Sequential graph convolutional network and DeepRNN based hybrid framework for epileptic seizure detection from EEG signal.

Automated epileptic seizure detection from ectroencephalogram (EEG) signals has attracted significant attention in the recent health informatics field. The serious brain condition known as epilepsy, which is characterized by recurrent seizures, is typically described as a sudden change in behavior caused by a momentary shift in the excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells, and EEG signal is primarily used in most cases to identify seizure to revitalize the close loop brain. The development of various deep learning (DL) algorithms for epileptic seizure diagnosis has been driven by the EEG's non-invasiveness and capacity to provide repetitive patterns of seizure-related electrophysiological information. Existing DL models, especially in clinical contexts where irregular and unordered structures of physiological recordings make it difficult to think of them as a matrix; this has been a key disadvantage to producing a consistent and appropriate diagnosis outcome due to EEG's low amplitude and nonstationary nature. Graph neural networks have drawn significant improvement by exploiting implicit information that is present in a brain anatomical system, whereas inter-acting nodes are connected by edges whose weights can be determined by either temporal associations or anatomical connections. Considering all these aspects, a novel hybrid framework is proposed for epileptic seizure detection by combined with a sequential graph convolutional network (SGCN) and deep recurrent neural network (DeepRNN). Here, DepRNN is developed by fusing a gated recurrent unit (GRU) with a traditional RNN; its key benefit is that it solves the vanishing gradient problem and achieve this hybrid framework greater sophistication. The line length feature, auto-covariance, auto-correlation, and periodogram are applied as a feature from the raw EEG signal and then grouped the resulting matrix into time-frequency domain as inputs for the SGCN to use for seizure classification. This model extracts both spatial and temporal information, resulting in improved accuracy, precision, and recall for seizure detection. Extensive experiments conducted on the CHB-MIT and TUH datasets showed that the SGCN-DeepRNN model outperforms other deep learning models for seizure detection, achieving an accuracy of 99.007%, with high sensitivity and specificity.

Limberg Flap in Pilonidal Sinus: Experience in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

Pilonidal sinus disease is a common anorectal condition usually seen in young adult patients. Various methods have been described over the years and there is ongoing debate regarding the ideal method. This study was conducted to evaluate the advantages, results of rhomboid excision and Limberg flap reconstruction in the management of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Surgery Unit-I of Department of Surgery, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh a tertiary care centre from July 2016 to November 2017. It includes 19 patients who were treated for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease by Limberg (Rhomboid) flap. All patients that underwent the procedure had good postoperative outcome with minimal postoperative discomfort and were discharged in 3-4 days. There were 3 cases with complications. Limberg flap coverage is very effective for pilonidal disease with low complication rates, reduced hospital stay, low recurrence rates, earlier healing and shorter time off-work. This technique can be easily mastered and used as an indispensable tool for treating sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease.

Measuring Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy of HRCT of Chest and Comparison with Biomarkers in COVID-19 Suspected Patients: A Cross Sectional Study.

COVID-19 is a declared pandemic by World Health Organization. The diagnostic tests are not of high specificity and sensitivity, so far. Pro-inflammatory biomarkers and High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of chest are the common investigations performed to evaluate the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of HRCT and to find out the relationship between the biomarkers and HRCT findings. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in the COVID-19 suspected isolation unit of a tertiary hospital from July 2020 to November of 2020. Data were collected from electronic medical record (EMR). Relationship test were done by t-test and one-way-ANOVA test. Total 123 cases were enrolled after matching with selection criterion. Mean age of male was 62.5 years and female 57.7 years. Highest frequency of participants was observed in the 60-69 year age group. According to HRCT% findings 4 groups were made. They are below 25%, 25%-50%, 51%-75% and 76%-100%. The distribution of case among these groups was 15%, 44%, 35% and 6% respectively. The relationship between biomarkers (NLR, D-dimer, Ferritin and CRP) and HRCT% was found significant (p<0.05). In HRCT 92.5% lesion were peripherally placed and 99.2% cases were affected by both lungs. The sensitivity and specificity of HRCT were found 46% and 72.6% respectively with 62% accuracy. Raised biomarkers are significantly related to the more lung involvement in case of COVID-19 suspected pneumonia patients. These biomarkers will be helpful as diagnostic and prognostic markers for this disease. HRCT percentage can play an important role as diagnostic and prognostic tool in case of COVID-19 suspected cases.

The Spectrum of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis from Eastern India: Is It Different?

