A Multi-Stage Faster RCNN-Based iSPLInception for Skin Disease Classification Using Novel Optimization.

Nowadays, skin cancer is considered a serious disorder in which early identification and treatment of the disease are essential to ensure the stability of the patients. Several existing skin cancer detection methods are introduced by employing deep learning (DL) to perform skin disease classification. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can classify melanoma skin cancer images. But, it suffers from an overfitting problem. Therefore, to overcome this problem and to classify both benign and malignant tumors efficiently, the multi-stage faster RCNN-based iSPLInception (MFRCNN-iSPLI) method is proposed. Then, the test dataset is used for evaluating the proposed model performance. The faster RCNN is employed directly to perform image classification. This may heavily raise computation time and network complications. So, the iSPLInception model is applied in the multi-stage classification. In this, the iSPLInception model is formulated using the Inception-ResNet design. For candidate box deletion, the prairie dog optimization algorithm is utilized. We have utilized two skin disease datasets, namely, ISIC 2019 Skin lesion image classification and the HAM10000 dataset for conducting experimental results. The methods' accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score values are calculated, and the results are compared with the existing methods such as CNN, hybrid DL, Inception v3, and VGG19. With 95.82% accuracy, 96.85% precision, 96.52% recall, and 0.95% F1 score values, the output analysis of each measure verified the prediction and classification effectiveness of the method.

Validation of the EuroQol Five-dimensions - Three-Level Quality of Life Instrument in a Classical Indian Language (Odia) and Its Use to Assess Quality of Life and Health Status of Cancer Patients in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The EuroQol five-dimensions - 3-level (EQ5D) is a versatile quality of life (QOL) instrument with five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and a visual analog scale. It can be used to calculate quality-adjusted life years. We aimed to evaluate the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of an Odia version of EQ5D and to study the QOL of cancer patients in our part of the country as cancer treatment in India still focuses largely on longevity due to scarcity of resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EQ5D tool was translated into Odia language in collaboration with the EQ group. This tool and the World Health Organization-5 (WHO-5) questionnaires were administered to 155 surgical outpatients and 150 cancer patients in two hospitals of Eastern India. The convergent and discriminant validities (construct validity), concurrent validity, reliability (test-retest method of administering the tool to a part of the population after 7-14 days), and the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) were measured using preestablished hypotheses. The data from the cancer patients were analyzed separately. RESULTS: The QOL worsened with age and was worse in cancer patients proved that the tool had good construct validity. The Anxiety Depression dimension had good correlation with all the dimensions WHO-5 (rho > 0.4) indicating a good concurrent validity. Internal consistency and reliability of the tool were good (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7). Cancer patients had a poor QOL (mean EQ5D index 0.37SD 0.4) with male patients, patients with Grade II cancer or referred for pain care services and those with living spouses reporting worse QOL. CONCLUSIONS: The Odia version of the EQ5D has good reliability and validity for the measurement of health status in cancer and outpatient department patients. Cancer patients in this part of the country have a poor QOL and may need a closer look at pain management and improved societal support systems.

Analysis of Antibacterial Activity and Bioactive Compounds of the Giant Mushroom, Macrocybe gigantea (Agaricomycetes), from India.

The antibacterial activity, phenolic profile, and bioactive compounds of fruiting bodies from 2 strains (MA1 and MA2) of the giant mushroom Macrocybe gigantea were evaluated to access their nutraceutical efficacy. The antibacterial activity was higher in MA2 against all selected pathogenic bacteria. Selected phenolics were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet-visible detection. Gallic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, and rutin contents (micrograms per gram dry weight) were quantified. Quercetin and rutin were absent in both strains of M. gigantea. M. gigantea MA2 showed relatively higher phenolic content (915.8 µg/g dry weight) than M. gigantea MA1 (854.4 µg/g dry weight). Among the phenolics, gallic acid is found in the largest amount; in M. gigantea MA2, it was 847.9 ± 2.67 µg/g dry weight. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of bioactive compounds in both strains; most compounds were antibacterial. Thus, the selected strains of M. gigantea can combat oxidative damage and can be used in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics because of their antioxidant potential.

Allelopathic effect of four weed species extracts on germination, growth and protein in different varieties of Glycine max (L.) Merrill.

