Fabrication and performance of a 128-element crossed-electrode relaxor array, for a novel 3D imaging approach

Improving our understanding of host-microbe relationships in the gut requires the ability to both visualize and quantify the spatial organization of microbial communities in their native orientation with the host tissue. We developed a systematic procedure to quantify the 3D spatial structure of the native mucosal microbiota in any part of the intestines with taxonomic and high spatial resolution. We performed a 3D biogeographical analysis of the microbiota of mouse cecal crypts at different stages of antibiotic exposure. By tracking eubacteria and four dominant bacterial taxa, we found that the colonization of crypts by native bacteria is a dynamic and spatially organized process. Ciprofloxacin treatment drastically reduced bacterial loads and eliminated Muribaculaceae (or all Bacteroidetes entirely) even 10 days after recovery when overall bacterial loads returned to pre-antibiotic levels. Our 3D quantitative imaging approach revealed that the bacterial colonization of crypts is organized in a spatial pattern that consists of clusters of adjacent colonized crypts that are surrounded by unoccupied crypts, and that this spatial pattern was resistant to the elimination of Muribaculaceae or of all Bacteroidetes by ciprofloxacin. Our approach also revealed that the composition of cecal crypt communities is diverse and that bacterial taxa are distributed differently within crypts, with Lactobacilli laying closer to the lumen than Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Finally, we found that crypts communities with similar taxonomic composition were physically closer to each other than communities that were taxonomically different.

Download Full-text

Delineation of Fractures Using a 2D GPR Processing Strategy for 3D Imaging: Weak Zones within Carbonates at the Archaeological Site of Xochicalco in Mexico

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11135893 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 5893

Author(s):

Nikos Economou ◽

Maksim Bano ◽

José Ortega-Ramirez

Keyword(s):

3D Imaging ◽

Large Earthquake ◽

Archaeological Site ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Preliminary Conclusion ◽

Scattered Energy ◽

Imaging Approach ◽

2D Imaging ◽

Weak Zones ◽

Archeological Site

The use of GPR data multipath summation on data acquired over parallel study lines is presented here within the framework of a study on the effects of natural hazards on cultural heritage areas in order to image weak zones within carbonates, such as fractures and caverns. This study was realized at the archeological site of Xochicalco in Mexico, where fractures and caverns are potential sources of the degradation of the archeological remains. Dense parallel GPR study lines spaced every 0.25 m were surveyed using a 400 MHz monostatic antenna with the aim to image possible weak zones in three dimensions. We used a 2D imaging approach, namely, the method of multipath summation, which efficiently focused the scattered energy within the GPR sections. The study revealed, at depths of 1.6m and 1.8m, several linear events attributed to fractures, leading to the preliminary conclusion of this on-going project that cracks on the walls of the Quetzalcoatl Temple after a large earthquake in 2017 are prone to instability of carbonates rocks.

Download Full-text

Activated Platelets Harbour SARS-CoV-2 During Severe COVID-19

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/a-1683-8455 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ejaife O. Agbani ◽

Prism Schneider ◽

Braedon McDonald ◽

Leslie Skeith ◽

Man-Chiu Poon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Imaging ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Icu Patients ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Passive Mechanism ◽

Activated Platelets ◽

Imaging Approach ◽

Thrombotic Complications ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Clinical SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is characterised by a hyperinflammatory and procoagulant state that increases the risk of thrombosis and death. Despite thromboprophylaxis at least at the conventional doses, incidence as high as 31% has been reported for thrombotic complications in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19 infections. Still, it remains unclear how SARS-Cov-2 may initiate and or perpetuates the intractable thrombo-inflammatory states in COVID-19; and the need to understand the underlying mechanisms is urgent. In this image report, we utilised a state-of-the-art high-resolution 3D imaging approach to examine the interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with platelets, erythrocytes and leucocytes in blood samples obtained from COVID-19 patients in our ICU; and we visualised platelet procoagulant activity and the spatial localisation of SARS-CoV-2 in platelet-rich-plasma reconstituted to contain erythrocytes and leucocytes. Strikingly, we observed that activated platelets harboured SARS-Cov-2 during severe COVID-19 in our patient that eventually succumbed to the infection. SARS-Cov-2 internalisation into the cytosol was probably via a passive mechanism, as we have previously established that actin cytoskeleton remodelling and increased membrane permeability occurred during platelet transformation to the procoagulant phenotype. More work is needed to understand platelets’ role in the recalcitrant thrombotic states of COVID-19.

Download Full-text