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a disease that is defined entirely by its histopathological appearance. The recent Columbian classification has grouped this disease into various types based on the light microscopic description. There is a paucity of data describing the distribution of its various subtypes from the Indian subcontinent. This study was undertaken with the aim to throw light on the epidemiology and clinical features of primary FSGS in Eastern India. This retrospective study includes our cohort of biopsy-proven FSGS who presented to us from June 2009 to July 2011 and the analysis of their presenting clinical and histopathological features from our center in East India. Out of 347 patients diagnosed with FSGS in this period, 224 patients were included in the study. A total of 167 cases were of not otherwise specified (NOS) variant (74.5%), 30 tip variant (13.39%), 14 perihilar (6.25%), 8 cellular (3.57%), and 5 to the collapsing variant (2.23%). The maximum proteinuria at presentation was seen with the tip variant (7.98 ± 6.6 g/24 h), and the renal functions were most deranged at presentation with the collapsing variant. These findings were different from those described in other populations including higher prevalence of the tip and the perihilar variant, significant difference in the degree of hypertension, proteinuria, and renal dysfunction among the different variants. The Columbian classification has helped to stratify the outcomes of this glomerular disease with respect to its clinical presentation as well as histopathological features. However, the characteristics of the various variants do show a distinctive pattern in various populations based on ethnicities.

The Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Outcome of Infection-related Glomerulonephritis from East India: A Single Center Experience.

Infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN) is an example of immunological renal injury due to non-renal infections. With the changing face of IRGN over the years, renal biopsy definitely has an important role to play in differentiating this disease from the other masquerades and helps in prognosticating the long-term outcomes. This prospective study includes biopsy-proven IRGN cases who presented to us from July 2010 to July 2013 from a single center in East India. Of the 168 patients suspected and screened, 137 patients were proved to have IRGN. About 11.67% cases were proven to be immunoglobulin A-IRGN variant. The mean age of presentation was 22.7 ± 15.8 years with a slight male preponderance. A nephrotic range of proteinuria was seen in 13.8% cases and 17.5% patient required renal replacement therapy at presentation. Around 8.75% patients had persistent proteinuria despite normal renal function beyond 6 months of follow-up and 8.09% patients progressed to chronic kidney disease. It may no longer be classified as a glomerular disease with the definite favorable outcome as an important number of patients may progress to chronicity following this disease. Renal biopsy plays an important role in the assessment of prognosis of IRGN and detection of the presence of other underlying glomerulonephritis and should be considered early, especially in patients with atypical presentation.

Luteolin, an abundant dietary component is a potent anti-leishmanial agent that acts by inducing topoisomerase II-mediated kinetoplast DNA cleavage leading to apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Plant-derived flavonoids, which occur abundantly in our daily dietary intake, possess antitumor, antibacterial, and free radical scavenging properties. They form active constituents of a number of herbal and traditional medicines. Several flavonoids have been shown to exert their action by interacting with DNA topoisomerases and promoting site-specific DNA cleavage. Therefore, flavonoids are potential candidates in drug design. We report here that, although the flavonoids luteolin and quercetin are potent antileishmanial agents, luteolin has great promise for acting as a lead compound in the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis, a major concern in developing countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircle cleavage in drug-treated parasites was measured by electrophoresis of the total cellular DNA, followed by Southern hybridization using 32P labeled kDNA as a probe. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry using propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Annexin V. RESULTS: Luteolin and quercetin inhibited the growth of Leishmania donovani promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro, inhibited DNA synthesis in promastigotes, and promoted topoisomerase-II-mediated linearization of kDNA minicircles. The IC50 values of luteolin and quercetin were 12.5 microM and 45.5 microM, respectively. These compounds arrest cell cycle progression in L. donovani promastigotes, leading to apoptosis. Luteolin has no effect on normal human T-cell blasts. Both luteolin and quercetin reduced splenic parasite burden in animal models. CONCLUSION: Luteolin and quercetin are effective antileishmanial agents. Quercetin has nonspecific effects on normal human T cells, but luteolin appears nontoxic. So, luteolin can be a strong candidate for antileishmanial drug design.

Metallic ion concentration during menstrual cycle in normally menstruating women.

Plasma concentration of metallic ions levels during menstrual cycle of twenty normally menstruating women were observed in four phases i.e. menses, follicular, ovulatory and luteal. The concentration of magnesium, zinc, selenium and manganese was highest during menses and lowest at ovulatory phase. There was rise in ionic levels of magnesium and selenium, while fall in zinc and manganese during luteal phase. Findings demonstrate changes in metallic ions (Magnesium, zinc, selenium and manganese) level in relation to hormonal status during menstrual cycle in women.

Multiple calvarial cavernous haemangiomas: case report and review of the literature.

Multiple cavernous haemangiomas of the skull with erosion of the inner table and symptomatic intracranial extension were observed in a middle-aged woman. Plain radiographic and CT features are described. The literature relevant to these unusual features is briefly discussed.

Spermatogenic and steroidogenic impairment after chromium treatment in rats.

Feeding of hexavalent chromium at doses of 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg daily for 90 days caused cellular impairment in rat testis. Spermatogenic inhibition coupled with deminution in testicular protein, DNA and RNA was significant at the doses 40 and 60 mg kg chromium. Decline of Leydig cell population and nuclear diameter indicated the steroidogenic impairment and the effect was confirmed by the significant inhibition of 3 beta-delta 5-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase along with low level of serum testosterone.

