ODQN-Net: Optimized Deep Q Neural Networks for Disease Prediction Through Tongue Image Analysis Using Remora Optimization Algorithm.

Tongue analysis plays the major role in disease type prediction and classification according to Indian ayurvedic medicine. Traditionally, there is a manual inspection of tongue image by the expert ayurvedic doctor to identify or predict the disease. However, this is time-consuming and even imprecise. Due to the advancements in recent machine learning models, several researchers addressed the disease prediction from tongue image analysis. However, they have failed to provide enough accuracy. In addition, multiclass disease classification with enhanced accuracy is still a challenging task. Therefore, this article focuses on the development of optimized deep q-neural network (DQNN) for disease identification and classification from tongue images, hereafter referred as ODQN-Net. Initially, the multiscale retinex approach is introduced for enhancing the quality of tongue images, which also acts as a noise removal technique. In addition, a local ternary pattern is used to extract the disease-specific and disease-dependent features based on color analysis. Then, the best features are extracted from the available features set using the natural inspired Remora optimization algorithm with reduced computational time. Finally, the DQNN model is used to classify the type of diseases from these pretrained features. The obtained simulation performance on tongue imaging data set proved that the proposed ODQN-Net resulted in superior performance compared with state-of-the-art approaches with 99.17% of accuracy and 99.75% and 99.84% of F1-score and Mathew's correlation coefficient, respectively.

Occurrence of Oesophagostomum species in slaughtered sheep in area of Hyderabad, Telangana State.

A study was conducted in Chengicherla slaughter house of Hyderabad to find the occurrence of Oesophagostomum worms, 594 oesophagostomum positive intestines were examined. Among these, three species of oesophagostomum worms were recovered viz., Oesophagostomum columbianum, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Oesophagostomum asperum were identified by light microscopy as per the keys provided by Soulsby (Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. Bailliere Tindall, London, 1982) and Singh (Veterinary helminthology. ICAR, Delhi, 2003).

Ultrastructural studies of three species of Oesophagostomum (nematoda) by scanning electron microscopy.

The surface structure of three predominant intestinal helminth species of Oesophagostomum i.e., Oesophagostomum columbianum, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Oesophagostomum asperum were studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy. Oesophagostomum columbianum has hook like bent structure anteriorly with well developed lateral cervical alae that are interrupted at several intervals. It has external corona radiata (ECR) and internal corona radiata (ICR), ECR comprises of 21 elements and ICR comprises two small elements to each element of ECR. Posterior end of male O. columbianum has bursa with well developed genital cone. On the other hand O. venulosum showed presence of 18 elements in ECR with each element containing two small elements internally constituting ICR. Oesophagostomum asperum had three tier arrangement of the cephalic vesicle with 12 elements in ECR with each element containing two small elements in constituting ICR. Vagina of matured females is covered with copulatory cement.

Standardization of dot-enzyme-linked immmunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of bovine visceral schistosomiasis.

AIM: Bovine visceral schistosomiasis has been reported as an important disease entity as it affects animal health, productivity, causes economic losses due to liver condemnation, and produces a high morbidity. This study was conducted to standardize an easy, reliable dot-enzyme-linked immmunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of visceral schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma spindale and to know the prevalence rate in and around Hyderabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dot-ELISA was standardized in the laboratory using whole worm antigen (WWA) and excretory-secretory antigen (ESA) of S. spindale. The standardized test was used for the diagnosis of bovine visceral schistosomiasis at field level. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was compared with counter current immunoelectrophoresis. In total, 288 sera (125 cattle and 163 buffalo) were screened by dot-ELISA. RESULTS: The dot-ELISA detected 32.63% of infection (94/288) using WWA and 40.62% of infection (117/288) using ESA. In cattle, the prevalence rate was 32.80% (41/125) using WWA and 40.80% (51/125) of infection. Similarly, in buffaloes, the prevalence rate was 32.51% (53/163) using WWA and 40.49% (66/163) of infection using ESA. The overall sensitivity of dot-ELISA was 76.74% and 80.48% with WWA and ESA, respectively, and specificity was 73.3% and 78.57% in WWA and ESA, respectively. CONCLUSION: As ante-mortem diagnosis of visceral schistosomiasis is difficult in subclinical conditions, dot-ELISA can be used as a reliable immunodiagnostic test for diagnosis at field level.

