Continuous live cell imaging of cellulose attachment by microbes under anaerobic and thermophilic conditions using confocal microscopy

Live cell imaging methods provide important insights into the dynamics of cellular processes that cannot be derived easily from population-averaged datasets.In the bioenergy field,much research is focused on fermentation of cellulosic biomass by thermophilic microbes to produce biofuels;however,little effort is dedicated to the development of imaging tools to monitor this dynamic biological process.This is,in part,due to the experimental challenges of imaging cells under both anaerobic and thermophilic conditions.Here an imaging system is described that integrates confocal microscopy,a flow cell device,and a lipophilic dye to visualize cells.Solutions to technical obstacles regarding suitable fluorescent markers,photodamage during imaging,and maintenance of environmental conditions during imaging are presented.This system was utilized to observe cellulose colonization by Clostridium thermocellum under anaerobic conditions at 60℃.This method enables live cell imaging of bacterial growth under anaerobic and thermophilic conditions and should be widely applicable to visualizing different cell types or processes in real time.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital mesoblastic nephroma in mid-second trimester by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Although congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is a rare benign congenital renal tumor, it is the most common solid renal tumor in the newborn period. The most common presentation of congenital mesoblastic nephroma is polyhydramnios, and only one case with prenatal fetal hydrops has been previously reported. Prenatal diagnosis of CMN has previously been made on the basis of the findings of sonography in the third trimester, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based diagnosis has been reported recently. Here we report a case of prenatally diagnosed classical type CMN diagnosed at 22 + 3 weeks of gestation based on the findings of sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The characteristic imaging findings in this case were fetal hydrops and polyhydramnios. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported gestational age for prenatal diagnosis of CMN and it is the second case of CMN associated with fetal hydrops detected prenatally. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Contribution of fetal cerebral MRI for diagnosis of structural anomalies

More than 20 years after its introduction, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now considered a useful complementary tool in the imaging work-up of fetal brain structural anomalies, but its real contribution in neuro-fetal imaging is still controversial. Our purpose is to present an overview of the most valuable indications of fetal cerebral MRI in current practice as guided by dedicated ultrasound analysis. On the basis of a review of the literature and our personal experience, we underline herein the real complementarities between these two techniques in different clinical or imaging settings and show how MRI adds significant information compared with ultrasound, especially in the late second and third trimesters. We assess the interest of using MRI from a technical point of view (complete and extensive anatomical analysis, analysis of developmental and pathological processes) and from a practical point of view in different imaging and clinical settings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New fetal cardiac imaging techniques

Rapid advances in graphics computing and micro-engineering have offered new techniques for prenatal cardiac imaging. Some of them can be non-invasively applied to both clinical and laboratory settings, including dynamic three-dimensional echocardiography, myocardial Doppler imaging, harmonic ultrasound imaging, and B-flow sonography. With clinical constraints, a few others have been mainly used in laboratories, such as endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and biomicroscopy. Appropriate use and co-use of these new tools will not only provide unique information for better clinical assessment of fetal cardiac disease but also offer new ways to improved understanding of cardiovascular development and pathogenesis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Postnatal investigation of fetal renal disease

The antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of renal tract abnormalities is now firmly established. Postnatal imaging protocols are constantly evolving and still many questions remain unanswered. Most infants are asymptomatic at birth and aggressive imaging is unwarranted both for the infant and overburdened Radiology departments. The urgency with which to undertake imaging relates to the suspected antenatal diagnosis and clinical scenario, with bilateral hydronephrosis, posterior urethral valves and complicated duplex systems taking a high priority. The main imaging modality postnatally remains ultrasound, and together with nuclear medicine gives a powerful combination of both anatomy and function. Intravenous urography is never indicated in the neonate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Less-invasive autopsy for early pregnancy loss

Autopsy investigations provide valuable information regarding fetal death that can assist in the parental bereavement process, and influence future pregnancies, but conventional autopsy is often declined by parents because of its invasive approach. This has led to the development of less-invasive autopsy investigations based on imaging technology to provide a more accessible and acceptable choice for parents when investigating their loss. Whilst the development and use of more conventional clinical imaging techniques (radiographs, CT, MRI, US) are well described in the literature for fetuses over 20 weeks of gestational age, these investigations have limited diagnostic accuracy in imaging smaller fetuses. Techniques such as ultra-high-field MRI (>3T) and micro-focus computed tomography have been shown to have higher diagnostic accuracy whilst still being acceptable to parents. By further developing and increasing the availability of these more innovative imaging techniques, parents will be provided with a greater choice of acceptable options to investigate their loss, which may in turn increase their uptake. We provide a narrative review focussing on the development of high-resolution, non-invasive imaging techniques to evaluate early gestational pregnancy loss.     

