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Many remote sensing‐based evapotranspiration (RSBET) algorithms have been proposed in the past decades and evaluated using flux tower data, mainly over North America and Europe. Model evaluation across South America has been done locally or using only a single algorithm at a time. Here, we provide the first evaluation of multiple RSBET models, at a daily scale, across a wide variety of biomes, climate zones, and land uses in South America. We used meteorological data from 25 flux towers to force four RSBET models: Priestley–Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT‐JPL), Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM), Penman–Monteith Mu model (PM‐MOD), and Penman–Monteith Nagler model (PM‐VI). ET was predicted satisfactorily by all four models, with correlations consistently higher (R2>0.6) for GLEAM and PT‐JPL, and PM‐MOD and PM‐VI presenting overall better responses in terms of percent bias (−10

In the present study, we determined the critical stages and the key factors of mortality for Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Brazilian coffee plantations using a life table to understand the role of natural biological control on its population. Predators, parasitoids, rainfall, sunlight, physiological disturbances and fungal diseases were collectively responsible for 98.79% in the total mortality of P. citri. Predators belonging to the Chrysopidae, Syrphidae, Dolichopodidae and Coccinellidae families were the most important mortality factors in the early developmental stages of P. citri (i.e. eggs and 1st and 2nd instar nymphs), whereas predators belonging to the Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae families were the most important mortality factors for the last instars (i.e. 3rd instars and adults) for P. citri. The generalist predators Harmonia axyridis, Chrysoperla genanigra and Chrysoperla externa were the key mortality factors for P. citri. The third nymph stage was considered the critical life stage (i.e. the life stage that most influences population size). Our results show that generalist predators and climatic factors are important sources of natural mortality of P. citri governing the population dynamics of this pest in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine the diagnostic performance of two patient-side tests (RDT-1: Test-it™ and RDT-2 Witness®Lepto) in the early diagnosis of canine leptospirosis. Methods Retrospective study of 108 dogs with leptospirosis and 53 controls. Leptospirosis was diagnosed based on compatible clinical and clinicopathologic signs and either a single microscopic agglutination test titre_ >800 (n=49), seroconversion (n=53), positive urine real time PCR (RT-PCR) (n=1), evidence of spirochaetes in silver-stained tissues (n=1) or a combination of these (n=4). Leptospirosis was excluded in dogs with a convincing alternative diagnosis and single microscopic agglutination testing titres _<200 (n=46) or lack of seroconversion (n=7). Indices of diagnostic accuracy of the rapid diagnostic tests were calculated by comparing admission rapid diagnostic test results to the final disease status. Results Rapid diagnostic test-1 was performed in 118 dogs, rapid diagnostic test-2 in 69 dogs and both tests in 26 dogs. Weak positive results occurred frequently representing 22·6% (rapid diagnostic test-1) and 32·3% (rapid diagnostic test-2) of all positive tests in dogs with leptospirosis. If weak positive rapid diagnostic tests were considered positive, rapid diagnostic test-1 and rapid diagnostic test-2 had sensitivities of 82 and 76%, specificities of 91 and 100%, positive predictive values of 94% and 100% and negative predictive values of 73% and 74%, respectively. There were some technical problems with rapid diagnostic test-1. Clinical Significance The diagnostic performance of the rapid diagnostic tests is similar to that reported for the microscopic agglutination test. Both can support a diagnosis of leptospirosis with high specificity but leptospirosis cannot be excluded based on a negative admission test result. Both RDTs are useful in conjunction with other confirmatory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting Summary The 24th annual symposium of the International Isotope Society's United Kingdom Group took place at the Møller Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge, UK on Friday 6th November 2015. The meeting was attended by 77 delegates from academia and industry, the life sciences, chemical, radiochemical and scientific instrument suppliers. Delegates were welcomed by Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK, chair of the IIS UK group). The subsequent scientific programme consisted of oral presentations, short 'flash' presentations in association with particular posters and poster presentations. The scientific areas covered included isotopic synthesis, regulatory issues, applications of labelled compounds in imaging, isotopic separation and novel chemistry with potential implications for isotopic synthesis. Both short-lived and long-lived isotopes were represented, as were stable isotopes. The symposium was divided into a morning session chaired by Dr Rebekka Hueting (University of Oxford, UK) and afternoon sessions chaired by Dr Sofia Pascu (University of Bath, UK) and by Dr Alan Dowling (Syngenta, UK). The UK meeting concluded with remarks from Dr Ken Lawrie (GlaxoSmithKline, UK). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on tinea capitis (TC) is a common paediatric dermatophytosis with an increasing incidence worldwide. It mentions clinical history and examination along with trichoscopic images with a non-polarized light videodermoscope and decrease in perifollicular scaling, diffuse scaling, comma hairs and black dots was additionally noted. It also mentions trichoscopy is also useful for monitoring response to treatment.

