Determinação da sobrecarga de ferro na talassemia pela IRM hepática e ferritina

Accumulation of iron in thalassemia causes organ damage and reduces patient survival due to heart lesions in the second decade of life. Iron deposits are monitored by direct (biopsy) and indirect methods (ferritin) with sequential data being better than isolated measurements. This paper compares two indirect measurements of iron overload; a single hepatic iron concentration (HIC) by magnetic resonance and mean ferritin levels over four years. A retrospective study of 25 patients from the Centro Regional de Hemoterapia in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil was carried out. High HIC (above 7 mg per gram of dry weight) was found in 20 patients and high mean serum ferritin (above 2500 μg/L) in 10 patients. Stratification into three levels (low, moderate and high) of iron overload gave similar results in both tests. Many other factors influence de degree of iron overload in thalassemia. No correlation was found using a non-parametric statistical test between HIC and mean serum ferritin. Both methods provide better planning of chelation therapy.O acúmulo de ferro na talassemia causa lesões orgânicas e reduz a sobrevida do paciente por lesão cardíaca na segunda década da vida, e tem sido avaliado por medidas diretas (biópsia) e indiretas (ferritina). As medidas isoladas carecem de valor, sendo preferidas as sequenciais. Este trabalho pretende comparar medidas indiretas de sobrecarga de ferro, uma medida da concentração de ferro hepático por ressonância magnética, e a ferritina sérica média dos últimos quatro anos. Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo de 25 pacientes do Centro Regional de Hemoterapia, em Ribeirão Preto, Brasil. Encontrou-se em vinte pacientes ferro hepático acima de 7 mg/g peso seco e ferritina média elevada acima de 2.500 ug/l em dez. Estratificação em três níveis de sobrecarga (leve, moderada e grave) produziu resultados semelhantes em ambos os testes. Vários outros fatores influenciam o grau de sobrecarga de ferro na talassemia. Não houve correlação significativa com aplicação de testes não-paramétricos. Ambos os métodos usados concomitantemente levarão a um melhor planejamento da terapia quelante.FapespCNPqCapes and Fundação Hemocentr

Notas sobre do maciço de Sines: uma reinterpretação de dados geofísicos para avaliação do potencial armazenamento de CO2 por carbonatação mineral

