Loss of Aggressiveness of Phytophthora cinnamomi (Beta-Cinnamomin Silenced Strain) in the Infection of Castanea sativa

Several forest species are severely affected by Phytophthora cinnamomi. The contribution of this oomycete to forest decline and dieback has been broadly reported. In particular, it is consensual that it is the causal agent of ink disease in Castanea sativa. It has been associated with the severe decline of Quercus species, namely the Q. suber and Q. ilex dieback in Portugal and Spain, and has been responsible for the infection of numerous native species and crops. This pathogen persists in the soil or on plant material in the form of chlamydospores allowing the infection of living root tissues when environmental conditions are favorable. © Microscopy Society of America 2012

Seasonal and depth-driven changes in rhodolith bed structure and associated macroalgae off Arvoredo island (southeastern Brazil)

Rhodoliths are formed by coralline red algae and can form heterogeneous substrata with high biodiversity. Here we describe a rhodolith bed at the southern limit of the known distribution of this habitat in the western Atlantic. We characterized rhodolith and macroalgal assemblages at 5, 10 and 15. m depth during summer and winter. Lithothamnion crispatum was dominant amongst the six rhodolith-forming species present. Most rhodoliths were spheroidal in shape indicating high mobility due to water movement. Rhodolith density decreased with increasing depth and during winter. Turf-forming seaweeds accounted for 60% of the biomass growing on rhodoliths. Macroalgae increased abundance and richness in the summer, but was similar between 5 and 15. m depth. They were less abundant and diverse than that recorded in rhodolith beds further north in Brazil. Both, season and depth, affected the structure of the macroalgae assemblages. We conclude that Lithothamniom is the most representative genus of Brazilian rhodolith beds. Summer is responsible for increasing the diversity and richness of macroalgae, as well as increasing rhodolith density. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Primary vulvar Paget disease - the importance of clinical suspicion

Extramammary Paget disease of the vulva is a rare condition that accounts for only 1-2% of vulvar malignancies and represents a frequent cause of misdiagnosis. It is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women. Clinically it is similar to Paget disease of the breast, appearing as red, well-demarcated eczematoid lesions, with slightly raised edges. A high degree of clinical suspicion is very important when evaluating these lesions in order to avoid misdiagnosis and delay of effective treatment. We present a case of vulvar Paget disease treated with vulvectomy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study on Doping Prevention: A map of Legal, Regulatory and Prevention Practice Provisions in EU 28

Historically, anti-doping efforts have focused on the detection and deterrence of doping in elite and competitive sport. There is, however, a growing concern that doping is occurring outside the organised sporting system; giving rise to the belief that the misuse of doping agents in recreational sport has become a societal problem and a public health issue that must be addressed. The EU Commission awarded a contract (EAC/2013/0617) to a Consortium to undertake this Study with the aim of developing the evidence-base for policies designed to combat doping in recreational sport. Fourteen internationally recognised experts shaped the Study which comprised (i) the collection of primary data through a structured survey, and (ii) secondary data through literature searches and website analysis. All 28 Member States participated in the information-gathering process. Specifically, this involved a systematic study of the ethical considerations, legal position, prevention research landscape, and current practise in relation to the prevention of doping in recreational sport. The Study provides a comprehensive overview of current practice and legislation as it applies to the prevention of doping and promotes and supports the sharing of best practices in the EU regarding the fight against doping in recreational sport. It concludes with seven recommendations for future action that focus on the need for a coordinated response in relation to the problems arising from doping in recreational sport

On the ordeal of quinolone preparation via cyclisation of aryl-enamines; synthesis and structure of ethyl 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-(3-iodo-4-methylphenoxy)-quinoline-3-carboxylate

