Software para la corrección de las posibles imperfecciones existentes en los sensores de imagen

En este trabajo se indica la técnica utilizada para conseguir una buena corrección de las posibles deficiencias presentadas por los dispositivos de adquisición de imágenes. Se presenta la herramienta informática que ha sido desarrollada para este fin y que permite localizar la mejor corrección posible. También se puede evaluar, tanto objetiva como subjetivamente, la mejora conseguida con la corrección

Feline Leukemia Virus and Other Pathogens as Important Threats to the Survival of the Critically Endangered Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

BACKGROUND: The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is considered the most endangered felid species in the world. In order to save this species, the Spanish authorities implemented a captive breeding program recruiting lynxes from the wild. In this context, a retrospective survey on prevalence of selected feline pathogens in free-ranging lynxes was initiated. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We systematically analyzed the prevalence and importance of seven viral, one protozoan (Cytauxzoon felis), and several bacterial (e.g., hemotropic mycoplasma) infections in 77 of approximately 200 remaining free-ranging Iberian lynxes of the Doñana and Sierra Morena areas, in Southern Spain, between 2003 and 2007. With the exception of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), evidence of infection by all tested feline pathogens was found in Iberian lynxes. Fourteen lynxes were feline leukemia virus (FeLV) provirus-positive; eleven of these were antigenemic (FeLV p27 positive). All 14 animals tested negative for other viral infections. During a six-month period in 2007, six of the provirus-positive antigenemic lynxes died. Infection with FeLV but not with other infectious agents was associated with mortality (p<0.001). Sequencing of the FeLV surface glycoprotein gene revealed a common origin for ten of the eleven samples. The ten sequences were closely related to FeLV-A/61E, originally isolated from cats in the USA. Endogenous FeLV sequences were not detected. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: It was concluded that the FeLV infection most likely originated from domestic cats invading the lynx's habitats. Data available regarding the time frame, co-infections, and outcome of FeLV-infections suggest that, in contrast to the domestic cat, the FeLV strain affecting the lynxes in 2007 is highly virulent to this species. Our data argue strongly for vaccination of lynxes and domestic cats in and around lynx's habitats in order to prevent further spread of the virus as well as reduction the domestic cat population if the lynx population is to be maintained

Selecting the Appropriate Downstaging and Bridging Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Is the Role of Transarterial Radioembolization? A Pooled Analysis

Background: Transarterial radioembolization in HCC for LT as downstaging/bridging has been increasing in recent years but some indication criteria are still unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of primary research publications conducted in PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect databases until November 2022. Relevant data about patient selection, HCC features and oncological outcomes after TARE for downstaging or bridging in LT were analyzed. Results: A total of 14 studies were included (7 downstaging, 3 bridging and 4 mixed downstaging and bridging). The proportion of whole liver TARE was between 0 and 1.6%. Multiple TARE interventions were necessary for 16.7% up to 28% of the patients. A total of 55 of 204 patients across all included studies undergoing TARE for downstaging were finally transplanted. The only RCT included presents a higher tumor response with the downstaging rate for LT of TARE than TACE (9/32 vs. 4/34, respectively). Grade 3 or 4 adverse effects rate were detected between 15 and 30% of patients. Conclusions: TARE is a safe therapeutic option with potential advantages in its capacity to necrotize and reduce the size of the HCC for downstaging or bridging in LT

Data from: Females know better: sex-biased habitat selection by the European wildcat

The interactions between animals and their environment vary across species, regions, but also with gender. Sex‐specific relations between individuals and the ecosystem may entail different behavioral choices and be expressed through different patterns of habitat use. Regardless, only rarely sex‐specific traits are addressed in ecological modeling approaches. The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a species of conservation concern in Europe, with a highly fragmented and declining distribution across most of its range. We assessed sex‐specific habitat selection patterns for the European wildcat, at the landscape and home range levels, across its Iberian biogeographic distribution using a multipopulation approach. We developed resource selection functions in a use‐availability framework using radio‐telemetry data from five wildcat populations. At the landscape level, we observed that, while both genders preferentially established home ranges in areas close to broadleaf forests and far from humanized areas, females selected mid‐range elevation areas with some topographic complexity, whereas males used lowland areas. At the home range level, both females and males selected areas dominated by scrublands or broadleaf forests, but habitat features were less important at this level. The strength of association to habitat features was higher for females at both spatial levels, suggesting a tendency to select habitats with higher quality that can grant them enhanced access to shelter and feeding resources. Based on our results, we hypothesize that sex‐biased behavioral patterns may contribute to the resilience of wildcats’ genetic integrity through influencing the directionality of hybridization with domestic cats. Our study provides information about European wildcats’ habitat use in an Iberian context, relevant for the implementation of conservation plans, and highlights the ecological relevance of considering sex‐related differences in environmental preferences

Wildcat_telemetry_data

Radio tracking locations for all wildcat individual