Sign Language Recognition Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Abstract-Sign language is a lingua among the speech and the hearing impaired community. It is hard for most people who are not familiar with sign language to communicate without an interpreter. Sign language recognition appertains to track and recognize the meaningful emotion of human made with fingers, hands, head, arms, face etc. The technique that has been proposed in this work, transcribes the gestures from a sign language to a spoken language which is easily understood by the hearing. The gestures that have been translated include alphabets, words from static images. This becomes more important for the people who completely rely on the gestural sign language for communication tries to communicate with a person who does not understand the sign language. We aim at representing features which will be learned by a technique known as convolutional neural networks (CNN), contains four types of layers: convolution layers, pooling/subsampling layers, non-linear layers, and fully connected layers. The new representation is expected to capture various image features and complex non-linear feature interactions. A softmax layer will be used to recognize signs

A clinicopathological study to analyse the importance of histopathological examination in diagnosis of excised conjunctival lesions of bulbar conjunctiva

INTRODUCTION: The conjunctiva is readily visible and so the tumours and other lesions in the conjunctiva are generally recognized at an early stage. Clinical diagnosis can often be made by ocular examination and slit- lamp bio microscopy, if features are characteristics. A biopsy is not necessary in cases of smaller tumours that appear benign. Small tumours can be better removed completely in one setting (excisional biopsy). Larger lesions, remove a portion of the tumour (incisional biopsy) to get a histopathological diagnosis prior to more extensive therapy. It is rarely needed to do exfoliative cytology or fine- needle aspiration biopsy, as incisional biopsy is readily available. Slit- lamp examination of the cornea is needed in patients with suspected conjunctival tumours. Rule out any corneal involvement in squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of conjunctiva before planning for surgery. Management of a conjunctival tumour may be serial observation, incisional biopsy, excisional biopsy, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, modified enucleation, orbital exenteration or various combinations of the above planning for surgery. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To analyse the importance of histopathological examination in confirming the diagnosis of various conjunctival lesions like ocular surface squamous neoplasia, malignant melanoma, granulomas. 2. To analyse the clinical presentation of various conjunctival lesions. 3. To differentiate between benign and malignant lesions histopathologically (for early diagnosis of malignancy). METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional study. Subjects >12 years, of either sex attending OPD in GRH Madurai with conjunctival lesions requiring excision and HPE. Study was conducted for 5 months. Patients with infective conjunctival lesions, bleeding diathesis, on anticoagulant therapy and not consenting for participating in the study are excluded from the study. 40 subjects were studied for a period of 5 months. Slit lamp examination of the conjunctival lesion and preoperative staging in case of malignant lesions is done. Posterior segment examination and vision documentation done. Informed consent is obtained and the patient is shifted to OT and under proper anaesthesia the conjunctival lesion is excised with 11 blade and forceps and scissors from the base and edge of ulcer and sent for HPE examination. In doubtful malignant lesion cryotherapy is applied to base of lesion and the conjunctival defect is closed with AMG. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Among the study group 12 were 60 years. 23 males and 17 females participated in the study and it was noted that there is a slight male preponderance for malignant lesions. In cases 50 years degenerations and malignancies were common. The most common tumour overall in this study was benign non- pigmented lesions (squamous papilloma) -25%, degenerations are second most common – 22.50%. Third most common includes non-pigmented malignant lesions 15%. (squamous cell carcinoma). About 87.5% lesions were in bulbar conjunctiva. Chronic lesions tend to be benign or degenerative. Most non- pigmented malignant lesions were leukoplakic. Malignant lesion also showed scleral fixity and recurrence and they were found to be statistically significant with p value 0.029, and they mostly needed cryoexcision with 3 mm tumour free margin with AMG. Among the 27.5% smokers in the study group nearly 75% ad premalignant – malignant lesions. It was noted that OSSN was associated with HIV. (50%) CONCLUSION: It is observed that in subjects below 50 years benign non- pigmented lesions like squamous papilloma are common and they are asymptomatic, mostly < 3mm size, freely mobile, have a chronic course and do not recur after simple excision. It is also observed that in subjects > 50 years in our study the malignant lesion like squamous cell carcinoma are more common and have predilection towards males. They have pain, grossly appear leucoplakic (in malignant non- pigmented), > 4mm size mostly and scleral fixity is present. They require cryo therapy and AMG after excision and they recur often after excision. It was also observed that the smokers had more incidence of premalignant-malignant lesions and OSSN was seen more in HIV positive patients

