Electron backscattering diffraction provides the analysis of crystalline phases at large scales (microns) while precession electron diffraction may be used to get 4D‐STEM data to elucidate structure ...at nanometric resolution. Both are limited by the probe size and also exhibit some difficulties for the generation of large datasets, given the inherent complexity of image acquisition. The latter appoints the application of advanced machine learning techniques, such as deep learning adapted for several tasks, including pattern matching, image segmentation, etc. This research aims to show how Gabor filters provide an appropriate feature extraction technique for electron microscopy images that could prevent the need of large volumes of data to train deep learning models. The work presented herein combines an algorithm based on Gabor filters for feature extraction and an unsupervised learning method to perform particle segmentation of polyhedral metallic nanoparticles and crystal orientation mapping at atomic scale. Experimental results have shown that Gabor filters are convenient for electron microscopy images analysis, that even a nonsupervised learning algorithm can provide remarkable results in crystal segmentation of individual nanoparticles. This approach enables its application to dynamic analysis of particle transformation recorded with aberration‐corrected microscopy, offering new possibilities of analysis at nanometric scale.
The work presented herein combines an algorithm based on Gabor filters for feature extraction and an unsupervised learning method to perform particle segmentation of polyhedral metallic nanoparticles and crystal orientation mapping at atomic scale. This approach enables its application to dynamic analysis of particle transformation recorded with aberration‐corrected microscopy, offering new possibilities of analysis at nanometric scale.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the world radically since 2020. Spain was one of the European countries with the highest incidence during the first wave. As a part of a ...consortium to monitor and study the evolution of the epidemic, we sequenced 2,170 samples, diagnosed mostly before lockdown measures. Here, we identified at least 500 introductions from multiple international sources and documented the early rise of two dominant Spanish epidemic clades (SECs), probably amplified by superspreading events. Both SECs were related closely to the initial Asian variants of SARS-CoV-2 and spread widely across Spain. We inferred a substantial reduction in the effective reproductive number of both SECs due to public-health interventions (R
< 1), also reflected in the replacement of SECs by a new variant over the summer of 2020. In summary, we reveal a notable difference in the initial genetic makeup of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain compared with other European countries and show evidence to support the effectiveness of lockdown measures in controlling virus spread, even for the most successful genetic variants.
Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has been associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence ...of TAI in women with RPL and compare the clinical characteristics of positive and negative TAI women.
This is a retrospective cross-sectional study; 203 women with RPL were included. Thyroid profile, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin (TG-Ab) antibodies were measured in all participants. Clinical characteristics and causes of RPL were compared between positive and negative TAI.
Prevalence of TAI was 14.8%; prevalence of positive TPO-Ab and TG-Ab was 12.3% and 4.9%, respectively. Women with TAI had significantly higher concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) compared to women without TAI (4.8 ± 3.8 versus 3.1 ± 1.1,
= 0.001). There was no significant difference in age, the number of gestations, miscarriages, state of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), or causes of RPL between women that were TAI-positive versus TAI-negative. Prevalence of positive TAI by cause of RPL was: endocrine 7/25 (28%), genetic 1/5 (20%), autoimmune 1/5 (20%), anatomic 8/55 (14.5%), and unexplained cause 13/112 (11.6%).
The prevalence of TAI in women with RPL is 14.8%. Women with an endocrine cause have the highest prevalence of TAI.
Un aneurisma a nivel de fistula arteriovenosa es una complicación crónica. Los riesgos de trombosis, ruptura y hemorragia masiva son directamente proporcionales al tamaño de la misma. El manejo ...precoz de los aneurismas relacionado con fistulas arteriovenosas es crucial para prevenir efectos adversos potencialmente mortales. Masculino de 57 años de edad con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, insuficiencia renal crónica en diálisis trisemanal, que se dializa por fistula arteriovenosa humero cefálica izquierda. Se decide cirugía de cierre de fistula con control proximal de la arteria humeral, cuello del aneurisma. Se liberan las adherencias del aneurisma con estructuras profundas a nivel del codo, se realiza doble ligadura a nivel del cuello del aneurisma, comprobando pulsos distales en arteria radial y cubital. Se repara la vena cefálica y se reseca todo el aneurisma.
Keywords: Aneurisma gigante, fistula arteriovenosa, , hemodiálisis
IntroductionNon-infectious uveitis include a heterogeneous group of sight-threatening and incapacitating conditions. Their correct management sometimes requires the use of immunosuppressive drugs ...(ISDs), prescribed in monotherapy or in combination. Several observational studies showed that the use of ISDs in combination could be more effective than and as safe as their use in monotherapy. However, a direct comparison between these two treatment strategies has not been carried out yet.Methods and analysisThe Combination THerapy with mEthotrexate and adalImumAb for uveitis (CoTHEIA) study is a phase III, multicentre, prospective, randomised, single-blinded with masked outcome assessment, parallel three arms with 1:1:1 allocation, active-controlled, superiority study design, comparing the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of methotrexate, adalimumab or their combination in non-infectious non-anterior uveitis. We aim to recruit 192 subjects. The duration of the treatment and follow-up will last up to 52 weeks, plus 70 days follow-up with no treatment. The complete and maintained resolution of the ocular inflammation will be assessed by masked evaluators (primary outcome). In addition to other secondary measurements of efficacy (quality of life, visual acuity and costs) and safety, we will identify subjects’ subgroups with different treatment responses by developing prediction models based on machine learning techniques using genetic and proteomic biomarkers.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol, annexes and informed consent forms were approved by the Reference Clinical Research Ethic Committee at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (Madrid, Spain) and the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. We will elaborate a dissemination plan including production of materials adapted to several formats to communicate the clinical trial progress and findings to a broad group of stakeholders. The promoter will be the only access to the participant-level data, although it can be shared within the legal situation.Trial registration number2020-000130-18; NCT04798755.
Thymoma is an uncommon condition characterized by being the most frequent neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum. It classically appears as a well-demarcated, lobulated tumor mass encapsulated by a ...fibrous capsule. A 46-year-old female was diagnosed with thymoma by aspiration biopsy. Surgery was performed through a median sternal incision. The left location of the tumor required the placement of the mammary artery retractor to achieve better exposure. The cancer was freed from adhesions to the pericardium, lung and left pleura. Blood vessel ligation was performed at the level of the left brachycephalic venous trunk, pericardium and in the medial anterior region related to thymic vessels. Total removal of the tumor was achieved with excellent postoperative evolution.
Keywords: Chest tumor, thymoma, median sternotomy.
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