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Scientific Data Jun 2024The UK COVID-19 Vocal Audio Dataset is designed for the training and evaluation of machine learning models that classify SARS-CoV-2 infection status or associated...
The UK COVID-19 Vocal Audio Dataset is designed for the training and evaluation of machine learning models that classify SARS-CoV-2 infection status or associated respiratory symptoms using vocal audio. The UK Health Security Agency recruited voluntary participants through the national Test and Trace programme and the REACT-1 survey in England from March 2021 to March 2022, during dominant transmission of the Alpha and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants and some Omicron variant sublineages. Audio recordings of volitional coughs, exhalations, and speech were collected in the 'Speak up and help beat coronavirus' digital survey alongside demographic, symptom and self-reported respiratory condition data. Digital survey submissions were linked to SARS-CoV-2 test results. The UK COVID-19 Vocal Audio Dataset represents the largest collection of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-referenced audio recordings to date. PCR results were linked to 70,565 of 72,999 participants and 24,105 of 25,706 positive cases. Respiratory symptoms were reported by 45.6% of participants. This dataset has additional potential uses for bioacoustics research, with 11.3% participants self-reporting asthma, and 27.2% with linked influenza PCR test results.
Topics: Humans; Cough; COVID-19; Exhalation; Machine Learning; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Speech; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38937483
DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03492-w -
International Ophthalmology Jun 2024Equol is metabolized by intestinal bacteria from soy isoflavones and is chemically similar to estrogen. Dietary habits, such as consumption of soy products, influence...
PURPOSE
Equol is metabolized by intestinal bacteria from soy isoflavones and is chemically similar to estrogen. Dietary habits, such as consumption of soy products, influence equol production. A relationship between glaucoma and estrogen has been identified; here, we investigated the relationship between equol production status and glaucoma in Japan.
METHODS
We recruited 68 normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients (male to female ratio 26:42, average age 63.0 ± 7.6 years) and 31 controls (male to female ratio 13:18, average age 66.0 ± 6.3 years) from our hospital. All women included were postmenopausal. Urinary equol concentration was quantified with the ELISA method. MD was calculated based on the Humphrey visual field. The association between MD and equol was analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the equol-producing (> 1 μM) and non-producing (< 1 μM) subjects. We also investigated the association between equol and glaucoma with a logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
There was a significant association between equol and MD (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) in the NTG patients. Glaucoma, represented by MD, was significantly milder in the equol-producing subjects than the non-equol producing subjects (P = 0.03). A multivariate analysis revealed the independent contributions of equol, cpRNFLT, and IOP to MD (P = 0.03, P = 0.04, and P < 0.01, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that equol, acting through estrogen receptor-mediated neuroprotective effects, might be involved in suppressing the progression of NTG. This result also adds to evidence that glaucoma may be influenced by lifestyle.
Topics: Humans; Low Tension Glaucoma; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Male; Equol; Intraocular Pressure; Visual Fields; Japan; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
PubMed: 38937293
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03225-3 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024To investigate the treatment outcomes and determinants of prognosis in patients experiencing visual acuity (VA) deterioration due to inflammatory isolated sphenoid sinus...
BACKGROUND/AIM
To investigate the treatment outcomes and determinants of prognosis in patients experiencing visual acuity (VA) deterioration due to inflammatory isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery (EES).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Thirteen patients with 14 lesions treated with EES between March 2010 and April 2022 were included. Evaluation included improvements in VA using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) scale, resolution rates of associated symptoms, and identification of factors predicting VA recovery. A literature review was conducted to assess the outcomes for ISSD-related VA impairments.
RESULTS
The most common etiology is mycetoma (n=5), followed by an equal representation of mucocele and sphenoiditis (n=4). The mean interval from symptom onset to intervention was 4.7 months, with an average follow-up duration of 14.4 months. Seven eyes exhibited preoperative VA of 2.1 LogMAR or worse, with diplopia/ptosis (n=8) and headache (n=5) being the predominant co-occurring symptoms. After surgery, all ancillary symptoms improved, with an overall VA recovery rate of 87.5% (improvement more than 0.2 logMAR units). Mucocele exhibited the best improvements, whereas sphenoiditis showed the least progress (p=0.021). Poor baseline VA (p=0.026) and combined diplopia/ptosis (p=0.029) were identified as negative prognostic factors for VA recovery.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest a favorable prognosis for VA recovery following EES in patients with inflammatory ISSDs, with response variations based on disease entity. However, further research is needed to personalize therapeutic strategies for enhanced outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Visual Acuity; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Sphenoid Sinus; Sphenoid Sinusitis; Endoscopy; Prognosis; Young Adult; Inflammation; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 38936949
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13651 -
Ophthalmology. Retina Jun 2024Describe visual function and retinal features of female carriers of choroideremia (CHM), using multimodal imaging and microperimetry.
