Uncovering Gene Regulatory Networks from Time-Series Microarray Data with Variational Bayesian Structural Expectation Maximization

We investigate in this paper reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks from time-series microarray data. We apply dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) for modeling cell cycle regulations. In developing a network inference algorithm, we focus on soft solutions that can provide a posteriori probability (APP) of network topology. In particular, we propose a variational Bayesian structural expectation maximization algorithm that can learn the posterior distribution of the network model parameters and topology jointly. We also show how the obtained APPs of the network topology can be used in a Bayesian data integration strategy to integrate two different microarray data sets. The proposed VBSEM algorithm has been tested on yeast cell cycle data sets. To evaluate the confidence of the inferred networks, we apply a moving block bootstrap method. The inferred network is validated by comparing it to the KEGG pathway map

A Multi-Peer, Low Cost Immersive Communication System for Pandemic Times

Porceeding of: 28th IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR 3D UI Contest), March 27-April 3, 2021, VirtualThis work has been partially supported by the Spanish Administration Agency CDTI under Project IDI-20200225 (TARDIS). This work has also received funding from the European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ETN TeamUp5G, grant agreement No. 813391

Energy from biomass: alternative for the reduction of atmospheric emissions

La biomasa produce la misma cantidad de emisiones de dióxido de carbono que absorbe durante su crecimiento, es decir, solo emite la misma cantidad de CO2 que procesa durante parte de su ciclo de vida, haciéndola neutra en cuanto a sus emisiones de compuestos de carbono. La masificación de uso de este energético en países en vía de desarrollo y con altopotencial agrícola aún no se considera viable. Se presentan los procesos para aprovechamiento de biomasa y los beneficios ambientales del uso de este recurso Energético que ha tenido auge en diferentes países. Se concluye que, aunque es viable lainclusión de biomasa para la oferta energética, faltan lineamientos para un uso sostenibleBiomass produces the same amount of emissions of carbon dioxide absorbed during its growth that means that emits the same amount of CO2 processing during part of its life cycle, making it neutral emissions of carbon compounds. The mass use of this energy source in developing countries with high agricultural potential is not considered feasible. This article from a research project describes the processes for biomass utilization and environmental benefits of using this energy resource that has been booming in different countries. It is concluded that although it is feasible the inclusion of biomass for energysupply, exists a lack of guidelines for sustainable use

White matter cortico-striatal tracts predict apathy subtypes in Huntington's disease

Apathy is the neuropsychiatric syndrome that correlates most highly with Huntington's disease progression, and, like early patterns of neurodegeneration, is associated with lesions to cortico-striatal connections. However, due to its multidimensional nature and elusive etiology, treatment options are limited. To disentangle underlying white matter microstructural correlates across the apathy spectrum in Huntington's disease. Forty-six Huntington's disease individuals (premanifest (N = 22) and manifest (N = 24)) and 35 healthy controls were scanned at 3-tesla and underwent apathy evaluation using the short-Problem Behavior Assessment and short-Lille Apathy Rating Scale, with the latter being characterized into three apathy domains, namely emotional, cognitive, and auto-activation deficit. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to study whether individual differences in specific cortico-striatal tracts predicted global apathy and its subdomains. We elucidate that apathy profiles may develop along differential timelines, with the auto-activation deficit domain manifesting prior to motor onset. Furthermore, diffusion tensor imaging revealed that inter-individual variability in the disruption of discrete cortico-striatal tracts might explain the heterogeneous severity of apathy profiles. Specifically, higher levels of auto-activation deficit symptoms significantly correlated with increased mean diffusivity in the right uncinate fasciculus. Conversely, those with severe cognitive apathy demonstrated increased mean diffusivity in the right frontostriatal tract and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to caudate nucleus tract. The current study provides evidence that white matter correlates associated with emotional, cognitive, and auto-activation subtypes may elucidate the heterogeneous nature of apathy in Huntington's disease, as such opening a door for individualized pharmacological management of apathy as a multidimensional syndrome in other neurodegenerative disorders

