Cíle: Cílem této práce je navrhnout vylepšenou metodu autentizace pro biomedicínu založenou na analýze behaviorálních biometrických metod používaných v soucasnosti. Metody: Práce poskytuje strucnou definici identifikace, autentizace a biometrických charakteristik. Hlavní cást práce se zabývá dynamikou stisku pocítacových kláves, jejími výhodami, nevýhodami a aplikacemi v biomedicíne. Dynamika stisku pocítacových kláves je následne navržena jako zajímavá behaviorální charakteristika pro použití v pocítacové bezpecnosti, která doposud není široce používaná. Výsledky: Výsledkem práce bude nový soubor metod, který umožní optimální multifaktorovou autentizaci z hlediska pohodlí, nákladu a spolehlivosti. Záver: Cílem tohoto príspevku je soustredit se na dostupné informace o dynamice stisku pocítacových kláves.
Objectives: The goal of this work is to suggest an improved authentication method for biomedicine based on analysis of currently used behavioural biometric methods. Methods: A brief definition of identification, authentication and biometric characteristics is provided. The main part of the work focuses on keystroke dynamics, its advantages, disadvantages and applications in biomedicine. Keystroke dynamics is then proposed as an interesting behavioural biometric characteristic for use in computer security not being widely used so far. Results: The result of the work will be a new set of methods, which allows optimal multi-factor authentication method regarding its comfort, cost and reliability. Conclusions: The purpose of this paper is to focus on the available information about keystroke dynamics.
Several molecular clonality assays have been developed to assess canine B cell proliferations. These assays were based on different sequence data, utilized different assay designs and employed different testing strategies. This has resulted in a complex body of literature and complicates evidence-based selection of primer sets. In addition, further refinement of primer sets is difficult because it is unknown how well current primer sets cover the expressed sequence repertoire. The objectives of this study were 1) to provide an overview of published IGH clonality assays that highlights key differences in assay design and testing strategy and 2) to propose a novel method for optimizing primer sets that leverages large-scale sequencing data. A review of previously published assays highlighted confounding factors that hamper a direct comparison of performance metrics between studies. These findings illustrate the need for a multi-institutional effort to harmonize veterinary clonality testing. A novel in silico analysis of primer sequences using a large dataset of expressed sequences identified shortfalls of existing primer sets and was used to guide primer optimization. Three optimized primer sets were tested and yielded qualitative sensitivity values between 80-90%. The qualitative sensitivity ranged from 1% to over 50% and was dependent on the size of the neoplastic clone and the sample DNA used. These findings illustrate that inclusion of high-throughput sequencing data for primer design can be a useful tool to guide primer design and optimization. This strategy could be applied to other antigen receptor loci or species to further improve veterinary clonality assays.
- MeSH
- B-Lymphocytes cytology MeSH
- Clone Cells * MeSH
- DNA Primers * MeSH
- Dogs genetics immunology MeSH
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Dogs genetics immunology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
There is a raising demand for sensitive and high throughput MS based methods for screening purposes especially tailored to the detection of allergen contaminants in different food commodities. A challenging issue is represented by complex food matrices where the antibody-based kits commercially available might encounter objective limitations consequently to epitope masking phenomena due to a multitude of interfering compounds arising from the matrix. The performance of a method duly optimized for the extraction and simultaneous detection of soy, egg and milk allergens in a cookie food matrix by microHPLC-ESI-MS/MS, is herein reported. Thanks to the innovative configuration and the versatility shown by the dual cell linear ion trap MS used, the most intense and reliable peptide markers were first identified by untargeted survey experiment, and subsequently employed to design an ad hoc multi-target SRM method, based on the most intense transitions recorded for each selected precursor peptide. A sample extraction and purification protocol was optimized also including an additional step based on sonication, which resulted in a considerable improvement in the detection of milk allergen peptides. Data Dependent™ Acquisition scheme allowed to fill out a tentative list of potential peptide markers, which were further filtered upon fulfilling specific requirements. A total of eleven peptides were monitored simultaneously for confirmation purposes of each allergenic contaminant and the two most sensitive peptide markers/protein were selected in order to retrieve quantitative information. Relevant LODs were found to range from 0.1μg/g for milk to 0.3μg/g for egg and 2μg/g for soy.
