Differentiating Mental Stress Levels: Analysing Machine Learning Algorithms Comparatively For EEG-Based Mental Stress Classification Using MNE-Python

Mental stress is a prevalent and consequential condition that impacts individuals' well-being and productivity. Accurate classification of mental stress levels using electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is a promising avenue for early detection and intervention. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation into mental stress classification using EEG data processed with the MNE-Python library. Our research leverages a diverse set of machines learning algorithms, including Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Adaboost, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to discerndifferences in classification performance. We employed a single dataset to ensure consistency in our experiments, facilitating a direct comparison of these algorithms. The EEG data were pre-processed using MNE-Python, which included tasks such as signal cleaning, and feature selection. Subsequently, we applied the selected machine learning models to the processed data and assessed their classification performance in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Our results demonstrate notable variations in the classification accuracy of mental stress levels across the different algorithms. These findings suggest that the choice of machine learning technique plays a pivotal role in theeffectiveness of EEG-based mental stress classification. Our study not only highlights the potential of MNE-Python for EEG signal processing but also provides valuable insights into the selection of appropriate machine learning algorithms for accurate and reliable mental stress assessment. These outcomes hold promise for the development of robust and practical systems for real-time mental stress monitoring, contributing to enhanced well-being and performance in various domains such as healthcare, education, and workplace environment

NK cells and gammadelta T cells mediate resistance to polyomavirus-induced tumors

NK and gammadelta T cells can eliminate tumor cells in many experimental models, but their effect on the development of tumors caused by virus infections in vivo is not known. Polyomavirus (PyV) induces tumors in neonatally infected mice of susceptible strains and in adult mice with certain immune deficiencies, and CD8+ alphabeta T cells are regarded as the main effectors in anti-tumor immunity. Here we report that adult TCRbeta knockout (KO) mice that lack alphabeta but have gammadelta T cells remain tumor-free after PyV infection, whereas TCRbeta x delta KO mice that lack all T cells develop tumors. In addition, E26 mice, which lack NK and T cells, develop the tumors earlier than TCRbeta x delta KO mice. These observations implicate gammadelta T and NK cells in the resistance to PyV-induced tumors. Cell lines established from PyV-induced tumors activate NK and gammadelta T cells both in culture and in vivo and express Rae-1, an NKG2D ligand. Moreover, these PyV tumor cells are killed by NK cells in vitro, and this cytotoxicity is prevented by treatment with NKG2D-blocking antibodies. Our findings demonstrate a protective role for NK and gammadelta T cells against naturally occurring virus-induced tumors and suggest the involvement of NKG2D-mediated mechanisms

Crossreactive Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Influenza A Virus (IAV) Specific CD8 Memory T Cells During Acute Symptomatic IAV Infection

We previously showed that crossreactivity is common between IAV and EBV in HLA-A2+ patients during infectious mononucleosis. IAV-M1-GIL58-66 specific CD8 T cells, along with expanded populations of IAV-M1-GIL58-66/EBV-BRLF-1109-117 -YVL and IAV-M1-GIL58-66/EBV-BMLF1280-288-GLC double-tetramer+ cells were detected directly ex-vivo in 5 HLA-A2+ patients. Altered IAV-M158-66, EBV-BRLF1119-117 and -BMLF1280-288 TCR repertoires were observed over the course of infection and in comparison to healthy donors. After culture, cells were sorted and analyzed by gene array in order to assess global changes in immune responses following different stimulations, either cognate or crossreactive, in different patient populations. M1-GIL and BRLF1-YVL specific cells had similar immune-response gene signatures, but the -GLC specific CD8 cells were more similar to the two-crossreactive populations. Crossreactive M1-GIL/BRLF1-YVL cells from the BRLF1-YVL line were different in their activation status than the BRLF1-specific cells, consistent with BRLF1-YVL ligand stimulation of different gene activation profiles in these two populations. These results suggest that during symptomatic IAV infection there is an expansion of EBV/IAV crossreactive memory CD8 T cell responses. Ongoing studies are investigating whether EBV-IAV cross-reactive CD8+ T cells may contribute to immunopathology during acute IAV infection (NIH / NIAID PO1 AI 049320)

Long-lasting T cell-independent IgG responses require MyD88-mediated pathways and are maintained by high levels of virus persistence