Incidencia de enfermedad metabólica ósea en neonatos

Introduction. Metabolic bone disease of premature infants is a rare complication, established due to lower mineral content in bone tissue. Objective. To establish the incidence of metabolic bone disease in premature infants and associated risk factors. Materials and method. A descriptive prospective cohort study was carried out for one year in all newborns under 32 weeks or 1500 g at the Hospital Universitario de Santander, to determine the incidence of metabolic bone disease. In the selected patients, demographic data and prenatal history were established, later a measurement of serum alkaline phosphatase and serum phosphorus was performed at the third week of birth, having reference values for diagnosis <5.6mg/dl and alkaline phosphatase >500IU/ L. For the analysis of the information, statistical tools were applied such as average proportions, dispersion measures, distribution measures, association measures, and binomial regression. Results. A total of 58 patients were, of which 7 had a diagnosis of metabolic bone disease, with an incidence of 12%. The weight was reported as an independent variable for the development of the disease, being significant in children under 1160g, as well as prolonged parenteral nutrition >24 days. When performing the multivariate analysis, weight and time of parenteral nutrition are described as risk factors, but also maternal age below <22 years and birth weight under 1160g are characterized by having a higher relative risk than weight <1160g. Conclusion. The importance of early intervention in patients with metabolic bone disease-enhancing risk factors, such as weight and prolonged parenteral nutrition, is established to prevent severe complications.Introducción. La enfermedad metabólica ósea del prematuro es una complicación poco común, establecida por menor contenido mineral en el hueso. Objetivo. Establecer la incidencia de la enfermedad metabólica ósea en prematuros y factores de riesgo asociados. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo descriptivo durante un año a todos los recién nacidos menores de 32 semanas o <1500 g en el Hospital Universitario de Santander. En los pacientes seleccionados se establecieron datos demográficos y antecedentes prenatales, posteriormente se realizó una medición de fosfatasa alcalina y fósforo séricos a la tercera semana de nacimiento, con valores de referencia diagnóstica < 5,6mg/dl y fosfatasa alcalina > 500UI/L. Para el análisis de la información se aplicaron herramientas estadísticas como proporciones de promedio, medidas de dispersión, distribución, y asociación; y regresión binomial. Resultados. Se obtuvieron un total de 58 pacientes, de los cuales 7 tuvieron diagnóstico de enfermedad metabólica ósea, con una incidencia del 12%. De las variables estudiadas, el peso se reportó como variable independiente para el desarrollo de la enfermedad, siendo significativa en menores de 1160g, igualmente la nutrición parenteral prolongada >24 días. Al realizar el análisis multivariado se describen el peso y tiempo de nutrición parenteral como factores de riesgo, además la edad materna <22 años presentó un riesgo relativo mayor, a comparación del peso <1160 g. Conclusión. Se establece la importancia de intervención temprana de pacientes con factores de riesgo potenciadores de enfermedad metabólica ósea, como el peso y nutrición parenteral prolongada mayor a 24 días, con el fin de prevenir complicaciones severas

Improvement of Bacillus velezensis UMAF6639 as a biocontrol agent

The need to implement sustainable agricultural models has led to the search for alternatives to deal with different plant diseases, with the use of biocontrol agents being one of the most versatile options. A clear example of these agents are the strains belonging to the Bacillus velezensis group, Grampositive bacteria capable of colonizing the different structures of plants and synthesizing a variety of compounds with various activities, ranging from growth promotion to antagonism against to different phytopathogens due to the synthesis of molecules such as lipopeptides (surfactins, fengycins and iturins) among others. Previous studies carried out in our research group have shown how the B. velezensis UMAF6639 strain has a great biocontrol capacity in plants belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, derived mainly from the production of lipopeptides. The objective of this work focuses on the genetic improvement by random mutagenesis of said strain to obtain mutants with greater antimicrobial activity. Once the derivatives with the greatest antimicrobial activity have been identified, their characterization is being carried out to determine the genetic changes that justify the increase in their biocontrol capacity, as well as the changes in the production profile of secondary metabolites, implementing genomic and metabolomic tools to decipher the different mechanisms responsible for the antagonistic activity of these strains.This work has been supported by contract 8.06/60.4086 financed by the biotechnology company KOPPERT B.V. (The Netherlands) and Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech