Sensory augmentation: integration of an auditory compass signal into human perception of space

Abstract Bio-mimetic approaches to restoring sensory function show great promise in that they rapidly produce perceptual experience, but have the disadvantage of being invasive. In contrast, sensory substitution approaches are non-invasive, but may lead to cognitive rather than perceptual experience. Here we introduce a new non-invasive approach that leads to fast and truly perceptual experience like bio-mimetic techniques. Instead of building on existing circuits at the neural level as done in bio-mimetics, we piggy-back on sensorimotor contingencies at the stimulus level. We convey head orientation to geomagnetic North, a reliable spatial relation not normally sensed by humans, by mimicking sensorimotor contingencies of distal sounds via head-related transfer functions. We demonstrate rapid and long-lasting integration into the perception of self-rotation. Short training with amplified or reduced rotation gain in the magnetic signal can expand or compress the perceived extent of vestibular self-rotation, even with the magnetic signal absent in the test. We argue that it is the reliability of the magnetic signal that allows vestibular spatial recalibration, and the coding scheme mimicking sensorimotor contingencies of distal sounds that permits fast integration. Hence we propose that contingency-mimetic feedback has great potential for creating sensory augmentation devices that achieve fast and genuinely perceptual experiences.

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Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer: A Current Need for Patient Diagnosis and Monitoring

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19092514 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 2514 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Iris Lodewijk ◽

Marta Dueñas ◽

Carolina Rubio ◽

Ester Munera-Maravilla ◽

Cristina Segovia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Liquid Biopsy ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Great Promise ◽

Liquid Biopsies ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Social Challenge ◽

High Incidence

Bladder Cancer (BC) represents a clinical and social challenge due to its high incidence and recurrence rates, as well as the limited advances in effective disease management. Currently, a combination of cytology and cystoscopy is the routinely used methodology for diagnosis, prognosis and disease surveillance. However, both the poor sensitivity of cytology tests as well as the high invasiveness and big variation in tumour stage and grade interpretation using cystoscopy, emphasizes the urgent need for improvements in BC clinical guidance. Liquid biopsy represents a new non-invasive approach that has been extensively studied over the last decade and holds great promise. Even though its clinical use is still compromised, multiple studies have recently focused on the potential application of biomarkers in liquid biopsies for BC, including circulating tumour cells and DNA, RNAs, proteins and peptides, metabolites and extracellular vesicles. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on the different types of biomarkers, their potential use in liquid biopsy and clinical applications in BC.

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Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive approach to assess stress in dystocic dairy calves

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85666-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Levente Kovács ◽

Fruzsina Luca Kézér ◽

Szilárd Bodó ◽

Ferenc Ruff ◽

Rupert Palme ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Body Condition ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Sampling Period ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Birth Process ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Saliva Cortisol ◽

Cortisol Levels

AbstractThe intensity and the magnitude of saliva cortisol responses were investigated during the first 48 h following birth in newborn dairy calves which underwent normal (eutocic, EUT, n = 88) and difficult (dystocic, DYS, n = 70) calvings. The effects of parity and body condition of the dam, the duration of parturition, the time spent licking the calf, the sex and birth weight of the calf were also analyzed. Neonatal salivary cortisol concentrations were influenced neither by factors related to the dam (parity, body condition) nor the calf (sex, birth weight). The duration of parturition and the time spent licking the calf also had no effect on salivary cortisol levels. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased rapidly after delivery in both groups to reach their peak levels at 45 and 60 min after delivery in EUT and DYS calves, respectively supporting that the birth process means considerable stress for calves and the immediate postnatal period also appears to be stressful for newborn calves. DYS calves exhibited higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to EUT ones for 0 (P = 0.022), 15 (P = 0.016), 30 (P = 0.007), 45 (P = 0.003), 60 (P = 0.001) and 120 min (P = 0.001), and for 24 h (P = 0.040), respectively. Peak levels of salivary cortisol and the cortisol release into saliva calculated as AUC were higher in DYS than in EUT calves for the 48-h of the sampling period (P = 0.009 and P = 0.003, respectively). The greater magnitude of saliva cortisol levels in DYS calves compared to EUT ones suggest that difficult parturition means severe stress for bovine neonates and salivary cortisol could be an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of stress during the early neonatal period in cattle.

