A customized VGG19 network with concatenation of deep and handcrafted features for brain tumor detection

Brain tumor (BT) is one of the brain abnormalities which arises due to various reasons. The unrecognized and untreated BT will increase the morbidity and mortality rates. The clinical level assessment of BT is normally performed using the bio-imaging technique, and MRI-assisted brain screening is one of the universal techniques. The proposed work aims to develop a deep learning architecture (DLA) to support the automated detection of BT using two-dimensional MRI slices. This work proposes the following DLAs to detect the BT: (i) implementing the pre-trained DLAs, such as AlexNet, VGG16, VGG19, ResNet50 and ResNet101 with the deep-features-based SoftMax classifier; (ii) pre-trained DLAs with deep-features-based classification using decision tree (DT), k nearest neighbor (KNN), SVM-linear and SVM-RBF; and (iii) a customized VGG19 network with serially-fused deep-features and handcrafted-features to improve the BT detection accuracy. The experimental investigation was separately executed using Flair, T2 and T1C modality MRI slices, and a ten-fold cross validation was implemented to substantiate the performance of proposed DLA. The results of this work confirm that the VGG19 with SVM-RBF helped to attain better classification accuracy with Flair (>99%), T2 (>98%), T1C (>97%) and clinical images (>98%)

Rapid isolation of high molecular weight DNA from single dry preserved adult beetle of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification

For studying genetic diversity in populations of predatory coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), our attempts to isolate high quality DNA from individual adult beetle using several previously reported protocols and even modifications were quite unsuccessful as the insect size was small and was preserved at -20°C as dry specimen. Here we describe a simple, rapid and efficient method of isolating high-quality intact genomic DNA with reduced protein contamination for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from a single, dry preserved specimen of adult Cryptolaemus. The procedure features macerating and mixing the single adult specimen of Cryptoalemus with cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the homogenization buffer, two chloroform-isoamylalcohol extractions and an alcohol precipitation. RNA contamination was eliminated with RNAse treatment. The purity of DNA was high since the A260/A280 ratio ranged from 1.78 to 1.97. The isolated DNA was used as template for PCR, and the results were evaluated by comparing with different preserved samples.Key words: Rapid isolation, quality DNA, dry preserved specimens, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Priprava i in vitro karakterizacija plutajućih zrnaca acetohidroksamske kiseline za iskorjenjivanje H. pylori

Gellan based floating beads of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) were prepared by the ionotropic gellation method to achieve controlled and sustained drug release for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. The prepared beads were evaluated for diameter, surface morphology and encapsulation efficiency. Formulation parameters like concentrations of gellan, chitosan, calcium carbonate and the drug influenced the in vitro drug release characteristics of beads. Drug and polymer interaction studies were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry. Chitosan coating increased encapsulation efficiency of the beads and reduced the initial burst release of the drug from the beads. Kinetic treatment of the drug release data revealed a matrix diffusion mechanism. Prepared floating beads showed good antimicrobial activity (in vitro H. pylori culture) as potent urease inhibitors. In conclusion, an oral dosage form of floating gellan beads containing AHA may form a useful stomach site specific drug delivery system for the treatment of H. pylori infection.Metodom ionotropskog želiranja pripravljena su plutajuća zrnca acetohidroksamske kiseline (AHA) na bazi gelana za kontrolirano i usporeno oslobađanje ljekovite tvari, namijenjena za liječenje infekcija uzrokovanih Helicobacter pylori. Pripravljenim zrncima proučavani su dijametar, površinska morfologija i sposobnost inkapsuliranja. Koncentracija gelana, kitozana, kalcijeva karbonata i ljekovite tvari utjecala je na oslobađanje in vitro. Interakcija između ljekovite tvari i polimera praćena je diferencijalnom pretražnom kalorimetrijom. Oblaganje zrnaca kitozanom povećalo je učinkovitost inkapsuliranja i smanjilo početno naglo oslobađanje. Oslobađanje ljekovite tvari slijedilo je mehanizam difuzije matriksa. Plutajuća zrnca s AHA pokazala su antimikrobno djelovanje in vitro na kulturi H. pylori kao snažni inhibitori ureaze. Može se zaključiti da su plutajuća zrnca s AHA na bazi gelana pogodna za specifičnu isporuku u želucu te korisna u terapiji infekcija uzrokovanih H. pylori

