Using volunteered observations to map human exposure to ticks.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in Europe and its incidence has steadily increased over the last two decades. In the Netherlands alone, more than 20,000 citizens are affected by LB each year. Because of this, two Dutch citizen science projects were started to monitor tick bites. Both projects have collected nearly 50,000 geo-located tick bite reports over the period 2006-2016. The number of tick bite reports per area unit is a proxy of tick bite risk. This risk can also be modelled as the result of the interaction of hazard (e.g. tick activity) and human exposure (e.g. outdoor recreational activities). Multiple studies have focused on quantifying tick hazard. However, quantifying human exposure is a harder task. In this work, we make a first step to map human exposure to ticks by combining tick bite reports with a tick hazard model. Our results show human exposure to tick bites in all forested areas of the Netherlands. This information could facilitate the cooperation between public health specialists and forest managers to create better mitigation campaigns for tick-borne diseases, and it could also support the design of improved plans for ecosystem management

Biomarker comparison and selection for prostate cancer detection in Dynamic Contrast Enhanced-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI)

[EN] In this work, the capability of imaging biomarkers obtained from multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS), in combination with those obtained from first and second-generation pharmacokinetic models, have been studied for improving prostate cancer tumor depiction using partial least squares- discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The main goal of this work is to improve tissue classification properties selecting the best biomarkers in terms of prediction. A wrapped double cross-validation method has been applied for the variable selection process. Using the best PLS-DA model, prostate tissues can be classified obtaining 13.4% of false negatives and 7.4% of false positives. Using MCR-ALS biomarkers yields the best models in terms of parsimony and classification performance.This research has been supported by "Generalitat Valenciana (Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura I Esport)" under the project AICO/2016/061.Aguado-Sarrió, E.; Prats-Montalbán, JM.; Sanz-Requena, R.; Garcia-Marti, G.; Marti-Bonmati, L.; Ferrer, A. (2017). Biomarker comparison and selection for prostate cancer detection in Dynamic Contrast Enhanced-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI). Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems. 165:38-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemolab.2017.04.003S384516

Image-guided Surgical Microscope

We present an image-guided surgical microscope system using augmented reality image overlays added onto one of the views of the operating microscope. With this system, segmented objects, outlines of risk regions, access pathways or 3D objects, previously extracted from preoperative tomographic images can be directly displayed as augmented reality overlays on the microscope image

Essential role of the T cell–specific adapter protein in the activation of LCK in peripheral T cells

T cell–specific adapter protein (TSAd) is a SRC-homology-2 (SH2) domain–containing intracellular signaling molecule that is required for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)–induced cytokine synthesis in T cells. How TSAd functions in TCR signal transduction is not clear. Previous work has suggested a nuclear role for this adapter. However, other evidence suggests that TSAd also functions in the cytoplasm. Using T cells from TSAd-deficient mice, we now show that the major role of TSAd in the cytoplasm is in activation of the LCK protein tyrosine kinase at the outset of TCR signal transduction. Consequently, TSAd regulates several downstream signaling events, including intracellular calcium mobilization and activation of the Ras–extracellular signal–regulated kinase signaling pathway. TSAd regulates LCK activity directly through physical interaction with LCK SH3 and SH2 domains. These studies reveal TSAd as a positive regulator of proximal TCR signal transduction and provide important new information on the mechanism of TCR-induced LCK activation

Complete-Graph Tensor Network States: A New Fermionic Wave Function Ansatz for Molecules

We present a new class of tensor network states that are specifically designed to capture the electron correlation of a molecule of arbitrary structure. In this ansatz, the electronic wave function is represented by a Complete-Graph Tensor Network (CGTN) ansatz which implements an efficient reduction of the number of variational parameters by breaking down the complexity of the high-dimensional coefficient tensor of a full-configuration-interaction (FCI) wave function. We demonstrate that CGTN states approximate ground states of molecules accurately by comparison of the CGTN and FCI expansion coefficients. The CGTN parametrization is not biased towards any reference configuration in contrast to many standard quantum chemical methods. This feature allows one to obtain accurate relative energies between CGTN states which is central to molecular physics and chemistry. We discuss the implications for quantum chemistry and focus on the spin-state problem. Our CGTN approach is applied to the energy splitting of states of different spin for methylene and the strongly correlated ozone molecule at a transition state structure. The parameters of the tensor network ansatz are variationally optimized by means of a parallel-tempering Monte Carlo algorithm

Valor clínico de la tomografía de emisión de positrones con F-18-FDG en el seguimiento de pacientes con cáncer de ovario

