Hausdorff distances for searching in binary text images

Hausdorff distance (HD) seems the most efficient instrument for measuring how far two compact non-empty subsets of a metric space are from each other. This paper considers the possibilities provided by HD and some of its modifications used recently by many authors for resemblance between binary text images. Summarizing part of the existing word image matching methods, relied on HD, we investigate a new similar parameterized method which contains almost all of them as particular cases. Numerical experiments for searching words in binary text images are carried out with 333 pages of old Bulgarian typewritten text, 200 printed pages of Bulgarian Chrestomathy from year 1884, and 200 handwritten pages of Slavonic manuscript from year 1574. They outline how the parameters must be set in order to use the advantages of the proposed method for the purposes of word matching in scanned document images

Text Search in Document Images Based on Hausdorff Distance Measures

The Hausdorff type distances between the sets of points on the plane are the commonly used similarity measures for binary images. In this work we present several such measures in a unified manner and introduce a new, naturally arisen variant of Hausdorff distance. The matching performance of all similarity measures is compared by computer experiments, using real word images from a scanned book

Some variants of Hausdorff distance for word matching

Several recently proposed modifications of Hausdorff distance (HD) are examined with respect to word image matching for bad quality typewritten Bulgarian text. The main idea of these approaches presumes that omission of the extreme distances between the points of the compared images eliminates the noise (to some extent) and the algorithms become more robust. A few robust HD measures, namely, censored HD, LTS-HD, and a new binary image comparison method that uses a windowed Hausdorff distance, lie in the base of the computer experiments carried out using 54 pages of typewritten text

Word Image Matching Based on Hausdorff Distances

Hausdorff distance (HD) and its modifications provides one of the best approaches for matching of binary images. This paper proposes a formalism generalizing almost all of these HD based methods. Numerical experiments for searching words in binary text images are carried out with old Bulgarian typewritten text, printed Bulgarian Chrestomathy from 1884 and Slavonic manuscript from 1574

Molecular-genetic diagnosis of a Bulgarian family with multiple endocrine neoplasia, type IIA

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) is a rare autosomal dominant disease with frequency 1:30 000 and it is classified in 3 subtypes: MEN 2A (Sipple syndrome), familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), MEN 2B. The MEN 2A subtype constitutes approximately 70%-80% of cases of MEN 2. The onset age of the MEN 2A is prior to age 35 years. MEN 2A has an increased risk for parathyroid hyperplasia or adenoma. The clinical diagnosis is suspected when at least 2 specific endocrine tumors are detected in one patient or close relatives (MTC, pheochromocytoma, parathyroid adenomas). MTC is suspected in case of increased serum levels of calcitonin. The biochemical phenotype of MTC is revealed between age 5 and 25 (mean age 15 years). The tumor formation in the neck area is between age of 15 and 20 (2). Although there is controversy surrounding the definition of CCH, its utility to identify or confirm MEN 2 has been essentially replaced by RET (REarranged during Transfection) protooncogene testing. This allows the early surgery interventions, proper genetic counseling and prenatal diagnostics.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report on a Caucasian male with complains of general weakness and weight loss (10 kg for 2 month). The patient`s mother has been diagnosed at 47 as bilateral pheochromocytomas and struma nodosa and died at age of 51. In the index patient abdominal ultrasound examination with biopsy of adrenal glands and histological analysis revealed pheochromocytoma on the right side; elevated plasma calcitonin concentration and US scan with biopsy of thyroid tissue detected medular thyroid cancer. The index patient has two elder brothers - it turned out that one of them had been surgically treated for medular thyroid cancer in the past; bilateral pheocromocytomas were detected in the family screening process.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MEN 2A diagnosis was suspected and we performed sequencing of RET protooncogene. The genetic analysis of the family affected members revealed c.1902C>G, p.Cys634Trp heterozygous mutation. Unfortunately, two kids in the families of 2 of the brothers have also inherited the mutation. All adult family members were offered genetic counseling. The standard therapy and the prophylactic thyroidectomy include the surgical removal of the thyroid gland, followed by parathyroid gland autotransplantation. In case codon 634 mutation the surgery is recommended before age of 5 years. All affected relatives are going through monitoring for residual disease. The screening protocol includes plasma levels of calcitonin. The stimulation tests are more sensitive than calcitonin measurements alone so they are recommended

