Iridescent biofilms of Cellulophaga lytica are tunable platforms for scalable, ordered materials

Nature offers many examples of materials which exhibit exceptional properties due to hierarchical assembly of their constituents. In well-studied multi-cellular systems, such as the morpho butterfly, a visible indication of having ordered submicron features is given by the display of structural color. Detailed investigations of nature's designs have yielded mechanistic insights and led to the development of biomimetic materials at laboratory scales. However, the manufacturing of hierarchical assemblies at industrial scales remains difficult. Biomanufacturing aims to leverage the autonomy of biological systems to produce materials at lower cost and with fewer carbon emissions. Earlier reports documented that some bacteria, particularly those with gliding motility, self-assemble into biofilms with polycrystalline structures and exhibit glittery, iridescent colors. The current study demonstrates the potential of using one of these bacteria, Cellulophaga lytica, as a platform for the large scale biomanufacturing of ordered materials. Specific approaches for controlling C. lytica biofilm optical, spatial and temporal properties are reported. Complementary microscopy-based studies reveal that biofilm color variations are attributed to changes in morphology induced by cellular responses to the local environment. Incorporation of C. lytica biofilms into materials is also demonstrated, thereby facilitating their handling and downstream processing, as would be needed during manufacturing processes. Finally, the utility of C. lytica as a self-printing, photonic ink is established by this study. In summary, autonomous surface assembly of C. lytica under ambient conditions and across multiple length scales circumvent challenges that currently hinder production of ordered materials in industrial settings.

A hypermedia tool to support the interaction between radiologists and clinicians

In this work we discuss problems related to the radiological reporting process and attempt to identify the ones which emerge during clinician-radiologist communication. We propose a hyper-reporting system, which allows the clinician to share the knowledge and critical factors that prompt the radiologist's diagnostic hypothesis during the discussion of results. This is possible by creating hypermedia links among different elements: reporting text, images, comments and the graphic models library. These elements make radiological knowledge explicit and clarify to the clinician the logical-diagnostic path traveled by the radiologist. A questionnaire, a survey of clinicians' and radiologists' needs allowed us to define some aspects of a hypermedia demo interface. Finally, we describe an example of a working session with the use of a few explanatory cards.

Familial antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: criteria for disease and evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance

OBJECTIVE

To develop diagnostic criteria for a familial form of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), identify families with >1 affected member, examine possible modes of inheritance, and determine linkage to potential candidate genes.

METHODS

Family members of probands with primary APS were analyzed for clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with APS. Families with > or =2 affected members were analyzed by segregation analysis and typed for candidate genetic markers.

RESULTS

Seven families were identified. Thirty of 101 family members met diagnostic criteria for APS. Segregation studies rejected both environmental and autosomal recessive models, and the data were best fit by either a dominant or codominant model. Linkage analysis showed independent segregation of APS and several candidate genes.

CONCLUSION

Clinical and laboratory criteria are essential to identify the spectrum of disease associated with APS. We believe a set of criteria was developed that can precisely define affected family members with APS. Modeling studies utilizing these criteria strongly support a genetic basis for disease in families with APS and suggest that a susceptibility gene is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. However, in these families, APS was not linked with HLA, Fas, or other candidate genes, including beta2-glycoprotein 1, HLA, T cell receptor beta chain, Ig heavy chain, antithrombin III, Fas ligand, factor V, complement factor H, IgK, and Fas.