Machine learning approaches to identify Parkinson's disease using voice signal features.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurological disorder that leads to a range of motor and cognitive symptoms. A PD diagnosis is difficult since its symptoms are quite similar to those of other disorders, such as normal aging and essential tremor. When people reach 50, visible symptoms such as difficulties walking and communicating begin to emerge. Even though there is no cure for PD, certain medications can relieve some of the symptoms. Patients can maintain their lifestyles by controlling the complications caused by the disease. At this point, it is essential to detect this disease and prevent it from progressing. The diagnosis of the disease has been the subject of much research. In our project, we aim to detect PD using different types of Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) models such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to differentiate between healthy and PD patients by voice signal features. The dataset taken from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) machine learning repository consisted of 195 voice recordings of examinations carried out on 31 patients. Moreover, our models were trained using different techniques such as Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE), Feature Selection, and hyperparameter tuning (GridSearchCV) to enhance their performance. At the end, we found that MLP and SVM with a ratio of 70:30 train/test split using GridSearchCV with SMOTE gave the best results for our project. MLP performed with an overall accuracy of 98.31%, an overall recall of 98%, an overall precision of 100%, and f1-score of 99%. In addition, SVM performed with an overall accuracy of 95%, an overall recall of 96%, an overall precision of 98%, and f1-score of 97%. The experimental results of this research imply that the proposed method can be used to reliably predict PD and can be easily incorporated into healthcare for diagnosis purposes.

The Level of School Teachers' Knowledge About First-Aid Management and Control of Epistaxis in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:  Epistaxis is an acute episode of nasal bleeding commonly caused in children by traumatic injuries in a school setting. It is one of the common ear, nose, and throat emergencies, which should be managed with first-aid measures. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been conducted among school teachers in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia regarding this information. This study thus aimed to assess levels of knowledge about first-aid management and control of epistaxis among school teachers in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  A cross-sectional study using a validated online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms. Information was collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, and eight items assessed participants' knowledge about epistaxis and its management. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the factors associated with good levels of knowledge. RESULTS:  The study had a total of 1,152 participants, of which 69.7% were female. The mean of knowledge was 3.29 (SD=1.39, range: 0-7). Only 19.4% of participants had a good level of knowledge. In multivariate analysis, females and those who had received information on first aid to stop nose-bleeds were significantly associated with good knowledge levels (adjusted odds ratio {AOR}: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.18-2.51, p=0.005; and AOR: 3.38, 95% CI: 2.47-4.64, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION:  Less than one-quarter of participants had good knowledge levels. Health education sessions for teachers are highly recommended and should specifically target male teachers.

Pediatric Neck Swelling: A Case Report of Fourth Branchial Cleft Cyst.

Pediatric neck masses present a diagnostic challenge, encompassing various etiologies, including rare entities like branchial cleft anomalies. Branchial cleft cysts, resulting from incomplete embryonic cleft obliteration, may become symptomatic. This case report describes a seven-year-old boy who presented with a week-long history of fever and progressively enlarging left anterior cervical swelling. Physical examination revealed a fluctuant, non-tender mass, prompting diagnostic investigations. Laboratory results indicated an elevated white blood cell count and inflammatory markers. Computed tomography identified a hypodense, rim-enhancing mass consistent with an abscess secondary to a fourth branchial cleft cyst. Ultrasound-guided aspiration yielded purulent material, confirming Staphylococcus aureus infection. This case highlights the clinical significance of fourth branchial cleft cysts as rare inflammatory neck masses in pediatric patients. The embryological context informs their diverse anatomical manifestations. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment, demanding consideration of anatomical complexities.

Cross-Regulation between Autophagy and Apoptosis Induced by Vitamin E and Lactobacillus Plantarum through Beclin-1 Network.

Autophagy and apoptosis are two important regulatory mechanisms for how the body can respond to diseases. This study was designed to investigate the protective actions of vitamin E (Vit-E) and lactobacillus plantarum (Lac-B) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced kidney injury. Thirty albino rats were divided into five groups: group 1 served as the normal group; rats in group 2 received high doses of HgCl2; rats in groups 3, 4 and 5 were given Vit-E, Lac-B and the combination of Vit-E and Lac-B, respectively along with HgCl2 for two weeks. HgCl2 provoked renal injury, manifested by elevation in serum urea, urea nitrogen and creatinine. Kidney levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were markedly increased post HgCl2 administration. Moreover, HgCl2 significantly elevated the gene expression levels of VCAM-1 and cystatin C, while podocin was downregulated. Additionally, it markedly decreased the protein expression of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2. Histopathological examination revealed massive degeneration with congested blood vessels following HgCl2 administration. Treatment with Vit-E or/and Lac-B restored the normal levels of the previously mentioned parameters, as well as improved the morphology of kidney tissues. Both Vit-E and Lac-B provided a protective effect against HgCl2-induced kidney damage by regulating autophagy and apoptosis.