Search

INTRODUCTION: Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), an immune mediated disease characterized by repeated episodes of intra-ocular inflammation, affects 25% of horses in the USA and is the most common cause of glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties, which are upregulated by preconditioning with toll-like receptor agonists. The objective was to evaluate safety and migration of TLR-3 agonist polyinosinic, polycytidylic acid (pIC)-activated MSCs injected subconjunctivally in healthy horses prior to clinical application in horses with ERU. We hypothesized that activated allogeneic MSCs injected subconjunctivally would not induce ocular or systemic inflammation and would remain in the conjunctiva for >14 days. METHODS: Bulbar subconjunctiva of two horses was injected with 10 × 106 pIC-activated (10 μg/mL, 2 h) GFP-labeled MSCs from one donor three times at two-week intervals. Vehicle (saline) control was injected in the contralateral conjunctiva. Horses received physical and ophthalmic exams [slit lamp biomicroscopy, rebound tonometry, fundic examination, and semiquantitative preclinical ocular toxicology scoring (SPOTS)] every 1-3 days. Systemic inflammation was assessed via CBC, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A (SAA). Horses were euthanized 14 days following final injection. Full necropsy and histopathology were performed to examine ocular tissues and 36 systemic organs for MSC presence via IVIS Spectrum. Anti-GFP immunohistochemistry was performed on ocular tissues. RESULTS: No change in physical examinations was noted. Bloodwork revealed fibrinogen 100-300 mg/dL (ref 100-400) and SAA 0-25 μg/mL (ref 0-20). Ocular effects of the subjconjucntival injection were similar between MSC and control eyes on SPOTS grading system, with conjunctival hypermia, chemosis and ocular discharge noted bilaterally, which improved without intervention within 14 days. All other ocular parameters were unaffected throughout the study. Necropsy and histopathology revealed no evidence of systemic inflammation. Ocular histopathology was similar between MSC and control eyes. Fluorescent imaging analysis did not locate MSCs. Immunohistochemistry did not identify intact MSCs in the conjunctiva, but GFP-labeled cellular components were present in conjunctival phagocytic cells. DISCUSSION: Allogeneic pIC-activated conjunctival MSC injections were well tolerated. GFP-labeled tracking identified MSC components phagocytosed by immune cells subconjunctivally. This preliminary safety and tracking information is critical towards advancing immune conditioned cellular therapies to clinical trials in horses.

Assigning category labels to examples varying along a continuous dimension exaggerates perceived differences between members on opposite sides of category boundaries. Using social categories, we investigated how contrast may guide representation of not only features that differentiate between groups but also features that are neither diagnostic nor correlated across trained examples. In a classification task, participants learned which residence hall to correctly assign students varying along three psychological traits (academic, athletic, social). The same target category was learned alongside one of two contrast categories with either higher or lower values along one diagnostic dimension. After learning, participants provided estimates of average trait values for each dorm. Predicted contrast effects were found along diagnostic dimensions but contrast also influenced memory for non-diagnostic and uncorrelated dimensions, presumably based on assumptions about general co-occurrence of features. These findings have implications for how stereotypes are learned and applied and how illusory correlations are perpetuated.

Which auditory features drive listeners’ everyday perception of their favorite music? To test this, we created a novel corpus of covers of 50 popular songs from 2008 to 2019, capturing a wide variety of genres and styles. Cover versions of popular songs offer a rich space of natural musical stimuli that match original songs on some dimensions (e.g., lyrics) but not others (e.g., genre). We pseudo-randomly selected one cover per song and asked subjects to rate similarity between clips of original and cover versions. We measured differences between originals and covers in terms of tempo, key, gender, timbre (MFCCs), and genre. While all of the features had significant relationships with similarity ratings, similarity ratings were driven most strongly by tempo, timbre, and genre (R^2 = 0.5076). Our uniquely naturalistic and holistic approach links listeners' everyday, subjective impressions of popular music with fine-grained acoustic features.

