Deep COVID DeteCT: an international experience on COVID-19 lung detection and prognosis using chest CT

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents open questions in how we clinically diagnose and assess disease course. Recently, chest computed tomography (CT) has shown utility for COVID-19 diagnosis. In this study, we developed Deep COVID DeteCT (DCD), a deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) that uses the entire chest CT volume to automatically predict COVID-19 (COVID+) from non-COVID-19 (COVID−) pneumonia and normal controls. We discuss training strategies and differences in performance across 13 international institutions and 8 countries. The inclusion of non-China sites in training significantly improved classification performance with area under the curve (AUCs) and accuracies above 0.8 on most test sites. Furthermore, using available follow-up scans, we investigate methods to track patient disease course and predict prognosis

The Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) Challenge 2023: Brain MR Image Synthesis for Tumor Segmentation (BraSyn)

Automated brain tumor segmentation methods have become well-established and reached performance levels offering clear clinical utility. These methods typically rely on four input magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities: T1-weighted images with and without contrast enhancement, T2-weighted images, and FLAIR images. However, some sequences are often missing in clinical practice due to time constraints or image artifacts, such as patient motion. Consequently, the ability to substitute missing modalities and gain segmentation performance is highly desirable and necessary for the broader adoption of these algorithms in the clinical routine. In this work, we present the establishment of the Brain MR Image Synthesis Benchmark (BraSyn) in conjunction with the Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) 2023. The primary objective of this challenge is to evaluate image synthesis methods that can realistically generate missing MRI modalities when multiple available images are provided. The ultimate aim is to facilitate automated brain tumor segmentation pipelines. The image dataset used in the benchmark is diverse and multi-modal, created through collaboration with various hospitals and research institutions.Comment: Technical report of BraSy

Review of Australian species of Megastigmus (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) associated with Eucalyptus, with descriptions of new species

The species of Megastigmus Dalman 1820 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae), related with Eucalyptus species (Myrtaceae) from Australia were reviewed. A total of 33 species of Megastigmus were studied, with nine species described as new: chrisburwelli, erolhasani, judikingae, lawsoni, leptocybus, rieki, thailandiensis, thitipornae, zvimendeli. Three new synonymies are created: adelaidensis Girault syn.new = maculatipennis Girault, ater Girault syn.new = tasmaniensis Girault, trisulcus Girault syn.new = voltairei (Girault). All species were described in detail, with photographs of their diagnostic characters and available biological data provided. Some new diagnostic characters of the genus were found and added to the generic diagnosis of earlier authors. An identification key is provided for the treated Megastigmus species. Species of Megastigmus were recorded as parasitoids of the gall inducer insects or as a gall inducer in several parts of plants

Production and consumption of biopesticides

The intensive use of synthetic pesticides in pest control activities can cause resistance and therefore resurgence of target pests. Undesirable effects on the environment, including reduction in natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) and beneficial insects, are also possible. A major concern is the effects of synthetic pesticides on human health. In the last few decades, biopesticides have emerged as a potential alternative to synthetic insecticides. Currently, biopesticides share only a small portion of global pesticide market, but growth is faster in this area than in synthetic insecticides. This growth is mainly driven by a rising interest in the demand for organic agricultural products that is most pronounced in western countries. This review will discuss biopesticide history, categories, advantages, disadvantages, conventional and nonconventional extraction technology, and consumption

Toxic and repellent effects of Prunus laurocerasus L. (Rosaceae) extracts against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The toxic and repellent effects of leaves, flower and seed extracts of Prunus laurocerasus L. (Rosaceae) were investigated against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) under laboratory conditions. Extracts at three different concentrations (1 %, 5 % (v/v), 10 % (w/v)) for ovicidal and repellent effects against eggs and adult females, respectively and at five different concentrations (1 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5 % (v/v), 10 % (w/v)) for the contact toxicity against female adults were evaluated. The results showed that seed extract was the most effective compared to flower and leaf extracts. It was found that at 5 % and 10 % concentrations of seed extract, the repellent effects were 92 % and 100 %, respectively within the first 72 hours. At 10% concentration of seed extract, the ovicidal and adulticidal effect were 96.56 % and 100 %, respectively. Moreover, further concentration response trials showed that LC50 and LC90 values for the contact toxicity of seed extract on eggs and adult females were LC50=4.5 %, LC90=9.4 % and LC50=2.9 %, LC90=9.1 %, respectively. The result indicated that seed extract of P. laurocerasus has good potential to be used to control T. urticae. However, the impact of these extracts on natural enemies of T. urticae should also be needed further studies

Bazı biyopreparatların Pamuk beyazsineği ve Domates güvesi’ne laboratuvar koşullarında etkinliği

