Modelling on-demand preprocessing framework towards practical approach in clinical analysis of diabetic retinopathy

<p>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) refers to a complication of diabetes and a prime cause of vision loss in middle-aged people. A timely screening and diagnosis process can reduce the risk of blindness. Fundus imaging is mainly preferred in the clinical analysis of DR. However; the raw fundus images are usually subjected to artifacts, noise, low and varied contrast, which is very hard to process by human visual systems and automated systems. In the existing literature, many solutions are given to enhance the fundus image. However, such approaches are particular and limited to a specific objective that cannot address multiple fundus images. This paper has presented an on-demand preprocessing frame work that integrates different techniques to address geometrical issues, random noises, and comprehensive contrast enhancement solutions. The performance of each preprocessing process is evaluated against peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and brightness is quantified in the enhanced image. The motive of this paper is to offer a flexible approach of preprocessing mechanism that can meet image enhancement needs based on different preprocessing requirements to improve the quality of fundus imaging towards early-stage diabetic retinopathy identification.</p>

The role of inflammation in the development of post-stroke depression in elderly patients

Цель исследования - изучение роли цитокинов, соотношения нейтрофилов и лимфоцитов в развитии постинсультной депрессии (ПД) у больных пожилого возраста. В исследование были включены 110 больных с острым ишемическим инсультом, из них 60 человек среднего возраста (52±5 лет) и 50 - пожилого возраста (66±4 года). Контрольную группу составили 20 человек среднего возраста без инсульта в анамнезе. Через 3 мес наблюдения ПД в пожилом возрасте развилась у 28 (56 %) больных, в среднем возрасте - у 26 (43,3 %). Больные пожилого возраста с ишемическим инсультом, у которых развилась ПД, были достоверно старше (7,9 %, р<0,05), чаще имели артериальную гипертензию (12,4 %, р<0,05), уровень гликемии выше на 16,1 % (р<0,05), триглицеридов - на 14 % (р<0,05), ЛПНП - на 12,8 % (р<0,05). Больные среднего возраста с ПД имели ИМТ выше на 8,1 % (р<0,05), уровень гликемии - на 9,6 % (р<0,05), триглицеридов - на 10,9 % (р<0,05), ЛПНП - на 9,7 % (р<0,05), чем больные без депрессии. Пожилые больные с ишемическим инсультом и ПД имели более высокий уровень цитокинов - IL-1β был выше на 35,4 % (р<0,01), TNF-α - на 27 % (р<0,01), INF-γ - на 18 % (р<0,01), чем у больных без ПД. У больных пожилого возраста с ПД соотношение нейтрофилов и лимфоцитов (Н/Л) было на 46 % (p<0,001) выше, чем у больных без ПД. В группе больных пожилого возраста при наличии ПД соотношение Н/Л было на 50 % (p<0,001) выше, чем в аналогичной группе среднего возраста. Таким образом, у пожилых больных с ишемическим инсультом уровень маркеров воспаления может иметь прогностическое значение в развитии постинсультной депрессии. The aim of the study was to study the role of cytokines, the ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the development of post-stroke depression in elderly patients. The study included 110 patients with acute ischemic stroke, including 60 middle-aged people (52±5 years) and 50 elderly people (66±4 years). The control group consisted of 20 middle-aged people without a history of stroke. After 3 months of follow-up, post-stroke depression (PSD) developed in the elderly in 28 patients (56 %), in the middle age in 26 patients (43,3 %). Patients with ischemic stroke in the elderly who developed PSD were significantly older (7,9 %, p<0,05), more often had arterial hypertension (12,4 %, p<0,05), the level of glucose was 16,1 % higher (p<0,05), triglycerides by 14 % (p<0,05), LDL-C by 12,8 % (p<0,05). In middle age, patients with post-stroke depression had a body mass index higher by 8,1 % (p<0,05), a glucose level by 9,6 % (p<0,05), triglycerides by 10,9 % (p<0,05), LDL-C by 9,7 % (p<0,05) than patients without PSD. Elderly patients with ischemic stroke and PSD had higher levels of cytokines - IL-1β was 35,4 % higher (p<0,01), TNF-α by 27 % (p<0,01), INF-γ by 18 % (p<0,01) than in patients without PSD. In elderly patients with PSD, the ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) is 46 % (p<0,001) higher than in patients without PSD. In the elderly, in the presence of PSD, the N/L ratio was 50 % (p<0,001) higher than in the same middle-aged group. Thus, in elderly patients with ischemic stroke, the level of inflammatory markers may have a prognostic value in the development of post-stroke depression.

The Influence of Aging on the Functional Connectivity of the Human Basal Ganglia

Although basal ganglia (BG) are involved in the motor disorders of aged people, the effect of aging on the functional interaction of BG is not well-known. This work was aimed at studying the influence of aging on the functional connectivity of the motor circuit of BG (BGmC). Thirty healthy volunteers were studied (young-group 26.4 ± 5.7 years old; aged-group 63.1 ± 5.8 years old) with a procedure planned to prevent the spurious functional connectivity induced by the closed-loop arrangement of the BGmC. BG showed different functional interactions during the inter-task intervals and when subjects did not perform any voluntary task. Aging induced marked changes in the functional connectivity of the BGmC during these inter-task intervals. The finger movements changed the functional connectivity of the BG, these modifications were also different in the aged-group. Taken together, these data show a marked effect of aging on the functional connectivity of the BGmC, and these effects may be at the basis of the motor handicaps of aged people during the execution of motor-tasks and when they are not performing any voluntary motor task.