Steroidogenic impairment after lindane treatment in male rats.

The effect on testicular steroidogenesis after lindane (delta-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) administration of 4 and 8 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 45 days to male mature rats was investigated. A significant decline in testicular weight of both test groups was observed. Cellular degeneration in Leydig cells of the 8 mg/kg treated group was conspicuous. A sharp decline in the Leydig cell's population and morphological deformation were supported by the decreased activities of testicular hyaluronidase and 3 beta delta 5-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A high level of testicular cholesterol and depletion of ascorbic acid were also responsible for steroidogenic impairment in the treated groups. These impairments also led to a significant diminution in serum testosterone.

Steroidogenic inhibition in testicular tissue of formaldehyde exposed rats.

Three groups of rats (n = 10) were subjected to intraperitoneal treatment of formaldehyde daily at doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg body weight over a period of 30 days. Gradual diminution in body and testicular weight was observed in all treated groups. Leyding cell impairement was conspicuous in those given doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg. Inhibition of 3 beta-delta 5-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and accumulation of sudanophillic materials in testicular tissue of formaldehyde treated rats was recorded histochemically. Significant decline of serum testosterone was also observed in the same groups. Structural and functional impairement of Leydig cells after formaldehyde treatment caused steroidogenic inhibition.

Testicular toxicity of methylmercury: analysis of cellular distribution pattern at different stages of the seminiferous epithelium.

Stage-specific distribution of methylmercury (MM) and spermatogenic changes were analyzed in rats administered 5 or 10 micrograms MM/kg, ip, daily for 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. MM deposition, as grain number/cm2 was noted in basal portions at later stages on day 15, which increased gradually by day 90. MM deposition was in the order of stages IV, VII, XIV, IX, being higher in adluminal portions on days 30 and 60. MM-enriched cytoplasmic masses leaked out through disintegrated tubular membrane on days 60 and 90. Epithelial damage, at stages late XIV through IV, V through VI, VII through VIII, XIII through mid-XIV, and IX through XII, accorded with the gradual deposition of MM. As profound cell death occurred between zygotenes to pachytenes and dividing spermatocytes to step 1 spermatids, the spermatids were conspicuously decreased at later times. It is possible that MM distorts the barrier system at stages IX through XII, gets distributed within the tubule, and hence may pose a direct or Sertoli cell mediated effect at stages XII through early XIV in a dose-duration-MM burden related manner.

Distribution of mercury and evaluation of testicular steroidogenesis in mercuric chloride and methylmercury administered rats.

Intraperitoneal administration of methylmercury chloride (MMC) and mercuric chloride (MC) to male rats in doses of 5, 10 micrograms MMC/kg or 50, 100 micrograms MC/kg for 90 days induced cellular disintegration of Leydig cells which was conspicuous on day 30 and onwards in the exposed groups. Progressive degeneration of Leydig cells and decrease in their nuclear diameter and population were associated with gradual increase in deposition of mercury. Gradual diminution of 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase activity in Leydig cells after MMC or MC treatment was correlated with different structural deformations of the cells over 90 days. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels by day 90 confirmed steroidogenic impairment after MMC or MC treatment.

BHC induced testicular impairments in rats.

Benzene hexachloride (BHC) was fed to mature male rats weighing 160 g at dosages of 3 and 6 mg/kg body weight over a period of 180 days. Significant decrease in testicular weight and degeneration of seminiferous tubules with deformed spermatogenic cells were noted at a dose of 6 mg/kg BHC. Marked increase in BHC residue in testis revealed that the drug was able to cross blood-testis barrier.

Lindane induced changes in morphology and lipids profile of testes in rats.

Intraperitoneal treatment of adult male rats with lindane at dosages of 4 and 8 mg/kg over a period of 45 days caused retardation in body and testicular growth. Testicular degeneration was conspicuous over a period of 45 days in both dosages of lindane. After treatment with lindane, histochemical and biochemical studies revealed the accumulation of testicular lipid components, i.e. total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol along with fatty degeneration in testicular tissues. Moreover, the loss of male accessory organ weight indicated androgen deficiency in treated rats.

Methylmercury induced biochemical and histochemical alterations in rat testis.

The methylmercurry chloride (MMC) administered at doses of 5 and 10 micrograms/kg over a period of 90 days to male rats caused enzymatic impairments in testicular tissue. The study at intervals of 15, 30, 60 and 90 days showed gradual diminution of testicular weight and gradual decrements in testicular protein and inhibition in testicular succinic dehydrogenase activity. Histochemical and biochemical studies revealed that testicular acid phosphatase activity was also inhibited at both the doses of MMC treatment. The inhibition of enzyme activity in testicular tissues after MMC treatment caused the impairment of both spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in rats.