Multimodal fusion of EEG-fNIRS: A mutual information-based hybrid classification framework

Multimodal data fusion is one of the current primary neuroimaging research directions to overcome the fundamental limitations of individual modalities by exploiting complementary information from different modalities. Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) are especially compelling modalities due to their potentially complementary features reflecting the electro-hemodynamic characteristics of neural responses. However, the current multimodal studies lack a comprehensive systematic approach to properly merge the complementary features from their multimodal data. Identifying a systematic approach to properly fuse EEG-fNIRS data and exploit their complementary potential is crucial in improving performance. This paper proposes a framework for classifying fused EEG-fNIRS data at the feature level, relying on a mutual information-based feature selection approach with respect to the complementarity between features. The goal is to optimize the complementarity, redundancy and relevance between multimodal features with respect to the class labels as belonging to a pathological condition or healthy control. Nine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and nine controls underwent multimodal data recording during a visuo-mental task. Multiple spectral and temporal features were extracted and fed to a feature selection algorithm followed by a classifier, which selected the optimized subset of features through a cross-validation process. The results demonstrated considerably improved hybrid classification performance compared to the individual modalities and compared to conventional classification without feature selection, suggesting a potential efficacy of our proposed framework for wider neuro-clinical applications

Evaluation of Sesquiterpenes from Ferula assa-foetida on inflamatory parameters and study of biding modes using computational methods

introduction: Ferula assafoetida is a source of sesquiterpenes [1]. According to an investigation, phenolic compounds at physiological concentration can inhibit inflammatory enzymes [2]. These enzymes digest the extracellular matrix and provide the conditions for activation and migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. Reported studies on medicinal plants for their inhibitory effect on MMP are very limited. Methods and Results: Acetone extract of plant was prepared and Sesquiterpenes were purified using HPLC preparative analyses and their structures were elucidated. After culturing the cell at confluence, cells were isolated and the supernatant was removed. The pure substances were applied on cell lines U87MG and Wehi activities. Besides the structure has been docked in the active site of metalloproteinase, and significant interactions were determined.Subsequently, ligand-protein complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation in water and thermodynamic properties were calculated. In the phytochemistry field galbanic acid, mogoltadone, kellerin, polyanthin and polyanthininwere produced from F. assafoetida. The results of celluar toxicity study shows that IC50 of Galbanic acid, Mogoltadone and Polyanthin in Wehi cell line were 925.2703, 721.86, and 680.3 µg/ml in U87MG cell line were 952.193, 752.352, 678.742. Galbanic acid, mogoltadone, kellerin, polyanthin and polyanthininwere solated from F. assafoetida. The results of celluar toxicity study show that IC50 of Galbanic acid, Mogoltadone and Polyanthin in Wehi cell line were 925.2703, 721.86, and 680.3 µg/ml in U87MG cell line were 952.193, 752.352, 678.742 Conclusion: Investigation revealed that the coumarins have inhibitory effects on the content and activity of MMP 2.9 and showed anti-angiogenetic effect. So, they can be potentially effective in the treatment of cancer. Interactive and competitive binding between MMP-9 and Galbanic acid were studied with FT-IR, UV-Vis and fluorescence methods and MMP-9 structure was changed in these interactions

Effects of prantschimgin and grandivitin from Ferulago macrocarpa on VEGF, MMP9, MMP2 and research of binding modes using computational methods

