The use of chlorhexidine digluconate (ClxDg) into glass ionomer cements (GIC) aims at providing a... more The use of chlorhexidine digluconate (ClxDg) into glass ionomer cements (GIC) aims at providing antibacterial properties for these restorative materials. ClxDg can also inhibit matrix metalloproteinases which contributes to preserve the integrity of bonded interface. Objectives: to evaluate the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of an innovative GIC containing ClxDg-loaded microparticles (MP). Methods: MPs containing ClxDg at 25% were prepared using (meth)acrylate polymers (Eudragit S100 and Eudragit RS100). ClxDg-loaded E S100 MPs and ClxDg-loaded E RS100 MPs were incorporated into the powder of GIC at 20%; disks (4 mm diameter/1 mm high) were prepared to obtain the samples for investigating the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Similar ClxDg-free samples of GIC, GIC+E S100 MP and GIC+E RS100 MP were also tested. Aliquots were obtained by storing these samples in culture medium. At each test time (1, 2, 4 and 8 h; 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days), aliquots were collected,...
Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been... more Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been used to visualize retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons. Since the RGC cytoskeleton exhibits differential damage in diseases such as glaucoma, we examined the distribution of light, medium, and heavy NF subunits (NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H respectively) within normal human and porcine retinas, as a function of RGC soma size and eccentricity. NF subunits were visualized with immunofluorescence techniques using retinal sections and flatmounts from adult human and pig retinas that were incubated with specific antisera against the three NF subunits. Porcine RGCs were retrogradely labeled with fluorogold while human RGCs were identified based on their position within the inner retina and their relatively large somata. NF-H and NF-M were distributed widely within all RGC somata and dendrites, whereas NF-L was more restricted to the perinuclear area. In addition, phosphorylated NF-H distribut...
To study the pig retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in culture, analysing the possible neuropro... more To study the pig retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in culture, analysing the possible neuroprotective effect of retinal Müller glia (RMG) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Adult pig retina were dissociated and cultured under different conditions: 1) on laminin/poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in chemically defined medium (CDM); 2) on laminin/poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in CMD supplemented with BDNF; 3) on confluent monolayer cultures of RMG in CDM; 4) on laminin/poly-D-lysine substrate in conditioned medium obtained from RMG. RGCs were identified by immunocytochemistry using antibody against 68 kDa neurofilament and observed under an fluorescent microscope. RGCs were classified on the basis of the size, number and length of neurites, and their survival was assayed for each treatment. Confluent RMG substrates and RMG conditioned medium significantly increased the survival of cultured pig RGC. Moreover these two conditions increased the mean area of RGCs and enhanced...
This work reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -1... more This work reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -5Si0 2 glasses, doped with lanthanides, in this case cerium and lanthanum oxide (10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -1CeO 2 -5SiO 2 and 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -1La 2 O 3 -5SiO 2 , respectively). The structure and morphology of the developed glasses have been investigated by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive analyzer and X-ray mapping was used to assess the morphological properties of the glasses. Glass-ceramic composites, for bone tissue applications, were obtained by the mixture of 2.5wt% of each glass with 97.5wt% of hydroxyapatite. These were also analyzed by means of XRD and SEM. Composites were biologically evaluated with human osteoblastic-like cells. Lanthanide doped-hydroxyapatite composites revealed an improved biological behaviour, regarding cell adhesion and proliferation, compared to hydroxyap...
