300 faces in-the-wild challenge: database and results

Computer Vision has recently witnessed great research advance towards automatic facial points detection. Numerous methodologies have been proposed during the last few years that achieve accurate and efficient performance. However, fair comparison between these methodologies is infeasible mainly due to two issues. (a) Most existing databases, captured under both constrained and unconstrained (in-the-wild) conditions have been annotated using different mark-ups and, in most cases, the accuracy of the annotations is low. (b) Most published works report experimental results using different training/testing sets, different error metrics and, of course, landmark points with semantically different locations. In this paper, we aim to overcome the aforementioned problems by (a) proposing a semi-automatic annotation technique that was employed to re-annotate most existing facial databases under a unified protocol, and (b) presenting the 300 Faces In-The-Wild Challenge (300-W), the first facial landmark localization challenge that was organized twice, in 2013 and 2015. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first effort towards a unified annotation scheme of massive databases and a fair experimental comparison of existing facial landmark localization systems. The images and annotations of the new testing database that was used in the 300-W challenge are available from http://ibug.doc.ic.ac.uk/resources/facial-point-annotations

HOG active appearance models

We propose the combination of dense Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features with Active Appearance Models (AAMs). We employ the efficient Inverse Compositional optimization technique and show results for the task of face fitting. By taking advantage of the descriptive characteristics of HOG features, we build robust and accurate AAMs that generalize well to unseen faces with illumination, identity, pose and occlusion variations. Our experiments on challenging in-the-wild databases show that HOG AAMs significantly outperform current state-of-the-art results of discriminative methods trained on larger databases

Feature-based Lucas-Kanade and Active Appearance Models

Lucas-Kanade and Active Appearance Models are among the most commonly used methods for image alignment and facial fitting, respectively. They both utilize non-linear gradient descent, which is usually applied on intensity values. In this paper, we propose the employment of highly-descriptive, densely-sampled image features for both problems. We show that the strategy of warping the multi-channel dense feature image at each iteration is more beneficial than extracting features after warping the intensity image at each iteration. Motivated by this observation, we demonstrate robust and accurate alignment and fitting performance using a variety of powerful feature descriptors. Especially with the employment of HOG and SIFT features, our method significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art results on in-the-wild databases

Investigation laboratory of biomarkers V.E.G.F and L.I.F in success of in vitro fertilization

The aim of the present thesis was to investigate the role of several biochemical parameters (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor – V.E.G.F, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor – L.I.F, Interleukin 1β – IL 1β, Interleukin 4 - IL 4, Interleukin 10 - IL 10) in the pre-implantation phase and ovarian response, embryonic development and pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (I.V.F). Furthermore, the prognostic utility of these biomarkers regarding pregnancy outcome is explored.Fifty-three women suffering from infertility of diverse etiology and undergoing IVF at an academic tertiary hospital were recruited for a prospective study. Medical records were reviewed and information related to demographic characteristics, reproductive variables, and medical history was obtained. Anthropometric characteristics such as height and weight were measured. Furthermore, the ovarian stimulation protocol used in IVF, the administration dose of rF.S.H, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of follicles above > 17mm in diameter, the number of good quality embryos and the pregnancy outcome were recorded. Serum concentrations of F.S.H, estradiol, total testosterone and free testosterone were measured using electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) and cytokines V.E.G.F, L.I.F, IL – 1β, IL – 4 and IL- 10 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in serum and follicular fluid.Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS® version 17 for Windows.The main significant results of the study are summarized as follows: 1) A significant correlation exists between concentrations of V.E.G.F and L.I.F in serum and follicular fluid; 2) V.E.G.F and L.I.F in both follicular fluid and serum are significant predictors of pregnancy outcome, exhibiting a statistically significant negative correlation; 3) Lower circulating levels of L.I.F and elevated circulating levels of V.E.G.F may predict a higher pregnancy rate in women undergoing I.V.F. Further studies are needed to better define their potential use as biomarkers and predictors of pregnancy outcome.Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση, σε γυναίκες που ακολουθούν πρόγραμμα εξωσωματικής γονιμοποίησης, του ρόλου που ενδεχομένως διαδραματίζουν οι βιοχημικοί παράγοντες Αγγειακός Ενδοθηλιακός Αυξητικός Παράγοντας (V.E.G.F), Ανασταλτικός Παράγοντας της Λευχαιμίας (L.I.F), Ιντερλευκίνη 1β (IL – 1β), Ιντερλευκίνη 4 (IL – 4) και Ιντερλευκίνη 10 (IL- 10), στο περιβάλλον του γυναικείου αναπαραγωγικού συστήματος, στην προεμφυτευτική φάση και στην διαδικασία της εμφύτευσης της βλαστοκύστης, καθώς και η διερεύνηση της ενδεχόμενης δυνατότητας χρησιμοποίησης των παραγόντων αυτών ως προγνωστικών εργαστηριακών δεικτών για την επίτευξη ή μη κύησης.Το υλικό της μελέτης αποτέλεσαν 53 γυναίκες, με υπογονιμότητα ποικίλης αιτιολογίας που ακολούθησαν πρόγραμμα εξωσωματικής γονιμοποίησης.Στο σύνολο των γυναικών αυτών καταγράφηκαν με λεπτομέρεια τα στοιχεία του ιστορικού τους, τα σωματομετρικά τους χαρακτηριστικά και όλα τα στοιχεία που αφορούσαν το εφαρμοσθέν πρόγραμμα I.V.F όπως το πρωτόκολλο διέγερσης, η συνολική χορηγηθείσα δόση rF.S.H, τα ωοθυλάκια διαμέτρου > 17mm, ο αριθμός των ληφθέντων ωαρίων, ο αριθμός των γονιμοποιηθέντων ωαρίων και ο αριθμός των καλής ποιότητας εμβρύων καθώς και η θετική ή αρνητική έκβαση του προγράμματος (κύηση ή μη κύηση). Μετρήθηκαν με ηλεκτροχημειοφωταύγεια οι ορμονικοί βιοχημικοί δείκτες Θυλακιοτρόπος ορμόνη (F.S.H), Οιστραδιόλη (E2), Ολική Τεστοστερόνη (T. Testo) και Ελεύθερη Τεστοστερόνη (F.Testo) και με ανοσοενζυμική μέθοδο ( ELISA) οι κυτταροκίνες V.E.G.F, L.I.F, IL – 1β, IL – 4 και IL- 10.Η στατιστική επεξεργασία των αποτελεσμάτων της μελέτης πραγματοποιήθηκε με το στατιστικό πρόγραμμα SPSS v. 17.Τα σημαντικότερα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης έδειξαν: α) ότι υπάρχει πλήρης αντιστοιχία των συγκεντρώσεων του V.E.G.F και του L.I.F ανάμεσα στο αίμα και στο ωοθυλακικό υγρό, β) ότι ο V.E.G.F και ο L.I.F που προσδιορίζονται στο αίμα και στο ωοθυλακικό υγρό είναι προγνωστικοί εργαστηριακοί δείκτες για την επίτευξη ή μη κύησης εμφανίζοντας μεταξύ τους αρνητική συσχέτιση στατιστικά σημαντική και γ) ότι όσο χαμηλότερα είναι τα επίπεδα του L.I.F στον ορό του αίματος και ταυτόχρονα όσο υψηλότερα είναι τα επίπεδα του V.E.G.F στον ορό του αίματος τόσο αυξάνεται η πιθανότητα να επιτευχθεί τελικά κύηση στο πέρας του προγράμματος I.V.F

