Hand Resting Tremor Assessment of Healthy and Patients With Parkinson's Disease: An Exploratory Machine Learning Study.

The aim of this study is comparing the accuracies of machine learning algorithms to classify data concerning healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD), toward different time window lengths and a number of features. Thirty-two healthy subjects and eighteen patients with PD took part on this study. The study obtained inertial recordings by using an accelerometer and a gyroscope assessing both hands of the subjects during hand resting state. We extracted time and temporal frequency domain features to feed seven machine learning algorithms: k-nearest-neighbors (kNN); logistic regression; support vector classifier (SVC); linear discriminant analysis; random forest; decision tree; and gaussian Naïve Bayes. The accuracy of the classifiers was compared using different numbers of extracted features (i.e., 272, 190, 136, 82, and 27) from different time window lengths (i.e., 1, 5, 10, and 15 s). The inertial recordings were characterized by oscillatory waveforms that, especially in patients with PD, peaked in a frequency range between 3 and 8 Hz. Outcomes showed that the most important features were the mean frequency, linear prediction coefficients, power ratio, power density skew, and kurtosis. We observed that accuracies calculated in the testing phase were higher than in the training phase. Comparing the testing accuracies, we found significant interactions among time window length and the type of classifier (p < 0.05). The study found significant effects on estimated accuracies, according to their type of algorithm, time window length, and their interaction. kNN presented the highest accuracy, while SVC showed the worst results. kNN feeding by features extracted from 1 and 5 s were the combination with more frequently highest accuracies. Classification using few features led to similar decision of the algorithms. Moreover, performance increased significantly according to the number of features used, reaching a plateau around 136. Finally, the results of this study suggested that kNN was the best algorithm to classify hand resting tremor in patients with PD.

Sleep apnea in Machado-Joseph disease: a clinical and polysomnographic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common type of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Sleep disorders have been described as frequent non-motor symptoms in MJD, and with marked impairment on quality of life. However, few studies have evaluated the frequency and characteristics of sleep apnea in MJD. PATIENTS/METHODS: This study analyzed the prevalence of sleep apnea in 47 patients with MJD by using polysomnography. Clinical variables such as age, age at onset of symptoms, duration of symptoms (at time of evaluation), body index mass, ataxia scales severity and CAG repeat length were compared with polysomnographic findings. RESULTS: Thirty four percent of MJD patients had OSAS, and 42.5% had excessive daytime somnolence. There were no differences considering ataxia severity, CAG repetition length or other clinical variable. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MJD have high frequency of obstructive sleep apnea, and this sleep disorder is not correlated with ataxia severity, CAG repetition length or other clinical variable.

An analysis of the influence of sex hormones on Balb/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Sex steroids can determine several responses in the clinical evolution of malaria. Seventy Balb-c mice were randomly distributed into 7 groups (10 mice per group): G1 to G6 corresponding to castrated females, castrated females that received estradiol cypionate, uncastrated females, castrated males, castrated males that received intramuscular testosterone decanoate and uncastrated males infected with Plasmodium berghei, and G7, the control group. The mice were evaluated with regard to survival, parasitemia, temperature, body weight, hemoglobin level (anemia) and splenic index. Castrated infected females had lower rates of survival. In the castrated male, the administration of testosterone had a negative influence on survival. There was a progressive increase in parasitemia without repercussions for survival. Castration had a significant influence on weight gain in females. Weight loss was observed in all mice, except those in groups G2 and G5, although this bore no direct relation to parasitemia. A significant and progressive decline in temperature and hemoglobin levels occurred in mice over the course of their infection, which differed from the G7 group. The weight of the spleen in relation to total body weight did not differ among the groups of infected mice, but was significantly higher than it was for the control group.

