Recognition of morphometric vertebral fractures by artificial neural networks: analysis from GISMO Lombardia Database

Background

It is known that bone mineral density (BMD) predicts the fracture''s risk only partially and the severity and number of vertebral fractures are predictive of subsequent osteoporotic fractures (OF). Spinal deformity index (SDI) integrates the severity and number of morphometric vertebral fractures. Nowadays, there is interest in developing algorithms that use traditional statistics for predicting OF. Some studies suggest their poor sensitivity. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) could represent an alternative. So far, no study investigated ANNs ability in predicting OF and SDI. The aim of the present study is to compare ANNs and Logistic Regression (LR) in recognising, on the basis of osteoporotic risk-factors and other clinical information, patients with SDI≥1 and SDI≥5 from those with SDI = 0.

Methodology

We compared ANNs prognostic performance with that of LR in identifying SDI≥1/SDI≥5 in 372 women with postmenopausal-osteoporosis (SDI≥1, n = 176; SDI = 0, n = 196; SDI≥5, n = 51), using 45 variables (44 clinical parameters plus BMD). ANNs were allowed to choose relevant input data automatically (TWIST-system-Semeion). Among 45 variables, 17 and 25 were selected by TWIST-system-Semeion, in SDI≥1 vs SDI = 0 (first) and SDI≥5 vs SDI = 0 (second) analysis. In the first analysis sensitivity of LR and ANNs was 35.8% and 72.5%, specificity 76.5% and 78.5% and accuracy 56.2% and 75.5%, respectively. In the second analysis, sensitivity of LR and ANNs was 37.3% and 74.8%, specificity 90.3% and 87.8%, and accuracy 63.8% and 81.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

ANNs showed a better performance in identifying both SDI≥1 and SDI≥5, with a higher sensitivity, suggesting its promising role in the development of algorithm for predicting OF.     

Dispersal ability of threatened species affects future distributions

Plant Ecology - To track future climate space, seed dispersal will be essential for plants, but dispersal ability is rarely measured or incorporated into species distribution models. Species...     

Turning anti-ageing genes against cancer

Recent studies in diverse organisms implicate proto-oncogenic pathways, including insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), Ras and AKT/protein kinase B in the ageing process. Although IGF-I is thought to contribute to cancer by promoting growth and preventing apoptosis, evidence from model organisms suggests that proto-oncogene homologues might contribute to the DNA mutations and chromosomal damage that are observed in tumour cells by increasing DNA damage, in both dividing and non-dividing cells, and involving error-prone systems in DNA repair. This raises the possibility that cancer can be reduced by chronic downregulation of pro-ageing pathways.     

Selective ozone concentrations may reduce the ischemic damage after a stroke

Abstract Stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases, and it is unfortunate that only a small percentage of patients can be treated with thrombolytic agents. Consequently, there is an urgent need of finding an alternative procedure for reoxygenating the so-called penumbra at the earliest time as possible for reducing morbidity and disability. A preliminary, preclinical study has been carried out by using rat hippocampal and cortical brain slices subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Oxygen-ozone gaseous mixture appeared to be effective in reverting damage of brain tissues, supporting the evaluation of this approach in well-designed clinical trials in stroke patients.     

Fully relativistic rovibrational energies and spectroscopic constants of the lowest {\text{X}}:(1)0_g^{ + } , A′:(1)2 u , A:(1)1 u , {\text{B}}\prime :(1)0_u^{ - } and {\text{B}}:(1)0_u^{ + } states of molecular chlorine

The main goal of this paper is to present the rovibrational energies and spectroscopic constants of the Cl(2) molecular system in the relativistic states [Formula: see text], A':(1)2( u ), A:(1)1( u ), [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. More precisely, we have evaluated the Cl(2) ω ( e ), ω ( e ) x ( e ), ω ( e ) y ( e ), α ( e ), γ ( e ) and B ( e ) rovibrational spectroscopic constants using two different procedures. The first was obtained by combining the rovibrational energies, calculated through solving Schr?dinger's nuclear equation and the diatomic rovibrational energy equation. The second was obtained by using the Dunham method. The calculated properties are in good agreement with available experimental data.     

Sirtuins in aging and age-related disease

Sirtuins have been the focus of intense scrutiny since the discovery of Sir2 as a yeast longevity factor. Functioning as either deacetylases or ADP ribosylases, Sirtuins are regulated by the cofactor NAD and thus may serve as sensors of the metabolic state of the cell and organism. Here we examine the roles of Sirtuins in diverse eukaryotic species, with special emphasis on their links to aging and age-related diseases including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.     

Transformation of phenolic compounds upon UVA irradiation of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate.

This paper studies the transformation of phenol and of 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) upon UVA irradiation of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQ2S). Light-excited AQ2S is able to oxidise phenol, 3,5-DCP, and AQ2S. Transformation reactions do not proceed at a significant extent in the absence of molecular oxygen, in which case recombination reactions of initially formed oxidised and reduced radical species (and/or radical ions) would yield back the initial substrates. AQ2S hydroxyderivatives are the main transformation intermediates, while the phenoxyl radicals arising upon oxidation of phenol and of 3,5-DCP react with the substrates to yield dihydroxybiphenyls and phenoxyphenols. Very small amounts of catechol and of 3,5-dichlorocatechol were observed, indicating a possible minor role of the hydroxyl radicals in the reactivity of the system. Interesting results from an environmental point of view are the formation of 2-hydroxydibenzofuran from phenol and of various tetrachlorinated dihydroxybiphenyls and phenoxyphenols from 3,5-DCP, suggesting that quinone photochemistry can be an important pathway for the formation of hazardous secondary pollutants in the environment.