Allelopathic effect of Ageratum conyzoides L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Parthenium hysterophorus L., and Solanum nigrum L. were examined on seed germination, seedling growth, total protein content and protein profile on Ankur, Bhatt, Bragg, PK -416, PS-1042 and Shilajeet varieties of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merill). Aqueous extracts of weeds (10% w/v) showed both inhibitory and stimulatory influence on percent seed germination and seedling growth in different varieties of soybean. On the basis of per cent reduction in different parameters, the variety Bragg and PS-1042, and Shilajeet were resistant and susceptible respectively to different weed extracts, and among weed extracts, S. nigrum was most effective followed by P. hysterophorus compared to others. The total protein content (mg/g f wt.) in different varieties was increased with all the weed extracts except Bragg with C. dactylon and P. hysterophorus, PS-1042 with A. conyzoides and Shilajeet with C. dactylon, in which it was decreased. The protein banding pattern in different varieties not only differ between control and treatments but also among treatments. The order of susceptibility of different varieties with different weed extracts followed the order: Ankur > PK-416 > Bhatt > Shilajeet > Bragg and > PS-1042.

Antioxidant Potential of the Giant Mushroom, Macrocybe gigantea (Agaricomycetes), from India in Different Drying Methods.

Free radicals are responsible for several diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, gastric ulcers, and several others. Studies have shown that mushrooms possess antioxidant activity and Macrocybe gigantea was recently added to the list of mushrooms under cultivation in India. The methanolic extracts were prepared from lyophilized and oven-dried samples of MA1 and MA2 strains of M. gigantea and their antioxidant properties were studied. MA2 showed comparatively higher total antioxidant activity (111.88 µg/mg) than MA1 (97.00 µg/mg). The scavenging activity on 2,2'-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl free radical (74.41%), ferrous chelating (83.74%), reducing power (0.371), and superoxide anion radical (72.05%) was significantly higher in freeze-dried MA2 than MA1 at 200 µg/mL. Correspondingly, the EC50 values were lower in freeze-dried states (96.03 µg/mL, 95.00 µg/mL, and 68.12 µg/mL in MA2 and 105.12 µg/mL, 109.8 µg/mL, and 74.60 µg/mL in MA1) than in oven-dried states (97.97 µg/mL, 120.2 µg/mL, and 125.33 µg/mL in MA2 and 108.3 µg/mL, 131.2 µg/mL, and 147.5 µg/mL in MA1, respectively). In addition, total phenolic, total flavonoid, and ortho-dihydroxy phenol content was examined and their values were comparatively higher in freeze-dried MA2 (18.00 mg/g of gallic acid equivalents, 1.67 mg/g of quercetin equivalents, and 1.10 mg/g of catechol equivalents, respectively) than in MA1 and oven-dried states in both strains. Further, MA2 showed lower EC50 values in freeze-dried samples than MA1 and oven-dried states in both strains. These results suggested that MA2 contains higher antioxidant potential than MA1 and freeze-drying by lyophilization retains higher antioxidants than heat drying by a hot air oven in both the strains; thus, they can be a good source of nutraceuticals.

Novel euglycemic and hypolipidemic agents. 4. Pyridyl- and quinolinyl-containing thiazolidinediones.

A series of substituted pyridyl- and quinolinyl-containing 2, 4-thiazolidinediones having interesting cyclic amine as a linker have been synthesized. Both unsaturated thiazolidinediones 5 and saturated thiazolidinediones 6 and their various salts were evaluated in db/db mice for euglycemic and hypolipidemic effects and compared with BRL compound 11 and BRL-49653, respectively. Some of the potent compounds were converted to various salts in order to obtain improved activities. Among all the salts evaluated, the maleate salt of unsaturated TZD 5a was found to be a very potent euglycemic and hypolipidemic compound. Some of the more interesting compounds have also been evaluated in ob/ob mice and compared with rosiglitazone (maleate salt of BRL-49653). Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in both db/db and ob/ob mice. Pharmacokinetic studies of 5a maleate are also reported. Receptor binding studies of PPARgamma by 5a/5a maleate did not show any significant transactivation of PPARalpha or PPARgamma.

