HIHISIV: a database of gene expression in HIV and SIV host immune response.

In the battle of the host against lentiviral pathogenesis, the immune response is crucial. However, several questions remain unanswered about the interaction with different viruses and their influence on disease progression. The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infecting nonhuman primates (NHP) is widely used as a model for the study of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) both because they are evolutionarily linked and because they share physiological and anatomical similarities that are largely explored to understand the disease progression. The HIHISIV database was developed to support researchers to integrate and evaluate the large number of transcriptional data associated with the presence/absence of the pathogen (SIV or HIV) and the host response (NHP and human). The datasets are composed of microarray and RNA-Seq gene expression data that were selected, curated, analyzed, enriched, and stored in a relational database. Six query templates comprise the main data analysis functions and the resulting information can be downloaded. The HIHISIV database, available at  https://hihisiv.github.io , provides accurate resources for browsing and visualizing results and for more robust analyses of pre-existing data in transcriptome repositories.

Response letter: Neuropsychiatric presentation of Covid-19-related encephalitis: Case report.

Covid-19-related encephalitis is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging features related to inflammation of the brain, where the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is presumably the causative agent. We reported a case of Covid-19-related encephalitis presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including intense agitation. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction in cerebrospinal fluid was positive for SARS-CoV-2. Our case expands the literature about neurologic manifestations of Covid-19 and emphasizes the possibility of prominent behavioral symptoms as the initial manifestation.

Development and validation of an instrument for measuring parkinsonian motor impairment: TRAPS-D.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is incurable, idiopathic, degenerative, and progressive, and affects about 1% of the elderly population. Multidisciplinary clinical treatment is the best and most adopted therapeutic option, while surgical treatment is used in less than 15% of those affected. In practice, there is a lack of reliable and validated scales for measuring motor impairment, and monitoring and screening for surgical indications. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate an instrument for measuring parkinsonian motor impairment in candidates for neurosurgical treatment. METHOD: The development and validation methods followed published guidelines. The first part was the choice of domains that would make up the construct: cardinal signs of disease (tremor, rigidity (stiffness), posture/balance/gait, hypokinesia/akinesia, and speech), along with pain and dyskinesia. A multi-professional working group prepared an initial pilot instrument. Ten renowned specialists evaluated, judged, and suggested modifications to the instrument. The second phase was the evaluation of the content of each domain and the respective ability to classify commitment intensity. The third phase was the correction of the main flaws detected and new submission to the board. The instrument was applied to 41 candidates for neurosurgical treatment in two situations: with and without medication RESULTS: The final form received 100% agreement from the judges. Its average time for application was 8 min. It was very responsive (p = 0.001, Wilcoxon) in different situations (On-Off). CONCLUSION: TRASP-D is a valid instrument for measuring motor impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease who are candidates for neurosurgical treatment. It allows measurement in multiple domains with reliability and sensitivity.

Frontotemporal Dementia and Late-Onset Bipolar Disorder: The Many Directions of a Busy Road.

It is a common pathway for patients with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) to be first misdiagnosed with a primary psychiatric disorder, a considerable proportion of them being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD). Conversely, not rarely patients presenting in late life with a first episode of mania or atypically severe depression are initially considered to have dementia before the diagnosis of late-onset BD is reached. Beyond some shared features that make these conditions particularly prone to confusion, especially in the elderly, the relationship between bvFTD and BD is far from simple. Patients with BD often have cognitive complaints as part of their psychiatric disorder but are at an increased risk of developing dementia, including FTD. Likewise, apathy and disinhibition, common features of depression and mania, respectively, are among the core features of the bvFTD syndrome, not to mention that depression may coexist with dementia. In this article, we take advantage of the current knowledge on the neurobiology of these two nosologic entities to review their historical and conceptual interplay, highlighting the clinical, genetic and neuroimaging features that may be shared by both disorders or unique to each of them.

