Wingtip folds and ripples on saturniid moths create decoy echoes against bat biosonar

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Effect of combination of high-intensity ultrasound treatment and dextran glycosylation on structural and interfacial properties of buckwheat protein isolates

This study investigated the effects of high-intensity ultrasound and glycosylation on the structural and interfacial properties of the Maillard reaction conjugates of buckwheat protein isolate (BPI). The covalent attachment of dextran to BPI was confirmed by examination of the Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Emulsifying properties of the conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment were improved as compared to those obtained by classical heating. Structural feature analyses suggested that conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment had less α-helix and more random coil, higher surface hydrophobicity and less compact tertiary structure as compared to those obtained by classical heating. The surface activity measurement revealed that the BPI–dextran conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment were closely packed and that each molecule occupied a small area of the interface. Combination of ultrasonic treatment and glycosylation was proved to be an efficient way to develop new stabilizers and thickening agents for food in this study.     

Outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided pancreatic FNAC diagnosis for solid and cystic lesions at Manchester Royal Infirmary based upon the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology pancreaticobiliary terminology classification scheme

Objective

To compare endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐FNAC diagnosis of pancreatic lesions with patient outcome based upon the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology pancreaticobiliary terminology classification scheme diagnostic categories: Panc 1 (non‐diagnostic); Panc 2 (negative for malignancy/neoplasia); Panc 3 (atypical); Panc 4B (neoplastic, benign); Panc 4O (neoplastic, other); Panc 5 (suspicious of malignancy); and Panc 6 (positive/malignant).

Methods

All EUS‐FNA pancreas specimens taken at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2015 were prospectively classified according to the above scheme at the time of cytology reporting and data recorded prospectively. Subsequently, outcomes based on clinical follow‐up or histopathology diagnosis were compared with the cytology diagnosis.

Results

120 EUS‐FNA pancreas specimens from 111 patients were received, of which 112 (93.3%) specimens had follow‐up data. There were 79 and 41 EUS‐FNA pancreas specimens from solid and cystic lesions, respectively. Based on the cytology diagnosis the specimens were classified as Panc 1 (7.5%), Panc 2 (33.3%), Panc 3 (2.5%), Panc 4B (2.5%), Panc 4O (15.0%), Panc 5 (3.3%) and Panc 6 (35.9%). The performance indicators for diagnosis of malignancy or neoplasia with malignant potential, included sensitivity (95.4%), specificity (100%), positive predictive value (100%), negative predictive value (92.3%), false positive rate (0%) and false negative rate (4.6%).

Conclusions

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology pancreaticobiliary terminology classification scheme is a logical system that can easily be introduced in a diagnostic cytopathology service. This classification scheme acts as an aid to diagnostic reporting, clear communication of significant results including risk of neoplasia/malignancy to clinicians, clinical audit and comparison of results with other centres.     

血流剪切力对支架内新生动脉粥样硬化形成的影响

目的:探讨血流剪切力对支架内新生粥样硬化斑块形成的影响。方法:在6只新西兰白兔右髂动脉植入金属裸支架,术后高脂喂养8周。将支架按长度均等分为近中远3段,应用多普勒超声测量各支架段血管的血流速度和血管内径,根据Poiseuille定律计算出术后即刻及术后8周时各支架段的平均血流剪切力。应用光学相干断层成像技术(optical coherence tomography,OCT)检测术后8周支架内新生内膜的生长情况及特性。结果:成功建立支架内斑块动物模型。术后即刻近中远支架段的血流剪切力分别为4.25±0.92,2.49±1.07,1.67±0.49Pa(P0.05);术后8周近中远支架段血流剪切力分别为20.40±6.07,11.09±1.74,7.97±0.26Pa(P0.05),均较术后即刻明显升高(P0.001);术后8周近中远支架段的内膜异质性发生率分别为86.67%,53.33%,41.12%(P0.05);术后8周近中远支架段OCT检测的富含脂质斑块的发生率分别为53.3%,20%,0%(P0.05)。结论:支架内新生粥样硬化斑块的发生可能与较高的血流剪切力相关。     

低频超声治疗动脉粥样硬化性大脑中动脉狭窄急性脑梗死患者的疗效及对炎症指标的影响分析

目的:探讨低频超声治疗动脉粥样硬化性大脑中动脉(MCA)狭窄急性脑梗死(ACI)患者的临床疗效及对炎症指标的影响。方法:选取2015年10月至2018年5月华中科技大学同济医学院附属荆州医院收治的动脉粥样硬化性MCA狭窄ACI患者82例,按随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组各41例。对照组行常规治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上行低频超声治疗,对所有患者治疗前及治疗14 d后的神经功能进行评分,低频超声检测MCA狭窄段峰值血流速度(Vs)、微栓子信号(MES)阳性率,比较治疗前、治疗7 d后、14 d后两组患者血清高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平。结果:治疗14 d后两组的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分下降,且观察组较对照组NIHSS评分更低(P0.05);治疗14 d后观察组MCA狭窄段Vs低于治疗前(P0.05),而对照组与治疗前比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗7 d后、14 d后观察组MES阳性率均低于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗7 d后、14 d后hs-CRP水平低于治疗前,且治疗14 d后低于治疗7 d后(P0.05);而观察组治疗7 d后、14 d后hs-CRP水平低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:低频超声治疗动脉粥样硬化性MCA狭窄ACI患者疗效显著,可改善神经功能与炎症反应,减缓Vs,提高动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性。     

Disruption of the odour-mediated mating behaviour of Plodia interpunctella using high-frequency sound

Abstract Indian meal moths, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), have ears which are sensitive to high‐frequency calls produced by echolocating, insectivorous bats. The influence of artificially generated, high‐intensity, ultrasound signals (25 kHz, 106 dB SPL at 1 m distance) on different parameters involved in the odour‐mediated mating behaviour of this species and its potential use in population control was investigated. All moths flying towards olfactory cues in flight tunnel experiments reacted strongly to a 1 s ultrasound pulse by cessation of flight and falling out of the odour plume. The source contact proportion of both male moths orienting towards the female‐produced sex pheromone and of mated female moths orienting towards an oviposition cue was reduced by 40%, compared to unexposed moths. Calling females responded to the sound by retraction of the ovipositor or by falling to the ground. Long‐term exposure to repetitive pulses of ultrasound suppressed female calling by up to 27%. Furthermore, mating in plastic tents was disrupted by up to 58% in ultrasound‐treated tents using different sound regimens, compared to control tents. The results are discussed in relation to the potential use of ultrasound technology for the population control of pyralid stored product pests.