Secondary Vitrectomy with Internal Limiting Membrane Plug due to Persistent Full-Thickness Macular Hole OCT-Angiography and Microperimetry Features: Case Series

Purpose. To study the features in OCT-angiography and microperimetry in eyes with persistent full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) closed with the secondary plana vitrectomy (PPV) with autologous internal limiting membrane (ILM) plug. Methods. Secondary PPV was performed with closing the persistent FTMH with ILM plug, C3F8 tamponade, and face-down positioning. Four patients were followed for 6 months with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, SD-OCT and OCT-A, and microperimetry. The results were compared with the fellow eye; in two patients, it was the healthy eye, and in two remaining eyes, successfully closed FTMH after primary PPV. Results. ILM flap was integrated in all cases with V-shape of closure, and atrophy was found in one case, with the largest diameter of FTMH. BCVA improved in two cases and remained the same in two cases. In OCT-A, the area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was larger, and foveal vessel density (FVDS) was smaller in eyes after secondary PPV in comparison to fellow eyes. In microperimetry, retinal sensitivity was lower in eyes after secondary PPV, and eccentric fixation was found in 2 of 4 patients. Conclusion. Although the anatomical results of repeated surgeries of FTMH with ILM plug are favorable, visual function results may be limited. Secondary closure of FTMH with ILM plug may lead to atrophy, changes in the macular vasculature, and eccentric fixation. The trial is registered with NCT03701542

Vertical and Horizontal M-Charts and Microperimetry for Assessment of the Visual Function in Patients after Vitrectomy with ILM Peeling due to Stage 4 Macular Hole

Purpose. To examine the relationship between the morphological and functional results in eyes after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling due to stage 4 full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Methods. The study included 22 eyes that underwent successful PPV due to FTMH. Both vertical metamorphopsia (VM) and horizontal metamorphopsia (HM) were determined using type 2 M-charts, as well as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microperimetry, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before PPV and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Results. A significant improvement of BCVA and metamorphopsia scores measured by M-charts in particular periods before surgery, 1 and 6 months after PPV, was observed. The VM scores were consistently higher than the HM scores at all assessment times. There was a correlation found between VM and BCVA and microperimetry parameters before surgery. The macular sensitivity (MS) as well as macular integrity index increased from 1 month to 6 months after PPV and were correlated with postoperative visual acuity (VA). There was a correlation found between the hole diameter and MS and P2 parameter 6 months after PPV. There was a correlation found between mean duration of symptoms of FTMH and VA and VM score. Conclusions. VM scores seem to correlate better than HM scores with preoperative BCVA, microperimetry parameters, and duration of symptoms of the FTMH. VM scores are higher after PPV than HM scores in patients with stage 4 of the FTMH. This trial is registered with NCT03701542

Leaf-cutting ant fungi produce cell wall degrading pectinase complexes reminiscent of phytopathogenic fungi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leaf-cutting (attine) ants use their own fecal material to manure fungus gardens, which consist of leaf material overgrown by hyphal threads of the basidiomycete fungus <it>Leucocoprinus gongylophorus </it>that lives in symbiosis with the ants. Previous studies have suggested that the fecal droplets contain proteins that are produced by the fungal symbiont to pass unharmed through the digestive system of the ants, so they can enhance new fungus garden growth.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We tested this hypothesis by using proteomics methods to determine the gene sequences of fecal proteins in <it>Acromyrmex echinatior </it>leaf-cutting ants. Seven (21%) of the 33 identified proteins were pectinolytic enzymes that originated from the fungal symbiont and which were still active in the fecal droplets produced by the ants. We show that these enzymes are found in the fecal material only when the ants had access to fungus garden food, and we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis to show that the expression of six of these enzyme genes was substantially upregulated in the fungal gongylidia. These unique structures serve as food for the ants and are produced only by the evolutionarily advanced garden symbionts of higher attine ants, but not by the fungi reared by the basal lineages of this ant clade.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pectinolytic enzymes produced in the gongylidia of the fungal symbiont are ingested but not digested by <it>Acromyrmex </it>leaf-cutting ants so that they end up in the fecal fluid and become mixed with new garden substrate. Substantial quantities of pectinolytic enzymes are typically found in pathogenic fungi that attack live plant tissue, where they are known to breach the cell walls to allow the fungal mycelium access to the cell contents. As the leaf-cutting ant symbionts are derived from fungal clades that decompose dead plant material, our results suggest that their pectinolytic enzymes represent secondarily evolved adaptations that are convergent to those normally found in phytopathogens.</p

