Evaluating the integration of Esper complex event processing engine and message brokers.

The great advance and affordability of technologies, communications and sensor technology has led to the generation of large amounts of data in the field of the Internet of Things and smart environments, as well as a great demand for smart applications and services adapted to the specific needs of each individual. This has entailed the need for systems capable of receiving, routing and processing large amounts of data to detect situations of interest with low latency, but despite the many existing works in recent years, studying highly scalable and low latency data processing systems is still necessary. In this area, the efficiency of complex event processing (CEP) technology is of particular significance and has been used in a variety of application scenarios. However, in most of these scenarios there is no performance evaluation to show how the system performs under various loads and therefore the developer is challenged to develop such CEP-based systems in new scenarios without knowing how the system will be able to handle different input data rates and address scalability and fault tolerance. This article aims to fill this gap by providing an evaluation of the various versions of one of the most reputable CEP engines-Esper CEP, as well as its integration with two renowned messaging brokers for data ingestion-RabbitMQ and Apache Kafka. For this purpose, we defined a benchmark with a series of event patterns with some of the most representative operators of the Esper CEP engine and we performed a series of tests with an increasing rate of input data to the system. We did this for three alternative software architectures: integrating open-source Esper and RabbitMQ, integrating one instance of Esper enterprise edition with Apache Kafka, and integrating two distributed instances of Esper enterprise edition with Apache Kafka. We measured the usage of CPU, RAM memory, latency and throughput time, looking for the data input rate with which the system overloads for each event pattern and we compared the results of the three proposed architectures. The results have shown a very low CPU consumption for all implementation options and input data rates; a balanced memory usage, quite similar among the three architectures, up to an input rate of 10,000 or 15,000 events per second, depending on the architecture and event pattern, and a quite efficient response time up to 10,000 or 15,000 events per second, depending on the architecture and event pattern. Based on a more exhaustive analysis of results, we have concluded that the different options offered by Esper for CEP provide very efficient solutions for real-time data processing, although each with its limitations in terms of brokers to be used for data integration, scalability, and fault tolerance; a number of suggestions have been drawn out for the developer to take as a basis for choosing which CEP engine and which messaging broker to use for the implementation depending on the of the system in question.

Population-Based Mini-Mental State Examination Norms in Adults of Mexican Heritage in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Accurately identifying cognitive changes in Mexican American (MA) adults using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) requires knowledge of population-based norms for the MMSE, a scale which has widespread use in research settings. OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of MMSE scores in a large cohort of MA adults, assess the impact of MMSE requirements on their clinical trial eligibility, and explore which factors are most strongly associated with their MMSE scores. METHODS: Visits between 2004-2021 in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort were analyzed. Eligible participants were ≥18 years old and of Mexican descent. MMSE distributions before and after stratification by age and years of education (YOE) were assessed, as was the proportion of trial-aged (50-85- year-old) participants with MMSE <24, a minimum MMSE cutoff most frequently used in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials. As a secondary analysis, random forest models were constructed to estimate the relative association of the MMSE with potentially relevant variables. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample set (n = 3,404) was 44.4 (SD, 16.0) years old and 64.5% female. Median MMSE was 28 (IQR, 28-29). The percentage of trial-aged participants (n = 1,267) with MMSE <24 was 18.6% overall and 54.3% among the subset with 0-4 YOE (n = 230). The five variables most associated with the MMSE in the study sample were education, age, exercise, C-reactive protein, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: The minimum MMSE cutoffs in most phase III prodromal-to-mild AD trials would exclude a significant proportion of trial-aged participants in this MA cohort, including over half of those with 0-4 YOE.

