Image-based Material Editing

Photo editing software allows digital images to be blurred, warped or re-colored at the touch of a button. However, it is not currently possible to change the material appearance of an object except by painstakingly painting over the appropriate pixels. Here we present a set of methods for automatically replacing one material with another, completely different material, starting with only a single high dynamic range image, and an alpha matte specifying the object. Our approach exploits the fact that human vision is surprisingly tolerant of certain (sometimes enormous) physical inaccuracies. Thus, it may be possible to produce a visually compelling illusion of material transformations, without fully reconstructing the lighting or geometry. We employ a range of algorithms depending on the target material. First, an approximate depth map is derived from the image intensities using bilateral filters. The resulting surface normals are then used to map data onto the surface of the object to specify its material appearance. To create transparent or translucent materials, the mapped data are derived from the object\u27s background. To create textured materials, the mapped data are a texture map. The surface normals can also be used to apply arbitrary bidirectional reflectance distribution functions to the surface, allowing us to simulate a wide range of materials. To facilitate the process of material editing, we generate the HDR image with a novel algorithm, that is robust against noise in individual exposures. This ensures that any noise, which would possibly have affected the shape recovery of the objects adversely, will be removed. We also present an algorithm to automatically generate alpha mattes. This algorithm requires as input two images--one where the object is in focus, and one where the background is in focus--and then automatically produces an approximate matte, indicating which pixels belong to the object. The result is then improved by a second algorithm to generate an accurate alpha matte, which can be given as input to our material editing techniques

Characterisation of 2D and 3D oral keratinocyte cultures

Oral keratinocyte behaviour were analysed in two and three dimensional cultures of an immortalised human H400 cellline and primary rat keratinocytes (PRKs) using a novel method of quantitative microscopy, RT-PCR data and immunohistochemistry profiles. Monolayer cultures were established in high and low calcium media at different cell densities and analysed prior to generating 3D organotypic cultures (OCs) onde-epidermalised dermis (DED), polyethylene terephthalate porous membrane (PET) and collagen gels for up to 14 days.H400 and PRKs proliferation in monolayer cultures was greater in low calcium medium compared with high calcium medium.Gene expression analysis indicated that adhesion and structural molecules including E-cadherin, plakophilin, desmocollin-3, desmogleins-3 and cytokeratins-1, -5, -6, -10, -13 were up-regulated by days 6 and 8 compared with day 4in high calcium medium. Immunohistochemical profiles and gene expression data of OCs on DED recapitulated those of normal oral epithelium. The final thickness of OCs as well as the degree of maturation/stratification was significantly greater on DED compared with other scaffolds used. Quantitative microscopy approaches enabled unbiased architectural characterisation of OCs and the ability to relate stratified organotypic epithelial structures to the normal oral mucosa. H400 and PRK OCs on DED at the air liquid interface demonstrated similar characteristics in terms of gene expression and protein distribution to the normal tissue architecture