A note on concurrent natural parasitism by Dispharynx spiralis and Heterakis gallinarum in backyard poultry (Gallus domesticus).

The nematodes Dispharynx spiralis (Superfamily-Spiruroidea, Family-Acuariidae) parasitising the proventriculus and Heterakis gallinarum (Superfamily-Subuluroidea, Family-Heterakidae) found in the caecum of two backyard poultry birds are described. The usual location of D. spiralis is glandular stomach or proventriculus, where their heads may be deeply buried in the proventricular wall. H. gallinarum occurs in the caecum and commonly called as caecal worm of poultry.

Prevalence of Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus species of mites in poultry farms of Vikarabad area of Hyderabad.

The common blood feeder mites of poultry are from the genera Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus. Their presence are problematic for the producers either through potential direct effects on weight gain, egg production or sperm production in roosters or as nuisance pests on workers. They also cause anaemia in birds and play a vector role for several human and animal diseases. Five poultry farm buildings of Vikarabad area of Rangareddy district were visited. Samples were collected from a variety of sites, including beneath feed troughs, inside cage fittings and fastening clips, under egg conveyer belts and under manure belts. Heavily mite infested feathers were plucked from three to five individual birds and kept in closed plastic covers. Samples were processed and mounted permanently by using DPX and species differentiation was done. Besides this litter materials and soil samples from the farm were also collected. Massive mixed infestations of Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus mites were found. The morphological characters provided here can be considered as a practical tool for species differentiation and as these blood feeder mites were most prevalent and important pests of poultry, public health aspects of these parasites should be considered.

Record of gut associated nemathelminth in the giant African snail Achatina fulica (Bowdich) from Bangalore, India.

Prevalence of nematodes in Achatina fulica (Bowdich) sample collected from two different sites within Bangalore University Jnana Bharathi Campus viz., Dhanavanthari vana and Botany Department garden was 84 and 100 % respectively. However, the identity of the nemathelminth could not be established to the species level as it did not respond to the clearing agent and its genital organs were not located which is key character for taxonomic identification. Also, no Cercariae were recorded in the samples, perhaps the snail sample was non endemic for parasitic population. Helminthological prospection with regard to the giant African snail from the region has not been performed till date. The present work is a preliminary study in that direction intended to determine the nemathelminth fauna associated with A. fulica populations in Bangalore region laying emphasis on further studies to be undertaken in this regard.

Microfilariae recurrence in graded murrah buffalo treated with repeated doses of ivermectin.

