Single-Pixel Near-Infrared 3D Image Reconstruction in Outdoor Conditions.

In the last decade, the vision systems have improved their capabilities to capture 3D images in bad weather scenarios. Currently, there exist several techniques for image acquisition in foggy or rainy scenarios that use infrared (IR) sensors. Due to the reduced light scattering at the IR spectra it is possible to discriminate the objects in a scene compared with the images obtained in the visible spectrum. Therefore, in this work, we proposed 3D image generation in foggy conditions using the single-pixel imaging (SPI) active illumination approach in combination with the Time-of-Flight technique (ToF) at 1550 nm wavelength. For the generation of 3D images, we make use of space-filling projection with compressed sensing (CS-SRCNN) and depth information based on ToF. To evaluate the performance, the vision system included a designed test chamber to simulate different fog and background illumination environments and calculate the parameters related to image quality.

Development of Novel Management Tools for Phortica variegata (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Vector of the Oriental Eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), in Europe.

Lachryphagous males of Phortica variegata (Fallén, 1823) are gaining increasing attention in Europe, as they act as vectors of the nematode Thelazia callipaeda Railliet & Henry, 1910, causal agent of thelaziosis, an emergent zoonotic disease. Currently, there are no effective control strategies against the vector, and surveillance and monitoring rely on time-consuming and nonselective sampling methods. Our aim was to improve the knowledge about the population dynamics and the chemical ecology of the species. A total of 5,726 P. variegata flies (96.4% males and 3.6% females, mostly gravid) were collected in field experiments during June-September of 2020 in an oak forest in northern Spain. Our results indicate that 1) by means of sweep netting a significantly higher number of captures were found both around the collector´s body and in the air than at ground level; 2) a positive relationship was detected between the abundance of Phortica flies and temperature, with two significant peaks of abundance at 24 and 33°C; 3) the blend of red wine and cider vinegar was the most attractive bait; 4) yellow traps captured fewer flies compared to black and transparent traps; and 5) a significant reduction toward vinegar and wine was detected in presence of the phenolic monoterpenoid carvacrol. In addition, all the males (n = 690) analyzed by both molecular detection and dissection resulted negative for the presence of T. callipaeda larvae. Overall, these findings provide a better understanding of the vector in terms of monitoring and management strategies.

A proteomic analysis of the statocyst endolymph in common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis): an assessment of acoustic trauma after exposure to sound.

Recent studies, both in laboratory and sea conditions, have demonstrated damage after sound exposure in the cephalopod statocyst sensory epithelium, which secretes endolymph protein. Here, the proteomic analysis of the endolymph was performed before and after sound exposure to assess the effects of exposure to low intensity, low frequency sounds on the statocyst endolymph of the Mediterranean common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), determining changes in the protein composition of the statocyst endolymph immediately and 24 h after sound exposure. Significant differences in protein expression were observed, especially 24 h after exposure. A total of 37 spots were significantly different in exposed specimens, 17 of which were mostly related to stress and cytoskeletal structure. Among the stress proteins eight spots corresponding to eight hemocyanin isoforms were under-expressed possible due to lower oxygen consumption. In addition, cytoskeletal proteins such as tubulin alpha chain and intermediate filament protein were also down-regulated after exposure. Thus, endolymph analysis in the context of acoustic stress allowed us to establish the effects at the proteome level and identify the proteins that are particularly sensitive to this type of trauma.

Short-term peripheral sensitization by brief exposure to pheromone components in Spodoptera littoralis.