Analysis of protein carbonylation - pitfalls and promise in commonly used methods

Abstract Oxidation of proteins has received a lot of attention in the last decades due to the fact that they have been shown to accumulate and to be implicated in the progression and the patho-physiology of several diseases such as Alzheimer, coronary heart diseases, etc. This has also resulted in the fact that research scientist became more eager to be able to measure accurately the level of oxidized protein in biological materials, and to determine the precise site of the oxidative attack on the protein, in order to get insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of diseases. Several methods for measuring protein carbonylation have been implemented in different laboratories around the world. However, to date no methods prevail as the most accurate, reliable and robust. The present paper aims at giving an overview of the common methods used to determine protein carbonylation in biological material as well as to highlight the limitations and the potential. The ultimate goal is to give quick tips for a rapid decision making when a method has to be selected and taking into consideration the advantage and drawback of the methods

Activity of azadirachtin relating to Pieris brassicae and Apanteles glomeratus

Azadirachtin is the most active substance separated from Azadirachta indica. lt acts destructively on numerous species of insects and mites. The aim of the presented investigations was to determine the effect of azadirachtin on one of the most dangerous pests of cabbage plants, Pieris brassicae, and on its natural enemy, Apanteles glomeratus. The results of the field observations did not show any repellent effect of azadirachtin relating to laying their eggs cabbage butterflies. However, a significant effect of the azadirachtin solution on reduction the number of cabbage butterfly caterpillars (it was more distinctly marked in respect to young larva stages) as well as on limited feeding by caterpillars. No negative influence of azadirachtin on a parasite of Pieris brassicae caterpillars, Apanteles glomeratus was distinctly shown.Azadirachtyna jest najbardziej aktywną substancją wyizolowaną z Azadirachta indica. Działa szkodliwie na liczne gatunki owadów i roztoczy. Celem przedstawionych doświadczeń było określenie jej wpływu na jednego z najgroźniejszych szkodników roślin kapustnych bielinka kapustnika (Pieris brassicae) oraz na jego wroga naturalnego baryłkarza bieliniaka (Apanteles glomeratus). Wyniki przeprowadzonych obserwacji polowych nie wykazały repelentnego działania azadirachtyny w stosunku do składających jaja motyli bielinka. Stwierdzono natomiast znaczący wpływ preparatu na redukcję liczby gąsienic bielinka kapustnika (wyraźniej zaznacza się to w odniesieniu do młodszych stadiów larwalnych) oraz na hamowanie pobierania pokarmu przez gąsienice. Nie wykazano wyraźnie negatywnego wpływu azadirachtyny na pasożyta gąsienic bielinka – baryłkarza bieliniaka