Many viruses induce acute T cell-independent (TI) B cell responses due to their repetitive epitopes and the induction of innate cytokines. Nevertheless, T cell help is thought necessary for the development of long-lasting antiviral antibody responses in the form of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. We found that T cell-deficient (T cell receptor beta and delta chain [TCRbetadelta] knockout [KO]) mice persistently infected with polyomavirus (PyV) had long-lasting antiviral serum IgG, and we questioned whether they could generate TI B cell memory. TCRbetadelta KO mice did not form germinal centers after PyV infection, lacked long-lived IgG-secreting plasma cells in bone marrow, and did not have detectable memory B cell responses. Mice deficient in CD4(+) T cells had a lower persisting virus load than TCRbetadelta KO mice, and these mice had short-lived antiviral IgG responses, suggesting that a high virus load is required to activate naive B cells continuously, and maintain the long-lasting serum IgG levels. Developing B cells in bone marrow encounter high levels of viral antigens, which can cross-link both their B cell receptor (BCR) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and this dual engagement may lead to a loss of their tolerance. Consistent with this hypothesis, antiviral serum IgG levels were greatly diminished in TCRbetadelta KO/MyD88(-/-) mice. We conclude that high persisting antigen levels and innate signaling can lead to the maintenance of long-lasting IgG responses even in the absence of T cell help. IMPORTANCE: Lifelong control of persistent virus infections is essential for host survival. Several members of the polyomavirus family are prevalent in humans, persisting at low levels in most people without clinical manifestations, but causing rare morbidity/mortality in the severely immune compromised. Studying the multiple mechanisms that control viral persistence in a mouse model, we previously found that murine polyomavirus (PyV) induces protective T cell-independent (TI) antiviral IgG. TI antibody (Ab) responses are usually short-lived, but T cell-deficient PyV-infected mice can live for many months. This study investigates how protective IgG is maintained under these circumstances and shows that these mice lack both forms of B cell memory, but they still have sustained antiviral IgG responses if they have high levels of persisting virus and intact MyD88-mediated pathways. These requirements may ensure life-saving protection against pathogens even in the absence of T cells, but they prevent the continuous generation of TI IgG against harmless antigens

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-lytic Cross-reactive Influenza-A (IAV) Memory CD8 T-cells in EBV Sero-negative Middle-aged Adults

EBV is a common human pathogen, which infects ~90% of people and establishes a life-long chronic infection. The clinical outcomes of acute infection can range from asymptomatic to severe immunopathology such as infectious mononucleosis (IM). However, for unknown reasons 5-10% of middle-aged adults (\u3e35 years) remain EBV-seronegative (EBV-SN) when the virus infects the vast majority of people, and is actively shed at high titers during chronic infection. Here we show that EBV-SN (ASN) HLA-A2+ middle-aged adults possess a unique IAV-M1-GIL58-66 memory CD8 T-cell response that cross-reacts with EBV lytic epitopes that differs from teenage EBV-SN (TSN) (18-19 years) and EBV-seropositive (EBV-SP) adult donors. The five tested HLA-A2+ EBV-SN middle-aged adults had a significantly increased IAV-M158-66-GIL tetramer+ CD8 frequency compared to EBV-SP donors. Upon exposure to EBV antigens in vitro both IAV-M158-66GIL/EBV-BMLF1280-288-GLC and IAV-M158-66-GIL/EBV-BRLF1109-117-YVL, functionally cross-reactive CD8+ responses could be detected in the peripheral blood of middle-aged EBV-SN donors, while only IAV-M1/EBV-YVL cross-reactive responses were detected in some teenage EBV-SN or EBV-seropositive people . Surprisingly, these IAV-M1-GIL-specific CD8 T-cells in middle-aged EBV-SN adults expanded dramatically to EBV lytic antigens and produced cytokines at high functional avidity. They lysed EBV-infected targets and showed potential (by CD103 expression) to enter mucosal epithelial tissue where infection initiates. Additionally, these cross-reactive cells had an oligo-clonal T-cell receptor repertoire different than EBV-SP donors. Taken together these data suggest that an altered cross-reactive T cell repertoire could mediate protective immunity against viral infection. Our results imply that sero-negative adults might have the ability to resist viral infection via heterologous immunity. (NIH-AI49320)

