Design and Validation of an FPGA-Based Configurable Transcranial Doppler Neurofeedback System for Chronic Pain Patients

Neurofeedback is a self-regulation technique that can be applied to learn to voluntarily control cerebral activity in specific brain regions. In this work, a Transcranial Doppler-based configurable neurofeedback system is proposed and described. The hardware configuration is based on the Red Pitaya board, which gives great flexibility and processing power to the system. The parameter to be trained can be selected between several temporal, spectral, or complexity features from the cerebral blood flow velocity signal in different vessels. As previous studies have found alterations in these parameters in chronic pain patients, the system could be applied to help them to voluntarily control these parameters. Two protocols based on different temporal lengths of the training periods have been proposed and tested with six healthy subjects that were randomly assigned to one of the protocols at the beginning of the procedure. For the purposes of the testing, the trained parameter was the mean cerebral blood flow velocity in the aggregated data from the two anterior cerebral arteries. Results show that, using the proposed neurofeedback system, the two groups of healthy volunteers can learn to self-regulate a parameter from their brain activity in a reduced number of training sessions.This research was funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain, grant number PSI2013-48260-C3-2-R. The APC was funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain, grant number PSI2013-48260-C3-2-R

The lincRNA HOTAIRM1, located in the HOXA genomic region, is expressed in acute myeloid leukemia, impacts prognosis in patients in the intermediate-risk cytogenetic category, and is associated with a distinctive microRNA signature

Altres ajuts: SDCSD from School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deregulated in several tumors, although their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is mostly unknown.We have examined the expression of the lncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HOTAIRM1) in 241 AML patients. We have correlated HOTAIRM1 expression with a miRNA expression profile. We have also analyzed the prognostic value of HOTAIRM1 expression in 215 intermediate-risk AML (IR-AML) patients.The lowest expression level was observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (P < 0.001) and the highest in t(6;9) AML (P = 0.005). In 215 IR-AML patients, high HOTAIRM1 expression was independently associated with shorter overall survival (OR:2.04;P = 0.001), shorter leukemia-free survival (OR:2.56; P < 0.001) and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (OR:1.67; P = 0.046). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 maintained its independent prognostic value within the favorable molecular subgroup (OR: 3.43; P = 0.009). Interestingly, HOTAIRM1 was overexpressed in NPM1-mutated AML (P < 0.001) and within this group retained its prognostic value (OR: 2.21; P = 0.01). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 expression was associated with a specific 33-microRNA signature that included miR-196b (P < 0.001). miR-196b is located in the HOX genomic region and has previously been reported to have an independent prognostic value in AML. miR-196b and HOTAIRM1 in combination as a prognostic factor can classify patients as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk (5-year OS: 24% vs 42% vs 70%; P = 0.004).Determination of HOTAIRM1 level at diagnosis provided relevant prognostic information in IR-AML and allowed refinement of risk stratification based on common molecular markers. The prognostic information provided by HOTAIRM1 was strengthened when combined with miR-196b expression. Furthermore, HOTAIRM1 correlated with a 33-miRNA signatur

Effect of nanosilica-based activators on the performance of an alkali-activated fly ash

This paper assesses the effect of the use of an alternative activator based on nanosilica/MOH (M = K+ or Na+) blended solutions on the performance of alkali-activated fly ash binders. Binders produced with commercial silicate activators display a greater degree of reaction, associated with increased contents of geopolymer gel; however, mortars produced with the alternative nanosilica-based activators exhibited lower water demand and reduced permeability, independent of the alkali cation used. Na-based activators promote higher compressive strength compared with K-based activators, along with a refined pore structure, although K-activated samples exhibit reduced water demand. Zeolite type products are the major crystalline phases formed within these binders. A wider range of zeolites is formed when using commercial silicate solutions compared with the alternative activators. These results suggest that there are variations in the availability of Si in the system, and consequently in the alkalinity, depending on the silicate source in the activator, which is important in determining the nanostructure of the geopolymer gel.This study was sponsored by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion of Spain (Project GEORES MAT2010-19934 and research scholarship BES-2008-002440), European regional development fund (FEDER), and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). The participation of SAB and JLP was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), including partial funding through the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, a Special Research Centre of the ARC. A special acknowledgement is also due to the Centre of Electron Microscopy of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and Pedro Garces from the Universidad de Alicante for support in some experiments.Rodriguez Martinez, ED.; Bernal, SA.; Provis, JL.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV. (2013). Effect of nanosilica-based activators on the performance of an alkali-activated fly ash. Cement and Concrete Composites. 35(1):1-11. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.08.025S11135

