Optimized bi-dimensional data projection for clustering visualization

We propose a new method to project n-dimensional data onto two dimensions, for visualization purposes. Our goal is to produce a bi-dimensional representation that better separate existing clusters. Accordingly, to generate this projection we apply Differential Evolution as a meta-heuristic to optimize a divergence measure of the projected data. This divergence measure is based on the Cauchy–Schwartz divergence, extended for multiple classes. It accounts for the separability of the clusters in the projected space using the Renyi entropy and Information Theoretical Clustering analysis. We test the proposed method on two synthetic and five real world data sets, obtaining well separated projected clusters in two dimensions. These results were compared with results generated by PCA and a recent likelihood based visualization method

Sward structure and herbage accumulation in Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Xaraés in response to strategies of grazing

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronômico do capim-xaraés [Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Xaraés] em resposta a três estratégias de pastejo rotacionado: uma baseada no calendário (pastejo a cada 28 dias) e duas em função da interceptação luminosa (IL) pelo dossel (pastejo iniciado a 95% ou 100% de IL). No tratamento 95% de IL, a altura média pré-pastejo foi 29,5 cm; no 100% de IL, foi 41,6 cm e no 28 dias, 34,2 cm. A altura média pós-pastejo foi 14,6 cm em todos os tratamentos, e correspondeu a um índice de área foliar médio de 0,73, IL de 42% e ângulo da folhagem de 65,2º. No pré-pastejo, o ângulo da folhagem não variou com as estratégias de pastejo e correspondeu a um valor médio de 41,6º. A altura do dossel e a IL correspondente ao longo da rebrotação estiveram correlacionadas em todos os tratamentos. O tratamento 100% de IL resultou em maior intervalo entre pastejos e maior acúmulo de forragem em relação aos tratamentos 95% de IL e 28 dias de descanso, porém essa maior produção foi alcançada por meio de maiores quantidades acumuladas de colmos e de material morto.The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of Xaraés palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf cv. Xaraés] in response to rotational grazing managements defined by either pre-graze canopy light interception (LI) or calendar days. Mean pre-graze sward height was 29.5 cm for the 95% LI pastures, 41.6 cm for 100% LI, and 34.2 cm for the 28-day schedule. Mean post-graze sward height was 14.6 cm across treatments, which corresponded to a mean 0.73 leaf area index, 42% LI and 65.2º foliage angle. At pre-graze, foliage angles were not affected by grazing management (mean = 41.6º). Sward height and LI were highly correlated across treatments. Grazing at 100% LI resulted in longer intervals between grazings and higher herbage accumulation than the other two treatments, although this higher accumulation corresponded mainly to large amounts of stem and dead material

Ultrasound measures of Nellore cattle supplemented of yeast and probiotic in the north of Mato Grosso.

The search for better results on the performance and carcass traits of cattle under grazing has required efforts in the elaboration of diets that satisfy them both the producer and the consumer; therefore, the supplementation of grazing cattle is one of the main strategies for the intensification of systems. It is important to identify the effects of dietary supplementation on bovine growth through ultrasound imaging, which in addition to being an indication of the carcass composition allows estimation of the thickness of subcutaneous fat, as it helps to protect the carcass cold shortening. The objective of this study was to evaluate bovine carcass alterations, by means of ultrasound images, finished with pasture with additives supplementation. Twenty-eight noncastrated males of the Nellore breed were randomly divided into four supplementation groups (Group 1 = Urea; Group 2 = Urea + Optygen; Group 3 = Group 2 + Yeasts; and Group 4 = Group 3 + Probiotic). The experimental area used was of eight hectares, with Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, subdivided into four pens. The experiment lasted for 98 days, with 14 initial days of adaptation and the remainder subdivided into three sub-periods of 28 days, with the performance of ultrasonic readings at the end of each sub-period. For the measurement of the rib eye area (REA) and the subcutaneous fat thickness of loin (SFTL), images were taken between the 12th and 13th ribs, transversal to Musculus longissimus thoracis. For fat thickness of the rump (P8), the images were taken at the junction between M. gluteos medium and M biceps femoris, with the use of vegetable oil as an acoustic coupling. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analyzes System software in a completely randomized design. The animal of Group 3 showed high (P 0.05) was observed among treatments, with general means of 5.53 mm in the end period. It can be concluded that the use of yeasts as an additive in the supplementation of cattle to pasture presented beneficial effects on carcass composition

Low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis persists after seven years of follow up and is associated with a poorer outcome