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When SEM becomes a deceptive tool of analysis: the unexpected discovery of epidermal glands with stalked ducts on the ultimate legs of geophilomorph centipedes

Frontiers in Zoology ◽

10.1186/s12983-021-00402-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andy Sombke ◽

Carsten H. G. Müller

Keyword(s):

Sensory Function ◽

Sexually Dimorphic ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Defensive Role ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Sensory Structures ◽

Taxonomic Studies ◽

Invasive Techniques ◽

Epidermal Glands ◽

Intrinsic Musculature

Abstract Background The jointed appendage is a key novelty in arthropod evolution and arthropod legs are known to vary enormously in relation to function. Among centipedes, the ultimate legs always are distinctly different from locomotory legs, and different centipede taxa evolved different structural and functional modifications. In Geophilomorpha (soil centipedes), ultimate legs do not participate in locomotion and were interpret to serve a sensory function. They can be sexually dimorphic and in some species, male ultimate legs notably appear “hairy”. It can be assumed that the high abundance of sensilla indicates a pronounced sensory function. This study seeks for assessing the sensory diversity, however, documents the surprising and unique case of an extensive glandular epithelium in the ultimate legs of three phylogenetically distant species. Results The tightly aggregated epidermal glands with stalked ducts – mistakenly thought to be sensilla – were scrutinized using a multimodal microscopic approach comprising histology as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy in Haplophilus subterraneus. Hence, this is the first detailed account on centipede ultimate legs demonstrating an evolutionary transformation into a “secretory leg”. Additionally, we investigated sensory structures as well as anatomical features using microCT analysis. Contrary to its nomination as a tarsus, tarsus 1 possesses intrinsic musculature, which is an indication that this podomere might be a derivate of the tibia. Discussion The presence and identity of ultimate leg associated epidermal glands with stalked ducts is a new discovery for myriapods. A pronounced secretory as well as moderate sensory function in Haplophilus subterraneus can be concluded. The set of characters will improve future taxonomic studies, to test the hypotheses whether the presence of these specialized glands is a common feature in Geophilomorpha, and that tarsus 1 may be a derivate of the tibia. As the number of epidermal glands with stalked ducts is sexually dimorphic, their function might be connected to reproduction or a sex-specific defensive role. Our results, in particular the unexpected discovery of ‘glandular hairs’, may account for a striking example for how deceptive morphological descriptions of epidermal organs may be, if based on non-invasive techniques alone.

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The Cat Mandible (II): Manipulation of the Jaw, with a New Prosthesis Proposal, to Avoid Iatrogenic Complications

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030683 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 683

Author(s):

Matilde Lombardero ◽

Mario López-Lombardero ◽

Diana Alonso-Peñarando ◽

María del Mar Yllera

Keyword(s):

Imaging Techniques ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Prosthesis Design ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Mandibular Fractures ◽

Rigid Fixation ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Iatrogenic Complications ◽

Mandibular Body

The cat mandible is relatively small, and its manipulation implies the use of fixing methods and different repair techniques according to its small size to keep its biomechanical functionality intact. Attempts to fix dislocations of the temporomandibular joint should be primarily performed by non-invasive techniques (repositioning the bones and immobilisation), although when this is not possible, a surgical method should be used. Regarding mandibular fractures, these are usually concurrent with other traumatic injuries that, if serious, should be treated first. A non-invasive approach should also first be considered to fix mandibular fractures. When this is impractical, internal rigid fixation methods, such as osteosynthesis plates, should be used. However, it should be taken into account that in the cat mandible, dental roots and the mandibular canal structures occupy most of the volume of the mandibular body, a fact that makes it challenging to apply a plate with fixed screw positions without invading dental roots or neurovascular structures. Therefore, we propose a new prosthesis design that will provide acceptable rigid biomechanical stabilisation, but avoid dental root and neurovascular damage, when fixing simple mandibular body fractures. Future trends will include the use of better diagnostic imaging techniques, a patient-specific prosthesis design and the use of more biocompatible materials to minimise the patient’s recovery period and suffering.

