73 research outputs found

    Infant’s MRI Brain Tissue Segmentation using Integrated CNN Feature Extractor and Random Forest

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    Infant MRI brain soft tissue segmentation become more difficult task compare with adult MRI brain tissue segmentation, due to Infant’s brain have a very low Signal to noise ratio among the white matter_WM and the gray matter _GM. Due the fast improvement of the overall brain at this time , the overall shape and appearance of the brain differs significantly. Manual segmentation of anomalous tissues is time-consuming and unpleasant. Essential Feature extraction in traditional machine algorithm is based on experts, required prior knowledge and also system sensitivity has change. Recently, bio-medical image segmentation based on deep learning has presented significant potential in becoming an important element of the clinical assessment process. Inspired by the mentioned objective, we introduce a methodology for analysing infant image in order to appropriately segment tissue of infant MRI images. In this paper, we integrated random forest classifier along with deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) for segmentation of infants MRI of Iseg 2017 dataset. We segmented infants MRI brain images into such as WM- white matter, GM-gray matter and CSF-cerebrospinal fluid tissues, the obtained result show that the recommended integrated CNN-RF method outperforms and archives a superior DSC-Dice similarity coefficient, MHD-Modified Hausdorff distance and ASD-Average surface distance for respective segmented tissue of infants brain MRI

    Economic appraisal of offshore fisheries: A study on trawl fishing operations in Pakistan

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    73-79This study attempts to show the effects and relative contributions of the different fisheries factors affecting the revenues for a sample of commercial offshore trawling vessels operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan. In this study, the level of relative contribution of each determinant is estimated by using the Standard Multiple Linear regression (SMLR) with standardized regression coefficients and correlation methods. The data were collected through the survey questionnaire and direct interviews with the boat owners and fishermen. The estimated standard beta regression coefficient values for the catch (ß1=0.253), horsepower (ß2=0.26), fishing days at sea (ß3=0.316) and skipper or captain’s fishing experience (ß4=0.32), respectively. Similarly, the catch contributes (R2=17.7 %), horsepower (R2=18.2 %), fishing days (R2=22.5 %) and skipper (R2=23 %) on the revenue. Moreover, the correlation values for the catch (r(Revenue, Catch) = 0.70), horsepower (r(Revenue, Horsepower) = 0.698), fishing days (r(Revenue, Fishing Days) = 0.713) and skipper (r(Revenue, Skipper)= 0.718) indicates the strong positive relationship of each variable on the revenue. In conclusion, the skipper fishing experience and individual skills have a very strong influence on the maximizing of total earnings of trawling vessels

    Update on the Notochord Including its Embryology, Molecular Development, and Pathology: A Primer for the Clinician.

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    The notochord is a rod-like embryological structure, which plays a vital role in the development of the vertebrate. Though embryological, remnants of this structure have been observed in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs of normal adults. Pathologically, these remnants can give rise to slow-growing and recurrent notochord-derived tumors called chordomas. Using standard search engines, the literature was reviewed regarding the anatomy, embryology, molecular development, and pathology of the human notochord. Clinicians who interpret imaging or treat patients with pathologies linked to the notochord should have a good working knowledge of its development and pathology

    Economic appraisal of offshore fisheries: A study on trawl fishing operations in Pakistan

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    This study attempts to show the effects and relative contributions of the different fisheries factors affecting the revenues for a sample of commercial offshore trawling vessels operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan. In this study, the level of relative contribution of each determinant is estimated by using the Standard Multiple Linear regression (SMLR) with standardized regression coefficients and correlation methods. The data were collected through the survey questionnaire and direct interviews with the boat owners and fishermen. The estimated standard beta regression coefficient values for the catch (ß1=0.253), horsepower (ß2=0.26), fishing days at sea (ß3=0.316) and skipper or captain’s fishing experience (ß4=0.32), respectively. Similarly, the catch contributes (R2=17.7 %), horsepower (R2=18.2 %), fishing days (R2=22.5 %) and skipper (R2=23 %) on the revenue. Moreover, the correlation values for the catch (r(Revenue, Catch) = 0.70), horsepower (r(Revenue, Horsepower) = 0.698), fishing days (r(Revenue, Fishing Days) = 0.713) and skipper (r(Revenue, Skipper)= 0.718) indicates the strong positive relationship of each variable on the revenue. In conclusion, the skipper fishing experience and individual skills have a very strong influence on the maximizing of total earnings of trawling vessels