ABSTRACT: The InCarbon project aims to evaluate the potential for storage of captured CO2 using in-situ mineral carbonation in mafic and ultramafic plutonic rocks in Alentejo, Portugal. The Sines massif appears to be the most promising massif for mineral carbonation and its geochemistry, petrography, mineralogy, volume and extension are characterized. Its offshore volume and extension are evaluated through reinterpretation of previous geophysical data which confirms the occurrence of two well defined magnetic anomalies. The Sines magnetic anomaly is directly related with the outcropping area of the Sines massif to the continental shelf; three-dimensional modelling (3D) of apparent magnetic susceptibility correlates with a volume of 217 km3.The offshore magnetic anomaly presents an estimated volume of 226 km3 and is located about 10 km from the Sines anomaly to the Southwest. If both anomalies result from a single igneous body, the area of the Sines massif could as be large as 300 km2. However, the possibility of these that those two anomalies correspond distinct mafic igneous structures in the continental shelf cannot be discarded and should be further investigated.RESUMO: O projeto InCarbon pretende avaliar o potencial para a carbonatação mineral in-situ das rochas plutónicas máficas e ultramáficas no Alentejo para o armazenamento de CO2. O maciço de Sines parece ser o maciço mais promissor para carbonatação mineral no Alentejo e é caracterizado do ponto de vista geoquímico, petrográfico, mineralógico, bem assim como do ponto de vista do seu volume e extensão. A avaliação do volume e da extensão na área offshore foi efetuada reinterpretando dados geofísicos existentes os quais confirmam a ocorrência de duas anomalias magnéticas bem definidas. A anomalia magnética de Sines (sobre o continente) está diretamente relacionada com prolongamento do maciço de Sines para a plataforma continental. Com base em modelação tridimensional (3D) da suscetibilidade magnética aparente foi obtido um volume de 217 km3. A anomalia magnética offshore, localizada na plataforma continental, apresenta um volume estimado de 226 km3 e está localizada a cerca de 10 km a sudoeste da anomalia de Sines. Se ambas as anomalias estiverem relacionadas com um mesmo corpo ígneo, então a extensão do maciço de Sines poderá atingir uma área de 300 km2. No entanto, a possibilidade dessas duas anomalias corresponderem a estruturas máficas distintas não pode ser descartada e deve ser investigada.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ProFlex: A Probabilistic and Flexible Data Storage Protocol for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents ProFlex, a proactive data distribution protocol for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks (HWSNs). ProFlex guarantees robustness in data retrieval by intelligently managing data replication among selected storage nodes in the network. Contrarily to related protocols in the literature, ProFlex considers the resource constraints of sensor nodes and constructs multiple data replication structures, which are managed by more powerful nodes. Additionally, ProFlex takes profit of the higher communication range of such powerful nodes in the network and use the long link to improve data distribution. When compared with Supple -- a related protocol, we show by simulation that Proflex increases the network resilience under failures circumstances, decreases the overhead of transmitted messages, and decreases the number of hops to find a specific data in the network.Cet article porte sur la proposition d'un protocole de données proactif de distribution pour les réseaux de capteurs sans fil hétérogènes (HWSNs). Notre protocole, ProFlex, garantit la robustesse de la récupération des données grâce à sa gestion intelligente de la réplication des données entre les nœuds de stockage sélectionnés dans le réseau. Contrairement à d'autres protocoles dans la littérature, ProFlex considère les contraintes de ressources de capteurs et construit plusieurs structures de réplication des données, qui sont gérés par des nœuds plus puissants. En outre, ProFlex profite de la meilleure communication radio de ces nœuds plus puissants et utilise ces longues portée pour améliorer la distribution des données. Nous avons comparé ProFlex avec le protocole Supple et nous avons montré par simulation que Proflex augmente la résilience du réseau, même dans des circonstances des pertes de messages, diminue la surcharge de messages transmis, et diminue le nombre de sauts nécessaire pour trouver un ensemble de données spécifiques dans le réseau

Application of Artificial Neural Network Models in Segmentation and Classification of Nodules in Breast Ultrasound Digital Images

This research presents a methodology for the automatic detection and characterization of breast sonographic findings. We performed the tests in ultrasound images obtained from breast phantoms made of tissue mimicking material. When the results were considerable, we applied the same techniques to clinical examinations. The process was started employing preprocessing (Wiener filter, equalization, and median filter) to minimize noise. Then, five segmentation techniques were investigated to determine the most concise representation of the lesion contour, enabling us to consider the neural network SOM as the most relevant. After the delimitation of the object, the most expressive features were defined to the morphological description of the finding, generating the input data to the neural Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classifier. The accuracy achieved during training with simulated images was 94.2%, producing an AUC of 0.92. To evaluating the data generalization, the classification was performed with a group of unknown images to the system, both to simulators and to clinical trials, resulting in an accuracy of 90% and 81%, respectively. The proposed classifier proved to be an important tool for the diagnosis in breast ultrasound

