Modulation of Amyloid-beta and Tau in Alzheimer's Disease Plasma Neuronal-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Cerebrolysin (R) and Donepezil

Background: Plasma neuronal-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEV) contain proteins of pathological, diagnostic, and therapeutic relevance. Objective: We investigated the associations of six plasma NDEV markers with Alzheimer's disease (AD) severity, cognition and functioning, and changes in these biomarkers after Cerebrolysin (R), donepezil, and a combination therapy in AD. Methods: Plasma NDEV levels of A beta(42), total tau, P-T181-tau, P-S393-tau, neurogranin, and REST were determined in: 1) 116 mild to advanced AD patients and in 20 control subjects; 2) 110 AD patients treated with Cerebrolysin (R), donepezil, or combination therapy in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Samples for NDEV determinations were obtained at baseline in the NDEV study and at baseline and study endpoint in the RCT. Cognition and functioning were assessed at the same time points. Results: NDEV levels of A beta(42), total tau, P-T181-tau, and P-S393-tau were higher and those of neurogranin and REST were lower in mild-to-moderate AD than in controls (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). NDEV total tau, neurogranin, and REST increased with AD severity (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). NDEV A beta 42 and P-T181-tau correlated negatively with serum BDNF (p < 0.05), and total-tau levels were associated to plasma TNF-alpha (p < 0.01) and cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Combination therapy reduced NDEV A beta(42) with respect to monotherapies ( p < 0.05); and NDEV total tau, P-T181-tau, and P-S396-tau were decreased in Cerebrolysin-treated patients compared to those on donepezil monotherapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present results demonstrate the utility of NDEV determinations of pathologic and synaptic proteins as effective AD biomarkers, as markers of AD severity, and as potential tools for monitoring the effects of anti-AD drugs.United States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USANIH National Institute on Aging (NIA) AG058252 AG073979 AG051848 AG057437 AG010483 AG062429Ever Neuro Pharma GmbH (Unterach, Austria) research gran

Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Cognitive Improvement using Transcervical Stenting with Protective Flow Reversal Technique

ObjectivesThe relationship between carotid artery stenosis and cognitive function in individuals without a history of stroke is not clear. The possible pathomechanisms of cognitive impairment include silent embolization and hypoperfusion. In this study the aim was to assess cognitive changes after transcervical carotid artery stenting with proximal cerebral protection by flow reversal in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, a novel technique that has been proved to decrease the number intraoperative emboli.Methods25 consecutive patients were assessed, of which 22 were men (88%) mean age of 74 years with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent revascularization by carotid artery stenting (CAS) with flow reversal. Patients were evaluated 1 day before and 6 months after the procedure using a standardized neuropsychological battery. Test scores were adjusted according to age, sex, education level and were standardized (0–100). The mean of all the cognitive function scores yielded the global cognitive score (GCS).ResultsThere were no neurological complications during the procedure or during hospitalization in any patient. No deaths or cardiac complications occurred in any patient. The pre-procedure neuropsychological study showed cognitive impairment in: information processing speed in 15 patients (62.5%), visuospatial function in 14 (56.0%), memory in 18 (72.0%), executive functions in 14 (56.0%), language in three (12.0%), attention in 10 (40.0%), and global cognitive performance in eight (32.0%). Comparison of these scores with those obtained 6-month post-procedure showed significant improvement in GCS in all patients (p = .002), with a particularly marked gain in information processing speed (p = .018). Although significant improvement was not found for the remaining cognitive functions assessed, some gain was documented, and there was no deterioration.ConclusionsRevascularization by transcervical CAS with flow reversal for cerebral protection results in improved neurocognitive performance in asymptomatic elderly patients with severe carotid artery stenosis

Application of multi-regression machine learning algorithms to solve ocean water mass mixing in the Atlantic Ocean

The distribution of any non-conservative variable in the deep open ocean results from the circulation and mixing of water masses (WMs) of contrasting origin and from the initial preformed composition, modified during ongoing simultaneous biological and/or geochemical processes. Estimating the contribution of the WMs composing a sample is useful to trace the distribution of each water mass and to quantitatively separate the physical (mixing) and biogeochemical components of the variability of any, non- conservative variable (e.g., dissolved organic carbon, prokaryote biomass) in the ocean. Other than potential temperature and salinity, additional semi-conservative and non-conservative variables have been used to solve the mixing of more than three water masses using Optimum Multi-Parameter (OMP) approaches. Successful application of an OMP analysis requires knowledge of the characteristics of the water masses in their source regions as well as their circulation and mixing patterns. Here, we propose the application of multi-regression machine learning models to solve ocean water mass mixing. The models tested were trained using the solutions from OMP analyses previously applied to samples from cruises in the Atlantic Ocean. Extremely Randomized Trees algorithm yielded the highest score (R2 = 0.9931; mse = 0.000227). Our model allows solving the mixing of water masses in the Atlantic Ocean using potential temperature, salinity, latitude, longitude and depth. Therefore, basic hydrographic data collected during typical research cruises or autonomous systems can be used as input variables and provide results in real time. The model can be fed with new solutions from compatible OMP analyses as well as with new water masses not previously considered in it. Our tool will provide knowledge on water mass composition and distribution to a broader community of marine scientists not specialized in OMP analysis and/or in the oceanography of the studied area. This will allow a quantitative analysis of the effect of water mass mixing on the variables or processes under study