    Current status of shrimp fishery in Pakistan: economic role, challenges, opportunities and strategies for aquaculture development

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    1743-1754The Shrimp fishery has an important role in society to meet current and future food, livelihood, employment, business and other economic needs. The capture fishery is one of the largest food-providing sector, whereas aquaculture has emerged as the fastest food-contributing sector globally. This research determines the socio-economic structure of shrimp fishery with a prime objective to expose an overview of shrimp fishery with economic perspective in Pakistan. In addition, further specifying the shrimp capture production, export earnings, farming and socio-impact in coastal region. Indus delta is the most favourable breeding ground for many fish and shrimp species, exhibiting highly rich in natural resources. There is a huge non-agricultural land available along the coast, which can be utilized for aquaculture. This study elucidates that the Shrimp fisheries is ‘Drowning’ in Pakistan. Hence, in order to sustainably develop shrimp aquaculture in Pakistan, this study aims to propose developmental strategies for authorities to establish an extension aquaculture in fisheries department all over the country. In addition, promoting shrimp farming initially at coastal regions to benefit and generate numerous opportunities for sustainable development in country’s livelihood

    Widespread Hypomethylation Occurs Early and Synergizes with Gene Amplification during Esophageal Carcinogenesis

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    Although a combination of genomic and epigenetic alterations are implicated in the multistep transformation of normal squamous esophageal epithelium to Barrett esophagus, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma, the combinatorial effect of these changes is unknown. By integrating genome-wide DNA methylation, copy number, and transcriptomic datasets obtained from endoscopic biopsies of neoplastic progression within the same individual, we are uniquely able to define the molecular events associated progression of Barrett esophagus. We find that the previously reported global hypomethylation phenomenon in cancer has its origins at the earliest stages of epithelial carcinogenesis. Promoter hypomethylation synergizes with gene amplification and leads to significant upregulation of a chr4q21 chemokine cluster and other transcripts during Barrett neoplasia. In contrast, gene-specific hypermethylation is observed at a restricted number of loci and, in combination with hemi-allelic deletions, leads to downregulatation of selected transcripts during multistep progression. We also observe that epigenetic regulation during epithelial carcinogenesis is not restricted to traditionally defined “CpG islands,” but may also occur through a mechanism of differential methylation outside of these regions. Finally, validation of novel upregulated targets (CXCL1 and 3, GATA6, and DMBT1) in a larger independent panel of samples confirms the utility of integrative analysis in cancer biomarker discovery

    Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

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    Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

    Global, regional, and national sex-specific burden and control of the HIV epidemic, 1990-2019, for 204 countries and territories: the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019

