Exploring RCNN for the automated analysis of paramagnetic rim lesions in Multiple Sclerosis MRI

In multiple sclerosis, lesions with a peripheral paramagnetic rim is a negative prognostic imaging biomarker and represents a potential outcome measure in MRI-based clinical trials. Nowadays, the presence or absence of paramagnetic rims is determined through visual inspection by medical experts, which is tedious, time consuming and prone to observer variability. So far, few solutions to the automated classification of rims problem have been proposed. These studies present limitations that represent an obstacle to full automation of the rim analysis process and its large-scale application. Our goal is to implement and assess a fully automated algorithm capable of identifying rim lesions in MRI. In this work, we explore a Region-proposal CNN deep learning approach to solve the fully automated rim lesions classification problem that perform instance segmentation by object detection and have shown promising results in recent challenges, particularly in medical imaging. After different approaches focus on implifying the task, Mask RCNN with MobileNet v2 as backbone using attention gaussian filtering to the input images showed better performance than the rest with rates of 0.42 TPR and 0.61 FPR for the test set. However, the achieved results reveal the weaknesses of our approach and the difficulty of our classification problem

Acidification of musts in warm regions with tartaric acid and calcium sulfate at industrial scale

Acidification of musts is necessary in warm areas where high temperatures during ripening accelerate breathing combustion of tartaric acid and, in particular, malic acid in the berries. L(+) tartaric acid, L(-) or D,L malic acid and lactic acids are the only chemical acidifiers authorized by the OIV and European Community regulations. The use of calcium sulfate (gypsum: CaSO4·2H2O) is also authorized in the European Community as a complementary acidifier in generous and generous liquor wines from Spain (a practice known as plastering), provided that the residual sulfate content in the wine does not exceed 2.5 g/L expressed as potassium sulfate. However, this practice is not yet approved by OIV. To predict the effect on pH of different acidifiers, several chemical modeling approaches have been described in the literature, in particular a simplified model where the acidity of wine is considered to be due to a monoprotic acid. The aim of this work is to verify this model at pilot and industrial scale in the acidification of musts with tartaric and calcium sulfate, added either individually and in combination, using doses up to 3 g/L and to study the modifications that these practices produce on the compositions of the resulting wines. This work supplies useful information to study this practice in OIV in order to consider its approval

DIET AND FOOD RESOURCE PARTITIONING AMONG SIX IBIS SPECIES IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS

This work is the first one to provide simultaneous information on the diet of all six ibis species inhabiting the Venezuelan Llanos. For this we analyzed gizzard contents of birds collected in 1979-1982 (between 59 and 11 per species). The seasonality of the rainfall has a great influence on the prey eaten by the ibises (diet overlap between dry and wet season varied between 0.07 and 0.45 depending on the species). Main prey (in percent of prey number) for Scarlet/White ibis (Eudocimus ruber) were: Coleoptera (73%), Diptera (12%) and Heteroptera (6%) in the dry season, and Coleoptera (82%) and Odonata (9%) in the wet season. For Barefaced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus): Coleoptera (72%) and Ephemeroptera (20%) in the dry season, and Oligochaeta (65%), Ephemeroptera (19%) and Coleoptera (14%) in the wet season. For Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus): Spinicaudata (79%), Coleoptera (18%) and plant material (18% of the total volume of food items) in the dry season, and Coleoptera (51%), Decapoda (28%), Odonata 10%) and Heteroptera (8%) in the wet season. For Sharptailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca): Pisces (30%), Lepidoptera (28%), Coleoptera (27%) and Orthoptera (6%) in the dry season, and Coleoptera (35%), Orthoptera (33%) and Oligochaeta (29%) in the wet season. For Buffnecked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus): Coleoptera (43%), Orthoptera (42%), Arachnida (7%) and Lepidoptera (6%) in the dry season, and Coleoptera (56%) and Orthoptera (35%) in the wet season. For Green Ibis (Messimbrinibis cayennensis): Coleoptera (75%), Gastropoda (7%) and Orthoptera (6%) in the dry season, without data in the wet season. The diet overlap between pairs of species showed low to medium values (0.13-0.44 in dry season, 0.03-0.60 in wet season). These data support the idea that the coexistence of these species is largely facilitated by food resource partitioning