In insects, the olfactory system displays a high degree of plasticity. In Spodoptera littoralis, pre-exposure of males to the sex pheromone has been shown to increase the sensitivity of the olfactory sensory neurons at peripheral level. In this study, we have investigated this sensitization effect by recording the electroantennographic responses of male antennae to the major sex pheromone component (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and to the minor components (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate. Responses to the conjugated diene acetate at 1 and 10 µg and to the unconjugated ester at 10 µg at three different times (11, 22 and 33 min) after pre-exposure (T = 0 min) were significantly higher than those at T = 0, whereas no increase of sensitivity to the pheromone was elicited by any dose of the minor monoene acetate. In addition, pre-exposed antennae to sub-threshold amounts (0.1, 1 and 10 ng) of the major pheromone component also induced an increased response to the chemical at different times (5 and 15 min) after exposure. Our results revealed that pre-exposed isolated antennae display a short-term higher sensitivity at the peripheral level when compared to naive antennae. In addition, we provide evidence of a peripheral sensitization mediated not only by the major pheromone component, but also by the minor unconjugated diene acetate, and the induction of this sensitivity appears to be dependent on the pre-exposure dose and the time span between pre-exposure and subsequent recordings. Possible implications of the sensitization effect displayed by the minor component for a more effective discrimination of the pheromone bouquets of other closely related species are highlighted.

Using a polymer probe characterized by MALDI-TOF/MS to assess river ecosystem functioning: From polymer selection to field tests.

Characterization of river ecosystems must take into consideration both structural and functional aspects. For the latter, a convenient and simple approach for routine monitoring is based on the decomposition of organic matter measured in terms of breakdown of natural organic substrates like leaf litter, wood sticks. Here we extended the method to a synthetic organic material using polymer probes characterized by MALDI-TOF/MS. We first characterized several commercial available polymers, and finally selected polycaprolactonediol 1250 (PCP 1250), a polyester oligomer, as the most convenient for further studies. PCP 1250 was first tested at mesocosms scale under conditions simulating those of the river, with and without nutrient addition for up to 4weeks. Differences to the starting material measured in terms of changes in the relative ion peak intensities were clearly observed. Ions exhibited a different pattern evolution along time depending on their mass. Greatest changes were observed at longest exposure time and in the nutrient addition treatment. At shorter times, the effect of nutrients (addition or not) was indistinguishable. Finally, we performed an experiment in 11 tributaries of the Ebro River during 97days of exposure. Principal Component Analysis confirmed the different behavior of ions, which were clustered according to their mass. Exposed samples were clearly different to the standard starting material, but could not be well distinguished among each other. Polymer mass loss rates, as well as some environmental variables such as conductivity, temperature and flow were correlated with some peak intensities. Overall, the interpretation of field results in terms of environmental conditions remains elusive, due to the influence of multiple concurrent factors. Nevertheless, breakdown of synthetic polymers opens an interesting field of research, which can complement more traditional breakdown studies to assess river ecosystem functioning.

Sexual communication in day-flying Lepidoptera with special reference to castniids or 'butterfly-moths'.

Butterflies and moths are subject to different evolutionary pressures that affect several aspects of their behaviour and physiology, particularly sexual communication. Butterflies are day-flying insects (excluding hedylids) whose partner-finding strategy is mainly based on visual cues and female butterflies having apparently lost the typical sex pheromone glands. Moths, in contrast, are mostly night-flyers and use female-released long-range pheromones for partner-finding. However, some moth families are exclusively day-flyers, and therefore subject to evolutionary pressures similar to those endured by butterflies. Among them, the Castniidae, also called 'butterfly-moths' or 'sun-moths', behave like butterflies and, thus, castniid females appear to have also lost their pheromone glands, an unparallel attribute in the world of moths. In this paper, we review the sexual communication strategy in day-flying Lepidoptera, mainly butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea), Zygaenidae and Castniidae moths, and compare their mating behaviour with that of moth families of nocturnal habits, paying particular attention to the recently discovered butterfly-like partner-finding strategy of castniids and the fascinating facts and debates that led to its discovery.

[Profitability of the bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of focal pulmonary malignant lesions]. / Rentabilidad de la broncoscopia en el diagnóstico de lesiones pulmonares focales malignas.

