Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in Hybrid Wild Boars, China

We conducted a serologic investigation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in hybrid wild boar herds in China during 2008–2009. PRRSV isolates with novel genetic markers were recovered. Experimental infection of pigs indicated that hybrid wild boars are involved in the epidemiology of PRRSV

Evaluation of a computer-aided diagnostic model for corneal diseases by analyzing in vivo confocal microscopy images

ObjectiveIn order to automatically and rapidly recognize the layers of corneal images using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and classify them into normal and abnormal images, a computer-aided diagnostic model was developed and tested based on deep learning to reduce physicians’ workload.MethodsA total of 19,612 corneal images were retrospectively collected from 423 patients who underwent IVCM between January 2021 and August 2022 from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan, China) and Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan, China). Images were then reviewed and categorized by three corneal specialists before training and testing the models, including the layer recognition model (epithelium, bowman’s membrane, stroma, and endothelium) and diagnostic model, to identify the layers of corneal images and distinguish normal images from abnormal images. Totally, 580 database-independent IVCM images were used in a human-machine competition to assess the speed and accuracy of image recognition by 4 ophthalmologists and artificial intelligence (AI). To evaluate the efficacy of the model, 8 trainees were employed to recognize these 580 images both with and without model assistance, and the results of the two evaluations were analyzed to explore the effects of model assistance.ResultsThe accuracy of the model reached 0.914, 0.957, 0.967, and 0.950 for the recognition of 4 layers of epithelium, bowman’s membrane, stroma, and endothelium in the internal test dataset, respectively, and it was 0.961, 0.932, 0.945, and 0.959 for the recognition of normal/abnormal images at each layer, respectively. In the external test dataset, the accuracy of the recognition of corneal layers was 0.960, 0.965, 0.966, and 0.964, respectively, and the accuracy of normal/abnormal image recognition was 0.983, 0.972, 0.940, and 0.982, respectively. In the human-machine competition, the model achieved an accuracy of 0.929, which was similar to that of specialists and higher than that of senior physicians, and the recognition speed was 237 times faster than that of specialists. With model assistance, the accuracy of trainees increased from 0.712 to 0.886.ConclusionA computer-aided diagnostic model was developed for IVCM images based on deep learning, which rapidly recognized the layers of corneal images and classified them as normal and abnormal. This model can increase the efficacy of clinical diagnosis and assist physicians in training and learning for clinical purposes

The complete mitochondrial genome of Hemerobius simulans Walker (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae)

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Hemerobius simulans Walker (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) is reported in this work. The whole mt genome is 17,985 bp long and contains 37canonical genes and an A + T-rich region, which is the same with insect ancestral mt genome arrangement. All 13 PCGs used the typical ATN as initiation codons. The control region of H. simulans mt genome is 1,416 bp long and the base composition is 90.0% of A + T. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Hemerobiidae was monophyletic and was the sister group to Chrysopidae

The complete mitochondrial genome of Micromus paganus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae: Microminae) with phylogenetic analysis

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Micromus paganus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae: Microminae) was assembled and the phylogenetic analysis of Chrysopoidea was conducted. The mt genome was 16,607 bp long including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region (CR). Twelve PCGs started with typical ATN, but COI initiated with TCG. The control region was 1335 bp long and the base composition was 89.66% of A + T. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. paganus was the sister group to Micromus sp. + M. angulatus. Hemerobiinae and Microminae were recovered monophyletic with high support values. However, the monophyly of Drepanepteryginae was not recovered, which needed more samplings from this subfamily in the further study. The closer relationship between Microminae and Drepanepteryginae was supported. Hemerobiidae was demonstrated monophyletic and being the sister group to Chrysopidae

Plasma concentrations of tissue kallikrein in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

Objective: To investigate maternal plasma concentrations of tissue kallikrein (TK) in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Methods: 96 women with singleton pregnancies were categorized into normal, mild preeclampsia and preeclampsia with severe features. Plasma levels of TK were quantified by ELISA and left lateralrecumbencyposition BP measured. Results: Maternal plasma TK concentrations were significantly lower in preeclampsia with severe features compared with mild preeclampsia and normal pregnant. Plasma TK concentrations were negatively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and 24-hour urine protein. Conclusion: Lower maternal plasma TK may be a risk marker that reflects the severity of preeclampsia

Multiplex detection of B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I and C-reactive protein with photonic suspension array.

A novel photonic suspension array has been developed for multiplex immunoassay. The carriers of this array were silica colloidal crystal beads (SCCBs). The codes of these carriers have characteristic reflection peaks originating from their structural periodicity; therefore they do not suffer from fading, bleaching, quenching or chemical instability. In addition, the fluorescence background of SCCBs is negligible because no fluorescence materials or dyes are involved. With a sandwich method, the proposed suspension array was used for simultaneous multiplex detection of heart failure (HF) and coronary heart disease (CAD) biomarkers in one test tube. The results showed that the three biomarkers: cardiac troponin I (cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) could be assayed in the ranges of 0.1-500 ng/ml, 1-500 mg/L and 0.02-50 ng/ml with detection limits of 0.01 ng/ml, 0.36 mg/L and 0.004 ng/ml at 3σ, respectively. There were no significant differences between the photonic suspension array and traditional parallel single-analyte test. This novel method demonstrated acceptable accuracy, high detection sensitivity and reproducibility and excellent storage stability. This technique provides a new strategy for low cost, automated, and simultaneous multiplex immunoassays of bio-markers