Imaging of prostate micro-architecture using three-dimensional wide-field optical coherence tomography.

Prostate cancer is a global health issue that requires new diagnostic methods to provide accurate and precise visualization of prostate tissue on the micro-scale. Such methods have the potential to improve nerve-sparing surgery and to provide image guidance during prostate biopsy. In this feasibility study, we assess the potential of three-dimensional wide-field optical coherence tomography (OCT), covering a volumetric imaging field-of-view up to 46 × 46 × 1 mm, to visualize micro-architecture in 18 freshly excised human prostate specimens.

Understanding the Significance of Layer Bonding in Melt Electrowriting.

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a high-resolution additive manufacturing technology capable of depositing micrometric fibers onto a moving collector to form 3D scaffolds of controlled mechanical properties. While the critical role of layer bonding to achieve mechanical integrity in fused deposition modeling has been widely reported, it remains largely unknown in MEW, in part due to a lack of methods to assess it. Here, a systematic framework is developed to unravel the significance of layer bonding in MEW scaffolds and its ultimate effect on their mechanical properties.

Multimodal three-dimensional characterization of murine skeletal muscle micro-scale elasticity, structure, and composition: Impact of dysferlinopathy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and age on three hind-limb muscles.

Skeletal muscle tissue function is governed by the mechanical properties and organization of its components, including myofibers, extracellular matrix, and adipose tissue, which can be modified by the onset and progression of many disorders. This study used a novel combination of quantitative micro-elastography and clearing-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) microscopy to assess 3D micro-scale elasticity and micro-architecture of muscles from two muscular dystrophies: dysferlinopathy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, using male BLA/J and mdx mice, respectively, and their wild-type (WT) controls. We examined three muscles with varying proportions of slow- and fast-twitch myofibers: the soleus (predominantly slow), extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast), and quadriceps (mixed), from BLA/J and WT mice aged 3, 10, and 24 months, and mdx and WT mice aged 10 months.

A novel stress sensor enables accurate estimation of micro-scale tissue mechanics in quantitative micro-elastography.

Quantitative micro-elastography (QME) is a compression-based optical coherence elastography technique enabling the estimation of tissue mechanical properties on the micro-scale. QME utilizes a compliant layer as an optical stress sensor, placed between an imaging window and tissue, providing quantitative estimation of elasticity. However, the implementation of the layer is challenging and introduces unpredictable friction conditions at the contact boundaries, deteriorating the accuracy and reliability of elasticity estimation.

Lattice dynamics and vibrational properties of scheelite-type alkali-metal perrhenates.

The present work provides insight into the structural, vibrational, and elastic properties of scheelite-type alkali-metal perrhenates AReO(= Na, K, Rb, and Cs) via first-principles calculations. Sodium, potassium, and rubidium perrhenates are isostructural and crystallize in a tetragonal structure, whereas cesium perrhenate crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure. All the phonon frequencies and their corresponding mode assignments were estimated through the linear response method within density-functional-perturbation theory.

Multimodal mechano-microscopy reveals mechanical phenotypes of breast cancer spheroids in three dimensions.

Cancer cell invasion relies on an equilibrium between cell deformability and the biophysical constraints imposed by the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, there is little consensus on the nature of the local biomechanical alterations in cancer cell dissemination in the context of three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironments (TMEs). While the shortcomings of two-dimensional (2D) models in replicating cell behavior are well known, 3D TME models remain underutilized because contemporary mechanical quantification tools are limited to surface measurements.

Full-field optical coherence microscopy enables high-resolution label-free imaging of the dynamics of live mouse oocytes and early embryos.

High quality label-free imaging of oocytes and early embryos is essential for accurate assessment of their developmental potential, a key element of assisted reproduction procedures. To achieve this goal, we propose full-field optical coherence microscopy (FF-OCM), constructed as a compact module fully integrated with a commercial wide-field fluorescence microscope. Our system achieves optical sectioning in wide-field, high in-plane resolution of 0.

Tumor spheroid elasticity estimation using mechano-microscopy combined with a conditional generative adversarial network.

Background And Objectives: Techniques for imaging the mechanical properties of cells are needed to study how cell mechanics influence cell function and disease progression. Mechano-microscopy (a high-resolution variant of compression optical coherence elastography) generates elasticity images of a sample undergoing compression from the phase difference between optical coherence microscopy (OCM) B-scans. However, the existing mechano-microscopy signal processing chain (referred to as the algebraic method) assumes the sample stress is uniaxial and axially uniform, such that violation of these assumptions reduces the accuracy and precision of elasticity images.

Exploring Phase Transition and Structural Complexity in the Mixed Cation Uranium Oxide CaUNbO.

The structures and high-temperature phase transition of CaUNbO were studied in situ using synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. Rietveld refinements provided an accurate description of the crystal structures of both the monoclinic fergusonite-type 2/ structure observed at room temperature and the tetragonal scheelite-type 4/ structure found at high temperatures. Bond valence sum analysis showed Nb to be octahedrally coordinated in the monoclinic fergusonite-type structure, akin to other NbO materials.

Comparative sensitivity of early cystic fibrosis lung disease detection tools in school aged children.

Background: Effective detection of early lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) is critical to understanding early pathogenesis and evaluating early intervention strategies. We aimed to compare ability of several proposed sensitive functional tools to detect early CF lung disease as defined by CT structural disease in school aged children.

Methods: 50 CF subjects (mean±SD 11.

stress estimation in quantitative micro-elastography.

