KONCEPCJA I REALIZACJA SYSTEMU PLECAKOWEGO DLA WIELOKANAŁOWEJ ELEKTROFIZJOLOGII U SWOBODNIE ZACHOWUJĄCYCH SIĘ GRYZONI

Technologies for multichannel electrophysiology are experiencing astounding growth. Numbers of channels reach thousands of recording sites, systems are often combined with electrostimulations and optic stimulations. However, the task of design the cheap, flexible system for freely behaving animals without tethered cable are not solved completely. We propose the system for multichannel electrophysiology for both rats and mice. The system allows to record unit activity and local field potential (LFP) up to 32 channels with different types of electrodes. The system was constructed using Intan technologies RHD 2132 chip. Data acquisition and recordings take place on the DAQ-card, which is placed as a back-pack on the animal. The signal is amplified with amplifier cascade and digitalized with 16-bit ADC. Instrumental filters allow to filter the signal in 0.1–20000 Hz bandwidth. The system is powered from the mini-battery with capacity 340 mA/hr. The system was validated with generated signals, in anaesthetized rat and showed a high quality of recordings.Technologie elektrofizjologii wielokanałowej odnotowują zdumiewający wzrost. Liczba kanałów dociera do tysięcy miejsc rejestracji, systemy często łączone są z elektrostymulacjami i stymulacjami optycznymi. Jednak zadanie zaprojektowania taniego, elastycznego systemu pozwalającego na swobodne zachowania zwierząt bez przywiązanego kabla nie zostało całkowicie rozwiązane. Zaproponowano system wielokanałowej elektrofizjologii zarówno dla szczurów, jak i myszy. System pozwala rejestrować aktywność jednostki i potencjał pola lokalnego (LFP) do 32 kanałów z różnymi rodzajami elektrod. System został zbudowany przy użyciu technologii Intan RHD 2132. Akwizycja danych i nagrania odbywają się na karcie DAQ, która została umieszczona w plecaku zwierzęcia. Sygnał jest wzmacniany kaskadą wzmacniaczy i digitalizowany za pomocą 16-bitowego przetwornika ADC. Filtry pozwalają filtrować sygnał w paśmie 0,1–20000 Hz. Zasilany jest z mini-baterii o wydajności 340 mA/godz. System został zwalidowany generowanymi sygnałami u znieczulonego szczura i wykazał wysoką jakość nagrań

2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10-Octa­hydro­pyrimido[1,2-a]azepin-1-ium 2-cyano-1-(2,6-dimethylanilino)-2-(phenyl­sulfonyl)ethenethiol­ate

In the title compound, C9H17N2 +·C17H15N2O2S2 −, the Csp 2—N bonds in the tetra­hydro­pyrimidine ring of the cation are delocalized. The negative charge is localized on the S atom of the thione group. Cations and anions are linked by N—H⋯S inter­molecular hydrogen bonds

EKSPERCKIE SYSTEMY ROZMYTE DO OCENY INTENSYWNOŚCI REAKTYWNEGO OBRZĘKU TKANEK MIĘKKICH U PACJENTÓW Z CUKRZYCĄ

The paper analyzes the main areas of application of mathematical methods in medical diagnostics, formulates principles of diagnostics based on fuzzy logic; developed mathematical models and algorithms that formalize the process of making diagnostic decisions based on fuzzy logic with quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition; developed mathematical models of membership function. Mathematical models and algorithms have been developed that formalize the process of making diagnostic decisions based on fuzzy logic with quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition; developed mathematical models of membership functions, formalizing the representation of quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition in the form of fuzzy sets, used in models and algorithms for diagnosis and finding a diagnosis of assessing the intensity of reactive postoperative edema in patients of all study groups. An expert system was implemented for solving the problems of medical diagnosis based on fuzzy logic when assessing the intensity of reactive swelling of soft tissues, which develops in the postoperative period in patients of all study groups against the background of diabetes. The paper analyzes the main areas of application of mathematical methods in medical diagnostics, formulates the principles of diagnostics based on fuzzy logic.W pracy analizowane są główne kierunki zastosowania metod matematycznych w diagnostyce medycznej, formułowane są zasady diagnostyki opartej na logice rozmytej; opracowywane są modele matematyczne i algorytmy formalizujące proces podejmowania decyzji diagnostycznych w oparciu o logikę rozmytą z ilościowymi i jakościowymi parametrami stanu pacjenta; opracowywane są modele matematyczne funkcji przynależności. Opracowano modele matematyczne i algorytmy formalizujące proces podejmowania decyzji diagnostycznych w oparciu o logikę rozmytą z ilościowymi i jakościowymi parametrami stanu pacjenta; opracowano modele matematyczne funkcji przynależności formalizujące reprezentację ilościowych i jakościowych parametrów stanu pacjenta w postaci zbiorów rozmytych wykorzystywanych w modelach i algorytmach diagnozowania i znajdowania rozpoznania nasilenia reaktywnego obrzęku pooperacyjnego u pacjentów wszystkich grup badawczych. Wdrożono system ekspercki do rozwiązywania problemów diagnostyki medycznej oparty na logice rozmytej w ocenie nasilenia reaktywnego obrzęku tkanek miękkich, który rozwija się w okresie pooperacyjnym u pacjentów wszystkich grup badawczych z cukrzycą. W artykule przeanalizowano cechy zastosowania metod matematycznych w diagnostyce medycznej, sformułowano zasady diagnostyki opartej na logice rozmytej