Filariosis is one of the common parasitic diseases of animals and man caused by a small group of filarid nematodes throughout the world. This disease is highly prevalent in hot and humid arenas of India especially hilly parts of Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh and coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, (Kumar et al. 2005). Microfilariosis is manifested by pyerxia, loss of appetite, reduced milk yield, weakness, edema of dependent parts. Macrofilaricidal and micerfilaricidal are the most effective drugs to get rid of the larvae and adult worm burden. Ivermectin 200 µg/kg body wt subcutaneous route is used as a curative drug in present clinical case and animal was responded well with the treatment. After 2 months the animal brought with same symptoms which were reported earlier. Wet blood film examination revealed recurrence of microfilariae in the peripheral blood circulation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of developmental delay in pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Developmental delay is defined as significant delay in one or more developmental domains. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the best modality to investigate such patients. Evaluation of a child with developmental delay is important not only because it allows early diagnosis and treatment but also helpful for parental counseling regarding the outcome of their child and to identify any possible risk of recurrence in the siblings. Thus this study was undertaken to evaluate the developmental delay in Indian children which will help the clinicians in providing an estimation of the child's ultimate developmental potential and organize specific treatment requirement and also relieve parental apprehension. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of normal and abnormal MRI in pediatric patients presenting with developmental delay and further categorize the abnormal MRI based on its morphological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective, observational & descriptive study of MRI Brain in 81 paediatric patients (46 Males and 35 Females), aged between three months to 12 years; presenting with developmental delay in Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad; over a period of three years (Sept 2011 to Sept 2014). MRI brain was done on 1.5T Siemens Magnetom Essenza & 0.35T Magnetom C with appropriate sequences and planes after making the child sleep/sedated/ anesthetized. Various anatomical structures like Ventricles, Corpus callosum, etc were systematically assessed. The MRI findings were divided into various aetiological subgroups. RESULTS: Normal MRI findings were seen in 32% cases and 68% had abnormal findings of which the proportion of Traumatic/ Neurovascular Diseases, Congenital & Developmental, Metabolic and Degenerative, neoplastic and non specific were 31%, 17%, 10%, 2.5% and 7.5% respectively. The ventricles and white matter mainly the corpus callosum were the most commonly affected anatomical structures. The diagnostic yield was found to be 68% and higher yield was seen in patients presenting with developmental delay plus. CONCLUSION: The clinical diagnosis of developmental delay should not be the end point, but rather a springboard for an effective search for causal factors. MRI is the best investigation with a high yield in such patients.

Preparation of natural three-dimensional goat kidney scaffold for the development of bioartificial organ.

The high prevalence of end-stage kidney diseases demands new treatment strategies. Decellularization approach may provide a viable option grow organs using a regenerative medicine approach. Goat kidney was decellularized by perfusion decellularization using detergents to produce an cellular construct for kidney scaffold. After pre-treatment with anticoagulant, the decellularized scaffold was analyzed for its intact three-dimensional natural architecture and vasculature. Perfusion of decellularized kidney preserved the structure and composition of renal extra-cellular matrix and vascular structures within the scaffold. No evidence of residual cellular components was found. This approach provides a model for understanding of whole organ regeneration.

Prevalence of gastro intestinal parasites in ruminants and poultry in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

The prevalence study was conducted on gastrointestinal parasites of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and poultry belongs to in and around Korutla, Karimangar district (Telangana region) of Andhra Pradesh. The prevalence of Fasciola sp., Amphistome sp., Eimeria sp. and Toxocara vitulorum in cattle and buffaloes were 5.3, 8.0, 10.0, 16.7 % respectively. The prevalence of Moniezia sp., Trichuris sp., Amphistome sp., Strongyle sp., Eimeria sp. in sheep and goat were 10.7, 8.0, 6.0, 9.3,4.7 % respectively. The prevalence of Capillaria sp. and Eimeria sp. in poultry was 7.0 and 6.0 % respectively. The overall prevalence of gastro intestinal parasites in cattle and buffaloes was 40.0 %, 38.7 % in sheep and goat and 13.0 % in poultry. Two species of Eimeria were identified in sheep viz. Eimeria granulosa and Eimeria parva.

Evaluation of a polyclonal antibody based sandwich ELISA for the detection of faecal antigens in Schistosoma spindale infection in bovines.

