Class imbalance impact on the prediction of complications during home hospitalization: a comparative study.

© 2020 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting /republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other worksHome hospitalization (HH) is presented as a healthcare alternative capable of providing high standards of care when patients no longer need hospital facilities. Although HH seems to lower healthcare costs by shortening hospital stays and improving patient's quality of life, the lack of continuous observation at home may lead to complications in some patients. Since blood tests have been proven to provide relevant prognosis information in many diseases, this paper analyzes the impact of different sampling methods on the prediction of HH outcomes. After a first exploratory analysis, some variables extracted from routine blood tests performed at the moment of HH admission, such as hemoglobin, lymphocytes or creatinine, were found to unmask statistically significant differences between patients undergoing successful and unsucessful HH stays. Then, predictive models were built with these data, in order to identify unsuccessful cases eventually needing hospital facilities. However, since these hospital admissions during HH programs are rare, their identification through conventional machine-learning approaches is challenging. Thus, several sampling strategies designed to face class imbalance were herein overviewed and compared. Among the analyzed approaches, over-sampling strategies, such as ROSE (Random Over-Sampling Examples) and conventional random over-sampling, showed the best performances. Nevertheless, further improvements should be proposed in the future so as to better identify those patients not benefiting from HHPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Brain networks involved in accented speech processing

We investigated the neural correlates of accented speech processing (ASP) with an fMRI study that overcame prior limitations in this line of research: we preserved intelligibility by using two regional accents that differ in prosody but only mildly in phonetics (Latin American and Castilian Spanish), and we used independent component analysis to identify brain networks as opposed to isolated regions. ASP engaged a speech perception network composed primarily of structures related with the processing of prosody (cerebellum, putamen, and thalamus). This network also included anterior fronto-temporal areas associated with lexical-semantic processing and a portion of the inferior frontal gyrus linked to executive control. ASP also recruited domain-general executive control networks related with cognitive demands (dorsal attentional and default mode networks) and the processing of salient events (salience network). Finally, the reward network showed a preference for the native accent, presumably revealing people's sense of social belonging

Taking advantage of difficulties. Variable rate application based on canopy maps to achieve a sustainable crop protection process

The aim of this work wasto evaluate the use of Variable Rate Application technologies based on prescription maps in commercial vineyards with large intra-parcel variability to achieve a more sustainable distribution of Plant Protection Products (PPP).This research was funded by the project Gophytovid: Optimización del uso de fitosanitarios en viticultura en base a mapas de vigor (Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups)Postprint (published version

Coupling of sensors and machine learning algorithms in the qualitative analysis of wine

This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 8th International Symposium on Sensor ScienceThis work attempts the identification of the production year, the cultivar's region and the aging method used in the elaboration of different Spanish red wines, all from the "tempranillo" grape variety. The identification of such characteristics relies on the use of a voltammetric electronic tongue (ET) system formed by modified graphite-epoxy electrodes (GEC) and metallic electrodes to collect a set of six voltammograms per sample, and different chemometric tools to accomplish the final identifications. A large sample set that included 199 different wine samples from commercial and own elaboration origin were analysed with the electronic tongue system, using the cyclic voltammetry technique and without any sample pre-treatment. To process the extremely complex and high-dimensionality generated data, a compression strategy was used for the acquired voltammograms, using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). This treatment reduced the information to ca. 10%, preserving significant features from the voltammetric signals. Compressed data was evaluated firstly by unsupervised methods, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), without much success as it was found that such methods were unable to unravel the patterns contained within such complex data samples. Finally, the processed electrochemical information was evaluated by supervised methods to accomplish the proper identification; among those methods were linear discriminant analysis (LDA), supported vector machines (SVM) or artificial neural networks (ANN). The best results were obtained using artificial neural networks (ANNs), achieving 96.1% of correct classification for bottled year, 86.8% for elaboration region (protected designation of origin) and 98.6% for maturation type with or without use of wood barrel

Ética en la docencia. El profesor universitario como modelo de actuación personal y profesional