Effect of medication withdrawal on pain in Parkinson's disease patients - an observational study based on a sample of patients without antiparkinsonian medications.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of withdrawal of the antiparkinsonian drug regimen administration on patients with PD and its relation to pain. METHODS: The sample included 22 men and 12 women who were candidates for neurosurgery to control motor signs and symptoms treated with L-dopa as a drug, alone or in combination with others (Cholinergic Antagonists; Dopamine Agents). All of them were examined at two different moments, with and without medication, and analyzed for painful symptoms. The Hoehn and Yahr scale was used for functional staging of the disease. Pain intensity was assessed by using the numerical verbal scale. RESULTS: The mean pain intensity among those on medication {2.17±0.39 (SE)} was significantly lower than in the abstinence group {4.2±0.59 (SE), p=0.006, Wilcoxon}, which corresponded to the increase in the total functional staging score from 93 to 111, respectively. CONCLUSION: The interruption of the administration of specific medications in patients with Parkinson's disease caused, or increased the intensity of, painful discomfort correlated with the intensity of functional impairment. This effect was also observed in women, but it was statistically relevant only for men. The results suggest that pain may be a "red flag" that points to the need for a therapeutic drug review when its presence or worsening is detected.

Big Data Research Infrastructure Collaboration Toward the SKA (BRICSKA).

Astronomy is entering an era of mega-data that will render conventional research methods as well as data and visual analytics tools ineffective. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) drives one of the most significant big data challenges of the next decades. South Africa, China and India are partners in the global SKA collaboration and host recently completed, next generation radio astronomy facilities. South Africa, Brazil, China and India are involved in the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which represents a complementary mega-data challenge, vastly increasing the current data volume of optical surveys, and providing critical multi-wavelength data set for SKA analytics. Russian researchers are also engaged in radio astronomy and multi-wavelength, multi-messenger projects driving increasing volumes of observational data. This project brings together teams leading programs in data innovation in each partner country to collaborate on the development of new technologies and systems to meet the big data challenge of SKA pathfinder facilities and the multi-wavelength projects that are critical to the advance of astronomy. In so doing we will prototype and demonstrate scalable big data technologies for the new big data era, and establish a BRICS multinational federated data intensive cloud network for collaborative programs in data intensive astronomy.

Deficits in short-term memory binding are detectable in individuals with brain amyloid deposition in the absence of overt neurodegeneration in the Alzheimer's disease continuum.

The short-term memory binding (STMB) test involves the ability to hold in memory the integration between surface features, such as shapes and colours. The STMB test has been used to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) at different stages, from preclinical to dementia, showing promising results. The objective of the present study was to verify whether the STMB test could differentiate patients with distinct biomarker profiles in the AD continuum. The sample comprised 18 cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants, 30 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 23 AD patients. All participants underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with Pittsburgh compound-B labelled with carbon-11 ([11C]PIB) assessing amyloid beta (Aß) aggregation (A) and 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-PET assessing neurodegeneration (N) (A-N- [n = 35]); A+N- [n = 11]; A+ N+ [n = 19]). Participants who were negative and positive for amyloid deposition were compared in the absence (A-N- vs. A+N-) of neurodegeneration. When compared with the RAVLT and SKT memory tests, the STMB was the only cognitive task that differentiated these groups, predicting the group outcome in logistic regression analyses. The STMB test showed to be sensitive to the signs of AD pathology and may represent a cognitive marker within the AD continuum.

Estimation of COVID-19 Under-Reporting in the Brazilian States Through SARI.

Due to its impact, COVID-19 has been stressing the academy to search for curing, mitigating, or controlling it. It is believed that under-reporting is a relevant factor in determining the actual mortality rate and, if not considered, can cause significant misinformation. Therefore, this work aims to estimate the under-reporting of cases and deaths of COVID-19 in Brazilian states using data from the InfoGripe. InfoGripe targets notifications of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). The methodology is based on the combination of data analytics (event detection methods) and time series modeling (inertia and novelty concepts) over hospitalized SARI cases. The estimate of real cases of the disease, called novelty, is calculated by comparing the difference in SARI cases in 2020 (after COVID-19) with the total expected cases in recent years (2016-2019). The expected cases are derived from a seasonal exponential moving average. The results show that under-reporting rates vary significantly between states and that there are no general patterns for states in the same region in Brazil. The states of Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso have the highest rates of under-reporting of cases. The rate of under-reporting of deaths is high in the Rio Grande do Sul and the Minas Gerais. This work can be highlighted for the combination of data analytics and time series modeling. Our calculation of under-reporting rates based on SARI is conservative and better characterized by deaths than for cases.

Dementia in Latin America: Paving the way toward a regional action plan.

