VeerNet: Using Deep Neural Networks for Curve Classification and Digitization of Raster Well-Log Images.

Raster logs are scanned representations of the analog data recorded in subsurface drilling. Geologists rely on these images to interpret well-log curves and deduce the physical properties of geological formations. Scanned images contain various artifacts, including hand-written texts, brightness variability, scan defects, etc. The manual effort involved in reading the data is substantial. To mitigate this, unsupervised computer vision techniques are employed to extract and interpret the curves digitally. Existing algorithms predominantly require manual intervention, resulting in slow processing times, and are erroneous. This research aims to address these challenges by proposing VeerNet, a deep neural network architecture designed to semantically segment the raster images from the background grid to classify and digitize (i.e., extracting the analytic formulation of the written curve) the well-log data. The proposed approach is based on a modified UNet-inspired architecture leveraging an attention-augmented read-process-write strategy to balance retaining key signals while dealing with the different input-output sizes. The reported results show that the proposed architecture efficiently classifies and digitizes the curves with an overall F1 score of 35% and Intersection over Union of 30%, achieving 97% recall and 0.11 Mean Absolute Error when compared with real data on binary segmentation of multiple curves. Finally, we analyzed VeerNet's ability in predicting Gamma-ray values, achieving a Pearson coefficient score of 0.62 when compared to measured data.

Follicular Unit Extraction [FUE] - One Procedure, Many Uses.

Follicular unit extraction [FUE] is a minimally invasive hair restoration surgery popularly known for its utility in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In FUE, individual follicular grafts are extracted from donor area and implanted in the recipient area. Advantages of FUE are that it is comparatively 'scarless', has faster healing time, has less downtime and requires less technical staff. This article is aimed to highlight upon the multi-faceted utility of FUE technique in various dermatological indications like androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, facial hair restoration, tractional alopecia, scarring alopecia, body hair transplant, vitiligo as well as hirsutism.

Kerure Clamp: A New Age Tool to Improve Extraction Technique in Follicular Unit Extraction.

BACKGROUND: Follicular unit extraction (FUE) has caused evolution in the management of pattern baldness. FUE methods is less traumatic with faster healing and minimal scarring. FUE is still evolving and many innovations are possible in the future. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To address the usefulness of Kerure clamp, an innovative tool for FUE method of hair transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clamp was used on 20 consecutive patients undergoing FUE for male-pattern baldness. Part of the donor area was divided into test side where extraction was done with clamp in situ and the control where clamp was not used. Follicular transection rate (FTR) was calculated as a percentage for each side and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULT: We found an improvement in the FTR scores on the test side, and this difference was statistically significant (t = 9.63, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A low-cost instrument has been devised by the authors which was shown to improve the the scoring of grafts and also aid in surgeon's efficacy and efficiency.

Complications in Hair Transplantation.

Hair transplantation is a relatively safe surgery and is associated with very few complications. It is a cosmetic surgery so the complications may impact social and psychological aspect of the patient. Every hair transplantation surgeon should be aware of possible complications and techniques for the prevention and techniques of their management. Most of the complications are avoidable and can be minimized by proper surgical technique and wound care. Counseling and discussion with the patient before surgery help in proper planning and avoid patient dissatisfaction. Every patient should be individualized, planned, and operated with an aim to zero-down the complications and complaints.

Synchronizing Pharmacotherapy in Acne with Review of Clinical Care.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that involves the pathogenesis of four major factors, such as androgen-induced increased sebum secretion, altered keratinization, colonization of Propionibacterium acnes, and inflammation. Several acne mono-treatment and combination treatment regimens are available and prescribed in the Indian market, ranging from retinoids, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), anti-infectives, and other miscellaneous agents. Although standard guidelines and recommendations overview the management of mild, moderate, and severe acne, relevance and positioning of each category of pharmacotherapy available in Indian market are still unexplained. The present article discusses the available topical and oral acne therapies and the challenges associated with the overall management of acne in India and suggestions and recommendations by the Indian dermatologists. The experts opined that among topical therapies, the combination therapies are preferred over monotherapy due to associated lower efficacy, poor tolerability, safety issues, adverse effects, and emerging bacterial resistance. Retinoids are preferred in comedonal acne and as maintenance therapy. In case of poor response, combination therapies BPO-retinoid or retinoid-antibacterials in papulopustular acne and retinoid-BPO or BPO-antibacterials in pustular-nodular acne are recommended. Oral agents are generally recommended for severe acne. Low-dose retinoids are economical and have better patient acceptance. Antibiotics should be prescribed till the inflammation is clinically visible. Antiandrogen therapy should be given to women with high androgen levels and are added to regimen to regularize the menstrual cycle. In late-onset hyperandrogenism, oral corticosteroids should be used. The experts recommended that an early initiation of therapy is directly proportional to effective therapeutic outcomes and prevent complications.