INTRODUCTION: We define focal pulmonary lesion (FPL) as an intra-parenchymatous pulmonary lesion that is well circumscribed and completely surrounded by healthy lung. It is considered that the profitability of the fine needle aspiration puncture (FNAP) in FPL < or = 2 cm is better than that of the fibrobronchoscopy (FBC). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic profitability of the FNAP in the malignant FPL and study if it varies according to site, size and histology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all the FBCs of our Unit between 01/2000 and 12/2001 in patients with solitary FLP < or = 6 cm with a definitive diagnosis of malignancy. The diagnostic profitability by size, site and histology was analyzed with Pearson's chi(2) statistics. RESULTS: 124 patients. Mean FBC per patient was 1.3. A total of 101 cases (82%) were diagnosed with FBC, 15 by thoracotomy and 8 by FNAP. Global diagnostic profitability of the FBC was 0.82 and the transbronchial biopsy 0.76. There are no diagnostic profitability differences by size (< or = 2 cm vs > 2 cm) (0.81 vs 0.82 p = 0.96), site (peripheral vs central) (0.79 vs 0.85 p = 0.41) and histology (epidermoid vs adenocarcinoma) (0.89 vs 0.75 p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Profitability of the FBC in malignant FPL in our hospital is elevated without differences by size, site or histology. In our site, the initial diagnostic approach of the FLP is done with FBC.

Vaccination experiments in the gadoid haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus L., against the bacterial pathogen Vibrio anguillarum.

Vibrio anguillarum is one of the primary pathogens responsible for high levels of fish mortality in the aquaculture industry, and among gadoids O2a and b are the most common pathogenic serotypes. In this paper a variety of studies were performed to assess the optimal route by which to challenge haddock against this pathogen, and an optimal regime to vaccinate haddock. The most efficient method to challenge haddock with V. anguillarum in this study was immersion in a bath containing 10(7)cfu/ml, where 60% mortality was seen. Subsequent experiments showed that juvenile haddock could be protected against bacterial challenge with V. anguillarum, with a significant reduction in mortalities observed amongst the vaccination treatments when compared to the unvaccinated controls. However, as seen previously in cod studies, vaccination did not induce a specific antibody response.

Inheritance of olfactory preferences II. Olfactory receptor neuron responses from Heliothis subflexa x Heliothis virescens hybrid male moths.

Single-cell electrophysiological recordings were obtained from olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in sensilla trichodea on male antennae of hybrids formed mainly by crossing female Heliothis subflexa with male Heliothis virescens ('SV hybrids'). We recorded from the A-, B-, and C-type sensilla trichodea, with the latter two types housing ORNs exhibiting response profiles to different pheromone components that we had previously found to be characteristic for each species. For both the B- and the C-type SV hybrid sensilla, most of the ORNs exhibited a spike amplitude and ORN co-compartmentalization within sensilla that more strongly resembled the ORNs of parental H. subflexa rather than those of H. virescens. The overall mean dose-response profiles of the ORNs in hybrid C- and B-type sensilla were intermediate between those of the H. virescens and H. subflexa parental type ORNs. However, not all hybrid ORNs were intermediate in their tuning spectra, but rather ranged from those that closely resembled H. subflexa or H. virescens parental types to those that were intermediate, even on the same antenna. The most noteworthy shift in ORN responsiveness in hybrid males was an overall increase in sensitivity to Z9-14:Ald exhibited by Z9-16:Ald-responsive ORNs. Heightened cross-responsiveness to Z9-14:Ald by hybrid ORNs correlates well with observed behavioral cross-responsiveness of hybrids in which Z9-14:Ald could substitute for Z9-16:Ald in the pheromone blend, a behavior not observed in parental types. The hybrid ORN shifts involving greater sensitivity to Z9- 14:Ald also correlate well with studies of hybrid male antennal lobe interneurons that exhibited a shift toward greater cross-responsiveness to Z9-14:Ald and Z9- 16:Ald. We propose that the differences between parental H. virescens, H. subflexa, and SV hybrid male pheromone ORN responsiveness to Z9-16:Ald and Z9-14:Ald are most logically explained by an increased or decreased co-expression of two different odorant receptors for each of these compounds on the same ORN.

[Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia resolved through antiretroviral therapy in an adult infected by human immunodeficiency virus]. / Neumonía intersticial linfoidea en un paciente adulto con infección por el VIH, resuelta con tratamiento antirretroviral.

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare entity characterized by the infiltration of interstitial tissues and alveolar spaces by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and other lymphoreticular structures. The etiology of LIP is unknown, although associations with autoimmune and infectious factors have been described. The incidence of LIP has risen in recent years, mainly in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), while remaining less common in the adult population. No agreement has been reached regarding the diagnostic tests necessary for a firm diagnosis although suspicion is usually based on clinical and radiographic findings, with confirmation provided by examination of histological samples. The most common treatment is corticosteroids, either alone or in combination with other immunosuppressant agents although no evidence from controlled trials is available and cases have been reported in which LIP resolved in AIDS patients with antiretroviral therapy alone. We report the case of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected adult who was diagnosed with LIP by open lung biopsy and who responded to antiretroviral drugs with no need for associated corticosteroid therapy.

ERK1/2 is activated in non-small-cell lung cancer and associated with advanced tumours.

Activation of the ERK1/2 pathway is involved in malignant transformation both in vitro and in vivo. Little is known about the role of activated ERK1/2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to characterise the extent of the activation of ERK1/2 by immunohistochemistry in patients with NSCLC, and to determine the relationship of ERK1/2 activation with clinicopathological variables. Specimens from 111 patients with NSCLC (stages I-IV) were stained for P-ERK. Staining for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Ki-67 was also performed. In all, 34% of the tumour specimens showed activation for ERK1/2, while normal lung epithelial tissue was consistently negative. There was a strong statistical correlation between nuclear and cytoplasmic P-ERK staining and advanced stages (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), metastatic hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes (P<0.01, P<0.001), and higher T stages (P<0.01, P<0.001). We did not find correlation of nuclear or cytoplasmic P-ERK staining with either EGFR expression or Ki-67 expression. Total ERK1/2 expression was evaluated with a specific ERK1/2 antibody and showed that P-ERK staining was not due to ERK overexpression but rather to hyperactivation of ERK1/2. Patients with a positive P-ERK cytoplasmic staining had a significant lower survival (P<0.05). However, multivariate analysis did not show significant survival difference. Our study indicates that nuclear and cytoplasmic ERK1/2 activation positively correlates with stage, T and lymph node metastases, and thus, is associated with advanced and aggressive NSCLC tumours.

A comparison of responses from olfactory receptor neurons of Heliothis subflexa and Heliothis virescens to components of their sex pheromone.

Single-cell electrophysiological recordings were obtained from olfactory receptor neurons in sensilla trichodea on male antennae of the heliothine species Heliothis subflexa and the closely related congener H. virescens. A large percentage of sensilla (72% and 81%, respectively, of all sensilla sampled) contained a single odor-responsive receptor neuron tuned to the major pheromone component of both species, Z-11-hexadecenal. A second population of sensilla on H. subflexa antennae (18%) housed receptor neurons that were tuned to Z-9-hexadecenal but also responded with less sensitivity to Z-9-tetradecenal. A similar population of sensilla (4%) on H. virescens male antennae housed receptor neurons that were shown to be tuned specifically only to Z-9-tetradecenal, with no response to even high dosages of Z-9-hexadecenal. A third population of sensilla (comprising 8% and 16% of the sensilla sampled in H. subflexa and H. virescens, respectively) housed two olfactory receptor neurons, one of which was tuned to Z-11-hexadecenyl acetate and the other tuned to Z-11-hexadecenol. In H. subflexa the Z-11-hexadecenyl acetate-tuned neuron also responded to Z-9-tetradecenal with nearly equivalent sensitivity. The behavioral requirements of males of these two species for distinct pheromonal blends was, therefore, reflected by the subtle differences in the tuning properties of antennal olfactory receptor neurons.

