Neural-Net Artificial Pancreas: A Randomized Crossover Trial of a First-in-Class Automated Insulin Delivery Algorithm.

Automated insulin delivery (AID) is now integral to the clinical practice of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this pilot-feasibility study was to introduce a new regulatory and clinical paradigm-a Neural-Net Artificial Pancreas (NAP)-an encoding of an AID algorithm into a neural network that approximates its action and assess NAP versus the original AID algorithm. The University of Virginia Model-Predictive Control (UMPC) algorithm was encoded into a neural network, creating its NAP approximation.

Plasma-induced nanoparticle aggregation for stratifying COVID-19 patients according to disease severity.

Stratifying patients according to disease severity has been a major hurdle during the COVID-19 pandemic. This usually requires evaluating the levels of several biomarkers, which may be cumbersome when rapid decisions are required. In this manuscript we show that a single nanoparticle aggregation test can be used to distinguish patients that require intensive care from those that have already been discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU).

Colorimetric Detection of Sepsis-Derived Hyperdegranulation with Plasmonic Nanosensors.

Hyperdegranulation of neutrophilic granulocytes is a common finding in sepsis that directly contributes to the heightened immune response leading to organ dysfunction. Currently, cell degranulation is detected by flow cytometry, which requires large infrastructure that is not always available at the point of care. Here, we propose a plasmonic assay for detecting the degranulation status of septic cells colorimetrically.

Optimized detection of lung IL-6 enzymatic liquefaction of low respiratory tract samples: application for managing ventilated patients.

Lung IL-6 is a promising biomarker for predicting respiratory failure during pulmonary infections. This biomarker is found in respiratory samples which need to be liquefied prior to analysis. Traditional liquefying methods use reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT).

Nanoparticle transfer biosensors for the non-invasive detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens trapped in surgical face masks.

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 antigens in respiratory tract samples has become a widespread method for screening new SARS-CoV-2 infections. This requires a nasopharyngeal swab performed by a trained healthcare worker, which puts strain on saturated healthcare services. In this manuscript we describe a new approach for non-invasive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Immunodetection of Lung IgG and IgM Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 via Enzymatic Liquefaction of Respiratory Samples from COVID-19 Patients.

Lung-secreted IgG and IgM antibodies are valuable biomarkers for monitoring the local immune response against respiratory infections. These biomarkers are found in lower airway secretions that need to be liquefied prior to analysis. Traditional methods for sample liquefaction rely on reducing disulfide bonds, which may damage the structure of the biomarkers and hamper their immunodetection.

Predictive ESO-based control with guaranteed stability for uncertain MIMO constrained systems.

In this paper, a novel predictive Extended State Observer (ESO)-based discrete controller with guaranteed input-to-state stability is developed. Predictive controllers based on ESOs are gaining acceptance for regulating MIMO systems with disturbances, uncertainties or actuator constrains. However, there is an important concern about this control structure regarding its closed-loop stability; a key property that is not strictly guaranteed with the most part of the previous formulations.

Quantifying alcohol use among Ecuadorian human immunodeficiency virus positive individuals and assessing alcohol as an independent risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus: A case control study STROBE.

Alcohol abuse has been identified as a risk factor for contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and accelerating disease progression. Our study aims to determine alcohol consumption rates among Ecuadorian HIV positive (HIV+) patients prior to diagnosis to evaluate its impact as an independent risk factor for contracting HIV. Additionally, we will examine post-diagnosis consumption rates among the HIV+ population.

Depression is associated with efavirenz-containing treatments in newly antiretroviral therapy initiated HIV patients in Ecuador.

Background: It is well known that people living with HIV (PLWH) is in higher risk for the development of depression and it has also been suggested that the use of efavirenz into the antiretroviral regimens increases even that risk.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of efavirenz-containing antiretroviral regimens on the development of depression in newly ART initiated HIV patients in Ecuador.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study from June 2016 to May 2017, all newly HIV diagnosed patients at the HIV/AIDS Unit of the Hospital Eugenio Espejo in Quito, Ecuador were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression followed by a second assessment 8-12 weeks after antiretroviral therapy containing efavirenz was initiated.

