Summary
Background
Ex vivo confocal microscopy (CM) works under two modes, fluorescence and reflectance, allowing the visualization of different structures. Fluorescence CM (FCM) requires a contrast ...agent and has been used for the analysis of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) during Mohs surgery. Conversely, reflectance CM (RCM) is mostly used for in vivo diagnosis of equivocal skin tumours. Recently, a new, faster ex vivo confocal microscope has been developed which simultaneously uses both lasers (fusion mode).
Objectives
To describe the BCC features identified on reflectance, fluorescence and fusion modes using this novel device. To determine the best mode to identify characteristic BCC features. To develop a new staining protocol to improve the visualization of BCC under the different modes.
Methods
From September 2016 to June 2017, we prospectively included consecutive BCCs which were excised using Mohs surgery in our department. The lesions were evaluated using ex vivo CM after routine Mohs surgery. The specimens were first stained with acridine orange and then stained using both acetic acid and acridine orange.
Results
We included 78 BCCs (35 infiltrative, 25 nodular, 12 micronodular, 6 superficial). Most features were better visualized with the fusion mode using the double staining. We also identified new CM ex vivo features, dendritic and plump cells, which have not been reported previously.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that nuclei characteristics are better visualized in FCM but cytoplasm and surrounding stroma are better visualized in RCM. Thus, the simultaneous evaluation of reflectance and fluorescence seems to be beneficial due to its complementary effect.
What's already known about this topic?
Ex vivo fluorescent confocal microscopy (FCM) is an imaging technique that allows histopathological analysis of fresh tissue.
FCM is faster – at least one‐third of the time – than conventional methods.
FCM has a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 99% in detecting basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).
What does this study add?
Reflectance and fluorescence modes can be used simultaneously in a new ex vivo CM device.
Each mode complements the other, resulting in an increase in the detection of BCC features in fusion mode.
A combined staining using acetic acid and acridine orange enhances the visualization of tumour and stroma without damaging the tissue for further histopathological analysis.
Linked Editorial: Navarrete‐Dechent et al. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:257–259.
Plain language summary available online
► The stability of color and concentrations of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity on spray-dried powders of blueberry extract using mesquite gum were evaluated in this study. ...► The lowest losses in the content of the compounds and color of the micro-encapsulates were found in samples dried at 140°C and 9.1mL/min. ► The microencapsulates stored in the absence of light for 4 weeks at 4°C presented low degradation.
Blueberry is an important source of anthocyanins, which are highly colored substances recognized for their antioxidant activity. One of the drawbacks of using anthocyanins as food colorant is their low stability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variations found in color and concentration of the compounds (which produce the color) on spray-dried powders, obtained from blueberry extracts with added mesquite gum. Ethanolic blueberry extracts were concentrated until reaching 35% of soluble solids. They were then spray-dried using mesquite gum as an encapsulating agent at 140 and 160°C of air inlet temperature and 8.5, 9.1 and 9.6mL/min of feeding rates. The lowest losses in the content of total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and color of the samples were found in samples dried at 140°C and 9.1mL/min. The microencapsulates that were stored for 4 weeks at 4°C in the absence of light presented low degradation of phenolics (10%), anthocyanins (7%) and antioxidant activity (15%). Final color values were L=39.87, C=47.83 and H°=28.59, with a total color difference ΔE=5.
Synchronous online classes have grown in popularity, sparking debate on student webcam use. In Experiment 1, participants were assigned to attend a lecture with half instructed to turn their webcam ...on and half instructed to turn their webcam off (interpolated testing was also examined as a buffer against webcam effects). A webcam effect was observed: webcam-on participants outperformed webcam-off participants. Experiment 2 manipulated class-wide webcam use by creating uniform groups in which participants all had webcams on or off at the same time and mixed groups in which webcam use was evenly split. The webcam effect replicated in the mixed condition, but the effect was attenuated in the uniform condition, suggesting that the webcam effect is larger in mixed webcam classes. Additional findings suggest that feelings of accountability and reduced media multitasking for webcam-on participants could contribute to the webcam effect more than social presence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
•3-Hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) scavenge OH and ONOO−.•3-HK and 3-HANA decrease mitochondrial membrane potential both in vitro and in vivo.•Early ROS production is ...not related with the mitochondrial alteration induced by these kynurenines.•3-HK and 3-HANA induce cellular dysfunction.
The kynurenines 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) and its precursor 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) are metabolites derived from tryptophan degradation. 3-HK, has been related to diverse neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases that share mitochondrial metabolic dysregulation. Nevertheless, the direct effect of these kynurenines on mitochondrial function has not been investigated despite it could be regulated by their redox properties that are controversial. A body of literature has suggested a ROS mediated cell death induced by 3-HK and 3-HANA. On the other hand, some works have supported that both kynurenines have antioxidant effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate 3-HK and 3-HANA effects on mitochondrial and cellular function in rat cultured cortical astrocytes (rCCA) and in animals intrastriatally injected with these kynurenines as well as to determinate the ROS role on these effects. First, we evaluated 3-HK and 3-HANA effect on cellular function, ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential in vivo and in vitro in rCCA. Our results show that both kynurenines decreased MTT reduction in a concentration-dependent manner together with mitochondrial membrane potential. These observations were accompanied with increased cell death in rCCA and in circling behavior and morphological changes of injected animals. Interestingly, we found that ROS production was not increased in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and accordingly lipid peroxidation (LP) was neither increased in striatal tissue of animals injected with both kynurenines. The lack of effect on these oxidative markers is in agreement with the OH and ONOO− scavenging capacity of both kynurenines detected by chemical combinatorial assays. Altogether, these data indicate that both kynurenines exert toxic effects through mechanisms that include impairment of cellular energy metabolism which are not related to early ROS production.