Sex differences in global metabolomic profiles of COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, leads to symptoms ranging from asymptomatic disease to death. Although males are more susceptible to severe symptoms and higher mortality due to COVID-19, patient sex has rarely been examined. Sex-associated metabolic changes may implicate novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to treat COVID-19. Here, using serum samples, we performed global metabolomic analyses of uninfected and SARS-CoV-2-positive male and female patients with severe COVID-19. Key metabolic pathways that demonstrated robust sex differences in COVID-19 groups, but not in controls, involved lipid metabolism, pentose pathway, bile acid metabolism, and microbiome-related metabolism of aromatic amino acids, including tryptophan and tyrosine. Unsupervised statistical analysis showed a profound sexual dimorphism in correlations between patient-specific clinical parameters and their global metabolic profiles. Identification of sex-specific metabolic changes in severe COVID-19 patients is an important knowledge source for researchers striving for development of potential sex-associated biomarkers and druggable targets for COVID-19 patients.

Comparison of the clinical and ultrasound evaluation of haemophilic arthropathy in children.

BACKGROUND: Joint ultrasound examination using the HEAD-US method in the detection of early arthropathy is poorly studied in our country. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and ultrasound evaluation of the joints in haemophilia. METHOD: Longitudinal, prospective and descriptive study with paediatric patients with haemophilia A and B evaluated with the HJHS 2.1 scale and ultrasound with a linear transducer of 8 to 12 MHz. Elbows, knees and ankles joints were evaluated bilaterally, with HEAD-US protocol. RESULTS: 69 paediatric patients were included of which 48 with severe haemophilia A (weight: 40.1 kg). On the HJHS scale, a greater involvement was observed in the left knee (0.49), and less in the right ankle (0.05). With the HEAD-US scale, the most affected was the right knee (0.78). There is a significant relationship in the involvement of the right knee evaluated with the HEAD-US scale in the presence of inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Weight above the 50th percentile is an independent risk factor for joint bleeding complications, while age and type of haemophilia do not appear to be related. The HEAD-US method is a useful and accessible tool for early detection of arthropathy and hemarthrosis.

ANTECEDENTES: La exploración articular por ultrasonido mediante el método HEAD-US en la detección de la artropatía temprana ha sido poco estudiada en nuestro país. OBJETIVO: Comparar la evaluación clínica y por ultrasonido de las articulaciones en niños con hemofilia. MÉTODOS: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo y descriptivo con pacientes pediátricos con hemofilia A y B valorados con la escala HJHS 2.1 y ultrasonido con transductor lineal de 8 a 12 MHz. Se evaluaron las articulaciones de codos, rodillas y tobillos de forma bilateral, con el método HEAD-US. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 69 pacientes; de ellos, 48 con hemofilia A grave (peso: 40.1 kg). En la escala HJHS se observó mayor afectación en la rodilla izquierda (0.49) y menor en el tobillo derecho (0.05). Con la escala HEAD-US, la más afectada fue la rodilla derecha (0.78). Existe una relación significativa en la afectación de la rodilla derecha evaluada con la escala HEAD-US en presencia de inhibidor. CONCLUSIONES: El peso superior al percentil 50 es un factor de riesgo independiente de complicaciones por sangrado articular, mientras que la edad y el tipo de hemofilia no parecen relacionados. El método HEAD-US es una herramienta útil y accesible para la detección temprana de artropatía y hemartrosis.

Comparación de la evaluación clínica y por ultrasonido de la artropatía hemofílica en pacientes pediátricos / Comparison of the clinical and ultrasound evaluation of haemophilic arthropathy in children

