Unraveling the Complexity of Multicentric Gliomas: Insights Into Chronicity and Genetic Aberrations

Gliomas are among the most common primary tumors of the brain. Discrimination among tumors of more than one focus has segregated the latter into two groups: multifocal gliomas and multicentric gliomas (MCGs). In this case series, outcomes among three patients are described and discussed in light of the findings present in the literature. Ideally, it is crucial to consider genetic testing for categorizing each tumor. This can help determine the original genetic mutations of MCGs and allow to establish necessary screening testing for early detection. We present the cases of three patients diagnosed with cranial gliomas. The first case showed two synchronous gliomas at different loci in the right hemisphere. The second patient showed synchronous lesions on cranial magnetic resonance imaging in each hemisphere. The third case was of a patient with metachronous lesions appearing at different times with similar radiological findings at different loci of the same hemisphere. Discrimination among multifocal and multicentric gliomas requires genetic workup because radiological and temporal findings may fail to allow adequate discrimination.

A new algorithm for optimal process parameters based on minimum building time in additive manufacturing

Background

Additive manufacturing method is used for manufacturing of solid three-dimensional parts. It requires less human efforts and manufacturing time for parts is less. Different process parameters such as layer thickness, building orientation, infill type, and infill percentage affect the building time, model cost, mechanical properties, and surface roughness. The presented paper develops an algorithm for adapting layers and generating tool-paths. This algorithm can improve the fabrication efficiency and geometrical accuracy in the additive manufacturing (AM) of complex models. The proposed algorithm consists of three modules that identify the optimal process parameters, named as part building orientation, layer thickness, strategy type for internal filling, and slope of the tool-path.

Results

The input is the PTS file that contains the points of the layers contour of the computer-aided design (CAD) model. All the modules for the proposed algorithm were implemented using the MATLAB R2019a programming language software. The main finding results showed that the fabrication with an adaptive layer thickness was more time-efficient. The build time was reduced up to 47.3%. The developed tool-path generation strategies (contour offset and zigzag line tool-path) can effectively balance the AM surface quality and fabrication efficiency requirements.

Conclusion

In this research, the AM users can benefit by saving the cost and time. The parts were fabricated with a high degree of accuracy, and the surface finish was suitable for determining the optimal process parameter.

Infectious bursal disease subunit vaccination

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is the causative agent of infectious bursal disease, a nosologic entity with global economic importance in poultry. The viral protein 2 (VP2) is recognized as the virus' major antigenic protein. The goal of this study was to generate yeast (Pichia pastoris)-based protein expression from the VP2 gene of the Edgar strain of IBDV and from the hypervariable region of the VP2 gene (hvVP2) to test the protection afforded against virulent IBDV challenge when inoculated in chickens. The genetic material used for protein expression was obtained from paraffin-embedded tissue. Specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with the expressed products and challenged with the homologous strain (Edgar). After challenge, no morbidity or mortality was observed in the birds vaccinated with the whole VP2, compared with 30% morbidity and mortality in the hvVP2-vaccinated birds and with 90% morbidity and 60% mortality in the unvaccinated, challenged controls. Immunohistochemistry detection of the challenge virus and some extent of bursal damage were observed in all challenged birds, indicating active replication of the challenge virus despite vaccination. As determined by bursal index values, the protection against postchallenge bursal atrophy was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the VP2 group than in the unvaccinated and hvVP2-vaccinated birds. Overall, the results indicated that paraffin-embedded tissue can be used as a source of genomic material for transgenic protein expression, that Pichia pastoris-expressed VP2 retains its immunogenicity, and that VP2 subunit vaccination conferred partial protection to challenge; it protected against clinical signs and death but not against IBDV infection.