Application of artificial neural networks in renal transplantation: classification of nephrotoxicity and acute cellular rejection episodes.

Complications associated with kidney transplantation and immunosuppression can be prevented or treated effectively if diagnosed in the early stages by posttransplant monitoring. One of the major problems is diseases that occur during the first year after kidney transplantation. For this purpose, we used different classifiers to predict events of nephrotoxicity versus acute cellular rejection episodes. The classifiers were evaluated according to values of sensitivity, specificity and area under ROC curves (RCA). The classifier with better accuracy rate for nephrotoxicity achieved the value of 75.68% and RCA classifier reached the accuracy of 80.89%. These results are encouraging, with rates of accuracy and error consistent with work purpose.

Exercício físico versus programa de exercício pela eletroestimulação com aparelhos de uso doméstico / Physical exercise versus exercise program using electrical stimulation devices for home use

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da eletroestimulação por aparelhos de uso doméstico sobre o condicionamento neuromuscular. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 20 mulheres voluntárias, sedentárias, destras, com idades entre 18 a 25 anos em Maceió, estado de Alagoas, em 2006. As mulheres foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: as do grupo A foram submetidas a eletroestimulação passiva com aparelhos comerciais e as do grupo B, a exercício físico com resistência. O programa de treinamento dos grupos totalizou 16 sessões em dois meses, com duas sessões semanais. As comparações do peso corporal, da cirtometria, fleximetria, e da força muscular antes e após os exercícios, foram utilizadas utilizando-se o teste T pareado. Nas comparações entre os grupos A e B, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A comparação da força muscular medida de forma subjetiva antes e após cada um dos procedimentos, mostrou que ocorreu aumento da força em ambos os grupos. Foram observados aumentos significantes na massa e na força muscular apenas nos indivíduos que realizaram exercício voluntário. O exercício físico resistido de flexo-extensão dos joelhos foi efetivo em aumentar massa e força muscular, ao contrário das sessões de eletroestimulação com correntes de freqüência de pulsos de 87 Hz, que não tiveram o mesmo efeito. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados encontrados mostraram que os aparelhos de eletroestimulação para ganho passivo de condicionamento físico comercializados são menos eficientes do que a prática de exercício físico voluntário.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electrical muscle stimulation with devices for home use on neuromuscular conditioning. METHODS: The study sample comprised 20 sedentary, right-handed, voluntary women aged from 18 to 25 years in the city of Maceió, Northeastern Brazil, in 2006. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: group A included women who underwent muscle stimulation using commercial electrical devices; group B included those women who performed physical activities with loads. The training program for both groups consisted of two weekly sessions for two months, in a total of 16 sessions. Comparisons of body weight, cirtometry, fleximetry, and muscle strength before and after exercise were determined using the paired t-test. For the comparisons between both groups, Student's t-test was used and a 5 percent significance level was adopted. RESULTS: Muscle strength subjectively assessed before and after each intervention was increased in both groups. Significant increases in muscle mass and strength were seen only in those subjects who performed voluntary physical activity. Resisted knee flexion and extension exercises effectively increased muscle mass and strength when compared to electrical stimulation at 87 Hz which did not produce a similar effect. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that electrical stimulation devices for passive physical exercising commercially available are less effective than voluntary physical exercise.

[Physical exercise versus exercise program using electrical stimulation devices for home use]. / Exercício físico versus programa de exercício pela eletroestimulação com aparelhos de uso doméstico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electrical muscle stimulation with devices for home use on neuromuscular conditioning. METHODS: The study sample comprised 20 sedentary, right-handed, voluntary women aged from 18 to 25 years in the city of Maceió, Northeastern Brazil, in 2006. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: group A included women who underwent muscle stimulation using commercial electrical devices; group B included those women who performed physical activities with loads. The training program for both groups consisted of two weekly sessions for two months, in a total of 16 sessions. Comparisons of body weight, cirtometry, fleximetry, and muscle strength before and after exercise were determined using the paired t-test. For the comparisons between both groups, Student's t-test was used and a 5% significance level was adopted. RESULTS: Muscle strength subjectively assessed before and after each intervention was increased in both groups. Significant increases in muscle mass and strength were seen only in those subjects who performed voluntary physical activity. Resisted knee flexion and extension exercises effectively increased muscle mass and strength when compared to electrical stimulation at 87 Hz which did not produce a similar effect. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that electrical stimulation devices for passive physical exercising commercially available are less effective than voluntary physical exercise.

Câmara de ionizaçäo com ar comprimido e parede de alumínio para dosimetria em leventamento radiométrico / Pressurized air ionization chamber and aluminium walls for dosimetry in radiometric survey

Uma câmara de ionização de 23 cm3 com ar comprimido e parede de alumínio foi construída e apresenta sensibilidade uma ordem de grandeza maior quando comparada a câmaras de mesmo volume à pressão ambiente. A utilização de ar a uma pressão 2500 KPa minimiza sua dependência energética que se mantém menor que 5 por cento para energias de fótons na faixa de 40 KeV a 1.250 KeV. Esta câmara apresenta melhor desempenho do que as câmaras convencionais em medidas de baixas taxas de exposição.