Use of a Rotating Square Spatial-Frequency Filter to Map the Optical Path Length Variation in Microscopic Biological Samples.

Gradient images can be obtained using a rotating square mask to filter the angular spectra of the wavefront generated by a complex transmittance object. This method can be applied to measure the three-dimensional structure of microscopic biological samples through the relationship of the phase with the optical path length. This work describes the implementation of a system using an inverted optical microscope and shows the experimental results of phase maps generated by boar sperm cells.

A method to simulate the optical image from far-field scattering numerical data and its application to the total internal reflection microscopy of metallic nanowires.

Computational electrodynamics modelling plays an important role in understanding and designing new photonic devices. The results offered by these simulations are usually close-range field distributions or angular power emission plots. We describe a procedure to compute the optical microscopy image from simulated far-field scattering data using three-dimensional discrete Fourier transforms that can be used when the simulation software package do not include proper far-field to optical imaging projection routines. The method is demonstrated comparing simulated images with real images of nanowires obtained with a total internal reflection microscope.

For a number of applications is crucial to compare the optical microscope image of sub-diffraction particles with the numerically simulated image. For this task, we propose to compute a discrete tridimensional Fourier transform of a sectored far-field data derived from finite-elements scattering simulations. The method is demonstrated by comparing synthetic images with experimental images of nanowires obtained with a total internal reflection microscope.

Phase estimation from digital holograms without unwrapping.

Digital holography is a convenient method for determining the phase induced by transparent objects. When the phase change is higher than 2π, an unwrapping algorithm is needed to provide a useful phase map. In the presence of noise, this process is not trivial and not fully resolved. In this paper a procedure is proposed to circumvent the need for unwrapping by estimating the phase from its gradient, which is directly computed from the reconstructed field. Application of the method to digital holograms of microscopic samples is demonstrated.

Plenoptic projection fluorescence tomography.

A new method to obtain the three-dimensional localization of fluorochrome distributions in micrometric samples is presented. It uses a microlens array coupled to the image port of a standard microscope to obtain tomographic data by a filtered back-projection algorithm. Scanning of the microlens array is proposed to obtain a dense data set for reconstruction. Simulation and experimental results are shown and the implications of this approach in fast 3D imaging are discussed.

Light spin forces in optical traps: comment on "Trapping metallic Rayleigh particles with radial polarization".

An incomplete modeling of the scattering forces on a Rayleigh particle without taking into account the light spin forces in "Trapping metallic Rayleigh particles with radial polarization" by Q. Zhan, leads to erroneous statements on the advantages of using radial polarization to trap metallic particles.

Pyramid phase microscopy.

A phase microscopy method based on the use of a refractive glass pyramid to determine the wavefront generated by a transparent microscopic sample is presented. The method uses the incoherent illumination of the sample to statically extend the sensor dynamic range. A description, experimental demonstration, and preliminary results are presented.

Fluorescence tomographic microscopy by wavefront detection.

A new method, to our knowledge, for real-time direct access to depth information in scanning fluorescence microscopy is reported. It is based on axially exciting the sample and detecting the phase and intensity of the emitted light. Results obtained using an axicon lens to generate a Bessel beam for excitation and a microlens array as phase detector are presented.

Outcomes of Nonagenarians With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Although older adults are the fastest-growing age group among cardiovascular patients, nonagenarians with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are under-represented in clinical trials. The aims of this study are to analyze the clinical presentation and outcomes of nonagenarian patients presenting with STEMI and to compare in-hospital and 1-year clinical outcomes between those treated with optimal medical treatment alone and those receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). We included all consecutive nonagenarians presenting with STEMI admitted in 2 academic centers between 2006 and 2018. There were no exclusion criteria. All-cause mortality was assessed in-hospital and at 1-year follow-up. In total, 167 patients (mean age 91.9 ± 0.17 years; 60% females) were included. Emergent catheterization was performed in 60% of our patients, and pPCI was performed in 50% (n = 83). Overall mortality was 22% in-hospital and 41% at 1-year follow-up. The pPCI group had lower mortality than the medical treatment group: 12% versus 32% in-hospital (p <0.01) and 26% versus 45% at 1-year follow-up (p <0.01), respectively. Multivariable analysis identified 4 independent predictors of all-cause mortality at 1 year: mechanical complications (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 9.25, p <0.01), Killip class III/IV (adjusted OR 4.22, p <0.01), serum creatinine at admission (mg/dl; adjusted OR 1.8, p <0.01), and pPCI (adjusted OR 0.52; p <0.05). In conclusion, STEMI in nonagenarians is becoming increasingly common. pPCI may be the preferred strategy in this high-risk cohort when a high grade of disability is not present. Hemodynamic compromise, the presence of complications related to myocardial infarction, renal impairment, and early revascularization may be related to prognosis in these patients.

