Machine learning-based bioimpedance assessment of knee osteoarthritis severity.

This study proposes a multiclass model to classify the severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using bioimpedance measurements. The experimental setup considered three types of measurements using eight electrodes: global impedance with adjacent pattern, global impedance with opposite pattern, and direct impedance measurement, which were taken using an electronic device proposed by authors and based on the Analog Devices AD5933 impedance converter. The study comprised 37 participants, 25 with healthy knees and 13 with three different degrees of KOA. All participants performed 20 repetitions of each of the following five tasks: (i) sitting with the knee bent, (ii) sitting with the knee extended, (iii) sitting and performing successive extensions and flexions of the knee, (iv) standing, and (v) walking. Data from the 15 experimental setups (3 types of measurements×5 exercises) were used to train a multiclass random forest. The training and validation cycle was repeated 100 times using random undersampling. At each of the 100 cycles, 80% of the data were used for training and the rest for testing. The results showed that the proposed approach achieved average sensitivities and specificities of 100% for the four KOA severity grades in the extension, cyclic, and gait tasks. This suggests that the proposed method can serve as a screening tool to determine which individuals should undergo x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging for further evaluation of KOA.

Firearm-related action recognition and object detection dataset for video surveillance systems.

The proposed dataset is comprised of 398 videos, each featuring an individual engaged in specific video surveillance actions. The ground truth for this dataset was expertly curated and is presented in JSON format (standard COCO), offering vital information about the dataset, video frames, and annotations, including precise bounding boxes outlining detected objects. The dataset encompasses three distinct categories for object detection: "Handgun", "Machine_Gun", and "No_Gun", dependent on the video's content. This dataset serves as a resource for research in firearm-related action recognition, firearm detection, security, and surveillance applications, enabling researchers and practitioners to develop and evaluate machine learning models for the detection of handguns and rifles across various scenarios. The meticulous ground truth annotations facilitate precise model evaluation and performance analysis, making this dataset an asset in the field of computer vision and public safety.

A low-cost, portable, two-dimensional bioimpedance distribution estimation system based on the AD5933 impedance converter.

This study proposes a low-cost, portable, eight-channel electrical impedance tomograph based on the AD5933 impedance converter. The patterns for current injection and voltage measurement are managed by an Arduino Mega 2560 board and four 74HC4067 Texas Instruments multiplexers. Regarding the experimental results, the errors in the impedance estimates of an electrical circuit that represents a Cole model were less than 1.14% for the magnitude and 4.15% for the phase. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio measured in a resistive phantom was 55.23 dB. Additional experiments consisted of placing five spheres of different size and conductivity in a saline tank, measuring their impedance through eight electrodes, and then generating impedance maps using the Electrical Impedance Tomography and Diffuse Optical Tomography Reconstruction Software (EIDORS). These maps were different for each sphere, suggesting the proposed prototype as a promising alternative for medical applications.

Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive De Novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Chemotherapy and Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a de novo acute leukemia in which patients show no evidence of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) before or after their treatment. This kind of leukemia has an aggressive clinical course, with poor response to traditional chemotherapy or monotherapy with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI), and a high risk of early relapse after induction therapy. We report a rare case of de novo ALM with t(9;22). A 26-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for an examination of anemia, thrombocytopenia (hemoglobin 5.7 g/dL and platelets 110 000/L) and elevated White Blood Cell (WBC) count (11 600 µ/L, 24% segmented, 63% lymphocytes, 11% monocytes). Bone marrow smear was compatible with AML. Cytogenetic study revealed t(9;22)(q34;q11). Our patient was treated with chemotherapy for AML and a second-generation TKI and remains in complete remission pending a bone marrow transplant.

Beyond arctic and alpine: the influence of winter climate on temperate ecosystems.

Winter climate is expected to change under future climate scenarios, yet the majority of winter ecology research is focused in cold-climate ecosystems. In many temperate systems, it is unclear how winter climate relates to biotic responses during the growing season. The objective of this study was to examine how winter weather relates to plant and animal communities in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems ranging from warm deserts to alpine tundra. Specifically, we examined the association between winter weather and plant phenology, plant species richness, consumer abundance, and consumer richness in 11 terrestrial ecosystems associated with the U.S. Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network. To varying degrees, winter precipitation and temperature were correlated with all biotic response variables. Bud break was tightly aligned with end of winter temperatures. For half the sites, winter weather was a better predictor of plant species richness than growing season weather. Warmer winters were correlated with lower consumer abundances in both temperate and alpine systems. Our findings suggest winter weather may have a strong influence on biotic activity during the growing season and should be considered in future studies investigating the effects of climate change on both alpine and temperate systems.

[An unusual presentation of Fournier's gangrene. Is there a relationship with NSAID use? Pediatric case report]. / Gangrena de Fournier en asociación con el uso de anti-inflamatorios no esteroideos. reporte de un caso pediátrico.

Fournier's gangrene is a rare but life-threatening disease characterized by necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal area. It mostly affects adult patients with an immunosuppressant factor and there are only a few cases reported in children. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been associated with necrotizing fasciitis probably because of suppressing host immunity during infection. We describe a case of a six month old infant without immunosuppressant factors, with Founier's gangrene probably associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory intake.

The influence of donor nucleus source on the outcome of zebrafish somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The success of nuclear reprogramming following somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is thought to depend on factors present in the egg. Little is known about the role - if any - played by the somatic cell type on the outcome of the procedure. We tested whether cells of different lineages might have different capacities for reprogramming following SCNT, comparing cells isolated from five different tissues of transgenic zebrafish for their developmental potential when used as SCNT donor cells. We used transgenic zebrafish lines expressing green fluorescence protein under an endogenous tissue-specific promoter: HGn62A-skin, HGn28A-skin, HGn8E-heart, HG21C-fin and notochord and HGn30A-hatch gland. We analyzed the efficiency of cloning, as measured by reconstructed embryos that developed up to the hatched-fry stage. Specifically, donor cells of fin and notochord origin yielded the best rate of cloned fish production. All of the other cell types used were capable of producing cloned fish, albeit with significantly lower efficiency. These results indicate that the type of zebrafish cells used for SCNT can influence the outcome of the procedure. Future epigenetic analysis of these cells will help determine specific chromatin profiles in somatic cells that have an impact on nuclear reprogramming procedures.