- MeSH
- Allergens isolation & purification MeSH
- Food Analysis methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Limit of Detection MeSH
- Milk Proteins isolation & purification MeSH
- Milk chemistry MeSH
- Flour analysis MeSH
- Peptides analysis MeSH
- Soybean Proteins isolation & purification MeSH
- Soy Foods analysis MeSH
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry methods MeSH
- Egg Proteins isolation & purification MeSH
- Eggs analysis MeSH
- Sonication MeSH
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND: Prognostic tools in pathological-node (pN) patients after radical cystectomy (RC) are needed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic impact of lymph node (LN)-density on disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with bladder cancer (BC) undergoing RC with pelvic lymph node dissection. METHODS: We analyzed a multi-institutional cohort of 1169 patients treated with upfront RC for cT1-4aN0M0 urothelial BCat nine centers. LN-densitywas calculated as the ratio of the number of positive LNs×100% to the number of LNs removed. The optimal LN-density cut-off value was defined by creating a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in pN patients. Univariable and multivariable Cox' regression analyses were used to assess the effect of conventional Tumor Nodes Metastasis (TNM) nodal staging system, LN-density and other LN-related variables on DSS in the pN-positive cohort. RESULTS: Of the 1169 patients, 463 (39.6%) patients had LN-involvement. The area under the ROC curve was 0.60 and the cut-off for LN-density was set at 20%, 223 of the pN-positive patients (48.2%) had a LN-density ≥ 20%. In multivariable models, the number of LN-metastases (HR 1.03, p = 0.005) and LN-density, either as continuous (HR 1.01, p = 0.013) or as categorical variable (HR 1.37, p = 0.014), were independently associated with worse DSS, whereas pN-stage was not. CONCLUSIONS: LN-density ≥ 20% was an independent predictor of worse DSS in BC patients with LN-involvement at RC. The integration of LN-density and other LN-parameters rather than only conventional pN-stage may contribute to a more refined risk-stratification in BC patients with nodal involvement.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Radiologists utilize pictures from X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography scans to diagnose bone cancer. Manual methods are labor-intensive and may need specialized knowledge. As a result, creating an automated process for distinguishing between malignant and healthy bone is essential. Bones that have cancer have a different texture than bones in unaffected areas. Diagnosing hematological illnesses relies on correct labeling and categorizing nucleated cells in the bone marrow. However, timely diagnosis and treatment are hampered by pathologists' need to identify specimens, which can be sensitive and time-consuming manually. Humanity's ability to evaluate and identify these more complicated illnesses has significantly been bolstered by the development of artificial intelligence, particularly machine, and deep learning. Conversely, much research and development is needed to enhance cancer cell identification-and lower false alarm rates. We built a deep learning model for morphological analysis to solve this problem. This paper introduces a novel deep convolutional neural network architecture in which hybrid multi-objective and category-based optimization algorithms are used to optimize the hyperparameters adaptively. Using the processed cell pictures as input, the proposed model is then trained with an optimized attention-based multi-scale convolutional neural network to identify the kind of cancer cells in the bone marrow. Extensive experiments are run on publicly available datasets, with the results being measured and evaluated using a wide range of performance indicators. In contrast to deep learning models that have already been trained, the total accuracy of 99.7% was determined to be superior.
- MeSH
- Algorithms MeSH
- Deep Learning * MeSH
- Bone Marrow diagnostic imaging pathology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Bone Neoplasms pathology diagnostic imaging diagnosis MeSH
- Neural Networks, Computer * MeSH
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Although guidelines exist for advanced and variant bladder cancer management, evidence is limited/conflicting in some areas and the optimal approach remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To bring together a large multidisciplinary group of experts to develop consensus statements on controversial topics in bladder cancer management. DESIGN: A steering committee compiled proposed statements regarding advanced and variant bladder cancer management which were assessed by 113 experts in a Delphi survey. Statements not reaching consensus were reviewed; those prioritised were revised by a panel of 45 experts before voting during a consensus conference. SETTING: Online Delphi survey and consensus conference. PARTICIPANTS: The European Association of Urology (EAU), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), experts in bladder cancer management. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statements were ranked by experts according to their level of agreement: 1-3 (disagree), 4-6 (equivocal), 7-9 (agree). A priori (level 1) consensus was defined as ≥70% agreement and ≤15% disagreement, or vice versa. In the Delphi survey, a second analysis was restricted to stakeholder group(s) considered to have adequate expertise relating to each statement (to achieve level 2 consensus). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 116 statements were included in the Delphi survey. Of these, 33 (28%) statements achieved level 1 consensus and 49 (42%) statements achieved level 1 or 2 consensus. At the consensus conference, 22 of 27 (81%) statements achieved consensus. These consensus statements provide further guidance across a broad range of topics, including the management of variant histologies, the role/limitations of prognostic biomarkers in clinical decision making, bladder preservation strategies, modern radiotherapy techniques, the management of oligometastatic disease and the evolving role of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: These consensus statements provide further guidance on controversial topics in advanced and variant bladder cancer management until a time where further evidence is available to guide our approach.