Recent Advances in Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Processing for Land Degradation Assessment, 2009
Land degradation is associated with decreases in resources retention by ecosystems. In water-limi... more Land degradation is associated with decreases in resources retention by ecosystems. In water-limited environments this loss of functionality has an impact in the water use efficiency which should be reflected in the partition of surface energy fluxes through the actual evapotranspiration or latent heat. Remote-sensing indicators of land degradation based on energy ratios, such as the non-evaporative fraction, could help to monitor land condition. In this study, we test a simple operational model for calculating energy fluxes in a semiarid mountainous region at two different spatial resolutions (90 m and 1 km), using Aster and MODIS data on 18-07-2004. Results show that Aster and MODIS results are comparable within reported instrumental errors. However, the lost of detail is remarkable. If the processes of land degradation related with changes in the surface energy balance are explicit at 1 km, which needs further elucidation, MODIS is an adequate tool to perform regional assessments by means of its high temporal and spatial coverage. Comparisons with field data show low net radiation errors and large errors for sensible heat but within the ranges obtained by other authors. The spatial patterns for the ratio non-evaporative fraction (NEF) proposed as an indicator of land condition are coherent with the surface type. Using NEF and NDVI, a reliable identification of disturbed sites with high risk of degradation and non-degraded sites is accomplished. Non-degraded sites are better identified using NDVI rescaled only, while degraded sites are better classified using only NEF. Therefore, despite the fact that vegetation cover is a clear symptom of land degradation, indicators not directly related with vegetation cover, based on the surface energy balance, such as the NEF (non-evaporative fraction), can reveal important information about ecosystem functioning. Because of the limited verification data and dates, these results are preliminary and need further testing.
Although serotonin has been shown to inhibit peripheral sympathetic outflow, serotonin regulation... more Although serotonin has been shown to inhibit peripheral sympathetic outflow, serotonin regulation on renal sympathetic outflow has not yet been elucidated. This study investigated which 5-HT receptor subtypes are involved. Wistar rats were anesthetized (sodium pentobarbital; 60mg/kg, i.p.), and prepared for in situ autoperfused rat kidney, which allows continuous measurement of systemic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and renal perfusion pressure (PP). Electrical stimulation of renal sympathetic nerves resulted in frequency-dependent increases in PP (18.3±1.0, 43.7±2.7 and 66.7±4.0 for 2, 4 and 6Hz, respectively), without altering SBP or HR. 5-HT, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-HT1/7 agonist) (0.00000125-0.1μg/kg each) or l-694,247 (5-HT1D agonist; 0.0125μg/kg) i.a. bolus inhibited vasopressor responses by renal nerve electrical stimulation, unlike i.a. bolus of agonists α-methyl-5-HT (5-HT2), 1-PBG (5-HT3), cisapride (5-HT4), AS-19 (5-HT7), CGS-12066B (5-HT1B) or 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A) (0.0125μg/kg each). The effect of l-694,247 did not affect the exogenous norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictions, whereas was abolished by antagonist LY310762 (5-HT1D; 1mg/kg) or l-NAME (nitric oxide; 10mg/kg), but not by indomethacin (COX1/2; 2mg/kg) or glibenclamide (ATP-dependent K(+) channel; 20mg/kg). These results suggest that 5-HT mechanism-induced inhibition of rat vasopressor renal sympathetic outflow is mainly mediated by prejunctional 5-HT1D receptors via nitric oxide release.
Glial cells are thought to protect neurons from various neurological insults. When there is injur... more Glial cells are thought to protect neurons from various neurological insults. When there is injury to retina, Müller cells, which are the predominant glial element in the retina, undergo significant morphological, cellular and molecular changes. Some of these changes reflect Müller cell involvement in protecting the retina from further damage. Müller cells express growth factors, neurotransmitter transporters and antioxidant agents that could have an important role in preventing excitotoxic damage to retinal neurons. Moreover, Müller cells contact to endothelial cells to facilitate the neovascularization process during hypoxic conditions. Finally, recent studies have pointed to a role of Müller cells in retina regeneration after damage, dedifferentiating to progenitor cells and then giving rise to different neuronal cell types. In this article we will review the role of Müller glia in neuroprotection and regeneration after damage in the retina.
