Polarimetric imaging for the detection of synthetic models of SARS-CoV-2: A proof of concept.

Objective: To conduct a proof-of-concept study of the detection of two synthetic models of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polarimetric imaging. Approach: Two SARS-CoV-2 models were prepared as engineered lentiviruses pseudotyped with the G protein of the vesicular stomatitis virus, and with the characteristic Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Samples were prepared in two biofluids (saline solution and artificial saliva), in four concentrations, and deposited as 5-µL droplets on a supporting plate. The angles of maximal degree of linear polarization (DLP) of light diffusely scattered from dry residues were determined using Mueller polarimetry from87 samples at 405 nm and 514 nm. A polarimetric camera was used for imaging several samples under 380-420 nm illumination at angles similar to those of maximal DLP. Per-pixel image analysis included quantification and combination of polarization feature descriptors in 475 samples. Main results: The angles (from sample surface) of maximal DLP were 3° for 405 nm and 6° for 514 nm. Similar viral particles that differed only in the characteristic spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, their corresponding negative controls, fluids, and the sample holder were discerned at 10-degree and 15-degree configurations. Significance: Polarimetric imaging in the visible spectrum may help improve fast, non-contact detection and identification of viral particles, and/or other microbes such as tuberculosis, in multiple dry fluid samples simultaneously, particularly when combined with other imaging modalities. Further analysis including realistic concentrations of real SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in relevant human fluids is required. Polarimetric imaging under visible light may contribute to a fast, cost-effective screening of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens when combined with other imaging modalities.

The landscape of facial processing applications in the context of the European AI Act and the development of trustworthy systems.

This work focuses on facial processing, which refers to artificial intelligence (AI) systems that take facial images or videos as input data and perform some AI-driven processing to obtain higher-level information (e.g. a person's identity, emotions, demographic attributes) or newly generated imagery (e.g. with modified facial attributes). Facial processing tasks, such as face detection, face identification, facial expression recognition or facial attribute manipulation, are generally studied as separate research fields and without considering a particular scenario, context of use or intended purpose. This paper studies the field of facial processing in a holistic manner. It establishes the landscape of key computational tasks, applications and industrial players in the field in order to identify the 60 most relevant applications adopted for real-world uses. These applications are analysed in the context of the new proposal of the European Commission for harmonised rules on AI (the AI Act) and the 7 requirements for Trustworthy AI defined by the European High Level Expert Group on AI. More particularly, we assess the risk level conveyed by each application according to the AI Act and reflect on current research, technical and societal challenges towards trustworthy facial processing systems.

Optical imaging spectroscopy for rapid, primary screening of SARS-CoV-2: a proof of concept.

Effective testing is essential to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. Here we report a-proof-of-concept study on hyperspectral image analysis in the visible and near-infrared range for primary screening at the point-of-care of SARS-CoV-2. We apply spectral feature descriptors, partial least square-discriminant analysis, and artificial intelligence to extract information from optical diffuse reflectance measurements from 5 µL fluid samples at pixel, droplet, and patient levels. We discern preparations of engineered lentiviral particles pseudotyped with the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 from those with the G protein of the vesicular stomatitis virus in saline solution and artificial saliva. We report a quantitative analysis of 72 samples of nasopharyngeal exudate in a range of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, and a descriptive study of another 32 fresh human saliva samples. Sensitivity for classification of exudates was 100% with peak specificity of 87.5% for discernment from PCR-negative but symptomatic cases. Proposed technology is reagent-free, fast, and scalable, and could substantially reduce the number of molecular tests currently required for COVID-19 mass screening strategies even in resource-limited settings.

The relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin, time-in-range and glycemic variability in type 1 diabetes patients under flash glucose monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: Flash glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes provides new glucometric data that allow for the assessment of glycemic control beyond HbA1c. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c, time-in-range (TIR) and glycemic variability in a cohort of paediatric and adult patients with type 1 diabetes and treatment with flash glucose monitoring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in 195 patients with type 1 diabetes (42.6% females, 70 paediatric, 26.2% continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, 28.7% coefficient of variation [CV]≤36%) in intensive treatment and flash glucose monitoring. Clinical, analytical and glucometric data were evaluated. RESULTS: The relationship between the TIR and HbA1c showed a strong negative linear correlation (R=-0.746; R2=0.557; P<.001), modified in those patients with CV≤36% (R=-0.852; R2=0.836) compared to CV>36% (R=-0.703; R2=0.551). A similar correlation was found when evaluating the TIR and the Glucose Management Indicator (R=-0.846; R2=0.715; P<.001); in patients with CV≤36% (R=-0.980; R2=0.960) versus CV>36% (R=-0.837; R2=0.701); P<.001. Both correlations remained stable in the paediatric population (R=-0.724; R2=0.525; P<.001) and adults (R=-0.706; R2=0.498; P<.001) and by type of treatment: multiple doses of insulin (R=-0.747; R2=0.558; P<.001) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (R=-0.711; R2=0.506; P<.001). In a multiple regression analysis evaluating HbA1c as dependent variable, the only parameters that maintained statistical significance were the TIR (ß=-0,031; P<.001), CV (ß=0.843; P<.05) and TIR-CV interaction (ß=-0.017; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The glycemic variability defined by the CV modifies the relationship between the TIR and HbA1c/Glucose Management Indicator and should be taken into account when individualising TIR targets, regardless of age or the type of treatment used.

Hyperspectral image processing for the identification and quantification of lentiviral particles in fluid samples.

Optical spectroscopic techniques have been commonly used to detect the presence of biofilm-forming pathogens (bacteria and fungi) in the agro-food industry. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy revealed that it is also possible to detect the presence of viruses in animal and vegetal tissues. Here we report a platform based on visible and NIR (VNIR) hyperspectral imaging for non-contact, reagent free detection and quantification of laboratory-engineered viral particles in fluid samples (liquid droplets and dry residue) using both partial least square-discriminant analysis and artificial feed-forward neural networks. The detection was successfully achieved in preparations of phosphate buffered solution and artificial saliva, with an equivalent pixel volume of 4 nL and lowest concentration of 800 TU·[Formula: see text]L-1. This method constitutes an innovative approach that could be potentially used at point of care for rapid mass screening of viral infectious diseases and monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Adiponectin Gene Variant rs3774261, Effects on Lipid Profile and Adiponectin Levels after a High Polyunsaturated Fat Hypocaloric Diet with Mediterranean Pattern.

The role of ADIPOQ gene variants on metabolic improvements after weight change secondary to different hypocaloric diets remained unclear. We evaluate the effect of rs3774261 of ADIPOQ gene polymorphism on biochemical improvements and weight change after high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern for 12 weeks. A population of 361 obese subjects was enrolled in an intervention trial with a calorie restriction of 500 calories over the usual intake and 45.7% of carbohydrates, 34.4% of fats, and 19.9% of proteins. The percentages of different fats was; 21.8% of monounsaturated fats, 55.5% of saturated fats, and 22.7% of polyunsaturated fats. Before and after intervention, an anthropometric study, an evaluation of nutritional intake and a biochemical evaluation were realized. All patients lost weight regardless of genotype and diet used. After 12 weeks with a similar improvement in weight loss (AA vs. AG vs. GG); total cholesterol (delta: -28.1 ± 2.1 mg/dL vs. -14.2 ± 4.1 mg/dL vs. -11.0 ± 3.9 mg/dL; p = 0.02), LDL cholesterol (delta: -17.1 ± 2.1 mg/dL vs. -6.1 ± 1.9 mg/dL vs. -6.0 ± 2.3 mg/dL; p = 0.01), triglyceride levels (delta: -35.0 ± 3.6 mg/dL vs. 10.1 ± 3.2 mg/dL vs. -9.7 ± 3.1 mg/dL; p = 0.02), C reactive protein (CRP) (delta: -2.3 ± 0.1 mg/dL vs. -0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dL vs. -0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dL; p = 0.02), serum adiponectin (delta: 11.6 ± 2.9 ng/dL vs. 2.1 ± 1.3 ng/dL vs. 3.3 ± 1.1 ng/dL; p = 0.02) and adiponectin/leptin ratio (delta: 1.5 ± 0.1 ng/dL vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 ng/dL vs. 0.4 ± 0.3 ng/dL; p = 0.03), improved only in AA group. AA genotype of ADIPOQ variant (rs3774261) is related with a significant increase in serum levels of adiponectin and ratio adiponectin/leptin and decrease on lipid profile and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Factors Related to Weight Gain in Subjects with Sleeve Gastrectomy During Lockdown by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate the risk factors for weight gain in patients with previous bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors related to weight gain during lockdown in patients with a sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 48 obese subjects with previous bariatric surgery was enrolled. After a 7-week confinement, a telephone interview was conducted. In this phone call, self-reported body weight gain and different factors were recorded. In order to obtain the basal and pre-surgical data, biochemical and anthropometric parameters were recorded from electronic medical record. RESULTS: The mean age was 45.3±8.0 years (range: 23-61) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.5±7.5 kg/m2 (range: 28.6-34.2). Gender distribution was 38 females (79.2%) and 10 males (20.8%). The increase in self-reported body weight was 3.8±2.1 kg during the 7 weeks of confinement. And the self-reported body weight gain was lower in subjects with regular exercise (4.6±0.9 vs 1.1±0.3 kg; p=0.02). The number of face-to-face visits to the nutrition office that did not attend was 0.61±0.81 (range: 0-4) per patient. In the multiple regression analysis with self-reported body weight gain as a dependent variable, the physical activity (minutes/week) remained as a protective factor with a beta coefficient of -0.09 (95% CI: -0.001 to 0.016; p=0.03) and number of face-to-face appointments in the nutrition consultation missed as a risk factor with a beta coefficient of 9.65 (95% CI: 1.17-18.12; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in self-reported body weight is associated with a decrease in physical activity and the loss of face-to-face visits to the Nutrition Unit.

