68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI versus multiparametric MRI in men referred for prostate biopsy: primary tumour localization and interreader agreement

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended by the European Urology Association guidelines as the standard modality for imaging-guided biopsy. Recently positron emission tomography with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA PET) has shown promising results as a tool for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of positron emission tomography with prostate-specific membrane antigen/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) using the gallium-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA-11) and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for pre-biopsy tumour localization and interreader agreement for visual and semiquantitative analysis. Semiquantitative parameters included apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and maximum lesion diameter for mpMRI and standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and PSMA-positive volume (PSMAvol) for PSMA PET/MRI. Results: Sensitivity and specificity were 61.4% and 92.9% for mpMRI and 66.7% and 92.9% for PSMA PET/MRI for reader one, respectively. RPE was available in 23 patients and 41 of 47 quadrants with discrepant findings. Based on RPE results, the specificity for both imaging modalities increased to 98% and 99%, and the sensitivity improved to 63.9% and 72.1% for mpMRI and PSMA PET/MRI, respectively. Both modalities yielded a substantial interreader agreement for primary tumour localization (mpMRI kappa = 0.65 (0.52-0.79), PSMA PET/MRI kappa = 0.73 (0.61-0.84)). ICC for SUVmax, PSMAvol and lesion diameter were almost perfect (≥ 0.90) while for ADC it was only moderate (ICC = 0.54 (0.04-0.78)). ADC and lesion diameter did not correlate significantly with Gleason score (ρ = 0.26 and ρ = 0.16) while SUVmax and PSMAvol did (ρ = - 0.474 and ρ = - 0.468). Conclusions: PSMA PET/MRI has similar accuracy and reliability to mpMRI regarding primary prostate cancer (PCa) localization. In our cohort, semiquantitative parameters from PSMA PET/MRI correlated with tumour grade and were more reliable than the ones from mpMRI. Keywords: ADC; Biopsy guidance; Interreader agreement; PET/MRI; PSMA PET; Primary staging; SUVmax; Targeted biopsy; Template biopsy; mpMRI

Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)

International audienceThe designation of taxonomic units has important implications for the understanding and conservation ofbiodiversity. Eurasian vipers are a monophyletic group of viperid snakes (Serpentes, Viperinae), currently comprising fourgenera (Daboia, Macrovipera, Montivipera and Vipera) and up to 40 species. Taxonomic units have been described usinga wide variety of methods and criteria, and consequently, considerable controversy still surrounds the validity of somecurrently listed species. In order to promote a consensus- and evidence-based taxonomy of Eurasian vipers, we analysedpublished mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences for this group to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among currentlyrecognized viper species.We also compiled information on external morphology to assess their morphological distinctiveness.Phylogenetic inference based on mtDNA sequences shows contrasting levels of divergence across genera and species andidentifies several instances of non-monophyly in described species. Nuclear DNA sequences show extremely low levels ofgenetic variation, with a widespread pattern of allele sharing among distant species, and even among genera. Revision ofmorphological data shows that most species designations rely on scalation traits that overlap extensively among species ofthe same genus. Based on our combined assessment, we recognize 15 taxa as valid species, three taxa which likely representspecies complexes, 17 taxa of doubtful validity as species, and five taxa for which species status is maintained but furtherresearch is highly recommended to assess taxonomic arrangements. We stress the need to implement integrative taxonomicapproaches for the recognition of evidence-based taxonomic units in Eurasian viper

Citizen science and online data: Opportunities and challenges for snake ecology and action against snakebite

The secretive behavior and life history of snakes makes studying their biology, distribution, and the epidemiology of venomous snakebite challenging. One of the most useful, most versatile, and easiest to collect types of biological data are photographs, particularly those that are connected with geographic location and date-time metadata. Photos verify occurrence records, provide data on phenotypes and ecology, and are often used to illustrate new species descriptions, field guides and identification keys, as well as in training humans and computer vision algorithms to identify snakes. We scoured eleven online and two offline sources of snake photos in an attempt to collect as many photos of as many snake species as possible, and attempt to explain some of the inter-species variation in photograph quantity among global regions and taxonomic groups, and with regard to medical importance, human population density, and range size. We collected a total of 725,565 photos—between 1 and 48,696 photos of 3098 of the world's 3879 snake species (79.9%), leaving 781 “most wanted” species with no photos (20.1% of all currently-described species as of the December 2020 release of The Reptile Database). We provide a list of most wanted species sortable by family, continent, authority, and medical importance, and encourage snake photographers worldwide to submit photos and associated metadata, particularly of “missing” species, to the most permanent and useful online archives: The Reptile Database, iNaturalist, and HerpMapper.ISSN:2590-171

Monitoring and Assessment of the Distribution of the Dice Snake in Ticino, Southern Switzerland

Based on a two-year monitoring, we analysed the distribution of dice snake populations in the Canton of Ticino (Switzerland). Imperfect detection was taken into account in order to avoid underestimation of the distrubtion range and hence overestimating the species threat status: we therefore used a model based on a mark-recapturelike approach to estimate detection probability, which was 61.2% (± 6.8%; standard error), and site occupancy, which was 78.0% (± 7.9%). Detection probability depended on habitat characteristics (tree cover and naturalness of the streams and lake shores) while occupancy was best predicted by the number of previous dice snake records at a site. We observed local decline or extinction of some small populations located on secondary streams, apparently because of habitat deterioration. However, populations located on lakes (Lugano, Maggiore) and main rivers (Ticino, Brenno, Maggia, Vedeggio and Tresa) showed no signs of decline and rather high densities. Therefore, the status of Natrix tessellata in Ticino should be considered as stable. The endangered status reported by the Swiss Red List for these species is adequate because of the small area occupied at national level (IUCN criteria B2a, B2b (iii, iv)) and vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems. A specific action plan in favour of the conservation of dice snakes populations in Ticino, Switzerland, will now be based on the collected data

