Human brain distinctiveness based on EEG spectral coherence connectivity

The use of EEG biometrics, for the purpose of automatic people recognition, has received increasing attention in the recent years. Most of current analysis rely on the extraction of features characterizing the activity of single brain regions, like power-spectrum estimates, thus neglecting possible temporal dependencies between the generated EEG signals. However, important physiological information can be extracted from the way different brain regions are functionally coupled. In this study, we propose a novel approach that fuses spectral coherencebased connectivity between different brain regions as a possibly viable biometric feature. The proposed approach is tested on a large dataset of subjects (N=108) during eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open (EO) resting state conditions. The obtained recognition performances show that using brain connectivity leads to higher distinctiveness with respect to power-spectrum measurements, in both the experimental conditions. Notably, a 100% recognition accuracy is obtained in EC and EO when integrating functional connectivity between regions in the frontal lobe, while a lower 97.41% is obtained in EC (96.26% in EO) when fusing power spectrum information from centro-parietal regions. Taken together, these results suggest that functional connectivity patterns represent effective features for improving EEG-based biometric systems.Comment: Key words: EEG, Resting state, Biometrics, Spectral coherence, Match score fusio

Search for new therapeutic targets for lung cancer

En cáncer de pulmón, una de las terapias dirigidas más exitosas, son las que inhiben a los protooncogenes ErbB (especialmente a EGFR y a ErbB2). Actualmente se están ensayando la inhibición de estos oncogenes mediante pequeñas moléculas (erlotinib, lapatinib, gefitinib) o mediante anticuerpos monoclonales (cetuximab, trastuzumab, pertuzumab) consiguiéndose un éxito relativo para tumores metastásicos de célula no pequeña. Interesantemente estas terapias parecen ser más efectivas cuando los oncogenes se encuentran amplificados. Teniendo en cuenta estas consideraciones, el objetivo principal de este trabajo, es la búsqueda de regiones cromosómicas amplificadas en cáncer de pulmón que puedan albergar nuevos oncogenes, que nos ayuden a profundizar en el conocimiento del cáncer y sobre los que podamos desarrollar futuros fármacos que sirvan como terapias dirigidas. Para tal propósito hemos combinado dos tipos de plataformas de análisis masivo de información genética: microarrays de hibridación genómica comparada (CGH) y microarrays de expresión para analizar el genoma de 8 líneas celulares de cáncer de pulmón. Se comparó directamente el número de copias de ADN y los niveles de expresión de ARNm de más de 8000 genes para identificar nuevos oncogenes amplificados funcionalmente. La línea celular Calu3 que contiene una amplificación cromosómica conocida de ErbB2, en la región 17q12, se utilizó como control positivo. Además de confirmar la amplificación en 17q en las células Calu3, nuestros datos revelaron claramente la presencia de cuatro amplicones independientes en los cromosomas 5p13, 6p21, 11q13 , 19q13 y en la mayoría de los casos de forma concomitante con un aumento en la expresión génica. Ensayos de fluorescencia in situ (FISH) en las líneas celulares confirmaron la presencia de amplificación génica (más de 10 copias) en estas regiones cromosómicas. Además de las líneas celulares, la presencia y la frecuencia de las alteraciones se evaluó adicionalmente en 26 tumores primarios de pulmón mediante FISH. Nuestros resultados mostraron una recurrencia en la amplificación cromosómica en tumores primarios: 8 % (en la región cromosómica 5p12), 4 % (6p21 ), 4 % (11q13.2 ), 2 % (17q12 ) y 2 % (19q13). Un análisis más detallado de los genes contenidos en estas regiones revelaron posibles candidatos a ser nuevos oncogenes en cáncer de pulmón. En conjunto, estos los datos sugieren que estas regiones cromosómicas de ampliación pueden albergar posibles oncogenes implicados en la carcinogénesis pulmonar sobre los cuales se podría diseñar de nuevos fármacos de utilidad terapéutica.In lung cancer, one of the most successful targeted therapies are those that inhibit ErbB protooncogenes (especially EGFR and ErbB2). Are currently being tested inhibition of these oncogenes by small molecules (erlotinib, lapatinib, gefitinib) or monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab, trastuzumab, pertuzumab) achieving relative success for metastatic tumors of non- small cell. Interestingly, these therapies are most effective when these oncogenes are amplified. Given these considerations, the main aim of this work is the search for chromosomal regions amplified in lung cancer that can accommodate new oncogenes, to help us deepen knowledge about cancer and future drugs that we develop to serve as targeted therapies. To search for chromosomal regions that could harbour new oncogenes amplified in lung tumors we have performed high-resolution CGH (Comparative Genome Hybridization), analysis on cDNA microarrays in 8 lung cancer cell lines. We directly compared DNA copy number and mRNA expression levels of over 8000 genes to identify novel amplicons and the candidate oncogenes that are targeted. The Calu-3 cells that carry gene amplification at the 17q12 region, a previously reported and well known amplicon that targets the ErbB2 oncogene, was included in the study as a positive control. In addition of confirming the amplification at 17q in the Calu-3 cells, our data clearly unveiled the presence of four independent amplicons at chromosomes 5p13, 6p21, 11q13, and 19q13, in most cases concomitantly with an increase in gene expression. FISH analysis in the cell lines confirmed the presence of gene amplification (more than 10 copies) at these regions. In addition to cell lines, the presence and frequency of the alterations was further evaluated in 26 lung primary tumors by FISH analysis. Our results showed that the frequency of amplification at these regions in the primary tumors was as follows: 8% (at chromosome 5p12), 4% (at chromosome 6p21), 4%(at chromosome 11q13.2), 2% (at chromosome 17q12) y 2% (at chromosome 19q13). Further analysis of the genes in these regions revealed potential candidates for new oncogenes in lung cancer. Taken together, the data suggests that these amplicons may harbour potential oncogenes implicated in lung carcinogénesis that could be used for drug targeting. Overall, our results illustrate how the amplification provides a powerful approach to highlight genes with an important role in cancer

