A Deep Learning Model Based on Capsule Networks for COVID Diagnostics through X-ray Images.

X-ray diagnostics are widely used to detect various diseases, such as bone fracture, pneumonia, or intracranial hemorrhage. This method is simple and accessible in most hospitals, but requires an expert who is sometimes unavailable. Today, some diagnoses are made with the help of deep learning algorithms based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), but these algorithms show limitations. Recently, Capsule Networks (CapsNet) have been proposed to overcome these problems. In our work, CapsNet is used to detect whether a chest X-ray image has disease (COVID or pneumonia) or is healthy. An improved model called DRCaps is proposed, which combines the advantage of CapsNet and the dilation rate (dr) parameter to manage images with 226 × 226 resolution. We performed experiments with 16,669 chest images, in which our model achieved an accuracy of 90%. Furthermore, the model size is 11M with a reconstruction stage, which helps to avoid overfitting. Experiments show how the reconstruction stage works and how we can avoid the max-pooling operation for networks with a stride and dilation rate to downsampling the convolution layers. In this paper, DRCaps is superior to other comparable models in terms of accuracy, parameters, and image size handling. The main idea is to keep the model as simple as possible without using data augmentation or a complex preprocessing stage.

Combined Neonatal Alloimmune Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia in Dizygotic Twins Conceived After Oocyte Donation.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) and neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN) may have severe consequences in the neonatal period. We report two dizygotic twins conceived after donated oocytes, suffering NAIT and NAIN in the context of alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (anti-HPA-5b) and human leukocyte antigens (anti-HLA class I). Genotyping demonstrated paternal homozygosity for HPA-5a, while the neonates were heterozygous for HPA-5b.

Effects of Starting a Gastroenterology Fellowship Training Program on Quality Measures of Colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the most established indicator of the quality of screening colonoscopy. The effect of gastroenterology (GI) fellows on the quality of screening colonoscopies has been evaluated previously; however, the effect of starting a new GI fellowship program on the quality of screening colonoscopies has not been studied. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of starting a GI fellowship program and the participation of fellows in screening colonoscopies on ADR and other measures of quality. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of all screening colonoscopies performed 20 months before and 20 months after starting the GI fellowship at our medical center (November 2010-February 2014). Colonoscopy procedure notes and pathology records were reviewed for each patient. Data from the two periods were compared using either the Fisher exact test or the two-sample t test. RESULTS: A total of 2127 complete colonoscopies were included in the analysis. The mean age of patients was 58.8 ± 6.6 years. Of the 2127 colonoscopies, GI fellows were involved in 385 (18%), whereas 1742 (82%) were performed solely by GI attendings (attending physicians). Multivariate analysis using relative risk (RR) of regression was done. The after starting the GI fellowship period was significantly associated with an increase in ADR (RR 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.30, P < 0.001) and advanced adenoma detection rate (RR 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.38, P < 0.001) compared with the before starting the GI fellowship period. In the after starting the GI fellowship period, the polyp detection rate and ADR for colonoscopies performed by the attending physicians with the fellows were significantly higher than colonoscopies performed solely by the same attendings (58.4% vs 44.5%, P = 0.001, 42.0% vs 32.9%, P = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Starting a GI fellowship program significantly increased the polyp detection rate, ADR, and advanced ADR.

Condicionantes do diagnóstico tardio do câncer cervical na ótica das mulheres atendidas no Inca / Conditioning factors in the late diagnosis of cervical cancer from the perspective of women treated at Inca

Neste estudo, identifica-se a contribuição de fatores para o diagnóstico tardio do câncer de colo uterino entre mulheres atendidas no Instituto Nacional do Câncer no Rio de Janeiro. Considerou-se as categorias 'acessibilidade' e 'vínculo' na análise das informações, tendo como pressuposto a importância da integralidade como eixo norteador das práticas em saúde. Apoiado na abordagem qualitativa, as estratégias metodológicas incluem a observação direta e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados sugerem que as concepções e percepções das mulheres em relação à doença e à atenção à saúde e o vínculo destas com os profissionais atuam de modo inter-relacionado, condicionando o acesso aos serviços.