Biomimetic electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for tissue engineering: preparation, optimization by design of experiments (DOE), in-vitro and in-vivo characterization

Electrospinning is a versatile method for fabrication of précised nanofibrous materials for various biomedical application including tissue engineering and drug delivery. This research is aimed to fabricate the PVP/PVA nanofiber scaffold by novel electrospinning technique and to investigate the impact of process parameters (flow rate, voltage and distance) and polymer concentration/solvent combinations influence on properties of electrospun nanofibers. The in-vitro and in-vivo degradation studies were performed to evaluate the potential of electrospun PVP/PVA as a tissue engineering scaffold. The solvents used for electrospinning of PVP/PVA nanofibers were ethanol and 90% acetic acid, optimized with central composite design via Design Expert software. NF-2 and NF-35 were selected as optimised nanofiber formulation in acetic acid and ethanol, and their characterization showed diameter of 150–400 nm, tensile strength of 18.3 and 13.1 MPa, respectively. XRD data revealed the amorphous nature, and exhibited hydrophilicity (contact angles: 67.89° and 58.31° for NF-2 and NF-35). Swelling and in-vitro degradability studies displayed extended water retention as well as delayed degradation. FTIR analysis confirmed solvent-independent interactions. Additionally, hemolysis and in-vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of fabricated scaffolds on RBCs and L929 fibroblast cells. Subcutaneous rat implantation assessed tissue response, month-long biodegradation, and biocompatibility through histological analysis of surrounding tissue. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, this porous PVP/PVA nanofiber has great potential for biomedical applications

Molecular genetics and phenotypic assessment of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) landraces revealed remarkable variability of morpho-physiological, yield, and yield‐related traits

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is highly valued for nutritional traits, stress tolerance and sustainability in resource-poor dryland agriculture. However, the low productivity of this crop in semi-arid regions of Southern India, is further threatened by climate stress. Landraces are valuable genetic resources, regionally adapted in form of novel alleles that are responsible for cope up the adverse conditions used by local farmers. In recent years, there is an erosion of genetic diversity. We have hypothesized that plant genetic resources collected from the semi-arid climatic zone would serve as a source of novel alleles for the development of climate resilience foxtail millet lines with enhanced yield. Keeping in view, there is an urgent need for conservation of genetic resources. To explore the genetic diversity, to identify superior genotypes and novel alleles, we collected a heterogeneous mixture of foxtail millet landraces from farmer fields. In an extensive multi-year study, we developed twenty genetically fixed foxtail millet landraces by single seed descent method. These landraces characterized along with four released cultivars with agro-morphological, physiological, yield and yield-related traits assessed genetic diversity and population structure. The landraces showed significant diversity in all the studied traits. We identified landraces S3G5, Red, Black and S1C1 that showed outstanding grain yield with earlier flowering, and maturity as compared to released cultivars. Diversity analysis using 67 simple sequence repeat microsatellite and other markers detected 127 alleles including 11 rare alleles, averaging 1.89 alleles per locus, expected heterozygosity of 0.26 and an average polymorphism information content of 0.23, collectively indicating a moderate genetic diversity in the landrace populations. Euclidean Ward’s clustering, based on the molecular markers, principal coordinate analysis and structure analysis concordantly distinguished the genotypes into two to three sub-populations. A significant phenotypic and genotypic diversity observed in the landraces indicates a diverse gene pool that can be utilized for sustainable foxtail millet crop improvement

