scholarly journals FreeClimber: Automated quantification of climbing performance in Drosophila

2020 ◽  
pp. jeb.229377
Author(s):  
Adam N. Spierer ◽  
Denise Yoon ◽  
Chen-Tseh Zhu ◽  
David M. Rand
Keyword(s):  
Software Requirements ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Command Line Interface ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Linear Portion ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
Automated Quantification ◽  
Nuclear Background ◽  
Manual Methods

Negative geotaxis (climbing) performance is a useful metric for quantifying Drosophila health. Manual methods to quantify climbing performance are tedious and often biased, while many available computational methods have challenging hardware or software requirements. We present an alternative: FreeClimber. This open source, Python-based platform subtracts a video's static background to improve detection for flies moving across heterogeneous backgrounds. FreeClimber calculates a cohort's velocity as the slope of the most linear portion of a mean-vertical position vs. time curve. It can run from a graphical user interface for optimization or a command line interface for high-throughput and automated batch processing, improving accessibility for users with different expertise. FreeClimber outputs calculated slopes, spot locations for follow up analyses (e.g. tracking), and several visualizations and plots. We demonstrate FreeClimber's utility in a longitudinal study for endurance exercise performance in Drosophila mitonuclear genotypes using six distinct mitochondrial haplotypes paired with a common w1118 nuclear background.

scholarly journals FreeClimber: Automated quantification of climbing performance in Drosophila, with examples from mitonuclear genotypes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam N. Spierer ◽  
Denise Yoon ◽  
Chen-Tseh Zhu ◽  
David M. Rand
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Command Line ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
Spot Detection ◽  
Automated Quantification ◽  
Systematic Biases ◽  
Summary Statement ◽  
Manual Methods

AbstractNegative geotaxis (climbing) performance is a useful metric for quantifying Drosophila health and vigor. Manual methods to quantify climbing performance are slow, tedious, and may be systematically biased, while available computational methods have inflexible hardware or software requirements. We present an alternative: FreeClimber. This open source, Python-based pipeline subtracts a video’s static background to improve spot detection for moving flies in heterogeneous backgrounds. FreeClimber calculates a cohort’s velocity as the slope of the most linear portion of a mean-vertical position vs. time plot. It can run from a graphical user interface for parameter optimization or a command line interface for high-throughput and automated batch processing. It outputs calculated slopes, spot locations for follow up analyses such as tracking, and several visualizations and diagnostic plots. We demonstrate FreeClimber’s utility in a longitudinal study for endurance exercise performance in Drosophila using six distinct mitochondrial haplotypes paired with a common w1118 nuclear background.Summary statementFreeClimber quantifies the climbing velocity for a group of flies, eliminating systematic biases associated with traditional manual methods in a high throughput and automated (graphical and/or command line-based) platform.

Safety_and_Pharmacokinetics_of_Dapivirine_Delivery.7

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lungwani Muungo
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Vaginal Fluid ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Vaginal Microbicides ◽  
Intravaginal Rings ◽  
Lower Genital Tract ◽  
The Matrix

Vaginal microbicides for the prevention of HIV transmission maybe an important option for protecting women from infection.Incorporation of dapivirine, a lead candidate nonnucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitor, into intravaginal rings (IVRs) for sustainedmucosal delivery may increase microbicide product adherence andefficacy compared with conventional vaginal formulations. Twentyfourhealthy HIV-negative women 18–35 years of age were randomlyassigned (1:1:1) to dapivirine matrix IVR, dapivirine reservoir IVR,or placebo IVR. Dapivirine concentrations were measured in plasmaand vaginal fluid samples collected at sequential time points over the33-day study period (28 days of IVR use, 5 days of follow-up). Safetywas assessed by pelvic/colposcopic examinations, clinical laboratorytests, and adverse events. Both IVR types were safe and well toleratedwith similar adverse events observed in the placebo and dapivirinegroups. Dapivirine from both IVR types was successfully distributedthroughout the lower genital tract at concentrations over 4 logs greaterthan the EC50 against wild-type HIV-1 (LAI) in MT4 cells. Maximumconcentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve(AUC) values were significantly higher with the matrix than reservoirIVR. Mean plasma concentrations of dapivirine were ,2 ng/mL.These findings suggest that IVR delivery of microbicides is a viableoption meriting further study.Key Words: dapivirine, HIV, intravaginal ring, microbicide,pharmacokinetics, prevention

scholarly journals Modified Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure: Suture-Button Fixation Achieves Excellent Remodeling at 3-Year Follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Xu ◽  
Haifeng Liu ◽  
Wei Lu ◽  
Zhenhan Deng ◽  
Weimin Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humeral Head ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Concentric Circle ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Latarjet Procedure ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Suture Button ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Best Fit