Transcriptome Analysis during Human Trophectoderm Specification Suggests New Roles of Metabolic and Epigenetic Genes

In humans, successful pregnancy depends on a cascade of dynamic events during early embryonic development. Unfortunately, molecular data on these critical events is scarce. To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the specification/development of the trophoblast cell lineage, the transcriptome of human trophectoderm (TE) cells from day 5 blastocysts was compared to that of single day 3 embryos from our in vitro fertilization program by using Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. Some of the microarray data were validated by quantitative RT-PCR. The TE molecular signature included 2,196 transcripts, among which were genes already known to be TE-specific (GATA2, GATA3 and GCM1) but also genes involved in trophoblast invasion (MUC15), chromatin remodeling (specifically the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3L) and steroid metabolism (HSD3B1, HSD17B1 and FDX1). In day 3 human embryos 1,714 transcripts were specifically up-regulated. Besides stemness genes such as NANOG and DPPA2, this signature included genes belonging to the NLR family (NALP4, 5, 9, 11 and 13), Ret finger protein-like family (RFPL1, 2 and 3), Melanoma Antigen family (MAGEA1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 12) and previously unreported transcripts, such as MBD3L2 and ZSCAN4. This study provides a comprehensive outlook of the genes that are expressed during the initial embryo-trophectoderm transition in humans. Further understanding of the biological functions of the key genes involved in steroidogenesis and epigenetic regulation of transcription that are up-regulated in TE cells may clarify their contribution to TE specification and might also provide new biomarkers for the selection of viable and competent blastocysts

Insuficiencia cardiaca la epidemia en el medio rural: características y manejo en un centro de salud rural de Albacete