A Rare Malignant Triton Tumor

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, malignant triton tumor, has a rare incidence. We report such a case in a 40-year-old male who presented with a mass over the buttock. He was a previously diagnosed case of neurofibroma in the same area. Histomorphology supported by immunostaining with S-100 protein confirmed the diagnosis. Malignant triton tumor has a poor prognosis owing to its aggressive biological behavior. The fact that the presence of this tumor in the buttock region is extremely rare has prompted the authors to report this case

Establishment of the mechanism of purification and levigation of green chemistry-assisted biocomposites of red ochre (Gairika): synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial, prebiotic, antioxidant, and antacid activities of the traditional Ayurvedic medicine Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa

Gairika (red ochre) has a long history of influencing human civilization. Gairika is a rich source of nutrients used for reproductive and brain health. Gairika is mentioned as an antacid drug in Indian Ayurvedic medicine under Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa (LSR). However, a detailed study on LSR has not been reported to date. In the present study, LSR was prepared, and a pharmaceutical SOP (standardization procedure) was reported to obtain batch-to-batch reproducibility. LSR was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and TGA analyses. LSR was tested in vitro for its antacid activity. Advanced instrumentation revealed that LSR formation produced symmetrical particles (5–8 µm) with kaolin, kaolinite, quartz, goethite, and hematite, along with the phytoconstituents of Goghrita (clarified cow’s butter), Shunthi, and Nagawalli, as confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. The FTIR study revealed the formation of a chelating complex of goethite and hematite along with their phytoconstituents. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of kaolin, kaolinite, quartz, goethite, and hematite. Using in vitro antacid experiments, LSR and Shunthi demonstrated significant antacid activity as compared to antacid drugs and standards in the market, such as CaCO3. The DPPH assay revealed IC50 values of 12.16 ± 1.23 mg/mL, which is 0.0029 of Trolox-equivalent antioxidant activity. The inhibition (18 ± 4 mm) against pathogens (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis) and the prominent growth of gut microbiota-supported strains (S. boulardii, L. paracasei, and L. plantarum) observed on LSR formulation were indicative of LSR application as a prebiotic. Here, the mechanism of purification and levigation mentioned in the classical literature of LSR was established. Overall, purification of Gairika with cow ghee and levigation with Nagawalli may enhance the solubility, bioavailability, and shelf-life of LSR through hydration and co-crystallization mechanisms. This is the first comprehensive report on the pharmaceutical validation of LSR and its characterization. The results of the present study could contribute to the development and reliable reproduction of LSR and the utility of environmental red ochre as a medicine in combination with Shunthi (Zingiber officinale Roxb.), as prescribed under Indian Ayurvedic medicine

Information Use Patterns by Scientists: A Case Study of NEIST, Jorhat, North East India

Information has pragmatic value for scientists for research and development. In the changing industrial climate in the North Eastern Region of India, institutes like North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) play a significant role. NEIST is an R&D institute and a reservoir of technologies that have added to the rural development of the region. Working scientists spend one third of their time searching for information and the cost of this search represents one fifth of all the money allocated to science. Socio-economic development and technological progress depend on the effective use of the information generated in science and technology through R&D. This paper discusses information needs, use patterns, and constraints faced by the scientists of NEIST, Jorhat, including suggestions to solve problems

Inflammatory cytokine-mediated evasion of virus-induced tumors from NK cell control

Infections with DNA tumor viruses, including members of the polyomavirus family, often result in tumor formation in immune-deficient hosts. The complex control involved in antiviral and antitumor immune responses during these infections can be studied in murine polyomavirus (PyV)-infected mice as a model. We found that NK cells efficiently kill cells derived from PyV-induced salivary gland tumors in vitro in an NKG2D (effector cell)-RAE-1 (target cell)-dependent manner; but in T cell-deficient mice, NK cells only delay but do not prevent the development of PyV-induced tumors. In this article, we show that the PyV-induced tumors have infiltrating functional NK cells. The freshly removed tumors, however, lack surface RAE-1 expression, and the tumor tissues produce soluble factors that downregulate RAE-1. These factors include the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-33, and TNF. Each of these cytokines downregulates RAE-1 expression and susceptibility to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. CD11b(+)F4/80(+) macrophages infiltrating the PyV-induced tumors produce high amounts of IL-1beta and TNF. Thus, our data suggest a new mechanism whereby inflammatory cytokines generated in the tumor environment lead to evasion of NK cell-mediated control of virus-induced tumors