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Cardiac Computed Tomography Radiomics for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Coronary Inflammation

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10040879 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 879

Author(s):

Kevin Cheng ◽

Andrew Lin ◽

Jeremy Yuvaraj ◽

Stephen J. Nicholls ◽

Dennis T.L. Wong

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Computed Tomography ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Imaging Biomarkers ◽

Great Promise ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Quantitative Image ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Therapeutic Decision Making ◽

Underlying Pathophysiology

Radiomics, via the extraction of quantitative information from conventional radiologic images, can identify imperceptible imaging biomarkers that can advance the characterization of coronary plaques and the surrounding adipose tissue. Such an approach can unravel the underlying pathophysiology of atherosclerosis which has the potential to aid diagnostic, prognostic and, therapeutic decision making. Several studies have demonstrated that radiomic analysis can characterize coronary atherosclerotic plaques with a level of accuracy comparable, if not superior, to current conventional qualitative and quantitative image analysis. While there are many milestones still to be reached before radiomics can be integrated into current clinical practice, such techniques hold great promise for improving the imaging phenotyping of coronary artery disease.

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Holistic description of new deep sea megafauna (Cephalopoda: Cirrata) using a minimally invasive approach

BMC Biology ◽

10.1186/s12915-021-01000-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Ziegler ◽

Christina Sagorny

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Dna Barcoding ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Additional Support ◽

Holistic Description

Abstract Background In zoology, species descriptions conventionally rely on invasive morphological techniques, frequently leading to damage of the specimens and thus only a partial understanding of their structural complexity. More recently, non-destructive imaging techniques have successfully been used to describe smaller fauna, but this approach has so far not been applied to identify or describe larger animal species. Here, we present a combination of entirely non-invasive as well as minimally invasive methods that permit taxonomic descriptions of large zoological specimens in a more comprehensive manner. Results Using the single available representative of an allegedly novel species of deep-sea cephalopod (Mollusca: Cephalopoda), digital photography, standardized external measurements, high-field magnetic resonance imaging, micro-computed tomography, and DNA barcoding were combined to gather all morphological and molecular characters relevant for a full species description. The results show that this specimen belongs to the cirrate octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) genus Grimpoteuthis Robson, 1932. Based on the number of suckers, position of web nodules, cirrus length, presence of a radula, and various shell characters, the specimen is designated as the holotype of a new species of dumbo octopus, G. imperator sp. nov. The digital nature of the acquired data permits a seamless online deposition of raw as well as derived morphological and molecular datasets in publicly accessible repositories. Conclusions Using high-resolution, non-invasive imaging systems intended for the analysis of larger biological objects, all external as well as internal morphological character states relevant for the identification of a new megafaunal species were obtained. Potentially harmful effects on this unique deep-sea cephalopod specimen were avoided by scanning the fixed animal without admixture of a contrast agent. Additional support for the taxonomic placement of the new dumbo octopus species was obtained through DNA barcoding, further underlining the importance of combining morphological and molecular datasets for a holistic description of zoological specimens.

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Platelet production estimation in thrombocytopenic patient: a non-invasive or invasive approach?

Nuclear Medicine Communications ◽

10.1097/00006231-200404000-00103 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 422 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Todorovic-Tirnanic ◽

V. Obradovic ◽

N. Suvajdzic ◽

I. Elezovic ◽

M. Rolovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Approach ◽

Platelet Production ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Thrombocytopenic Patient

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Alterations of 5-hydroxymethylation in circulating cell-free DNA reflect molecular distinctions of subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

npj Genomic Medicine ◽

10.1038/s41525-021-00179-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Brian C.-H. Chiu ◽

Chang Chen ◽

Qiancheng You ◽

Rudyard Chiu ◽

Girish Venkataraman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Cell Free Dna ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Signature Genes ◽

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽

Free Dna ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Circulating Cell Free Dna

AbstractThe 5-methylcytosines (5mC) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). However, the role of 5-hydroxymethylcytosines (5hmC) that are generated from 5mC through active demethylation, in lymphomagenesis is unknown. We profiled genome-wide 5hmC in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from 73 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL and FL. We identified 294 differentially modified genes between DLBCL and FL. The differential 5hmC in the DLBCL/FL-differentiating genes co-localized with enhancer marks H3K4me1 and H3K27ac. A four-gene panel (CNN2, HMG20B, ACRBP, IZUMO1) robustly represented the overall 5hmC modification pattern that distinguished FL from DLBCL with an area under curve of 88.5% in the testing set. The median 5hmC modification levels in signature genes showed potential for separating patients for risk of all-cause mortality. This study provides evidence that genome-wide 5hmC profiles in cfDNA differ between DLBCL and FL and could be exploited as a non-invasive approach.

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