| 1. |
- Bouakaze, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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Predicting haplogroups using a versatile machine learning program (PredYMaLe) on a new mutationally balanced 32 Y-STR multiplex (CombYplex) : Unlocking the full potential of the human STR mutation rate spectrum to estimate forensic parameters
- 2020
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-4973 .- 1878-0326. ; 48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We developed a new mutationally well-balanced 32 Y-STR multiplex (CombYplex) together with a machine learning (ML) program PredYMaLe to assess the impact of STR mutability on haplogourp prediction, while respecting forensic community criteria (high DC/HD). We designed CombYplex around two sub-panels M1 and M2 characterized by average and high-mutation STR panels. Using these two sub-panels, we tested how our program PredYmale reacts to mutability when considering basal branches and, moving down, terminal branches. We tested first the discrimination capacity of CombYplex on 996 human samples using various forensic and statistical parameters and showed that its resolution is sufficient to separate haplogroup classes. In parallel, PredYMaLe was designed and used to test whether a ML approach can predict haplogroup classes from Y-STR profiles. Applied to our kit, SVM and Random Forest classifiers perform very well (average 97 %), better than Neural Network (average 91 %) and Bayesian methods (< 90 %). We observe heterogeneity in haplogroup assignation accuracy among classes, with most haplogroups having high prediction scores (99-100 %) and two (E1b1b and G) having lower scores (67 %). The small sample sizes of these classes explain the high tendency to misclassify the Y-profiles of these haplogroups; results were measurably improved as soon as more training data were added. We provide evidence that our ML approach is a robust method to accurately predict haplogroups when it is combined with a sufficient number of markers, well-balanced mutation rate Y-STR panels, and large ML training sets. Further research on confounding factors (such as CNV-STR or gene conversion) and ideal STR panels in regard to the branches analysed can be developed to help classifiers further optimize prediction scores.
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| 2. |
- Martins, Valquiria Moreira Lacerda, et al.
(författare)
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Developing and validating a 2D digital version of the Brazilian Children's anxiety questionnaire.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Nursing : Nursing Care of Children and Families. - 0882-5963. ; 76, s. 160-166
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aims to transpose the printed Brazilian Children's Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ BR) into a 2D digital format, validate it with nurses and hospitalized children, and analyze the association between the printed and 2D digital format versions.This is a descriptive and multicentric study, conducted from 2021 to 2022 on working in pediatric care at two hospitals in Brazil. The nurses analyzed the printed and digital instruments and subsequently applied them to a child and proposed suggestions. A cutoff score of 0.80 on the content validity index was used; items that scored an average lower than the CVI in the study were adequate. Eighty children responded to the questionnaires sequentially according to the randomization table. A 90% agreement rate was used.The digital instrument was validated in content by 51 experts, with a CVI of 0.95. Face validation data for 80 children (mean age=7.9years) shows a 90% agreement rate. The intraclass correlation index for the general score was 0.87 and 95% CI (0.79-0.91), which shows good stability of the children's responses in both questionnaires. In addition, 59% (n=47) of the children reported a preference for the digital questionnaire.The digital CAQ BR can be used as an audiovisual instrument by nurses when implementing the systematization of nursing care in pediatrics.The digital 2D version was successfully applied and can be used in hospitals to measure children's self-reported anxiety.
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| 3. |
- Nogueira, Eugenia, et al.
(författare)
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Liposome and protein based stealth nanoparticles
- 2013
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Ingår i: Faraday discussions. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1359-6640 .- 1364-5498. ; 166, s. 417-429
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Liposomes and protein based nanoparticles were tuned with different polymers and glycolipids to improve stealth and thus decrease their clearance by macrophages. Liposomes were coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and brain-tissue-derived monosialoganglioside (GM1). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were produced incorporating a PEGylated surfactant (PEG-surfactant). All obtained nanoparticles were monodisperse, with sizes ranging from 80 to 120 nm, with a zeta-potential close to zero. The presented stealth strategies lead to a decrease of internalization levels by macrophages. These surface modified nanoparticles could be used for production of new drug delivery nanosystems for systemic administration (e.g. intravenous application).
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| 4. |
- Nogueira, Eugenia, et al.
(författare)
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Peptide Anchor for Folate-Targeted Liposomal Delivery
- 2015
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Ingår i: Biomacromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 16:9, s. 2904-2910
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Specific folate receptors are abundantly overexpressed in chronically activated macrophages and in most cancer cells. Directed folate receptor targeting using liposomes is usually achieved using folate linked to a phospholipid or cholesterol anchor. This link is formed using a large spacer like polyethylene glycol. Here, we report an innovative strategy for targeted liposome delivery that uses a hydrophobic fragment of surfactant protein D linked to folate. Our proposed spacer is a small 4 amino acid residue linker. The peptide conjugate inserts deeply into the lipid bilayer without affecting liposomal integrity, with high stability and specificity. To compare the drug delivery potential of both liposomal targeting systems, we encapsulated the nuclear dye Hoechst 34580. The eventual increase in blue fluorescence would only be detectable upon liposome disruption, leading to specific binding of this dye to DNA. Our delivery system was proven to be more efficient (2-fold) in Caco-2 cells than classic systems where the folate moiety is linked to liposomes by polyethylene glycol.
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