scholarly journals Optical and Digital Microscopic Imaging Techniques and Applications in Pathology

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 5-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Chen ◽  
Bin Zheng ◽  
Hong Liu

The conventional optical microscope has been the primary tool in assisting pathological examinations. The modern digital pathology combines the power of microscopy, electronic detection, and computerized analysis. It enables cellular-, molecular-, and genetic-imaging at high efficiency and accuracy to facilitate clinical screening and diagnosis. This paper first reviews the fundamental concepts of microscopic imaging and introduces the technical features and associated clinical applications of optical microscopes, electron microscopes, scanning tunnel microscopes, and fluorescence microscopes. The interface of microscopy with digital image acquisition methods is discussed. The recent developments and future perspectives of contemporary microscopic imaging techniques such as three-dimensional and in vivo imaging are analyzed for their clinical potentials.

Author(s):  
Shivangi Agarwal ◽  
Yashwanth R Sudhini ◽  
Onur K Polat ◽  
Jochen Reiser ◽  
Mehmet Mete Altintas

Kidneys, one of the vital organs in our body, are responsible for maintaining whole-body homeostasis. The complexity of renal function (e.g., filtration, reabsorption, fluid and electrolyte regulation, urine production) demands diversity not only at the level of cell types but also in their overall distribution and structural framework within the kidney. To gain an in-depth molecular-level understanding of the renal system, it is imperative to discern the components of kidney and the types of cells residing in each of the sub-regions. Recent developments in labeling, tracing, and imaging techniques enabled us to mark, monitor and identify these cells in vivo with high efficiency in a minimally invasive manner. In this review, we have summarized different cell types, specific markers that are uniquely associated with those cell types, and their distribution in kidney, which altogether make kidneys so special and different. Cellular sorting based on the presence of certain proteins on the cell surface allowed for assignment of multiple markers for each cell type. However, different studies using different techniques have found contradictions in the cell-type specific markers. Thus, the term "cell marker" might be imprecise and sub-optimal, leading to uncertainty when interpreting the data. Therefore, we strongly believe that there is an unmet need to define the best cell markers for a cell type. Although, the compendium of renal-selective marker proteins presented in this review is a resource that may be useful to the researchers, we acknowledge that the list may not be necessarily exhaustive.


2007 ◽  
Vol 330-332 ◽  
pp. 503-506
Author(s):  
Xiao Wei Fu ◽  
Jie Huang ◽  
E.S. Thian ◽  
Serena Best ◽  
William Bonfield

A Bioglass® reinforced polyethylene (Bioglass®/polyethylene) composite has been prepared, which combines the high bioactivity of Bioglass® and the toughness of polyethylene. The spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles within the composite is important for the performance of composites in-vivo. Recent developments in X-ray microtomography (XμT) have made it possible to visualize internal and microstructural details with different X-ray absorbencies, nondestructively, and to acquire 3D information at high spatial resolution. In this study, the volume fraction and 3D spatial distribution of Bioglass® particles has been acquired quantitatively by XμT. The information obtained provides a foundation for understanding the mechanical and bioactive properties of the Bioglass®/polyethylene composites.


Physiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myunghwan Choi ◽  
Sheldon J. J. Kwok ◽  
Seok Hyun Yun

Microscopic imaging techniques to visualize cellular behaviors in their natural environment play a pivotal role in biomedical research. Here, we review how recent technical advances in intravital microscopy have enabled unprecedented access to cellular physiology in various organs of mice in normal and diseased states.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (S3) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Socci ◽  
Francesca Gervaso ◽  
Francesco Migliavacca ◽  
Giancarlo Pennati ◽  
Gabriele Dubini ◽  
...  

The recent developments in imaging techniques have created new opportunities to give an accurate description of the three-dimensional morphology of vessels. Such three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomical structures from medical images has achieved importance in several applications, such as the reconstruction of human bones, spine portions, and vascular districts.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (99) ◽  
pp. 20140564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Watson ◽  
Flora Gröning ◽  
Neil Curtis ◽  
Laura C. Fitton ◽  
Anthony Herrel ◽  
...  

Multi-body dynamics is a powerful engineering tool which is becoming increasingly popular for the simulation and analysis of skull biomechanics. This paper presents the first application of multi-body dynamics to analyse the biomechanics of the rabbit skull. A model has been constructed through the combination of manual dissection and three-dimensional imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging and micro-computed tomography). Individual muscles are represented with multiple layers, thus more accurately modelling muscle fibres with complex lines of action. Model validity was sought through comparing experimentally measured maximum incisor bite forces with those predicted by the model. Simulations of molar biting highlighted the ability of the masticatory system to alter recruitment of two muscle groups, in order to generate shearing or crushing movements. Molar shearing is capable of processing a food bolus in all three orthogonal directions, whereas molar crushing and incisor biting are predominately directed vertically. Simulations also show that the masticatory system is adapted to process foods through several cycles with low muscle activations, presumably in order to prevent rapidly fatiguing fast fibres during repeated chewing cycles. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of a validated multi-body dynamics model for investigating feeding biomechanics in the rabbit, and shows the potential for complementing and eventually reducing in vivo experiments.


