Exploring Human Aging Proteins Based on Deep Autoencoders and K-Means Clustering

Aging significantly affects human health and the overall economy, yet understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms remains limited. Among all human genes, almost three hundred and five have been linked to human aging. While certain subsets of these genes or specific aging-related genes have been extensively studied. There has been a lack of comprehensive examination encompassing the entire set of aging-related genes. Here, the main objective is to overcome understanding based on an innovative approach that combines the capabilities of deep learning. Particularly using One-Dimensional Deep AutoEncoder (1D-DAE). Followed by the K-means clustering technique as a means of unsupervised learning. The proposed technique offers a novel approach for identifying new candidate proteins with compelling computational evidence of their significant roles in aging. The 1D-DAE model was trained on recognized aging proteins and subsequently employed to effectively compress and represent the complete array of features inherent in all human proteins. This transformation reduced the feature space from 21,000 dimensions to a mere 64 dimensions. Leveraging the distinct characteristics of the aging proteins uncovered during the training phase. Subsequently, we applied the K-means algorithm to partition the human proteins into distinct clusters based on their feature similarities. Using these clusters, we made highly accurate predictions about proteins that may play a significant role in the aging process. Among these proteins, some lack previous annotations related to aging, making the results particularly significant in illuminating potential key proteins in the aging process

Multi-parametric arterial spin labelling and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of grade II and grade III gliomas

Purpose: To assess arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion and diffusion MR imaging (DWI) in the differentiation of grade II from grade III gliomas. Material and methods: A prospective cohort study was done on 36 patients (20 male and 16 female) with diffuse gliomas, who underwent ASL and DWI. Diffuse gliomas were classified into grade II and grade III. Calculation of tumoural blood flow (TBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the tumoral and peritumoural regions was made. The ROC curve was drawn to differentiate grade II from grade III gliomas. Results: There was a significant difference in TBF of tumoural and peritumoural regions of grade II and III gliomas (p = 0.02 and p =0.001, respectively). Selection of 26.1 and 14.8 ml/100 g/min as the cut-off for TBF of tumoural and peritumoural regions differentiated between both groups with area under curve (AUC) of 0.69 and 0.957, and accuracy of 77.8% and 88.9%, respectively. There was small but significant difference in the ADC of tumoural and peritumoural regions between grade II and III gliomas (p = 0.02 for both). The selection of 1.06 and 1.36 × 10-3 mm2/s as the cut-off of ADC of tumoural and peritumoural regions was made, to differentiate grade II from III with AUC of 0.701 and 0.748, and accuracy of 80.6% and 80.6%, respectively. Combined TBF and ADC of tumoural regions revealed an AUC of 0.808 and accuracy of 72.7%. Combined TBF and ADC for peritumoural regions revealed an AUC of 0.96 and accuracy of 94.4%. Conclusion: TBF and ADC of tumoural and peritumoural regions are accurate non-invasive methods of differentiation of grade II from grade III gliomas

Improved Deep Learning Model based Real-Time Recognition of Arabic Sign Language

Sign Language (SL) recognition plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and inclusivity for the hearing-impaired community. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach that incorporates two distinct activation functions—Exponential Linear Unit (ELU) and HardSwish-ELU—to enhance recognition using the pre-trained YOLOv5 object recognition model. ELU is integrated into the intermediate layers of the YOLOv5 architecture, addressing the vanishing gradient problem and capturing more expressive features. The HardSwish activation function, known for combining the advantages of ReLU and LeakyReLU, is employed for the final classification layer to enhance discriminative power. Throughout the training process, we use the SGD-based optimizer to further boost the model\u27s performance. Our models outperform state-of-the-art models, benefiting from reduced training parameters, overhead, and computational costs. Various experiments were conducted on the ArSL21L dataset, a large-scale Arabic sign language dataset, to assess the proposed fusion of activation functions in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall. The combination of ELU and HardSwish enables better representation learning, allowing the model to capture intricate sign language gestures more accurately. This breakthrough has the potential to advance Arabic sign language recognition and contribute to creating inclusive technologies for the hearing-impaired community. The proposed model\u27s effectiveness was further assessed using the OkkhorNama: BdSL dataset and ASLL (American Sign Language Letters) dataset, demonstrating significant improvements in recognition rates compared to the baseline YOLOv5 model with conventional activation functions. The proposed model achieved maximum levels of accuracy, recall, mAP 0.5, and mAP 0.5:0.95 at 98.2%, 98.5%, 99.1%, and 84.4%, respectively. Finally, the proposed model was tested in a real-time environment under various conditions, demonstrating its reliability and efficacy. This comprehensive research contributes to the advancement of sign language recognition technology, fostering inclusivity and communication for the hearing-impaired community

Diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion using ultrasound guided versus medical thoracoscopic pleural biopsy