Salmonellosis in wild birds and its relationship with the infection in finishing pigs

The potential relationship between Salmonella infection in wild birds and pigs was investigated. Feces from pigs, wild birds, and bird droppings or other environmental samples from 25 finishing farms were cultured for Salmonella isolation. In 17 (68%) farms Salmonella was isolated. Out of 57 Salmonella isolates found, 32 (56.1%) were Typhimurium. In 6 (24%) farms the same Salmonella serotype was isolated from samples from different origins and similar AR and PFGE patterns were found, which would support the existence of a transmission cycle of Salmonella infection between birds and pigs in this area. Preventing bird access to farm premises is highly recommended

Estudio serológico de la infección por Salmonella spp. en cerdos de engorde del Noreste de España y factores de riesgo asociados

The results of a serological survey carried out in northeastern Spain to estimate the seroprevalence to Salmonella spp. and to determine potential risk factors are presented. Sera were obtained from farms submitting serum samples to the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory (RDL) for the diagnosis of other infectious diseases included within official eradication/surveillance programs, and farm data collected through a questionnaire. Out of 6,182 pig sera (217 farms) analyzed 1,219 (19.7%) were positive (optical density, OD ≥ 40%). More than 70% of the herds presented ≥ 1 seropositive animal indicating that salmonellosis was widespread. In a multivariable logistic mixed regression model seroprevalence was associated with farms where birds were visible inside the fattening units (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) or that shared workers with other pig farms (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4-4.7). Seropositivity also increased when farmers used footwear exclusive for the farm (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.3-7.3) or pigs were fed mostly with pellets (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.6). It was also higher during the fall and winter months. The presence of a changing room and shower in the farm was negatively associated with it (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Most risk factors could be mitigated through strict hygiene and biosecurity measures, but the high (> 40%) within-herd seroprevalence observed in many herds may challenge the capacity of intervention of animal health authorities.Se presentan los resultados de un estudio serológico realizado en explotaciones porcinas del Noreste de España para estimar la seroprevalencia frente a Salmonella spp. y determinar posibles factores de riesgo asociados. Los sueros se obtuvieron a partir de aquellos enviados por las explotaciones al Laboratorio Regional de Diagnóstico para el diagnóstico de otras enfermedades infecciosas sometidas a erradicación/vigilancia oficial, y los datos sobre las explotaciones se recogieron mediante un cuestionario. De un total de 6.182 sueros de cerdo (217 granjas) analizados 1.219 (19,7%) resultaron positivos (densidad óptica, DO ≥ 40%). Más del 70% de los rebaños presentaron al menos un animal positivo, indicando que la salmonelosis está ampliamente distribuida en la región. Según un modelo multivariable mixto de regresión logística, la seroprevalencia se asoció con granjas en las cuales se veían aves en el interior de las naves (OR = 2,1; IC 95%: 1,3-3,2) y también con granjas que compartían trabajadores (OR = 2,5; IC 95%: 1,4-4,7). Se observó que la seropositividad se incrementaba cuando los trabajadores usaban botas exclusivas en la explotación (OR = 3,1; IC 95%: 1,3-7,3) o al alimentar a los cerdos principalmente con alimento granulado (OR = 1,7; IC 95%: 1,1-2,6). La seroprevalencia también fue superior durante los meses de otoño e invierno. La existencia en las granjas de vestuarios y duchas para el personal se asoció negativamente con la seroprevalencia (OR = 0,5; IC 95%: 0,3-0,8). La mayoría de los factores de riesgo podrían controlarse a través de estrictas medidas de higiene y bioseguridad, pero el gran número de rebaños que presentaron alta seroprevalencia (> 40%) puede poner a prueba la capacidad de intervención de las autoridades sanitarias oficiales

