Computing with words (CWW) relies on linguistic representation of knowledge that is processed by operating at the semantical level defined through fuzzy sets. Linguistic representation of knowledge ...is a major issue when fuzzy rule based models are acquired from data by some form of empirical learning. Indeed, these models are often requested to exhibit interpretability, which is normally evaluated in terms of structural features, such as rule complexity, properties on fuzzy sets and partitions. In this paper we propose a different approach for evaluating interpretability that is based on the notion of cointension. The interpretability of a fuzzy rule-based model is measured in terms of cointension degree between the explicit semantics, defined by the formal parameter settings of the model, and the implicit semantics conveyed to the reader by the linguistic representation of knowledge. Implicit semantics calls for a representation of user’s knowledge which is difficult to externalise. Nevertheless, we identify a set of properties – which we call “logical view” – that is expected to hold in the implicit semantics and is used in our approach to evaluate the cointension between explicit and implicit semantics. In practice, a new fuzzy rule base is obtained by minimising the fuzzy rule base through logical properties. Semantic comparison is made by evaluating the performances of the two rule bases, which are supposed to be similar when the two semantics are almost equivalent. If this is the case, we deduce that the logical view is applicable to the model, which can be tagged as interpretable from the cointension viewpoint. These ideas are then used to define a strategy for assessing interpretability of fuzzy rule-based classifiers (FRBCs). The strategy has been evaluated on a set of pre-existent FRBCs, acquired by different learning processes from a well-known benchmark dataset. Our analysis highlighted that some of them are not cointensive with user’s knowledge, hence their linguistic representation is not appropriate, even though they can be tagged as interpretable from a structural point of view.
Purpose
Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolytic disorder in clinical practice. In addition to neurological symptoms, hyponatremia, even when mild/moderate and chronic, has been related to ...other manifestations, such as bone demineralization and increased risk of fractures. To better elucidate tissue alterations associated with reduced serum sodium concentration Na
+
, we developed an in vivo model of hyponatremia secondary to the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis.
Methods and results
Hyponatremia was induced in Foxn1
nu/nu
mice by subcutaneous infusion of the vasopressin analog 1-deamino 8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) for 14 days via osmotic mini-pumps. Mice in the control group were infused with isotonic saline solution. Serum Na
+
progressively decreased, with a nadir of 123.4 ± 2.3 mEq/L (mean ± SD, dDAVP 0.3 ng/h) and 111.6 ± 4.7 mEq/L (mean ± SD, dDAVP 0.5 ng/h). Evident signs of liver steatofibrosis were observed at histology in hyponatremic mice. Accordingly, the expression of proteins involved in lipid metabolism (SREBP-1, PPARα and PPARγ) and in myofibroblast formation (αSMA and CTGF) significantly increased. Furthermore, heme oxygenase 1 expression was up-regulated in Kupffer and hepatic stellate cells in the liver of hyponatremic mice. Testis alterations were also observed. In particular, the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium appeared reduced. The expression levels of PCNA and PTMA, which are involved in DNA replication and germ cells maturation, were markedly reduced in the testis of hyponatremic mice.
Conclusion
Overall, these findings shed new light on the possible consequences of chronic hyponatremia and prompt a more thorough evaluation of hyponatremic patients.
Caveolin-1 has been linked to tumor progression and clinical outcome in breast cancer, but a clear resolution of its role as a prognostic marker is lacking. We assessed caveolin-1 levels in normal ...breast tissue and two breast cancer cohorts for which outcome data were available. We found that caveolin-1 was not expressed in normal breast luminal epithelium but was present in the epithelial compartment of some tumors. We found no association between caveolin-1 expression in the epithelial compartment and clinical outcome. However, high levels of caveolin-1 in the stromal tissue surrounding the tumor, rather than within tumor cells, associated strongly with reduced metastasis and improved survival ( P < 0.0001). The onset of mammary tumors driven by Her2/neu overexpression was accelerated in mice lacking caveolin-1, thereby supporting the observation that the presence of caveolin-1 in the tumor microenvironment modulates tumor development. These studies suggest that stromal caveolin-1 expression may be a potential therapeutic target and a valuable prognostic indicator of breast cancer progression.
