3D shape analysis to reduce false positives for lung nodule detection systems.

Using images from the Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC-IDRI), we developed a methodology for classifying lung nodules. The proposed methodology uses image processing and pattern recognition techniques. To classify volumes of interest into nodules and non-nodules, we used shape measurements only, analyzing their shape using shape diagrams, proportion measurements, and a cylinder-based analysis.

Computer-aided diagnosis system for lung nodules based on computed tomography using shape analysis, a genetic algorithm, and SVM.

Lung cancer is the major cause of death among patients with cancer worldwide. This work is intended to develop a methodology for the diagnosis of lung nodules using images from the Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC-IDRI). The proposed methodology uses image processing and pattern recognition techniques.

Gastric wall changes after intragastric balloon placement: a preliminary experience.

Objective: : to evaluate the thickness of the gastric wall at the time of intra gastric balloon (IGB) placement, at the time of its withdrawal and one month after withdrawal.

Methods: : fifteen morbidly obese patients underwent the introduction of IGB under general anesthesia. In all patients, there was infusion of 500ml of distilled water in the balloon for the test.

Voxel-based comparative analysis of lung lesions in CT for therapeutic purposes.

Lung cancer remains as one of the most incident types of cancer throughout the world. Temporal evaluation has become a very useful tool when one wishes to analyze some malignancy-indicating behavior. The objective of the present work is to detect changes in the local densities of lung lesions over time (follow-up analysis).

Biodiesel from soybean promotes cell proliferation in vitro.

Toxicological responses of exhaust emissions of biodiesel are different due to variation in methods of generation and the tested biological models. A chemical profile was generated using ICP-MS and GC-MS for the biodiesel samples obtained in Brazil. A cytotoxicity assay and cytokine secretion experiments were evaluated in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B).

Evolving Spiking Neural Networks for Recognition of Aged Voices.

The aging of the voice, known as presbyphonia, is a natural process that can cause great change in vocal quality of the individual. This is a relevant problem to those people who use their voices professionally, and its early identification can help determine a suitable treatment to avoid its progress or even to eliminate the problem. This work focuses on the development of a new model for the identification of aging voices (independently of their chronological age), using as input attributes parameters extracted from the voice and glottal signals.

Differential metallothionein, reduced glutathione and metal levels in Perna perna mussels in two environmentally impacted tropical bays in southeastern Brazil.

Mussel farming is an important economic activity in Brazil, and these organisms are consumed by the majority of the population in most coastal zones in the country. However, despite the increasing pollution of aquatic ecosystems in Brazil, little is known about the biochemical activity in mussels in response to metal exposure. In this context, the aim of the present study was to investigate metal and metalloid exposure effects in Perna perna mussels, by determining metal levels, the induction of metallothionein (MT) synthesis, and oxidative stress, in the form of reduced glutathione (GSH) in 3 contaminated areas from the Guanabara Bay in comparison to a reference site, Ilha Grande Bay, both in summer and winter.

Associations among environmental exposure to manganese, neuropsychological performance, oxidative damage and kidney biomarkers in children.

Environmental exposure to manganese (Mn) results in several toxic effects, mainly neurotoxicity. This study investigated associations among Mn exposure, neuropsychological performance, biomarkers of oxidative damage and early kidney dysfunction in children aged 6-12 years old. Sixty-three children were enrolled in this study, being 43 from a rural area and 20 from an urban area.

A dendritic organization of lateral amygdala neurons in fear susceptible and resistant mice.

Subtle differences in neuronal microanatomy may be coded in individuals with genetic susceptibility for neuropsychiatric disorders. Genetic susceptibility is a significant risk factor in the development of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pavlovian fear conditioning has been proposed to model key aspects of PTSD.

Evaluating the Cassandra NoSQL Database Approach for Genomic Data Persistency.

Rapid advances in high-throughput sequencing techniques have created interesting computational challenges in bioinformatics. One of them refers to management of massive amounts of data generated by automatic sequencers. We need to deal with the persistency of genomic data, particularly storing and analyzing these large-scale processed data.

Analysis and Classification of Voice Pathologies Using Glottal Signal Parameters.

The classification of voice diseases has many applications in health, in diseases treatment, and in the design of new medical equipment for helping doctors in diagnosing pathologies related to the voice. This work uses the parameters of the glottal signal to help the identification of two types of voice disorders related to the pathologies of the vocal folds: nodule and unilateral paralysis. The parameters of the glottal signal are obtained through a known inverse filtering method, and they are used as inputs to an Artificial Neural Network, a Support Vector Machine, and also to a Hidden Markov Model, to obtain the classification, and to compare the results, of the voice signals into three different groups: speakers with nodule in the vocal folds; speakers with unilateral paralysis of the vocal folds; and speakers with normal voices, that is, without nodule or unilateral paralysis present in the vocal folds.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Brazil Nuts on Microvascular Endothelial Function in Hypertensive and Dyslipidemic Patients: A Randomized Crossover Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GBNs on microvascular endothelial function in hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients.

Methods: Ninety-one patients of both sexes aged 62.1 ± 9.

Biomonitoring of metals for air pollution assessment using a hemiepiphyte herb (Struthanthus flexicaulis).

