Permutation Entropy and Signal Energy Increase the Accuracy of Neuropathic Change Detection in Needle EMG

Background and Objective. Needle electromyography can be used to detect the number of changes and morphological changes in motor unit potentials of patients with axonal neuropathy. General mathematical methods of pattern recognition and signal analysis were applied to recognize neuropathic changes. This study validates the possibility of extending and refining turns-amplitude analysis using permutation entropy and signal energy. Methods. In this study, we examined needle electromyography in 40 neuropathic individuals and 40 controls. The number of turns, amplitude between turns, signal energy, and “permutation entropy” were used as features for support vector machine classification. Results. The obtained results proved the superior classification performance of the combinations of all of the above-mentioned features compared to the combinations of fewer features. The lowest accuracy from the tested combinations of features had peak-ratio analysis. Conclusion. Using the combination of permutation entropy with signal energy, number of turns and mean amplitude in SVM classification can be used to refine the diagnosis of polyneuropathies examined by needle electromyography

Linear and Nonlinear EEG Synchronization in Alzheimer’s Disease

As is known, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with cognitive deficits due to significant neuronal loss. Reduced connectivity might be manifested as changes in the synchronization of electrical activity of collaborating parts of the brain. We used wavelet coherence to estimate linear/nonlinear synchronization between EEG samples recorded from different leads. Mutual information was applied to the complex wavelet coefficients in wavelet scales to estimate nonlinear synchronization. Synchronization rates for a group of 110 patients with moderate AD (MMSE score 10 to 19) and a group of 110 healthy control subjects were compared. The most significant decrease in mutual information in AD patients was observed on the third scale in the fronto-temporal area and for wavelet coherence within the same areas as for mutual information; these areas are preferentially affected by atrophy in AD. The new method used utilizes mutual information in wavelet scales and demonstrates larger discriminatory values in AD compared to wavelet coherence.Як відомо, хвороба Альцгеймера (ХА) пов’язана з прогресуючим когнітивним дефіцитом у результаті істотної загибелі нейронів. Зменшення міжнейронних зв’язків може проявлятись як зміни ступеню синхронізації електричної активності взаємодіючих мозкових структур. Ми використовували методику оцінки вейвлет-когерентності для оцінки лінійної або нелінійної синхронізації зразків ЕЕГ, відведених від різних локусів кори. Визначення індексів взаємної інформації використовувалося для оцінки нелінійної синхронізації згідно з комплексними вейвлет-коефіцієнтами за вейвлет-шкалами. Було порівняно ступені синхронізації ЕЕГ-активності в групі пацієнтів, що страждали на ХА помірної тяжкості (оцінки за MMSE від 10 до 19 балів), та в групі із 110 контрольних здорових суб’єктів. Найістотніші зменшення індексів взаємної інформації у пацієнтів із ХА спостерігалися по третій шкалі для фронто-темпоральної зони; зменшення вейвлет-когерентності відзначались у тих самих зонах, що й зміни взаємної інформації. Саме ці зони зазнають переважної атрофії при ХА. Використаний новий метод базується на оцінках взаємної інформації за вейвлет-шкалами та демонструє більшу дискримінаційну здатність в умовах ХА, аніж визначення вейвлет-когерентності

Markers of thrombogenesis are activated in unmedicated patients with acute psychosis: a matched case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antipsychotic treatment has been repeatedly found to be associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism in schizophrenia. The extent to which the propensity for venous thromboembolism is linked to antipsychotic medication alone or psychosis itself is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether markers of thrombogenesis are increased in psychotic patients who have not yet been treated with antipsychotic medication.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the plasma levels of markers indicating activation of coagulation (D-dimers and Factor VIII) and platelets (soluble P-selectin, sP-selectin) in an antipsychotic-naive group of fourteen men and eleven women with acute psychosis (age 29.1 ± 8.3 years, body mass index 23.6 ± 4.7), and twenty-five healthy volunteers were matched for age, gender and body mass index.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>D-dimers (median 0.38 versus 0.19 mg/l, mean 1.12 ± 2.38 versus 0.28 ± 0.3 mg/l; P = 0.003) and sP-selectin (median 204.1 versus 112.4 ng/ml, mean 209.9 ± 124 versus 124.1 ± 32; P = 0.0005) plasma levels were significantly increased in the group of patients with acute psychosis as compared with healthy volunteers. We found a trend (median 148% versus 110%, mean 160 ± 72.5 versus 123 ± 62.5; P = 0.062) of increased plasma levels of factor VIII in psychotic patients as compared with healthy volunteers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results suggest that at least a part of venous thromboembolic events in patients with acute psychosis may be induced by pathogenic mechanisms related to psychosis rather than by antipsychotic treatment. Finding an exact cause for venous thromboembolism in psychotic patients is necessary for its effective treatment and prevention.</p

