Skin Cancer Detection and Classification Using Neural Network Algorithms: A Systematic Review.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of computer-assisted technology for early detection of skin cancer through the analysis of dermatoscopic images. However, the accuracy illustrated behind the state-of-the-art approaches depends on several factors, such as the quality of the images and the interpretation of the results by medical experts. This systematic review aims to critically assess the efficacy and challenges of this research field in order to explain the usability and limitations and highlight potential future lines of work for the scientific and clinical community. In this study, the analysis was carried out over 45 contemporary studies extracted from databases such as Web of Science and Scopus. Several computer vision techniques related to image and video processing for early skin cancer diagnosis were identified. In this context, the focus behind the process included the algorithms employed, result accuracy, and validation metrics. Thus, the results yielded significant advancements in cancer detection using deep learning and machine learning algorithms. Lastly, this review establishes a foundation for future research, highlighting potential contributions and opportunities to improve the effectiveness of skin cancer detection through machine learning.

Assessing atypical brain functional connectivity development: An approach based on generative adversarial networks.

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are promising analytical tools in machine learning applications. Characterizing atypical neurodevelopmental processes might be useful in establishing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of psychiatric disorders. In this article, we investigate the potential of GANs models combined with functional connectivity (FC) measures to build a predictive neurotypicality score 3-years after scanning. We used a ROI-to-ROI analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a community-based cohort of children and adolescents (377 neurotypical and 126 atypical participants). Models were trained on data from neurotypical participants, capturing their sample variability of FC. The discriminator subnetwork of each GAN model discriminated between the learned neurotypical functional connectivity pattern and atypical or unrelated patterns. Discriminator models were combined in ensembles, improving discrimination performance. Explanations for the model's predictions are provided using the LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic) algorithm and local hubs are identified in light of these explanations. Our findings suggest this approach is a promising strategy to build potential biomarkers based on functional connectivity.

Harnessing model organism genomics to underpin the machine learning-based prediction of essential genes in eukaryotes - Biotechnological implications.

The availability of high-quality genomes and advances in functional genomics have enabled large-scale studies of essential genes in model eukaryotes, including the 'elegant worm' (Caenorhabditis elegans; Nematoda) and the 'vinegar fly' (Drosophila melanogaster; Arthropoda). However, this is not the case for other, much less-studied organisms, such as socioeconomically important parasites, for which functional genomic platforms usually do not exist. Thus, there is a need to develop innovative techniques or approaches for the prediction, identification and investigation of essential genes. A key approach that could enable the prediction of such genes is machine learning (ML). Here, we undertake an historical review of experimental and computational approaches employed for the characterisation of essential genes in eukaryotes, with a particular focus on model ecdysozoans (C. elegans and D. melanogaster), and discuss the possible applicability of ML-approaches to organisms such as socioeconomically important parasites. We highlight some recent results showing that high-performance ML, combined with feature engineering, allows a reliable prediction of essential genes from extensive, publicly available 'omic data sets, with major potential to prioritise such genes (with statistical confidence) for subsequent functional genomic validation. These findings could 'open the door' to fundamental and applied research areas. Evidence of some commonality in the essential gene-complement between these two organisms indicates that an ML-engineering approach could find broader applicability to ecdysozoans such as parasitic nematodes or arthropods, provided that suitably large and informative data sets become/are available for proper feature engineering, and for the robust training and validation of algorithms. This area warrants detailed exploration to, for example, facilitate the identification and characterisation of essential molecules as novel targets for drugs and vaccines against parasitic diseases. This focus is particularly important, given the substantial impact that such diseases have worldwide, and the current challenges associated with their prevention and control and with drug resistance in parasite populations.

Harnessing Crop Wild Diversity for Climate Change Adaptation.

Warming and drought are reducing global crop production with a potential to substantially worsen global malnutrition. As with the green revolution in the last century, plant genetics may offer concrete opportunities to increase yield and crop adaptability. However, the rate at which the threat is happening requires powering new strategies in order to meet the global food demand. In this review, we highlight major recent 'big data' developments from both empirical and theoretical genomics that may speed up the identification, conservation, and breeding of exotic and elite crop varieties with the potential to feed humans. We first emphasize the major bottlenecks to capture and utilize novel sources of variation in abiotic stress (i.e., heat and drought) tolerance. We argue that adaptation of crop wild relatives to dry environments could be informative on how plant phenotypes may react to a drier climate because natural selection has already tested more options than humans ever will. Because isolated pockets of cryptic diversity may still persist in remote semi-arid regions, we encourage new habitat-based population-guided collections for genebanks. We continue discussing how to systematically study abiotic stress tolerance in these crop collections of wild and landraces using geo-referencing and extensive environmental data. By uncovering the genes that underlie the tolerance adaptive trait, natural variation has the potential to be introgressed into elite cultivars. However, unlocking adaptive genetic variation hidden in related wild species and early landraces remains a major challenge for complex traits that, as abiotic stress tolerance, are polygenic (i.e., regulated by many low-effect genes). Therefore, we finish prospecting modern analytical approaches that will serve to overcome this issue. Concretely, genomic prediction, machine learning, and multi-trait gene editing, all offer innovative alternatives to speed up more accurate pre- and breeding efforts toward the increase in crop adaptability and yield, while matching future global food demands in the face of increased heat and drought. In order for these 'big data' approaches to succeed, we advocate for a trans-disciplinary approach with open-source data and long-term funding. The recent developments and perspectives discussed throughout this review ultimately aim to contribute to increased crop adaptability and yield in the face of heat waves and drought events.