Improved vision-based diagnosis of multi-plant disease using an ensemble of deep learning methods

Farming and plants are crucial parts of the inward economy of a nation, which significantly boosts the economic growth of a country. Preserving plants from several disease infections at their early stage becomes cumbersome due to the absence of efficient diagnosis tools. Diverse difficulties lie in existing methods of plant disease recognition. As a result, developing a rapid and efficient multi-plant disease diagnosis system is a challenging task. At present, deep learning-based methods are frequently utilized for diagnosing plant diseases, which outperformed existing methods with higher efficiency. In order to investigate plant diseases more accurately, this article addresses an efficient hybrid approach using deep learning-based methods. Xception and ResNet50 models were applied for the classification of plant diseases, and these models were merged using the stacking ensemble learning technique to generate a hybrid model. A multi-plant dataset was created using leaf images of four plants: black gram, betel, Malabar spinach, and litchi, which contains nine classes and 44,972 images. Compared to existing individual convolutional neural networks (CNN) models, the proposed hybrid model is more feasible and effective, which acquired 99.20% accuracy. The outcomes and comparison with existing methods represent that the designed method can acquire competitive performance on the multi-plant disease diagnosis tasks

PIPER CHABA EXTRACTS WITH ANTIBIOFILM ACTIVITY INFLUENCE ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC RESPONSES IN DIABETIC WISTER RATS

Objectives: Piper chaba, native to South and Southeast Asia, has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant. Aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of P. chaba root extracts (RE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats along with its antimicrobial activity. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wister rats through the intraperitoneal administration of STZ (50 mg/kg b.w.). Antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities of the RE (in methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and distilled water) were evaluated by administering oral dose (200 mg/kg b.w.) for 21 days. Metformin (12.1 mg/kg b.w.) was used as a positive control. Blood samples of rats were drawn by tail vein puncture and cardiac puncture to determine the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum level of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), respectively. Standard protocols were followed to determine the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against two different strains of bacteria. Results: Oral administration of P. chaba RE for 21 days resulted in a significant (p< 0.001) decrease in FBG and TC, TG, and LDL levels (p<0.001), when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Significant (p<0.001) increase of HDL was observed when ethyl acetate and aqueous RE were administered. Out of four, two extracts showed varying antimicrobial activities, particularly against the gram-positive bacteria.  Conclusion: It became evident for the first time that P. chaba extracts possess antimicrobial activities and can serve as biochemical compounds with great alternative therapeutic potential in the management of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia

Dysfunctional Light-Evoked Regulation of cAMP in Photoreceptors and Abnormal Retinal Adaptation in Mice Lacking Dopamine D4 Receptors

Dopamine is a retinal neuromodulator that has been implicated in many aspects of retinal physiology. Photoreceptor cells express dopamine D4 receptors that regulate cAMP metabolism. To assess the effects of dopamine on photoreceptor physiology, we examined the morphology, electrophysiology, and regulation of cAMP metabolism in mice with targeted disruption of the dopamine D4 receptor gene. Photoreceptor morphology and outer segment disc shedding after light onset were normal in D4 knock-out (D4KO) mice. Quinpirole, a dopamine D2/ D3/D4 receptor agonist, decreased cAMP synthesis in retinas of wild-type (WT) mice but not in retinas of D4KO mice. In WT retinas, the photoreceptors of which were functionally isolated by incubation in the presence of exogenous glutamate, light also suppressed cAMP synthesis. Despite the similar inhibition of cAMP synthesis, the effect of light is directly on the photoreceptors and independent of dopamine modulation, because it was unaffected by application of the D4 receptor antagonist L-745,870. Nevertheless, compared with WT retinas, basal cAMP formation was reduced in the photoreceptors of D4KO retinas, and light had no additional inhibitory effect. The results suggest that dopamine, via D4 receptors, normally modulates the cascade that couples light responses to adenylyl cyclase activity in photoreceptor cells, and the absence of this modulation results in dysfunction of the cascade. Dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) responses were normal in D4KO mice. However, ERG b-wave responses were greatly suppressed during both light adaptation and early stages of dark adaptation. Thus, the absence of D4 receptors affects adaptation, altering transmission of light responses from photoreceptors to inner retinal neurons. These findings indicate that dopamine D4 receptors normally play a major role in regulating photoreceptor cAMP metabolism and adaptive retinal responses to changing environmental illumination.Fil: Nir, Izhak. The University of Texas Health Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Harrison, Joseph M.. The University of Texas Health Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Haque, Rashidul. Emory University School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Low, Malcolm J.. Oregon Health and Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Grandy, David K.. Oregon Health and Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Rubinstein, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Iuvone, P. Michael. Emory University School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Progress and challenges to control malaria in a remote area of Chittagong hill tracts, Bangladesh

