Querying Spatio-temporal Patterns in Mobile Phone-Call Databases

Abstract — Call Detail Record (CDR) databases contain millions of records with information about cell phone calls, including the position of the user when the call was made/received. This huge amount of spatiotemporal data opens the door for the study of human trajectories on a large scale without the bias that other sources (like GPS or WLAN networks) introduce in the population studied. Also, it provides a platform for the development of a wide variety of studies ranging from the spread of diseases to planning of public transport. Nevertheless, previous work on spatiotemporal queries does not provide a framework flexible enough for expressing the complexity of human trajectories. In this paper we present the Spatiotemporal Pattern System (STPS) to query spatiotemporal patterns in very large CDR databases. STPS defines a regular-expression query language that is intuitive and that allows for any combination of spatial and temporal predicates with constraints, including the use of variables. The design of the language took into consideration the layout of the areas being covered by the cellular towers, as well as “areas ” that label places of interested (e.g. neighborhoods, parks, etc) and topological operators. STPS includes an underlying indexing structure and algorithms for query processing using different evaluation strategies. A full implementation of the STPS is currently running with real, very large CDR databases on Telefónica Research Labs. An extensive performance evaluation of the STPS shows that it can efficiently find complex mobility patterns in large CDR databases. I

Is SAPS 3 better than APACHE II at predicting mortality in critically ill transplant patients?

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the accuracy of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 with that of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II at predicting hospital mortality in patients from a transplant intensive care unit. METHOD: A total of 501 patients were enrolled in the study (152 liver transplants, 271 kidney transplants, 54 lung transplants, 24 kidney-pancreas transplants) between May 2006 and January 2007. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 was calculated using the global equation (customized for South America) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score; the scores were calculated within 24 hours of admission. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was generated, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was calculated to identify the patients at the greatest risk of death according to Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used for statistically significant results and indicated a difference in performance over deciles. The standardized mortality ratio was used to estimate the overall model performance. RESULTS: The ability of both scores to predict hospital mortality was poor in the liver and renal transplant groups and average in the lung transplant group (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve = 0.696 for Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and 0.670 for Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II). The calibration of both scores was poor, even after customizing the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 score for South America. CONCLUSIONS: The low predictive accuracy of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores does not warrant the use of these scores in critically ill transplant patients

The fatty acid profiles and energetic substrates of two Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus) strains, Red-Stirling and Chitralada, and their hybrid

Protein and lipid content as well as the fatty acid (FA) composition of storage tissues were analysed in two varieties of Oreochromis niloticus (Red-Stirling and Chitralada) and their hybrid. The animals were maintained in cages for 11 months. The samples were taken when the animals weighed 10, 50, 100, 250 and 500 g. The results showed that changes in the metabolic processes occur during an increase in body mass in both varieties of tilapia and also their hybrid, but that these differences are not found in animals collected at the commercial weight. The protein content of the fillet and liver decreased with growth and the same protein content associated with growth was found for fillet lipid content. The genetic variety did not influence the FA profile of the fillet, but different genotypes had different hepatic FA compositions. Even with the same lipid content, the hepatocytes of Chitralada accumulated higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n6 in triglycerides and increased C22:6n3 in the hepatocyte membranes. The higher n6PUFA content was compensated by a lower fraction of saturated FA in the hepatocyte triglycerides. The skin of Chitralada also had higher n6PUFA and C22:6n3 contents, suggesting a higher ability to deposit PUFA in the skin due to alterations in the liver synthetic pathway.FAPESPFAPESP [01/08416-4

Efeito do congelamento na contagem de Salmonella enteritidis pelo método do NMP em cecos de frango de corte

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Role of estrogen related receptor beta (ESRRB) in DFN35B hearing impairment and dental decay

BACKGROUND: Congenital forms of hearing impairment can be caused by mutations in the estrogen related receptor beta (ESRRB) gene. Our initial linkage studies suggested the ESRRB locus is linked to high caries experience in humans. METHODS: We tested for association between the ESRRB locus and dental caries in 1,731 subjects, if ESRRB was expressed in whole saliva, if ESRRB was associated with the microhardness of the dental enamel, and if ESRRB was expressed during enamel development of mice. RESULTS: Two families with recessive ESRRB mutations and DFNB35 hearing impairment showed more extensive dental destruction by caries. Expression levels of ESRRB in whole saliva samples showed differences depending on sex and dental caries experience. CONCLUSIONS: The common etiology of dental caries and hearing impairment provides a venue to assist in the identification of individuals at risk to either condition and provides options for the development of new caries prevention strategies, if the associated ESRRB genetic variants are correlated with efficacy.Fil: Weber, Megan L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Hsin, Hong Yuan. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Kalay, Ersan. Karadeniz Technical University; TurquíaFil: Brožková, Dana Š. Charles University; República Checa. University Hospital Motol; República ChecaFil: Shimizu, Takehiko. Nihon University. School of Dentistry; JapónFil: Bayram, Merve. Medipol Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Deeley, Kathleen. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Küchler, Erika C.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Forella, Jessalyn. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Ruff, Timothy D.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Trombetta, Vanessa M.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Sencak, Regina C.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Hummel, Michael. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Briseño Ruiz, Jessica. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Revu, Shankar K.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Granjeiro, José M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Antunes, Leonardo S.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Antunes, Livia A.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Abreu, Fernanda V.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Costabel, Marcelo C.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Tannure, Patricia N.. Veiga de Almeida University; Brasil. Salgado de Oliveira University; BrasilFil: Koruyucu, Mine. Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Patir, Asli. Medipol Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Poletta, Fernando Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mereb, Juan C.. Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas; ArgentinaFil: Castilla, Eduardo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Orioli, Iêda M.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Marazita, Mary L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Ouyang, Hongjiao. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Jayaraman, Thottala. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Seymen, Figen. Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Vieira, Alexandre R.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unido