Ferulago macrocarpa contains prantschimgin and grandivitin from phenolic class. Studies have shown that phenolic compounds at physiological concentrations could inhibit two groups of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9). Due to the high diversity of coumarin in the plant, the possibility ability of the compounds to inhibit plant enzymes seem to be mentioned. introduction: Ferulago macrocarpa of Apiaceae, native to the highlands of the West of Iran (Zagros Mountains) includes Prantschimgin and Grandivitin from phenolic class. researches have shown that phenolic compounds at physiological concentrations could prevent two groups of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9). Because of the high variety of coumarin in the plant, the potency of the compounds to inhibit plant enzymes seem to be refered. Methods and Results: Acetone extract of the plant was provided and then winterized. Thereafter, Prantschimgin and Grandivitin were purified using normal phase column chromatography and preparative HPLC, and their structures were verified. After culturing the cells, at confluence step, Supernatants were collected at24 and 48h soup (broth supernatant containing medium containing 2% albumin, and glutamine and antibiotics and enzymes secreted by the different concentrations of active ingredients) and non-proliferation medium containing 2% albumin was amplified. The pure substances were applied on cell lines U87MG and Wehi for evaluation of VEGF, MMP-2 and 9 activities. In the computational processing, the structures have been docked in the active site of metalloproteinases9, and important interactions were detennined. then, ligand-protein complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation in water, and thermodynamic attributes were calculated. (MMP9 code= 1L6J, MMP2 code= 1CK7). prantschimgin and grandivitin were purified fromF.macrocarpafruits. Regarding cytotoxicity results IC50 of Prantschimgin and Grandivitin in Wehi cell line were 521.63,232.66, and in U87MG cell line were575.58,322.0 lpg/ml, respectively. Biological experiment indicated significant changes in the amount and activity of matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Conclusion: Two coumarins, prantschimgin and grandivitin with the potential inhibitory effects on the activity of MMP2,9 and anti-angiogenesis were purified from F. macrocarpa fruits. The application can be expected to have therapeutic efficacy in cancer cell lines U87MG and Weh

Evaluation of the Effect of Six Terpenoids and Phenolics from Echinophora Cinerea against Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in PC12 Cell Line

Introduction:Echinophoracinerea is a plant from Apiaceae family and it is used as vegetable, yogurt and cheese seasoning and is used for gasteric ailments in ChaharMahalBakhtiari province. It is a rich source of antioxidant constituents, hence it canpotentially  have protective effects. So, its phytochemical investigation seems to be crucial. Methods and Results:Plant material was extracted. The latter extract was fractionated with VLC and further purified using reversed phase HPLC. The structures of pure compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods such as 1HNMR and mass. Cytotoxic effects of cisplatin alone and with other fractions were tested. The effects of isolated compounds against apoptosis induced by CIS were investigated through the measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, Bax and Bcl2 and caspase-3 activation. We also assessed the oxidative stress by measuring reactive oxygen species. Six compounds (quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, Kaempferol glycoside, osthol, verbenone, isoimperatorin and echinophorin B) were purified and identified. Treatment of cells with QUE and OST before exposure to the CIS increased cell viability. These compounds protected the cells against CIS–induced cytotoxicity. In addition, pretreatment with QUE and OST decreased CIS- induced apoptosis through up-regulation of Bcl2, inhibition of caspase-3 activity and increasing of mitochondrial membrane potential. As well, OST decreased ROS generation. Conclusion:Given that flavonoids are the most important groups of phenolic compounds found in nature, and due to their antioxidant and antiapoptotic effect these could be considered as neuroprotective agent

COVID-19 length of hospital stay: a systematic review and data synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain on health systems, with rapidly increasing demand for healthcare in hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. As the pandemic escalates, determining the resulting needs for healthcare resources (beds, staff, equipment) has become a key priority for many countries. Projecting future demand requires estimates of how long patients with COVID-19 need different levels of hospital care. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of early evidence on length of stay (LoS) of patients with COVID-19 in hospital and in ICU. We subsequently developed a method to generate LoS distributions which combines summary statistics reported in multiple studies, accounting for differences in sample sizes. Applying this approach, we provide distributions for total hospital and ICU LoS from studies in China and elsewhere, for use by the community. RESULTS: We identified 52 studies, the majority from China (46/52). Median hospital LoS ranged from 4 to 53 days within China, and 4 to 21 days outside of China, across 45 studies. ICU LoS was reported by eight studies-four each within and outside China-with median values ranging from 6 to 12 and 4 to 19 days, respectively. Our summary distributions have a median hospital LoS of 14 (IQR 10-19) days for China, compared with 5 (IQR 3-9) days outside of China. For ICU, the summary distributions are more similar (median (IQR) of 8 (5-13) days for China and 7 (4-11) days outside of China). There was a visible difference by discharge status, with patients who were discharged alive having longer LoS than those who died during their admission, but no trend associated with study date. CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19 in China appeared to remain in hospital for longer than elsewhere. This may be explained by differences in criteria for admission and discharge between countries, and different timing within the pandemic. In the absence of local data, the combined summary LoS distributions provided here can be used to model bed demands for contingency planning and then updated, with the novel method presented here, as more studies with aggregated statistics emerge outside China

