Breast Cancer Prediction Using Dominance-based Feature Filtering Approach: A Comparative Investigation in Machine Learning Archetype

Abstract Breast cancer is the most commonly witnessed cancer amongst women around the world. Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) have been playing a significant role in early detection of breast tumors hence to curb the overall mortality rate. This work presents an enhanced empirical study of impact of dominance-based filtering approach on performances of various state-of-the-art classifiers. The feature dominance level is proportional to the difference in means of benign and malignant tumors. The experiments were done on original Wisconsin Breast Cancer Dataset (WBCD) with total nine features. It is found that the classifiers' performances for top 4 and top 5 dominant-based features are almost equivalent to performances for all nine features. Artificial neural network (ANN) is come forth as the best performing classifier among all with accuracies of 98.9% and 99.6% for top 4 and top 5 dominant features respectively. The error rate of ANN between all nine and top 4 &5 dominant features is less than 2% for four performance evaluation parameters namely sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC. Thus, it can be stated that the dominance-based filtering approach is appropriate for selecting a sound set of features from the feature pool, consequently, helps to reduce computation time with no deterioration in classifier's performance.

Patient and health system delays among adult smear-positive tuberculosis patients diagnosed at medical colleges of Puducherry in south India.

Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are essential for an effective tuberculosis (TB) control program. This study was done to assess the extent of various delays among TB patients diagnosed at medical colleges of Puducherry. A cross-sectional study involving retrospective medical record review and prospective patient interviews was conducted in and around the union territory of Puducherry during the period 2009-10. Various delays and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Level of significance was determined at 95% confidence interval (CI) (P value <0.05) and all tests were two-sided. Among 216 new sputum smear-positive TB patients, 11.1% and 10.6% were smokers and alcohol users, respectively. The median patient delay, health system delay, and total delay was 37 days, 28 days, and 65 days respectively. Being a resident of Puducherry (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.87) and family size of ≤5 (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.21-0.97) were found as the determinants of patient delays and total delays, respectively.

Validated method development for estimation of atorvastatin and amlodipine in solid dosage regimens.

A method for simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin Calcium (AVS) and Amlodipine Besilate (AML) in combined tablet dosage form has been developed. The method employs the application of multicomponent mode of analysis. This method utilize Phosphate buffer (pH6.8). AVS show maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 240 nm and AML at 369 nm. The method is fast,economical and very cheap as compared to other simultaneous spectrophotometric method using multi-component mode of analysis for estimation of Atorvastatin Calcium and Amlodipine Besilate due to using phosphate buffer instead of costly solvent.Where the linearity ranges for AVS and AML were 5-25μg/ml and 10-50 μg/ml respectively. The procedure was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixture and in market available tablet dosage form. The accuracy of the method was assessed by recovery studies and was found to be 99.41±0.83 and 98.65±0.54 for AVS and AML respectively. Results of the analysis were validated statistically so that it can be used for routine analysis of AVS and AML in combined tablet dosage form.

Marsupialization as a treatment option of a large Odontogenic keratocyst: A case report with the review of literature.

The Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is classified as a developmental epithelial cyst and comprises approximately 11% of all cysts of the jaws. The most characteristic clinical feature of OKC is the high recurrence rate. It is because of this characteristic that a variety of treatment modalities has been suggested for this cyst. Many of the surgeons prefer a more aggressive treatment, like resection. We have tried a more conservative approach in managing a patient with a large OKC of the mandible and have had an excellent result. We would like to suggest that marsupialization can be a definitive treatment option for large OKC’s.

Use of Nasolabial Flap in the Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis – A Clinical Study.

Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic debilitating disease associated with restricted mouth opening and poor oral hygiene. The treatment aims at good release of fibrosis and to provide long term results in terms of mouth opening. Various local grafts have been used to cover the buccal mucosal defects after the fibrotic bands are released in oral submucous fibrosis. Successful use of inferiorly based nasolabial flaps in the management of oral submucous fibrosis is projected. A total of 10 histologically proven cases of oral submucous fibrosis having a mouth opening of less than 20 mm were surgically treated .The procedure involved (1) bilateral release of fibrotic bands (2) measurement of intra-operative interincisal distance (greater than 35 mm achieved in all patients after release of bands) (3) covering the defects with inferiorly based nasolabial flap. All patients had post-operative physiotherapy, and were followed up regularly for one year. All flaps healed without evidence of infection, dehiscence, or necrosis. Results were assessed by comparing the pre-operative & pos-toperative maximum mouth opening. The inferiorly based nasolabial “islanded” flaps provide reliable coverage of defects of the buccal mucosa and improves mouth opening.

Impact of osmotic stress on seed germination and seedling growth in black gram (Phaseolus mungo).

An experiment was conducted to see the impact of osmotic stress as it is one of the main cause in various soil and water disorders in agricultural field crops, specially the seed germination and seedling growth. The osmotic stress was generated using PEG-6000 and the seed germination, seedling growth were evaluated including the status of pigments i.e. chlorophyll (a, b and total), total carotenoids, pheophytin (a, b and total) and different enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The various osmotic potentials generated (-2, -5 and -10 bars) showed significant decrease in germination percentage as at the osmotic potential of -10 bars it was observed 70 in comparison to 90% of control. All the seedling growth parameter also showed inhibition with increase in osmotic potential. Increase in osmotic stress decreased Chlorophyll ‘a’, while Chlorophyll ‘b’ was increased in -5 bars while total chlorophyll showed decrease in -5 bars osmotic potential. Total carotenoids and pheophytin (a, b and total) were highly increased in -5 bars and decreased in -10 bars osmotic concentration. Enzymatic activity was found to be decreased in amylase while peroixidase, catalase and SOD were increased at different osmotic gradients in comparison to control. The data observed in the experiment can be helpful to assess the impact of any kind of osmotic stress on plant growth and development in crops.

Interactive studies of potassium and copper with cadmium on seed germination and early seedling growth in maize (Zea mays L.).

In the present study a novel approach has been made to evaluate the toxicity of cadmium in maize (Zea mays L. cv. KJ9451) in terms of germination, seedling growth, pigment development and relevant enzyme activity,and the possible remedial approach using potassium and copper to reduce cadmium toxicity. For the present investigations maize seeds were sown in petridishes on filter paper in triplicate containing different doses of cadmium viz. 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and1.0 mM and for interactive studies maize seeds sown in 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mM Cd concentration were subjected to 0.50 and 1.00 mM concentration of potassium and copper respectively. At the high cadmium concentrations, germination percentage was decreased. I also showed considerable reduction in plumule length, radicle length and number of lateral roots while the potassium and copper combination with cadmium increased the seedling growth. The calculated values of SVI were found to be decreased with increase in the concentration of cadmium. Decreased GRI values were observed in maize treated with three higher concentrations of cadmium but the combination of potassium and copper showed recovery in GRI values. The fresh weight, dry weight and moisture contents were also found reduced with higher cadmium concentrations but the potassium and copper combination showed recovery when used with higher concentration of cadmium. Declined chlorophyll contents were noticed under the influence of higher cadmium concentrations. Both the combination of potassium and copper used with 0.50, 0.75 and1.00 mM cadmium concentrations resulted in increased chlorophyll and pheophytin contents and decreased in Cu combination respectively. The potassium and copper (both 0.50 and 1.00 mM) with 0.75 and 1.00 mM cadmium increased the carotenoid contents although lone cadmium decreased it. Amylase activity was found to be gradually reduced at all concentrations of cadmium. The 0.50 mM and 1.00 mM potassium combination improved amylase activity. Marked increase in catalase and peroxidase activity by the application of test chemical was observed in different doses of cadmium. The potassium and copper combination used with cadmium concentration reduced catalase activity while peroxidase activity was promoted.

