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This paper presents a study of the atmospheric refraction and its effect on the light coupling efficiency in an instrument using single-mode optical fibres. We show the analytical approach which allowed us to assess the need to correct the refraction in J and H bands while observing with an 8-m Unit Telescope. We then developed numerical simulations to go further in calculations. The hypotheses on the instrumental characteristics are those of AMBER (Astronomical Multi BEam combineR), the near-infrared focal beam combiner of the Very Large Telescope Interferometric mode, but most of the conclusions can be generalized to other single-mode instruments. We used the software packagecaos to take into account the atmospheric turbulence effect after correction by the European Southern Observatory system Multi-Application Curvature Adaptive Optics. The optomechanical study and design of the system correcting the atmospheric refraction on AMBER is then detailed. We showed that the atmospheric refraction becomes predominant over the atmospheric turbulence for some zenith angles z and spectral conditions: for z larger than 30° in J band for example. The study of the optical system showed that it allows to achieve the required instrumental performance in terms of throughput in J and H bands. First observations in J band of a bright star, α Cir star, at more than 30° from zenith clearly showed the gain to control the atmospheric refraction in a single-mode instrument, and validated the operating law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii and the cosmopolitan vinegar fly D. melanogaster feed on soft fruit and berries and widely overlap in geographic range. The presence of D. melanogaster reduces egg-laying in D. suzukii , possibly because D. melanogaster outcompetes D. suzukii larvae feeding in the same fruit substrate. Flies use pheromones to communicate for mating, but pheromones also serve a role in reproductive isolation between related species. We asked whether a D. melanogaster pheromone also modulates oviposition behaviour in D. suzukii . A dual-choice oviposition assay confirms that D. suzukii lays fewer eggs on blueberries exposed to D. melanogaster flies and further shows that female flies have a stronger effect than male flies. This was corroborated by treating berries with synthetic pheromones. Avoidance of D. suzukii oviposition is mediated by the female D. melanogaster pheromone ( Z )-4-undecenal (Z4-11Al). Significantly fewer eggs were laid on berries treated with synthetic Z4-11Al. In comparison, the male pheromone ( Z )-11-octadecenyl acetate (cVA) had no effect on D. suzukii oviposition. Z4-11Al is a highly volatile compound that is perceived via olfaction and it is accordingly behaviourally active at a distance from the source. D. suzukii is known to engage in mutual niche construction with the yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum , which strongly attracts flies. Adding Z4-11Al to fermenting H. uvarum significantly decreased D. suzukii flight attraction in a laboratory wind tunnel and a field trapping assay. That a D. melanogaster pheromone regulates oviposition in D. suzukii demonstrates that heterospecific pheromone communication contributes to reproductive isolation and resource partitioning in cognate species. Stimulo-deterrent diversion or push-pull methods, building on combined use of attractant and deterrent compounds, have shown promise for control of D. suzukii . A pheromone that specifically reduces D. suzukii attraction and oviposition adds to the toolbox for D. suzukii integrated management., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare malignancy, and the optimal treatment strategy remains unknown. Cases are limited in the literature, and although historically treated with surgical resection, more recent cases have suggested success with chemotherapy. Although Nigro protocol was initially developed for anal SCC, we present a case of rectal SCC successfully treated with the Nigro protocol. Our case supports the use of chemoradiotherapy as initial treatment for rectal SCC over surgery., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article., (© 2022 Greater Baltimore Medical Center.)

Abstract: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a neoplasm that most commonly occurs on sun-damaged skin of the head and neck in elderly patients and that usually exhibits indolent clinical behavior with complete excision. The granular cell variant of AFX demonstrates overlapping histopathologic features with dermal non-neural granular cell tumor (NNGCT), which typically arises on the extremities of young to middle aged adults with rare reports of regional metastasis. A subset of NNGCT harbors ALK rearrangements and expresses ALK by immunohistochemistry. Here, we present 2 cases of granular cell AFX occurring on the scalp of males aged 73 and 87 with ALK expression by immunohistochemistry and no evidence of an ALK rearrangement on fluorescence in situ hybridization, representing a diagnostic pitfall for NNGCT., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A man aged 69 years presented with acute right flank pain secondary to a hemorrhagic large adrenal tumor. En bloc resection was performed to repair the inferior vena cava. Immunoperoxidase levels in the tumor were positive for factor VIII and CD31 and negative for S100, protein Melan-A, CD34, synaptophysin, chromogranin, desmin, muscle specific actin, ETFA (EMA), KRT20 (CK20), CDX2, TTF1, LNPEP (PLAP), inhibin, ?-fetoprotein, CD30, hepatocyte paraffin, and aberrant expression of cytokeratin 7 and pankeratin. The pathological diagnosis was consistent with adrenal angiosarcoma. Obtaining appropriate immunoperoxidase stains and multidisciplinary evaluation helped make the diagnosis of this rare adrenal tumor and determine its management. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and completed 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin/ifosfamide and adequately tolerated the treatment. However, positive surgical margins were found, so he was referred to radiation oncology specialists for possible adjuvant radiotherapy to the surgical bed. Weeks after the first initiation of therapy, the patient presented to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath, fatigue, and generalized weakness for 3 days. He was admitted and found to have new-onset anemia and a new-onset, large, right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis performed showed sanguinolent fluid that, after microscopic evaluation, was suggestive of recurrent malignancy. Thoracic aortography performed with subselective catheterization to several arteries (right bronchial, right phrenic, and right renal arteries) did not show any active bleeding. However, the right inferior intercostal and adrenal arteries were presumed to be the reason for the bleeding event, so they were embolized until stasis. The patient remained hemodynamically unstable but eventually experienced multiorgan failure. In spite of aggressive measures, he died 10 days after admission to the hospital.

Aggressive systemic mastocytosis is a rare hematologic neoplastic disease that presents with a poor prognosis and low survival rate. It typically manifests with symptoms associated to mast cell release of bioactive substances, causing anaphylaxis, flushing, autonomic and hemodynamic instability, gastric distress and headache. Moreover, more than 95% of cases are related to a mutation in codon 816 of the KIT gene, located on human chromosome 4q12 which codes for a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. We present a 78 year-old Hispanic man diagnosed with the aggressive subtype of systemic mastocytosis, who had an atypical manifestation and a KIT negative variant. The diagnosis was confirmed based on pathologic and serologic findings which included mast cell infiltration of the spleen and bone marrow, malignant ascites and an unusually elevated serum tryptase.