Acne Scan - Application In Assessment Of Acne And Supports Treatment Road

As society develops, many aspects of life are concerned by people, including facial skincare, avoiding acne-related diseases. In this work, we will propose a complete solution for treating acne at home, including 4 processors. First, the anomaly detector uses image processing techniques by Multi-Threshold and Color Segmentation, depending on each color channel corresponding to each type of acne. The sensitivity of the detector is 89.4%. Second, the set of anomalies classifiers into 6 main categories, including 4 major acne types and 2 non-acne types. By applying the convolutional neural model, the accuracy, sensitivity, and F1 are 84.17%, 81.5%, and 82%, respectively. Third, the acne status assessment kit is based on the mGAGS method to classify the condition of a face as mild, moderate, severe, or very severe with an accuracy of 81.25%. Finally, the product recommender, which generalizes from the results of the previous processors with an accuracy of 70-90%. This is the premise that helps doctors as well as general users to evaluate the level of acne on a face effectively and save time.

Preliminary Clinical Validation of a Filtration-Based CTC Assay for Tumor Burden and HER2 Status Monitoring in Metastatic Breast Cancer

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Bearing multidimensional tumor-relevant information ranging from genomic alterations to proteomic makeup, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) constitute a promising material for liquid biopsy. The clinical validity of CTCs has been most extensively studied in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Cellsearch assay is currently the most widely used, while alternative strategies are pursued. A filtration-based microfluidic device has been described for CTC enrichment, but its clinical relevance remains unknown. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this preliminary study, we prospectively enrolled 47 MBC patients and evaluated the performance of the abovementioned CTC assay for tumor burden monitoring and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status determination. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At baseline, 51.1% patients (24/47) were CTC positive. CTC count and positivity were also significantly higher in samples that accompanied poorer radiographic response evaluations. Serial blood draws suggested that CTC count enabled more accurate monitoring of tumor burden than serum markers carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3. Also, in contrast to previous reports, CTC-HER2 status was moderately consistent with tumor-HER2 status. CTC-HER2 status assessment was further supported by <i>HER2</i> copy number measurements in select samples. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The preliminary results from this study suggest promise for the interrogated CDC assay in several aspects, including sensitive CTC detection, accurate disease status reflection, and HER2 status determination. More studies are warranted to validate these findings and further characterize the value of CTC assay.

Alien flora of Oman: invasion status, taxonomic composition, habitats, origin, and pathways of introduction

We present the first inventory and status assessment of the alien flora of Oman, mainly based on field data collected from 1998 to 2021. The study provides (i) a comprehensive account of alien vascular plant species occurring in the wild in Oman, with information on their taxonomic composition. For each species information is given on (ii) invasion status (casual, naturalized or invasive), biogeography, habitat and life-form characteristics, and pathways of introduction. Further, we (iii) explain the differences in the alien species composition in different parts of the country, and (iv) analyse the drivers of plant invasions in Oman. Out of the 111 alien species reported (7.7% of the total Oman vascular flora), 34 species are casuals and 77 naturalized; of the latter seven are considered invasive. The moderate number of alien plant species is likely a result of the country’s arid climate, with extremely high summer temperatures and low annual precipitation in most of its area, and the relatively long isolation of the country. The families richest in alien plant species are Fabaceae (17 species), Asteraceae (14 species) and Poaceae (12 species). More alien plants were found in northern Oman (82 species) than in southern Oman (60 species), and very few species are recorded from the central desert (7 species). The main habitats colonized were man-made habitats, either ruderal or agricultural. Most species alien to Oman are native to South America (49 species) or North America (43 species). This inventory provides a knowledge base for developing a national management strategy for alien vascular plants in Oman.

The Perceptions and knowledge of Physiotherapist regarding exercise and joint health in India

BACKGROUND: A physiotherapist plays a key role in assessing, monitoring, educating and prescribing exercise for RA. A few previous surveys across the goble emphasized on the lack of evidence to guide physiotherapist recognizing the early signs of RA, in knowledge of disease course, and in evidence-based interventions and therefore the ability to manage an individual with RA over the course of the disease. The study aims to investigate physiotherapists’ current practice in specific disease-related Knowledge and clinical skills required managing people with RA and extent to which they promote physical activity and exercise. METHOD: A cross-sectional national e-survey was sent to physiotherapists regarding their confidence in managing RA patients. Questionnaire Data developed from previous literatures included the following details: years of clinical experience, current RA clinical caseload, and professional qualifications, primary clinical area of practice, relevant treatment options in established or newly diagnosed cases and management goals. RESULT: A total of 478 physiotherapist responses were received.84% agreed to the fact that exercises does play an important role in joint health promotion. Almost 70% strongly agreed to factor that FIIT principal has to be taken in consideration while prescribing exercises. Approximately 48% were familiar with Index that measures disease activity and ACR-preferred tools for functional status assessment in RA. Moreover, 98% were having a clear perspective of different guidelines of management in RA and Osteoarthritis (OA).While considering the choice of treatment physical activity and educational advice were more preferred as compared to the modalities or manual therapy. CONCLUSION: The present practices are in lines with the current guidelines for RA management, but still most of them never prescribed high-intensity exercise and lacked knowledge of when to advice appropriate splints/orthoses. Even the recommendations regarding splints were not clear. So, there's a requirement to develop education and training for constantly upgrading physiotherapists within for the promotion of physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