This study identifies the contribution of some factors for the late diagnosis of cervical cancer among women treated at the National Cancer Institute in Rio de Janeiro. The categories considered in analyzing the information were 'accessibility' and patient-doctor 'relationship', based on the premise of the importance of comprehensiveness as a guiding principle in health care. A qualitative approach was adopted involving the methods of direct observation and semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that the women's ideas and views regarding the disease and the health care, and their bond with the health care professionals are interrelated and condition access to the services.

Comparative Outcome of Computed Tomography-guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation, Partial Nephrectomy or Radical Nephrectomy in the Treatment of Stage T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 3% of all cancers in adults. The indications for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for renal carcinomas include T1a (tumor 4 cm or less, limited to the kidney), elderly patients, renal impairment, comorbidities, poor surgical candidate, and multiple bilateral renal masses. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, specifically investigating the indications, complications and outcomes of RFA and nephrectomy for treatment of RCC in a tertiary medical center with a predominantly Hispanic patient population. Forty-nine patients with RCC were evaluated. Nine patients had RFA, 9 had partial nephrectomy and 31 had radical nephrectomy. All patients among the 3 groups had stage T1N0M0 RCC at diagnosis. Tumor recurrence was observed in 2 (22%) patients that had RFA, one (11%) patient that had partial nephrectomy and no patients that had radical nephrectomy. One patient had recurrence of the tumor at the opposite kidney pole from the initial RFA site 4 years later. This particular patient did not have any tumor recurrence at the site of the initial RFA. A second RFA was performed on the recurrent tumor with no recurrence upon subsequent follow up visits. The second patient had recurrence of the RCC on 1 year follow that was discovered to be sarcomatoid RCC, which is an aggressive type with a poor prognosis. Our results support the clinical utility of RFA in patients with stage T1 RCC who are poor surgical candidates or those with reduced renal function. The clinical utility of RFA as an equally effective approach when compared to partial nephrectomy in patients with stage T1 RCC that meet strict indications for the procedure. The treatment choice should be individualized and based on the characteristics of the renal tumor such as size, location and histological type of RCC. We conclude that RFA presents a safe treatment choice for patients with RCC if long term follow up is maintained.

[Reactions to institutional violence: patient strategies for facing infringements of the right to health in Brazil]. / Reacciones a la violencia institucional: estrategias de los pacientes frente al contraderecho a la salud en Brasil.

In this article we identify evidences of inequalities, prejudices and discrimination in the access and utilization of public health services belonging to the Brazilian Unified Health Care System, considering them to be institutional violence and a negation of rights, in order to look at the reactions of the subjects victimized by this process. This research study utilized different methodologies, articulating participant observation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and dramatization. The results highlight the trajectory in seeking health care as the main expression of inequalities, strengthened by structural factors such as the precarious condition of health care services, which potentiate power asymmetries, and the presence of discrimination derived from stigmas and prejudices. Most patients' reactions to the situation of institutional violence seek an individual solution to the problem, often reaffirming the conditions that generate rights violations. Few patients' reactions question the systemic conditions that determine the continued discrimination.