Background: Some studies have advocated the use of suture-button fixation during the Latarjet procedure to reduce complications associated with screw fixation. However, the sample size of these studies is relatively small, and their follow-up period is short. Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of the suture-button Latarjet procedure with at least 3 years of follow-up and remodeling of the coracoid graft. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 152 patients who underwent the suture-button Latarjet procedure between February 2013 and February 2016 were selected, and 128 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and postoperative clinical results were assessed. The position and healing condition of the coracoid graft and arthropathy of the glenoid and humeral head were also assessed using radiography and 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT). Results: The mean follow-up time was 40.3 ± 5.8 months. There were 102 patients included in this study. The mean visual analog scale score for pain during motion, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, the Rowe score, and the Walch-Duplay score were improved considerably. A total of 100 grafts achieved bone union. The overall absorption rate was 12.6% ± 4.3%. Graft absorption mostly occurred on the edge and outside the “best-fit” circle of the glenoid. A vertical position was achieved in 98 grafts (96% of all cases) immediately postoperatively, with the mean graft midline center at the 4 o’clock position. In the axial view, CT showed that 89 grafts were flush to the glenoid, whereas 2 and 11 grafts were fixed medially and laterally, respectively. In all cases, the bone graft and glenoid tended to extend toward each other to form concentric circles during the remodeling process. During follow-up observations, the height of the 11 grafts that were positioned laterally (ie, above the glenoid level) exhibited a wave-curved change. No arthropathy was observed in any patient. Conclusion: Patient outcomes were satisfactory after the modified arthroscopic suture-button Latarjet technique. Graft absorption mostly occurred on the edge and outside the “best-fit” circle of the glenoid. The graft exhibited the phenomenon of ectatic growing when it fused with the glenoid and finally remodeled to a new concentric circle with the humeral head analogous to the original glenoid. Grafts positioned laterally did not cause arthropathy of the joints within the period of the study.

scholarly journals Automated Quantification of Coronary Plaque Volume From CT Angiography Improves CV Risk Prediction at Long-Term Follow-Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Deseive ◽  
Ramona Straub ◽  
Maximilian Kupke ◽  
Jonathan Nadjiri ◽  
Alexander Broersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Angiography ◽  
Risk Prediction ◽  
Coronary Plaque ◽  
Plaque Volume ◽  
Automated Quantification ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Coronary Plaque Volume

scholarly journals Population Pharmacokinetics, Tolerability, and Safety of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine-Piperaquine in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Papua New Guinean Women

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 4260-4271 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Benjamin ◽  
Brioni R. Moore ◽  
Sam Salman ◽  
Madhu Page-Sharp ◽  
Somoyang Tawat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Drug Disposition ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Obstetric Outcomes ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Papua New Guinean

ABSTRACTThe tolerability, safety, and disposition of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and piperaquine (PQ) were assessed in 32 pregnant (second/third trimester) and 33 nonpregnant Papua New Guinean women randomized to adult treatment courses of DHA-PQ (three daily doses) or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP)-PQ (three daily PQ doses, single dose of SP). All dose adminstrations were observed, and subjects fasted for 2 h postdose. Plasma PQ was assayed by using high-performance liquid chromatography, and DHA was assessed by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compartmental pharmacokinetic models were developed using a population-based approach. Both regimens were well tolerated. There was an expected increase in the rate-corrected electrocardiographic QT interval which was independent of pregnancy and treatment. Two pregnant and two nonpregnant women hadPlasmodium falciparumparasitemia which cleared within 48 h, and no other subject became slide positive for malaria during 42 days of follow-up. Of 30 pregnant women followed to delivery, 27 (90%) delivered healthy babies and 3 (10%) had stillbirths; these obstetric outcomes are consistent with those in the general population. The area under the plasma PQ concentration-time curve (AUC0–∞) was lower in the pregnant patients (median [interquartile range], 23,721 μg · h/liter [21,481 to 27,951 μg · h/liter] versus 35,644 μg · h/liter [29,546 to 39,541 μg · h/liter];P< 0.001) in association with a greater clearance relative to bioavailability (73.5 liters/h [69.4 to 78.4] versus 53.8 liters/h [49.7 to 58.2];P< 0.001), but pregnancy did not influence the pharmacokinetics of DHA. The apparent pharmacokinetic differences between the present study and results from other studies of women with uncomplicated malaria that showed no effect of pregnancy on the AUC0–∞of PQ and greater bioavailability may reflect differences in postdose fat intake, proportions of women with malaria, and/or racial differences in drug disposition.

