Ji and colleagues used a microscopy technique called stimulated Raman scattering, or SRS, to image cancer cells in human brain tissue. SRS produces different signals for proteins and lipids, which can then be assigned a colour (blue and green, respectively), allowing the authors to differentiate brain cortex from tumour from white matter. Biopsies from adult and paediatric patients with glioblastoma revealed not only distinctive features with SRS microscopy but also the presence of infiltrating cells in tissues that appeared otherwise normal with traditional staining. Such infiltrating cells are important to catch early because leaving them behind after surgery nearly always leads to cancer recurrence. To make this SRS microscopy approach amenable to routine use in neuropathology, the authors also created an objective classifier that integrated different image characteristics, such as the protein/ lipid ratio, axonal density, and degree of cellularity, into one output, on a scale of 0 to 1, that would alert the pathologist to tumour infiltration. The classifier was built using more than 1400 images from patients with glioblastoma and epilepsy, and could distinguish between tumour-infiltrated and non-tumour regions with >99% accuracy, regardless of tumour grade or histologic subtype. This label-free imaging technology could therefore be used to complement existing neurosurgical workflows, allowing for rapid and objective characterization of brain tissues and, in turn, clinical decision-making.

Science Translation Medicine http://tinyurl.com/oxq8ojx

Since up to 90% of patients develop hospital- acquired anemia by their third day in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) with many requiring subsequent transfusions, blood conservation strategies can be of significant benefit to patients and will help reduce costs of care. The new paper observes that within the ICU setting, the total amount of diagnostic (iatrogenic) blood loss is a significant predicator of anemia and subsequent allogeneic transfusion. Notably, iatrogenic blood loss is the factor most easily controlled by the intensivist – the paper discusses the main methods of reducing the contribution of blood tests to the incidence of iatrogenic anemia. Entitled

Researchers from the University

A system incorporating a smartphone app may help adolescents and young adults with spina bifida to improve their daily selfmanagement skills, suggests a paper.
With features including mobile reminders and messaging with healthcare providers, the

As of the 1st of October 2015, SCHILLER Latin America merged with SCHILLER America to form the subsidiary SCHILLER Americas. This entity has responsibility over the entire American continent, with cardiologist Francesco Iacona, former General Manager of SCHILLER Latin America, in the role of CEO. Consolidation of both territories comes with many advantages: all processes are being optimized, reaction time is further reduced. Customers will benefit from increased efficiency thanks to resource sharing, from office space to personnel and services, including inventory management, purchasing and logistics. This merger is the starting point for an even stronger representation of SCHILLER in America.

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