Salivary gland lithotripsy: a non-invasive alternative.

Shock wave lithotripsy is minimally invasive & alternative to surgery for treatment of symptomatic salivary stones. Lithotripsy uses shock waves generated outside the body to pulverize or crush the stone inside the body. The purpose of this treatment is to disintegrate the salivary stone into concentration smaller than 2mm to permit spontaneous or induced salivation to flush it out. The aim of this article is to throw light on salivary gland lithotripsy procedure.

Combinatorial effects of distillery and sugar factory effluents in crop plants.

Under the reutilization and recycling strategy of industrial effluents, treated distillery and sugar factory mixed effluent was used in petridish culture experiments to investigate its effect on seed germination and seedling growth in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard. The seed germination and seedling growth were significantly reduced with increase in concentration of the effluent. The fresh matter was found significantly increased in barley (1.16 g per seedling in 25% dilution level of effluents in comparison to 0.93 in control), while other higher dilution levels reduce it. Wheat, garden pea, black gram, mustard invariably showed inhibition in fresh weight. Dry weight was found consistently reduced or unchanged in different treatments. Total chlorophyll contents in barley were significantly increased in different treatments (2.351 and 2.721 mg/g fresh weight of tissue at 25, 50% dilution levels in comparison to 1.781 of control) while in other crop it was reduced alloverthe treatments. Amylase activity in wheat, garden pea, black gram and mustard was reduced in all the treatments. Only in barley its level was enhanced from 0.76 to 0.85, 0.96, 0.81 in 25, 50, 75% dilution levels of the effluent mixture respectively Based on the data of different crops barley was found to be highly tolerant as the 25 and 50% dilution levels of combined effluents. It showed no change in germination %, while seedling growth was increased in lower dilution levels of combined effluent as compared to control Barley>garden pea>wheat>black gram>mustard gradually showed increased level of sensitivity respectively Most detrimental effects were seen in mustard. This toxicity might be due to excess of nutrients, beyond the limits of tolerance. Therefore, the higher concentration of mixed effluent was not advisable for irrigation purpose, however it could be used for irrigation purpose after proper treatment and dilution (one part treated effluent and five parts of available irrigation water), as this dilution level was found growth and yield promotory

Response of wheat seed germination and seedling growth under copper stress.

The experiment was performed to study the seed germination and seedling growth in wheat under the influence of different concentrations of copper. The germination %, plumule and radicle length, and number of lateral roots decreased with increase in copper concentration (5, 25, 50 and 100 mgl(-1)). Total chlorophyll contents declined on 14th day from 1.605 of control to 1.581, 1.242, 1.275 and 1.107 mg g(-1) fresh weight in respective treatments. Similarly, on 21st day the decline in total chlorophyll contents was 1.288, 1.123, 1.077 and 0.985 mg g(-1) fresh weight in respective treatments against 1.724 of control. Likewise the pheophytin contents also declined showing the same pattern. However, carotenoid contents increased in different treatments, ranging between 0.366 to 0.464 mg g(-1) fresh weight in comparison to control (0.328) on 14th day, but showed adverse effects on 21st day as the carotenoid contents decreased in different copper treatments. The activity of amylase was found to be gradually reduced 14th day from 29.73 of control to 27.80, 27.33, 21.86 and 20.00 mg g(-1) and at 21st day from 14.40 of control to 11.46, 11.01, 9.86 and 5.60 mg g(-1) fresh weight with increase in concentrations of copper The catalase activity increased 14th day from 97.33 of control to 134.66, 161.33, 216.00 and 232.00 and on 21st day from 140.00 of control to 245.33, 274.66, 278.66 and 300.66 ml H2O2 hydrolyzed/g fresh weight in different increased concentrations of copper Similarly the peroxidase activity was also increased with increase in copper concentration. Likewise fresh weight and moisture contents decreased with increase in copper concentration. The dry weight was increased with increase in concentration of copper treatment. Total protein contents were initially decreased on 14th day from 80.69 of control to 66.75, 60.41, 56.41 and 48.48 microg/mg and on 21st day 81.37 of control to 67.06, 62.31, 54.92 and 46.47 microg/mg fresh weight in different copper concentrations respectively Sugar contents were significantly decreased in all the doses of copper on both 14th and 21st days i.e. (5.53 of control to 4.76, 3.69, 3.68 and 2.86 microg/mg in different copper treatments on 14th day and 4.81 of control to 4.49, 3.40, 2.79 and 2.15 microg/mg on 21st day respectively.

