Forens(om)ic medicine: omics in forensic medicine

The branch of science informally known as ‘omics’ are various branches in biology whose names end in the suffix omics such as proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics. The studies regarding the role of omics in various branches of medical field have become an upcoming area and its rising trend has been observed in the last decade. Omics has very recently emerged as an uprising field in forensic medicine also which is already known for its great participation with other branches like forensic toxicology, biochemistry, psychiatry, genetics. The use of state- of-the-art omics technologies has been explored in forensic medicine and sciences in establishing post mortem interval, drugs of abuse, intoxication and cause of death. The various forensic studies presently are aiming omics for future prospective. An elementary attempt has been made in this review article to briefly present the role and advantages of omics in forensic medicine. We, hereby, propose to call it forensomic medicine, to draw attention of the forensic professionals to this novel branch of science in order to encourage new studies to be used in medico legal applications

Leveraging Uncertainty Estimates To Improve Classifier Performance

Binary classification involves predicting the label of an instance based on whether the model score for the positive class exceeds a threshold chosen based on the application requirements (e.g., maximizing recall for a precision bound). However, model scores are often not aligned with the true positivity rate. This is especially true when the training involves a differential sampling across classes or there is distributional drift between train and test settings. In this paper, we provide theoretical analysis and empirical evidence of the dependence of model score estimation bias on both uncertainty and score itself. Further, we formulate the decision boundary selection in terms of both model score and uncertainty, prove that it is NP-hard, and present algorithms based on dynamic programming and isotonic regression. Evaluation of the proposed algorithms on three real-world datasets yield 25%-40% gain in recall at high precision bounds over the traditional approach of using model score alone, highlighting the benefits of leveraging uncertainty

MRI diagnosis of tubal torsion: the whirlpool sign

Isolated fallopian tube torsion is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain with multiple described contributory factors resulting in tubal necrosis and gangrene. While clinical presentation is nonspecific with a wide clinical differential diagnosis, a combination of sonographic or MRI whirlpool sign with a dilated fallopian tube and normal appearing ipsilateral ovary helps make a preoperative diagnosis of tubal torsion. We report a case of a middle aged female who was diagnosed with tubal torsion on preoperative MRI and is the first description of MRI whirlpool sign for diagnosis of tubal torsion from the Indian subcontinent to our knowledge. The whirlpool mass in tubal torsion is much smaller than ovarian torsion and may be less obvious on ultrasound as in present case

Structural Adaptations in Overwintering Leaves of Thermonastic and Nonthermonastic Rhododendron Species

Evergreen rhododendrons (Rhododendron L.) are important woody landscape plants in many temperate zones. During winters, leaves of these plants frequently are exposed to a combination of cold temperatures, high radiation, and reduced photosynthetic activity, conditions that render them vulnerable to photooxidative damage. In addition, these plants are shallow-rooted and thus susceptible to leaf desiccation when soils are frozen. In this study, the potential adaptive significance of leaf morphology and anatomy in two contrasting Rhododendron species was investigated. R. catawbiense Michx. (native to eastern United States) exhibits thermonasty (leaf drooping and curling at subfreezing temperatures) and is more winter-hardy [leaf freezing tolerance (LT50) of containerized plants ≈–35 °C], whereas R. ponticum L. (native to central Asia) is less hardy (LT50 ≈–16 °C), and nonthermonastic. Thermonasty may function as a light and/or desiccation avoidance strategy in rhododendrons. Microscopic results revealed that R. ponticum has significantly thicker leaf blades but thinner cuticle than R. catawbiense. There is one layer of upper epidermis and three layers of palisade mesophyll in R. catawbiensecompared with two distinct layers of upper epidermis and two layers of palisade mesophyll in R. ponticum. We suggest that the additional layer of upper epidermis in R. ponticum and thicker cuticle and extra palisade layer inR. catawbiense represent structural adaptations for reducing light injury in leaves and could serve a photoprotective function in winter when leaf photochemistry is generally sluggish. Results also indicate that although stomatal density of R. ponticum is higher than that of R. catawbiense leaves, the overall opening of stomatal pores per unit leaf area (an integrated value of stomatal density and pore size) is higher by approximately twofold in R. catawbiense, suggesting that R. catawbiense may be more prone to winter desiccation and that thermonasty may be a particularly beneficial trait in this species by serving as a desiccation-avoidance strategy in addition to a photoprotection role