The role of the newborn screening programme (NSP) for the diagnosis of a 17-year-old boy with congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (cah) due to 21 OH deficiency

A newborn boy was diagnosed with CAH via the 2010 implemented NSP in Bulgaria. The 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP) from the 1st filter paper card (FPC) was 44.6 nmol/l, from the 2nd FPC 80 nmol/l. The examination on day 15th revealed as `only` sign slight hyperpigmentation of the scrotum. The screening suspicion `classical CAH` was confirmed by the increased serum levels of 17-OHP (normal electrolytes) and treatment with hydrocortisone was started. The MLPA analysis revealed a hemizygous del3-4, c.622T>A; p.I173N. Family history: 2nd son of relatively short parents - mother`s height - 152 cm (SDSh = -2.12), father`s height - 164 cm (SDSh= -1.96), MPH- 158 cm, SDS MPH= -2.54. The height of his older brother is 157 cm (SDSh= -3.01), while his target height of 164.5 cm (SDSh= -1.88) was markedly above the actual height. At 7 years he had initial pubarche and was the tallest boy in his class. He was taller than the average for his age until 12 years then he stopped growing. The older boy was also brought to a pediatric endocrinologist at 17 years of age. Elevated levels of 17-OHP in the serum >60 nmol/l (157.4) and on FPC:>285 nmol/l (537), together with the genetically verified CAH in the younger brother lead to the diagnosis `simple virilizing 21 OHD`, so treatment with hydrocortisone was started.Conclusion: Some of the simple virilizing forms of CAH may remain unrecognized, esp. in `index-families`. The newly implemented CAH NSP represents a useful diagnostic tool also in such cases. Ultrasound of the adrenals and testes for testicular rest tumors is important initially and during follow up

Features of Anesthesiologists-Reanimatologists’ Emotional States in Different COVID-19 Pandemic Periods in Russia

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most stressful events in recent times. Medical professionals, including anesthesiologists-reanimatologists, suffered the main blow in this difficult and stressful environment. Aims: This study aimed at identifying the features of anesthesiologists-reanimatologists’ emotional states in different COVID-19 pandemic periods. Methods: The study was conducted through an anonymous questionnaire among anesthesiologists-reanimatologists in two periods. In the First stage – which was carried out in May 2020 (during the first COVID-19 pan¬demic wave) – 58 anesthesiologists-reanimatologists in the Arkhangelsk region took part. During the Second segment – which took place in October 2020 (in the second COVID-19 pandemic wave) – 43 anesthesiologists-reanimatologists were examined. Repeated questioning was carried out among the same participants. Results: In October 2020, compared to May, the number of doctors who noted a high intensity of professional activity increased. Regardless of the study period, one-third of the subjects experienced constant pronounced anxiety. Anesthesiologists-reanimatologists, whose professional activity was directly related to the patients in COVID-19 care, noted a poorer emo¬tional state more frequently in October, accompanied by anxiety, depressed mood, irritability and a high burnout level, which may indicate a depletion of internal resources in this group. Conclusions: The study results showed that for anesthesiologists-reanimatologists, a further depletion of emotional resources accompanied the second pandemic wave. The anesthesiologists-reanimatologists’ emotional state was mediated by a number of social and gender factors, as well as specific labor organization features

Comparison of Goal-Directed Hemodynamic Optimization Using Pulmonary Artery Catheter and Transpulmonary Thermodilution in Combined Valve Repair: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Our aim was to compare the effects of goal-directed therapy guided either by pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or by transpulmonary thermodilution (TTD) combined with monitoring of oxygen transport on perioperative hemodynamics and outcome after complex elective valve surgery. Measurements and Main Results. Forty patients were randomized into two equal groups: a PAC group and a TTD group. In the PAC group, therapy was guided by mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), whereas in the TTD group we additionally used global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), and oxygen delivery index (DO2I). We observed a gradual increase in GEDVI, whereas EVLWI and PAOP decreased by 20–30% postoperatively (P < 0.05). The TTD group received 20% more fluid accompanied by increased stroke volume index and DO2I by 15–20% compared to the PAC group (P < 0.05). Duration of mechanical ventilation was increased by 5.2 hrs in the PAC group (P = 0.04). Conclusions. As compared to the PAC-guided algorithm, goal-directed therapy based on transpulmonary thermodilution and oxygen transport increases the volume of fluid therapy, improves hemodynamics and DO2I, and reduces the duration of respiratory support after complex valve surgery