Lepidium sativum Effects on Regulation of Reproduction, Hematological, and Metabolic Indices in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Lepidium sativum (LS) or Garden Cress (GC) is an erect, glabrous, annual herbaceous fast-growing edible plant, belonging to Brassicaceae family grows up to 15-45cm in height. Its easy cultivation and its tolerance to different environmental conditions gave it the ability to spread all around the world. Lepidium sativum (LS) seeds are consumed as part of regular diets and used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world to treat different kinds of ailments including hyperglycemia, fracture healing, diarrhea, hypertension, microbial infections, hepatoprotective activity, bronchial asthma, cancer and other disorders. To date, there has been no systematic study done to evaluate the potential effects of LS on reproduction, on GnRH pulsality or on the pulsatile or surge secretions of LH and FSH at brain level. Evidently, the reports from the studies have suggested conflicting results on the effect of LS on reproduction in female and male. LS possess anovulatory and abortifacient properties in females while aphrodisiac effect in males. Furthermore, like many herbs used in folkloric medicine, there is no information as to what constitutes pharmacologic inclusion level. The highest level of inclusion of LS seeds at 50% has shown lethal effects while 10% LS seed inclusion has shown ambiguous toxic and non-toxic effects. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to determine the effect of methanolic LS seed extract on the development and magnitude of pulsatile releases of GnRH, LH and FSH and secondly, to determine the acute and chronic effects of 15% LS seed supplementation on hematological and metabolic indices in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Twenty mature female rats were ovariectomized and implanted with estradiol -17β (OVEX+ E2) three weeks before euthanization using standard procedures. After three weeks of ovariectomy, rats were randomly assigned to either of 4 groups: Control (n = 5; 0mg/mL aCSF), Low group (n = 5; 10mg/mL LSE), Mid group (n = 5; 20mg/mL LSE), or High group (n = 5; 40mg/mL LSE). Rats were euthanized using an overdose of Tribromoethanol and both the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of each rat were harvested and perifused separately in artificial cerebrospinal fluid for six hours at a constant temperature of 37°C, and with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 aeration. Perifusates were collected at 7.5 minutes for a total of 5 hours consisting of a 120-minute baseline period followed by application of either aCSF or aCSF containing different concentrations of LSE and perifusate collection for 2 hours and finally administration of KCl to the hypothalamic explant or GnRH to the pituitary explant and a final perifusate collection for 60 minutes. LH and FSH concentrations were determined utilizing radioimmunoassay. LSE administration potently stimulated GnRH and gonadotropins secretions. There was no effect of LSE administration on the pulse frequency of GnRH, LH and FSH but LSE significantly increased GnRH pulse amplitude only. The GnRH, LH and FSH hormone secretions were pulsatile both in control and treated groups throughout the sampling period. Forty-eight male,7 to10 week old Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized for experiment 2 to determine the effect of LSSP on hematological and metabolic indices. Rats were acclimated to housing and feeding conditions for two weeks and then randomly sorted into either of two groups namely Control (0% LS seed inclusion; n = 24) or Treated (15% LS seed inclusion; n = 24) and fed throughout the 8-week duration of this study. Body weights of animals were recorded every other day. Every 2 weeks, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed and trunk blood samples were collected for hematological and metabolic indices determination. Ingestion of LSSP at 15% had no effect on red blood cells (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). No significant effect of LSSP ingestion was observed on plasma glucose concentration or BUN was observed. However, plasma creatinine concentration decreased significantly (P \u3c 0.0001) overtime. LSSP ingestion for 8 but not for 6 weeks significantly (p = 0.045) reduced total protein and albumin levels but both short- and long-term LSSP ingestion reduced plasma globulin levels. There was no effect of LS supplementation on alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), although there was an insignificant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in LSE-fed rats in the short-term. Overall, irrespective of treatment, ALP levels were significantly higher (P = 0.005) after 8 weeks of either normal chow or LSSP feeding. Overall, results of our studies indicate the stimulatory effect of LSE administration on GnRH and gonadotropins secretion. There was no effect of LSE administration on the pulse frequency of GnRH, LH, and FSH but LSE significantly increased GnRH pulse amplitude only. Ingestion of LS seeds at a 15% level in the diet had no deleterious effects on hematological and metabolic indices in the rat

Changing trends of Hepatitis B seromarkers amongst pakistani population: a laboratory-based review

Objective: To study the changing trends of hepatitis B markers tested at Aga Khan University Hospital clinical laboratory according to the internationally recognised classification of hepatitis B profile. Methods: The retrospective study involved analysis of laboratory records of hepatitis B profiles of all patients collected from January 2001 to December 2008 at the Aga Khan University Hospital\\u27s clinical laboratory. Patients with complete profile tested were categorised according to the Centre for Diseases Control classification of hepatitis B profile. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. R Results: A total of 185,825 patients had serological markers for hepatitis B tested. Mean-age of reactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) patients was 30±12.5 years. HBsAg reactivity was significantly higher in males than females (34% vs 12%; p Conclusion: The study substantiated the general perception that levels of HBsAg is showing a decreasing trend, while levels of HBsAb are increasing perhaps due to better vaccination of population

Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction and Congenital Heart Defects in Subjects with Down Syndrome

