Finding faces for Gender classification using BPNN AND PCA based recognition

Face Classification system is a computer program which will classify a face into different categories as per certain criterias. We will be training our systems to classify the images into two septum. The first would classify the images based on human or non--human characteristics. The second category of classification would be classifying the human faces as male or female face. We will implement this using Back Propagation Neural Network algorithm. This pre-classification will help in reducing the total time required to recognize an image and hence increasing the overall speed. Face Recognition system is a computer applicaton that identifies a face of a person in a digital image by comparing the face in the image with the facial database of some trained images. This system can recognize images of a person with emotions and expressions different with those in the facial database. We will implement this using a mathematical tool called Principal Component Analysis and Mahalanobis Distance Algorithm. It can be used for security purposes at restricted places by granting access to only authorised persons. It can also be used for criminal identification

COVID-19 and rising food prices in India

With India in lockdown and economic activity virtually brought to a standstill, what will the effect of such radical state interventions be on food prices? Here Vatsalya Srivastava (O.P Jindal Global University) and Apurva Harsh (Google, India) explain why we shouldn't look to blame the shopkeeper, what policy options are available to the government n the face of rising food prices, and the best way forward for a large and mostly poor country like India

EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES OF VITAMIN D AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS SUNLIGHT AMONG INDIAN STUDENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: The current study was carried out to assess the knowledge, practice of Vitamin D and attitudes toward sunlight exposure among Indianstudents.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on students, studying in Amity University, Noida, India. A pre-designed and self-administeredquestionnaire was given to all students to collect the information regarding their knowledge about Vitamin D.Results: Almost all (99.5%) students had heard of Vitamin D. The majority of students (53.3%) indicated that sunlight as the main source of Vitamin D,however, knowledge in terms of required daily dose and time in the sun were low among students. Despite having awareness regarding the mainsource of Vitamin D, 64.2% students did not like going in the sun and percentage (%) of female students who disliked being exposed in the sun weresignificantly higher (71.1% and 51.6%, respectively; p=0.000). Moreover, female students were a frequent user of sunscreen, applied sunscreen inboth summer and winter seasons (47.2% females vs. 37% males; p=0.000). No significant associations were found for the factors, associated with theknowledge of Vitamin D such as the use of sunscreen and hours per day outdoor.Conclusion: The findings of this survey show a lack of consistency between knowledge and attitude, negative approach toward sunlight exposuremay severely affect the Vitamin D status of young students. Implementing awareness campaigns and future health programs such as a workshop ortraining at the college level may help in building more awareness and knowledge about the Vitamin D importance.Keywords: Vitamin D, Sun exposure, Knowledge.Â

PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D/B12 DEFICIENCY AMONG URBAN POPULATIONS COMPLAINING PAIN OF LOWER LIMB AND GENERALIZE WEAKNESS

Objective: The current study was carried out to assess the prevalence of vitamin D/B12 deficiency among urban populations complaining pain oflower limb and generalize weakness.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 188 men and women of different age who attended private tertiary care hospital forthe complaint of pain in lower limb and have generalize weakness. A brief questionnaire was designed to obtain the information such as age, type ofdiet, outdoor physical exercise and intake of alcohol or smoke. Blood samples were collected for vitamin D and B12 analysis.Results: The majority (57.4%) of the participants had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (< 20 ng/ml) and 48.4 % of subjects had vitamin B12deficiency (< 198 pg/ml). In our results the prevalence of both vitamin D/B12 deficiencies appears to increase with the age. Risk factors such as age,diet and smoke (cigarette consumption) were significantly associated with vitamin D/B12 deficiency (p=0.001). Unlike vitamin B12, outdoor physicalexercise was significantly associated with vitamin D status (p=0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study report high prevalence of vitamin D/B12 deficiencies among urban populations complaining pain of lower limband have generalize weakness. A vegetarian diet, cigarette smoking seems a strong risk factor for vitamin D/B12 deficiencies. Our study emphasizesthe need of regular monitoring of these two micronutrient status so that appropriate intervention programs can be implemented to address thisproblemKeywords: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, India