Protein Expression in Cold Acclimating and Freezing Tolerant Grape Cane Tissues

The continental climate in Iowa is important when selecting grape cultivars that are tolerant of low-temperature stresses. Many coldregulated (COR) proteins respond to freezing stress, and are able to protect cellular membranes from cold-induced dehydration damage. It is unknown which proteins are important for cultivars to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and low temperatures that can injure over-wintering canes. The objective of this investigation is to observe the ability of two grape cultivars to survive extreme temperature fluctuations during coldacclimation, mid winter, and deacclimation. Experiments will be conducted to determine and compare changes in proteins during cold acclimation and deacclimation in canes for Frontenac and Seyval blanc grape cultivars

Freezing Tolerance in Frontenac and Seyval blanc Grapevines

Grape cultivars that are grown in cold climates must be able to tolerate low winter temperatures that typically occur in a given region. Cold hardiness of grapevines is based on primary bud survival, however, many interspecific cultivars can produce a crop on secondary buds if primary buds are injured. Moreover, cane tissues, which are necessary for secondary crop production, can be as susceptible to freezing injury as secondary buds. There is relatively little information concerning the freezing tolerance of cane tissues during the overwintering period, although high freezing tolerance of cane tissues is important where severe freezing events can be anticipated. The objective of this investigation was to characterize differences in freezing tolerance of bark and xylem cane tissues of a very hardy (Frontenac) and a moderately hardy (Seyval blanc) grape cultivar during autumnal acclimation, midwinter period, and vernal deacclimation. A second objective was to identify biochemical markers associated with increased freezing tolerance of grapevine canes (not included in this report)

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Adverse drug reactions are the undesirable unintended response of the drug which occurs at the doses normally used for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of the patient. ADR is the harmful effect other than desirable or expected which can vary from desirable from mild to severe reaction, even sometimes responsible for causing considerable morbidity and mortality. The reasons include overdose, polypharmacy, diseased condition etc. to name few among them. The increased ADR rate is highly alarming and thus requires proper monitoring and reporting of ADR to the concerned regulatory authorities. In this review we try to cover different aspects of adverse drug reactions like its types, factors affecting ADR, reasons for increasing rate of ADR, preventive measures and also the monitoring and reporting of ADR

Data-Driven Decision Making: Real-world Effectiveness in Industry 5.0 – An Experimental Approach

This empirical study on Industry 5.0 offers verifiable proof of the transformational potential of data-driven decision making. The validation of data-driven choices as a key component of Industry 5.0's performance is shown by a noteworthy 46.15% increase in decision outcomes. The fact that choice criteria are in line with pertinent data sources emphasizes how important data is in forming well-informed decision-making processes. Moreover, the methodical execution and oversight of choices showcase the pragmatic significance of data-driven methodologies. This empirical evidence positions data-driven decision making as a cornerstone for improving operational efficiency, customer happiness, and market share, solidifying its essential role as the industrial environment changes. These results herald in an age when data's revolutionary potential drives industrial progress by providing a compass for companies trying to navigate the complexity of Industry 5.0

Estimation of Gestational Age, Using Neonatal Anthropometry: A Cross-sectional Study in India

Prematurity is a significant contributor to neonatal mortality in India. Conventionally, assessment of gestational age of newborns is based on New Ballard Technique, for which a paediatric specialist is needed. Anthropometry of the newborn, especially birthweight, has been used in the past to predict the gestational age of the neonate in peripheral health facilities where a trained paediatrician is often not available. We aimed to determine if neonatal anthropometric parameters, viz. birthweight, crown heel-length, head-circumference, mid-upper arm-circumference, lower segment-length, foot-length, umbilical nipple distance, calf-circumference, intermammary distance, and hand-length, can reliably predict the gestational age. The study also aimed to derive an equation for the same. We also assessed if these neonatal anthropometric parameters had a better prediction of gestational age when used in combination compared to individual parameters. We evaluated 1,000 newborns in a cross-sectional study conducted in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Delhi. Detailed anthropometric estimation of the neonates was done within 48 hours after birth, using standard techniques. Gestational age was estimated using New Ballard Scoring. Out of 1,250 consecutive neonates, 1,000 were included in the study. Of them, 800 randomly-selected newborns were used in devising the model, and the remaining 200 newborns were used in validating the final model. Quadratic regression analysis using stepwise selection was used in building the predictive model. Birthweight (R=0.72), head-circumference (R=0.60), and mid-upper arm-circumference (R=0.67) were found highly correlated with gestation. The final equation to assess gestational age was as follows: Gestational age (weeks)=5.437 7W\u20130.781 7W2+2.815 7HC\u20130.041 7HC2+0.285 7MUAC\u201322.745 where W=Weight, HC=Head-circumference and MUAC=Mid-upper arm-circumference; Adjusted R=0.76. On validation, the predictability of this equation is 46% (\ub11 week), 75.5% (\ub12 weeks), and 91.5% (\ub13 weeks). This mathematical model may be used in identifying preterm neonates