In its broadest sense, the term artificial intelligence indicates the ability of an artifact to perform the same types of functions that characterize human thought. The goal of AI is to use ...algorithms, heuristics and methodologies based on the ways in which the human brain solves problems. Artificial neural networks recreate the structure of the human brain imitating the learning process. The Artificial neural networks theory has provided an alternative to classical computing for those problems in which traditional methods have delivered results that are not very convincing or not very convenient such as in the case of the neutron spectrometry and dosimetry problem for radiation protection purposes, using the Bonner spheres spectrometer as measurement system, mainly because many problems are encountered when trying to determine the neutron energy spectrum of a measured data. The most delicate part of the spectrometry based on this system is the unfolding process, for which several neutron spectrum unfolding codes have being developed. However, these codes require an initial guess spectrum in order to initiate the unfolding process. Their poor availability and their not easy management for the end user are other associated problems. Artificial Intelligence technology, is an alternative technique that is gaining popularity among researchers in neutron spectrometry research area, since it offers better results compared with the traditional solution methods. In this work, "Synapse", a neutron spectrum unfolding code based on Generalized Regression Artificial Neural Networks technology is presented. The Synapse code is capable to unfold the neutron spectrum and to calculate 15 dosimetric quantities using the count rates, coming from a BSS as the only entrance information. The results obtained show that the Synapse code, based on GRANN technology, is a promising and innovative technological alternative for solving the neutron spectrometry and dosimetry problems.
Enzyme replacement therapy has shown to be effective for childhood/adult onset Pompe disease (AOPD). The discovery of biomarkers useful for monitoring disease progression is one of the priority ...research topics in Pompe disease. Muscle MRI could be one possible test but the correlation between muscle MRI and muscle strength and function has been only partially addressed so far.
We studied 34 AOPD patients using functional scales (Manual Research Council scale, hand held myometry, 6 minutes walking test, timed to up and go test, time to climb up and down 4 steps, time to walk 10 meters and Motor Function Measure 20 Scale), respiratory tests (Forced Vital Capacity seated and lying, Maximun Inspiratory Pressure and Maximum Expiratory Pressure), daily live activities scales (Activlim) and quality of life scales (Short Form-36 and Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life questionnaire). We performed a whole body muscle MRI using T1w and 3-point Dixon imaging centered on thighs and lower trunk region.
T1w whole body muscle MRI showed a homogeneous pattern of muscle involvement that could also be found in pre-symptomatic individuals. We found a strong correlation between muscle strength, muscle functional scales and the degree of muscle fatty replacement in muscle MRI analyzed using T1w and 3-point Dixon imaging studies. Moreover, muscle MRI detected mild degree of fatty replacement in paraspinal muscles in pre-symptomatic patients.
Based on our findings, we consider that muscle MRI correlates with muscle function in patients with AOPD and could be useful for diagnosis and follow-up in pre-symptomatic and symptomatic patients under treatment.
Muscle MRI correlates with muscle function in patients with AOPD and could be useful to follow-up patients in daily clinic.
•We have fabricated symmetric and asymmetric Au gaps templated over silicon nano-wedges.•Au nanogaps were formed on the nano-wedges by means of ion beam etching (IBE) of sputter-deposited Au (Au) ...films.•Highly controllable nanogaps with a size in the order of 6 nm for symmetric gaps and 8 nm for asymmetric gaps.•Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations: the Raman enhancement arises at the narrow gap due to plasmonic resonances, yielding a maximum AEF of 6.9 × 106.
A unique way of converting free space light into a local electromagnetic field in small spaces is via metallic nanostructuring. In this work fabrication, experimental characterization and simulation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active specimens based on Au nanostructures are discussed. We used displacement Talbot lithography (DTL) to fabricate silicon nano-wedge substrates with Au nanostructures embedded around their apices. After the ion beam etching process, a nanogap is introduced between two Au nanostructures templated over nano-wedges, yielding specimens with SERS characteristics. The Au nanostructures and the nanogaps have symmetric and asymmetric configurations with respect to the wedges. With this nanofabrication method, various wafer-scale specimens were fabricated with highly controllable nanogaps with a size in the order of 6 nm for symmetric gaps and 8 nm for asymmetric gaps. SERS characteristics of these specimens were analyzed experimentally by calculating their analytical enhancement factor (AEF). According to finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the Raman enhancement arises at the narrow gap due to plasmonic resonances, yielding a maximum AEF of 6.9 × 106. The results highlight the SERS activity of the nanostructures and ultimately comply with reliable substrates for practical applications.
