Automatic Detection and Segmentation of Colorectal Cancer with Deep Residual Convolutional Neural Network.

Early and automatic detection of colorectal tumors is essential for cancer analysis, and the same is implemented using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). A computerized tomography (CT) image of the colon is being used to identify colorectal carcinoma. Digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) is a standard medical imaging format to process and analyze images digitally. Accurate detection of tumor cells in the complex digestive tract is necessary for optimal treatment. The proposed work is divided into two phases. The first phase involves the segmentation, and the second phase is the extraction of the colon lesions with the observed segmentation parameters. A deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) based residual network approach for the colon and polyps' segmentation from the CT images is applied over the 2D CT images. The residual stack block is being added to the hidden layers with short skip nuance, which helps to retain spatial information. ResNet-enabled CNN is employed in the current work to achieve complete boundary segmentation of the colon cancer region. The results obtained through segmentation serve as features for further extraction and classification of benign as well as malignant colon cancer. Performance evaluation metrics indicate that the proposed network model has effectively segmented and classified colorectal tumors with dice scores of 91.57% (on average), sensitivity = 98.28, specificity = 98.68, and accuracy = 98.82.

Single stage management of Gustilo type III A/B tibia fractures: Fixed with nail & covered with fasciocutaneous flap.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of immediate and definitive management of Gustilo type III A/B tibia fractures with intramedullary nailing and fasciocutaneous flap. METHODS: From August 2010 to July 2012, 22 patients with Gustilo Grade III A/B tibia fractures were managed with a single stage treatment of ipsilateral fasciocutaneous flap & reamed intramedullary nailing and were included in the study. The severity of the injury was calculated with Ganga Hospital injury severity score. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 41 years and the follow-up time ranged from six months to one year. Among the 22 patients, 73% were type III B fractures with upper leg involved in 55% of them. The time interval from injury to completion of surgery was 8-14 h. The incidence of bone infection requiring secondary procedure was 9%; the major and minor soft tissue complication rate was 9% and 14% respectively. The limb salvage rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary management of severe lower limb trauma is important and provides good outcomes. Intramedullary nailing and immediate flap fixation can achieve early bone union and good soft tissue coverage, leading to good outcomes in patient with Grade III A & B tibia fractures.

Treatment of ametryn in wastewater by a hybrid MBR system: a lab-scale study.

Agricultural discharge of herbicides to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) poses significant threat to the marine ecosystem. This study evaluates the performance of a hybrid treatment system consists of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), UV disinfection unit and a granular activated carbon (GAC) column in treating ametryn which is one of the major herbicides in agricultural discharges. While the MBR alone removes only 40% of ametryn at a hydraulic retention time of 7.8 h, the hybrid system removed ametryn to below detection levels.

Inheritance of pollen-less anthers and "thrum" and "pin" flowers in periwinkle.

Two mutants, 1 with small, pollen-less anthers (OR-EA) and another with "pin" flowers (EMS 13-2), in contrast to "thrum" flowers found in normal periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) plants, were isolated after induced mutagenesis in strain OR and cultivar, "Dhawal," respectively. Inheritance of these 2 traits, pollen-less anthers, and pin flowers was studied by crossing the mutants with their respective parental strains. Segregation ratios observed in F(2) and testcross generations of the cross OR-EA x OR suggested that the pollen-less anthers trait was determined by duplicate recessive genes. Data obtained from F(2) and F(3) generations of the cross involving mutant EMS 13-2 with pin flowers and its parental variety Dhawal, suggested that production of pin (mutant) and thrum (normal) flowers was under the control of inhibitory epistatic interaction between 2 independently inherited genes.

Nitrogen removal in a two-stage, re-circulating waste stabilisation pond system.

Waste stabilisation ponds are used widely in Australia and other parts of the world for treating wastewater from domestic and a wide range of industrial sources. It remains a popular form of treatment for wastewater for many small rural towns. The development of a two-stage, re-circulating waste stabilisation pond incorporating algal-bacterial biofilm represents a new approach to increasing the functioning biomass within the water column to improve treatment efficiency. This new approach will be a more viable and economical option for most of the existing waste stabilisation ponds to achieve significant nitrogen removal than converting them to another form of biological nutrient removal processes. A laboratory-scale, two-stage, re-circulating system incorporating "Bio-Tube" plastic modules as attached growth medium has been tested using synthetic wastewater. It has been proven that nitrification-denitrification was the primary mechanism for nitrogen removal in such a system operated under complete mix conditions. During the experimental period, average removal efficiencies of 90-95% of ammonia nitrogen and 65-85% of total nitrogen removal were achieved with influent COD of 600 mg/L and total nitrogen of 70 mg/L.

Allelic differences at two loci govern different mechanisms of intraflower self-pollination in self-pollinating strains of periwinkle.

Periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don], an ornamental and medicinal plant, is a self-compatible, insect-pollinated plant species in which intraflower self-pollination does not occur because of spatial separation of the stigma and anthers. Recently three self-pollinating strains-MJ, VI, and OR-were identified. Self-pollination in these strains was found to be brought about by continuous increase in gynoecium length from anthesis to self-pollination, in contrast to non-self-pollinating strains, in which the stigma remained below the base of the anthers from anthesis to flower drop. Self-pollination in these strains was found to be controlled by duplicate, recessive genes. Self-pollination in strains MJ and VI was brought about by an increase in gynoecium length resulting from an increase in the length of the ovary, while in the strain OR, the increase in gynoecium length was because of an increase in the length of the style from anthesis to self-pollination. The three strains were intercrossed to determine the relationship between genes governing self-pollination in these strains. The F(1) plants and all plants of the F(2) generation of the cross MJ x VI exhibited self-pollination that was brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, indicating that the same genes were involved in these two strains. The F(1) plants of crosses OR x MJ and OR x VI, exhibited self-pollination that was brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, indicating that self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary was dominant over self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the style. In the F(2) and backcross [(OR x MJ) x OR and (OR x VI) x OR] generations, both self-pollinating and non-self-pollinating plants were observed. The ratio of plants with self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, non-self-pollinating plants, and plants with self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the style in the F(2) and backcross generations fit 9:6:1 and 1:2:1 ratios, respectively. All plants of the backcrosses [(OR x MJ) x MJ and (OR x VI) x VI] exhibited self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary. The results thus supported the earlier finding that self-pollination in the studied strains was controlled by duplicate, recessive genes and suggested that three alleles at two loci determine the occurrence or nonoccurrence of intraflower self-pollination in periwinkle.

Inheritance of flower color in periwinkle: orange-red corolla and white eye.

The commonly found flower colors in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)--pink, white, red-eyed, and pale pink center--are reported to be governed by the epistatic interaction between four genes--A, R, W, and I. The mode of inheritance of an uncommon flower color, orange-red corolla and white eye, was studied by crossing an accession possessing this corolla color with a white flowered variety (Nirmal). The phenotype of the F(1) plants and segregation data of F(2) and backcross generations suggested the involvement of two more interacting and independently inherited genes, one (proposed symbol E) determining the presence or absence of red eye and another (proposed symbol O) determining orange-red corolla.

Influence of plant growth stage on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens wall.).

The influence of three plant growth stages (full emergence of flower heads, anthesis, and initiation of seed set) on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall) was investigated over two successive seasons. The essential oil content was found to be higher at the full emergence of flower heads than at anthesis and initiation of seed set stages. The contents of davanone, the major constituent of davana oil, and linalool decreased while those of (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamate, (E)-ethyl cinnamate, bicyclogermacrene, davana ether, 2-hydroxyisodavanone, and farnesol increased from flower heads emergence stage to the initiation of seed set stage. These results support the general practice of harvesting the crop at full bloom stage. Five compounds, viz., (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamates, (Z)- and (E)-ethyl cinnamates, and geranyl acetate, were identified for the first time in davana oil.

Cloning and developmental expression of the murine homolog of the acute leukemia proto-oncogene AF4.

AF4 is the 4q21 gene involved in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated t(4;11)(q21;q23) where it forms a fusion gene with MLL. In order to gain insight into AF4's role in leukemogenesis we have studied its functional domains and expression pattern during murine development. We have cloned the murine homolog, Af4. We have demonstrated that 5' half of Af4 encodes a region with transcriptional transactivation activity which is disrupted by the t(4;11) in human leukemias. We have also localized the murine AF4 protein to the nucleus supporting a role for AF4 in transcription. The developmental expression pattern of Af4 was determined in situ hybridization and suggests Af4 plays an important role in the development of the hematopoietic, cardiovascular, skeletal and central nervous systems. A repeating pattern of Af4 expression in development is down-regulation with differentiation of a tissue. Among the cell types where this pattern of down-regulation is noted are B-lymphocytes. These findings raise the possibility that the disruption of normal AF4 function by the translocation may contribute to leukemogenesis.

Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme modulate mitosis and gene expression in pancreatic cancer cells.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril inhibits mitosis in several cell types that contain ACE and renin activity. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of the ACE inhibitors captopril and CGS 13945 (10(-8) to 10(-2) M) on proliferation and gene expression in hamster pancreatic duct carcinoma cells in culture. These cells lack renin and ACE activity. Both ACE inhibitors produced a dose-dependent reduction in tumor cell proliferation within 24 hr. Captopril at a concentration of 0.36 mM and CGS 13945 at 150 microM decreased cellular growth rate to approximately half that of the control. Neither drug influenced the viability or the cell cycle distribution of the tumor cells. Slot blot analysis of mRNA for four genes, proliferation associated cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), K-ras, protein kinase C-beta (PKC-beta) and carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) was performed. Both ACE inhibitors increased K-ras expression by a factor of 2, and had no effect on CA II mRNA levels. Captopril also lowered PCNA by 40% and CGS 13945 lowered PKC-beta gene expression to 30% of the control level. The data demonstrate that ACE inhibitors exhibit antimitotic activity and differential gene modulation in hamster pancreatic duct carcinoma cells. The absence of renin and ACE activity in these cells suggests that the antimitotic action of captopril and CGS 13945 is independent of renin-angiotensin regulation. The growth inhibition may occur through downregulation of growth-related gene expression.

