalencia ≥ 18 años atendidos en las consultas y unidades específicas de medicina interna en Galicia hasta el 31 de Diciembre de 2020. Se obtuvieron de cada centro el número de pacientes atendidos según la patología, la media en años desde la aparición de los síntomas, número de comorbilidades, número de visitas anuales al centro y a otros especialistas, número de tratamientos (incluidos aquellos de alto impacto económico), grado de deterioro cognitivo y estimación del nivel de dependencia. Resultados: Se analizaron los indicadores de seis centros correspondientes a seis áreas sanitarias de Galicia, representando a un total de 324 pacientes, con una edad media de 41,3 ±15,8 años. Los tres principales grupos de patologías atendidas fueron por este orden las enfermedades genéticas raras, los errores innatos del metabolismo y las enfermedades neurológicas raras. El retraso medio en el diagnóstico fue de 4,8 ±7,9 años y un 34,17% de los pacientes tardaron 5 o más años en tener una confirmación diagnóstica. Este grupo de mayor retraso diagnóstico presenta menor puntuación en la escala de dependencia de Barthel y 1,75 veces mayor utilización de recursos sanitarios (consultas a medicina interna y otras especialidades). El 11,75% de los pacientes presentan un nivel de dependencia severa o total y el 9,9%, un bajo coeficiente intelectual. Conclusiones: ... (AU)

Objectives: Rare diseases (RD) constitute a heterogeneous group of low prevalence conditions, with genetic origin in most cases and frequently associated with a delay in their diagnosis and notable morbidity and mortality. Knowing the clinical profile and the complexity degree of patientswith RD who attend internal medicine units in Galicia could facilitate more effective and efficient care settings. Methods: Epidemiological, cross-sectional and multicenter study in patients with low prevalence diseases ≥ 18 years attending the outpatients departments and specific units of internal medicine in Galicia up to December 31, 2020. Data were collected on the number of patients treatedregarding their condition at each center, the average age at disease onset, number of comorbidities, number of annual visits to the center and other specialists, number of treatments (including those with a high economicimpact), degree of cognitive impairment and assessment of the degree of autonomy. Results: We analyzed data from six participating centers (from six healthareas of Galicia), representing a total of 324 patients, with a mean age of 41.3 ±15.8 years. The three main groups of pathologies treated were, in this order, rare genetic diseases, innate errors of metabolism and rareneurological diseases. The mean delay in diagnosis was 4.8 ±7.9 years and 34.17% of patients took 5 or more years to have a diagnostic confirmation. This group with the longest diagnostic delay has a lower scoreon the Barthel dependency scale and 1.75 times greater use of health resources (consultations with internal medicine and other specialties). 11.75% of the patients present a level of severe or total dependence and 9.9%, a low IQ. Conclusions: Despite their low average age, patients with minority diseases treated in internal medicine services present a high complexity of care derived from the number of comorbidities, visits to consultations, the need for hospital admissions and polypharmacy... (AU)

Relación entre el patrón esqueletal y la posición cráneo-cervical / Relationship between the skeletal pattern and the cranial-cervical position

Introducción: Los problemas posturales se inician, en la mayoría de los casos, en la infancia, por lo tanto en período de crecimiento una actitud postural alterada compromete el equilibrio cefálico y la posición de la mandíbula pudiendo originar malocluciones. Objetivo: Analizar si existe relación entre el ángulo cráneo-cervical y el patrón esqueletal en una población infantil. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 70 pacientes con telerradiografía de cráneo de perfil con exámenes cefalométrico de Ricketts con patrón esqueletal de clase I, II y III (Campo II relación cráneo-mandibular, factor 7 convexidad) y el cefalograma de Rocabado, utilizando el ángulo cráneo-vertebral. Resultado: Tanto el sexo como el patrón esqueletal son significativos, su interacción no lo es. A su vez, la edad no resulta significativa. Conclusión: En el presente estudio se encontró que existe relación significativa entre el ángulo cráneo-cervical y el patrón esqueletal (AU)

Introduction: Postural problems begin in most cases, in childhood, therefore during growth an altered postural attitude compromises the cephalic balance and jaw position causing posible malocclucion. Objective: It is to present the correlation between the skull and cervical angle skeletal pattern in a child population. Material and methods: 70 patients were evaluated with teleradiography cephalometric profile tests Ricketts skeletal pattern with class I, II and III (Field II craniomandibular relationship, Factor 7 convexity) and cephalogram Rocabado, using the craniovertebral angle. Result: Both sex and skeletal pattern are significant and their interaction is not. In turn, age is not significant. Conclusion: In the present study it was found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the cranial-cervical angle, and the skeletal pattern (AU)

