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Using a large set of ultrasound features does not necessarily ensure improved quantitative classification of breast tumors; rather, it often degrades the performance of a classifier. In this paper, we propose an effective feature reduction approach in the transform domain for improved multi-class classification of breast tumors. Feature transformation methods, such as empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT), followed by a filter- or wrapper-based subset selection scheme are used to extract a set of non-redundant and more potential transform domain features through decorrelation of an optimally ordered sequence of N ultrasonic bi-modal (i.e., quantitative ultrasound and elastography) features. The proposed transform domain bi-modal reduced feature set with different conventional classifiers will classify 201 breast tumors into benign-malignant as well as BI-RADS ⩽ 3, 4, and 5 categories. For the latter case, an inadmissible error probability is defined for the subset selection using a wrapper/filter. The classifiers use train truth from histopathology/cytology for binary (i.e., benign-malignant) separation of tumors and then bi-modal BI-RADS scores from the radiologists for separating malignant tumors into BI-RADS category 4 and 5. A comparative performance analysis of several widely used conventional classifiers is also presented to assess their efficacy for the proposed transform domain reduced feature set for classification of breast tumors. The results show that our transform domain bimodal reduced feature set achieves improvement of 5.35%, 3.45%, and 3.98%, respectively, in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy as compared to that of the original domain optimal feature set for benign-malignant classification of breast tumors. In quantitative classification of breast tumors into BI-RADS categories ⩽ 3, 4, and 5, the proposed transform domain reduced feature set attains improvement of 3.49%, 9.07%, and 3.06%, respectively, in likelihood of malignancy and 4.48% in inadmissible error probability compared to that of the original domain optimal subset. In summary, the construction of a transform domain reduced feature set by extracting complementary information from a large set of available bi-modal features and use of qualitative bi-modal BI-RADS can contribute to improved quantitative classification of breast tumors and thereby help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, securing a nearly minimum chance of a life-endangering diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposed here is a breast tumor classification technique using conventional ultrasound B-mode imaging and a new elasticity imaging-based bimodal multiparameter index. A set of conventional ultrasound (US) and ultrasound elastography (UE) parameters are studied, and among those, the effective ones whose independent as well as combined performance is found satisfactory are selected. To improve the combined US performance, two new US parameters are proposed: edge diffusivity, which assesses edge blurriness to differentiate malignant from benign lesions, and the shape asymmetry factor, which quantifies tumor shape irregularity by comparing the tumor boundary with an ellipse fitted to the lesion. Then a new bimodal multiparameter characterization index is defined to discriminate 201 pathologically confirmed breast tumors of which 56 are malignant lesions, 79 are fibroadenomas, 42 are cysts and 24 are inflammatory lesions. The weights of the multiparameter bimodal index are optimally computed using a genetic algorithm (GA). To evaluate the performance variation of the index on different data sets, the tumors are categorized into three classes: malignant lesion versus fibroadenoma, malignant lesion versus fibroadenoma and cyst and malignant lesion versus fibroadenoma, cyst and inflammation. The test results reveal that the proposed bimodal index achieves satisfactory quality metrics ( e.g ., 94.64%–98.21% sensitivity, 97.24%–100.00% specificity and 96.52%–99.44% accuracy) for classification of the aforementioned three classes of breast tumors. Its performance is also observed to be better in totality of the quality metrics sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value as compared with that of a conventional bimodal index as well as unimodal multiparameter indices based on US or UE. It is suggested that the proposed simple bimodal linear classifier may assist radiologists in better diagnosis of breast tumors and help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanolic extracts of some fruits of Cucurbitaceae family such as Cucumis sativus (cucumber), Lagenaria siceraria (white pumpkin), Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd), Benincasa hispida (ash gourd), Citrullus lanatus (sweet melon) and Cucarbita maxima (pumpkin) have been studied for their hypoglycemic effects on alloxan induced diabetic rats (AIDRs). Screening results suggested that among the tested fruits the hypoglycemic potency follows: cucumber > white pumpkin > ridge gourd. These three fruit-extracts were further investigated for their hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and glycogenesis effects. Cucumber, white pumpkin and ridge gourd extracts reduced blood glucose level by 67, 65 and 51%, respectively at 12 hours after single intraperitoneal injection; while reduced the low density lipoprotein (LDL) level to 13, 28 and 86%, respectively in AIDRs. The maximum reduction 87% was observed by cucumber extract. Cucumber, white pumpkin and ridge gourd extracts reduced total cholesterol level to 29, 15 and 38%, respectively comparing with the diabetic control group. Here the maximum reduction of 85% was observed by white pumpkin extract. Cucumber, white pumpkin and ridge gourd also reduced triglyceride levels to 72, 68 and 80%, respectively. Maximum reduction of 32% was observed by white pumpkin. Significant improvement of glycogenesis was also observed by ridge gourd extracts in AIDRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on quantum monitoring of cellular metabolic activities in single mitochondria. It performs measurements on single isolated mitochondria. We were able to detect free radicals generated by individual mitochondria in either living cells or isolated mitochondria after stimulation or inhibition. It reports that , free radicals have short lifetimes and are highly reactive, making them difficult to measure using current methods.