[EN]Low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis is defined by the presence of very low numbers of circulating clonal B cells, usually phenotypically similar to chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, whose biological and clinical significance remains elusive. Herein, we re-evaluated 65/91 low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis cases (54 chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like and 11 non-chronic lymphocytic leukemialike) followed-up for a median of seven years, using high-sensitivity flow cytometry and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. Overall, the clone size significantly increased in 69% of low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis cases, but only one subject progressed to high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. In parallel, the frequency of cytogenetic alterations increased over time (32% vs. 61% of cases, respectively). The absolute number of the major T-cell and natural killer cell populations also increased, but only among chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like cases with increased clone size vs. age- and sex-matched controls. Although progression to chronic lymphocytic leukemia was not observed, the overall survival of low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis individuals was significantly reduced vs. non-monoclonal Bcell lymphocytosis controls (P=0.03) plus the general population from the same region (P≤0.001), particularly among females (P=0.01); infection and cancer were the main causes of death in low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. In summary, despite the fact that mid-term progression from low-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis to high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia appears to be unlikely, these clones persist at increased numbers, usually carrying more genetic alterations, and might thus be a marker of an impaired immune system indirectly associated with a poorer outcome, particularly among females

Immunophenotypic Analysis of Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia: A EuroFlow Study

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare and heterogeneous subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated the immunophenotypic profile of 72 AMKL and 114 non-AMKL AML patients using the EuroFlow AML panel. Univariate and multivariate/multidimensional analyses were performed to identify most relevant markers contributing to the diagnosis of AMKL. AMKL patients were subdivided into transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome (ML-DS), AML—not otherwise specified with megakaryocytic differentiation (NOS-AMKL), and AMKL—other patients (AML patients with other WHO classification but with flowcytometric features of megakaryocytic differentiation). Flowcytometric analysis showed good discrimination between AMKL and non-AMKL patients based on differential expression of, in particular, CD42a.CD61, CD41, CD42b, HLADR, CD15 and CD13. Combining CD42a.CD61 (positive) and CD13 (negative) resulted in a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 99%. Within AMKL patients, TAM and ML-DS patients showed higher frequencies of immature CD34+/CD117+ leukemic cells as compared to NOS-AMKL and AMKL-Other patients. In addition, ML-DS patients showed a significantly higher expression of CD33, CD11b, CD38 and CD7 as compared to the other three subgroups, allowing for good distinction of these patients. Overall, our data show that the EuroFlow AML panel allows for straightforward diagnosis of AMKL and that ML-DS is associated with a unique immunophenotypic profile.The EuroFlow Consortium received support from the FP6-2004-LIFESCIHEALTH-5 program of the European Commission (grant LSHB-CT-2006-018708) as Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP). The EuroFlow Consortium is part of the European Scientific Foundation for HematoOncology (ESLHO), a Scientific Working Group (SWG) of the European Hematology Association (EHA). The work of C.E.P. and E.S.C. was partially supported by FAPERJ (Grant E26/200.840/2021- CNE; E26/210.379/2018 and E26/110.105/2014); CAPES-PROEX; and CNPq (Grant 306258/2019-6 and 303765/2018-6). M.N. and E.M. were supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant number NU20J-07-00028. S.M. was supported by Acción Estratégica en Salud (AES) (Grant PI21_01115) and the grant of CIBERONC of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, Spain and FONDOS FEDER (no. CB16/12/00400)