Scanning illumination-acquisition system for noncontact optical tomography.

A new method for the detection of light traversing a diffuser/nondiffuser interface and its simultaneous determination for optical tomography is proposed, and the preliminary results are shown. The method is based on the use of a point detector and two uncoupled scanning systems-one for illumination and the other for registration-together with active modification of the optics guided by the surface topography to generate virtual detectors on the interface.

[Agreement between centers on the interpretation of exercise echocardiography]. / Concordancia intercentros en la interpretación de la ecocardiografía de ejercicio.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A low-to-moderate level of agreement on the interpretation of dobutamine echocardiography has been reported, but there are no similar findings on exercise echocardiography. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of agreement between centers on the use of exercise echocardiography and to evaluate the accuracy of the technique when used in a blinded manner. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Six institutions with experience in exercise echocardiography each sent 25 study results to the other centers. Of these, 15 were positive or negative studies on consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography, and 10 were on non-diabetic patients who had non-coronary chest pain or were asymptomatic and whose pretest probability of coronary artery disease was < 10%. Each institution evaluated 150 studies: 125 blinded and 25 of their own with knowledge of clinical data. RESULTS: For 116 patients (78%), four or more of the five centers blindly evaluating each study agreed with the positive or negative result. The average kappa coefficient was 0.48 (intercenter range 0.45-0.52). The percentage agreement was higher with three-vessel disease (93%, range 85%-95%), with left anterior descending coronary artery disease (83%, range 80%-86%), and when the referring institution reported baseline dyssynergy (86%, range 82%-90%), dyssynergy in left anterior descending coronary artery territory (81%, range 76%-84%), or a peak wall motion score index > 1.50 (88%, range 85%-90%). When the technique was used blinded to detect > or = 50% coronary narrowing in > or = 1 vessel, its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 68%, 66% and 67%, respectively, with wide variability between centers. CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate agreement between centers on the interpretation of exercise echocardiography. When used blinded, the technique's accuracy was lower than that reported when clinical data is known.

Tomographic imaging of transparent biological samples using the pyramid phase microscope.

We show how a pyramid phase microscope can be used to obtain tomographic information of the spatial variation of refractive index in biological samples using the Radon transform. A method that uses the information provided by the phase microscope for axial and lateral repositioning of the sample when it rotates is also described. Its application to the reconstruction of mouse embryos in the blastocyst stage is demonstrated.

Extended source pyramid wave-front sensor for the human eye.

We describe a new wave-front sensor based on the previously proposed pyramid sensor. This new sensor uses an extended source instead of a point-like source avoiding in this manner the oscillation of the pyramid. After an introductory background the sensor functioning is described. Among other possible optical testing uses, we apply the sensor to measure the wave-front aberration of the human eye. An experimental system built to test this specific application is described. Results obtained both in an articficial eye and in a real eye are presented. A discussion about the sensor characteristics, the experimental results and future work prospects is also included.