If You Are Old, Videos Look Slow. The Paradoxical Effect of Age-Related Motor Decline on the Kinematic Interpretation of Visual Scenes

Perception and action are tightly coupled. However, there is still little recognition of how individual motor constraints impact perception in everyday life. Here we asked whether and how the motor slowing that accompanies aging influences the sense of visual speed. Ninety-four participants aged between 18 and 90 judged the natural speed of video clips reproducing real human or physical motion (SoS, Sense-of-Speed adjustment task). They also performed a finger tapping task and a visual search task, which estimated their motor speed and visuospatial attention speed, respectively. Remarkably, aged people judged videos to be too slow (speed underestimation), as compared to younger people: the Point of Subjective Equality (PSE), which estimated the speed bias in the SoS task, was +4% in young adults (&lt;40), +12% in old adults (40–70) and +16% in elders. On average, PSE increased with age at a rate of 0.2% per year, with perceptual precision, adjustment rate, and completion time progressively worsening. Crucially, low motor speed, but not low attentional speed, turned out to be the key predictor of video speed underestimation. These findings suggest the existence of a counterintuitive compensatory coupling between action and perception in judging dynamic scenes, an effect that becomes particularly germane during aging.

Koettu työkyky ja hyvinvointitekijät Lapin 40–59-vuotiaassa väestössä

Heikentyneeseen työkykyyn yhteydessä olevien tekijöiden selvittäminen on tärkeää pyrittäessä ehkäisemään työelämästä syrjäytymistä ja parantamaan kuntoutuksen suuntaamista. Työkyvyn muutokset ovat 40 vuotta täyttäneillä yleisempiä kuin nuoremmissa ikäryhmissä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää sosiaalisten resurssien ja psyykkiseen hyvinvointiin liittyvien tekijöiden yhteyttä työkyvyn heikentymiseen Lapissa asuvilla 40–59-vuotiailla henkilöillä. Tiedonkeruu toteutettiin Lapin sairaanhoitopiirissä syksyllä 2012. Postikyselyn otos oli 8200 henkilöä ja vastausprosentti 33. Ikäryhmään 40–59 vuotta kuului vastanneista 959 (vastausprosentti 32). Heikentynyt työkyky määriteltiin työkykypistemäärän avulla (arvo 0–7 asteikolla 0–10). Analyysimenetelmänä oli logistinen regressioanalyysi. Terveys ja työkyky olivat työssä olevilla paremmat ja eläkeläisillä heikommat kuin työttömillä. Psyykkisen hyvinvoinnin ongelmia oli työttömillä ja eläkeläisillä yhtä paljon. Pääasiallinen toiminta, sosiaalinen tuki, psyykkinen roolitoiminta, depressio ja terveydentila olivat tilastollisesti merkitsevästi yhteydessä heikentyneeseen työkykyyn kokonaismallissa, joka sisälsi myös sosiodemografiset taustamuuttujat. Tietoja työkykyä selittävistä tekijöistä voidaan käyttää hyväksi pohdittaessa työkykyä ylläpitävän toiminnan ja kuntoutuksen mahdollisuuksia. Abstract Perceived work ability and related factors with middle-aged people living in Lapland Perceived work ability predicts continuing at work or withdrawal to disability pension. The aim of the study was to investigate the associations of social, psychological and health factors with work ability in persons aged 40-59 years, living in Lapland. The total sample of the study was 8200 persons and the response rate 33. The number of persons aged 40–59 was 959 (response rate 32). A single-item work ability measure (work ability compared with the life time best) was used. With the unemployed, health and work ability were weaker than with those at work and better than with those at pension. Logistic regression analysis was used in determining the associations of social, psychological and health factors with work ability. In the total model, life situation, social support, psychological role functioning, depression and state of health were statistically significant predictors among all respondents, whereas health was the most important predictor among those at work. Information of factors associated with work ability is needed when developing strategies for rehabilitation and maintaining work ability.

Relationship between physical activity and functional capacity change in aged cohort in São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and functional capacity change among aged people. Methods: we analyzed data of an aged cohort looking for determinants of functional capacity at follow-up. Baseline data were collected between 2007 and 2008 - average follow-up of 3,5 years. A full multivariate linear regression model was built to evaluate functional capacity at the end of the follow-up, controlling for functional capacity at baseline, sociodemographic, health and behavioral characteristics and amount of leisure-time physical activity in the period. Results: final model showed functional capacity independently correlated with age (p<0.001), body mass (p=0.013) and the number of activities of daily living compromised at baseline (p<0.001). Functional capacity improved with increased physical activity but loss statistical significance after adjustments (p=0.384). Conclusions: functional capacity decreases with increased age, increased loss of functional capacity at baseline and increased body mass. Albeit a non-significant association, leisure-time physical activity appears as an important modifiable factor.

Are E-Commerce (Shopping) Companies Targeting the Right Segment in India

The traditional trade and business are increasingly getting tough competition from e-commerce. E-commerce has reached most of the consumers in the urban sector and the youth, but the challenge lies in front of the companies so that it reaches the rural sector and the aged people. The rural population of India has to go to nearby cities to purchase luxury products. E-commerce can widen its area of operations and come to their help. Also, thanks to Jio, the people aged more than 45 and the retired are increasingly getting digital in the urban areas. Many of them still purchase the old-fashioned way, but they may adapt to e-commerce as they are adopting the digital world. Here, e-commerce can get new market segment without changing much in their logistics. A thing that is critical within the digital marketplace is the profound understanding of people, their behavior, and their community.