Serological characterization of Salmonella spp. infection in finishing pigs from NE Spain

The seroprevalence of salmonella spp. In finishing pigs in Aragón (NE of Spain) and the potential factors associated with it were assessed. Serum samples were collected directly from the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory (RDL). Only farms submitting a minimum of 30 serum samples to the RDL were included, i.e. exporting and farrow-to-finish farms, and those in the last stages of the Aujezsky\u27s disease eradication program

The addition of galacto-oligosaccharides on the feed for the control of salmonellosis in fattening pigs

Prebiotics that block intestinal harmful bacteria and stimulate both the activity of beneficial bacteria and the animal immune system may help in controlling pig salmonellosis. We added a galacto-oligosaccharide (Salmosan®) on the diet of pigs during the whole period of fattening to assess its potential effect on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. In a first trial 56 pigs from a small fattening unit (fewer than 200 animals) were fed with a diet where Salmosan® (0.5 kg/Ton of feed) was added, while the rest of the animals were fed with the same feed without the galacto-oligosaccharide

Is the adjustable lumbo-peritoneal shunt a valid option for managing symptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension? A case report of a multidisciplinary management

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a rare disorder, characterized by raised intracranial pressure with no recognizable cause. Headache, decreased visual acuity and papilledema are the main clinical manifestations. Case description: A case of a 27-year-old obese woman affected by idiopathic intracranial hypertension is reported. She was initially treated conservatively, but, due to severe headache refractory to medical therapy, an adjustable lumbo-peritoneal shunt was implanted. Conclusion: Gold standard treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension is not defined yet, but the lumbo-peritoneal shunt could represent a valid option for managing the disease in properly selected patients. Keywords: Lumbo-peritoneal shunt, Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Pseudotumor cerebr

Internal combustion engine sensor network analysis using graph modeling

In recent years there has been a rapid development in technologies for smart monitoring applied to many different areas (e.g. building automation, photovoltaic systems, etc.). An intelligent monitoring system employs multiple sensors distributed within a network to extract useful information for decision-making. The management and the analysis of the raw data derived from the sensor network includes a number of specific challenges still unresolved, related to the different communication standards, the heterogeneous structure and the huge volume of data. In this paper we propose to apply a method based on complex network theory, to evaluate the performance of an Internal Combustion Engine. Data are gathered from the OBD sensor subset and from the emission analyzer. The method provides for the graph modeling of the sensor network, where the nodes are represented by the sensors and the edge are evaluated with non-linear statistical correlation functions applied to the time series pairs. The resulting functional graph is then analyzed with the topological metrics of the network, to define characteristic proprieties representing useful indicator for the maintenance and diagnosis