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 2014
This paper deals with the limits in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic predictions for semi-enclosed ... more This paper deals with the limits in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic predictions for semi-enclosed coastal domains subject to sharp gradients (in bathymetry, topography, sediment transport and coastal damages). It starts with an overview of wave prediction limits (based on satellite images and buoy records) in a restricted domain, namely the Mediterranean basin, followed by an in-depth analysis of the Catalan coast, one of its land boundaries. The morphodynamic modelling for such regions is next discussed, based on the impact of a characteristic storm. The driving wave and surge conditions produce a morphodynamic response that is validated against the pre-and post-storm emerged beach state, recovered from two lidar images. The quality of the fit is discussed in terms of the physical processes and the suitability of the employed modelling suite. From here an assessment of errors and uncertainties is presented, with the aim of establishing the prediction limits for flooding and erosion analyses, key elements for coastal engineering decisions.
To examine the effects of glia-derived and brain-derived neurotrophic factors on survival and mor... more To examine the effects of glia-derived and brain-derived neurotrophic factors on survival and morphology of cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from adult porcine retina. Adult porcine retinas were dissociated and cultured in different conditions: (1) on laminin- and poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in chemically defined medium (CDM); (2) on laminin- and poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in CDM supplemented with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); (3) in confluent monolayer cultures of retinal Müller glia (RMG) in CDM; (4) in 1-day cultures of RMG in CDM; (5) in fixed RMG cultures in CDM; and (6) in laminin-poly-D-lysine substrate in conditioned medium obtained from RMG. RGCs were classified on the basis of the size, number of neurites, and length of the neurites, and the survival of the RGCs was assayed after each treatment. Confluent RMG substrates and RMG-conditioned medium significantly increased the survival of cultured porcine RGCs. Moreover, these two conditions increas...
Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been... more Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been used to visualize retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons. Since the RGC cytoskeleton exhibits differential damage in diseases such as glaucoma, we examined the distribution of light, medium, and heavy NF subunits (NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H respectively) within normal human and porcine retinas, as a function of RGC soma size and eccentricity. NF subunits were visualized with immunofluorescence techniques using retinal sections and flatmounts from adult human and pig retinas that were incubated with specific antisera against the three NF subunits. Porcine RGCs were retrogradely labeled with fluorogold while human RGCs were identified based on their position within the inner retina and their relatively large somata. NF-H and NF-M were distributed widely within all RGC somata and dendrites, whereas NF-L was more restricted to the perinuclear area. In addition, phosphorylated NF-H distribut...
Liposarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms of adulthood. However, it is exceedingly rare in ... more Liposarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms of adulthood. However, it is exceedingly rare in the gastrointestinal tract. To our knowledge, only 12 cases occurring in the esophagus have been reported in the world literature to date. We report the case of a 42-year-old man with a pleomorphic liposarcoma arising in the esophageal wall. The morphologic, immunophenotypic, and ultrastructural characteristics are presented, as well as the results of literature review.
Gestational trophoblastic disease occurs in less than 1 per 1200 pregnancies in the United States... more Gestational trophoblastic disease occurs in less than 1 per 1200 pregnancies in the United States. The spectrum of this disease ranges from benign hydatidiform mole to trophoblastic malignancy (placental-site trophoblastic tumor and choriocarcinoma). Benign gestational trophoblastic disease generally occurs in women of reproductive age and is extremely rare in postmenopausal women. To our knowledge, our case represents only the third description in the world literature of a benign complete hydatidiform mole in a woman with a history of amenorrhea greater than 1 year. We describe the case of a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman who underwent an emergent total abdominal hysterectomy due to uncontrollable vaginal bleeding associated with an increased serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level. The resected uterus contained an endometrial, cystic, grapelike tumor. Microscopic examination demonstrated hydropic degenerated villi with a circumferential trophoblastic cell proliferation and...
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2015
The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop within the mammalian em... more The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop within the mammalian embryo. During the early stages of cardiovascular development, the heart and blood vessels undergo rapid growth and remodeling required for embryo viability, proper morphogenesis, and the function of all organ systems. Live imaging of these dynamic events in early mouse embryos is critical to understanding when and how these morphological changes occur during normal development and how mutations and pharmacological agents affect cardiovascular structure and function in vivo. The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for rapid, three-dimensional structural and functional imaging of mouse embryos at cellular resolution without the aid of contrast agents. In this chapter, we will describe how OCT can be used to assess the morphology of vessels and the heart, dynamic analysis of cardiac function, and hemodynamics within extraembryonic and embryonic blood vessels.