Introduction
Amenorrhea is one of the most frequent and serious consequences of Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Resumption of menses (ROM) is considered an important goal and is associated with a better ...outcome.
Objectives
To investigate the role of age, Body Mass Index (BMI), diagnostic subtype (restrictive vs binge-purging), history of childhood abuse, duration of illness, psychopathology and sex hormones on ROM in AN.
Methods
52 patients with AN and amenorrhea were enrolled at the start of treatment. Clinical parameters of interest were collected, and questionnaires were administered for the assessment of general (SCL-90-R) and specific (EDE-Q) psychopathology. Blood samples were taken to assess FSH, LH and estradiol levels. All patients were monitored regularly through psychiatric checkups until ROM, for up to four years.
Results
A total of 30 (57.7%) subjects recovered their menstrual cycle in the follow-up period (mean time: 18.7 ± 14.8 months). Recovery was more frequent in the binge-purging subtype than in the restrictive subtype (82.4% vs 48.6%, p=0.019), and was significantly associated with diagnostic crossover (odds ratio=10.0, p=0.032). Multivariate Cox regression showed an increased likelihood of menstrual recovery for binge-purging subtype (p=0.005) and for those reporting a history of childhood abuse (p=0.025). Early ROM was also associated with baseline SCL-90-R scores (p=0.002) and FSH (p=0.011), while a longer duration of illness (p=0.003) and EDE-Q scores (p=0.009) predicted a later recovery.
Conclusions
This study highlights the role of duration of illness, childhood abuse history and psychopathological characteristics in subjects with AN at the start of treatment in predicting ROM.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
Background
This prospective, observer‐blinded, randomised, multicentre study aimed at determining the non‐inferiority of 50 mg of plain 1% 2‐chloroprocaine vs. 10 mg of 0.5% plain bupivacaine in ...terms of sensory block onset time at T10 after spinal injection. The study hypothesis was that the difference in onset times of sensory block to T10 between the two drugs is ≤ 4 min.
Methods
One hundred and thirty patients undergoing lower abdominal or lower limb procedures (≤ 40 min) were randomised to receive one of two treatments: 50 mg of plain 1% 2‐chloroprocaine (Group C, n = 66) or 10 mg of plain 0.5% bupivacaine (Group B, n = 64). Times to sensory and motor block onsets, maximum sensory block level, readiness for surgery, regression of sensory and motor blocks, first analgesic requirements, unassisted ambulation, home discharge, and side effects after 24 h and 7 days were registered blindly.
Results
Chloroprocaine was comparable with plain 0.5% bupivacaine in terms of time to sensory block at T10 level. Group C showed faster onsets of motor block (5 vs. 6 min), maximum sensory block level (8.5 vs. 14 min), resolution of sensory (105 vs. 225 min) and motor (100 vs. 210 min) blocks, unassisted ambulation (142.5 vs. 290.5 min), first analgesic requirement (120 vs. 293.5 min), and home discharge (150 vs. 325 min) (all comparisons, P < 0.05). No chloroprocaine patient developed transient neurological symptoms.
Conclusion
Spinal anaesthesia with 50 mg of plain 1% 2‐chloroprocaine is similar to 10 mg of plain 0.5% bupivacaine in terms of onset of sensory block at T10 but shows quicker recovery from anaesthesia than with 0.5% bupivacaine.
The reliance on multiple hosts to survive is what makes the management and control of multi-host infectious agents challenging. Sarcoptes scabiei causes sarcoptic mange in a wide range of mammal ...species with ungulates being an important host. Little is known about the role different ungulates play in sustaining endemic transmission of the disease and no study has yet to describe the long-term multi-host sarcoptic infestation dynamics in free-ranging wildlife. Here, we explore 24 years of sarcoptic mange infestation data for two Mediterranean ungulate species, red deer and Iberian ibex, living in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park of southern Spain. The temporal analysis showed a clear seasonal pattern of infestation in both ungulates with a peak in early spring and a decline throughout the summer. The spatial analysis, however, showed that caprinae rather than cervidae is the most competent host for sarcoptic mange spreading and persistence. Considering that few studies have described the spatio-temporal pattern of mange outbreaks for long periods of time, the information reported in this work aims to improve our understanding of sarcoptic mange epizootic in wild ruminant populations.
