Particle Competition and Cooperation in Networks for Semi-Supervised Learning

Semi-supervised learning is one of the important topics in machine learning, concerning with pattern classification where only a small subset of data is labeled. In this paper, a new network-based (or graph-based) semi-supervised classification model is proposed. It employs a combined random-greedy walk of particles, with competition and cooperation mechanisms, to propagate class labels to the whole network. Due to the competition mechanism, the proposed model has a local label spreading fashion, i.e., each particle only visits a portion of nodes potentially belonging to it, while it is not allowed to visit those nodes definitely occupied by particles of other classes. In this way, a "divide-and-conquer" effect is naturally embedded in the model. As a result, the proposed model can achieve a good classification rate while exhibiting low computational complexity order in comparison to other network-based semi-supervised algorithms. Computer simulations carried out for synthetic and real-world data sets provide a numeric quantification of the performance of the method.

Pretherapeutic Expression of the hOCT1 Gene Predicts a Complete Molecular Response to Imatinib Mesylate in Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

In this retrospective study we evaluated the pretherapeutic mRNA expression of the hOCT1 (human organic cation transporter 1) gene in patients with chronic-phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who varied in terms of their response to imatinib (IM). hOCT1 mRNA was quantified by real-time PCR. Patients were classified as expressing either high (n = 44) or low hOCT1 mRNA (n = 44). The complete cytogenetic response rates observed at 6, 12 and 18 months were 47.7, 84.1 and 91%, respectively, in patients with high hOCT1 mRNA and 47.5, 81.8 and 86.3%, respectively, in patients with low hOCT1 transcripts. The major molecular response rates were not significantly different between patients with high and low hOCT1 mRNA after 6 months of therapy (22.7 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.07), but they were significantly different after 12 months (54.5 vs. 31.8%; p = 0.026) and 18 months (77.2 vs. 56.8%; p = 0.034). Complete molecular responses were observed in 5 patients with low and 17 patients with high hOCT1 mRNA (p = 0.003). The 5-year event-free and overall survival analyses revealed no significant differences between the groups. These data imply that knowledge of the pretherapeutic level of hOCT1 could be a useful marker to predict IM therapy outcome in treatment-naive CP CML patients. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Resting heart rate as a predictor of metabolic dysfunctions in obese children and adolescents

Background: Recent studies have identified that a higher resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with elevated blood pressure, independent of body fatness, age and ethnicity. However, it is still unclear whether RHR can also be applied as a screening for other risk factors, such as hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Thus, the purpose of the presented study was to analyze the association between RHR, lipid profile and fasting glucose in obese children and adolescents. Methods: The sample was composed of 180 obese children and adolescents, aged between 7-16 years. Whole-body and segmental body composition were estimated by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Resting heart rate (RHR) was measured by heart rate monitors. The fasting blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and glucose, using the colorimetric method. Results: Fasting glucose, TC, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and RHR were similar in both genders. The group of obese subjects with a higher RHR presented, at a lower age, higher triglycerides and TC. There was a significant relationship between RHR, triglycerides and TC. In the multivariate model, triglycerides and TC maintained a significant relationship with RHR independent of age, gender, general and trunk adiposity. The ROC curve indicated that RHR has a high potential for screening elevated total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Elevated RHR has the potential to identify subjects at an increased risk of atherosclerosis development.

The occupational roles of women with anorexia nervosa

This study's objective was to understand how occupational roles of individuals with anorexia nervosa are configured. The sample was composed of a control group and 11 adult women with anorexia nervosa being cared for by the Eating Disorders Care Group in a hospital in Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected and the Role Checklist was applied. The results revealed a significant loss of roles for women with anorexia nervosa in relation to the performance of the roles worker, friend, and amateur/hobbyist, supporting the idea that psychosocial harm may arise from this eating disorder. The evaluation of occupational roles in the treatment of eating disorders is an important strategy for planning Occupational Therapy activities and supporting the creation of healthier spaces to enable individuals to resume occupational roles, and acquire independence and autonomy.

Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.

Anatomical and ultrastructural analyses of in vitro organogenesis from root explants of commercial passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)

This study aimed to characterize the anatomical events and ultrastructural aspects of direct and indirect in vitro organogenesis in Passiflora edulis. Root explants were cultured on induction medium, supplemented with 4.44 mu M 6-benzyladenine. Roots at different stages of development were collected and processed for observation by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Patterns of direct and indirect regeneration were observed in the explants. During direct organogenesis, the organogenic buds and nodules, formed from meristemoids, originated from the pericycle regions distant from the cut surface. Completely differentiated buds were observed after 20 days of culture. During indirect organogenesis, bud formation occurred via meristemoids at the periphery of the calli, which differentiated from the cortical region of the initial explant. Regardless of the regeneration pattern, the meristemoids had similar ultrastructural characteristics; however, differences were reported in the nuclear shape of the cells of the meristemoids formed directly and indirectly. This study provides important information for enhancing the understanding and characterization of the organogenic process in non-meristematic explants and provides information on the use of roots as explants in genetic transformation protocols for this important tropical species.

