A case of abdominal tuberculosis: a challenging diagnosis

Tuberculosis continues to intimidate the human race since traditional for an extremely long time not only due to its effects as a medical ailment, but also it impacts as a social and economic burden. Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries. Abdominal tuberculosis is most common extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis can suspect in endemic countries like India, and can have various presentations and complications, it can mislead the diagnosis. Here, this case it involves small bowel, large bowel and peritoneum with different presentation

Deep Learning based CNN Model for Classification and Detection of Individuals Wearing Face Mask

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a critical demand for protective measures, with face masks emerging as a primary safeguard. The approach involves a two-fold strategy: first, recognizing the presence of a face by detecting faces, and second, identifying masks on those faces. This project utilizes deep learning to create a model that can detect face masks in real-time streaming video as well as images. Face detection, a facet of object detection, finds applications in diverse fields such as security, biometrics, and law enforcement. Various detector systems worldwide have been developed and implemented, with convolutional neural networks chosen for their superior performance accuracy and speed in object detection. Experimental results attest to the model's excellent accuracy on test data. The primary focus of this research is to enhance security, particularly in sensitive areas. The research paper proposes a rapid image pre-processing method with masks centred on faces. Employing feature extraction and Convolutional Neural Network, the system classifies and detects individuals wearing masks. The research unfolds in three stages: image pre-processing, image cropping, and image classification, collectively contributing to the identification of masked faces. Continuous surveillance through webcams or CCTV cameras ensures constant monitoring, triggering a security alert if a person is detected without a mask.Comment: 8 Pages , 6 figures , 1 Tabl

Feature Selection and Molecular Classification of Cancer Using Genetic Programming

AbstractDespite important advances in microarray-based molecular classification of tumors, its application in clinical settings remains formidable. This is in part due to the limitation of current analysis programs in discovering robust biomarkers and developing classifiers with a practical set of genes. Genetic programming (GP) is a type of machine learning technique that uses evolutionary algorithm to simulate natural selection as well as population dynamics, hence leading to simple and comprehensible classifiers. Here we applied GP to cancer expression profiling data to select feature genes and build molecular classifiers by mathematical integration of these genes. Analysis of thousands of GP classifiers generated for a prostate cancer data set revealed repetitive use of a set of highly discriminative feature genes, many of which are known to be disease associated. GP classifiers often comprise five or less genes and successfully predict cancer types and subtypes. More importantly, GP classifiers generated in one study are able to predict samples from an independent study, which may have used different microarray platforms. In addition, GP yielded classification accuracy better than or similar to conventional classification methods. Furthermore, the mathematical expression of GP classifiers provides insights into relationships between classifier genes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GP may be valuable for generating effective classifiers containing a practical set of genes for diagnostic/ prognostic cancer classification

Molecular profiling of human prostate tissues: insights into gene expression patterns of prostate development during puberty

Testosterone production surges during puberty and orchestrates massive growth and reorganization of the prostate gland, and this glandular architecture is maintained thereafter throughout adulthood. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PCA) are common diseases in adulthood that do not develop in the absence of androgens. Our objective was to gain insight into gene expression changes of the prostate gland at puberty, a crucial juncture in prostate development that is androgen dependent. Understanding the role played by androgens in normal prostate development may provide greater insight into androgen involvement in prostatic diseases. Benign prostate tissues obtained from pubertal and adult age group cadaveric organ donors were harvested and profiled using 20,000 element cDNA microarrays. Statistical analysis of the microarray data identified 375 genes that were differentially expressed in pubertal prostates relative to adult prostates including genes such as Nkx3.1, TMEPAI, TGFBR3, FASN, ANKH, TGFBR2, FAAH, S100P, HoxB13, fibronectin, and TSC2 among others. Comparisons of pubertal and BPH expression profiles revealed a subset of genes that shared the expression pattern between the two groups. In addition, we observed that several genes from this list were previously demonstrated to be regulated by androgen and hence could also be potential in vivo targets of androgen action in the pubertal human prostate. Promoter searches revealed the presence of androgen response elements in a cohort of genes including tumor necrosis factor‐α induced adipose related protein, which was found to be induced by androgen. In summary, this is the first report that provides a comprehensive view of the molecular events that occur during puberty in the human prostate and provides a cohort of genes that could be potential in vivo targets of androgenic action during puberty.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154303/1/fsb2fj042415fje.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154303/2/fsb2fj042415fje-sup-0001.pd