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IoT Based Smart Electrical Meter for Smart Homes Martinez-Blanco, Ma; Soriano-Romero, Julio; Serrano-Muñoz, Arturo ...
EAI endorsed transactions on internet of things,
08/2020, Volume:
6, Issue:
21
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The mankind’s home has evolved as humanity itself and through history, humanity has observed the safetyand comfort of their homes. The adaptation of homes to the modern times, is now involved in a ...technologicalenvironment and constant innovation, especially in the control of appliances, safety, pleasure, the monitoringof electrical consumption, etc. These factors have allowed the integration of homes with IoT environments inwhat is known as smart home. In this work, an IoT smart sensor of electrical consumption in smart homesis presented which is capable to analyze the power consumption using mobile devices through a wirelessconnection. The smart meter was designed using a cyber-physical system based on the ESP32 micro-controllerin which an embedded Web application is executed that shows the electrical consumption of electrical devices.The aim of this technological IoT smart device is to help to detect the phantom consumption of electricalenergy in a smart home environment in order to promote the energy saving. The results obtained show thatthis kind of IoT technology contributes to decrease the economic expense for home owners and also allows toobserve and analyze the electrical energy consumption of different electrical devices using mobile devices.
INTRODUCTIONIn inflammatory respiratory diseases, the imbalance between proteases and endogenous protease inhibitors leads to an exacerbated activity of human neutrophil elastase (a protease that ...destroys the extracellular matrix and stimulates proinflammatory cytokine release). Elastase is considered a target in the search for therapeutic treatments for inflammatory respiratory diseases. Pulmonary surfactant is a promising product for this purpose, because in addition to its biophysical function, it has anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVEEvaluate effect of the Cuban porcine pulmonary surfactant (Surfacen), the rCmPI-II elastase inhibitor, and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination on activated neutrophil elastase activity in vitro, and determine if Surfacen's interface property changes in the presence of the inhibitor. METHODSThe anti-elastase effect of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination was evaluated in an in vitro model of activated neutrophils, previously purified from the blood of healthy subjects. The cells were stimulated with LPS/fMLP and were incubated with different concentrations of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination. Elastase activity was measured. The interface property was determined on a Langmuir surface balance. The new index, called the abdominal adipose deposit index, was obtained by multiplying the subcutaneous fat thickness by visceral fat thickness, both measured by ultrasound. A cutoff point was established that facilitated discernment of an unhealthy phenotype: normal weight but metabolically obese, a cardiometabolic risk factor. RESULTSSurfacen at 10 mg/mL inhibited 71% of stimulated neutrophil elastase activity. rCmPI-II at 0.1 μM reduced 20% of elastase activity; at 200 μM-the maximum concentration evaluated-inhibition was 68%. Both products had a dose-dependent effect. The Surfacen/inhibitor combination (0.5 mg/mL/80 µM) did not affect the surfactant interface property or the inhibitory activity of rCmPI-II against human neutrophil elastase. CONCLUSIONSSurfacen and the rCmPI-II inhibitor have an anti-elastase effect on an activated neutrophil model. rCmPI-II does not affect Surfacen's interface property and, therefore, both can be evaluated for combined use in treating inflammatory lung diseases.
Abstract
Background
Candida parapsilosis is a frequent cause of candidemia worldwide. Its incidence is associated with the use of medical implants, such as central venous catheters or parenteral ...nutrition. This species has reduced susceptibility to echinocandins, and it is susceptible to polyenes and azoles. Multiple outbreaks caused by fluconazole-nonsusceptible strains have been reported recently. A similar trend has been observed among the C. parapsilosis isolates received in the last 2 years at the Spanish Mycology Reference Laboratory.
Methods
Yeast were identified by molecular biology, and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing protocol. The ERG11 gene was sequenced to identify resistance mechanisms, and strain typing was carried out by microsatellite analysis.
