Analysing omics data sets with weighted nodes networks (WNNets)

Current trends in biomedical research indicate data integration as a fundamental step towards precision medicine. In this context, network models allow representing and analysing complex biological processes. However, although effective in unveiling network properties, these models fail in considering the individual, biochemical variations occurring at molecular level. As a consequence, the analysis of these models partially loses its predictive power. To overcome these limitations, Weighted Nodes Networks (WNNets) were developed. WNNets allow to easily and effectively weigh nodes using experimental information from multiple conditions. In this study, the characteristics of WNNets were described and a proteomics data set was modelled and analysed. Results suggested that degree, an established centrality index, may offer a novel perspective about the functional role of nodes in WNNets. Indeed, degree allowed retrieving significant differences between experimental conditions, highlighting relevant proteins, and provided a novel interpretation for degree itself, opening new perspectives in experimental data modelling and analysis. Overall, WNNets may be used to model any high-throughput experimental data set requiring weighted nodes. Finally, improving the power of the analysis by using centralities such as betweenness may provide further biological insights and unveil novel, interesting characteristics of WNNets

Photobiostimulation in C. elegans as a Model for Low Level Light Therapy

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a developing therapeutic technique that has been gaining recognition in the scientific community in recent years. Previous experiments performed in LLLT research projects have been primarily mammalian and cell culture based. These experiments have produced results showing accelerated tissue repair. In this experiment, we introduce a new model, Caenorhabitidis elegans, a free-living soil nematode, to be used in LLLT research by testing the effects of exposure of the organism to various wavelengths and intensities of light commonly used in LLLT. C. elegans was shown to respond to photobiostimulation when exposed to specific wavelengths of Infrared light, 920nm-980nm, at an intensity of 5J/cm2. These responses include an 18-20% increase in growth rate and overall length and width of each organism. The cellular mechanism behind this acceleration of growth is unclear and as an excellent model for examining the interactions of cells and tissues on a molecular level; the introduction of C. elegans into the field of LLLT research will provide valuable insight into the cellular processes that produce this significant change in biochemistry resulting in accelerated tissue repair and growth induced by LLLT

Gaia Focused Product Release:Asteroid orbital solution. Properties and assessment

Context. We report the exploitation of a sample of Solar System observations based on data from the third Gaia Data Release (Gaia DR3) of nearly 157 000 asteroids. It extends the epoch astrometric solution over the time coverage planned for the Gaia DR4, which is not expected before the end of 2025. This data set covers more than one full orbital period for the vast majority of these asteroids. The orbital solutions are derived from the Gaia data alone over a relatively short arc compared to the observation history of many of these asteroids.Aims. The work aims to produce orbital elements for a large set of asteroids based on 66 months of accurate astrometry provided by Gaia and to assess the accuracy of these orbital solutions with a comparison to the best available orbits derived from independent observations. A second validation is performed with accurate occultation timings.Methods. We processed the raw astrometric measurements of Gaia to obtain astrometric positions of moving objects with 1D sub-mas accuracy at the bright end. For each asteroid that we matched to the data, an orbit fitting was attempted in the form of the best fit of the initial conditions at the median epoch. The force model included Newtonian and relativistic accelerations to derive the observation equations, which were solved with a linear least-squares fit.Results. Orbits are provided in the form of state vectors in the International Celestial Reference Frame for 156 764 asteroids, including near-Earth objects, main-belt asteroids, and Trojans. For the asteroids with the best observations, the (formal) relative uncertainty σa/a is better than 10−10. Results are compared to orbits available from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MPC. Their orbits are based on much longer data arcs, but from positions of lower quality. The relative differences in semi-major axes have a mean of 5 × 10−10 and a scatter of 5 × 10−9

Postoperative procalcitonin is a biomarker for excluding the onset of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background: Early detection and therapy of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy is crucial to improve outcomes of this surgery. Since it is not clear if procalcitonin (PCT), can predict the onset of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF), we aimed to investigate this ability.Methods: One-hundred-thirty pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD) were analyzed. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves analysis defined the optimal cut-of fs for PCT and drains amylase levels (DAL). Complications were compared using chi-square for proportions test.Results: DAL >_2,000 U/L in postoperative day (POD) 2 had 71% PPV and 91% NPV for CR-POPF (P<0.001). In POD2, PCT >_0.5 ng/mL showed NPV 91% (P<0.045) and increased DAL PPV for CR-POPF to 81%. In POD3, POD4 and POD5, DAL (cut-offs 780 U/L, 157 U/L and 330 U/L, respectively) showed NPV for CR-POPF >90% (P<0.0001). PCT >_0.5 ng/mL showed NPV for CR-POPF of about 90%. In POD5, combining DAL (cut-off 330 U/L) and PCT (cut-off 0.5 ng/mL), a PPV for CR-POPF of 81% was detected. A progressive increased risk of CR-POPF from POD2 (OR =3.05; P=0.0348) to POD5 (OR =4.589; P=0.0082) was observed. In POD2 and 5, PCT >_0.5 ng/mL, alone and in combination with DAL, may be a reliable marker for identifying patients at highest risk of CR-POPF after PD.Conclusions: This association could be proposed to select high risk patients that could benefit of "intensive" postoperative management