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    Background: The sustainable development goals (SDGs) aim to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Understanding the current state of the HIV epidemic and its change over time is essential to this effort. This study assesses the current sex-specific HIV burden in 204 countries and territories and measures progress in the control of the epidemic. Methods: To estimate age-specific and sex-specific trends in 48 of 204 countries, we extended the Estimation and Projection Package Age-Sex Model to also implement the spectrum paediatric model. We used this model in cases where age and sex specific HIV-seroprevalence surveys and antenatal care-clinic sentinel surveillance data were available. For the remaining 156 of 204 locations, we developed a cohort-incidence bias adjustment to derive incidence as a function of cause-of-death data from vital registration systems. The incidence was input to a custom Spectrum model. To assess progress, we measured the percentage change in incident cases and deaths between 2010 and 2019 (threshold >75% decline), the ratio of incident cases to number of people living with HIV (incidence-to-prevalence ratio threshold <0·03), and the ratio of incident cases to deaths (incidence-to-mortality ratio threshold <1·0). Findings: In 2019, there were 36·8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 35·1–38·9) people living with HIV worldwide. There were 0·84 males (95% UI 0·78–0·91) per female living with HIV in 2019, 0·99 male infections (0·91–1·10) for every female infection, and 1·02 male deaths (0·95–1·10) per female death. Global progress in incident cases and deaths between 2010 and 2019 was driven by sub-Saharan Africa (with a 28·52% decrease in incident cases, 95% UI 19·58–35·43, and a 39·66% decrease in deaths, 36·49–42·36). Elsewhere, the incidence remained stable or increased, whereas deaths generally decreased. In 2019, the global incidence-to-prevalence ratio was 0·05 (95% UI 0·05–0·06) and the global incidence-to-mortality ratio was 1·94 (1·76–2·12). No regions met suggested thresholds for progress. Interpretation: Sub-Saharan Africa had both the highest HIV burden and the greatest progress between 1990 and 2019. The number of incident cases and deaths in males and females approached parity in 2019, although there remained more females with HIV than males with HIV. Globally, the HIV epidemic is far from the UNAIDS benchmarks on progress metrics. Funding: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Institute on Aging of the NIH

    Measuring routine childhood vaccination coverage in 204 countries and territories, 1980-2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020, Release 1

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    Background Measuring routine childhood vaccination is crucial to inform global vaccine policies and programme implementation, and to track progress towards targets set by the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and Immunization Agenda 2030. Robust estimates of routine vaccine coverage are needed to identify past successes and persistent vulnerabilities. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020, Release 1, we did a systematic analysis of global, regional, and national vaccine coverage trends using a statistical framework, by vaccine and over time. Methods For this analysis we collated 55 326 country-specific, cohort-specific, year-specific, vaccine-specific, and dosespecific observations of routine childhood vaccination coverage between 1980 and 2019. Using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, we produced location-specific and year-specific estimates of 11 routine childhood vaccine coverage indicators for 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2019, adjusting for biases in countryreported data and reflecting reported stockouts and supply disruptions. We analysed global and regional trends in coverage and numbers of zero-dose children (defined as those who never received a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine dose), progress towards GVAP targets, and the relationship between vaccine coverage and sociodemographic development. Findings By 2019, global coverage of third-dose DTP (DTP3; 81.6% [95% uncertainty interval 80.4-82 .7]) more than doubled from levels estimated in 1980 (39.9% [37.5-42.1]), as did global coverage of the first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1; from 38.5% [35.4-41.3] in 1980 to 83.6% [82.3-84.8] in 2019). Third- dose polio vaccine (Pol3) coverage also increased, from 42.6% (41.4-44.1) in 1980 to 79.8% (78.4-81.1) in 2019, and global coverage of newer vaccines increased rapidly between 2000 and 2019. The global number of zero-dose children fell by nearly 75% between 1980 and 2019, from 56.8 million (52.6-60. 9) to 14.5 million (13.4-15.9). However, over the past decade, global vaccine coverage broadly plateaued; 94 countries and territories recorded decreasing DTP3 coverage since 2010. Only 11 countries and territories were estimated to have reached the national GVAP target of at least 90% coverage for all assessed vaccines in 2019. Interpretation After achieving large gains in childhood vaccine coverage worldwide, in much of the world this progress was stalled or reversed from 2010 to 2019. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting routine immunisation strategies and programmatic approaches, recentring service delivery around equity and underserved populations. Strengthening vaccine data and monitoring systems is crucial to these pursuits, now and through to 2030, to ensure that all children have access to, and can benefit from, lifesaving vaccines. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

    The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

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    Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe
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