Across Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs), the fight against dementia faces pressing challenges, such as heterogeneity, diversity, political instability, and socioeconomic disparities. These can be addressed more effectively in a collaborative setting that fosters open exchange of knowledge. In this work, the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC-CD) proposes an agenda for integration to deliver a Knowledge to Action Framework (KtAF). First, we summarize evidence-based strategies (epidemiology, genetics, biomarkers, clinical trials, nonpharmacological interventions, networking, and translational research) and align them to current global strategies to translate regional knowledge into transformative actions. Then we characterize key sources of complexity (genetic isolates, admixture in populations, environmental factors, and barriers to effective interventions), map them to the above challenges, and provide the basic mosaics of knowledge toward a KtAF. Finally, we describe strategies supporting the knowledge creation stage that underpins the translational impact of KtAF.

Effect of medication withdrawal on pain in Parkinson's disease patients - an observational study based on a sample of patients without antiparkinsonian medications

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of withdrawal of the antiparkinsonian drug regimen administration on patients with PD and its relation to pain. METHODS: The sample included 22 men and 12 women who were candidates for neurosurgery to control motor signs and symptoms treated with L-dopa as a drug, alone or in combination with others (Cholinergic Antagonists; Dopamine Agents). All of them were examined at two different moments, with and without medication, and analyzed for painful symptoms. The Hoehn and Yahr scale was used for functional staging of the disease. Pain intensity was assessed by using the numerical verbal scale. RESULTS: The mean pain intensity among those on medication {2.17±0.39 (SE)} was significantly lower than in the abstinence group {4.2±0.59 (SE), p=0.006, Wilcoxon}, which corresponded to the increase in the total functional staging score from 93 to 111, respectively. CONCLUSION: The interruption of the administration of specific medications in patients with Parkinson's disease caused, or increased the intensity of, painful discomfort correlated with the intensity of functional impairment. This effect was also observed in women, but it was statistically relevant only for men. The results suggest that pain may be a "red flag" that points to the need for a therapeutic drug review when its presence or worsening is detected.

Hippocampal subregional volume changes in elders classified using positron emission tomography-based Alzheimer's biomarkers of ß-amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration.

Changes in hippocampal subfield volumes (HSV) along the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum have been scarcely investigated to date in elderly subjects classified based on the presence of ß-amyloid aggregation and signs of neurodegeneration. We classified patients (either sex) with mild dementia compatible with AD (n = 35) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 39), and cognitively unimpaired subjects (either sex; n = 26) using [11 C]PIB-PET to assess ß-amyloid aggregation (A+) and [18 F]FDG-PET to account for neurodegeneration ((N)+). Magnetic resonance imaging-based automated methods were used for HSV and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) measurements. Significant HSV reductions were found in A+(N)+ subjects in the presubiculum/subiculum complex and molecular layer, related to worse memory performance. In both the A+(N)+ and A+(N)- categories, subicular volumes were inversely correlated with the degree of Aß deposition. The A-(N)+ subgroup showed reduced HSV relative to the A-(N)- subgroup also in the subiculum/presubiculum. Combining all (N)- subjects, HSV were lower in subjects presenting significant cognitive decline irrespective of A+/A- classification (controlling for WMH load); these between-group differences were detected again in the presubiculum, but also involved the CA4 and granular layer. These findings demonstrate that differential HSV reductions are detectable both in (N)+ and (N)- categories along the AD continuum, and are directly related to the severity of cognitive deficits. HSV reductions are larger both in A+(N)+ and A+(N)- subjects in direct proportion to the degree of Aß deposition. The meaningful HSV reductions detected in the A-(N)+ subgroup highlights the strength of biomarker-based classifications outside of the classical AD continuum.

Neuropsychiatric presentation of Covid-19-related encephalitis: Case report.

Covid-19-related encephalitis is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging features related to inflammation of the brain, where the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is presumably the causative agent. We reported a case of Covid-19-related encephalitis presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including intense agitation. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction in cerebrospinal fluid was positive for SARS-CoV-2. Our case expands the literature about neurologic manifestations of Covid-19 and emphasizes the possibility of prominent behavioral symptoms as the initial manifestation.