原子力显微镜液池成像技术应用于微絮凝过滤工艺过程中的实验条件优化

采用原子力显微镜液池成像技术对微絮凝过滤工艺过程中的微絮凝时间和搅拌强度进行优化.结果表明,原子力显微镜液池成像技术可以对混凝过程中的微絮体进行形貌表征和数字描述,并证实微絮凝过滤工艺在处理实际印染工业尾水过程中,微絮凝时间为2 min,搅拌强度为100 s-1时可以达到优化的处理效果.     

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the fetal brain

Fetal magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is technically feasible in utero and demonstrates similar findings to those observed in neonatal populations. MRS can provide additional information to conventional T1- and T2-weighted imaging of the fetal brain. It is of particular use when subtle changes are present on conventional fetal MRI sequences, and when imaging fetuses at risk of brain injury and metabolic abnormalities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Postnatal management of prenatally diagnosed abdominal masses and anomalies

Rapid advancement in fetal diagnostic imaging has increased our ability to diagnose a multitude of anomalies in the prenatal period. The purpose of this chapter is to review our current understanding of prenatally diagnosed intra-abdominal lesions, and describe the current guidelines for the postnatal management and subsequent outcome for these lesions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Postnatal management and outcome for fetal-diagnosed intra-cerebral cystic masses and tumours

The increasing availability and resolution of non-invasive prenatal imaging has increased our ability to diagnose accurately a wide variety of fetal anomalies. It has also resulted in the serendipitous discovery of ‘lesions’ that may have little clinical impact upon the child's subsequent development although their ability to raise parental anxiety can be great. The purpose of this review is to put the postnatal clinical relevance of some of these findings into their proper context. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1: sonographic and MRI findings

Prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large oropharyngeal tumor, and cardiac and cranial abnormalities consistent with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in a third-trimester fetus, which were confirmed on postmortem examination. Sonographic features of NF1 are generally nonspecific; MR examination provided significant additional information, facilitating prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computer-assisted surgical planning and intraoperative guidance in fetal surgery: a systematic review

Fetal surgery has become a clinical reality, with interventions for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and spina bifida demonstrated to improve outcome. Fetal imaging is evolving, with the use of 3D ultrasound and fetal MRI becoming more common in clinical practise. Medical imaging analysis is also changing, with technology being developed to assist surgeons by creating 3D virtual models that improve understanding of complex anatomy, and prove powerful tools in surgical planning and intraoperative guidance. We introduce the concept of computer-assisted surgical planning, and present the results of a systematic review of image reconstruction for fetal surgical planning that identified six articles using such technology. Indications from other specialities suggest a benefit of surgical planning and guidance to improve outcomes. There is therefore an urgent need to develop fetal-specific technology in order to improve fetal surgical outcome. © 2015 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Postnatal management and outcome of prenatally diagnosed lung lesions

Advancements in fetal diagnostic imaging have increased prenatal diagnosis of many fetal anomalies. The purpose of this chapter is to review the etiology and natural history of prenatally diagnosed cystic lung lesions, including congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM), pulmonary sequestrations (PSs), hybrid lesions, and bronchogenic cysts, and then discuss current concepts in the management and outcome of these lesions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Placental MRI and its application to fetal intervention

Objective

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of placental invasion has been part of clinical practice for many years. The possibility of being better able to assess placental vascularization and function using MRI has multiple potential applications. This review summarises up-to-date research on placental function using different MRI modalities.

Method

We discuss how combinations of these MRI techniques have much to contribute to fetal conditions amenable for therapy such as singletons at high risk for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and monochorionic twin pregnancies for planning surgery and counselling for selective growth restriction and transfusion conditions.

Results

The whole placenta can easily be visualized on MRI, with a clear boundary against the amniotic fluid, and a less clear placental-uterine boundary. Contrasts such as diffusion weighted imaging, relaxometry, blood oxygenation level dependent MRI and flow and metabolite measurement by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, arterial spin labeling, or spectroscopic techniques are contributing to our wider understanding of placental function.