In quantitative micro-elastography (QME), a pre-characterized compliant layer with a known stress-strain curve is utilized to map stress at the sample surface. However, differences in the boundary conditions of the compliant layer when it is mechanically characterized and when it is used in QME experiments lead to inconsistent stress estimation and consequently, inaccurate elasticity measurements. Here, we propose a novel stress estimation method using an optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based uniaxial compression testing system integrated with the QME experimental setup.

Piperidine and Pyridine Series Lead-Free Dion-Jacobson Phase Tin Perovskite Single Crystals and Their Applications for Field-Effect Transistors.

Two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites have gained immense attention as alternatives to three-dimensional (3D) perovskites in recent years. The hydrophobic spacers in the layered structure of 2D perovskites make them more moisture-resistant than 3D perovskites. Moreover, they exhibit unique anisotropic electrical transport properties due to a structural confinement effect.

Seeing the Unseen: The Structural Influence of the Lone Pair Electrons in PbWO.

Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of the scheelite-type material PbWO reveals previously unidentified short-range structural distortions in the PbO polyhedra and WO tetrahedra not observed in the similarly structured CaWO. These local distortions are a result of the structural influence of the Pb 6s lone pair electrons. These are not evident from the Rietveld analysis of synchrotron X-ray or neutron powder diffraction data, nor do they strongly influence the X-ray PDF (XPDF).

Tetrahedra Rotational and Displacive Disorder in the Scheelite-Type Oxide CsReO.

Scheelite-type metal oxides are a notable class of functional materials, with applications including ionic conductivity, photocatalysis, and the safe storage of radioactive waste. To further engineer these materials for specific applications, a detailed understanding of how their properties can change under different conditions is required─not just in the long-range average structure but also in the short-range local structure. This paper outlines a detailed investigation of the metal oxide CsReO, which exhibits an uncommon orthorhombic pseudo-scheelite-type structure at room temperature.

Intercalated Water Drives Anomalous Thermal Expansion in the Tetragonal Zircon Structured Bismuth Vanadate BiVO Photocatalyst.

The thermal transformation of the tetragonal-zircon (tz-) to tetragonal-scheelite (ts-)BiVO was studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. Upon heating, the tetragonal zircon polymorph of BiVO (tz-BiVO) transitioned to the ts-polymorph between 693-773 K. Above 773 K, single phase ts-BiVO was observed before transitioning to the monoclinic fergusonite (mf-) polymorph upon cooling.

Stiffness Mediated-Mechanosensation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells on Linear Stiffness Gradient Hydrogels.

In obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein amount and composition of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is often remodelled, likely altering tissue stiffness. The underlying mechanism of how human ASM cell (hASMC) mechanosenses the aberrant microenvironment is not well understood. Physiological stiffnesses of the ASM were measured by uniaxial compression tester using porcine ASM layers under 0, 5 and 10% longitudinal stretch above in situ length.

Structural Properties of Some Vacancy-Ordered Platinum Halide Perovskites.

The structural changes that accompany the dehydration of NaPtX·6HO (X = Cl, Br) were studied using in situ variable temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The two hexahydrates are isostructural, containing isolated Pt octahedra separated by Na cations. Removal of the water results in the formation of the anhydrous vacancy ordered double perovskites NaPt.

Factors influencing treatment response of pulmonary exacerbation in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) significantly impact morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess treatment response rates and identify contributing factors towards treatment response.

Methods: In this single-center, retrospective, longitudinal study spanning four years, we analyzed all pulmonary exacerbation admissions.

Analysis of friction in quantitative micro-elastography.

Quantitative micro-elastography (QME) is a compression-based optical coherence elastography technique capable of measuring the mechanical properties of tissue on the micro-scale. As QME requires contact between the imaging window and the sample, the presence of friction affects the accuracy of the estimated elasticity. In previous implementations, a lubricant was applied at the contact surfaces, which was assumed to result in negligible friction.

In vivo characterisation of field pea stem wall thickness using optical coherence tomography.

Background: Modern field pea breeding faces a significant challenge in selecting lines with strong stems that resist lodging. Traditional methods of assessing stem strength involve destructive mechanical tests on mature stems after natural senescence, such as measuring stem flexion, stem buckling or the thickness of dry stems when compressed, but these measurements may not correspond to the strength of stems in the living plant. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used as a noncontact and nondestructive method to measure stem wall thickness in living plants by acquiring two- or three-dimensional images of living plant tissue.

Designed for a pandemic: Mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through hospital design and infrastructure.

Background: To describe the new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) design and infrastructure features that helped mitigate the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission within the hospital during the pre-vaccination and pre-antiviral period.

Method: The RAH infrastructure, design and initial pandemic response was assessed. A retrospective review of all confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted from 1 February 2020 to 30 May 2020 was also performed to assess risk of transmission.

3D Volumetric Mechanosensation of MCF7 Breast Cancer Spheroids in a Linear Stiffness Gradient GelAGE.

The tumor microenvironment presents spatiotemporal shifts in biomechanical properties with cancer progression. Hydrogel biomaterials like GelAGE offer the stiffness tuneability to recapitulate dynamic changes in tumor tissues by altering photo-energy exposures. Here, a tuneable hydrogel with spatiotemporal control of stiffness and mesh-network is developed.

A surgically optimized intraoperative poly(I:C)-releasing hydrogel prevents cancer recurrence.

Recurrences frequently occur following surgical removal of primary tumors. In many cancers, adjuvant therapies have limited efficacy. Surgery provides access to the tumor microenvironment, creating an opportunity for local therapy, in particular immunotherapy, which can induce local and systemic anti-cancer effects.