Automatic discrimination between neuroendocrine carcinomas and grade 3 neuroendocrine tumors by deep learning of H&E images.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) arise from diffuse neuroendocrine cells and are categorized as either well-differentiated and less proliferative Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs), divided into low (G1), middle (G2), and high grades (G3), or poorly differentiated, and more proliferative Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (NECs). Low-grade NENs typically necessitate surgical intervention, whereas high-grade ones often require chemotherapy. However, low-grade NENs may exhibit aggressive behavior.

Bridging two oceans: small toothed cetaceans (Odontoceti) from the Late Miocene Chagres Formation, eastern Caribbean (Colon, Panama).

Fossil cetaceans are often found in Miocene marine outcrops across the globe. However, because this record is not homogeneous, the dissimilar increase in occurrences, along with the sampling bias has created regions with extensive records and others with great scarcity. Among these, the Caribbean has remained enigmatic due to the lack of well-preserved cetacean fossils.

Diversity and paleoenvironmental implications of an elasmobranch assemblage from the Oligocene-Miocene boundary of Ecuador.

The occurrence and diversity of elasmobranchs from the Oligocene-Miocene boundary from Tropical America is poorly known in comparison with the paleodiversity from younger Neogene intervals of the region. Here we describe a new elasmobranch assemblage from the rich fossil site of Montañita-Olón (Dos Bocas Formation, Santa Elena, Ecuador), where other vertebrates have already been described: for example, sea turtles and cetaceans. We report a total of 27 elasmobranch taxa, 19 of which are new fossil records for Ecuador, 10 new records for the Central Eastern Pacific and four new records for South America.

Are forest disturbances amplifying or canceling out climate change-induced productivity changes in European forests?

Recent studies projecting future climate change impacts on forests mainly consider either the effects of climate change on productivity or on disturbances. However, productivity and disturbances are intrinsically linked because 1) disturbances directly affect forest productivity (e.g.

Evolutionary Patterns among Living and Fossil Kogiid Sperm Whales: Evidence from the Neogene of Central America.

Kogiids are known by two living species, the pygmy and dwarf sperm whale (Kogia breviceps and K. sima). Both are relatively rare, and as their names suggest, they are closely related to the sperm whale, all being characterized by the presence of a spermaceti organ.

[Environmental response in the Pacific to aseismic Cocos Ridge subduction (Panama and Costa Rica)].

The evolution of the marine communities along the Pacific coast of Central America, may have changed in response to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. To evaluate the effect of the Aseismic Cocos Ridge (DAC) subduction on the marine benthic communities, we reconstructed benthic assemblages from Neogene fossiliferous formations in Burica and Nicoya peninsulas of Panama and Costa Rica. Paleoecological and paleoenvironmental conditions were reconstructed by comparing community structure from bulk fossil samples with dredge collections from modern Tropical American seas, using principal component analysis.

Development of a user-friendly delivery method for the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae to control the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bee, Apis mellifera, colonies.

A user-friendly method to deliver Metarhizium spores to honey bee colonies for control of Varroa mites was developed and tested. Patty blend formulations protected the fungal spores at brood nest temperatures and served as an improved delivery system of the fungus to bee hives. Field trials conducted in 2006 in Texas using freshly harvested spores indicated that patty blend formulations of 10 g of conidia per hive (applied twice) significantly reduced the numbers of mites per adult bee, mites in sealed brood cells, and residual mites at the end of the 47-day experimental period.

Improved outcomes using a systematic and evidence-based approach to the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a single academic institution.

No standardized approach exists for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). At a newly instituted bariatric surgery program, four experienced laparoscopic surgeons used the systematic and evidence-based approach consisting of multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation, screening, and education; standardized operative technique; inpatient clinical pathway; and close postoperative follow-up. The outcomes were subsequently analyzed to determine if this approach improved the morbidity and mortality.

Efficacy of strips coated with Metarhizium anisopliae for control of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) in honey bee colonies in Texas and Florida.

Strips coated with conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschinkoff; Deuteromycetes: Hyphomycetes) to control the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) in colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were compared against the miticide, tau-fluvalinate (Apistan) in field trials in Texas and Florida (USA). Apistan and the fungal treatments resulted in successful control of mite populations in both locations. At the end of the 42-day period of the experiment in Texas, the number of mites per bee was reduced by 69-fold in bee hives treated with Apistan and 25-fold in hives treated with the fungus; however mite infestations increased by 1.

Routine postoperative upper gastroesophageal imaging is unnecessary after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Routine early postoperative upper gastroesophageal imaging (UGI) is often used in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) procedures to confirm anastomotic patency and to exclude leaks. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of this practice. From January 2003 to November 2004, 322 LRYGB cases were performed using linear staplers for the gastrojejunostomy and jejuno-jejunostomy anastomoses.

Gallbladder management during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: routine preoperative screening for gallstones and postoperative prophylactic medical treatment are not necessary.

In the bariatric surgery literature, the optimum approach to the gallbladder is controversial. Recommendations range from concomitant cholecystectomy to selective screening and postoperative medical prophylaxis. At our institution, we have taken a highly selective approach where patients are not routinely screened for gallstones, nor are they medically treated postoperatively with bile salts.

Antecolic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is not associated with higher complication rates.

Since its introduction in 1994, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has rapidly gained popularity for the treatment of morbid obesity. Historically, the operation is performed in a retrocolic fashion; however antecolic LRYGB has been advocated as a safe alternative. We reviewed our experience with both techniques.

Comparing and evaluating process-based ecosystem model predictions of carbon and water fluxes in major European forest biomes.

Process-based models can be classified into: (a) terrestrial biogeochemical models (TBMs), which simulate fluxes of carbon, water and nitrogen coupled within terrestrial ecosystems, and (b) dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs), which further couple these processes interactively with changes in slow ecosystem processes depending on resource competition, establishment, growth and mortality of different vegetation types. In this study, four models - RHESSys, GOTILWA+, LPJ-GUESS and ORCHIDEE - representing both modelling approaches were compared and evaluated against benchmarks provided by eddy-covariance measurements of carbon and water fluxes at 15 forest sites within the EUROFLUX project. Overall, model-measurement agreement varied greatly among sites.

Ecosystem service supply and vulnerability to global change in Europe.

Global change will alter the supply of ecosystem services that are vital for human well-being. To investigate ecosystem service supply during the 21st century, we used a range of ecosystem models and scenarios of climate and land-use change to conduct a Europe-wide assessment. Large changes in climate and land use typically resulted in large changes in ecosystem service supply.

Use of a robotic system as surgical first assistant in advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Background: To date, the use of robotic systems has concentrated on enhancing the dexterity of the individual surgeon performing advanced laparoscopic surgery. Surgical assistants must still be present. We present a clinical experience using a robotic system as a surgical first assistant, enabling the performance of solo surgery in increasingly complex procedures.

Fine roots dynamics in a Mediterranean forest: effects of drought and stem density.

Summer drought is a characteristic trait of Mediterranean climates and can limit primary production. The holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest at the Prades Experimental Complex of Catchments (PECC, NE Spain) was managed by clearcutting until the 1950s.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease: a report of two cases.

This article describes the use of robotic technology in laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass grafting. In two patients with disabling intermittent claudication on the basis of severe aortoiliac occlusive disease, laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass grafting was performed with a proximal end-to-side anastomosis constructed with robotic arms that had been mounted on the operating table and were controlled from a separate console. No complications occurred.