Piximi - An Images to Discovery web tool for bioimages and beyond.

Deep learning has greatly accelerated research in biological image analysis yet it often requires programming skills and specialized tool installation. Here we present Piximi, a modern, no-programming image analysis tool leveraging deep learning. Implemented as a web application at Piximi.app, Piximi requires no installation and can be accessed by any modern web browser. Its client-only architecture preserves the security of researcher data by running all computation locally. Piximi offers four core modules: a deep learning classifier, an image annotator, measurement modules, and pre-trained deep learning segmentation modules. Piximi is interoperable with existing tools and workflows by supporting import and export of common data and model formats. The intuitive researcher interface and easy access to Piximi allows biological researchers to obtain insights into images within just a few minutes. Piximi aims to bring deep learning-powered image analysis to a broader community by eliminating barriers to entry.

Tuberculosis among children visiting friends & relatives.

BACKGROUND: Most paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases in low-TB-incidence countries involve children born to migrant families. This may be partially explained by trips to their countries of origin for visiting friends and relatives (VFR). We aimed to estimate the risk of latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB in children VFR. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicentric observational study in Catalonia (Spain) from 06/2017 to 12/2019. We enrolled children aged < 15 years with a negative tuberculin skin test (TST) at baseline and at least one parent from a high-TB-incidence country, and who had travelled to their parent's birth country for ≥21 days. TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) were performed within 8-12 weeks post-return. LTBI was defined as a TST ≥5 mm and/or a positive QFT-Plus. RESULTS: Five hundred children completed the study, equivalent to 78.2 person-years of follow-up (PYFU). Thirteen children (2.6%) were diagnosed with LTBI (16.6/per100 PYFU,95%CI = 8.8-28.5), including two cases (0.4%) of TB (2.5/per100 PYFU, 95%CI = 0.3-9.3). LTBI incidence rates remained high after excluding BCG-vaccinated children (9.7/per100 PYFU,95%CI = 3.9-20.0). Household tobacco smoke exposure was associated with LTBI (aOR = 3.9, 95%CI = 1.1-13.3). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of LTBI in children VFR in high-TB-incidence countries may equal, or perhaps even exceed, the infection risk of the native population. The primary associated risk factor was the presence of smokers in the household. Furthermore, the incidence rate of active TB largely surpassed that of the countries visited. Children VFR in high-TB-incidence countries should be targeted for diagnostic and preventive interventions.

Hernia diafragmática congénita de diagnóstico tardío / Late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia

La hernia diafragmática congénita es un defecto del desarrollo diafragmático que suele diagnosticarse prenatalmente o en el periodo neonatal. Aunque su presentación tardía se asocia a mejor pronóstico, el diagnóstico supone en ocasiones un reto debido a su curso inespecífico. Resulta interesante conocer su existencia ante cuadros clínicos de difícil diagnóstico (AU)

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a diaphragmatic developmental defect that usually presents prenatally or in the neonatal period. Although its late presentation is associated with a better prognosis, the diagnosis is sometimes a challenge due to its non-specific course. It is interesting to know its existence in clinical presentations that are difficult to diagnose. (AU)

Physical Activity Program Improves Functional Exercise Capacity and Flexibility in Extremely Preterm Children With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Aged 4-6 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of extreme preterm delivery, and is associated with reduced exercise tolerance and exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a physical activity programme on exercise tolerance, exercise capacity, flexibility, and lung function in prematurely born children with BPD. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Preterm children with BPD (4-6 years) were randomized to intervention (IG) and control (CG) groups. The CG did not participate in any physical activity during the study period. The IG performed a 4-week exercise programme based on aerobic interval and resistance training. Outcomes were based on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), modified sit and reach test (MSRT) and spirometry results. RESULTS: Twenty individuals were recruited. In the IG (n=10), statistical and clinical improvement was observed in the 6MWT (316.3±31.4m vs 376.2±39.5m; P=.002). Significant improvements were also seen in the IG in the ISWT (248.0±45.2m vs 465.3±58.2m; P=.013), MSRT (14.5±7.7cm vs 22.8±6.9cm; P=.003), and FEV1 (102%±16% pred vs 104%±17% pred; P=.004). No significant differences between pre- and post-intervention were observed in the CG for all outcomes (n=10). CONCLUSION: This 4-week programme resulted in statistical and clinical improvements in exercise tolerance, exercise capacity and flexibility in preterm children with BPD.