Use of and barriers to maternal health services in southeast Chad: results of a population-based survey 2019

Objectives: Chad reports the second highest maternal mortality worldwide. We conducted a survey in Sila region in southeast Chad to estimate the use of maternal health services (MHS) and to identify barriers to access MHS. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional, population-based survey using two-stage cluster sampling methodology. The survey consisted of two strata, Koukou Angarana and Goz Beida district in Sila region. We conducted systematic random sampling proportional to population size to select settlements in each strata in the first sampling stage; and in the second stage we selected households in the settlements using random walk procedure. We calculated survey-design-weighted proportions with 95% CIs. We performed univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression to identify impact factors associated with the use of MHS. Setting: We interviewed women in selected households in Sila region in 2019. Participants: Women at reproductive age, who have given birth in the previous 2 years and are living in Koukou Angarana and Goz Beida district. Primary outcomes: Use of and access barriers to MHS including antenatal care (ANC), delivery care in a health facility (DC), postnatal care (PNC) and contraceptive methods. Results: In total, 624 women participated. Median age was 28 years, 95.4% were illiterate and 95.7% married. Use of ANC, DC and PNC was reported by 57.6% (95% CI: 49.3% to 65.5%), 22.5% (95% CI: 15.7% to 31.1%) and 32.9% (95% CI: 25.8% to 40.9%), respectively. Use of MHS was lower in rural compared with urban settings. Having attended ANC increased the odds of using DC by 4.3 (1.5–12.2) and using PNC by 6.4 (3.7–11.1). Factors related to transport and to culture and belief were the most frequently stated access barriers to MHS. Conclusion: In Sila region, use of MHS is low and does not meet WHO-defined standards regarding maternal health. Among all services, use of ANC was better than for other MHS. ANC usage is positively associated with the use of further life-saving MHS including DC and could be used as an entry point to the community. To increase use of MHS, interventions should include infrastructural improvements as well as community-based approaches to overcome access barriers related to culture and belief.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of One Hundred Pediatric Muscle Biopsies During A 2-Year Period in Mofid Children And Toos Hospitals