C. elegans epigenetic regulation in development and aging

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License.The precise developmentalmap of the Caenorhabditis elegans cell lineage, as well as a complete genome sequence and feasibility of genetic manipulation make this nematode species highly attractive to study the role of epigenetics during development. Genetic dissection of phenotypical traits, such as formation of egg-laying organs or starvation- resistant dauer larvae, has illustrated how chromatin modifiers may regulate specific cell-fate decisions and behavioral programs. Moreover, the transparent body of C. elegans facilitates non-invasive microscopy to study tissue-specific accumulation of heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery. We also review here recent findings on how small RNA molecules contribute to epigenetic control of gene expression that can be propagated for several generations and eventually determine longevity.This work was supported by the CNRS [to F.P.]; Fondation ARC [SFI20101201659 to F.P.]; Ligue Contre le Cancer [to F.P.]; the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [BFU2010-15478 to P.A.]; the Autonomous Government of Andalusia [P08-CVI-3920 to P.A.]; and the European Regional Development Fund.Peer Reviewe

Different genetic requirements for repair of replication-born double-strand breaks by sister-chromatid recombination and break-induced replication

Homologous recombination (HR) is the major mechanism used to repair double-strand breaks (DSBs) that result from replication, but a study of repair of DSBs specifically induced during S-phase is lacking. Using an inverted-repeat assay in which a DSB is generated by the encountering of the replication fork with nicks, we can physically detect repair by sister-chromatid recombination (SCR) and intra-chromatid break-induced replication (IC-BIR). As expected, both events depend on Rad52, but, in contrast to previous data, both require Rad59, suggesting a prominent role of Rad59 in repair of replication-born DSBs. In the absence of Rad51, SCR is severely affected while IC-BIR increases, a phenotype that is also observed in the absence of Rad54 but not of its paralog Rdh54/Tid1. These data are consistent with SCR occurring by Rad51-dependent mechanisms assisted by Rad54, and indicate that in the absence of strand exchange-dependent SCR, breaks can be channeled to IC-BIR, which works efficiently in the absence of Rad51. Our study provides molecular evidence for inversions between repeats occurring by BIR followed by single-strand annealing (SSA) in the absence of strand exchange

Consulting Editors

La dirección estratégica debe ser un proceso continuo que apoye los objetivos a largo plazo trazados dentro de las empresas. Este proceso involucra la ejecución de un plan estratégico que sea reconocido, comprendido y aceptado por el personal encargado de ejecutarlo. Además de lo anterior, debe tener en cuenta a la empresa como totalidad y sus relaciones con el entorno, en este sentido, el apoyo en las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones es de vital importancia.El objetivo de esta investigación y el principal resultado esperado es identificar las herramientas TIC que apoyen el proceso de direccionamiento estratégico; para lo cual la cometodología responde a los criterios de una investigación básica, como un primer acercamiento teórico.The strategic direction should be a continuous process that supports the long-term goals mapped out within companies, a process which involves the implementation of a strategic plan that is recognized, understood and accepted by the staff responsible for implementation. In addition, this plan should take into account the company as a whole and its relationship with the environment, in this regard support the information technology and communications is vital. The objective of this research and the main expected result is to identify the ICT tools that support the strategic management process; in this sense the methodology meets the criteria for basic research as a first theoretical approach.(resumo en espanhol)La dirección estratégica debe ser un proceso continuo que apoye los objetivos a largo plazo trazados dentro de las empresas. Este proceso involucra la ejecución de un plan estratégico que sea reconocido, comprendido y aceptado por el personal encargado de ejecutarlo. Además de lo anterior, debe tener en cuenta a la empresa como totalidad y sus relaciones con el entorno, en este sentido, el apoyo en las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones es de vital importancia.El objetivo de esta investigación y el principal resultado esperado es identificar las herramientas TIC que apoyen el proceso de direccionamiento estratégico; para lo cual la cometodología responde a los criterios de una investigación básica, como un primer acercamiento teórico

Control of the function of the transcription and repair factor TFIIH by the action of the cochaperone Ydj1

Yeast rad3-102, a mutant of the TFIIH complex involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER) and transcription, can perform NER initial steps but not late steps of postincision gap filing. Because removal of early-acting NER proteins prevents rad3-102 deleterious action, we used this feature to explore if chaperones act in early NER. We found that the cochaperone Ydj1 is required for NER and that Ydj1 guarantees TFIIH stoichiometry. Importantly, in the absence of Ydj1, the roles of TFIIH in transcription and transactivation, the ability to activate transcription by nuclear receptors in response to hormones, are strongly impaired. We propose that TFIIH constitutes a multitarget complex for Ydj1, as six of the seven TFIIH core components contain biologically relevant Ydj1- binding motives. Our results provide evidence for a role of chaperones in NER and transcription, with implications in cancer and TFIIH-associated syndromes