Copaiba oil effect on induced fecal peritonitis in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic substance on survival of rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture, describing histopathological and oxidative stress findings. METHODS: Forty rats (Ratus norvegicus) were distributed into five study groups (N=8): Sham group (ShG): normal standard animals; Sepse group (SepG): submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Pre group (PreG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection for five days before carrying out CLP; Post CLP group (PostG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection from the first day of CLP until death by sepsis; and Pre/Post group (Pre/PostG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection for five days before carrying out CLP and from the first day of CLP until de death by sepsis. After the death of the animals, blood was collected for assessment of oxidative stress and histological analysis were performed. The Kaplan-Meier curves of surviving time were realized. RESULTS: Survival analysis demonstrated that animals treated with copaiba oil prior to the execution of the CLP (PreG and Pre/Post groups) had longer survival compared to the sepsis group (p<0.0001) whereas animals receiving copaiba only after the completion of CLP (PostG) showed no statistically significant difference compared to the sepsis group. However, when comparing the two groups in which was administered copaiba previously (PreG and Pre/PostG groups), there was no statistical significance between the groups (p=0.4672). There was no statistical difference between histopathological findings or the levels of oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic subcutaneous administration of copaiba increases survival of rats subjected to severe sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture.

Copaiba oil effect on induced fecal peritonitis in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic substance on survival of rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture, describing histopathological and oxidative stress findings.METHODS:Forty rats (Ratus norvegicus) were distributed into five study groups (N=8): Sham group (ShG): normal standard animals; Sepse group (SepG): submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Pre group (PreG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection for five days before carrying out CLP; Post CLP group (PostG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection from the first day of CLP until death by sepsis; and Pre/Post group (Pre/PostG): administered copaiba oil once daily by subcutaneous injection for five days before carrying out CLP and from the first day of CLP until de death by sepsis. After the death of the animals, blood was collected for assessment of oxidative stress and histological analysis were performed. The Kaplan-Meier curves of surviving time were realized.RESULTS: Survival analysis demonstrated that animals treated with copaiba oil prior to the execution of the CLP (PreG and Pre/Post groups) had longer survival compared to the sepsis group (p<0.0001) whereas animals receiving copaiba only after the completion of CLP (PostG) showed no statistically significant difference compared to the sepsis group. However, when comparing the two groups in which was administered copaiba previously (PreG and Pre/PostG groups), there was no statistical significance between the groups (p=0.4672). There was no statistical difference between histopathological findings or the levels of oxidative stress.CONCLUSION: Prophylactic subcutaneous administration of copaiba increases survival of rats subjected to severe sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture.

Copaiba oil effect under different pathways in mice subjected to sepsis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil administered by different routes on survival of mices subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS: Thirty two mice were distributed into four study groups (N=8): Sham group: normal standard animals; CONTROL GROUP: submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Gavage group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by gavage; and Subcutaneous group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by subcutaneous injection. After the death of the histological analysis were performed. The Kaplan-Meier curves of surviving time were realized. RESULTS: All animals that received copaiba, regardless of the route used, survived longer when compared to the control group (p<0.0001), whereas the survival time ranged from 20 hours for the control group up to 32 hours for the animals of gavage group and 52 for subcutaneous group. The animals that received gavage copaiba lived about and about 20 hours unless the subcutaneous group (p=0.0042). There was no statistical difference when compared the intensity of inflammatory response (p>0.05) CONCLUSION: Prophylactic subcutaneous administration of copaiba in mice subjected to severe sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture, resulted in a survival time higher than non-use or use of this oil by gavage.

Copaiba oil effect under different pathways in mice subjected to sepsis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil administered by different routes on survival of mices subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS: Thirty two mice were distributed into four study groups (N=8): Sham group: normal standard animals; Control group: submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Gavage group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by gavage; and Subcutaneous group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by subcutaneous injection. After the death of the histological analysis were performed. The Kaplan-Meier curves of surviving time were realized. RESULTS: All animals that received copaiba, regardless of the route used, survived longer when compared to the control group (p<0.0001), whereas the survival time ranged from 20 hours for the control group up to 32 hours for the animals of gavage group and 52 for subcutaneous group. The animals that received gavage copaiba lived about and about 20 hours unless the subcutaneous group (p=0.0042). There was no statistical difference when compared the intensity of inflammatory response (p>0.05) CONCLUSION: Prophylactic subcutaneous administration of copaiba in mice subjected to severe sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture, resulted in a survival time higher than non-use or use of this oil by gavage. .