Conclusion

The future of placental MRI is exciting, with the increasing availability of multiple contrasts and new models that will boost the capability of MRI to measure oxygen saturation and placental exchange, enabling examination of placental function in complicated pregnancies.     

MR imaging of the fetal musculoskeletal system

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appears to be increasingly used, in addition to standard ultrasonography for the diagnosis of abnormalities in utero. Previous studies have recently drawn attention to the technical refinement of MRI to visualize the fetal bones and muscles. Beyond commonly used T2-weighted MRI, echoplanar, thick-slab T2-weighted and dynamic sequences, and three-dimensional MRI techniques, are about to provide new imaging insights into the normal and the pathological musculoskeletal system of the fetus. This review emphasizes the potential significance of MRI in the visualization of the fetal musculoskeletal system. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The OEIS complex: two case reports that illustrate the spectrum of abnormalities and a review of the literature

We present two cases of OEIS (omphalocele, exstrophy, imperforate anus, spinal defects) complex -MIM 258040 and a review of the literature. Case 1 was a 14-year-old girl who presented at 30 weeks' gestation. An ultrasound examination showed an omphalocele and spina bifida; the bladder was not visualised. She went into spontaneous labour two weeks later and the baby died shortly after birth. A full post-mortem examination was refused, but the mother did agree to an external examination, skin biopsy for fibroblast culture, X rays and MR imaging. The MR imaging showed a pelvic kidney, a large omphalocele containing the other kidney, liver, bowel and a fluid filled structure thought to represent an exstrophy of the bladder (EB). Case 2 was a 30-year-old woman who had an ultrasound examination at 20 weeks' gestation; this showed an omphalocele, but the bladder was not visualised. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated and a post-mortem examination showed a low set umbilical cord associated with a small omphalocele; there was an imperforate anus; a blind ending rectum terminated in the omphalocele. We conclude that these two cases illustrate the variability of the OEIS complex. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Currarino triad: concurrent US and MRI diagnosis in the fetus and the mother

We report an unusual case of the complete Currarino triad diagnosed in a fetus at 21 weeks' gestation by means of prenatal ultrasonography (US). The highly suspicious findings in the fetus were accompanied by analogous US findings in the mother who suffered from mild symptoms of up to that time unrecognized Currarino triad. Consecutively, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the findings simultaneously in the fetus and in her mother. This is the first report describing the prenatal diagnosis of Currarino triad without the background of positive family history. To our knowledge, the prenatal MRI findings of Currarino triad have not yet been published. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of image fusion in prenatal medicine

Fusion imaging (FI), the simultaneous display of the same anatomical region using two imaging modalities, has been used in other areas of medicine for both diagnosis and guiding interventions. Examples include positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging in oncology and ultrasound-magnetic resonance imaging (US-MRI) fusion in biopsies of the prostate gland. The underlying principle is to take advantage of the complementary information in each modality to improve accuracy, be it diagnostic accuracy or targeting accuracy in biopsies. For example, PET-CT overlays the metabolic activity of lesions on the superb spatial and anatomical detail of CT. While the historical mainstay of fetal imaging has been ultrasound, advances in ultrafast MR imaging together with advances in fetal MRI over the past two decades, have resulted in the opportunity to explore fusion imaging in fetal medicine. We present an overview of the principles of US-MRI fusion imaging in prenatal medicine, report our local experience, and review the literature in this emerging area. We share our perspective on how FI can improve diagnostic confidence, be used as an educational tool, and potentially enhance guidance in certain fetal procedures.     

The fetal cerebellum. Pitfalls in diagnosis and management

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital and acquired cerebellar disorders is possible by the use of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although numerous studies have been conducted in this field, diagnostic uncertainties are still common in daily clinical practice. This review outlines five possible pitfalls in the diagnosis of fetal cerebellar disorders: confusion between different entities describing vermian pathologies (Dandy–Walker variant, vermian hypoplasia and vermian agenesis); premature diagnosis of abnormal vermian formation; difficulties in the ultrasonographic differentiation between the cerebellar hemispheres and the vermis; late development of cerebellar hypoplasia/atrophy and differential diagnosis of unilateral cerebellar findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.