This work presents first results on elemental characterization of a parasite plant, Struthanthus flexicaulis, collected in urban, industrial and rural areas of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, in order to evaluate this plant as a biomonitor of metals pollution. The results were also compared to those obtained for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collected from filters in nearby locales.

Surgical planning for horizontal strabismus using Support Vector Regression.

Strabismus is a pathology which affects about 4% of the population, causing esthetic problems (reversible at any age) and irreversible sensory disorders, altering the vision mechanism. Many techniques can be applied to settle the muscular balance, thus eliminating strabismus. However, when the conservative treatment is not enough, the surgical treatment is adopted, applying recoils or resections to the ocular muscles affected.

Improvement of antioxidant status after Brazil nut intake in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of partially defatted Granulated Brazil nut (GBN) on biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status of hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients on nutrition and drug approaches.

Methods: Ninety one hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects of both genders (51.6 % men), mean age 62.

Disruption of zinc and copper interactions with Aβ(1-40) by a non-toxic, isoniazid-derived, hydrazone: a novel biometal homeostasis restoring agent in Alzheimer's disease therapy?

Disruptions of biometal-Aβ(1-40) interactions by an isoniazid-derived hydrazone, INHHQ, were demonstrated via in vitro NMR titrations. The compound has adequate theoretical BBB absorption properties, assessed by in silico studies. In vivo acute toxicity assays indicate that INHHQ is innocuous up to 300 mg kg(-1), showing potential as an anti-Alzheimer's drug.

Relationship between blood metals and inflammation in taxi drivers.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a cause of concern in public health worldwide, reinforcing the need for studies related to the identification of potential agents that contribute to the inflammation process and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether metals are associated with inflammatory and kidney damage and could contribute to the atherosclerosis process.

Methods: Blood metals, inflammatory markers, homocysteine, antioxidants and renal markers were measured in 42 taxi drivers and 27 controls (non-occupationally exposed).

Classification of breast regions as mass and non-mass based on digital mammograms using taxonomic indexes and SVM.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world. Several computer-aided detection and diagnosis systems have been used to assist health experts identify suspicious areas that are difficult to perceive with the human eye, thus aiding in the detection and diagnosis of cancer. This work proposes a methodology for the discrimination and classification of regions extracted from mammograms as mass and non-mass.

Effects of in utero and lactational exposure to SbV on rat neurobehavioral development and fertility.

Meglumine antimoniate (MA) is a pentavalent antimony drug used to treat leishmaniases. We investigated the neurobehavioral development, sexual maturation and fertility of the offspring of MA-treated rats. Dams were administered MA (0, 75, 150, 300 mg Sb(V)/kg body wt/d, sc) from gestation day 0, throughout parturition and lactation, until weaning.

Cognitive deficits and ALA-D-inhibition in children exposed to multiple metals.

Children are especially vulnerable to adverse effects of multiple metals exposure. The aim of this study was to assess some metals concentrations such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in whole blood, serum, hair and drinking water samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in rural and urban children. In addition, evaluate the adverse effects of multiple metals exposure on cognitive function and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) activity.

Intelligent multiagent coordination based on reinforcement hierarchical neuro-fuzzy models.

This paper presents the research and development of two hybrid neuro-fuzzy models for the hierarchical coordination of multiple intelligent agents. The main objective of the models is to have multiple agents interact intelligently with each other in complex systems. We developed two new models of coordination for intelligent multiagent systems, which integrates the Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy model with two proposed coordination mechanisms: the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with a market-driven coordination mechanism (MA-RL-HNFP-MD) and the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with graph coordination (MA-RL-HNFP-CG).

Liver δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity is inhibited by neonicotinoids and restored by antioxidant agents.

Neonicotinoids represent the most used class of insecticides worldwide, and their precursor, imidacloprid, is the most widely marketed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of imidacloprid on the activity of hepatic δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), protective effect of potential antioxidants against this potential effect and presence of chemical elements in the constitution of this pesticide. We observed that δ-ALA-D activity was significantly inhibited by imidacloprid at all concentrations tested in a dose-dependent manner.

Are delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase inhibition and metal concentrations additional factors for the age-related cognitive decline?

Aging is often accompanied by cognitive impairments and influenced by oxidative status and chemical imbalances. Thus, this study was conducted to examine whether age-related cognitive deficit is associated with oxidative damage, especially with inhibition of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D), as well as to verify the influence of some metals in the enzyme activity and cognitive performance. Blood ALA-D activity, essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Se) and non-essential metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, V) were measured in 50 elderly and 20 healthy young subjects.

Evaluation of toxic metals and essential elements in children with learning disabilities from a rural area of southern Brazil.

Children's exposure to metals can result in adverse effects such as cognitive function impairments. This study aimed to evaluate some toxic metals and levels of essential trace elements in blood, hair, and drinking water in children from a rural area of Southern Brazil. Cognitive ability and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) activity were evaluated.

Classification of vocal aging using parameters extracted from the glottal signal.

This article proposes and evaluates a method to classify vocal aging using artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM), using the parameters extracted from the speech signal as inputs. For each recorded speech, from a corpus of male and female speakers of different ages, the corresponding glottal signal is obtained using an inverse filtering algorithm. The Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC) also extracted from the voice signal and the features extracted from the glottal signal are supplied to an ANN and an SVM with a previous selection.