PURPOSE
Describe visual function and retinal features of female carriers of choroideremia (CHM), using multimodal imaging and microperimetry.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional cohort study PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: CHM carriers seen in Australia (Melbourne or Perth) or United Kingdom (Oxford or Cambridge) between 2012 and 2023. Healthy age-matched controls seen in Melbourne, Australia, between 2022 and 2023.
METHODS
Participants had visual acuity, fundus-tracked microperimetry, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging performed. CHM carriers were either genetically and/or clinically confirmed (i.e., obligate carriers). CHM carriers were grouped according to their retinal phenotype and compared to healthy controls. Statistical analyses were performed on StataBE (v18.0).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), average retinal sensitivity, volume of macular hill of vision (HoV), inner retinal thickness (IRT), and photoreceptor complex (PRC) thickness.
RESULTS
Eighty-six eyes of 43 CHM carriers and 60 eyes of 30 healthy controls were examined using multimodal imaging and microperimetry. Median age was 54 and 48.5 years for CHM carriers and controls, respectively (p=0.18). Most CHM carriers (86%) were genetically confirmed. CHM carriers and controls had strong inter-eye correlation between eyes for BCVA and average retinal sensitivity (p<0.001). LLVA and macular HoV tests were sensitive tests to detect changes in CHM carriers with mild phenotypes (i.e., fine and coarse). CHM carriers with geographic and/or male pattern phenotypes had reduced BCVA, LLVA, retinal sensitivity, and retinal thinning, compared to healthy controls. Retinal thickening of the inner retina was observed in the central 1 degree, despite generalised thinning of the PRC in the central 7 degrees, indicating retinal remodelling in CHM carriers, compared to controls. There were no genotype-phenotype correlations observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Female carriers of CHM with severe retinal phenotypes (i.e., geographic or male pattern) have significantly decreased visual function and retinal structural changes, when compared to age-matched controls and those carriers with milder phenotypes. LLVA and volumetric measures of the macular HoV were found to be the most sensitive functional tests to detect milder retinal disease (fine and coarse phenotypes) in CHM carriers.
PubMed: 38936773
DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2024.06.011 -
International Ophthalmology Jun 2024To evaluate the association between donor-related factors and the risk of rejection in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the association between donor-related factors and the risk of rejection in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus.
METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of keratoconus patients with no corneal neovascularization who underwent PKP from November 2014 to December 2016 and completed at least two years of follow-up. Preoperative, donor, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed to identify factors leading to corneal graft rejection.
RESULTS
A total of 201 eyes (of 201 patients) that underwent PKP for keratoconus were included. Of these, 22.9% (95% CI 17.6-29.2%) had an episode of graft rejection. The overall graft survival rate was 98.5%. Receipts with a history of corneal transplant in the fellow eye (IRR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01, 2.80; p = 0.044) and those with postoperative stromal neovascularization (IRR 2.51, 95% CI 1.49, 4.21; p = 0.001) had a significantly higher incidence of rejection than those without these features. In univariate analysis, death-to-surgery time and death-to-excision time (DET) showed a weak association with graft rejection (p 0.05 and 0.08 respectively); However, in the multivariable analysis, this significance was lost. Grafts with a death-to-excision time (DET) greater than 8 h had a 0.53X lower risk of rejection compared with grafts with DET within 8 h or less (p = 0.05). Rejection was higher in patients receiving grafts with a preservation time within 7 days or less compared with preservation time greater than 7 days (30.6% vs. 21.2%, respectively, p = 0.291).
CONCLUSION
In the multivariable analysis, none of the donor-related factors were significantly associated with graft rejection; however, short death-to-surgery time may be associated with rejection after PKP. Recipients with a history of PKP in the fellow eye and those who developed corneal neovascularization were also at increased risk of developing rejection after keratoplasty.
Topics: Humans; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Keratoconus; Graft Rejection; Male; Retrospective Studies; Female; Risk Factors; Adult; Graft Survival; Middle Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Visual Acuity; Young Adult; Incidence; Postoperative Complications; Adolescent
PubMed: 38935251
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02955-8 -
Neuroreport Jun 2024Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a serious eye condition that poses a risk to vision, resulting from the blockage of the central retinal artery. Because of the...