Control of the function of the transcription and repair factor TFIIH by the action of the cochaperone Ydj1

Yeast rad3-102, a mutant of the TFIIH complex involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER) and transcription, can perform NER initial steps but not late steps of postincision gap filing. Because removal of early-acting NER proteins prevents rad3-102 deleterious action, we used this feature to explore if chaperones act in early NER. We found that the cochaperone Ydj1 is required for NER and that Ydj1 guarantees TFIIH stoichiometry. Importantly, in the absence of Ydj1, the roles of TFIIH in transcription and transactivation, the ability to activate transcription by nuclear receptors in response to hormones, are strongly impaired. We propose that TFIIH constitutes a multitarget complex for Ydj1, as six of the seven TFIIH core components contain biologically relevant Ydj1- binding motives. Our results provide evidence for a role of chaperones in NER and transcription, with implications in cancer and TFIIH-associated syndromes

DIRECCIONAMIENTO ESTRATÉGICO APOYADO EN LAS TIC

RESUMENLa dirección estratégica debe ser un proceso continuo que apoye los objetivosa largo plazo trazados dentro de las empresas. Este proceso involucra la ejecución de un plan estratégico que sea reconocido, comprendido y aceptado por el personal encargado de ejecutarlo. Además de lo anterior, debe tener en cuenta a la empresa como totalidad y sus relaciones con el entorno, en este sentido, el apoyo en las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones es de vital importancia.El objetivo de esta investigación y el principal resultado esperado es identificar las herramientas TIC que apoyen el proceso de direccionamientoestratégico; para lo cual la metodología responde a los criterios de una investigación básica, como un primer acercamiento teórico.Análisis estratégico, formulación estratégica,implantación estratégica, TIC, sistemas de información.

The experience of pregnancy in women with HIV

Trabajo fin de grado en EnfermeríaIntroducción: La epidemiología del VIH está condicionada por el contexto socioeconómico y la vulnerabilidad asociada que existe entre los diferentes grupos poblacionales. En países en vías de desarrollo, las mujeres jóvenes tienen más probabilidades de contraer el VIH debido a diversos factores sociales. Así mismo, las mujeres con VIH que deciden ser madres tienen que enfrentarse a una serie de dificultades biológicas, psicológicas y/o sociales derivadas de su situación clínica que deben ser abordadas desde el ámbito sanitario. Objetivo principal: describir la experiencia del proceso del embarazo en mujeres con VIH. Metodología: estudio cualitativo de perspectiva fenomenológica-hermenéutica mediante la selección de dos grupos poblacionales: profesionales sanitarios y mujeres con VIH, procedentes de las unidades de puerperio del Hospital Universitario La Paz y del Servicio de Microbiología Clínica-Enfermedades Infecciosas-VIH del Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón de la Comunidad de Madrid. El instrumento de recogida de datos será la entrevista semiestructurada, grabada por un dispositivo de audio y transcrita de forma literal posteriormente. Se realizará un análisis temático de datos a través de la lectura en profundidad, codificación, agrupación e integración de la información junto con la elaboración de un informe final de los resultados. Conclusiones: el desarrollo de este proyecto aportará información sobre la influencia que ejerce el VIH durante el embarazo. Nos mostrará las dificultades y aspectos que adquieren una mayor relevancia en esta situación clínica, así como la percepción de las pacientes sobre la calidad de la atención sanitaria recibida.Introduction: The epidemiology of HIV is conditioned by the socioeconomic context and the relationship that exists between different population groups. In developing countries, young women are more likely to contract HIV due to various social factors. Likewise, women with HIV who decide to become mothers have to face a series of biological, psychological and/or social difficulties resulting from their clinical situation that must be addressed from the health system. Main objective: to describe the experience of the pregnancy process in women with HIV. Methodology: a qualitative study of phenomenological-hermeneutic perspective through the selection of two population groups: health professionals and women with HIV taken from the puerperium units of the University Hospital La Paz and the Clinical Microbiology Service-Infectious Diseases-HIV of the University Hospital Gregorio Marañón of the Community of Madrid. The instrument for data collection will be semi-structured interviews, recorded by an audio device, and literally transcribed later. A thematic analysis of data will be carried out through in-depth reading, coding, grouping and integration of the information together with the preparation of a final report with the results. Conclusions: the development of this project will provide information about the influence of HIV during pregnancy. It will show the difficulties and aspects that requiere greater attention in this clinical situation, as well as the perception by patients of the healthcare provided