Annotating sleep states in children from wrist-worn accelerometer data using Machine Learning

Sleep detection and annotation are crucial for researchers to understand sleep patterns, especially in children. With modern wrist-worn watches comprising built-in accelerometers, sleep logs can be collected. However, the annotation of these logs into distinct sleep events: onset and wakeup, proves to be challenging. These annotations must be automated, precise, and scalable. We propose to model the accelerometer data using different machine learning (ML) techniques such as support vectors, boosting, ensemble methods, and more complex approaches involving LSTMs and Region-based CNNs. Later, we aim to evaluate these approaches using the Event Detection Average Precision (EDAP) score (similar to the IOU metric) to eventually compare the predictive power and model performance

Spectral thresholding quantum tomography for low rank states

The estimation of high dimensional quantum states is an important statistical problem arising in current quantum technology applications. A key example is the tomography of multiple ions states, employed in the validation of state preparation in ion trap experiments (Häffner et al 2005 Nature 438 643). Since full tomography becomes unfeasible even for a small number of ions, there is a need to investigate lower dimensional statistical models which capture prior information about the state, and to devise estimation methods tailored to such models. In this paper we propose several new methods aimed at the efficient estimation of low rank states and analyse their performance for multiple ions tomography. All methods consist in first computing the least squares estimator, followed by its truncation to an appropriately chosen smaller rank. The latter is done by setting eigenvalues below a certain 'noise level' to zero, while keeping the rest unchanged, or normalizing them appropriately. We show that (up to logarithmic factors in the space dimension) the mean square error of the resulting estimators scales as where r is the rank, is the dimension of the Hilbert space, and N is the number of quantum samples. Furthermore we establish a lower bound for the asymptotic minimax risk which shows that the above scaling is optimal. The performance of the estimators is analysed in an extensive simulations study, with emphasis on the dependence on the state rank, and the number of measurement repetitions. We find that all estimators perform significantly better than the least squares, with the 'physical estimator' (which is a bona fide density matrix) slightly outperforming the other estimators

GLUT 5 Is Not Over-Expressed in Breast Cancer Cells and Patient Breast Cancer Tissues

F18 2-Fluoro 2-deoxyglucose (FDG) has been the gold standard in positron emission tomography (PET) oncologic imaging since its introduction into the clinics several years ago. Seeking to complement FDG in the diagnosis of breast cancer using radio labeled fructose based analogs, we investigated the expression of the chief fructose transporter-GLUT 5 in breast cancer cells and human tissues. Our results indicate that GLUT 5 is not over-expressed in breast cancer tissues as assessed by an extensive immunohistochemistry study. RT-PCR studies showed that the GLUT 5 mRNA was present at minimal amounts in breast cancer cell lines. Further knocking down the expression of GLUT 5 in breast cancer cells using RNA interference did not affect the fructose uptake in these cell lines. Taken together these results are consistent with GLUT 5 not being essential for fructose uptake in breast cancer cells and tissues

Citrullinated histone H3 as a novel prognostic blood marker in patients with advanced cancer

Citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit) is a central player in the neutrophil release of nuclear chromatin, known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs have been shown to elicit harmful effects on the host, and were recently proposed to promote tumor progression and spread. Here we report significant elevations of plasma H3Cit in patients with advanced cancer compared with age-matched healthy individuals. These elevations were specific to cancer patients as no increase was observed in severely ill and hospitalized patients with a higher non-malignant comorbidity. The analysis of neutrophils from cancer patients showed a higher proportion of neutrophils positive for intracellular H3Cit compared to severely ill patients. Moreover, the presence of plasma H3Cit in cancer patients strongly correlated with neutrophil activation markers neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and -8, known to induce NETosis. In addition, we show that high levels of circulating H3Cit strongly predicted poor clinical outcome in our cohort of cancer patients with a 2-fold increased risk for short-term mortality. Our results also corroborate the association of NE, interleukin-6 and -8 with poor clinical outcome. Taken together, our results are the first to unveil H3Cit as a potential diagnostic and prognostic blood marker associated with an exacerbated inflammatory response in patients with advanced cancer

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Breast Cancer and Beyond: Current Perspectives on NET Stimuli, Thrombosis and Metastasis, and Clinical Utility for Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), known as NETosis, was first observed as a novel immune response to bacterial infection, but has since been found to occur abnormally in a variety of other inflammatory disease states including cancer. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women. In breast cancer, NETosis has been linked to increased disease progression, metastasis, and complications such as venous thromboembolism. NET-targeted therapies have shown success in preclinical cancer models and may prove valuable clinical targets in slowing or halting tumor progression in breast cancer patients. We will briefly outline the mechanisms by which NETs may form in the tumor microenvironment and circulation, including the crosstalk between neutrophils, tumor cells, endothelial cells, and platelets as well as the role of cancer-associated extracellular vesicles in modulating neutrophil behavior and NET extrusion. The prognostic implications of cancer-associated NETosis will be explored in addition to development of novel therapeutics aimed at targeting NET interactions to improve outcomes in patients with breast cancer

Multiple Extensive Complex Odontomas of the Jaws

Abstract Odontomas are odontogenic tumors occurring in the oral cavity. They are composed of dental tissues namely enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp and are mostly discovered on routine radiographic examination owing to their benign and asymptomatic nature. Not many cases of odontomas erupting into the oral cavity are reported. An extensive survey of English literature revealed ten cases of erupted compound odontomas, and the present paper reports a case of a multiple symptomatic erupted complex odontomas of unusually large size involving both the jaws and the maxillary sinus in a 13-year-old male patient. Clinical and radiological examination using conventional and advanced diagnostic imaging with CT revealed an abnormally large radio-opaque mass, the density of which resembled enamel/bone occupying both the jaws and maxillary sinuses bilaterally. Diagnosis of odontoma was made which was confirmed histopathologically. Complete excision of the lesion with lining involving whole of maxillary sinus bilaterally and from the mandibular anterior region was done. Post operative period was uneventful with no evidence of recurrence. Keywords: jaw, mandible, maxilla, maxillary sinus, multiple complex odontomas Cite This Article: MAHIMA V GULEDGUD, SAIKRISHNA DEGALA, KARTHIKEYA PATIL, and DEEPIKA KESHARI, "Multiple Extensive Comple

Unusual association of Meckel's diverticulum with double appendix – A rare finding

INTRODUCTION: Appendix duplication is an extremely rare congenital anomaly that is seen in 0.004–0.009% of appendectomy specimens. Duplicated appendix may be associated with number of congenital anomalies. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this case report, we are presenting a rare case of duplicated vermiform appendix with a co-existing Meckel's diverticulum. DISCUSSION: Anomalies of appendix are rare and duplication of vermiform appendix is extremely rare. In 1936, Cave classified appendiceal duplication for the first time which was modified by Wallbridge in 1963 into three types. Concomitant malformations or duplications of the large intestine or the genitourinary system may be present, especially in types B1 and C probably due to their similar embryological origin. Here we are presenting a very rare case report of type B1 appendix anomaly associated with Meckel's diverticulum. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware of these conditions because of the possible clinical implications