A computer method for determining plaque size and plaque morphology

1977 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella M. Esrig ◽  
Stanley P. Racis ◽  
Harvey Lichtblau ◽  
Richard Kruger ◽  
Byron Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Computer Method ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Plaque Size

scholarly journals Effect of cholesterol re-supplementation and atorvastatin on plaque composition in the thoracic aorta of New Zealand white rabbits

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Bonaterra ◽  
K. Bender ◽  
B. Wilhelm ◽  
H. Schwarzbach ◽  
S. Metz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Cholesterol Content ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Plaque Size ◽  
Atorvastatin Treatment ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Group I

Abstract Background Effects of re-supplementation of a cholesterol-enriched diet (CEDrs) on size, cholesterol content and morphology of already existing plaques are not known to date. Methods A group of rabbits received standard chow (SC) for 6 weeks (“negative control”; for plasma lipid measurements only). Group I-IV received 2% CED (induction) for 6 weeks; thereafter, groups II-IV have been fed a SC (= cholesterol withdrawal) for 68 weeks. Afterwards, feeding of groups II-IV was continued as follows: Group II - 10 weeks SC, group III - 4 weeks 0.5% CED (~re-supplementation), afterwards 6 weeks SC (~withdrawal again); group IV - 4 weeks 0.5% CED (re-supplementation) + atorvastatin (2.5 mg/kg body weight/day), afterwards 6 weeks SC (~withdrawal again) + atorvastatin. Plasma lipids, but also plaque size, morphology and cholesterol contents of thoracic aortas were quantified. Results After CEDrs, plasma cholesterol levels were increased. However, after withdrawal of CEDrs, plasma cholesterol levels decreased, whereas the cholesterol content of the thoracic aorta was increased in comparison with the group without CEDrs. Plaque size remained unaffected. Atorvastatin application did not change plasma cholesterol level, cholesterol content of the thoracic aorta and plaque size in comparison with the group without drug treatment. However, atorvastatin treatment increased the density of macrophages (MΦ) compared with the group without treatment, with a significant correlation between densities of MΦ (Mac-1+) and apoptotic (TUNEL+; TP53+), antigen-presenting (HLA-DR+) or oxidatively stressed (SOD2+) cells. Conclusions In rabbits with already existing plaques, CEDrs affects plaque morphology and cellular composition, but not plaque size. Despite missing effects on plasma cholesterol levels, cholesterol content of the thoracic aorta and size of already existing atherosclerotic plaques, atorvastatin treatment transforms the already existing lesions to a more active form, which may accelerate the remodelling to a more stable plaque.

scholarly journals Plaque Size Tool: an automated plaque analysis tool for simplifying and standardising bacteriophage plaque morphology measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellina Trofimova ◽  
Paul R Jaschke
Keyword(s):  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Plaque Size ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Size Measurement ◽  
Eye Morphology ◽  
Plaque Area ◽  
Bull's Eye ◽  
Analytical Tools

AbstractBacteriophage plaque size measurement is essential for phage characterisation, but their manual size estimation requires a considerable amount of time and effort. In order to ease the work of phage researchers, we have developed an automated command-line application called Plaque Size Tool (PST) that can detect plaques of different morphology on the images of Petri dishes and measure plaque area and diameter. Plaque size measurements using PST showed no difference to those obtained with manual plaque size measurement in Fiji, indicating future results using PST are backwards compatible with prior measurements in the literature. PST can be applied to a range of lytic bacteriophages producing oval-shaped plaques, including bull’s-eye morphology. The application can also be used for titer calculation if most of the plaques are stand-alone. As laboratory automation becomes more commonplace, standardised and flexible open-source analytical tools like PST will be important parts of biofoundry and cloud lab bacteriophage workflows.

scholarly journals The analysis of the connection between plaque morphology of the asymptomatic carotid stenosis and ischemic brain lesions

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 993-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djordje Milosevic ◽  
Janko Pasternak ◽  
Vladan Popovic ◽  
Dragan Nikolic ◽  
Pavle Milosevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Carotid Stenosis ◽  
Carotid Plaque ◽  
Brain Infarction ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis ◽  
Asymptomatic Carotid ◽  
Silent Brain Infarction