Recent studies directed to the design of compounds targeting the bc(1) protein complex of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for most lethal cases of malaria, identified quinolones (4-oxo-quinolines) with low nanomolar inhibitory activity against both the enzyme and infected erythrocytes. The 4-oxo-quinoline 3-ester chemotype emerged as a possible source of potent bc(1) inhibitors, prompting us to expand the library of available analogs for SAR studies and subsequent lead optimization. We now report the synthesis and structural characterization of unexpected ethyl 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-(3-iodo-4-methylphenoxy)quinoline-3-carboxylate, a 4-aryloxy-quinoline 3-ester formed during attempted preparation of 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylate (4-oxo-quinoline 3-ester). We propose that the 4-aryloxy-quinoline 3-ester derives from 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-hydroxy-quinoline-3-carboxylate (4-hydroxy-quinoline 3-ester), the enol form of 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylate. Formation of the 4-aryloxy-quinoline 3-ester confirms the impact of quinolone/hydroxyquinoline tautomerism, both on the efficiency of synthetic routes to quinolones and on pharmacologic profiles. Tautomers exhibit different cLogP values and interact differently with the enzyme active site. A structural investigation of 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylate and 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-hydroxy-quinoline-3-carboxylate, using matrix isolation coupled to FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, revealed that the lowest energy conformers of 6-methyl-7-iodo-4-hydroxy-quinoline-3-carboxylate, lower in energy than their most stable 4-oxo-quinoline tautomer by about 27 kJ mol(-1), are solely present in the matrix, while the most stable 4-oxo-quinoline tautomer is solely present in the crystalline phase.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT - Portugal) [UID/Multi/04326/2013]; QREN-COMPETE-UE; CCMAR; FCT [SFRH/BD/81821/2011, RECI/BBB-BQB/0230/2012, UI0313/QUI/2013, UID/FIS/04564/2016]; FEDER/COMPETE-UE; [PTDC/QEQ-QFI/3284/2014 - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016617]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Embryo selection through artificial intelligence versus embryologists: a systematic review

STUDY QUESTION What is the present performance of artificial intelligence (AI) decision support during embryo selection compared to the standard embryo selection by embryologists? SUMMARY ANSWER AI consistently outperformed the clinical teams in all the studies focused on embryo morphology and clinical outcome prediction during embryo selection assessment. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The ART success rate is ∼30%, with a worrying trend of increasing female age correlating with considerably worse results. As such, there have been ongoing efforts to address this low success rate through the development of new technologies. With the advent of AI, there is potential for machine learning to be applied in such a manner that areas limited by human subjectivity, such as embryo selection, can be enhanced through increased objectivity. Given the potential of AI to improve IVF success rates, it remains crucial to review the performance between AI and embryologists during embryo selection. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The search was done across PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, and IEEE Xplore from 1 June 2005 up to and including 7 January 2022. Included articles were also restricted to those written in English. Search terms utilized across all databases for the study were: (‘Artificial intelligence’ OR ‘Machine Learning’ OR ‘Deep learning’ OR ‘Neural network’) AND (‘IVF’ OR ‘in vitro fertili*’ OR ‘assisted reproductive techn*’ OR ‘embryo’), where the character ‘*’ refers the search engine to include any auto completion of the search term. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A literature search was conducted for literature relating to AI applications to IVF. Primary outcomes of interest were accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the embryo morphology grade assessments and the likelihood of clinical outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy after IVF treatments. Risk of bias was assessed using the Modified Down and Black Checklist. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Twenty articles were included in this review. There was no specific embryo assessment day across the studies—Day 1 until Day 5/6 of embryo development was investigated. The types of input for training AI algorithms were images and time-lapse (10/20), clinical information (6/20), and both images and clinical information (4/20). Each AI model demonstrated promise when compared to an embryologist’s visual assessment. On average, the models predicted the likelihood of successful clinical pregnancy with greater accuracy than clinical embryologists, signifying greater reliability when compared to human prediction. The AI models performed at a median accuracy of 75.5% (range 59–94%) on predicting embryo morphology grade. The correct prediction (Ground Truth) was defined through the use of embryo images according to post embryologists’ assessment following local respective guidelines. Using blind test datasets, the embryologists’ accuracy prediction was 65.4% (range 47–75%) with the same ground truth provided by the original local respective assessment. Similarly, AI models had a median accuracy of 77.8% (range 68–90%) in predicting clinical pregnancy through the use of patient clinical treatment information compared to 64% (range 58–76%) when performed by embryologists. When both images/time-lapse and clinical information inputs were combined, the median accuracy by the AI models was higher at 81.5% (range 67–98%), while clinical embryologists had a median accuracy of 51% (range 43–59%). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The findings of this review are based on studies that have not been prospectively evaluated in a clinical setting. Additionally, a fair comparison of all the studies were deemed unfeasible owing to the heterogeneity of the studies, development of the AI models, database employed and the study design and quality. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS AI provides considerable promise to the IVF field and embryo selection. However, there needs to be a shift in developers’ perception of the clinical outcome from successful implantation towards ongoing pregnancy or live birth. Additionally, existing models focus on locally generated databases and many lack external validation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was funded by Monash Data Future Institute. All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD4202125633