On approaches for non-direct determination of system deterioration

Nowadays the system requirements are set up and evaluated in various manners. We have plenty of excellent options available taking about an item technical state. We can also consider other states by many diagnostic options. The paper deals with the mathematical processing, monitoring and analysis of the oil field data got as a result from the laser spectrography in frame of the tribodiagnostic oil tests. The mathematical methods based on time series and their analysis and calculation processed by suitable method are used in the paper for oil data analysis. Due to the fact that the data sample is classified as fuzzy and uncertain from many reasons the FIS (Fuzzy Inference System) is used.Obecnie wymagania systemu mogą być ustalane i oceniane w różny sposób. Mamy do dyspozycji wiele doskonałych opcji oceny stanu technicznego obiektów. Istnieje również wiele możliwości diagnozowania innych stanów. W artykule przedstawiono proces matematycznego przetwarzania, monitorowania i analizy danych eksploatacyjnych dotyczących oleju uzyskanych na podstawie spektrografii laserowej przeprowadzonej w ramach diagnostyki tribologicznej. Do analizy danych wykorzystano metody matematyczne oparte na szeregach czasowych oraz odpowiednie metody analizy i obliczania szeregów czasowych. Ponieważ dostępne dane sklasyfikowano jako rozmyte i niepewne, zastosowano System Wnioskowania Rozmytego FIS

PREDICTION OF PIG BELLY COMPOSITION USING THE DATA FROM THE GRADING PROCESS

Abstract The objective of this study was to use the data obtained during the process of pig carcass grading to develop prediction equations for the prediction of pig belly composition. Pig carcasses were selected from the population of pigs commercially fattened in the Czech Republic and slaughtered under standard abattoir conditions. A total of 390 carcasses of pigs equally represented by gilts and barrows were used. Within the grading process, lean meat content (x 1 ), cold carcass weight (x 2 ), fat and skin thickness in the P 2 point (x 3 ), and muscle thickness in the P 2 point (x 4 ) were determined. Twenty-four h post mortem, belly joints were dissected and the proportions of different tissues were determined. Particular emphasis was placed on the content of lean meat as well as intermuscular and subcutaneous fat proportions. The average carcass lean meat content and cold carcass weight were 56.86±0.211 % and 90.21±0.551 kg, respectively. The average lean meat content in the belly was 54.37±0.297 %. The following equation was derived to estimate the belly lean meat content (y): y = -17.49519 + 1.27842 x 1 -0.00912 x 2 with the accuracy parameters r = 0.92 and s e = 2.38. Prediction equations for intermuscular and subcutaneous fat proportions were also developed. Furthermore, similar equations were derived separately for different genders. A higher accuracy of estimates was detected for gilts. Key Words: Pig; carcass; classification; belly composition; regression equation. Pig producers consider the quality of carcasses as one of the factors determining the efficiency of pig operations. The knowledge of the lean meat content of carcasses but also of different carcass joints are important for the processing industry. Except for the main carcass joints (ham, loin, shoulder, and neck), the belly is also positively perceived by consumers due to its price and culinary characteristics A growing concern for the pig belly is associated with the increased effort to investigate the methods of its evaluation. This is rather difficult due the compositional attributes of the belly in which individual layers of fat and muscle mingle into each other After the accession of the Czech Republic to EU, abattoirs are obliged to perform the grading of pig carcasses in accordance with current legislative requirements. It is also possible to use the grading data for the prediction of belly composition. The objective of this study was to use the data from pig carcass grading to develop equations for the prediction of pig belly composition. Material and Methods Pig carcasses were selected for the use in this study at the grading point of abattoirs. The pigs were commercially fattened and supplied to the abattoir by different suppliers. The most frequent hybrid combinations were used. The analysed group consisted of 390 left carcass sides with both gilts and barrows equally represented (195 gilts and 195 barrows). During the grading process, standard measurements of fat and muscle thickness were performed at the P 2 point, carcass lean meat content and cold carcass weight were determined, and the gender of pigs was recorded for experimental purposes. The P 2 point is located on the carcass side between 2 nd and 3 rd last ribs 70 mm laterally from the midline section. Twenty-four h post mortem, left sides were cut in accordance wit

Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementias with psychopharmaceuticals: a review

Jiř&iacute; Masopust,1&ndash;4 Dita Protopopov&aacute;,4 Martin Vali&scaron;,2,3 Zby&scaron;ek Pavelek,2,3 Blanka Kl&iacute;mov&aacute;5 1Department of Psychiatry, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; 2Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; 3Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; 4National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic; 5Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Abstract: Behavioral and psychological symptoms represent common complications in patients with different types of dementia. Predominantly, they comprise psychosis, agitation and mood disorders, disinhibited behavior, impairment of the sleep and wakefulness rhythm, wandering, perseveration, pathological collecting, or shouting. Their appearance is related to more rapid progression of the disease, earlier institutionalization, use of physical restraints, and higher risk of mortality. Consequently, appearance of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia leads to higher costs of care provided and greater distress for caregivers. Clinical guidelines recommend nonpharmacological approaches as the first choice in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms. Pharmacological therapy should be initiated only if the symptoms were not the result of somatic causes, did not respond to nonpharmacological interventions, or were not caused by the prior medication. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines are used. This review summarizes the current findings about the efficacy and safety of the treatment of the neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementias with psychopharmaceuticals. Recommendations for treatment with antipsychotics for this indication are described in detail as this drug group is prescribed most often and, at the same time, is related to the highest risk of adverse effects and increased mortality. Keywords: dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms, treatment, psychopharmaceuticals, adverse effect

Anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in patients with&nbsp;a first episode of schizophrenia

Jir&iacute; Masopust,1,2 Ctirad Andr&yacute;s,3 Jan Bažant,1 Oldrich Vy&scaron;ata,4 Kamil Kuca,5 Martin Vali&scaron;4 1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralov&eacute;, Charles University in Prague, University Hospital Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Czech Republic; 2National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic; 3Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, and University Hospital Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Czech Republic; 4Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, and University Hospital Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Czech Republic; 5Biomedical Research Centrum, University Hospital Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Hradec Kr&aacute;lov&eacute;, Czech Republic Background: Encephalitis with antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) is classified as an autoimmune disorder with psychotic symptoms, which are frequently dominant. However, it remains unclear how frequently NMDA-R antibodies lead to a condition that mimics psychosis and first-episode schizophrenia. In our work, we investigated the presence of antibodies against NMDA-R in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) in comparison with healthy volunteers.Methods: This study included 50 antipsychotic-na&iuml;ve patients with FEP (including 21 women) and 50 healthy volunteers (including 21 women). The mean age of the patients was 27.4 (&plusmn;7.4) years and that of the healthy controls was 27.0 (&plusmn;7.3) years. Antibodies against NMDA-R in the serum were detected by immunofluorescence.Results: None of the investigated patients with an FEP and none of the healthy controls showed positive antibodies against NMDA-Rs.Conclusion: According to results of studies, a small proportion of patients with an FEP possess antibodies against NMDA-R. However, the extent to which this finding contributes to the etiopathogenesis of the response to antipsychotic medication and whether immunomodulatory therapy is indicated in these cases remains uncertain. Keywords: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, NMDA-R, encephalitis, schizophreni