Reacciones a la violencia institucional: estrategias de los pacientes frente al contraderecho a la salud en Brasil / Reactions to institutional violence: patient strategies for facing infringements of the right to health in Brazil

Este artículo se propone identificar evidencias de desigualdades, preconceptos y discriminación en el acceso y utilización de los servicios públicos del Sistema Unico de Salud de Brasil, consideradas como violencia institucional y denegación de los derechos, con el fin de abordar las reacciones de los sujetos perjudicados en este proceso. La metodología utilizada articuló observación participante y entrevistas semiestructuradas a las técnicas de grupo focal y talleres de dramatización. Los resultados señalan la peregrinación como la mayor expresión de las desigualdades, acentuada por factores estructurales como la precarización de los servicios, que potencian las asimetrías de poder, y la discriminación derivada de estigmas y preconceptos. La mayoría de las reacciones de los pacientes a la situación de violencia institucional busca una solución individual que, en muchos casos, refuerza las condiciones que generan el contraderecho. Pocas reacciones cuestionan las condiciones sistémicas que determinan la persistencia de la discriminación.(AU)

In this article we identify evidences of inequalities, prejudices and discrimination in the access and utilization of public health services belonging to the Brazilian Unified Health Care System, considering them to be institutional violence and a negation of rights, in order to look at the reactions of the subjects victimized by this process. This research study utilized different methodologies, articulating participant observation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and dramatization. The results highlight the trajectory in seeking health care as the main expression of inequalities, strengthened by structural factors such as the precarious condition of health care services, which potentiate power asymmetries, and the presence of discrimination derived from stigmas and prejudices. Most patients reactions to the situation of institutional violence seek an individual solution to the problem, often reaffirming the conditions that generate rights violations. Few patients reactions question the systemic conditions that determine the continued discrimination.(AU)

Reacciones a la violencia institucional: estrategias de los pacientes frente al contraderecho a la salud en Brasil / Reactions to institutional violence: patient strategies for facing infringements of the right to health in Brazil

Este artículo se propone identificar evidencias de desigualdades, preconceptos y discriminación en el acceso y utilización de los servicios públicos del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, consideradas como violencia institucional y denegación de los derechos, con el fin de abordar las reacciones de los sujetos perjudicados en este proceso. La metodología utilizada articuló observación participante y entrevistas semiestructuradas a las técnicas de grupo focal y talleres de dramatización. Los resultados señalan la peregrinación como la mayor expresión de las desigualdades, acentuada por factores estructurales como la precarización de los servicios, que potencian las asimetrías de poder, y la discriminación derivada de estigmas y preconceptos. La mayoría de las reacciones de los pacientes a la situación de violencia institucional busca una solución individual que, en muchos casos, refuerza las condiciones que generan el contraderecho. Pocas reacciones cuestionan las condiciones sistémicas que determinan la persistencia de la discriminación.

In this article we identify evidences of inequalities, prejudices and discrimination in the access and utilization of public health services belonging to the Brazilian Unified Health Care System, considering them to be institutional violence and a negation of rights, in order to look at the reactions of the subjects victimized by this process. This research study utilized different methodologies, articulating participant observation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and dramatization. The results highlight the trajectory in seeking health care as the main expression of inequalities, strengthened by structural factors such as the precarious condition of health care services, which potentiate power asymmetries, and the presence of discrimination derived from stigmas and prejudices. Most patients' reactions to the situation of institutional violence seek an individual solution to the problem, often reaffirming the conditions that generate rights violations. Few patients' reactions question the systemic conditions that determine the continued discrimination.

Reacciones a la violencia institucional: estrategias de los pacientes frente al contraderecho a la salud en Brasil. / [Reactions to institutional violence: patient strategies for facing infringements of the right to health in Brazil].

In this article we identify evidences of inequalities, prejudices and discrimination in the access and utilization of public health services belonging to the Brazilian Unified Health Care System, considering them to be institutional violence and a negation of rights, in order to look at the reactions of the subjects victimized by this process. This research study utilized different methodologies, articulating participant observation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and dramatization. The results highlight the trajectory in seeking health care as the main expression of inequalities, strengthened by structural factors such as the precarious condition of health care services, which potentiate power asymmetries, and the presence of discrimination derived from stigmas and prejudices. Most patients reactions to the situation of institutional violence seek an individual solution to the problem, often reaffirming the conditions that generate rights violations. Few patients reactions question the systemic conditions that determine the continued discrimination.