Background/Aim. A certain percentage of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis have an unstable carotid plaque. For these patients it is possible to register by modern imaging methods the existence of lesions of the brain parenchyma - the silent brain infarction. These patients have a greater risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to analyze the connection between the morphology of atherosclerotic carotid plaque in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and the manifestation of silent brain infarction, and to analyze the influence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases on the occurrence of silent brain infarction and the morphology of carotid plaque. Methods. This retrospective study included patients who had been operated for high grade (> 70%) extracranial atherosclerotic carotid stenosis at the Clinic for Vascular and Transplantation Surgery of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina over a period of 5 years. The patients analyzed had no clinical manifestation of cerebrovascular insufficiency of the carotid artery territory up to the time of operation. The classification of carotid plaque morphology was carried out according to the Gray-Weale classification, after which all the types were subcategorized into two groups: stable and unstable. Brain lesions were verified using preoperative imaging of the brain parenchyma by magnetic resonance. We analyzed ipsilateral lesions of the size > or = 3 mm. Results. Out of a 201 patients 78% had stable plaque and 22% unstable one. Unstable plaque was prevalent in the male patients (male/female ratio = 24.8% : 17.8%), but without a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The risk factors (hypertension, nicotinism, hyperlipoproteinemia, and diabetes mellitus) showed no statistically significant impact on carotid plaque morphology and the occurrence of silent brain infarction. Silent brain infarction was detected in 30.8% of the patients. Unstable carotid plaque was found in a larger percentage of patients with silent brain infarction (36.4% : 29.3%) but without a significant statistical difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Even though silent brain infarction is more frequent in patients with unstable plaque of carotid bifurication, the difference is of no statistical significance. The effects of the number and type of risk factors bear no statistical significance on the incidence of morphological asymptomatic carotid plaque.

scholarly journals 1615. Isolation of Lytic Bacteriophages with Broad Host Range Activity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Respiratory Samples from Cystic Fibrosis Patients Intended for Therapeutic Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S801-S801
Author(s):  
Jose Alexander ◽  
Daniel Navas ◽  
Marly Flowers ◽  
Angela Charles ◽  
Amy Carr
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Phage Therapy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Host Target

Abstract Background With the rise of the antimicrobial resistance between different genera and species of bacteria, Phage Therapy is becoming a more realistic and accessible option for patients with limited or no antimicrobial options. Being able to have rapid access to a collection of clinical active phages is key for rapid implementation of phage therapy. The Microbiology Department at AdventHealth Orlando is performing routine screening of environmental and patient samples for isolation of phages against non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria to develop a Phage Bank. Methods Protocols for phage isolation from environmental sources such as lakes, rivers and sewers and clinical samples were developed. A series of respiratory, throat, stool and urine samples were processed following an internal protocol that includes centrifugation, filtration and enrichment. Clinical samples were centrifugated for 10 minutes, filtered using 0.45µm centrifugation filters, seeded with targeted host bacteria (clinical isolates) and incubated at 35°C for 24 hours. The enriched samples were centrifugated and filtered for a final phage enriched solution. Screening and isolation were performed using the Gracia method over trypticase soybean agar (TSA) for plaque morphology and quantification. Host range screening of other clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa was performed using the new isolated and purified phages. Results 4 lytic phages against clinical strains of P. aeruginosa from patient with diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), were isolated and purified from 4 different respiratory samples, including sputum and bronchial alveolar lavage. All phages showed phenotypical characteristics of lytic activity. 1 phage was active against 4 strains of P. aeruginosa, 1 phage was active against 2 strains of P. aeruginosa and the remaining 2 phages were active only against the initial host target strain. Conclusion With this study we demonstrated the potential use of clinical samples as source for isolating active bacteriophages against clinically significant bacteria strains. Clinical samples from vulnerable population of patients with chronic infections are part of our routine “phage-hunting” process to stock and grow our Phage Bank project for future clinical use. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Association between White Matter Ischaemia and Carotid Plaque Morphology as Defined by High-resolution In Vivo MRI

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Patterson ◽  
J.M. U-King-Im ◽  
T.Y. Tang ◽  
D.J. Scoffings ◽  
S.P.S. Howarth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Carotid Plaque ◽  
Plaque Morphology

Tackling Means for Balancing the Production Lines

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 4620-4628
Author(s):  
Olga Ioana Amariei ◽  
Codruţa Oana Hamat ◽  
Liviu Coman ◽  
Cristian Fănică ◽  
Cristian Rudolf
Keyword(s):  
Production Line ◽  
Idle Time ◽  
Computer Method ◽  
Basic Method ◽  
Assembly Lines ◽  
Production Lines ◽  
Heuristic Techniques ◽  
Human Operators

Balancing a production line means to organize the activity of the human operators, to establish the production flux and designing the line, minimizing the idle time for the machines and the operators, through an optimal charge bestowed upon them. WinQSB software offers three methods of solving this type of problem, namely: heuristic techniques (a basic method is specified and an alternative one from all the available ones), Optimizing Best Bud Search and Computer Method of Sequencing Operations for Assembly Lines, presented all in the present paper.

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