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is endemic in 13 eastern districts where the overall infection prevalence is 3.97%. In 2006, Bangladesh received US$ 36.9 million from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) to support the national malaria control programme of Bangladesh.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>The objective of this study was to i) clarify factors associated with treatment seeking behaviours of malaria ii) distribution of LLIN, and iii) re-treatment of ITN in remote area of a CHT district of Bangladesh two years after implementation of national control programme.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All households of Rajasthali sub-district of Rangamati district (households about 5,322, population about 24,097), all BRAC health workers (n = 15), health facilities and drug vendors' locations were mapped. Distances from households to health facilities, BRAC health workers and drug vendors were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between the choice of the treatment and the distance to various treatment sources, education, occupation and ethnicity. SaTScan was used to detect clustering of treatment-seeking approaches.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>LLIN distribution and the re-treatment of ITN exceeded target goals. The most common treatment facility for malaria-associated fever was malaria control programme led by BRAC and government (66.6%) followed by the drug vendor (48.8%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Closeness to health facilities run by the malaria control programme and drug vendors were significantly associated with the choice of treatment. A high proportion of people preferred drug vendors without having a proper diagnosis. Drug vendors are highly patronized and thus there is a need to improve their services for public health good. Otherwise it may cause incomplete treatment, misuse of anti-malarial drugs that will contribute to the risk of drug resistance and jeopardize the present malaria control efforts in Bangladesh.</p

The role of age, ethnicity and environmental factors in modulating malaria risk in Rajasthali, Bangladesh

Background: Malaria is endemic in the Rajasthali region of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh and the Rajasthali region is the most endemic area of Bangladesh. Quantifying the role of environmental and socioeconomic factors in the local spatial patterns of malaria endemicity can contribute to successful malaria control and elimination. This study aimed to investigate the role of environmental factors on malaria risk in Rajasthali and to quantify the geographical clustering in malaria risk unaccounted by these factors

Determinants of Drought Tolerant Rice Variety Adoption: Evidence from Rural farm Household in Northern Part of Bangladesh

The drought-tolerant rice variety Binadhan-19 study was conducted in five districts: Mymensingh, Ranpur, Pabna, Rajshahi and Chapainwabganj of Bangladesh. A total of 200 farmers were randomly selected (40 from each location) to collect the data with a pre-designed questionnaire. Tabular, descriptive statistics and Probit model were used to fulfil objectives. The estimated log-likelihood value of gender, farm size, yield, agricultural extension services have a statistically and significant positive effect on the adoption of the variety. The household characteristic related variables such as age, experience, annual income, human labour, duration of the variety have no statistically significant effect on the adoption of the variety. Marginal coefficients indicate that if male farmers increased by 100%, the probability of adopting the Binadhan-19 variety would increase at 38 times more likely to adopt the variety. If the farm size of Binadhan-19 increased by 100%, the probability of adopting the variety would be increased by 0.07%. A farmer who has access to agricultural extension service is about 39 times more likely to adopt the variety. Again, if the yield increased by 100%, adopting the varieties would increase by 0.08%. The marginal coefficients of locations and soil fertility are negatively significant, indicating that if these two variables increased by 100%, the probability of adopting the varieties would decrease by 0.06% and 30%, respectively

Low-dose β-carotene Supplementation and Deworming Improve Serum Vitamin A and β-carotene Concentrations in Preschool Children of Bangladesh

Despite the national vitamin A and antihelminthic prophylaxis programmes, both intestinal geo-helminths and subclinical vitamin A deficiency continue to be prevalent among children in developing countries. Studies on potential synergistic effects of vitamin A supplementation and deworming on retinol status have inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impacts of low-dose β-carotene supplementation and antihelminthic therapy on serum retinol and β-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh. Two hundred and forty-four children, known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, were randomized into four treatment groups: I-IV. Group I and II received two oral doses of 400 mg of albendazole each, the first dose at baseline and the second dose after four months; Group III and IV received placebo in place of albendazole. In addition, Group I and III received 1.2 mg of β-carotene powder in capsule daily for six months, and Group II and IV received placebo in place of β-carotene. Serum retinol and β-carotene levels were measured before and after six months of the interventions. Serum retinol and β-carotene increased significantly in Group I where both antihelminthic therapy and daily β-carotene supplementation were given (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). Antihelminthic therapy alone only improved serum β-carotene concentration (p<0.0001). Low-dose β-carotene supplementation, along with an antihelminthic therapy, synergistically improved vitamin A status. This finding has public-health implications for improving vitamin A status of children in developing countries

Malaria prevalence, risk factors and spatial distribution in a hilly forest area of Bangladesh.

Malaria is a major public health concern in Bangladesh and it is highly endemic in the Chittagong Hill Tracts where prevalence was 11.7% in 2007. One sub-district, Rajasthali, had a prevalence of 36%. Several interventions were introduced in early 2007 to control malaria. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impacts of these intensive early stage interventions on malaria in Bangladesh. This prevalence study assesses whether or not high malaria prevalence remains, and if so, which areas and individuals remain at high risk of infection