Triángulo hioides en niños con diámetro faríngeo superior disminuido / Hyoid bone triangle in children with reduced upper pharyngeal diameter

Introducción: el hueso hioides es un hueso único, medio y móvil, ubicado entre la cintura escapular y la cara, brinda inserción a la musculatura supra e infrahioidea. Objetivo: el propósito de este trabajo es evaluar el triángulo hioideo en niños con IRN y diámetro faríngeo superior disminuido. Material y método: estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se estudiaron las telerradiografías de 80 pacientes que asistieron a la carrera de especialización en ortodoncia y ortopedia funcional de la Universidad Kennedy, entre 5 y 13 años sin tratamiento previo con aparatología de ortopedia y/u ortodoncia. La evaluación se realizó sobre telerradiografía de perfil. Se procedió a trazar el triángulo hioideo. Resultados: se encontró que el 46,25 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron el triángulo hioideo positivo. Conclusión: el resultado de este estudio manifiesta que existe una variabilidad en la posición, en sentido vertical, del hioides en pacientes con diámetro faríngeo disminuido.

Trombosis venosa inusual como primera manifestación de neoplasia pulmonar / Atypical Deep Venous Thrombosis as the First Manifestation of Pulmonary Neoplasm

No disponible

Prediction of reproductive outcomes according to different serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in females undergoing intracystoplasmic sperm injection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a reliable marker of ovarian reserve, and it has been shown to be correlated with reproductive outcomes in grouped analyses. However, practical data is scarce for the physician and the patients to predict these outcomes in an individual couple according to serum AMH measured prior to assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures. STUDY DESIGN: To address this question, we performed an analytic observational study including 145 females undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a single center. Results were analyzed according to serum AMH; subgroup analyses were performed by grouping patients according to patient's age and FSH levels. RESULTS: The risk of cycle cancellation decreased from 64% in patients with serum AMH ≤ 3 pmol/L (0.42 ng/mL) to 21% with AMH ≥ 15 pmol/L (2.10 ng/mL). Cycle cancellation occurred in approximately two-thirds of the patients with AMH ≤ 3 pmol/L irrespective of the FSH level. However, with higher AMH values the risk of cycle cancellation decreased more significantly in patients with normal FSH. The rate of good response increased from almost null in patients with AMH ≤ 3 pmol/L to 61% in those with AMH ≥ 15 pmol/L. The positive correlation between good response and AMH was also significant, but with lower absolute rates, when patients were grouped according to their age or FSH levels. Pregnancy rate increased moderately, but significantly, from 31% with AMH ≤ 3 pmol/L to 35% with AMH ≥ 15 pmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: We provide estimates of reproductive outcomes according to individualized values of serum AMH, in general and in subgroups according to patient's age or serum FSH, which are helpful for the clinician and the couple in their decision making about starting an assisted reproductive treatment.

De novo assembly and functional annotation of the olive (Olea europaea) transcriptome.

Olive breeding programmes are focused on selecting for traits as short juvenile period, plant architecture suited for mechanical harvest, or oil characteristics, including fatty acid composition, phenolic, and volatile compounds to suit new markets. Understanding the molecular basis of these characteristics and improving the efficiency of such breeding programmes require the development of genomic information and tools. However, despite its economic relevance, genomic information on olive or closely related species is still scarce. We have applied Sanger and 454 pyrosequencing technologies to generate close to 2 million reads from 12 cDNA libraries obtained from the Picual, Arbequina, and Lechin de Sevilla cultivars and seedlings from a segregating progeny of a Picual × Arbequina cross. The libraries include fruit mesocarp and seeds at three relevant developmental stages, young stems and leaves, active juvenile and adult buds as well as dormant buds, and juvenile and adult roots. The reads were assembled by library or tissue and then assembled together into 81 020 unigenes with an average size of 496 bases. Here, we report their assembly and their functional annotation.