Resumen Antecedentes: La exploración articular por ultrasonido mediante el método HEAD-US en la detección de la artropatía temprana ha sido poco estudiada en nuestro país. Objetivo: Comparar la evaluación clínica y por ultrasonido de las articulaciones en niños con hemofilia. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo y descriptivo con pacientes pediátricos con hemofilia A y B valorados con la escala HJHS 2.1 y ultrasonido con transductor lineal de 8 a 12 MHz. Se evaluaron las articulaciones de codos, rodillas y tobillos de forma bilateral, con el método HEAD-US. Resultados: Se incluyeron 69 pacientes; de ellos, 48 con hemofilia A grave (peso: 40.1 kg). En la escala HJHS se observó mayor afectación en la rodilla izquierda (0.49) y menor en el tobillo derecho (0.05). Con la escala HEAD-US, la más afectada fue la rodilla derecha (0.78). Existe una relación significativa en la afectación de la rodilla derecha evaluada con la escala HEAD-US en presencia de inhibidor. Conclusiones: El peso superior al percentil 50 es un factor de riesgo independiente de complicaciones por sangrado articular, mientras que la edad y el tipo de hemofilia no parecen relacionados. El método HEAD-US es una herramienta útil y accesible para la detección temprana de artropatía y hemartrosis.

Abstract Background: Joint ultrasound examination using the HEAD-US method in the detection of early arthropathy is poorly studied in our country. Objective: To compare the clinical and ultrasound evaluation of the joints in haemophilia. Methods: Longitudinal, prospective and descriptive study with paediatric patients with haemophilia A and B evaluated with the HJHS 2.1 scale and ultrasound with a linear transducer of 8 to 12 MHz. Elbows, knees and ankles joints were evaluated bilaterally, with HEAD-US protocol. Results: 69 paediatric patients were included of which 48 with severe haemophilia A (weight: 40.1 kg). On the HJHS scale, a greater involvement was observed in the left knee (0.49), and less in the right ankle (0.05). With the HEAD-US scale, the most affected was the right knee (0.78). There is a significant relationship in the involvement of the right knee evaluated with the HEAD-US scale in the presence of inhibitor. Conclusions: Weight above the 50th percentile is an independent risk factor for joint bleeding complications, while age and type of haemophilia do not appear to be related. The HEAD-US method is a useful and accessible tool for early detection of arthropathy and hemarthrosis.

Detecting security attacks in cyber-physical systems: a comparison of Mule and WSO2 intelligent IoT architectures.

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm keeps growing, and many different IoT devices, such as smartphones and smart appliances, are extensively used in smart industries and smart cities. The benefits of this paradigm are obvious, but these IoT environments have brought with them new challenges, such as detecting and combating cybersecurity attacks against cyber-physical systems. This paper addresses the real-time detection of security attacks in these IoT systems through the combined used of Machine Learning (ML) techniques and Complex Event Processing (CEP). In this regard, in the past we proposed an intelligent architecture that integrates ML with CEP, and which permits the definition of event patterns for the real-time detection of not only specific IoT security attacks, but also novel attacks that have not previously been defined. Our current concern, and the main objective of this paper, is to ensure that the architecture is not necessarily linked to specific vendor technologies and that it can be implemented with other vendor technologies while maintaining its correct functionality. We also set out to evaluate and compare the performance and benefits of alternative implementations. This is why the proposed architecture has been implemented by using technologies from different vendors: firstly, the Mule Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) together with the Esper CEP engine; and secondly, the WSO2 ESB with the Siddhi CEP engine. Both implementations have been tested in terms of performance and stress, and they are compared and discussed in this paper. The results obtained demonstrate that both implementations are suitable and effective, but also that there are notable differences between them: the Mule-based architecture is faster when the architecture makes use of two message broker topics and compares different types of events, while the WSO2-based one is faster when there is a single topic and one event type, and the system has a heavy workload.

SNPing away at mutant p53 activities.

A delicate balance in the levels of proteins that regulate the p53 tumor suppressor pathway exists such that subtle changes alter p53 tumor suppressor activity and cancer risk. Many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the p53 pathway alter p53 transcriptional activity and are associated with cancer risk. In addition, some SNPs influence the gain-of-function (GOF) activities of mutant p53 through unknown mechanisms. In this issue of Genes & Development, Basu and colleagues (pp. 230-243) provide direct evidence that the presence of an R72 polymorphism enhances the GOF invasive and metastatic properties of mutant p53 by regulating interactions with PGC-1α, an important regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. The study culminates with evidence that R72 is associated with worse outcomes in human breast cancer.