scholarly journals Five Degree Internal Conical Connection and Marginal Bone Stability around Subcrestal Implants: A Retrospective Analysis

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3123
Author(s):  
Diego Lops ◽  
Michele Stocchero ◽  
Jason Motta Jones ◽  
Alessandro Freni ◽  
Antonino Palazzolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Conical Connection ◽  
Bone Level ◽  
Platform Switching ◽  
Marginal Bone Level

Background: There is limited information on the effect of the connection between subcrestally placed implants and abutments on marginal bone levels. The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate marginal bone levels after definitive prosthesis delivery around implants with an internal 5° conical connection placed in a subcrestal position. Materials and methods: Patients treated with fixed prostheses supported by implants placed at a subcrestal level between 2012 and 2018 were recalled for a follow-up examination. All implants had 5° internal conical connection with platform switching. Radiographic marginal bone level (MBL) was measured. MBL change between prosthetic delivery (t0) and follow-up examination (t1) was calculated. A multiple regression model was performed to identify the most significant predictors on MBL change. Results: Ninety-three patients and 410 implants, with a mean follow-up of 2.72 ± 1.31 years, were examined. Mean MBL was −1.09 ± 0.65 mm and −1.00 ± 0.37 mm at t0 and t1, respectively, with a mean bone remodeling of 0.09 ± 0.68 mm. An implant’s vertical position in relation to the bone crest, the year of follow up and the presence of type-2 controlled diabetes were demonstrated to be influencing factors for MBL modifications. Conclusions: Subcrestally placed implants with platform switching and internal conical connection maintained stable bone levels over a mean follow-up of more than 2 years. How a tight internal conical connection between abutment and implant may contribute to this clinical evidence should be more deeply investigated. MBL variations seem to be mostly influenced by an implant’s vertical position and presence of type-2 controlled diabetes.

scholarly journals Real-World Comparison of Human and Software Image Assessment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients’ Qualification for Reperfusion Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3383
Author(s):  
Bartlomiej Lasocha ◽  
Roman Pulyk ◽  
Pawel Brzegowy ◽  
Pawel Latacz ◽  
Agnieszka Slowik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Ct Perfusion ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
Computer Algorithms ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Volume Measurements ◽  
Manual Methods ◽  
Rapid Processing ◽  
Image Assessment

Our aim was to compare human and computer accuracy in reading medical images of acute stroke patients. We analyzed data of patients who underwent assessment of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and CT Perfusion (CTP) via Rapid Processing of Perfusion and Diffusion (RAPID) software RAPID ASPECTS, and RAPID CTP), compared to radiologist reports and manual measurements. We compared volumes calculated by RAPID CTP software with those selected by scanner-equipped software (GE). For reference, follow-up images were manually assessed in accordance with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) territories retrospectively. Although exact ASPECTS score agreement between the automatic and manual methods, and between each method and follow-up, was poor, crossing of the threshold for reperfusion therapy was characterized by an 80% match. CT perfusion analyses yielded only slight agreement (kappa = 0.193) in the qualification of patients for therapy. Either automatic or manual scoring methods of non-contrast images imply similar clinical decisions in real-world circumstances. However, volume measurements performed by fully automatic and manually assisted systems are not comparable. Thresholds devised and validated for computer algorithms are not compatible with measurements performed manually using other software and should not be applied to setups other than those with which they were developed.

