scholarly journals Quantitative imagery analysis of spot patterns for the three-haplogroup classification of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), an important vector of Chagas disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl D. Cruz ◽  
Dennis Denis ◽  
Elizabeth Arellano ◽  
Carlos N. Ibarra-Cerdeña

Abstract Background Spots and coloring patterns evaluated quantitatively can be used to discriminate and identify possible cryptic species. Species included in the Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviidae: Triatominae) complex are major disease vectors of Chagas disease. Phylogenetic studies have defined three haplogroups for Mexico and part of Central America. We report here our evaluation of the possibility of correctly discriminating these three T. dimidiata haplogroups using the pattern of the dorsal spots. Methods Digital images of the dorsal region of individuals from the three haplogroups were used. Image processing was used to extract primary and secondary variables characterizing the dorsal spot pattern. Statistical analysis of the variables included descriptive statistics, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests, discriminant function analysis (DFA) and a neural classification network. Results A distinctive spot pattern was found for each haplogroup. The most differentiated pattern was presented by haplogroup 2, which was characterized by its notably larger central spots. Haplogroups 1 and 3 were more similar to each other, but there were consistent differences in the shape and orientation of the spots. Significant differences were found among haplogroups in almost all of the variables analyzed, with the largest differences seen for relative spot area, mean relative area of central spots, central spots Feret diameter and lateral spots Feret diameter and aspect ratio. Both the DFA and the neural network had correct discrimination values of > 90%. Conclusions Based on the results of this analysis, we conclude that the spot pattern can be reliably used to discriminate among the three haplogroups of T. dimidiata in Mexico, and possibly among triatomine species.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl David Cruz Flores ◽  
Dennis Denis Ávila ◽  
Elizabeth Arellano ◽  
Carlos N. Ibarra-Cerdeña

Abstract Background: Spots and coloring patterns evaluated quantitatively can be used to discrimination and identify possible cryptic species. Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviidae: Triatominae) is one of the main complexes of Chagas disease vector species. Phylogenetic studies have defined three haplogroups for Mexico and part of Central America. In this work, we evaluate the possibility of correctly discriminating among these T. dimidiata haplogroups using the pattern of dorsal spots.Methods: Digital images of the dorsal region of individuals from the three haplogroups were used. We used image processing to extract primary and secondary variables characterizing the dorsal spot pattern. The statistical analysis of the variables included descriptive statistics, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA), and a neural classification network.Results: A distinctive spot pattern was found for each haplogroup. The most differentiated pattern was presented by haplogroup 2, mainly apparent in the notably larger central spots. Haplogroups 1 and 3 were more similar to each other, but there were consistent differences in the shape and orientation of the spots. Significant differences were found among haplogroups in almost all the variables analyzed, these differences being greater in relative spot area, mean relative area of central spots, central spots Feret diameters, lateral spots Feret diameters and aspect ratio. Both the DFA and the neural network had correct discrimination values above 90%. Conclusions: We conclude that the spot pattern can be reliably used to discriminate among haplogroups, and possibly among triatomine species.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl David Cruz Flores ◽  
Dennis Denis Ávila ◽  
Elizabeth Arellano ◽  
Carlos N. Ibarra-Cerdeña

Abstract Background: Spots and coloring patterns evaluated quantitatively can be used to discrimination and identify possible cryptic species. Triatoma dimidiata (Reduviidae: Triatominae) is one of the main complexes of Chagas disease vector species. Phylogenetic studies have defined three haplogroups for Mexico and part of Central America. In this work, we evaluate the possibility of correctly discriminating among these T. dimidiata haplogroups using the pattern of dorsal spots.Results: A distinctive spot pattern was found for each haplogroup. The most differentiated pattern was presented by haplogroup 2, mainly apparent in the notably larger central spots. Haplogroups 1 and 3 were more similar to each other, but there were consistent differences in the shape and orientation of the spots. Significant differences were found among haplogroups in almost all the variables analyzed, these differences being greater in relative spot area, mean relative area of central spots, central spots Feret diameters, lateral spots Feret diameters and aspect ratio. Both the DFA and the neural network had correct discrimination values above 90%. Conclusions: We conclude that the spot pattern can be reliably used to discriminate among haplogroups, and possibly among triatomine species.


Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) exists in natural foci, which are areas where TBEV is circulating among its vectors (ticks of different species and genera) and reservoir hosts (usually rodents and small mammals). Based on phylogenetic studies, four TBEV subtypes (Far-Eastern, Siberian, European, Baikalian) and two putative subtypes (Himalayan and “178-79” group) are known. Within each subtype, some genetic lineages are described. The European subtype (TBEV-EU) (formerly known also as the “Western subtype”) of TBEV is prevalent in Europe, but it was also isolated in Western and Eastern Siberia in Russia and South Korea. The Far-Eastern subtype (TBEV-FE) was preferably found in the territory of the far-eastern part of Eurasia, but some strains were isolated in other regions of Eurasia. The Siberian (TBEV-SIB) subtype is the most common and has been found in almost all TBEV habitat areas. The Baikalian subtype is prevalent around Lake Baikal and was isolated several times from ticks and rodents. In addition to the four TBEV subtypes, one single isolate of TBEV (178-79) and two genetic sequences (Himalayan) supposed to be new TBEV subtypes were described in Eastern Siberia and China. The data on TBEV seroprevalence in humans and animals can serve as an indication for the presence or absence of TBEV in studied area.


1991 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1706-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Glick ◽  
Gary M. Hieftje

Artificial neural networks were constructed for the classification of metal alloys based on their elemental constituents. Glow discharge-atomic emission spectra obtained with a photodiode array spectrometer were used in multivariate calibrations for 7 elements in 37 Ni-based alloys (different types) and 15 Fe-based alloys. Subsets of the two major classes formed calibration sets for stepwise multiple linear regression. The remaining samples were used to validate the calibration models. Reference data from the calibration sets were then pooled into a single set to train neural networks with different architectures and different training parameters. After the neural networks learned to discriminate correctly among alloy classes in the training set, their ability to classify samples in the testing set was measured. In general, the neural network approach performed slightly better than the K-nearest neighbor method, but it suffered from a hidden classification mechanism and nonunique solutions. The neural network methodology is discussed and compared with conventional sample-classification techniques, and multivariate calibration of glow discharge spectra is compared with conventional univariate calibration.


1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Mann ◽  
R. Jenkins ◽  
E. Belsey

SYNOPSISOne hundred patients, selected to be representative of those attending general practitioners with non-psychotic psychiatric disorders were followed up for one year. standard assessments of mental state, personality, social stresses and supports were carried out for each patient at the outset and after a year.The outcome for this cohort determined both by the level of psychiatric morbidity at interview after one year and by the pattern of the psychiatric morbidity during the year has been analysed with reference to the assessment measures. Discriminant function analysis indicates that the initial estimate of the severity of the psychiatric morbidity and a rating of the quality of the social life at the time of follow-up are the only factors that significantly predict the psychiatric state after one year. Social measures also predict a pattern of illness charactorized by a rapid recovery after the initial assessemtn. Patients who reported continuous psychiatric morbidity during the year were, older, physically ill and very likely to have recevied psychotropic drugs. Receipt of this medication during the year was associated with initial assessments of abnormality of personality, older age, and a diagnosis of depression.The findings of this study are seen to support a triaxial assessment and classification of non-psychotic psychiatirc disorders, with symptoms, personality and social state being rated independently.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Parra-Henao ◽  
Laura C. Suárez-Escudero ◽  
Sebastián González-Caro