[Von Willebrand factor as an intermediate between hemostasis and angiogenesis of tumor origin]. / El factor von Willebrand como intermediario entre la hemostasia y la angiogénesis de origen tumoral.

Cancer patients often show an imbalance condition between coagulation system and fibrinolysis which causes a prothrombotic state. Different molecular factors like von Willebrand factor (vWf), presenting higher plasmatic rates in these patients, play an important role in this situation. During active angiogenesis taking place in tumor growth, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) contribute to the proliferation and differentiation of endothelial tissue, the main vWf producer, promoting increased rates of vWf in the serum of neoplastic patients. Recently vWf's contribution to tumor cells and platelet adhesion has been described. In this process, the discovery of platelet, endothelial and tumor cell membrane integrins and their implication in cellular adhesion has represented a major step in demonstrating how blood clotting and platelet aggregation are mediated by tumor cell and platelet linkage. Migration properties acquired by tumor cells as a result of this binding have been also pointed out. Clinical trials show higher rates of plasmatic vWf in cancer patients the more advanced clinical and radiological stage they present (metastasic versus localized). Moreover, higher pre-surgical serum vWf rates in patients can be used to predict poorer survival after resection surgery. vWf high molecular weight multimers have been also related to a cleavage protease deficiency in the serum of the oncologic population. The promising results of antiaggregation/anticoagulation therapies in these patients permit us to envisage new therapeutic targets.

Control of the biosynthetic pathway of Sesamia nonagrioides sex pheromone by the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide.

(Z)-11-Hexadecenyl acetate, the main pheromone component of Sesamia nonagrioides sex pheromone, is biosynthesized from palmitic acid by Delta(11)-desaturation followed by reduction and acetylation. Production of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate is regulated by the Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN). Transformation of (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol into the corresponding acetate is a target step for PBAN in the regulation of this biosynthetic sequence, thus being the first example of a PBAN-activated acetylation. The production of the minor component (Z)-11-hexadecenal is also stimulated by PBAN. The usefulness of pentafluorobenzyloxime-derivatives for the analysis of aldehyde pheromone constituents by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is also reported.

Ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate fixation of the cranial bone flap after craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: This procedure was done in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ethylcyanoacrylate as an adhesive for fixation of the bone flap. METHODS: One hundred consecutive craniotomies in patients older than 16 years in which the bone flap was fixed with ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate were studied. The osteosynthesis and any complications in all cases were followed clinically and radiologically for 3 months. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic observation demonstrated that osteosynthesis was produced in 100% of the cases with no complications related to this procedure. CONCLUSION: This technique proved to be safe, fast, and easy to accomplish, with immediate stability of the bone flap and excellent cosmetic results.

Delayed clearance of serum HBsAg in compensated cirrhosis B: relation to interferon alpha therapy and disease prognosis. European Concerted Action on Viral Hepatitis (EUROHEP)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, prognostic factors and clinical significance of delayed clearance of serum HBsAg in compensated cirrhosis B. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 309 consecutive white patients with biopsy-proved compensated cirrhosis type B. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 68 months, HBsAg loss occurred in 32 patients, including 16 (8%) of 196 untreated patients (mean annual incidence 0.8%), 8 (10%) of 82 interferon (IFN) alpha-treated patients and eight patients who had been treated with other antivirals or steroids. The 5-yr probability of HBsAg loss was 4% and 16% for untreated and IFN-treated patients, respectively (p = 0.0001). Cox's regression analysis identified hepatitis B e antigen-positivity at entry as the sole independent prognostic factor for HBsAg loss. Of the 32 patients who lost HBsAg, one (3%) subsequently developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and died, whereas, among the patients who remained HBsAg-positive, 11% developed HCC and 20% had died. The probability of HCC appearance was lower (p = 0.0137) and survival was longer (p = 0.0006) in patients who cleared HBsAg compared with patients with HBsAg persistence. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HBsAg loss is about 0.8% in cirrhosis type B. Prognostic factors for clearance of HBsAg are initial HBeAg positivity and therapy with alpha interferon. Patients with cirrhosis type B, who lose HBsAg, have a low risk for liver cancer or liver-related death.