Enhanced transcardiac l-norepinephrine response during cold pressor test in obstructive coronary artery disease.

An increase in cardiac sympathetic activity can enhance coronary vasomotor tone and lower the ventricular fibrillation threshold. We compared the transcardiac l-norepinephrine responses during cold pressor test of 20 patients with normal coronary arteries with those of 23 patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. Baseline hemodynamic data did not differ in the 2 patient groups except for left ventricular end-diastolic pressures; mean values (+/- standard deviation [SD] were 10 +/- 3.7 and 15 +/- 4.5 mm Hg in patients with normal and abnormal coronary arteries (p less than 0.01). Baseline l-norepinephrine contents averaged 295 +/- 152 (normal coronary arteries) and 250 +/- 134 pg/ml (coronary artery disease) in the arterial blood, and 273 +/- 152 and 250 +/- 115 pg/ml, respectively, in the coronary sinus blood. Hemodynamic responses during cold stimulus were similar in both groups. Also, cold pressor-induced increases in arterial and coronary sinus l-norepinephrine contents were balanced in patients with normal coronary arteries, averaging 19 +/- 30 and 17 +/- 37%, respectively. In patients with coronary artery disease, however, a 26 +/- 58% increase in arterial l-norepinephrine contents was associated with a 58 +/- 62% increase in coronary sinus l-norepinephrine contents (p less than 0.02), suggesting myocardial l-norepinephrine net release. It is concluded that transcardiac l-norepinephrine responses during cold stimulus are enhanced in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. This response to a relatively mild sympathetic stress, reproducible by a variety of analogous stressful situations during daily life, could present an increased risk for acute cardiac events.

Studies on liver sulphurylase activity in rats: vitamin-A-deficient and low-protein diets.

Studies on the sulphurylation of phenols by livers from normal and vitamin-A-deficient rats showed a significant reduction in sulphurylating activity in the acute stage of deficiency. At the 'plateau stage' of deficiency, decrease in this activity was marginal and was not significant. Rats consuming a 6% casein diet had a significantly lower liver sulphurylating activity when compared to those fed 12 and 18% casein diets. Comparative data on the sulphurylating activity of rats maintained on diets providing poor-quality protein, i.e. ragi (Eleusine coracana) and maize (Zea mays) revealed a higher sulphurylating activity in the maize-fed group showing thereby that the amino acid composition of the protein apparently influences the enzyme activity associated with sulphurylation of phenols. It is thus shown that liver sulphurylating activity is influenced by quantity and quality of protein consumed.

Urinary excretion of arylsulfatases in malnourished/vitamin A deficient children.

Serum vitamin A (retinol) levels were generally low in all malnourished children (6-15 microgram/100 ml) compared with control children (50 microgram/100 ml). A significant increase in vitamin A after appropriate therapy was observed in all malnourished groups. Dietary supplements of proteins and calories even without extra vitamin A supplements increased serum vitamin A levels in cases of kwashiorkor indicating active mobilization of liver vitamin A. Total urinary arylsulfatase A activity excreted in 24-h or within 8-h in the morning (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) was significantly reduced in cases of malnutrition with or without mild vitamin A deficiency symptoms. The excretion of arylsulfatase B was not altered. In cases of severe vitamin A deficiency coupled with malnutrition increased excretion of both arylsulfatases A and B was evident. These results on urinary arylsulfatases excretory pattern have been obtained either in samples collected for 24-h or specifically for 8-h (morning) and it is suggested that this test on urinary arylsulfatases may prove useful for detection of acute vitamin A deficiency with malnutrition in field studies. A ratio of arylsulfatases A/B of 2.0 or less seems to indicate mild malnutrition, the normal ratio being 3.4. Furthermore a low ratio coupled with increased excretion of both arylsulfatases A and B may be considered specific for acute vitamin A deficiency.

Studies on skin and urinary mucopolysaccharides in malnourished/vitamin A deficient children.