Machine Learning for Clinical Decision-Making: Challenges and Opportunities in Cardiovascular Imaging.

The use of machine learning (ML) approaches to target clinical problems is called to revolutionize clinical decision-making in cardiology. The success of these tools is dependent on the understanding of the intrinsic processes being used during the conventional pathway by which clinicians make decisions. In a parallelism with this pathway, ML can have an impact at four levels: for data acquisition, predominantly by extracting standardized, high-quality information with the smallest possible learning curve; for feature extraction, by discharging healthcare practitioners from performing tedious measurements on raw data; for interpretation, by digesting complex, heterogeneous data in order to augment the understanding of the patient status; and for decision support, by leveraging the previous steps to predict clinical outcomes, response to treatment or to recommend a specific intervention. This paper discusses the state-of-the-art, as well as the current clinical status and challenges associated with the two later tasks of interpretation and decision support, together with the challenges related to the learning process, the auditability/traceability, the system infrastructure and the integration within clinical processes in cardiovascular imaging.

Serum Lipid and Adiponectin Improvements after a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern in Non-G-Allele Carriers of the Variant rs3774261.

BACKGROUND: The role of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) polymorphisms in weight loss and serum lipid changes following different dietary interventions remain unclear. The Mediterranean dietary pattern has been associated with improved cardiovascular risk factors in different studies. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze the effects of a hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern on the metabolic response and adiposity parameters, taking into account the 712 G/A rs3774261 polymorphisms in ADIPOQ. DESIGN: A population of 135 obese patients was enrolled. Anthropometric and serum parameters (lipid profile, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], glucose, C-reactive protein [CRP], adiponectin, resistin, and leptin levels) were measured before and after the dietary intervention (12 weeks). All of the patients were genotyped for the rs3774261 polymorphism. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of this population was 36 patients with AA (26.7%), 68 patients with AG (50.4%), and 31 patients with GG (22.9%). After the dietary intervention and in both genotypes, BMI, weight, fat mass, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels all decreased. After the dietary intervention with secondary weight loss and in non-G-allele carriers (AA vs. AG+GG), total cholesterol (Δ = -15.7 ± 3.9 vs. -4.9 ± 2.9 mg/dL; p = 0.02), LDL cholesterol (Δ = -15.3 ± 3.8 vs. -1.7 ± 1.9 mg/dL; p = 0.01), triglyceride levels (Δ = -23.4 ± 5.6 vs. 2.3 ± 2.3 mg/dL; p = 0.01), and CRP (Δ = -1.1 ± 0.1 vs. -0.4 ± 0.2 mg/dL; p = 0.01) decreased. Adiponectin levels (Δ = 7.2 ± 2.1 vs. -0.4 ± 0.3 ng/dL; p = 0.02) increased. Notably, G-allele carriers did not show this improvement. CONCLUSION: Non-G-allele carriers of the ADIPOQ variant (rs3774261) showed significant improvement in serum levels of adiponectin, lipid profiles, and CRP in response to a hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Child-Robot Collaborative Problem-Solving and the Importance of Child's Voluntary Interaction: A Developmental Perspective.