- MeSH
- Delphi Technique MeSH
- Consensus * MeSH
- Medical Oncology methods standards MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- International Cooperation MeSH
- Urinary Bladder pathology MeSH
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms pathology therapy MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Practice Guidelines as Topic * MeSH
- Societies, Medical standards MeSH
- Neoplasm Staging MeSH
- Stakeholder Participation MeSH
- Urology methods standards MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
Ciele. V predošlých výskumoch boli dokumentované rôzne dopady pandémie COVID-19 na mentálne zdravie. Menej pozornosti však bolo venovanej tomu, ktoré faktory tu môžu zohrávať protektívnu rolu. Otázky a hypotézy. Predkladaná štúdia sa zaoberá tým, akú rolu zohrávali tri druhy pozitívnych očakávaní (optimizmus, nádej a sebaúčinnosť) v rámci subjektívnej pohody a prežívanej úzkosti počas nástupu prvej vlny pandémie COVID-19 na Slovensku. Súbor a metódy. Výskum bol realizovaný po tom, ako bol na Slovensku vyhlásený núdzový stav (N = 1011). Autori zisťovali sme subjektívnu pohodu, aktuálne prežívanú úzkosť, tri druhy očakávaní (nádej, optimizmus a všeobecnú sebaúčinnosť) a to, do akej miery vnímali účastníci výskumu koronavírus ako nebezpečný. Druhý zber dát sa konal po celoštátnom lockdowne (N = 391). Tu sa autori zamerali na stratégie zvládania. Analýzy. V rámci analýzy dát boli využité dva postupy. Prvý bol reprezentovaný lineárnou regresiou pracujúcou s viacerými modelmi (Bayesiánsky prístup), druhý mediačnou analýzou (Frekventistický prístup). Výsledky. V hlavnej časti (N = 1011), realizovanej krátko povyhlásení núdzového stavu, sa ako dôležitý prediktor ukázal predovšetkým optimizmus. Pozitívne predikoval subjektívnu pohodu a negatívne prežívanú úzkosť. Zmienený vzťah bol sprostredkovaný tým, do akej miery považovali účastníci výskumu koronavírus za nebezpečný. Okrem toho, sebaúčinnosť negatívne predikovala prežívanú úzkosť a subškály nádeje predikovali subjektívnu pohodu. V nadväzujúcom zbere dát (N = 391), uskutočnenom po prvom lockdowne, sa autori zamerali na rolu stratégii zvládania ako potenciálneho mediátora vo vzťahu medzi očakávaniami a kritérialnými premennými. Tu sa ako jeden z potenciálne dôležitých mechanizmov ukázali predovšetkým dysfunkčné stratégie zvládania stresu. Limity. Medzi limity možno zaradiť príležitostný výber výskumného súboru a to, že otázka, týkajúca sa toho, do akej miery tu šlo o vzťah špecifický pre pandémiu, zostáva aj naďalej otvorená. Okrem toho je nevyhnutné, aby výzkumníci zostali pri vyjadrovaní sa k otázke kauzality nanajvýš opatrní.