Loss of functional capacity in elderly individuals with Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND: The functional capacity of elderly individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) progressively declines. OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, staging, mobility, and postural and cognitive balance data on the impairment of the functional capacity of elderly individuals with AD. METHODS: This observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed at the Physiotherapy Department of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The study consisted of forty elderly individuals aged ≥60 years old with mild or moderate AD, who could ambulate independently. The instruments used included a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and anthropometric data; the Mini-Mental Health State Examination (MMSE); the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); a clock drawing test (CDT); a verbal fluency test (VFT); the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); and the Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance (CTSIB). Simple descriptive analyses, Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation test, linear regression modeling, and prediction equation (p<0.05, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]) were performed. RESULTS: Fifteen linear regression models were generated, with the final model chosen for analysis. The variables assumed in that model were CDR, MMSE score, and condition 3 of the CTSIB, which explained 60.1% of the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Impairment of functional capacity in elderly individuals with AD was influenced by disease progression, which was due to cognitive deficits and deficits in postural balance, which are related to the inaccuracy of the somatosensory system in performing sensory integration.

INTRODUÇÃO: A capacidade funcional de idosos com doença de Alzheimer (DA) sofrerá prejuízo progressivo. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo visou verificar a influências de dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, de estadiamento, mobilidade, equilíbrio postural e cognitivos no prejuízo da capacidade funcional de idosos com DA. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico e transversal, realizado no Departamento de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, em Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O estudo contou com a participação de 40 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos com DA leve ou moderada, com deambulação independente. Os instrumentos utilizados incluíram um questionário para avaliação de dados sociodemográficos e antropométricos; o Mini-Exame de Estado de Saúde Mental (MEEM); a Avaliação Clínica da Demência (CDR); o Teste do desenho do Relógio (TDR); o Teste de Fluência Verbal (TFV); o Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); e o Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance (CTSIB). Foram realizadas análises descritivas simples, teste de Mann-Whitney, teste de correlação de Spearman, modelo de regressão linear e equação de predição (p<0,05 e intervalo de 95% [IC95%]). RESULTADOS: Foram gerados quinze modelos de regressão linear e foi escolhido o último para a análise. As variáveis assumidas nesse modelo citado foram: CDR, MEEM e condição três do CTSIB, que explicam 60,1% do desfecho. CONCLUSÕES: Pode-se concluir que o prejuízo da capacidade funcional de idosos com DA é influenciado pelo avançar da doença, pelos déficits cognitivo e de equilíbrio postural, sendo esse mais relacionado à imprecisão do sistema somatossensorial em realizar a integração sensorial.

Loss of functional capacity in elderly individuals with Alzheimer disease / Prejuízo da capacidade funcional de idosos com doença de alzheimer

ABSTRACT. Background: The functional capacity of elderly individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) progressively declines. Objective: To verify the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, staging, mobility, and postural and cognitive balance data on the impairment of the functional capacity of elderly individuals with AD. Methods: This observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed at the Physiotherapy Department of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The study consisted of forty elderly individuals aged ≥60 years old with mild or moderate AD, who could ambulate independently. The instruments used included a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and anthropometric data; the Mini-Mental Health State Examination (MMSE); the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); a clock drawing test (CDT); a verbal fluency test (VFT); the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); and the Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance (CTSIB). Simple descriptive analyses, Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation test, linear regression modeling, and prediction equation (p<0.05, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]) were performed. Results: Fifteen linear regression models were generated, with the final model chosen for analysis. The variables assumed in that model were CDR, MMSE score, and condition 3 of the CTSIB, which explained 60.1% of the outcome. Conclusions: Impairment of functional capacity in elderly individuals with AD was influenced by disease progression, which was due to cognitive deficits and deficits in postural balance, which are related to the inaccuracy of the somatosensory system in performing sensory integration.