Amaç: Bu çalışma Azdirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) ve Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden& Betche) Cheel (Myrtaceae) bitkilerinden elde edilen ve farklı oranda biyoaktif içerenbiyopreparatların Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) nimfleri ve Tuta absolutaMeyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) larvaları üzerindeki öldürücü etkisinin belirlenmesiamacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir.Materyal ve Yöntem: Laboratuvar çalışmalarında iki farklı bitki ekstraktından elde edilen11 preparatın ve 2 ticari neem preparatının % 0,5; % 1,0 ve % 1,5’luk solüsyonlarının Pamukbeyazsineği ve Domates güvesi üzerine insektisidal etkileri yaprak daldırma yöntemikullanılarak belirlenmiştir.Bulgular: Preparatların etki oranı doz artışıyla birlikte yükselmiştir. En yüksek dozda B.tabaci ile yürütülen denemelerde uygulamadan yedi gün sonra yapılan değerlendirmeleregöre; Çay ağacının Alfa tops bileşenlerini içeren preparatları % 67.37 ile 75.79, Gamma topsbileşenlerini içeren preparatları %93.68 ile 97.89 ve Neem ekstraktları içeren preparatlarise %91.93 ile 95.79 arasında etki göstermiştir. T. absoluta ile yürütülen denemelerdeise uygulamadan on gün sonra yapılan değerlendirmelere göre; Çay ağacının Alfatops bileşenlerini içeren preparatları %40.00 ile 70.00, Gamma tops bileşenlerini içerenpreparatları %82.50 ile 95.00 ve Neem ekstraktları içeren preparatlar %87.50 ile 97.50arasında etki göstermiştir. Her iki zararlıya karşı ticari neem preparatları ise %100 etkigöstererek en etkili preparatlar olmuştur.Sonuç: Çay ağacının Gamma tops bileşenlerini içeren preparatları ile Neem ekstraktıiçeren preparatların %1 ve % 1,5’lik dozlarının Bemisia tabaci ve Tuta absoluta’yı önemlioranda kontrol edebileceği laboratuvar koşullarında belirlenmiş olsa da bu verilerin araziçalışmalarıyla desteklenmesi gerektiği düşünülmektedir

Survival of Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in apples treated with essential oils and cold storage

Little is known on the fumigant effects of essential oils on the immature stages of fruit flies (eggs and larvae). The present study aimed to investigate effects of fumigation with essential oil alone or followed by cold storage on the survival of Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni in Gala apples. Efficacy was based on the number of pupae recovered from treated and untreated fruits and on phytotoxic effects. In a 24. h fruit fumigation test, peppermint oil applied at 100 and 200. μL/L air was found to be active against B. tryoni eggs, whereas broad-leaved peppermint oil was active against both eggs and larvae but only at the highest dose tested (200. μL/L air). However, both peppermint and broad-leaved peppermint oils sometimes had a phytotoxic effect on the apples. In a 6. h fruit fumigation test, an equal mixture of peppermint and broad-leaved peppermint oil (100. μL/L air) did not cause phytotoxic effect but had only a slight effect on B. tryoni eggs and no effect on the larvae. There was no synergism or additive effect when this essential oil mixture was applied in combination with subsequent cold storage. These results indicate that peppermint oil and broad-leaved peppermint oil have little potency for Gala apple fumigation since they were only effective at doses and durations of exposure which were phytotoxic to fruit. On the other hand, cold storage (4. ±. 1. °C) alone was confirmed to be a very effective treatment against B. tryoni larvae and eggs in Gala apple without causing fruit damage and was not enhanced by prior fumigation with these oils

Effect of Fungatol and Gamma-T-ol from Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

In this study, the effect of Fungatol and Gamma-T-ol extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel (Myrtaceae) on Aphis gossypii Glover and Tetranychus urticae Koch was determined using leaf dipping method. In laboratory tests, the leaf discs (50 mm diameter) taken from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and were dipped in five different concentrations of Fungatol (1.25, 1.90, 2.20, 2.50 and 3.50%) and Gamma-T-ol (0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 3.60%) for 5 s. The tests were repeated five times. Mortality was recorded after 1, 24, 48 h in tests with A. gossypii adult females and after 1, 24, 48, 72 h in tests with T. urticae adult females. After 1, 24 and 48 h, the highest concentrations of Fungatol (3.50%) and Gamma-T-ol (3.60%) had caused 0, 18, 42% and 0, 20, 48.9% mortality of A gossypii, respectively. After 1, 24, 48 and 72 h the same concentrations of these extracts had caused 0, 52, 74, 94% and 0, 52, 78, 93.3% mortality of T. urticae adult females, respectively. The results showed that Fungatol and Gamma-T-ol extracts offer good potential to be used to control A gossypii and T. urticae. Their use in pest management could be considered after validation in the field