The application of deep learning to image and video processing has become increasingly popular nowadays. Employing well-known pre-trained neural networks for detecting and classifying objects in ...images is beneficial in a wide range of application fields. However, diverse impediments may degrade the performance achieved by those neural networks. Particularly, Gaussian noise and brightness, among others, may be presented on images as sensor noise due to the limitations of image acquisition devices. In this work, we study the effect of the most representative noise types and brightness alterations on images in the performance of several state-of-the-art object detectors, such as YOLO or Faster-RCNN. Different experiments have been carried out and the results demonstrate how these adversities deteriorate their performance. Moreover, it is found that the size of objects to be detected is a factor that, together with noise and brightness factors, has a considerable impact on their performance.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the fourth leading cause of cancer death, has a 5-year survival rate of approximately 7-9%. The ineffectiveness of anti-PDAC therapies is believed to be due ...to the existence of a subpopulation of tumor cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are functionally plastic, and have exclusive tumorigenic, chemoresistant and metastatic capacities. Herein, we describe a 2D in vitro system for long-term enrichment of pancreatic CSCs that is amenable to biological and CSC-specific studies. By changing the carbon source from glucose to galactose in vitro, we force PDAC cells to utilize OXPHOS, resulting in enrichment of CSCs defined by increased CSC biomarker and pluripotency gene expression, greater tumorigenic potential, induced but reversible quiescence, increased OXPHOS activity, enhanced invasiveness, and upregulated immune evasion properties. This CSC enrichment method can facilitate the discovery of new CSC-specific hallmarks for future development into targets for PDAC-based therapies.
Lanthanides have unique photoluminescence (PL) emission properties, including very long PL lifetimes. This makes them ideal for biological imaging applications, especially using PL lifetime imaging ...microscopy (PLIM). PLIM is an inherently multidimensional technique with exceptional advantages for quantitative biological imaging. Unfortunately, due to the required prolonged acquisitions times, photobleaching of lanthanide PL emission currently constitutes one of the main drawbacks of PLIM. In this study, we report a small aqueous‐soluble, lanthanide antenna, 8‐methoxy‐2‐oxo‐1,2,4,5‐tetrahydrocyclopentadequinoline‐3‐phosphonic acid, PAnt, specifically designed to dynamically interact with lanthanide ions, serving as exchangeable dye aimed at mitigating photobleaching in PLIM microscopy in cellulo. Thus, self‐assembled lanthanide complexes that may be photobleached during image acquisition are continuously replenished by intact lanthanide antennas from a large reservoir. Remarkably, our self‐assembled lanthanide complex clearly demonstrated a significant reduction of PL photobleaching when compared to well‐established lanthanide cryptates, used for bioimaging. This concept of exchangeable lanthanide antennas opens new possibilities for quantitative PLIM bioimaging.
We report a small aqueous‐soluble lanthanide antenna (PAnt) specifically designed to dynamically interact with lanthanide ions and act as an exchangeable dye, aiming at mitigating photobleaching in PLIM microscopy in cellulo. Our self‐assembled lanthanide complex exhibited an exceptional photostability compared to traditional lanthanide cryptates, marking a significant advance in quantitative PLIM bioimaging.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
To compare pelvic floor disorders between vaginal delivery (VD) and cesarean delivery (CD).
For this study, a PUBMED database search was used, utilizing a combination of relevant medical subjects' ...headings (MeSH) terms, with the following keywords: "Pelvic floor disorders" or "Pelvic floor morbidity" and "Delivery". Search limits were articles in English or Spanish, about women, published from December 2009 to December 2019. The STATA 16 package was used for meta-analysis and data heterogeneity assessment.