Psychotropics in pregnancy: weighing the risks.

With increase in the use of newer psychotropics, there is a growing concern in relation to the teratogenicity. Unfortunately, it is not possible to carry out prospective studies in pregnant women and as a result physicians caring for such patients have to rely on case reports, case series, and retrospective studies. Available evidence shows that the safety of psychotropics in pregnancy is still unresolved and the decision to prescribe psychotropics in pregnancy should be taken in the light of severity of mental disease, and drugs should be prescribed only when the potential risk to the foetus from exposure is outweighed by the risk of untreated maternal disorder. In this review we discussed the current evidence of the teratogenic risks with psychotropic drugs commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders and also focused on decision making in such patients.

Chromium in tannery industry effluent and its effect on plant metabolism and growth.

Different dilution levels of tannery treated effluent and their corresponding concentration of chromium (Cr6+) were studied in a petridish culture experiment on seed germination and seedling growth in radish (Raphanus sativus L). The different concentrations of Cr6+ (2, 5 and 10 ppm) and treated tannery effluent (10, 25 and 50%) showed reduction in seedling growth and related enzymatic activities with increase in concentration of Cr6+ in treatments and effluent both. The low concentration of chromium (2 ppm) and effluent dilution (10%) showed significant growth reduction separately. At this concentration of chromium and effluent dilution chlorophyll content, amylase, catalase and protein contents remained unchanged while with increase in Cr6+ concentration (>2ppm) and effluent dilution (> 10%) in treatments showed growth inhibitory effects.

Entomological studies on malaria in irrigated and non-irrigated areas of Thar desert, Rajasthan, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Malaria is the major health problem in western Rajasthan yet its vector fauna and transmission dynamics thereof is not understood properly. The present investigations report complete profile of qualitative and quantitative aspects of anopheline species occurring in different settings of desert ecosystem. METHODS: Area with irrigation through canal for more than 20 years (setting I), area with irrigation through canal for 10 years (setting II) and area without any irrigation (setting III) have been selected for studies. Species identification and their densities (per man hour) was made as per standard methods. RESULTS: In village of setting I, during rainy season, An. subpictus and An. stephensi were present while during winter season four species--An. subpictus, An. stephensi, An. culicifacies and An. annularis were collected. In all the villages of setting I, II and III no Anopheles mosquito was observed during summer season. In the villages of desert region without any irrigation facilities through any canal, the anopheline species were present only during rainy season. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: An. stephensi is the major malaria vector of desert irrespective of whether the area is canal irrigated or not. During summer season absence of vector species in all the villages require further studies on micro-ecology of the species under desert conditions.

Metabolism of mycobacteria.

The metabolism of mycobacteria have been studied with reference to carbohydrate, lipids, nitrogen metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Some of the enzymes of glycolytic pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle and lypogenic enzymes were purified, characterized and their kinetic properties investigated. The effect of age of the culture and environmental factors on different aspects of metabolism of mycobacteria were also studied. A comparison of lipid profile in various species of mycobacteria grown in different culture conditions were made. The metabolism of spheroplasts isolated from mycobacteria has been established with respect to their energy charge and to synthesize peptidoglycan using D-alanine as the precursor.