Knowledge sharing in the health scenario

The understanding of certain data often requires the collection of similar data from different places to be analysed and interpreted. Interoperability standards and ontologies, are facilitating data interchange around the world. However, beyond the existing networks and advances for data transfer, data sharing protocols to support multilateral agreements are useful to exploit the knowledge of distributed Data Warehouses. The access to a certain data set in a federated Data Warehouse may be constrained by the requirement to deliver another specific data set. When bilateral agreements between two nodes of a network are not enough to solve the constraints for accessing to a certain data set, multilateral agreements for data exchange are needed. We present the implementation of a Multi-Agent System for multilateral exchange agreements of clinical data, and evaluate how those multilateral agreements increase the percentage of data collected by a single node from the total amount of data available in the network. Different strategies to reduce the number of messages needed to achieve an agreement are also considered. The results show that with this collaborative sharing scenario the percentage of data collected dramaticaly improve from bilateral agreements to multilateral ones, up to reach almost all data available in the network.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Syntheses, supramolecular architectures and photoluminescence properties of Zn(II) complexes based on 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic and pyridine/pyrazole derived ligands

Five new coordination compounds [Zn(μ‑3,5‑DHB)2(H2O)2]n (1a), [Zn(μ‑3,5‑DHB)(μ‑OH2) (H2O)2]n·(3,5‑DHB)n·(4H2O)n (1b), [Zn(3,5‑DHB)2(Isna)2]·2H2O (2), [Zn(3,5‑DHB)2(4‑Acpy)2]·3H2O (3) and [Zn (3,5‑DHB)2(3‑Mepz)2]·H2O (4) (3,5‑HDHB=3,5‑dihydroxybenzoic, Isna=isonicotinamide, 4‑Acpy=4‑acetylpyridine and 3‑Mepz=3‑methylpyrazole) were synthesized in water or water-methanol as solvents. All these compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR-ATR and 1H NMR spectroscopies and Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). For compounds 1b-4, X-ray crystal structures have been determined. In these compounds, 3,5‑DHB ligand displays different coordination modes. Complex 1b is a coordination polymer, while the addition of the pyridine/pyrazole ligands in the reaction provokes the formation of monomeric compounds (2-4). Moreover, the crystal packing indicates that these complexes expand into 2D/ 3D network structures mainly by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. Finally, the photoluminescent properties of these complexes in solid state have also been investigated. The strong emission observed for 1b indicates that it may be a good candidate for photoluminescent devices

Phase Change Materials (PCM) microcapsules with different shell compositions: Preparation, characterization and thermal stability

In this study, phase change materials (Rubitherm® RT 27) microcapsules were successfully obtained by two different methods. The main difference between them remains on the shell composition, as they are composed of different coacervates (Sterilized Gelatine/Arabic Gum for the SG/AG method and Agar-Agar/Arabic Gum for the AA/AG method). Microcapsules were thermally characterized by thermo-optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Using scanning electron microscopy, their spherical morphology (sphericity factor of 0.94-0.95) and their particle size distribution were determined, obtaining an average diameter of 12 μm for the SG/AG method and lower values for the AA/AG method, where nanocapsules were also observed (average diameter of 4.3 μm for the microcapsules and 104 nm for the nanocapsules). The thermal stability determination was carried out by Thermogravimetric analyses (TG) and the results show a high decomposition temperature, although the process takes places in four steps for the two mentioned methods. Moreover, the microcapsules obtained by the AA/AG method decompose in a more gradual way, as in the TG results a double step, instead of one, is appreciable. On the whole, the prepared microencapsulated PCM are totally capable of developing their role in thermal energy storage

Preclinical scenario of targeting myocardial fibrosis with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy

Fibrosis is present in an important proportion of myocardial disorders. Injury activates cardiac fibroblasts, which deposit excess extracellular matrix, increasing tissue stiffness, impairing cardiac function, and leading to heart failure. Clinical therapies that directly target excessive fibrosis are limited, and more effective treatments are needed. Immunotherapy based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a novel technique that redirects T lymphocytes toward specific antigens to eliminate the target cells. It is currently used in haematological cancers but has demonstrated efficacy in mouse models of hypertensive cardiac fibrosis, with activated fibroblasts as the target cells. CAR T cell therapy is associated with significant toxicities, but CAR natural killer cells can overcome efficacy and safety limitations. The use of CAR immunotherapy offers a potential alternative to current therapies for fibrosis reduction and restoration of cardiac function in patients with myocardial fibrosis

Detrended Fluctuation Analysis of Heart Rate by Means of Symbolic Series

Abstract Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) Introduction Fluctuations of time intervals between consecutive heartbeats exhibit a complex dynamics, which is influenced by the activity of many regulatory systems interacting over a wide range of time or space scales The study of heart rate time series using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) has been shown to be a useful tool for diagnostic in patients with cardiac diseases Previous studies Variability of heart rate fluctuations has been also studied by using RR increment series ( RR series) and, particularly, by using series constructed with the magnitude and the sign of RR series In this work, an alternative methodology was introduced in order to improve the statistical differentiation between risk groups of suffering cardiac death, by applying DFA over RR series. The methodology considered a symbolic transformation of RR series by means of an alphabet with four symbols. Results were compared with those calculated over original RR series and, series corresponding with magnitude and sign of RR series. Methods Analyzed databas

