Severe degeneration of a sub-coronary pulmonary autograft in a young adult

Background: The pulmonary autograft is currently the best valve substitute in terms of longevity and performance. However, there is no agreement about the optimal method of insertion (sub- coronary position or freestanding root).Objectives: We sought to examine the clinical status, detailed imaging and morphometric changes in an explanted pulmonary autograft 22 years after sub-coronary implantation.Methods: A 30-year-old female underwent pulmonary autograft replacement of a severely stenotic valve at the age of 7 years, after presenting to us with signs of moderate to severe heart failure. She underwent clinical examination, detailed imaging including echocardiographic and CT examination with computerised image analysis. The explanted valve was examined by morphometry.Results: Clinical examination showed signs of heart failure (NYHA III). Trans-thoracic and trans- oesophageal 2D echo showed severe malfunction of both the aortic and pulmonary valves associated with dilatation and hypertrophy of both the right and left ventricles. Surgical correction was performed by replacing both the pulmonary and aortic valves with Medtronic 27mm Freestyle valves. The pulmonary autograft showed degeneration of the trilamellar layering of the leaflets, loss and disorganisation of GAGs, increased collagen with fibrotic overgrowth, and markers of fibrosis, inflammation, and calcification. Post-operative imaging showed good correction of the haemodynamic lesions.Conclusion: The pulmonary autograft implanted into the sub-coronary position presented with adverse remodelling, which was detrimental to the functionality and longevity of the valve.Authorship: NL, AM, MN all contributed equally to this paper.

Legume vigour

Seed vitality and vigour are the two most common parameters related to seed quality. It is crucial to have reliable methods and tests for seed quality and seed vigour testing. The standard germination test can be used to predict field emergence, but laboratory seed testing conditions are often in conflict with field conditions. Validated tests for vigour evaluation in legumes are the conductivity test, the accelerated ageing test and the tetrazolium test. Also, other types of vigour tests have been used to solve different problems in the seed sector. The modern approach, the computerised image analysis of legume seeds and sprouts, based on interactive and traditional methods, is a promising alternative for vigour determination.

Modelling the degree of porosity of the ceramic surface intended for implants

The main goal of the study was to develop a model of the degree of surface porosity of a biomaterial intended for implants. The model was implemented using MATLAB. A computer simulation was carried out based on the developed model, which resulted in a two-dimensional image of the modelled surface. Then, an algorithm for computerised image analysis of the surface of the actual oxide bioceramic layer was developed, which enabled determining its degree of porosity. In order to obtain the confocal micrographs of a few areas of the biomaterial, measurements were performed using the LEXT OLS4000 confocal laser microscope. The image analysis was carried out using MountainsMap Premium and SPIP. The obtained results allowed determining the input parameters of the program, on the basis of which porous biomaterial surface images were generated. The last part of the study involved verification of the developed model. The modelling method was tested by comparing the obtained results with the experimental data obtained from the analysis of surface images of the test material.

The effects of finishing processes on the dynamic drape of wool fabrics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse dynamic drape behaviour of eight different types of woollen fabrics each treated by three different finishing processes. Design/methodology/approach A new apparatus was used to evaluate the dynamic drape formation process of woollen fabrics during the rotation of the samples at different speed grades of 0 (static drape), 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 rev/min for each sample. The computerised image analysis method was used to measure the drape coefficients (DCs). Findings As a result of experiments, it was found that shearing, calendaring, pressing processes affected the drapability and drape behaviour negatively, but belt pressing treatment and decatising process improved the drapability and the drape behaviour for all fabrics. Furthermore, there is a reverse relationship between fabric weight and drape behaviour. As the fabric weight increases, DC value increases due to the increase of fabric tightness. Originality/value To date, although many researchers have studied the static draping behaviour, the studies regarding the dynamic drape behaviour of the fabrics are quite limited to an extent. Besides, none of these studies regarding the drape behaviour have investigated the effects of different finishing processes on the drape behaviour of wool fabrics.

186 QUANTITATIVE ECHOGENICITY AND ECHOTEXTURE ANALYSIS OF THE ACCESSORY SEX GLANDS OF PUBERTAL AND MATURE DORPER RAMS

This study aimed to analyse the ultrasonographic attributes of vesicular, prostate, and bulbourethral glands in pubertal and mature Dorper rams. Forty-five rams were used in the same day (pubertal: 8–11 months, n = 24; mature: ≥12 months, n = 21). The B-mode ultrasounds examinations were performed using MyLab 30Vet equipment (Esaote, Naples, Italy) connected to transrectal linear transducer (frequency of 7.5 MHz). The echogenicity [(mean numerical pixel values (NPV)] and pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation of NPV) of accessory sex glands parenchymas was determined by computerised image analysis using Image ProPlus® software (Media Cybernetics Inc., Rockville, MD, USA). For the pairs organs a mean for each parameter were calculated. Data were analysed by ANOVA with Tukey test (mean ± s.d.; P < 0.05), after the normality and homoscedasticity of residuals were checked with Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene test, respectively, when necessary log-transformation was applied. All statistical procedures was performed with R® software. The echogenicity of parenchymas were different (P < 0.05) between pubertal and mature rams for vesicular glands (181.51 ± 20.80 v. 164.83 ± 26.79) and bulbourethral glands (166.93 ± 16.93 v. 141.80 ± 29.15); however, there was no difference (P > 0.05) for prostate glands (99.39 ± 36.34 v. 87.47 ± 34.24). The pixel heterogeneity did not differ (P > 0.05) between pubertal and mature rams (29.06 ± 2.67 v. 28.09 ± 3.95, 32.14 ± 8.20 v. 30.28 ± 4.71, and 27.82 ± 4.53 v. 28.74 ± 4.29) for vesicular, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, respectively. In conclusion, the sexual maturity only influenced the echogenicity of vesicular and bulbourethral parenchymas of Dorper rams.

Studies on the Fusarium stalk rot infection of the maize genotypes using the Findex percentage and a computerised image analysis program

In a continental climate, the pathogens causing the most serious problems are species belonging to the Fusarium genus. When the pathogen attacks the stalk, the plant dies earlier, reducing grain filling and resulting in small, light ears. In addition, the stalks break or lodge, resulting in further yield losses from ears that cannot be harvested. During the three years of the experiment, 14 inbred lines were examined. The genotypes were sown in a two-factor split-plot design with four replications, with the genotypes in the main plots and four treatments in the subplots: two Fusarium graminearum isolates (1. FG36, 2. FGH4), 3. sterile kernels, 4. untreated control. The results experiments showed significant differences between the genotypes for resistance to fusarium stalk rot. Among the inbred lines the best resistance to fusarium stalk rot was exhibited by P06 and P07, both of which were related to ISSS. The precision and sensitivity of disease evaluations carried out visually and using image analysis software were compared in the experiment, and with two exceptions the CV values were lower for the image analysis. As the CV for measurements can be considered as a relative error, it can be stated that image analysis is the more precise of the two methods, so this technique gives a more accurate picture of the extent of stalk rot. The extent of stalk rot developing in response to natural infection is extremely environment-dependent, so the use of artificial inoculation is recommended for selection trials.