Efficacy and safety of once-daily nevirapine- or efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-associated tuberculosis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Nevirapine (NVP) can be safely and effectively administered once-daily but has not been assessed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients with tuberculosis (TB). We studied the safety and efficacy of once-daily NVP, compared with efavirenz (EFV; standard therapy); both drugs were administered in combination with 2 nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. Methods: An open-label, noninferiority, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at 3 sites in southern India. HIV-infected patients with TB were treated with a standard short-course anti-TB regimen (2EHRZ3/4RH3; [2 months of Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide/4 months of Isoniazid and Rifampicin] thrice weekly) and randomized to receive once-daily EFV at a dose of 600 mg or NVP at a dose of 400 mg (after 14 days of 200 mg administered once daily) with didanosine 250/400 mg and lamivudine 300 mg after 2 months. Sputum smears and mycobacterial cultures were performed every month. CD4+ cell count, viral load, and liver function test results were monitored periodically. Primary outcome was a composite of death, virological failure, default, or serious adverse event (SAE) at 24 weeks. Both intent-to-treat and per protocol analyses were done, and planned interim analyses were performed. Results: A total of 116 patients (75% [87 patients] of whom had pulmonary TB), with a mean age of 36 years, a median CD4+ cell count of 84 cells/mm3, and a median viral load of 310?000 copies/mL, were randomized. At 24 weeks, 50 of 59 patients in the EFV group and 37 of 57 patients in the NVP group had virological suppression (P = .024). There were no deaths, 1 SAE, and 5 treatment failures in the EFV arm, compared with 5 deaths, 2 SAEs, and 10 treatment failures in the NVP arm. The trial was halted by the data and safety monitoring board at the second interim analysis. Favorable TB treatment outcomes were observed in 93% of the patients in the EFV arm and 84% of the patients in the NVP arm (P = .058). Conclusions: Compared with a regimen of didanosine, lamivudine, and EFV, a regimen of once-daily didanosine, lamivudine, and NVP was inferior and was associated with more frequent virologic failure and death

Molecular profiling of ETS and non‐ETS aberrations in prostate cancer patients from northern India

BACKGROUNDMolecular stratification of prostate cancer (PCa) based on genetic aberrations including ETS or RAF gene‐rearrangements, PTEN deletion, and SPINK1 over‐expression show clear prognostic and diagnostic utility. Gene rearrangements involving ETS transcription factors are frequent pathogenetic somatic events observed in PCa. Incidence of ETS rearrangements in Caucasian PCa patients has been reported, however, occurrence in Indian population is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the ETS and RAF kinase gene rearrangements, SPINK1 over‐expression, and PTEN deletion in this cohort.METHODSIn this multi‐center study, formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) PCa specimens (n = 121) were procured from four major medical institutions in India. The tissues were sectioned and molecular profiling was done using immunohistochemistry (IHC), RNA in situ hybridization (RNA‐ISH) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).RESULTSERG over‐expression was detected in 48.9% (46/94) PCa specimens by IHC, which was confirmed in a subset of cases by FISH. Among other ETS family members, while ETV1 transcript was detected in one case by RNA‐ISH, no alteration in ETV4 was observed. SPINK1 over‐expression was observed in 12.5% (12/96) and PTEN deletion in 21.52% (17/79) of the total PCa cases. Interestingly, PTEN deletion was found in 30% of the ERG‐positive cases (P = 0.017) but in only one case with SPINK1 over‐expression (P = 0.67). BRAF and RAF1 gene rearrangements were detected in ∼1% and ∼4.5% of the PCa cases, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first report on comprehensive molecular profiling of the major spectrum of the causal aberrations in Indian men with PCa. Our findings suggest that ETS gene rearrangement and SPINK1 over‐expression patterns in North Indian population largely resembled those observed in Caucasian population but differed from Japanese and Chinese PCa patients. The molecular profiling data presented in this study could help in clinical decision‐making for the pursuit of surgery, diagnosis, and in selection of therapeutic intervention. Prostate 75:1051–1062, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. The Prostate, published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111808/1/pros22989.pd