The protective effect of Canova homeopathic medicine in cyclophosphamide-treated non-human primates

Background: Canova activates macrophages and indirectly induces lymphocyte proliferation. Here we evaluated the effects of Canova in cyclophosphamide-treated non-human primates. Methods: Twelve Cebus apella were evaluated. Four animals were treated with Canova only. Eight animals were treated with two doses of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg) and four of these animals received Canova. Body weight, biochemistry and hematologic analyses were performed for 40 days. Micronucleus and comet assays were performed for the evaluation of DNA damage. Results: We observed that cyclophosphamide induced abnormal WBC count in all animals. However, the group treated with cyclophosphamide plus Canova presented a higher leukocyte count than that which received only cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide induced micronucleus and DNA damage in all animals. The frequency of these alterations was significantly lower in the Canova group than in the group without this medicine. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that Canova treatment minimizes cyclophosphamide myelotoxicity in C. apella. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential Proteomic Analysis of Noncardia Gastric Cancer from Individuals of Northern Brazil

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The identification of new cancer biomarkers is necessary to reduce the mortality rates through the development of new screening assays and early diagnosis, as well as new target therapies. In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis of noncardia gastric neoplasias of individuals from Northern Brazil. The proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. For the identification of differentially expressed proteins, we used statistical tests with bootstrapping resampling to control the type I error in the multiple comparison analyses. We identified 111 proteins involved in gastric carcinogenesis. The computational analysis revealed several proteins involved in the energy production processes and reinforced the Warburg effect in gastric cancer. ENO1 and HSPB1 expression were further evaluated. ENO1 was selected due to its role in aerobic glycolysis that may contribute to the Warburg effect. Although we observed two up-regulated spots of ENO1 in the proteomic analysis, the mean expression of ENO1 was reduced in gastric tumors by western blot. However, mean ENO1 expression seems to increase in more invasive tumors. This lack of correlation between proteomic and western blot analyses may be due to the presence of other ENO1 spots that present a slightly reduced expression, but with a high impact in the mean protein expression. In neoplasias, HSPB1 is induced by cellular stress to protect cells against apoptosis. In the present study, HSPB1 presented an elevated protein and mRNA expression in a subset of gastric cancer samples. However, no association was observed between HSPB1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Here, we identified several possible biomarkers of gastric cancer in individuals from Northern Brazil. These biomarkers may be useful for the assessment of prognosis and stratification for therapy if validated in larger clinical study sets.

Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.

Lipid fingerprinting in women with early-onset preeclampsia: A first look

Objectives: The aim of this preliminary study was to characterize the plasma lipid profiling of women with preeclampsia. Design and methods: Plasma samples of 8 pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia and 8 normal pregnant women were evaluated. Lipids were extracted from plasma using the Bligh-Dyer protocol. The extracts were subjected to MALDI-MS. Data matrix was exported for partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and a parameter VIP was employed to reflect the variable importance in the discriminant analysis. The major discriminant variables were selected and underwent to Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 1290 ions were initially identified and twelve m/z signals were highlighted as the most important lipids for the discrimination of patients with preeclampsia. The identification of these differential lipids was carried out through Lipid Database Search. Conclusions: The main classes identified were glycerophosphocholines [GP01], glycerophosphoserines [GP03], glycerophosphoglycerols [GP04], glycosyldiradylglycerols [GL05] and glycerophosphates [GP10]. (C) 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The spider acylpolyamine Mygalin is a potent modulator of innate immune responses

Mygalin is an antibacterial molecule isolated froth the hemocytes of the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. It was identified as bis-acylpolyamine spermidine. We evaluated the modulator effects of synthetic Mygalin in the innate immune response. We demonstrate that Mygalin induces IFN-gamma synthesis by splenocytes increasing the nitrite secretion by splenocytes and macrophages. A specific inhibitor of iNOS abrogated Mygalin-induced nitrite production in macrophages independent of IFN-gamma activation. In addition, Mygalin-activated macrophages produced TNF-alpha but not IL-1 beta, demonstrating that Mygalin does not act directly on the inflammasome. Furthermore, this compound did not affect spontaneous or Concanavalin A-induced proliferative responses by murine splenocytes and did not induce IL-5 or apoptosis of splenocytes or bone marrow-derived macrophages. These data provide evidence that Mygalin modulates the innate immune response by inducing IFN-gamma and NO synthesis. The combined immune regulatory and antibacterial qualities of Mygalin should be explored as a strategy to enhance immune responses in infection. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biotechnological Utilization of Biodiesel-Derived Glycerol for the Production of Ribonucleotides and Microbial Biomass