EXPLORING THE COMPETENCE OF PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS TO COMBAT ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE OF CUCUMBER -AN IN SILICO APPROACH

Objective: Anthracnose is one of the diseases of cucumber caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lagenarium. The enzymes of fungal melanin biosynthesis pathway act as a potential target for the synthetic fungicides. The present study aims to identify the rational phytochemical compound that exhibits inhibitory activity towards a key enzyme scytalone dehydratase (SCD) of melanin biosynthesis pathway. Methods: Phytochemical compounds with antifungal activity were screened from the conventionally used medicinal plants and docked with the target enzyme SCD. Results: The interaction amongst phytocompounds and the target SCD were evaluated. Five out of 20 compounds exhibited higher binding affinity compared to that of synthetic fungicide carpropamid. Conclusion: The current study revealed that the compounds exhibiting significant interaction with SCD might act as an efficient fungicide for the control of anthracnose disease of cucumber

Integrating depth of invasion in T classification improves the prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer primary tumor staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: The last revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual included a specific system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the head and neck. Here, we assessed the prognostic performance of six candidate modified T-classification models in head and neck CSCC patients. METHODS: Analysis of 916 patients with head and neck CSCC given treatment with curative intent at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1995 and 2019 was performed. The main outcome was disease-specific survival (DSS), and the impact of depth of invasion (DOI) was analyzed using multivariable regression models. Candidate models were developed using the optimal DOI cut points for each AJCC T classification based on goodness of fit of the model and the simplicity of the model. Staging systems were compared using Harrell\u27s concordance index. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years (range, 19-97years) and median follow-up time of 22 months (range, 1-250months). The median DOI was 6.0 mm (range, 0.1-70.0 mm). The five-year DSS rate was 80.7% (95%CI, 77.4-83.7%). We found significant association between DOI (hazard ratio, 1.21 [95%CI: 1.01-1.43]) and DSS on multivariable analysis. Based on a low Akaike information criterion score, improvement in the concordance index, and Kaplan-Meier curves, model 6 surpassed the AJCC staging system. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of DOI in the current AJCC staging system improves discrimination of T classifications in head and neck CSCC patients. LAY SUMMARY: The current staging system for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma demonstrates wide prognostic variability and provides suboptimal risk stratification. Incorporation of depth of invasion in the T-classification system improves risk prediction and patient counseling. PRECIS: We propose improved head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma T staging that will include depth of invasion and should be considered in future versions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer after external validation

Ets1 Induces Dysplastic Changes When Expressed in Terminally-Differentiating Squamous Epidermal Cells

BACKGROUND: Ets1 is an oncogene that functions as a transcription factor and regulates the activity of many genes potentially important for tumor initiation and progression. Interestingly, the Ets1 oncogene is over-expressed in many human squamous cell cancers and over-expression is highly correlated with invasion and metastasis. Thus, Ets1 is believed to mainly play a role in later stages of the oncogenic process, but not early events. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To better define the role of Ets1 in squamous cell carcinogenesis, we generated a transgenic mouse model in which expression of the Ets1 oncogene could be temporally and spatially regulated. Upon Ets1 induction in differentiating cells of stratified squamous epithelium, these mice exhibited dramatic changes in epithelial organization including increased proliferation and blocked terminal differentiation. The phenotype was completely reversed when Ets1 expression was suppressed. In mice where Ets1 expression was re-induced at a later age, the phenotype was more localized and the lesions that developed were more invasive. Many potential Ets1 targets were upregulated in the skin of these mice with the most dramatic being the metalloprotease MMP13, which we demonstrate to be a direct transcriptional target of Ets1. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Collectively, our data reveal that upregulation of Ets1 can be an early event that promotes pre-neoplastic changes in epidermal tissues via its regulation of key genes driving growth and invasion. Thus, the Ets1 oncogene may be important for oncogenic processes in both early and late stages of tumor development