The effects of social networks on tobacco use among high-school adolescents in Mexico / Efectos de redes sociales sobre el uso de tabaco en adolescentes de preparatoria en México

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of centrality in social network positions on tobacco-use among high-school adolescents in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal sociometric social network data were collected among 486 high-school adolescents in 2003 and 399 in 2004. The survey included: social network components, smoking and sociodemographic characteristics. Social network measures of centrality were calculated and multivariate logistic regression was used. RESULTS: Ever used tobacco (OR= 44.98), marginalized-low stratum (OR= 2.16) and in-degree (OR=1.10) predicted tobacco use. Out-degree (OR= 0 .89) and out-in-degree (OR= 0.90) protected against tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Nominating more friends rather than receiving such nominations was protective for tobacco use. Popular students, those receiving many nominations, were at higher risk for tobacco use. Involvement of leaders with capacity to influence might be an efficient strategy for dissemination of preventive messages.

OBJETIVO: Identificar el efecto de posiciones de centralidad de la red social sobre el uso de tabaco en adolescentes de preparatoria en Tonalá, Jalisco. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio longitudinal de redes sociales sociométricas. Participaron 486 bachilleres (2003) y 399 (2004). La encuesta incluyó: componentes de redes sociales, tabaquismo y características sociodemográficas. Se calcularon medidas de centralidad de redes sociales y utilizó regresión logística multivariada. RESULTADOS: El consumo alguna vez de tabaco (RM= 44.98), estrato socioeconómico marginado-bajo (RM= 2.16) y vínculos recibidos (RM=1.10) predijeron el tabaquismo; mientras que los vínculos enviados (RM= 0.89) y la diferencia entre vínculos enviados y recibidos (RM= 0.90) protegieron contra el tabaquismo. CONCLUSIÓN: Nombrar más amigos que ser nombrado por otros protegió contra el tabaquismo. Los estudiantes populares, aquellos con muchos nombramientos, tuvieron mayor riesgo de ser consumidores. La inclusión de líderes con influencia podría ser una estrategia eficiente en la diseminación de mensajes preventivos.

The effects of social networks on tobacco use among high-school adolescents in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of centrality in social network positions on tobacco-use among high-school adolescents in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal sociometric social network data were collected among 486 high-school adolescents in 2003 and 399 in 2004. The survey included: social network components, smoking and sociodemographic characteristics. Social network measures of centrality were calculated and multivariate logistic regression was used. RESULTS: Ever used tobacco (OR= 44.98), marginalized-low stratum (OR= 2.16) and in-degree (OR=1.10) predicted tobacco use. Out-degree (OR= 0 .89) and out-in-degree (OR= 0.90) protected against tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Nominating more friends rather than receiving such nominations was protective for tobacco use. Popular students, those receiving many nominations, were at higher risk for tobacco use. Involvement of leaders with capacity to influence might be an efficient strategy for dissemination of preventive messages.

Composition, phase behavior and thermal stability of natural edible fat from rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) seed.

In this paper, the chemical composition, the main physicochemical properties, phase behavior and thermal stability of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) seed fat were studied. These results showed that the almond-like decorticated seed represents 6.1% of the wet weight fruit and is: 1.22% ash, 7.80% protein, 11.6% crude fiber, 46% carbohydrates, and 33.4% fat (d.b.). The main fatty acids in the drupe fat were 40.3% oleic, 34.5% arachidic, 6.1% palmitic, 7.1% stearic, 6.3% gondoic, and 2.9% behenic; the refraction, saponification and iodine values were 1.468, 186, and 47.0, respectively. The phase behavior analysis showed relatively simple crystallization and melting profiles: crystallization showed three well-differentiated groups of triglycerides around maximum peaks at +30.8, +15.6 and -18.1 degrees C; the fat-melting curve had a range between -14.5 and +51.8 degrees C with a fusion enthalpy of 124.3 J/g. The thermal stability analyzed in an inert atmosphere of N(2) and in a normal oxidizing atmosphere, showed that in the latter, fat decomposition begins at 237.3 degrees C and concludes at 529 degrees C, with three stages of decomposition. According to these results, rambutan seed fat has physicochemical and thermal characteristics that may become interesting for specific applications in several segments of the food industry.