In protein-calorie malnourished children, with or without associated vitamin A deficiency, skin content of acid mucopolysaccharides (MPS) and urinary excretion of MPS and amino sugars were studied. MPS content of skin in both malnourished groups was increased 3-6-fold. This increase was essentially in the non-sulphated component. In normal skin, non-sulphate MPS accounted for 68% of the MPS content, whereas in the malnourished group with vitamin A deficiency it constituted 93%. Urinary excretion of MPS (24h) was significantly reduced by 50-70% in malnourished groups. This returned to normal levels in the malnourished/vitamin A deficient group when vitamin A injections were administered. Excretion of amino sugars (24 h) in the malnourished groups was also decreased by 50-70%. In normal children 55% of the total amino sugars was dialysable whereas in the malnourished it was increased to 60%. The excretion of protein-bound and dialysable amino sugars was increased to normal level only in the group given supplements of vitamin A in addition of protein and calories.

Red edge excitation effect in intact eye lens.

Shift in the wavelength of emission upon shift in the excitation wavelength towards the red edge of the absorption band is termed Red Edge Excitation Shift (REES). This effect is observed only in situation where the fluorophore mobility with respect to the surrounding matrix is considerably reduced. We have observed such red edge excitation effect in the intact eye lens. The REES observed for a normal lens is different from that seen in a photodamaged lens and hence appears to be a potential tool to monitor the changes in the state of the lens. Photodamage experiments with tryptophan in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and intact eye lens indicate that the red edge photon can also cause photodamage.

Studies on urinary arylsulphatase activity in vitamin A deficient rats.

Urinary arylsulphatases (E.C.3.1.6.1) A and B were increased in male rats fasted for 24 hours. Excretion of non dialysable protein nitrogen decreased whereas creatinine excretion increased. On refeeding diet arylsulphatase A activity was restored to normal whereas arylsulphatase B was not normalised. A single oral supplementation of vitamin A acetate (20 000 IU) to rats fasted for 24 hours resulted in a significant reduction of both arylsulphatase A and B eventhough no further reduction of protein nitrogen excretion was evident. In vitamin A deficient male rats significant reduction in urinary excretion of both arylsulphatases A and B occured. In a smaller number of female rats depression of only arylsulphatase A was observed. This effect of vitamin A deficiency leading to reduced urinary arylsulphatase activity was evident even at the "weight plateau" stage when no reduction in food intake or growth had occurred. These results suggest a possible direct or indirect role for vitamin A on urinary excretion pattern of arylsulphatases presumably released from lysosomes of tissues.

Efficacy of bupivacaine infiltration in preventing haemodynamic changes during craniotomy.

This study was carried out in sixty adult patients of either sex, to assess the efficacy of bupivacaine infiltration in different concentrations to prevent haemodynamic responses during craniotomy. The patients were randomly divided into 4 groups of15 each and scalp was infiltrated along the line of skin incision using either normal saline or 0.5, 0.25 or 0.125 bupivacaine. Patients were premedicated with morphine and promethazine and were anaestetised using conventional general anaesthesia technique including 02, N20 vecuronium and morphine. Ventilation was controlled so as to maintain PaCO2 between 25-30 mm Hg. EKG, heart rate and direct arterial pressure were monitored at various events during craniotomy. In control group there was a statistically significant increase in systolic arterial pressure and heart rate after scalp infiltration, scalp incision, during scalp flap reflection, burr hole formation, giglisaw operation and dural incision. In bupivacaine groups there was no significant alteration in arterial blood pressure or heart rate through out the period of study. On comparing the four groups it was observed that rise in arterial pressure and heart rate was significantly more in control group. Similarly a significantly more increasein systolic arterial pressure was observed in bupivacaine (0.125) group as compared to other trial groups. We recommend the haemodynamic changes during craniotomy.

Pulmonary bullous disease in Marfan syndrome.

Two young adults with marfanoid features who had pulmonary bullous disease are presented. One a young soldier, presented with increasing dyspnoea and an enlarging large pulmonary bulla on the right side. The bulla was under tension and was operated on. The other case was a young housewife who also presented with dyspnoea, and was found to have a cardiac murmur and multiple ectopic beats on initial examination. X-Ray chest revealed bilateral pulmonary bullous emphysema. Both the subjects had many features which are accepted as forme fruste of the Marfan syndrome.

Effect of weed extracts on seedling growth of some varieties of wheat.