Serological and molecular evidence of hepadnavirus infection in swine

Introduction and objective Recently, investigations in a swine herd identified evidence of the existence of a novel member of the Hepadnavirus family endemic in swine. The aim of this study was to investigate the serological and molecular markers of Hepadnavirus circulation in Brazilian domestic swine and wild boar herds, and to evaluate the identity with HBV and other Hepadnaviruses reported previously. Material and Methods For the study, 376 swine were screened for hepatitis B virus serological markers. Analyses were performed in serum samples using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (DiaSorin®) for anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs. Reactive and undetermined swine serum samples were selected to perform DNA viral extraction (QIAamp DNA Mini Kit, Qiagen®), partial genome amplification and genome sequencing. Results From 376 swine samples analysed, 28 (7.45%) were reactive to anti-HBc, 3 (0.80%) to HBsAg and 6 (1.6%) to anti-HBs. Besides, more 17 (4.52%) swine samples analyzed were classified in the grey zone of the EIA test to anti-HBc and 2 (0.53%) to HBsAg. From 49 samples molecularly analyzed after serological trial, 4 samples showed a positive result for the qualitative PCR for Hepadnavirus. Phylogenetic reconstruction using partial genome sequencing (360 bp) of 3 samples showed similarity with HBV with 90.8–96.3% of identity. Conclusions Serological and molecular data showed evidence of the circulation of a virus similar to hepatitis B virus in swine

HTLV-1 Tax Specific CD8+ T Cells Express Low Levels of Tim-3 in HTLV-1 Infection: Implications for Progression to Neurological Complications

The T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (Tim-3) receptor is highly expressed on HIV-1-specific T cells, rendering them partially “exhausted” and unable to contribute to the effective immune mediated control of viral replication. To elucidate novel mechanisms contributing to the HTLV-1 neurological complex and its classic neurological presentation called HAM/TSP (HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis), we investigated the expression of the Tim-3 receptor on CD8+ T cells from a cohort of HTLV-1 seropositive asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. Patients diagnosed with HAM/TSP down-regulated Tim-3 expression on both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells compared to asymptomatic patients and HTLV-1 seronegative controls. HTLV-1 Tax-specific, HLA-A*02 restricted CD8+ T cells among HAM/TSP individuals expressed markedly lower levels of Tim-3. We observed Tax expressing cells in both Tim-3+ and Tim-3− fractions. Taken together, these data indicate that there is a systematic downregulation of Tim-3 levels on T cells in HTLV-1 infection, sustaining a profoundly highly active population of potentially pathogenic T cells that may allow for the development of HTLV-1 complications

Aflatoxicose em criação de marrecos no sul do Brasil

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Low iodine diet does not improve the efficacy of radioiodine for the treatment of Graves' disease

ABSTRACT Objective: Consuming a low-iodine diet (LID) is a widely accepted practice before administering radioiodine ( 131 I) to evaluate and to treat thyroid disease. Although this procedure is well established for the management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, its use in patients with benign disease is unclear. So, we aimed to evaluate the influence of a LID on the outcome in patients with Graves' disease (GD) treated with 131 I. Subjects and methods: We evaluated 67 patients with GD who were divided into 2 groups: one group (n = 31) consumed a LID for 1-2 weeks, and the second group (n = 36) was instructed to maintain a regular diet (RD). Results: The LID group experienced a 23% decrease in urinary iodine after 1 week on the diet and a significant 42% decrease after 2 weeks on the diet. The majority (53%) of the patients in the LID group had urinary iodine levels that were consistent with deficient iodine intake. However, there was no difference in the rate of hyperthyroidism's cure between the LID and the RD groups 6 months after 131 I therapy. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy did not differ in patients with varying degrees of sufficient iodine intake (corresponding urinary iodine levels: < 10 μg/dL is deficient; 10-29.9 μg/dL is sufficient; and > 30 μg/dL is excessive). Conclusion: In the present study, we demonstrated that although a LID decreased urinary iodine levels, those levels corresponding with sufficient or a mild excess in iodine intake did not compromise the therapeutic efficacy of 131 I for the treatment of GD. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(6):501-