RESUMO. Introdução: A capacidade funcional de idosos com doença de Alzheimer (DA) sofrerá prejuízo progressivo. Objetivo: O presente estudo visou verificar a influências de dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, de estadiamento, mobilidade, equilíbrio postural e cognitivos no prejuízo da capacidade funcional de idosos com DA. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico e transversal, realizado no Departamento de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, em Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O estudo contou com a participação de 40 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos com DA leve ou moderada, com deambulação independente. Os instrumentos utilizados incluíram um questionário para avaliação de dados sociodemográficos e antropométricos; o Mini-Exame de Estado de Saúde Mental (MEEM); a Avaliação Clínica da Demência (CDR); o Teste do desenho do Relógio (TDR); o Teste de Fluência Verbal (TFV); o Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); e o Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance (CTSIB). Foram realizadas análises descritivas simples, teste de Mann-Whitney, teste de correlação de Spearman, modelo de regressão linear e equação de predição (p<0,05 e intervalo de 95% [IC95%]). Resultados: Foram gerados quinze modelos de regressão linear e foi escolhido o último para a análise. As variáveis assumidas nesse modelo citado foram: CDR, MEEM e condição três do CTSIB, que explicam 60,1% do desfecho. Conclusões: Pode-se concluir que o prejuízo da capacidade funcional de idosos com DA é influenciado pelo avançar da doença, pelos déficits cognitivo e de equilíbrio postural, sendo esse mais relacionado à imprecisão do sistema somatossensorial em realizar a integração sensorial.

Mnemonic strategy training modulates functional connectivity at rest in mild cognitive impairment: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Mnemonic strategy training (MST) has been shown to improve cognitive performance and increase brain activation in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, little is known regarding the effects of MST on functional connectivity (FC) at rest. The aim of the present study was to investigate the MST focused on face-name associations effect on resting-state FC in those with MCI. METHODS: Twenty-six amnestic MCI participants were randomized in MST (N = 14) and Education Program (active control; N = 12). Interventions occurred twice a week over two consecutive weeks (ie, four sessions). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected at pre- and post-intervention. Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected based on areas that previously showed task-related activation changes after MST. Changes were examined through ROI-to-ROI analysis and significant results were corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: At post-intervention, only the MST group showed increased FC, whereas the control group showed decreased or no change in FC. After MST, there was an increased FC between the left middle temporal gyrus and right orbitofrontal cortex. In addition, a time-by-group interaction indicated that the MST group showed greater increased FC between the right inferior frontal gyrus and left brain regions, such as fusiform gyrus, temporal pole, and orbitofrontal cortex relative to controls. DISCUSSION: MST enhanced FC in regions that are functionally relevant for the training; however, not in all ROIs investigated. Our findings suggest that MST-induced changes are reflected in task-specific conditions, as previously reported, but also in general innate connectivity. Our results both enhance knowledge about the mechanisms underlying MST effects and may provide neurophysiological evidence of training transfer.

Relationship Between PET-Assessed Amyloid Burden and Visual and Verbal Episodic Memory Performance in Elderly Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Studies of elderly subjects using biomarkers that are proxies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology have the potential to document meaningful relationships between cognitive performance and biomarker changes along the AD continuum. OBJECTIVE: To document cognitive performance differences across distinct AD stages using a categorization based on the presence of PET-assessed amyloid-ß (Aß) burden and neurodegeneration. METHODS: Patients with mild dementia compatible with AD (n = 38) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; n = 43) and a cognitively unimpaired group (n = 27) underwent PET with Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) assessing Aß aggregation (A+) and [18F]FDG-PET assessing neurodegeneration ((N)+). Cognitive performance was assessed with verbal and visual episodic memory tests and the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: The A+(N)+ subgroup (n = 32) showed decreased (p < 0.001) cognitive test scores compared to both A+(N)-(n = 18) and A-(N)-(n = 49) subjects, who presented highly similar mean cognitive scores. Despite its modest size (n = 9), the A-(N)+ subgroup showed lower (p < 0.043) verbal memory scores relative to A-(N)-subjects, and trend lower (p = 0.096) scores relative to A+(N)-subjects. Continuous Aß measures (standard uptake value ratios of PiB uptake) were correlated most significantly with visual memory scores both in the overall sample and when analyses were restricted to dementia or (N)+ subjects, but not in non-dementia or (N)-groups. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that significant Aß-cognition relationships are highly salient at disease stages involving neurodegeneration. The fact that findings relating Aß burden to memory performance were detected only at (N)+ stages, together with the similarity of test scores between A+(N)-and A-(N)-subjects, reinforce the view that Aß-cognition relationships during early AD stages may remain undetectable unless substantially large samples are evaluated.

Evaluation of whole-body MRI with diffusion-weighted sequences in the staging of pediatric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether whole-body MRI (WBMRI) with diffusion-weighted sequences, which is free of ionizing radiation, can perform as well as traditional methods when used alone for staging or follow-up of pediatric cancer patients. METHODS: After obtaining approval from our institutional research ethics committee and appropriate informed consent, we performed 34 examinations in 32 pediatric patients. The examinations were anonymized and analyzed by two radiologists with at least 10 years' experience. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity findings, respectively, were as follows: 100% and 100% for primary tumor; 100% and 86% for bone metastasis; 33% and 100% for lung metastasis; 85% and 100% for lymph node metastasis; and 100% and 62% for global investigation of primary or secondary neoplasias. We observed excellent interobserver agreement for WBMRI and excellent agreement with standard staging examination results. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that pediatric patients can be safely imaged with WBMRI, although not as the only tool but in association with low-dose chest CT (for subcentimeter pulmonary nodules). However, additional exams with ionizing radiation may be necessary for patients who tested positive to correctly quantify and locate the lesions.

An analysis of malaria in the Brazilian Legal Amazon using divergent association rules.

In data analysis, the mining of frequent patterns plays an important role in the discovery of associations and correlations between data. During this process, it is common to produce thousands of association rules (ARs), making the study of each one arduous. This problem weakens the process of finding useful information. There is a scientific effort to develop approaches capable of filtering interesting patterns, balancing the number of ARs produced with the goal of not being trivial and known by specialists. However, even when such approaches are adopted, the number of produced ARs can still be high. This work contributes by presenting Divergent Association Rules Approach (DARA), a novel approach for obtaining ARs that presents themselves in divergence with the data distribution. DARA is applied right after traditional approaches to filtering interesting patterns. To validate our approach, we studied the dataset related to the occurrence of malaria in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. The discovered patterns highlight that ARs brought relevant insights from the data. This article contributes both in the medical and computer science fields since this novel computational approach enabled new findings regarding malaria in Brazil.

Correction to: Brain PET amyloid and neurodegeneration biomarkers in the context of the 2018 NIA-AA research framework: an individual approach exploring clinical-biomarker mismatches and sociodemographic parameters.

In the last paragraph of the subsession "Recruitment of the study population and clinical Evaluation" (Material and methods session).

Brain PET amyloid and neurodegeneration biomarkers in the context of the 2018 NIA-AA research framework: an individual approach exploring clinical-biomarker mismatches and sociodemographic parameters.

PURPOSE: [18F]FDG-PET and [11C]PIB-PET are validated as neurodegeneration and amyloid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used a PET staging system based on the 2018 NIA-AA research framework to compare the proportion of amyloid positivity (A+) and hypometabolism ((N)+) in cases of mild probable AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and healthy controls, incorporating an additional classification of abnormal [18F]FDG-PET patterns and investigating the co-occurrence of such with A+, exploring [18F]FDG-PET to generate hypotheses in cases presenting with clinical-biomarker "mismatches." METHODS: Elderly individuals (N = 108) clinically classified as controls (N = 27), aMCI (N = 43) or mild probable AD (N = 38) were included. Authors assessed their A(N) profiles and classified [18F]FDG-PET neurodegenerative patterns as typical or non-typical of AD, performing re-assessments of images whenever clinical classification was in disagreement with the PET staging (clinical-biomarker "mismatches"). We also investigated associations between "mismatches" and sociodemographic and educational characteristics. RESULTS: AD presented with higher rates of A+ and (N)+. There was also a higher proportion of A+ and (N)+ individuals in the aMCI group in comparison to controls, however without statistical significance regarding the A staging. There was a significant association between amyloid positivity and AD (N)+ hypometabolic patterns typical of AD. Non-AD (N)+ hypometabolism was seen in all A- (N)+ cases in the mild probable AD and control groups and [18F]FDG-PET patterns classified such individuals as "SNAP" and one as probable frontotemporal lobar degeneration. All A- (N)- cases in the probable AD group had less than 4 years of formal education and lower socioeconomic status (SES). CONCLUSION: The PET-based staging system unveiled significant A(N) differences between AD and the other groups, whereas aMCI and controls had different (N) staging, explaining the cognitive impairment in aMCI. [18F]FDG-PET could be used beyond simple (N) staging, since it provided alternative hypotheses to cases with clinical-biomarker "mismatches." An AD hypometabolic pattern correlated with amyloid positivity. Low education and SES were related to dementia in the absence of biomarker changes.