Image complexity based fMRI-BOLD visual network categorization across visual datasets using topological descriptors and deep-hybrid learning

This study proposes a new approach that investigates differences in topological characteristics of visual networks, which are constructed using fMRI BOLD time-series corresponding to visual datasets of COCO, ImageNet, and SUN. A publicly available BOLD5000 dataset is utilized that contains fMRI scans while viewing 5254 images of diverse complexities. The objective of this study is to examine how network topology differs in response to distinct visual stimuli from these visual datasets. To achieve this, 0- and 1-dimensional persistence diagrams are computed for each visual network representing COCO, ImageNet, and SUN. For extracting suitable features from topological persistence diagrams, K-means clustering is executed. The extracted K-means cluster features are fed to a novel deep-hybrid model that yields accuracy in the range of 90%-95% in classifying these visual networks. To understand vision, this type of visual network categorization across visual datasets is important as it captures differences in BOLD signals while perceiving images with different contexts and complexities. Furthermore, distinctive topological patterns of visual network associated with each dataset, as revealed from this study, could potentially lead to the development of future neuroimaging biomarkers for diagnosing visual processing disorders like visual agnosia or prosopagnosia, and tracking changes in visual cognition over time

Interpretable simultaneous localization of MRI corpus callosum and classification of atypical Parkinsonian disorders using YOLOv5

Structural MRI(S-MRI) is one of the most versatile imaging modality that revolutionized the anatomical study of brain in past decades. The corpus callosum (CC) is the principal white matter fibre tract, enabling all kinds of inter-hemispheric communication. Thus, subtle changes in CC might be associated with various neurological disorders. The present work proposes the potential of YOLOv5-based CC detection framework to differentiate atypical Parkinsonian disorders (PD) from healthy controls (HC). With 3 rounds of hold-out validation, mean classification accuracy of 92% is obtained using the proposed method on a proprietary dataset consisting of 20 healthy subjects and 20 cases of APDs, with an improvement of 5% over SOTA methods (CC morphometry and visual texture analysis) that used the same dataset. Subsequently, in order to incorporate the explainability of YOLO predictions, Eigen CAM based heatmap is generated for identifying the most important sub-region in CC that leads to the classification. The result of Eigen CAM showed CC mid-body as the most distinguishable sub-region in classifying APDs and HC, which is in-line with SOTA methodologies and the current prevalent understanding in medicine

PREVALENCE OF ANTI-HCV, HBSAG, HIV AMONG MULTI-TRANSFUSED THALASSEMIC INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND IN EASTERN INDIA

Objective: The objective was to study the serological prevalence of post-transfusion transmitted infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitisB virus (HBV), and HIV among multi-transfused thalassemic individuals of the Eastern India and the socio and financial difficulties faced by them.Methods: The study was carried out from January 2012 until December 2014 involving 1711 thalassemic major individuals. Blood serum wascollected from each patient to perform ELISA for the detection of HBV and HCV seroprevalence. HIV seropositivity along with their hematological andliver function parameters were obtained from the transfusion centers and the host institutions. Other socio-economic conditions were obtained bypredesigned proforma of the questionnaire.Results: 67.9% males and 32.1% females were present in our study population of which 75% were from rural area. The mean hemoglobin was foundto be lower, whereas mean ferritin, bilirubin, and liver enzymes were much higher than the normal range. Only a handful of 19.76% of the fathers ofthalassemic individuals had secondary education. 263 families (15.37%) were familiar with the chances of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs).The dominant TTI found within the population was HCV with 18.70% prevalence followed by HIV (3.74%) and HBV (3.33%). 82.93% of the affectedfamilies suffered poverty with a meager monthly income within Rs. 5000 fighting against high costs of transfusion and related treatments.Conclusion: Our study reflects the different socio-economic and psychological burdens faced by the thalassemia patients and their families. The highrate of TTIs highlights the need for stringent screening of blood or blood products before administration.Keywords: Thalassemia, Socio-economic, Transfusion-transmitted infections, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, HIV

Oxytocin administration during cesarean delivery: Randomized controlled trial to compare intravenous bolus with intravenous infusion regimen

Background: Oxytocin is routinely administered during cesarean delivery for uterine contraction. Adverse effects are known to occur after intravenous oxytocin administration, notably tachycardia, hypotension, and electrokardiogram (EKG) changes, which can be deleterious in high-risk patients. Aims and Objectives: To compare the hemodynamic changes and uterotonic effect of equivalent dose of oxytocin administered as an intravenous bolus versus intravenous infusion. Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, active controlled trial. Materials and Methods: Eighty parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery, under spinal anesthesia, were randomly allocated to receive 3 IU of oxytocin either as a bolus intravenous injection over 15 seconds (group B, n = 40) or as an intravenous infusion over 5 minutes (group I, n = 40). Uterine tone was assessed as adequate or inadequate by an obstetrician. Intraoperative heart rate, non-invasive blood pressure, and EKG changes were recorded. These data were compared between the groups. Any other adverse events like chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and flushing were noted. Results: There was significant rise in heart rate and significant decrease in mean arterial pressure in bolus group compared to infusion group. Three patients in bolus group had EKG changes in the form of ST-T depression and 5 patients complained of chest pain. No such complications were found in infusion group. Conclusion: Bolus oxytocin (at a dose of 3 IU over 15 seconds) and infusion of oxytocin (at a dose of 3 IU over 5 minutes) have comparable uterotonic effect. However, the bolus regime shows significantly more adverse cardiovascular events

Localization and Thyroid Hormone Influenced Expression of Collagen II in Ovarian Tissue

Collagen type II (Col II), one of the main components of the hyaline cartilage, is a member of the fibrilforming collagen family. Due to its amino acid composition, the extent of lysine hydroxylation of Col II is much higher than that of other fibril forming collagens. Since lysyl hydroxylase isoforms are less synthesized in hypothyroid ovarian tissue, Col II level is expected to be reduced here and contribute to the degradation of ovarian ECM in this condition. As there was no previous report, we have demonstrated Col II expression in rat ovary. Col2A1 mRNA shares significant part of the total collagens in ovary as shown by the relative expression of the major collagen genes present in this tissue. It has also been shown that Col II is down regulated in hypothyroid ovarian tissue and its expression is increased upon stimulation by thyroid hormone (T3). To know whether less Col II in hypothyroid ovarian tissue is due to less synthesis of the protein or its increased rate of degradation is also involved in it, we demonstrated the status of Collagen - degrading Matrix Metalloproteinases in this condition and found up regulation of MMP-1, -8 and - 13 in hypothyroid rat ovary. The present study shows the reduced Col II expression in hypothyroid rat ovary, with the concomitant increase in Col II degradation. This information will be useful for further studies on reproductive disorders