Detección de contornos para segmentar fondo y figura en imágenes de resonancia magnética (MRI)

En el área del procesamiento digital de imágenes médicas, varias aplicaciones requieren la separación del fondo de la figura. Una de ellas es la compresión de las imágenes, que es sumamente importante para disminuir a la vez costos de almacenamiento y tiempos de transmisión, facilitando así las tareas de teledetección. En el caso de secuencias de imágenes de resonancia magnética, la figura contiene la información que es relevante para el diagnóstico. Después de separar el fondo de la figura, se descarta el fondo y se aplican técnicas de compresión sin pérdida a la figura. Para ello es indispensable contar con un método de segmentación automática que sea robusto. En este trabajo proponemos utilizar una variante de la segmentación por conjuntos de nivel. A partir de un contorno inicial arbitrario en los tres ejes dimensionales de la imagen, se obtiene la máscara en forma iterativa. Este método ha demostrado ser robusto frente al ruido de la imagen.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Short communication: Stability and integrity of classical swine fever virus RNA stored at room temperature

Worldwide cooperation between laboratories working with classical swine fever virus (CSFV) requires exchange of virus isolates. For this purpose, shipment of CSFV RNA is a safe alternative to the exchange of infectious material. New techniques using desiccation have been developed to store RNA at room temperature and are reported as effective means of preserving RNA integrity. In this study, we evaluated the stability and integrity of dried CSFV RNA stored at room temperature. First, we determined the stability of CSFV RNA covering CSFV genome regions used typically for the detection of viral RNA in diagnostic samples by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To this end, different concentrations of in vitro-transcribed RNAs of the 5’-untranslated region and of the NS5B gene were stored as dried RNA at 4, 20, and 37oC for two months. Aliquots were analyzed every week by CSFV-specific quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Neither the RNA concentration nor the storage temperature did affect CSFV RNA yields at any of the time evaluated until the end of the experiment. Furthermore, it was possible to recover infectious CSFV after transfection of SK-6 cells with dried viral RNA stored at room temperature for one week. The full-length E2 of CSFV was amplified from all the recovered viruses, and nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 100% identity with the corresponding sequence obtained from RNA of the original material. These results show that CSFV RNA stored as dried RNA at room temperature is stable, maintaining its integrity for downstream analyses and applications

Transcriptome dynamics of rooting zone and leaves during in vitro adventitious root formation in eucalyptus nitens

Wood properties and agronomic traits associated with fast growth and frost tolerance make Eucalyptus nitens a valuable forest alternative. However, the rapid age-related decline in the adventitious root (AR) formation (herein, meaning induction, initiation, and expression stages) limits its propagation. We analyzed transcriptomic profile variation in leaves and stem bases during AR induction of microcuttings to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in AR formation. In addition, we quantified expressions of candidate genes associated with recalcitrance. We delimited the ontogenic phases of root formation using histological techniques and Scarecrow and Short-Root expression quantification for RNA sequencing sample collection. We quantified the gene expressions associated with root meristem formation, auxin biosynthesis, perception, signaling, conjugation, and cytokinin signaling in shoots harvested from 2- to 36-month-old plants. After IBA treatment, 702 transcripts changed their expressions. Several were involved in hormone homeostasis and the signaling pathways that determine cell dedifferentiation, leading to root meristem formation. In part, the age-related decline in the rooting capacity is attributable to the increase in the ARR1 gene expression, which negatively affects auxin homeostasis. The analysis of the transcriptomic variation in the leaves and rooting zones provided profuse information: (1) To elucidate the auxin metabolism; (2) to understand the hormonal and signaling processes involved; (3) to collect data associated with their recalcitrance.Instituto de BiotecnologíaFil: Ayala, Paula Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada y Genómica Funcional; ArgentinaFil: Ayala, Paula Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ayala, Paula Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Concordia; ArgentinaFil: Acevedo, Raúl M. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada y Genómica Funcional; ArgentinaFil: Acevedo, Raúl M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Claudia Verónica. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada y Genómica Funcional; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Claudia Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rivarola, Maximo Lisandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Acuña, Cintia Vanesa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Marcucci Poltri, Susana Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: González, Ana M. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada y Genómica Funcional; ArgentinaFil: González, Ana M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sansberro, Pedro Alfonso. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada y Genómica Funcional; ArgentinaFil: Sansberro, Pedro Alfonso. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in wild ruminants in Spain

Trabajo presentado a la: XII Reunión de Ungulados Silvestres Ibéricos (RUSI). Vila Real, Portugal. 1-2 octubre.Peer reviewe

Bodyweight Perceptions among Texas Women: The Effects of Religion, Race/Ethnicity, and Citizenship Status