Thirteen studies meeting eligibility criteria were identified comprising 1,597,303 participants. Abstract: Pelvic floor morbidity prevalence was Urinary Incontinence (UI) 27.9% (5411 patients in 7 studies with reported cases), Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) 14.2% (6019 patients in 8 studies with reported cases), and Anal Incontinence (AI) 0.4% (1,589,740 patients in 5 studies with reported cases). Our meta-analyses revealed significantly higher rates of all three morbidities and overall morbidity in the VD versus CD group: UI OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.64-2.87,
for heterogeneity ≤ 0.0001,
= 84%; POP OR = 3.28, 95% CI 1.91-5.63,
for heterogenicity ≤ 0.043,
= 63%; AI OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.32-1.77;
for heterogeneity ≤ 0.291,
= 20%; and overall morbidity (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.64-2.87;
for heterogeneity ≤ 0.0001,
= 84%).
Vaginal delivery is directly related to the appearance of pelvic floor disorders, mainly UI, POP, and AI. The risk of POP should be taken into higher consideration after vaginal delivery and postpartum follow-up should be performed, to identify and/or treat it at the earliest stages.
Abstract
Exercise modulates both brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolism and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning in murine models. Whether this is true in humans, however, has remained unknown. An ...unblinded randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02365129) was therefore conducted to study the effects of a 24-week supervised exercise intervention, combining endurance and resistance training, on BAT volume and activity (primary outcome). The study was carried out in the Sport and Health University Research Institute and the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital of the University of Granada (Spain). One hundred and forty-five young sedentary adults were assigned to either (i) a control group (no exercise,
n
= 54), (ii) a moderate intensity exercise group (MOD-EX, n = 48), or (iii) a vigorous intensity exercise group (VIG-EX
n
= 43) by unrestricted randomization. No relevant adverse events were recorded. 97 participants (34 men, 63 women) were included in the final analysis (Control;
n
= 35, MOD-EX;
n
= 31, and VIG-EX;
n
= 31). We observed no changes in BAT volume (Δ Control: −22.2 ± 52.6 ml; Δ MOD-EX: −15.5 ± 62.1 ml, Δ VIG-EX: −6.8 ± 66.4 ml; P = 0.771) or
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (SUVpeak Δ Control: −2.6 ± 3.1 ml; Δ MOD-EX: −1.2 ± 4.8, Δ VIG-EX: −2.2 ± 5.1;
p
= 0.476) in either the control or the exercise groups. Thus, we did not find any evidence of an exercise-induced change on BAT volume or activity in young sedentary adults.
Malignant melanoma (MM) can spread to other organs and is resistant in part due to the presence of cancer stem cell subpopulations (CSCs). While a controversial high dose of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) ...has been used to treat non-metastatic high-risk melanoma, it comes with undesirable side effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of low and high doses of IFN-α on CSCs by analyzing ALDH activity, side population and specific surface markers in established and patient-derived primary cell lines. We also assessed the clonogenicity, migration and tumor initiation capacities of IFN-α treated CSCs. Additionally, we investigated genomic modulations related to stemness properties using microRNA sequencing and microarrays. The effect of IFN-α on CSCs-derived exosomes was also analyzed using NanoSight and liquid chromatography (LC-HRMS)-based metabolomic analysis, among others. Our results showed that even low doses of IFN-α reduced CSC formation and stemness properties, and led to a significant decrease in the ability to form tumors in mice xenotransplants. IFN-α also modulated the expression of genes and microRNAs involved in several cancer processes and metabolomics of released exosomes. Our work suggests the utility of low doses of interferon, combined with the analysis of metabolic biomarkers, as a potential clinical approach against the aggressiveness of CSCs in melanoma.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The presence of neuritic plaques and amyloid fibrils arising from the misfolding of certain proteins is the principal molecular indicator of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and ...Parkinson's disease. Methodologies for studying the early stages of amyloid aggregation are rapidly arising to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of fibrillization and cytotoxicity and to identify potential targets for diagnosis and therapy. The method presented here involves the simultaneous use of two different fluorophores, a quinolimide derivative and Nile Blue A. These are capable of interacting with and reporting on the formation of preamyloid aggregates and fibrils of apoferritin through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which occurs between them, thus maximizing the contrast in detection and quantitative information of such amyloid species by using multidimensional fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).