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•InP-In2O3 QDs are synthesized by a single-step chemical method without injection of hot precursors.•HR-TEM images show the synthesis of InP and In2O3 QDs.•The InP and In2O3 QDs size ...increases with the P(TMS)3 concentration.•PL spectra reveal emission bands attributed to InP and In2O3 QDs.•XPS confirms the formation of InP, In2O3 and amorphous InPOx.
InP-In2O3 colloidal quantum dots (QDs) synthesized by a single-step chemical method without injection of hot precursors (one-pot) were investigated. Specifically, the effect of the tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine, P(TMS)3, precursor concentration on the QDs properties was studied to effectively control the size and shape of the samples with a minimum size dispersion. The effect of the P(TMS)3 precursor concentration on the optical, structural, chemical surface, and electronic properties of InP-In2O3 QDs is discussed. The absorption spectra of InP-In2O3 colloids, obtained by both UV–Vis spectrophotometry and photoacoustic spectroscopy, showed a red-shift in the high-energy regime as the concentration of the P(TMS)3 increased. In addition, these results were used to determine the band-gap energy of the InP-In2O3 nanoparticles, which changed between 2.0 and 2.9 eV. This was confirmed by Photoluminescence spectroscopy, where a broad-band emission displayed from 2.0 to 2.9 eV is associated with the excitonic transition of the InP and In2O3 QDs. In2O3 and InP QDs with diameters ranging approximately from 8 to 10 nm and 6 to 9 nm were respectively found by HR-TEM. The formation of the InP and In2O3 phases was confirmed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.
Trypanosomatids, including Trypanosoma and Leishmania species, present significant medical and veterinary challenges, causing substantial economic losses, health complications, and even fatalities. ...Diagnosing and genotyping these species and their genotypes is often complex, involving multiple steps. This study aimed to develop an amplicon-based sequencing (ABS) method using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to enhance Trypanosomatid detection and genotyping. The 18S rDNA gene was targeted for its inter-species conservation. The Trypanosomatid-ABS method effectively distinguished between 11 Trypanosoma species (including Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma vivax, and Trypanosoma rangeli) and 6 Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (TcI to TcVI and TcBat), showing strong concordance with conventional methods (κ index of 0.729, P < 0.001). It detected co-infections between Trypanosomatid genera and T. cruzi, with a limit of detection of one parasite per mL. The method was successfully applied to human, animal, and triatomine samples. Notably, TcI predominated in chronic Chagas samples, whereas TcII and TcIV were found in the acute stage. Triatomine vectors exhibited diverse Trypanosomatid infections, with Triatoma dimidiata mainly infected with TcI and occasional TcBat co-infections, and Rhodnius prolixus showing TcI and TcII infections, along with T. rangeli co-infections and mixed TcII infections. Animals were infected with T. vivax, T. theileri, and T. evansi. The ABS method's high resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy make it a valuable tool for understanding Trypanosomatid dynamics, enhancing disease control strategies, and enabling targeted interventions.
The global warming and the dangerous climate change arising from the massive emission of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels have motivated the search for alternative clean and sustainable energy ...sources. However, the industrial development and population necessities make the decoupling of economic growth from fossil fuels unimaginable and, consequently, the capture and conversion of CO2 to fuels seems to be, nowadays, one of the most promising and attractive solutions in a world with high energy demand. In this respect, the electrochemical CO2 conversion using renewable electricity provides a promising solution. However, faradaic efficiency of common electro-catalysts is low, and therefore, the design of highly selective, energy-efficient, and cost-effective electrocatalysts is critical. Carbon-based materials present some advantages such as relatively low cost and renewability, excellent electrical conductivity, and tunable textural and chemical surface, which show them as competitive materials for the electro-reduction of CO2. In this review, an overview of the recent progress of carbon-based electro-catalysts in the conversion of CO2 to valuable products is presented, focusing on the role of the different carbon properties, which provides a useful understanding for the materials design progress in this field. Development opportunities and challenges in the field are also summarized.
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•InGaN thin films were deposited on Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering varying the substrate temperature.•The band-gap energy increases by increasing the growth temperature.•PL ...results revealed a shift in the band edge emission as the In content increases.
InGaN thin films were deposited on silicon (100) single crystal substrates by RF magnetron sputtering in an Ar atmosphere, at a pressure of 8 × 10−2 Torr, by using In and GaN targets. To change the In content, x, in the InxGa1-xN ternary alloy, the substrate temperature was varied from 300 up to 500 °C. It was found that the In content decreased with increasing substrate temperature. The optical and structural properties of the InGaN thin films were correlated with the experimental deposition conditions. It was found that the band gap energy increased with the growth temperature. Photoluminescence spectra measured at 20 K showed two broad emission bands centered at 2.3 and 2.9 eV. X-ray diffraction analysis of the InGaN thin films revealed a polycrystalline structure belonging to the hexagonal phase. The surface morphology of the films was analyzed using AFM, showing that the surface roughness increased with temperature. The surface chemistry of the films, investigated by XPS, mainly indicated the formation of Ga-N and In-N bonds. Moreover, from XPS two BVM values at 1.91 and 2.74 eV were found. A depth profile analysis, performed by SIMS, revealed the distribution of In, Ga, and N from the film surface to the bulk.
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