•Spatio-temporal dynamic of sarcoptic mange shows different patterns in host species.•The STL highlights a seasonal pattern in both species, with a peak in spring.•The Iberian ibex population density drives significantly the disease dynamics.•Extension of infected areas in Iberian Ibex and red deer shows opposite trends.•Disease long term dynamics provide useful information for epizootic management.
This study provides insights about the diversity, prevalence and distribution of alpine wild galliformes gastrointestinal parasite community, trying to fill a gap in the scientific information ...currently available in scientific literature. The analysis included three host species: 77 rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis), 83 black grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix) and 26 rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta helveticus) shot during the hunting seasons 2008-2015. Parasites isolated were Ascaridia compar, Capillaria caudinflata and cestodes. The rock ptarmigan was free from gastrointestinal parasites, whereas the most prevalent helminth (37%) was A. compar in both black grouse and rock partridge. C. caudinflata occurrence was significantly higher in black grouse (prevalence = 10%, mean abundance = 0.6 parasites/sampled animal) than in rock partridge (prevalence = 1.20%, mean abundance = 0.01 parasites/sampled animal). Significant differences were detected among hunting districts. A. compar was found with a significant higher degree of infestation in the hunting districts in the northern part of the study area whereas cestodes abundance was higher in Lanzo Valley. Quantitative analysis of risk factors was carried out using a generalized linear model (GLM) only on the most common parasite (A. compar). Latitude was the only factors associated with infestation risk (OR = 52.4). This study provides information on the composition and variability of the parasite community in the alpine Galliformes species.
Disease emergence represents a global threat to public health, economy and biological conservation. Most emerging zoonotic diseases have an animal origin, most commonly from wildlife. To prevent ...their spread and to support the implementation of control measures, disease surveillance and reporting systems are needed, and due to globalisation, these activities should be carried out at the global level. To define the main gaps affecting the performance of wildlife health surveillance and reporting systems globally, the authors analysed data from a questionnaire sent to National Focal Points of the World Organisation for Animal Health that inquired on structure and limits of wildlife surveillance and reporting systems in their territories. Responses from 103 Members, covering all areas of the globe, revealed that 54.4% have a wildlife disease surveillance programme and 66% have implemented a strategy to manage disease spread. The lack of dedicated budget affected the possibility of outbreak investigations, sample collection and diagnostic testing. Although most Members maintain records relating to wildlife mortality or morbidity events in centralised databases, data analysis and disease risk assessment are reported as priority needs. The authors' evaluation of surveillance capacity found an overall low level, with marked variability among Members that was not restricted to a specific geographical area. Increased wildlife disease surveillance globally would help in understanding and managing risks to animal and public health. Moreover, consideration of the influence of socio-economic, cultural and biodiversity aspects could improve disease surveillance under a One Health approach.
The indications for continuous nerve blocks for the perioperative pain management in hospitalized and ambulatory patients have extended well beyond orthopaedics. These techniques are not only used to ...control pain in patients undergoing major upper and lower extremity surgery, but also to provide perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal, plastic, urological, gynaecological, thoracic, and trauma surgeries. Infusion regimens of local anaesthetics and supplements must take into consideration the condition of the patient before and after surgery, the nature and intensity of the surgical stress associated with the surgery, and the possible need for immediate functional recovery. Continuous nerve blocks have proved safe and effective in reducing opioid consumption and related side-effects, accelerating recovery, and in many patients reducing the length of hospital stay. Continuous nerve blocks provide a safer alternative to epidural analgesia in patients receiving thromboprophylaxis, especially with low molecular-weight heparin.
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