PIOMIOSITE TROPICAL COMPLICADA COM OSTEOMIELITE: RELATO DE CASO

RESUMO Piomiosite tropical (PT) é uma doença infecciosa dos músculos esqueléticos que apresenta dor na área envolvida e é acompanhada pela formação de abscessos. A PT geralmente é mais predominante em homens e envolve os grandes músculos da cintura pélvica e extremidades inferiores. Aqui relatamos um caso de um paciente de 16 anos de idade, do sexo masculino que apresentou-se com história de dor e edema em joelho direito de início há 12 dias. As investigações laboratoriais não são específicas e raramente são úteis no diagnóstico de piomiosite. Os exames laboratoriais revelaram leucocitose com desvio à esquerda, VHS  e PCR aumentados e cultura do sangue negativa. Várias modalidades de diagnóstico não invasivo, como USG, TC e RNM, podem ser utilizadas para avaliar pacientes com suspeita de infecção musculo-esquelética. Neste caso, foi utilizado inicialmente USG, que revelou presença de coleção purulenta em proximidade ao fêmur. Após, foi realizada RNM de joelho e coxa direitos, que revelou volumosa coleção líquida junto à superfície óssea do fêmur, associado a osteomielite extensa.Um grande volume de material purulento foi drenado após a incisão cirúrgica da região do abscesso, seguido do desbridamento do tecido muscular necrótico. As culturas do material de abscesso da coxa direita revelaram Staphylococcus aureus com perfil multi-suscetível, resistente apenas a penicilina. O tratamento com antibióticos apresentou boa resposta clínica.   Palavras-chave: Piomiosite tropical; Osteomielite; Reumatologia. ABSTRACT Tropical pyomyositis (TP) is an infectious disease of the skeletal muscles that presents pain in the involved area and is accompanied by the formation of abscesses. TP is generally more prevalent in men and involves the large muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities. Here we report a case of a 16-year-old male patient who presented with a history of pain and edema in the right knee onset 12 days ago. Laboratory investigations are not specific and are rarely useful in the diagnosis of pyomyositis. Laboratory tests revealed left leukocytosis, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein, and negative blood culture. Several non-invasive diagnostic modalities, such as USG, CT and MRI, can be used to evaluate patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection. In our case, USG was initially used, which revealed presence of a purulent collection in proximity to the femur. After that, it was performed knee and thigh right MRI, which revealed a large net collection near the bone surface of the femur, associated with extensive osteomyelitis. A large volume of purulent material was drained after surgical incision of the abscess region, followed by debridement of the tissue necrotic muscle. Cultures of the right thigh abscess material revealed S. aureus with a multi-susceptible profile, resistant only to penicillin. Treatment with antibiotics showed good clinical response. Keywords: Tropical pyomyositis; Osteomyelitis; Rheumatology

Automated database-guided expert-supervised orientation for immunophenotypic diagnosis and classification of acute leukemia

Precise classification of acute leukemia (AL) is crucial for adequate treatment. EuroFlow has previously designed an AL orientation tube (ALOT) to guide towards the relevant classification panel (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML)) and final diagnosis. Now we built a reference database with 656 typical AL samples (145 T-ALL, 377 BCP-ALL, 134 AML), processed and analyzed via standardized protocols. Using principal component analysis (PCA)-based plots and automated classification algorithms for direct comparison of single-cells from individual patients against the database, another 783 cases were subsequently evaluated. Depending on the database-guided results, patients were categorized as: (i) typical T, B or Myeloid without or; (ii) with a transitional component to another lineage; (iii) atypical; or (iv) mixed-lineage. Using this automated algorithm, in 781/783 cases (99.7%) the right panel was selected, and data comparable to the final WHO-diagnosis was already provided in >93% of cases (85% T-ALL, 97% BCP-ALL, 95% AML and 87% mixed-phenotype AL patients), even without data on the full-characterization panels. Our results show that database-guided analysis facilitates standardized interpretation of ALOT results and allows accurate selection of the relevant classification panels, hence providing a solid basis for designing future WHO AL classifications

Pure cerium dioxide preparation for use as spectrochemical standard and analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF ICP-MS)

Ao longo dos anos, o Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP) tem realizado diversas pesquisas na produção de Terras Raras (RE) de alta pureza. A metodologia apresentada neste trabalho refere-se à produção econômica e de baixo custo de óxido de cério. O cério produzido pode ser utilizado como um padrão espectroquímico. A obtenção desse padrão está associada à precipitação fracionada pelo sistema RECl3/NH4OH/Ar/H2O2, para enriquecer o óxido de cério de 90% a 99,99% em CeO2. O controle de qualidade do padrão produzido é feito através da técnica da espectrometria de massas com fonte de plasma (ICP-MS) e confirmado pela técnica da ativação de nêutrons. Os valores das impurezas de Terras Raras no óxido, em ppm são: La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5,3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0,05), Er(1), Tm(<0,05), Yb(11), Lu(19) e Y(2,1), respectivamente. Os valores encontrados das impurezas são comparados aos padrões internacionais e confirmam o alto nível de pureza do óxido de cério produzido no IPEN.For several years, IPEN/CNEN-SP has been working in the separation of the Rare Earth (RE) elements. A simple and economic procedure for the purification of technical grade cerium concentrate is described. The highly pure cerium dioxide is designed to be used as spectrochemical standard. It is obtained by association of the fractional precipitation technique, in the system RECl3/NH4OH/ Air/H2O2, to enrich the cerium up to 90% and then it is upgraded by ion exchange technique to 99.99% CeO2. The quality control warranty was accomplished by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis. The collected values for the accompanying Rare Earth elements in a CeO2 sample are the following (ppm): La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5.3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0.05), Er(1), Tm(<0.05), Yb(11), Lu(19) and Y(2.1), respectively. The purity of this cerium oxide is comparable to the international spectrographic standards