NPR3 and NPR4 are receptors for the immune signal salicylic acid in plants

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant immune signal produced upon pathogen challenge to induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR). It is the only major plant hormone for which the receptor has not been firmly identified. SAR in Arabidopsis requires the transcription cofactor NPR1 (nonexpresser of PR genes 1), whose degradation serves as a molecular switch for SAR. Here we show that NPR1 paralogues, NPR3 and NPR4, are SA receptors that bind SA with different affinities and function as adaptors of the Cullin 3 ubiquitin E3 ligase to mediate NPR1 degradation in an SA-regulated manner. Accordingly, the npr3 npr4 mutant accumulates higher levels of NPR1 and is insensitive to SAR induction. Moreover, this mutant is defective in pathogen effector-triggered programmed cell death and immunity. Our study reveals the mechanism of SA perception in determining cell death and survival in response to pathogen challenge

Priprava i in vitro karakterizacija mikrosfera amoksicilina dobivenih metodom sušenja sprejom

The purpose of the present study was to design mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres containing amoxycillin. Chitosan microspheres with a small particle size and good sphericity were prepared by a spray-drying method followed by chemical treatment with a chemical crosslinking agent (glutaraldehyde). Parameters affecting the extent of crosslinking were the crosslinking time and the concentration of the crosslinker agent. Crosslinked spray-dried chitosan microspheres were analyzed for their morphological aspects, particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, swelling percent and in vitro drug release. Batch M4 with a drug polymer ratio of 1:2, dissolved in minimum concentration of acetic acid solution treated with glutraldehyde, was found to be optimal giving controlled drug release for 10 h. It was found that both the increase of glutaraldehyde concentration and crosslinking duration decreased the swelling capacity of chitosan microspheres. This could be directly correlated to drug release from the microspheres.Cilj ovog rada bio je priprava mukoadhezivnih kitozanskih mikrosfera amoksicilina. Mikrosfere male veličine čestica i dobre sferičnosti pripravljene su metodom sušenja sprejom, te obradom s glutaraldehidom kao sredstvom za umrežavanje. Stupanj umrežavanja ovisio je o vremenu umrežavanja i koncentraciji sredstva za umrežavanje. Umreženim kitozanskim mikrosferama određen je oblik, veličina čestica, količina uklopljenog lijeka, postotak bubrenja i in vitro oslobađanje ljekovite tvari. Pripravak M4 s optimalnim svojstvima i kontroliranim oslobađanjem amoksicilina tijekom 10 sati pripravljen je pomoću smjese polimera omjera 1:2 otopljenih u razrijeđenoj octenoj kiselini, te umreženih pomoću glutraldehida. Povećanje koncentracije glutaraldehida i trajanja umrežavanja smanjuje sposobnost bubrenja kitozanskih mikrosfera, što je u izravnoj korelaciji s oslobađanjem lijeka iz mikročestica

p53 Target Gene SMAR1 Is Dysregulated in Breast Cancer: Its Role in Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion

Tumor suppressor SMAR1 interacts and stabilizes p53 through phosphorylation at its serine-15 residue. We show that SMAR1 transcription is regulated by p53 through its response element present in the SMAR1 promoter. Upon Doxorubicin induced DNA damage, acetylated p53 is recruited on SMAR1 promoter that allows activation of its transcription. Once SMAR1 is induced, cell cycle arrest is observed that is correlated to increased phospho-ser-15-p53 and decreased p53 acetylation. Further we demonstrate that SMAR1 expression is drastically reduced during advancement of human breast cancer. This was correlated with defective p53 expression in breast cancer where acetylated p53 is sequestered into the heterochromatin region and become inaccessible to activate SMAR1 promoter. In a recent report we have shown that SMAR1 represses Cyclin D1 transcription through recruitment of HDAC1 dependent repressor complex at the MAR site of Cyclin D1 promoter. Here we show that downmodulation of SMAR1 in high grade breast carcinoma is correlated with upregulated Cyclin D1 expression. We also established that SMAR1 inhibits tumor cell migration and metastases through inhibition of TGFβ signaling and its downstream target genes including cutl1 and various focal adhesion molecules. Thus, we report that SMAR1 plays a central role in coordinating p53 and TGFβ pathways in human breast cancer

Subclavian vein catheterization: A rare complication

Percutaneous subclavian vein catheterization is a widely used procedure for a variety of purposes. We describe here a previously unreported complication of this procedure