An Efficient multi-level Pre-processing Algorithm for the Enhancement of Dermoscopy images in Melanoma detection

In this paper, a multi-level algorithm for Pre-processing of dermoscopy images is proposed, which helps in improving the quality of the raw images, making it suitable for skin lesion detection. This multi-level pre-processing method has a positive impact on automated skin lesion segmentation using Regularized Extreme Learning Machine. Raw images are subjected to de-noising, illumination correction, contrast enhancement, sharpening, reflection removal and virtual shaving before the skin lesion segmentation. The NLM filter with lowest BRISQUE score exhibits better de-noising of dermoscopy images. To suppress uneven illumination, gamma correction is subjected to the de-noised image. RICE algorithm is used for contrast enhancement, produces enhanced images with better structural preservation and negligible loss of information. Unsharp Masking for sharpening exhibits low BRISQUE scores for better sharpening of fine details in an image. Output images produced by the phase-congruency based method in virtual shaving shows high similarity with groundtruth images as the hair is removed completely from the input images. Obtained scores at each stage of pre-processing framework shows that, the performance is superior compared to all the existing methods, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in terms of uniform contrast, preservation of information content, removal of undesired information and elimination of artifacts in melanoma images. Output of proposed system is assessed qualitatively and quantitatively with and without pre-processing of dermoscopy images. From the overall evaluation results it is found that, the segmentation of skin lesion is more efficient using Regularized Extreme Learning Machine if the multi-level pre-processing steps are used in proper sequence.

Anti-proliferative potential of fluorinated curcumin analogues: experimental and computational analysis and review of the literature

Background: Curcuminoids, flavoring, and coloring agents in food have potent antioxidant, anti-tumor activity, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, they are rapidly metabolized to lesser active metabolites. Therefore, various studies have been conducted to synthesize new and stable curcumin analogues with enhanced therapeutic activity. Methods: Fluorinated curcumin compounds (2a-2f) were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation between fluorobenzaldehydes (1a-1f) with curcumin. Fluorinated demethoxycurcumin (3a) was synthesized by condensation between demethoxycurcumin and 3,4-difluorobenzaldehyde (1f). The structures of these compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 19FNMR, and mass spectroscopy. Antiproliferative activities of these synthetic compounds were evaluated against breast cancer cells (4T1), melanoma cancer cells (B16F10), and normal cell lines (NIH 3T3) using MTT assay. The interaction of curcumin, 2f and 3a with several proteins (1HCL, 2ZOQ, 3D94, 5EW3, 4WA9, 1XKK, 6CCY) was investigated. The structural preservation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. Results: The spectroscopic data obtained confirmed the proposed structure of fluorinated analogues. The results showed that compounds 2f and 3a inhibited cancer cells proliferation significantly more than other compounds. Compounds 2f and 3a showed the highest affinity and lowest binding energy with EGFR. The binding energies were -7.8, -10, and -9.8 kcal/mol for curcumin, 2f and 3a with EGFR, respectively. The molecular docking results demonstrated that compounds 2f and 3a were firmly bound in a complex with EGFR via the formation of a hydrogen bond. Conclusion: In summary, we found that fluorinated demethoxycurcumin and fluorinated curcumin induces cancer cell death and binds to EGFR with high affinity.

Tetra-gel enables superior accuracy in combined super-resolution imaging and expansion microscopy

The accuracy of expansion microscopy (ExM) depends on the structural preservation of samples embedded in a hydrogel. However, it has been unknown to what extent gel embedding alters the molecular positions of individual labeled sites. Here, we quantified the accuracy of gel embedding by using stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to image DNA origami with well-defined structures. We found that embedding in hydrogels based on polyacrylamide, the most widely used chemistry in ExM, resulted in random displacements of labeled sites with a standard deviation of ~ 16 nm. In contrast, we found that embedding in tetra-gel, a hydrogel that does not depend on free-radical chain-growth polymerization, preserved labeled sites with a standard deviation of less than 5 nm. By combining tetra-gel ExM with STORM, we were able to resolve 11-nm structural features without the loss in accuracy seen with polyacrylamide gels. Our study thus provides direct measurements of the single-molecule distortions resulting from hydrogel embedding, and presents a way to improve super-resolution microscopy through combination with tetra-gel ExM.

A Comparison of Two Gelatin Consolidants for the Preservation of Thermally Altered Skeletal Remains

A recent study (Topoleski & Christensen 2019) found that applying a food-grade gelatin solution to thermally altered skeletal remains resulted in significantly better structural preservation (reduced fragmentation) during recovery and transport compared to untreated controls. Here we expand upon this research and test whether a technical-grade gelatin would result in even better skeletal evidence preservation. Results show that bones treated with both the food-grade and technical-grade gelatins were better preserved (i.e., had less fragmentation) than untreated controls. Application of the technical-grade gelatin, however, did not result in significantly better preservation than the food-grade gelatin, and is less accessible, more expensive, and more difficult to prepare. Food-grade gelatin is therefore recommended, but other types of gelatins can be equally effective.

The limit of the contemporary financial system in Russia

Subject. The article focuses on the modern financial system of Russia. Objectives. I determine the limit of the contemporary financial system in Russia. Methods. The study is based on methods of descriptive statistics, statistical and cluster analysis. Results. The article shows the possibility of determining the scope of the contemporary financial system in Russia by establishing monetary relations as the order of the internal system and concerted operation of subsystems, preserving the structure of the financial system, maintaining the operational regime, implementing the program and achieving the goal. I found that the Russian financial system correlated with the Angolan one, and the real scope of the contemporary financial system in Russia. Conclusions and Relevance. As an attempt to effectively establish monetary relations and manage them, the limit of the contemporary financial system is related to the possibility of using Monetary Aggregate M0 to maintain the balance of the Central Bank of Russia. To overcome the scope of Russia’s financial system, the economy should have changed its specialization, refocusing it on high-tech export and increasing the foreign currency reserves. This can be done if amendments to Russia’s Constitution are adopted. The findings expand the scope of knowledge and create new competence in the establishment of monetary relations, order of the internal system and concerted interaction of subsystems, structural preservation of the financial system and maintenance of its operational regime.