The complete genome of a novel bipartite begomovirus (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) was cloned from a severely diseased yellow Peruvian chili pepper ( Capsicum baccatum cv. Pendulum) plant collected in the department of La Libertad, Northern Peru and full-length sequenced. The two genomic components share a common region of 156 nucleotides with a 100% sequence identity. Analysis of the genome organisation and phylogenetic comparisons revealed that the virus is a typical New World begomovirus. The closest related begomovirus, an isolate of Tomato yellow vein streak virus ( ToYVSV), shared only 76.8% nucleotide sequence identity for the DNA-A component. Therefore, following species demarcation criteria of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, this virus isolate belongs to a new begomovirus species for which the name pepper leafroll virus ( PepLRV) is proposed. Pepper plants infected with the cloned PepLRV isolate developed leaf roll symptoms similar to those observed in field-infected plants suggesting this virus as the causal agent of the disease syndrome observed in the field. Widespread occurrence of PepLRV throughout Peru was demonstrated, infecting plants of diverse cultivated species such as tomato, pepper, common and pallar beans, and of the weed species Nicandra physaloides. Low genetic diversity was observed among PepLRV isolates present in this country with no evident geographical or temporal structure of the population, typical of a recent founder effect. This is the first report of a begomovirus infecting pepper and bean crops in Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyse mastication and the sense of taste in 39 patients submitted to cancer treatment in different areas of the body and to compare these variables with those of 44 control individuals within the same age range. The following aspects were assessed: dental status ( DMFT); stimulated and non-stimulated salivary flow; sense of taste (salty, sweet, bitter and sour); and masticatory performance ( MP), through the calculation of X50. Logistic regression models were established to test the association between the independent variables and cancer treatment. Cancer patients had lesser stimulated salivary flow, a smaller number of teeth and occlusal units, worse MP, higher salty, sweet and sour taste scores and a lower bitter taste score ( P < 0·05). A significant positive correlation was found between MP and the DMFT index in both groups ( P < 0·05), meaning that a lower DMFT index value denoted a smaller X50 value (better masticatory performance). The logistic regression model revealed that patients who had undergone cancer treatment had a greater probability of exhibiting a smaller number of teeth, higher salty and smaller bitter taste scores ( P < 0·05). It was concluded that patients who were submitted to cancer treatment presented oral physiology alterations when compared with control subjects at the same age range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten types of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) have been described and there are reports of viral transmission via blood. The presence of viral DNA in lymphocytes was described to be associated with chromosome instability in these cells. This study presents an evaluation of chromosome instability in short-term peripheral lymphocyte cultures from cows presenting skin papillomatosis, compared with asymptomatic infected animals and non-infected healthy bovines. In a total of 2203 cells, 918 (42%) showed at least one chromosome aberration: 42.7 (±7.8) in animals with papillomatosis (BPV + W), 40.2 (±11) in asymptomatic animals (BPV − W) and 4 (±2) in control animals. Significant differences were found between the infected group (with or without symptoms) and the control group ( P < 0.0001). The increased frequencies of chromosome aberrations suggest an interaction between the virus and host cell chromatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial feedstuffs are a basic element in modern pet husbandry in the world. In dogs, the effect of mycotoxins is severe and can lead to death. Few reports on the influence of dietary mycotoxins were found in the scientific literature. The aims of this work were to isolate and identify the mycoflora and to determine the aflatoxins (AFs) natural occurrence in raw materials and ready dry pet food. Therefore, the aflatoxigenic capacity of Aspergillus flavus species was investigated . Aspergillus was the prevalent genera (65–89%) followed by Penicillium and Fusarium spp. Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent species, followed by Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus versicolor. Aspergillus flavus frequencies ranged from 58% to 86% except in sorghum meal. All samples assayed (except corn grains and ready pet food) showed Fusarium spp. contamination. Corn meal and corn meal and gluten samples had 100% Fusarium verticillioides. Fusarium graminearum was isolated from sorghum meal. Aspergillus flavus strains (75%) isolated from raw materials and 57% from pet food were able to produce AFs. All samples showed AFs contamination percentages over 70%; corn and sorghum meal obtained the highest AFs levels. Ready pet food did not show quantitative levels of the tested toxins. This is the first report of the aflatoxigenic capacity by A. flavus from Brazilian pet food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with aspects of the production and use of soybeans in Brazil, and the contribution by the Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos, ITAL, to the research and development of popular institutionalized products, based on soybeans. Two programs for food supplementation, one on a national level, and the other on a regional level, are described. All the products utilized contain soybeans as a protein source, and are directed at 6-to-14-yr-olds. The paper also describes products that the food industry has commercialized for the official institutional programs, industrial and hospital restaurants. The report also shows the results of a campaign to increase the use of soybeans by the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor for an article "Erythrodermic psoriasis induced by bupropion" published in the previous issue is presented.