The emergence and development of cognitive strategies for the transition from exploratory actions towards intentional problem-solving in children is a key question for the understanding of the development of human cognition. Researchers in developmental psychology have studied cognitive strategies and have highlighted the catalytic role of the social environment. However, it is not yet adequately understood how this capacity emerges and develops in biological systems when they perform a problem-solving task in collaboration with a robotic social agent. This paper presents an empirical study in a human-robot interaction (HRI) setting which investigates children's problem-solving from a developmental perspective. In order to theoretically conceptualize children's developmental process of problem-solving in HRI context, we use principles based on the intuitive theory and we take into consideration existing research on executive functions with a focus on inhibitory control. We considered the paradigm of the Tower of Hanoi and we conducted an HRI behavioral experiment to evaluate task performance. We designed two types of robot interventions, "voluntary" and "turn-taking"-manipulating exclusively the timing of the intervention. Our results indicate that the children who participated in the voluntary interaction setting showed a better performance in the problem solving activity during the evaluation session despite their large variability in the frequency of self-initiated interactions with the robot. Additionally, we present a detailed description of the problem-solving trajectory for a representative single case-study, which reveals specific developmental patterns in the context of the specific task. Implications and future work are discussed regarding the development of intelligent robotic systems that allow child-initiated interaction as well as targeted and not constant robot interventions.

High dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: A prospective toxicity evaluation of a one day schedule including two 13.5 Gy fractions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) provides a highly conformal method of dose delivery to the prostate. The purpose of this study is to prospectively determine the toxicity of the treatment protocol of 13.5 Gy × 2 fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 through 2017, 119 patients with low (71%) or intermediate-risk prostate cancer were prospectively treated in a single institute with HDR-BT at 13.5 Gy × 2 fractions within one day. Median follow-up time was 4.4 years. RESULTS: Actuarial rates of no biochemical evidence of disease, overall survival and metastasis-free survival for all patients were 96%,98% and 98%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of acute grade 2 and 3 genitourinary (GU) toxicity was 9% and 2%, respectively. The corresponding incidences of late GU toxicity were 18% and 1%. No grade ≥4 of either type of toxicity was detected. Multivariate analysis showed that having higher international prostate symptom score (IPSS; P = 0.041) or higher V200 (P = 0.013) was associated with a higher risk of experiencing any grade of acute GU toxicity. In addition, patients having a higher IPSS (P = 0.019) or a higher V150 (P = 0.033) were associated with a higher grade >1 acute GU toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that HDR-BT 13.5 Gy × 2 as monotherapy was safe and effective for prostate cancer patients with low-intermediate risk.

Association of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein variant (rs1800777) with fat mass, HDL cholesterol levels, and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence of the association between CETP SNPs and obesity and/or related metabolic parameters. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of the polymorphism rs1800777 of the CETP gene with anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, metabolic syndrome and its components, and adipokine levels in obese subjects without type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension. DESIGN: A population of 1005 obese subjects was analyzed. Electrical bioimpedance was performed, and blood pressure, presence of metabolic syndrome, dietary intake, physical activity, and biochemical tests were recorded. RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty eight patients (96.3%) had the GG genotype, 37 patients the GA genotype (3.7%) (no AA genotype was detected). Fat mass (delta: 4.4±1.1kg; p=0.04), waist circumference (delta: 5.6±2.1cm; p=0.02), and waist to hip ratio (delta: 0.04±0.01cm; p=0.01) were higher in A allele carriers than in non-A allele carriers. HDL cholesterol levels were lower in A allele carriers than in non-A allele carriers (delta: 4.2±1.0mg/dL; p=0.04). In the logistic regression analysis, the GA genotype was associated to an increased risk of central obesity (OR 7.55, 95% CI 1.10-55.70, p=0.02) and low HDL cholesterol levels (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.23-4.91, p=0.014). CONCLUSION: The CETP variant at position +82 is associated to lower HDL cholesterol levels, increased fat mass, and central obesity in obese subjects. These results may suggest a potential role of this variant gene in pathophysiology of adipose tissue.