Author(s):  
S. Ricci ◽  
F. Antonelli ◽  
C. Sacco Perasso

Submerged stone archaeological artefacts are bioeroded by endolithic microbiota (cyanobacteria, algae and fungi) and macroborers (Porifera, Bivalvia and Sipuncula). Optical microscope and SEM observations permit to analyse the bioerosion traces and to identify bioeroders. Data obtained with these techniques cannot be used to estimate volumes of material bioeroded. This aspect require the need to collect three-dimensional, close-range data from artefact. In this work we illustrate two 3D imaging techniques used to study bioerosion phenomena of underwater Cultural Heritage. In particular Digital Video Microscope permit the elaboration of 3D images, which are widely employed for close-range acquisitions. Underwater Laser Scanner documents the in situ degradation of submerged artefacts. This research aims to sensitize specialist figures in the study 3D offering a starting point for future collaborations that could lead to interesting results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175628641984059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Moccia ◽  
Serena Ruggieri ◽  
Antonio Ianniello ◽  
Ahmed Toosy ◽  
Carlo Pozzilli ◽  
...  

The spinal cord is frequently affected in multiple sclerosis (MS), causing motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction. A number of pathological abnormalities, including demyelination and neuroaxonal loss, occur in the MS spinal cord and are studied in vivo with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this review is to summarise and discuss recent advances in spinal cord MRI. Advances in conventional spinal cord MRI include improved identification of MS lesions, recommended spinal cord MRI protocols, enhanced recognition of MRI lesion characteristics that allow MS to be distinguished from other myelopathies, evidence for the role of spinal cord lesions in predicting prognosis and monitoring disease course, and novel post-processing methods to obtain lesion probability maps. The rate of spinal cord atrophy is greater than that of brain atrophy (−1.78% versus −0.5% per year), and reflects neuroaxonal loss in an eloquent site of the central nervous system, suggesting that it can become an important outcome measure in clinical trials, especially in progressive MS. Recent developments allow the calculation of spinal cord atrophy from brain volumetric scans and evaluation of its progression over time with registration-based techniques. Fully automated analysis methods, including segmentation of grey matter and intramedullary lesions, will facilitate the use of spinal cord atrophy in trial designs and observational studies. Advances in quantitative imaging techniques to evaluate neuroaxonal integrity, myelin content, metabolic changes, and functional connectivity, have provided new insights into the mechanisms of damage in MS. Future directions of research and the possible impact of 7T scanners on spinal cord imaging will be discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengkun Yao ◽  
Yunbing Zong ◽  
Jiadong Fan ◽  
Zhibin Sun ◽  
Huaidong Jiang

X-ray imaging techniques significantly advanced our understanding of materials and biology, among which phase contrast X-ray microscopy has obvious advantages in imaging biological specimens which have low contrast by conventional absorption contrast microscopy. In this paper, three-dimensional microstructure of arthropod with high contrast has been demonstrated by synchrotron X-ray in-line phase contrast tomography. The external morphology and internal structures of an earthworm were analyzed based upon tomographic reconstructions with and without phase retrieval. We also identified and characterized various fine structural details such as the musculature system, the digestive system, the nervous system, and the circulatory system. This work exhibited the high efficiency, high precision, and wide potential applications of synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomography in nondestructive investigation of low-density materials and biology.


IUCrJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengkun Yao ◽  
Jiadong Fan ◽  
Zhiyun Chen ◽  
Yunbing Zong ◽  
Jianhua Zhang ◽  
...  

Knowledge of the interactions between nanomaterials and large-size mammalian cells, including cellular uptake, intracellular localization and translocation, has greatly advanced nanomedicine and nanotoxicology. Imaging techniques that can locate nanomaterials within the structures of intact large-size cells at nanoscale resolution play crucial roles in acquiring this knowledge. Here, the quantitative imaging of intracellular nanomaterials in three dimensions was performed by combining dual-energy contrast X-ray microscopy and an iterative tomographic algorithm termed equally sloped tomography (EST). Macrophages with a size of ∼20 µm that had been exposed to the potential antitumour agent [Gd@C82(OH)22]nwere investigated. Large numbers of nanoparticles (NPs) aggregated within the cell and were mainly located in phagosomes. No NPs were observed in the nucleus. Imaging of the nanomedicine within whole cells advanced the understanding of the high-efficiency antitumour activity and the low toxicity of this agent. This imaging technique can be used to probe nanomaterials within intact large-size cells at nanometre resolution uniformly in three dimensions and may greatly benefit the fields of nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.


2008 ◽  
Vol 389 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Alkatout ◽  
Dieter Kabelitz ◽  
Holger Kalthoff ◽  
Sanjay Tiwari

AbstractThe importance of a subset of cells which have ‘stem like’ characteristics and are capable of tumor initiation has been reported for a range of tumors. Isolation of these tumor-initiating cells (TICs) has largely been based on differential cell surface protein expression. However, there is still much debate on the functional significance of these markers in initiating tumors, as many properties of tumor initiation are modified by cell-cell interactions. In particular, the relationship between TICs and their microenvironment is poorly understood but has therapeutic implications, as the microenvironment can maintain tumor cells in a prolonged period of quiescence. However, a major limitation in advancing our understanding of the crosstalk between TICs and their microenvironment is the lack of sensitive techniques which allow thein vivotracking and monitoring of TICs. Application of newin vivocellular and molecular imaging technologies holds much promise in uncovering the mysteries of TIC behavior at the three-dimensional level. This review will describe recent advances in our understanding of the TIC concept and how the application ofin vivoimaging techniques can advance our understanding of the biological fate of TICs. A supplementary resource guide describing TICs from different malignancies is also presented.


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