Despite previous work exploring linkages between religious participation and health, little research has looked at the role of religion in affecting bodyweight perceptions. Using the theoretical model developed by Levin et al. (Sociol Q 36(1):157–173, 1995) on the multidimensionality of religious participation, we develop several hypotheses and test them by using data from the 2004 Survey of Texas Adults. We estimate multinomial logistic regression models to determine the relative risk of women perceiving themselves as overweight. Results indicate that religious attendance lowers risk of women perceiving themselves as very overweight. Citizenship status was an important factor for Latinas, with noncitizens being less likely to see themselves as overweight. We also test interaction effects between religion and race. Religious attendance and prayer have a moderating effect among Latina non-citizens so that among these women, attendance and prayer intensify perceptions of feeling less overweight when compared to their white counterparts. Among African American women, the effect of increased church attendance leads to perceptions of being overweight. Prayer is also a correlate of overweight perceptions but only among African American women. We close with a discussion that highlights key implications from our findings, note study limitations, and several promising avenues for future research

Response to comment on 'Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity'

Lambert et al. question our retrospective and holistic epidemiological assessment of the role of chytridiomycosis in amphibian declines. Their alternative assessment is narrow and provides an incomplete evaluation of evidence. Adopting this approach limits understanding of infectious disease impacts and hampers conservation efforts. We reaffirm that our study provides unambiguous evidence that chytridiomycosis has affected at least 501 amphibian species

Riesgo nutricional e inseguridad alimentaria en una población infantil del municipio de Soacha

Este es un estudio descriptivo transversal para analizar las características nutricionales de una población de niños menores de cinco años de un hogar comunitario del Municipio de Soacha. Se aplicaron encuestas descriptivas a una muestra de 74 niños y sus respectivos cuidadores para conocer el imaginario colectivo acerca de los hábitos alimenticios y el acceso a la canasta básica de alimentos, y se analizaron los datos antropométricos de los niños. En la evaluación antropométrica, se encontró desnutrición crónica en 30,2% de la muestra y riesgo de desnutrición aguda dada por una media a -1 desviación estándar (DE) en el indicador de perímetro braquial para la edad. También se evidenció una diferencia en el concepto de alimentación sana entre los niños y sus cuidadores, además de un bajo presupuesto destinado para la canasta básica de alimentos saludables

Clinical and genetic characterization of RDH12-retinal dystrophy in a South American cohort

Purpose: To characterize the largest cohort of individuals with RDH12-retinal dystrophy to date, and the first one from South America. // Design: Retrospective multicenter international study. // Subjects: 78 patients (66 families) with an inherited retinal dystrophy and biallelic variants in RDH12. // Methods: Review of clinical notes, ophthalmic images, and molecular diagnosis. // Main outcome measures: Visual function, retinal imaging and characteristics were evaluated and correlated. // Results: Thirty-seven individuals self-identified as Latino (51%) and 34 as White (47%). Mean age at the baseline visit was 19.8 ± 13 years old (6 months – 46 years old, median 18.5); 41 (53%) were children. Thirty-nine patients (50%) had subsequent visits, with mean follow-up of 6.8 + 7.3 years (0 – 29). Sixty-nine individuals (88%) had Leber congenital amaurosis/early onset severe retinal dystrophy (LCA/EOSRD). Macular and mid-peripheral atrophy was seen in all patients from 3 years of age. A novel retinal finding was a hyperautofluorescent ring in 2 young children with LCA. Eight variants (21%) were previously unreported and the most frequent variant was c.295C>A, p.Leu99Ile, present in 52 alleles of 32 probands. Individuals with LCA homozygous for p.Leu99Ile (31%) had a later age of onset, slower rate of BCVA decrease, the largest percentage of patients with mild visual impairment, and were predicted to reach legal blindness at an older age than the rest of the cohort. // Conclusions: By describing the largest molecularly confirmed cohort to date, improved understanding of disease progression was possible. Our detailed characterization aims to support research and the development of novel therapies that may have the potential to reduce or prevent vision loss in individuals with RDH12-associated retinal dystrophy

A Multi-Point Sensor Based on Optical Fiber for the Measurement of Electrolyte Density in Lead-Acid Batteries

This article describes a multi-point optical fiber-based sensor for the measurement of electrolyte density in lead-acid batteries. It is known that the battery charging process creates stratification, due to the different densities of sulphuric acid and water. In order to study this process, density measurements should be obtained at different depths. The sensor we describe in this paper, unlike traditional sensors, consists of several measurement points, allowing density measurements at different depths inside the battery. The obtained set of measurements helps in determining the charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of the battery

Resistance to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease in an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote: a case report.

We identified a PSEN1 (presenilin 1) mutation carrier from the world's largest autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred, who did not develop mild cognitive impairment until her seventies, three decades after the expected age of clinical onset. The individual had two copies of the APOE3 Christchurch (R136S) mutation, unusually high brain amyloid levels and limited tau and neurodegenerative measurements. Our findings have implications for the role of APOE in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease