Combining automatic speech recognition with semantic natural language processing in schizophrenia

Natural language processing (NLP) tools are increasingly used to quantify semantic anomalies in schizophrenia. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology, if robust enough, could significantly speed up the NLP research process. In this study, we assessed the performance of a state-of-the-art ASR tool and its impact on diagnostic classification accuracy based on a NLP model. We compared ASR to human transcripts quantitatively (Word Error Rate (WER)) and qualitatively by analyzing error type and position. Subsequently, we evaluated the impact of ASR on classification accuracy using semantic similarity measures. Two random forest classifiers were trained with similarity measures derived from automatic and manual transcriptions, and their performance was compared. The ASR tool had a mean WER of 30.4%. Pronouns and words in sentence-final position had the highest WERs. The classification accuracy was 76.7% (sensitivity 70%; specificity 86%) using automated transcriptions and 79.8% (sensitivity 75%; specificity 86%) for manual transcriptions. The difference in performance between the models was not significant. These findings demonstrate that using ASR for semantic analysis is associated with only a small decrease in accuracy in classifying schizophrenia, compared to manual transcripts. Thus, combining ASR technology with semantic NLP models qualifies as a robust and efficient method for diagnosing schizophrenia.</p

Syntactic Network Analysis in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND: Language anomalies are a hallmark feature of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD). Here, we used network analysis to examine possible differences in syntactic relations between patients with SSD and healthy controls. Moreover, we assessed their relationship with sociodemographic factors, psychotic symptoms, and cognitive functioning, and we evaluated whether the quantification of syntactic network measures has diagnostic value. STUDY DESIGN: Using a semi-structured interview, we collected speech samples from 63 patients with SSD and 63 controls. Per sentence, a syntactic representation (ie, parse tree) was obtained and used as input for network analysis. The resulting syntactic networks were analyzed for 11 local and global network measures, which were compared between groups using multivariate analysis of covariance, considering the effects of age, sex, and education. RESULTS: Patients with SSD and controls significantly differed on most syntactic network measures. Sex had a significant effect on syntactic measures, and there was a significant interaction between sex and group, as the anomalies in syntactic relations were most pronounced in women with SSD. Syntactic measures were correlated with negative symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and cognition (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia). A random forest classifier based on the best set of network features distinguished patients from controls with 74% cross-validated accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Examining syntactic relations from a network perspective revealed robust differences between patients with SSD and healthy controls, especially in women. Our results support the validity of linguistic network analysis in SSD and have the potential to be used in combination with other automated language measures as a marker for SSD.</p

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in Grosseto district, Tuscany, Italy

Abstract Background Serum samples from 630 milk sheep, in 33 dairy flocks representative of the southern area of the Tuscany region, were tested for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Questionnaires exploring the management system were completed by the veterinarian in charge of the flocks. Results At least one seropositive animal was found in 32 of the 33 flocks tested (97.0%; 95% CI: 84.2%, 99.9%). In the positive flocks, median seroprevalence was 29.4% (interquartile range: 15.9%-46.1%). Overall animal-level seroprevalence, adjusted for sampling weights and test sensitivity and specificity, was 33.3% (95% CI: 24.8%, 42.7%). In a multivariable negative binomial regression model the number of seropositive animals in a flock decreased with increasing flock size (for >400 vs. CR) = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.95; P = 0.028) and was greater on farms where stray cats had access to animals’ water (CR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.26; P = 0.027). Conclusions Small flock size and access of cats to water are potential risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in sheep in the Grosseto district in Tuscany, Italy. Sheep could be an important source of T. gondii infection in humans, since we estimate that between 25% and 43% of sheep in the district were seropositive. Toxoplasmosis is also likely to be an important cause of abortion in sheep in the district. Control and prophylactic measures must be adopted to improve the rearing system and the implementation of health promoting programmes in a joint effort between sheep farmers, farmers’ associations and veterinarians to inform about the means of transmission of the infection and for a better understanding of the disease.</p

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in Grosseto district, Tuscany, Italy

BACKGROUND: Serum samples from 630 milk sheep, in 33 dairy flocks representative of the southern area of the Tuscany region, were tested for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Questionnaires exploring the management system were completed by the veterinarian in charge of the flocks. RESULTS: At least one seropositive animal was found in 32 of the 33 flocks tested (97.0%; 95% CI: 84.2%, 99.9%). In the positive flocks, median seroprevalence was 29.4% (interquartile range: 15.9%-46.1%). Overall animal-level seroprevalence, adjusted for sampling weights and test sensitivity and specificity, was 33.3% (95% CI: 24.8%, 42.7%). In a multivariable negative binomial regression model the number of seropositive animals in a flock decreased with increasing flock size (for >400 vs. <300 animals: count ratio (CR) = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.95; P = 0.028) and was greater on farms where stray cats had access to animals’ water (CR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.26; P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Small flock size and access of cats to water are potential risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in sheep in the Grosseto district in Tuscany, Italy. Sheep could be an important source of T. gondii infection in humans, since we estimate that between 25% and 43% of sheep in the district were seropositive. Toxoplasmosis is also likely to be an important cause of abortion in sheep in the district. Control and prophylactic measures must be adopted to improve the rearing system and the implementation of health promoting programmes in a joint effort between sheep farmers, farmers’ associations and veterinarians to inform about the means of transmission of the infection and for a better understanding of the disease.Additional file 1: Audit form on rearing practices from 33 farms in Grosseto district, Tuscany, Italy.The study idea was conceived by BCG. BCG, PS and AC participated in the design of the study. FV and IM participated in the acquisition of the laboratory data. AC collected serum samples with the attending veterinarians and helped administering the questionnaire. PT and VC provided previously acquired reference data. BCG and PT carried out the statistical analysis. Data interpretation was done by all authors. BCG and PT drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to the critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content and have seen and approved the final draft.The authors thank all those colleagues who have helped in our on-going research projects, in particular Prof. Barend Louis Penzhorn and Dr Nada Abu Samra of the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Dr Carlo Crotti and Dr Ludovico Renda, veterinary practitioners in Perugia, Italy, and Prof. Piergili Fioretti, University of Perugia, Italy. The authors also express sincere appreciation to members of Polyglot, Perugia, for a careful reading and comments on the article. The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Perugia. Within the framework of the dottorato di ricerca «Sanità animale, produzioni zootecniche e sicurezza degli alimenti – XXVIII Ciclo» this research was supported by a grant from Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia, Italy.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/9/25am2013ab201

Outbreak of a new measles B3 variant in the Roma/Sinti population, with transmission in the nosocomial setting, Italy, November 2015-April 2016

A measles outbreak occurred from November 2015 to April 2016 in two northern Italian regions, affecting the Roma/Sinti ethnic population and nosocomial setting. Overall, 67 cases were reported. Median age of 43 cases in three Roma/Sinti camps was four years, nosocomial cases were mainly adults. The outbreak was caused by a new measles virus B-3.1 variant. Immunisation resources and strategies should be directed at groups with gaps in vaccine coverage, e.g. Roma/Sinti and healthcare workers. Despite a national goal to eliminate measles by 2015, Italy is one of 18 European Region Member States where endemic transmission of measles has not been interrupted [1]. We report here a recent measles outbreak in northern Italy (Figure 1) affecting the Roma/Sinti ethnic population and the nosocomial setting

Advantages of the single delay model for the assessment of insulin sensitivity from the intravenous glucose tolerance test

The Minimal Model, (MM), used to assess insulin sensitivity (IS) from Intra-Venous Glucose-Tolerance Test (IVGTT) data, suffers from frequent lack of identifiability (parameter estimates with Coefficients of Variation (CV) less than 52%). The recently proposed Single Delay Model (SDM) is evaluated as a practical alternative

Contemporary genetic technologies and female reproduction

BACKGROUNDThe Fifth Evian Annual Reproduction (EVAR) Workshop Meeting discussed knowledge regarding contemporary genetics in female reproduction.METHODSSpecialist reproductive medicine clinicians and geneticists delivered presentations based on published literature and current research. The content of this report is based on the expert presentations and subsequent group discussions that took place during this Workshop.RESULTSNumerous ovarian genes with a role in infertility have been identified. Future challenges for genetic screening of patients, such as those with polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency or endometriosis, include the identification of high-throughput strategies and how to apply these findings to infertile patients. The identification of high-quality embryos in IVF using objective technologies remains a high priority in order to facilitate single-embryo transfer. Gene expression profiling of cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte, and proteomic and metabolomic approaches in embryo culture media may significantly improve non-invasive embryo quality assessment.CONCLUSIONSThe way forward in advancing the knowledge of genes involved in reproduction was considered to be through genome-wide association studies involving large numbers of patients. Establishing international collaboration is required to enable the application of such technologies in sufficient numbers of patients

State of the Art Review: Emerging Therapies: The Use of Insulin Sensitizers in the Treatment of Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS, a heterogeneous disorder characterized by cystic ovarian morphology, androgen excess, and/or irregular periods, emerges during or shortly after puberty. Peri- and post-pubertal obesity, insulin resistance and consequent hyperinsulinemia are highly prevalent co-morbidities of PCOS and promote an ongoing state of excess androgen. Given the relationship of insulin to androgen excess, reduction of insulin secretion and/or improvement of its action at target tissues offer the possibility of improving the physical stigmata of androgen excess by correction of the reproductive dysfunction and preventing metabolic derangements from becoming entrenched. While lifestyle changes that concentrate on behavioral, dietary and exercise regimens should be considered as first line therapy for weight reduction and normalization of insulin levels in adolescents with PCOS, several therapeutic options are available and in wide use, including oral contraceptives, metformin, thiazolidenediones and spironolactone. Overwhelmingly, the data on the safety and efficacy of these medications derive from the adult PCOS literature. Despite the paucity of randomized control trials to adequately evaluate these modalities in adolescents, their use, particularly that of metformin, has gained popularity in the pediatric endocrine community. In this article, we present an overview of the use of insulin sensitizing medications in PCOS and review both the adult and (where available) adolescent literature, focusing specifically on the use of metformin in both mono- and combination therapy