Prospect and potential of Burkholderia sp. against Phytophthora capsici Leonian: a causative agent for foot rot disease of black pepper

Foot rot disease is a very destructive disease in black pepper in Malaysia. It is caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian, which is a soilborne pathogenic protist (phylum, Oomycota) that infects aerial and subterranean structures of many host plants. This pathogen is a polycyclic, such that multiple cycles of infection and inoculum production occur in a single growing season. It is more prevalent in the tropics because of the favourable environmental conditions. The utilization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biological control agent has been successfully implemented in controlling many plant pathogens. Many studies on the exploration of beneficial organisms have been carried out such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, which is one of the best examples used for the control of Fusarium wilt in tomato. Similarly, P. fluorescens is found to be an effective biocontrol agent against the foot rot disease in black pepper. Nowadays there is tremendous novel increase in the species of Burkholderia with either mutualistic or antagonistic interactions in the environment. Burkholderia sp. is an indigenous PGPR capable of producing a large number of commercially important hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive substances that promote plant growth and health; are eco-friendly, biodegradable and specific in their actions; and have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity in keeping down the population of phytopathogens, thus playing a great role in promoting sustainable agriculture today. Hence, in this book chapter, the potential applications of Burkholderia sp. to control foot rot disease of black pepper in Malaysia, their control mechanisms, plant growth promotion, commercial potentials and the future prospects as indigenous PGPR were discussed in relation to sustainable agriculture

25th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS-2016

Abstracts of the 25th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS-2016 Seogwipo City, Jeju-do, South Korea. 2–7 July 201

25th annual computational neuroscience meeting: CNS-2016

The same neuron may play different functional roles in the neural circuits to which it belongs. For example, neurons in the Tritonia pedal ganglia may participate in variable phases of the swim motor rhythms [1]. While such neuronal functional variability is likely to play a major role the delivery of the functionality of neural systems, it is difficult to study it in most nervous systems. We work on the pyloric rhythm network of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) [2]. Typically network models of the STG treat neurons of the same functional type as a single model neuron (e.g. PD neurons), assuming the same conductance parameters for these neurons and implying their synchronous firing [3, 4]. However, simultaneous recording of PD neurons shows differences between the timings of spikes of these neurons. This may indicate functional variability of these neurons. Here we modelled separately the two PD neurons of the STG in a multi-neuron model of the pyloric network. Our neuron models comply with known correlations between conductance parameters of ionic currents. Our results reproduce the experimental finding of increasing spike time distance between spikes originating from the two model PD neurons during their synchronised burst phase. The PD neuron with the larger calcium conductance generates its spikes before the other PD neuron. Larger potassium conductance values in the follower neuron imply longer delays between spikes, see Fig. 17.Neuromodulators change the conductance parameters of neurons and maintain the ratios of these parameters [5]. Our results show that such changes may shift the individual contribution of two PD neurons to the PD-phase of the pyloric rhythm altering their functionality within this rhythm. Our work paves the way towards an accessible experimental and computational framework for the analysis of the mechanisms and impact of functional variability of neurons within the neural circuits to which they belong

ROLE OF EXOGENOUS ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS IN ORAL CARCINOGENESIS: A REVIEW

Objective: Glycation is the chemical reaction involving the modification of proteins and amino acids in the presence of reducing sugars, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are heterogeneous compounds whose accumulation is implicated as the pathogenesis in various chronic diseases.Method: A narrative review of all the articles known to the authors was conducted.Results: Tobacco and diet are the two major sources of exogenous AGE and the foremost characteristic of the glycotoxins, formed from tobacco curing reaction, is their high reactivity and innate ability to cross the cell membrane and bind with serum proteins and formation of adducts with amino acids of nucleic acids. Binding of AGEs to their receptor for AGE activates mechanisms which favor production of reactive oxidative species and proinflammatory cytokines. AGEs are also implicated as key players in cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells and also significantly contribute to genotoxicity. Salivary estimation of AGEs is a promising exposition to monitor the prognosis of oral pre-cancers and cancer.Conclusion: This review aims in eliciting the role of AGEs in pathogenesis of oral cancer and its possible development as a biomarker to monitor the initiation and progression of cancer