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of bodysurface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 ), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of endstage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; CREDENCE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02065791.

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Tiotropium versus Salmeterol for the Prevention of Exacerbations of COPD

BACKGROUND Treatment guidelines recommend the use of inhaled long-acting bronchodilators to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with moderate-tovery-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but do not specify whether a long-acting anticholinergic drug or a β2-agonist is the preferred agent. We investigated whether the anticholinergic drug tiotropium is superior to the β2-agonist salmeterol in preventing exacerbations of COPD. METHODS In a 1-year, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group trial, we compared the effect of treatment with 18 μg of tiotropium once daily with that of 50 μg of salmeterol twice daily on the incidence of moderate or severe exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD and a history of exacerbations in the preceding year. RESULTS A total of 7376 patients were randomly assigned to and treated with tiotropium (3707 patients) or salmeterol (3669 patients). Tiotropium, as compared with salmeterol, increased the time to the first exacerbation (187 days vs. 145 days), with a 17% reduction in risk (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 0.90; P<0.001). Tiotropium also increased the time to the first severe exacerbation (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.85; P<0.001), reduced the annual number of moderate or severe exacerbations (0.64 vs. 0.72; rate ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.96; P=0.002), and reduced the annual number of severe exacerbations (0.09 vs. 0.13; rate ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.82; P<0.001). Overall, the incidence of serious adverse events and of adverse events leading to the discontinuation of treatment was similar in the two study groups. There were 64 deaths (1.7%) in the tiotropium group and 78 (2.1%) in the salmeterol group. CONCLUSIONS These results show that, in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD, tiotropium is more effective than salmeterol in preventing exacerbations. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00563381.

Search for Visual Objects by Request in the Form of a Cluster Representation for the Structural Image Description

The key task of computer vision is the recognition of visual objects in the analysed image. This paper proposes a method of searching for objects in an image, based on the identification of a cluster representation of the query descriptions and the current image of the window with the calculation of the relevance measure. The implementation of a cluster representation significantly increases the speed of identification or classification of visual objects while maintaining a sufficient level of accuracy. Based on the development of models for the analysis and processing of a set of descriptors of keypoints, we have obtained an effective method for the identification of visual objects. A comparative experiment with the traditional method has been conducted, where a linear search for the nearest descriptor was implemented for identification without using a cluster representation of the description. In the experiment, a speed gain for the developed method has been obtained in comparison with the traditional one by approximately 5.2 times with the same level of accuracy. The method can be used in applied tasks where the time of object identification is critical. The developed method can be applied to search for several objects of different classes. The effectiveness of the method can be increased by varying the values of its parameters and adapting to the characteristics of the data

Students' computer-based workshops in mandatory classes of English for students majoring in psychology and linguistics: A comparative experimental study

This article addresses the issue of developing and using students’ workshops in English. In the article, such workshops are defined as the fullest form of peer-teaching in which one or several students (workshop organizers) guide their group-mates in performing extra-linguistic learning activities conducted in the target language. The research describes workshops as one of the most efficient ways of involuntary (subconscious) target language acquisition achieved through extra-linguistic practical (experiential) activities performed by way of communication in the language to be learned. The article reports the results of a comparative experimental study in which students of a non-linguistic major (Psychology) and students majoring in English as a foreign language on which their career option (Applied Linguistics) is based were practicing workshops in English in their mandatory classes on that language. The results of the experimental study clearly demonstrate and prove that workshop practice was quite successful in both cases not only in what concerns the involuntary (subconscious) development of learners’ target language communication skills. No less evident was the development of some of the students’ psychological qualities (emotional intelligence) important for their further studies and professional careers