AbstractIntroductionMedical thoracoscopy increases the diagnostic yield in patients with non-diagnosed pleural effusion when thoracocentesis and closed pleural biopsy (CPB) are non-diagnostic. Chest ultrasound (US) is a very useful imaging method for pleural diseases and the technique of ultra sound-guided cutting biopsy with a tru-cut needle has been well described.Aim of the workThe aim of this work was to diagnose exudative pleural effusion using ultrasound guided versus medical thoracoscopic pleural biopsy.Subjects and methodsForty patients with, non-diagnosed exudative pleural effusion admitted to the chest department, Alexandria university hospital, were enrolled after obtaining informed consents. All patients were subjected to; full history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations including prothrombin activity and INR, biochemical, pathological and microbiological evaluation of the pleural aspirate and radiological evaluation. Then the patients were divided (randomly) into 2 groups each containing 20 patients. Pleural biopsies were performed using medical rigid thoracoscopy on group 1 and ultrasound guided tru-cut pleural biopsy on group 2.ResultsThe mean age in-group I was 55.0±13.05years and in-group II was 52.60±17.77years. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age, sex, smoking, marital status and past medical conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding radiological findings. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the pleural fluid analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the gross pleural findings. In group II non- specific pleurisy was found in 5 (25.0%) patients (by thoracoscopy 1 of them was finally diagnosed as metastatic deposits from adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, one was confirmed to be tuberculous pleurisy and the remaining 3 cases were confirmed to be non- specific pleurisy). As regards complications in-group I, local wound infection occurred in 1 (5.0%) patient, and empyema occurred in 1 (5.0%) patient. In-group II, local wound infection occurred in 1 (5.0%) patient, and empyema occurred in 1 (5.0%) patient.ConclusionIt is better to use thoracoscopy in cases of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion presented with a sufficient amount of pleural fluid to avoid lung injury while inserting the trocar. Whereas, ultrasound guided tru-cut pleural biopsy may be used in cases of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion presented with thickened pleura but with an insufficient amount of pleural fluid

The impact of utilizing ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete in beam-column joints with different patterns of transverse reinforcement

This research studies and assesses the possibility of employing ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) in exterior beam-column joints (BCJs). Eight specimens with various concrete material characteristics and steel reinforcing details are cast and examined under repeated loads. Normal concrete with seismic reinforcing details is used as a control specimen. For certain specimens, UHPC, UHPFRC with 1% steel fiber, and UHPFRC with 2% steel fiber are poured into all BCJs, and others are poured into the critical zone only. The consequences of removing stirrups from the joint were studied. All specimens' crack patterns, hysteresis and envelope curves, ductility factor, stiffness degradation?, and energy dissipation are assessed and corresponded to the control sample. The results demonstrate that UHPFRC strengthened the joint, prevented crack development and extension and the shear failure in the joint, and formed the plastic hinge in the beams. UHPFRC outperforms normal concrete with seismic reinforcing details and UHPC without steel fiber in bearing capacity, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation. UHPFRC with 1% steel fiber enhanced joint behavior, while UHPFRC with 2% steel fiber was better. Casting the whole sample with UHPFRC achieved very little improvement. The presence of stirrups in the UHPFRC beam-column joint has little effect on its properties. It is more economical to cast UHPFRC in the joint zone only and reduce or eliminate these stirrups in the case of UHPFRC

FOXP3 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Pediatric Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): A Preliminary Data

FOXP3 (forkhead box P3) polymorphism is associated with many inflammatory diseases and cancers. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of pediatric malignancies.This study was designed to investigate the impact of FOXP3 (-3279C/A and -2383C/T) gene polymorphism on the susceptibility of Egyptian children to ALL. A total of 128 subjects with ALL and 124 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Genotyping of FOXP3 (-3279C/A and -2383C/T) were performed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). There was a significant increase (P<0.01) in FOXP3 (-3279CC) genotype, while FOXP3 -3279CA genotype was significantly decreased in ALL patients compared to controls. Insignificant change in FOXP3 (-2383C/T) genotypes was demonstrated between both groups. FOXP3 (-2383CC) genotype was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in treatment responders compared to non-responders and a significant increased (p<0.05) in relapsed patients comparing to the non-relapsed group. Taken together, our pilot study pointed to the potential role of FOXP3 (-3279C/A) gene polymorphisms in Egyptian children ALL susceptibility. An additional prospective large scale study should be carried out to support our findings

Salt tolerance of selected halophytes at the two initial growth stages for future management options

Scarcity of water and the small area of the agricultural land are considered as the crucial environmental issues challenged the Arabian Gulf countries. In this study, experiments were conducted to identify the salt tolerance during the germination and the seedling stages of some native halophytes in the State of Qatar. Seeds of eight native species (Salsola setifera, Halopeplis perfoliata, Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis, Limonium axillare, Tetraena qatarensis and Aeluropus lagopoides) were investigated. Except for Tetraena qatarensis, Acacia tortilis and Suaeda aegyptiaca, all achieved ≥ 30% of seed germination at a concentration of 200 mM NaCl. Around 30% of Salsola setifera seeds were able to germinate in a salt concentration of 400 mM. Germination recovery of seeds that have been treated with 800 mM NaCl for 3 weeks was the greatest for Halopeplis perfoliata (94%) and the lowest for Aeluropus lagopoides (22%). Five halophytes were investigated for seedling growth under saline irrigation ranged from 0 to 600 mM NaCl. No significant differences obtained in growth biomass of seedlings of each of Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca and Tetraena qatarensis between saline and non-saline treatments.Open access funding provided by the Qatar National Library