Declaração de óbito, compromisso no preenchimento: avaliação em Belém - Pará, em 2010 / Commitment in the completion of the medical death certification: evaluation in Belém, Pará, Brazil in 2010

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o preenchimento das declarações de óbito em Belém-PA, registradas no ano de 2010. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas 800 declarações de óbito de morte não violenta, sorteadas aleatoriamente, referentes ao ano de 2010. Quanto ao correto preenchimento, foram avaliados todos os campos do documento, com exceção dos campos V (Morte fetal ou menor que um ano), I (Destinado aos cartórios) e VIII (Causas externas/Mortes violentas). Cada campo foi analisado seguindo os seguintes parâmetros: preenchidos de maneira incompleta, campos em branco, ilegíveis e preenchimento incorreto. RESULTADOS: A partir dos dados coletados, foram encontrados altíssimos índices de equívocos no preenchimento das certidões; 98,7% delas apresentavam, pelo menos, um erro em seu preenchimento. Entretanto, os mais notáveis e de maior repercussão foram encontrados no campo VI, destinado ao registro da causa de morte, onde, tal erro foi encontrado em 71,5%, principalmente pela utilização de termos vagos no registro. CONCLUSÃO: Os altíssimos índices de declarações de óbito mal preenchidas demonstram uma grande falha por parte dos currículos das escolas médicas, bem como uma carência de projetos de educação médica continuada que abordem tal temática de inestimável importância. Os resultados demonstraram negligência ou desconhecimento da própria fisiopatogenia das doenças por parte dos médicos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the completion of medical certificates of death in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil in 2010. METHODS: In the present study, 800 medical certificates of non-violent death, randomly chosen, and produced in 2010 were analyzed. Regarding correct completion, all fields of the Trabalho document were evaluated, except for fields I (reserved for civil registries), V (stillbirth or death under age of one year), and VIII (external causes/violent death). Each field was analyzed regarding the following parameters: incomplete fields, fields left blank, illegibility, and incorrect completions. RESULTS: Based on the data collected, very high rates of errors in completion were observed; 98.7% of the certificates had at least one mistake. The most remarkable and important mistakes were found in field VI, intended for the cause of death, with a frequency of error of 71.5%, especially due to vagueness. CONCLUSION: The very high rates of poorly completed medical certificates of death highlights a significant failure in the medical schools' curriculum, as well as a lack of continuing medical education programs addressing such topic of paramount importance. The results demonstrated neglect or lack of knowledge on the pathophysiology of diseases by physicians.

Commitment in the completion of the medical death certification. Evaluation in Belém, Pará, Brazil in 2010.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the completion of medical certificates of death in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil in 2010. METHODS: In the present study, 800 medical certificates of non-violent death, randomly chosen, and produced in 2010 were analyzed. Regarding correct completion, all fields of the document were evaluated, except for fields I (reserved for civil registries), V (stillbirth or death under age of one year), and VIII (external causes/violent death). Each field was analyzed regarding the following parameters: incomplete fields, fields left blank, illegibility, and incorrect completions. RESULTS: Based on the data collected, very high rates of errors in completion were observed; 98.7% of the certificates had at least one mistake. The most remarkable and important mistakes were found in field VI, intended for the cause of death, with a frequency of error of 71.5%, especially due to vagueness. CONCLUSION: The very high rates of poorly completed medical certificates of death highlights a significant failure in the medical schools' curriculum, as well as a lack of continuing medical education programs addressing such topic of paramount importance. The results demonstrated neglect or lack of knowledge on the pathophysiology of diseases by physicians.