Evolution of complexity in the zebrafish synapse proteome

The proteome of human brain synapses is highly complex and mutated in over 130 diseases. This complexity arose from two whole genome duplications early in the vertebrate lineage. Zebrafish are used in modelling human diseases, however its synapse proteome is uncharacterised and whether the teleost-specific genome duplication (TSGD) influenced complexity is unknown. We report the characterisation of the proteomes and ultrastructure of central synapses in zebrafish and analyse the importance of the TSGD. While the TSGD increases overall synapse proteome complexity, the Post Synaptic Density (PSD) proteome of zebrafish has lower complexity than mammals. A highly conserved set of ~1000 proteins is shared across vertebrates. PSD ultrastructural features are also conserved. Lineage-specific proteome differences indicate vertebrate species evolved distinct synapse types and functions. The datasets are a resource for a wide range of studies and have important implications for the use of zebrafish in modelling human synaptic diseases

New Electrocardiographic Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block

Background Current electrocardiographic algorithms lack sensitivity to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the presence of left bundle branch block. Methods and Results A multicenter retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients with suspected AMI and left bundle branch block, referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 2009 and 2018. Pre-2015 patients formed the derivation cohort (n=163, 61 with AMI); patients between 2015 and 2018 formed the validation cohort (n=107, 40 with AMI). A control group of patients without suspected AMI was also studied (n=214). Different electrocardiographic criteria were tested. A total of 484 patients were studied. A new electrocardiographic algorithm (BARCELONA algorithm) was derived and validated. The algorithm is positive in the presence of ST deviation ≥1 mm (0.1 mV) concordant with QRS polarity, in any lead, or ST deviation ≥1 mm (0.1 mV) discordant with the QRS, in leads with max (R|S) voltage (the voltage of the largest deflection of the QRS, ie, R or S wave) ≤6 mm (0.6 mV). In both the derivation and the validation cohort, the BARCELONA algorithm achieved the highest sensitivity (93%-95%), negative predictive value (96%-97%), efficiency (91%-94%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.92-0.93), significantly higher than previous electrocardiographic rules (P<0.01); the specificity was good in both groups (89%-94%) as well as the control group (90%). Conclusions In patients with left bundle branch block referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the BARCELONA algorithm was specific and highly sensitive for the diagnosis of AMI, leading to a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that obtained by ECG in patients without left bundle branch block

Estimating dyskinesia severity in Parkinson's disease by using a waist-worn sensor: concurrent validity study

Our research team previously developed an accelerometry-based device, which can be worn on the waist during daily life activities and detects the occurrence of dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this study was to analyze the magnitude of correlation between the numeric output of the device algorithm and the results of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS), administered by a physician. In this study, 13 Parkinson’s patients, who were symptomatic with dyskinesias, were monitored with the device at home, for an average period of 30¿minutes, while performing normal daily life activities. Each patient’s activity was simultaneously video-recorded. A physician was in charge of reviewing the recorded videos and determining the severity of dyskinesia through the UDysRS for every patient. The sensor device yielded only one value for dyskinesia severity, which was calculated by averaging the recorded device readings. Correlation between the results of physician’s assessment and the sensor output was analyzed with the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient between the sensor output and UDysRS result was 0.70 (CI 95%: 0.33–0.88; p¿=¿0.01). Since the sensor was located on the waist, the correlation between the sensor output and the results of the trunk and legs scale sub-items was calculated: 0.91 (CI 95% 0.76–0.97: p¿<¿0.001). The conclusion is that the magnitude of dyskinesia, as measured by the tested device, presented good correlation with that observed by a physician.Postprint (published version

Sublayer- and cell-type-specific neurodegenerative transcriptional trajectories in hippocampal sclerosis

Altres ajuts: Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzman el Bueno; SynCogDis Network (SAF2014-52624-REDT, SAF2017-90664-REDT); Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP RGP0022/2013); Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).Hippocampal sclerosis, the major neuropathological hallmark of temporal lobe epilepsy, is characterized by different patterns of neuronal loss. The mechanisms of cell-type-specific vulnerability and their progression and histopathological classification remain controversial. Using single-cell electrophysiology in vivo and immediate-early gene expression, we reveal that superficial CA1 pyramidal neurons are overactive in epileptic rodents. Bulk tissue and single-nucleus expression profiling disclose sublayer-specific transcriptomic signatures and robust microglial pro-inflammatory responses. Transcripts regulating neuronal processes such as voltage channels, synaptic signaling, and cell adhesion are deregulated differently by epilepsy across sublayers, whereas neurodegenerative signatures primarily involve superficial cells. Pseudotime analysis of gene expression in single nuclei and in situ validation reveal separated trajectories from health to epilepsy across cell types and identify a subset of superficial cells undergoing a later stage in neurodegeneration. Our findings indicate that sublayer- and cell-type-specific changes associated with selective CA1 neuronal damage contribute to progression of hippocampal sclerosis