Over the years, halotherapy (HT) has shown promise in the treatment of respiratory and dermatological diseases. However, its widespread acceptance remains limited due to the absence of official guidelines and awareness among doctors and patients. Among the patented systems of administration of HT, Aerosal® is the only one consisting of 3 certified elements, all classified as Medical Devices Class 2A: a dry saline dispenser called Aerosalmed®, a 30 g salt dose named AeroNaCL®, and a confined environment in marine multilayered construction with walls coated in salt called Aerosal®. We conducted an online survey of subjects undergoing Aerosal® HT across 80 Italian centers. Participants provided demographic data, reasons for choosing HT, and perceptions of its effectiveness. Following 10 treatment sessions, they rated improvements in various aspects, such as skin condition, sleep quality, relaxation, and respiratory benefits. Most participants learned about HT through word of mouth rather than medical advice, suggesting a discrepancy between patient satisfaction and medical endorsement. Over 92% reported resolution of their health issues post-treatment, with significant improvements in sleep quality and relaxation, particularly in adults. The therapy showed promise in various conditions, including respiratory and skin disorders, possibly attributed to stress reduction and intrinsic therapeutic effects. Despite skepticism, HT administered through the Aerosal® system has shown therapeutic potential. The psycho-physical benefits observed in patients advocate for greater consideration of this therapy by clinicians, emphasizing its safety, tolerability, and absence of notable side effects. In this context, standardized systems like Aerosal® are crucial for ensuring treatment safety and efficacy.

Early literacy assessment has become commonplace in the preschool years, with phonological awareness constituting one component of emergent literacy targeted by such practices. This within-subjects experimental study examines the role of word familiarity on 93 dual language preschoolers’ performance on phoneme-level awareness tasks in three-phoneme words. A researcher-designed digital tool created individualized test items (foils and target responses) for each child. Half of the items presented target responses that contained familiar words, and half contained unfamiliar words. Results suggest unknown/unfamiliar target words yield lower phonological awareness performance scores.

IntroductionFood waste (FW) represents a significant social and environmental problem, with 1.3 billion tons of food wasted yearly worldwide. Even if consumers are increasingly aware of the phenomenon, it remains relevant, and understanding the behaviors of specific target audience segments appears instrumental to the planning of effective interventions. To this end, we designed an observational study to investigate, throughout an online questionnaire, FW-related habits of university students in a Southern Italian region.MethodsA representative sample of 431 students from the University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia completed an online survey aimed at investigate FW related behaviors. A descriptive analysis was performed on the whole cohort, and a formal statistical analysis was carried out after excluding responders who had not correctly followed the survey instructions (n = 85). Differences were assessed by chi square (χ2) tests. A food wasting score was generated, and differences in the score values were analyzed by Student T-test. Linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors contributing to the score.ResultsOverall, the results of our survey show a high prevalence of virtuous behaviors in the food purchasing phase; while, at home, less than 50% of respondents apply easy-to-implement waste prevention rules. The statistical analysis showed that the major determinants of FW were: no direct involvement in grocery shopping and male gender. Indeed, even if we observed several significant differences comparing subgroups based on established or putative determinants of FW behaviors, none survived matching for group size, gender and relevant food managing (shopping, storing, cooking) habits. The only exception was the more appropriate handling of “use by” products by respondents who received structured nutrition teaching, as opposed to students whose academic courses do not include this subject (adjusted p = 0.008).ConclusionOur data suggest that young adults are trying to implement strategies to reduce FW, even if there is room for improvement, particularly in the storage phase. Extending nutrition education to all university programs may be helpful in reaching this goal.

A set of decadal simulations has been completed and evaluated for gains using the Regional Arctic System Model (RASM) to dynamically downscale data from a global Earth system model and two atmospheric reanalyses. RASM is a fully coupled atmosphere–land–ocean–sea ice regional Earth system model. Nudging to the forcing data is applied to approximately the top half of the atmospheric domain. RASM simulations were also completed with a modification to the atmospheric physics for evaluating changes to the modeling system. The results show that for the top half of the atmosphere, the RASM simulations follow closely to that of the forcing data, regardless of the forcing data. The results for the lower half of the atmosphere, as well as the surface, show a clustering of atmospheric state and surface fluxes based on the modeling system. At all levels of the atmosphere the imprint of the weather from the forcing data is present as indicated in the pattern of the annual means. Biases, in comparison to reanalyses, are evident in the Earth system model forced simulations for the top half of the atmosphere but are not present in the lower atmosphere. This suggests that bias correction is not needed for fully coupled dynamical downscaling simulations. While the RASM simulations tended to go to the same mean state for the lower atmosphere, there are a differences in the variability and changes of weather patterns across the ensemble of simulations. These differences in the weather result in variances in the sea ice and oceanic states.