Introduction: Dengue is a major public health concern in our country. The alarming thing is that the seasonal trend of dengue infection is changing with time in Bangladesh due to climate change and unplanned urbanization. Our study was conducted to determine the frequency of dengue virus infection among the febrile patients in 2018 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and to observe the seasonal trend. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 899 febrile patients attended in DMCH from January to December, 2018. Whole blood samples were collected and sera were tested for dengue NS1 antigen and anti-dengue IgM antibodies using commercial test kits (NS1 by OMC Healthcare (Pvt.) Ltd & IgM antibody by Omega Diagnostics Ltd.), respectively. All negative dengue cases were tested for anti Chikungunya antibody to exclude chikungunya. Results: Of the total 899 febrile patients, 350(38.93%) were positive for Dengue infection. Out of them 264(75.43%) were positive for NS1, 82 (23.43%) were positive for IgM and 4 (1.14%) were positive for dengue NS1antigen + anti dengue IgM antibody. More than 50% patients belonged to age group 15-29 years. Males were predominant. More than 60% cases were detected in the post monsoon season. Conclusion: Highest dengue cases were detected in this year in comparison to the previous years probably due to re-emergence of DEN-3 serotype. Due to pattern of climate change, seasonal trend of dengue infection was not maintained. Moreover, unplanned urbanization and poor solid waste management have worsened the situation more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dengue is now established as one of the most important Arboviral infection in tropical countries. As the epidemic continues worldwide, this Aedes mosquito-transmitted pathogen is considered a major re-emerging tropical disease and significant public health concern. The study was conducted to determine the sero-epidemiology and clinical picture of dengue virus infection among the clinically suspected patients attended in Dhaka Medical College Hospital during January to December 2016. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 145 clinically suspected Dengue patients attended in Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January to December 2016 who had fever with temperature >39°C. Blood sample was collected during acute febrile phase of patients and separated sera were tested for NS1 dengue antigen and IgM antibodies using commercial test kits (NS1 by OMC Healthcare (Pvt.) Ltd & IgM antibody by Omega Diagnostics Ltd.). Results: Of the total 145 patients 40 (27.6%) were positive for Dengue NS1 antigen and or IgM antibody test. Of the positive 40 patients, 18 (45%) were positive for NS1, 19 (47.5%) were positive for IgM and 3 (7.5%) were positive for both NS1 and IgM antibody. Major clinical manifestations were fever with arthralgia (79.5%) and retro-orbital pain (50%). Conclusion: Outbreak of Dengue fever is continuing every year and typical presentation of Dengue fever has changed. Arthralgia and retro orbital pain was the most common clinical feature in the present study instead of headache and rash with fever. A large number of suspected dengue cases were negative by Dengue tests for antigen NS1 and IgM antibody which suggests other organisms of similar clinical manifestations are becoming prevalent in Dhaka city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six marketed oral antidiabetic metformin tablets in Bangladesh have been studied for their drug content, release profile and glucose lowering capacities. This sort of study is a good indicator for in vivo evaluation of the quality of an oral antidiabetic preparation. Marketed preparations of metformin-HCl from different manufacturers were randomly chosen for this study. The drug content was within the United State Pharmacopoeia (USP) specified limit (95-105%) in all cases. The blood glucose levels were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (SIDRs) after 5 hours of single dose (110 mg/kg body weight) treatment of the products; significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose level by 58.1, 53.2, 50.8, 77.0, 72.9 and 49.1%, respectively; which were consistent with antihyperglycemic effects of standard metformin-HCl (71.3%). All the products were found to be qualified in lowering blood glucose level. It may be inferred that the metformin-HCl tablets of Bangladeshi manufacturers complies with the standard specifications for drug contents, dissolution and antihyperglycemic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue virus (DENV) that caused an outbreak in Dhaka, Bangladesh during 2018 was analysed phylogenetically. DENV samples were classified into type 2-Cosmopolitan genotype (54%) and type 3-genotype I (46%), indicating co-circulation of two DENV types and resurgence of type 3 associated with genotype replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]