Netpro2vec: A Graph Embedding Framework for Biomedical Applications.

The ever-increasing importance of structured data in different applications, especially in the biomedical field, has driven the need for reducing its complexity through projections into a more manageable space. The latest methods for learning features on graphs focus mainly on the neighborhood of nodes and edges. Methods capable of providing a representation that looks beyond the single node neighborhood are kernel graphs. However, they produce handcrafted features unaccustomed with a generalized model. To reduce this gap, in this work we propose a neural embedding framework, based on probability distribution representations of graphs, named Netpro2vec. The goal is to look at basic node descriptions other than the degree, such as those induced by the Transition Matrix and Node Distance Distribution. Netpro2vec provides embeddings completely independent from the task and nature of the data. The framework is evaluated on synthetic and various real biomedical network datasets through a comprehensive experimental classification phase and is compared to well-known competitors.

Learning from Metabolic Networks: Current Trends and Future Directions for Precision Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Systems biology and network modeling represent, nowadays, the hallmark approaches for the development of predictive and targeted-treatment based precision medicine. The study of health and disease as properties of the human body system allows the understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship through the definition of molecular interactions and dependencies. In this scenario, metabolism plays a central role as its interactions are well characterized and it is considered an important indicator of the genotype- phenotype associations. In metabolic systems biology, the genome-scale metabolic models are the primary scaffolds to integrate multi-omics data as well as cell-, tissue-, condition- specific information. Modeling the metabolism has both investigative and predictive values. Several methods have been proposed to model systems, which involve steady-state or kinetic approaches, and to extract knowledge through machine and deep learning. METHODS: This review collects, analyzes, and compares the suitable data and computational approaches for the exploration of metabolic networks as tools for the development of precision medicine. To this extent, we organized it into three main sections: "Data and Databases", "Methods and Tools", and "Metabolic Networks for medicine". In the first one, we have collected the most used data and relative databases to build and annotate metabolic models. In the second section, we have reported the state-of-the-art methods and relative tools to reconstruct, simulate, and interpret metabolic systems. Finally, we have reported the most recent and innovative studies that exploited metabolic networks to study several pathological conditions, not only those directly related to metabolism. CONCLUSION: We think that this review can be a guide to researchers of different disciplines, from computer science to biology and medicine, in exploring the power, challenges and future promises of the metabolism as predictor and target of the so-called P4 medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory).

Bucket of Deep Transfer Learning Features and Classification Models for Melanoma Detection.

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and, in recent years, is rapidly growing in terms of the incidence worldwide rate. The most effective approach to targeted treatment is early diagnosis. Deep learning algorithms, specifically convolutional neural networks, represent a methodology for the image analysis and representation. They optimize the features design task, essential for an automatic approach on different types of images, including medical. In this paper, we adopted pretrained deep convolutional neural networks architectures for the image representation with purpose to predict skin lesion melanoma. Firstly, we applied a transfer learning approach to extract image features. Secondly, we adopted the transferred learning features inside an ensemble classification context. Specifically, the framework trains individual classifiers on balanced subspaces and combines the provided predictions through statistical measures. Experimental phase on datasets of skin lesion images is performed and results obtained show the effectiveness of the proposed approach with respect to state-of-the-art competitors.

Two novel proteins, TtpB2 and TtpD2, are essential for iron transport in the TonB2 system of Vibrio vulnificus.

In gram-negative bacteria, energy-dependent active transport of iron-bound substrates across the outer membrane is achieved through the TonB systems of proteins. Three TonB systems have been identified in the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. The TonB1 system contains three proteins: TonB1, ExbB1, and ExbD1. Both the TonB2 and TonB3 systems have been shown to also contain a fourth protein, TtpC2 and TtpC3, respectively. Here, we report and begin to characterize two additional proteins in the TonB2 and TonB3 systems: TtpB and TtpD. Both TtpB2 and TtpD2 are absolutely required for the function of the TonB2 system in V. vulnificus. However, although both TtpB3 and TtpD3 in the TonB3 system are related to the proteins in the TonB2 system, neither are active in iron transport. All six protein components of the TonB2 system-TonB2, ExbB2, ExbD2, TtpB2, TtpC2, and TtpD2-are essential for the uptake of both endogenously produced iron-bound siderophores and exogenous siderophores produced from other organisms. Through complementation, we have shown that V. vulnificus is capable of using different TtpD2 proteins from other Vibrio species to bring in multiple siderophores. In contrast, we also demonstrate that TtpB2 must come from V. vulnificus, and not other species within the genus, to complement mutations in the TonB2 system.

Fracturas inusuales de la diáfisis del fémur por bifosfonatos. Reporte de caso clínico / Unusual fractures of the femoral shaft produced by bisphosphonates use. Case report

Existe una tendencia actual de presentación de fracturas de fémur atípicas en la población adulta. El tratamiento con bifosfonatos durante más de 5años puede poner a los pacientes en mayor riesgo. El objetivo del reporte es mostrar como con un dispositivo intramedular rígido puede mantenerse la posición y la longitud del fémur y a su vez mejorar la inestabilidad y el dolor en fracturas no desplazadas secundarias al uso de bifosfonatos. Se revisó el caso clínico de una paciente de 77años con cuadro clínico de 2meses de evolución de dolor moderado presente con la deambulación y que mejora en reposo. Se realizaron exámenes imagenológicos y se planificó la colocación del dispositivo intramedular rígido. Posteriormente se realizó una valoración clínica mediante la escala funcional de miembro inferior y se realizaron radiografías de control para determinar el grado de consolidación durante el tratamiento y la supresión del alendronato. Se realizó fijación con clavo intramedular gamma de segunda generación citando a control periódicamente a la paciente y suprimiendo la terapia con alendronato. A los 6meses de postoperatorio se aplicó la escala funcional de miembro inferior, obteniendo un resultado del 100%.

