DeepWings©: automatic wing geometric morphometrics classification of honey bee (Apis mellifera) subspecies using deep learning for detecting landmarks

Honey bee classification by wing geometric morphometrics entails the first step of manual annotation of 19 landmarks in the forewing vein junctions. This is a time-consuming and error- prone endeavor, with implications for classification accuracy. Herein, we developed a software called DeepWings © that overcomes this constraint in wing geometric morphometrics classification by automatically detecting the 19 landmarks on digital images of the right forewing. We used a database containing 7634 forewing images, including 1864 analyzed by F. Ruttner in the original delineation of 26 honey bee subspecies, to tune a convolutional neural network as a wing detector, a deep learning U-Net as a landmarks segmenter, and a support vector machine as a subspecies classifier. The implemented MobileNet wing detector was able to achieve a mAP of 0.975 and the landmarks segmenter was able to detect the 19 landmarks with 91.8% accuracy, with an average positional precision of 0.943 resemblance to manually annotated landmarks. The subspecies classifier, in turn, presented an average accuracy of 86.6% for 26 subspecies and 95.8% for a subset of five important subspecies. The final implementation of the system showed good speed performance, requiring only 14 s to process 10 images. DeepWings © is very user-friendly and is the first fully automated software, offered as a free Web service, for honey bee classification from wing geometric morphometrics. DeepWings© can be used for honey bee breeding, conservation, and even scientific purposes as it provides the coordinates of the landmarks in excel format, facilitating the work of research teams using classical identification approaches and alternative analytical tools.Financial support was provided through the program COMPETE 2020—POCI (Programa Operacional para a Competividade e Internacionalização) and by Portuguese funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) in the framework of the project BeeHappy (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-029871). FCT provided financial support by national funds (FCT/MCTES) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Apoptosis-associated microRNAs are modulated in mouse, rat and human neural differentiation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MicroRNAs (miRs or miRNAs) regulate several biological processes in the cell. However, evidence for miRNAs that control the differentiation program of specific neural cell types has been elusive. Recently, we have shown that apoptosis-associated factors, such as p53 and caspases participate in the differentiation process of mouse neural stem (NS) cells. To identify apoptosis-associated miRNAs that might play a role in neuronal development, we performed global miRNA expression profiling experiments in NS cells. Next, we characterized the expression of proapoptotic miRNAs, including miR-16, let-7a and miR-34a in distinct models of neural differentiation, including mouse embryonic stem cells, PC12 and NT2N cells. In addition, the expression of antiapoptotic miR-19a and 20a was also evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of miR-16, let-7a and miR-34a was consistently upregulated in neural differentiation models. In contrast, expression of miR-19a and miR-20a was downregulated in mouse NS cell differentiation. Importantly, differential expression of specific apoptosis-related miRNAs was not associated with increased cell death. Overexpression of miR-34a increased the proportion of postmitotic neurons of mouse NS cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, the identification of miR-16, let-7a and miR-34a, whose expression patterns are conserved in mouse, rat and human neural differentiation, implicates these specific miRNAs in mammalian neuronal development. The results provide new insights into the regulation of neuronal differentiation by apoptosis-associated miRNAs.</p

Fatal pulmonary thromboembolism in gastrectomy intraoperative procedures by gastric adenocarcinoma: case report