The ability to conduct highly localized delivery of contrast agents, viral vectors, therapeutic o... more The ability to conduct highly localized delivery of contrast agents, viral vectors, therapeutic or pharmacological agents, and signaling molecules or dyes to live mammalian embryos is greatly desired to enable a variety of studies in the field of developmental biology, such as investigating the molecular regulation of cardiovascular morphogenesis. To meet such a demand, we introduce, for the first time, the concept of employing optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guide microinjections in live mouse embryos, which provides precisely targeted manipulation with spatial resolution at the micrometer scale. The feasibility demonstration is performed with experimental studies on cultured live mouse embryos at E8.5 and E9.5. Additionally, we investigate the OCT-guided microinjection of gold–silica nanoshells to the yolk sac vasculature of live cultured mouse embryos at the stage when the heart just starts to beat, as a potential approach for dynamic assessment of cardiovascular form and func...
Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 2015
Robust reconstructions of the three-dimensional network of blood vessels in developing embryos im... more Robust reconstructions of the three-dimensional network of blood vessels in developing embryos imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT) are needed for quantifying the longitudinal development of vascular networks in live mammalian embryos, in support of developmental cardiovascular research. Past computational methods [such as speckle variance (SV)] have demonstrated the feasibility of vascular reconstruction, but multiple challenges remain including: the presence of vessel structures at multiple spatial scales, thin blood vessels with weak flow, and artifacts resulting from bulk tissue motion (BTM). In order to overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a robust and scalable reconstruction algorithm based on a combination of anomaly detection algorithms and a parametric dictionary based sparse representation of blood vessels from structural OCT data. Validation results using confocal data as the baseline demonstrate that the proposed method enables the detection of vessel...
The use of chlorhexidine digluconate (ClxDg) into glass ionomer cements (GIC) aims at providing a... more The use of chlorhexidine digluconate (ClxDg) into glass ionomer cements (GIC) aims at providing antibacterial properties for these restorative materials. ClxDg can also inhibit matrix metalloproteinases which contributes to preserve the integrity of bonded interface. Objectives: to evaluate the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of an innovative GIC containing ClxDg-loaded microparticles (MP). Methods: MPs containing ClxDg at 25% were prepared using (meth)acrylate polymers (Eudragit S100 and Eudragit RS100). ClxDg-loaded E S100 MPs and ClxDg-loaded E RS100 MPs were incorporated into the powder of GIC at 20%; disks (4 mm diameter/1 mm high) were prepared to obtain the samples for investigating the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Similar ClxDg-free samples of GIC, GIC+E S100 MP and GIC+E RS100 MP were also tested. Aliquots were obtained by storing these samples in culture medium. At each test time (1, 2, 4 and 8 h; 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days), aliquots were collected,...
Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been... more Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been used to visualize retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons. Since the RGC cytoskeleton exhibits differential damage in diseases such as glaucoma, we examined the distribution of light, medium, and heavy NF subunits (NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H respectively) within normal human and porcine retinas, as a function of RGC soma size and eccentricity. NF subunits were visualized with immunofluorescence techniques using retinal sections and flatmounts from adult human and pig retinas that were incubated with specific antisera against the three NF subunits. Porcine RGCs were retrogradely labeled with fluorogold while human RGCs were identified based on their position within the inner retina and their relatively large somata. NF-H and NF-M were distributed widely within all RGC somata and dendrites, whereas NF-L was more restricted to the perinuclear area. In addition, phosphorylated NF-H distribut...
