Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) in Big Histological Image Databases

Background: Automatic analysis of Histopathological Images (HIs) demands image processing and Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques. Both Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) and Content-Based Image-Retrieval (CBIR) systems assist diagnosis, disease discovery, and biological decision-making. Classical tests comprise screening examinations and biopsy. Histopathology slides offer more ample diagnosis data. However, manual examination of microscopic images is labor-intensive and time-consuming and may depend on a subjective assessment by the pathologist, which can be a challenge. Methods: This work discusses a CBIR framework to extract and handle histological data, histological metadata, integrated patient records, specimen metadata, attributes, and similar stored files. This work presents a scalable image-retrieval framework for intelligent HI analysis with real-time retrieval. The potential applications of this framework include image-guided diagnosis, decision support, healthcare education, and efficient biological data management. Results: The considerable amount of biological-related data prompted the development and deployment of large-scale databases and data-driven techniques to bridge the semantic gap between images and diagnostic information. The new cloud computing technologies and the concept of cyber-physical systems have improved the CBIR architectures considerably. The proposed scalable architecture relies on CI and validates performance on several HIs acquired from microscopic tissues. Extensive assessments show improvements in terms of disease classification and retrieval tests. Conclusion: This research effort significant contributions are twofold. 1) Defining a  comprehensive and large-scale CBIR framework to analyze HIs with high-dimensional features and CI methods successfully. 2) high-performance updating and optimization strategies improve the querying while better handling new training samples than traditional methods

SDR-Based High-Definition Video Transmission for Biomedical Engineering

Background: Software-Defined Radio (SDR) frameworks from cellular telephone base stations, e.g., Multiservice Distributed Access System (MDAS) and small cells, employ extensively integrated RF agile transceivers. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is the collection of medical devices and applications that connect to healthcare IT systems through online computer networks. Medical devices equipped with Wi-Fi allow M2M communication, which is the backbone of IoMT and associated devices linked to cloud platforms containing stored data to be analyzed. Examples of IoMT include remote patient monitoring of people with chronic or long-term conditions, tracking patient medication orders and the location of patients admitted to hospitals, and patients' wearables to send info to caregivers. Infusion pumps connected to dashboards and hospital beds rigged with sensors measuring patients' vital signs are medical devices that can be converted to or deployed as IoMT technology. Methods: This work proposes an SDR architecture to allow wireless High-Definition (HD) video broadcast for biomedical applications. This text examines a Wideband Wireless Video (WWV) signal chain implementation using the transceivers, the data transmitted volume, the matching occupied RF bandwidth, the communication distance, the transmitter’s power, and the implementation of the PHY layer as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with test results to evade RF interference. Results: As the IoMT grows, the amount of possible IoMT uses increases. Many mobile devices employ Near Field Communication (NFC) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags allowing them to share data with IT systems. RFID tags in medical equipment and supplies allow hospital staff can remain aware of the quantities they have in stock. The practice of using IoMT devices to observe patients in their homes remotely is also known as telemedicine. This kind of treatment spares patients from traveling to healthcare facilities whenever they have a medical question or change in their condition. Conclusion: An SDR-based HD biomedical video transmission is proposed, with its benefits and disadvantages for biomedical WWV are discussed. The security of IoMT sensitive data is a developing concern for healthcare providers

DICOM’s Standardization in Histo-Pathology

Background: The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard helps to represent, store, and to exchange healthcare images associated with its data. DICOM develops over time and is continuously adapted to match the rigors of new clinical demands and technologies. An uphill battle in this regard is to conciliate new software programs with legacy systems. Methods: This work discusses the essential aspects of the standard and assesses its capabilities and limitations in a multisite, multivendor healthcare system aiming at Whole Slicing Image (WSI) procedures. Selected relevant DICOM attributes help to develop and organize WSI applications that extract and handle image data, integrated patient records, and metadata. DICOM must also interface with proprietary file formats, clinical metadata and from different laboratory information systems. Standard DICOM validation tools to measure encoding, storing, querying and retrieval of medical data can verify the generated DICOM files over the web. Results: This work investigates the current regulations and recommendations for the use of DICOM with WSI data. They rely mostly on the EU guidelines that help envision future needs and extensions based on new examination modalities like concurrent use of WSI with in-vitro imaging and 3D WSI. Conclusion: A DICOM file format and communication protocol for pathology has been defined. However, adoption by vendors and in the field is pending. DICOM allows efficient access and prompt availability of WSI data as well as associated metadata. By leveraging a wealth of existing infrastructure solutions, the use of DICOM facilitates enterprise integration and data exchange for digital pathology. In the future, the DICOM standard will have to address several issues due to the way samples are gathered and encompassing new imaging technologies