Results
We examined the susceptibility profile of 1315 C. parapsilosis isolates available at our reference laboratory between 2000 and 2021, noticing an increase in the number of isolates with acquired resistance to fluconazole, and voriconazole has increased in at least 8 different Spanish hospitals in 2020–2021. From 121 recorded clones, 3 were identified as the most prevalent in Spain (clone 10 in Catalonia and clone 96 in Castilla-Leon and Madrid, whereas clone 67 was found in 2 geographically unrelated regions, Cantabria and the Balearic Islands).
Conclusions
Our data suggest that concurrently with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a selection of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates has occurred in Spain, and the expansion of specific clones has been noted across centers. Further research is needed to determine the factors that underlie the successful expansion of these clones and their potential genetic relatedness.
Late onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a genetic disorder characterized by slowly progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle weakness. Symptomatic patients are treated with enzyme replacement therapy ...(ERT) with alglucosidase alpha (rhGAA). Although most of ERT treated patients develop antibodies against rhGAA, their influence on clinical progression is not completely known. We studied the impact of anti-rhGAA antibodies on clinical progression of 25 ERT treated patients. We evaluated patients at visit 0 and, after 1 year, at visit 1. We performed several muscle function tests, conventional spirometry and quantitative muscle MRI (qMRI) using 3-point Dixon analysis of thigh muscles at both visits. We also obtained serum samples at both visits and anti-rhGAA antibodies were quantified using ELISA. Antibody titers higher than 1:200 were identified in 18 patients (72%) of our cohort. Seven patients (28%) did not develop antibodies (0 to <1:200), 17 patients (68%) developed low to intermediate titers (1:200 to <1:31,200) and 1 patient (4%) developed high titers (>1:31,200). We analyzed the effect of low and intermediate antibody titers in clinical and radiological progression. There were no differences between the results of muscle function tests, spirometry or fat fraction analyzed using qMRI between patients with and without antibodies groups at baseline. Moreover, antibody titers did not influence muscle function test, spirometry results or qMRI results at year 1 visit. Most of the LOPD patients developed antibodies against ERT that persisted over time at low or intermediate levels. However, antibodies at these low and intermediate titers might not influence clinical response to the drug.
Adult onset Pompe disease is a genetic disorder characterized by slowly progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle weakness. Symptomatic patients are treated with enzymatic replacement therapy with ...human recombinant alfa glucosidase. Motor functional tests and spirometry are commonly used to follow patients up. However, a serological biomarker that correlates with the progression of the disease could improve follow-up. We studied serum concentrations of TGFβ, PDGF-BB, PDGF-AA and CTGF growth factors in 37 adult onset Pompe patients and 45 controls. Moreover, all patients performed several muscle function tests, conventional spirometry, and quantitative muscle MRI using 3-point Dixon. We observed a statistically significant change in the serum concentration of each growth factor in patients compared to controls. However, only PDGF-BB levels were able to differentiate between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, suggesting its potential role in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients. Moreover, our results point to a dysregulation of muscle regeneration as an additional pathomechanism of Pompe disease.
Objective
To analyze the microRNA profile in serum of patients with Adult Onset Pompe disease (AOPD).
Methods
We analyzed the expression of 185 microRNAs in serum of 15 AOPD patients and five ...controls using microRNA PCR Panels. The expression levels of microRNAs that were deregulated were further studied in 35 AOPD patients and 10 controls using Real‐Time PCR. Additionally, the skeletal muscle expression of microRNAs which showed significant increase levels in serum samples was also studied. Correlations between microRNA serum levels and muscle function test, spirometry, and quantitative muscle MRI were performed (these data correspond to the study NCT01914536 at ClinicalTrials.gov).
Results
We identified 14 microRNAs that showed different expression levels in serum samples of AOPD patients compared to controls. We validated these results in a larger cohort of patients and we found increased levels of three microRNAs, the so called dystromirs: miR‐1‐3p, miR‐133a‐3p, and miR‐206. These microRNAs are involved in muscle regeneration and the expression of these was increased in patients' muscle biopsies. Significant correlations between microRNA levels and muscle function test were found.
Interpretation
Serum expression levels of dystromirs may represent additional biomarkers for the follow‐up of AOPD patients.
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