Girish Chandra

Association of TNF-α (-238 and -308) promoter polymorphisms with susceptibility of oral squamous cell carcinoma in North Indian population

BACKGROUND The pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential role in immune response and are involved in a variety of inflammatory and infectious disease. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphism has been a potential determinant of susceptibility to various types of cancer. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of TNF-α gene promoter (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility of OSCC patients in North Indian population. METHODS A total 272 patients with OSCC and 185 healthy volunteers were genotypes for the TNF-α (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A gene polymorphism. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotype frequencies were evaluated by Chi-square test and Odds ratio (OR) relative risk. RESULTS TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC patients as compared to healthy volunteers (GG vs. GA: OR=0.3500, 95% CI=0.1289-09502; p=0.036; G vs. A: OR=0.3589 1.477, 95% CI=0.1335-0.9652; p=0.0386). No significant association was found in TNF-α (-308) G/A gene polymorphism with OSCC patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC however TNF-α (-308) G/A polymorphism was not associated in OSCC patients.

Complex Event Processing for Object Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks

Complex Event Processing (CEP) is a relatively new, but got wider acceptability due to its systematic and multi level architecture driven concept approach. CEP is an emerging technology for processing and identifying patterns of interest from multiple streams of events. CEP is used in development of applications which have to deal with voluminous streams of incoming data with the task of finding meaningful events or patterns of events, and respond to the events of interest in real time. In this paper a CEP based application for object detection and tracking in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) environment is proposed. Also the detection of an intruder using semantic query processing is proposed.

Fingerprint identification using Cross Correlation of Field Orientation

In this paper, an efficient means to provide personal identification using finger print has been proposed. Field orientation method available in literature overcomes the drawbacks in the minutiae method. In order to get a better accuracy in identification even in noisy condition, a new method — Cross Correlation of Field Orientation (CCFO) is proposed in this paper. The proposed scheme uses field orientation of the fingerprint image with cross correlation. Orientation Field Methodology (OFM) has been used as a pre-processing module. Using this, it is possible to identify whether the person is authenticated or an intruder. OFM converts images into a field pattern based on the direction of ridges loops and bifurcations in the finger print image. The input image is then cross correlated with all the images in the cluster and the highest correlated image is taken as the output. As the proposed scheme uses Field Orientation images for fingerprint identification, the results give better accuracy even in case of damaged or partial images. This scheme provides an additional feature of immunity to noise.

Comparison between Thoracic Epidural Block and Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Post Thoracotomy Pain Relief

INTRODUCTION Postoperative pain after thoracotomy is being considered one of the most severe pain and if not treated well, can result in various respiratory and other complications. AIM Present study was conducted with the aim to compare continuous thoracic epidural infusion with continuous paravertebral infusion for postoperative pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and four point observer ranking. The secondary outcomes measured were pulmonary functions and any complication like hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention and neurological complications if any. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients of age group 18-60 years posted for anterolateral thoracotomy surgery for lung resection were randomised either to epidural or paravertebral group in this randomised prospective double blind study. In Epidural group 7.5ml bolus of 0.125% Bupivacaine with 50μg Fentanyl and in Paravertebral group 15ml bolus of 0.125% Bupivacaine with 50μg Fentanyl was given 30 minutes before the anticipated end of surgery. Bolus dose was followed by infusion of 0.125% Bupivacaine with 2μg/ml Fentanyl at the rate of 5 ml/hr in both groups. Parameters noted were Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Heart Rate (HR), Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Arterial Blood Gas (PaCO2, P/F ratio), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Four Point Observer Ranking Scale (FPORS) for pain, number of sensory segments blocked (by checking for pinprick sensation), requirement of infusion top ups and rescue analgesia (Tramadol), pre and postoperative pulmonary function test {(Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)1, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)} and complications from start of infusion till 24 hours in the postoperative period. RESULTS Both the techniques were effective in relieving pain but pain relief was significantly better with epidural. Postoperatively, HR, SpO2, P/F ratio and PaCO2 were comparable between group E and P. There was significant decline in FeV1, FVC, FeV1/FVC and PEFR in postoperative period as compared to preoperative value in both the groups. Hypotension and bradycardia were more in group E. CONCLUSION Both the techniques, continuous thoracic epidural block and continuous thoracic paravertebral block were effective for post-thoracotomy pain relief; however, epidural block provides better pain relief. The incidence of sympatholytic complications was more in epidural group. The effect on respiratory mechanics was equivalent. Hence, paravertebral block can be used in post thoracotomy pain relief in those patients where thoracic epidural is contraindicated.

Semantic Intruder Detection System in WSN

Today, surveillance systems play a key role in highly secured areas. The most common surveillance system, CCTV, produces a continuous image and has various problems such as high cost, need for continuous human intervention, and an inherent difficulty in locating and identifying the intruder due to the presence of obstacles. This paper proposes a scheme to classify a persons movement as intrusive or non-intrusive in a semantic way. The classification is aided with the help of sensor network. The sensor network is considered to be heterogeneous. It uses a PIR sensor for movement detection, an RFID sensor for identifying the person and an image sensor for verification. This system uses both wired and wireless networks for efficient data transfer. Data from either networks are synchronised using time and location information. The proposed Intruder Detection System identifies a person as an intruder, if there is any mismatch in the sensed information.

