Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Metastasis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological active vesicles and carriers of information in intercellular communication. In cancer settings, EVs especially exosomes (Exo), play a focal role in modulating the tumor microenvironment mainly by increasing tumor proliferation, facilitating the crosstalk between tumor and tumor-neighboring cells, and influencing the host immune response. Amongst these functions in tumor growth, Exo modulate fundamental steps of tumor progression, such as growth, invasion, and immune modulation. On the endocrine level, Exo released from tumors were shown to mediate distant cell-cell communication processes via secretory factors and miRNAs, which result in the set-up of pro-tumorigenic microenvironments supportive of metastatic dissemination. This is achieved through processes such as fibroblast activation, extracellular matrix ECM production, angiogenesis, and immune modulation

BRISK local corner keypoints based hand position estimation for hand gesture trajectory tracking method

In recent years, dynamic hand gesture tracking has attracted the attention of many researchers. However, 2D-vision-based approaches have motivated a sizeable body of research and the rapid improvement of web cameras has facilitated their application to hand-held (portable) appliances, it is a critical process which has encountered many difficulties in the real world. These problems include variations in hand appearance, complicated background as well as confusion and drifting problems caused by the need to look for the hand in the total scene. To increase the accuracy of moving hand position estimation, this paper proposed a novel algorithm to track moving hand positions by searching corner keypoints of the hand last position, assuming that the difference between current and previous hand positions is little since the aim is to track the trajectory of hand movement. The proposed method uses corner keypoints of BRISK and minimum eigenvalue techniques extracted from last segmented region of hand to create searching windows and estimate hand region position on current frame image of video sequences. The experimental results revealed about correct estimation to hand position in the video sequences with non-linear hand movement in the challenging environment

Fast marching method and modified features fusion in enhanced dynamic hand gesture segmentation and detection method under complicated background

Recent development in the field of human–computer interaction has led renewed interest in dynamic hand gesture segmentation based on gesture recognition system. Despite its long clinical success, dynamic hand gesture segmentation using webcam vision becomes technically challenging and suffers the problem of non-accurate and poor hand gesture segmentation where the hand region is not integral due to complicated environment, partial occlusion and light effects. Therefore, for segmenting complete hand gesture region and improving the segmentation accuracy, this study proposes a combination of four modified visual features segmentation procedures, which are skin, motion, skin moving as well as contour features and fast marching method. Quantitative measurement was performed for evaluating hand gesture segmentation algorithm. Besides, qualitative measurement was done to conduct a comparison based on segmentation accuracy with previous studies. Consequently, the experiment results showed a great enhancement in hand area segmentation with a high accuracy rate of 98%

Efficiency Evaluation of a wastewater Treatment Plant by Activated Sludge

Abstract: Performance of El-Agamyeen Plant for wastewater treatment (WWTP) by activated sludge was studied over a period of 20 weeks. Results showed that chemical oxygen demand; COD, biochemical oxygen demand; BOD, total suspended solids; TSS and ammonia decreased through stages of treatment process. The percentage removal of these parameters during studied period ranged 86-95, 91-96, 90-94 and 71-85 % respectively. Dissolved oxygen; DO in aeration tank was not less than 1.2 mg/L during study. Of microfauna, amoebae and flagellates appeared at low DO and high organic load, dominancy of crawling and stalked ciliates affected efficiency of treatment. Rotifers count ranged from 1.3x10 3 to 9x10 4 indicating good sludge quality.High toxicity could be obtained with the inlet wastewater and decreased with mixed liquor; the outlet water has been shown the least average toxic effects (<10% mortality) on the test organism. The results indicated that wastewater treatment in this Plant during the study period reduced pollution significantly and effluent water can be left for discharge into water bodies

Interactive Effects of Immunoglobulin Gamma and Human Leucocyte Antigen Genotypes on Response to Interferon Based Therapy of Hepatitis C Virus