Low Albumin Levels Are Associated with Poorer Outcomes in a Case Series of COVID-19 Patients in Spain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

There is limited information available describing the clinical and epidemiological features of Spanish patients requiring hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this observational study, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and epidemiological features of severe (non-ICU) and critically patients (ICU) with COVID-19 at triage, prior to hospitalization. Forty-eight patients (27 non-ICU and 21 ICU) with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were analyzed (mean age, 66 years, [range, 33-88 years]; 67% males).

Atypical Obstructive Pseudotumors in AIDS as the Initial Manifestation of Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dysmorphic fungus distributed worldwide commonly associated with pulmonary histoplasmosis. We report the case of an unusual presentation of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis leading to the obstruction of the intestinal lumen in a 30-year-old female, HIV positive, admitted to the hospital due to chronic abdominal pain and constipation. An initial abdominal CT revealed a mass in the sigmoid colon.

Increased incidences of noninfectious comorbidities among aging populations living with human immunodeficiency virus in Ecuador: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Besides the well-known increased risk of developing HIV-related infectious comorbidities; compared with the general population, people living with HIV (PLHIV) may also have an increased risk of developing noninfectious comorbidities (NICMs). This is the first study intended to determine the NICMs rates affecting PLHIV who were under cART regimen in Ecuador. A total of 503 HIV-positive patients were evaluated during the period June 2015-November 2016 and included in a multicenter retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted in seven main government and nongovernment community-based hospitals in Ecuador.

A comparison of the isometric force fatigue-recovery profile in two posterior chain lower limb tests following simulated soccer competition.

Aim: To evaluate the reliability of isometric peak force (IPF) in a novel "long-length" 90°Hip:20°Knee (90:20) strength test and to compare the simulated soccer match induced fatigue-recovery profile of IPF in this test with that of an isometric 90°Hip:90°Knee (90:90) position test.

Methods: Twenty semi-professional soccer players volunteered for the study of which 14 participated in the first part of the study which assessed 90:20 reliability (age = 21.3 ± 2.

Coinfection of and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Report of a Case of Disseminated Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Ecuador.

AbstractReported herein is the first case of -human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection in Ecuador. In Ecuador, HIV infections overlap endemic areas of leishmaniasis. Immunosuppression is a well-established risk factor for developing severe disease.

Computerised sepsis protocol management. Description of an early warning system.

Introduction: New strategies need to be developed for the early recognition and rapid response for the management of sepsis. To achieve this purpose, the Multidisciplinary Sepsis Team (MST) developed the Computerised Sepsis Protocol Management (PIMIS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the convenience of using PIMIS, as well as the activity of the MST.

Scapula fractures: interobserver reliability of classification and treatment.

Objectives: There is substantial variation in the classification and management of scapula fractures. The first purpose of this study was to analyze the interobserver reliability of the OTA/AO classification and the New International Classification for Scapula Fractures. The second purpose was to assess the proportion of agreement among orthopaedic surgeons on operative or nonoperative treatment.

Chitin and L(+)-lactic acid production from crab (Callinectes bellicosus) wastes by fermentation of Lactobacillus sp. B2 using sugar cane molasses as carbon source.

Crab wastes are employed for simultaneous production of chitin and L(+)-lactic acid by submerged fermentation of Lactobacillus sp. B2 using sugar cane molasses as carbon source. Response surface methodology was applied to design the culture media considering demineralization.

Th1 and Th17 hypercytokinemia as early host response signature in severe pandemic influenza.

Introduction: Human host immune response following infection with the new variant of A/H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (nvH1N1) is poorly understood. We utilize here systemic cytokine and antibody levels in evaluating differences in early immune response in both mild and severe patients infected with nvH1N1.

Methods: We profiled 29 cytokines and chemokines and evaluated the haemagglutination inhibition activity as quantitative and qualitative measurements of host immune responses in serum obtained during the first five days after symptoms onset, in two cohorts of nvH1N1 infected patients.