Usando Redes Aleatorias na Analise de Mobilidade

National audienceThe constant advancement of information systems has allowed more data to be generated and stored from the most diverse situations. It is fascinating that, behind these records, we see the reflection of the environment itself, since every record represents a decision made by some entity. In this work, we modeled real-world scenarios of mobility from using temporal complex networks. The analysis assumes that these systems are composed of entities able to interact in a rational manner, reflecting their interests and activity dynamic. In this direction, we propose a technique for analyzing mobility scenarios from random graphs. This technique examines how the real system would evolve if the agents' decisions were random, and from there, you can check, for example, which edges are random and which are derived from social relationships, such as friendship or professional.O avanco constante de sistemas de informacao tempermitido que mais dados sejam gerados e armazenados a partir das mais diversas situacoes. E fascinante que, por tras de cada registro, seja possıvel ver o reflexo do ambiente em si, ou seja, alguma decisao tomada por alguma entidade. Neste trabalho, sao estudados cenarios reais de mobilidade a partir de uma modelagem usando redes complexas temporais. A analise parte do pressuposto que esses sistemas sao compostos de entidades capazes de interagir entre si de uma maneira racional, refletindo seus interesses e dinamica de atividade. Nessa direcao, e proposta uma tecnica para analisar cenarios de mobilidade a partir de grafos aleatorios. Essa tecnica verifica como o sistema real evoluiria caso as decisoes dos seus agentes fossem aleat'orias e, a partir dela, pode-se verificar, por exemplo, quais arestas s˜ao aleat'orias e quais s˜ao provenientes de relac¸ ˜oes sociais, tais como relac¸ ˜oes de amizade ou profissionais

Resolving Coparenting Dissatisfaction In Couples: A Preliminary Task Analysis Study.

This study explored the change that unfolded when parents resolved their coparenting dissatisfaction during an Integrative Brief Systemic Intervention (IBSI) for parent couples. We conducted a task analysis (Greenberg, 2007) to build a model of resolving coparenting dissatisfaction. We compared a postulated model of change (rational model) based on theoretical and clinical assumptions to the observations of the actual change process that couples experienced in an IBSI (empirical analysis). The empirical analysis was conducted on six IBSI therapy cases (three exhibiting positive development and three exhibiting no development). We defined positive development in IBSI as moving from coparenting dissatisfaction to coparenting satisfaction. The final rational-empirical model included six steps that facilitated the resolution of coparenting dissatisfaction. This study contributes to deepening the knowledge of how coparenting may change during marital therapy

Increased IgE serum levels are unrelated to allergic and parasitic diseases in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the IgE serum levels in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients and to evaluate possible associations with clinical and laboratory features, disease activity and tissue damage. METHODS: The IgE serum concentrations in 69 consecutive juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients were determined by nephelometry. IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetry. All patients were negative for intestinal parasites. Statistical analysis methods included the Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, as well as the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Increased IgE concentrations above 100 IU/mL were observed in 31/69 (45%) juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The mean IgE concentration was 442.0 +/- 163.4 IU/ml (range 3.5- 9936.0 IU/ml). Fifteen of the 69 patients had atopic disease, nine patients had severe sepsis and 56 patients presented with nephritis. The mean IgE level in 54 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients without atopic manifestations was 271.6 +/- 699.5 IU/ml, and only nine of the 31 (29%) patients with high IgE levels had atopic disease. The IgE levels did not statistically differ with respect to the presence of atopic disease, severe sepsis, nephritis, disease activity, or tissue damage. Interestingly, IgE concentrations were inversely correlated with C4 levels ( r = -0.25, p = 0.03) and with the SLICC/ACR-DI score (r = -0.34, p = 0.005). The IgE concentration was also found to be directly correlated with IgA levels (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated for the first time that juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients have increased IgE serum levels. This increase in IgE levels was not related to allergic or parasitic diseases. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that high IgE levels can be considered a marker of immune dysregulation.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo) [08/58238

How effective is to look at a vehicular network under a social perception?

International audienceVehicular Mobility is strongly influenced by the speed limits and direction of the public roads. At the same time, the driver's behavior produces great influences in vehicular mobility. People tend to go to the same places, at the same day period, through the same trajectories, which le ad them to the appearance of driver's daily routines. These routines lead us to the study of mobility in VANETs under a social perspective and to investigate how effective is to explore social interactions in this kind of network. The work herein proposed presents the characterization and evaluation of a realistic vehicular trace found in literature. Our aim is to study the vehicles' mobility in accordance to social behaviors. With our analysis is possible to verify the existence of regularity and common interests among the drivers in vehicular networks. Finally, we discuss how the social metrics may be used to improve the performance of protocols and services in Vehicular Networks