Errors in the measurement systems with the inclusion of single-phase loads at 220V in three-phase distribution networks

[EN] This research analyzes the problems presented by the measurement systems in one Phase three wires electrical distribution networks when single-phase loads are connected to 220V and proposes to replace the equation to eliminate the error that occurs in the energy meter. This case of study was given in Ecuador due to the massive inclusion of induction cookers through the change of the energy matrix promoted by the state since this account with more than 90 of hydroelectric energy to meet their electric demand. It is important to explain that this research does not include in the state of the art the problem and the solutions, because of this novelty was presented promptly in Ecuador due to the technical conditions of the energy distribution system, at the voltage level versus the construction voltage of the single-phase loads that in the case of induction, cookers were imported from countries that handle 220V single-phase voltages. This consequence does not present a choice, it is ethical for those responsible for the measurement systems of the Utility, to present a solution to the inconvenience of how it is developed in this investigation.This work was supported by Universitat Politectica de Valencia in Valencia (Spain), the Smart University 2.0 Research Group of the Universidad Catolica de Cuenca (Ecuador), and the Utility CENTROSUR for the data, equipment and laboratory to perform the tests (Ecuador).Toledo, MA.; Álvarez, C.; Morales, DX.; Arias, C. (2019). Errors in the measurement systems with the inclusion of single-phase loads at 220V in three-phase distribution networks. IEEE. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1109/CHILECON47746.2019.8987564S1

A Comparison of Three QRS Detection Algorithms Over a Public Database

AbstractWe have compared three of the best QRS detection algorithms, regarding their results, to check the performance and to elucidate which get better accuracy. In the literature these algorithms were published in a theoretical way, without offering their code, so it is difficult to check its real behaviour over different collections of ECG records. This work brings the community our source code of each algorithm and results of its validation over a public database. In addition, this software was developed as a framework in order to permit the inclusion of new QRS detection algorithms and also its testing over different databases

Características de los estudiantes que ingresan al Programa de Preparación de Maestros.

This study is a component of the research on the effectiveness of the Teacher Preparation Program at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. This article explores the characteristics of students entering the program in terms of their demographics, knowledge or familiarity with the concepts relevant to the teaching-learning process, as well as their motivations and about the program. To this end, an entrance questionnaire was administered to 250 students entering in August 2008. The results indicate that most of the students come from families were there are teachers, 65 percent of them point out that the program was their first choice. For them, to help children, adolescents and people with special needs is an important goal. Most consider that they are very good in the program competencies, but 48 percent of them do not plan to exercise as teacher in the future. How to cite: Álvarez-Romero, C. X. (2009). Características de los estudiantes que ingresan al Programa de Preparación de Maestros. Cuaderno de Investigación en la Educación, 24, 83-113. Retrieved from https://revistas.upr.edu/index.php/educacion/article/view/13549El presente estudio forma parte de una investigación sobre la efectividad del programa de formación de docentes en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. En este artículo se investigan las características de los(as) estudiantes que ingresan a este programa en cuanto a sus datos demográficos, conocimiento o familiaridad con los conceptos relevantes al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, así como sus motivaciones y percepciones sobre el programa. Para ello, se administró un cuestionario de entrada a 250 estudiantes en agosto de 2008. Entre los resultados más importantes se encuentra que una gran parte de los(as) estudiantes proviene de familias donde hay maestros; para un 65 por ciento, la Facultad fue su primera opción. Entre sus metas esenciales se encuentra ayudar a niños, adolescentes y personas con dificultades de aprendizaje. La mayoría se percibió con “mucho dominio” de las competencias del programa; sin embargo un 48 por ciento no planifica ejercer como maestro. Cómo citar: Álvarez-Romero, C. X. (2009). Características de los estudiantes que ingresan al Programa de Preparación de Maestros. Cuaderno de Investigación en la Educación, 24, 83-113. Recuperado a partir de https://revistas.upr.edu/index.php/educacion/article/view/1354

A geometric bound on F-term inflation

We discuss a general bound on the possibility to realise inflation in any minimal supergravity with F-terms. The derivation crucially depends on the sGoldstini, the scalar field directions that are singled out by spontaneous supersymmetry breaking. The resulting bound involves both slow-roll parameters and the geometry of the K\"ahler manifold of the chiral scalars. We analyse the inflationary implications of this bound, and in particular discuss to what extent the requirements of single field and slow-roll can both be met in F-term inflation.Comment: 14 pages, improved analysis, references added, matches published versio

Integration of photovoltaic generation for industrial consumers connected to distribution systems

[EN] Technological advances in solar photovoltaic generation have considerably reduced equipment costs in new facilities, which is why this research focuses on determining the generation capacity through the use of existing infrastructure, solar radiation measurements and demand, to meet the demand for electrical energy through the application of forecasting models with the use of data analytics techniques and neural networks in order to determine the technical benefit in product quality, the reduction of demand peaks, mitigate transmission losses and provide greater reliability to the electrical system of the industry and utility.This work was supported by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera, s/n 46022 Valencia, Tel. (+34) 96 387 70 00 - Spain and the Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Calle Vieja, Cuenca 010105 - Ecuador.Toledo, MA.; Álvarez, C.; Pachar, JX.; Quishpi, W.; Quizhpi, FA. (2020). Integration of photovoltaic generation for industrial consumers connected to distribution systems. IEEE. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROPEC50909.2020.9258747S1