CoNIC Challenge: Pushing the frontiers of nuclear detection, segmentation, classification and counting.

Nuclear detection, segmentation and morphometric profiling are essential in helping us further understand the relationship between histology and patient outcome. To drive innovation in this area, we setup a community-wide challenge using the largest available dataset of its kind to assess nuclear segmentation and cellular composition. Our challenge, named CoNIC, stimulated the development of reproducible algorithms for cellular recognition with real-time result inspection on public leaderboards. We conducted an extensive post-challenge analysis based on the top-performing models using 1,658 whole-slide images of colon tissue. With around 700 million detected nuclei per model, associated features were used for dysplasia grading and survival analysis, where we demonstrated that the challenge's improvement over the previous state-of-the-art led to significant boosts in downstream performance. Our findings also suggest that eosinophils and neutrophils play an important role in the tumour microevironment. We release challenge models and WSI-level results to foster the development of further methods for biomarker discovery.

Automated reconstruction of whole-embryo cell lineages by learning from sparse annotations.

We present a method to automatically identify and track nuclei in time-lapse microscopy recordings of entire developing embryos. The method combines deep learning and global optimization. On a mouse dataset, it reconstructs 75.8% of cell lineages spanning 1 h, as compared to 31.8% for the competing method. Our approach improves understanding of where and when cell fate decisions are made in developing embryos, tissues, and organs.

A case of upper lip necrosis after cosmetic injection of hyaluronic acid soft-tissue filler-Does capillary infarction play a role in the development of vascular compromise, and what are the implications?

Facial rejuvenation with injectable filler substances is a frequently applied outpatient procedure. However, light, moderate, and even severe complications may occur. A case of tissue necrosis at the upper lip after injection of highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid together with the following salvage procedure is presented here. We discuss this complication with respect to relevant anatomy and physicochemical properties of the filler substance and review the recommendations given in literature for decreasing the likelihood of such an adverse event.

Roseibaca ekhonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an alkalitolerant and aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-producing alphaproteobacterium from hypersaline Ekho Lake.

A Gram-negative, aerobic rod was isolated from the hypersaline, heliothermal and meromictic Ekho Lake (East Antarctica) at a depth of 6 m. The novel strain (designated EL-50T) was oxidase-positive and weakly catalase-positive and metabolized a variety of carboxylic acids, alcohols, sugars and lipids. Cells of strain EL-50T had an absolute requirement for artificial seawater or NaCl. Optimum growth occurred at 16 degrees C and at pH values ranging from 7.0 to 9.5. A large in vivo absorption band at 865-866 nm indicated the production of bacteriochlorophyll (bchl) a. The predominant cellular fatty acid of strain EL-50T was 18:1omega7c, with 3-OH 14:1, 16:1omega9c, 16:0 and 18:1omega9c present in lower amounts. Fatty acids 16:0 and 18:1omega9c were probably amide-linked. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phospatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Ubiquinone 10 was produced. The cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain EL-50T was 61 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that the novel isolate was phylogenetically most closely related to alkaliphilic Rhodobaca and Roseinatronobacter species (approximately 96% 16S rRNA gene similarity). The organism had no particular relationship to any other cultivated members within the Alphaproteobacteria. The distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from the previously described taxa studied supported the description of a new genus and novel species, for which the name Roseibaca ekhonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EL-50T (=DSM 11469T=CECT 7235T).

Roseisalinus antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-producing alpha-proteobacterium isolated from hypersaline Ekho Lake, Antarctica.