Objectives. Although various mental health-related consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been documented, there has been far less attention given to potential protective factors. Questions and hypotheses. In the present study, authors examined the role of three types of positive expectancies - optimism, hope, and self-efficacy - as predictors of well-being and anxiety. Furthermore, authors examined the role of coping strategies as a potential mediator between expectancies and criterion variables. Sample and settings. The present study was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in Slovakia after a national emergency was declared (N=1011). Additionally, longitudinal follow up was conducted after a national lockdown (N=391). Statistical analysis. Multi-model linear regression (the Bayesian approach) and simple mediation analysis (the Frequentist approach) were used to answer research questions. Results. In the main study with N=1011 participants sampled after a national emergency was declared, the role of optimism in predicting anxiety and well-being was corroborated. Moreover, this finding was replicated after a national lockdown and the degree to which Coronavirus was considered dangerous served as a potential mediator. Besides optimism, self-efficacy negatively predicted anxiety, and subscales of hope predicted well-being. Additionally, the role of coping strategies as potential mediator was examined. In follow up with N=391 respondents who decided to participate after the national lockdown, authors found an indirect effect of optimism on well-being and anxiety through dysfunctional coping. Limitations. The present study has some limitations that should be reflected upon. For example, convenience sampling was used. Moreover, interpretations related to causality should be avoided and the specificity of the effect in relation to a pandemic situation should be further examined in future research.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of preoperative albumin to globulin ratio for predicting pathologic and oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy in a large multi-institutional cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative albumin to globulin ratio was assessed in a multi-institutional cohort of 2492 patients. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of the albumin to globulin ratio with pathologic features. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed for survival endpoints. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value was determined to be 1.4 according to a receiver operating curve analysis. Lower albumin to globulin ratios were observed in 797 patients (33.6%) compared with other patients. In a preoperative model, low preoperative albumin to globulin ratio was independently associated with nonorgan-confined diseases (odds ratio 1.32, P = 0.002). Patients with low albumin to globulin ratios had worse recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (P = 0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.020) in univariable and multivariable analyses after adjusting for the effect of standard preoperative prognostic factors (recurrence-free survival: hazard ratio (HR) 1.31, P = 0.001; cancer-specific survival: HR 1.31, P = 0.002 and overall survival: HR 1.18, P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Lower preoperative albumin to globulin ratio is associated with locally advanced disease and worse clinical outcomes in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. As it is difficult to stage disease entity, low preoperative serum albumin to globulin ratio may help identify those most likely to benefit from intensified care, such as perioperative systemic therapy, and the extent and type of surgery.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms blood mortality pathology surgery MeSH
- Nephroureterectomy MeSH
- Preoperative Period MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Proportional Hazards Models MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Serum Globulins analysis MeSH
- Serum Albumin analysis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 was declared a global health emergency. Since children are less than 1% of reported cases, there is limited information to develop evidence-based practice recommendations. The objective of this study was to rapidly gather expert knowledge and experience to guide the care of children with chronic kidney disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A four-round multi-center Delphi exercise was conducted among 13 centers in 11 European countries of the European Pediatric Dialysis Working Group (EPDWG) between March, 16th and 20th 2020. Results were analyzed using a mixed methods qualitative approach and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Thirteen COVID-19 specific topics of particular need for guidance were identified. Main themes encompassed testing strategies and results (n = 4), changes in use of current therapeutics (n = 3), preventive measurements of transmission and management of COVID-19 (n = 3), and changes in standard clinical care (n = 3). Patterns of center-specific responses varied according to regulations and to availability of guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: As limited quantitative evidence is available in real time during the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, qualitative expert knowledge and experience represent the best evidence available. This Delphi exercise demonstrates that use of mixed methodologies embedded in an established network of experts allowed prompt analysis of pediatric nephrologists' response to COVID-19 during this fast-emerging public health crisis. Such rapid sharing of knowledge and local practices is essential to timely and optimal guidance for medical management of specific patient groups in multi-country health care systems such as those of Europe and the US.
- MeSH
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic complications therapy MeSH
- Delphi Technique MeSH
- Renal Dialysis * MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Infection Control MeSH
- Coronavirus Infections complications prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Evidence-Based Medicine MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Pandemics prevention & control MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Pneumonia, Viral complications prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Pelvic exenteration is a radical surgery for advanced or recurrent pelvic tumors, requiring careful patient selection and a multi-disciplinary approach. Despite advancements, it remains high-risk, with limited data on outcomes. The present meta-analysis evaluates survival, mortality, and trends to clarify its role in gynecologic oncology. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in January 2025 to identify studies on pelvic exenteration outcomes for gynecologic malignancies. Studies with at least 10 patients reporting 5-year overall survival or 30-day mortality were included. Data extracted included patient and surgical characteristics, and a scoring system based on study design, sample size, and center volume was used to include high-quality studies (score ≥3). Poisson regression models were used to analyze the associations between predictors and outcomes, with results expressed as incidence rate ratios and a 95% CI. RESULTS: A total of 46 studies involving 4417 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most patients underwent pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer (N = 3183). Positive pelvic and aortic nodal involvement were key predictors of reduced 5-year overall survival, decreasing by 3.9% and 5.9% per 1% increase in nodal positivity, respectively. Pelvic wall involvement also significantly reduced survival by 15.9%. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.1%, with sepsis (27.2%) being the leading cause of death. Peri-operative mortality decreased significantly over time, with each year of publication associated with a 2.6% decrease in incidence rate. However, pelvic sidewall involvement and total exenteration increased 30-day mortality by 11.5% and 0.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic exenteration remains a viable but high-risk option for select patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies. Pre-operative assessment and multi-disciplinary planning are essential for optimizing outcomes.
- MeSH
- Pelvic Exenteration * mortality methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Genital Neoplasms, Female * surgery mortality MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Meta-Analysis MeSH
- Systematic Review MeSH