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Intra-Abdominal Hypertension in Critically Ill Patients-A Prospective Multicenter Study (IROI Study)

To identify the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of intra-abdominal hypertension in a mixed multicenter ICU population. Prospective observational study. Fifteen ICUs worldwide. Consecutive adult ICU patients with a bladder catheter. None. Four hundred ninety-one patients were included. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured a minimum of every 8 hours. Subjects with a mean intra-abdominal pressure equal to or greater than 12 mm Hg were defined as having intra-abdominal hypertension. Intra-abdominal hypertension was present in 34.0% of the patients on the day of ICU admission (159/467) and in 48.9% of the patients (240/491) during the observation period. The severity of intra-abdominal hypertension was as follows: grade I, 47.5%; grade II, 36.6%; grade III, 11.7%; and grade IV, 4.2%. The severity of intra-abdominal hypertension during the first 2 weeks of the ICU stay was identified as an independent predictor of 28-and 90-day mortality, whereas the presence of intra-abdominal hypertension on the day of ICU admission did not predict mortality. Body mass index, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score greater than or equal to 18, presence of abdominal distension, absence of bowel sounds, and positive end-expiratory pressure greater than or equal to 7 cm H2O were independently associated with the development of intra-abdominal hypertension at any time during the observation period. In subjects without intra-abdominal hypertension on day 1, body mass index combined with daily positive fluid balance and positive end-expiratory pressure greater than or equal to 7 cm H2O (as documented on the day before intra-abdominal hypertension occurred) were-associated with the development of intraabdominal hypertension during the first week in the ICU. In our mixed ICU patient cohort, intra-abdominal hypertension occurred in almost half of all subjects and was twice as prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients as in spontaneously breathing patients. Presence and severity of intra-abdominal hypertension during the observation period significantly and independently increased 28-and 90-day mortality. Five admission day variables were independently associated with the presence or development of intra-abdominal hypertension. Positive fluid balance was associated with the development of intra-abdominal hypertension after day 1474535542NIGMS NIH HHSUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USANIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [U54 GM104940

No Reliable Association between Runs of Homozygosity and Schizophrenia in a Well-Powered Replication Study

It is well known that inbreeding increases the risk of recessive monogenic diseases, but it is less certain whether it contributes to the etiology of complex diseases such as schizophrenia. One way to estimate the effects of inbreeding is to examine the association between disease diagnosis and genome-wide autozygosity estimated using runs of homozygosity (ROH) in genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Using data for schizophrenia from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (n = 21,868), Keller et al. (2012) estimated that the odds of developing schizophrenia increased by approximately 17% for every additional percent of the genome that is autozygous (β = 16.1, CI(β) = [6.93, 25.7], Z = 3.44, p = 0.0006). Here we describe replication results from 22 independent schizophrenia case-control datasets from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (n = 39,830). Using the same ROH calling thresholds and procedures as Keller et al. (2012), we were unable to replicate the significant association between ROH burden and schizophrenia in the independent PGC phase II data, although the effect was in the predicted direction, and the combined (original + replication) dataset yielded an attenuated but significant relationship between Froh and schizophrenia (β = 4.86,CI(β) = [0.90,8.83],Z = 2.40,p = 0.02). Since Keller et al. (2012), several studies reported inconsistent association of ROH burden with complex traits, particularly in case-control data. These conflicting results might suggest that the effects of autozygosity are confounded by various factors, such as socioeconomic status, education, urbanicity, and religiosity, which may be associated with both real inbreeding and the outcome measures of interest