Esquistosomiasi: una causa infreqüent d'hipertensió pulmonar en el nostre entorn / Esquistosomiasis: una causa infrecuente de hipertensión pulmonar en nuestro medio / Schistosomiasis: a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension in our environment

INTRODUCCIÓ: Una causa infreqüent al nostre entorn d'hipertensió arterial pulmonar (HAP) és l'esquistosomiasi, una parasitosi causada per Schistosoma mansoni I Schistosoma haematobium. És habitual en pacients d'àrees endèmiques, que en alguns casos poden desenvolupar HAP. CAS CLÍNIC: Presentem el cas d'un pacient de 13 anys, originari de Mali, que consulta per dolor toràcic I símptomes vegetatius associats a l'exercici. En l'exploració física destaquen un segon to cardíac augmentat I esplenomegàlia. Es troba en insuficiència cardíaca classe II de la NYHA. L'ecocardiografia mostra dilatació I hipertròfia ventricular dretes, amb signes indirectes d'hipertensió pulmonar, que es confirma per cateterisme. Tenint en compte la procedència del pacient, s'amplia l'estudi etiològic amb la investigació de la presència de Schistosoma en orina I femta, que resulta positiu per S. mansoni I S. haematobium. S'inicia tractament amb praziquantel I sildenafil; la parasitosi es resol I milloren els símptomes. COMENTARIS: La simptomatologia de l'esquistosomiasi varia segons les característiques de la infecció, la durada I la càrrega parasitària. La definició d'HAP associada a esquistosomiasi es basa en la confirmació mitjançant cateterisme juntament amb la presència del paràsit en orina o femta, I l'evidència d'afectació hepatoesplènica mitjançant ecografia. La patogènesi és encara desconeguda I el tractament no està ben establert, de manera que l'estratègia terapèutica és igual a la de l'HAP idiopàtica. Els antiparasitaris no han demostrat que poden canviar el pronòstic. La seva elevada morbiditat en població jove fa que hi hagi interès a millorar el control de l'HAP associada a esquistosomiasi

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una causa infrecuente en nuestro medio de hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP) es la esquistosomiasis, una parasitosis causada por Schistosoma mansoni y Schistosoma haematobium. Es habitual en pacientes de áreas endémicas, pudiendo desarrollar en algunos casos HAP. CASO CLÍNICO: Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 13 años, originario de Mali, que consulta por dolor torácico y síntomas vegetativos asociados al ejercicio. En la exploración física destacan un segundo tono cardiaco aumentado y esplenomegalia. Se encuentra en insuficiencia cardiaca clase II de la NYHA. La ecocardiografía muestra dilatación e hipertrofia ventricular derechas, con signos indirectos de hipertensión pulmonar, que se confirma por cateterismo. Dada la procedencia del paciente, se amplía el estudio etiológico investigando la presencia de Schistosoma en orina y heces, que resulta positivo para S. mansoni y S. haematobium. Se inicia tratamiento con prazicuantel y sildenafilo; la parasitosis se resuelve y mejoran los síntomas. COMENTARIOS: La sintomatología de la esquistosomiasis varía según las características de la infección, la duración de la misma y la carga parasitaria. La definición de HAP asociada a esquistosomiasis se basa en la confirmación de ésta mediante cateterismo junto con la presencia del parásito en orina o heces, y la evidencia de afectación hepatoesplénica mediante ecografía. Su patogénesis es aún desconocida y el tratamiento no está bien establecido, y la estrategia terapéutica es igual a la de la HAP idiopática. Los antiparasitarios no han demostrado cambiar el pronóstico. Su elevada morbilidad en población joven hace que haya interés en mejorar el control de la HAP asociada a esquistosomiasis

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis, a parasitosis caused by Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium may cause pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While common in endemic areas, schistosomiasis is an uncommon cause of PAH in our environment. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 13-year-old male, originally from Mali, who consulted for chest pain and vegetative symptoms associated with exercise. Physical examination revealed an increased second heart tone and splenomegaly, consistent with NYHA class II heart failure. Echocardiography showed dilatation and right ventricular hypertrophy, with indirect signs of pulmonary hypertension, which was confirmed by catheterization. Given the origin of the patient, diagnostic studies were expanded to investigate the presence of Schistosoma spp. in urine and feces, which resulted positive for S. mansoni and S. haematobium. Treatment with praziquantel and sildenafil was started, resulting in resolution of the parasitosis and improvement of the symptoms. COMMENTS: The symptoms of schistosomiasis may vary depending on the characteristics of the infection, the duration of the disease and the parasitic load. The definition of PAH associated with schistosomiasis is based on the confirmation of PAH by catheterization along with the presence of the parasite in urine or feces, and the evidence of hepatosplenic involvement by ultrasound. Its pathogenesis is still unknown and the treatment is not well established, although same principles of management of idiopathic PAH are recommended. Antiparasitic drugs have not shown to impact prognosis. Its high morbidity in young population justify the interest in improving the control of PAH associated with schistosomiasis

Quantitative phase microscopy of transparent samples using a liquid crystal display.