Background. Positron emission tomography with fluor- 18-deoxyglucose (PET-FDG) is an efficient technique for the detection of tumoural tissue. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the PET-FDG in the diagnosis of residual disease or relapse in patients with cancer of the ovary. Methods. A total of 24 patients, diagnosed and treated for cancer of the ovary with surgery and subsequent chemotherapy, were included. With 12 patients the study was carried out prior to second-look surgery, and with the other 12 after objectivising an increase of the tumoural marker in the follow up. Abdominal-pelvic CAT, determination of the seric levels of CA-125 and PET-FDG of thorax, abdomen and pelvis were carried out on all patients. The PET-FDG was evaluated in a qualitative way through the visual study of the images, and quantitatively through the SUV or standard uptake value. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed through an anatomopathological study in 13 cases and through clinical follow up in the rest with an average of 11.2±5.4 months (range 6-24). Results. A CA-125 value higher than 35 UI/ml was considered positive, obtaining a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of the CAT was 23% and the specificity 91%. With the FDG-PET sensitivity was 92% and the specificity 90%. A SUV value ≥ 3 was considered pathological, obtaining the same results as with the visual evaluation. The FDG-PET was positive in 5 patients with non-conclusive CAT, 4 with negative CAT and 2 with negative CA-125. Conclusion. These preliminary results suggest that the FDG-PET could be useful in the follow up of patients treated for cancer of the ovary. The FDG-PET could be efficient in the differentiation between residual disease or recurrence, as opposed to sequels to the treatment, when the CAT is not conclusive due to anatomical distortion. The FDG-PET could be more sensitive than an increased marker value, and facing an increase of the latter it permits a non-invasive localisation of the disease

Dietary total antioxidant capacity is associated with leukocyte telomere length in a children and adolescent population

Background & Aims: Oxidative stress and inflammation seem to be potential underlying mechanisms for telomere attrition. A lack of specific antioxidants is believed to increase free radical damage and a greater risk for telomere shortening. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between diet and leukocyte telomere length in a cross-sectional study of children and adolescents. We hypothesized that dietary total antioxidant capacity would be positively associated with telomere length. Methods: Telomere length was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 287 participants (55% males, 6–18 years), who were randomly selected from the GENOI study. Results: A positive correlation between dietary total antioxidant capacity and telomere length (r=0.157, p=0.007) was found after adjustment for age and energy intake. However, higher white bread consumption was associated with shorter telomeres (β=-0.204, p=0.002) in fully-adjusted models. Interestingly, those individuals who had simultaneously higher dietary total antioxidant capacity and lower white bread consumption significantly presented the longest telomeres. Moreover, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for very short telomeres was 0.30 for dietary total antioxidant capacity (p=0.023) and 1.37 for white bread (p=0.025). Conclusion: It was concluded that longer telomeres were associated with higher dietary total antioxidant capacity and lower white bread consumption in S2panish children and adolescents. These findings might open a new line of investigation about the potential role of an antioxidant diet in maintaining telomere length

18F-FDG metabolism in a rat model of chronic infarction: a 17-sector semiquantitative analysis

Strategies to establish the functional benefit of cell therapy in cardiac regeneration and the potential mechanism are needed. Aims: Development of a semi-quantitative method for non invasive assessment of cardiac viability and function in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) based on the use of microPET. Animals, methods: Ten rats were subjected to myocardial imaging 2, 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after left coronary artery ligation. Intravenous 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-2-D-glucose (18F-FDG) was administered and regional 18F activity concentrations per unit area were measured in 17 regions of interest (ROIs) drawn on cardiac polar maps. By comparing the differences in 18F uptake between baseline and each of the follow up time points, parametric polar maps of statistical significance (PPMSS) were calculated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was blindly assessed echocardiographically. All animals were sacrificed for histopathological analysis after 90 days. Results: The diagnostic quality of 18F-FDG microPET images was excellent. PPMSS demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in 18F concentrations as early as 48 hours after MI in 4 of the 17 ROIs (segments 7, 13, 16 and 17; p <0.05) that persisted throughout the study. Semi-quantitative analysis of 18F-FDG uptake correlated with echocardiographic decrease in LVEF (p <0.001). Conclusion: The use of PPMSS based on 18F-FDG-microPET provides valuable semi-quantitative information of heart glucose metabolism allowing for non-invasive follow up thus representing a useful strategy for assessment of novel therapies in cardiac regeneration

Application of seminal plasma in sex-sorting and sperm cryopreservation

Substantial dilution of boar semen during processing decreased the concentration of seminal plasma, perhaps contributing to the decline in sperm quality after cryopreservation and sex-sorting. Results of replacing seminal plasma in investigations from many laboratories have been contradictory. Results and discussion here suggest that whereas membrane status can be influenced by seminal plasma, the action of its various components, both positive and negative, is determined in part by the membrane status of the spermatozoa to which it is being exposed. Although progress has been made in identifying components of seminal plasma responsible for its protective effect (notably PSP-I/II spermadhesin for sex-sorted boar spermatozoa), little is known (in any species) regarding how external factors may influence their levels, and their functionality, in seminal plasma. It is noteworthy that seminal plasma is beneficial to post-thaw quality of sex-sorted ram spermatozoa only when added before freezing, not after thawing. Therefore, the action of seminal plasma and its components is dependent on sperm-related factors, in particular the type of processing to which they have been previously exposed. Further research is needed to unravel these biological complexities, and then characterise and synthesise useful proteins within seminal plasma. © 2008