VITAMIN D; AN EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE

Vitamin D [25OHD] is both a nutrient and hormone which provides wide variety of health benefits to human health; hence makes it unique. Vitamin D deficiency prevails all over Indian subcontinent including both urban and rural population with a prevalence rate 70%–100% in general Indian population [1]. Vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis.  Vitamin D also plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and infectious disease such as tuberculosis.  The health benefits of vitamin D are beyond bone metabolism confirmed from various studies. vitamin D not only regulate calcium metabolism but also regulates insulin production, reduces the risk of diabetes and cancer, rennin production, helps in destruction of infectious agents, regulates cell growth, enhances immunity, maintenance of vascular tone of the body, myocardial function and helps in many more complex diseases [2]. Recently, Vitamin D has received enormous attention worldwide and referred as drug of the decade. The advocacy for vitamin D supplementation would not have been done only for populations who are at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency; sensible sun exposure is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to maintain vitamin D stores. Unfortunately, it seems a paradox where majority of population is vitamin D deficient living in sunny country. Reasons to this problem are many including higher melanin content, environmental (latitude & altitude), clothing pattern, food habits and genetic factors [3].  Although, Randomized controlled trials provide some low-quality evidence to support vitamin D supplementation for the reduction of asthma exacerbations in children is either limited or inconclusive with limitations such as high degree of clinical diversity (interventions and outcomes) and methodological heterogeneity (sample size and risk of bias) in included trials are challenges  [4]. Results of recent trials assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prevention of childhood acute respiratory infections (ARI) have been also inconsistent [5] and have no beneficial effect of vitamin D in improving insulin resistance was identified as well [6].  In addition vitamin D supplementation (1400 IU/ week) to low birth weight infants did not decrease the incidence of severe morbidity and mortality. (7)   On the other hand results of various studies supports the vitamin D supplementation including improvement in handgrip strength [8] increased newborn's length [9] reduces risk of maternal co-morbidities and helps improve neonatal outcomes [10]. Vitamin D requirements are probably greater in pregnancy, as evidenced by physiologically higher 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D levels seen in the second and third trimesters. Studies recommended that vitamin D should continue to supplement in all pregnant women from the 12th week of gestation onwards [11]. Whether Vitamin D supplementation in prediabetes subjects prevents the development of diabetes is a matter of debate, and the results are inconsistent from available studies. Short-term vitamin D supplementation was found helpful in the decline of residual beta cell function (RBCF) in children with type 1 diabetes [12]. A study in subjects with pre-diabetes evaluated the effect of 12 months of Vitamin D supplementation on glycemic parameters and progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes in an ethnically homogeneous Kashmiri population, found that vitamin D supplementation helps significantly in  lowering FPG, 2-h plasma glucose and A1C levels [13]. On the other hand vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) did not affect plasma CRP and whole blood cytokine production of low birth weight infants (14). Study on healthy subjects also shown beneficial effect that were supplemented with cholecalciferol at a dose of 60,000 IU/week for 12 weeks resulted in improvement in the skeletal muscle energy metabolism[15].  Oral dose of vitamin D can be easily distributed among populations. However, 1000 IU of vitamin D/day has shown better results than 60, 000 IU/week in populations but it will be difficult to feed 1000 IU/Day to populations due to logistics issues. So, 60,000 IU/ week up to 8 weeks then once a month may be chosen as a dose schedule in populations [16]. Moreover, the usual calcium pill contains 200 IU of vitamin D and 2 pills a day equals 400 IU/day which is grossly inadequate. To achieve optimal serum 25 (OH) D levels i.e. 30 ng/ml in population; 2000 IU of vitamin D/day is required [17] thus at present it may be safest to adhere to 2000 IU/day as a standard practice in India. Indian studies regarding vitamin D supplementation including pregnant women [18], Young women [19] and asian Indians [20] already shown beneficial effect. Studies in animal models show plausible evidence in favour of vitamin D as an anti-inflammatory agent and a viable option for treatment of anti- inflammatory disease i.e crohn's disease (CD). Epidemiological and cross sectional studies indicate that vitamin D may have a potential of treating CD in humans [21]. Recent findings from various studies provide evidence of a possible beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with early Parkinson's disease [22], respiratory tract infections [23] chronic heart disease (CHD) [24] and also helps in strengthening femoral neck (FN) in a dose-dependent manner, especially in women [25]. In a recent study we have shown improvement in bone health after vitamin D supplementation in patients with hyperthyroidism [26].  