First experience in clinical application of hyperspectral endoscopy for evaluation of colonic polyps

Early detection and resection of adenomatous polyps prevents their progression to colorectal cancer (CRC), significantly improving patient outcomes. Polyps are typically identified and removed during white-light colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the rate of interval cancers that arise between CRC screening events remains high, linked to poor visualization of polyps during screening and incomplete polyp removal. Here, we sought to evaluate the potential of a hyperspectral endoscope (HySE) to enhance polyp discrimination for detection and resection. We designed, built and tested a new compact HySE in a proof-of-concept clinical study. We successfully collected spectra from three tissue types in seven patients undergoing routine colonoscopy screening. The acquired spectral data from normal tissue and polyps, both pre- and post- resection, were subjected to quantitative analysis using spectral angle mapping and machine learning, which discriminated the data by tissue type, meriting further investigation of HySE as a clinical tool.     

Microsatellite based molecular epidemiology of Leishmania infantum from re-emerging foci of visceral leishmaniasis in Armenia and pilot risk assessment by ecological niche modeling

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is re-emerging in Armenia since 1999 with 167 cases recorded until 2019. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine for the first time the genetic diversity and population structure of the causative agent of VL in Armenia; (ii) to compare these genotypes with those from most endemic regions worldwide; (iii) to monitor the diversity of vectors in Armenia; (iv) to predict the distribution of the vectors and VL in time and space by ecological niche modeling.Methodology/Principal findingsHuman samples from different parts of Armenia previously identified by ITS-1-RFLP as L. infantum were studied by Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT). These data were combined with previously typed L. infantum strains from the main global endemic regions for population structure analysis. Within the 23 Armenian L. infantum strains 22 different genotypes were identified. The combined analysis revealed that all strains belong to the worldwide predominating MON1-population, however most closely related to a subpopulation from Southeastern Europe, Maghreb, Middle East and Central Asia. The three observed Armenian clusters grouped within this subpopulation with strains from Greece/Turkey, and from Central Asia, respectively. Ecological niche modeling based on VL cases and collected proven vectors (P. balcanicus, P. kandelakii) identified Yerevan and districts Lori, Tavush, Syunik, Armavir, Ararat bordering Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan as most suitable for the vectors and with the highest risk for VL transmission. Due to climate change the suitable habitat for VL transmission will expand in future all over Armenia.ConclusionsGenetic diversity and population structure of the causative agent of VL in Armenia were addressed for the first time. Further genotyping studies should be performed with samples from infected humans, animals and sand flies from all active foci including the neighboring countries to understand transmission cycles, re-emergence, spread, and epidemiology of VL in Armenia and the entire Transcaucasus enabling epidemiological monitoring.     

HyfF subunit of hydrogenase 4 is crucial for regulating FOF1 dependent proton/potassium fluxes during fermentation of various concentrations of glucose

Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes - Escherichia coli anaerobically ferment glucose and perform proton/potassium exchange at pH 7.5. The role of hyf (hydrogenase 4) subunits (HyfBDF) in...     

Evaluating Ecological Restoration Success: A Review of the Literature

Assessing the success of ecological restoration projects is critical to justify the use of restoration in natural resource management and to improve best practice. Although there are extensive discussions surrounding the characteristics that define and measure successful restoration, monitoring or evaluation of projects in practice is widely thought to have lagged behind. We conducted a literature review to determine trends in evaluations of restoration projects and identify key knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. We searched the Web of Knowledge plus two additional restoration journals not found in the database for empirical papers that assessed restoration projects post‐implementation. We quantified the extent that key attributes of success, including ecological (vegetation structure, species diversity and abundance, and ecosystem functioning) and socioeconomic, were addressed by these papers along with trends in publication and restoration characteristics. Encouragingly, we found the number of empirical evaluations has grown substantially in recent years. The increased age of restoration projects and number of papers that assessed ecological functions since previous reviews of the literature is also a positive development. Research is still heavily skewed toward United States and Australia, however, and identifying an appropriate reference site needs further investigation. Of particular concern is the dearth of papers identified in the literature search that included any measure of socioeconomic attributes. Focusing future empirical research on quantifying ecosystem services and other socioeconomic outcomes is essential for understanding the full benefits and costs of ecological restoration and to support its use in natural resource management .     

First record of mating behaviour and induced parturition of the Brazilian endemic Lutz's stingray Hypanus berthalutzae

The recently described Lutz's stingray Hypanus berthalutzae is endemic to the Brazilian Province, including oceanic islands. Although it is expected to have life-history traits similar to the southern stingray H. americanus, little is known about its reproductive biology. Here we present the first observations of courtship behaviour (n = 4), copulation (n = 3) and an induced parturition of H. berthalutzae at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, an insular Marine Protected Area from the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The mating event records included (1) ‘chasing/close following’, (2) ‘biting/precopulatory biting’, (3) ‘insertion/copulation’ and (4) ‘separation’. These results are especially relevant considering that records of reproductive behaviour in the wild are rare for elasmobranchs in general. Mating events occurred in different months, suggesting that the reproductive cycle of H. berthalutzae in this insular system is asynchronous, as observed for other stingray species in regions with favourable environmental conditions and abundant food throughout the year. The opportunistic documentation of the induced parturition allowed for direct nonlethal observation of the two pups at or near full term in late May. Although preliminary, these observations should be considered in future management plans as they provide relevant data about the life-history traits and mating behaviour of this endemic and threatened species.     

Search for effective substances against parasitic protozoa: An attempt to develop a new screening model

Abstract The effect of various substances on parasitic protozoa was tested on Eucoccidium dinophili , which is a specific parasite in archiannelidium Dinophilus gyrociliatus . Most of the tested substances were toxic for the host, and inactive against Eucoccidium . Seven of the tested substances caused a delay and two of them caused a complete inhibition of the infection.     

Differences in superoxide production by nonmigrating and migrating human monocyte subpopulations

Human peripheral blood monocytes comprise two subpopulations. Whereas one subpopulation migrates to a variety of chemoattractants $\text{in}\text{vitro}$, the remaining subpopulation fails to respond to chemoattractants. The subpopulations were isolated with a chemotaxis separation chamber and their superoxide generation was studied. Superoxide production was continuously monitored during monocyte exposure to phorbol myristate acetate, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and N-formyl-norleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Superoxide production by nonmigrating monocytes was less than 33% of the migrating subpopulations' production. Thus, the subpopulation of monocytes which fails to migrate to chemoattractants also demonstrates defective superoxide production.