Effects of trifluoromethyl ketones and related compounds on the EAG and behavioural responses to pheromones in male moths.

Trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) and analogues affect pheromone detection and behaviour in male moths. 3-Octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP), one of the most effective antiesterase agents, decreased the EAG amplitude and increased the repolarization time in Spodoptera littoralis. It also modified EAG responses of Mamestra brassicae and Heliothis zea to their pheromones and analogues, containing an acetate, an alcohol or an aldehyde function. In addition, OTFP also reduced the amplitude of the EAG response to linalool, a monoterpenic alcohol, but not its kinetics. The responses of male S. littoralis to the pheromone in the wind tunnel were significantly reduced after pre-exposure to vapours of OTFP. Comparison of the activity of other TFMKs and analogues with that of OTFP revealed a good agreement on EAG and behaviour. The effects of TFMKs on the EAG kinetics are discussed considering the hypothesis of an inhibition of the pheromone deactivation in the antenna.

Behavioral responses ofSpodoptera littoralis males to sex pheromone components and virgin females in wind tunnel.

The major component of the sex pheromone of femaleSpodoptera littoralis, (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (1), elicited all steps of the male behavioral sequence, i.e., wing fanning and taking flight, oriented upwind flight and arrival to the middle of the tunnel, close approach and contact with the source. The activity was equivalent to that elicited by virgin females. In the range of doses tested, the dosage of1 had no significant effect on the number of source contacts. Male response was significantly affected by light intensity, being optimum at 3 lux. Activity of the minor components (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (2), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (3), tetradecyl acetate (4), (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (5), and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (6) was significantly lower than that of the major component when assayed individually. In multicomponent blends compound4 appeared to strongly decrease the number of males arrested at the source, the effect being particularly important when compound5 was present in the blend. Results of single sensillum experiments confirmed the existence of two main physiologically distinct sensillar types. The most common type of sensilla contained a neuron that responded specifically to compound1. A second type of sensilla, located laterally on the ventral sensory surface, contained two receptor neurons responding to compound6 and to (Z)-9-tetradecenol. Among short sensilla, one hair responded to compound4 and could represent a minor sensillar type. No sensory neuron was found to detect the other minor pheromone compounds2, 3, and5.

Behavior of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) induced by sex pheromone and analogs in a wind tunnel.

The behavioral response of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) to the natural pheromone (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate (1) and structurally related analogs in a wind tunnel is presented. Stereomerically pureZ-1 and a mixture with theE isomer in 80:20 ratio elicited similar attraction responses at 1 µg and higher. The activity was dose-dependent, being optimum at 1 µg with 90% and 80% of males contacting with the source in the presence of theZ-1 andZ/E-1, respectively. 11-Hexadecynyl acetate (2) functioned as a pheromone mimic, being able to induce the complete mate-finding behavioral sequence, although its activity was much lower than that of the pheromone. (Z)-13-Hexadecen-11-ynyl alcohol (3) and, particularly, (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynal (4) were potent inhibitors of the upwind flight response in mixtures withZ-1 in 99:1, 95:5, and 91:9 ratios. (Z)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-16-nonadecen-14-yn-2-one (5) also inhibited the response of males to pheromone, particularly in the source contact behavior. Comparison with activity displayed by analogs in field tests is also reported.