A Complex Case of Cholestasis in a Patient with ABCB4 and ABCB11 Mutations

The low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis (LPAC) syndrome is a form of symptomatic cholelithiasis occurring in young adults, characterized by recurrence of symptoms after cholecystectomy and presence of hepatolithiasis. The case refers to a healthy 39-year-old Caucasian male who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. His blood tests showed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and elevated liver enzymes (total bilirubin 6.65 mg/dL, γ-glutamyltransferase 699 IU/L) and abdominal computed tomography revealed dilation of common bile duct and left intrahepatic ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography identified choledocholithiasis, retrieved by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, after which there was a worsening of jaundice (total bilirubin 23 mg/dL), which persisted for several weeks, possibly due to ciprofloxacin toxicity. After an extensive workup including liver biopsy, the identification of two foci of hepatolithiasis on reevaluation abdominal ultrasound raised the hypothesis of LPAC syndrome and the patient was started on ursodeoxycholic acid, with remarkable improvement. Genetic testing identified the mutation c.1954A>G (p.Arg652Gly) in ABCB4 gene (homozygous) and c.1331T>C (p.Val444Ala) in ABCB11 gene (heterozygous). In conclusion, we describe the unique case of an adult male with choledocholithiasis, hepatolithiasis, and persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia after retrieval of stones, fulfilling the criteria for LPAC syndrome and with possible superimposed drug-induced liver injury, in whom ABCB4 and ABCB11 mutations were found, both of which had not been previously described in association with LPAC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nasolabial flap - alternative uses for a classic but versatile technique

The nasolabial flap is one of the most ancient techniques used in orofacial surgery. The authors report two cases of patients with skin cancer treated surgically with variations of the classic nasolabial flap by transposition (bilateral and folded) that highlight the broad applicability of this technique.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phase-locked polarization by photospheric reflection in the semidetached eclipsing binary μ1\mu^1 Sco

We report the detection of phase-locked polarization in the bright ($m_V$=2.98-3.24) semidetached eclipsing binary $\mu^1$ Sco (HD 151890). The phenomenon was observed in multiple photometric bands using two different HIPPI-class (HIgh Precision Polarimetric Instrument)polarimeters with telescopes ranging in size from 35-cm to 3.9-m. The peak-to-trough amplitude of the polarization is wavelength dependent and large, $\sim$700 parts-per-million in green light, and is easily seen with even the smallest telescope. We fit the polarization phase curve with a SYNSPEC/VLIDORT polarized radiative transfer model and a Wilson-Devinney geometric formalism, which we describe in detail. Light from each star reflected by the photosphere of the other, together with a much smaller contribution from tidal distortion and eclipse effects, wholly accounts for the polarization amplitude. In the past polarization in semidetached binaries has been attributed mostly to scattering from extra-stellar gas. Our new interpretation facilitates determining masses of such stars in non-eclipsing systems.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, 8 tables. Accepted to MNRA

Inventory of Arthropod pests in Azorean orchards : the project CUARENTAGRI

The data we present are part of the CUARENTAGRI project, which involves all archipelagos of the Macaronesia region (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cabo Verde). The project aims to identify and evaluate the risk associated with the introduction of new arthropod pests and also to study the population evolution of those present and the arthropod pests responsible by damaging crops, as well as develop monitoring systems based on prediction and/or evolution of the crop pests, creating warnings and a phytosanitary prevention system. The presented data comprised three islands of the Azores archipelago (Terceira, São Jorge and São Miguel islands), where pheromones-baited traps were placed in several orchards types (banana, olives, orange, strawberry, chestnuts, pasture, potato and apples), during 3 consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022). This publication contributes to a better knowledge of the arthropods pests that can affect the Azorean crops, and will serve as a baseline for future monitoring actions, pest risk assessments, and impacts warning and prevention systems.FUNDING: This work was financed under the project CUARENTAGRI by Cooperation Programs INTERREG V A (Spain-Portugal) and MAC 2014-2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Limited effect of management on apple pollination : a case study from an oceanic Island

Intensive agricultural practices leading to habitat degradation represent a major threat to pollinators. Diverse management practices are expected to influence wild pollinator abundance and richness on farms, although their effect in perennial crops is still unclear. In this study, we assessed the impact of management on apple (Malus domestica) pollination on an oceanic island, by comparing conventional (with and without herbicide application) and organic apple orchards. Pollinator visitation and pan trap surveys were carried out in six apple orchards in Terceira Island (Azores) and the landscape composition surrounding orchards was characterized. We also quantified fruit set, seed set and apple weight. We found no significant effect of management on insect visitation rates, whereas there was a negative association with increasing surrounding agricultural land. In contrast, management had an effect on species abundance, richness and diversity at the orchard level. Conventional orchards without herbicides showed higher abundance than the rest, but lower richness and diversity than conventional orchards with herbicides. Management had an effect on fruit set, but not on seed set or fruit weight. Our results suggest that management alone is insufficient for the overall improvement of apple pollination on an oceanic island, while landscape composition may play a relevant role.Regional Government of Extremadura in Spain (PO17006); ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000073info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

First finding of Sophonia orientalis (Matsumura) in the Azores

Sophonia orientalis (Matsumura) (Hemiptera; Cicadellidae) is native to South-East Asia and is a highly polyphagous pest, considered an invasive pest, that affects crops as well as endemic plants. This paper presents the first report of S. orientalis in the Azores (Portugal). The first individuals were found in 2018 in the botanic garden on Terceira Island and later in 2020 in banana orchards. In 2020, S. orientalis was found in Pico Island in mixed forests.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Riqueza de espécies e diversidade ecológica de himenópteros parasitóides (Hymenoptera, Parasitica) em culturas frutícolas da ilha Terceira (Açores)

"A ordem Hymenoptera, que compreende as abelhas, vespas e formigas, constitui um dos grupos mais diversos do reino animal (Nieves-Aldrey & Fontal-Cazalla, 1999). Actualmente conhecem-se entre 120.000 a 200.000 espécies de himenópteros, mas algumas estimativas apontam para valores bastante superiores: 250.000 a 500.000 espécies (Gaston, 1991). Nos Açores, actualmente estão referenciadas 131 espécies de Hymenoptera (11 das quais endémicas), um número que possivelmente corresponde a menos de 30% da fauna realmente existente no arquipélago (ver Fig. 8 em Borges et al., 2005). […]". (da Introdução

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