AIM: We examined the role that immunoglobulin GM 23 and KM allotypes—genetic markers of γ and κ chains, respectively—play in response to treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 persons who had responded to HCV treatment and 125 with persistent HCV infection were genotyped for the presence of GM23 and KM determinants. HLA –C genotyping was also done.RESULTS: Association of GM 23+ and KM3 was significantly associated with non response to treatment (P < 0.0001). Individuals who lacked this GM genotype (but were positive for KM1,2 and 3) were likely to respond to treatment (P=0.045). Association of heterozygous GM23 (+/-) with KM 1,2 and 3 or KM3 alone was significantly associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and (P = 0.0001) respectively. Particular combinations of HLA and GM genotypes were associated significantly with the response to HCV treatment. The combination of HLAC2C2 and GM23+ was associated with persistence of infection (P = 0.027) while the association of HLAC2C2 and heterozygous GM23+/- was associated with SVR (P = 0.001).The association of HLAC1C1 and heterozygous GM23+/- was significantly associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and also subjects with HLA C1/C2 and heterozygous GM23+/- were likely to respond to treatment (P = 0.003) while subjects with HLA C1/C2 and GM23+ show tendency to resist to treatment (P = 0.0001).CONCLUSION: Our results didn’t support a role for KM allotypes, GM23 allotype plays a role in the persistence of HCV infection in the presence or absence of KM1,3. Interaction between certain GM and HLA-C genotypes may favor adequate response to interferon based therapies

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Synthesis and Characterization of (Fe(II),Co(II),Ni(II) and Cu(II)) Complexes with Schiff Base derived from [benzoyl hydrazine] with [benzyl mono oxime]

The reaction of [Benzoyl hydrazine] with [Diphenyl mono oxime] and Glacial acetic acid was carried out in methanol gave a new tridentate ligand [Benzoic acid (2-hydroxyimino- 1, 2-diphyneylethylidene) - hydrazide]. This ligand was reacted with some metal ions (Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)) in methanol with (1:1) metal : ligand ratio to give a series of new complexes of the general formula [M(L)Cl2.H2O], where M= Fe(11), Co(11), Ni(11) and Cu(11). All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods (I.R, UV-Vis), elemental microanalysis (C.H.N), atomic absorption, magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity measurements. From the obtained data the proposed molecular structures were suggested for the complexes of Fe (II), Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II) are of geometric octahedral

Algorithm of local features fusion and modified covariance-matrix technique for hand motion position estimation and hand gesture trajectory tracking approach

Nowadays, visual recognition based dynamic hand gesture tracking has gained very considerable attention. Hand gestures can play an important role as a non-touchable communication tool between machines and humans based on using the affordable built-in webcam. The need for replacing touch-based computing devices interaction has been increasing in many fields like healthcare, security, and generally as interface-based devices controlling. Especially with COVID19 outbreak spreading around the world, where people take a risk and avoid dealing with electronic consumer machines that required hand touching. However, in any dynamic hand gesture recognition system, dynamic hand gesture tracking is a very hard task, where position estimation over video frames for freely moving hand in the air is quite challenging. This shortcoming is due to hand great scale changes, posture variations, and translation problems. Hence, to tackle these difficulties and extract gesture features for gesture recognition phase accurately, this paper proposed an algorithm of dynamic hand trajectory tracking for gesture recognition. The presented algorithm proposes local features fusion based on Gabor-Canny- Hog features embedded an updated compact covariance matrix technique as sophisticated feature-based tracking, utilizing video sequences of IBGHT dataset. As a result, the proposed approach has shown adorable optimization achieving an accuracy rate of 96.97%, overcoming the problems of hand appearance variation in the complicated environment

Low Cost Skin Segmentation Scheme in Videos Using Two Alternative Methods for Dynamic Hand Gesture Detection Method

Recent years have witnessed renewed interest in developing skin segmentation approaches. Skin feature segmentation has been widely employed in different aspects of computer vision applications including face detection and hand gestures recognition systems. This is mostly due to the attractive characteristics of skin colour and its effectiveness to object segmentation. On the contrary, there are certain challenges in using human skin colour as a feature to segment dynamic hand gesture, due to various illumination conditions, complicated environment, and computation time or real-time method. These challenges have led to the insufficiency of many of the skin color segmentation approaches. Therefore, to produce simple, effective, and cost efficient skin segmentation, this paper has proposed a skin segmentation scheme. This scheme includes two procedures for calculating generic threshold ranges in Cb-Cr colour space. The first procedure uses threshold values trained online from nose pixels of the face region. Meanwhile, the second procedure known as the offline training procedure uses thresholds trained out of skin samples and weighted equation. The experimental results showed that the proposed scheme achieved good performance in terms of efficiency and computation time