To study the pig retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in culture, analysing the possible neuropro... more To study the pig retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in culture, analysing the possible neuroprotective effect of retinal Müller glia (RMG) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Adult pig retina were dissociated and cultured under different conditions: 1) on laminin/poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in chemically defined medium (CDM); 2) on laminin/poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in CMD supplemented with BDNF; 3) on confluent monolayer cultures of RMG in CDM; 4) on laminin/poly-D-lysine substrate in conditioned medium obtained from RMG. RGCs were identified by immunocytochemistry using antibody against 68 kDa neurofilament and observed under an fluorescent microscope. RGCs were classified on the basis of the size, number and length of neurites, and their survival was assayed for each treatment. Confluent RMG substrates and RMG conditioned medium significantly increased the survival of cultured pig RGC. Moreover these two conditions increased the mean area of RGCs and enhanced...
This work reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -1... more This work reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -5Si0 2 glasses, doped with lanthanides, in this case cerium and lanthanum oxide (10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -1CeO 2 -5SiO 2 and 10CaF 2 -10Na 2 CO 3 -15CaO-59P 2 0 5 -1La 2 O 3 -5SiO 2 , respectively). The structure and morphology of the developed glasses have been investigated by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive analyzer and X-ray mapping was used to assess the morphological properties of the glasses. Glass-ceramic composites, for bone tissue applications, were obtained by the mixture of 2.5wt% of each glass with 97.5wt% of hydroxyapatite. These were also analyzed by means of XRD and SEM. Composites were biologically evaluated with human osteoblastic-like cells. Lanthanide doped-hydroxyapatite composites revealed an improved biological behaviour, regarding cell adhesion and proliferation, compared to hydroxyap...
Recent Advances in Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Processing for Land Degradation Assessment, 2009
Land degradation is associated with decreases in resources retention by ecosystems. In water-limi... more Land degradation is associated with decreases in resources retention by ecosystems. In water-limited environments this loss of functionality has an impact in the water use efficiency which should be reflected in the partition of surface energy fluxes through the actual evapotranspiration or latent heat. Remote-sensing indicators of land degradation based on energy ratios, such as the non-evaporative fraction, could help to monitor land condition. In this study, we test a simple operational model for calculating energy fluxes in a semiarid mountainous region at two different spatial resolutions (90 m and 1 km), using Aster and MODIS data on 18-07-2004. Results show that Aster and MODIS results are comparable within reported instrumental errors. However, the lost of detail is remarkable. If the processes of land degradation related with changes in the surface energy balance are explicit at 1 km, which needs further elucidation, MODIS is an adequate tool to perform regional assessments by means of its high temporal and spatial coverage. Comparisons with field data show low net radiation errors and large errors for sensible heat but within the ranges obtained by other authors. The spatial patterns for the ratio non-evaporative fraction (NEF) proposed as an indicator of land condition are coherent with the surface type. Using NEF and NDVI, a reliable identification of disturbed sites with high risk of degradation and non-degraded sites is accomplished. Non-degraded sites are better identified using NDVI rescaled only, while degraded sites are better classified using only NEF. Therefore, despite the fact that vegetation cover is a clear symptom of land degradation, indicators not directly related with vegetation cover, based on the surface energy balance, such as the NEF (non-evaporative fraction), can reveal important information about ecosystem functioning. Because of the limited verification data and dates, these results are preliminary and need further testing.
Although serotonin has been shown to inhibit peripheral sympathetic outflow, serotonin regulation... more Although serotonin has been shown to inhibit peripheral sympathetic outflow, serotonin regulation on renal sympathetic outflow has not yet been elucidated. This study investigated which 5-HT receptor subtypes are involved. Wistar rats were anesthetized (sodium pentobarbital; 60mg/kg, i.p.), and prepared for in situ autoperfused rat kidney, which allows continuous measurement of systemic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and renal perfusion pressure (PP). Electrical stimulation of renal sympathetic nerves resulted in frequency-dependent increases in PP (18.3±1.0, 43.7±2.7 and 66.7±4.0 for 2, 4 and 6Hz, respectively), without altering SBP or HR. 5-HT, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-HT1/7 agonist) (0.00000125-0.1μg/kg each) or l-694,247 (5-HT1D agonist; 0.0125μg/kg) i.a. bolus inhibited vasopressor responses by renal nerve electrical stimulation, unlike i.a. bolus of agonists α-methyl-5-HT (5-HT2), 1-PBG (5-HT3), cisapride (5-HT4), AS-19 (5-HT7), CGS-12066B (5-HT1B) or 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A) (0.0125μg/kg each). The effect of l-694,247 did not affect the exogenous norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictions, whereas was abolished by antagonist LY310762 (5-HT1D; 1mg/kg) or l-NAME (nitric oxide; 10mg/kg), but not by indomethacin (COX1/2; 2mg/kg) or glibenclamide (ATP-dependent K(+) channel; 20mg/kg). These results suggest that 5-HT mechanism-induced inhibition of rat vasopressor renal sympathetic outflow is mainly mediated by prejunctional 5-HT1D receptors via nitric oxide release.