Masticación viciosa: diagnóstico radiográfico / Vicious chewing: radiographic diagnosis

La masticación es una función del sistema estomatognático fundamental para el desarrollo del tercio inferior y medio de la cara. Las alteraciones en el ciclo masticatorio durante el período de crecimiento y desarrollo podría traer aparejado problemas de asimetría facial. Las radiografías extraorales, telerradiografía y panorámica, son de gran utilidad en odontología. La Rx panorámica demostró ser un auxiliar de la clínica para el diagnóstico de la función masticatoria. La Dra. Wilma Simoes propuso un análisis de la Rx panorámica denominado panorograma de simetría. Este consiste en reunir información detallada de las estructuras de ambas mitades en la radiografía panorámica (derecha e izquierda) y compararlas entre sí, con el fin de reconocer las simetrías o asimetrías de las estructuras delt ercio medio e inferior de la cara.(AU)

Masticación viciosa: diagnóstico radiográfico / Vicious chewing: radiographic diagnosis

La masticación es una función del sistema estomatognático fundamental para el desarrollo del tercio inferior y medio de la cara. Las alteraciones en el ciclo masticatorio durante el período de crecimiento y desarrollo podría traer aparejado problemas de asimetría facial. Las radiografías extraorales, telerradiografía y panorámica, son de gran utilidad en odontología. La Rx panorámica demostró ser un auxiliar de la clínica para el diagnóstico de la función masticatoria. La Dra. Wilma Simoes propuso un análisis de la Rx panorámica denominado panorograma de simetría. Este consiste en reunir información detallada de las estructuras de ambas mitades en la radiografía panorámica (derecha e izquierda) y compararlas entre sí, con el fin de reconocer las simetrías o asimetrías de las estructuras delt ercio medio e inferior de la cara.

Reproducción asistida en hombres infectados con el virus de VIH / Assisted reproduction in HIV positive men

Objetivo: Describir un programa de procreación responsable en parejas donde el varón está infectado con el VIH organizado en un centro ambulatorio infectológico de la ciudad de Bs. As. y llevado a cabo por un equipo interdisciplinario conformado por Infectólogos, Bioquímicos, Ginecólogos y Biólogos. Comentar algunas revisiones de la literatura que avalan la evidencia cientifica para realizar estos procedimientos. Métodos: las parejas serodiscordantes son candidatas para este programa si el varón tiene seguimiento infectológico, los estudios de esperma demuestran carga viral (CV) indetectable y DNA proviral de VIH negativo, y, la mujer tiene ADN proviral de VIH negativo en sangre, en el ciclo en el cual se realizará el procedimiento de fertilización asistida. Se realiza en la mujer pesquisa de infecciones connatales. Las muestras de esperma son procesadas con técnicas de lavado, swim up y swim down, y congeladas. Después de cada procedimiento de fertilización asistida la mujer es controlada controlada con estudios serológicos para anticuerpos (VIH ELISA) periódicos. Los recién nacidos son evaluados a través de ADN proviral de VIH en el 1er mes de vida, o, durante los primeros 6 meses de vida a través de anticuerpos (VIH ELISA). Resultadaos: desde 12/2000 y hasta mayo 2009 se incluyeron 165 parejas serodiscordantes. 147 pacientes VIH (+) realizaron estudios de muestras de esperma, 26, tuvieron muestras con estudios microbiológicos positivos (23, CV detectable, y 3, ADN proviral de VIH positivo). En 123 parejas se realizaron: 329 inseminaciones, 55 ICSI y 28 FIV. Se concretron 44 embarazos y nacieron 51 bebés. Todos los estudios realizados a las mujeres y recién nacidos mostraron resultados negativos. Conclusiones: este programa logró resultados satisfactorios en la prevención de infecciones por VIH y connatales.

Objective: to describe the data obtained during the development of an assisted reproduction program for couples where the man is HIV - Infected organized by an ambulatory infectologist center in BsAs city. a multidisciplinary team with infectious disease MD, biochemists, ginecologists and bilogist collaborate in the follow-up of the patients. Methods: couples seeking reproductive counseling were eligible for this programme if: the HIV positive male partner adhered to an infectious disease follow-up, he has undetectable viral load in the fresh sperm sample and is negative for HIV proviral DNA in the swim-up material after sperm washing, the female partner is negative for HIV proviral DNA immediately beforme each assisted reproduction attempt. Procedures comprised intrauterine insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization accordin to gynecologist indication. After each procedure, women were tested for indication. After each procedure, women were tested for HIV antibodies periodically. Newborns were tested for HIV proviral DNA at one month of age or HE during the first six months. Results: One hundred and sixty five couples were assessed, semen analyses results were obtained from 147 HIV positive men, 23 had detectable viral load, 3 had positive HIV proviral DNA in swim up. One hundred and twenty three couples undervent AR procedures: 329 intrauterine inseminations, 55 intracytoplasmic sperm injections, and 28 in-vitro fertilizations. Forty four pregnancies resulted in fifty one live Births. All HE and HDP tests performed in women and new-borns were negative. Conclusions: This programme achieved satisfactory results in prevention of HIV and congenital infections.

