Motion processing with wide-field neurons in the retino-tecto-rotundal pathway

The retino-tecto-rotundal pathway is the main visual pathway in non-mammalian vertebrates and has been found to be highly involved in visual processing. Despite the extensive receptive fields of tectal and rotundal wide-field neurons, pattern discrimination tasks suggest a system with high spatial resolution. In this paper, we address the problem of how global processing performed by motion-sensitive wide-field neurons can be brought into agreement with the concept of a local analysis of visual stimuli. As a solution to this problem, we propose a firing-rate model of the retino-tecto-rotundal pathway which describes how spatiotemporal information can be organized and retained by tectal and rotundal wide-field neurons while processing Fourier-based motion in absence of periodic receptive-field structures. The model incorporates anatomical and electrophysiological experimental data on tectal and rotundal neurons, and the basic response characteristics of tectal and rotundal neurons to moving stimuli are captured by the model cells. We show that local velocity estimates may be derived from rotundal-cell responses via superposition in a subsequent processing step. Experimentally testable predictions which are both specific and characteristic to the model are provided. Thus, a conclusive explanation can be given of how the retino-tecto-rotundal pathway enables the animal to detect and localize moving objects or to estimate its self-motion parameters

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of recombinant antigen b1 for detection of cystic echinococcosis using lateral flow dipstick test

Background: Human echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic disease distributed worldwide. It comprises cystic and alveolar forms, the former being the more prevalent disease. Imaging techniques are the first choice for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and serology is used as an additional diagnostic technique in doubtful cases or as the sole test in low-resource settings. Rapid diagnostic tests are useful and convenient for immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in endemic areas, where medical facilities often struggle with limited resources. Methods: Recently, we have developed Hyd Rapid�, an IgG4 lateral flow dipstick test using recombinant antigen B1 for detection of cystic echinococcosis. This study was performed between 2016 until 2018 at the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The diagnostic performance of Hyd Rapid� was tested in-house and at two international laboratories in Switzerland and Iran. Results: The overall diagnostic sensitivity for detection of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis was 95 (56/59). Meanwhile, the diagnostic specificity, with and without exclusion of cysticercosis and fascioliasis, was 100 (n=48) and 88 (63/72), respectively. Conclusion: Hyd Rapid� detected cystic echinococcosis as well as probable cases of alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, Hyd Rapid� showed good potential as a serological tool for echinococcosis, and merits further evaluation. © 2020, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of recombinant antigen B1 for detection of cystic echinococcosis using lateral flow dipstick test

Background; : Human echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic disease distributed worldwide. It comprises cystic and alveolar forms, the former being the more prevalent disease. Imaging techniques are the first choice for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and serology is used as an additional diagnostic technique in doubtful cases or as the sole test in low-resource settings. Rapid diagnostic tests are useful and convenient for immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in endemic areas, where medical facilities often struggle with limited resources.; Methods:; Recently, we have developed Hyd Rapidtm, an IgG4 lateral flow dipstick test using recombinant antigen B1 for detection of cystic echinococcosis. This study was performed between 2016 until 2018 at the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The diagnostic performance of Hyd Rapidtm was tested in-house and at two international laboratories in Switzerland and Iran.; Results:; The overall diagnostic sensitivity for detection of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis was 95% (56/59). Meanwhile, the diagnostic specificity, with and without exclusion of cysticercosis and fascioliasis, was 100% (n=48) and 88% (63/72), respectively.; Conclusion:; Hyd Rapidtm detected cystic echinococcosis as well as probable cases of alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, Hyd Rapidtm showed good potential as a serological tool for echinococcosis, and merits further evaluation