Analysis of long non-coding RNAs highlights tissue-specific expression patterns and epigenetic profiles in normal and psoriatic skin

Abstract Background Although analysis pipelines have been developed to use RNA-seq to identify long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), inference of their biological and pathological relevance remains a challenge. As a result, most transcriptome studies of autoimmune disease have only assessed protein-coding transcripts. Results We used RNA-seq data from 99 lesional psoriatic, 27 uninvolved psoriatic, and 90 normal skin biopsies, and applied computational approaches to identify and characterize expressed lncRNAs. We detect 2,942 previously annotated and 1,080 novel lncRNAs which are expected to be skin specific. Notably, over 40% of the novel lncRNAs are differentially expressed and the proportions of differentially expressed transcripts among protein-coding mRNAs and previously-annotated lncRNAs are lower in psoriasis lesions versus uninvolved or normal skin. We find that many lncRNAs, in particular those that are differentially expressed, are co-expressed with genes involved in immune related functions, and that novel lncRNAs are enriched for localization in the epidermal differentiation complex. We also identify distinct tissue-specific expression patterns and epigenetic profiles for novel lncRNAs, some of which are shown to be regulated by cytokine treatment in cultured human keratinocytes. Conclusions Together, our results implicate many lncRNAs in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, and our results provide a resource for lncRNA studies in other autoimmune diseases.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110307/1/13059_2014_Article_570.pd

Caspase-8 binding to cardiolipin in giant unilamellar vesicles provides a functional docking platform for bid

Caspase-8 is involved in death receptor-mediated apoptosis in type II cells, the proapoptotic programme of which is triggered by truncated Bid. Indeed, caspase-8 and Bid are the known intermediates of this signalling pathway. Cardiolipin has been shown to provide an anchor and an essential activating platform for caspase-8 at the mitochondrial membrane surface. Destabilisation of this platform alters receptor-mediated apoptosis in diseases such as Barth Syndrome, which is characterised by the presence of immature cardiolipin which does not allow caspase-8 binding. We used a simplified in vitro system that mimics contact sites and/or cardiolipin-enriched microdomains at the outer mitochondrial surface in which the platform consisting of caspase-8, Bid and cardiolipin was reconstituted in giant unilamellar vesicles. We analysed these vesicles by flow cytometry and confirm previous results that demonstrate the requirement for intact mature cardiolipin for caspase-8 activation and Bid binding and cleavage. We also used confocal microscopy to visualise the rupture of the vesicles and their revesiculation at smaller sizes due to alteration of the curvature following caspase-8 and Bid binding. Biophysical approaches, including Laurdan fluorescence and rupture/tension measurements, were used to determine the ability of these three components (cardiolipin, caspase-8 and Bid) to fulfil the minimal requirements for the formation and function of the platform at the mitochondrial membrane. Our results shed light on the active functional role of cardiolipin, bridging the gap between death receptors and mitochondria

NMR-based metabolomic profiling of urine: Evaluation for application in prostate cancer detection

Detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and distinguishing indolent versus aggressive forms of the disease is a critical clinical challenge. The current clinical test is circulating prostate-specific antigen levels, which faces particular challenges in cancer diagnosis in the range of 4 to 10 ng/mL. Thus, a concerted effort toward building a noninvasive biomarker panel has developed. In this report, the hypothesis that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-derived metabolomic profiles measured in the urine of biopsy-negative versus biopsy-positive individuals would nominate a selection of potential biomarker signals was investigated. 1H NMR spectra of urine samples from 317 individuals (111 biopsy-negative, 206 biopsy-positive) were analyzed. A double cross-validation partial least squares-discriminant analysis modeling technique was utilized to nominate signals capable of distinguishing the two classes. It was observed that after variable selection protocols were applied, a subset of 29 variables produced an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.94 after logistic regression analysis, whereas a “master list” of 18 variables produced a receiver operating characteristic ROC) AUC of 0.80. As proof of principle, this study demonstrates the utility of NMR-based metabolomic profiling of urine biospecimens in the nomination of PCa-specific biomarker signals and suggests that further investigation is certainly warranted