Hence, we propose that vitamin D may be used as evidence based medicine in clinical practice. This will also helpful in mitigating the growing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in India. The health benefits of vitamin D are beyond bone metabolism confirmed from various studies. vitamin D not only regulate calcium metabolism but also regulates insulin production, reduces the risk of diabetes and cancer, rennin production, helps in destruction of infectious agents, regulates cell growth, enhances immunity, maintenance of vascular tone of the body, myocardial function and helps in many more complex diseases [2]. Recently, Vitamin D has received enormous attention worldwide and referred as drug of the decade. The advocacy for vitamin D supplementation would not have been done only for populations who are at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency; sensible sun exposure is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to maintain vitamin D stores. Unfortunately, it seems a paradox where majority of population is vitamin D deficient living in sunny country. Reasons to this problem are many including higher melanin content, environmental (latitude & altitude), clothing pattern, food habits and genetic factors [3].  Although, Randomized controlled trials provide some low-quality evidence to support vitamin D supplementation for the reduction of asthma exacerbations in children is either limited or inconclusive with limitations such as high degree of clinical diversity (interventions and outcomes) and methodological heterogeneity (sample size and risk of bias) in included trials are challenges  [4]. Results of recent trials assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prevention of childhood acute respiratory infections (ARI) have been also inconsistent [5] and have no beneficial effect of vitamin D in improving insulin resistance was identified as well [6].  In addition vitamin D supplementation (1400 IU/ week) to low birth weight infants did not decrease the incidence of severe morbidity and mortality. (7)   On the other hand results of various studies supports the vitamin D supplementation including improvement in handgrip strength [8] increased newborn's length [9] reduces risk of maternal co-morbidities and helps improve neonatal outcomes [10]. Vitamin D requirements are probably greater in pregnancy, as evidenced by physiologically higher 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D levels seen in the second and third trimesters. Studies recommended that vitamin D should continue to supplement in all pregnant women from the 12th week of gestation onwards [11]. Whether Vitamin D supplementation in prediabetes subjects prevents the development of diabetes is a matter of debate, and the results are inconsistent from available studies. Short-term vitamin D supplementation was found helpful in the decline of residual beta cell function (RBCF) in children with type 1 diabetes [12]. A study in subjects with pre-diabetes evaluated the effect of 12 months of Vitamin D supplementation on glycemic parameters and progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes in an ethnically homogeneous Kashmiri population, found that vitamin D supplementation helps significantly in  lowering FPG, 2-h plasma glucose and A1C levels [13]. On the other hand vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) did not affect plasma CRP and whole blood cytokine production of low birth weight infants (14). Study on healthy subjects also shown beneficial effect that were supplemented with cholecalciferol at a dose of 60,000 IU/week for 12 weeks resulted in improvement in the skeletal muscle energy metabolism[15].  Oral dose of vitamin D can be easily distributed among populations. However, 1000 IU of vitamin D/day has shown better results than 60, 000 IU/week in populations but it will be difficult to feed 1000 IU/Day to populations due to logistics issues. So, 60,000 IU/ week up to 8 weeks then once a month may be chosen as a dose schedule in populations [16]. Moreover, the usual calcium pill contains 200 IU of vitamin D and 2 pills a day equals 400 IU/day which is grossly inadequate. To achieve optimal serum 25 (OH) D levels i.e. 30 ng/ml in population; 2000 IU of vitamin D/day is required [17] thus at present it may be safest to adhere to 2000 IU/day as a standard practice in India. Indian studies regarding vitamin D supplementation including pregnant women [18], Young women [19] and asian Indians [20] already shown beneficial effect. Studies in animal models show plausible evidence in favour of vitamin D as an anti-inflammatory agent and a viable option for treatment of anti- inflammatory disease i.e crohn's disease (CD). Epidemiological and cross sectional studies indicate that vitamin D may have a potential of treating CD in humans [21]. Recent findings from various studies provide evidence of a possible beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with early Parkinson's disease [22], respiratory tract infections [23] chronic heart disease (CHD) [24] and also helps in strengthening femoral neck (FN) in a dose-dependent manner, especially in women [25]. In a recent study we have shown improvement in bone health after vitamin D supplementation in patients with hyperthyroidism [26]. Hence, we propose that vitamin D may be used as evidence based medicine in clinical practice. This will also helpful in mitigating the growing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in India

