Latent space unsupervised semantic segmentation.

The development of compact and energy-efficient wearable sensors has led to an increase in the availability of biosignals. To effectively and efficiently analyze continuously recorded and multidimensional time series at scale, the ability to perform meaningful unsupervised data segmentation is an auspicious target. A common way to achieve this is to identify change-points within the time series as the segmentation basis.

Estimated daily intake of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenol A in hospitalised very low birth weight infants.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBW, birth weight (BW) < 1500 g) are exposed to phthalates, parabens and bisphenol A (BPA) early in life. We estimated daily intake (EDI) of these excipients in 40 VLBW infants the first and fifth week of life while hospitalised. Based on urinary samples collected in 2010, EDI was calculated and compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) with hazard quotients (HQs) evaluated.

High urinary concentrations of parabens and bisphenol A in very low birth weight infants.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBW; birth weight < 1500 g) are treated with pharmaceuticals and medical equipment containing parabens and bisphenol A (BPA). Parabens are used in pharmaceuticals, whereas BPA in medical equipment where concentrations are rarely reported in hospitalised VLBW infants. We measured urinary concentrations of parabens and BPA and hypothesised high and increasing concentrations in infants born at lower gestational ages (GAs), and among infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and late-onset septicaemia (LOS) due to higher exposure from pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

The Impact of a Stochastic Parameterization Scheme on Climate Sensitivity in EC-Earth.

Stochastic schemes, designed to represent unresolved subgrid-scale variability, are frequently used in short and medium-range weather forecasts, where they are found to improve several aspects of the model. In recent years, the impact of stochastic physics has also been found to be beneficial for the model's long-term climate. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time that the inclusion of a stochastic physics scheme can notably affect a model's projection of global warming, as well as its historical climatological global temperature.

The Sensitivity of Euro-Atlantic Regimes to Model Horizontal Resolution.

There is growing evidence that the atmospheric dynamics of the Euro-Atlantic sector during winter is driven in part by the presence of quasi-persistent regimes. However, general circulation models typically struggle to simulate these with, for example, an overly weakly persistent blocking regime. Previous studies have showed that increased horizontal resolution can improve the regime structure of a model but have so far only considered a single model with only one ensemble member at each resolution, leaving open the possibility that this may be either coincidental or model dependent.

Enhanced nutrient supply and intestinal microbiota development in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Promoting a healthy intestinal microbiota may have positive effects on short- and long-term outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW; BW < 1500 g) infants. Nutrient supply influences the intestinal microbiota.

Methods: Fifty VLBW infants were randomized to an intervention group receiving enhanced nutrient supply or a control group.

Intestinal microbiota development and gestational age in preterm neonates.

The intestinal microbiota is an important contributor to the health of preterm infants, and may be destabilized by a number of environmental factors and treatment modalities. How to promote the development of a healthy microbiota in preterm infants is largely unknown. We collected fecal samples from 45 breastfed preterm very low birth weight (birth weight < 1500 g) infants from birth until 60 days postnatal age to characterize the intestinal microbiota development during the first weeks of life in preterm infants.

Strictly controlled glucose infusion rates are associated with a reduced risk of hyperglycaemia in extremely low birth weight preterm infants.

Aim: We evaluated a strict strategy that aimed to avoid fluctuations in glucose infusion rates (GIRs) and assessed the independent effects of maximal daily GIRs on the hyperglycaemia risk among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants receiving early enhanced parenteral nutrition.

Methods: This study comprised all ELBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norway, before (2007-2009) and after (2012-2013) implementing a strict GIR strategy. Severe hyperglycaemia was defined as two consecutive blood glucose values over 12 mmol/L.

Enhanced nutrient supply to very low birth weight infants is associated with higher blood amino acid concentrations and improved growth.

Background & Aims: Customized nutrient supply is vital to ensure optimal growth among very low birth weight infants (birth weight < 1500 g). The supply of amino acids is especially important due to their impact on protein synthesis and growth. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of enhanced nutrition on growth, blood concentrations of amino acids, and explore possible associations between amino acid concentrations and common neonatal morbidities.

Enhanced nutrition improves growth and increases blood adiponectin concentrations in very low birth weight infants.

Background: Adequate nutrient supply is essential for optimal postnatal growth in very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight<1,500 g) infants. Early growth may influence the risk of metabolic syndrome later in life.

Objective: To evaluate growth and blood metabolic markers (adiponectin, leptin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)) in VLBW infants participating in a randomized nutritional intervention study.