ABSTRACT: Background: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality with prevalence of 1 in 700-1500 live births. Its manifestations may include congenital heart defects(CHD), thyroid dysfunctions, hematopoietic disorders, early-onset Alzheimer disease, gastrointestinal disorders, neuromuscular weakness, hearing and visual problems, characteristic facial and physical features. The prevalence of thyroid disorders and congenital heart diseases are higher in DS patients than in general population. Objective:To explore the frequency, and types of congenital heart defects (CHD) and Thyroid disorders in children with Down syndrome (DS) in the children hospital and the institute of child health (CHICH) Multan. Study design:  Descriptive cross sectional Setting: Outpatient department (OPD) of CHICH Multan Method:A total of 158 down syndrome (DS) patients of 0 to 15 years of age, of both genders were included in this study from October 2019 to October 2020. DS was diagnosed by specific clinical features and karyotyping. Age, sex and mother’s age was noted. Blood samples of all the patients were sent for karyotyping and serum T4 and Thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH). For patients more than 36 months, blood samples were also sent for Antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. Echocardiography of all the patients was done. Data was collected and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Results:Out of 158 DS children most presented below 6months of age, with male to female ratio of 1:1.4. Mostly mothers were between 20 to 40 years of age. Karyotyping revealed non disjunction in 97% of cases. Cardiac abnormalities were found in 48% of DS children. Most common Type was VSD (10.9%), Thyroid abnormalities were detected in 24% of DS patients, subclinical hypothyroidism (13.9%) was most common. Conclusion: CHD and Thyroid disorders must be ruled out in all DS patients,to start early management.  Keywords: Down syndrome, Congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism

Pattern of dyslipoproteinemia in selected population of Karachi

Pattern of dyslipoproteinemia was studied ,over a period of 3-1/2 years in 487(394 males, 93 females) cases aged 4 to above 70 years. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia was most prevalent (36%) followed by type V (15%

Impact of antibiotic usage on resistance in microorganisms; urinary tract infections with E-coli as a case in point

Objectives: In this study, we sought to establish a correlation between consumption of flouoroquinolones in our hospital and the emergence of ofloxacin resistant strains of E. coli in the urinary specimens. Data of all urinary samples, received at Aga Khan University Hospital between January 1995 and December 2002, was retrieved and analyzed. Specimens yielding E-coli as an isolate were included in this study. Methods: E. coli Isolates showing \u3e103 colonies were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli was tested using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Antimicrobial usage data, obtained through hospital Pharmacy as unit utilized per year for Quinolones in different medical and surgical units was available only for the period of 1997- 2002. Results: Among 32,722 urinary specimens E. coli (53%) was the most frequent isolate. Steady increase in the number of ofloxacin resistant E. coli was noted, 24% in 1995 to 55% in 2002. Maximum quinolone resistant E. coli have been observed in Medical units, 41% in 1997 increasing to 70% in 2002, followed by Surgery units (35% to 54%) and Pediatrics (12 to 38%). Sharp increase in ofloxacin consumption in our hospital, 1997 (28613 units) to 2002 (96880 units) has been observed. Trends in quinolone resistance correlate significantly with utilization in the same period as shown by linear regression. Conculsion: E. coli resistance against most antibiotics has been on a rise particularly for quinolones. The utilization of quinolones correlates with increasing resistance in our hospitalized patients

Impact of Continuing Medical Education on Health Care Provider Performance in a Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: Basic life support (BLS), is the chain of survival and decreases the rate of cardiac arrest; health care professionals should know at least how to perform BLS individually as they may encounter such emergency very often. In the developed world, sudden cardiac death represents the single largest cause of natural death accounting for 12–18% of total mortality and 50% of cardiac mortality. Objectives: To determine the level of awareness regarding Basic Life Support and knowledge of involved skills and its practice among medical and non-medical personnel. Methodology: A retrospective study conducted by using valid questionnaire regarding Basic Life Support by 323 personnel. The results were analyzed with SPSS version 16. Results: Twenty-five questions were used to assess the level of knowledge/awareness and skills after BLS training. The percentage of correct answer varied from 33.1% to 95.7% for knowledge related items; and for skills items, it was varied from 35.3% to 68.4%. Conclusion: We recommend that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support should be a basic skill across all medical and non-medical personnel. Key words: Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, Basic Life Support, KAP

Future of Oral Proteomics

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