Circulating leptin, soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index in critically ill patients with sepsis: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Leptin, the prototype adipokine, exerts immunomodulatory actions being implicated in inflammatory responses during sepsis. Clinical evidence regarding its role in sepsis has been contradictory, while free leptin has not been studied. The aim of this study was to jointly investigate circulating total leptin, its soluble receptor (sOB-R), and free leptin, as well as their kinetics in critically ill patients with sepsis regarding their diagnostic and prognostic value. METHODS: In a prospective study, serum total leptin, sOB-R and free leptin index (FLI) were determined in 102 critically ill patients with sepsis within 48 hours from sepsis onset and one week after enrollment, and in 102 age and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Upon enrolment, total leptin, sOB-R and FLI were significantly higher in septic patients compared to controls and they were positively correlated with sepsis severity scores, while they presented a significant decrease during the first week (P<0.001). The decrease in total leptin and sOB-R was significantly higher in patients with sepsis compared to septic shock and in survivors compared to non-survivors at 28 days (P<0.001). Higher serum total leptin was independently associated with survival at 28 days (enrollment: HR 0.86, P=0.03; one week after: HR 0.77, P<0.001). Higher kinetics of total leptin (but not FLI) was independently associated with survival after adjustment (HR: 0.48, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher circulating total leptin and its higher kinetics during the first week from sepsis onset independently predict 28-day survival in critically ill patients. Free leptin did not present any additional diagnostic and prognostic value in sepsis

Circulating Chemerin and Its Kinetics May Be a Useful Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis: A Prospective Study

Chemerin, a novel adipokine, is a potent chemoattractant molecule with antimicrobial properties, implicated in immune responses. Our aim was to investigate circulating chemerin and its kinetics, early in sepsis in critically ill patients and its association with severity and prognosis. Serum chemerin was determined in a cohort of 102 critically ill patients with sepsis during the first 48 h from sepsis onset and one week later, and in 102 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients were followed for 28 days and their outcomes were recorded. Circulating chemerin was significantly higher in septic patients at onset compared to controls (342.3 ± 108.1 vs. 200.8 ± 40.1 μg/L, p < 0.001). Chemerin decreased significantly from sepsis onset to one week later (342.3 ± 108.1 vs. 308.2 ± 108.5 μg/L, p < 0.001), but remained higher than in controls. Chemerin was higher in patients presenting with septic shock than those with sepsis (sepsis onset: 403.2 ± 89.9 vs. 299.7 ± 99.5 μg/L, p < 0.001; one week after: 374.9 ± 95.3 vs. 261.6 ± 91.9 μg/L, p < 0.001), and in nonsurvivors than survivors (sepsis onset: 427.2 ± 96.7 vs. 306.9 ± 92.1 μg/L, p < 0.001; one week after: 414.1 ± 94.5 vs. 264.2 ± 79.9 μg/L, p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with septic shock and nonsurvivors, presented a significantly lower absolute and relative decrease in chemerin one week after sepsis onset compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Based on ROC curve analyses, the diagnostic performance of chemerin (AUC 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.87) was similar to C-reactive protein (CRP) (AUC 0.78, 95% CI 0.68–0.87) in discriminating sepsis severity. However, increased chemerin at sepsis onset and one week later was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality (sepsis onset: HR 3.58, 95% CI 1.48–8.65, p = 0.005; one week after: HR 10.01, 95% CI 4.32–23.20, p < 0.001). Finally, serum chemerin exhibited significant correlations with the severity scores, white blood cells, lactate, CRP and procalcitonin, as well as with biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, but not with cytokines and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Circulating chemerin is increased early in sepsis and its kinetics may have diagnostic and prognostic value in critically ill patients. Further studies are needed to shed light on the role of chemerin in sepsis