Decision Level Fusion Framework for Face Authentication System

In this paper, multiple algorithm and score-level fusion for enhancing the performance of the face based biometric person authentication system is proposed. Though many algorithms are conferred, several crucial issues are still involved in the face authentication. Most traditional algorithms are based on certain assumptions failing which the system will not give appropriate results. Due to the inherent variations in face with time and space, it is a big challenge to formulate a single algorithm based on the face biometric that works well under all variations. This paper addresses the problem of illumination and pose variations, by using three different algorithms for face recognition: Block Independent Component Analysis (B-ICA), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Kalman filter. The weighted average based score level fusion is performed to improve the results obtained by the system. An intensive analysis of the various algorithms has been performed and the results indicate an increase in accuracy of the proposed system.

Genetic polymorphism of interleukin-10 (-A592C) among oral cancer with squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine with either immunosuppressive or immunostimulative activities. It has been reported that in cancer, the promoter region polymorphism of IL-10 (-A592C) alters both the expression and serum levels of this cytokine. In the present study, we have addressed the question as to whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -592 A/C in the IL-10 gene promoter, could predispose an individual to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DESIGN We analyzed the genotype of the IL-10 (-A592C) gene, in 250 histopathologically confirmed OSCC patients and similar number of healthy volunteers taken as controls, in an Indian population by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by the Students t-test and the chi-squared test, and strength of associations by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS The genotype and allele distribution of IL-10 (-A592C) gene polymorphism was significantly different between OSCC cases and controls (genotype AA vs AC: OR 2.87; 95 % CI 1.50-5.48; p=0.0016 and AA vs CC: OR 4.08; 95 % CI 1.98-8.41; p=0.0002). The -592 C alleles were found to be significantly different among OSCC cases and controls (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12-1.85, p<0.0051). CONCLUSIONS The IL-10 gene promoter region (-592) A/C polymorphism is significantly associated with reduced risk of OSCC. The OSCC group had a significantly greater frequency of genotype AA as compared to control group.

Transdermal Buprenorphine Patches for Postoperative Pain Control in Abdominal Surgery

INTRODUCTION Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic derivative of thebaine; its low concentration is sufficient to provide effective pain relief. AIM To evaluate the efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine patch in postoperative pain management. MATERIALS AND METHODS After ethical approval and taking informed consent from the patients, they were randomized into three groups (n=30 in each group) using a computer generated random number table. Group A: placebo patch; Group B: buprenorphine (10mg) patch and Group C: buprenorphine (20mg) patch. Haemodynamic and analgesic effects were compared by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Turkeys post hoc test. The proportion of side effects was compared using the Chi-square test. RESULTS Haemodynamic changes were not statistically different in all the three groups A, B and C, whereas at the end of surgery VAS score of Group A subjects was significantly higher (4.93±0.98) as compared to Group B (1.73±0.64) and Group C (1.40±0.50). On 2(nd) postoperative day, no pain was reported by the Group C patients and on 4(th) day after surgery, no pain was reported by Group B patients. CONCLUSION The transdermal buprenorphine patch (20mg) was effective in attenuating postoperative pain, maintaining haemodynamic stability requiring no rescue analgesia, with fewer postoperative rescue analgesic requirements in low dose of buprenorphine patch (10mg) group.

Optimization of Bupivacaine Induced Subarachnoid Block by Clonidine: Effect of Different Doses of Oral Clonidine

Background: Various drugs are used for premedication to reduce anxiety and to provide hemodynamic stability. The study was designed to investigate the optimum dose of oral clonidine administered preoperatively with regard to its anxiolytic efficacy and its effect on hemodynamics and sedation. We studied the effect of three different doses of oral clonidine on surgeries below umbilicus which were administered intrathecal bupivacaine. Methods: A placebo controlled double blind study was conducted on 120 patients scheduled for surgeries below umbilicus. Group 1 received oral placebo, group 2 received oral clonidine 3 μg kg-1, group 3 received oral clonidine 4 μg kg-1 and group 4 received oral clonidine 5 μg kg-1 along with 0.5% heavy bupivacaine 0.3 μg kg-1 intrathecally in each group. Outcomes assessed were anxiolysis through VAS, level of sensory block, time to reach highest sensory segment, regression to L1 segment, sedation score, bradycardia and hypotension. Results: There was improved block duration and sedation with the different doses of clonidine. Time for the sensory block to regress to L1 and rescue analgesia was longest in 4 followed by groups 3 and 2. There was significant dose dependent decrease in VAS anxiety score between group 1 and other clonidine groups in intraoperative and post-operative period. However, the episodes of bradycardia and hypotension were highest in 4 group. Conclusion: Preoperative oral clonidine 4 μg kg-1 appears to be the optimum dose for optimization of spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine as it prolongs the sensory block maximally with minimal side effects.

Face recognition using discrete cosine transform and fisher linear discriminant

In this paper, an efficient method for face recognition based on the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) and classifier is presented. First, the dimensionality of the original face image is reduced using the DCT and illumination variations are alleviated by discarding the first few low-frequency DCT coefficients. FLD is applied to the selected DCT coefficients to discriminate the invariant facial features. The KNN classifier is used for the recognition of the faces using the features extracted from the FLD. Simulation results show that the proposed system achieves better performance with high training and high recognition rate as well as very good illumination robustness.