Articulation-aware Canonical Surface Mapping

We tackle the tasks of: 1) predicting a Canonical Surface Mapping (CSM) that indicates the mapping from 2D pixels to corresponding points on a canonical template shape, and 2) inferring the articulation and pose of the template corresponding to the input image. While previous approaches rely on keypoint supervision for learning, we present an approach that can learn without such annotations. Our key insight is that these tasks are geometrically related, and we can obtain supervisory signal via enforcing consistency among the predictions. We present results across a diverse set of animal object categories, showing that our method can learn articulation and CSM prediction from image collections using only foreground mask labels for training. We empirically show that allowing articulation helps learn more accurate CSM prediction, and that enforcing the consistency with predicted CSM is similarly critical for learning meaningful articulation.Comment: To appear at CVPR 2020, project page https://nileshkulkarni.github.io/acsm

HIF Expression in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) Tumors of Adults with and without Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Introduction: Upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is an important pathological feature shared by clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, it is unclear whether OSA alters the pathogenesis of ccRCC via HIF expression. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adults undergoing nephrectomy for ccRCC was identified electronically (IRB#16040-1). The diagnosis of OSA was established with preoperative STOP-BANG scores or polysomnography. A consecutive sample of 20 individuals with and 20 without OSA was selected. Clinical characteristics and pathology results were reviewed. Resected tumor sections were immunohistochemically stained for HIF-1& HIF-2 at antibody dilutions of 1:150. Intensity and percentage of staining as determined by an expert uropathologist were used to calculate a histoscore (0-12). Results: Individuals with OSA exhibited a higher prevalence of hypertension (95% vs. 50%, p-value 0.00138) and a greater median BMI (34.8 vs. 29.05, p-value 0.00578). Tumor grades and stages were not statistically different between groups. The prevalence of positive HIF-1 expression (histoscore \u3e2) was higher in the OSA group (80% vs. 50%, p=0.0466). Nonetheless, median histoscores were not statistically different (4 vs. 2.5, p = 0.2187) between groups. A suboptimal staining quality precluded reliable HIF-2 histoscores. Conclusion: In individuals with OSA, ccRCC tumors exhibit a higher prevalence of positive HIF-1 staining. Statistically significant differences in terms of HIF-1 histoscores, tumor grade, and stage were not identified. Future studies can use our results to perform formal sample size calculations, optimize HIF-2 staining procedures, and elucidate the role of OSA in the pathogenesis of ccRCC

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Presenting as Transverse Myelitis

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare demyelinating disease caused by reactivation of JC virus affecting typically subcortical and periventricular white matter of immunocompromised hosts (HIV infection, hematologic malignancies). We present an unusual case of PML predominantly affecting cervical spinal cord and brainstem in an immunocompetent host. A 65-year-old female presented with vertigo, hemiparesis and right sided weakness. MRI of the brain without contrast showed T2 signal abnormality involving the medulla extending into the upper cervical cord to C2-C3 level. Further work up showed positive ANA, elevated SS-A/Ro and SS-B/La antibodies consistent with Sjögren Syndrome. The patient deteriorated rapidly, expiring eight days after onset of acute respiratory failure. Autopsy showed multifocal white matter lesions with perivascular lymphocytic cuffing, microglial nodules, influx of activated microglial and numerous oligodendroglial nuclei with ground glass inclusions in the spinal cord, brain stem, cerebellum and cerebral hemisphere. The inclusions were immunoreactive with Simian virus-40 (SV-40), P53 and MIB-1 immunostains. The distributions of the lesions were predominantly in the medulla and upper cervical cord, correlating with pre-mortem MRI. A rare subset of PML cases can occur in association with connective tissue disorders (Sjögren in this case), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common. Predominantly spinal involvement by PML is also rare. PML should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord/brainstem lesions, particularly in the patients with connective tissue disorders. This highlights the importance of post-mortem examination in selected cases without definite clinical diagnosis.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2019caserpt/1068/thumbnail.jp

Self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls

 Background: Adolescent period reports experiences of changes in physical, mental and social functions. Self-esteem has a significant contribution to wellbeing and depression in adolescent. The aim and objective was to evaluate self-esteem and wellbeing among adolescent girls with tribal and non-tribal ethnicity.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in which 2 schools and 1 institute selected using purposive sampling. The total enumeration method of random sampling was obtained to select participants. Total of 360 adolescent girls (180 each tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls) were selected for the study. Socio-demographic datasheet, adolescent wellbeing scale and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used for the assessment.Results: The adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity found to have low self-esteem and wellbeing (depressive) compared to adolescent girls with non-tribal ethnicity. 33.9% of tribal adolescent girls and 13.3% of non-tribal adolescent girls found in depressive dimension.Conclusions: The deliberate efforts to build self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal adolescent girls can help to promote their mental health. The mental health promotion and wellness programs specific to ethnicity and culture requires to uphold the wellbeing of the adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity

Elastography evaluation of normal thyroid gland and its comparison with diffuse non nodular enlarged thyroid gland using strain ultrasound elastography

Background: The thyroid gland is located in the anterior part of neck, spanning between C5 and T1 vertebra and is located anterior to the thyroid and cricoids cartilage of larynx and first three tracheal rings. Ultrasonography has been widely used for diagnosis of thyroid disease it is highly regarded for its ease of use, real-time capability, portability and low cost.Methods: The current observational study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Dr. BRAM Hospital, Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, India. Consecutive sampling method was used for the study. All the cases coming to radiology department during the study period were taken as study subjects.Results: Of the normal subjects, author found 107 normal thyroid subjects and 53 patients were categorized into cases with diffuse non-nodular thyroid swelling groups. Of the diffuse thyroid swelling group about 85% of the study population is between 20-50 years of age group, 13.2% were 50 years of age. Females to male ratio for diffuse thyroid disease is 3.4:1.Conclusions: Ultrasound elastography (USE) is a newly developed non-invasive method to evaluate and compare the elasticity of the thyroid gland and other organs like liver, prostate, parotid, breast pathologies. Its use is based on the principle that pathological changes in a tissue also changes its elasticity