We propose a new quantitative phase microscope based on spatial filtering of the beam carrying the sample-induced wavefront. A prototype built using a transmissive liquid crystal display for the experimental demonstration of the principle and preliminary results obtained with artificial and biological samples are presented.

Mitral stenosis after IMR ETlogix ring annuloplasty for ischemic regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: Ring annuloplasty combined with coronary artery bypass grafting is the standard approach for treatment of patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. We evaluated mitral valve hemodynamic performance and recurrence of mitral regurgitation after ring annuloplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 70±8 years) with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation grade ≥2+ received annuloplasty with an IMR ETlogix ring. During follow-up (25.9±15.5 months), 84% of surviving patients underwent exercise stress echocardiography to assess recurrence of mitral regurgitation and differences between rest and exercise mitral valve hemodynamic performance. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 10%. During follow-up, we found no significant differences between left ventricular ejection fraction or end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters pre- and postoperatively (41% vs. 45%, 59 vs. 56 mm, and 49 vs. 46 mm, respectively), but there was a significant increase in mitral mean gradient with exercise (3.3±1.2 vs. 7.8±4 mmHg, p<0.001). Two patients had mitral regurgitation ≥grade III-IV. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral annuloplasty with the IMR ETlogix ring provides effective correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation, but this technique may induce functional mitral stenosis.

Vacunación antigripal: diferentes perspectivas para proteger más y mejor / Influenza vaccination: different perspectives for more and better protection

Objetivo: exponer los beneficios de la vacunación antigripal desde diferentes perspectivas y abordajes en base a la evidenciacientífica más actual y relevante.Método: se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura sobre algunas indicaciones de vacunación frente a gripe, como son:embarazada, población infantil, inmunosenescencia en las personas de edad avanzada y nuevos fármacos dirigidos a enfermedadesinflamatorias mediadas por el sistema inmune.Principales resultados: la vacunación de la embarazada logra un doble beneficio: evita complicaciones y hospitalizaciones en lagestante, y protege también al feto y al recién nacido en sus primeros meses de vida. Los niños desempeñan un papel fundamentalen la transmisión de la gripe, ya que son los principales diseminadores del virus en la comunidad. El envejecimiento se asociaa un mayor número y más gravedad de las infecciones, y una peor respuesta a las vacunas. En los pacientes con enfermedadesinflamatorias medidas por el sistema inmune se observa menor inmunogenicidad y efectividad vacunal.Conclusiones: la vacunación antigripal representa un reto para la Salud Pública española. Especialmente, el aumento de lalongevidad de los españoles y los avances en tecnologías sanitarias y nuevas terapias hace que el planteamiento de inversión ensalud a través de la vacunación cobre especial protagonismo e interés para las autoridades sanitarias.(AU)

Objective: to present the benefits of influenza vaccination from different perspectives and approaches based on the most currentand relevant scientific evidence.Methods: a review of the literature has been carried out on some indications for vaccination against influenza, such as: pregnantwomen, children, immunosenescence in the elderly and new drugs targeting immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.Main results: vaccination of pregnant women achieves a double benefit: it prevents complications and hospitalisations in pregnantwomen, and also protects the foetus and newborn in their first months of life. Children play a key role in influenza transmission,as they are the main spreaders of the virus in the community. Ageing is associated with a higher number and severity of infections,and a poorer response to vaccines. In patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, lower immunogenicity and vaccineeffectiveness is observed.Conclusion: influenza vaccination represents a challenge for Spanish public health authority. In particular, the increase in thelongevity of Spanish people and the advances in health technologies and new therapies mean that the approach of investing inhealth through vaccination takes on special importance and interest for the health authorities.(AU)