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a serious eye condition that poses a risk to vision, resulting from the blockage of the central retinal artery. Because of the anatomical connection between the ocular artery, which derives from the internal carotid artery, and the anterior middle cerebral artery, hemodynamic alterations and sudden vision loss associated with CRAO may impact brain functionality. This study aimed to examine alterations in spontaneous neural activity among patients with CRAO by resting-state functional MRI. In addition, we selected the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) values as classification features for distinguishing CRAO from healthy controls (HCs) using a support vector machine classifier. A total of 18 patients diagnosed with CRAO and 18 HCs participated in the study. Resting-state brain function images and structural images were acquired from both groups. Aberrant changes in spontaneous brain functional activity among CRAO patients were investigated utilizing ALFF and fALFF analysis methods. Group differences in ALFF/fALFF values were assessed through a two-sample t-test. Subsequently, a machine learning classifier was developed to evaluate the clinical diagnostic potential of ALFF and fALFF values. In comparison to HCs, individuals with CRAO exhibited significantly higher ALFF values in the left cerebellum_6, vermis_7, left superior frontal gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part. Conversely, the CRAO group displayed notably lower ALFF values in the left precuneus and left median cingulum gyri. Furthermore, higher fALFF values were observed in the left inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part, whereas lower fALFF values were noted in the right cerebellum_Crus2, left precuneus, right angular gyrus, left angular gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, and left precuneus. Utilizing the ALFF/fALFF values, the receiver operating characteristic curves (area under the curve) yielded 0.99 and 0.94 through machine learning analysis techniques. CRAO patients exhibit atypical neural activity in the brain, characterized by ALFF and fALFF values predominantly localized in the frontal, parietal, and cerebellar regions, which are closely linked to visual cognition and motor control impairments. Furthermore, ALFF and fALFF could serve as potential neuroimaging markers beyond the orbit among CRAO.
PubMed: 38935066
DOI: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000002068 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to develop and validate prediction model for myopic macular degeneration (MMD) progression in patients with high myopia.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop and validate prediction model for myopic macular degeneration (MMD) progression in patients with high myopia.
METHODS
The Zhongshan High Myopia Cohort for model development included 660 patients aged 7 to 70 years with a bilateral sphere of ≤-6.00 diopters (D). Two hundred twelve participants with an axial length (AL) ≥25.5 mm from the Chinese Ocular Imaging Project were used for external validation. Thirty-four clinical variables, including demographics, lifestyle, myopia history, and swept source optical coherence tomography data, were analyzed. Sequential forward selection was used for predictor selection, and binary classification models were created using five machine learning algorithms to forecast the risk of MMD progression over 10 years.
RESULTS
Over a median follow-up of 10.9 years, 133 patients (20.2%) showed MMD progression in the development cohort. Among them, 69 (51.9%) developed newly-onset MMD, 11 (8.3%) developed patchy atrophy from diffuse atrophy, 54 (40.6%) showed an enlargement of lesions, and 9 (6.8%) developed plus signs. Top six predictors for MMD progression included thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness, longer AL, worse best-corrected visual acuity, older age, female gender, and shallower anterior chamber depth. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithm yielded the best discriminative performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.87 ± 0.02) with good calibration in the training cohort. In a less myopic external validation group (median -5.38 D), 48 patients (22.6%) developed MMD progression over 4 years, with the model's AUROC validated at 0.80 ± 0.008.
CONCLUSIONS
Machine learning model effectively predicts MMD progression a decade ahead using clinical and imaging indicators. This tool shows promise for identifying "at-risk" high myopes for timely intervention and vision protection.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Machine Learning; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Aged; Disease Progression; Algorithms; Adolescent; Child; Young Adult; Macular Degeneration; Myopia, Degenerative; Follow-Up Studies; Risk Factors; Forecasting; Risk Assessment; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 38935031
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.6.40 -
European Journal of Histochemistry : EJH Jun 2024Artificial light can affect eyeball development and increase myopia rate. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) degrades the extracellular matrix, and induces its...
Effects of artificial light with different spectral compositions on refractive development and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 expression in the sclerae of juvenile guinea pigs.
Artificial light can affect eyeball development and increase myopia rate. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) degrades the extracellular matrix, and induces its remodeling, while tissue inhibitor of matrix MMP-2 (TIMP-2) inhibits active MMP-2. The present study aimed to look into how refractive development and the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the guinea pigs' remodeled sclerae are affected by artificial light with varying spectral compositions. Three weeks old guinea pigs were randomly assigned to groups exposed to five different types of light: natural light, LED light with a low color temperature, three full spectrum artificial lights, i.e. E light (continuous spectrum in the range of ~390-780 nm), G light (a blue peak at 450 nm and a small valley 480 nm) and F light (continuous spectrum and wavelength of 400 nm below filtered). A-scan ultrasonography was used to measure the axial lengths of their eyes, every two weeks throughout the experiment. Following twelve weeks of exposure to light, the sclerae were observed by optical and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 protein and mRNA expression levels in the sclerae. After four, six, eight, ten, and twelve weeks of illumination, the guinea pigs in the LED and G light groups had axial lengths that were considerably longer than the animals in the natural light group while the guinea pigs in the E and F light groups had considerably shorter axial lengths than those in the LED group. Following twelve weeks of exposure to light, the expression of the scleral MMP-2 protein and mRNA were, from low to high, N group, E group, F group, G group, LED group; however, the expression of the scleral TIMP-2 protein and mRNA were, from high to low, N group, E group, F group, G group, LED group. The comparison between groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). Continuous, peaks-free or valleys-free artificial light with full-spectrum preserves remodeling of scleral extracellular matrix in guinea pigs by downregulating MMP-2 and upregulating TIMP-2, controlling eye axis elongation, and inhibiting the onset and progression of myopia.
