scholarly journals Echoentomography for Assessing Braconid Parasitization on Soft-Bodied Tephritid Hosts

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 980
Author(s):  
Renato Ricciardi ◽  
Rossana Izzetti ◽  
Marco Romanelli ◽  
Davide Caramella ◽  
Andrea Lucchi ◽  
...  

Entomological approaches currently available for assessing host parasitization require dissection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or waiting for adult emergence. The first two methods are relatively fast but destructive, whereas the third one allows the emergence of the parasitoid but it is time consuming. In this framework, new diagnostic imaging tools may contribute to solve the lack of an accurate, rapid, and non-invasive approach to evaluate the parasitization of soft-bodied insects by their endoparasitoids. In this study, ultra-high frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) technology, which is currently used in medical and preclinical fields, was adopted to assess the parasitization of the invasive polyphagous Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), testing 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. Parasitization assays were carried out with the solitary koinobiont endophagous parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae). The efficacy of UHFUS-based echoentomography was compared with the classical method of dissecting the larval host under a stereomicroscope. Our results showed that the UHFUS diagnostic capability was statistically comparable with that of dissection, both on C. capitata 2nd and 3rd larvae. Overall, UHFUS-based echoentomography may be further considered as a fast, non-invasive, and effective approach to evaluate the parasitoid’s ability to successfully oviposit in soft-bodied hosts.

Author(s):  
Izelda Maria Carvalho Costa ◽  
Camille Bresolin Pompeu ◽  
Eduardo Botelho Silva Mauad ◽  
Mariana Carvalho Costa ◽  
Vanessa Guimarães de Freitas Lima ◽  
...  

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonia L Moore ◽  
Elizabeth Marjanovic ◽  
Joanne B Manning ◽  
Graham Dinsdale ◽  
Sarah Wilkinson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A significant proportion of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, 20-40%) will develop subcutaneous calcinotic deposits which are painful and can perforate the skin, causing ulceration. The underlying aetiology is unknown and there is currently no effective treatment. Diagnosis is often made with plain radiography, which is not ideal for long-term monitoring. Identifying non-invasive techniques which do not involve ionising radiation will improve our understanding of calcinosis and how to monitor this over time, facilitating the development of potential treatments. The aim of this study was to assess several non-invasive imaging techniques to measure oxygenation (multispectral imaging), perfusion (thermography [a pseudo measure of perfusion] and laser speckle imaging) and size and depth (high frequency ultrasound) of the calcinoses. The hypothesis of the study was that there would be relationships between oxygenation, perfusion and calcinosis size and depth. Methods Twenty-one patients with SSc (all female, median age 63 (IQR 55 to 70) years; disease duration since onset of first non-Raynaud’s feature 14 (9 to 23) years, Raynaud’s phenomenon duration 23 (12- 36) years; underwent imaging of calcinosis. Measurements of oxygenation, perfusion and vessel size and depth were performed at the site of calcinosis and adjacent skin. Results There was no difference in oxygenation at the site of calcinosis vs adjacent median 0.15 (IQR 0.07 to 0.22) vs. 0.16 (0.00 to 0.21) arbitrary units respectively; non-significant. There was a trend for skin temperature (perfusion) to be lower at the site of the calcinosis compared to the adjacent area (calcinosis, 31.4 (28.4 to 35.6) vs adjacent 32.8 (28.4 to 35.7) oC; p = 0.052. Perfusion as measured by speckle imaging was significantly reduced 107.3 [60.3 to 213.4] vs 312.1 [107.8 to 432.2] arbitrary perfusion units; p < 0.01. The mean depth of the calcinoses was 1.5 (1.11 to 2.07) cm and mean lesion area was 3.06 (2.33 to 4.62) cm2. No relationships were identified between perfusion, oxygenation or calcinosis depth and area. Conclusion Perfusion is reduced at the calcinotic sites, as measured by laser speckle imaging and also (although not significantly) as measured indirectly by thermography. That perfusion was decreased in the area of the calcinosis versus the adjacent skin may be due to the pressure on the skin leading to ischaemia, or it may be that calcinosis develops in areas which are under-perfused. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of imaging calcinosis properties. The ability to measure the depth and subcutaneous area with high frequency ultrasound may provide a useful outcome measure of treatment efficacy. Disclosures T.L. Moore None. E. Marjanovic None. J.B. Manning None. G. Dinsdale None. S. Wilkinson None. M.R. Dickinson None. A.L. Herrick None. A.K. Murray None.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-107
Author(s):  
N A Shanina ◽  
A V Patrushev ◽  
A V Samtsov ◽  
N S Kravtsova

The histological examination method is the «gold standard» in evaluating of age-related skin changes, however in most cases biopsy is an unacceptable option by ethical reasons. An alternative option are non-invasive diagnostic methods, in which the evaluation of changes can be carried out in real time without damaging the skin. Nowadays, such methods as high-frequency ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, laser scanning confocal microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging are used. In addition to the above-mentioned methods, it is necessary to hold a standardized clinical evaluation and determination of the physiological parameters of the skin. The evaluation of age-related skin changes of face zone and neck zone before and after the application of the combined erbium and neodymium laser exposure on the «Fotona» apparatus using the «Fotona 4D» technique has been held. There were 80 examined patients aged from 32 to 66 who, after a comprehensive clinical examination, conducted 2 procedures using the «Fotona 4D» method with an interval of 1 month. There was a significant decrease in the index of evaluation of age-related facial skin changes in the process of correction, which indicates a pronounced clinical effectiveness of the proposed technique (27 points at the screening stage and 12 points at 2 months after correction). There was also a normalization of skin moisture and an improvement in relief, reduction of pore diameter and pigmentation area. Analysis of high-frequency ultrasound data showed a statistically significant increase in skin thickness, mainly due to the dermis.


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