348 research outputs found
Presidential Office: Foreword
We study the fundamental relationship between two relevant quantities in compressive sensing: the measurement rate, which characterizes the asymptotic behavior of the dimensions of the measurement matrix in terms of the ratio m/ log n (m being the number of measurements and n the dimension of the sparse signal), and the mean square estimation error. First, we use an information-theoretic approach to derive sufficient conditions on the measurement rate to reliably recover a part of the support set that represents a certain fraction of the total signal power when the sparsity level is fixed. Second, we characterize the mean square error of an estimator that uses partial support set information. Using these two parts, we derive a tradeoff between the measurement rate and the mean square error. This tradeoff is achievable using a two-step approach: first support set recovery, then estimation of the active components. Finally, for both deterministic and random signals, we perform a numerical evaluation to verify the advantages of the methods based on partial support set recovery.QC 20140617</p
Influenza NG-34 T cell conserved epitope adjuvanted with CAF01 as a possible influenza vaccine candidate
Conserved epitopes are targets commonly researched to be part of universal vaccine candidates against influenza viruses (IV). These conserved epitopes need to be cross-protecting against distinct IV subtypes and to have a strong immunogenic potential. Nevertheless, subunit vaccines generally require a strong adjuvant to enhance their immunological effects. Herewith, we compare four different adjuvants differing in their immunological signatures that may enhance efficacy of a conserved hemagglutinin (HA)-epitope from IV, the NG-34, to define the most efficient combination of antigen/adjuvant to combat IV infections. Soluble NG-34 was mixed with adjuvants like aluminium hydroxide (AH) and AddaVax, known to induce Th2 and humoral responses; CAF01 which displays a biased Th1/Th17 profile and Diluvac Forte which augments the humoral response. Combinations were tested in different groups of mice which were subjected to immunological analyses. CAF01 + NG-34 induced a complete immune response with the highest IgG1, IgG2c titers and percentages of activated CD4 T cell promoting IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α producing cells. Furthermore, in NG-34 stimulated mice splenocytes, cytokine levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α were also the highest in the CAF01 + NG-34 mouse group. This complete induced immune response covering the humoral and the cellular arms of the adaptive immunity promoted by CAF01 + NG-34 group suggests that CAF01 could be a good candidate as an adjuvant to combine with NG-34 for an efficacious vaccine against IV. However, more studies performed in IV hosts as well as studies with a challenge model are further required.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A probabilistic deep learning model of inter-fraction anatomical variations in radiotherapy
In radiotherapy, the internal movement of organs between treatment sessions
causes errors in the final radiation dose delivery. Motion models can be used
to simulate motion patterns and assess anatomical robustness before delivery.
Traditionally, such models are based on principal component analysis (PCA) and
are either patient-specific (requiring several scans per patient) or
population-based, applying the same deformations to all patients. We present a
hybrid approach which, based on population data, allows to predict
patient-specific inter-fraction variations for an individual patient. We
propose a deep learning probabilistic framework that generates deformation
vector fields (DVFs) warping a patient's planning computed tomography (CT) into
possible patient-specific anatomies. This daily anatomy model (DAM) uses few
random variables capturing groups of correlated movements. Given a new planning
CT, DAM estimates the joint distribution over the variables, with each sample
from the distribution corresponding to a different deformation. We train our
model using dataset of 312 CT pairs from 38 prostate cancer patients. For 2
additional patients (22 CTs), we compute the contour overlap between real and
generated images, and compare the sampled and ground truth distributions of
volume and center of mass changes. With a DICE score of 0.86 and a distance
between prostate contours of 1.09 mm, DAM matches and improves upon PCA-based
models. The distribution overlap further indicates that DAM's sampled movements
match the range and frequency of clinically observed daily changes on repeat
CTs. Conditioned only on a planning CT and contours of a new patient without
any pre-processing, DAM can accurately predict CTs seen during following
treatment sessions, which can be used for anatomically robust treatment
planning and robustness evaluation against inter-fraction anatomical changes
Immune responses following neonatal vaccination with conserved F4 fragment of VtaA proteins from virulent Glaesserella parasuis adjuvanted with CAF®01 or CDA
Glaesserella parasuis is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the upper airways of swine, capable of causing a systemic infection called Glässer’s disease. This disease is more frequent in young post-weaning piglets. Current treatments against G. parasuis infection are based on the use of antimicrobials or inactivated vaccines, which promote limited cross-protection against different serovars. For this reason, there is an interest in developing novel subunit vaccines with the capacity to confer effective protection against different virulent strains. Herein, we characterize the immunogenicity and the potential benefits of neonatal immunization with two different vaccine formulations based on the F4 polypeptide, a conserved immunogenic protein fragment from the virulence-associated trimeric autotransporters of virulent G. parasuis strains. With this purpose, we immunized two groups of piglets with F4 combined with cationic adjuvant CAF®01 or cyclic dinucleotide CDA. Piglets immunized with a commercial bacterin and non-immunized animals served as control groups. The vaccinated piglets received two doses of vaccine, at 14 days old and 21 days later. The immune response induced against the F4 polypeptide varied depending on the adjuvant used. Piglets vaccinated with the F4+CDA vaccine developed specific anti-F4 IgGs, biased towards the induction of IgG1 responses, whereas no anti-F4 IgGs were de novo induced after immunization with the CAF®01 vaccine. Piglets immunized with both formulations displayed balanced memory T-cell responses, evidenced upon in vitro re-stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with F4. Interestingly, pigs immunized with F4+CAF®01 controlled more efficiently a natural nasal colonization by a virulent serovar 4 G. parasuis that spontaneously occurred during the experimental procedure. According to the results, the immunogenicity and the protection afforded by F4 depend on the adjuvant used. F4 may represent a candidate to consider for a Glässer‘s disease vaccine and could contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in protection against virulent G. parasuis colonization.This study was financially supported by the European Project TRANSVAC2–730964–INFRAIA–2016-1 of the European Vaccine Initiative funded in turn by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Program. Sergi López-Serrano was funded by this Project. IRTA-CReSA is also supported by the Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA) Program from the Generalitat de Catalunya.