Lista de espécies de artrópodes associados a diferentes culturas frutícolas da Ilha Terceira (Açores)

Actas do I Workshop de Fruticultura : contributo para o seu desenvolvimento. Angra do Heroísmo, 21-23 Abril 2005.Conhecer a acarifauna e a entomofauna de um habitat agrícola é um dos passos fundamentais para se conseguir uma protecção integrada e sustentável das culturas. Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma lista das espécies de artrópodes encontradas em quatro culturas frutícolas da ilha Terceira (bananeiras, citrinos, macieiras e pessegueiros). Os indivíduos foram capturados com recurso a três métodos de amostragem: i) recolha directa das folhas e/ou ramos; ii) técnica dos batimentos; iii) armadilhas Malaise. No total foram estabelecidas 679 morfoespécies diferentes, tendo-se identificado, até ao momento, 218 morfoespécies até ao nível de género e/ou espécie. Destacam-se 17 espécies que são citadas pela primeira vez para a ilha Terceira, 12 são novidades para os Açores e uma espécie é citada pela primeira vez para Portugal (Fungitarsonemus peregrinus, Acariformes (Prostigmata): Tarsonemidae). Salienta-se, ainda, uma das espécies do género Encarsia sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelenidae), que muito provavelmente será uma espécie nova para a ciência. Finalmente discute-se a importância deste estudo para trabalhos futuros, e a necessidade de desenvolver mais listas faunísticas para estas e outras culturas

Lista de espécies de artrópodes associados a diferentes culturas frutícolas da ilha Terceira (Açores, Portugal)

Copyright © 2010 SEA, Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa.Conhecer a acarifauna e a entomofauna de um habitat agrícola é um dos passos fundamentais para se conseguir uma protecção integrada e sustentável das culturas. Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma lista das espécies de artrópodes encontradas em quatro culturas frutícolas da ilha Terceira (bananeiras, citrinos, macieiras e pessegueiros). Os indivíduos foram capturados com recurso a três métodos de amostragem: i) recolha directa das folhas e/ou ramos; ii) técnica dos batimentos; iii) armadilhas Malaise. No total foram estabelecidas 679 morfoespécies, tendo-se identificado 218 morfoespécies até ao nível de género e/ou espécie. Destacam-se 17 espécies que foram encontradas pela primeira vez para a ilha Terceira durante esta amostragem, 12 que constituíam novidades faunísticas para os Açores e uma espécie que foi citada pela primeira vez para Portugal. Finalmente discute-se a importância deste estudo para trabalhos futuros, e a necessidade de desenvolver mais listas faunísticas para estas e outras culturas.RESUMEN: Conocer la acarifauna y la entomofauna de un hábitat agrícola es uno de los primeros pasos necesarios para llegar a una protección más integrada y sostenible de los cultivos. En este trabajo se presenta el listado de especies de artrópodos que habitan en cuatro tipos de frutales en la isla Terceira (plataneros, cítricos, manzanos y melocotoneros). Los individuos fueron capturados mediante tres métodos de colecta: búsqueda directa sobre las hojas y ramas; técnica de batido; y trampas Malaise. En total se han identificado 679 morfoespecies, de las cuales 218 se identificaron hasta el nivel de género y/o espécie. Diecisiete morfoespecies se han encontrado por primera vez en Terceira durante este muestreo, 12 son nuevas para las Azores y una especie es nueva para Portugal. Además se discute la importancia de este estudio para futuros proyectos de investigación, y la necesidad de desarrolla r más listados faunísticos en es tos y otros tipos de frutales.ABSTRACT: Knowing the arthropod fauna associated with agroecosystems is essential to achieve sustainable integrated pest management. Here we present a checklist of the arthropod species found on four types of fruit crops on Terceira Island (bananas, orange-trees, apple-trees and peach-trees). The specimens were collected using three different sampling methods: i) direct collecting from leaves and/or branches; ii) beating technique; iii) Malaise traps. In total, we detected 679 morphospecies, of which 218 were identified to the genus and/or species level. Seventeen species are first records for Terceira Island, 12 for the Azores and one for Portugal. Finally we discuss the importance of this work for future studies, as well as the need to develop more checklists for these and other crops