This study investigates disruptions in functional brain networks in Parkinson's Disease (PD), using advanced modeling and machine learning. Functional networks were constructed using the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model, which captures nonlinear and asymmetric dependencies between regions of interest (ROIs). Key network metrics and information-theoretic measures were extracted to classify PD patients and healthy controls (HC), using deep learning models, with explainability methods employed to identify influential features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatic stellate cells (HSC) are recruited to the site of injury in the liver tissue repair mechanism, and the changes HSC undergo reflect paracrine stimulation by all cell types (sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, hepatocytes, platelets, and leukocytes). This study aimed to analyse a possible correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and thrombin generation in patients with chronic liver diseases. Background Coagulation disorders in patients with chronic liver disease continue to challenge clinicians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study conducts an in-depth analysis of clustering small molecules using spectral geometry and deep learning techniques. We applied a spectral geometric approach to convert molecular structures into triangulated meshes and used the Laplace-Beltrami operator to derive significant geometric features. By examining the eigenvectors of these operators, we captured the intrinsic geometric properties of the molecules, aiding their classification and clustering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates the clustering patterns of human β-secretase 1 (BACE-1) inhibitors using complex network methodologies based on various distance functions, including Euclidean, Tanimoto, Hamming, and Levenshtein distances. Molecular descriptor vectors such as molecular mass, Merck Molecular Force Field (MMFF) energy, Crippen partition coefficient (ClogP), Crippen molar refractivity (MR), eccentricity, Kappa indices, Synthetic Accessibility Score, Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA), and 2D/3D autocorrelation entropies are employed to capture the diverse properties of these inhibitors. The Euclidean distance network demonstrates the most reliable clustering results, with strong agreement metrics and minimal information loss, indicating its robustness in capturing essential structural and physicochemical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater is a risk factor for epidemics of waterborne diseases with effects on human health. In 2019, new viral pneumonia cases occurred in China and spread worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a wastewater-based epidemiological (WBE) monitoring tool in a SARS-CoV-2 hot spot (Sibiu City metropolitan area), namely to highlight the correlation between the number of infections on the days of sampling and the amount of viral RNA detected in wastewater.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
July 2022
The present study aims to provide evidence on the effects of pandemic curtailment measures on public health, targeting the changes in breathable air quality, within urban areas. The analyzed period covers the full impact of lockdowns in Europe in 2020. We used everyday data for each analyzed pollutant, NO, SO CO, PM and PM, from urban monitoring stations that provided real-time concentrations (provided by Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, Environmental Protection Agency repository and European Environment Agency map services) and satellite data (provided by NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In Romania, the abuse within the family of the minor child is a widespread phenomenon, its extent is insufficiently known because of ignorance/not reporting all the existing cases.
Methods: The participants of the research are represented by two independent groups from the NW Romania 2007-2011, one for sociological study (1544 parents and 1283 children) and another for forensic statistical study (2761 cases of abused children). The sociological study was carried out by analyzing questionnaires applied in schools located in Bihor County, both to children and parents.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
May 2021
Benzene, toluene, and total BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) concentrations registered for one year (2016) have been determined every month for one high-density traffic area. The assessment was performed in Arad City, Romania, to evaluate these pollutants and their influence on the inhabitants' health. The contaminants were sampled using a static sampling method and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
March 2021
The working conditions in a slaughterhouse are difficult because of the low temperatures, high humidity, and little natural light. Therefore, in these facilities, there is a high demand in the maintenance of strict hygiene rules. Lately, the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation has brought new challenges in the meat industry, as this sector has to maintain its operability to supply the meat and meat products demanded by the consumers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
September 2019
Alpha-cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that was extensively used for insect control, since the early 1980s. However, it is known that its presence in the environment has toxic effects on humans and aquatic life forms. For this reason, it is commendable for it to be removed completely from the contaminated environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf-medication during pregnancy continues to be an issue in developing countries due to poor medical education. The most commonly used drugs are analgesics, mainly acetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) and, to a lesser extent, ketoprofen (KPF). The aim of the study was to establish whether there are consequences of accidental use of these two drugs during early embryogenesis.
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