Kierunki zmian w handlu detalicznym w Polsce

The aim of the research was to present changes taking place in retail trade in Poland after economic transformation. The diversity of retail sales forms was presented. Five stages of transformation of this sector were isolated. The directions of changes as well as the perspectives for the development of retail trade were indicated. The period under study was the years 1990-2018. This article was prepared mainly on the basis of literature and data obtained from the GUS (Eng. Central Statistical Office) and studies of the former Instytut Badań Rynku, Konsumpcji i Koniunktur (Eng. Institute for Market Research, Consumption and Business Cycles) in Warsaw. During the period under study, retail trade developed in Poland; both in terms of quantity and quality, in addition to a change in the structure of stores. Ensuing changes positively influenced the development of this sector, which, due to increasing demands of consumers, high competition, changes in legal regulations and technological innovations, will require further transformation. There are plans to create unmanned stores in Poland in the near future, without traditional cash registers, to use secure and fast payments thanks to biometrics and use artificial intelligence to optimise turnover and sales management.Celem badań było przedstawienie zmian zachodzących w handlu detalicznym po transformacji gospodarczej w Polsce. Przedstawiono różnorodność form sprzedaży detalicznej. Wyodrębniono pięć etapów przekształceń tego sektora. Wskazano kierunki zmian i perspektywy rozwoju handlu detalicznego. Okres objęty badaniem to lata 1990-2018. Pracę przygotowano głównie na podstawie literatury przedmiotu i danych uzyskanych z GUS oraz opracowań Polskiego Instytut Ekonomicznego (dawnego Instytutu Badań Rynku, Konsumpcji i Koniunktur w Warszawie). W badanym okresie nastąpił rozwój handlu detalicznego w Polsce, zarówno pod względem ilościowym, jak i jakościowym, oraz zmieniła się struktura sklepów. Zaistniałe zmiany pozytywnie wpłynęły na rozwój tego sektora, który z uwagi na coraz większe wymagania konsumentów, dużą konkurencję, zmiany w przepisach prawnych oraz nowości technologiczne, będzie wymagał dalszych przemian. W Polsce w niedalekiej przyszłości planuje się powstanie sklepów bezobsługowych bez tradycyjnych kas, wykorzystanie bezpiecznych i szybkich płatności dzięki biometrii oraz wykorzystanie sztucznej inteligencji do optymalizacji zarządzania obrotem i sprzedażą

Population of true bugs [Heteroptera] on the inflorescenses of quinoa [Chenopodium quinoa Willd.]

In the years 1999-2000 the studies on the population of true bugs colonizing the inflorescences of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) were conducted in Chrząstowo near Bydgoszcz. The dominating species was Lygus rugulipennis Popp. The species was recorded in 81.44% in 1999 and 83.64% in 2000 of all collected true bugs.Badania przeprowadzono w latach 1999-2000 na uprawie komosy ryżowej Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Celem pracy było poznanie heteropterofauny zasiedlającej kwiatostany tej rośliny. Spośród pluskwiaków roślinożernych gatunkiem dominującym był zmienik lucernowiec – Lygus rugulipennis Popp. Stanowił on w 1999 roku 81,44%, a w 2000 roku 83,64% wszystkich zebranych pluskwiaków. Drugim najliczniej występującym gatunkiem był zmienik zielonek – Lygocoris spinolai MeyD (10,06-10,19%). W zebranym materiale oznaczono również dwa gatunki pluskwiaków drapieżnych - Orius niger Wff. I Nabis pseudoferus Rm

Ground beetles [Carabidae, Coleoptera] appearing in goats rue [Galega orientalis Lam.] cultivation

In 1997 and 1998, insects settling cultures of goats rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) at Mochełek were caught. Amongst ground beetles the dominating species were: Pterostichus melanarius III., Carabus auratus L., Harpalus rufipes De Geer, Harpalus aeneus F., and Bembidion lampros Hbst. and Harpalus frolichi Sturm. were subdominants.W latach 1997 i 1998 odławiano do pułapek Barbera owady zasiedlające uprawy rutwicy wschodniej (Galega orientalis Lam.) w Mochełku. Celem badań było poznanie składu gatunkowego fauny biegaczowatych. W laboratorium segregowano zebrany materiał faunistyczny, oddzielano biegaczowate i charakteryzowano pod względem liczebności odłowu oraz oznaczano gatunki. Spośród biegaczowatych gatunkami dominującymi były: Pterostichus melanarius III., Carabus auratus L., Harpalus rufipes De Geer, Harpalus aeneus F., a do subdominatów należały: Bembidion lampros Hbst. i Harpalus frolichi Sturn