Physical Activity Program Improves Functional Exercise Capacity and Flexibility in Extremely Preterm Children With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Aged 4-6 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial / Mejora de la capacidad funcional al ejercicio y de la flexibilidad a través de un programa de actividad física en niños de entre 4 a 6 años prematuros extremos con displasia broncopulmonar: ensayo controlado aleatorizado

Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of extreme preterm delivery, and is associated with reduced exercise tolerance and exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a physical activity programme on exercise tolerance, exercise capacity, flexibility, and lung function in prematurely born children with BPD. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Preterm children with BPD (4-6 years) were randomized to intervention (IG) and control (CG) groups. The CG did not participate in any physical activity during the study period. The IG performed a 4-week exercise programme based on aerobic interval and resistance training. Outcomes were based on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), modified sit and reach test (MSRT) and spirometry results. Results: Twenty individuals were recruited. In the IG (n = 10), statistical and clinical improvement was observed in the 6MWT (316.3 ± 31.4 m vs 376.2 ± 39.5m; P = .002). Significant improvements were also seen in the IG in the ISWT (248.0 ± 45. 2m vs 465.3 ± 58.2 m; P=.013), MSRT (14.5 ± 7.7 cm vs 22.8 ± 6.9 cm; P = .003), and FEV1 (102% ± 16% pred vs 104% ± 17% pred; P = .004). No significant differences between pre- and post-intervention were observed in the CG for all outcomes (n = 10). Conclusion: This 4-week programme resulted in statistical and clinical improvements in exercise tolerance, exercise capacity and flexibility in preterm children with BPD

Introducción: La displasia broncopulmonar (DBP) es una secuela frecuente entre los prematuros extremos, asociándose a una reducción en la tolerancia y en la capacidad al ejercicio. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los efectos de un programa de entrenamiento basado en la tolerancia y en la capacidad al ejercicio, la flexibilidad y la función pulmonar en niños prematuros con DBP. Métodos: El ensayo clínico se hizo con niños prematuros con DBP (de 4 a 6 años), aleatorizados en 2 grupos, control (GC) e intervención (GI). El GC no participó en ninguna actividad física durante el estudio. El GI realizó un programa interválico y de resistencia de 4 semanas. Se evaluó el Six Minute Walking test (6MWT), el Incremental Shuttle Walk test (ISWT), el Modified Sit and Reach test (MSRT) y la espirometría. Resultados: Se reclutaron 20 niños. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre la pre- y la postintervención en el GC (n = 10). En el 6MWT se observó una mejoría significativa y clínica (316,3 ± 31,4 m vs. 376,2 ± 39,5 m; p=0,002) al final de la intervención en el GI (n = 10). El ISWT (248,0 ± 45,2 m vs. 465,3 ± 58,2 m; p = 0,013), el MSRT (14,5 ± 7,7 cm vs. 22,8 ± 6,9 cm; p=0,003) y la FEV1 (102 ± 16% pred vs. 104 ± 17% pred; p = 0,004) también mejoraron significativamente en el GI. Conclusiones: Este programa de 4 semanas, mejora estadísticamente y clínicamente la tolerancia y la capacidad al ejercicio, y la flexibilidad en niños prematuros con DBP

Increased beta-2 microglobulinuria in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected children and adolescents treated with tenofovir.

A single-center cross sectional evaluation of beta-2 micro-globinuria as a marker of proximal renal tubule damage in 92 HIV-infected children showed that tenofovir treatment was significantly associated with very high abnormal values. In view of the very long duration of treatments for HIV infection, their possible consequences for the child's growing body should be carefully evaluated.

Neurotoxic effects of aluminium among foundry workers and Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: In a cross-sectional case-control study conducted in northern Italy, 64 former aluminium dust-exposed workers were compared with 32 unexposed controls from other companies matched for age, professional training, economic status, educational and clinical features. The findings lead the authors to suggest a possible role of the inhalation of aluminium dust in pre-clinical mild cognitive disorder which might prelude Alzheimer's disease (AD) or AD-like neurological deterioration. METHODS: The investigation involved a standardised occupational and medical history with particular attention to exposure and symptoms, assessments of neurotoxic metals in serum: aluminium (Al-s), copper (Cu-s) and zinc (Zn-s), and in blood: manganese (Mn-b), lead (Pb-b) and iron (Fe-b). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and auditory evoked Event-Related Potential (ERP-P300). To detect early signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the time required to solve the MMSE (MMSE-time) and CDT (CDT-time) was also measured. RESULTS: Significantly higher internal doses of Al-s and Fe-b were found in the ex-employees compared to the control group. The neuropsychological tests showed a significant difference in the latency of P300, MMSE score, MMSE-time, CDT score and CDT-time between the exposed and the control population. P300 latency was found to correlate positively with Al-s and MMSE-time. Al-s has significant effects on all tests: a negative relationship was observed between internal Al concentrations, MMSE score and CDT score; a positive relationship was found between internal Al concentrations, MMSE-time and CDT-time. All the potential confounders such as age, height, weight, blood pressure, schooling years, alcohol, coffee consumption and smoking habit were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a role of aluminium in early neurotoxic effects that can be detected at a pre-clinical stage by P300, MMSE, MMSE-time, CDT-time and CDT score, considering a 10 micrograms/l cut-off level of serum aluminium, in aluminium foundry workers with concomitant high blood levels of iron. The authors raise the question whether pre-clinical detection of aluminium neurotoxicity and consequent early treatment might help to prevent or retard the onset of AD or AD-like pathologies.