Automatic seizure detection and classification using super-resolution superlet transform and deep neural network -A preprocessing-less method.

CONTEXT: Epilepsy, characterized by recurrent seizures, is a chronic brain disease that affects approximately 50 million. Recurrent seizures characterize it. A seizure, a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells, results in temporary changes in behavior, level of consciousness, and involuntary movements. An accurate prediction of seizures can improve the standard of living in epileptic subjects. The increasing capabilities of machine learning and computer-assisted devices can detect seizures accurately with minimal human intervention. PROPOSED APPROACH: This paper proposes a method to detect seizure and non-seizure events using superlet transform (SLT) and a deep convolution neural network: VGG-19. The electroencephalogram (EEG) dataset from the University of Bonn is used to validate the efficacy of the proposed method. METHODOLOGY: SLT, a high-resolution time-frequency technique, converts EEG records into two-dimensional (2-D) images. SLT provides a high-resolution time-frequency representation reflecting the oscillation bursts in an EEG record. The time-frequency representations as 2-D images are fed to a pre-trained convolutional neural network: VGG-19. The last layers of VGG-19 are replaced with new layers to accommodate the different classification problems. RESULTS: The proposed method achieved an accuracy of 100% for all seven seizure and non-seizure detection cases considered in this work. In the case of three and five-class classification problems, the proposed method has better accuracy than other existing methods. The CHB-MIT scalp EEG database is also used to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method, which achieved a classification accuracy of 94.3% in distinguishing between seizure and non-seizure events. CONCLUSION: The results obtained using the proposed methodology show the efficacy of the proposed method in accurately detecting seizures and other brain activity with the least pre-processing and human involvement. The proposed method can assist medical practitioners by saving their effort and time.

A randomized, observer-blind, controlled phase III clinical trial assessing safety and immunological non-inferiority of Vi-diphtheria toxoid versus Vi-tetanus toxoid typhoid conjugate vaccine in healthy volunteers in eastern Nepal.

Typhoid remains one of the major serious health concerns for children in developing countries. With extremely drug-resistant cases emerging, preventative measures like sanitation and vaccination, including typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCV) remain the mainstay in its prevention and control. Different types of TCVs are being developed to meet the global demand. This report outlines the results from a study done to assess the immunogenicity and safety of Vi-Diphtheria toxoid (Vi-DT) TCV in Nepal. The study was a randomized, active-controlled, immunological non-inferiority and safety study. Eligible participants from Sunsari and Morang districts of eastern Nepal were randomized into 4 study groups (A-D) within 3 age strata (6 months to <2 years, 2 to <18 years, and 18 to 45 years). Groups A to C received a single dose (25 µg) of Vi-DT test vaccine from any of the 3 lots, while group D received the comparator, Typbar-TCV®, Vi-tetanus toxoid (Vi-TT) vaccine (25 µg) in 1:1:1:1 ratio and evaluated at 4 weeks postvaccination with 6 months follow-up. Amongst 400 randomized participants, anti-Vi-IgG seroconversion rates for all age strata in Vi-DT pooled groups (A+B+C) were 100.00% (97.5% CI 98.34-100.00) vs 98.99% (97.5% CI 93.99-99.85) in Vi-TT group (D) at 4 weeks. Comparable safety events were reported between the groups. Three serious adverse events (1 in Vi-DT; 2 in Vi-TT group) were reported during the 6 months follow-up, none being related to the investigational product. Thus, Vi-DT vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and immunologically non-inferior to Vi-TT when analyzed at 4 weeks postvaccination.

Lupus nephritis: An experience of a tertiary care center in Nepal.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the common complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Timely treatment will decrease progression to chronic kidney disease. Treatment varies with different stages for which biopsy is needed. Controversies still exist regarding its requirement in management. This is a retrospective study from September 2014 to August 2016 in B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal among all patients with SLE and undergone renal biopsy. Of 92 patients, most were female 85 (92.4%) with a median age of 32 years. In this study, 80.4% had some clinical symptomatology. Of the clinical manifestations, 41.3% had polyarthritis, edema (20.7%), and malar rash (17.4%). Anti-nuclear antibody was positive in 80.4% and ds DNA in 70.7%. Renal biopsy showed more number of patients 27 (35%) had Stage IV LN, followed by Stage I, 19 (24%), and Stage II, 16 (20%) LN. Median urinary protein in Class I was 1.05 g, Class II (0.63 g), Class III (1.5 g), Class IV (2.44 g), Class V (3.99 g), and Class VI (4.7 g). Only Stage IV had Kappa of 0.269 {P = 0.003) showing agreement between proteinuria and histological staging which was statistically significant (P <0.005). However, overall Kappa analysis showed none to fair strength of agreement for different stages of LN (-0.014-0.269) with proteinuria. Kappa (k) analysis showed none to fair strength of agreement for different stages of LN and proteinuria. Hence, only proteinuria is not sufficient to replace the need of renal biopsy in LN.

Expression of Toll-like Receptor 2 and 4 in Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Cells from Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. Preliminary studies have evaluated the association between innate immunity including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and airway samples of patients with COPD. The role of TLRs in peripheral blood neutrophils is poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of TLR2 and TLR4 in peripheral blood neutrophils of COPD patients. METHODS: A total of 101 COPD cases and an equal number of healthy controls participated in this case-control study. Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from all participants and cultured for 24 hours through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The gene expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were measured in neutrophils cell culture supernatants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The levels of IL-8 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls. Similarly, the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were increased in LPS stimulated peripheral blood neutrophils of patients with COPD. Smoke pack years was positively correlated with IL-8 levels and negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second % (r = -0.33; p = 0.023) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.27; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4 suggests its role in disease pathogenesis of COPD. Smoke pack years was negatively associated with spirometric parameters in COPD patients. This may help to predict the smokers without COPD who risk developing the condition in the future.