Abstract Tissues are spatially orchestrated ecosystems composed of heterogeneous cell populations and non-cellular elements. Tissue components’ interactions shape the biological processes that govern homeostasis and disease, thus comprehensive insights into tissues’ composition are crucial for understanding their biology. Recently, advancements in the spatial biology field enabled the in-depth analyses of tissue architecture at single-cell resolution, while preserving the structural context. The increasing number of biomarkers analyzed, together with whole tissue imaging, generate datasets approaching several hundreds of gigabytes in size, which are rich sources of valuable knowledge but require investments in infrastructure and resources for extracting quantitative information. The analysis of multiplex whole-tissue images requires extensive training and experience in data analysis. Here, we showcase how a set of open-source tools can allow semi-automated image data extraction to study the spatial composition of tissues with a focus on tumor microenvironment (TME). With the use of Lunaphore COMET platform, we interrogated lung cancer specimens where we examined the expression of 20 biomarkers. Subsequently, the tissue composition was interrogated using an in-house optimized nuclei detection algorithm followed by a newly developed image artifact exclusion approach. Thereafter, the data was processed using several publicly available tools, highlighting the compatibility of COMET-derived data with currently available image analysis frameworks. In summary, we showcased an innovative semi-automated workflow that highlights the ease of adoption of multiplex imaging to explore TME composition at single-cell resolution using a simple slide in, data out approach. Our workflow is easily transferrable to various cohorts of specimens to provide a toolset for spatial cellular dissection of the tissue composition.

Abstract Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a relatively recent diagnostic technique increasingly being utilized in clinical practice. Until recently, there was a lack of standardized reporting for CEM findings. However, this has changed with the publication of a supplement in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). A comprehensive understanding of CEM is essential for further enhancing its role in both screening and managing patients with breast malignancies. CEM can also be beneficial for problem-solving, improving the management of uncertain breast findings. Practitioners in this field should become more cognizant of how and when to employ this technique and interpret the various CEM findings. This paper aims to outline the key findings in the updated version of the BI-RADS specifically dedicated to CEM. Additionally, it will present some clinical cases commonly encountered in clinical practice. Critical relevance statement Standardized reporting and a thorough understanding of CEM findings are pivotal for advancing the role of CEM in screening and managing breast cancer patients. This standardization contributes significantly to integrating CEM as an essential component of daily clinical practice. Key points • A complete knowledge and understanding of the findings outlined in the new BI-RADS CEM are necessary for accurate reporting. • BI-RADS CEM supplement is intuitive and practical to use. • Standardization of the CEM findings enables more accurate patient management. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background In literature are reported different analytical methods (AM) to choose the proper fit model and to fit data of the time-activity curve (TAC). On the other hand, Machine Learning algorithms (ML) are increasingly used for both classification and regression tasks. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of employing ML both to classify the most appropriate fit model and to predict the area under the curve (τ). Methods Two different ML systems have been developed for classifying the fit model and to predict the biokinetic parameters. The two systems were trained and tested with synthetic TACs simulating a whole-body Fraction Injected Activity for patients affected by metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, administered with [131I]I-NaI. Test performances, defined as classification accuracy (CA) and percentage difference between the actual and the estimated area under the curve (Δτ), were compared with those obtained using AM varying the number of points (N) of the TACs. A comparison between AM and ML were performed using data of 20 real patients. Results As N varies, CA remains constant for ML (about 98%), while it improves for F-test (from 62 to 92%) and AICc (from 50 to 92%), as N increases. With AM, $$\Delta \tau$$ Δ τ can reach down to − 67%, while using ML $$\Delta \tau$$ Δ τ ranges within ± 25%. Using real TACs, there is a good agreement between τ obtained with ML system and AM. Conclusions The employing of ML systems may be feasible, having both a better classification and a better estimation of biokinetic parameters.