Biochemical, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors Related with Weight Maintenance after Weight Loss Secondary to a Hypocaloric Mediterranean Diet.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of lifestyle factors and molecular biomarkers on the maintenance of the weight lost after a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet. DESIGN: After 3 months on a diet, patients (n = 335) remained with no controlled diet during 3 years and they were revaluated. RESULTS: Using linear regression, in the group of responders, we detected that a positive weight loss at 3 months, serum levels of leptin at 3 months, and each 30 min per week of physical activity were associated with weight loss maintenance. In the model with reduced weight (RW) as dependent variable, a positive weight loss at 3 months was associated with 2.4% RW (95% CI 1.31-8.11; p = 0.015), each unit of serum leptin levels at 3 months with -0.44% RW (95% CI -0.59 to -0.020; p = 0.007), each basal unit homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level with -2.32% (95% CI -13.01 to -0.17; p = 0.040), and each 30 min per week of physical activity with 1.58% RW (95% CI 1.08-2.94; p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Obese subjects who are on maintenance weight loss after a dietary intervention appear to have a better initial response during the 3 months intervention, more physical activity at 3 years, and lower basal HOMA-IR and leptin after weight loss than those who regain weight.

The SI! Program for Cardiovascular Health Promotion in Early Childhood: A Cluster-Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The preschool years offer a unique window of opportunity to instill healthy life-style behaviors and promote cardiovascular health. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effect of a 3-year multidimensional school-based intervention to improve life-style-related behaviors. METHODS: We performed a cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial involving 24 public schools in Madrid, Spain, that were assigned to either the SI! Program intervention or the usual curriculum and followed for 3 years. The SI! Program aimed to instill and develop healthy behaviors in relation to diet, physical activity, and understanding how the human body and heart work. The primary outcome was change in the overall knowledge, attitudes, and habits (KAH) score (range 0 to 80). The intervention's effect on adiposity markers was also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 2,062 children from 3 to 5 years of age were randomized. After 3 years of follow-up, the overall KAH score was 4.9% higher in children in the intervention group compared with the control group (21.7 vs. 16.4; p < 0.001). A peak effect was observed at the second year (improvement 7.1% higher than in the control group; p < 0.001). Physical activity was the main driver of the change in KAH at all evaluation times. Children in the intervention group for 2 years and 1 year showed greater improvement than control subjects (5.9%; p < 0.001 and 2.9%; p = 0.002, respectively). After 3 years, the intervention group showed a higher probability than the control group of reducing the triceps skinfold z-score by at least 0.1 (hazard ratio: 1.40, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.89; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The SI! Program is an effective strategy for instilling healthy habits among preschoolers, translating into a beneficial effect on adiposity, with maximal effect when started at the earliest age and maintained over 3 years. Wider adoption may have a meaningful effect on cardiovascular health promotion. (Evaluation of the Program SI! for Preschool Education: A School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial [Preschool_PSI!]; NCT01579708).

La prueba proyectiva gráfica "persona bajo la lluvia" como indicador de psicopatología / The graphic projective test \"person under the raín\" as indicator of psychopathology

El objeto de este estudio fue investigar si la prueba "Persona Bajo la Lluvia" -una variación de la prueba de "La Figura Humana" de Machover - puede ser útil como auxiliar en el diagnóstico. Se buscó para esto, una relación con la prueba de "La Figura Humana" y con los grados de psicopatología del MMPI. Se utilizó un diseño de dos muestras independientes, un grupo experimental formado por 30 estudiantes universitarios que eran pacientes de un departamento de psiquiatría, y un grupo control constituido por 30 estudiantes universitarios que no eran pacientes. Las edades fluctuaron entre los 19 y 29 años. La selección fue por cuota. El procedimiento consistió en aplicar a los 60 individuos de la muestra, las pruebas anteriormente mencionadas. Para calificar las pruebas Figura Humana" y persona Bajo la Lluvia", se diseñaron dos guías que contienen índices de rasgos gráficos corporales adecuados e inadecuados, los cuales sugieren un buen funcionamiento e integración de la personalidad; otras dos guías fueron diseñadas exclusivamente para calificar la prueba "Persona Bajo la Lluvia", en cuyos índices se incluye la aparición de los mecanismos de defensa. Los resultados de estas pruebas se compararon entre sí y, como diagnóstico comparativo, se buscó una correlación con los grados de psicopatología del MMPI. El tratamiento estadístico utilizado fue la prueba de rangos señalados y pares igualados de Wilcoxon, la diferencia de dos medias y la prueba de correlación de rango de Spearman. Los resultados indicaron que hubo relación entre las pruebas "Persona Bajo la Lluvia" y "Figura Humana", presentándose mayor índice de síntomas en la primera que en la segunda. No se encontró correlación significativa entre los grados de psicopatología del MMPI y los índices de patología de la prueba "Persona Bajo la Lluvia", pero sí entre la prueba "Figura Humana" y los grados de psicopatología del MMPI