Glial cells are thought to protect neurons from various neurological insults. When there is injur... more Glial cells are thought to protect neurons from various neurological insults. When there is injury to retina, Müller cells, which are the predominant glial element in the retina, undergo significant morphological, cellular and molecular changes. Some of these changes reflect Müller cell involvement in protecting the retina from further damage. Müller cells express growth factors, neurotransmitter transporters and antioxidant agents that could have an important role in preventing excitotoxic damage to retinal neurons. Moreover, Müller cells contact to endothelial cells to facilitate the neovascularization process during hypoxic conditions. Finally, recent studies have pointed to a role of Müller cells in retina regeneration after damage, dedifferentiating to progenitor cells and then giving rise to different neuronal cell types. In this article we will review the role of Müller glia in neuroprotection and regeneration after damage in the retina.
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 2014
This paper deals with the limits in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic predictions for semi-enclosed ... more This paper deals with the limits in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic predictions for semi-enclosed coastal domains subject to sharp gradients (in bathymetry, topography, sediment transport and coastal damages). It starts with an overview of wave prediction limits (based on satellite images and buoy records) in a restricted domain, namely the Mediterranean basin, followed by an in-depth analysis of the Catalan coast, one of its land boundaries. The morphodynamic modelling for such regions is next discussed, based on the impact of a characteristic storm. The driving wave and surge conditions produce a morphodynamic response that is validated against the pre-and post-storm emerged beach state, recovered from two lidar images. The quality of the fit is discussed in terms of the physical processes and the suitability of the employed modelling suite. From here an assessment of errors and uncertainties is presented, with the aim of establishing the prediction limits for flooding and erosion analyses, key elements for coastal engineering decisions.
To examine the effects of glia-derived and brain-derived neurotrophic factors on survival and mor... more To examine the effects of glia-derived and brain-derived neurotrophic factors on survival and morphology of cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from adult porcine retina. Adult porcine retinas were dissociated and cultured in different conditions: (1) on laminin- and poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in chemically defined medium (CDM); (2) on laminin- and poly-D-lysine-coated coverslips in CDM supplemented with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); (3) in confluent monolayer cultures of retinal Müller glia (RMG) in CDM; (4) in 1-day cultures of RMG in CDM; (5) in fixed RMG cultures in CDM; and (6) in laminin-poly-D-lysine substrate in conditioned medium obtained from RMG. RGCs were classified on the basis of the size, number of neurites, and length of the neurites, and the survival of the RGCs was assayed after each treatment. Confluent RMG substrates and RMG-conditioned medium significantly increased the survival of cultured porcine RGCs. Moreover, these two conditions increas...
Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been... more Neurofilaments (NF) are neuronal cytoskeletal components and immunostaining against them has been used to visualize retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons. Since the RGC cytoskeleton exhibits differential damage in diseases such as glaucoma, we examined the distribution of light, medium, and heavy NF subunits (NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H respectively) within normal human and porcine retinas, as a function of RGC soma size and eccentricity. NF subunits were visualized with immunofluorescence techniques using retinal sections and flatmounts from adult human and pig retinas that were incubated with specific antisera against the three NF subunits. Porcine RGCs were retrogradely labeled with fluorogold while human RGCs were identified based on their position within the inner retina and their relatively large somata. NF-H and NF-M were distributed widely within all RGC somata and dendrites, whereas NF-L was more restricted to the perinuclear area. In addition, phosphorylated NF-H distribut...
Liposarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms of adulthood. However, it is exceedingly rare in ... more Liposarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms of adulthood. However, it is exceedingly rare in the gastrointestinal tract. To our knowledge, only 12 cases occurring in the esophagus have been reported in the world literature to date. We report the case of a 42-year-old man with a pleomorphic liposarcoma arising in the esophageal wall. The morphologic, immunophenotypic, and ultrastructural characteristics are presented, as well as the results of literature review.
Gestational trophoblastic disease occurs in less than 1 per 1200 pregnancies in the United States... more Gestational trophoblastic disease occurs in less than 1 per 1200 pregnancies in the United States. The spectrum of this disease ranges from benign hydatidiform mole to trophoblastic malignancy (placental-site trophoblastic tumor and choriocarcinoma). Benign gestational trophoblastic disease generally occurs in women of reproductive age and is extremely rare in postmenopausal women. To our knowledge, our case represents only the third description in the world literature of a benign complete hydatidiform mole in a woman with a history of amenorrhea greater than 1 year. We describe the case of a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman who underwent an emergent total abdominal hysterectomy due to uncontrollable vaginal bleeding associated with an increased serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level. The resected uterus contained an endometrial, cystic, grapelike tumor. Microscopic examination demonstrated hydropic degenerated villi with a circumferential trophoblastic cell proliferation and...
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2015
The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop within the mammalian em... more The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop within the mammalian embryo. During the early stages of cardiovascular development, the heart and blood vessels undergo rapid growth and remodeling required for embryo viability, proper morphogenesis, and the function of all organ systems. Live imaging of these dynamic events in early mouse embryos is critical to understanding when and how these morphological changes occur during normal development and how mutations and pharmacological agents affect cardiovascular structure and function in vivo. The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for rapid, three-dimensional structural and functional imaging of mouse embryos at cellular resolution without the aid of contrast agents. In this chapter, we will describe how OCT can be used to assess the morphology of vessels and the heart, dynamic analysis of cardiac function, and hemodynamics within extraembryonic and embryonic blood vessels.
The ability to conduct highly localized delivery of contrast agents, viral vectors, therapeutic o... more The ability to conduct highly localized delivery of contrast agents, viral vectors, therapeutic or pharmacological agents, and signaling molecules or dyes to live mammalian embryos is greatly desired to enable a variety of studies in the field of developmental biology, such as investigating the molecular regulation of cardiovascular morphogenesis. To meet such a demand, we introduce, for the first time, the concept of employing optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guide microinjections in live mouse embryos, which provides precisely targeted manipulation with spatial resolution at the micrometer scale. The feasibility demonstration is performed with experimental studies on cultured live mouse embryos at E8.5 and E9.5. Additionally, we investigate the OCT-guided microinjection of gold–silica nanoshells to the yolk sac vasculature of live cultured mouse embryos at the stage when the heart just starts to beat, as a potential approach for dynamic assessment of cardiovascular form and func...
Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 2015
Robust reconstructions of the three-dimensional network of blood vessels in developing embryos im... more Robust reconstructions of the three-dimensional network of blood vessels in developing embryos imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT) are needed for quantifying the longitudinal development of vascular networks in live mammalian embryos, in support of developmental cardiovascular research. Past computational methods [such as speckle variance (SV)] have demonstrated the feasibility of vascular reconstruction, but multiple challenges remain including: the presence of vessel structures at multiple spatial scales, thin blood vessels with weak flow, and artifacts resulting from bulk tissue motion (BTM). In order to overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a robust and scalable reconstruction algorithm based on a combination of anomaly detection algorithms and a parametric dictionary based sparse representation of blood vessels from structural OCT data. Validation results using confocal data as the baseline demonstrate that the proposed method enables the detection of vessel...
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Papers by Monica Garcia