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524El profesor universitario debe ser un modelo de actuación personal y profesional para sus alumnos; un ejemplo que estimule a los estudiantes tanto en el ejercicio de la profesión, como con el respeto por su entorno. De tal modo que el conocimiento que adquieran los alumnos puedan aplicarlo a la vida cotidiana. Esta práctica se ha llevado a cabo en la asignatura de Trabajo Dirigido. El profesor debe manifestar una coherencia entre acción y el pensamiento, debe ser justo y equitativo en la evaluación y tener en cuenta las necesidades particulares de los alumnos; también debe conseguir motivarlos, de forma amigable, con el fin que ellos se esfuercen para lograr las metas académicas. El objetivo es fomentar el logro de competencias transversales tales como responsabilidad, igualdad y capacidad de trabajo en equipo; mediante la realización de sesiones de debate entre el alumno, el tutor, y/o otros investigadores. Por otra parte, también se pretende un análisis reflexivo de nuestra propia actividad docente con el fin de tener en cuenta el potencial y necesidades particulares de cada alumno para lograr una mejora continua. Para alcanzar estos objetivos, el método consiste en la colaboración directa del alumno con los investigadores de la Unidad en proyectos reales y, sesiones semanales de discusión de los resultados que se van obteniendo. De forma que los alumnos desarrollan capacidad de trabajar en equipo, responsabilidad, respeto entre géneros, pensamiento crítico y una verdadera integración. Finalmente, creemos que la ética en la docencia también se pone de manifiesto a la hora de evaluar el aprendizaje de los alumnos. Por este motivo, es de vital importancia que el profesor universitario fomente un clima de integración, de comunicación y de trabajo en equipo en las sesiones docentes. El análisis reflexivo que ha realizado el grupo docente ha permitido examinar las debilidades, las fortalezas y oportunidades acaecidas de la actividad docente para potenciar mejoras en el nuevo curso

Charge effect of a liposomal delivery system encapsulating simvastatin to treat experimental ischemic stroke in rats

[Background and aims]: Although the beneficial effects of statins on stroke have been widely demonstrated both in experimental studies and in clinical trials, the aim of this study is to prepare and characterize a new liposomal delivery system that encapsulates simvastatin to improve its delivery into the brain. [Materials and methods]: In order to select the optimal liposome lipid composition with the highest capacity to reach the brain, male Wistar rats were submitted to sham or transitory middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAOt) surgery and treated (intravenous [IV]) with fluorescent-labeled liposomes with different net surface charges. Ninety minutes after the administration of liposomes, the brain, blood, liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys were evaluated ex vivo using the Xenogen IVIS® Spectrum imaging system to detect the load of fluorescent liposomes. In a second substudy, simvastatin was assessed upon reaching the brain, comparing free and encapsulated simvastatin (IV) administration. For this purpose, simvastatin levels in brain homogenates from sham or MCAOt rats at 2 hours or 4 hours after receiving the treatment were detected through ultra-high-protein liquid chromatography. [Results]: Whereas positively charged liposomes were not detected in brain or plasma 90 minutes after their administration, neutral and negatively charged liposomes were able to reach the brain and accumulate specifically in the infarcted area. Moreover, neutral liposomes exhibited higher bioavailability in plasma 4 hours after being administered. The detection of simvastatin by ultra-high-protein liquid chromatography confirmed its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, when administered either as a free drug or encapsulated into liposomes. [Conclusion]: This study confirms that liposome charge is critical to promote its accumulation in the brain infarct after MCAOt. Furthermore, simvastatin can be delivered after being encapsulated. Thus, simvastatin encapsulation might be a promising strategy to ensure that the drug reaches the brain, while increasing its bioavailability and reducing possible side effects.The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreements number 201024 and number 202213 (European Stroke Network). Neurovascular Research Laboratory takes part in the Spanish stroke research network INVICTUS (RD12/0014/0005). This study was partially funded by projects FIS 11/0176 on stroke biomarkers research and EC07/90195 on increasing safety and efficacy of simvastatin neuroprotection.Peer Reviewe

Phosphate excess increases susceptibility to pathogen infection in rice

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and productivity. Due to soil fixation, however, phosphorus availability in soil is rarely sufficient to sustain high crop yields. The overuse of fertilizers to circumvent the limited bioavailability of phosphate (Pi) has led to a scenario of excessive soil P in agricultural soils. Whereas adaptive responses to Pi deficiency have been deeply studied, less is known about how plants adapt to Pi excess and how Pi excess might affect disease resistance. We show that high Pi fertilization, and subsequent Pi accumulation, enhances susceptibility to infection by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae in rice. This fungus is the causal agent of the blast disease, one of the most damaging diseases of cultivated rice worldwide. Equally, MIR399f overexpression causes an increase in Pi content in rice leaves, which results in enhanced susceptibility to M. oryzae. During pathogen infection, a weaker activation of defence-related genes occurs in rice plants over-accumulating Pi in leaves, which is in agreement with the phenotype of blast susceptibility observed in these plants. These data support that Pi, when in excess, compromises defence mechanisms in rice while demonstrating that miR399 functions as a negative regulator of rice immunity. The two signalling pathways, Pi signalling and defence signalling, must operate in a coordinated manner in controlling disease resistance. This information provides a basis to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in immunity in rice plants under high Pi fertilization, an aspect that should be considered in management of the rice blast disease

