Wochenende - modular and flexible alignment-based shotgun metagenome analysis.

BACKGROUND: Shotgun metagenome analysis provides a robust and verifiable method for comprehensive microbiome analysis of fungal, viral, archaeal and bacterial taxonomy, particularly with regard to visualization of read mapping location, normalization options, growth dynamics and functional gene repertoires. Current read classification tools use non-standard output formats, or do not fully show information on mapping location. As reference datasets are not perfect, portrayal of mapping information is critical for judging results effectively. RESULTS: Our alignment-based pipeline, Wochenende, incorporates flexible quality control, trimming, mapping, various filters and normalization. Results are completely transparent and filters can be adjusted by the user. We observe stringent filtering of mismatches and use of mapping quality sharply reduces the number of false positives. Further modules allow genomic visualization and the calculation of growth rates, as well as integration and subsequent plotting of pipeline results as heatmaps or heat trees. Our novel normalization approach additionally allows calculation of absolute abundance profiles by comparison with reads assigned to the human host genome. CONCLUSION: Wochenende has the ability to find and filter alignments to all kingdoms of life using both short and long reads, and requires only good quality reference genomes. Wochenende automatically combines multiple available modules ranging from quality control and normalization to taxonomic visualization. Wochenende is available at https://github.com/MHH-RCUG/nf_wochenende .

Comparison of intraobserver single-task reliabilities of the Interactive Balance System (IBS) and Vertiguard in asymptomatic subjects.

The intraobserver reliabilities of the Interactive Balance System (IBS) and Vertiguard were compared in 30 asymptomatic volunteers. Relative reliability for all IBS single tasks and parameters in the IBS was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC ≥0.75). The ICC values ranged from 0.78 to 0.89. The ICC values of the Vertiguard system ranged from 0 to 0.75. The cumulative measure of injury risk of the Vertiguard system was highly reliable.