Hybrid Ageing Patterns for Face Age Estimation

Wrinkles can be embedded in several image-based applications as a descriptor for human skin. However, wrinkle-based age estimation research has not been widely addressed. In this paper, we introduce a Multi-scale Wrinkle Patterns (MWP) representation, investigate the effect of wrinkles on face age estimation and propose Hybrid Ageing Patterns (HAP) for face age estimation. To define the wrinkle regions more precisely, a template consisting of 10 regions constructed relatively to a set of automatically located facial landmarks is used. We extract the multi-scale wrinkles in each region and encode them into MWP. We use Support Vector Regression to estimate age from the combination of such patterns. The performance of the algorithms is assessed by using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) on three state-of-the-art datasets - FG-NET, FERET and MORPH. We observe that MWP produces a comparable MAE of 4.16 on FERET to the state of the art. Finally we propose HAP, which combines the features from MWP and the Facial Appearance Model (FAM), and demonstrate improved performance on FERET and MORPH with MAE of 3.02 (±2.92) and 3.68 (±2.98), respectively. Therefore, we conclude that MWP is an important complementary feature for face age estimation

Atrial fibrillation impairs the diagnostic performance of cardiac natriuretic peptides in dyspneic patients. results from the BACH Study (Biomarkers in ACute Heart Failure)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the performance of mid-region amino terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) in comparison with the B-type peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) for diagnosis of acute heart failure (HF) in dyspneic patients. Background: The effects of AF on the diagnostic and prognostic performance of MR-proANP in comparison with the B type natriuretic peptides have not been previously reported. Methods: A total of 1,445 patients attending the emergency department with acute dyspnea had measurements taken of MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP values on enrollment to the BACH trial and were grouped according to presence or absence of AF and HF. Results: AF was present in 242 patients. Plasma concentrations of all three peptides were lowest in those with neither AF nor HF and AF without HF was associated with markedly increased levels (p < 0.00001). HF with or without AF was associated with a significant further increment (p < 0.00001 for all three markers). Areas under receiver operator characteristic curves (AUCs) for discrimination of acute HF were similar and powerful for all peptides without AF (0.893 to 0.912; all p < 0.001) with substantial and similar reductions (0.701 to 0.757) in the presence of AF. All 3 peptides were independently prognostic but there was no interaction between any peptide and AF for prediction of all-cause mortality. Conclusions: AF is associated with increased plasma natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP, BNP and NT-proBNP) levels in the absence of HF. The diagnostic performance of all three peptides is impaired by AF. This warrants consideration of adjusted peptide thresholds for diagnostic use in AF and mandates the continued search for markers free of confounding by AF

Protocol and rationale-the efficacy of minocycline as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial

While current pharmacotherapies are efficacious, there remain a clear shortfall between symptom remission and functional recovery. With the explosion in our understanding of the biology of these disorders, the time is ripe for the investigation of novel therapies. Recently depression is conceptualized as an immune-inflammatory and nitro-oxidative stress related disorder. Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that has anti-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, glutamatergic, neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties that make it a viable target to explore as a new therapy. This double blind, randomised, placebo controlled adjunctive trial will investigate the benefits of 200 mg/day of minocycline treatment, in addition to any usual treatment, as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-severe major depressive disorder. Sixty adults are being randomised to 12 weeks of treatment (with a 4 week follow-up post-discontinuation). The primary outcome measure for the study is mean change on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), with secondary outcomes including the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Patient Global Impression (PGI), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE-RIFT). Biomarker analyses will also be conducted at baseline and week 12. The study has the potential to provide new treatment targets, both by showing efficacy with a new class of \u27antidepressant\u27 but also through the analysis of biomarkers that may further inform our understanding of the pathophysiology of unipolar depression

Optimally combining dynamical decoupling and quantum error correction

We show how dynamical decoupling (DD) and quantum error correction (QEC) can be optimally combined in the setting of fault tolerant quantum computing. To this end we identify the optimal generator set of DD sequences designed to protect quantum information encoded into stabilizer subspace or subsystem codes. This generator set, comprising the stabilizers and logical operators of the code, minimizes a natural cost function associated with the length of DD sequences. We prove that with the optimal generator set the restrictive local-bath assumption used in earlier work on hybrid DD-QEC schemes, can be significantly relaxed, thus bringing hybrid DD-QEC schemes, and their potentially considerable advantages, closer to realization.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Consensus-based statements for the management of mitochondrial stroke-like episodes [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

BACKGROUND: Focal-onset seizures and encephalopathy are prominent features of a stroke-like episode, which is a severe neurological manifestation associated with subtypes of mitochondrial disease. Despite more than 30 years of research, the acute treatment of stroke-like episodes remains controversial. METHODS: We used the modified Delphi process to harness the clinical expertise of a group of mitochondrial disease specialists from five European countries to produce consensus guidance for the acute management of stroke-like episodes and commonly associated complications. RESULTS: Consensus on a new definition of mitochondrial stroke-like episodes was achieved and enabled the group to develop diagnostic criteria based on clinical features, neuroimaging and/or electroencephalogram findings. Guidelines for the management of strokelike episodes were agreed with aggressive seizure management strongly recommended at the outset of stroke-like episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our consensus statement defines stroke-like episodes in terms of an epileptic encephalopathy and we have used this to revise both diagnostic criteria and guidelines for management. A prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial is required for evaluating the efficacy of any compound on modifying the trajectory of stroke-like episodes

Analysis of spatial variability for the development of reduced lead body surface maps

The spatial frequency of measurement points from standard ECG systems lacks accuracy to diagnose local variability in cardiac activity on the torso. Body Surface Mapping (BSM) improves this accuracy, but lacks the simplicity to be implemented in clinic on a regular basis. Reduced-lead BSM system improves applicability, but currently no standardization of lead reduction has been agreed upon. This research investigates the reduction of BSMs based on Lomb-Scargle Spectral Analysis to determine an appropriate electrode positioning through spatial frequency assessment. Based on the measurement of 13 healthy volunteers, a 128 electrode system could be reduced to a 36 electrode system and an 84 electrode system for ventricular and atrial activity measurements, respectively, with up to 10% loss of the full information provided by the original body surface potential map. Further research will investigate the appropriate positions of these electrodes and the effect of lead reduction for various cardiac abnormalities

A platform to guide catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation using dominant frequency mapping

Dominant frequency (DF) mapping has been widely used to study the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, a DF mapping system was developed to guide catheter ablation on electro-physiology (EP) procedures of persistent AF patients. The proposed platform has an automated graphical user interface (GUI) that processes non-contact unipolar electrograms (EGMs) recorded simultaneously by St. Jude Ensite Velocity System and provides 3D representation of the left atrium with DF behaviours and phase analysis

Diagnostic yield of array CGH in patients with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong

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Prevalence and clinical implications of respiratory viruses in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Both stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute exacerbations represent leading causes of death, disability and healthcare expenditure. They are complex, heterogeneous and their mechanisms are poorly understood. The role of respiratory viruses has been studied extensively but is still not adequately addressed clinically. Through a rigorous evidence update, we aim to define the prevalence and clinical burden of the different respiratory viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations, and to investigate whether viral load of usual respiratory viruses could be used for diagnosis of exacerbations triggered by viruses, which are currently not diagnosed or treated aetiologically. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Based on a prospectively registered protocol, we will systematically review the literature using standard methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group. We will search Medline/PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), the Cochrane Library, the WHO's Clinical Trials Registry and the proceedings of relevant international conferences on 2 March 2020. We will evaluate: (A) the prevalence of respiratory viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations, (B) differences in the viral loads of respiratory viruses in stable COPD vs exacerbations, to explore whether the viral load of prevalent respiratory viruses could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for exacerbations triggered by viruses and (C) the association between the presence of respiratory viruses and clinical outcomes in stable COPD and in exacerbations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required since no primary data will be collected. Our findings will be presented in national and international scientific conferences and will be published in peer reviewed journals. Respiratory viruses currently represent a lost opportunity to improve the outcomes of both stable COPD and exacerbations. Our work aspires to 'demystify' the prevalence and clinical burden of viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations and to promote clinical and translational research. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019147658