MNCD: A New Tool for Classifying Parkinson’s Disease in Daily Clinical Practice

Background and objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder in which the symptoms and prognosis can be very different among patients. We propose a new simple classification to identify key symptoms and staging in PD. Patients and Methods: Sixteen movement disorders specialists from Spain participated in this project. The classification was consensually approved after a discussion and review process from June to October 2021. The TNM classification and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were considered as models in the design. Results: The classification was named MNCD and included 4 major axes: (1) motor symptoms; (2) non-motor symptoms; (3) cognition; (4) dependency for activities of daily living (ADL). Motor axis included 4 sub-axes: (1) motor fluctuations; (2) dyskinesia; (3) axial symptoms; (4) tremor. Four other sub-axes were included in the non-motor axis: (1) neuropsychiatric symptoms; (2) autonomic dysfunction; (3) sleep disturbances and fatigue; (4) pain and sensory disorders. According to the MNCD, 5 stages were considered, from stage 1 (no disabling motor or non-motor symptoms with normal cognition and independency for ADL) to 5 (dementia and dependency for basic ADL). Conclusions: A new simple classification of PD is proposed. The MNCD classification includes 4 major axes and 5 stages to identify key symptoms and monitor the evolution of the disease in patients with PD. It is necessary to apply this proof of concept in a properly designed study.

Phonological Oppositions of Unstressed Vowels in The Uzbek Language

The research deals with the simple classification of phonological oppositions in relation to the unstressed vowels and also, the complex classification of phonological oppositions concerning both the stressed and unstressed vowels in the Uzbek language. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent of forming phonological oppositions of Uzbek vowel phonemes in the unstressed position and to classify the identified phonological oppositions. While carrying out of this study, a comparative method was used to compare vowel phonemes with each other, and a descriptive method was used to express their specific features. In the study, simple and complex classifications of phonological oppositions of Uzbek unstressed vowels have been developed. The study concludes that the phonological oppositions of vowels do not lose their significance in the unstressed positions and according to the simple classification, the unstressed vowels have 9 oppositions whose members are differentiated by one phonological feature, and 6 oppositions whose members are differentiated by two phonological features and according to the complex classification, unidimensional, pluridimensional, proportional, privative, gradual, equipolent and constant oppositions of unstressed vowels exist in modern Uzbek.

Binary Quantization Analysis of Neural Networks Weights on MNIST Dataset

This paper considers the design of a binary scalar quantizer of Laplacian source and its application in compressed neural networks. The quantizer performance is investigated in a wide dynamic range of data variances, and for that purpose, we derive novel closed-form expressions. Moreover, we propose two selection criteria for the variance range of interest. Binary quantizers are further implemented for compressing neural network weights and its performance is analysed for a simple classification task. Good matching between theory and experiment is observed and a great possibility for implementation is indicated.

Clinical validation of the SIMPLE classification for optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps

Background and study aims A novel endoscopic optical diagnosis classification system (SIMPLE) has recently been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the SIMPLE classification in a clinical cohort. Patients and methods All diminutive and small colorectal polyps found in a cohort of individuals undergoing screening, diagnostic, or surveillance colonoscopies underwent optical diagnosis using image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) and the SIMPLE classification. The primary outcome was the agreement of surveillance intervals determined by optical diagnosis compared with pathology-based results for diminutive polyps. Secondary outcomes included the negative predictive value (NPV) for rectosigmoid adenomas, the percentage of pathology exams avoided, and the percentage of immediate surveillance interval recommendations. Analysis of optical diagnosis for polyps ≤ 10 mm was also performed. Results 399 patients (median age 62.6 years; 55.6 % female) were enrolled. For patients with at least one polyp ≤ 5 mm undergoing optical diagnosis, agreement with pathology-based surveillance intervals was 93.5 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 91.4–95.6). The NPV for rectosigmoid adenomas was 86.7 % (95 %CI 77.5–93.2). When using optical diagnosis, pathology analysis could be avoided in 61.5 % (95 %CI 56.9–66.2) of diminutive polyps, and post-colonoscopy surveillance intervals could be given immediately to 70.9 % (95 %CI 66.5–75.4) of patients. For patients with at least one ≤ 10 mm polyp, agreement with pathology-based surveillance intervals was 92.7 % (95 %CI 89.7–95.1). NPV for rectosigmoid adenomas ≤ 10 mm was 85.1 % (95 %CI CI 76.3–91.6). Conclusions IEE with the SIMPLE classification achieved the quality benchmark for the resect and discard strategy; however, the NPV for rectosigmoid polyps requires improvement.

Rifted margins classification and forcing parameters

Rifted margins are the result of the successful process of thinning and breakup of the continental lithosphere leading to the formation of new oceanic lithosphere. Observations on rifted margins are now integrating an increasing amount of multi-channel seismic data and drilling of several Continent-Ocean Transitions. Based on large scale geometries and domains observed on high-quality multi-channel seismic data, this article proposes a classification reflecting the mechanical behavior of the crust from localized to diffuse deformation (strong/coupled to weak/decoupled mechanical behaviors) and magmatic intensity leading to breakup from magma-rich to magma-poor margins. We illustrate a simple classification based on mechanical behavior and magmatic production with examples of rifted margins. We propose a non-exhaustive list of forcing parameters that can control the initial rifting conditions but also their evolution through time. Therefore, rifted margins are not divided into opposing types, but described as a combination and continuum that can evolve through time and space.

The Usefulness of a Simple Classification for Bronchoscopic Findings for Diagnosis of Peripheral Pulmonary Tumour

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Normal bronchial epithelium has been described in terms of transparency and smoothness. No studies have compared bronchoscopic and pathological findings in the identification of bronchial epithelium. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This study aimed to classify bronchoscopic findings for peripheral pulmonary tumour (PPT) for accurate bronchoscopic diagnosis accounting for the presences of bronchial epithelium and bronchial stenosis using an ultrathin bronchoscope. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We performed endocytoscopy using narrow-band imaging (NBI) of specimens immediately after lobectomy to investigate the normal bronchial epithelium under the physiological saline injection technique (PSIT) prior to classification of PPT. A retrospective study to classify bronchoscopic findings included 46 patients diagnosed with malignancy by bronchoscopy for PPT. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We recognized a “light blue line” (LBL) with NBI under PSIT, corresponding to strong reflection of short-wavelength light by cilia on the epithelial surface in an ex vivo endocytoscopic study. Bronchoscopic findings of PPT were classified morphologically into stenotic type (ST) and non-stenotic type (NonST). Tumours were also classified as exposed type (ET) and non-exposed type (NonET) based on the presence of epithelium. Most ST and NonET lesions (74%) were adenocarcinoma. Among squamous cell carcinoma, 55% were categorized as ST and ET. All NonST and NonET cases were adenocarcinoma. A significant difference in the presence of LBL was seen between ET and NonET. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our simple classification based on the appearance of stenosis and LBL in PPT may facilitate pathological diagnosis.

Maxillofacial prosthodontists are needed for the rehabilitation of patients with congenital and acquired craniofacial defects

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics (MFP) is a super-specialty of prosthodontics that involves around rehabilitation of patients presenting with congenital maxillofacial defects or craniofacial disabilities acquired due to disease such as cancer or trauma. (1) There are several types of prostheses that can be designed and fabricated by a maxillofacial prosthesis to improve the quality of life of patients. A simple classification is shown in figure 1. Continuous...