Introduction and objective. Proper management in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients reduces their  morbidity as well as the mortality and therefore the number of hospital readmissions. Numerous studies  report about their management in the hospital setting, while in primary care they are scarce. The objective is  to evaluate the application of European Society of Cardiology clinical guidelines in the chronic heart failure  patients in primary care setting. Methods. Observational descriptive design focusing on management, use of medications and indication- prescription. Population and sample: Primary care teams in the area of Casas Ibañez (Albacete). The study  population consists of patients with chronic heart failure diagnosis classes from II to V according to the New  York Heart Association (NYHA). Data were collected from a registry of 224 patients with chronic heart failure  belonging to 10 primary care physicians. All patients diagnosed with Chronic Heart Failure (223 patients)  belonging to the rural strata were selected. Main measurements: adherence to the drugs recommended in  the clinical guideline is evaluated using 2 indicators, one global and the other for drugs with a higher degree  of evidence (A1: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors / angiotensin II receptor blockers [ACE Inhibitors/  ARBs], β-blockers [BB] and spironolactone). Results. 223 patients are studied, with an average age of 78.4 years, of which 53.1% are women. Arterial  hipertension (AHT) and cardiac ischemia cause 64.7%. The average comorbidity, excluding CHF, was 2.9.  40.4% were class III-IV of the NYHA. The Global Adherence Index (diuretics, ACE Inhibitors / ARBs, β-blockers,  spironolactone, digoxin and oral anticoagulants) and the Adherence to Evidence A1 (ACE Inhibitors / ARBs, β- blockers and spironolactone) were 55.2 and of 44.6% respectively. Only 12.9% of patients showed perfect adherence to medications with the higher degree of evidence while 39.5% had low adherence. Having less  than 70 years, the history of ischemic heart diseases, AHT and hospital admissions are variables associated  with better adhesion. Conclusion. There is an underutilization of medications recommended by the clinical guideline for congestive  heart failure management, especially those with better evidence to reduce morbidity and mortality.  Introducción y objetivo. El adecuado manejo en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca crónica (ICC)  reduce su morbimortalidad y por tanto el número de reingresos hospitalarios. Numerosos estudios informan sobre su manejo en el ámbito hospitalario, mientras que en atención primaria son escasos. El objetivo es  evaluar el grado de adecuación a la guía clínica de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología en la ICC en los  pacientes de atención primaria.  Métodos. Diseño observacional descriptivo, de manejo, de utilización de medicamentos, tipo indicación- prescripción. Población y muestra: equipos de atención primaria de la zona básica de Casas Ibañez  (Albacete). La población de estudio está formada por los pacientes con un diagnóstico de insuficiencia  cardíaca crónica en grado II-IV de la New York Heart Association (NYHA), de un registro de 224 con  insuficiencia cardíaca crónica, pertenecientes a 10 médicos de atención primaria. Se seleccionaron todos los  pacientes diagnosticados de Insuficiencia Cardiaca Crónica 223 enfermos con afijación al estratos rural.  Mediciones principales: se evalúa la adherencia a los fármacos recomendados en la guía clínica mediante 2  indicadores, uno global y otro para fármacos con mayor grado de evidencia (A1: inhibidores de la enzima conversora de angiotensina/antagonistas de los receptores de angiotensina II [IECA/ARA-II], β-bloqueantes  [BB] y espironolactona). Resultados. Se estudian 223 enfermos, con una edad promedio de 78,4 años, de los cuales son mujeres el  53,1%. La hipertensión arterial (HTA) y la isquemia cardíaca causan el 64,7%. La comorbilidad promedio,  excluyendo la ICC, fue de 2,9. El 40,4% están en grado III-IV de la NYHA. El Índice de Adherencia Global  (diuréticos, IECA/ARA-II, β-bloqueantes, espironolactona, digoxina y anticoagulantes orales) y el de  Adherencia a la Evidencia A1 (IECA/ARA-II, BB y espironolactona) fueron del 55,2 y del 44,6%,  respectivamente. El 39,5% tiene una baja adherencia, solo el 12,9% de los pacientes exhiben una perfecta  adherencia a los medicamentos con el mejor grado de evidencia, mientras que tener menos de 70 años, los antecedentes de isquemia, HTA e ingreso hospitalario son variables asociadas a mejor adherencia. Conclusión. Existe una infrautilización de medicamentos recomendados por la guía clínica para la  insuficiencia cardíaca, sobre todo de aquellos con mejores evidencias para reducir la morbimortalidad.

The lincRNA HOTAIRM1, located in the HOXA genomic region, is expressed in acute myeloid leukemia, impacts prognosis in patients in the intermediate-risk cytogenetic category, and is associated with a distinctive microRNA signature

Altres ajuts: SDCSD from School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deregulated in several tumors, although their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is mostly unknown.We have examined the expression of the lncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 (HOTAIRM1) in 241 AML patients. We have correlated HOTAIRM1 expression with a miRNA expression profile. We have also analyzed the prognostic value of HOTAIRM1 expression in 215 intermediate-risk AML (IR-AML) patients.The lowest expression level was observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (P < 0.001) and the highest in t(6;9) AML (P = 0.005). In 215 IR-AML patients, high HOTAIRM1 expression was independently associated with shorter overall survival (OR:2.04;P = 0.001), shorter leukemia-free survival (OR:2.56; P < 0.001) and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (OR:1.67; P = 0.046). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 maintained its independent prognostic value within the favorable molecular subgroup (OR: 3.43; P = 0.009). Interestingly, HOTAIRM1 was overexpressed in NPM1-mutated AML (P < 0.001) and within this group retained its prognostic value (OR: 2.21; P = 0.01). Moreover, HOTAIRM1 expression was associated with a specific 33-microRNA signature that included miR-196b (P < 0.001). miR-196b is located in the HOX genomic region and has previously been reported to have an independent prognostic value in AML. miR-196b and HOTAIRM1 in combination as a prognostic factor can classify patients as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk (5-year OS: 24% vs 42% vs 70%; P = 0.004).Determination of HOTAIRM1 level at diagnosis provided relevant prognostic information in IR-AML and allowed refinement of risk stratification based on common molecular markers. The prognostic information provided by HOTAIRM1 was strengthened when combined with miR-196b expression. Furthermore, HOTAIRM1 correlated with a 33-miRNA signatur