Towards using Cough for Respiratory Disease Diagnosis by leveraging Artificial Intelligence: A Survey

Cough acoustics contain multitudes of vital information about pathomorphological alterations in the respiratory system. Reliable and accurate detection of cough events by investigating the underlying cough latent features and disease diagnosis can play an indispensable role in revitalizing the healthcare practices. The recent application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advances of ubiquitous computing for respiratory disease prediction has created an auspicious trend and myriad of future possibilities in the medical domain. In particular, there is an expeditiously emerging trend of Machine learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL)-based diagnostic algorithms exploiting cough signatures. The enormous body of literature on cough-based AI algorithms demonstrate that these models can play a significant role for detecting the onset of a specific respiratory disease. However, it is pertinent to collect the information from all relevant studies in an exhaustive manner for the medical experts and AI scientists to analyze the decisive role of AI/ML. This survey offers a comprehensive overview of the cough data-driven ML/DL detection and preliminary diagnosis frameworks, along with a detailed list of significant features. We investigate the mechanism that causes cough and the latent cough features of the respiratory modalities. We also analyze the customized cough monitoring application, and their AI-powered recognition algorithms. Challenges and prospective future research directions to develop practical, robust, and ubiquitous solutions are also discussed in detail.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figures, 9 table

Reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor gene vaccine in immunocastration of ram lambs

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor (KISS1) gene vaccine in immunocastration. Methods Six eight-week old ram lambs were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccine (1 mg/ram lamb) was injected at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before primary immunization and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, and 30 after primary immunization. All ram lambs were slaughtered at 38 weeks of age, and samples were collected. Results The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titers in vaccinated animals were significantly higher and the serum testosterone level was significantly lower than those in the control groups from week 4 to 14 after primary immunization (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed at weeks 22 and 30 after the primary immunization. Similar results were also found for scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length, breadth, and spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in week 30 after primary immunization. KS (KISS1-hepatitis B surface antigen S) fusion fragment of KISS1 gene vaccine was not detected in host cell genomic DNA of 9 tissues of the vaccinated ram lambs by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion The effects of KISS1 gene vaccine in immunocastration were reversible and no integration events were recorded

Functional genomics analysis of Leptin-Melanocortin system genes reveals candidate genes associated rapid growth and high carcass yield in sheep

The Leptin-Melanocortin System (LMS) is an important regulatory system involved in appetite and energy balance in many organisms, including sheep. Functional genomics analysis of LMS genes can provide insights into the genetic factors that influence rapid growth and high carcass yield in sheep. However, the genetic potential of sheep growth and reproduction has not been fully exploited. Therefore, identifying genes that regulate growth and reproduction would offer strategies for improving the yield and quality of sheep meat. In this study, to explore the possible molecular mechanisms underlying rapid growth and muscular high-yield carcass in sheep, we screened 14 genes, which were previously claimed to be associated with such traits in humans and rodents. The FST outlier approach implemented in LOSITAN detected the loci under selection. These candidate genes were connected to complicated biological processes, including the regulation of eating behavior, energy balance, and the positive regulation of the cAMP biosynthetic process, according to the gene ontology (GO) study. In addition, the 14 genes' re-sequence data revealed 7,226 SNPs. The MC4R, STAT3, BDNF, and TUB genes were discovered to be an outlier and significantly under positive selection using the fixation index (FST) based technique with the tentative combined allocation of mean heterozygosity and FST. Differentially expressed genes were found, and their functions were assigned using a functional genomics approach. Results showed that these genes are crucial in determining sheep features including size and meat quality. Insights are gained into the molecular mechanisms behind these phenotypic variations, and possible genes for future sheep breeding initiatives are provided. This research proves the value of functional genomics analysis in identifying the heritable components of valuable sheep agriculture traits.The authors extend their appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R27) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Peer reviewe

Malignant teratoma of the thyroid.

Malignant thyroid teratoma in adults is a rare tumour with less than 40 cases reported worldwide. Our case is of a 29-year-old man who presented with a thyroid lump and compressive symptoms. He underwent multiple investigations before being diagnosed with a malignant thyroid teratoma. There are no established guidelines in the management of this tumour yet. In this case report, we discuss the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the patient and reflect on the published literature on this tumour

An alternative and indirect statistical modeling method for viscosity estimation and its experimental validation for low styrene content polyester resin