The case of a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma with indication for gastrectomy is reported. The surgery took place without complications. A palliative, subtotal gastrectomy was performed after para-aortic lymph nodes compromised by neoplasm were found, which was confirmed by pathological exam of frozen sections carried out during the intervention. At the end of the gastroenteroanastomosis procedure, the patient began to show intense bradycardia: 38 beats per minute (bpm), arterial hypotension, changes in the electrocardiogram's waveform (upper unlevelling of segment ST), and cardiac arrest. Resuscitation maneuvers were performed with temporary success. Subsequently, the patient had another circulatory breakdown and again was recovered. Finally, the third cardiac arrest proved to be irreversible, and the intra-operative death occurred. Necropsy showed massive pulmonary embolism. The medical literature has recommended heparinization of patients, in an attempt to avoid pulmonary thromboembolism following major surgical interventions. However, in the present case, heparinization would have been insufficient to prevent death. This case indicates that it is necessary to develop preoperative propedeutics for diagnosing the presence of venous thrombi with potential to migrate, causing pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). If such thrombi could be detected, preventative measures, such as filter installation in the Cava vein could be undertaken.Relata-se um caso de paciente com adenocarcinoma gástrico com indicação de gastrectomia. O ato operatório transcorreu sem anormalidades. Foi realizada gastrectomia subtotal paliativa, pois encontrou-se linfonodos para-aórticos comprometidos pela neoplasia, confirmado por exame anátomo-patológico de congelação realizado no decorrer da intervenção. Ao fim da confecção da gastroêntero-anastomose o paciente passou a apresentar bradicardia intensa: 38 batimentos por minuto (bpm), hipotensão arterial, alterações do traçado do eletrocardiograma (Supra-desnivelamento do segmento ST) e parada cardíaca. Realizadas as manobras de ressucitação com sucesso temporário, já que a seguir o paciente apresentou novo colapso circulatório, sendo novamente recuperado, finalmente a 3a parada cardíaca foi irreversível e constatou-se o óbito intra-operatório

Selection of superior cacao trees at the cacao plantations in Bahia, Brazil

Em 1953, o então Instituto Agronómico do Leste, hoje Instituto de Pesquisas e Experimentação Agropecuárias do Leste, do Ministério da Agricultura, iniciou o controle de cacaueiro no Sul da Bahia, visando a selecioná-los quanto a produção e resistência a podridão parda. Este programa desenvolveu-se durante onze anos e 1.235 árvores foram rigorosamente controladas. Critérios pré-estabelecidos exigiam marcada superioridade das plantas a serem eleitas, que deveriam dar: 1) média anual de produção de amêndoas secas ≥ 4,0 kg; 2) média anual de produção de frutos são ≥ 100; 3) índices de frutos ≤ 40; 4) percentagem média de frutos infectados ≤ 12. Cento e noventa e sete árvores foram selecionadas após julgamento dos dados de controle. Essas matrizes foram propagadas assexualmente e incluídas na coleção de clones da Estação Experimentação de Juçari. Estreitados com base estatística os critérios de seleção previamente estabelecidos e considerados outros, foi feita uma resseleção que evidenciou, como excepcionais, 28 árvores. Na Estação Experimental de Juçari foram instalados um experimento de competição de clones e uma competição de progênies endocriadas, das seleções SIAL, que já começam a fornecer dados informativos de produtividade.In Brazil, the State of Bahia with over 450,000 hectares under cultivation produces about 96% of all Brazilian cocoa; however, the average annual seed production is very low, around 0.450 kg of dry beans per tree. In 1953 the Instituto de Pesquisas e Experimentação Agropecuárias do Leste, started its cocoa selection program in the cocoa plantations of southern Bahia. The objectives were to improve yields per tree and resistance to Phytophthora pod rot. Selection was based on the following criteria: 1. High pod numbers; 2. Desirable pod shape; 3. Health of trees and pods, especially those with a low incidence of Phytophthora pod rot. Individual tree and the harvest data were recorded for comparative analysis. The following criteria of superiority were preestablished: 1. Average annual production of dry cocoa beans ≥ 4.0 kg. 2. Average annual production ≥ 100 fruits. 3. Fruit index ≤ 40. 4. Average percentage of infected fruits ≤ 12 or less. Pod production and resistance Phytophthora pod rot has been recorded for at least seven years on 1235 cocoa trees. Records on many these trees have been maintained for as long as eleven years. From the 1235 trees one hundred ninety seven were selected for asexual propagation and inclusion in the collection of cocoa clones at the Experimental Station of Juçari. From the 190 clones 28 exceptional trees were chosen using an appropriate statistical process of data on selection pod numbers, seed production, fruit index, a percentage of fruit infected by Phytophthora pod rot, tree population density, intensity to shade and stem appearance. The special criteria developed to evaluate each index are discussed as well as the degree of transmissibility of desired characteristics to a descendent population obtained by rooted cuttings.