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae).

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae). Although initially it was thought that testosterone inhibited the display of paternal behavior in males of rodents, it has been shown that in some species high testosterone levels are needed for exhibition of paternal care. In captivity, males of Volcano Mouse (Neotomodon alstoni) provide pups the same care provided by the mother, with the exception of suckling. Here we measured plasmatic testosterone concentrations 10 days after mating, five and 20 days postpartum, and 10 days after males were isolated from their families in order to determine possible changes in this hormone, associated to the presence and age of pups. Males of Volcano Mouse exhibited paternal behavior when their testosterone levels were relatively high. Although levels of this hormone did not change with the presence or pups age, males that invested more time in huddling showed higher testosterone levels. It is possible that in the Volcano Mouse testosterone modulates paternal behavior indirectly, as in the California mouse.

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae)

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae). Although initially it was thought that testosterone inhibited the display of paternal behavior in males of rodents, it has been shown that in some species high testosterone levels are needed for exhibition of paternal care. In captivity, males of volcano Mouse (Neotomodon alstoni) provide pups the same care provided by the mother, with the exception of suckling. Here we measured plasmatic testosterone concentrations 10 days after mating, five and 20 days postpartum, and 10 days after males were isolated from their families in order to determine possible changes in this hormone, associated to the presence and age of pups. Males of volcano Mouse exhibited paternal behavior when their testosterone levels were relatively high. Although levels of this hormone did not change with the presence or pups age, males that invested more time in huddling showed higher testosterone levels. It is possible that in the volcano Mouse testosterone modulates paternal behavior indirectly, as in the California mouse. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 433-439. Epub 2009 June 30.

Aunque inicialmente se pensaba que la testosterona inhibía el despliegue de conducta paterna en los machos de roedores, en algunas especies se ha demostrado que son necesarios niveles altos de testosterona para la exhibición de cuidados paternos. En cautiverio, los machos del ratón mexicano de los volcanes (Neotomodon alstoni), proporcionan a sus crías los mismos cuidados que la madre, con la excepción del amamantamiento. En este estudio se midieron los niveles plasmáticos de testosterona: en el día 10 del apareamiento, 5 y 20 días postparto, y 10 días después de aislar a los machos de sus familias, para establecer si los niveles de esta hormona cambian con relación a la presencia y edad de las crías. El ratón de los volcanes exhibió cuidados paternos cuando sus niveles de testosterona fueron relativamente altos, aunque los niveles de esta hormona no variaron significativamente con relación a la edad y presencia de las crías. Sin embargo, los machos que invirtieron más tiempo en abrigar a las crías, presentaron concentraciones relativamente más altas de testosterona. Es posible que en el ratón de los volcanes la testosterona regule la conducta paterna de manera indirecta, como ocurre con el ratón de California.

[Application of the PCR-RFLP technique for the species-specific identification of nematodes involved in human anisakiasis]. / Aplicación de la técnica PCR-RFLP en la identificación de nematodos implicados en la anisakiasis humana.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We intended to develop a molecular test allowing a species-specific identification of the anisakid human parasite independently of its evolutive stage. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Anisakid larvae were obtained from fish destined to human consumption. In the PCR-RFLP test, the DNA corresponding to the ITS-1, 5.8S rRNA gene, ITS-2 and approximately 70 of the 28S rRNA gene region was amplified and a positive control was included. Products were digested with the endonuclease Taq I and subsequently sequenced. RESULTS: Different anisakids (Anisakis simplex/Hysterothylacium aduncum) yield different amplification (960 and 1,010 bp fragments) and restriction patterns, which were in accord with previously described patterns of the same parasites from others geographical regions. CONCLUSIONS: The high sensitivity of the test and the absence of intraspecies variations confirms the utility of this assay in the identification of human parasites involved in human anisakiasis including larvae from resected biopsies.