A Gram-negative, aerobic to microaerophilic rod was isolated from 10 m depths of the hypersaline, heliothermal and meromictic Ekho Lake (East Antarctica). The strain was oxidase- and catalase-positive, metabolized a variety of carboxylic acids and sugars and produced lipase. Cells had an absolute requirement for artificial sea water, which could not be replaced by NaCl. A large in vivo absorption band at 870 nm indicated production of bacteriochlorophyll a. The predominant fatty acids of this organism were 16 : 0 and 18 : 1omega7c, with 3-OH 10 : 0, 16 : 1omega7c and 18 : 0 in lower amounts. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Ubiquinone 10 was produced. The DNA G+C content was 67 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that the isolate represents a member of the Roseobacter clade within the alpha-Proteobacteria. The organism showed no particular relationship to any members of this clade but clustered on the periphery of the genera Jannaschia, Octadecabacter and 'Marinosulfonomonas' and the species Ruegeria gelatinovorans. Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences to these previously described taxa supported the description of a new genus and a novel species, for which the name Roseisalinus antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EL-88T (=DSM 11466T=CECT 7023T).

Deinococcus frigens sp. nov., Deinococcus saxicola sp. nov., and Deinococcus marmoris sp. nov., low temperature and draught-tolerating, UV-resistant bacteria from continental Antarctica.

Six Gram-positive, non-motile, UV- and draught-tolerant bacteria were isolated from antarctic soil and rock samples. The pink to orange cocci grew well on oligotrophic medium PYGV (pH 7.5) at 9-18 degrees C. They tolerated 0-10% NaCl, were aerobic to facultatively anaerobic and contained ornithine in their cell wall (type A3beta, Orn-Gly2). The lipid profiles of four strains were found to be typical for those of D. radiodurans. Major fatty acids were 16:1cis9, 15:1cis9, 17:1cis9 and i17:1cis9, the respiratory quinone of three strains was MK-8. Comparative 16S rDNA gene sequencing revealed phylogenetic relationships to the Deinococcus clade, especially to D. radiopugnans. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and DNA-DNA hybridisation data showed the six isolates represented new taxa. Phenotypic properties supported the description of three new species which were different from the eight known Deinococcus species and particularly from D. radiopugnans. Soil isolate AA-692T (DSM 12807T) is the type strain of Deinococcus frigens sp. nov., with AA-752 (DSM 15993) and AA-829 (DSM 15994) as additional strains from soil. The endolithic isolate AA-1444T, Deinococcus saxicola sp. nov., (DSM 15974T) came from antarctic sandstone, and Deinococcus marmoris sp. nov. (isolate AA-63T [DSM 12784T]) as well as AA-69 (DSM 15951) were isolated from antarctic marble.

Taxonomic heterogeneity within the Planctomycetales as derived by DNA-DNA hybridization, description of Rhodopirellula baltica gen. nov., sp. nov., transfer of Pirellula marina to the genus Blastopirellula gen. nov. as Blastopirellula marina comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Pirellula.

Ninety-seven strains of budding bacteria originating from various aquatic habitats and morphologically resembling planctomycetes were investigated taxonomically. Taxonomic differentiation was based on DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological properties and chemotaxonomic tests. Nineteen hybridization groups, containing 79 of the tested strains, were established. Eighteen strains, however, did not fit into any of these groups. Rhodopirellula baltica gen. nov., sp. nov. is described, with strain SH 1T (= IFAM 1310T = DSM 10527T = NCIMB 13988T) as the type strain. Pirellula marina is transferred to the genus Blastopirellula gen. nov. as Blastopirellula marina comb. nov., with strain SH 106T (= IFAM 1313T = DSM 3645T = ATCC 49069T) as the type strain. An emended description of the genus Pirellula is also provided. Differentiation between R. baltica, B. marina and Pirellula staleyi was achieved by the integration of morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and genetic characteristics.

Cryptoendolithic actinomycetes from antarctic sandstone rock samples: Micromonospora endolithica sp. nov. and two isolates related to Micromonospora coerulea Jensen 1932.