Perceptions of Undergraduate Medical Students towards Online Learning in a Medical College in the National Capital Region (NCR), India

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, it has not been possible to conduct traditional classroom teaching in view of the closure of schools and colleges in our country since March 2020. Hence, it is important to study the highlights, demerits, and bottlenecks in the implementation of online education from a student’s perspective. Methods: The present study was carried out to assess perceptions regarding virtual classroom among undergraduate students of a tertiary medical college in U.P. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was used. Study was conducted through an online survey. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 377 participants were included in the study. More than half of the participants (54.9%) preferred a mixed mode of learning which includes both online and offline learning. Lack of interaction with teachers (66.3%) and fellow students (57.6%) and lack of quiet space at home to listen to online classes (44%) were a few of the perceived demerits of online classes. Internet speed was found to be one of the most challenging issues faced in online learning (78.5%). Conclusion: Students’ perception of the blended learning mode was positive. They were, however, less enthusiastic about online learning than they were about conventional classroom learning

Pueraria tuberosa as Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-IV Inhibitor Prevents Streptozotocin-Induced Intestinal Stress

BACKGROUND: Enhanced expression of PTY-2 dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) has been found to improve has been found in various intestinal diseases. Pueraria tuberosa tuber water extract-2 (PTY-2) is already known to have DPP-IV inhibitory potential. At the mRNA level, this inhibition has not yet been investigated. Increased incretin secretion due to inhibition of DPP-IV could lead to the suppression of stress and apoptosis of intestinal cells. AIM: In this research, we tried to study the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and DPP-IV inhibitory effect of PTY 2 against intestinal damage induced by STZ. METHODS: We found morphological damage to the intestine following streptozotocin (STZ) injection (65 mg/kg bw) in male Charles foster rats through histological examination. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and DPP-IV mRNA expressions were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and cell apoptosis was examined by tunnel assay and Bcl 2 immunoexpression. RESULTS: In STZ-induced diabetic control, the number and length of villi were decreased, but these damages were reversed by 10 days of PTY-2 treatment. SOD expression was found to be decreased whereas DPP-IV expression was enhanced with significant intestinal cell apoptosis in the diabetic control group. Treatment with PTY-2 decreases stress by upregulating SOD expression and by downregulating the expression of DPP-IV. These PTY-2 recoveries contribute to the suppression of apoptosis in the intestinal cells. CONCLUSION: The protective action of PTY-2 against STZ mediated intestinal damage is demonstrated by these short studies. Therefore, PTY-2 may be taken as a herbal remedy for diabetes-induced intestinal damages

Modulation of cytokines and transcription factors (T-Bet and GATA3) in CD4 enriched cervical cells of Chlamydia trachomatis infected fertile and infertile women upon stimulation with chlamydial inclusion membrane proteins B and C

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chlamydial Inclusion membrane proteins (Incs), are involved in biochemical interactions with host cells and infecting Chlamydiae. We have previously reported the role of two Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Incs, namely IncB and IncC in generating host immunity in CT infected women. Emerging data shows involvement of Inc stimulated CD4 positive T cells in aiding host immunity in infected fertile and infertile women through the secretion of interferon gamma. However the lack of data on the intra-cytokine interplay to these Incs in infected cell milieu prompted us to investigate further.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 14 CT-positive fertile, 18 CT-positive infertile women and 25 uninfected controls were enrolled in this study. CD8 depleted, CD4 enriched cervical cells were isolated and upon stimulation with IncB and IncC, modulation of cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, Interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and T cell lineage regulating transcription factors T-Bet and GATA3 was determined by real-time reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant higher expression (P < 0.05) of Interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23 and GM-CSF were found in Inc-stimulated CD4 enriched cervical cells of CT-positive fertile women and contrastingly high IL-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found in CT-positive infertile women. Positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between Interferon-gamma and T-Bet levels in CT-positive fertile women and IL-4 mRNA and GATA3 levels in CT-positive infertile patients upon IncB and IncC stimulation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall our data shows that CT IncB and IncC are able to upregulate expression of cytokines, namely interferon-gamma, IL-12, IL-23 and GM-CSF in CT-positive fertile women while expression of IL-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were upregulated in CT-positive infertile women. Our study also suggests that Incs are able to modulate expression of T cell lineage determinants indicating their involvement in regulation of immune cells.</p

Diversity of mosses in some selected regions of Nagaland (North-East India), India

During an investigation on mosses of some underexplored regions of Nagaland, 121 taxa of mosses belonging to 74 genera and 29 families have been identified. Atrichum crispulum Schimp. &amp; Besch. and Plagiothecium neckeroideum var. niitakayamae (Toyama) Z. Iwats. are new records for India. Five taxa namely Fissidens crassinervis var. laxus (Sull &amp; Lesq.) A. Eddy., Barbula inaequalifolia Taylor, Amblystegium saxatile Schimp., Dicranum orthophylloides Dixon and Fabronia madurensis Dixon &amp; Vard. are reported for the first time from Eastern Himalaya, while 57 taxa are new additions to Nagaland