Highlights from the article: To evaluate the ultrasound accuracy in Granulosa Cell Tumors (GCT) diagnosis and describe the epidemiological and clinical features. All the GCT tumors were adult-type except one, a juvenile-type with difuse pattern. The rarity of this tumor difficults ultrasound suspicion and turns it into a challenge.

Preliminary studies showed that lufenuron inhibits chitin synthesis, a dermatophyte cell wall constituent, and may be effective in the treatment of dermatophytosis. Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of lufenuron in the treatment of feline dermatophytosis. Forty-six cats (Persians and mixed-breed cats from 1-month to 4-years old) naturally infected with Microsporum canis were included in this study. Fifteen cats were treated isolated in cages in the veterinary hospital and 31 were treated in their home environment (some with access to the outdoors). Dermatophyte skin lesions were seen in 29 animals while 17 other cats were asymptomatic carriers. Wood's lamp, direct microscopic examination of hairs, fungal culture and skin biopsies were used for the diagnosis. Affected cats and all in-contact animals received lufenuron at a dose of 120 mg/kg every 21 days for four treatments. Of the 29 symptomatic cats treated with lufenuron, 70% recovered within 21 days and 28% within 42 days of initiation of therapy. One cat had only partial recovery and another was euthanized. Negative fungal culture was recorded only after the fourth dose of lufenuron in 98% of affected cats and 100% of asymptomatic carriers. There was no difference in clinical response to lufenuron between the cats treated in their home environment and those treated in the veterinary hospital. Side effects were not observed, thus the drug proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of dermatophytosis. Funding: Novartis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular malformations (VM) are congenital, benign, and relatively frequent lesions. Scant data have been published about the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of VM from a dermatologist's perspective. The substantial differences between subtypes, broad range of specialists consulted and confusing nomenclature used over previous years may hamper a correct diagnosis. The main objective of this study is to describe VM epidemiology. As a secondary endpoint we evaluate clinical characteristics, clinical-radiological correlation and treatment approaches. We carried out an observational, descriptive, retrospective study. Cases presented to the multidisciplinary committee of our hospital from 2009 to 2019 were retrieved. Electronic medical records, monthly committee reports and the iconographic archive were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Overall, venous malformations (VeM) are the most frequent VM, followed by capillary malformations (CM), arterioVeM and lymphatic malformations (LM). Considering only patients under 16, CMs are the most frequent ones. Capillary and LMs are larger than venous or arteriovenous. While CMs are usually asymptomatic, symptomatic cases are threefold more frequent in the other subtypes. Decisions on active or conservative management depend on VM size but not location or patient age. CMs are mainly treated with laser therapy; venous with sclerotherapy or surgery; arteriovenous with surgery and lymphatic with surgery or sirolimus. Dermatologists play an important role in VM diagnosis and management. Our 10-year multidisciplinary experience should contribute to the literature and represent a practical resource for clinicians and researchers., (© 2021 The Authors. Dermatologic Therapy published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)