Author Correction: Simulation-based reconstruction of global bird migration over the past 50,000 years.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

A comparison of methods for the evaluation of the physiological quality of soybean seeds with emphasis to the use of the electrical conductivity test.

Sementes de três cultivares de soja foram submetidas a testes de germinação, tetrazólio, frio, envelhecimento artificial, condutividade elétrica e emergência das plântulas em campo, nas instalações do Departamento de Agricultura da ESALQ/USP, entre os meses de outubro de 1987 e abril de 1988. Avaliaram-se diferentes períodos de embebição pré-leitura da condutividade elétrica, com o objetivo principal de verificar a possibilidade da redução da duração desse teste. Concluiu-se que a avaliação do potencial fisiológico das sementes em laboratório deve ser baseada no conjunto dos resultados de diferentes testes. Dentre eles, períodos mais curtos de embebição (4 e 8 horas) pré-leitura da condutividade podem ser utilizados para identificação de diferenças mais acentuadas de vigor, enquanto a embebição durante 16 ou 20 horas toma esse teste mais sensível às diferenças do vigor de sementes de sojaAn experiment was set at the Agriculture Dept., ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, Brasil, between October/ 1987 and April 1988 with the purpose of comparing the efficiency of diferent tests in evaluating the physiological quality of seeds from three soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars. The comparisons included the germination, tetrazolium, cold, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and field emergence tests. Different imbibition periods for the electrical conductivity test were also compared. It was concluded that the physiological quality of soybean seeds is best estimated when based upon results from several different tests. Among them, the shorter imbibition periods (4 and 8 hours) for the bulk conductivity test can be used for the detection of wide vigor differences, while a 16 or 20 hours imbibition period can be used for identifying smaller differences among soybean seed lots

Extended vs. Small Field Irradiation in High Risk Post Esophagectomy Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy: A Decade Experience in Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of extended field irradiation with anastomotic coverage on local recurrence in high risk resected esophageal cancerpatients. METHODS: From 1989-1999, high risk resected esophageal cancer cases receiving post-resection chemoradiation were reviewed. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of four cycles of fluorouracil-based regimens. Loco-regional irradiation with or without coverage of anastomotic site had radiation a dose range from 45-60 Gyat 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction given with initial anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior arrangement with either extended (with anastomotic coverage), or small (without anastomotic coverage) field followed by oblique fields for boost. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight charts were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were eligible for post-resection chemoradiation. Three patients had disease progression prior to therapy, and 69 patients were analyzed. The median age was 60 years (range 35-82 years) with 94% T2-3N1 and 65% were adenocarcinoma. As of January 2005 median followup was 30.5 months (range 3-142 months), the two-and five-year overall survival rates were 50% and 31%, respectively. First relapse rate after adjuvant therapy was 71% (n=49) and median time to relapse was about 30 months. Loco-regional relapse with small field was 25/35 (71.4%) and 2/14 (14.2%) with extended field (P\u3c0.001). Recurrence locally to anastomosis or adjacent site was 10/35 (28.6%) with small field and 0/14 (0%) with extended field (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: At a minimum of 5-year followup, there is significant decrease in loco-regional relapse with the use of extended field in high risk resected esophageal cancer patients. This important improvement trend deserves further exploration in prospective randomized clinical trials

Search for Relativistic Magnetic Monopoles with IceCube

We present the first results in the search for relativistic magnetic monopoles with the IceCube detector, a subsurface neutrino telescope located in the South Polar ice cap containing a volume of 1 km$^{3}$. This analysis searches data taken on the partially completed detector during 2007 when roughly 0.2 km$^{3}$ of ice was instrumented. The lack of candidate events leads to an upper limit on the flux of relativistic magnetic monopoles of \Phi_{\mathrm{90%C.L.}}\sim 3\e{-18}\fluxunits for $\beta\geq0.8$. This is a factor of 4 improvement over the previous best experimental flux limits up to a Lorentz boost $\gamma$ below $10^{7}$. This result is then interpreted for a wide range of mass and kinetic energy values.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures. v2 is minor text edits, no changes to resul