Transformation of hamster pancreatic duct cells by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), in vitro.

The tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a potent carcinogen in laboratory animals. In the present study, in vitro transformation of spontaneously immortal hamster pancreatic duct cells following exposure to 20 mM NNK for 1,3,5 and 7 days is described. NNK imparted a dose-dependent and time-dependent toxicity to pancreatic duct cells in vitro. After NNK treatment, duct cells were grown either in complete duct medium (CDM) or in the absence of bovine pituitary extract, epidermal growth factor and Nu-serum (incomplete duct medium, IDM). Addition of NNK to the culture for 1 and 3 days did not affect the growth of the cells, whereas exposure of the cells for 5 and 7 days was inhibitory. One and 3 day NNK-treated cells were able to grow in the absence of growth factors and serum immediately after the treatment without any inhibition of growth. Untreated cells grew as a monolayer consisting of tightly packed polygonal cells with single nuclei. NNK treated cells also grew as a monolayer with numerous mitotic figures and multi-nucleated large cells. The doubling time between the untreated (16 h) and NNK-treated cells (14 h) was not significantly different prior to injection into the nude mice. NNK treated cells grown in IDM displayed anchorage independency in soft-agar. The tumorigenicity of the untreated and NNK treated cells (5 x 10(6)) was determined in nude mice. One and 3 day NNK-treated cells grown in CDM produced well-differentiated, mucinous tumors with a lower frequency (2/4 sites) and longer duration, but produced tumors at a higher frequency (4/4 sites) and shorter duration when grown in IDM. Five and 7 day NNK-treated cells grown in CDM did not produce any tumors; however, they produced tumors when grown in CDM followed by IDM (5/8 and 6/8 sites) with a shorter duration in nude mice. Analysis of DNA for k-ras mutation at codons 12, 13 and 61 showed G-A transition at codon 12 of the k-ras oncogene in tumor cells of 1 and 3 day NNK treatment. No mutation was detected in tumor cells from 5 and 7 day treatment.

Metabolism and activation of pancreas specific nitrosamines by pancreatic ductal cells in culture.

Metabolism of 14C labeled N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP), N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP) and N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) by pancreatic duct cells in culture involves the following two pathways: reduction or oxidation reactions at the beta-carbon which result in the inter-conversion of these nitrosamines and activation reactions which result in the decomposition of the nitrosamine, the evolution of 14CO2 and the labeling of macromolecules. Reduction of BOP to HPOP seems to contribute significantly to the metabolism of the former nitrosamine by pancreatic duct cells, however, redox reactions at the beta-carbon of HPOP or BHP are not extensive. In terms of DNA damage, all three nitrosamines yield methyl and hydroxypropyl adducts. As expected, HPOP and BHP yield higher levels of O6-hydroxypropylguanine than BOP, while the latter yields higher levels of O6-methylguanine. There is no correlation between the ability of these nitrosamines to alkylate duct cell DNA in vitro and their carcinogenic potency in vivo. Concentrations of DNA adducts induced by pancreas specific nitrosamines (PSNs) in cultured duct cells at concentrations comparable to those found in the pancreatic juice of animals treated with BOP, are almost an order of magnitude lower than those induced in the pancreas of such animals. Discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo formation of active metabolites and DNA adducts may be attributed to the decline of the cells' ability to activate PSNs during culturing. In the same vein, the ductal cell may not be the main source of active metabolites targeting its DNA in the animal model.

Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

GS4, a water-soluble extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, was administered (400 mg/day) to 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on insulin therapy. Insulin requirements came down together with fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosylated plasma protein levels. While serum lipids returned to near normal levels with GS4 therapy, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma protein levels remained higher than controls. IDDM patients on insulin therapy only showed no significant reduction in serum lipids, HbA1c or glycosylated plasma proteins when followed up after 10-12 months. GS4 therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration/revitalisation of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

The effectiveness of GS4, an extract from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, in controlling hyperglycaemia was investigated in 22 Type 2 diabetic patients on conventional oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents. GS4 (400 mg/day) was administered for 18-20 months as a supplement to the conventional oral drugs. During GS4 supplementation, the patients showed a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional drug dosage could be decreased. Five of the 22 diabetic patients were able to discontinue their conventional drug and maintain their blood glucose homeostasis with GS4 alone. These data suggest that the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on GS4 supplementation. This is supported by the appearance of raised insulin levels in the serum of patients after GS4 supplementation.