Reproducción asistida en hombres infectados con el virus de VIH / Assisted reproduction in HIV positive men

Objetivo: Describir un programa de procreación responsable en parejas donde el varón está infectado con el VIH organizado en un centro ambulatorio infectológico de la ciudad de Bs. As. y llevado a cabo por un equipo interdisciplinario conformado por Infectólogos, Bioquímicos, Ginecólogos y Biólogos. Comentar algunas revisiones de la literatura que avalan la evidencia cientifica para realizar estos procedimientos. Métodos: las parejas serodiscordantes son candidatas para este programa si el varón tiene seguimiento infectológico, los estudios de esperma demuestran carga viral (CV) indetectable y DNA proviral de VIH negativo, y, la mujer tiene ADN proviral de VIH negativo en sangre, en el ciclo en el cual se realizará el procedimiento de fertilización asistida. Se realiza en la mujer pesquisa de infecciones connatales. Las muestras de esperma son procesadas con técnicas de lavado, swim up y swim down, y congeladas. Después de cada procedimiento de fertilización asistida la mujer es controlada controlada con estudios serológicos para anticuerpos (VIH ELISA) periódicos. Los recién nacidos son evaluados a través de ADN proviral de VIH en el 1er mes de vida, o, durante los primeros 6 meses de vida a través de anticuerpos (VIH ELISA). Resultadaos: desde 12/2000 y hasta mayo 2009 se incluyeron 165 parejas serodiscordantes. 147 pacientes VIH (+) realizaron estudios de muestras de esperma, 26, tuvieron muestras con estudios microbiológicos positivos (23, CV detectable, y 3, ADN proviral de VIH positivo). En 123 parejas se realizaron: 329 inseminaciones, 55 ICSI y 28 FIV. Se concretron 44 embarazos y nacieron 51 bebés. Todos los estudios realizados a las mujeres y recién nacidos mostraron resultados negativos. Conclusiones: este programa logró resultados satisfactorios en la prevención de infecciones por VIH y connatales.(AU)

Objective: to describe the data obtained during the development of an assisted reproduction program for couples where the man is HIV - Infected organized by an ambulatory infectologist center in BsAs city. a multidisciplinary team with infectious disease MD, biochemists, ginecologists and bilogist collaborate in the follow-up of the patients. Methods: couples seeking reproductive counseling were eligible for this programme if: the HIV positive male partner adhered to an infectious disease follow-up, he has undetectable viral load in the fresh sperm sample and is negative for HIV proviral DNA in the swim-up material after sperm washing, the female partner is negative for HIV proviral DNA immediately beforme each assisted reproduction attempt. Procedures comprised intrauterine insemination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization accordin to gynecologist indication. After each procedure, women were tested for indication. After each procedure, women were tested for HIV antibodies periodically. Newborns were tested for HIV proviral DNA at one month of age or HE during the first six months. Results: One hundred and sixty five couples were assessed, semen analyses results were obtained from 147 HIV positive men, 23 had detectable viral load, 3 had positive HIV proviral DNA in swim up. One hundred and twenty three couples undervent AR procedures: 329 intrauterine inseminations, 55 intracytoplasmic sperm injections, and 28 in-vitro fertilizations. Forty four pregnancies resulted in fifty one live Births. All HE and HDP tests performed in women and new-borns were negative. Conclusions: This programme achieved satisfactory results in prevention of HIV and congenital infections.(AU)

Rinitis alérgica como causa de obstrucción de las vías áereas superiores / Allergic rhinitis caused by upper airway obstruction

La rinitis es una patología muy frecuente, siendo la rinitis alérgica la de mayor prevalencia. Esta constituye una de las causas de obstrucción de las vías aéreas superiores.

Control de calidad externo en el estudio del semen / External quality control sperm analysis

En diciembre de 2005 se inició el Programa de Evaluación Externa de la Calidad (PEEC) para Laboratorios Andrológicos, organizado por la Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, UBA y la Fundación Bioquímica Argentina. El objetivo del presente trabajo es informar la respuesta obtenida a la convocatoria de participar en el PEEC, dar a conocer los resultados de las primeras encuestas y compararlos con los relatados por otros programas extranjeros. Los parámetros evaluados fueron movilidad (video), morfología (fotografías digitales en CD) y recuento espermático (RE) (suspensiones de espermatozoides). Se solicitó utilizar la estandarización OMS 1999. Participaron 60 laboratorios. Los valores de Error de Medida Permitidos (EMP) fueron de 60%, 50%, 15% y 30% para morfología, movilidad progresiva rápida (MPR), movilidad progresiva (MP) y RE, respectivamente. Los resultados hallados fueron similares a los publicados por el Programa de Control de Calidad Externo del ASEBIR-España para el "nivel óptimo" de las especificaciones de calidad del "estado del arte". Cuando el requerimiento de calidad fue "variabilidad biológica", los EMP disminuyeron significativamente para morfología y MPR: 28,2% y 29,3% no así para MP y RE. La alta aceptación de la convocatoria pone de manifiesto la necesidad de un PEEC-Andrología. El elevado Error de Medida obtenido para morfología y movilidad progresiva rápida denota la necesidad de estandarizar los procedimientos y criterios para lograr el requerimiento de calidad de variabilidad biológica.