Increased levels of phthalates in very low birth weight infants with septicemia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBW; birth weight<1500g) are exposed to potentially harmful phthalates from medical devices during their hospital stay. We measured urinary phthalate concentrations among hospitalized VLBW infants participating in a nutritional study. Possible associations between different phthalates and birth weight (BW), septicemia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were evaluated.

Early Enhanced Parenteral Nutrition, Hyperglycemia, and Death Among Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants.

Importance: Efforts to optimize early parenteral nutrition (PN) in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants to promote growth and development may increase hyperglycemia risk. Recent studies have identified an association between early hyperglycemia and adverse outcomes in ELBW infants.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of early hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes among ELBW infants before (2002-2005) and after (2006-2011) the implementation of an early enhanced PN protocol and to assess the independent effects of early enhanced PN and early hyperglycemia on mortality.

Improved Visual Perception in Very Low Birth Weight Infants on Enhanced Nutrient Supply.

Background: Optimal nutrient supply to very low birth weight (VLBW: BW <1,500 g) infants is important for growth and neurodevelopment. Growth restriction is common among these infants and may be associated with neurocognitive impairments.

Objectives: To compare an enhanced nutrient supply to a routine supply given to VLBW infants and to evaluate the effects on visual perception of global form and motion measured by visual event-related potentials (VERP).

Enhanced nutrient supply to very low birth weight infants is associated with improved white matter maturation and head growth.

Background: Extrauterine growth restriction is common among very low birth weight infants (VLBW, BW <1,500 g). Optimal postnatal nutrient supply is essential to limit growth restriction and ensure adequate growth and neurodevelopment.

Objectives: We compared an enhanced postnatal nutrient supply to a standard supply and evaluated the effects on growth velocity, head circumference growth and cerebral maturation - the latter by magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Urinary metabolite profiles in premature infants show early postnatal metabolic adaptation and maturation.

Objectives: Early nutrition influences metabolic programming and long-term health. We explored the urinary metabolite profiles of 48 premature infants (birth weight < 1500 g) randomized to an enhanced or a standard diet during neonatal hospitalization.

Methods: Metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was conducted on urine samples obtained during the first week of life and thereafter fortnightly.

Enhanced feeding and diminished postnatal growth failure in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine whether an increased supply of energy, protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamin A reduces postnatal growth failure in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Methods: Fifty infants with birth weight <1500 g were randomized to an intervention (n = 24) or a control (n = 26) feeding protocol within 24 hours after birth. Forty-four infants were included in the final analysis.

Enhanced feeding in very-low-birth-weight infants may cause electrolyte disturbances and septicemia--a randomized, controlled trial.

Background & Aims: High supply of protein and energy has been introduced to very-low-birth-weight infants to improve growth and cognitive development. The aim of this study was to compare two different feeding strategies on postnatal growth and clinical outcome during neonatal hospitalization.

Methods: Fifty very-low-birth-weight infants were randomized to either an enhanced or a standard feeding protocol within 24 h after birth.

Quantitative assays for the measurement of HER1-HER2 heterodimerization and phosphorylation in cell lines and breast tumors: applications for diagnostics and targeted drug mechanism of action.

Introduction: Ligand-bound and phosphorylated ErbB/HER heterodimers are potent signaling forms of this receptor family, and quantitative measurements of these active receptors may be predictive of patient response to targeted therapies. Using VeraTag technology, we developed and characterized quantitative assays measuring epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent increases in activated HER receptors in tumor cell line lysates and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor sections. We demonstrated the ability of the assays to quantitatively measure changes in activated HER1 and HER2 receptor levels in cell lines following treatment with 2C4, erlotinib, and lapatinib.

Three-dimensional ultrasonography can detect the modulation of kidney volume in two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats.

As volume changes are a typical finding in the two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rat model (2K1C), it is of interest to investigate within what time frame these volume changes occur and their relation to hypertension. Kidney volume changes in Wistar rats were measured by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (USG). Clipped induced stenosis was applied to the left renal artery in 11-wk-old animals (n = 8), using age-matched nonclipped rats as controls (n = 7).

Volume estimation of small phantoms and rat kidneys using three-dimensional ultrasonography and a position sensor.

To evaluate the accuracy of small volume estimation, both in vivo and in vitro, measurements with a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) system were carried out. A position sensor was used and the transmitting frequency was 10 MHz. Balloons with known volumes were scanned while rat kidneys were scanned in vivo and in vitro.