Factors Affecting Self-Eruption of Displaced Permanent Maxillary Canines

Medicina ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Dalia Smailienė ◽  
Antanas Šidlauskas ◽  
Kristina Lopatienė ◽  
Vesta Guzevičienė ◽  
Gintaras Juodžbalys
Keyword(s):  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Dental Arch ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
One Year ◽  
Unerupted Teeth ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of the spontaneous eruption of displaced unerupted maxillary canines after the extraction of the deciduous canine and dental arch expansion and to determine the impact of initial canine position on treatment success rate. Materials and Methods. The study sample included 50 patients (mean age, 13.5 years [SD, 2.2]) with unilaterally displaced unerupted maxillary canines. Deciduous canines were extracted, and the space for displaced canine was created at the beginning of the study. The follow-up period for the spontaneous eruption was 12 months. The initial vertical, horizontal, labio-palatal position and angle of inclination to the midline of the displaced canine were assessed on panoramic radiographs. Results. Only 42% of displaced canines erupted spontaneously within one-year period (52.9% of labially displaced canines and 36.4% of palatally displaced canines). A significant difference of inclination was determined between spontaneously erupted and unerupted teeth in the labially displaced canine group (P<0.01), with no difference in the palatally displaced canine group. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the critical angle of inclination for the spontaneous eruption of the retained canine was 20º (sensitivity 0.759; specificity 0.571; P<0.05). The majority of unerupted canines (75.9%) were inclined more than 20º. The initial height of canine was crucial for spontaneous eruption (sensitivity 0.966; specificity 0.81; P<0.001). This was true for both palatal and labial cases. Conclusions. The initial vertical position of the labially and palatally displaced canines and the inclination of the labially displaced canines were the most important predictors for spontaneous eruption of the cuspid.

scholarly journals Competition between mitochondrial haplotypes in distinct nuclear genetic environments: Drosophila pseudoobscura vs. D. persimilis.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 537-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Hutter ◽  
D M Rand
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Background ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Drosophila Pseudoobscura ◽  
Mitochondrial Genomes ◽  
Fitness Components ◽  
Viability Selection ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
Mtdna Haplotypes ◽  
Nuclear Background ◽  
Discrete Generation

Abstract A test for coadaptation of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes was performed using the sibling species, Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis. Two lines of flies with "disrupted" cytonuclear genotypes were constructed by repeated backcrossing of males from one species to females carrying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the other species. Each "disrupted" strain was competed in population cages with the original stock of each species from which the recurrent males were obtained during the backcrossing. As such, the two species' mitochondrial types were competed reciprocally in the nuclear genetic environments of each species. The trajectories of mtDNA haplotypes were followed in discrete-generation population cages using a PCR-four-cutter approach. A significant increase in the frequency of D. pseudoobscura mtDNA was observed in each of four replicate cages with a D. pseudoobscura nuclear background. In the D. persimilis nuclear background, one cage actually showed an increase in frequency of D. pseudoobscura mtDNA, although together the four replicate cages show little change in frequency. These results were repeated after frequency perturbations and reinitiation of each cage. An analysis of fitness components revealed that fertility selection greatly outweighed viability selection in these cytonuclear competition experiments. The asymmetry of the fitnesses of the mtDNA haplotypes on the two genetic backgrounds is consistent in direction with the previously reported asymmetry of female fertility in backcrosses between these two species. While our experiments do not allow us to identify mtDNA as the sole source of fitness variation, at a minimum the data indicate a fitness association between nuclear fertility factors and the D. pseudoobscura mtDNA on its own genetic background.

scholarly journals Mother’s curse is pervasive across a large mito-nuclear Drosophila panel

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorcan Carnegie ◽  
Max Reuter ◽  
Kevin Fowler ◽  
Nick Lane ◽  
M. Florencia Camus
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Maternal Inheritance ◽  
Mitochondrial Genomes ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Mitochondrial Mutation ◽  
Systematic Testing ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
Nuclear Background ◽  
Male Specific

AbstractThe maternal inheritance of mitochondrial genomes entails a sex-specific selective sieve, whereby mutations in mitochondrial DNA can only respond to selection acting directly on females. In theory, this enables male-harming mutations to accumulate in mitochondrial genomes if they are neutral, beneficial, or only slightly deleterious to females. Ultimately, this bias could drive the evolution of male-specific mitochondrial mutation loads, an idea known as mother’s curse. Earlier work on this hypothesis has mainly used small Drosophila panels, in which naturally-sourced mitochondrial genomes were coupled to an isogenic nuclear background. However, the lack of nuclear genetic variation has precluded robust generalization. Here we test the predictions of mother’s curse using a large Drosophila mito-nuclear genetic panel, comprising 9 isogenic nuclear genomes coupled to 9 mitochondrial haplotypes, giving a total of 81 different mito-nuclear genotypes. This enables systematic testing of both mito-nuclear interactions and mitochondrial genetic variance. Following a predictive framework, we performed a screen for wing centroid size, as this trait is highly sexually dimorphic and depends on metabolic function. We confirmed that the trait is sexually dimorphic, and show high levels of mito-nuclear epistasis. Importantly, we report that mitochondrial genetic variance has a greater impact on male versus female Drosophila, in 8 out of the 9 nuclear genetic backgrounds. These results demonstrate that the maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA does indeed modulate male life-history traits in a more generalisable way than previously envisaged.

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