 How to Cite This Article:Nilipor Y, Shariatmadari F, Abdollah gorji F, Rouzrokh M, Ghofrani M, Karimzadeh P, Taghdiri MM,  Delavarkasmaei H, Ahmadabadi F, Bakhshandeh bali MK, Nemati H, Saket S, Jafari N, Yaghini O, Tonekaboni SH.  Evaluation of One Hundred Pediatric Muscle Biopsies During A 2-Year Period in Mofid Children And Toos Hospitals. Iran J Child Neurol. 2013 Spring;7(2):17-21. ObjectiveMuscle biopsy is a very important diagnostic test in the investigation of a child with suspected neuromuscular disorder. The goal of this study was to review and evaluate pediatric muscle biopsies during a 2-year period with focus on histopathology diagnosis and correlations with other paraclinicstudies.Materials & MethodsWe investigated 100 muscle biopsies belonging to patients with clinical impression of neuromuscular disorder. These patients have been visited consecutively by pediatric neurologists during 2010 to 2012. Samples were investigated by standard enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques.ResultSixty-nine (69%) males and 39 (39%) females with a mean age of 5.7 years were evaluated. Major pathologic diagnoses were Muscular dystrophy (48 cases), Neurogenic atrophy (18 cases), nonspecific myopathic atrophy (12cases), congenital myopathy (6 cases), storage myopathies (4 cases) and in 6 cases there was no specific histochemical pathologic finding. EMG was abnormal in 79 cases. Degree of correlation between EMG and biopsy result was significant in children ≥ 2 years of age.ConclusionThis study confirms the high diagnostic yields of muscle biopsyespecially only if standard and new techniques such as enzyme study and immunohistochemistry are implemented. Also, we report 11 cases of Merosin negative congenital muscular dystrophy. This is the largest documented case series of Merosin deficient congenital muscular dystrophy reported from Iran. References1. Harvey B. Sarnat. Evaluation and Investigation. In:Kliegman. Stanton.Schor. Behrman.Nelson Text Book of Pediatrics.19th edition.Philadelphia: Elsevier,2011. P.2109-2112. 2. Harvey B. Sarnat and John H Menkes. Disease of TheMotore Unit. In: John H Menkes, Harvey B Sarnat, Bernard L Maria. Child Neurology. 7th edition.california: lippincott,2006.p.969-972.3. Marius Kuras Skram, Sasha Gulati, Erik Larrson. Muscle Biopsies In Children-An Evaluation Of Histopathology And Clinical Valueduring A 5-Year Period. Upsala J Med Sci 2009 March:114 (1);41-45.4. Owji M, Modaressi F. Diagnosis of Myopathies Using Histology. Histochemistry, Immunohistochemistry and Electron Microscopy 2010,12 (4):434 -440.5. Dua T, Das M, Kabra M. Spectrum of Floppy Children in Indian Scenario. Indian Pediatric J 2001, 38:1236-1243.6. Rabie M, Jossiphov J, Nevo Y. Electromyography accuracy compared to muscle biopsy in childhood. J Child Neurol 2007 jul; 22(7):803.8.

The burden and dynamics of hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 in England

Hospital-based transmission had a dominant role in Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemics1,2, but large-scale studies of its role in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are lacking. Such transmission risks spreading the virus to the most vulnerable individuals and can have wider-scale impacts through hospital-community interactions. Using data from acute hospitals in England, we quantify within-hospital transmission, evaluate likely pathways of spread and factors associated with heightened transmission risk, and explore the wider dynamical consequences. We estimate that between June 2020 and March 2021 between 95,000 and 167,000 inpatients acquired SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals (1% to 2% of all hospital admissions in this period). Analysis of time series data provided evidence that patients who themselves acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital were the main sources of transmission to other patients. Increased transmission to inpatients was associated with hospitals having fewer single rooms and lower heated volume per bed. Moreover, we show that reducing hospital transmission could substantially enhance the efficiency of punctuated lockdown measures in suppressing community transmission. These findings reveal the previously unrecognized scale of hospital transmission, have direct implications for targeting of hospital control measures and highlight the need to design hospitals better equipped to limit the transmission of future high-consequence pathogens

Case-area targeted interventions (CATI) for reactive dengue control: Modelling effectiveness of vector control and prophylactic drugs in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Targeting interventions to areas that have recently experienced cases of disease is one strategy to contain outbreaks of infectious disease. Such case-area targeted interventions (CATI) have become an increasingly popular approach for dengue control but there is little evidence to suggest how precisely targeted or how recent cases need to be, to mount an effective response. The growing interest in the development of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs for dengue has also given new relevance for CATI strategies to interrupt transmission or deliver early treatment. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we develop a patch-based mathematical model of spatial dengue spread and fit it to spatiotemporal datasets from Singapore. Simulations from this model suggest CATI strategies could be effective, particularly if used in lower density areas. To maximise effectiveness, increasing the size of the radius around an index case should be prioritised even if it results in delays in the intervention being applied. This is partially because large intervention radii ensure individuals receive multiple and regular rounds of drug dosing or vector control, and thus boost overall coverage. Given equivalent efficacy, CATIs using prophylactic drugs are predicted to be more effective than adult mosquito-killing vector control methods and may even offer the possibility of interrupting individual chains of transmission if rapidly deployed. CATI strategies quickly lose their effectiveness if baseline transmission increases or case detection rates fall. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest CATI strategies can play an important role in dengue control but are likely to be most relevant for low transmission areas where high coverage of other non-reactive interventions already exists. Controlled field trials are needed to assess the field efficacy and practical constraints of large operational CATI strategies