Versatility in the biological behavior of two aminobenzoate oxidovanadium (V, IV) compounds. Inhibition or simulation of enzymes

The pharmacological potential of vanadium compounds is of great interest to researchers in treatments of various diseases (diabetes, cancer, tropical endemic diseases, etc.). On the basis of the potential biological/pharmacological applications, in this work we have synthesized and physico-chemically characterized, two new complexes containing vanadium (IV) and (V) with 4-aminobenzoic acid as the ligand (L)

Genotype and phenotype landscape of MEN2 in 554 medullary thyroid cancer patients: the BrasMEN study

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by RET gene germline mutations that is characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) associated with other endocrine tumors. Several reports have demonstrated that the RET mutation profile may vary according to the geographical area. In this study, we collected clinical and molecular data from 554 patients with surgically confirmed MTC from 176 families with MEN2 in 18 different Brazili an centers to compare the type and prevalence of RET mutations with those from other countries. The most frequent mutations, classified by the number of families affected, occur in codon 634, exon 11 (76 families), followed by codon 918, exon 16 (34 families: 26 with M918T and 8 with M918V) and codon 804, exon 14 (22 families: 15 with V804M and 7 with V804L). When compared with other major published series from Europe, there are several similarities and some differences. While the mutations in codons C618, C620, C630, E768 and S891 present a similar prevalence, some mutations have a lower prevalence in Brazil, and others are found mainly in Brazil (G533C and M918V). These results reflect the singular proportion of European, Amerindian and African ancestries in the Brazilian mosaic genome83289298CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL - FAPERGSSem informaçãoSem informação2006/60402-1; 2010/51547-1; 2013/01476-9; 2014/06570-6; 2009/50575-4; 2010/51546-5; 2012/21942-116/2551-0000482-

ZikaPLAN: addressing the knowledge gaps and working towards a research preparedness network in the Americas.

Zika Preparedness Latin American Network (ZikaPLAN) is a research consortium funded by the European Commission to address the research gaps in combating Zika and to establish a sustainable network with research capacity building in the Americas. Here we present a report on ZikaPLAN`s mid-term achievements since its initiation in October 2016 to June 2019, illustrating the research objectives of the 15 work packages ranging from virology, diagnostics, entomology and vector control, modelling to clinical cohort studies in pregnant women and neonates, as well as studies on the neurological complications of Zika infections in adolescents and adults. For example, the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS) has set up more than 10 clinical sites in Colombia. Through the Butantan Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial, we have access to samples of 17,000 subjects in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil. To address the lack of access to clinical samples for diagnostic evaluation, ZikaPLAN set up a network of quality sites with access to well-characterized clinical specimens and capacity for independent evaluations. The International Committee for Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Tools was formed with global representation from regional networks conducting birth defects surveillance. We have collated a comprehensive inventory of resources and tools for birth defects surveillance, and developed an App for low resource regions facilitating the coding and description of all major externally visible congenital anomalies including congenital Zika syndrome. Research Capacity Network (REDe) is a shared and open resource centre where researchers and health workers can access tools, resources and support, enabling better and more research in the region. Addressing the gap in research capacity in LMICs is pivotal in ensuring broad-based systems to be prepared for the next outbreak. Our shared and open research space through REDe will be used to maximize the transfer of research into practice by summarizing the research output and by hosting the tools, resources, guidance and recommendations generated by these studies. Leveraging on the research from this consortium, we are working towards a research preparedness network

Latitude dictates plant diversity effects on instream decomposition

Running waters contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes through decomposition of terrestrial plant litter by aquatic microorganisms and detritivores. Diversity of this litter may influence instream decomposition globally in ways that are not yet understood. We investigated latitudinal differences in decomposition of litter mixtures of low and high functional diversity in 40 streams on 6 continents and spanning 113 degrees of latitude. Despite important variability in our dataset, we found latitudinal differences in the effect of litter functional diversity on decomposition, which we explained as evolutionary adaptations of litter-consuming detritivores to resource availability. Specifically, a balanced diet effect appears to operate at lower latitudes versus a resource concentration effect at higher latitudes. The latitudinal pattern indicates that loss of plant functional diversity will have different consequences on carbon fluxes across the globe, with greater repercussions likely at low latitudes