NUTRITIONAL STATUS ASSESSMENT OF ORPHANAGE CHILDREN IN RAWALPINDI

Objective: To evaluate the health and nutritional status of the orphanage, to find frequency of nutritional deficiencies by physical examination findings and to assess their dietary intake and contrast it with individual recommended daily allowances. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Four orphanages of Rawalpindi, from Jan to May 2020. Methodology: Study was conducted at four orphanages of Rawalpindi on 276 children and adolescents. Children and adolescents in age group of 5-18 years and if they are resident of institution for more than 60 months were included in the study, while children who were extremely sick and mentally retarded were excluded from the study. Data was collected through questionnaire including demographic information, anthropometric assessment, nutritional deficiencies on physical examination and 24 hours food recall. Data was analyzed on SPSS 24. Results: Results showed that 34 (17%) children and adolescents were underweight, 99 (49.5%) stunted, 21 (10.5%) showed thinness and 9 (4.5%) were overweight. Most common nutrient deficiency was protein calorie malnutrition, Iron deficiency and vitamin A and B 12 deficiency. Study population was consuming less protein, Iron and fats in diet as compared to recommended daily allowances. Conclusion: Institutionalized children and adolescents are at risk of developing malnutrition due to financial constraints and ignorance of caregivers, which can lead to ill health of children. Programs are required to be undertaken for nutritional development of the orphanage children.

Online Life Forecasting Method and State Assessment Architecture of Power Cable Based on Recurrent Neural Network and Internet of Things

For the purpose of increasing the accuracy of power cable life forecasting and status assessment, improving its life cycle management process, this paper proposes a power cable online life forecasting method and status assessment system based on recurrent neural network and Internet of Things (IoTs). Power cable electrical insulation online monitoring system is established on the first place. Then, recurrent neural network and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process are used in the IoTs based power cable online status assessment architecture to proceed life forecasting and status assessment process. Lastly, example analysis is presented to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the methodology introduced in this paper. It is shown that artificial intelligence and IoTs will also have broad development and application prospect when combined with power cable life cycle management.

Is There an Association between Norton Scale and Cognitive Impairment in Hip Fractured Elderly Patients?

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Geriatric assessment as an integrative part of assessment is a composite of a large number of scales. Sometimes it is difficult to transfer all of them. The Norton Scale Score (NSS) assesses the degree of risk to develop bedsores. In previous studies, a correlation between Norton Scale and function was found. A correlation between Norton Scale and cognitive assessments was not evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between Norton Scale Score and cognitive impairment. This association can further facilitate geriatric assessment in frail older patients, especially in older patients with communicative difficulties. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We have performed an observational cohort study which included hip fractured older patients consecutively admitted to the rehabilitation ward of the Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center. The collected data included demographic data and data on chronic illnesses. Results of cognitive status assessment (Mini-Mental State Examination – MMSE) and Norton Scale assessment were received from the computerized patients’ charts. We evaluated the association between these 2 scales. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study included 224 consecutive hip fracture patients with a mean age of 81.78 ± 7.19 years. Norton scores at admission, age, education, and previous stroke emerged as the only statistically significant parameters differing between those with cognitive decline and those without it. After adjusting for confounding variables, lower Norton scores at admission (OR 1.303, CI: 1.097–1.548, <i>p</i> = 0.003) were associated with an increased risk finding for cognitive impairment. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our findings suggest that there is an association between Norton Scale Scores and cognitive impairment. Norton score parameters, under certain circumstances, such as speech and other communication difficulties, can be used as a proxy measure for MMSE to indicate cognitive impairment. These findings can be even more helpful in the present time of “COVID-19,” when we have to evaluate older patients with facial masks and other defensive suits.

Plecoptera (Insecta) Diversity in Indiana: A Watershed-Based Analysis

Plecoptera, an environmentally sensitive order of aquatic insects commonly used in water quality monitoring is experiencing decline across the globe. This study addresses the landscape factors that impact the species richness of stoneflies using the US Geological Survey Hierarchical Unit Code 8 drainage scale (HUC8) in the state of Indiana. Over 6300 specimen records from regional museums, literature, and recent efforts were assigned to HUC8 drainages. A total of 93 species were recorded from the state. The three richest of 38 HUC8s were the Lower East Fork White (66 species), the Blue-Sinking (58), and the Lower White (51) drainages, all concentrated in the southern unglaciated part of the state. Richness was predicted using nine variables, reduced from 116 and subjected to AICc importance and hierarchical partitioning. AICc importance revealed four variables associated with Plecoptera species richness, topographic wetness index, HUC8 area, % soil hydrolgroup C/D, and % historic wetland ecosystem. Hierarchical partitioning indicated topographic wetness index, HUC8 area, and % cherty red clay surface geology as significantly important to predicting species richness. This analysis highlights the importance of hydrology and glacial history in species richness of Plecoptera. The accumulated data are primed to be used for monograph production, niche modeling, and conservation status assessment for an entire assemblage in a large geographic area.