Comparación de los métodos DELFIA y RIA en la medición de las hormonas luteinizante y folículo estimulante en suero / Method comparizon of DELFIA and RIA for serum LH and FSH

Las mediciones de hormonas tuvieron un desarrollo importante desde que Yalow y Berson crearon en 1959 el primer radioinmunoanálisis (RIA) para insulina; desde entonces se han realizado múltiples investigaciones tendientes a encontrar métodos no radioisotópicos que ofrezcan mayor sensibilidad, especificidad y precisión. Una nueva alternativa es el DELFIA (dissociation enhancement lanthanide fluoroinmmunoassay) que es un tipo particular fue fluorinmunoanálisis de resolución temporal (TR-FIA), que conjuga antígenos altamente purificados y anticuerpos monoclonales de sistema de sandwich, con trazadores fluorescentes de vida media larga, como los quelatos de europio, samario y terbio, y un fluorómetro específico para mediciones en nanosegundos. Como parte del proceso de validación e introducción de nueva metodología, se realizó la evaluación comparativa entre DELFIA y RIA en la cuantificación de las hormonas luteinizante (LH) y folículo estimulante (FSH) en suero. Los resultados muestran ventajas del DELFIA en términos de sensibilidad, especificidad, volumen de muestra y vida media de reactivos, así como eliminación de trazadores radiactivos

Micetomas en niños: estudio de cinco casos / Mycetomas in children: study of five cases

Se presentan 5 casos de micetoma por Nocardia en niños de 4, 7, 9 y 11 años de edad. La topografía fue de cara, cuello, tronco, tobillo y pie. La evolución varió de 2 meses a un año. Tres casos fueron formas iniciales de micetoma común y dos casos de minimicetomas. La respuesta al tratamiento con trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol y diaminodifenilsulfona fue excelente

Tratamiento oportuno de la Hemorragia en Hemofilia clásica: estudio del Grupo Cooperativo de Hemofilia / Opportune treatment of Hemorrhages in Hemophilia A: study of the Hemophilia Cooperative Group

La necessidad de implantar un tratamiento oportuno de las hemorragias en el paciente hemofílico para atenuar o evitar las secuelas, principalmente articulares, nos estimuló para diseñar y evaluar um programa de tratamiento oportuno en pacientes ambulatorios. Se aplicó el programa a base de una dosis de crioprecipitados, a 57 enfermos (niños y adultos) con hemofilia A, con hemorragias diversas. La mayoría correspondieron a hemartrosis: 285 (88%) de 324. También se trataron hematomas intramusculares, epistaxis y gingivorragias. Las respuestas fueron caracterizadas con la autoevaluación efectuada por los propios hemofílicos adultos entrenados ex-profeso, la evaluación médica y por laboratorio. Tuvieron respuesta excelente 83 a 98% de los casos y remisión parcial 2 a 18%. Este tratamiento se aplicó dentro de las primeras 4 horas a 49% de 82 hemorragias, con una dosis promedio de factor VIII de 18 U/kg con la que se obtuvo una concentración de factor VIII en sangre, en los pacientes, de 26% (10.4 U/kg), a los 20 minutos, suficiente para la hemostasia. No se observaron complicaciones. Esta variedad de tratamiento útil en hemofilia A, permitió mejor integración de los hemofilicos a la sociedad, a un costo bajo, y es la etapa primaria para instaurar el autotratamiento domiciliario en nuestro país