Vitreomacular Interface Abnormalities in Myopic Foveoschisis: Correlation With Morphological Features and Outcome of Vitrectomy

Purpose: To compare the morphologic characteristics and response to surgery of myopic foveoschisis (MF) with different patterns of vitreomacular interface abnormalities (VMIAs).Methods: In this observational case series, 158 eyes of 121 MF patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) or vitreomacular traction (VMT) based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled. All the eyes were divided into two groups by the pattern of VMIAs: ERM and VMT group. Sixty-one eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and were followed up for at least 6 months. The morphologic characteristics based on OCT and the surgical outcome were evaluated.Outcome: ERM and VMT were found in 47.47 and 52.53% of the cases, respectively. A higher rate of foveal detachment (61.4 vs. 26.7%; p < 0.001) and a higher rate of outer lamellar macular hole (45.8 vs. 21.3%; p = 0.001) were detected in the eyes with VMT compared with those with ERM. In contrast, a lower rate of inner lamellar macular hole (28.9 vs. 60.0%; p = 0.001) was detected in the eyes with VMT compared with those with ERM. The disruption of the external limiting membrane (ELM) was more common in the eyes with VMT than in those with ERM (45.8 vs. 21.3%; p = 0.001). PPV was performed in 61 eyes with a mean follow-up time of 23.55 ± 19.92 months. After surgery, anatomical resolution was achieved in 51 eyes (83.6%). At the final visit, the mean central foveal thickness (CFT) decreased significantly from 547.83 to 118.74 μm, and the mean LogMAR BCVA improved significantly from 0.92 to 0.57. The VMT group was associated with a higher proportion of eyes with visual acuity improvement postoperatively (p = 0.02) and had more a decrease of CFT (P = 0.007) compared with the ERM group.Conclusion: In the eyes with MF, outer retinal lesions occurred more frequently in the eyes with VMT, whereas inner retinal lesions occurred more frequently in the eyes with ERM. Tangential force generated by ERM may act as a causative factor for the inner retinal lesions in MF, and inward-directed force resulting from VMT may act as a causative factor for outer retinal lesions in MF.

A new look at Eccaparadoxides (Cambrian, Trilobita) and its biostratigraphic significance

Eccaparadoxides is a geographically widely distributed trilobite genus that occurs in the middle part of the Cambrian System. However, the systematically important morphologic characteristics that can be used to differentiate taxa are often problematical in their application. A review of the large number (over 30) of significant species or forms assigned to Eccaparadoxides clearly indicates that only the pygidia offer fairly reliable morphologic criteria that can be used taxonomically and phylogenetically. The pygidia allow for recognition of four different morphological groups (pusillus, lamellatus, pradoanus and asturianus) of which the asturianus group can only be questionably assigned to the genus. Species known only from cranidia cannot be assigned to Eccaparadoxides with certainty. This study refines the biostratigraphy for the interval from the upper Wuliuan to the middle Drumian and shows that this interval brackets the range of most Eccaparadoxides species. The genera or subgenera Baltoparadoxides, Rejkocephalus and Macrocerca are evaluated. Eccaparadoxides zelus, E. epimetheus and Eccaparadoxides? hestia are newly proposed species.

Unloading Effect of the Shear Resistance of Rock Joints

To investigate the stress path dependent of rock joints, a comparative experimental study was conducted using cement mortar replicas of artificially split rock joints. In total, 32 replicas were casted and divided into four groups by joint roughness coefficient (JRC). The effects of morphologic characteristics, normal stress levels and stress paths on the shear strength of joints were investigated through tangential loading tests and normal unloading tests. The comparative analysis on the test results indicated that the shear resistance has a distinct unloading effect. The variation trend of shear/normal stress ratio against the normal stress and JRC of the two test conditions were identical. However, under low normal-stress condition, the stress ratio of the joints under normal unloading stress is the higher one; while under higher normal stress, the relationship becomes converse. Compared to that of the tangential loading condition, shear/normal stress ratio of the unloading stress path reduces rapidly as the increasing of normal stress, and the influence of the morphology is masked under lower normal stress. The comparative study revealed a previously unknown unloading effect on the mechanical behavior of rock joints and will aid the estimation of the rock joints’ stability in a complex stress environment.

Morphological Dynamics of Leukemia Cells on TiO2 Nanoparticle Coatings Studied by AFM

Coatings of modified TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-m) have been shown to effectively and selectively trap non-adherent cancer cells, with an enormous potential for applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Leukemia cells have a remarkable affinity for TiO2-m coatings, adhering to the surface by membrane structures and exhibiting morphologic characteristics of amoeboid locomotion. However, the details of the cell–substrate interaction induced by the TiO2-m coating remain elusive. With the aim to obtain a better understanding of this phenomenon, leukemia cell adhesion to such coatings was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for short contact times up to 60 min. The cell and membrane morphological parameters mean cell height, contact area, cell volume, and membrane roughness were determined at different contact times. These results reveal cell expansion and contraction phases occurring during the initial stage of adhesion. Subsequently, the leukemic cells reach what appears to be a new resting state, characterized by pinning of the cell membrane by TiO2-m nanoparticle aggregates protruding from the coating surface.