Topics: Animals; Guinea Pigs; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; Sclera; Light; Myopia; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 38934084
DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2024.3982 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a common diabetes complication, significantly impacting vision and quality of life. Previous studies have suggested a...
Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in plasma and aqueous humor: a key risk factor for the severity of fibrovascular proliferation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
INTRODUCTION
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a common diabetes complication, significantly impacting vision and quality of life. Previous studies have suggested a potential link between arginine pathway metabolites and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a role in the occurrence and development of fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) in PDR patients. However, the relationship between arginine pathway metabolites and FVP in PDR remains undefined. This study aimed to explore the correlation between four arginine pathway metabolites (arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine[ADMA], ornithine, and citrulline) and the severity of FVP in PDR patients.
METHODS
In this study, plasma and aqueous humor samples were respectively collected from 30 patients with age-related cataracts without diabetes mellitus (DM) and from 85 PDR patients. The PDR patients were categorized as mild-to-moderate or severe based on the severity of fundal FVP. The study used Kruskal-Wallis test to compare arginine, ADMA, ornithine, and citrulline levels across three groups. Binary logistic regression identified risk factors for severe PDR. Spearman correlation analysis assessed associations between plasma and aqueous humor metabolite levels, and between ADMA and CTGF levels in aqueous humor among PDR patients.
RESULTS
ADMA levels in the aqueous humor were significantly greater in patients with severe PDR than in those with mild-to-moderate PDR(0.0004). However, the plasma and aqueous humor levels of arginine, ornithine, and citrulline did not significantly differ between mild-to-moderate PDR patients and severe PDR patients (0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the plasma (0.01) and aqueous humor (0.006) ADMA levels in PDR patients were risk factors for severe PDR. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between plasma and aqueous humor ADMA levels (0.263, =0.015) and between aqueous humor ADMA and CTGF levels (0.837, <0.001).
CONCLUSION
Elevated ADMA levels in plasma and aqueous humor positively correlate with the severity of FVP in PDR, indicating ADMA as a risk factor for severe PDR.
Topics: Humans; Arginine; Male; Female; Diabetic Retinopathy; Middle Aged; Aqueous Humor; Risk Factors; Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Ornithine; Citrulline; Biomarkers; Connective Tissue Growth Factor
PubMed: 38933824
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1364609 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of all injury-related deaths and disabilities in the world, especially in low to middle-income countries...
INTRODUCTION
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of all injury-related deaths and disabilities in the world, especially in low to middle-income countries (LMICs) which also suffer from lower levels of funding for all levels of the health care system for patients suffering from TBI. These patients do not generally get comprehensive diagnostic workup, monitoring, or treatment, and return to work too quickly, often with undiagnosed post-traumatic deficits which in turn can lead to subsequent incidents of physical harm.
METHODS
Here, we share methods and results from our research project to establish innovative, simple, and scientifically based practices that dramatically leverage technology and validated testing strategies to identify post-TBI deficits quickly and accurately, to circumvent economic realities on the ground in LMICs. We utilized paper tests such as the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), line-bisection, and Bell's test. Furthermore, we combined modifications of neuroscience computer tasks to aid in assessing peripheral vision, memory, and analytical accuracies. Data from seventy-one subjects (51 patients and 20 controls, 15 females and 56 males) from 4 hospitals in Ethiopia are presented. The traumatic brain injury group consists of 17 mild, 28 moderate, and 8 severe patients (based on the initial Glasgow Comma Score). Controls are age and education-matched subjects (no known history of TBI, brain lesions, or spatial neglect symptoms).
RESULTS
We found these neurophysiological methods can: 1) be implemented in LMICs and 2) test impairments caused by TBI, which generally affect brain processing speed, memory, and both executive and cognitive controls.
DISCUSSION
The main findings indicate that these examinations can identify several deficits, especially the MoCA test. These tests show great promise to assist in the evaluation of TBI patients and support the establishment of dedicated rehabilitation centers. Our next steps will be expansion of the cohort size and application of the tests to other settings.
PubMed: 38933324
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1397625