Schistosomosis is a common parasitic infection in animals prevalent in cattle in Asia and Africa, where it is estimated that at least 165 million animals are infected. Out of the 10 species reported to naturally infect cattle only Schistosoma nasale and Schistosoma spindale have received particular attention, because of their recognized veterinary significance. Although animal schistosomes may, under rare conditions favouring intensive transmission, act as important pathogens in endemic areas occur at a subclinical level, causing significant losses due to long term effects on animal growth and productivity. The detection of Schistosoma antigens in serum or stool could be more valuable in diagnosis, hence early treatment before irreparable damage. In this study, fresh adult worms of S. spindale were collected from the mesenteric blood vessels, whole worm antigen was prepared. These were immunized to rabbit and guinea pig to raise antibodies against S. spindale. Polyclonal antibodies of rabbit are further used as primary capture antibodies to coat ELISA plates. The capture of antibodies of guinea pig was conjugation with horse reddish peroxidase was used as secondary antibodies. Sandwich ELISA was performed to detect Schistosoma antigens in faecal samples collected from a total of 86 infected cattle and buffaloes. The working dilutions of capture antibody, detecting antibody and conjugate were found to be 1:32, 1:20 and 1:5,000 respectively by checker board titration method. The dilution of faecal supernatant antigens of S. spindale antibodies was 1:80. Out of 86 faecal samples, 77 samples were positive by Sandwich ELISA indicating 89.54 % infection. Where as in control samples none of the samples was positive. In mixed infection out of 20 samples positive for fasciola, amphistome and hydatid, Out of 20 samples 2 samples were positive indicating 10 % infection rate. The overall sensitivity of this test is 88.65 % and specificity was 90.90 %. It could be concluded that sandwich ELISA is a rapid, easy and sensitive assay for diagnosis of S. spindale infection in bovines.

Therapeutic management of sarcoptic mange in a sheep flock.

Sarcoptic mange infested sheep showed pruritis, excoriation, crusts, lichenification and secondary alopecia on face and ears. All the infested sheep were treated successfully with Ivermectin at 200 µg/kg body weight and complete recovery of skin was observed between 10th and 14th day post treatments. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and the spread of Sarcoptes scabiei is usually by close contact but in goats not same because it has natural resistance against sheep mange.

Nutritional characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles as affected by the amounts of grains versus solubles and different processing techniques.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and its components of grains and solubles, the effect on amino acid digestibility of autoclaving DDGS with different proportions of wet grains:solubles, and the effect of several new processing technologies on the nutritional value of DDGS for poultry. In the latter experiments, corn was processed under laboratory conditions to produce ethanol and DDGS by using the conventional dry-grind process and compared with 2 modified dry-grind corn processes. Modified dry-grind corn processes consisted of wet quick germ, quick fiber (QGQF process) and dry degerm defiber (3D process) fractionation of corn to recover the germ and pericarp fiber prior to fermentation. In another process, a commercial DDGS sample was subjected to an Elusieve method to remove fiber and increase the protein content. Freeze-dried solubles were higher in total P but lower in CP than in the grains and DDGS. Digestibilities of several amino acids in the freeze-dried grains and solubles were higher than those for DDGS, particularly for Lys. Autoclaving reduced the digestibility of amino acids in DDGS, and this effect was not influenced by the proportion of grains:solubles. The QGQF and 3D processes increased the protein and reduced the fat and total dietary fiber content in DDGS. Total P was increased by the QGQF process, but was reduced by the 3D process. The Elusieve process increased the protein, amino acids, and fat, and decreased the total dietary fiber content of DDGS from 34.5 to 19.7% on a DM basis. None of the processing technologies had a significant effect on DDGS amino acid digestibility. The results of this study indicated that the nutritional value of DDGS can be influenced greatly by the proportion of grains vs. solubles and by processing technologies.

Molecular dissection of an hCG-beta epitope using single-step solid phase radioimmunoassay.