Allelopathic effect ofAvena fatua L., Cyperus rotundus L., Polygonum hydropiper L., and Solanum nigrum L. were examined on seedling growth of certain commonly used varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Tarai region of U.P. state. The weed extracts inhibited the length of plumule in all the varieties (100%) with Solanum and it was in 12 (92%), 10 (77%) and 06 (46%) varieties with Polygonum, Avena and Cyperus, respectively. In radicle length, it was in 92% with both Polygonum and Solanum; and 85% and 69% of the varieties with Avena and Cyperus, respectively. However, all the four weed extracts reduced the dry weight of plumule, radicle and total seedling in all the varieties (100%) of wheat except in HD--2329 with Cyperus, in which it was positive. The percent reduction (percentage of control) was more than 50% in 92%, 77%, 54% and 39% of the varieties, respectively with Solanum, Polygonum, Avena and Cyperus. Among the weed extracts, the inhibitory effect on seedling growth in different varieties followed the order: Solanum > Polygonum > Avena and > Cyperus. On the basis of the present results, UP--2003 and WH--542 followed by PBW--226, Sangam and HD--248 were more susceptible to all the four weed extracts compared to the rest of the varieties of wheat.

Interference of three weed extracts on uptake of nutrient in three different varieties of paddy through radio tracer techniques.

Interference of three dominant weed extracts viz., Ageratum conyzoides L., Melilotus indica All. and Parthenium hysterophorus L. were examined on seed germination, seedling growth, and nutrient uptake (32P and 65Zn) in three different varieties (PD-10, PD-12 and PB) of paddy (Oryza sativa L.). Among the three different varieties irrespective of weed extracts, PD-10 and PD-12 were resistant and PB was susceptible in terms of seed germination, radicle length and plumule dry weight; and PD-12 and PB were resistant and susceptible, respectively, in terms of plumule length and total seedling dry weight. A. conyzoides caused maximum reduction in seed germination and M. indica in seedling growth in different varieties of paddy. The weed extracts interfered in uptake of both 32P and 65Zn and there was a gradual decrease in uptake of both nutrients with increasing concentration of extracts in both root and shoot. The uptake of 32P and 65Zn was more inhibitory with the extracts of A. conyzoides and M. indica, respectively in different varieties. The inhibition in seed germination, seedling growth and nutrient uptake may be due to the presence of phenolics and other secondary metabolities. The phenolics such as gallic, vanillic, protocatechuic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids were identified from these weed extracts.

A rare case of a synchronous anaplastic carcinoma thyroid with ductal carcinoma breast.

Dual malignancy was first reported by Billroth in 1889. Incidence of second malignancy in cancer patients is as high as 10%, but synchronous anaplastic thyroid cancer along with breast tumor is a rare entity. We present a case of a 61-year-old female with a synchronous anaplastic carcinoma thyroid with ductal carcinoma breast. The plausible association of breast cancers with thyroid carcinomas should thus be evaluated in larger cohort studies. More importantly, this report is to highlight the unusual synchronous occurrence of anaplastic thyroid cancer with ductal breast cancer and the therapeutic challenges involved in such cases.

Squamous cell carcinoma developing in a cutaneous lichen planus lesion: a rare case.

Lichen planus is a benign disorder characterized by an itchy, noninfectious skin rash. Though lichen planus is a common papulosquamous disorder affecting about 1-2% of the population, neoplastic transformation of cutaneous lichen planus lesions occurs very rarely and should be borne in mind while treating nonhealing longstanding lesions of lichen planus. Studies suggest an estimated 0.3-3% risk of malignancy in patients with oral lichen planus, however, cutaneous lichen planus does not carry an increased risk of malignant degeneration. We present a case of a 36-year-old male with a 10-year-long history of hypertrophic lichen planus who presented with a nonhealing ulcer in the left popliteal fossa. The patient underwent wide local excision with superficial skin grafting. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed verrucous squamous cell carcinoma complicating lichen planus. In view of underlying structure involvement, adjuvant radiation therapy was given. This case is being reported to emphasize the infrequent possibility of development of malignancy in cutaneous lichen planus, especially if it presents as a longstanding, nonhealing, itchy lesion with patchy areas of depigmentation in the lower limbs.