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Immune Responses to Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection in Pigs Vaccinated with a Conserved Hemagglutinin HA1 Peptide Adjuvanted with CAF ® 01 or CDA/αGalCerMPEG
This study aimed to evaluate the immune response and protection correlates against influenza virus (IV) infection in pigs vaccinated with the novel NG34 HA1 vaccine candidate adjuvanted with either CAF ® 01 or CDA/αGalCerMPEG (αGCM). Two groups of six pigs each were vaccinated intramuscularly twice with either NG34 + CAF ® 01 or NG34 + CDA/αGCM. As controls, groups of animals (n = 6 or 4) either non-vaccinated or vaccinated with human seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine or NG34 + Freund's adjuvant were included in the study. All animal groups were challenged with the 2009 pandemic (pdm09) strain of H1N1 (total amount of 7 × 10 6 TCID/mL) via intranasal and endotracheal routes 21 days after second vaccination. Reduced consolidated lung lesions were observed both on days three and seven post-challenge in the animals vaccinated with NG34 + CAF ® 01, whereas higher variability with relatively more severe lesions in pigs of the NG34 + CDA/αGCM group on day three post-infection. Among groups, animals vaccinated with NG34 + CDA/αGCM showed higher viral loads in the lung at seven days post infection whereas animals from NG34 + CAF ® 01 completely abolished virus from the lower respiratory tract. Similarly, higher IFNγ secretion and stronger IgG responses against the NG34 peptide in sera was observed in animals from the NG34 + CAF ® 01 group as compared to the NG34 + CDA/αGCM. NG34-vaccinated pigs with adjuvanted CAF ® 01 or CDA/αGCM combinations resulted in different immune responses as well as outcomes in pathology and viral shedding
Engagement of patients with scleroderma to revise an internet self-management program
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is a rare connective tissue disease. Many people do not have access to education programs. A self-management program was developed several years ago based on the literature and input from people with SSc. However, new therapies and treatment options have been developed since the program was developed. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and remedy gaps in an internet SSc self-management program to improve the quality of critical information relevant to effective management of the disease. Six focus groups with 30 participants with SSc were conducted: 2 telephone groups and 4 face-to-face groups. Prior to the focus group meetings, participants reviewed the existing website. A semi-structured interview guide elicited participants’ responses. Gaps were expressed in affect and positive affirmation; disease and symptom management; self-advocacy; information for caregivers, families, coworkers and strangers; tracking systems; information about local support groups; pictures and information on underrepresented groups; and general format. Discussants were positive regarding the audio voice over, exercise module, current content, health logs and checklists. People with SSc identified additional content to improve the internet self-management program. Many of the suggestions were incorporated into the existing program as modifications and additions to existing modules, patient testimonials, worksheets, resources sheets, and/or links to additional websites. People with rare, chronic conditions such as SSc need education and reliable sources of information and self-management skills.
Experience Framework
This article is associated with the Innovation & Technology lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (http://bit.ly/ExperienceFramework) Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this len
“Desarrollo tecnológico de un sistema de adquisición de datos ambientales para su uso en proyectos de investigación científica: Arquitectura abierta CRTECMote”
Proyectos de investigación (Código: 5402-1360-2201) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería Electrónica, 2010El avance en el desarrollo de la microelectrónica y las teorías de sistemas han
hecho posible el diseño de complejos sistemas de monitorización con un mayor
nivel de integración y una mayor eficiencia en el consumo energético. Gracias a
esto, se ha logrado el desarrollo de tecnologías móviles que abren una ventana de
oportunidad a aquellos proyectos que se habían visto limitados desde un punto de
vista tecnológico.
Los países desarrollados han hecho una gran inversión en el desarrollo de
tecnologías portátiles o móviles para aplicaciones militares, sin embargo, en el
contexto de la realidad nacional, el enfoque que se ha dado a las tecnologías
móviles va enfocado al desarrollo de sistemas de monitorización ambiental
orientados a resolver tres problemáticas principales: la primera son las
aplicaciones de monitorización y protección ambiental, la segunda aplicación es
prevención de desastres mediante la predicción de problemas en la infraestructura
nacional y la tercera es el desarrollo de indicadores de calidad de agua, con lo que
se pretende mejorar la calidad de vida de los costarricenses.
A inicios del 2009 se comenzó con el desarrollo de una plataforma tecnológica de
arquitectura abierta que hiciera posible desarrollar herramientas para atacar las
tres prioridades que se expusieron anteriormente, es por ello que CRTECMote
viene a ser la respuesta natural que satisface las necesidades de un conjunto de
investigadores en torno al desarrollo de sistemas de medición inteligentes,
escalables y de bajo costo.Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería Electrónica
Atypical Q Fever in US Soldiers
Q fever is an emerging infectious disease among US soldiers serving in Iraq. Three patients have had atypical manifestations, including 2 patients with acute cholecystitis and 1 patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Providers must be aware of Q fever’s signs and symptoms to avoid delays in treatment
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