There is a growing trend of atypical femur fractures in the current adult population. Treatment with bisphosphonates for more than 5years may put patients at greater risk. The aim of this report is to demonstrate how surgical treatment with a rigid intramedullary device can maintain the position and length of the femur by improving stability and pain in non-displaced fractures secondary to the use of bisphosphonates. A review is presented on the clinical case of a 77year-old patient with moderate pain on walking of 2-months onset that improved with rest. After imaging tests were performed, it was decided to insert a rigid intramedullary device. The subsequent follow-up included a clinical assessment using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Control X-rays were performed to determine the degree of consolidation during treatment, as well as the suspending of alendronate. Fixation was made with a second-generation gamma intramedullary nail, after which there was periodic monitoring and suspension of alendronate therapy. At 6months post-operatively, the LEFS was applied, obtaining a 100% result.

Uso de tornillos arponados de titanio en traumatología y ortopedia. Reporte de casos / Use of titanium harpoon screws in traumatology and orthopaedic surgery. Case report

Para determinar la eficacia en el uso de arpones de titanio en diferentes regiones de la anatomía humana se presenta una serie de casos de lesiones postraumáticas que afectan los miembros superiores e inferiores. La lesiones fueron identificadas mediante el uso de imágenes poder diagnosticar lesiones osteotendinosas o ligamentarias. Se utilizaron las escalas de DASH y AOFAS para evaluar los resultados del tratamiento. Posterior a la reinserción tendinosa al hueso y la recuperación anatómica en la zona afectada, los pacientes presentaron resultados excelentes y buenos con retorno a las actividades diarias con poca o ninguna modificación de las mismas. El uso de arpones de titanio en traumatología actualmente constituye un tratamiento con excelentes resultados postquirúrgicos dependiendo de la habilidad del especialista y su curva de aprendizaje.

In order to determine the effectiveness of the use of titanium harpoons in different regions of the human anatomy, a case report is presented of post-traumatic injuries affecting the upper and lower limbs. The injuries were identified through the use of images to diagnose osteotendinous or ligamentous lesions. The DASH and AOFAS scales were used to evaluate the results of the treatment. After the reinsertion of tendon to the bone and the anatomical recovery in the affected area, the patients showed excellent and good results with return to daily activities with little or no modification of them. The use of titanium harpoons in traumatology is currently a treatment with excellent post-surgical results, depending on the skill of the specialist and its learning curve.

Artroplastia total de rodilla con defecto angular extraarticular. Reporte de caso / Total knee arthroplasty with extra-articular angular deformity. Case report

Establecer cuales deformidades angulares en el fémur deben ser tratadas con resección ósea intraarticular inusual más artroplastia total de rodilla en artrosis tricompartimental de rodilla es uno de los retos mayores que se enfrenta en cirugía ortopédica. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 67 años de edad, con antecedente de fractura diafisaria de fémur hace 30 años tratada en forma conservadora con dolor en la rodilla izquierda de 2 años de evolución con un diagnóstico de artrosis tricompartimental de la rodilla asociada a genu valgum de 20° y consolidación viciosa en diáfisis femoral izquierda con valgo femoral de 10°. El tratamiento quirúrgico realizado fue utilizando cortes intraarticulares inusuales y artroplastia total de rodilla. De acuerdo a la escala propuesta por la Knee Society Score el paciente obtuvo 89 al año de la cirugía. Ante deformidades femorales de hasta 20°, suele ser suficiente realizar la corrección con los cortes óseos intraarticulares (inusuales) evitando afectar las inserciones ligamentarias femorales.

To establish the angular deformities in the femur that should be treated with unusual intra-articular bone resection plus total knee arthroplasty in tricompartmental arthrosis of the knee is one of the major challenges faced in orthopaedic surgery. The case is presented of a 67 year-old male patient with a history of diaphyseal fracture of the left femur (30 years ago) treated conservatively with malunion in left femoral diaphysis with 10° femoral valgus and left knee pain of 2 years onset. He was diagnosed with tricompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee associated with genu valgum of 20°. Surgical treatment was performed using intra articular «unusual¼ bone cuts and total knee arthroplasty. According to the scale proposed by the Knee Society Score, the patient obtained a score of 89 one year after surgery. In femoral deformities of up to 20°, it is usually sufficient to perform the correction with intra articular «unusual¼ bone cuts, and avoiding affecting the femoral ligament insertions.

Corrección del genu valgum con osteotomía varizante supracondílea única en fémur. Reporte de casos clínicos / Correction of genu valgum with isolated femoral supracondylar varisation osteotomy. Case report

Se describen los casos clínicos de dos pacientes adolescentes que son valorados en nuestro centro hospitalario con antecedente traumático previo en la rodilla afecta, uno de los cuales presentó fractura en la meseta tibial, y que presentan dolor, desviación progresiva en valgo de la rodilla, acompañado de acortamiento de la extremidad involucrada y, por ende, cojera a la marcha. En nuestro trabajo se describen el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el manejo posterior a la cirugía del paciente, usando la escala KSS en donde valoramos la funcionalidad y la estabilidad de la rodilla afectada.

The clinical cases are described of two adolescent patients, assessed in this hospital with a previous traumatic history in the affected knee, one of whom had a fracture in the tibial plateau. The other present with pain, progressive deviation in valgus of the knee, accompanied by shortening of the limb involved, and therefore a limp to the gait. In this article, a description is presented on the diagnosis, treatment and post-surgery management of the patients, using the Knee Society Scale (KSS) to assess the functionality and stability of the affected knee.