BACKGROUND: Peptides and proteins have both sequence-specific (contiguous) and conformation-specific (discontiguous) epitopes. Sequence-specific epitopes are delineated by peptide approach and other robust methods like competition assays, gene expression assays, synthetic peptide library based assays etc. Available methods for delineation of conformation-specific epitopes are cumbersome (X-ray crystallography etc.), time-consuming and require costly sophisticated equipments. Hence, there is a need to develop a simple method for identification and mapping of conformation-specific epitopes. METHOD: In the single-step solid phase radioimmunoassay (SS-SPRIA), an immunochemical bridge of 'mouse IgG-anti-mouse IgG' was prepared in the polypropylene wells followed by adsorption with hCG specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) G(1)G(10).1. The extent of competitive inhibition in binding ability of (125)IhCG-beta with chemically or enzymatically modified hCG-beta to immobilized MAb G(1)G(10).1 in comparison to hCG-beta standards was utilized to identify the epitopic amino acid involved in epitope-paratope interaction. RESULTS: Data clearly suggest that the epitope under investigation consisted of Arg (94, 95) and Asp (99) at the core region with a Lys (104) and a His (106) in the proximity and absence of chymotrypsin susceptible Phe or Tyr in this region. CONCLUSION: The data of SS-SPRIA revealed the 93-100 loop of amino acid sequence, as the core region of conformation-specific epitope of hCG-beta at or near the receptor-binding region. Hence, SS-SPRIA seems to be a simple method for identification and mapping of conformation-specific epitopes.

Conformational epitope mapping of OmpC, a major cell surface antigen from Salmonella typhi.

The outer membrane protein OmpC, a trimer made of 16 stranded beta-barrel monomers, is a major cell surface antigen from the human pathogen Salmonella typhi. The relative stability of the epitopes recognising a Salmonella specific MAb (referred as MPN5) and an Enterobacteria specific MAb (referred as P7D8) and the role of the trimeric organisation has been probed using gel electrophoresis and monoclonal antibodies. The assembly of the trimer and the stability of the beta-barrel are found to be important for epitope presentation. The Salmonella specific conformational epitope is found to be more stable than the Enterobacteria specific one. The important residues of the Salmonella specific (Asp 25 of loop 1, Asp 340 of loop 8, Lys 334 of loop 8, and Tyr 210 of loop 5) and the Enterobacteria specific (Asp 25 of loop 1, Tyr 210 of loop 5, and Lys 152 of loop 4) conformational epitope have been identified using monoclonal antibodies, chemical modification, and solid phase binding methods.

Epitope analysis and molecular modeling reveal the topography of the C-terminal peptide of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) belongs to a family of heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones that share a common alpha-subunit and a hormone-specific beta-subunit. Among the gonadotropin beta-subunits, greater than 85% homology exists between lutropin (hLH)beta and hCGbeta in their first 114 amino acid residues. However, unlike hLHbeta, hCGbeta contains a 31-amino acid hydrophilic stretch at its carboxyl end (CTPbeta: C-terminal peptide). Although the crystal structure of deglycosylated hCG has been solved, the topography of CTPbeta remains unknown. In this study, we have attempted to define the topology of CTPbeta using mAb probes. We investigated three epitopes on hCGalpha, which are hidden in the hCGalphabeta dimer. However, these epitopes are not hidden in hLH, which has a similar subunit interface to that of hCG, but lacks CTPbeta. This suggested that these epitopes are not masked at the subunit interface of hLH or hCG. Hence, we hypothesized that, in the case of hCG, these epitopes are masked by the CTPbeta. Consistent with this view, several treatments of hCG that removed CTPbeta unmasked these epitopes and enhanced their reactivity with the corresponding mAbs. In order to localise the position of CTPbeta on the alpha-subunit, we used an epitope-mapping strategy [N. Venkatesh & G. S. Murthy (1997) J. Immunol. Methods 202, 173-182] based on differential susceptibility of epitopes to covalent modifications. This enabled us to predict the possible topography of CTPbeta. Further, we were also able to build a model of CTPbeta, completely independently of the epitope-mapping studies, using a homology-based modeling approach [S. Krishnaswamy, I. Lakshminarayanan & S. Bhattacharya (1995) Protein Sci. 4 (Suppl. 2), 86-97]. Results obtained from these two different approaches (epitope analysis and homology modeling) agree with each other and indicate that portions of CTPbeta are in contact with hCGalpha in the native hCG dimer.

Responsiveness of human male volunteers to immunization with ovine follicle stimulating hormone vaccine: results of a pilot study.