•A pair of dyes interact with pre-amyloid aggregates with different affinities.•FRET between the dyes allow sensitive detection of different types of aggregates.•The aggregates are characterized by multiparametric FLIM and superresolution STED microscopies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In recent years, the prevalence of amyloid neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) has significantly increased in developed countries due to increased life expectancy. This ...amyloid disease is characterized by the presence of accumulations and deposits of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in neuronal tissue, leading to the formation of oligomers, fibers, and plaques. First, oligomeric intermediates that arise during the aggregation process are currently thought to be primarily responsible for cytotoxicity in cells. This work aims to provide further insights into the mechanisms of cytotoxicity by studying the interaction of Aβ aggregates with Neuro-2a (N2a) neuronal cells and the effects caused by this interaction. For this purpose, we have exploited the advantages of advanced, multidimensional fluorescence microscopy techniques to determine whether different types of Aβ are involved in higher rates of cellular toxicity, and we measured the cellular stress caused by such aggregates by using a fluorogenic intracellular biothiol sensor. Stress provoked by the peptide is evident by N2a cells generating high levels of biothiols as a defense mechanism. In our study, we demonstrate that Aβ aggregates act as seeds for aggregate growth upon interacting with the cellular membrane, which results in cell permeability and damage and induces lysis. In parallel, these damaged cells undergo a significant increase in intracellular biothiol levels.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
To date, former research about the impact of HIV infection on mpox poor outcomes is still limited and controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of HIV on the clinical ...course of mpox, in a large population of patients from Spain. Nationwide case‐series study. Patients from 18 Spanish hospitals, with PCR‐confirmed mpox from April 27, 2022 to June 30, 2023 were included in this study. The main outcome was the development of long or complicated (LC) mpox, defined as: (i) duration of the clinical course ≥ 28 days, or; (ii) disseminated disease, or: (iii) emergence of severe complications. One thousand eight hundred twenty‐three individuals were included. Seven hundred eighty‐six (43%) were people living with HIV (PLWH), of whom 11 (1%) had a CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mm3 and 33 (3%) <350 cells/mm3. HIV viral load ≥ 1000 cp/mL was found in 27 (3%) PLWH, none of them were on effective ART. Fifteen (60%) PLWH with HIV‐RNA ≥ 1000 cp/mL showed LC versus 182 (29%) PLWH with plasma HIV‐RNA load < 1000 copies/mL and 192 (24%) individuals without HIV infection (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, adjusted by age, sex, CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load at the time of mpox, only plasma HIV‐RNA ≥ 1000 cp/mL was associated with a greater risk of developing LC mpox adjusted OR = 4.06 (95% confidence interval 1.57−10.51), p = 0.004. PLWH with uncontrolled HIV infection, due to lack of ART, are at a greater risk of developing LC mpox. Efforts should be made to ensure HIV testing is carried out in patients with mpox and to start ART without delay in those tested positive.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Emotional disorders are common, and they have become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to a high attendance burden at the specialized level, most emotional disorders in Spain are ...treated in primary care, where they are usually misdiagnosed and treated using psychotropic drugs. This contributes to perpetuate their illness and increase health care costs. Following the IAPT programme and the transdiagnostic approach, the PsicAP project developed a brief group transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural therapy (tCBT) as a cost-effective alternative. However, it is not suitable for everyone; in some cases, one-on-one sessions may be more effective. The objective of the present study is to compare, in cost-benefit terms, group and individual tCBT with the treatment usually administered in Spanish primary care (TAU).
A randomized, controlled, multicentre, and single-blinded trial will be performed. Adults with mild to moderate emotional disorders will be recruited and placed in one of three arms: group tCBT, individual tCBT, or TAU. Medical data and outcomes regarding emotional symptoms, disability, quality of life, and emotion regulation biases will be collected at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 6 and 12 months later. The data will be used to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios.
This trial aims to contribute to clinical practice research. The involvement of psychologists in primary care and the implementation of a stepped-care model for mental disorders are recommended. Group therapy and a transdiagnostic approach may help optimize health system resources and unblock waiting lists so that people can spend less time experiencing mental health problems.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04847310; Protocols.io: bx2npqde. (April 19, 2021).
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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