Electrophysiological and Morphological Studies of SOD1 Transgenic Mice: An Animal Model of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease where upper and lower motor neurons die, and it is often associated with mutations of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). We have used mouse models to compare physiologic and morphologic characteristics of cervical motor neurons in wild-type and mutant animals. Slices of the cervical spinal cord were prepared from old wild-type and mutant G93A and G85R mice, and intracellular recordings of membrane potential, resistance and responses to application of excitatory neurotransmitters were studied. Some motor neurons were injected with Lucifer Yellow for morphological analysis. There were no significant differences between membrane potential in the SOD1 mutants and aged wild-type mice, but membrane resistance was somewhat higher in the mutant motor neurons. Dendrites of the mutant motor neurons were not responsive to ionophoretic application of excitatory amino acids, although the cell body responded strongly. In Lucifer-filled cells, the dendrites were found to disappear. Mutant motor neurons were sometimes spontaneously active. Responses of mutant motor neurons to perfused glutamate with varying calcium concentrations in the Ringer’s solution were different from those of the wild-type cells.

The Development of Filler Morphology in Dental Resin Composites: A Review

Dental resin composites (DRCs) with diverse fillers added are widely-used restorative materials to repair tooth defects. The addition of fillers brings an improvement in the mechanical properties of DRCs. In the past decade, diverse fillers have emerged. However, the change of emerging fillers mainly focuses on the chemical composition, while the morphologic characteristics changes are often ignored. The fillers with new morphologies not only have the advantages of traditional fillers (particles, fibrous filler, etc.), but also endow some additional functional characteristics (stronger bonding ability to resin matrix, polymerization resistance, and wear resistance, drug release control ability, etc.). Moreover, some new morphologies are closely related to the improvement of traditional fillers, porous filler vs. glass particles, core-sheath fibrous vs. fibrous, etc. Some other new morphology fillers are combinations of traditional fillers, UHA vs. HA particles and fibrous, tetrapod-like whisker vs. whisker and fibrous filler, mesoporous silica vs. porous and silica particles. In this review, we give an overall description and a preliminary summary of the fillers, as well as our perspectives on the future direction of the development of novel fillers for next-generation DRCs.

Development of a surface roughness curve to estimate timing of earthflows and habitat development in the Teanaway River, central Washington State, USA

Salmon habitat is enhanced by the wide valleys and channel heterogeneity created by landslides. Earthflows, which are slow moving and fine-grained mass movements, can further potentially alter habitat by constricting valleys and sustaining delivery of debris and fine sediment. Here, we examine the influence of earthflows on salmon habitat in the Teanaway River basin, central Cascade Range, Washington. We mapped earthflows based on morphologic characteristics and relatively dated earthflow activity using a flow directional surface roughness metric called MADstd. The relative MADstd ages are supported by six radiocarbon ages, three lake sedimentation ages, and 20 cross-cutting relationships, indicating that MADstd is a useful tool to identify and relatively date earthflows, especially in heavily vegetated regions. Our age and MADstd distributions reflect a period of earthflow activity in the mid-Holocene and some sustained movement through the late Holocene that is primed by regolith production in the Pleistocene and early Holocene and triggered by a warm and wet climate during the mid-Holocene. The timing of earthflows is coincident with stabilization of salmon habitat and abundant salmon populations, indicating the fine sediment from earthflows did not negatively impact habitat. Wide valleys formed upstream of valley-constricting earthflows have added habitat zones, which may be of increased importance as climate change causes lower flows and higher temperatures in the Teanaway basin over the next century.

A clinicopathological study of ovarian endometriotic cysts

Endometriosis is an important gynecologic disorder with multifactorial causes, primarily affecting women during their reproductive years. Pathologically, it is the result of functional endometrium located outside the uterus which may vary from microscopic endometriotic implants to large cysts. Endometriotic cysts and infertility is a well-known association. Some patients are asymptomatic while others present with disabling pelvic pain, infertility, or adnexal masses. Cyst aspiration, fenestration and ablation of cyst wall are commonly performed surgical procedures. Excision of the cyst wall is an accepted surgical treatment owing to the low recurrence rates. A total of 35 patients who underwent ovarian cystectomy for endometriotic cysts between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively identified. The clinical findings, gross and histopathological features were noted in each case. Microscopically, the presence or absence of ovarian tissue adjacent to the cyst wall was evaluated. If ovarian tissue was present, the morphologic characteristics were graded on a semi-quantitative scale of 0-4 as described by Muzii et al. The age group of patients ranged between 22-28yrs. Right side cysts accounted for the majority, however 6 cases had bilateral endometriotic cysts. Majority of patients presented with primary infertility (46.2%). The maximum weight recorded for these cysts was 35gm, size ranging between 4.5 to 18cm and median thickness of the cyst wall being 0.7cm. 68% of the cysts showed a lining epithelium, few showing atypia and oncocytic change. Fibrosis and hemosiderin laden macrophages were present in more than 70% of cases and endometrial glands and stroma in more than 50%. Inflammation when present was predominantly lymphocytic. On evaluation of the ovarian tissue, 42.8% of cases showed no follicles and the rest showing grades ranging from 1 to 4, with grade 1 accounting for majority. The present study further emphasizes endometriosis to be an important cause of primary infertility which needs to be recognized and treated appropriately. Recognition of these cysts on histopathological examination can be challenging at times when endometrial stroma is scant and in cases of tubo-ovarian masses where these lesions could mimic malignancy. The excision of endometriotic cyst wall may cause loss of functional ovarian tissue in patients with primary infertility and thus could effect the response to ovarian stimulation, ocyte recovery, implantation and fertilization rates in these patients.