Differential effect of amphetamine over the corticotropin-releasing factor CRF2 receptor, the orexin OX1 receptor and the CRF2-OX1 heteroreceptor complex

Stress is one of the factors underlying drug seeking behavior that often goes in parallel with loss of appetite. We here demonstrate that orexin 1 receptors (OX1R) may form complexes with the corticotropin releasing factor CRF2 receptor. Two specific features of the heteromer were a cross-antagonism and a blockade by CRF2 of OX1R signaling. In cells expressing one of the receptors, agonist-mediated signal transduction mechanisms were potentiated by amphetamine. Sigma 1 (σ1) and 2 (σ2) receptors are targets of drugs of abuse and, despite sharing a similar name, the two receptors are structurally unrelated and their physiological role is not known. We here show that σ1 receptors interact with CRF2 receptors and that σ2 receptors interact with OX1R. Moreover, we show that amphetamine effect on CRF2 receptors was mediated by σ1R whereas the effect on OX1 receptors was mediated by σ2R. Amphetamine did potentiate the negative cross-talk occurring within the CRF2-OX1 receptor heteromer context, likely by a macromolecular complex involving the two sigma receptors and the two GPCRs. Finally, in vivo microdialysis experiments showed that amphetamine potentiated orexin A-induced dopamine and glutamate release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Remarkably, the in vivo orexin A effects were blocked by a selective CRF2R antagonist. These results show that amphetamine impacts on the OX1R-, CRF2R- and OX1R/CRF2R-mediated signaling and that cross-antagonism is instrumental for in vivo detection of GPCR heteromers

PV Lesions and Other Issues in the Oral Cavity Treatment and Removal without Pain

Abstract: Due to different oral and dental conditions, oral mucosa lesions such as those caused by the human papilloma virus and temporomandibular joint pathologies often have to be treated by surgical, ablative or extractive procedures. The treatment and control of pain and inflammation during these procedures is essential to guarantee the patient's well-being. For the foregoing reason, a hydrogel based on sodium alginate and hyaluronic acid containing 2% of ketorolac tromethamine has been developed. We characterized it physically, mechanically and morphologically. The rheological results suggest that the formulation can be easily and gently applied. Ex vivo permeation studies show that Ketorolac Tromethamine is able to penetrate through the buccal and sublingual mucosae, in addition to being retained in the mucosae's structure. Through an in vitro test, we were able to evaluate the role that saliva plays in the bioavailability of the drug, observing that more than half of the applied dose is eliminated in an hour. The histological and cytotoxic studies performed on pigs in vivo showed the excellent safety profile of the formulation, as well as its high tolerability. In parallel, a biomimetic artificial membrane (PermeaPad®) was evaluated, and it showed a high degree of correlation with the oral and sublingual mucosa

Cocaine Effects on Dopaminergic Transmission Depend on a Balance between Sigma-1 and Sigma-2 Receptor Expression.

gma σ1 and σ2 receptors are targets of cocaine. Despite sharing a similar name, the two receptors are structurally unrelated and their physiological role is unknown. Cocaine increases the level of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in CNS motor control and reward areas. While the drug also affects dopaminergic signaling by allosteric modulations exerted by σ1R interacting with dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, the potential regulation of dopaminergic transmission by σ2R is also unknown. We here demonstrate that σ2R may form heteroreceptor complexes with D1 but not with D2 receptors. Remarkably σ1, σ2, and D1 receptors may form heterotrimers with particular signaling properties. Determination of cAMP levels, MAP kinase activation and label-free assays demonstrate allosteric interactions within the trimer. Importantly, the presence of σ2R induces bias in signal transduction as σ2R ligands increase cAMP signaling whereas reduce MAP kinase activation. These effects, which are opposite to those exerted via σ1R, suggest that the D1 receptor-mediated signaling depends on the degree of trimer formation and the differential balance of sigma receptor and heteroreceptor expression in acute versus chronic cocaine consumption. Although the physiological role is unknown, the heteroreceptor complex formed by σ1, σ2, and D1 receptors arise as relevant to convey the cocaine actions on motor control and reward circuits and as a key factor in acquisition of the addictive habit. KEYWORDS: ERK1/2 phosphorylation; acute; addiction; cAMP; chronic; dopamine D1 and D2 receptors; label-free; signalin