Three cryptoendolithic, aerobic actinomycetes (AA-459T, AA-319 and AA-321) from antarctic sandstone were characterised phenotypically and by molecular taxonomic methods. The isolates had single spores on substrate mycelium, meso-diaminopimelic acid (m-DAP) and glycine (cell wall type II), a whole cell sugar pattern D (galactose, xylose, arabinose, glucose or rhamnose) and phospholipids of type PII (diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol). Their predominant fatty acids were iso-16:0 and iso-15:0 or 17:1omega8c, the menaquinone profile was complex with mainly MK10 (H4) and MK10 (H6). A wide variety of sugars and several acids were utilised for growth. The isolates were sensitive to a few antibiotics, but formation and excretion of antibiotics was not observed. Phenotypically, isolates AA-319 and AA-321 were similar. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed close relationship of strains AA-319 and AA-321 with each other (99.5%) and clustering (98.5%) with Micromonospora coerulea DSM 43143T. DNA-DNA hybridisation showed both strains to be genomically highly similar to strain DSM 43143T. Phenotypically they could be viewed as separate taxa, but presently they will be considered as strains of Micromonospora coerulea. Strain AA-459T was phylogenetically close to Micromonospora chersina DSM 44151T (99.1%) and to Micromonospora rosaria DSM 803T, but DNA-DNA similarity with M. chersina DSM 44151T was low with 28.9/33.5 %, indicating the presence of a different and new species. Consequently, isolate AA-459T (DSM 44398T NRRL B-24248T) is described as the type strain of Micromonospora endolithica sp. nov.

Saccharospirillum impatiens gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel gamma-Proteobacterium isolated from hypersaline Ekho Lake (East Antarctica).

Five Gram-negative, motile, aerobic to microaerophilic spirilla were isolated from various depths of the hypersaline, heliothermal and meromictic Ekho Lake (East Antarctica). The strains are oxidase- and catalase-positive, metabolize a variety of sugars and carboxylic acids and have an absolute requirement for sodium ions. The predominant fatty acids of the organisms are C(16 : 1)omega7c, C(16 : 0) and C(18 : 1)omega7c, with C(10 : 1))3-OH, C(10 : 0) 3-OH, C(12 : 0) 3-OH, C(14 : 1)3-OH, C(14 : 0) 3-OH and C(19 : 1) present in smaller amounts. The main polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylamine. The DNA base composition of the strains is 54-55 mol% G + C. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons show that the isolates are related to the genera Oceanospirillum, Pseudospirillum, Marinospirillum, Halomonas and Chromohalobacter in the gamma-Proteobacteria. Morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from these previously described genera support the description of a novel genus and species, Saccharospirillum impatiens gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is EL-105(T) (=DSM 12546(T) = CECT 5721(T)).

Nesterenkonia lacusekhoensis sp. nov., isolated from hypersaline Ekho Lake, East Antarctica, and emended description of the genus Nesterenkonia.

An aerobic and heterotrophic isolate, designated IFAM EL-30T, was obtained from hypersaline Ekho Lake (Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica). The isolate consisted of Gram-positive cocci or short rods which occasionally exhibited branching. The organism was moderately halotolerant, required thiamin.HCI and was stimulated by biotin and nicotinic acid. It grew well with glucose, acetate, pyruvate, succinate, malate or glutamate, and hydrolysed DNA but not gelatin, starch or Tween 80. Nitrate was aerobically reduced to nitrite. Chemical analysis revealed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified glycolipid as the major polar lipids. The cellular fatty acids were predominantly of the anteiso and iso methyl-branched types, and the major menaquinone6 were MK-7 and MK-8. The peptidoglycan type was A4alpha, L-Lys-L-Glu. The DNA base ratio was 66.1 mol% G+C. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the unidentified organism was phylogenetically closely related to Nesterenkonia halobia, although a sequence divergence value of > 3% demonstrated that the organism represents a different species. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be designated as a new species of the genus Nesterenkonia, namely Nesterenkonia lacusekhoensis sp. nov., the type strain being IFAM EL-30T (= DSM 12544T = CIP 107030T). An emended description of the genus Nesterenkonia is given.