A study of 140 days duration was performed to examine if human male volunteers (n = 5) respond to ovine follicle stimulating hormone (oFSH) immunization (administered adsorbed on Alugel on days 1, 20, 40 and 70) by producing antibodies capable of both binding and neutralizing bioactivity of human FSH. The kinetics of antibody production for both the immunogen (oFSH) and the cross-reactive antigen (hFSH) were essentially similar. The volunteers responded only to the first two immunizations. The boosters given on days 40 and 70 were ineffective, probably because of the presence of substantial amounts of circulating antibody to oFSH. Of the antibodies generated to oFSH, 25-45% bound hFSH with a mean binding affinity of 0.65 x 10(9) +/- 0.53 M(-1). The binding capacities at the time of high (30-80 days of immunization) and low (>110 days) titres were 346 +/- 185 and 10.5 +/- 5.8 ng hFSH/ml respectively. During the period of high titre, free serum FSH (value in normal males 1-5 ng/ml) was not monitorable. A 50 microl aliquot of the antiserum obtained from different volunteers between days 30 and 80 and on day 140 blocked binding of (125)I-labelled hFSH to its receptor by 82 +/- 9.7 and 53 +/- 12.2% respectively. The antibody produced was specific for FSH, and no significant change in the values of related glycoprotein hormones (luteinizing hormone/testosterone and thyroid stimulating hormone/thyroxine) were recorded. Seminal plasma transferrin, a marker of Sertoli cell as well as of seminiferous tubular function, showed marked reduction (30-90%) following immunization with oFSH. Considering that endogenous FSH remained neutralized for approximately one sperm cycle only (65 days), the reduction in sperm counts (30-74%) exhibited by some volunteers is encouraging. Immunization with oFSH did not result in any significant changes in haematology, serum biochemistry or hormonal profiles. There was no production of antibodies capable of interacting with non-specific tissues. It is concluded that it should be possible to obtain a sustained long-term blockade of endogenous FSH action in men by using oFSH as an immunogen. This is a prerequisite for obtaining significant reduction in the quality and quantity of spermatozoa produced, thus leading to infertility.

Immunochemical approach to the mapping of an assembled epitope of human chorionic gonadotropin: proximity of CTP-alpha to the receptor binding region of the beta-subunit.

A single-step solid-phase RIA (SS-SPRIA) developed in our laboratory using hybridoma culture supernatants has been utilised for the quantitation of epitope-paratope interactions. Using SS-SPRIA as a quantitative tool for the assessment of epitope stability, it was found that several assembled epitopes of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are differentially stable to proteolysis and chemical modification. Based on these observations an approach has been developed for identifying the amino acid residues constituting an epitopic region. This approach has now been used to map an assembled epitope at/near the receptor binding region of the hormone. The mapped site forms a part of the seat belt region and the cystine knot region (C34-C38-C88-C90-H106). The carboxy terminal region of the alpha-subunit forms a part of the epitope indicating its proximity to the receptor binding region. These results are in agreement with the reported receptor binding region identified through other approaches and the X-ray crystal structure of hCG.

Stability of assembled epitopes on human chorionic gonadotropin to covalent modifications.

A measure of stability of a given epitope is an important parameter in the exploration of the utility of a desired MAb. It defines the conditions necessary for using MAbs as an investigative tool in several research methodologies and therapeutic protocols. Despite these obvious interests the lack of simple and rapid assay systems for quantitating MAb-Ag interactions has largely hampered these studies. A single step MAb-Solid Phase Radioimmunoassay (SS-SPRIA), is described which eliminates errors that may arise with multistep sandwich assays. SS-SPRIA has been used to demonstrate the differential stability of the assembled epitopes on gonadotropins. Differential stability towards specific reagents can be exploited to identify aminoacid residues at the epitopic site. Inactivation of an epitopic region is indicative of the presence of the group modified, provided conformational relaxations are not induced due to modifications at distant sites. Here we provide evidence to validate these conclusions.