Ecological niche modeling of Triatominae bugs allow us to establish the local risk of transmission of the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi,which causes Chagas disease.This information could help to guide health authority recommendations on infection monitoring, prevention, and control. In this study, we estimated the geographic distribution of triatomine species in Colombia and identified the relationship between landscape structure and climatic factors influencing their occurrence. A total of 2451 records of 4 triatomine species (Panstrongylus geniculatus,Rhodnius pallescens,R. prolixus, andTriatoma maculata) were analyzed.The variables that provided more information to explain the ecologic niche of these vectors were related to precipitation, altitude, and temperature. We found that the species with the broadest potential geographic distribution wereP. geniculatus,R. pallescens, andR. prolixus. In general, the models predicted the highest occurrence probability of these vectors in the eastern slope of the Eastern Cordillera, the southern region of the Magdalena valley, and the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3406
Author(s):  
Robert L. Medcalf ◽  
Charithani B. Keragala

The fibrinolytic system provides an essential means to remove fibrin deposits and blood clots. The actual protease responsible for this is plasmin, formed from its precursor, plasminogen. Fibrin is heralded as it most renowned substrate but for many years plasmin has been known to cleave many other substrates, and to also activate other proteolytic systems. Recent clinical studies have shown that the promotion of plasmin can lead to an immunosuppressed phenotype, in part via its ability to modulate cytokine expression. Almost all immune cells harbor at least one of a dozen plasminogen receptors that allows plasmin formation on the cell surface that in turn modulates immune cell behavior. Similarly, a multitude of pathogens can also express their own plasminogen activators, or contain surface proteins that provide binding sites host plasminogen. Plasmin formed under these circumstances also empowers these pathogens to modulate host immune defense mechanisms. Phylogenetic studies have revealed that the plasminogen activating system predates the appearance of fibrin, indicating that plasmin did not evolve as a fibrinolytic protease but perhaps has its roots as an immune modifying protease. While its fibrin removing capacity became apparent in lower vertebrates these primitive under-appreciated immune modifying functions still remain and are now becoming more recognised.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Schrans ◽  
Pauline Boeckxstaens ◽  
An De Sutter ◽  
Sara Willems ◽  
Dirk Avonts ◽  
...  

BackgroundFamily practice aims to recognize the health problems and needs expressed by the person rather than only focusing on the disease. Documenting person-related information will facilitate both the understanding and delivery of person-focused care.AimTo explore if the patients’ ideas, concerns and expectations (ICE) behind the reason for encounter (RFE) can be coded with the International Classification of Primary Care, version 2 (ICPC-2) and what kinds of codes are missing to be able to do so.MethodsIn total, 613 consultations were observed, and patients’ expressions of ICE were narratively recorded. These descriptions were consequently translated to ICPC codes by two researchers. Descriptions that could not be translated were qualitatively analysed in order to identify gaps in ICPC-2.ResultsIn all, 613 consultations yielded 672 ICE expressions. Within the 123 that could not be coded with ICPC-2, eight categories could be defined: concern about the duration/time frame; concern about the evolution/severity; concern of being contagious or a danger to others; patient has no concern, but others do; expects a confirmation of something; expects a solution for the symptoms without specification of what it should be; expects a specific procedure; and expects that something is not done.DiscussionAlthough many ICE can be registered with ICPC-2, adding eight new categories would capture almost all ICE.


Parasitology ◽  
1926 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-205
Author(s):  
H. A. Baylis

Parasitology has now become a vast subject, and it is impossible for any parasitologist to have a complete knowledge of the classification of all the groups of parasites with which he may be expected, from time to time, to deal. Almost all helminthologists, for example, are obliged to confine their special studies to one of the main groups—one dealing chiefly with Nematodes, another with Trematodes, another with Cestodes, and so on. Even within these large groups many findit impossible to keep in touch with the literature concerning more than one or two special families. But whether the field they attempt to cover be large or small, it is probable that most parasitologists find the name of the host a very valuable clue to the identity of the parasite which they are endeavouring to determine. For some groups more or less comprehensive host-lists have been published from time to time, and authors frequently include such lists even in short memoirs, presumably for the assistance of their fellow-workers. In all probability many workers find it useful to attempt to compile for their own use some kind of host-list.


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