In December 2005 began the first External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for Andrology Laboratories organized by the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (University of Buenos Aires) and the Fundación Bioquímica Argentina. The aim of this study was to inform the response obtained after the enrollment to participate in the first Argentine EQAS, to discuss the results obtained in the first surveys and to compare them with the ones reported by other foreign programs. The evaluated parameters were sperm motility (videotapes), morphology (digital photography) and concentration (SC) (suspensions of spermatozoa). Participants were asked to follow WHO 1999. Nearly 60 laboratories throughout Argentine participated. The Total Allowable Error was 60%, 50%, 15% and 30% for morphology, progressive rapid motility (PRM), progressive motility (PM) and SC, respectively. The results found were similar to those published by the External Quality Program of the ASEBIR-Spain for the "optimum quality specification" on the "State of the art". When the established requirement of quality was "Biological Variability", the Total Allowable Error decreased significantly for morphology and PRM: 28.2% and 29.3% but not for PM and SC. The present data confirms the need for a Scheme. The high Total Error obtained for morphology and progressive rapid motility demamds to standardizing the procedures and establishing analytical goals based on Biological Variability.

Ethanol intake enhances inflammatory mediators in brain: role of glial cells and TLR4/IL-1RI receptors.

The brain is one of the major target organs of ethanol actions, and its chronic and acute intoxication results in significant alterations in brain structure and function, and in some cases to neurodegeneration. Glial cells and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are vital players in CNS immune response; dysregulation of this response plays an important role in brain damage and neurodegeneration. Ethanol has immunomodulatory effects and induces specific alterations in the TLRs response in many tissues. These actions depend on the cell type, ethanol dose and treatment duration, as well as the concomitant presence of pathogens and their characteristics. Recent findings indicate that low concentrations of ethanol (10 mM) promote inflammatory processes in brain and in glial cells by up-regulating cytokines and inflammatory mediators (iNOS, NO, COX-2), and by activating signaling pathways (IKK, MAPKs) and transcriptional factors (NF-kappaB, AP-1) implicated in inflammatory injury. TLR4/IL-1RI receptors may be involved in ethanol-mediated inflammatory signaling, since blocking these receptors abolishes the production of ethanol-induced inflammatory mediators and cell death. We propose that at low physiologically relevant concentrations, ethanol facilitates TLR4/IL-1RI recruitment into lipid rafts microdomains, leading to the activation and signaling of these receptors. In summary, current results suggest that TLR4/ IL-1RI are important targets of ethanol-induced inflammatory brain damage.

Usefulness of AgNOR technique and CEA expression in atypical metaplastic cells from cervical smears.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proliferating capacity of atypical metaplastic cells in cervical smears by AgNOR technique and image analysis and investigate the probable relation with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) using immunocytochemical assay for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). STUDY DESIGN: Eight cervical smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain for diagnosis of atypical metaplastic cells. After removal of the stain the smears were processed with a silver colloidal solution and the AgNOR area determined by image cytometry. Differences in the mean AgNOR protein area between reactive metaplastic cells and controls were tested by Student's t test. The CEA was investigated by immunocytochemical staining in smears with atypical metaplastic cells and smears from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). RESULTS: The mean AgNOR areas from atypical metaplastic cells (4.55, 6.66, 4.68, 5.30, 4.97, 6.20, 6.28, and 7.35) were significantly greater those that of intermediate metaplastic cells and cells from low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) (0.77, 0.99, and 0.82, respectively). The atypical metaplastic cells showed values of mean AgNOR area intermediate between that of basal cells (3.28) and HSIL cells (7.73) or neoplastic cells (16.12). The CEA was strongly expressed by the atypical metaplastic cells. CONCLUSION: The expression of CEA in the atypical metaplastic cells underlies the probable relation to SIL. Although the organizer region areas raised high values, it would be necessary to use a greater number of cases to define whether the AgNOR area is indicative of the proliferative activity of the atypical metaplastic cells.