Observations collected during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) provide an annual cycle of the vertical thermodynamic and kinematic structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) in the central Arctic. A self-organizing map (SOM) analysis conducted using radiosonde observations shows a range in the Arctic ABL vertical structure from very shallow and stable, with a strong surface-based virtual potential temperature (θv) inversion, to deep and near neutral, capped by a weak elevated θv inversion. The patterns identified by the SOM allowed for the derivation of criteria to categorize stability within and just above the ABL, which revealed that the Arctic ABL during MOSAiC was stable and near neutral with similar frequencies, and there was always a θv inversion within the lowest 1 km, which usually had strong to moderate stability. In conjunction with observations from additional measurement platforms, including a 10 m meteorological tower, ceilometer, and microwave radiometer, the radiosonde observations and SOM analysis provide insight into the relationships between atmospheric vertical structure and stability, as well as a variety of atmospheric thermodynamic and kinematic features. A low-level jet was observed in 76 % of the radiosondes, with stronger winds and low-level jet (LLJ) core located more closely to the ABL corresponding with weaker stability. Wind shear within the ABL was found to decrease, and friction velocity was found to increase, with decreasing ABL stability. Clouds were observed within the 30 min preceding the radiosonde launch 64 % of the time. These were typically low clouds, corresponding to weaker stability, where high clouds or no clouds largely coincided with a stable ABL.

The range of boundary layer stability profiles, from the surface to 500 m a.g.l. (above ground level), present in radiosonde observations from two continental-interior (South Pole Station and Dome Concordia Station) and three coastal (McMurdo Station, Georg von Neumayer Station III, and Syowa Station) Antarctic sites, is examined using the self-organizing maps (SOMs) neural network algorithm. A wide range of potential temperature profiles is revealed, from shallow boundary layers with strong near-surface stability to deeper boundary layers with weaker or near-neutral stability, as well as profiles with weaker near-surface stability and enhanced stability aloft, above the boundary layer. Boundary layer regimes were defined based on the range of profiles revealed by the SOM analysis; 20 boundary layer regimes were identified to account for differences in stability near the surface as well as above the boundary layer. Strong, very strong, or extremely strong stability, with vertical potential temperature gradients of 5 to in excess of 30 K per 100 m, occurred more than 80 % of the time at South Pole and Dome Concordia in the winter. Weaker stability was found in the winter at the coastal sites, with moderate and strong stability (vertical potential temperature gradients of 1.75 to 15 K per 100 m) occurring 70 % to 85 % of the time. Even in the summer, moderate and strong stability is found across all five sites, either immediately near the surface or aloft, just above the boundary layer. While the mean boundary layer height at the continental-interior sites was found to be approximately 50 m, the mean boundary layer height at the coastal sites was deeper, around 110 m. Further, a commonly described two-stability-regime system in the Arctic associated with clear or cloudy conditions was applied to the 20 boundary layer regimes identified in this study to understand if the two-regime behavior is also observed in the Antarctic. It was found that moderate and strong stability occur more often with clear- than cloudy-sky conditions, but weaker stability regimes occur almost equally for clear and cloudy conditions.

Background: SnoreLab (Version 5.3, Reviva Softworks Ltd., London, UK) is featured as the number one mobile application (app) for measuring snoring intensity and duration. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis between the results derived from SnoreLab and polysomnography (PSG). Methods: Male and female patients between 18 and 75 years of age, seeking medical counseling for suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), were considered eligible to participate in this study. Exclusion criteria were psychological or neurological disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and inability to follow instructions. All patients underwent one overnight in-hospital PSG with simultaneous snoring recording using the SnoreLab app. Results: Nineteen patients (15 men, 4 women) aged 50.9 ± 10.5 years were included. The overall cohort exhibited a Snore Score of 24.8 ± 22.2 alongside an AHI of 15.1 ± 17.0, indicating moderate OSAS. Interestingly, elevated Snore Scores were observed in both the simple snoring (30.7 ± 19.2) and severe OSAS group (35.2 ± 21.4) (Kruskal–Wallis p-value = 0.176). The analysis of the Spearman’s test did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between PSG parameters and the Snore Score. Conclusions: While SnoreLab records snoring, it is not designed for screening sleep apnea. Although SnoreLab may not replace PSG for use in diagnosis, it could serve as a complementary tool for monitoring snoring and to improve the interaction between patients and clinicians when integrated into a suitable clinical assessment.