We propose an indirect method of ASTM D-1200 for measurement of viscosity from 0.1 to 30 stokes (St) using Ford cup 5 (range 2~ 12 St) by developing a statistical relation. General purpose low styrene content polyester resin (without adding initiator, hardener and accelerator) was used for viscosity measurement. In existing ASTM D 1200 standard, ford cups (1-4) are used to measure the viscosity up to 2 St, while fifth cup is used for measurement from 2 to 12 St. Viscosity above 12 St is not estimated using existing ASTM D- 1200 method. In contrast, our method and statistical relation proposed in this paper estimates viscosity in the flexible range of 0.1 to 30 St by using Ford cup 5 only. The estimated values were confirmed by existing ASTM D-1200 (0.1 to 12 St) and by using Ubbelohde viscometer (12 to 30 St). Values estimated above 12 St are from the proposed model are also in good conformance (percentage error ~ 5% or less) with experimental results. The satisfaction level of the estimated values with the experiments suggests that the model has also the potential for application to paints, polymer and oil industry

Genetic signature of strong recent positive selection at interleukin-32 gene in goat

Objective Identification of the candidate genes that play key roles in phenotypic variations can provide new information about evolution and positive selection. Interleukin (IL)-32 is involved in many biological processes, however, its role for the immune response against various diseases in mammals is poorly understood. Therefore, the current investigation was performed for the better understanding of the molecular evolution and the positive selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-32 gene. Methods By using fixation index (FST) based method, IL-32 (9375) gene was found to be outlier and under significant positive selection with the provisional combined allocation of mean heterozygosity and FST. Using nucleotide sequences of 11 mammalian species from National Center for Biotechnology Information database, the evolutionary selection of IL-32 gene was determined using Maximum likelihood model method, through four models (M1a, M2a, M7, and M8) in Codeml program of phylogenetic analysis by maximum liklihood. Results IL-32 is detected under positive selection using the FST simulations method. The phylogenetic tree revealed that goat IL-32 was in close resemblance with sheep IL-32. The coding nucleotide sequences were compared among 11 species and it was found that the goat IL-32 gene shared identity with sheep (96.54%), bison (91.97%), camel (58.39%), cat (56.59%), buffalo (56.50%), human (56.13%), dog (50.97%), horse (54.04%), and rabbit (53.41%) respectively. Conclusion This study provides evidence for IL-32 gene as under significant positive selection in goat

Establishment and optimization of callus-to-plant regeneration system using mature and immature embryos of maize (Zea mays)

Two experiments were conducted to develop an efficient maize regeneration system using mature and immature embryos of four maize elite lines (Agaiti-85, Golden, Soneri and Sultan). The comparative studies revealed that all maize lines were responsive to callus and plant regeneration from mature and immature embryos. The culture medium Chu\u27s N6 was used in both experiments. Immature embryos efficiently produced callus and regenerated plants therefore, when cultured on medium supplemented with 2,4-D, kinetin, 6-BAP and IBA at concentrations of 2 mL L-1, 0.2, 0.2 and 0.3 g L-1, respectively. However, callus-to-plant regeneration system for mature embryos required these growth regulators at higher concentrations (5 mL L-1, 0.4 g L-1, 0.5 g L-1 and 0.6 g L-1, respectively). The regeneration frequencies ranged from 40 to 75% using immature embryos, compared to 55 to 80% from immature embryos of all elite lines of maize under study

Perception, Attitude, and Confidence of Physicians About Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Prescribing Among COVID-19 Patients:A Cross-Sectional Study From Punjab, Pakistan

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could experience multiple coinfections, and judicial antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is paramount to treat these coinfections. This study evaluated physicians’ perception, attitude, and confidence about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial prescribing in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A self-administered and validated online questionnaire comprised of six sections was disseminated among physicians working in public sector hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, using the convenience sampling method from April to May 2021. The study also assessed the validity and reliability of the study questionnaire using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha. In addition, the descriptive and inferential statistics present survey results. Results: A total of 387 physicians participated in this study. The study showed that the questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). Most physicians (n = 221, 57.1%) believed that AMR is a considerable problem in Pakistan. Less than a quarter of respondents (n = 91, 23.5%) consulted with local antibiotic resistance data to prescribe antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. However, the respondents were confident to select a suitable antibiotic (n = 229, 59.2%). More than three-quarters of the respondents believed that advice from a senior colleague ( n = 336, 86.8%), infectious disease (ID) physician (n = 315, 81.4%), and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) could facilitate appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that physicians with more than 10 years of experience had higher odds of consulting local guidelines for antibiotic therapy (OR, 4.71 95% CI: 1.62–13.73, p = 0.004) than physicians with less than 5 years of experience. Similar trends were found for consulting national guidelines and local resistance data to select an empiric antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: AMR-related awareness was optimal among physicians. Only a few physicians looked up local antibiotic resistance data before prescribing antibiotics to COVID-19 patients empirically. The significant approaches advised by physicians to reduce AMR risk among COVID-19 patients were the implementation of ASPs combined with advice from ID physicians