Ten yeast strains were evaluated concerning their capabilities to assimilate biodiesel-derived glycerol in batch cultivation. The influence of glycerol concentration, temperature, pH and yeast extract concentration on biomass production was studied for the yeast selected. Further, the effect of agitation on glycerol utilization by the yeast Hansenula anomala was also studied. The yeast H. anomala CCT 2648 showed the highest biomass yield (0.30 g g(-1)) and productivity (0.19 g L-1 h(-1)). Citric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid and ethanol were found as the main metabolites produced. The increase of yeast extract concentration from 1 to 3 g L-1 resulted in high biomass production. The highest biomass concentration (21 g L-1), yield (0.45 g g(-1)) and productivity (0.31 g L-1 h(-1)), as well as ribonucleotide production (13.13 mg g(-1)), were observed at 700 rpm and 0.5 vvm. These results demonstrated that glycerol from biodiesel production process showed to be a feasible substrate for producing biomass and ribonucleotides by yeast species.

Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Injection and Reinjection on Healing in the Rabbit Vocal Fold

Objectives/Hypothesis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide that plays various roles in embryogenesis and tissue regeneration and exhibits marked antifibrotic activity. The present study sought to assess the effects of HGF injection and reinjection coinciding with its peak of activity on collagen density, vessel density, inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria, and mean epithelial thickness in the injured rabbit vocal fold. Study Design. Prospective, controlled, experimental animal study. Methods. Fourteen rabbits were subdivided into two groups and underwent injury of the vocal folds. Immediately after injury, animals in group 1 received HGF injections into the right vocal fold (RVF), whereas those in group 2 received bilateral HGF injections and a single reinjection into the RVF 10 days after the first, to coincide with the peak of HGF activity. The left vocal folds (LVFs) served as controls in both groups. Histological assessment of laryngeal specimens was performed at 30 and 40 days, respectively. Results. In both groups, collagen density was lower in the right (treated) vocal folds than in the left (control) folds (P = 0.018). Vessel density was higher in the RVFs in group 2 (P = 0.018). Differences were found in mean epithelial thickness and inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. In the scarred rabbit vocal fold, HGF injection is associated with decreased collagen density in the lamina propria, whereas reinjection after 10 days produces decreased collagen density and higher vessel density.

Somatic embryogenesis of a wild passion fruit species Passiflora cincinnata Masters: histocytological and histochemical evidences

The characterization of cellular changes that occur during somatic embryogenesis is essential for understanding the factors involved in the transition of somatic cells into embryogenically competent cells and determination of cells and/or tissues involved. The present study describes the anatomical and ultrastructural events that lead to the formation of somatic embryos in the model system of the wild passion fruit (Passiflora cincinnata). Mature zygotic embryos were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog induction media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzyladenine. Zygotic embryo explants at different development stages were collected and processed by conventional methods for studies using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histochemical tests were used to examine the mobilization of reserves. The differentiation of the somatic embryos began in the abaxial side of the cotyledon region. Protuberances were formed from the meristematic proliferation of the epidermal and mesophyll cells. These cells had large nuclei, dense cytoplasm with a predominance of mitochondria, and a few reserve compounds. The protuberances extended throughout the abaxial surface of the cotyledons. The ongoing differentiation of peripheral cells of these structures led to the formation of proembryogenic zones, which, in turn, dedifferentiated into somatic embryos of multicellular origin. In the initial stages of embryogenesis, the epidermal and mesophyll cells showed starch grains and less lipids and protein reserves than the starting explant. These results provide detailed information on anatomical and ultrastructural changes involved in the acquisition of embryogenic competence and embryo differentiation that has been lacking so far in Passiflora.

Identification of Urban Leprosy Clusters

Overpopulation of urban areas results from constant migrations that cause disordered urban growth, constituting clusters defined as sets of people or activities concentrated in relatively small physical spaces that often involve precarious conditions. Aim. Using residential grouping, the aim was to identify possible clusters of individuals in São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, who have or have had leprosy. Methods. A population-based, descriptive, ecological study using the MapInfo and CrimeStat techniques, geoprocessing, and space-time analysis evaluated the location of 425 people treated for leprosy between 1998 and 2010. Clusters were defined as concentrations of at least 8 people with leprosy; a distance of up to 300 meters between residences was adopted. Additionally, the year of starting treatment and the clinical forms of the disease were analyzed. Results. Ninety-eight (23.1%) of 425 geocoded cases were located within one of ten clusters identified in this study, and 129 cases (30.3%) were in the region of a second-order cluster, an area considered of high risk for the disease. Conclusion.This study identified ten clusters of leprosy cases in the city and identified an area of high risk for the appearance of new cases of the disease.