Disinfection, sterilization and operation theater guidelines for dermatosurgical practitioners in India.

Modern day dermatologists conduct different esthetic and surgical procedures, with risk of infective complications. Hence, infection control practices need to be established in dermatological practice to minimize the risk of exogenous infections. These practices include hand washing, cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, operation theater sterilization and specifications. Proper hand washing after examination of each patient and prior to any surgery with a formulation containing alcohol alone or as a combination with other agents reduces the chances of transferring infections to and from patients. Sterilization and disinfection constitute the most important aspect of infection control. Disinfectants and disinfecting procedures vary according to the environment and equipment. Proper knowledge of different processes/agents for sterilization and disinfection is essential. Disinfectants for use in hospitals should always be freshly prepared and should be of adequate strength. Sterilization is carried out most commonly using steam sterilizers or ethylene dioxide sterilizers. The waste generated during practice is a potential source of nosocomial infections and should be treated as per the proper protocol and guidelines. Trained staff to carry out these practices is essential.

Hair transplantation: standard guidelines of care.

Hair transplantation is a surgical method of hair restoration. PHYSICIAN QUALIFICATION: The physician performing hair transplantation should have completed post graduation training in dermatology; he should have adequate background training in dermatosurgery at a centre that provides education training in cutaneous surgery. In addition, he should obtain specific hair transplantation training or experience at the surgical table(hands on) under the supervision of an appropriately trained and experienced hair transplant surgeon. In addition to the surgical technique, training should include instruction in local anesthesia and emergency resuscitation and care. FACILITY: Hair transplantation can be performed safely in an outpatient day case dermatosurgical facility. The day case theatre should be equipped with facilities for monitoring and handling emergencies. A plan for handling emergencies should be in place and all nursing staff should be familiar with the emergency plan. It is preferable, but not mandatory to have a standby anesthetist. Indication for hair transplantation is pattern hair loss in males and also in females. In female pattern hair loss, investigations to rule out any underlying cause for hair loss such as anemia and thyroid deficiency should be carried out. Hair transplantation can also be performed in selected cases of scarring alopecia, eyebrows and eye lashes, by experienced surgeons. PREOPERATIVE COUNSELING AND INFORMED CONSENT: Detailed consent form listing details about the procedure and possible complications should be signed by the patient. The consent form should specifically state the limitations of the procedure and if more procedures are needed for proper results, it should be clearly mentioned. Patient should be provided with adequate opportunity to seek information through brochures, computer presentations, and personal discussions. Need for concomitant medical therapy should be emphasized. Patients should understand that proper hair growth can be expected after about 9 months after transplantation. Preoperative laboratory studies to be performed include Hb%, blood counts including platelet count, bleeding and clotting time (or prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time), blood chemistry profile including sugar. METHODS: Follicular unit hair transplantation is the gold standard method of hair transplantation; it preserves the natural architecture of the hair units and gives natural results. Mini-micro-grafting is a method hair transplantation involving randomly assorted groups of hairs, with out consideration of their natural configuration of follicular units, under loupe or naked eye examination. Mini-grafts consist of 4-5-6 hairs while micro-grafts consist of 1-3 hairs. Punch gives ugly cosmetically unacceptable results and should no longer be used. PATIENT SELECTION: Hair transplantation can be performed in any person with pattern hair loss, with good donor area, in good general health and reasonable expectations. Caution should be exercised in, very young patients whose early alopecia is still evolving, patients with Norwood grade VI or VII with poor density, patients with unrealistic expectations, and patients with significant systemic health problems. MEDICAL THERAPY: Most patients will need concurrent medical treatment since the process of pattern hair loss is progressive and may affect the remaining hairs. MANPOWER: Hair transplantation is a team effort. Particularly, performing large sessions, needs a well trained team of trained assistants. ANESTHESIA: 2% lignocaine with adrenaline is generally used for anesthesia; tumescent technique is preferred. Bupivacaine has been used by some authors in view of its prolonged duration of action. DONOR DISSECTION: Strip dissection by single blade is recommended for donor area. Steromicroscopic dissection is recommended for dissection of hair units in follicular unit transplantation; mini-micro-grafting does not need microscopic dissection. RECIPIENT INSERTION: Different techniques and different instruments have been used for recipient site creation ;these depend on the choice of the operating surgeon and have been described in the guidelines. Graft preservation is important to ensure survival. DENSITY: Minimum density of 35-45 units per sq cm is recommended. Results depend on donor characteristics, technique used and individual skills of the surgeon.