Monitoraggio della Biscia tassellata, Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) nel Cantone Ticino (Svizzera)

ITALIAN: Sulla base dei dati raccolti durante due anni di monitoraggio abbiamo valutato la distribuzione attuale delle popolazioni ticinesi di Biscia tassellata (Natrix tessellata). La valutazione è stata effettuata tenendo conto del fatto che il mancato rilevamento della specie sul campo non indica necessariamente una sua assenza: infatti, grazie ad un modello basato su un approccio di tipo mark-recapture, abbiamo calcolato la probabilità di rilevamento, che risulta pari al 61.2% (± 6.8%), e la proporzione di siti occupati, pari al 78.0% (± 7.9%) dei siti conosciuti. Localmente, alcune piccole popolazioni situate lungo corsi d’acqua secondari appaiono soggette a dinamiche di regressione o estinzione, probabilmente in seguito al deterioramento della qualità degli habitat. Al contrario, le popolazioni che si trovano sulle rive dei laghi (Verbano e Ceresio) e sui corsi d’acqua principali (Ticino, Brenno, Maggia, Vedeggio e Tresa) sono ben distribuite sul territorio e caratterizzate da effettivi localmente abbondanti. La situazione è dunque da considerare sostanzialmente stabile. Lo statuto di specie minacciata secondo la Lista Rossa è tuttavia pienamente giustificato per N. tessellata, soprattutto considerate l’esiguità dell’area occupata a livello svizzero e la fragilità degli ambienti acquatici ai quali essa è strettamente legata. I dati raccolti in questo studio saranno utilizzati per l’allestimento di un piano d’azione specifico per la conservazione delle popolazioni di N. tessellata in Ticino. ENGLISH: Based on two years of field work, we surveyed the distribution of Dice Snakes (Natrix tessellata) populations in the Canton of Ticino (Switzerland). Imperfect detection has been taken into account in order to avoid underestimation of the species range: we therefore used a model based on a mark-recapture-like approach to estimate detection probability, which is 61.2% (± 6.8%), and site occupancy, which is 78.0% (± 7.9%). We observed local declines or extinctions of some small opulations inhabiting secondary streams, apparently because of the habitat deterioration. However, populations located along lakes (Ceresio, Verbano) and main rivers (Ticino, Brenno, Maggia, Vedeggio and Tresa) are widely distributed and show rather high densities. Therefore, the status of N. tessellata in Ticino should be considered as stable. The endangered status reported by the Swiss Red List for these species is adequate because of the small area occupied at national level and vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems. A specific action plan in favour of the conservation of Dice Snakes populations in Ticino, Switzerland, will now be based on the collected data

Silica core–shell particles for the dual delivery of gentamicin and rifamycin antibiotics

International audienceIncreasing bacterial resistance calls for the simultaneous delivery of multiple antibiotics. One strategy is to design a unique pharmaceutical carrier that is able to incorporate several drugs with different physico-chemical properties. This is highly challenging as it may require the development of compartmentalization approaches. Here we have prepared core–shell silica particles allowing for the dual delivery of gentamicin and rifamycin. The effect of silica particle surface functionalization on antibiotic sorption was first studied, enlightening the role of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. This in turn dictates the chemical conditions for shell deposition and further sorption of these antibiotics. In particular, the silica shell deposition was favored by the positively charged layer of gentamicin coating on the core particle surface. Shell modification by thiol groups finally allowed for rifamycin sorption. The antibacterial activity of the core–shell particles against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated the dual release and action of the two antibiotics

Oxidative metabolism in the cardiorespiratory system after an acute exposure to nickel-doped nanoparticles in mice

There is an increasing concern over the harmful effects that metallic nanoparticles (NP) may produce on human health. Due to their redox properties, nickel (Ni) and Ni-containing NP are particularly relevant. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish the toxicological mechanisms in the cardiorespiratory oxidative metabolism initiated by an acute exposure to Ni-doped-NP. Mice were intranasally instilled with silica NP containing Ni (II) (Ni-NP) (1 mg Ni (II)/kg body weight) or empty NP as control, and 1 h after exposure lung, plasma, and heart samples were obtained to assess the redox metabolism. Results showed that, NP were mainly retained in the lungs triggering a significantly increased tissue O2 consumption rate, leading to Ni-NP-increased reactive oxygen species production by NOX activity, and mitochondrial H2O2 production rate. In addition, an oxidant redox status due to an altered antioxidant system showed by lung GSH/GSSG ratio decreased, and SOD activity increased, resulting in an increased phospholipid oxidation. Activation of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, along with GSH/GSSG ratio decreased, and phospholipid oxidation were found in the Ni-NP-group plasma samples. Consequently, in distant organs such as heart, Ni-NP inhalation alters the tissue redox status. Our results showed that the O2 metabolism analysis is a critical area of study following Ni-NP inhalation. Therefore, this work provides novel data linking the redox metabolisms alterations elicited by exposure to Ni (II) adsorbed to NP and cardiorespiratory toxicity